"What is it with David Moyes and strikers?"

dholliday · March 4, 2013

Not my words, but I share the concern.

The Guardian's football writers I think describe the situation well enough:

There is a long list of strikers signed by David Moyes who have excelled for a season or so only to begin running the channels and chasing down throw-ins and then slump to mediocrity soon after.

Yep. Beattie, Bent, AJ, Yak, Jela...even Rooney's second season under Moyes was less goalscoring.

See point 10 here

What's the answer? More attack-minded coaches in the setup? We've had Sheedy and Dunc, tho' I wouldn't mind asking Cottee if he fancies a job as the striker's coach at our club. He wasn't one for running channels, but he was one for consistently scoring goals with instinctive finishing. Maybe our strikers need some of that instilled into them (and maybe Moyes needs to understand that a goalscrounger can ultimately be a stronger defence than a tracking-back striker).

ijjysmith · March 4, 2013

Interesting that a decent ish paper has now picked up on this too.

kenada_blue · March 4, 2013

Journo slow on the uptake shocker.

The only player to bag 10+ goals in 2 seasons under Moyes was Saha I believe.

Could be wrong.

Christiffa25 · March 4, 2013

But don't all strikers run the channels??

Rvp Rooney do...Defoe does, augero certainly does, as does giround.

I find it very hard to believe that moyes doesn't ask players to run the channels for there first year. Then all of a sudden on impressing he reverts to asking them to continually run the channels. And then not realize this is not working but refuses to tell them not too and stay in the box.

If jelavic had scored 5 more goals this season by finishing better would anyone even be questioning a supposed running of the channels??

He just needs to slot more of his chances IMO.

ijjysmith · March 4, 2013

Christiffa25 said:
But don't all strikers run the channels??

Rvp Rooney do...Defoe does, augero certainly does, as does giround.

I find it very hard to believe that moyes doesn't ask players to run the channels for there first year. Then all of a sudden on impressing he reverts to asking them to continually run the channels. And then not realize this is not working but refuses to tell them not too and stay in the box.

If jelavic had scored 5 more goals this season by finishing better would anyone even be questioning a supposed running of the channels??

He just needs to slot more of his chances IMO.

Of course nobody would care if he was slotting this season. But he isn't and that's more of the point, rather than the running like a div down the wings.

The point is more why do strikers go crap after their first season with us?

Jelavic was so painful on Saturday. Like a horse that needs putting down.

davek · March 4, 2013

Christiffa25 said:
But don't all strikers run the channels??

Rvp Rooney do...Defoe does, augero certainly does, as does giround.

I find it very hard to believe that moyes doesn't ask players to run the channels for there first year. Then all of a sudden on impressing he reverts to asking them to continually run the channels. And then not realize this is not working but refuses to tell them not too and stay in the box.

If jelavic had scored 5 more goals this season by finishing better would anyone even be questioning a supposed running of the channels??

He just needs to slot more of his chances IMO.

No.

Moyes gets a lot wrong, but he cant be blamed for Jelavic standing in front of the goal and knocking it wide, high or right at the keeper.

Christiffa25 · March 4, 2013

ijjysmith said:
Of course nobody would care if he was slotting this season. But he isn't and that's more of the point, rather than the running like a div down the wings.

The point is more why do strikers go crap after their first season with us?

Jelavic was so painful on Saturday. Like a horse that needs putting down.

Maybe because we're signing average/good PL strikers not 25M world class ones??

tasslehoff · March 4, 2013

Christiffa25 said:
But don't all strikers run the channels??

Rvp Rooney do...Defoe does, augero certainly does, as does giround.

I find it very hard to believe that moyes doesn't ask players to run the channels for there first year. Then all of a sudden on impressing he reverts to asking them to continually run the channels. And then not realize this is not working but refuses to tell them not too and stay in the box.

If jelavic had scored 5 more goals this season by finishing better would anyone even be questioning a supposed running of the channels??

He just needs to slot more of his chances IMO.

This, it's not like he is not getting changes. He is just fluffing them now

ijjysmith · March 4, 2013

Christiffa25 said:
Maybe because we're signing average/good PL strikers not 25M world class ones??

Probably yes.

But that doesn't explain why they are boss for a bit. And then utter tripe the next.

Pabbers · March 4, 2013

Looks to me, that the first season they play on instinct and how they want to play, then 2nd season, they are more worked on, and coached by the staff to help the team.

We are a defensive team really, so our better players over the 10 years will be defenders. Moyes works well with defensive players. We try not to lose in games most of the time.

Some managers are attacking, some are defensive.

Maybe help on the attacking side would help, but I really dont think Moyes would take that help, as its like admitting you are bad at something, and we all know he thinks he is a very good mananger, working under the worst possible club set up, ever.

bflefc · March 4, 2013

Pabbers said:
Looks to me, that the first season they play on instinct and how they want to play, then 2nd season, they are more worked on, and coached by the staff to help the team.

QUOTE]

I suggested the same in thw Jelavic thread a week or two back, and was laughed out of Dodge.

Pabbers · March 4, 2013

But I also think that the way we are using Fellaini is harming Jelavic's game.

Every attack is almost geared towards Fellaini, and with being a good player, and on the selfich side, he shoots on site more, rather than looking for the pass from deeper.

Walken · March 4, 2013

Christiffa25 said:
Maybe because we're signing average/good PL strikers not 25M world class ones??

On the face of it was your saying makes sense, but the trend under Moyes with strikers is an alarming one, it might just be coincidence, but you know what they say, if something happens twice it can be a coincidence, if it happens three times it will happen again

harry · March 4, 2013

davek said:
No.

Moyes gets a lot wrong, but he cant be blamed for Jelavic standing in front of the goal and knocking it wide, high or right at the keeper.

True, Jelavic should have had at least 3 goals against reading. this wasn't down to moyes.

Bruce Wayne · March 4, 2013

ijjysmith said:
Of course nobody would care if he was slotting this season. But he isn't and that's more of the point, rather than the running like a div down the wings.

The point is more why do strikers go crap after their first season with us?

Jelavic was so painful on Saturday. Like a horse that needs putting down.

And yet he had a decent chance that he probably should have stuck away. That wasn't really Moyes fault was it?