Whats your Everton 11?

[GrandOldTeam]

All fit, whats your 'Everton 11'

Also identify the weakest position in the side which you think needs improving.

Mine;

Howard

Neville Yobo Lescott Baines

Carsley

Arteta Osman Cahill Pienaar

Johnson

No Jagielka? - I reckon Baines will be a fantastic left back for us. I really have faith in him and want him starting every game next season. Quality player. I also think Yobos pace and all round athleticism is invaluable and that Lescott needs to be centre back.

No Yakubu? Overall, I think we play best as a 4-5-1. Reasoning being Osman and Cahill, both great box to box players. When AJ is upfront, he stretches the defence by making runs into channels, giving space to Cahill and Osman to get in the box. AJ's sheer energy upfront gives us a lot. In some games, dropping Carsley and playing Yak upfront with AJ would be wise, or obviously replacing Johnson with Yak but on the whole, i'd say thats our best starting 11.

Weakness: Obviously it's Neville or Carsley, don't get me wrong am a fan of Carsley but age isn't on his side and I think we could do with someone who not only does Carsleys role, but can also distribute it well. Appiah? Or at a push, Lucho Gonzales, all though he's not really a defensive midfielder...
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[ToxtethBlue]

Yakubu is alot better at leading the line than Johnson and he links up better with Cahill. Cahill likes to get beyond the striker and make his runs and he can't do that with Johnson. He can never catch up to him because AJ's so quick. Yakubu gets hold of it and holds it up allowing the likes of Osman, Cahill, Arteta and Pienaar to get behind him.

I seriously can't see how anyone would have Johnson over Yak. Yakubu's twice the player and gets alot more goals. Johnson is quite frankly very average. His runs are predictable, he can't trap a ball and he's lightweight. His finishing is average aswell. Just my opinion like. I think there is a big difference with AJ and Yakubu when there playing poor. When Yakubu's playing poorly you still know he's playing. He's always competing against the centre halfes. When AJ is off form you don't recognize him.

When everyone's fit I'd play this:

----------------------Howard-------------------------

Neville----------Yobo----------Lescott----------Baines

Arteta----------Osman---------Carsley----------Pienaar

------------------------Cahill--------------------------

-----------------------Yakubu-------------------------


Thats served us best this season. Next season it shouldn't be our starting line up be its certainly been very effective this season. Jagielka misses out because I feel Baines offers alot at left back whereas Fernandes who I rate highly doesn't get in because Osman has been in such good form this season.

With the injuries at the moment my team would be this:

----------------------Howard--------------------------

Neville----------Yobo----------Jagielka----------Lescott

----------------Carsley-------Fernandes----------------

Arteta------------------Osman------------------Pienaar

------------------------Yakubu------------------------


Thats what I'd go for. That would be my team to take on Villa, Arsenal and Newcastle. The football has been dire of late so getting as many creative players on the pitch as possible is vital. The more creativity we have the more support Yakubu will get.

 

[zero]

Mine;

Howard

Neville Jagielka Lescott Baines

Carsley

Arteta Osman Cahill Pienaar

Yakubu

Jagielka in for Yobo : I feel as though Yobo gives away needless free-kicks and is geniunely not as good at CB as Jagielka his blocks and sliding tackles are really on the money a hell of alot of the time and he refuses to give in when someone has got in round the back of the defence he gets back and puts the block in when everyone else has given it up.

Yakubu for AJ : I think that Yakubu's touch and general all round play is better then AJ's he passes it better, he holds the ball up better and he links up better. AJ for me will be a great impact sub like he did against Portsmouth this season.

It was really hard to choose between Fernandes and Osman but the form Osman has been in this season you really can't drop him at the moment. In this formation I'd let Pienaar and Baines take priority on freekicks, relieve some of the pressure on Arteta.
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[GrandOldTeam]

Yakubu is alot better at leading the line than Johnson and he links up better with Cahill. Cahill likes to get beyond the striker and make his runs and he can't do that with Johnson. He can never catch up to him because AJ's so quick. Yakubu gets hold of it and holds it up allowing the likes of Osman, Cahill, Arteta and Pienaar to get behind him.

Nice in theory yeah.

But when Yakubu isn't up for it and just ambles about, it has an impact on the rest of the team.

AJ runs into channels, often taking markers with him, meaning Arteta/Pienaar etc can get balls into the box were Cahill and Osman are more often than not waiting.

Our best football in the past few years has seen AJ upfront, with Yakubu at times we can be one dimensional.

Yakubu isn't the type of striker up can play upfront on his own. I think when he realises he's upfront on his own he can be very prone to switch too 'oh, cant be arsed chasing everything all game'.

Yaks a goalscorer, he doesn't play the game for anyone other than himself. Thats why he's not a lone striker, never has been and never will be. He gets the ball and has one mindset, to shoot or get himself in a shooting position. Every now and again when thats not possible he'll lay it off yeah, but thats about it.

 

[Vim Fuego]

Howard.

Hibbert.

Baines.

Yobo.

Lescott.

Jagielka. ( In Carsley's position )

Cahill.

Arteta.( In a central position )

Pienaar.(wide right) Regularily switching position with Osman.

Osman. ( wide left )

Yakubu.

Subs: Johnson - Vaughan - Carsley-Anichebe-Rodwell.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

Nice in theory yeah.

But when Yakubu isn't up for it and just ambles about, it has an impact on the rest of the team.

AJ runs into channels, often taking markers with him, meaning Arteta/Pienaar etc can get balls into the box were Cahill and Osman are more often than not waiting.

Our best football in the past few years has seen AJ upfront, with Yakubu at times we can be one dimensional.

Yakubu isn't the type of striker up can play upfront on his own. I think when he realises he's upfront on his own he can be very prone to switch too 'oh, cant be arsed chasing everything all game'.

Yaks a goalscorer, he doesn't play the game for anyone other than himself. Thats why he's not a lone striker, never has been and never will be. He gets the ball and has one mindset, to shoot or get himself in a shooting position. Every now and again when thats not possible he'll lay it off yeah, but thats about it.

Our best football has come with Yakubu upfront on his own with Cahill supporting. One creative midfielder in the middle and Arteta and Pienaar out wide.

Johnson isn't a patch on Yakubu in any department other than pace. Yakubu's stronger, his runs are more intelligent, he holds the ball up better, he has more vision and he has the ability to bring people into play. And he offers goals which is what a striker should offer. He just offers alot more.

Johnson runs more yes but that is it. He runs the channels and ends up putting a pathetic along the floor cross into the box or being crowded out and losing possession because of his inability to beat a man. His finishing is average at best and his shots are weak.

I'd have Vaughan over Johnson in my team every day of the weak. Even he offers more. He's just as quick and has the strength to get away from his markers, he's got aerially ability and makes us of the long balls and he can finish. When AJ and Vaughan where alongside each other last season Vaughan looked the more accomplished striker in my opinion.

How is Yakubu not a loan striker when he's played there for the majority of the season and scored 19 goals in 30 odd games. AJ played there last season and scored 12 goals in 30 odd games. Yakubu never looks comfortable with a partner. He's always impressed me more when he has Cahill off him.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

Johnson runs more yes but that is it. He runs the channels and ends up putting a pathetic along the floor cross into the box or being crowded out and losing possession because of his inability to beat a man. His finishing is average at best and his shots are weak.

Disagree.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBLbPCoolR4[/media]Only seen the first three goals and see the effect Johnson has. (The two he doesn't score himself)

Show me an example of Yakubu bringing others into play. And i'll outnumber it by 5x with Johnson.

Yakubu is the better goalscorer yes. In that he scores more, albeit just the one more than AJ last year, But AJ is the more effective lone striker in a 4-5-1 for us.

People seem to think 'Yakubu, big strong guy. He can hold the ball up and bring others into play'

Nothing is further from the truth. Thats not Yakubus game. If it was, he probably would have had more than one assist this season. I mean, AJ has had four assists....

 

[GrandOldTeam]

Also, optastats from last year.

Yakubu

Appearences: 37
Minutes On Pitch: 3,170
Goals: 12
Mins per goal: 264
Shots On Target 35
Shots Off Target 52
Shooting Accuracy 40%
Chance Conversion: 14%
Dribble Completion 33%
Fouls 87
Offside 37

Johnson

Appearences: 32
Minutes On Pitch: 2,717
Goals: 11
Mins per goal: 247
Shots On Target 30
Shots Off Target 22
Shooting Accuracy 58%
Chance Conversion: 21%
Dribble Completion 38%
Fouls 20
Offside 27

You could argue 'yeah, but Yakubu was only at Middlesbrough' blah blah. But they are interesting never the less.

I mean, last year, AJ converted more chances, had a better shooting accuracy, scored more frequently, had a better dribble completion, committed less fouls and wasn't offside as often as Yakubu.

Johnsons shots on target compared to Yakubus is also very interesting. I mean, Johnsons majority were on target. Take a look at Yakubus...

 

[harry]

I disagree with you there danny, johnson can't play the loan striker.
1, Every time plays that position the ball comes straight bak at us.
2, he has the first touch of a baby elephant
3,he gets pushed off the ball easier than my 3 year old son would.
4,his overall vision to bring other players into play isnt the best.

When he plays up front on his own he mainly runs around chasing the ball without actuall ever getting it and using it.

johnsons game is his speed and running on to through balls his weakness is all of the above.

in my opininion all round play yakubu is in a totally different league than johnson.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

Disagree.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBLbPCoolR4Only seen the first three goals and see the effect Johnson has. (The two he doesn't score himself)

Show me an example of Yakubu bringing others into play. And i'll outnumber it by 5x with Johnson.

Yakubu is the better goalscorer yes. But AJ is the more effective lone striker in a 4-5-1 for us.

People seem to think 'Yakubu, big strong guy. He can hold the ball up and bring others into play'

Nothing is further from the truth. Thats not Yakubus game. If it was, he probably would have had more than one assist this season. I mean, AJ has had four assists....

You've picked out Johnson's strong points in a you tube video. If we analyised a whole game we'd also see the amount of times he runs into a corner and loses the ball or concedes possession.

Get me videos of a full game and I'll show you how many times Yakubu drops deep and links play. Not every link up play leads to a goal. A game is over 90 minutes and and Yakubu contributes alot more than Johnson on the ball in my opinion.

Yakubu's best games have come from playing as a lone striker and some of our better football has. Man city, Portsmouth, Arsenal, Fulham, Birmingham, Sunderland, West ham twice etc. There are more that I haven't mentioned aswell. How is he not effective playing this way? He scores goals in that formation, he occupy the centre halves well and he's always involved in the build up play.

If thats not his game then what is? He's not just a penalty box poacher. Thats just bollocks. He has alot more to his game.

 

[wabisabi]

howard
jags(?!) - yobo - lescott - baines
arteta - cahill - manny - piennar
vaughn, yak

bench
aj, osman, carsley, neville

starting with cars and/or nev in the starting 11 signals a lack of self belief.
they are professional and committed but lack the class and craft to really take a game on.

jags at right back is a shot in the dark (could he do a job there?) but i just think hibbert doesnt make the grade for a starting place. yobo and lescott should take the centre and get baines into the team at left back.

this is a midfield who can make things happen. arteta comes alive with manny around because they understand and are inspired by one anothers vision and ability. manny can hold the ball and scrap a bit too. piennar gets my vote ahead of osman. he's got a bit more guile and is stronger on the ball. we all know what cahill brings - he should be capt. too!

i'd prefer vaughns pace ahead of aj's. i think he can make more of an impact on the tough defences of the premiership and sense he could gel well with the yak.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

Also, optastats from last year.

Yakubu

Appearences: 37
Minutes On Pitch: 3,170
Goals: 12
Mins per goal: 264
Shots On Target 35
Shots Off Target 52
Shooting Accuracy 40%
Chance Conversion: 14%
Dribble Completion 33%
Fouls 87
Offside 37

Johnson

Appearences: 32
Minutes On Pitch: 2,717
Goals: 11
Mins per goal: 247
Shots On Target 30
Shots Off Target 22
Shooting Accuracy 58%
Chance Conversion: 21%
Dribble Completion 38%
Fouls 20
Offside 27

You could argue 'yeah, but Yakubu was only at Middlesbrough' blah blah. But they are interesting never the less.

I mean, last year, AJ converted more chances, had a better shooting accuracy, scored more frequently, had a better dribble completion, committed less fouls and wasn't offside as often as Yakubu.

Johnsons shots on target compared to Yakubus is also very interesting. I mean, Johnsons majority were on target. Take a look at Yakubus...

Yakubu had a poor season by his own standards last season. And thats only in the Premiership. Yakubu scored 16 goals last season whereas Johnson got 12. And you do have to take into account that we where much better than Boro last season so Johnson had a better team behind him.

And anyway where talking about where they are now. Yakubu at Boro or Johnson at Palace doesn't interest me. All I'm interested in is how there playing for Everton and its obvious to see that Yakubu offers more to the team and scores more goals. He's kept Johnson out the team this season because he's better than him..........simple as. Moyes knows it and I know it.

 

[Sharpys top lip]

I think 5-10 years ago, you could talk about an starting 11. Not any more , its all about the squad now. No point arguing about who's better, AJ or Yak because they do a different job for the team when needed.

Nowedays you need a good squad of 18 players plus to be able to compete. So i wont do a best 11 because it's not about that any more. We have a good squad but need to add in strength badly.

So starting 11 don't matter as much any more.

 

[Dylan]

Sharpy has it down right there.

Although, here is mine:

4-5-1

Howard
Neville Yobo Lescott Baines
Carsley
Arteta Fernandes Osman Pienaar
Yakubu

4-4-2

Howard
Neville Yobo Lescott Baines
Arteta Fernandes Carsely Pienaar
Johnson Yakubu

Guys in bold are our positions which need upgrading, this season or next. Jagielka misses out by a micron to Yobo, but he is right there in consideration.
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[uknightbreed]

if i was manager i wouldnt really know what to base my team selection on.

would i pick a formation first then the players to fit it ?
or do i see what players are fit then pick the formation to fit the best players based on certain criteria ?
what criteria ? do i pick players on fitness , skill , consistancy , proffesionalism , form in training , experience , media profile , previous form in matches , fan favourites , the ones who respect my authority the most , skill , or wether they are a pain in the arse or not ?

if i look at the squad there is a core of players im completely happy with and see them as players that can take us somewhere (some i just get a good feeling about rather than selecting them by proven form)...i just see these players as PREMIUM QUALITY (would fit into most top 7 teams)

howard
yobo
jags
lescott
baines (HMMM UNSURE, BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT TO KEEP NEVILLE OUT)
arteta
cahill
fernandes
pienaar (ONLY JUST)
aj
yak

then theres a group of players who are good and have 1 or 2 match winning performances a season but sometimes mess up , lack consistancy or just lack something in there game.)...i just see these players as TOP QUALITY (would fit into any top 7-15 teams)

wessels
neville
hibbert
valente
carsley
osman


now looking at the first group , it shows we could fit our best 11 into 442.
the trouble is if any of the 11 get injured there isnt much to call from the second string in terms of excitement. there pretty much all 'steady eddies'
my way of handling it would be to build from the top.
to do that i would have to ask "what is the weakest areas in the first 11" ?. buy a better replacement and move the player replaced down the pecking order to steadily improove the choice from the second string.

that would be imo rb lw str (yobo , pienaar , aj )
( but then again you could move yobo jags and lescott along and drop baines instead.the reason i dont want to do this is that i beleive lescott is better at cb and baines is our only true LB)

i also have to comment that imo the trouble is moyes prefers all the players from my second string. not only will it be unlikely he will ship them out but he also picks them as first choice.THERES TOO MANY 'STEADY EDDIES' AND NOT ENOUGH 'ENGINE ENERGY EDDIES'.




then theres the up and coming youth. who i wont comment on or add as they should be given the chance to grow into the team without over praise or critisism.