Still Learning, and I Will Be Doing It at Goodison

Someone is out to make trouble with the Blues, as a week after AJ rubbished claims that he is moving on, Big Vic has had to go public and say its a load of rubbish that he is holding the club to ransom over a new deal. I should hope so as well, as Big Vic knows he owes Everton a lot of loyalty after they gave him his chance in top flight football. Its obviously a load of bunkum, but two words of warning for any youngster who believes the grass is greener on the other side, Franny Jeffers, nuff said.

Big Vic says: "I am aware that there was speculation in the newspapers about my future but I all I want to do is concentrating on playing football for Everton. I have been given a terrific opportunity at this club and everyone here has played a big part in my development. The stories about me wanting big money and long deals are simply not true. I am a young player and I know that I still have much to learn and being here at Everton under David Moyes and the rest of the coaching staff is perfect for me.

I signed a two-year deal last year, I am happy here, negotiations are ongoing between my agent and the club and I don't envisage any problems. " (20/03/07)

Nigeria Want A Look

Nigeria may give Vic a chance for the under 23's who are trying to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but it won't be easy getting into the team.

U23 coach Samson Siasia says “A lot has been said about him this season and I’ve seen him play a couple of times but I do want to see him from close range. That is why I want to invite him for the return leg against Equatorial Guinea in March. I will have to state that he will not be getting an automatic place in the team. I will make that clear to him, just because he is doing well for Everton does not mean he will fit into the under 23 team. But first and foremost he has to show an interest in wanting to play for us, we will sort that out when I call him.”(25/01/07)

Two Goals and a Rollicking

Big Vic scored two for Everton against Newcastle yesterday to bring his tally to 4 goals in 4 games (10 as sub). Not bad for an 18 year old. But he got a few choice words from the manager at half-time to help him on his way.

Moyesy says: "They were centre forward's goals but he got a rollicking at half-time because I didn't think he did enough in the first half. He could have worked harder and he got involved in an incident which led to them getting a penalty kick. But he got his goal, so getting a second one was a good way to shut his manager up. I didn't think he had his best game but he's getting there, and that happens with young players.

Victor has got the strength and the power and he's shown me recently that he's very keen to improve and he's asked to see some other players as well. He wants to see how Drogba plays and some of the top centre forwards play in terms of us picking out the best bits of how these guys work. Obviously he's trying to look at his own stuff and see what he can do better and also what he is doing well, which he can take encouragement from. He did very well and I said the other week that if they're good enough then we will put them in, regardless of their age." (31/12/06)

Proud

Victor run the pricks raggered. It was the first time he was in the starting line up in the Premiership and he had a stormer. You can't see biffa getting a look in if Vic plays that well on a regular basis

Phil Neville agrees: "We caused them a lot of problems and we can take a lot from the game. The football was good. The ball was going up to the centre forwards and it stuck. We didn't just play long balls and I think Victor Anichebe caught them by surprise, with his strength and quality on the ball. He can be a very proud man. I thought he played fantastically against two experienced centre backs. He caused them a lot of problems, probably as many problems as any centre forward has caused them this season."(18/12/06)

Dilemma For Vic

Vic has been called up for the England Under-19 squad to play Holland at Walsall on 5th September 2006. Vic has stated he wants to play for his country of birth, Nigeria but has lived in Merseyside since he was three years old and is now eligible to play for both countries. Decision time foe Vic. (16/08/06)

Contention

As far as the boss is concerned Victor has got a chance to be in contention for a starting place after his pre-season performances.

Moyesy says:"Victor Anichebe is the one who has shown himself up very well. I think he is right in there competing with the other centre-forwards. He is doing well just now and is coming on in leaps and bounds. He is getting himself in the squad and he is deserving to be there on merit.

"He has scored some goals but has missed some training with a back problem and that would be a bit of a concern. I wouldn't like to say that he is going to start the season but he has definitely forced himself into the squad and we hope that he continues to progress." (05/08/06)

Nigeria For Me

Everton wonder kid (lets not build him up, it's not fair) Victor Anichebe has decided his International future, if he has one will be for the country of his birth, Nigeria. The young forward is eligible for both Nigeria and England, as he has lived in Merseyside since he was a young baby, but it is with the Super Eagles were Victors heart lies. In fairness after our showing in this World Cup, he has a better chance of silverware with the African outfit.

Vic says: "I would love to represent Nigeria because that is where I'm from. My family moved to England when I was just one year old, but I still feel Nigerian. I have been a fan from childhood and follow events back home on a regular basis. I'm looking forward to competing for a starting spot at Everton and hitting goals on a regular basis. The main thing for me is to keep working hard as I still have a long way to get to the top." (03/08/06)

Playing It Cool

With Biffa, AJ, Faddy, the return of Vaughany in the hunt for the two forward spots, there is one man quietly going about his business, and trying his best to play down the hype surrounding him. Once again Victor Anichebe grabbed the headlines in getting the Blues goal in the 1-1 draw against Columbus Crew, but the down to earth 18 yr old is taking it all in his stride.

We at bluekipper do not want to put any undue pressure on Vic, so we shall play it cool. The King is dead, long live the King, who needs Rooney, when we got Anichebe, c'mon son, twenty goals this season at a minimum, and you to in a few years can be writing your autobiography.

Vic says: "It's always nice to score goals and I am happy with my form but I know I've got to keep working hard and not rest on my laurels. But if I keep getting into good positions then I am confident that I can score goals.

It's nice to get a good reception from the supporters when I am warming up on the side of the pitch. I'm also getting used to being recognised away from the pitch. It's a bit strange but it won't be going to my head at all. There are some quality strikers at the club. AJ, Beats and Faddy are all great players and of course there's Vaughany to come back from injury too.

It's a great experience being over here and I am enjoying it. It's hard work on the training ground but I am learning all the time and playing alongside the experienced strikers is great for me. I am sharing a room with Paddy (Boyle) over here and it's all part and parcel of being a professional footballer - being away from home for long spells and being part of a squad on tour on the other side of the world." (28/07/06)

Happy With Vic

Vic continued his great goalscoring form with Everton's only goal against Columbus Crew. He staked a claim for a starting place in the Premiership when he had a great half. Vic looked strong and was a constant threat to the Crew defence. He scored a great goal when Delron Buckley played him in and Vic finished with a powerful drive into the corner. Before his goal he had a chance, but shot wide. He had a few more half chances before half-time. One shaved the foot of the post.

Moyesy says: "At the moment Victor’s a real handful And he’s got a back problem at the moment which means we are limiting his playing and his training." (27/07/06)

Brace

Victor Anichebe celebrated his first full start as an Everton player with a brace of goals at Bury.

Alan says: "They were two very good finishes, the second in particular which was a terrific striker's finish. Victor has been showing a great deal of promise. At the back end of last season he managed to force his way into the team and all the way through since we started back he is beginning to show he is ready to become a regular member of our first team squad." (17/07/06)

Quick Vic

Vic scored Everton's first goal of the season when he netted against Bury after 9 minutes today. (15/07/06)

Vic's New Start

Victor Anichebe is raring to go for the new season, so much so that he is back at Bellefield putting in the work that he thinks will help him push on after his last day scoring feat against West Brom. Victor is sure to find his chances limited again this season with the arrival of Andy Johnson, but if he performs as well as he did last season for the rezzies, Moyesy will undoubtedly have a few nice headaches in the goal scoring department.

Vic says: "I've been in at Bellefield to get fit for the start of the season. All this pre-season stuff isn't really my strong point so I just need to get ahead of everyone else and get fitter for the start of the season. There's no injury, I am just trying to give myself the best chance for the start of the season.

The fans do seem to like the young players and I am a centre forward as well! When I have been out Everton supporters have come up to me and said how much they love younger players coming through and it is good to do them proud. I was on a high for days after that I couldn't stop talking about it to people. I just want to do more next season and then I can talk about that as well." (26/06/06)

Vic Last Season      Full Squad 2006/2007