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- Yakubu Aiyegbeni - 2007/08
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You would not think so, but the Yak and the rest of the Blues squad are thriving on the pressure of our battle with Villa for fifth place. With a disappointing draw with Villa last week, the Blues now face the daunting prospect of battling against The Arse at The Emirates this Sunday to keep their noses in front for the race for the last UEFA Cup spot. Yak says: "I am enjoying it and I like the pressure. When you are under pressure you show what you can do so you have to believe in yourself. I have played for a club that has struggled with relegation and I know what it takes now to fight for a place in Europe. It is the same and I believe with the players we have got we can stay in fifth. We have worked so hard from the beginning of the season and if we don’t get fifth then we will be very disappointed. I still believe we can finish fifth in the league and be in Europe next season." (02/05/08) Although he hasn't scored for several games Yak is confident he can notch one or two in the last few games to reach 20 goals for the season. Yak says: "Us strikers have not scored in the last four or five games but we have to just keep doing the job and it is thanks to the defenders that we are scoring goals. I still believe before the end of the season us strikers can score goals in the last two games. We strikers are under pressure when we don't score but I am used to being under pressure but keep working and I still believe I can score goals. For me I still believe I will score 20 goals." (30/04/08) The Yak's mate, Joey Yobo is confident the Everton leading scorer will be hitting the onion bag again. His last goal was against West Ham five games ago. No problem! the fans are chuffed with the Yak. Joe says: "Yak hasn’t scored for a few games but others need to score as well. But the thing with strikers is if they score, they are going to get confidence and if Yak gets a goal in the first half on Sunday he will change the game completely. He knows Aston Villa is a big game for us and he is ready to step up for it. You never know what he is going to do next on the pitch and that’s why I’ve got no doubt that goals are still going to come before the end of the season. I’ve spoken to Yak because – like everyone else – he hasn’t been the same since we got knocked out of Europe. If you a professional player, these are the games that you want to be involved in and we know there is something big at stake." (24/04/08) A goal for The Yak against the shite tomorrow will bring his goals tally to 20 goals so far this season. This will be the first time an Everton player has scored that many since Peter Beardsley in the 90's. The Yak says: "If I can score more than 20 goals it will be very nice. There is still a little way to go but at the moment everything is going so well that I am confident I can score more goals. I believe that whenever I have the ball I can score. That is what I want to do because I am a striker and I just enjoy it. I take every game as it comes and whenever I have a chance I believe I can score so I will keep on scoring." (29/03/08) Yak is going to put Wednesdays disappointment behind him and give the shite a run for their money in the battle for forth place. Yak says: "Going out of Europe will only make us more determined to finish in the top four this season."Since I came here I am fitter, faster and better. "It is a great compliment to the people around me that I have scored more goals in the Premier League than any striker apart from Thierry Henry over the past few years. Players like Henry only come round once in a lifetime and I look up to him, but the comparison will mean nothing if we do not have anything to show for all our hard work at the end of the season. "Liverpool are favourites to finish fourth, but Everton beat them to it three years ago and we are capable of doing it again. It would be a fantastic achievement, but I believe in my team-mates and I think they believe in me to score the goals which will take us where we want to go. "We will keep fighting together and, don't forget, we still have to go to Anfield. We were unlucky not to get at least a point against Liverpool at our place and that will be a massive game for both clubs." "I have come a long way since I left Africa and I feel blessed that my career has brought me to such a good club as Everton. (15/03/08) The Blues are the best team he has played in yet, according to The Yak and he firmly believes we can get to this season's UEFA Cup Final. The Nigerian striker is confident that whenever he has a chance he will find the onion bag, and if my betting slips are anything to go by, he is right. The Yak says: "I think that at the moment this is one of the best teams that I have ever played in. To play in Europe and to have not been beaten yet, and the fact that we have quality players, means that we can get in the (UEFA Cup) final. If we keep believing in ourselves and say that we want to be in the final, then I believe we can do it. Some people have two or three chances and don’t take them, but sometimes they’ll only have one chance and they’ll take it. I believe whenever I have it, I can score. That is what I want to do because I am a striker and I just enjoy it. I take every game as it comes and whenever I have a chance I believe I can score, so I will keep scoring. For me as a striker your job is to score goals and to perform and when I signed I thought I would be under pressure, but I’m not under pressure. I know that if I don’t score then there are people in the team that can score. But the fact that we have quality strikers ready to come off the bench, it keeps the pressure in a good way. To me, it’s like training – I just believe in myself and when you score you believe you can score more and you can feel the goals coming." (04/03/08) Sell some ropey crisps or present a Saturday Night Footy show, but Moyesy is urging The Yak to be the next Gary Lineker, and become the first Everton striker in over twenty years to net twenty League goals. The Yak is flying up the scoring charts this season, and ten of his sixteen goals have come in the Premiership, but come May Moyesy wants his record transfer fee striker to double that tally. When he does that then he can sell the crisps, get his ears sorted and leave the wife, lucky sod !! Moyesy says: "If he could get 20 league goals for us, that would be absolutely tremendous. Yak has played a big part for us and I think we all realise now that he is not just a goalscorer but he is a very good footballer, with great intelligence and seems to be improving week by week. His all-round play is of a high standard and he is an important member of the squad. Remember that he had been away for a month before he came back into the starting line-up and we hope the good form he has been showing continues. He is always looking to improve his tally, which every good forward should do, and hopefully he will get a few more for us. We were really pleased with him against Man City and we want him to continue like that. Yak gives us that ruthless streak and it is a testament to how good he is that when he gets into positions, we are expecting him to finish them. He is a well liked member of the squad and very important one." (01/03/08) Yak can't do anything wrong at the moment. He scored his 14th goal in 17 games and his 16th of a fruitful season. And has anyone seen a better smile than his. Moyesy says: “I think Richards and Dunne are two of the best centre-halves in the country and Yakubu gave them a real good game. He did really well against them". (26/02/08) Moyesy could be in trouble for a tongue in cheek remark he made to the Guardian newspaper about the age of the Yak. During his praise of Yakubu after his hat- trick against Braan Moyesy said. "He's only 25, albeit a Nigerian 25, and so if that is his age he's still got a good few years ahead of him." The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) have spat the dummy out and want Moyesy to explain his comments. NFA spokesman Ademola Olajire says "His statement is insulting to the Nigerian nation and unbecoming of a Premier League manager. We don't take kindly to snide remarks about our players, or our nation and we have sent a strongly-worded complaint to the English FA. Seriously, we will go at any length to ensure he is brought to book to explain his comments." (23/02/08) Because you're worth it. That's what Moyesy thinks of Yak. They have made up after Yak come back a few days late from the African Cup thingy. Yak has repaid the boss not just with a shit full of goal but with his all round play. Moyesy says:“He is back, he has shown me and the fans that, despite the problem he had here. Yak looks the part. His all-round play has improved, we have been impressed with his intelligence and how he brings other players into the game. “If he keeps doing that he will be a big player for us. He has given us a new dimension, we paid a record fee for him and at the moment you can see he is worth it.”(23/02/08) The Yak thanked AJ for doing all his running and thinks if the squad stays fit and doesn't go awol, we have a chance to get to the final. Yak says: “If we keep fighting like that I think we can go through to the final. It’s a great feeling. We are just pleased with the win and we deserved to go through. AJ did a lot of running for me and I’d like to thank him and my team-mates. We have got a great spirit and we don’t have any more injuries and all the players are back now. If we keep working like this we can go through.” (22/02/08) Everybody's all smiles now that the Yak is back, especially his team mates. Phil Jagielka says "We were disappointed not to have Yak for the Reading game but that has gone now, everybody is all smiles now - especially Yak. He did really well and he proved it by the way he ran around and did a hell of a lot for the team.”(16/02/08) After returning to the starting line up in Bergen last night, The Yak has issued his own apology for his errant behaviour last week after going walkabouts in Africa. So with an £80k fine, dropped against Reading, and now an apology, I think we can safely put this matter to bed now. Yak says: "I feel like a part of a family here with everyone working together. We want to win something and achieve something together. I am so pleased to be playing again and it is thanks to the players and the manager. I came back late and I have apologised to everyone for that, the supporters too. It happened for personal reasons but I promise it won't happen again. I am so pleased to be back again now and playing again. The gaffer was very angry. I have spoken to the manager and now it is over. I think the players were glad to see me back. It is good to be in a team where you know the players want you." (14/02/08) Tim Howard has revealed that the Yak has said sorry to the rest of the Everton players for turning up late when returning from the African Nations tournie. He also expects Everton's leading scorer to be in the squad to face SK Brann in Norway. Tim says: "We love The Yak. He's been a hugely positive influence on us, not just with the amount of goals he has scored for the team but in the dressing room as well. Yes, these things happen but it has been dealt with and the manager has taken care of that. Now we all get on with it. Yak has spoken to us and the sooner we get past it, the better." (12/02/08) Moyesy has left the Yak out of the squad for the Reading game after going AWOL. The Nigerian International now faces an uneasy wait to see if his famous smile will be back on his face if he makes the UEFA Cup squad that flies out to Norway next week. Moyesy says: "I think that by leaving him out it is a matter of respect for the players we have got here, and for the club. This is a big football club here, and that's the way it's got to be. It would be easy to pick the top scorer when we haven't had a goal in the last two matches, and the players are very disappointed that he's not in, but they know that for the sake of the themselves and the club, discipline has got to be put in place. I trust and believe in the players we have got here, and this is the correct thing to do." (09/02/08) Moyesy is said to be less than best pleased that The Yak has gone AWOL after his African Nations exit. The Nigerians went out 2-1 to Ghana in the Quarter Finals, with The Yak scoring the Super Eagles goal. Team mate Joey Yobo as expected returned to training with the Blues on Wednesday, but Yakubu was nowhere to be seen. When he does turn up, he better have a few books down his pants as Moyesy will give him some severe punishment for taking the piss out of him, the club and especially us the fans. (08/02/08) The Yak wants his Everton team mates to have a date with Wembley on 24th February 2008 ready for when he returns with Yobo and Pienaar from the African jaunt. Yak says: “I hope we can make it as it would be so nice for everyone. I’d love to be involved but we have lots of players who can step in and play well. With the fans behind us, I think we will get the result that we need. Everyone is looking forward to the occasion. It’s disappointing that me and Joseph have to go away, but that is the way it is. We have to play for our country. I would love to play in the semi-final but that is the way it is. I’ll be watching on television and praying for them to do well. At the moment, the team is playing so well and we are fighting for each other. I could be away for five or six weeks but it could be shorter if we get knocked out in Ghana. Of course I want to stay there as long as I can but I’ll be thinking about Everton all the time and I think we will be at Wembley when I get back. We are all disappointed but we have something to take from the game. We conceded a silly goal in the last minute but it is just one of those things. We have the second leg to play and I’m sure we can make it up then. Chelsea are a good team but we can cause them problems. We did well and we prepared for this game for such a long time. We want to be in the final. Everton is moving forward as a club, we are working so hard and we deserve to be at Wembley.” (09/01/08) Yak Definitely Plays Against Chelsea Everton have received a boost as The Yak and Joseph Yobo were given special dispensation by the Nigerian FA to delay their flights until Wednesday to allow them to play in the first leg of Tuesday’s Carling Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Nigeria squad is due to meet for a training camp in Málaga on Sunday. Chelsea's John Obi Mikel is also available to play in the game. (06/01/08) There are now conflicting reports coming out of Nigeria regarding the original statement saying The Yak, Joey and Chelsea's John Obi Mikel would be allowed to play in the Carling cup semi-final against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next week. We await Clarification. (04/01/08) Everton have received a boost as The Yak and Joseph Yobo were given special dispensation by the Nigerian FA to delay their flights until Wednesday to allow them to play in the first leg of Tuesday’s Carling Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Nigeria squad is due to meet for a training camp in Málaga on Sunday. Chelsea's John Obi Mikel is also available to play in the game. (04/01/08) The Yak got some stick from the Boro fans, but had one of his better games. He is happy at Everton and thinks The People's club have more ambition. The Yak says: "I wanted to move to a club which had ambition. I think that Everton have that. They want to play in Europe and finish in the first six. I am lucky to be here. I am really happy. My football has been good and I've no regrets. I just wish Boro the best of luck. "Before
I left Portsmouth I looked at Middlesbrough and saw they had ambition,
but I don't think the ambition is there any more. At the moment, with
no disrespect to the players, Boro are not that ambitious and that is
why I had to leave. I would not say anything bad about their players
but I just wanted to play for a club that was in Europe." Moyesy says: “I thought Yak was outstanding against Boro. He led the line very well and I thought his all-round play was excellent. He was involved in the build-up to the first goal and I was really pleased with him.” (03/02/07) Moyesy has fired a subtle warning shot to Yak and the rest of the squad in that if they let their high standards slip there are players waiting in the wings eager to show what they can do for the Everton cause. On the other hand Moyesy is quick to acknowledge the Yak's goals contribution in the first few months of his Blues career. Keep it up Yak, I am definitely in bookie profit with you. Moyesy says: "We have good competition for places in attack, so if he switches off we've got players waiting to come in. It's the same with all the players. Competition for places will hopefully keep them all on their toes. But if Yakubu does as well in the second half of the season as he has in the first we'll be more than delighted." (26/12/07) The Yak joins Emmanual Adebayor and Cristiano Ronaldo with 9 goals at the top of the Premier League goalscorers after his goal against West Ham. I love you Yak. Moyesy thought the Yak had one of his better games against West Ham. Moyesy says: "I think he had a really really good game tonight. He held the ball up, worked in between their defenders. His workrate was good. I've got to praise him for the goal. He chased a lost cause at the end and got his just rewards. People who know about Yakubu will tell you that's what he does. His workrate and movement is fantastic. All round he's done a great job for us." (13/12/07) After scoring his first hat-trick for Everton, The Yak believes the team can go on and win some silverware this season. The Yak says: "I am pleased with the way things have gone. I am working so hard in training to show what I can do and I will keep believing in myself that I can score on a regular basis. At the moment, everything is good, the team is playing so well and it could not have gone much better for me since I arrived. We are fighting for everything, and the players around me give everything. They show how to play as a team and win together. We want to achieve something here this season. If we have not done that by the end of the season I will be very disappointed. We can play different systems, and I must admit I had not experienced 4-5-1 until now. It if different for me, I am not used to that, but I can adjust. I have settled quickly. I have scored a lot already, but my colleagues keep working and buzzing around, and it shows the quality here. I am ready to give my best now for this team, we have West Ham next in the League Cup and I so much want to get to the final at Wembley. We can do it. The spirit here is good, and it is my dream to be in the final. If we can do that this season it will be so good for this club and the supporters." (10/12/07) Having scored 8 goals in his 10 Premiership starts, The Yak is now reaping the rewards for hard work. Moyesy says: “What we have wanted from him is what he has given his other clubs, Portsmouth and Middlesbrough. He has scored goals - and he has an excellent record at that. He was a top goal scorer, and one of the highest in the Premier League. It is only Thierry Henry who has scored more in four years or so. We obviously want the other part of his game, hard work, but the goals are what we are really after on a regular basis. Everton have a heritage as an industrious club; you work hard when you come here, and he has taken that on board as well. In that second half, he got his rewards.” (09/12/07) The Yak has got to have the best face ever. When he scores and he runs away with that beaming smile I go funny underneath. But it's not all about his looks. He's scored 6 goals and he is flying. I love you Yak. Moyesy says “Yakubu can see from the reaction he gets from the crowd, hearing them applaud his work-rate and the reaction he gets for that, he can see that this is a working club. People have got to have that before they’ve got other things. To be fair he’s getting there and he’s doing what we hoped he would do – get us some goals and keep it ticking over." (26/11/07) After his starman performance against Brum at the weekend, The Yak feels he can score whenever he plays, and is putting his better performances of late down to confidence. The Yak says: "It is a good feeling to score your first goal in front of your own fans at home. It gives you more confidence and as a striker, it gives you confidence to score more goals and every weekend you play and feel you can score goals. As a striker you want to score. We work for each other as a team and you have to play as a team. That is what we did and everyone is so happy now." (05/11/07) After the Yak found his scoring boots again at Derby at the weekend, his Nigerian team mate and big mucka' Joey Yobo firmly believes that the best is yet to come from Everton's record signing. Joey says: "Yak is a fantastic player. It’s been a bit difficult for him since he came here but it is always going to be that way when you come to a new club. You need time to settle in and I think he is starting to do that. We know he is going to score goals and lots of them. The goal he scored against Derby was typical of him. He’s been disappointed because he hasn’t scored a lot but I’ve been telling him that if he relaxes, the goals will come. He is a striker who thrives on confidence and hopefully the goal yesterday will give him that. I spoke to him a lot before he came here as he’s my mate. I kept telling him what it is like and he knew what he was going to face when he signed. I told him it would take him a bit of time to adjust to the way we play. Yak is a player who, if you give him a chance, will score plenty. He is going to score a lot of goals for us, I’ve no doubt about that. He’s getting better and better all the time. He is my friend and I spoke to him a lot before he came here. I play with him in the national team and I know he can score goals. I am happy that he is scored and that will boost his confidence." (30/10/07) Pressure is not a problem for The Yak. He is confident he will deliver the performances and the goals the manager wants. Yak says: “I can deliver. All my life I delivered under pressure as a striker. If you don’t score goals you’re under pressure. You have to score goals and create chances for other players. I like it when there’s pressure. I’ve proved myself already, I’m not going to impress anyone by just scoring goals. It did not surprise me that I started on the bench at Aston Villa. The manager wanted me to see the way they play and understand it, I don’t have a problem with that. I played for 21 minutes and it was good (for me) to sit on the bench and watch the players. It was very important for me to score at Sheffield Wednesday because as a striker you need to score goals to give you confidence. When you come to a new club it is difficult to get used to the players and understand how they play. They’re getting used to me and I’m getting used to the other Everton players. They’re seeing what I can do and where I want the ball.” (29/09/07) Moyesy says: “It was good that he got a goal. His work rate was good, which was pleasing. I thought he was a bit anxious early on. He was shooting before he should have done in the first half and he wasn’t ready.“But I think the goal will just settle him down a little bit. Let’s hope he keeps banging them in now as we need them. We have got a lot of big games coming up and we need people to be scoring goals for us. It could be the win that just kick starts everything again. We understood when he came here that his workrate could be the one thing that did not fit our image. But there has to be a bit of give and take on both sides and I’m sure he will be working on it. You have to remember that he is new to us as well.” (28/09/07) Once We Start Scoring We Won't Stop After getting off to a flyer in the first few minutes of his debut with a goal against Bolton The Yak was then brought off in the next two games and dropped to the bench for Everton's last game at Villa. With his strike partner AJ not scoring this season, but keeping his place, fans have pointed to AJ's run all day attitude and The Yak's lack of running for the reason he was dropped. The Yak is determined that the partnership will work. Yak says: “I think it’s getting better for me settling in. It’s not easy coming to a new club as you get to understand the way they play and the system. I think I’m getting there and it’s getting better and it’s good. It’s a big challenge for me. I’m looking forward to it. As a striker wherever you go it’s a big challenge and you’re under pressure but you just keeping playing your football. With the quality players we’ve got at Everton I think we’ll be okay. The partnership between myself and Andrew is working. When you’re a striker and you play and don’t score goals you’re confidence is a little bit down. Andy is doing the right things on the pitch and working hard in training and the goals will come. Once they come, they’ll never stop. When you start scoring it looks easy but at the moment it looks difficult. Andy’s been doing good things and the fans are behind him and everyone in the squad knows what ability he’s got and the goals that he can score from the things we see in training, we just all need to be a little bit patient but the goal will come and he’ll never stop scoring." (26/09/07) The Yak can't wait to run out at Goodison for the first time against manure this weekend, and he hopes his scoring and winning streak against our Lancashire neighbours continues. He hopes to put a show on for the Goodison faithful, and after scoring for Boro' and Pompey against manure in the past, the Yak hopes to make it a hat trick come Saturday. The Yak says: "I have scored against them before, they are a quality team with lots of quality players. I like to play in games like that. It's a big game for us and one we don't want to lose. I hope we get a result. It will be a good feeling to run out at Goodison. In the game at Bolton the way the fans treated me was unbelievable and I hope I will get the same reception at home. You want to impress them and I am looking forward to the game. They beat us at Goodison last season but this time I hope it can be different. We have learnt a lot from what happened." (13/09/07) Everton's striking hero from the 1980's Graeme Sharp, believes Moyesy acquisition of Yakubu has been good business and the Nigerian hit man will come up trumps for the Blues. The Yak is targeting twenty goals this season, and if he does the job, Sharpy thinks his beloved Blues will finish right in the mix at the end of the season. My Hero Sharpy says: "Yakubu will provide pace and power. He has got a decent goalscoring record in the Premier League. He did very well at Portsmouth and Middlesbrough and was on the scoresheet regularly for both clubs. I am looking forward to seeing him play. He is unpredictable and that sometimes in the Premier League is a good asset to have. I think it is a good acquisition. People will look at the price tag and raise their eyebrows but that is the price you have to pay these days for a proven goalscorer in the Premier League. It would be great if he can score 20 goals. The more successful your strikers are the higher up the league table you will finish." (12/09/07) Andy Johnson has praised his new strike partner, Yakubu. AJ says: "Signing 'Yak' will be a big help. His goals record over the past three or four seasons speaks for itself. He is big and strong, and holds the ball up well, which is something we've needed." (03/09/07) Everton new boy The Yak is targeting twenty goals this season for starters, and if his past record is to go by, he won't be far off. The Nigerian striker is looking forward to partnering AJ up front for the Blues, and that will be the incentive for Big Vic, Jimmy Mac and Vaughany when he is fit to fight The Yak off. Competition for places at last, get in there. The Yak says: " For the past four or five years I have scored between 16 and 19 goals. This is the season I need to score more than 20 goals. I am looking forward to it and it is a big challenge. I’ll have to work hard but you have to believe in yourself. It would be nice to form a partnership with AJ. The way he talks to me is like he has known me for ages already which is good. The relationship is there. I love scoring goals and I love helping my team. With the strikers we have, AJ is a good player and he can score goals, it gives me confidence. I have played with him in training which is good. All the players welcomed me to the club and it was unbelievable." (30/08/07) Yakubu has finally signed a 5 year deal today when his work permit finally arrived. The 24 year old will go straight into the squad for Saturdays game at Bolton and will wear the famous number 9 shirt. He has been bought to score goals. He scored 36 in 81 games at Pompey and 35 times in 103 games for Boro. Everton have broken their transfer record with the £11.15m fee. Well played. Moyesy was chuffed. The Yak says: "I am happy to be here. It is a great feeling to come over and meet a lot of good players and see the spirit that they have. I have always said that I want to play for a club that plays in Europe and I think they have the ambition to move forward and they want to finish in the first four and the Champions League and Uefa Cup and for me that is my dream. I know there is a long way to go and I want to be part of that - to be successful and to have that dream. I chose to go to Middlesbrough because they were in Europe. At the moment they are not doing it. I think I made the right decision to come to this place. It is a massive club and it is a great feeling. There are great players and you want to play for a big club." Moyesy says: "He has a very good goalscoring record in the Premier League and he also offers strength and power. We hope he continues his good scoring record with us. We have some good strikers in our squad already and he adds further depth and quality to our squad." (29/08/07) |
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