I Never Fell Out With Moyes

Andy Johnson has come out and gave his version of the reasons he left Everton for Fulham.

Andy says: "I will always have good memories of Everton but I have to admit that it had reached the stage where I wasn't enjoying my football there. Moving back south was a factor and always something I wanted to do, but the biggest factor was being happy - and the truth was I didn't feel happy during the end of my time at Everton.

"I'd like to put the record straight because it's been said that I fell out with David Moyes. The truth is that we never had one argument. We got on really well and I've got a lot of respect for him. The problem came down to wanting to play in my best position and the fact I was either out of the team or stuck on the right wing, in a position I didn't like. David liked to play 4-5-1, which basically meant there were four strikers going for one place. Yak [Yakubu Ayegbeni] was on fire and there was a lack of midfielders at the club, which meant me playing on the right. It wasn't my position and I was frustrated because I wanted to play through the middle. I was stuck out on the right wing for nine or 10 games and I just think, over time, I lost a bit of confidence and, with that, my form. That's when I stopped enjoying my football.

I never caused a problem in the dressing room, I never banged on the manager's door. I kept my head down because I know that footballers are paid an awful lot of money and there's a responsibility to the fans. But it was hard. I don't think anyone at Everton sensed I was unhappy because I made sure I wasn't all doom and gloom around the club but deep down, when I went home, that was when I really felt it.

In the end I decided I needed to move to get my career back on track. I thought about it all summer. My little boy was starting school in September and I didn't want to hang around and, come Christmas, have to take him out of his new school after only three months. They [Everton] were short of money and, at the stage, hadn't brought in any more midfielders, so I was thinking, 'As soon as we get a couple of injuries, am I going to be stuck out on the right again?' It was make-or-break time."

I've heard people saying, 'He's gone from Everton to Fulham, that's a backward step, blah, blah, blah'. But I don't see it like that. I see Fulham as a massive club, one that can achieve great things.” (20/09/08)

Medical Failure?

On Monday 28th July the Fulham Website made the following statement:

In response to increasing media speculation regarding Andrew Johnson, Fulham Football Club can confirm that the Everton striker is undergoing a medical with the Club. The procedure is likely to be concluded on Tuesday 29th July.

As it is not customary for the Club to make an announcement until all elements of a transfer are concluded, the Club assures its fans that further information regarding this transfer will be announced as soon as it is officially confirmed.

On Monday 28th July the Everton Website made the following statement:

"Everton can confirm that it has agreed an eight figure sum with Fulham for the services of Andrew Johnson. This is subject to the player agreeing personal terms and negotiating a medical."

It is now Thursday evening and not a word from either club. I know that Everton have got plenty on at the moment, but for Fulham this is possibly the biggest signing in their history. It can only mean one thing, there has been a problem with the medical. There can be no other explanation. If that is the case and their is a problem and both clubs still want the deal to go ahead it surely will not go ahead with the same eight figure sum. And maybe West Ham will come in or Arsenal or maybe he won't go. That could be good because that may be the only way we're going to get a fucking player before the deadline. What a crock of shit. (31/07/08)

It Was His Choice

Moyesy we are told was not best pleased that AJ wanted to move on from the Blues to errr..., Fulham. Reading between the lines in Moyesy's statement, you can imagine he did not actually say what he wanted to really say. In Moyes we trust, your choice Andy, and it was a wrong one.

Moyesy says: "Why did I sell AJ? It was AJ’s choice. He decided that he wanted to move on." (30/07/08)

Nothing Sinister

Andy Johnson sat on the bench for Everton as two youngsters were given preference over him in Everton's first friendly of the season in Switzerland yesterday. The match commentator on evertontv said "There is nothing sinister in it." (13/07/08)

AJ Is Going Nowhere

Moyesy has slammed all the reports that AJ is ready to be sold.

Moyesy says: "Andy Johnson is not for sale - it is that simple. He is a highly valued member of my senior squad and I look forward to seeing him when the players report back for pre-season training." (27/06/08)