ok, so it's been a while since the last (and first) scouting report but unfortunately there was little feedback on the first one as to who are what position I should scout next, that and the fact that I have unfortunately been busy at work!
On the plus side, various threads have shown the feelings of everyone and what sort of positions we need improving. So, I have been out scouring for possible players to look at and looking again at a few I discovered during the summer...so here we go!
Up first we have the strikers. with Samaras' departure looming, Murphy not filling anyone with confidence, the likelihood of McGowan, Hutchinson and Rasmussen all being sold in either January or the summer, some back-up for Stokes and Hooper. We also need a striker to offer a different approach to some games, ie the long ball to a target man.
As I see it, Stokes and Hooper are great in the box strikers with the ball at their feet from low crosses or when we split open defences with pace, but sometimes its good to have a big striker who can get his head on the ball, turn a defender in the box after holding him off and slot the ball home, essentially, a target man. its the one thing missing from our strikers at the moment. Samaras should be able to offer us that, but as we know, he doesnt do it!
First up, we have Graziano Pelle, a 25 year old Italian striker currently playing for AZ Alkmaar. He currently has 18 months left on his contract and is mainly used as a substitute for AZ. His goalscoring record this season is played 8 games, 4 of which he came on as a substitute, scored 4 goals and has 1 assist. This may not sound outstanding but when you watch the video, I think you will understand why I continued to look at him.
He is big, at 1.93m (just taller than Samaras) and he is strong. He likes to be in the box or go through the middle, you won't find him drifting out wide. The majority of his goals come through crosses from the wide areas where he either gets up to win the header or makes a run either to the back post or to the near post.
have a look www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX18qw9y-Qk
[YOUTUBE=yX18qw9y-Qk]
Next on the list is Denni Avdic. He is a 22 year old Bosnian born Swedish international. He is big, 1.93m tall and has been attracting interest from Birmingham and Blackburn in the EPL. His goalscoring form has been hit or miss at times but he loves to be involved in the play. The problem with this guy I think is that he reminds me a bit too much of Samaras. Unlike Pelle, he can be found out on the wings and he likes to drop deep to pick up the ball. He can take a man on and has good feet for a big man. He still seems like quite a raw talent as well and we have enough of that at the club already, we could perhaps do with someone more experienced and settled in their style etc.
22 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions and 5 of those appearances he has come on as a substitute. He also has 4 assists this season as well.
The big plus for this guy is that his contract runs out on the 31st of December so he is available on a free, but as I mentioned, he has been attracting interest from other clubs so we could struggle to get him.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOnZ89CMYYs
[YOUTUBE=TOnZ89CMYYs]
next up, Hyun-Jun Suk. 19 year old South Korean striker currently on a one year deal with Ajax. The story goes that the young lad went along to watch Ajax train, after training he met the coach, Martin Jol (formerly of Tottenham) and asked him if he could train with them one day. Martin Jol accepted and was so impressed that he gave him a further trial and then a one year contract. The contract runs out next summer and whether he is likely to be offered a new deal is currently unknown.
He is a big young lad, standing 1.94m tall. He has a good amount of pace and skill and his obvious height gives him an advantage in the air. He is also a good finisher and isnt afraid to take men on with his skill and pace. This does mean that he can be found coming deep for the ball or indeed out in wider positions, but I think some of that could be due to the service he is receiving. He has only made a handful of appearances for Ajax so far this season but there is a lot of footage from what appear to be reserve games.
Suk may not be ready for a starting place in our first team or indeed Ajax's but he is showing so much potential that I had to put him in here, especially when you consider the progress that has been made by Ki this season! Suk a player for the future perhaps?? Can Ki be used tempt him to us?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKcRMbau77E
[YOUTUBE=xKcRMbau77E]
The final striker to mention is Victor Anichebe. Originally born in Nigeria but was brought up in England from the age of 1, he has been in and around the Everton first team from a young age. Now 22, his current deal is set to expire next summer. He is a strong, 6ft (1.91m) tall striker with a good amount of pace. Described as an "old fashioned centre forward" he could give that strong physical presence and harassing of defenders that we somewhat lack at the moment. The big problem with Anichebe, his injury plagued progress!! If his injuries are now behind him, could we offer him the perfect place for him to become the striker he has promised to be for so long?
Out of all of these players mentioned, surprisingly my favourite is the Italian Grazziano Pelle. I just feel he has that bit more experience, the better physical presence in the box and just in general, more of the kind of player we have been missing for a while now! It's a surprise to me because generally I am not a fan of Italian footballers and would normally steer clear of them.
I am quite impressed by Suk though and I think taking him on board witha view to him being a sub and getting him ready for the first team within a year or two could be quite an exciting idea. As I said, after the way Ki has taken to Scottish football and progressed this season, how many other players are out there who can do the same??