‘Magic’ Johnson jets in for talks with the Mersey Millionaires
Posted by Ian Marshall's Double in Everton, Premiership, Transfers | 27 May 2006
We owe something to extravagance, for thrift and adventure seldom go hand in hand.Jennie Jerome Churchill.
So, after taking quite a bit of criticism from Evertonians, Bill and Keith have had their hands down the back of the sofa, been down to Asda to use one of those change converting machines, and cobbled together an offer of 8.5 mill for Andy, AJ, Andrew Johnson.
For a lot of Blues this may well be a case of ‘be careful what you wish for’. The club has found a way of getting the dosh together and it seems like they’ve done the right thing. Everybody knows that our ‘striking’ needs are loads more urgent that our issues at centre half, especially in view of Stubbsy flawless return, at least in the short term.
The general view seems to be that Johnson will complete a move to Goodison over the next couple of days, although we all know there’s plenty a slip twixt cup and lip, Muller Lite anyone?
Ironically the Palace ‘hitman’ was an erstwhile makeweight in the Clinton Morrison transfer. Real Life Blues has often criticised Steve Bruce, and particularly as Birmingham have been relegated, now seems like a good time to kick him while he’s down. How could he have the ‘brass-neck’ to try to buy Johnson back after that? It says a lot.
If Johnson does sign there will be a couple of stark changes to get used to at Everton. The first one is a goalscorer with some serious pace. It’s ages since we had one of those, you know, the sort of player who catches pigeons, rather than ‘fancying them’, and turns the most hopeful of punts into great goal scoring opportunities.
The other is that Andrew is a serious serial diver. We’ve had less than our fair share in the past, but that is what we are getting here. Bothered? Probably not, if you can’t beat em join em.
To complete a total volte-face, on that very subject, it’s cheerio to Robert Pires from English football. Wenger has managed to produce teams playing exquisite football and producing the top level of gamesmanship on a consistent basis. This was totally embodied by Pires. This bloke is actually 6 foot tall and weighs just under 13 stone, yet goes down when someone turns the page of their programme near him. He has scored some brilliant goals and played a part in some brilliant Arsenal displays, but good riddance. He’ll be well at home in the South American enclave of Villarreal.
Oh and by the way Andrew, if you do join the Blues, don’t forget to leave that sandwich eating goal celebration behind. We can just about stomach Timmy twatting the corner flag, but we draw the line there.
Comments
Hope the Johnson thing comes off - I seem to remember Alan Pardew commenting that West Ham had paid about £1m over the odds when they signed Ashton in January but he felt he had to do it. Same goes for Johnson I reckon. (Wouldn't mind Ashton either). That's what we've had to offer, ideally it would be less but if we don't he'll be playing at Wigan or Bolton.
Agreed Cat.
Enjoying his dignified quotes 'given exclusively to evertonfc.com'. Now can he get through the most rigorous test of any player's career, the Everton medical?
IMD
Do you know how many of his goals were penalties?
Mind you, that's no bad thing as we rarely get any at the moment.
It's the right thing to do anyway. It's what we've missed most.
OH how I wish we'd managed to get Keane last season.
We'd be looking forward to another Euro tour now.
Beefy
PS Don't forget to watch the cricket chaps
Cheers Beef,
Here are the stats - 2003/2004 28 goals (5 of them pens (4 won by Johnson) ) (82% open play)
2004/2005 21 goals (11 pens (7 won by Johnson) (47% open play)
2005/2006 15 goals (2 pens (one won by Johnson) (86% open play)
Hmmm. As for the cricket, got mi head and pride burnt at Headingley on Sunday.
IMD
Just done my own Johnson post - http://pr0lix.blogspot.com/2006/05/andy-johnson-goodison-hero.html
Pardon the plug...