I know he's been a player who's split opinions with Baggies fans, but I've always been a big fan of his since he's joined us. His injury record is my main concern with him, but he's starting to string a number of games together, which he will hopefully be able to continue.
Anyway, saw an article on twitter today which I thought summed him up perfectly, particularly this paragraph:
"Since being out for six Premier League matches through injury from early December to late January Victor Anichebe has scored two goals and assisted with one in 259 minutes of football. This when you consider that the role he is being asked to play is one of a more traditional target man and outlet for teammates to play off is promising. In that time the 25 year old has been fouled on no-less than ten occasions as defenders struggle to handle his physical presence. His intelligent movement, positional sense and sheer strength are going to be key for Albion as we approach the business end of the season. His three goals for the club have highlighted all three of those attributes. Anichebe has gone from a player people are at the least unsure about to one that supporters are very pleased to see in the starting lineup. His big impact from the bench will also give Pepe Mel food for thought in tight encounters."
http://www.baggiesfacts.com/#!anichebes-impact/c1nuy
Since Christmas, the number of fans who appreciates him more has risen quite a way I'd say. Think he's our best choice forward at the moment. Let's just hope he keeps his current form up. Thoughts?
Big Vic
posted on 13/2/14
He worried me at Selhurst Park last Saturday bud. Had he had his shooting boots on then we'd have been buried imo.
Good player and grafted from what I saw. All the best
posted on 13/2/14
One of our only players who performed that day I thought. Really caused your defenders problems. Against another keeper he would have scored, too
posted on 13/2/14
Big Vic has donewell for us in his two strikes against Chelsea and Liverpool earning us two valuable points.
But, IMO he is not a natural goal-scoring predator. As TUX quite rightly suggests, he did miss some easy chances against Palace that a natural goal scorer would have gobbled up.
I still worry about where our goals are going to come from and think selling Long was a mistake. Hopefully, Vic, Saido and Chevy will get their goalscoring boots on regularly and Sess will learn whee they put they goal !
posted on 13/2/14
I do see your points TBM, but I'd rather have Vic, Berahino and Thievy all over Long. Long was never prolific for us. We should have used (some of) the £7mil we got for Long on someone who can score goals though. Hopefully Thievy will be that guy in the summer
posted on 13/2/14
No secret that I rate Vic massively.
Even did in his Everton days where he always used to score against us.
Baggie Man, how you doing mate?
Hope all is well 😀 can't agree with you on Long though. You say we miss a natural scorer and selling Long was a mistake. Long was anything but prolific for us and even his work rate etc tailed off towards the end. Not to mention he turned down 2 contract offers from us. £7000000 was brilliant business in my opinion.
posted on 14/2/14
I've aired my concerns about Anichebe on numerous occasions.
I've nothing against the guy and i genuinely hope he does enough to change my mind between now and the end of the season. He certainly puts a shift in which goes a long way with the fans.
Problem is the stats don't lie. Whilst I admit he's put in a few really good performances (Old Trafford for example), not only has he put in just as many poor ones (Stoke away) but he's been injured for half our games.
So ratio wise based on the season so far we've been able to rely on him in a quarter of our matches. For £6 million that's simply not good enough.
If he could manage to stay fit then may be my view would be different but that's a big if and, let's face it, his injury problems have never been a big secret.
So, fingers crossed he's avoids injury for a while now and discovers/maintains some good form!
posted on 14/2/14
I agree with Baggie Man and Coxy on this. The current signs from Anichebe look good, but he has to stay fit and do it consistently to prove his worth, while Shane Long was genuinely quick and offered us pace up front. Strange how he's got two goals already for Hull City. One thing I will say is that he moved to Hull for money, nothing else, but I don't think Steve Clarke used him properly towards the end of his stay with us.
posted on 14/2/14
Not denying that we overpaid for him, cox, but now he's here I'm judging him on his performances, of which I believe his good ones outweigh the bad ones. Other players have played much worse than him this season for us!
posted on 14/2/14
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 22/2/14
Changed the game... Again. The man is the only player right now showing any passion