Source: Team_Talk
Beckford must be used in Toffees 4-4-2
Jermaine Beckford has struggled to make an impact at Everton but TEAMtalk's James Marshment claims David Moyes is not utilising him correctly.[LNB] When Leeds fans think of Jermaine Beckford, we think of his outstanding goalscoring record for the club during our three seasons of wilderness in the third tier of English football.[LNB]Plucked from the obscurity of non-league Wealdstone for a nominal fee, his record of 72 goals in just 126 games for the Whites is as impressive a tally as you'll find at any level of professional football. And when he scored the winner against Bristol Rovers in the final game of last season to secure promotion back to the Championship, no-one at Elland Road begrudged him his free transfer to Everton just a few days later.[LNB]However, just five games into his Toffees career and it's already looking like a step too far for the man, who prior to joining Leeds worked as a windscreen fitter for the RAC.[LNB]Just one goal (a penalty in the Carling Cup tie against Huddersfield) has been forthcoming for Beckford at Everton. But it's the fact that he's been substituted in all three of the Premier League games he has started in - coupled with the fact that Everton remain winless in the league this season - that has led to several Goodison regulars declaring Beckford to be 'out of his depth'.[LNB]However, Beckford is being used by David Moyes as a lone frontman - and, put simply, that is just not his game. Beckford's style is about chasing throughballs, latching onto flick-ons and more often that not, showing blistering pace before slotting past a beleaguered keeper.[LNB]But in Everton's currently-preferred 4-5-1, he's being asked to hold up the ball and bring one of the Toffees' talented midfield runners into play - but you only have to look at his wiry-thin frame to see he's just not cut-out for that kind of football. If Moyes wants to see goals from Beckford, he needs to play him off another frontman - and I'd suggest the Incredible Bulk that is Ayegbeni Yakubu would be the perfect foil.[LNB]OK, so I understand that Everton have a wealth of talented midfielders (who would you leave out from Steven Pienaar, Mikel Arteta, Tim Cahill and Leon Osman?) and I understand that Moyes cannot change his tactics to suit one free transfer summer arrival. I also appreciate that Beckford has to learn to adapt - and if he is to make it in the top flight, he has to show himself capable of ploughing a lone furrow in an unaccustomed 4-5-1.[LNB]But I'd urge Moyes to break him into that position gently - or at least allow him the luxury of coming into the side on the back of a few games having played in a 4-4-2. The Premier League is an unforgiving place and better players than Beckford over the years have fallen by the wayside due to a crisis of confidence.[LNB]However, far be it from me to tell Moyes - one of the Premier League's best managers in my opinion - how to do his job.[LNB]That said, is it a coincidence that the only time in the league this season - last weekend's 3-3 draw with Manchester United - the Toffees have scored more than once during 90 minutes came when they played in a more orthodox 4-4-2? Surely evidence enough that a change in tactics would suit the Toffees, help orchestrate a rise up the table and bring out the best in Beckford all at the same time?[LNB]Time will tell, but I still think Beckford can become a useful (if not prolific) goalscorer for Everton. And in the meantime, I'd urge any Everton fans who are waivering in their view that Beckford can make it, to stick with him and show a little patience.
