Source: Liverpool_Echo
Yakubu will answer doubters back eventually says Graeme Sharp
Yakubu 300[LNB]THERE was a time that the Super Eagle goal celebration synonymous with African footballers was a regular sight at Goodison Park - usually after Ayegbini Yakubu had made the net bulge.[LNB]The Nigerian's double against Newcastle United in a 3-1 win at Goodison on the last day of the 2007-08 season helped clinch fifth place and European football.[LNB]The Yak looked set to write his name into the rich tapestry of Everton goalscoring folklore, finishing his first season with 15 Premier League, and 21 strikes in all competitions.[LNB]It was his highest goal tally for a single season, and the £11.25m signing from Middlesbrough had just became the first Everton player since Peter Beardsley to net 20 goals in a season.[LNB] Consider the contrast. On Tuesday, the striker was on the brink of an inglorious exit from Goodison with those glory days receding fast in the memories of supporters.[LNB]With David Moyes' team suffering from an early dry patch in front of goal, Yakubu is unfit to offer any solution - still not back in shape despite his World Cup duties ending more than eight weeks ago.[LNB]By comparison John Heitinga, who played in the final, returned against Wolves.[LNB]It has left frustration seething in some quarters, and no doubt led Everton to listen to offers for the 27-year-old, with a swoop for Wolfsburg star Grafite said to have been considered.[LNB]But with the window closed and reinforcements a long way, or four months off at least - can The Yak turn it around?[LNB]Legendary former Everton centre forward Graeme Sharp maintains it's not too late for Yakubu to resurrect his once promising career.[LNB]'It's plain to see from the start of the season, and how results have stuttered along, that Everton are lacking a cutting edge in the final third,' he says.[LNB]'Then you've got a natural goal scorer like The Yak who hasn't played yet. He is a fantastic asset to have and you can't afford to write him off yet.[LNB]'I would have been disappointed to see him leave Everton this summer. I can genuinely still see a place for him in this side and I can still see him having an impact on this season.[LNB]'He's the type of player who can score scrappy goals. It'll got his backside and go in. He just knows where the right place is to score. With Louis Saha liking to drop deep and join up play, there's room for someone who can be a real predator in the box.'[LNB]Despite his admiration for the former Portsmouth hit-man Sharp acknowledges he has to work harder to get match-fit, and should have been able to feature by now.[LNB]'It's disappointing that he's still not fully fit,' he says. 'But you've got to think about how Everton would have gone about finding a replacement. It takes a lot of money to get a goal scorer in these days. Everyone wants one.[LNB]'When you've got one on your books maybe it's better to sit tight and show some faith in him. Hopefully the boy has still got the hunger to get in great shape and get back in action.
