blizeH Posted December 19, 2007 Share Posted December 19, 2007 Before I start, please consider I've been thinking this for a while, and I'm not posting purely on the basis of his well taken goal earlier. :-) We all know that Shevchenko has been a shadow of his former self since joining the Bridge, but I'm not entirely sure that he's solely to blame; there's little doubt that he's not quite as sharp as before, but he's a fantastic finisher and, contrary to popular belief, really seems to work his socks off. For a player of his type, it's rare to see them running into all areas high up the pitch, constantly pressing for the ball and running into good positions when we're in possession. So what's going wrong? I think he's suffering from a lack of service for a start, the amount of times you'll see him running into space, shouting for the ball only for him to be completely ignored is highly frustrating to watch, so I can only imagine what it must be like for Sheva himself, making great runs and rarely being picked out. The only problem is, I've really no idea what you can do to aid the situation, obviously the answer is to give better service, but that's often easier said than done. I've very little doubt though that with the right service, Sheva could turn back into a twenty plus goals-per-season striker, but unfortunately I'm really not sure whether this'll happen, especially since he's overshadowed by the utterly fantastic (and superior) Drogba. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBeard Posted December 19, 2007 Share Posted December 19, 2007 You won't get any argument from me on any of the points you made. It's refreshing to know that I'm not the only one who thinks Sheva can still do a very good job for Chelsea. All we need now is a coach to recognise that fact, use a system that will compliment Sheva's style (err, a simple 4-4-2 should do) and we'll all be happy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chippy Posted December 19, 2007 Share Posted December 19, 2007 about a minute before Sheva scored tonight I said to my missus, "we still cant learn if Sheva can still cut it as he has still hardly recieved a pass in a dangerous area and is running around looking for the ball" then ballack lets him have a ball in a reasonable area and he hits it very well, I think we need a striker but not because Shevas not good enough more to play alongside him up front and for better options to change things when Drogs is back. I'm under no illusions that he is as quick as he was but hes not as slow as people make out either, I still would love him to come good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack h Posted December 19, 2007 Share Posted December 19, 2007 i agree with most of that. There were a number of times tonight and in other games (with a shot from Essien sticking out the most) where we have the ball and he's screaming for a pass yet he's completely ignored. It must be incredibly frustrating considering all the pressure that comes every time he goes a game without scoring. He might have lost a lot of his pace but he can still be a good part of the team IMO if used properly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mod Posted December 19, 2007 Share Posted December 19, 2007 Was just agreeing with Bluebeard in Match Chat about this. High expectations is bound to put pressure on, which I think has affected Sheva alot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad_mac Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 One of the main culprits for not giving him service is joey Cole. Lately Joe has taken on shots, looked to goal rather than for a pass, that he shouldn't be taking. Sheva has ran and ran, and tonight especially. I just wish Lamps would also stop lobbing high bals towards him hoping for him to be able to do something with it(that tactic only worksfor Drogba, and even then it is now and again) Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blizeH Posted December 20, 2007 Author Share Posted December 20, 2007 Oh, I fully agree with that too, I'm really not sure about Joe Cole later (nor am I sure about Malouda or SWP, but that's another matter!) and it'd be nice if certain players didn't keep trying long/high balls over to Sheva and expecting him to deal with it like Drogba does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecthelion Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 Shouldn't sheva be taking free kicks from now on? His free kicks are far better than lampard's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliott Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 Sheva can not play up front in a 4-3-3. I really do believe that he needs a partner up front to give him decent service, to at least help his cause. Why dont we get Eidur back? Reports today are suggesting that he may be on his way to Villa!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkleyblue Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 OK - I shall be on thee phone to my mate Avram later on this morning because I have solved the problem of Sheva. He waqs working reaslly hard last night, and was getting into some amazing positions that might not have been picked up on the telly. he was, as has already been mentioned, SCREAMING for the ball in positions that would have f**ked the dippers quite considerably. BUT, I couldn't hear him, and neither could any of his team-mates. I think that the Sheva conundrum is that his voice is just TOO quiet. So, forget all this running in a sand-pit malarkey, what Andriy needs is a series of one-to-one intensive training sessions with some loud bar steward like that Ainsley Harriot or Dame Kiri Tekanawa. The, when he is in a great position, which last night was most of the time, all he will need to do is call politely, get the ball from his now-aware colleague, score, stand in front of the MHL and sing Nessum Dorma or knock up a quick Roast Fish and Corn Bread and become the CFC legend that we all hoped for when he signed Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLUENUT Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 Sheva is not good enough for the premier league, I've seen milk turn quicker. 1 decent performance in a year and a half won't change my mind as easy as it has those who want him to be the player he once was. 5 more games over Christmas (He know's he's going to get a run in the side) performing how he did last night may get me looking at him in a different light, but 1 game, nah. I think I'll wait a bit longer before I join in the back slapping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blizeH Posted December 20, 2007 Author Share Posted December 20, 2007 Heh, nice post yorkleyblue! And jeez, never thought there'd be someone so close to home on here :) It's far more than just last nights performance, like I said, I've been thinking this for quite a while now, he really is a great finisher given half a chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLUENUT Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 he really is a great finisher given half a chance. I think he really WAS a great finisher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonetti Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 he really is a great finisher given half a chance. I think he really WAS a great finisher. Agree Bluenut but last nights goal was quality - its all back to front to me - Kalou does the run, gets the postion but struggles to finish - if only Sheva could get those positions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powely01 Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 I think he has played well recently and is progressing well in each game. If the rumors are to be believed and we are to get Van Der Vart and Anelka then i think they would play well with him and provide the survice and support that he needs. Joe and Kalou didn't help him out at all. sheva's workrate was brilliant and his pressure on a few defenders in seamingly comfortable positions led to some good chances. he should of had 2 goals last night baring an outstanding block by lampard to deny him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evissy Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 I claimed yesterday during the second half that Sheva is totally useless. And just minutes after that he scored . He has all the skill to score outside or inside the box, but as blizeH said he don't enjoy the service. Our wingers should get the ball earlier to Sheva. They usually hold the ball too long and Sheva is easily crowded in the box. Sheva needs the ball to his feet when he is making his run and not a long airball 2 seconds too late. I don't understand why we don't play Pizza-Sheva in front Pizza being the target man. Have we even tried that? essien-mikel-lampard joey pizarro-sheva ..hope sheva starts to produce soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLUENUT Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 I claimed yesterday during the second half that Sheva is totally useless. And just minutes after that he scored . He has all the skill to score outside or inside the box' date=' but as blizeH said he don't enjoy the service. Our wingers should get the ball earlier to Sheva. They usually hold the ball too long and Sheva is easily crowded in the box. Sheva needs the ball to his feet when he is making his run and not a long airball 2 seconds too late. quote'] When a winger gets down the line Sheva is usually struggling to get into the box. Knock it through the channels to him and it's lost because he is easily out-run by the full back or centre half. You can say he lacks the service, doesn't get the passes he wants, but from what I've seen 'the passes he wants' are rolled across the box for a 6 yard tap-in, anyone, even Paul McCartney'sex-wife can score with that sort of service. He has the touches but lacks the mobility, something every striker needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 Sheva is not good enough for the premier league, I've seen milk turn quicker. Whether or not you agree, that is surely a memorable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliott Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 It has to be said; he had absolutely no service again yesterday. The one half chance where he turned in the box, and that was it. The only way he would get chances at the moment, would be to play upfront with Piza. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blizeH Posted December 24, 2007 Author Share Posted December 24, 2007 I think you're right again about a lack of service, and I too would like to see him play upfront with Pizarro hopefully setting him up with some decent chances, but I noticed that Sheva gave the ball away a lot, and whilst he seems to be quicker than he was last season from a running/sprinting perspective, he still seems incredibly unsharp, which is a shame since that's probably one of the most important traits for a goal scorer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack h Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 He wasn't very good yesterday but then again nobody was and he gave the ball away but not as much as i noticed Essien and Joe Cole giving it away. Its frustrating that we keep playing with one up top because we seem to play alot better with two up top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pauly Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 He is finally getting a run of games- As I said if he does get into match fitness, which he is still two or three 90 minutes away from in my opinion, then he will start giving some more impressive displays- if he doesn't after getting fit then i'll write him off like most have. When is Didier getting back? I think some are realising the criticism was a little strong here, he's played well, scored a couple of goals, kept the ball well and he's still not even anywhere near full fitness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBeard Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 When is Didier getting back? I reckon Drogba will be fit again just in time to f*ck off to the ACN - and I don't think that's any coincidence. I seriously doubt that his operation was urgent, and that he insisted on it being done early so he wouldn't miss out on playing for his country - let's face it, Chelsea hardly seem to be his first priority. I'm only going by my instincts though, so I may be wrong - I certainly hope so. ps - I agree with you about Sheva. If he maintains this run in the side while Drogba's away, I reckon he'll come right back to his old form. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
callista Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 We should not belittle Drogba for passionately wanting to play for his country - he is African and very proud of where he comes from and if he was an English player a la Carragher you would never here the end of it for him refusing to play. As for Sheva, I have been stroking my lucky rabbits foot ever since he arrived and lets face facts his legs have gone and they are not coming back, we bought a very expensive dud, already recovering from an injury, already on the turn and he has and will never adapt to this league. We love to give ourselves excuses for why Sheva has yet to perform from global warming, Mourinho hating his guts to lack of service - every excuse imagineable has been trotted out. Why don't we keep making them for him still after alll this time? He's played alone, with a partner, he's played Carling Cup games, CL and premiership, he's been benched and then played time and time again, he's missed tap ins I could get in the box blindfold, he's missed free kicks, headers, blasts over the bar - you name it, he's stumbled and fumbled like a young colt that's just learning to walk and yet what do I keep hearing? "If we just give him a run of games.....". "If Mourinho/Grant would just give him a chance...." Argh! Stop it already! Face facts aside for the odd goal here and there against Carling Cup championship opposition or defences that have gone totally awol (hello Man City) this guy does not produce anything like what he should for his price tag and he NEVER HAS DONE. Alan Hansen said that he had clearly lost his legs and added that once they've gone as a striker that's your lot. Plain and simple he's never going to work out for us and I'm sick of making excuses for him in my mind every game and trust me I have done many times as I remember the electric Sheva of old that played for Dynamo and Milan. It says a lot that I can actually not realise Sheva is even on the pitch most games unless the camera happens to pan to him, he's that anonymous. So hard done by? No, the only people hard done by in this embarrassing saga are the Chelsea fans who have had to suffer him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chippy Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 I can understand some people writing Sheva off as he has had enough games to show something, I still think he has something to offer Chelsea and think he has done better than we give him credit for, when Drogba got the golden boot I dont feel his goal tally was done any harm by having Sheva up front with him on quite a few occasions, I think he has suffered in our system when played in a 4-3-3 or as a lone striker, I am not saying he is the Sheva of old, just that given a run with decent service I think he could be a big influence in our games, I think Callista not noticing Sheva on the pitch is understandable as most of the players around him have the same problem, strikers like Sheva need service. I wonder if Pizzaro up front with him today against Villa will be any different, I must admit it's what I would have tried. come on now you Blues Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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