Yobo back on the rise

By Chris Kirwan
April 14 2003

A common theme in Everton’s season has been the frequency with which individuals have taken opportunities presented by another player’s misfortune. Recently we have seen the return of Joseph Yobo.

Joseph Yobo was a victim of Moyes’ policy of sticking with a winning side when his suspension, brought about by a harsh red card against Newcastle, led to a lengthy spell out of the starting eleven. Similarly he paid the price for an uncharacteristic error at White Hart Lane (though he certainly wasn’t the only offender on that Sunday). Yet Yobo has had something of a ‘second coming’, and has himself profited from another’s misfortune, this time Tony Hibbert being the unfortunate player.

Yobo has strung together several superb performances. He played an excellent game at Highbury, negating the Gunners’ traditional excellence down the left flank. Likewise he was in fine form against Newcastle (while the goal came down his side it would be exceptionally harsh to apportion blame for a thunderous strike to Yobo). And while I wasn’t at The Hawthorns it was reported that he was dominant once again, with Bluekipper giving him Man of the Match.

The versatility of Yobo has become apparent in his recent spell in the team. He arrived at Goodison with the label of being versatile, a term that is often a concern with defenders. To me it suggests that they haven’t been able to make a position their own, and that coaches lack confidence to keep them in a position. Kolo Toure is possibly the most ‘versatile’ in the Premiership. He started as an attacking midfielder at Arsenal, but has now moved to left back, and I believe he plays centre back at international level. This ‘versatility’ will doubtless hinder him as he is shifted from position to position, and is unable to ‘learn his trade’ in any single one.

This is less of a problem with Yobo. While Alan Irvine stated that Yobo admitted he wasn’t a right back he is doing a fine job, and if anything it is aiding his long-term development. While his future lies in playing centre back (hopefully for the Blues), he is getting accustomed to the Premiership playing in the lower risk position of right back. Titus Bramble gives plenty of examples of the mistakes that come when asked to develop in the key position of centre back, while Terry and Gallas at Chelsea both benefited from spells at full back.

Yobo has many strengths and these will be enhanced once he develops the skills he is learning at right back. At present he is encountering problems that are common amongst young defenders; the odd lapse in concentration, occasionally poor positioning, and lack of communication. These are traits that will come with time as his confidence and experience grows, and he will observe them at first hand from right back.

Yobo also possesses a characteristic I like to see I defenders; he knows his attacking limits, and recognises the time to stay back and do his job. Last season Steve Watson was the most infuriating right back, too often he’d gallivant down his flank neglecting his defensive duties. From right back Yobo does contribute (the cross for the winner at West Brom, a shot against Newcastle that Woodgate blocked in the area with his hand) but will not get distracted from the job in hand.

Similarly I like his distribution from centre back. He may not spray passes around like Hierro or his former team-mate Franck Leboeuf (who possesses a serious disadvantage for a centre back in that he lacks the ability to defend) but he keeps it simple and knows when to under-elaborate and just knock it forward. His colleague Alan Stubbs has been the worst offender this season with his growing ambition to spread play from the back, despite being more of a danger to those in the Paddock and the Family Enclosure than to the opposition backline.

Yobo’s long term future is at centre back, and not only because we have Tony Hibbert. Stubbs and Weir have had admirable seasons, but it has come as something of a surprise that Stubbs has lasted. At the tail end of last season Stubbs was awful, yet he has come back strongly. Moyes will undoubtedly be looking for a young centre back, and I hope that all of the loose ends get tied up on the Yobo deal. Moyes will be hoping that at least one of Yobo and Clarke pushes through into the first team.

Yobo has shown that he possesses many commendable traits, but two in particular have recently caught the eye; he is keen to learn, and he has bounced back from a dip in form to once again play superb football. Let’s hope that the Blues are the team that profits from his continuing development.