Barry Horne: Yakubu can aid Johnson

Aug 24 2007 Blue & Read, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON FA Cup winner Barry Horne reckons that the pressure will be on Yakubu to deliver once the Nigerian striker completes his record-breaking move to Goodison.

He said: “I think a lot of fans have doubted some of the signings David Moyes has made, the likes of Andy van der Meyde, James Beattie and Simon Davies haven’t quite worked out, so the pressure is going to be on as he’s broken the record again.

“I have to admit I was a bit concerned when I first heard Everton were being linked with Yakubu, because I had heard Harry Redknapp talking about him saying he didn’t look interested and was looking for a move.”

However, Horne concedes that when it comes to goalscoring, Yakubu has got one of the best ratios in the game.

He said: “When you look at his record you have to be very impressed.

“He will also take the pressure and the burden off Johnson. He had two chances on Saturday at Reading and he didn’t look sharp as he usually does, so Yakubu can help share the load.

“But it will also take the pressure off the likes of Victor Anichebe and James Vaughan. Maybe now they can slip back into the back ground and develop as players and people.“