Liverpool’s Serbian forward Milan Jovanovic has had an unspectacular start to his career at Anfield. He has been solid without any real signs of inspiration as yet, but he has already won over sections of Reds supporters for his high work rate and effort levels. Jovanovic himself believes Reds fans have yet to see the best of him:
“I am disciplined and trying to build an understanding with the other players. I am not in the best form but I feel I am getting better and this is very important. I can play better than I have shown so far. I know I can score goals and make assists for this team. I’m sure I can. When I do, I will be the happiest, luckiest man in the world.”
It is always difficult when moving from a different league and country and settling into a new style of play. Certainly the gap between the Belgian league with Standard Liege to the Premier League is quite big, and it will take time to adapt. Not many from such a standard of league make an instant impact, and there will be question marks over Jovanovic until he makes a big impression at this level. There will be those questioning whether he has the abilities to play in England and whether the step up was a bit too far for him.
There are certain indicators however that suggest he has the capabilities to make it. Firstly he is a strong character, even from the quote above it is clear he has a good mental attitude and from his time at Liege he was always seen as a larger than life figure who always enjoys his football no matter what. Of course, this strong character comes from a great deal of experience. Jova is now 29, and is familiar with all the ups and downs football can bring, although the step up from the likes of the Serbian, Ukrainian and Belgian league to English football is a big step up to make at any age. Actually it could be argued it is harder to make the transition at such a late stage in his career, for the standard he has been used to be so long has gone up a few notches.
Such an argument though has to be predicated by the fact that the Serbian is also an experienced international. 32 caps and 10 goals at the highest level means he has already got the know how to adapt. His adaptability will be crucial in the coming weeks and months for although Jovanovic can play left wing, as he has been doing for Liverpool, he has played the majority of his career as a striker. Only over the last year or two for Standard has he played the position regularly rather than the centre forward position he had been used to in previous seasons. So it means he not only has to adapt to English football but also to a position he is not most naturally suited to.
Saying that though, Jovanovic impressed me greatly playing in the position during the World Cup. Especially in the match against Germany in the group stages, he both scored and troubled the German’s backline on a number of occasions, making me believe we had signed a very good player. It is the sort of form Jova says he wants to get back to. There have been many signs of his capabilities already in a Reds shirt. He wins the ball back regularly and has a great deal of pace. He is a very direct runner and looks to take on opposition defenders; a characteristic which will serve him well on the wing. Playing in the left sided role though, he doesn’t offer a great deal of width and although I have seen him try to put crosses into the box on occasion, his trips to the byline are not as regular as they should be. He invariably comes in field and gets caught up in an already congested central area.
As many ex players and fans have said in recent days, it is clear that we are currently lacking any real width. After Kuyt returns from injury, it means any crossing and stretching the play would have to come from the full backs. Although Konchesky and Johnson would be very willing to play this role, I believe that some width must come from Jova and Kuyt too. It will take time for Jovanovic to settle and hopefully in time he can become more of an attacking outlet for both goals and assists, but if his penchant for playing more in field than out wide means we are less effective in the attacking third, I think Roy may have to look at other options and revert Jova to his more familiar position up front.
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Jovanovic is clearly quite a good dribbler of the ball, and I can’t fault his work rate. He has the strength and speed to make it in the premier league but my main worry is his final product. There’s been a few times when he’s shyed away from taking a shot on and some poor balls into the box but hopefully he’ll improve.
Jovanovic is clearly not comfortable defending or playing deeper as he’s a centre forward not a wide man, therefore it’s not fair to judge him for being off colour. Why our manager’s bring in strikers and constantly play them on the wing is beyond me. (excusing Dirk of course because he’s useless up front).
We’ve been waiting for Dirk to trap a ball within 50feet for 3-4 years now and for Babel to look interested yet they still get to play – i think we can wait for Jovanovic too.
Bench him and sign arda. now thats real class.
rowan arda turan is
1.crap
2.overpriced
3.out of our price range
so i suggest u cope on or stop watchin football
he’s 29 years old – a year to settle into a new country, plus a year to get used to the league and hit top form then we should have a star on our hands by the time he hits 31 right!
btw Lee, it’s more like Babel’s been waiting for a run of games with the first team for 3 years without getting much chance to play, more than we’ve been waiting for him to look interested while he gets to play…
I really cannot understand as to why when Roy is not frightened to play two up front why Jova is not played there.
The narrow type of game they often play is not good for bringing wide players into the game hopefully Miereles starts and adds more creativity.