It is safe to say that very few expected much when Sunderland announced the signing of Victor Anichebe on a free transfer. It is also safe to say that many have been proved wrong. Since regaining fitness and coming into the team on an almost permanent basis, David Moyes has unleashed an almost unplayable Anichebe on opposition defences.
Victor Anichebe: Free Agent to Unplayable Lethal Weapon
Moyes and Anichebe worked well together while at Everton, gaining some success. However, when Moyes departed for Old Trafford, big Vic headed out of Goodison Park too. Both player and manager endured tough times whilst apart. Moyes at Manchester United and Real Sociedad, Anichebe at West Bromwich Albion.
During the summer, The Black Cats lost former manager Sam Allardyce to England. They almost immediately appointed Moyes as his replacement. The new manager set about trying to strengthen his new squad but with little time and money, Moyes was finding the task of bringing in the players he wanted difficult. When the transfer window shut, Sunderland were still light up front and yet again were relying on Jermain Defoe to score the vast majority of the teams goals.
Moyes takes a gamble
Moyes now had a choice, stick with what he had or take a gamble on a player without a club. He opted for the latter. A player he knew well, but also one who had not faired well in recent seasons at Premier League Level. His name, Victor Anichebe. At 28 years old there were still plenty of years left in him. His size could cause the opposition problems and being a striker he could take some of the burden off Defoe. That was the theory anyway. However, his past form and stats in front of goal did not fill many with confidence that he was the answer that they or Moyes was looking for.
Living in America
Anichebe, since being released by West Brom had taken himself off to Los Angeles to work with a personal trainer three times a day for three months. It was an attempt to regain fitness and prove that he could still play a role at a club at Premier League level. After signing for the Black Cats in September, the goal was now to get match fit and prove he still had what it took. His big chance came at the beginning of November when he was selected to start away at Bournemouth.
Big chance is taken
Early in the game, the big striker suffered cracked ribs but played through the pain to give an almost flawless performance. He scored one, won the penalty that won the game and proved that on his day he can be unplayable for opposition defences. The next game against Hull City, he continued where he left off against Bournemouth. His hold up play was excellent, kept possession, was an effective outlet and worked hard at both going forward and tracking back. His performance at this point was man of the match material, however, in the second half he scored two goals. The first a low strike giving the keeper little chance and the second a thunderous effort which flew in off the woodwork.
Fans have taken to striker
Since then Moyes has continued to play him in a more wide attacking area. Though he has not scored since his double against Hull, his contribution to the team has not gone unnoticed. Few in September would have thought that fans would be singing his name come Christmas time, but both at home and away it can be heard loud and clear.
Hard work cannot stop
Victor Anichebe has never been the most prolific of strikers, and he may never be. However, when he is on form, he offers so much more than just a goal threat and can be unplayable. He is learning new aspects of the game too, and if he can continue to learn, keep fit and keep causing problems in the final third, Sunderland could have picked up the bargain of the season.
Sunderland is a new challenge for the striker and one he must take if he wishes to stay in the Premier League. Manager and striker seem to be a perfect fit since coming together again. The Black Cats form has steadily improved from relegation certainties to having a very good chance of surviving.
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