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Writer: pompeyrug 
Date:Wednesday May 28 2008
Time: 4:13PM
UK time is: 11:00:40
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Utaka again tells us he'll do better...
John Utaka has taken time to once again push home the point on the Pompey Site that next season we will see 'the real deal' as far as he is concerned: 'it's been a good introduction to Premier League football.
'But the best is yet to come.
'It was my first season in England and I participated in most of the games. I scored some goals and got a few assists.
'But there is much more to come from me. You will see a new John Utaka next season.'
I tire of saying it, but his ability is not in doubt - we all know that he has immense talent, this is not something that he needs to prove at all, the thing that he does have to change is his attitude and commitment... If he gets this right then we will see one hell of player. The type of player that we saw in his opening games - which bizarrely enough he feels were his weakest! - and a few throughout the season.
To be honest having paid so much for him I did expected a hell of a lot more than we got, but I am not ready to write him off just yet, lets see how he goes next season. But he should not have to be told that he has to run for the ball and put the effort in - these are basics that you should not have to coach from the sidelines are they!
Yep, he gets a stay of execution from me but if we see no improvement in his application by Christmas I would say enough is enough.
All in all though actions speak louder than words Mr Utaka, so lets see you do your talking on the pitch during the 2008/09 season...
PLAY UP POMPEY!
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Your Comments
we heard it all before and nothing had changed so hopefully u will be gone.Bye Bye utaka the laziest player i have ever soon.£8mill worth of poo.
stfc ballboy
There speaks a man who never watched Kevin O'Callaghn
Steve C
come to think of it Steve Wigley was pretty damn Lazy as well.
Steve C
First the club must decide if Utaka is a winger or a striker, then give him until the january transfer window; if he is not succesfull in either role by then it should be tatty bye bye.
russellm
you didnt get more than 10 minutes out of warren aspinall either
russellm
Warren Aspinall! He only ever looked interested when a scuffle broke out anywhere on the pitch....he'd be over like a shot!
I'm hoping Utaka can 'do a Kranjcar' and really show us what he can do in his second season. Do I think he will? No.
Give him a chance up front and see if it works.
Tantona
8 mill wasted there, 'settling in'....rubish! Every one that comes here to play knows you gonna have to run ! If not back to help out, at least forward!! Trouble is, if we sell him we are gonna make a huge loss because his value would have plummeted after this season.
pompey4me
I'm tired of waiting for him to come good. I don't think I've ever seen him play well; Fulham away when he outpaced a very tired defender for the second goal is the sum total of my memory. If someone offers something, take it.
UKTony
Yep, time to get rid. Probably has bags of talent but never seemed interested, even at Wembley when motivation should be a given. Cash in and look for a replacement.
bluedr
Utaka will shine next season. when the season started his pace was made use off with long throws from James, that sort of supply dried up, in some ways he was a victim of his own initial success. Thats not to say he shouldn't have done better later on, but teams certainly learnt how to keep him quiet.
Steve C
It's all about attitude tho steve, and unfortunately Utaka has got a stinking one. One where he can't be bovvered!
pompey4me
The problem with utaka, is that he has learned from the african legend - Kanu. and he has played against the best player in the world - ronaldo. Utaka has come out saying that his style of play is "comftable" - (i.e. kanu) and that he thinks he should cut inside more (i.e. ronaldo). I don't claim to be a footballing genious (well actually...) but if he wants to be good, he should be neither of those things. he should be a quick player looking to carry the ball down the wings and break away VERY quickly, before cutting a low cross back into the area. that is how he should play. he should stop trying to be like other players, and just play the way he did back in september! If he does that, we will have one of the best wingers in the league. we should definatly NOT sell him.
pompeycarpet
carps, I saw him do that once, what was the date again....may.....17th was it??? lol If he gets his head right, attitude right, he may stand a chance. All this nonsence people talk about first season...give him time....doesn't stop him moving or wanting the ball does it? He HAS to produce SOME effort or he is just a complete waste of space.
pompey4me
Who crossed the ball so Kanu could score THE goal of the season?
StuartM
One pass,one season and now he is on holiday recovering from the exertion.
007
it was a pass worth a million pound and the fa cup to boot.
Steve C
Well it seems like make or break this season. why not try him alongside Defoe surely its worth a try in pre season.
pompeyyong
Yes, we won't forget the cup final or assist. To a degree we won't forget some of the goals of last season, Bolton especially. However it's a team game over a season & he didn't justify £7-8m. Here's hoping he does next season otherwise it's time for a refund!
storagematt
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