So is Zigic actually any good? The main job of all strikers, ultimately, is to score goals. 136 goals in 311 games is a very good career record, which averages at a goal every 2.29 games. For context, Jermain Defoe, who is often considered amongst the deadliest finishers in England, has a record of one every 2.44 goals. A record of better than one in three in International football is nothing to be sniffed at - just ask Karim Benzema, who can't boast a record that good.
So if he's better than Jermain Defoe and Benzema combined, then why isn't Zigic loved by all Blues fans? Another victim of the 'lazy' tag, Zigic often looks disinterested and sluggish. This just isn't right - Zigic just is really slow. The other issue is his recovery time. Even with the most innocuous of injuries, Zigic often takes a couple of weeks to be back to his best. This wouldn't be so much of an issue if he wasn't getting injured like Chelsea change managers, but that can't be helped.
As we all know, referees may not give more than one foul a game on any players over 6'5, and Zigic is no exception. This is incredibly frustrating as it prevents him winning headers or free-kicks, which is a crucial part of his game. Prone to frustration himself, Zigic is not unfamiliar with early baths. 3 red cards in 3 years in England have caused him to miss crucial games and are generally avoidable.
Despite his status as one of the tallest players in world football, the Tower of Serbia sometimes struggles against the more aggressive centre-backs that characterise the English game. The aforementioned 'rule' of one free-kick a match only hinder his game.
Brought in by McLeish as a target man, he actually wasn't suited to long ball at his head - he is a decent footballer and wants the ball to feet or to his chest. This was infuriating for fans and Zigic alike, as we did not play to his strengths and it made him look like a joke. He has showed glimpses of being a quality footballer, such as the touch and pass in the first few minutes of the cup final to put Bowyer through. Occasionally he has games where he looks like a superb footballer, spreading crossfield passes and linking up beautifully with his absurdly smooth backheels.
But he has those off games. Any Blues fan, even the most die-hard Zigic supporters cannot deny it. Those games, where he doesn't jump. Those games, where he drops into midfield and wastes the ball. It's infuriating for us fans, because we know he's better. We've seen it. There's a reason Valencia paid €19million for him. Whilst he did help us win the cup, we can't forget that penalty in Braga.
In conclusion, Zigic is an enigmatic, charasmatic and interesting player, who has been and will be key for Blues this season and the next, if he's still here. I personally welcome Zigic as the talisman, and hope he can prove to us that he really is the top striker that the stats suggest.
As we all know, referees may not give more than one foul a game on any players over 6'5, and Zigic is no exception. This is incredibly frustrating as it prevents him winning headers or free-kicks, which is a crucial part of his game. Prone to frustration himself, Zigic is not unfamiliar with early baths. 3 red cards in 3 years in England have caused him to miss crucial games and are generally avoidable.
Despite his status as one of the tallest players in world football, the Tower of Serbia sometimes struggles against the more aggressive centre-backs that characterise the English game. The aforementioned 'rule' of one free-kick a match only hinder his game.
Brought in by McLeish as a target man, he actually wasn't suited to long ball at his head - he is a decent footballer and wants the ball to feet or to his chest. This was infuriating for fans and Zigic alike, as we did not play to his strengths and it made him look like a joke. He has showed glimpses of being a quality footballer, such as the touch and pass in the first few minutes of the cup final to put Bowyer through. Occasionally he has games where he looks like a superb footballer, spreading crossfield passes and linking up beautifully with his absurdly smooth backheels.
But he has those off games. Any Blues fan, even the most die-hard Zigic supporters cannot deny it. Those games, where he doesn't jump. Those games, where he drops into midfield and wastes the ball. It's infuriating for us fans, because we know he's better. We've seen it. There's a reason Valencia paid €19million for him. Whilst he did help us win the cup, we can't forget that penalty in Braga.
It's infuriating because we know he can do this:
But ends up doing this:
Last season he looked languid and poor often, yet somehow our best run of form coincided with Zigic's longest run of games. When he's used sparingly, he doesn't have time to adjust.
The main reason that the big man isn't loved universally inside St Andrews is his widely discussed wage packet. It's generally accepted to be around £50k/w, but numbers up to £65k have been suggested. I don't think any Blues fan can justify his wages, but we can't blame him for accepting them. The problem is there is no way we can just sell him. No other team will pay him the same money and despite everything, he is a key player for us.
In conclusion, Zigic is an enigmatic, charasmatic and interesting player, who has been and will be key for Blues this season and the next, if he's still here. I personally welcome Zigic as the talisman, and hope he can prove to us that he really is the top striker that the stats suggest.
