Patience rewarded for Naismith

, 13 September, 27comments  |  Jump to most recent
Everton's hat-trick hero against Chelsea, Steven Naismith, admits that spending time on the bench has been hard this season but he was thrilled with the impact he made in the 3-1 win today.

The Scot came off the bench in the ninth minute when Muhamed Besic was forced to come off with a suspected hamstring injury and scored all three goals in the Toffees' handsome win over Jose Mourinho's men.

Naismith's desire for first-team football meant that the club's decision to turn down an £8m bid for him from Norwich on transfer deadline-day was not a foregone conclusion but his hat-trick heroics against the Champions were rich reward for his patience.

"It's been a tough start to the season for me with not playing many games. As a player it's hard to keep taking when you're on the bench but you've just got to be ready for anything that comes up and today's a prime example of that.

"I've gor confidence in my ability and when you get the opportunities you've got to prove that and today I've done that."

The former Rangers man's three strikes with his head, left foot and right foot represented a "perfect hat-trick", something that he himself wasn't aware of until captain Phil Jagielka told him during the celebrations for his third.

"I've scored a hat-trick before but not a perfect one. I didn’t realise until Jags came up to celebrate and he was shouting in my ear.

“It’s a great feeling personally but overall it was a great win.”

 

Reader Comments (27)

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Brian Porter
1 Posted 13/09/2015 at 05:53:47
Congratulations, Steven Naismith. Fantastic performance and I hope those who derided Naisy pre-season and wanted rid of him are now eating their words. Yet again, he has proved what an asset he is to Everton FC in particularly dramatic fashion.

To score a perfect hat-trick against the champions is no mean feat, but to do it coming off the bench, and scoring the first without having had much time to warm up is a true testament to his fitness and overall ability. I’ve always said he’s one of the most dedicated and committed members of our squad and yesterday was a well deserved reward for him.

The team as a whole was superb and deserves equal congratulations. Perhaps, if we can keep on performing like this, the top 6 could be beckoning again.

James Kirrane
2 Posted 13/09/2015 at 06:14:41
What a fantastic performance. Nais might not have the footballing attributes of the very best, but his attitude is world class. His performance today was full of spirit, energy, endeavour, commitment and desire - not to mention no little skill. He is a credit to Everton and a consummate professional. A massively under rated player. So glad we did not sell him to Norwich.

On a similar vein did you see Roberto's post match press conference? Witty, intelligent, measured and perceptive. And not one PHENOMENAL! Now that is PHENOMENAL.

Eugene Ruane
3 Posted 13/09/2015 at 07:37:35
Agree Brian. I've argued long and hard with many on TW in this lad's defence so I'm more than happy to say 'I told you so.' This lad lacks great touch and pace but makes up for these deficiencies by being canny, smart, dedicated and tenacious. Plus he has that 'I fuckin detest losing and will do anything to win' thing about him. He's a real professional and I was delighted for him (and us) yesterday.
Dominic Tonge
4 Posted 13/09/2015 at 08:22:53
Top man, top performance. I, like many others am impressed with his dedication, work ethic and think his off-field charity work marks him out as a genuinely decent bloke. Glad it was him who came good.
Anto Byrne
5 Posted 13/09/2015 at 08:48:49
It's a team game. Great effort with a perfect hat-trick. It will do wonders for overall team confidence.

The strength in depth is really phenomenal. Ossie, Gibbo, Pienaar and Baines and Cleverley to return.

Rob Hooton
6 Posted 13/09/2015 at 09:05:54
Well done, Naisy, well deserved and a beautiful day to remember! If everyone worked as hard as him, we’d make top 4 no problem; he’s an example to all.
Mark Andersson
7 Posted 13/09/2015 at 12:11:04
Have to agree with the above posts. I love players like Naismith, hard working and honest.

I respect Martinez for not selling him, he knows he has a first class pro in Naismith, and I'm no fan of Martinez.

Hope we can take this result and performance into the Derby match. It’s about time we gave them a spanking.

Victor Jones
8 Posted 13/09/2015 at 13:43:58
I just hope that there is no more talk about Naismith going to Norwich. Eight million in the bank (never to be seen again). Remember the Arteta money! Or those three goals and the win yesterday. I know what I prefer.

Money in the bank doesn’t buy you goals. A Steven Naismith on the pitch DOES!!!

Shaun Baldwin
9 Posted 13/09/2015 at 15:47:09
Just looking at your list of Everton hat-tricks after yesterday's game and I noticed an omission.

I remember watching Paul Wilkinson score a hat trick at Somerton Park, Newport when Everton won 5-1 in a League Cup match in 1986. Graeme Sharp and an own goal (Jimmy Mullen I think) got the others.

Details available from various sources.

Michael Kenrick
Editorial Team
10 Posted 13/09/2015 at 15:52:56
Thanks, Shaun, good catch. I can't remember where I got the original list from... I think it might have been by scouring through the Everton Complete Record in the earliest days of the internet. Probably time for a full Quality Control check with one of those other sources!
Tony Draper
12 Posted 13/09/2015 at 18:28:27
Congratulations, Steven Naismith!

This excellent human being is a thorough credit to Everton Football Club in every sense. His signing from Rangers is one of the finest in our great clubs history, he excels in every degree and I’m certain that the man who scored more tat tricks for Everton than any other, William Ralph Dean, would have thoroughly applauded Naisy’s very fine contribution against the arrogant, bloated and pompous reigning champions.

People, let alone footballers, of such moral decency as Steven Naismith are an extremely rare breed. I’m absolutely delighted that he left the pitch with the match ball. Celebrate what he is and how strongly he stands up.

Thanks Steven, what a terrific performance, no better way to reward your manager for declining an offer for you, no better way to assert your own belief in your abilities.

Perfect hat-trick. Perfect Gent.

David Greenwood
13 Posted 13/09/2015 at 18:44:21
In so many ways a credit to himself, his family and our club. Another three next weekend please!
Stephen Brown
14 Posted 13/09/2015 at 19:05:17
If we all think back to Naismith's first season when he was played wide right. He got slated and even laughed at. It is testimony to his character that he has fought back from that to carve out a good career at GP.

As is well documented on here by most posters he’s not the most naturally gifted player but his will to win, and effort make up for this in abundance! Added to this despite obviously being a really nice guy when he crosses the white line he can be a horrible little bastard to play against.

He is clearly a great squad player and £8M is a bit of a joke when compared to the values of Rhodes and McCormack. Keep up the good work, Nessy, I’m sure when you finally leave the blues you will be remembered fondly. (The hat-trick has ensured this!)

Oliver Molloy
15 Posted 13/09/2015 at 20:02:51
The man’s attitude is first class both on the field and off the field. He has worked hard for his rewards in life, but has never forgotten his roots which is very admirable.

It is obvious he is highly thought of at the club and long may it continue. I loved the way he he introduced himself to Ivanvoic, and love the way he just doesn’t care who he is facing; there’s no fear.

Alan Bodell
16 Posted 13/09/2015 at 20:43:08
And let's not forget Steven funds from his own pocket free tickets to less fortunate folk each home game, top lad.
Eugene Kearney
17 Posted 13/09/2015 at 21:10:08
Great hat-trick Mr Naismith. Congratulations. You were just brilliant.

It feels so good to have beaten those b#ast#rds in such and emphatic and "happy" way after they expected to sign JS.

We needed that win to kick-start the season properly - now lets keep it up and stay up there in the top 5 or 6.....

Tom Kelly
18 Posted 13/09/2015 at 21:21:54
Great 'perfect' hat-trick Naismith! Always seems to be there at the right time.
Jonny Flynn
19 Posted 13/09/2015 at 21:31:23
Totally agree Steven he was jeered on and off the field in his first season but has quickly become one of my favourite players in an Everton shirt. He is a nightmare for defenders because of his workrate and it rubs off on others around him and gets the crowd off their seats.

We have more talented players in the squad but few work as hard. And he is a gent off the pitch judging by his acts of kindness giving tickets to less privileged. Proud to call him one of our own good on you Nessi.
Harold Matthews
20 Posted 13/09/2015 at 21:33:44
Really pleased for the lad. A real trier with great movement in the box. Must be a headache to play against. Believes he should be a starter but Martinez likes to use him off the bench and I can see trouble brewing, especially after the hat-trick and the Norwich interest. The lad is normally a bit hot tempered but yesterday he had fire roaring from his nostrils right from the word go and definitely believed he should have been selected before young Besic.

As for Besic. I feel so sorry for the lad. Chosen to play a role he would have loved, his luck ran out after 10 minutes. Who's to say we would not have scored 3 if he had stayed on the pitch? I certainly liked the way he was shaping up.

Victor Jones
21 Posted 13/09/2015 at 21:37:30
I have always had faith in Naismith. I saw him play for Rangers, and he was never played out wide. He always played through the middle. And he managed (I think) a few hat-tricks. Albeit Scottish football.

Getting pushed out on the wing is not what Naismith is about. He needs to play down the middle. Yesterday was perfect behind Kone and Lukaku. Whether planned, or by accident, it worked. But it won’t work every time.

So our fickle fellow Evertonians will no doubt slam him again. Be patient, people; I think that Martinez is actually building a very good squad. And Naismith is part of that.

I remember watching Naismith come on the pitch (under Moyes) and he was clearly under instructions to slot into a DMF role. WTF? He was terrible, and got slaughtered. Even Messi would have looked bad, when Moyes went ultra defensive. At least now, Martinez seems to be playing players in their proper positions. Barkley is an example of that.

Keep playing like yesterday, and I might just be coming round to Martinez. Now that is something that I never saw coming. Funny what a few good results can do.

And Martinez even seems to be talking sense. About time.

Mike Childs
22 Posted 13/09/2015 at 21:52:12
Can’t wait to play Leicester. Definitely one of the more exciting teams in the PL. I love the way they ruined Sherwood’s Sunday.
Victor Jones
23 Posted 13/09/2015 at 22:47:24
I know that I have been "waxing lyrical" about Steven Naismith. But played in his proper position, he is a proper footballer. Not a Championship level player, as some people think. This is my last comment (I promise), how about selling Mirallas to Norwich, putting the incoming money towards another attacking player, and keeping Naismith. I know that football never works out the way people want it to, but if only Mirallas had Naismith's attitude and Naismith had some of Mirallas’s skill.
Jim Wilson
24 Posted 14/09/2015 at 06:11:45
Naismith has everything that Lukaku has not.

He has good control, good movement and has a great appetite for the game. He has plenty of energy and is willing to work for the team. He makes things happen with his constant effort and won’t give up.

And now he has just got a hat-trick he should replace Lukaku who has his moments but on the whole is holding the progress of the team back with his poor control, poor movement and lack of effort.

I think everyone knows he can score a goal when he is facing goal and in space but with his back to goal his play is poor. He did one good thing yesterday when he was involved in the second goal but he squandered 3 good scoring opportunities and constantly kept losing possession putting us in trouble. There is a very simple decision for the manager for the next game: Naismith in, Lukaku out.
Brian Porter
25 Posted 14/09/2015 at 07:10:39
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STEVEN NAISMITH. Hope your day brings all you could wish for, (or maybe your present arrived early)? Either way, I’m pleased to see I’m being joined by others and that you’re finally getting the recognition your consistency deserves.

Jim Wilson #21, you actually make a valid point about using Naisy in place of Lukaku, for the very reasons you mention. Not only would it shake Rom up a bit but we might see even more of what Steven Naismith I capable of when played in his primary role, ie, as an out-and-out striker, where he excels if given the kind of support he received on Saturday.

I’ve seen a lot of players come and go in my 57 years as a supporter of Everton and there have not been many over the years to have displayed the loyalty and tenacity of Steven Naismith, a gent off the pitch and a little pitbull on it. He’s been a favourite of mine for a long time and finally people are starting to see what he can do, and perhaps the doubters will shut up for a while and we can all thank God, Roberto and Steven that Saturday’s hat-trick was scored for us, and not for Norwich, as some would have wished for.

Tony Abrahams
26 Posted 14/09/2015 at 09:12:58
If I was going to take Lukaku, out the team, I would play Kone up front. Someone who can really get hold of the ball.
Sharabi Singh
27 Posted 14/09/2015 at 10:19:36
Congrats on the hat'trick btw, made my weekend. But yeh he's an okay player, works his bollocks off and usually gets no rewards, but would we have won the game without him? Yes, I think we would have. More often than not he runs round like headless chicken. His best position is up top and nearly all his goals are in or around the box but he will never dislodge Lukaku.

No, I would keep Naismith in the squad but would never start with him because, as I repeat, more often than not, he isn't that good.

Everyone who started jumping on the Nessi bandwagon hasn't got a clue and should remember the last the last 3 years of how poor this guy has been.

Jonny Flynn
28 Posted 14/09/2015 at 15:23:44
Sharabi, I think that’s a ridiculous statement to say we’d have won without him and to say people are only jumping on the bandwagon now. Lot of people have been praising Naismith long before Saturday's hat-trick.

You know what you get with him when he’s used in proper position. And to say he’s been poor the last 3 years is ridiculous as well. Norwich thought different and I do too.


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