Vranny

You'd have to say Di Matteo from the available managers that I can think of. Produces fairly solid, no thrills teams, while not being nearly as extreme as Pulis though.

What an absolute cock-up by Sunderland, and specifically Ellis Short. They give Di Canio the summer to completely over-haul the squad and build it in his own image, then change their mind on him and have him dumped two games later. Insanity.

Don't actually mind reading this, as a opposed to Gareth's Crock o' shit of the week for the BBC.

Would have to go for three, though that "double chin" feature needs removing. Would rather have kept the old crest like many others as well. Don't know why they couldn't have added a thick yellow outline to all crests to get them to actually pop. Having a primarily blue crest that'll feature on primarily blue kits and other primarily blue products seems like a pretty dopey decision. I wouldn't have minded a bit of colour added, like the use of green through the wreaths or some differing blues used, so bloody crests don't just fade into the background.

Don't worry. We're trying

West Ham 0 - 2 Everton Mirallas

Jordi Alba, the diving prick. The majority of that Barcelona team is a joke tbh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZVMGNuDGYk

Just thought I'd share with you a couple of rough sketches I did regarding my thoughts on a new crest for the club below. I tried to keep a lot of old elements (i.e. the old font, tower, NSNO) as I felt they either are or have become important parts of Everton's history and the crest. The idea of using the River Mersey intrigues me, so decided to add it into the second image. (Apologies for the crests looking generally rubbish, especially the wreath elements ) Also coloured in the Mersey River crest to see how it would look (still undecided on how to colour it personally though).

My odd little thought for the day: I don't like how Eric is almost, but not quite, an anagram of Dier. I think the stress of the transfer window has made me a bit loopy...

From all I've heard of Bostock and Baxter both had crummy attitudes, as well as a dearth of first team football, to blame for their lack of development. There's a reason a couple of Championship and then League 1 teams turned Jose down, before Stubbs pulled some strings and got him a trial at Oldham. And I don't think it was his abilities as a footballer. I also reckon we'll see Josh McEachran make a name for himself in one way or another eventually. Just probably won't develop into the player he could've been with regular football at Chelsea. Anyway, back to Duffy. Though it's a pity he's missed a significant amount of football through injury and then being snubbed I reckon he still has a decent chance to make it (not necessary with Martinez's football ethos in place though). I have a feeling this season will be crucial to answering whether or not he'll make it at Goodison. At the very least getting him out on loan will put him in the shop window, so we can re-coop some money for the time spent developing him. Just wack a nice sell-on clause in any contact if that does happen though.

On a slightly different note I really hope we see Duffy (and Vellios and Lundstram and Garbutt) farmed out on loan before the Football League loan window closes. With Alcaraz, Heitinga and Stones as back-up there's no excuse not to and I really feel like Duffy would suit Championship football to a tee.

I'm getting a link to a James Bond article... Edit: Working now.

I reckon we'll be using a squad of about 13 to 14 starters before we really get a stable 11 going. Heck, chances are that that'll be the situation all season. I'd say that the back 5 of Howard, Jags, Distin, Coleman and Baines is effectively locked in. Martinez might occasionally draft in Alcaraz to switch to 3 at the back, but I think it'll be used more as a tactical change against certain teams, rather than a permanent one. Central midfield is where it gets trickier to see clear starters. Before the season I would've had Gibson down as a nailed on starter. Considering the purchase of McCarthy though, as well as current Gibson's injury, I think it makes more sense to go with a partnership of Barry and McCarthy at the moment. Regarding the advanced midfield role Barkley seems to have made this position his own. I wouldn't be surprised though to see the likes of Pienaar, Osman, Naismith, McCarthy and even Kone and Lukaku given a run at times in this role as fatigue sets in for young Ross in his first real season at prem level, and also when such changes are deemed tactically appropriate. Pienaar and Mirallas should occupy the wide midfield positions by default at present, but look for Gerard to get his chances to impress from the bench, before he properly settles and challenges for regular starts. Regarding up top it's anyone's guess as to who'll start. I reckon we'll see continued starts from Jelavic until Kone is deemed to have reached full fitness (that could be in time for the Chelsea game for all we know) and while Lukaku finds his feet at the club. Basically this is the team I'd expect to line up against Chelsea: ------------------Howard------------------ Coleman---Jagielka---Distin---Baines -----------McCarthy-----Barry----------- ------------------Barkley------------------ -----------------------------Pienaar------- -------Mirallas------------------------------ ---------------Jelavic/Kone--------------- I'm hoping Gibbo can find a spot in the team at some stage

It's funny because if you'd been watching him last season you'd probably regard these as his three main qualities (albeit he covers the speed side of power, rather than strength). Regarding Mirallas as an out-and-out foward I'd say for a usual lone striker role that he's far too weak for such a position (i.e. to hold up the ball and provide an aerial threat for crosses and long balls). However, in a Martinez possession based system I reckon he could work rather well. The real issue that'll stop it from happening this season is our complete lack of wingers. We're even limited in the makeshift winger department

The easy answer is a top class striker and more goals from midfield. Hopefully Lukaku can go some way towards providing the former, while an ever improving Barkley and settled Mirallas can provide the later. I honestly believe our back 4 (5 including Howard) is up to the standard of a top 4 team as it stands. Just.

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/ac-milan/champions-league/news/niang-left-out-of-milans-champions-league-squad_102707.html

Nike have spent and are also able to spend billions of dollars on advertising to make that logo recognisable though. I can perfectly understand the need for Everton or Everton F.C. to be located on the badge as a way of getting casual football fans to actually know who we are and what the club is called. I'm not sure if most people in the world would be able to pick the Manchester United or Liverpool badge out of a crowd, but many of them will have heard the club names.

£40mil might have been reasonable early in the transfer window and when Fellaini's release clause was still active. This late in the transfer window I'd be looking for £50mil and upwards.

From what I've heard of him from a couple of people he was right up there as the best wide midfielder in the Championship last season (even better than Zaha arguably). Supposedly has the skill and pace to make him a viable wide option for the majority of teams in the prem, with the craft and attacking nous that could see him become a top, top player. I was also told that he looked the second most natural finisher in the league behind Rhodes, which is quite the feat for a 21 y.o. winger. Would love him here for £7-8 mil (though I'd say similar for Moses if he was to be available instead).

As things currently stand getting Barry in should at the very least allow us to loan Lundstram out again. Going out on a limb here, but with Johnny still with the squad at the moment I feel Martinez sees him as genuinely needed for cover in central mid, which I would find a little concerning.

Just putting in my two cents, but two of the key aims of the change of the crest were to simplify its design (e.g. fit it within a shield or circle) for production purposes, while fitting the club's title within that design (Everton, Everton FC, Everton Football Club. Not just E.F.C.) for commercial and branding purposes. Any new design should therefore be ticking these two boxes. Keeping that in mind these have been my favourite designs so far: http://www.toffeetalk.com/index.php?/topic/25477-upcoming-crest-announcement-201415-onwards/?p=362342, http://www.toffeetalk.com/index.php?/topic/25477-upcoming-crest-announcement-201415-onwards/?p=362365, http://www.toffeetalk.com/index.php?/topic/25477-upcoming-crest-announcement-201415-onwards/?p=362370 I also like the idea of having Nil satis nisi optimum arching from one end of the wreath to the other to form the circle of the crest for these designs. I also wouldn't mind if we kept the old Everton title font going tbh. Regarding the River Mersey if it was to be included in the crest I feel that it should be represented in the style of the Merseyside flag. Completing the club's survey for the crest consultation, specifically the part regarding which other club's crests you prefer, I really enjoyed the simplicity of Barca and A.C. Milan's designs and their use of club colours and city flags in their respective crests. I feel like something similar could be done for Everton using the Merseyside flag and River Mersey pattern.

I'm feeling a bit giddy watching that

Norwich 1 - 2 Everton Mirallas

Just look how far that spending gets them though.