thoward18

I've seen unknown play and he totally lacks identity as a player. Don't think he'd fit in here.

I don't get this unless they've decided that Gibson just isn't good enough anymore.

Just been completely debunked by whatever guy Sky has at Finch Farm.

Please be true. He's a tank.

If they're willing to just give him to us then, sure, why not. He doesn't really fill a need, though.

If he plays like he just did the rest of the way then he's going to be a massive success. Might even force Martinez to consider going to with two strikers. Of course, it will mean fuck-all if the defense doesn't get its shit together.

It's time for him to get his chance. Six goals in only 225 minutes already. Jagielka is not performing right now.

Okay. He can still make an appearance.

It's only been two games. I imagine he'll be making his first appearance in the next few games, if not today.

You can't look at it in a vacuum like that. Could Besic be ready? Possibly. But only 11 players can be on the field at one time. The question instead is, "does he deserve to play over McCarthy or Barry" That's going to be a rough one for Besic to conquer. Those two were huge rocks centrally for Everton last season. Martinez isn't going to sacrifice one of those two ESPECIALLY against teams like Arsenal or Chelsea just so he can show off the new shiny toy. Most likely, Besic is going to spend this season as a substitute who starts whenever there's an injury or fitness concern as well as getting big minutes in Europa and cup matches. That's quite fine. Besic is only 21. There's no rush here.

Yup. If a player can't make the squad, then the next best thing is to get some sort of compensation for the time and effort the academy coaches put into the player.

Well done by Martinez getting something for Duffy while he could. Shame it didn't work out, but that's the nature of the academy; not everyone makes it.

I've voiced my concerns over the signing but here's a pleasant thought I just had; our backup striker is arguably better than any STARTING striker the team has had in a while. That's a pretty big indicator of the progress Everton have made under Martinez.

Apparently Kennedy has been Hibernian's MOTM two games in a row.

I never said the money wasn't there. I said there's little room for error. If Tottenham had splurged for a gamble like this and it totally failed then, whatever. It wouldn't really affect their business going forward. They'd bury the player in the reserves for a year and find another player. Everton are hardly going to go bankrupt from this but there's not much maneuverability from here on out if it doesn't work.

Imagine if a middle-budget baseball team in the US like the Milwaukee Brewers or Kansas City Royals gave a 2 year, 35-million dollar contract to a 36-year-old Alex Rodriguez. It would kind of be like that. Eto'o was once one of the best goal scorers in the world. He was the the premiere striker on Barcelona about a decade ago. Ever since he made a move to play in Russia (which is, like, the 10th best league in Europe) in order to become the highest-paid player in the world questions have risen about his intentions. Now he is 33, so he's slowed down a bit. On the other hand, he still clearly has plenty of talent. He scored 9 goals in 21 appearances for Chelsea just last season. Everton were pretty bare at the striker position after Lukaku, and Steven Naismith now being forced into the attacking midfielder role due to Barkley's injury makes it that much worse. Eto'o, if the production matches his inherent talent, is a massive upgrade over Arouna Kone as the second striker and gives Everton a legitimate option off the bench or for cup matches or if Lukaku is hurt. Going back to the baseball analogy. If a team like the Yankees threw a bunch of money at a risky player like that and it didn't work out then whatever. Barely a blip on their bottom line. But a team like Milwaukee or Kansas City? That's going to hurt them financially. Everton aren't poor but they're not a team with much room for financial error. Presumably, Eto'o is going to be on an expensive contract, and if he doesn't provide the production to justify it then it's going to be a massive anchor on the payroll. Given how Eto'o's career has played out over the last 5 or so years, it seems like it could go either way.

This signing is either going to be an absolutely brilliant move or a colossal disaster, with no in-between.

Agreed. Nice to see him using his hands to write something insightful and meaningful. If only you would ever bother to do the same.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/11054560/Premier-League-review-James-McCarthy-is-better-than-Jack-Wilshere-and-why-3-5-2-is-not-working.html "James McCarthy is Better Than Jack Wilshere"

Welcome! Fairly certain that there's an Everton bar somewhere in the Chinatown area. Might want to look into that.

Definitely looks like a nice little player. I assume the fee for him would be minimal so why not take a flier on him? According to Wikipedia, Norrrby IF was in the fourth division of Sweden last year and got promoted to the third division. Even still, he only joined them at the end of 2013 and has played 7 games. Two in 2014. Prior to that, he was with a team in the sixth division. Of Sweden. How the hell did our scouts even find this guy?

So, uhh, what the hell is this? https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/932830871F1113539578863706112_2eed1fcecb3.2.1.2356548362642680156.mp4?versionId=aAdz2EHupz9GAHKoiZzI5303j8BuFE1x

Would like to see one more defender or striker if possible, but ultimately the roster is in a good spot before the season has even begun. Many months of panic for nothing. Just reinforces that Martinez needs to be trusted until he gives us a reason not to.

I understand. I'm not concerned about him getting a permit. I'm just trying to understand the concept.

I don't see why the two are mutually exclusive.