thoward18

It was one game. Cristiano Ronaldo looked like shit in one game. It amazes me how small of a sample size some of you guys are willing to base things off of.

Here's an amazing stat I just saw. It's amazing to me how so many of you discount what he's done at such a young age.
 
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Following Elias Sports Bureau‏@EliasSports Two EPL seasons of 15+ goals at 20 or younger: Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen & Romelu Lukaku

More goals than Rooney! Break the bank!

More goals than Rooney! Break the bank!

Michael Bradley would without a doubt be a starter for Everton and most EPL teams. The guy was a key figure for AS Roma for a number of years. Cameron would no doubt be higher than Stones on the depth chart (for now, Stones clearly will overtake him in a couple years).

On the other hand, Sergio Ramos' stock is at an all-time low!

Doubt it. Two of Geoff Cameron (Stoke,) Omar Gonzalez (MLS) and Matt Besler (MLS) will get the job. If Brooks plays this tournament, it's because the US got hit with an injury or two or because they're already eliminated two games in and Klinsmann wants to get him the experience. He's a strong, strong favorite for a starting role in 2018, however.
 
Brooks is raw but you can't teach his size and individual assets. He'd be a good buy short-term for cups and Europe and as EPL depth and could push for a starting role in the near future.

Doubt it. Two of Geoff Cameron (Stoke,) Omar Gonzalez (MLS) and Matt Besler (MLS) will get the job. If Brooks plays this tournament, it's because the US got hit with an injury or two or because they're already eliminated two games in and Klinsmann wants to get him the experience. He's a strong, strong favorite for a starting role in 2018, however.
 
Brooks is raw but you can't teach his size and individual assets. He'd be a good buy short-term for cups and Europe and as EPL depth and could push for a starting role in the near future.

Don't know why that would be. After Michael Bradley and Tim Howard, he's the US's best player in their own end of the field. Keep in mind that he's been playing out of position at Stoke. The US has a SHITLOAD of question marks on their roster, but Cameron is the one reliable constant.

Let's not be ridiculous here. Roberto and Hibbert have seen what Coleman and Stones have provided and I doubt either is delusional enough to believe that Hibbert's going to really factor into the first-team. If Hibbert wants to get legitimate playing time, then he's going to have to play at a much lower level and for heavily reduced salary, anyway. He's exactly the kind of guy you want around your youngsters and the training grounds. I don't have an issue with paying him a bit more than a normal coach to stay fit and be available for reserve matches, Capital One Cup, and Europe. I trust that Martinez isn't going to let wages spent on Hibbert be the difference between funding a competitive squad and dropping to 9th, or whatever.

Let's not be ridiculous here. Roberto and Hibbert have seen what Coleman and Stones have provided and I doubt either is delusional enough to believe that Hibbert's going to really factor into the first-team. If Hibbert wants to get legitimate playing time, then he's going to have to play at a much lower level and for heavily reduced salary, anyway. He's exactly the kind of guy you want around your youngsters and the training grounds. I don't have an issue with paying him a bit more than a normal coach to stay fit and be available for reserve matches, Capital One Cup, and Europe. I trust that Martinez isn't going to let wages spent on Hibbert be the difference between funding a competitive squad and dropping to 9th, or whatever.

I'll never forget you accidentally shanking a bicycle kick directly into the path of Jelavic. Bye bye.

I don't really understand the lukewarm sentiment towards Lukaku. He's the second-highest scorer this club has had in the last 18 years despite the fact that he's only played 28 league games for Everton this season. And he's only 20 years old. As he exists now he's as good of a striker as Everton have had in a long time, and I don't see why he's not going to significantly improve as he gets older. Who are superior strikers both for now and the future, that Everton have a realistic shot at?

Fellaini was 25. Saha was 31. Bony is 25. Giroud is 28. Suarez is 27.
 
Lukaku is 20 years old. Do you see the difference?

I don't really understand the lukewarm sentiment towards Lukaku. He's the second-highest scorer this club has had in the last 18 years despite the fact that he's only played 28 league games for Everton this season. And he's only 20 years old. As he exists now he's as good of a striker as Everton have had in a long time, and I don't see why he's not going to significantly improve as he gets older. Who are superior strikers both for now and the future, that Everton have a realistic shot at?

I don't really understand the lukewarm sentiment towards Lukaku. He's the second-highest scorer this club has had in the last 18 years despite the fact that he's only played 28 league games for Everton this season. And he's only 20 years old. As he exists now he's as good of a striker as Everton have had in a long time, and I don't see why he's not going to significantly improve as he gets older. Who are superior strikers both for now and the future, that Everton have a realistic shot at?

I don't really understand the lukewarm sentiment towards Lukaku. He's the second-highest scorer this club has had in the last 18 years despite the fact that he's only played 28 league games for Everton this season. And he's only 20 years old. As he exists now he's as good of a striker as Everton have had in a long time, and I don't see why he's not going to significantly improve as he gets older. Who are superior strikers both for now and the future, that Everton have a realistic shot at?

Doing some rough math based on the prize money numbers from this year's Europa Competition; Let's suppose Everton finish 2-3-1 and 2nd overall in their group. That's 2.4M Euros right there. Going 3-2-1 and winning the group would be 2.7M Euros. I'm sure we could do even better than that - Tottenham went 6-0-0 - but even by conservative estimates that's decent money before we even get into winning Knockout Phases. And without addressing ticket sales, TV deals, etc. I understand it's a far cry from Champions' League money but that's still a solid sum which could be invested in all sorts of ways.

The monies not great. Not a touch on the champions league.
 
But it's still extra income. Hopefully the accountants at the club are busy with their calculators working out how much extra bob can have in his transfer budget.
 
Plus the main thing is the raised profile of the club, the added attraction to potential new signings (maybe, dare I say it, investors?) and that it is the next step. A step in the right direction.
 
The side note being that the fact some fans don't like the idea of the Europa cup is more a fault of uefa's and how they have set it all up than anything else.

He's the reason I'm here. Happy he's staying. I know he's getting up there in age but the guy is in as good of shape as any athlete you'll find and I think he could be a starter for 3 more years and serviceable for 5.

Got it. This makes sense. For instance, Ricky van Wolfswinkel was fantastic for Norwich in his debut against Everton, scoring a late goal to rescue points. That first impression was a great indicator of what he would bring further to Norwich, as he has since gone 23 games with a whole 7 shots on target. Wait...

So 16 minutes isn't convincing, but 60 is? Did my Naismith example go out the window? He gave, what, 20 matches before he got it together?
 
This is a guy who has 10 goals in 28 European matches - including against AZ, Liverpool, and Roma - and 4 goals in 7 national team appearances. If he's good enough to do that, then how the fuck could he possibly be "out of his depth" in an FA Cup match against Swansea?

Is your illogical hatred of Howard greater or weaker than your illogical hatred of Naismith?

I don't like Howard as our number 1

He's the reason I'm here. Happy he's staying. I know he's getting up there in age but the guy is in as good of shape as any athlete you'll find and I think he could be a starter for 3 more years and serviceable for 5.