thoward18

So we're about to sign Lukaku for £24,000,000 along with David Henen if the rumours in the paper are accurate. Add to that the signings of Besic & Barry along with the contract extensions of Roberto Martinez, Seamus Coleman, Tony Hibbert and Ross Barkley.
 
Who's tired of being POOR now?
 
Take a bow Bill Kenwright, showing the absolute numpties who claim to support this club that they have absolutely no clue what they are talking about.

think back 12 months...would we have even thought we had a chance of signing someone like Lukaku...? Roberto has really raised our expectations :-) lets hope he can deliver

I, for one, am SHOCKED that you of all people would find something negative to say about giving a new contract to the best talent Everton have pushed out in over a decade. Totally out of the ordinary for you!

I, for one, am SHOCKED that you of all people would find something negative to say about giving a new contract to the best talent Everton have pushed out in over a decade. Totally out of the ordinary for you!

If Jose thought that much of him, ie to be afraid of facing him, why in the hell would he not keep him?

It's a delicate issue in terms of staying in MLS vs. going abroad. On one hand, you want your talent to go abroad because it validates your league as a good developer of talent and those guys playing abroad certainly makes a big statement for U.S. Soccer. On the other hand, those players going abroad means that they're not playing domestically. And if all of our good players go abroad then MLS is going to be watered down. And if the quality of the teams decline then U.S. soccer as a whole is going to decline.
 
So where is the line in the sand? I'm not too sure. It would be great to see Zusi and/or Besler go to Europe so Sporting KC could get a nice transfer fee and say, "look at how well we're developing talent and look at how American players can compete with the best." On the other hand, by keeping them Sporting KC and MLS can say, "look at two guys who just started at the World Cup and had all sorts of interest from reputable, wealthy European teams, and yet they felt it was in their best interest to play in MLS." How do you send enough talented Americans to Europe so they can improve individually and promote U.S. Soccer internationally while still improving the standard of MLS and not falling into the trap of becoming purely a feeder league? That's the challenge we face.

Don't think people in Europe realize how big of a problem this is here in the US. In England, if you're 14 years old and good at soccer you get picked up by a professional team and learn from pros. Here, your club team is run by someone's dad and you play for your school team coached by the history teacher. This is something that is started to change. Red Bull New York, for instances, were one of the first teams to implement an academy for U18, U16, etc. Just recently, I believe, they've added U14 and U13. Obviously, the benefits of improved programs for 15 and 16 year olds is not going to be seen for 5-7 years., and even then it's still not perfect. Another thing RBNY want to do is build a physical academy. Players would live there and get schooling there. This is something that I think is common in Europe (correct me if I'm wrong, guys) but is unheard of in the U.S.
 
And then there's the whole problem of the NCAA and its eligibility rules, which is a whole different issue for Klinsmann and US Soccer to tackle. I don't think the US are lacking motivation to become a soccer powerhouse. There are simply many major inherent problems with how our society is structured that put us at a disadvantage compared to other nations. US Soccer is still trying to figure out how to go about fixing that, but I think you're already starting to see massive improvement.

Fortunately the position of broken record is keeping you busy

Don't think people in Europe realize how big of a problem this is here in the US. In England, if you're 14 years old and good at soccer you get picked up by a professional team and learn from pros. Here, your club team is run by someone's dad and you play for your school team coached by the history teacher. This is something that is started to change. Red Bull New York, for instances, were one of the first teams to implement an academy for U18, U16, etc. Just recently, I believe, they've added U14 and U13. Obviously, the benefits of improved programs for 15 and 16 year olds is not going to be seen for 5-7 years., and even then it's still not perfect. Another thing RBNY want to do is build a physical academy. Players would live there and get schooling there. This is something that I think is common in Europe (correct me if I'm wrong, guys) but is unheard of in the U.S.
 
And then there's the whole problem of the NCAA and its eligibility rules, which is a whole different issue for Klinsmann and US Soccer to tackle. I don't think the US are lacking motivation to become a soccer powerhouse. There are simply many major inherent problems with how our society is structured that put us at a disadvantage compared to other nations. US Soccer is still trying to figure out how to go about fixing that, but I think you're already starting to see massive improvement.

I wasn't "writing in bold or capitals." I was highlighting a portion of a previous post that was conveniently ignored by Captain Negativity.
 
Anyway, Martinez has confirmed the interest signing Henen. I think this is unofficially completed.

Feel free to show me a single team in the world with a 100% success rate in purchasing teenagers.

I wasn't "writing in bold or capitals." I was highlighting a portion of a previous post that was conveniently ignored by Captain Negativity.
 
Anyway, Martinez has confirmed the interest signing Henen. I think this is unofficially completed.

I wasn't "writing in bold or capitals." I was highlighting a portion of a previous post that was conveniently ignored by Captain Negativity.
 
Anyway, Martinez has confirmed the interest signing Henen. I think this is unofficially completed.

Feel free to show me a single team in the world with a 100% success rate in purchasing teenagers.

That one of our players is getting publicity for doing good things to help disadvantaged kids cope with life?
 
Maybe nobody in your world but some of us might be a bit pleased I think.

Apackard1 --
 
I'm American, too, following Everton for nearly 20 years, but because so little access to the EPL on US tv, have only begun to see lots of Everton games in last year or so. If you have NBC Sports Network, they carry all EPL games -- either on regular broadcast, or on Live Extra. You should be able to see plenty of Everton games!
 
As to your important question re players, coaches, expectations, I'll chime in here, after acknowledging that I know relatively little, compared with the many longstanding Everton fans on this board. They'll feel free to correct my faulty impressions. Anyhow, I won't begin every sentence with, IMO. Rather, everything that follows is IMO.
 
Everton are blessed with one of the most highly respected managers in all of football, Roberto Martinez. You will surely have heard his expert commentary for ESPN from Brazil. He's brilliant, researches players in many leagues, can explain systems, formations, intricacies far better than most. Highly respected as an analyst, thinker, manager. A sweet person, as well, treats people and players with great respect. Always optimistic -- irritatingly so, occasionally -- but that's who he is. Well connected across several leagues, perhaps especially La Liga, and more especially, at least recently, to FC Barcelona. Roberto is himself Catalan.
 
Players, where to begin? You know Tim Howard well; he's presumably here as starter for another 2-4 years. Back line very solid, with near-world-class LB, Leighton Baines [superb at set pieces, great delivery for headers or into the top corner of the net on his own from the right distance], near-world-class RB, Seamus Coleman, solid center-halves, Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin. Many think young John Stones will replace Jagielka soon as starter. Backup to Baines at LB may be a contest between two young players, Luke Garbutt, and Costa Rican Bryan Oviedo, the latter of whom may see time on the pitch at LM, too.
 
The holding midfielders are solid, with smart veteran Gareth Barry and rising star, runs everywhere James McCarthy, backed by Darron Gibson, excellent passer. Everton hope to sign young Bosnian mid, Muhamed Besic, soon.
 
Wing mids look solid to me, perhaps a bit less so to others. LM is Steven Pienaar, veteran, clever. Question is his stamina, and injuries. RM is Kevin Mirallas, whom you will have seen playing for Belgium v. US. Fast, good dribbler, may play striker on occasion. Everton need goals from him! Backup, right now, for both wing mids is Aiden McGeady. Tricky dribbler, very promising, will play lots this season. Lots.
 
Problem area is forwards. Everton trying to sign Romalu Lukaku, another young Belgian you will have seen, who played for Everton last season on loan from Chelsea. Need to sign him, as Everton's only two strikers right now are Arouna Kone, injured all last season, and Steven Naismith, good, clever, but not dominant, will not score loads of goals.
 
Everton, the club, are different from many in EPL, which differences I will let others here explain, because they understand the club's history so much better than I. But it is different, and better, and more interesting.

Feel free to show me a single team in the world with a 100% success rate in purchasing teenagers.

And my opinion is that the amount of cynicism and negativity from certain people is offputting. We have arguably the fastest rising manager in the world right coming off one of the best season in Everton's history and there are people acting like we're doomed forever just because said manager hasn't thrown cash around at a random player just to say we brought in new players. I swear that there are people on this forum who would insist on finding a reason for bitching and moaning if he managed to snag Messi on a free.

Treading water? We set like 500 different team records last season and were a cunt hair away from CL football. You know who has a right to complain? Newcastle. THAT is what "treading water" looks like.

And my opinion is that the amount of cynicism and negativity from certain people is offputting. We have arguably the fastest rising manager in the world right coming off one of the best season in Everton's history and there are people acting like we're doomed forever just because said manager hasn't thrown cash around at a random player just to say we brought in new players. I swear that there are people on this forum who would insist on finding a reason for bitching and moaning if he managed to snag Messi on a free.

Treading water? We set like 500 different team records last season and were a cunt hair away from CL football. You know who has a right to complain? Newcastle. THAT is what "treading water" looks like.

Treading water? We set like 500 different team records last season and were a cunt hair away from CL football. You know who has a right to complain? Newcastle. THAT is what "treading water" looks like.

Treading water? We set like 500 different team records last season and were a cunt hair away from CL football. You know who has a right to complain? Newcastle. THAT is what "treading water" looks like.

It's pretty clear to me that nobody has any clue what the fuck is going on so until someone who actually matters says something (Martinez, Mourinho, an actual journalist, etc.) I'm just going to ignore it all.

Take into consideration his language barrier. I manage people from various parts of the world and have found you have to take that into consideration.
I take his comment as he thought he played well enough when on the pitch to deserve more play time. And last year there were many times when most of us also thought he should be on the pitch more.
I don't think that is any slight against us or our manager, just how the lad thought he progressed.
 
Overall I thought RM got his playing time right. His injury came at a time of good form and when he returned he wasn't the same player.