Ant1979

But then like I said what do you expect us to do about it? All we can do is live within our means, grow the commercial side of the business, develop through youth, hopefully gain a top 4 place and then build on that. I see where your frustration lies, but as these are all things outside of our control all we can do is try to support the team in a positive manner? I just don't see the point in being negative when those are facts that we just can't change.

Can't force someone to invest though? I don't get being negative regarding something that's outside of the chairman's and the manager's control? They can only work within the financial constraints of the club. Roberto is convinced we can make top 4 without a sugar daddy, and I'm certain it will be entertaining to watch him try.

I think everyone on this forum wants success and trophies. But how do you propose the club goes about things any different to what they are already doing? That's what I don't understand

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26287482 Signed. 5 and a half years x £300,000 pw. Damn that's a lot of money...

Can I ask you a serious question, not meant as an insult or an attack? If what you're saying is correct, then surely we are doing fantastic against the financial muscle of at least 6 teams who spend massively more than us. So why the negativity? Surely you should be praising Everton at every opportunity for keeping close to the big spenders, if you believe that big spending is the only route to success?

I don't think wages can legally be limited in a free market. However individual football associations (and PL would have to agree too) could set a salary cap for the whole club, then it's up to the club how they allocate the total cap. This is the case in Rugby League, where you have to balance the books of having a few star players and a few young hungry players on lower wages. Having said all that, there's no way it will happen in football in my opinion.

Chelsea 1 - 1 Everton Traore

There are obviously loads of black players in the English leagues. What I don't know is what percentage of black players take their coaching badges compared to the percentage of white players. If it's a similar percentage then yes, the representation in numbers of coaches should reflect that. However if only 1% of black players take their coaching badges, compared to 25% of white players, then the numbers of coaches should also reflect that. If somebody actually had those figures it would enable a proper analysis. There may well be an issue with black coaches getting passed over for jobs unfairly, but I don't have the facts to back that up so I can't comment really.

Whoever got Everton should piss it in League 1, I'll put a tenner on them Can I get Man City in the Conference please?

I can't agree that it's a 'disgrace' that 50% of officials aren't female. Most women aren't interested and wouldn't want to do it. Yes I know some do, and that's great they should go for it and they should get equal opportunities when they do. But if FA coaching courses and referee training courses are about 1% female (total guess, I've no idea); then we won't get anywhere near 50% female officials. The same is true of minorities - their level of representation in coaching and officiating should represent their level of representation on the training courses, not their % of the population. Just my opinion of course, I've no issue with your views and I usually agree with your posts on here

It's just occurred to me how many injuries we've actually had, it's a lot when you add them up. At some point in the last 2 or 3 months all of the following players have missed games through injury: Baines, Jags, Distin, Coleman, Pienaar, Lukaku, Gerry, Barkley, Alcaraz, Oviedo, Kone, Gibson. 12, and I may have even missed some out. I know all teams get injuries but a lot of these overlapped and just think how big Spurs' squad is for example compared to ours. I think to still be in with a shout of top 4 whilst also still in the FA cup is pretty damn good to be fair.

May have still been under moyes when he asked to go on loan, if it's true that is. Regardless of if he did ask 'a long time ago', he must still have said no recently which isn't acceptable

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26220367 Martinez said: "The draw you always hope for is a home tie, but it doesn't matter - if you want to win the cup you have to be prepared to face everyone. We will have to be at our best but it is something to look forward to." And he will set his team out to win, no negative tactics hoping to scrape a draw and a replay. Another Roberto quote from the ITV coverage today before kick off: 'I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees' I like that one

Not every blow to the head results in concussion. I can only assume in both cases Martinez didn't receive an opinion of concussion from his medical staff? He certainly wouldn't overrule a medical opinion and keep a player on against their advice. He's a qualified physio but he's not a doctor

Tough draw. But already played very well there this season and everyone (bar Kone and Gibson obviously) will be fully fit hopefully.

Personally I'm impressed with his goal-a-game ratio for the club, seeing as scoring goals is his job Sarcasm aside, he did have more bad touches than good, but first 30 minutes he did a few decent things. Let's give him time eh?

Mourinho has spoken about making a profit on the young players currently out on loan, as they did with De Bruyne. I don't think they will entertain any bid under £20m to be honest. Possibly even 25, and somebody somewhere will pay it. But I agree with you that we should test the waters with a lower bid, no harm in trying. Maybe 12 up front with add ons that could give them another 5, spread out over 2 or 3 seasons based on appearances. Don't think it will happen, but can always hope

Awesome

So would you agree that Martinez has matched the achievements of Moyes so far, whilst at the same time improving the standard of football? A pretty successful first season I would say? And it's not even over yet

This is total guesswork now, but say if the 2 cups were won by the top 2 in the league, beating 3rd and 4th in the finals, then would Europa spots go to 5th place (as normal) but also to 6th and 7th places instead of the cup runners up, due to them already being in the CL via league position? I'm probably wrong, just a guess

If he is 17 then he's going to be a beast. Will make Ulrich Van Gobbell look like Spike Lee

Assuming champions league was not an option, then yes I'd take it over nothing for the reasons mentioned in my earlier post. Are you saying if we can't finish 4th or above you'd rather finish 6th or 7th than 5th?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2558313/Lazio-threaten-legal-action-claims-teenage-star-actually-40s.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490 Has anyone seen this? Hilarious haha! To be fair he does look about 40, there must be long paper rounds in Senegal

There's no denying it will be difficult to get regular champions league qualification, there are at least 6 teams with bigger revenues. But IMO the only way to do it is to live within our means and not spend more than we have. Revenues need to be grown in all areas, but this is already underway perhaps with sponsorship deals up for renewal. Even a thing like Barkley exploding onto the world stage in Brazil could dramatically increase the profile of the club in places like China, etc, with shirt sales and possible pre-season tours in the Far East. Without a sugar daddy things like this are the only way for the club to grow IMO. A new stadium would help too, with all the associated extra revenue But short term, I do think Roberto can get us top 4, if not this year then hopefully next Here's hoping for a great run of form! Big games coming up away to Chelsea and Newcastle. At least Newcastle haven't scored in 4 games, imagine how their fans are feeling

The incentives to finish 5th rather than 6th, are: TV money from Europa League, gate receipts from EL, potential prize money from EL, raising the club's profile, attracting players with the promise of European football, the chance to blood some youngsters in the 'lesser' EL group games, plus do we get more money from the PL for finishing a place higher, not sure? Having said all that, of course I would prefer 4th. But 5th is better than 6th, so there's the incentive in finishing above Spurs (and whoever else we can).