Ant1979

Since we're all excited about the Lukaku signing I thought I'd start a thread about our squad for the upcoming season. In my opinion we need another 2, a winger and a striker. Whoever they may be is another discussion but this is how I see Bobby looking at our squad for this season.
GK - 1. Howard 2. Joel
RB - 1. Coleman 2. Hibbert 3. Browning
CB - 1. Jagielka 2. Stones
CB - 1. Distin 2. Alcaraz
LB - 1. Baines 2. Oviedo 3. Garbutt
CM - 1. Barry 2. Gibson
CM - 1. McCarthy 2. Besic
RW - 1. Mirallas 2. ?????
LW - 1. Pienaar 2. McGeady
AM - 1. Barkley 2. Osman
ST - 1. Lukaku 2. Naismith 3. Kone 4.?????
 
Other players to add to the equation:
Duffy (unsure if he's good enough tbh)
McAleny (Same as Duffy really)
Lundstram (looks a prospect, might be too early)
 
Now, if I'm being fussy I would say we need another 4:
1. Cover for Coleman at RB, dunno if Hibbert is passed it, but then again he's solid enough and he's not going to cost us a game with good players around him.
2. A young left footed CB. Distin is a beast and he's playing like a 26 year old rather than a 36 year old. Alcaraz, his cover, is prone to injuries but could be an excellent player if fit, really liked what I've seen from him. Yet again, a CB is not a priority I wouldn't have thought.
3. We definitely need a RW as we have no one to cover Mirallas. Last year we had Gerry, we haven't replaced him and with more games I think it's a must.
4. I would like 1 more striker of decent quality. Unsure if Traore is that man though.
 
Therefore after discussing the posibilities, I have come to the conclusion we need 2 more. A Striker and a Right Winger. RB cover and the CB will have to wait until it comes a priority I think. Thoughts?

Trying desperately to keep my excitement in check. I'm failing.
 
I wish someone could take a pic of Haf's face right now .

Massive statement of intent if true. Very excited

It it falls through or doesn't happen, i'll boot my boss.

Edin Džeko @EdDzeko · 21h


Welcome to the @premierleague Muhamed Besic! @Everton fans will love him #bosnian

A quick search on YouTube will show a press conference for Ronaldo extending his contract, John Terry with his, and a load of American sports stars with theirs. I don't think this is a one of in the world of sport.
 
Brett, were you the guy in the clown suit with the cake at the march a few years back? I hate the board and don't think they do a great job, but you're even worse than Haf!!! Not everything is about Kenwright, this might have been Robertos doing. He is a showman too.

So many overreactions here. This is great news for the club. Have any of the upset supporters considered that this news and the manner in which it was released has more to do with showing those on the outside of the club how we are major up-and-comers? As supporters who follow the ins and outs of the club every day, we have a tendency to be a bit myopic about these sorts of things. For someone who supports Man City, for instance, this probably seems like a bigger deal than it does to some of us.
 
We should be happy that it sends the message that major talents WANT to play here and that we aren't a club who sells off our young talent any more. It's a middle finger in the faces of those supporters who think their clubs can just have our players or those journos who think they can just go ahead and sell them for us.
 
I'm a bit smitten, you could say.
 
Plus, I have a good feeling Rom will sign soon, anyhow.

It was the up front labelling of it as a "significant club announcement" that led to the let down imo. That just doesn't smack of one of our own players signing a new contract, no matter how important he might be; it sounded like it was going to be more. If they'd just announced "a live press conference" then I'd have no problem with it. Over the moon he's signed.

I don't get the negativity here. The club have just announced to great fanfare one of England's best and most wanted youngsters, making a show to prove a point; we are a big club with the best up and coming players who then make a statement to the world saying how it's a dream to play for Everton. It's very clever and justified PR, for a change....

The more I think about the more I change my mind. Im glad there was an announcement for that. Most teams, especially big teams, have pressers for extending their most important player. Ross Barkley is exactly that, Everton's most important player. While it may seem small-time at first glance I think it is actually a step in the right direction for the club, especially after the handling of Besic.
 
On a somewhat side note, Ross has now entered my collection of favorites. Always admired his talent but after hearing him at the presser today I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him to speak. His nervousness came across with an air of humility and humbleness that is refreshing is today's football culture. Fair play to him and the club. Transfer market letdown or not I love this club and i am absolutely buzzing for August 16th.

I think Ross spoke well of the club, he is nervous but he spoke highly of the club, the players and the manager/staff. If you're nervous and get asked a question so what influence did the manager have on you signing a new contract. Barkley spoke highly of him and they said yeah everybody says that but what do you really think. Give the kid a break, he is up and coming and a lot of top clubs were interested. It is GREAT news that he has signed a new contract!

Agreed its OTT to an extent about announcing this but how are they supposed to do it? Ross is THE main English young talent in this country today, any club would happily take him off our hands & your all sitting around moaning that hes sitting there saying he loves the club, its his home etc, I actually felt quite proud watching that, yes we require more signings & I also hoped it would be Rom would be sat there but for fucks sake, your a gang of whinging barstools, and calling him thick as fuck, seriously any need for that, it dicks like you who should be supporting the shite across the park, hes young, hes nervous and hes ours, ours I tells ya!!! Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

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

That's a bit harsh. Things can change in an instant, and predictions are exactly that: Some work out and some do not. Timing is important in the Lukaku saga, and I think our friend is probably right.
 
Now I must get to the gym and keep my wayside in check.

I really don't get the whining about this. Yes, we need a striker - we all know that, and the club will deal with it without paying over the odds - but we also need squad depth, and that's what this move is all about - as well as planning for the future. This guy not only plays for his national team, but he was voted their best player at the World Cup. To get him for the quoted price is a steal.

He's available at £20m by some reports. There's no chance in hell that kind of money is being spent on a CM, one position which is relatively well covered. Good player though

European qualification again, and some entertaining football, and some big wins. A trophy and I'd be even happier.

End of which he will be 35/36 yeah I'll take that. Hes not gonna sign a 2 year deal as no one will take him at 34/35, tough age to be stuck at looking for a new club. He's basically ending his career here, will offer a massive amount of knowledge and experience.
 
It's a very shrewd move that adds quality, professionalism and know how to to a young breed of players. It's good.

Its no secret I like the lad, I dont think Ive argued someones case this much ever. But I started thinking; maybe I'm letting my admiration for the lad get in the way of a proper analysis of him. So, rather than concentrate on the positives, which I think are clear (Ive summarized them with links to proof where required), I decided to pick up on this negatives put forward...

Pros Goal scorer & Creator 15 in 31 apps (2 subs) + 6 assists. Responsible for combined total of 21 from 61 goals Premiership goals (33%, a large portion of them being winning game deciders) http://www.espnfc.com/player/139437/romelu-lukaku?season=2013 http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=56521&season_id=143 http://www.evertonfc.com/first-team-stats-2013/14 21 Strong Fast Sell on value Rated by Martinez Proven over 2 EPL seasons "Super Sub" or starter Ability to score in most scenarios (head, both feet, 1 touch, driving run, inside and outside box) http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/players/profile.html/romelu-lukaku Cons Price tag Never been argued that its inflated, I've always said 15m + potential add-ons up to 20m. Can go missing in games Who doesnt? Not a great argument but he will only improve and Martinez is the man to get the best out of him. Even the games where he isnt scoring, hes making an impact a lot of the time. Same argument can be applied to Barkley. Can have a poor touch Who doesnt? Some times its great, sometimes its terrible, like any developing player. I wont argue that this will be perfected but it can and will be improved upon but this is a matter of opinion and no point arguing individual beliefs. Again, Barkley can be used as a comparison here. Struggles as a target man Agreed, but then play to his strengths. You dont take a player like Barkley for example and play him on the wing or a holding midfielder to improve his all-round game, you play to his strengths. Same applies to Lukaku - let him run on to it. For when running through isnt working, use him as a distraction / battering ram to open space for others to exploit. Attitude Such a strange statement - "thinks he's better than he is". You want him to have the mentality that average is ok? He wants to be the best, he is aiming for the top. Its called ambition and good on him for being positive. However, he now has to walk the walk more consistently, which he has admitted is up to him. Martinez has repeatedly praised the lad for his mentality, praising his constructive arrogance like he has done with Barkley and Gerry. "1 goal in 11 games" - 1st game into that run, he setup Oviedo for the winner (under pressure, turned his man - Im sure the argument against this will be "he was trying to shoot", which is irrelevant - he setup a goal). The next game, against Arsenal, he setup Deulafeu and again not intended, but occupied defenders and got the slightest of touches to take it to Gerrys feet (who then did the hard work). 3rd game into this run, assist for Barry goal. Nothing to note in the Swansea or Sunderland game but then his 1 goal in 11 was the winner against Southampton. So, out of the first 6 games of this terrible scoring streak, he is directly responsible for 4 goals. Not bad going. Nothing to mention in the Stoke game, assists Barry for opening goal against Norwich. The next game against WBA, assists Mirallas. Liverpool game, disappears along with the rest of the team. So 11 games, 1 goal and 5 assists - responsible for 6 goals in those 11 games, no matter how intentional or not. All that I can conclude is that people are understandably seriously put off with the price tag, because it represents the majority of our budget, and so are trying to find any little thing to justify why we shouldnt invest the money. Thing is, to address the negatives, you can get your chequebook our for 40m+, because you're talking about a Suarez / Ageuro/ etc quality player. Or we can invest in a youngster our manager believes in and enjoy the benefits we already have seen. I mentioned Barkley, who we would be wanting for around double the 25m City recently offered, despite the fact he contributed less goals and assists. You want to argue more technical proficiency? I understand why, but then Barkley is wanting in a few areas of his game too. The point Im trying to make is, I cant help thinking the critics of Lukaku will be as harsh on one of our own. edit: sorry its a bit rushed, called into a meeting sooner than expected

No. But you need to accept that we're not competing in the same league financially as United, Liverpool etc There's no point getting upset about it because it's just how it is. The fact that we are still competing with them all on the pitch despite being paupers in comparison is something that makes me very proud.

It needs a train.

What a demolition job. Khedira (sp?) was amazing. £40m for Luiz, haha

Been away for a few weeks so I've missed a lot. Nikica was an insightful poster, his input will be missed. He loved a good rant too!! Haha if you do read this thread Nikica, you'll see you were largely well thought of here despite the occasional fall out. Take care

Was it Haf?