AlbanyNYToffee

I put the quotes on sacrifice for a reason. I wasn't suggesting actually using that word verbatim. My point is simply that I don't buy into the premise that the squad needs to be completed by August 16th. We all know what Lukaku brings to the table, if we have to wait until August 31st to get him, IMO so be it. All summer this forum has talked about how far we have come under Roberto...if that's the case we should be able to win games with Naismith up front, hell we have to because our best striker cant play 50 games and Naismith is likely to remain our number 2 behind Lukaku or whoever we sign as the number 1 this season.

Disagree. Lukaku may not have been available in early August last year but Jose decided a loan would benefit on deadline day. Imagine if we had spent 10-15 in early August last year and that striker was a complete flop. Im all for "sacrificing" the first 3 games if it means we get that type of quality in, Lukaku was immense last season. Also last year that was the first 3 games under Roberto this year we should be able to get results in the first 3 games with Naismith leading the line. Ideal, certainly not but I would wait as long as possible to get Rom back.

Whether he turns into a great player or not, this is a MASSIVE coup for the club. This will signal to every other 17/18/19 youth prospect that Everton is the spot for their development and we know with 100% certainty Roberto is outstanding at developing youth. As fans we have been hoping for at least 4 signings, in some cases 6-7, I dare say that for the future of this club this could be the most important signing if you're able to look 2-3 years down the road.

Sky Sports reporting that Everton has refused to release away/third kits this year and will force home teams to wear change kit when Everton visit... I kid of course but seriously where are the new kits? I'm patient with signings because of how complex that process is but to me kits are inexcusable. Umbro deal announced on February 4th. Absolutely no excuse to not have the kits done by now.

IMO there is no question that is part of it. This is why it drives me crazy when everyone complains about a lack of signings. Clubs that can afford to overpay buy early, Everton are simply not one of those clubs. It's a pretty simple business principle, don't overplay your hand. If you pay 20m for Lukaku now the other 4-5 players' prices you are trying to sign go up. Sign lower targets first at a better value and Lukaku for 20m as your last bit of business. Money well spent.

I'm not sure that is true. Just because we know our targets doesn't mean they are available on July 17th. Given our financial situation we need to be patient to get the best deal, that isnt changing any time soon. Last year, Barca, MCity and Chelsea brought in players in August making Deulofeu, Barry and Lukaku surplus for the season, we swooped in. The same thing will happen this year...we will wait out Van Gaal and see what he wants to do with Cleverly, we could be waiting for MCity to sign an English player so that they can let Rodwell go etc. Just because we know our targets doesn't mean they are available right now. And I like that about Roberto, if everyone he wanted was available in July we wouldn't be able to challenge for 4th place.

For reference, as of 7/17 on the website soccernews.com transfer funds spent look like this: Arsenal: 44m euros (only includes A Sanchez) Chelsea: 78m euros Hull City: 18.1m euros plus Ince's fee to be added on Liverpool: 73m euros MCity: 23m euros MUtd: 70m euros Newcastle: 27.2m euros West Ham: 17.5m euros plus Zarate and Poyet Everton: 0.

Agreed...FA Cup/4th/Out of Europa group stage and I will be the happiest man on the planet

It was mentioned briefly and indirectly a few posts ago but IMO this speculation is crazy. This deal is done, has been for awhile and Besic is simply on holiday. Signing will be completed when he finishes his break, period. Let's move on to the next signing.

Alot has been written about targets and lack of signings etc. which I understand as a fan but at the end of the day I always go back to one thing. Roberto Martinez is our manager. I have the utmost faith in him to produce a successful transfer window, whether that happens July 14th or August 31st I don't particularly care. He refuses to overpay and I admire that about him. Here's a glimpse at his Wigan transfer history that will hopefully calm some folks down: In a four year period he made the following signings: 09/10: Diame, McCarthy (1m rising to 5m), V Moses 2.5m, J Gomez 1.7m he also sold cattermole for 6m and l.a. valencia for 16m 10/11: DiSanto 2m, J McArthur, Boselli 6.5m, Alcaraz Free 11/12: Al Habsi 4m, Maloney 1m, Beausejour 3m he also sold nzogbia for 9.5m 12/13: I Ramis 5m, A Kone 2.7m, Espinoza free he also sold v moses for 9m Last year he bought McCarthy for 13m and most went crazy. By December that looked like an invaluable addition at a great price. Boselli is the only huge miss, which for a club like wigan is a big statement. I realize those players are not great players but they kept wigan in the premier league for 3-4 more years than they should have been. Others can/will have their doubts but until Roberto's track record changes significantly I will back every signing wholeheartedly and I will be patient if he waits until deadline day.

I wasn't suggesting that many of those players would be in the first team but for a team that is as financially fragile as we are I hope this trend comes to an end under Roberto. All summer we have discussed needing 5-8 signings, each of which of course costs us money. IMO Mustafi, Agard, Akpan and Baxter could all contribute, certainly in the Carling Cup and in an injury crisis for an odd PL game or two. That would lower our signing needs to 2-4, which would put our financial situation in a much better position. The Utd, City, Arsenal, Chelsea's of the world have much larger development teams/budgets so it is natural that some of their players leave for nothing. It just seems like at our "club level" we have lost more useful players than average. I guess all im saying is I hope we are more careful/thoughtful in the future under Roberto.

Couldn't find a thread though I'm sure there is one out there that addresses the issue. I just cannot believe the number of players we have released or basically sold for nothing that have become good/great players. I have done a lot of digging but just off the top of my head we by far the most of these types of players. Not sure what my point is really, just thought this should be addressed in some way. John Ruddy Lukas Jutkiewicz Dan Gosling James Baxter Kieran Agard Shkodran Mustafi Hope Akpan Adam Forshaw Joao Silva James Vaughan (actually sold for 2.5m, not bad) -All of those players are either in the top division of a major league or being monitored by PL clubs, including one who featured for Germany in the WC. And the following could quickly establish themselves: Magaye Gueye Apostolos Vellios Mason Springthorpe Jake Bidwell

If Oviedo or Hibbert score in the derby, we better have finalized plans for a new stadium because Goodison will come crashing down in euphoria

Realistically, after expected summer signings of depth and top striker, I believe top 6 and europa cup quarters would be an outstanding season. Personally, I would love to win the FA Cup more than Europa Cup or top 4 finish. Chelsea, City, Utd are almost guaranteed to finish ahead of us with Arsenal also significant favorites. That leaves a seemingly Suarez-less Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton to fight for two places. From 2010-2013 the Europa League has been won by Atl. Mad twice, Porto, Chelsea and Sevilla. While I would put Everton on Sevilla's level/caliber I think expecting a Europa League final is simply naive at this point. Now the dreamer in me can certainly see a scenario where we accomplish two out of the following three: Top 4 finish, FA Cup Final, Europa League Final

Hi all, Been following the blog for a few months now and thought it best to finally sign up and contribute a little bit. I feel it's worth mentioning i have been an Everton fan since 06-07. It all started out as being a massive Tim Cahill and Tim Howard fan so when they joined the same team i became a toffee. Looking forward to a great season of football and online banter.