AlbanyNYToffee

Best case: Celtic, Dnipro, Young Boys, Aalborg, Guingamp
Fair enough: Villareal, PSV, Trabzonspor
Difficult: Ajax, Anderlecht, Torino
Disaster: Sevilla, Roma

Something everyone can agree on! To those who will be in attendance tomorrow please understand how jealous everyone of us Americans is and be in full voice for the team and for those who cannot make it to the game. I know that atmosphere will be truly special.

I know I take the glass half full POV on just about everything but to me the squad is very close to being complete. One winger and one striker loan/permanent i dont really care. I dont understand all the pissing and moaning about the squad we've got. It is the deepest squad we have had in years. So our 4th CB and 2/3 option at RB aren't good or old and our 3rd ST is coming off a torn ACL and our 4th CM the same....this is what it is like to play with the big boys and I am over the moon that we challenged for 4th last year and this year we can do the same and play in Europe.
 
I know this forum is for opinions and I understand that we could use 5-6 more really good players but they aren't coming in, period. 14/20 PL clubs would die to be in our position we need to appreciate how special this squad is given the financial restrictions we operate under. Bitch and moan about that all you want (I know I do) but also realize how incredible the squad is considering.

I know I take the glass half full POV on just about everything but to me the squad is very close to being complete. One winger and one striker loan/permanent i dont really care. I dont understand all the pissing and moaning about the squad we've got. It is the deepest squad we have had in years. So our 4th CB and 2/3 option at RB aren't good or old and our 3rd ST is coming off a torn ACL and our 4th CM the same....this is what it is like to play with the big boys and I am over the moon that we challenged for 4th last year and this year we can do the same and play in Europe.
 
I know this forum is for opinions and I understand that we could use 5-6 more really good players but they aren't coming in, period. 14/20 PL clubs would die to be in our position we need to appreciate how special this squad is given the financial restrictions we operate under. Bitch and moan about that all you want (I know I do) but also realize how incredible the squad is considering.

I know I take the glass half full POV on just about everything but to me the squad is very close to being complete. One winger and one striker loan/permanent i dont really care. I dont understand all the pissing and moaning about the squad we've got. It is the deepest squad we have had in years. So our 4th CB and 2/3 option at RB aren't good or old and our 3rd ST is coming off a torn ACL and our 4th CM the same....this is what it is like to play with the big boys and I am over the moon that we challenged for 4th last year and this year we can do the same and play in Europe.
 
I know this forum is for opinions and I understand that we could use 5-6 more really good players but they aren't coming in, period. 14/20 PL clubs would die to be in our position we need to appreciate how special this squad is given the financial restrictions we operate under. Bitch and moan about that all you want (I know I do) but also realize how incredible the squad is considering.

I know I take the glass half full POV on just about everything but to me the squad is very close to being complete. One winger and one striker loan/permanent i dont really care. I dont understand all the pissing and moaning about the squad we've got. It is the deepest squad we have had in years. So our 4th CB and 2/3 option at RB aren't good or old and our 3rd ST is coming off a torn ACL and our 4th CM the same....this is what it is like to play with the big boys and I am over the moon that we challenged for 4th last year and this year we can do the same and play in Europe.
 
I know this forum is for opinions and I understand that we could use 5-6 more really good players but they aren't coming in, period. 14/20 PL clubs would die to be in our position we need to appreciate how special this squad is given the financial restrictions we operate under. Bitch and moan about that all you want (I know I do) but also realize how incredible the squad is considering.

I know I take the glass half full POV on just about everything but to me the squad is very close to being complete. One winger and one striker loan/permanent i dont really care. I dont understand all the pissing and moaning about the squad we've got. It is the deepest squad we have had in years. So our 4th CB and 2/3 option at RB aren't good or old and our 3rd ST is coming off a torn ACL and our 4th CM the same....this is what it is like to play with the big boys and I am over the moon that we challenged for 4th last year and this year we can do the same and play in Europe.
 
I know this forum is for opinions and I understand that we could use 5-6 more really good players but they aren't coming in, period. 14/20 PL clubs would die to be in our position we need to appreciate how special this squad is given the financial restrictions we operate under. Bitch and moan about that all you want (I know I do) but also realize how incredible the squad is considering.

Relatively new to the forum but already gathering that there is alot of negativity. Forget the glory days we live in the here and now and Lukaku is far and away the most talented player to even consider playing for Everton. 30m or less and I will be screaming in my cubicle and skipping away on my lunch break. I'm amazed at how little an established PL striker carries weight around here. Why buy two strikers for 30m from other leagues and not be sure of what you are getting? Lukaku 31 PL goals before he turned 21. Done and dusted, now we just need him to agree to play here.

Relatively new to the forum but already gathering that there is alot of negativity. Forget the glory days we live in the here and now and Lukaku is far and away the most talented player to even consider playing for Everton. 30m or less and I will be screaming in my cubicle and skipping away on my lunch break. I'm amazed at how little an established PL striker carries weight around here. Why buy two strikers for 30m from other leagues and not be sure of what you are getting? Lukaku 31 PL goals before he turned 21. Done and dusted, now we just need him to agree to play here.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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