AlbanyNYToffee

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

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