Btay

He's the type of player that I can see if in form being invaluable in the derby games and also against the lesser sides when we need that bit of steel and drive.

 

I liked the lad from the little I saw in the world cup and since being linked in clips etc and I know it's early days but I can see him becoming a top top player for us.

Exactly right this!

Against the lesser teams we could get away with pushing McCarthy more forward and just leaving Besic with the cb's as he is mobile enough to cover the ground where as Barry realise on his (excellent mind you) positioning. I think teams will soon learn if they want to get near our penalty area their going to have to wear a kick or 2 of Besic

I can understand Martinez's thoughts here... It's no secret our squad size is questionable and come Christmas/January games are going to be coming thick and fast and that is when these World Cup players are going to get Jaded... I'll take a Mirallas/Lukaku @ 80% for maybe the opening week or 2 and have them 100% when we have 2/3 games a week!

Joe, but when has Pienaar? He had a good spell 6 months after his return from Spurs and since then has looked half the player. Seriously.

 

Very lethargic and messy in his play. At least McGeady's show determination and ability. Pienaar for me, has done very little.

 

I've been thinking about this Pienaar/McGeady debate nearly all pre season and for me, I rate Pienaar, what he does for the team cannot be under estimated HOWEVER my biggest qualm is he just doesn't get enough Assists or Goals.. A Winger for me should effect around 15 goals a year to carry their weight be it 10 assists and 5 goals whatever... I understand Pienaar's game is bringing others in and link up play with his back to goal so perhaps it's time for him to move centrally and alternate with Ross. McGeady has been poor pre season, no argument there. But he shows a desire to improve and works equally as hard for the team, his pace and ability to beat a man could become a huge asset this season. At least I hope

Then it's not cover, it's a stop gap. That's fine but if Coleman's out for, say, three months and Hibbert is all we have? Fuck. Me. That's frightening.

This here is my biggest fear... In a strange way, we got lucky with the injuries we had last year, Kone and Gibson were both easily covered through Lukaku/Jelivic and CM we are strong. This season if we got 2 season long injuries to either Coleman Kev or Rom I can't see our back up to those positions coming anywhere near close to the quality we need

Right joke it's not being covered on Everton TV live. How fans in Aus/US are meant to watch the game is pretty disappointing.

I like Richards, but I would rather see Duffy given a chance this season, and I would rather an out and out rb

Glad it's finally over

McGeady with the corner kick and Ossie is on the other end to put it in the net. Everton 2 - 1

Sorry just read this!!!

Who scored? Sorry it's early work hours in aus at the moment!!

How did Duffy do? Think he is going to be key to our CB depth this year.

I'm happy to wait a week or 2 longer if it screws the deal down from 22-18mil... No matter what you say 4mil is big money and we cannot just throw it away on rushing a deal through, if we get both Rom and Besic for 22mil surely that's worth the weeks wait?

Just to go off topic quickly, watching the Tottenham v Seattle friendly, and the young RB for Seattle, Yedlin looks tidy! Incredibly quick, put a few good crosses in after some good runs! 21 aswell!

Cheers mate looking to it

It basically gets cheaper the further away from London you are...

Yep, I have gathered that... I just want too be closer to Goodison you know! Dying to see my first everton game!!

Thanks fellas!!!

Fellow Evertonians!

I'm moving from Australia at the end of the year with a mate ( Chelsea fan ) and were amidst a debate as to where we will live... Now he only has eyes for London simply as he supports Chelsea where as I'm not keen as it's incredibly dear! I'm pushing Manchester which seems possible to convince him... Could anyone who reads this recommend reasonable areas please? And even areas to avoid! It would be hugely appreciated and I hope to see some of you at the games and throughout Europe next year!!!

He's not as bad as Neville like but I thought those days were gone.

I wasn't implying he was haha! I like him, I think we're building something exciting here given a couple more good signings and a squaddy here and there.

If at worst he becomes depth and just a squad player, lets not forgot we once relied on Phil Neville for that...

 

This is the type of signing thats spells out what is wrong with the so called top 4. Young players built up and knocked down before they have actually developed into a player.

 

The lad had to actually close down his twitter account due to abuse from his own fans. People making petitions about him, Carricks Q&A being hijacked by fans using it as an opportunity to slate Cleverly. Its completely insane that humans are treated like this.

 

The likes of Barkley, McCarthy would probably get the same level of treatement off that lot for not being Paul Scholes.

 

Horrible fans. I really hope the lad proves them wrong.

I agree with this completely... Barkley would get slated non stop for losing the ball, diminishing his confidence to the point he won't be expressive, McCarthy for not being expressive or productive enough because his goals/assists stats..

I'm all for Cleverly to sign, simple player in the middle, efficient with the ball and works hard to win it back... Our wingbacks, wide men and attacking mid our the creative forces in the team, so the 2 central mids must be disciplined and for me, Cleverly is that.

I think our cutting edge was what was missing at times last season, quite often it was the final ball, be it Mirallas, Gerry, Rom. I actually like Naismith as a finisher - very assured and composed.

 

By all accounts this lad can take a man on and has end product - quite likes to get stuck in too.

Haf, I can't express how much I agree with what you said about Naismith, he's finishing is very very good and he has that uncanny knack of just being in a great scoring chance at least once every game... As for Firmino, I'd love him here, exactly the quality we need to add! We just need to get our signings done so the new boys can gel to Roberto's tactics.

 

That was always mooted as his where he'd end up but we don't need another center back do we?

Maybe not for this next season, depending on how Duffy has developed I guess... But given Martinez's on the ball style, if Rodwell is to become a reliable, solid CB, I couldn't think of a pairing more comfortable on the Ball then both Stones and Rodders... That and I strongly enjoy seeing English pairings (and I'm Australian)

I would however love irony if we were to sign Rodwell cut price and he were to kick on and get near that potential he had... Now he is older is it time to move him back to CB?!

I would much prefer Tello on loan with option to buy before Moses.

For £30m... Crazy shit.

Agree, obvious potential but wow...

Rather ironic they are spending the money now when they needed it last year.. Must hurt Moyes even more

sounds bad but I almost don't want Gibson to get fit. I really don't think he could fit in the team now.

Sadly we have stepped up a level since him. Ok if we didn't get Barry he may be a stand in, but really we need a more mobile player to replace Barry.

I think Gibson would fit into Barry's role perfectly... He's more mobile all be it not by much but he definitely doesn't shy from a tackle and has good range of passing. Fitness is the obvious issue hence I wouldn't rely on him as first choice. And as much as I agree with cleverly having the potential to become a GOOD player, I think we need to replicate the formula of young (McCarthy) and experienced (Barry). Perhaps a Veloso/Defour for me.