SpartyBlue

I’d like to see Gordon at some point if we need a little creativity. Pacier than some people think as well.

Yea, in fairness Richarlison probably shouldn’t have even been playing until the first international break.

Seems likely

Ye of little faith.

This is just pure bias. In any objective evaluation Rafa is far more accomplished.

Did it last year at times. I imagine Seamus and Digne will have a lot of freedom when we are in possession.

I disagree. He. Didn’t. Know. Who. We. Played. I can’t think of a more obvious sign of disinterest.

I don’t personally think James is world class at this point. He’s super talented on the ball but he’s slow and he can’t be bothered to put a foot in. Is he walking into Liverpool or Man City or PSG etc..? If not then he’s not world class. It’s nonsense to believe Rafa wouldn’t play the team he thinks is best capable of getting the points. If James isn’t out there it’s because he doesn’t think he gives us the best chance. Whatever anyone thinks of our manager he’s not an idiot.

Of course it’s an assumption. Rarely in sports do we get an athlete or manager bluntly stating how they feel about things. This is a place for speculation. We don’t need Seamus to say “I love Everton and I’ll give everything for the shirt” to infer that he does and he will. We don’t need Moise Kean to say “I’m not happy, sell me” to know that’s it true. No, we cannot know 100% how James feels about the club but we can make a very good guess based on his words and actions. I don’t feel a need to repeat myself in here. His lack of connection to the club has been obvious. Rafa said he needs to show his commitment and desire. It’s not a leap to believe this means he’s not currently showing either. Is it reasonable to believe that if a player of his talent was showing those characteristics Rafa would be looking for “certain games” he could fit him in and challenging him in that way? It’s not about vitriol. I don’t hate James or believe he’s a bad guy. I just think he’s been a global superstar and just spent 1 season on a 10th place Everton in front of no fans because of a manager who is no longer here. Unsurprising that he didn’t fall in love with us. To believe there is no fire despite all the smoke is, in my opinion, to be obtuse.

Or option 3, he plays on occassion because his talent can help us in certain moments regardless of his attitude.

It’s an assumption but it’s not ridiculous. He came for Carlo. We know that. Carlo is gone. It’s not “ridiculous” to do the math there, as a start. Beyond that he got out of town last season before we were even done. He’s made several (not just one) comments that give an impression of a player who isn’t particularly interested in the club. Rafa’s recent comments on James aren’t difficult to interpret. It’s unlikely James will ever say “I don’t want to play for Everton. I want to play elsewhere” but the club and Rafa will know this. If you need it spelled out for you then I guess you’ll never be convinced until he’s out the door. Turning down a pay cut to play in Turkey isn’t exactly an indication of his commitment to our club.

Perhaps, but when several managers pass you over like he has been I think it’s unlikely to be a coincidence. Happy to be proven wrong.

For me it’s his previous comments that remove the benefit of the doubt. Not knowing who we played is just ridiculous. I don’t think he’s a bad guy or anything, just a mercenary who feels no particular attachment to the club. I saw a good point made elsewhere that he’s never played in front of a crowd here and that might contribute to a lack of connection.

Why would we say this? It’s clear he wanted to leave. By trying to move him on we were doing what he wished. It’s not a stretch to ask him to show some professionalism. Again, he didn’t even know who we played next. He doesn’t care at all about the club. Publicly making that known, as he has, is an unnecessary distraction. While you’re here you are an Everton player. Behave as such.

It was very clear he didn’t want to be here without Carlo. One assumes the club and Rafa were aware of this. We tried to unload him but couldn’t find a deal that was agreeable to all parties. Why would Rafa waste one second on a player who doesn’t want to be here who we are trying to move on? Now that we are stuck with each other Rafa has said he needs to show some commitment to the club and get his fitness up in order to see the field. James own comments separate him from the club. Not exactly the commitment Rafa was talking about. I assume he will see some minutes in specific games/situations and will be moved on as quickly as we can find a deal that works for us, likely in January.

He plays for Everton. He doesn’t know who our opponents are. He refers to his club as “they” etc.. Seems pretty clear he considers himself separate from the group. It’s not a good look. Rafa’s comments alluded to the difficulty of including James under those circumstances. I think he’s just gonna be a sub we bring on in certain situations. Whether he can be more than that will depend on adjusting his attitude towards the club. I would be surprised if he lasts past the next window.

The way he speaks about us does give away what he really thinks. “Everton play on Monday”. “I’m ready if they need me”. Never “we”, never “us”. It’s good that he’s fit and available but there is no buy in from him, no connection to the club.

It’s what you want to hear I suppose. I don’t think James particularly cares about Everton but he’s not a “rock the boat” type. Even if it’s only out of self interest for his future in the game I expect he will stay in shape and want to be out there.

I get the inclination to give Kenny a chance but he just hasn’t ever showed glimpses he can be that guy in my opinion. He’s not “bad” but he’s bland. I can’t think of any stand out attribute. Decent squad depth maybe but I don’t think he’s the answer there.

You have to be in it for the club though, above all. Richarlison has occassionslly been selfish and that disqualifies him for me.

For sure. Whether we will be better under Rafa than Carlo I don’t know but the former does seem to be playing guys in their preferred positions more. Difference between a manager who fits players to a system regardless and one who tweaks his system around where his players will be most useful.

Wages are likely one factor. Another is that we aren’t gonna give him away for free (or still paying part of his wages). Another is that the clubs who can afford him recognize that he’s a luxury player and so aren’t gonna go out of there way to sign him.

Fair. I was just making the point that additions don’t equal improvement. Even at the very top of football it seems it’s always about the next big thing. I suppose everyone secretly thinks they are going to win the league and they realize they aren’t getting there with their current squads. I just don’t believe in additions for the sake of it.

I would be shocked if it’s anything other than Godfrey as backup LB.

His form had dipped for sure but that doesn’t change my point. It’s rare for a player to come back to top form in the year following an injury like that. Maybe he will never get back to his best but I think his chances are better in that second year.