GMorrison183

I give our offseason a 1/10; and not trying to troll. Here's my .02:

- I would've sold Stones for 40 mil. Not popular I know, but I just don't think we need a CB more than we need the money. While it would've rocked the boat regarding 'our ambitions' (with folks like Mirallas and Lukaku), it's incredibly risk averse to assume we can't do better with the money.

- I'm not giving a free pass on failing to address the number 10 role. Horrible scouting to know what talent was available, and we left Yarmolenko way too late in the window (ironic after Roberto's comments). Plus, we failed to recruit others while after Yarmolenko. This was the most important need and is what will keep us outside the top 8.

- I'm glad to have Deulofeu back, but basically if he develops as we hope Barcelona are getting a bargain back. Capping our potential profit at 8-10 million for 2 years of development isn't a stellar deal.

- Why didn't we sell Naismith for 8 mil?!?!?! Move Kone to the bench, Lennon at RW, and pocket the 8 mil while you can still get it.

- One other point I forgot: we didn't reduce our wage bill in places that make sense for a non-Euro squad (looking at Mcgeady, Pienaar, Gibson, Hibbert, even Osman).

- Roberto's comment afterwards is a -10/10. It confirmed that he's more interested in spinning a story vs. acknowledging we failed to deliver...a theme of his tenure.

Net/net: Our leadership is making decisions like passionate fans vs. a well thought out business strategy. Nothing new, but this transfer window highlighted it.

His effort was a key part of Lukaku's first goal with the run he made. If he can develop a little more composure in front of goal, I think he can be a more well rounded version of Ossie.

Things have changed quite a bit since when I first signed up here 8 years ago...from scrapping the depths of the internet for a low quality feed to now full BPL HD coverage .

Now if BeIN sports would just get rid of their awful Ligue 1 announcer...then us American fans will be set.

The problem with Osman is he can't drop deeper...he doesn't really know how to. He is a center-mid who likes to attack.

Bily is almost scoring at a 1 goal every 3 game clip. 2nd to only Saha I believe. He should still be starting even when Arteta comes back (dropping Ossie to the bench).

The best position for Bily is in the middle behind the striker. Problem is, Cahill happens to play that position, even Osman to a lesser degree.

Honestly Cahill hasn't been in the best of form lately so I wish we would use Bily to push him as a sub to open games up where we are stuck in long ball mode.

It was Rodwell for me, always pushing our team forward. He deserves to be in the starting 11 if he keeps playing like he has.

Once Arteta is back, Moyes will surely have a selection headache, even for the bench!

Arteta

Bily

Cahill

Pienaar

Fellaini

Rodwell

Neville

Osman

Gosling

Oooooh how we needed that :thumbsup_anim:

To help put some balance, I voted for Saha. Tracked back numerous times, quality in his passing and is lethal in front of the goal with his accuracy.

When Saha is healthy, he is clearly world class.

Don't conceed and we'll be golden.

Come on its the most ridiculous link ever. Someone thinks they spotted Witsel at last nights game. Pathetic story. He was playing for Liegue last night during there 1-1 draw with Germinal Beerschot. Not happening. Stupid story. NSNO need to do a little more research before posting such shite.

Someone needs their nap

Agreed, very lazy journalism. All we need now is Riqueleme being spotted at the airport and this transfer window will be complete

Honestly the only thing I think we need (besides depth across the board) is a RB who isn't a liability and a classy winger.

For our sakes, lets just say we got Miguel and someone like a Ricardo Quaresma (I still rate him although he's had a bad run since the Inter move. To me, this is actually a top 4 lineup.

--------------Howard---------------

Miguel----Jags----Lescott----Baines

-------------Neville---------------

Quaresma------Arteta--------Pienaar

--------------Cahill---------------

--------------Yakubu---------------

Bench

Nash (needs upgrade)

Yobo

Osman (needs upgrade)

Fellaini

Saha

Jo

Rest of Squad

Hibbert

Rodwell

Gosling

Vaughan

Anichebe

Probably forgetting someone..but oh well.

The bench isn't deep still, but that starting 11 could compete with the best.

I know it'll get some neagtive feedback here, but why not put in a 4mil bid for Landon Donovan? He has some pace, looks comfortable on the ball and can put in a good cross. I'm not saying he would be the first one in the starting 11 but he's versatile, has leadership qualities and would be a good squad player to have.

Not sure if MLS would give up the face of their league though (besides Beckham).

Looks like Rodwell really captured the spirit of an friendly exhibition game with that foul on Ljundberg there .

Landon Donovan for the MLS Allstars even said that we were treating this as a regular game (tackling wise).

Seeing Cahill on the wing just proves how badly we need someone like Elm in the transfer market.

The Yobo Lescott pairing has looked dodgy...but it is preseason.

My guess is the offer will be for 18 or 20 mil...no players coming the other way (which we will reject).

If we get knocked out of Europa before January, my money is on him leaving then for 18mil.

Apparently they've now offered £20m plus Ona-whathisface.

 

Make it him and £25m or £20 him and Richard and you have a deal.

 

Spend it all on Ashley Young.

Im sorry but 20mil+Onuoha would be a great bit of business for Lescott.

The dropoff from Lescott to Yobo is almost non exsistent and we'd have 8 mil or so to use in the market (assuming 2 for Wolves, 10 for loans).

Honestly a mil more than I would've liked to see us pay (did Tottenham somehow turn a profit on this after how little he showed there?) but he's young and can step in at RB on day one.

I'm getting the impression that one 3rd CB come the start of the season (until Jags is back) will be the immortal Tony Hibbert!

You do know Everton are the Chilean Champions and played in the South American equivalent to the Champions League (Copa Libertadores) this year?

 

Maybe it wasn't cost effective to go to Chile for a pre-season game to celebrate another club's centenary and then move on to USA/Canada ?

Chile isn't exactly on the way to the USA either.

Why not fly them in for a friendly is another question. I can only imagine it'd be sold out for name sake.

How the agent is talking makes me believe this move won't happen. I will say though if "Elm" is the sort of "squad players" Moyes is goin' after I think we will be in good shape.

Keep in mind Bayern Munich, Valencia, PSG (who I'd say we are on par with), Sevilla and Marseille are also being linked to him.

He's fucking nuts lol.

I love him

Who wants to start a Bring Lorik to Everton Fan Club?

I thought Altidore looked ok, but not good enough for the top level yet. We did actually move for him in January I beleive but Villereal have stated they want to keep him and if they where to loan him out it would be to another La Liga team so that he can get used to playing in Spain. I think they have high hopes for him.

I'm sorry but Jozy is on the same level as an Anichebe (Jozy is a slightly better finisher I suppose, Anichebe is a little more polished). If James Vaughan played in the US he would be their first choice striker everytime.

Bradley plays the same role as Fellaini; a midfielder who likes to get forward. He'd be a good squad player but we would really be lacking pace if he was in the starting 11.

dont think we could get him, he could play for a champions league club if he wanted to.

My thoughts exactly.

I'm not sure if any of you caught it, but I really found Lars Jacobsen's response on skysports to be insightful about all the transfer rumors we've been hearing....

They are complete and utter shite.

You see, Jacobsen is ready to sign a new contract with Everton. And per his agent (which I do believe), Everton would like to have Jacobsen back.

His agent and Jacobsen said some very revealing comments that has me not getting my hopes up until July. Per Skysports:

"Everton wish to renew the contract...There will be no contact, though, until the start of July." -Jacobsen's Agent

"I am really happy at Everton, but we will have to wait for people to get back from their holidays before we can sort anything out."

So despite the Naughton and Huddlestone rumors (like so many in the past), I don't think they have an ounce of truth. If they did, then Jacobsen would've been signed already.

Thoughts?

I know I'm in the minority, but I would even be willing to do business for 10-12mil and Richards...

Players don't go to shite that quickly, and last year Richards was quality. He could cover for Jags while he's out and then move over to RB when we are healthy again.

Then use the money to pick up a couple players like Hunt (who I still firmly believe will be in an Everton shirt next year) and Reyes..suddenly you start to see a little depth to the bench.