BlueBri

I would llike to see Jags come in and show what he really can do. He had a brill seaon last year but for a massively inferior side, and he think he still has much more to give. However, I think DM has brought him in with the increasingly obvious notion that he is building a team for 2-5 years from now, judging by the age of the players that are coming in. As good as Jags is and could be, I think it would be hard for any manager to displace the experiane ansconsistency of Neville nad Cars. Outside of Arteta, they have probably been our most reliable players. In fact, I would go as far as to say that the side really started to show consistent improvement when Neville arrived. He is deservedly the captain, and if he keeps playing and leaing the way he is, I see no good reason to drop him. Just a thought. I am sure they will all get their chances before long. It's a long season and Europe doesn't help. That's when we will really see how good these players are and how versatile they are.

I agree with that, particularly now we (virtually) have the 'Yak'. I think a choice of Neville or Jags sitting behind Manny or Pienaar or Carsley holding the centre of midfield would give a nice outlet for Arteta & co. to feed the front two. It may deny a bit of width, but we have seen that all our attacking Midfielders currently have the ability and are willing to spread the play. Most importantly, I can't remember when we last had a team so willing to actually play the ball on the deck to feet. Hopefully the Unsy hit and hope has become a relic of Everton history, it's just a shame some of our previous forwards did not have the opprtunity to play on the deck. e.g Super Kev, Big Dunc etc etc. all brilliant on the deck, but their aerial prowess leant the team to find their heads. I am enjoying watching the Blues so much, win or lose, because they have returned to the School of Science. Nice one boys, keep it up.

I think everyone has made good points in this thread and I wouldn't disagree, except for using Lescott at left back temporarily is much more sensible then using Valente. I do think it is far to early to criticise the manager just yet, the current sick bench has probably frustrated Moyesy more than us. I'm sure he is desparate to see how his new acquisitions fair their respective positions, before deciding who plays best for the team where.

Hi guys and good day to you all. Wessels is a good signing, particulalry on a free. I agree that we need a left winger, but not long ago, we needed a left back, a centre forward, a couple of midfielders and a left winger, as well as another keeper for the squad. So all in all, I think we are doing well. I don't think there is any need to be even slightly negative, as on the whole, the sqaud is phenomenally better than it was a short while back. And if our mysterious investors keep backing Moysey, there is no tellling where we might be this time next year. Happy griping.

Hi. You have brought back memories for me. I used to live in Bagillt and went to the games regularly on the Jones Bus with Alan Baines. Up the Toffees and all that. Happy posting.

No not at all. I think anyone who disagreed would need their head checking. It is clearly the best team we have had since the 80's. The fact that Moyes is one of the best managers around and the fact that he has been given plenty of time and support from the board (albeit reluctantly at times), is a significant factor. I think how good we are was highighted several weeks ago when Alex Ferguson went all wax lyrical about how good we are and that we are the team to watch outside the big four. Onwards and upwards.

Stumbled acros this forum yesterday and think it's the mutts nuts. Thanks to anyone who has replied to my misguided comments and dillusional optimism. Looking forward to a good year from the boys and hope to be posting some positive debate and not the usual down in the dumps humdrum. Come on you Blue Boys!!!!!

Well knock me over with a duster!!!! It was beginning to look like the transfer that would never happen. Well, for me, although he is expensive, I look forward to seeing him play in royal blue. He should have come a couple of years ago.

Where did you hear about the fee being agreed? I have been keeping a close eye all day and have heard nothing except that the clubs are still negotiating?

Can I just ask all these 'realistic' Blues, exactly which teams in the league they think are better than us outside the top four? When answering, look back at the players that they have and their track records, not at potentially what they can do, as potentially, we CAN win the league and that according to everyone, potentially seems to be a wholly unrealistic argument. Also think about how solid the team was last season and the number of consistent and versatile performers we have at our disposal now. Our league position was no fluke last year and was well deserved, this year, I don't see any side that has strengthened cleverly, although plenty of teams have been throwing money around. Thank god for Moysey.

A great many Evertonians I know, and RS for that matter, were surprised when Moyes didn't get out the cheque book for Nugent. Moyes stuck to his guns over the valuation fee and free spending Pompey came in and snapped him up. I personally thought it a shame as the lad has shown promise for club and country and is the type of player everyone thinks would link well with AJ. However, recent development have been very interesting, so has Moyes's intuition yet again been bang on. Why would any manager spend £6 million on a striker and then look to offlaod him within weeks? Has Harry seen something he doesn't like? Something doesn't quite fit about this. I know some people will say it is purely that Harry is trying to land the Yak or even Anelka and is using Nugent as bait. Whatever the reason, it does make you wonder what has happened at Pompey to want to offload Nugent so soon after buying him. What does anyone else think?? Does someone have any inside info perhaps???

Point conceded about Yaks value, that was just a frustrated dig at the overinflation of prices due to media intervention etc. However, everyone has made good points about his ability, as you can read, I do like the player and think he is fantastic. The point of the thread though, was to discuss whether there were any other options out there worth a gamble on. We could get a lot more player for our money abroad, and I would not be so worried about risking a lacklustre european considering the strong british contigent we now have. Any player that now sign for us will have to work their socks off just to get on the bench. Even Yakubu would face stern competition from the young boys if his work rate didn't come up to scrutiny. So come on lads, who else is out there, because time is short and 'Boro are inflating the price and the likes of City are now watching.

Does anyone else out there hope the Yakuba signing falls through. I think he is a brilliant player, but £10million+, c'mon. He's worth no more than £6 million surely, even at our inflated Premiership prices. Are Everton's options really that limited?? There has to be more talent worthy of a blue shirt out there. What about a cheeky bid for Owen, say??? I'm starting to think that the European scouts are not as productive as maybe they should be. I just know there has to be a top player floating around in the European bargain drawer, is it a case of not looking hard enough or is there really no-one else out there. Moysey has money and we know he can use it wisely, why break the habit now????

BobbyJ is tip top, and I would not put Faddy in anyway over AJ. Pienaar will be this seasons revelation. Moyes try before you buy seems to be the Midas touch. AJ will get us a hatful this season, just look at the service on offer this year. Faddy would do well sitting off AJ up front as a foil

Faddy definitley desrves his chance. Strikers are thin on the ground and experience is lacking. He has proven that he has immense abillity, now needs to show he can put the performances in regulalry. I remember when we bought him, a lot of clubs being very envious and he was tipped as a major talent in Scotland, if not THE major talent to come from Scotland for years. Come on Faddy, your time is now, or you'll fade into Mediocrity as per Cadamarteri and co.

Interesting thread. I think years of underachieving have left most Blues content with the club being back on the rise. On paper, and staistacally, I don't tink we will win the league this year, but we won't be far off, probably 4th. The way the league has started and some of the players that have been inured, Rooney, Ronaldo, Gerrard, a number of the serious title contenders are having a nervy start. Look at Tottenham, only a few weeks ago they were being tipped as surprise outsiders and to do very well this year, now Jol looks like he may be lucky if he's there next week. The season we won our last FA cup, I was in the pub on the day of the 3rd round and said Everton would win that year, I just had a good feeling about the team. I was laughed at of course, especially by the bookie when i put a £10 10-1 bet on. We all know what happened and I was very smug picking up my winnings. The league is obviously a different kettle of fish. However, as unlikey, although possible, that we will win the league this season, I do believe Everton will take their rightful place by the end of the 10-11 season. It's long overdue and I think the balance of power is now starting to shift.

Would have respect if it was a politician or a public servant making this statement. Can't figure out whether this is just an Urban Myth. How true is this. If it is true, how does he live. The other thing that wrangles me, is he really that conceited that he thinks he is that good. Maybe I'm ust cynical, but sounds more like a publicity stunt. Nice sentiment, but wholly unrealistic. Smacks of Hollywood story. Grow up.

This player has been nothing short of disappointing, only flattering to decieve since he came. Everton have been funding his personal self destrruction for long enough. Time to get rid!!! He has been suspended on the grounds of breach of contract, therefore, if he was dismissed for the same reason, he wouldn't be entitled to a bean from the club. If you had a 5 year contract with an employer and you repeatedly turned up for work paraletic or even not turn up, you would be dismissed without any recompense because you didn't keep to your side of the contract. These footballers have the best job in the world, but they forget it's a job that they are paid ridiculous sums for. Get rid of the idiot. How many chances does someone need????? The money could be spent on someone who actually wants to play and win trophies raher than piss it up a wall.