carlmc25

I agree that McFadden deserves a chance, I thought he was reallu unfairly treated last season, when he played up front he did well then got shoved out on the wing the next match or dropped. Johnson hasn't really come close to scoring in most matches this season, no goals in 6 games deserves to be dropped. I only listened to todays game but it sounded like Everton were a disgrace, to all those people who think Gravesen shouldn't play did you hear/see the match today? we can't even string two passes together. Arteta is starting to look cheesed off and hasn't played well in weeks, probably because he is frustrated by the lack of talent in the midfield around him, he must be desperate for Gravesen to play. It was an absolute disgrace that McFadden didn't come on earlier today, he scores two brilliant goals in midweek and still he only comes on with 7 mins left, I cant believe Anichebe came on ahead of him, Moyes cocked it up big time today and deserved to lose. McFadden played one game for us this season up front and scored against Blackburn, yes he had a poor game (as did EVERYONE) due to the abysmal service, but still he pulled out an excellent finish with some genuine quality. He should play with Yakubu next match and Gravesen HAS to play in CM, no one else in our team is fit to kiss his ass in that position. Utd were there for the taking and still they beat us and we only had about 2 shots on goal.

I'd probably go with that team against most teams in the league - although it's a toss up between Osman and Pienaar and Jags/Neville/Hibbert. Against the real quality teams or away from home against a decentish team I think we need someone in midfield who can really tackle. Whether we then go for a 451 and draft in Carsley/Jags into the holding role or just bring in Carsley/Jags into Cahill's position. Personally if Gravesen can still cut it then I'd play him in a 442 ahead of Cahill, he has more to his game. Once Vaughan is back Johnson may have to watch out, I was majorly impressed with Vaughan last season - quick, direct, excellent in the air (surprisingly) and confident. As hard as Johnson is working (and without decent service) he isn't as quick as I expected and is not the most clinical of finishers. Once Vaughan is back we can hit the big time if he hits the ground running. Already I am so much more confident about the UEFA and in home league matches, now that Gravesen is back we have someone who can stroke the ball around and probe - we have struggled since he left to break down teams in a 442 as Carsley/Neville together in CM have 0% creativity. NO WAY would that 5 - 0 debacle have happened had either Carsley or Gravesen been in the team. COYB!

it may only be one game, but it's also 2/3 points he's just won for us, they could be invaluable come the end of the season. He turned the game for us when he came on, when you could you ever say that about any of our other midfielders except for possibly Arteta and at a stretch Osman. Carsley and Neville should never play together in centre mid again, hopefully Moyes knows this which is why he bought Gravesen. You keep slagging off Gravesen yet tell me a better alternative in our current squad to play centre mid? there isn't one.

well all I can say is, Everton were absolutely abysmal today until Gravesen came on - then guess what, Everton actually start to pass the ball, Everton start to dominate and Gravesen is probably the best player on the pitch. He puts Johnson clean through on goal, he has a hand in another couple of chances and he takes the corner we score off. Anyone who thinks that he doesn't deserve to play in our midfield ahead of Neville or Carsley needs to actually watch the game and recognise talent. Gravesen is BACK and he just won us 3 points C'MANNNNNNNNNNNNN! hopefully Neville can be consigned to RB for good. Also, well done Osman - did well when he came on, good job as Arteta was anonymous and Johnson seriously needs a goall.

nearly all our goals come from crosses! Arteta's set-pieces and crosses in general, Cahill seems to score a fair few headers, Osman the odd one, even Arteta - yet Beattie couldn't seem to buy a goal. He had a couple of months were he looked quite decent, but he was an absolutely massive flop. To be honest, the fact he didn't bitch or moan I'm not entirely convinced is a good thing - he was below two youngsters in the pecking order and he never even bat an eyelid, doesn't exactly fill me with confidence that he was all fired up to play well for us. He looked out of shape ever since he signed. I have nothing against Beattie and when we signed him I thought it was a good move, but he was a waste of space last season - I'd rather play my dad up front than Beattie last year, at least he would have given it his best shot. I'm pleased he came out with good words about the club and I wish him the best, but he was a bona fide turkey.

I'm not trying to say Gravesen is better than Riquelme, just possibly less risky in my eyes and he's better than the CM's we've got (if he's anything like as good as he was before). Gravesen is the figurehead of Denmark, when they played England he was by far the best midfielder on the pitch, not Gerrard or Lampard. Even in the World Cup when we thrashed them (due to Sorensen in goal) he was probably the best player on the pitch. When you put players with movement around him (Jeffers at his best) then Gravesen is excellent. He is one player who can play a through ball, even Arteta doesnt seem to split defences very often - most likely because he plays out wide but even so, the point is valid. When was the last time you saw Johnson go through one on one with the keeper, then think of Campbell, Radzinski and Jeffers and how often they went through one on one with the keeper? I'm not saying Riquelme doesnt have this ability, he does, but I'd far rather we buy Appiah than Riquelme. Gravesen is here now, Riquelme isn't - so lets get behind someone who seems to love the club. I just hope we get Appiah, we need that type of player more than a Fernandez imo. If Gravesen turns out to be crap then so be it, but I'm prepared to give him a chance. When we are obviously a superior outfit to the opposition and are expected to dominate that's when we'll need Gravesen, as he can make things happen. It doesn't matter who we play with Neville and Carsley in midfield, we'll always struggle to score goals.

exactly, we'll finally have someone willing to pick up the ball all day (like Arteta) and who can actually get the ball to Arteta to create some damage. Arteta hardly touched the ball against blackburn, I think the ball spent longer in the air than on the deck or at anyone's feet - it was embarrassing.

I haven't seen enough of Riquelme to judge either way on his workrate, I remember him looking a very decent player and he is much bigger than Osman no doubt. I'd just be a bit concerned that we'd HAVE to play him and that he may affect morale if he doesnt pull his weight. The thing is, he won't be signing anyway - someone with his stature in the game and his ability would not be coming to Everton on loan. It's a sad thing to say but it's true - especially as we wouldn't pay the wages and a lot of teams would. The Echo seemed to think we wouldn't be getting anyone else in, personally I'd be absolutely ecstatic if Appiah signed, I'm not particularly bothered either way about Riquelme as he's only a short-term solution anyway. Let's get Appiah, he could be dynamite for us.

I actually think Arteta is quite often more effective on the left when he can cut in and play through balls or cross from anywhere. Routledge is a donkey, headless chicken - he would be a big step backwards imo, I'd rather see Osman out there. We want real quality now, we have the quantity. oh and I can't see Carsley/Osman working too well, Carsley lacks the quality for a 442 midfield and Osman lacks the stature. 451 both of them could be fantastic, but not sure about 442. It's why we need someone like Appiah.

I'll be checking, just hope Appiah comes in - I think if he signs we could seriously look at consistently being top 6 and aim for the top 4. I've got a good feeling about today!

I just hope he can still cut it! I loved Gravesen, he was my favourite player when he was here along with Yobo. It'd be disappointing if he was a shadow of his former self, but I believe in Moyes and believe it's worth the small gamble. I'm more concerned about the Riquelme one, it smacks of a Walter Smith signing or Middlesbrough under Bryan Robson. Someone who probably isn't really interested in playing for us at all but just wants some big wages and no stress and will get a sulk on when Moyes asks him to pull his weight. I can't deny I'd be excited seeing him play, but I cant see Riquelme fitting into a 442, unless he can play on the wing - or I suppose we could use him just behind the main striker although who do you drop out of Johnson/Yakubu? I'm a little concerned if we make TOO many signings, then it becomes difficult to keep everyone happy. Moyes is still learning and last time he had real options for a position (Jeffers, Rooney, Radzinski & Campbell) Moyes kept rotating and no one found any rhythm and we had an asbolutely terrible season. Hopefully Moyes now is more experienced and learned from his mistakes. COYB let's get Appiah, even if we have to pay over the odds.

not being funny, but nearly every game Neville plays in CM he does f all, plenty of games Cahill plays in 442 he does nothing and the list goes on and on. People notice it more with Gravesen purely because they know what talent he does have so they get frustrated when he isn't producing. But imo, even when not at his best he still gives us something that hardly anyone else in our team does - an ability to create a goal or conjure up magic. We already have a superb defense (although once again we haven't kept a single clean sheet this season, partly because we give the ball away too much but mainly because Stubbs is playing - I like Stubbs but he has no pace meaning we have to sit deep, Lescott and Yobo should play EVERY match they're fit at CB and we'd have probably the best partnership in the league) and we need more creativity - FACT.

Gravesen will be able to do a job for us, particularly in 451 (if we ever play it again) away from home with Cahill and Carsley/Jags, when he can get on the ball and stroke it around. In 442 we still dont have a decent balanced midfield - I haven't seen enough of Jags to comment on his ability but Carsley, (excellent defensively/useless creatively) Neville (ditto, except not quite as good defensively and even worse passer) Cahill (excellent goalscorer, not particularly great at anything else) just aren't the answer. Gravesen may be a concern in a CM 442 role, but he is probably the best bet as he can tackle a bit, he can pass, he is creative and he is the fulcrum of a team - ie he can dominate. I'm not saying he is the answer and hopefully we will sign someone like Appiah who can go on and be the answer, the Steven Gerrard type player we need who can dominate a match, run up and down all day and give us everything in the one player. Even the likes of Riquelme I can't see fitting in too well in a 442, again he'd take the Cahill position in 451. We NEED a world class/excellent CM, it's what we've been missing ever since Gravesen left and the reason we can't consistently challenge near the top 4. Once Vaughan is back (who I thought could have been a superstar this season) then we'll be in business, personally I've been a little disappointed by Johnson's lack of pace and think Vaughan may end up replacing him. I still believe Johnson can come good, and he does a great job for the team, but he doesn't look the goal threat or pace machine that I expected. In fact, Yakubu may be quicker.

The Daily Mail (in my experience) is often (behind the Echo) the most accurate of the newspapers out there when it comes to Everton news. Now I'm not saying this story is true, but there may be something in it. Personally, I'd be a bit concerned if we signed him. Sure he has big talent, but he'd probably just be coming here for one last pay day and I can't see him fitting into a 442 - I still have concerns about all of our central midfielders in 442, we need someone who can do everything like Steven Gerrard.

thanks! I've been considering posting for days as all the doom and gloom over transfer has been getting on my raving titties! Gravesen is a cult hero, some people hate him but I thought he was superb! shows you how highly Moyes thinks of Gravesen to give him the number 10.

it's not going backwards, it's called making the best of a bad situation. We have limited time, he is only on loan and even an overweight, slower Tommy G has more ability than Carsley (who I have a lot of time for - defensively) and Neville put together. Let's face it, none of us have seen much of him and so none of us know what he is still capable of. 31 is NOT too old, it's probably younger than Carsley! Let's just wait and see if he's still got it and hold off on the barracking for now. It's a no brainer, absolutely no risk and hardly any money outlay. European experience, knows the team and the management and what is expected. I think we'd all love to see Appiah (probably more than Fernandez - who looked a little lazy on occasion) and let's keep fingers crossed, but I don't think we should write off Tommy yet. He was too good for the Scottish league, he probably couldn't get motivated - plus I never thought Strachan was a decent manager anyway. Remember, West Ham dropped Mascherano who is 10 million times better than anything they have in their midfield.

I've been reading this forum for months and recently I've become embarrassed by some of the posts on here. I mean, Romey - your posts on Gravesen are ridiculous. He was brilliant for us before he left, ok he may not have brilliant the whole time he was here but as Walter Smith didn't have a clue, and constantly played him out of position then that was no surprise. Once Moyes found what Gravesen was good at, he was one of the best players in the league. He is consistently superb for Denmark, and did a lot more for us then Wayne Rooney (who's only contribution was a good goal against Arsenal and getting us lots of money). Steve Bruce said Gravesen was our most important player (ahead of the likes of Rooney) and Real Madrid bought him, I mean - which other player in recent memory would Real Madrid even have LOOKED at, never mind bought? The Daily Mail had him down as the best player in the league (ahead of Henry, Gerrard etc) the season he left. When was the last time yuo saw an Everton player split a defence? Then think back to Jeffers running onto Gravesens through balls. I mean, Johnson hasn't been fed a decent pass all season. We all saw the Blackburn match, yes Neville and Carsley work hard, but they have no idea how to pass, how to create space - Gravesen may be a headless chicken on occasion, but sometimes it works. It also is infectious and brings energy to the team and he can dominate a match. His passing range is exceptional, he has vision, genuine skill and we'll have someone in midfield who will be able to get the ball to Arteta. No one knows if Gravesen is past it, he is NOT a defensive midfielder (which is what RM bought him for) and who knows what happened in Scotland. He may turn out to be a flop, but he's only on loan so what difference does it make? Fernandez screwed us over and left Moyes with no time, give him some credit for at least trying to bolster the team. To suggest that Neville and Carsley should play ahead of someone as talented as Gravesen is quite frankly insulting. Why don't Everton fans quit moaning about EVERYTHING and actually get behind Moyes (the best thing about the club in decades) and support his judgement. Gravesen has ability and if he has the ability that he had before he left then he'd be the second name on my teamsheet just behind Arteta (oh and maybe Yobo/Lescott and Howard!!!). Nice one Tommy, good to have you back and I for one have a huge smile on my face as you're a one of a kind. C'MANNNNNNNN!