RuffRob

Think we can finish between 10th and 7th to be honest. Would love to see either Birmingham, Newcastle or Middlesbrough go down. If any of these teams go down - there will be some decent players up for grabs in the summer - as some major clear outs at rock bottom prices will be needed at all these clubs just to get big earners of the wage bill.

http://www.evertonfc.com/news/index.php?page_id=9075 Don't think it is a bad thing to ask a player to come and train for a couple of days. What's the point of paying wages for a player who is unfit, and no longer up to Prem standards. It also shown a degree of commitment by the player that he would be very much interested in coming to the club. Any player in Iversons position who said fook off to a trial - Would give you a good idea of his 'passion' top join your club.

Stubbs is a prime example of how a player is a totally different proposition when he is comfortable at a certain club. You can have plenty of ability, but if your heart isn't in it there is not a lot you can do to raise your game.

If he has come then I guess he would be on very low wages, pay as you play - not risk whatsoever. Once the transfer window is closed then you can't be that choosy on who you bring in.

Fozzie - no offence, but you really are the eternal pessimist.

To be honest it is Chelsea you are talking about - at the Bridge we will do as good as any other team has done there this season if we get to 90mins on level terms. Never mind talking of taking them on on their home patch and pushing for a second killer goal -

I know what everybody is saying. However, I think it is a fine line. Once we get in front very few teams do manage to pull a goal back against us. When we go ahead it is rear for teams to get even a draw from us. If you look at the stats - we had drawn very few games (over the last few seasons). Now you can say if we push on a little more for the second or third goal the odds are that we would be more likley to conceed an equalizer. Just taking a 50%-50% - one week you get the second goal, the next you conceed an equaliser. Simply over three games - I would rather three 1-0 victories (9 points) than one 2-0 victory, a 1-0 win and a 1-1 draw (7 points) Mulipy that out over a season and it could be a fair few point. We haven't yet got the squad to get carried away to think we can steam roller teams - I will take 1-0 wins all season with the current squad of players.

I think the all of last terms players have now raised their game after most of them had disapointing starts - and non-more so then Osman. A lot of the poor early season form was down to the players that got us the 4th spot last season - but they are now helping us push up the season this. fully fit Simon Davies and VDM are now going to have to earn a place in the the starting 11 now - can't beat decent competition to keep you on top of your game.

Come on chaps - We all know Stubbs shouldn't have left last season and the manner in which he went was a little embaressing - to both the club and Stubbs. But you can tell he is happy to be back. Yes, we could do with another long term CB especially if Ferrari doesn't stay. But with Yobo I think we have one of the better CB's in the Prem. So we are at least halfway to a good pairing. Kroldroup was a bit of a flop - but he has gone and we will move on, and we lost a few quid - big deal. Many players flop at lots of club - Stubbs will more than filled his boots for the rest of this season and was free. No major damage done (we could have £13m invested in Bounmsong and Bramble - so count ourselves lucky) I think this was a good move by Moyes and the board - recongnised that Kroldroup was not going to settle in Mersyside, and my not have cut it in the Prem - and got rid quickly (even though a bit embaressing for them). And now have the money for a long term replacement for Kroldrup is in the bank ready for the summer. We could have been in the position this summer were we couldn't bring in another CB (perhaps Ferrari) until Kroldroup was gone.

and in the past few weeks we have had an injury crisis. Well done to the players and to Moyes. With only 13 games to go, we really are at the business end of the season. What a contrast to last season - when we would have given anything to see the season end 13 games early. Last year we managed to hang on to 4th place during the run in. This season we are going to be chasing a top 6 place. I would think in our position it has to be easier to chase - as you have nothing to lose. Last season we got 4th partly down to others slipping up rather than us playing well second half of the season - 39 points up for grabs and 33 on the board. I think realistically we could be able to finish in the 50's - lets hope is high 50's rather than low 50's.

Can't agree with that - because no player (other than Stubbs) came in this January I really don't beleive that DM and the board just sat on there hands throughout the transfer window and did nothing. Moyes is a beleiver in bringing the right players for the right money - and considering the limited resources at the club. I am glad we have a careful and steady manager at the helm. We could have a Keegan, Souness or Robson to name just a few, who if there is a few quid in the bank they will spend until its all gone, and will buy who or whatever is available. And all this money spent - doesn't equal success or even safety in the Premiership. Souness is a prime example - Yes, I am the same as everyone else, major disapointment we didn't bring in some decent players - everyone gets a buzz from new arrivals. But like most buzzes they are only short lived - and come the summer we will all be after more. If the right players are not available for the right price - then I have to side with Moyes and say we lets save the money until the summer when the real transfer action starts. No point is spending our limited resources just to tide us over till the summer - We are not going to get relegated just like we are not going to be challenging for a CL place. So really no point in spending the clubs money to finish 8th rather than 10th. Its not like we have missed out on AJ, Robbie Keane, Nugent, Tekke or Jerome. They haven't moved - and all still around for bids in the summer. Ashton cost £7.25M and Earnshaw went for £3.5M - Neither of them value for money in my opinion, and would basically mean we wouldn't be in the market for another striker come the summer.

Becaues he hasn't spent around £80M on players on massive wages in just over 12 months. That amount of money really puts in to perspective of now Everton have done in the transfer market and how picking player who fit in to your team and style is such an important consideration. He has had his fair share of injuries - but some of the player brought in for big bucks are garbage. Luque and Boumsong to name two.

Well Newcastle got what they deserved - Don't think the Newcastle Utd fans wanted Souness in the first place. When he was appointed it basically saved Blackburn from sacking him. Why they gave him so much money to spend is beyond me. I wonder if Parker, Emre et al are wondering why on earth they went to the North East under Souness rather than to a improving hardworking squad in the North West under Moyes. There f*cking lose.

Stop monking on about worst transfers ever, we where all praying for Moyes to take a risk on VDM for less that £2M in the summer. If he had been fighting fit and playing like we hope he is going to play then he would no doubt have been a £5M+ player. We all knew the gamble and I would say most were behind the manager last summer. Shit in the transfer market - Martyn Cahill Yobo Arteta Beattie Neville McFadden Ferrari Valente Kilbane I think all these players have be value for money With the only real flops - Wright Kroldroup With the jury still out on three or four others

I have to take my hat of to Benitez on this one. Fowler will be aching to show the Liverpool fans that he should never have been sold. I think he will score a fair few for them between now and the summer - Liverpool are making lots of chances - just need a natural born finisher to get the ball in the back of the net - and there was none better than Fowler 6-8 years ago. And I think only a move back to Liverpool will get him anywhere near as sharp as he used to be. Low risk - move for Benitez financial wise - But if it does pay off he will be even more popular with the Liverpool fans - can't lose really.

Martyn - no resale value Hibbo £4m Weir - no resale value Stubbs - no resale value Valente £2.5m Yobo £8m (considering now much Boumsong went for - a top seasoned Prem CB and still young by CB standards) Ferrari £4m - but not our player so really worth nothing Naysmith - £500K Pistone - £1m Carsley - £1.5m Davies £3.5m Arteta £4m Cahill £6m Neville £4m Kilbane £1.0m maybe Mcfadden £2.5m - He is worth more than marcus Bent so could rise in my opinion Ferg - no resale value Beattie £7m - (if Ashton is worth £7m then so it Beattie - easilly) Li Tie £1m - VDM £2m (still only worth what we paid until he shakes of his injury problems - but we have potentially had him cheap and could be worth up to £5M mark) Wright £2m Vaughan £3.0m (very difficult to put a price on him at this time - the potential be be the most valuble player in the future) On average, taking into account depreciation due to ageing the players bought in by DM are worth more than money paid - that in itself is a fair feat in itself.

I was just looking at the Prem table this morning - We could have hardly of had a poorer start to the season - after about 8 games we were below Sunderland, rooted at the foot of the table. But look at it now, we have won 9 games, the same number as Bolton, Man City and West Ham all of whom are thought to be having a good season. Both Spur and Arsenal have only won two more games than us so far this season. How would you comapre the squads and resources these teams have available to ours. (these two teams both got out of the blocks well this season as well) We have won 5 games on the road - only Chelsea, Man U and Wigan have won more away games this term. Now considering the poor start we had, which I predicted before a ball was kicked this season. I said it would take at least two months for the new squad to gel (check earlier post if you like). Couple that with the injuries to BT and the inevertable dip in form that come on the back of going out of Europe. You could say that the first 10 games was a one off period. So you can basically say that our Premiership season proper (i.e where our squad is really at) only started 15 games ago. You couple this with the two sentences above and I would say our tean has moved on - even from last season. The quality of the squad is improved and the average age is as low as it has ever been in the Prem. We all know we could do with a few more 'decent' players, and it is frustrating not seeing them at the club now, but I would say that Moyes is steadilty building a very good squad of players (he always said he will only bring in player that a better than what he has already got - and generally that is what he is doing). He is also doing this within reasonable budget constraints. Moyes was last seasons Manager of the Season - I still think we have one of the best managers in the Prem.

Come on chaps don't look to down hearted. Yes it would have been nice to bring a striker in, but look what moved in the end - Ashton - £7.25M Earnshaw - £3.5m Fowler - back to Liverpool. If there had been wholesale changes all over the place and we missed out them fair enough - large scale critisisium would be deserved. But everyone available or worth having (that would make a difference between how and the summer was seriousely overpriced) was very much overpriced. We aren't going to be relagated this season, we are in a bit of form. Why panic spend our small budget for the sake of it. The right players, who wanted to come to Goodison where not available for the right price.

Agreed, after a bit of a dogey start, Valente is looking a real bargain at £1.5M. Still prone to the odd mistake, but generally very soild at the back now- but the quality of some of his deliveries has been top draw. A very useful weapon for a full back. But you could say this improved form is throughout the whole team. Unbeaten in 8 games and we have played both Arsenal and Chelsea in this period. It did take a while for the new players to gel, but we are starting to see the fruits of this improved quality to the squad. Hopefully we will also see some more of VDM for the last few months. He is going to be like a new signing once he gets fit. Lets just hope he is able to stay fit. We have also continued this good form with argubley some of our best players of this season so far (Yobo & Beattie) not available. With Ferrari, Yobo, Beattie, VDM and possibley Vaughan (towards the end of the season) all coming back - I think we have enough to still move us further up the table for the rest of the season, without bringing in new player. I think all the squad players are desperate to be in the starting 11 now. And are showing this everytime the step out on the pitch.

Very disheartening from Big Dunc. 1-1, Wigan playing better in the second half. And all credit to Moyes he sticks Dunc on instead of Arteta and goes for the win ( a tacktic I like becasue if on average you win/lose the game 50% - 50% then you are better of pointswise anyhow). Dunc lets him down big time last night - only that Roberts also got himself sent off as well we could have been backs against the wall well and truly last night. Moyes has stuck his neck out a bit by not bringing in an 'middle of the road' striker for cover this January and saving his money until better player are likely to be available in the summer. Dunc unavailable for the next three games is a massive blow, with our current striker situation. Its a good job McFadden is in the best form of his Goodison career - I hope McFadden is able to take his form into the next few games and build on it for the rest of the season - he caused Wigan a lot of problems last night, and by the looks of his battle wounds over the last couple of games you get the feeling he is really getting stuck in and making the most of his chance to lead the line.

I think Moyes may be after a more seasoned striker than Jerome or Nugent to go straight in to battle so to say. But not may decent ones available in january. If you have got a limited budget, you can't buy Earnshaws in January, then make bids for better players like your Johnston/Keane etc in the summer. With regard to youngsters, we have both Vaughan and Anichebe who look decent and are coming throught the ranks, so again, £3.0M on a young prospect may not be a prioriy at the moment, or the est way to spend limited funds. I have no doubt that we are looking and trying to bring players in but if the quality is not available or players are stupid prices (Ashton £7m+) this time of year, then maybe we shouldn't be to hard on Moyes if nobody comes. Yes, we are a bit thin on the ground, but at the moment the squad (whoever player where) is playing well and showing great team spirit and getting the results. Maybe we would be better staying as we are and keeping any money until the summer. I think over the rest of the season VDM, McFadden, Cahill or Osman can play as a second striker to Beattie. I think Beattie's fitness will be key though.

Good chance in this one as Wigan are as threadbear as we are at the moment - there early season form has dipped a little bit and point are hard to come by for them. Although, they are still decent and anything less than 100% could see us come away with nothing. I am a bit concern about who we have got to play upfront - Beattie may still be a doubt, Ferguson may not be able to play a second 90min in three games and McFadden may be doubtful after picking up his knocks Saturdays game. All things considered a draw might not be a bad result - but if Beattie is fit to lead the line then 3 point should be well within the teams grasp. 2-1 to the blues

http://www.evertonfc.com/news/index.php?page_id=8973 The replay is going to be televised - So we will lose

Earnshaw isn't much of a PLAYER - Decent finisher - But Cardiff fans always sort of wondered how he scored so many - his general play and desision making is poor, even but Championship standards. I can hear you say - but if he scores goals who cares - But if he is as bad a PLAYER as Bryan Robson may have us beleive. He is likley to lose us possession a lot and general mess up our forward play. So he may get a few goals personnally -but this could be outweighed by the less chances we make for the rest of the team. If he was cheap enough - then could be a player to come on from the bench - but don't think he could ever be considered as a starter in the long term - hence £3M wasted to a certain degree, as we don't have money to burn.

Big big shame we didn't hang on to the win on Saturday. If we had managed to knock out and with Arsenal out, and Liverpool vs Man Utdnext round. This seasons FA Cup would be an ideal chance for a non top 4 side to win it (remember we were the last non-top four side to win it back in 1995) No disrespect to Colchester - If we could pull out all the stops and beat Chelsea we would have a very good chance of getting to the QF at least. But only the matter of Chelsea away first - (I seem to remember Charlton in a similar possition in the Carling Cup)