RuffRob

https://betweenthelines5638.wordpress.com/2020/08/18/odsonne-edouard-scout-report/ sound like a decent player, who knows where the goal is. Big step up to the Prem though. young and not to expensive.

and that's a priority for any any limited funds made available this summer? seem a bit of a coincidence that we might spend £30M on a left sided attacker, in the same few days there are rumours of strong interest in Richy. Not saying it is a good thing, just he looks like a potential quality replacement.

I understand Kean is going, but reports are that it is a loan. But in any case, if there is £30m to now spend, give me one good reason why it would be used to purchase a high quality left side attacking play. I am only guessing, but maybe in the next couple of days we might have an opening in this position. I am open to other suggestions on why we would spend a big chunk of money a left sided attacker?

If Diaz is prodominately left winger, who likes to come in and shoot with his right and chips in with a fair goals himself, it would seem logical to me that he would be somebody who would step in to Richarlison's position in the starting 11. If not where does this £30m player start. £30m I didnt think we had?

I have a horrible feeling he will go, ahead - if the money is right. If it hinges on the Mbbepe sale, then PSG should be flush and able to spend. I think we all knew it would be inevitable. The sad truth is that a big sale is due and needed to help meet the financial rules. Like others have said, this time the money can't be wasted. There should bs plenty of decent players available on loan, if we can't find a permanent transfer in this window.

In preceeding seasons we would have been dumped out in a game like tonights. So its promising that we have progressed.

I agree. I don't think he will be a regular starter, but think he will chip in with goals, and plenty of assists. If the stat that he was the most accurate crosser of the ball in the PL last season is true, then DCL and Richy should put plenty of goals away from his crosses. We shall see, but i think he will be 'effective' as a free transfer, more so the lot of £20m+ player that have been stinking the place out for years.

yes, I though it was going to be massively tough, but I had forgot that its effectively the fans first home game in the Premier League in ages to boot. They will definitely have that '12th' player today, those Leeds payers will be supercharged. Team wise - I would kind of like to see Iwobi get a decent run in the team and build some kind of consistently. Very much make or break season for him. I don't hold out massive hope for him, as I just think its a 'composure' and 'bottle' problem he has - but would like him to very much succeed.

I did say 'if' true - its unprofessional, which it would be. But as you say, no concrete evidence of it yet. Unfortunately, in the past 6months James and social media posting seem not to be particular well thought out - for example posting for a picture flying off in a private jet, while his team mate's are getting still trying 'rescue' the very end of our season. Would it be totally our of character for him to make such a comment on social media? but that is social media for you - life through a lenses. I am sure he make a handsome 'second' income from it all. What ever happen with James and Everton these coming weeks, it has definitely be a strange and unusual 'love affair'.

Flabbergasted if what he said was true - totally unprofessional. If he wants another team to come in for him, does he not even realise that this sort of unprofessionalism could be quite off putting for them.

Sounds like he can play a number of positons, so one for the starting 11. I think if the club have one eye on Richarlison moving for big money next season - it would make very good sense to bring in a player of this quality for the front line. It would give him a good season to bed in to the squad while Richy is still here. Not that he would be a direct replacement for Richy. With his versatility he would help give us great cover to the offensive line.

https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/08/18/full-of-stepovers-seamus-coleman-claims-one-everton-man-is-just-as-tricky-as-james-rodriguez/ Iwobi was stand out the most skillful player as voted for by his team mates - frustrating that he seems to shy away from this a bit in games. Would be nice if the manager could give him the confidence to really express himself. Definitely a big season for him. Something tells me that Grey being in the squad might help Iwobi express himself a little more.

Plenty of players move on for less lucrative pay packets in order to hopefully play regular football, in what is a relatively short career. If he wants to hang around and take the money, but miss playing competitive football, then it is his right after signing such a contract. But it's a bit rich asking for all the money for your contract, and also wanting it terminating so you can go and earn more and play somewhere else at the same time. I believe that is what people are griping about and I don't think he has ever done anything for the club that warrants special consideration.

Don't think James or Kean will be near the squad until after the transfer window (if they are still here). I think these two going (or not) will ultimately determine who comes in (or not). - Leeds away will be far too high an intensity for him. Everybody is going to have to win their battles - or at least put up a good fight. Leeds away is not a game for James in any case, and possibly not Kean either. This will be an interesting game to see how well we stand up to their energy levels this season. I thought we where well off in these high intensity games last season. It very early day's so I don't expect miracles, but hoping for a vast improvement in our attitude and work rate in games like this. This first few weeks of the season I think home advantage will be massive, even more so than the norm. With this being Leeds first game in front of their fans I think this would be a tough place for any team in the Premiership to go this weekend. Head tells me it being difficult to come away with anything this weekend. Heart always think's we could kick a cheeky point or three.

and roughly how much do we think he would cost - considering we don't seem to have any money this transfer window. And if we did manage to scrap a few quid together - is this position the first in line for upgrade? Don't see him coming this season.

Depends if you are motivated with a passionate for your job/career or purely by money. Plenty of people take pay cuts to pursue something they are passionate about. Plenty of footballer accept less wages, so that they can play week in week out. Unless it having the very fattest pay check that motivates them.

I think your right. It looks like transfer activity will revolve around Moise Kean and what sort of money, if any, is brought in buy him. It might be a very busy final day this year - not just for us. I think plenty of clubs want to move players on, but nobody giving an inch at the moment. my money is on a couple of loan deals coming in (and maybe going out) on the final day.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-richarlison-fifa-rule-change-21322637 Richy might get some enforced rest!!!

He is definately one that 'got' away. Was Chelsea acadamy player of the year 20/21 - and they have some academy. Southampton bought him for £5m. As he pretty far down the pecking order for a start on the right side at Chelsea so wanted a move. Even if Cheslea use the buy back clause, Southampton will be quids in. I surpose at his age, maybe not considered ready to be a starting RB. Which is what we need. Focused on a Dumfreis, while a Livramento got away!!

It will be interesting to see how Holgate gets on this season. He wasn't great last year, but the whispers are that he was a little frustrated at the lack of 'coaching' they where receiving last year, particularly defensive. Give their ages, I would to see Holgate and Godfrey working together to be the long term starting CB partnership. It could be around for 10year+ if the can build a relationship.

I think Allan comes in to his own when we play the 'top' teams. When perhaps we spend a greater part of the game without the ball and within our own half. So a bit like you say, a lot of the game is kind of played on a condensed pitch. As we know with Doucoure, he is just up and down all game - same energy from first minute to the last. Can be forgiven the odd miss placed pass when you work this hard for the team. Goal will have done his confidence the world of good if front of the goal. Allan's shot in the first few mins of the game suggests Benitez is encouraging the midfeilders to have a bit more of a dig.

Base on what I have seen so far, (and been reading) I think we will get blood, sweat and tears from Rafa as a manager. I think we all can see he is committed to this job. If we see it, so do the players - ten fold. As a player yesterday, i am guessing you would have come off the pitch with your head down a bit after the first half. Manager does a few tweaks to how he wants you to play, and you then go out and absolutely smash the second half. As players that must give you so much confidence in going out and implementing his tactics and just listening to him. Very early days, but I think he could actually be the manager we have really needed this past 4-5 season. Not experimenting with some up and coming manager or a 'galactico' team man manager. Finger crossed for this season of non expectation. A lack of fanfare might be just what we need to just kuckle down and get a job done.

probably best result Rafa could have hoped for - coming back from a losing position, change in tactics/formation, big reaction from the team. Even ended up winning comfortably at the end. When did that last happen! A result where a manager made the calls and they worked. It's was just the start we all needed after the past few months.

My worry with Iwobi is that he just lacks composure with the final ball or when shooting on goal, and I am not sure that will improve. He just seem to fluff his lines. Maybe a 'make or break' 10-15 game run in a position that suits him is what is needed - as he hasn't had that yet. It would be a bit sickening to see him go to another team - and then flourish and grow in his favoured position. I have been willing him to do well - as I like the fella.

I don't have any great hopes for him either - I have seen more than enough to suspect he is never going to be a consistent 7 out of 10 performer for a team having European aspirations - no matter what position he plays in. My only hope is that if he gets a decent run of games we will get some good form and consistency from him - even if it just means we have a saleable asset. He is another expensive flop at the moment.