RuffRob

agree totally, Benitez is superior to Allardyce in any every department mention. I am convinced that Benitez will fight tooth and nail for Everton now he is here. You can tell he really wanted this job, despite some of the negativity that's thrown his way. He definitely has a strong affinity with the people of Merseyside, which he has made his home. Think he has be very brave taking it to be honest, and has definitely put himself up for close scrutiny. Having read up on him in a lot more detail this past few weeks, he does seen a decent, honest and hardworking fella, so I wish him nothing but the best now.

paying £50M for an attaching player who is only chipping in with only around 3 goals and similar amount of assist a season would worry me. It's not like we are blessed with goal scorers at the moment.

no thank you - We already have plenty of players that don't score goals. 6 goals and 8 assist in 51 Prem appearances over two seasons!! We need much better attacking players that this. There will be much better value around this season.

I really can't get my head around this lad. Somehow the club has really pi55ed him (or his agent or parents) off. The behaviour of not turning up to training at 16 doesn't put the lad in a good light at all. Not very professional at all, even if he plans to sign for somebody else as soon as he can. Getting some poor guidance. Can't believe this 'first team' football bullshit, as at that age he's not going to be starting in any Premiership team let alone Man U, Arsenal or Chelsea. Must also be something else to this.

This also seem a strange one to me, you wouldn't think biggish money on a 30 year old CB would be a priority - Unless others in this position are being planned to be shipped out to make room. He has been rumoured this window when Ancelotti was still in the hot seat. So sounds like more than just a Benitez request. He's is a very good player though. Naploi fans call him 'The Wall'. It sounds very much as though an opening bid has been put in.

other than answering the now boring questions about ex Liverpool manager being at Everton blah blah. He basically says - most important this is developing a winning mentality at the club, no matter what teams we play. I will take giving everything and 'winning' more are the most important thing at the moment, so will happily buy into that.

me too - now got my head around him being here. There has be to much crap getting people down this past 12-18months, so not going to let it get me down that the fact that my own personal choice didn't get the job. It is what it is now. For me personally, life's to short to be mopping around and being pissed off about something that MIGHT turn out to be shit. New broom sweeps clean and all that - it could be just as likely it turn out great, so I may as well be optimistic about the coming change. So I have just been dwelling on the positives since the appointment. Plenty of time to be pissed off if it actually turns to shit.

I think it is going to be a funny transfer market - We don't really yet know what the going rate for players is going to be. Might get to the last couple of week in August, as teams (including us) might be so desperate to move some players on - you will be able to get some good quality for free. Have been, reading Barca have to get a fair few players off the books just to pay the free transfers they have bought in to the club. Definitely going to be a strange one. I don't think we know who is able to spend what.

There is a difference between 'crap' football and 'effective' football. We obviously have have a decent base as a defensive unit, given the highlight of last year. So Benitez has a good starting point to work from in that front. He should be able to at least equal Ancelotti in performances against the big teams (although we will have to take the fact that fans will be allowed back in the ground next year - so I don't expect us 9or any other teams) to win nearly so many away games) I fully agree we where shocking last year when we needed to play - it was as bad as anything I have seen, and not a great advert for Ancelotti as a 'coach' to be honest - we just looked so slow with everything, easy to defend against. I think Benitez will have more 'ideas' and structure to what he wants of us doing going forward - taking in to consideration the constraints or limitations of the player he will have at his disposal. I think Ancelotti is just so use to having world class offensive players, who 'just play' that he seem to struggle with a group of offensive player that just need a little more direction and system as a team when in possession. (I may be too harsh as we did seem to have a lot of injuries that disrupted a consistent formation). Good man management, or just fielding your favourite players in the hope they will come back in to form seem to only go so far! I think Benitez will be more inclined to just bench those out of form or seen not putting the required minimum effort in. I will take entertaining football over effective football any day of the week, as long as it does bring the results needed with it, but over the next couple of season I will satisfied with improvement in the results department in the first instance. Bonus if entertaining as well. I know what you are saying about decent football tends to go hand in hand with winning football, in the upper echelons that's very true. But given the money spent we have been served up poor football and mid table results. I will take effective (even if a little dull at times) winning football for the next couple of seasons if it makes us more competitive. More flair can be added if we start rubbing shoulder in the top 6. Benitez has managed to bring success to teams in similar positions to us, so his football has been proven on a number of occasions to be 'effective' given the resources at his disposal. As he is now here, he is definitely worth getting behind and giving a fair crack at the whip over the next couple of seasons.

last season we actually didn't look like much of a 'team' when we where on the pitch. Player swill be clear on what is expected of them with a very clear game plan. This next couple of seasons I will be happy enough to pick up enough points to get us a european place, or to get some silverware - whether they are picked up against Man U or Burnley. Given what has been going on this past 4-5 seasons, some 'success' will suit me far more than 'nice' football.

I think it has been blown out of proportion a bit. He is defensively minded in the fact he has teams well organised and keep's it tight when out of possession. I am not against this, in fact I think you need to start with a solid base. He is definitely not cavalier, and again I don't mind this. He is no Roberto Martinez, but he is neither Sam Alladyce. Both of these managers failed at either end of the spectrum. I want to see a organised hard working team that win football matches first and worry about attractive football once winning has become more of a habit. On balance and prejudices aside, Benitez is probably the right manager for us at this moment in time.

don't think there is much room to rubbish Benitez's CV. Out of realistic and likely candidates for the Everton managers job at this moment in time, his trophy winning record was by far the best, and in the main most of his trophy's have come in teams that where punching above there weight at the time. I would have loved to have won any cup as recent as 7 years ago!!

https://www.goal.com/en/news/ancelotti-calls-richarlison-to-discuss-possible-real-madrid/12ywhj2lzi73p1jo8b8cfhrda2 Obviously, don't know how true this is, but think Ancelotti would be more than capable of sticking the knife in and raiding us of our better players.!!

He definitely not a shit player, but might be a bit from the school of Ballotelli. I don't think Rafa is particularly known for having patience with players who might have an 'attitude' problem. He is more of a 'pull your socks up or ship out' kind of manager, rather than arm around the shoulder type. Not sure that will work on Kean. like others said, good profit on him at the moment. Keep him here for 12months, then its a year less on his contract and his value could go down if he doesn't produce for us in the Prem like he produced for PSG in France. Like I said one in the hand.....

https://www.goodisonnews.com/2021/07/06/everton-set-for-bigger-fee-as-mino-raiola-involved-in-denzel-dumfries-talks/ "Dumfries will in total supposedly cost up to £21.4million, with only £12.8million going to the club, with the rest to Dumfries and Raiola" and all of a sudden I have just go off this transfer a bit!!! and if the lad did really well Raiola will want him moving again in a couple of years time!!! We have been mugged off plenty enough over the past few years.

I would snap their hand off at anything near £45m. We paid enough for him to start with, so a reasonable profit on a player who as done fook all for us as a team, in a market where player values are generally tumbling. He might go on to be a Worldie, but one in the hand is worth two in the bush as they say. £45M could go a fair way this summer.

That's the thing about opinions - every clown can have one. He is here now, no matter who likes it or not or what their opinions are on him. First hurdle will be signings - It will be really interesting to see who comes in this summer. As always, it will be a struggle to attracted established names (for reasonable wages). It will be interesting to see which way he directs Brands. I really hope its geared more towards exciting young players keen to work hard, and step up and prove themselves in the top end of the Premiership.

other areas can be developed and improved - but pace, you either have it or you don't, same goes for being two footed. Given the squad Man U have there must be a bit more to his game if he has been used in so many games. Utd have obviously 'upgraded' by spending £73M on Sancho. I would guess there would be no need for him to move either, so no real settling in period. At the right price I think he could be a nice addition to our squad.

I have been reading that Utd might be looking to off load Daniel James this transfer window. Still a youngster at 23 and with bags of experience. Fast as fook and can play left or right as he can use both feet. Great player to have in a counter attacking team. Something we need is speed out wide, and this lad is one of the fastest about. He is no slouch having featured in over 70 games for Man U over past two season as a 22/23 year old. He would not be a kings ransom (fee or wages) and still room for him to improve as just approaching 24.

It is good to see him back and I think I feel exactly the same - When he was on form last year, he was on another level. But I don't just see him suited to living in the North West of England. Maybe it will be a bit different this season with being allowed out and about and playing in front of a stadium of fans chanting your name. If he stays and plays like we know he can - great. If he moves on and we get a few quid in for him then I will not worry to much either as he is toward the end of his career. We do however need to be bringing in a creative player in his place if he does go this summer. I also wonder if being dump on by the Columbia National team may influence his focus on his club team.

He would definitely be 5th in line - but is on the books and if not loaned out again, then if he had to step up to the plate either on the bench or as a starter for a game or two if unlucky with injuries, he would be a option to use. I agree think a loan out would be better for him. But he is definitely a talent young CB that we have in the pipeline, so think he should be in the managers mind when spending on the squad. Is £50M spend on young CB best use of the budget available. Does Jarred have the potential to be the next Ben White?

I would think a lot would depend on movements out of the club. If Mina and/ or Holgate where to move on then would be room for a CB. If money no object and also looking to spend on other areas of the squad as well - then great, but like other have said don't think CB reinforcements is a high priority unless decent money coming in for the likes of Mina. Our £20M on Godfrey last summer was a bit of a surprise and with Jarred coming back - already have 5 capable CB's in the squad for Benitiez to assess. White/Godfrey partnership would be quite mouth watering - both like a dart out of defence with a ball. I love a CB who is capable of doing that. (as long as they can defend!!)

and Chelsea. https://www.goodisonnews.com/2021/07/02/thomas-tuchel-demands-chelsea-sign-everton-star-dominic-calvert-lewin/ although, I take every transfer rumour with a pinch of salt.

two spending billions are better than none. A very general rule - but it seem American owners want to make money out of football clubs and Russian billionaire want to spend their money on football clubs and try and win as much as they can!! My thought is Moshiri is the current owners face (with Usmanov in the wings). Not being a current shareholder Usmanov can legitimately pump his money in to the club with 'arms length' 'sponsorships' - if Usmanov was named shareholder then would be limits on this. All quite crafty really in order to allow more funds to be legitimacy put in to the club. If this was 10-15years ago before FFP, I have little doubt now that Usmanov would have just bought the club and done a Chelsea/Man City. I think this is the ultimate end goal - just taking a lot longer and more fiddly due to FFP rules. Its easy to criticise Moshiri that 'success' is not yet happening, But I am sure with around £500million of his money spent and a new stadium actually being build over the next 3 year he is just as frustrated as we are, if not more so. Given what he is doing for this club, I am inclined to give him a bit of leeway in being strong in his choice of manager this time around. A manager he was paying a kings ransom of £10M a year has just walked out on him. We should actually count our blessing really to have such committed owners who genuinely want us at the very top table of English and European football. All I can personally do is to get behind him, and if that means giving Rafa as fair as go at the job, the same as I gave Ancelotti and those before him I will do.

The proof of the pudding will be in the eating now. He is here and we just have to accept it - whether we like it or not. We can't be to hard on Benitez personal, he put his name in the hat and has landed a job he feels he can be successful at. After the interview process, he proved himself to the man who pays the bills that he is the best man for the job. I was against him to start with, he didn't even come in to my thinking for any of my 5 votes (due to redhsite blind bias against him), when he became favourite for job - I though 'no chance the club will never hire him once the fans backlash is vented' - so much so I instantly put £25 on Nuno when his odds shifted out!! (not as clever a move as I first thought), I had every confidence that the board would see sense and not go near him due to the divisive nature of his appointment. He is not a popular choice with many or most, but lets not kid ourselves he is a decent coach - you don't get his CV by chance. He is also proven and experienced at this level and the level we are aspiring too. We have had our fingers well and truly burnt with both Silva and Koenmen trying the next best thing with unproven managers, a steady pair of hands is probably what we need. From all I have read Benitez is a much better coach and tactician than Ancelloti, where as Ancelotti is a good man manager of very top players. Benitez will give the players much more direction in what he wants them to do on the pitch. I heard a sound bite that Ancelotti's instruction was often ' just go out and play' - great when you have Worldies, but not so much when you the player are not at the very very top level. Our problem will be the fans (and I include myself) simply getting over the fact that this is Rafa 'fucking' Benitez in the dugout. Whether we like it or not, the success or failure of Benitez's will actually be down to us actually giving him a fair crack at the whip and getting over our preconceived biases against him. I have heard he is a very nice chap who has done a lot of good work for the city of Liverpool, but on a professional side he is also ruthless in demanding the best effort and commitment out of both his players and employers. Perhaps this is why some clubs have shy in employing him - he has no qualms in holding owners to account if they are not doing all they can to bring success to the club. I have my fingers crossed that we all at least end up begrudgingly respecting him as he hopefully improved our club over then next few seasons. I am so tired of this manager merry go round!!