Vintage

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...t-Phillips.html

Off to City according to the Daily mail.

Daily Mirror have linked us with Johnson. Nothing new really but here is the link:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/200...15875-20699824/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...mits-Moyes.html

This can be read a number of ways. Firstly is it bullshit? Did we ever have money in place to buy players and Moyes ,being a strong man, has stepped up to protect others from blame? Maybe what he's said is true and if so does that mean that we will have a lot more for transfers next year - will be interesting to see? Does this signal the end of our hopes for signing any new players? More than all of this what concerns me most is that he has still yet to sign a new contract.

I for one have grown bored of all the speculation coming to nothing but we all have to club behind the manager and the team now and quit the complaining. Would be interesting to hear other opinions.

A number of papers are claiming that Roy Keane has tabled a £6m bid for Leighton Baines.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport...icle1545318.ece

With no new signings to speak of and Pienaar out with a metatarsal break do we sell and try and bolster the squad in midfield and up front or do we keep the promising youngster for the future?

A few more bits of information regarding CSKA director general saying they are not in negotiations to sell or loan out Wagner Love to Everton.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3968764,00.html

Along with Marseille insisting that Cana is worth £20m, effectively killing any potential move, this is getting very disconcerting. I'd even take Smith right now.

How about this for clutching at straws.

http://www.football365.fr/la-une/article_2...ner-Love-.shtml

Translated:

According to several English media, Everton would have managed an agreement for the transfer of l' international attacker Brazilian Vagner Coils (24 years, CSKA Moscow). It s' acts to compensate for the departure of l' English Andrew Johnson in Fulham.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/g...ers/default.stm

As it says. Various papers today are confirming that we are about to complete a deal for the Brazilian CSKA Moscow Front man. Can anyone confirm this from their sunday paper as I cannot find it online. Scores on average every other game and is only 24. Could be a major boost to the squad.

Here's a youtube film so you can check out his skills.

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8...3947938,00.html

Right at the bottom in the And the Rest section.... It states that both Aston Villa and Everton have set their sights on signing Johnson. Quite a bit more movement in the transfer market now?

I'm hoping this is just smoke and mirrors to keep our real transfer targets out of the media. If not and this rumour has substance it signals to me a club with problems. How can anyone believe that Alan Smith will strengthen our team. He's not very good and he has a poor injury record. God Noooooooooooooooo.

I wouldn't want that horrible bastard at our club for any price, he's shit!

My sentiments exactly. I don't often post but if this gets even the slightest bit of credible evidence we must start a petition against this proposal. Only thing in our favour is that this rumour emanates from the Daily Star so probably has no truth behind it.

According to the Guardian there is a clause in Arshavin's contract stating he can leave for £10m:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/ju...russia.euro2008

If this is true we are still in with a shout. Only negative side is that he can probably demand a higher wage.

Got to agree with randomness regarding Pavlychenko. He looked quality - had great work effort, young and had a great engine and with a bit more time would improve his finishing. Don't want to side track though as we have not been linked with him.

Huuntelaar scored 4 today for Ajax against De Graaf..... Mind you they did win 8-1.

On the subject of huuntellar.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy was banging out 32 goals in 31 appearances for PSV 99-00 season. Huntelaar scored 31 goals in 51 appearances for Ajax 06-07 season and 25 goals in 24 appearances 05-06 season. Clearly the quality of the Ajax team and their opponents needs to be taken into account but his goal scoring records for the last 2 seasons suggest he is a fairly good player.

Anyone know if Manny has been included in the squad for tonight or if on the benhc?

He's not in the starting XI. He's not on the bench.

Another note of caution from DM's interview with sky sports after the wigan match. He stated that we would need a certain amount of money and a certain type of player before we would bring in another signing. I think the implication was that we aren't looking to buy anyone else.

http://www.skysports.com/video/0,20285,12606_2656717,00.html

Lets not forget that 05/06 was Everton's lowest goal scoring season ever. We have gone some way to rectifying this situation with the acquisition of Johnson. However, assists generally come from the midfield, hence we have a problem. Barton or either of the above players would do nicely but most importantly we need some creativity from somewhere Anywhere. Godamnit!!

I'd rather have Warren Barton. LOL.