The Mail Bag

Lockdown

As other clubs now start to make signings there is no still no sign that any activity is occuring at Everton to bring new players in or that Moyes will sign a new contract.

The club is clearly in a state of lockdown awaiting the outcome of the Destination Kirkby decision. This proves two things: firstly, that Ian Ross is incompetent or... ahem... worse and, secondly, that the DK decision is absolutely crucial to the club's immediate future.

I have said previously that most Blues will simply breath a sigh of relief if DK bites the dust, but clearly this will not be the case for the likes of Green and Earl. These two did not get rich by continuing to invest in a poorly performing asset and we could very quickly find oursleves in financial trouble if DK dies.

The one thing that really bothers me in all of this is that there are influential blues with more money then Bill Kenwright but none of them have come forward in the 18 months since Destination Kirkby was seriously promoted to offer to save the club from the horrors of Knowsley.

It really seems that we are the club no one wants which is very sad.

I stil think most Blues would now take their chances without Kirkby but it could be a very rocky ride indeed.

Finally, whatever happened to Madden and Dodd as, Destination Kirkby aside, I don't think anyone could doubt that there are serious problems with the way in which EFC is run at the moment?

New Kit

Has everyone who had pre-ordered recieved their new kit? My son hasn't recieved his yet despite the promise of getting it a day before the official release. This also happened last year when I recieved mine 2 days late!!!!!!!!!
Al Reddish, Stafford     Posted 23/07/2008 at 17:38:07   Comments

The future is bright...

...the future is Rodwell!

I don't know about the rest of you, but I WAS worried. No activity on the transfer front, only endless gossip generated by Agents. Then we have our 'big guns' absent for a variety of reasons from two friendly defeats.

So it was a nervous me that went to see the Preston friendly at Deepdale on Wednesday night.

Boy was I a chuffed Evertonian! What was basically a reserve side out played Preston. And it If I was a fan of that club I'd be deeply worried.

The stars of the match were not Jags and Lescott. But our 17 and 16 year olds notably Jack Rodwell and Jose Baxter.

One of my main worries this summer has been, How do we replace Harry Hill? Well, I would put Jack Rodwell in against Blackburn. Against Preston he barely put a foot wrong in either defence or attack. He looked a class above the Championship players he was facing.

Equally I doubt whether Jose Baxter would let us down in the Premier League. To coin a phrase by that Media football (Liverpool) Guru, Hansen. 'You won't win anything with kids'!

How true! Er but these two are ready for the first team. This Blue in particular thinks the future is bright.

As a footnote before the match, we had a trip around the National Football Museum. We were greeted by the surreal sight of the 1985 Cup Winners Cup final playing in what looked like Bob Paisley's chest.

Now that's a sense of humour!

Jose Baxter

Would anyone who was there last night, or anyone who has seen him play in the reserves or youth team, be kind enough to give me the low down on this guy. I did a quick google search and already found one story saying he is better than Rooney was, at that age.

Without this very obvious and somewhat tedious link, what has this guy got and how good is he?
Peter Laverty, London     Posted 23/07/2008 at 09:00:03   Comments

AJ - should he stay or should he go?

Why he should go:–

1. If all of our players are fit, we have 4 Premier League strikers. Yakubu partnerned by Cahill is an awesome partnership, and Vaughan and Anichebe should be by now ready to be 3rd and 4th choice.
2. Selling him would bring much needed cash
3. He lacks finishing power

1. He's one of the fastest player in the Premier League. Pace creates space.
2. In a 4-4-2, with proper passing CMs who can make quick through-balls, he could be a deadly striker.
3. Cahill and Vaughan are often injured.
4. Yakubu and Johnson can be a good partnership if only we have proper CMs

Sonic Youth

The Destination Kirkby decision, albeit delayed by the protracted shennanigans at the GONW, David Moyes's unsigned contractual offer, injuries to key players and those on extended leave following summer footballing commitments, and the apparent lack of transfer activity by Everton during pre-season has to many left a bitter taste in the mouth and a hollow feeling through the soul of most Evertonians.

Reasons to be cheerful? Well not seemingly so. However, one clear blue ray of optimism has been the exposure to first team action of many of the junior players in the ranks, and the subsequent blooding of the likes of Kissock, Rodwell, Irving, Molyneux, Baxter, Gosling and Agard.

Such a strategy many would quite rightly argue has been on a "needs must" basis as the state-of-the-art Halewood training complex has resembled a health farm more so than its name, Finch Farm, in recent weeks as the casualty list of absentees has worringly mounted.

Baz Rathbone and his team must be raking in the overtime in between visits to Australia to check upon Tiny Tim's crocked metatarsal. Since the halycon days of Wayne Rooney there has been a constant drip feed on the internet through forums and the like as to the next 'big' thing coming through the ranks at Everton. David Moyes has in the past been criticised in some quarters for not allowing the youth an opportunity, the harsh reality being that very few if any have the physical stature, tenacity and natural ability of Rooney to bypass the customary inductions of youth team football and the odd reserve appearance.

The situation under Moyes's tenure has also changed since Rooney burst onto the scene as a precocious 16 year old. We now have options and maybe Moyes has learnt his lesson on nurturing young prodigies. How many, if any, from the youth contingency will then make the grade following their flirtation with the 1st team during recent weeks is impossible to say but given the nucleus of players at his disposal and the fact that Rodwell has been given a squad number, Baxter continues to receive rave reviews straight out of school and Agard seems to have shaken the dissapointment of being released from Arsenal then the future bodes well.

Without looking to draw direct comparisons, who can forget the youth team players at Manchester United that went on to achieve such greatness, bursting on the scene together and dumbfounding the pundits and critics? There is a long way to go but also reasons to be cheerful.
Peter Laing, Liverpool     Posted 22/07/2008 at 22:01:28   Comments

Kilfoyle strikes again

Sadly, it seems that Liverpool Walton MP Peter Kilfoyle is not content with only writing an ill-informed letter to Baroness Andrews in support of Destination Kirkby.

I have heard from a Parliamentary source that he has also been lobbying other MPs based in neighbouring boroughs attempting to gain their support for the project alongside Knowsley South’s Eddie O’Hara and Knowsley North/Sefton East’s George Howarth.

Why is an MP actively seeking to relocate a business that brings in £9million per annum to the area out of his constituency?

To any of his constituents, it may well be worth contacting him for answers!

Website: PeterKilfoyle.com Email: kilfoylep@parliament.uk
James McRae, Merseyside     Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:39:09   Comments

Preston v Everton

Is there any explanation as to whether AJ is injured or has he been left out because he is about to leave? Its a shame but lets hope Moyes has a replacement lined up. On the plus side I expect positive things from Gosling tonight.

Everton: Iain Turner, Phil Neville, Nuno Valente, Jack Rodwell, Joleon Lescott, Phil Jagielka, Andy van der Meyde, Dan Gosling, Lukas Jutkiewicz, Kieran Agard, Jose Baxter. Subs: John Ruddy, Mikel Arteta, Eunan O'Kane, Lee Molyneux, Cory Sinnott, John Irving.
Ian Barker, Wrincheste     Posted 22/07/2008 at 19:24:41   Comments

Why?

Why is it that the Official Site is endlessly rolling out players and former staff to give the club such a publicity boost? First we get Neville with his 'the squad's got a lot of quality so we don't need that much improvement' and his 'when we get those guys back from injury they'll be like new signings' and who can forget the 'wow, we've been linked with signing Pele, Maradona and Maradona's pet alpaca called Dave — we really must be good'. Then we get given quotes from a string of managers, ex-players and chip shop owners saying how good Moyes' transfer dealings have been and then a host of squad players saying how optimistic they are for the season. Frankly it's odd.

Sure, there's sod all going on at the club at the moment and fans everywhere have let their FM gene kick in, but why do the club feel the need to do this? Is it about conning people into renewing their season tickets, forgetting about Kirkby (hah!) or ignoring the fact our boss hasn't committed to the future with some high profile jobs out there?

Normally the club doesn't give a flying fuck about what us the fans think. They don't normally care that we're clamouring for some quality signings, or that we want an improvement in the quality of football on the pitch. It just doesn't make sense. Is there some wrangling over money, concerns about the EGM or what? It can't just be about the offseason and slow news. Something just doesn't seem right to me.
Mark Wynne, Bury St Edmunds     Posted 22/07/2008 at 17:19:02   Comments

This season is all about making cash

This coming Premier League season is set up to be the most predictable ever.

The Top 4 will be the same as last year and all the newly promoted teams will be heading straight back down ( the weakest set of newly promoted teams ever)

The owners of all the teams in the middle know this and so this season will be all about making as much cash as possible — which explains the low transfer activity — a situation which suits us more so at Everton with the new ground and existing loans to finance.

I really hope I am wrong but we (and all the other mid table clubs) seem to be setting ourselves up for the most predictable and boring Premier League season ever.
Tim Oakley, London     Posted 22/07/2008 at 16:43:15   Comments

Taking a stand

Shareholders can have their say about Kirkby at the EGM but what about the rest of us?

Facebook............

I've set a profile up on there called Keep Everton Alive. This is purely a vehicle to swap ideas anyone has regarding a possible protest against the move.

If you are interested then please log on (creating a profile takes 2 minutes) and forward your ideas and suggestions.

It's getting sad that we are having to resort to these measures simply to protect the club but I think its time for action.
Gareth Humphreys, Formby     Posted 22/07/2008 at 14:46:51   Comments

The People's Club my arse!

I've never written in before but I do read the contributions on Toffeeweb with interest.

The main theme of many postings is frustration with the way the club is run. I know how hard it is to run businesses and feel some of the criticism is harsh - however every time the club deals with the media the PR is a total disaster.

This week the club website acknowledged that there had been a call from shareholders for an EGM. You expect any mature business to make a quote such as "the club always welcomes the chance to work with and answer the concerns of its shareholders and indeed all supporters and will ensure the meeting is arranged asap."

This approach at least gives the impression that management doesn't look down their noses at the 'simple' fans.

What have Everton carefully worded then? “The Club can confirm that on Friday we did receive a petition from shareholders,” said Mark Rowan, Head of Media and Communications.

“There will now be a process of authentication and validation of the names on petition against the share register. Once we ascertain the accuracy of the names then we have 21 days from receipt to announce a date for an EGM."

In other words, we woudn't rule out that these people are crooked and have fixed the application!

Pathetic from people that should really know better. However, I think it illustrates clearly the way Mr Wyness views the fans. The bids for players we have no chance of getting, the loan taken out days before the vote to buy a big name and the 'free' stadium and 'deal of the century' quote all show that there is a view at the top that the ordinary fans are at best naive and at worst dishonest.

Let's hope the authentication process validates things!
Mel Jackson, Warrington     Posted 22/07/2008 at 12:04:33   Comments

A Day Turns Into A Week!!!

According to todays Post, the Kirkby 'desicion' won't be made until next week. Odd that, as I thought the politicians are all on holiday for 11 weeks from this Wednesday, I may be wrong.

Anyway, just thought I'd throw this thread open for any wild theories, speculation, or 'my next door neigbours brother said that the reason was....' comments as to why this delay has occered.

My tuppence worth is perhaps the government are waiting for EFC to validate the EGM petition numbers, and if indeed an EGM is granted, it will indeed be 'called in'. However, this is pure speculation ion my behalf.
Lee Smith, Lowestoft     Posted 22/07/2008 at 10:35:09   Comments

Seven Subs

How will the new seven substitutes rule affect the game in general and of course mainly Everton?
Tony  Pickering, Wiltshire     Posted 22/07/2008 at 10:09:34   Comments

Best stadium atmosphere in the League

Just seen this poll. And we are leaving for a soulless dome...
Eddy  Elton, Liverpool     Posted 21/07/2008 at 23:35:46   Comments

World exclusive!

Here's a world exclusive of Andy van der Meyde in an Everton shirt actually doing something constructive.

I thought he was OK on Saturday, actually. Survived some pretty rough challenges. We were at our best when he was marauding up the right wing.
Jonathan Tasker, UK     Posted 21/07/2008 at 21:41:32   Comments

Is it all in the words?

I looked at this quote from David Moyes and wondered who exactly is he targetting it at:

“I’ve been telling everybody this all summer that the numbers are short and we have injuries which may or not be fit for the start of the Premier League – everybody is aware of that.”

• Is it the board? .... to get their fingers out and support him.
• Is it the supporters? To let then know its not his fault.
• Is it the media? so that his reputation is not damaged by the lack of signings going into the new season.

[Please don't turn this into another Kirkby thing .... this post is about Moyes and the squad!!]
Jay Harris, Liverpool     Posted 21/07/2008 at 16:25:59   Comments

Bored of the crap transfer rumours

Every spare minute I get at work I check the rumours pages to see who Everton are linked to. For weeks now I have been either bored or disappointed with the players linked. And when I say linked, I mean players we have a genuine chance of signing.

Does anyone really think we will get Moutinho, cause I have a feeling its just another smokescreen to cover up the EGM that has been called or the Kirkby decision. The boards are full of talk of possible players we will get when other things are being pushed out of sight and sound. Kenwright and Co are great at taking the limelight away from them.

And why, except for Moutinho, after consistent top 6 finishes are we still linked to the same crap as Sunderland, Celtic, Middlesbrough and other mediocre shite, we're far better than them! I think this is finally the year I grow disillusioned with the crap our club comes out with to counteract the bad press of Kirkby, Moyes not signing a new deal, the lack of transfer activity and the fact we are totally skint! We should have signed players weeks ago and given them a full pre-season work out.

I think we will sign some players before the start of the season, but no-one good enough to push us into the Sky 4, and we will do it the "Everton way" ie, slowly, drawn out and with the chance of some other team stealing in at the last minute.

But Moyes gets the best out of the players from the lower leagues, so I hope for another top 6 finish... and I will continue to dream of the top 4.
James Elliott, London     Posted 21/07/2008 at 15:34:01   Comments

Moutinho... or Arshavin?

Taken from the BBC website:

Zenit St Petersburg claim Tottenham have enquired about Russia star Andrei Arshavin and are ready to pay £15.9m, but Manchester City have not expressed an interest.

I read only this morning that Everton have been talking up an £18 million move for a little Portuguese wizard by the name of Moutinho.

Weren't we the ones that first noticed his undoubted talent and if we do have £18 million to spend on Moutinho, should we not at least test the water with a move for Arshavin?
Peter Laverty, london     Posted 21/07/2008 at 14:52:55   Comments

Squad Numbers

Just seen the latest squad numbers on the evertonfc.com website and couldn't help but ask a few questions:

1. Why has van der meyde still got 7!
2. No number 9 - Yakubu said he didn't want number 9 given but would rather earn it. Has he not earned it or has it been held back for a new centre-forward?
3. Number 1 also missing - does Howard not want it? Or prefer his usual?
4. Arteta given the number 10 is a good sign.
5. No number 11!

I couldn't help but feel that the list is seriously lacking a few more names needed to look the part. Moyes has stated that he needs 6. Squad numbers have long been a good indicator for clubs of what they should expect for the season ahead, but in Everton's I am not so sure. Will Andy VDM be a regular this year? Are we to sign a new centre forward? Am I wasting my 25 minute lunch break?

I won't doubt that we will sign a few players by the season kick off , most likely 3 crackers and 3 squad members. We will have to wait and see.
Jim Slade, Reading     Posted 21/07/2008 at 14:09:52   Comments