The Mail Bag
Transfers, Policy and Panic Buys?
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Last summer we were interested in signing Moutinho from Sporting Lisbon. He's their captain and playmaker and a Portuguese international. A creative player in the Scholes mould. The chase went on and on and eventually we never got him. However, it appeared Moyes had identified the fact we needed more creativity in the midfield and had players in mind to strengthen this department. If we couldn't get Moutinho, fair enough, shame but surely you move down your list onto the next player.
Instead, we got Fellaini. The two are like chalk and cheese. I've defended Fellaini before and this isn't a dig at him but a question as to why did we sign him? Moyes wanted Moutinho a creative central midfielder who could dictate the play. I haven't seen any of these qualities in Fellaini, he does more work trying to win the ball back and posing an aerial threat as opposed to playing killer balls.
So why waste time chasing a certain type of player and then sign a completely different type of player? If you can't afford the one you want, you find a similar player you can afford.
Apparently this summers transfer policy was drawn up in April, and we would be looking to sign "bright, young things" We were interested in Naughton, Elm and Senderos and one or two others. We never got any of them, although apparently funds were in place. The Lescott saga moved the goalposts as it dragged on and on. However, it meant effectively we should have had more money to spend, yet needed to sign one more player as a replacement.
Again our deals were done at the last minute and appears to be a case of "sell to buy" despite RE denying this. Once again our signings seemed to be the opposite to our transfer policy. Bily aside, Distin, Neill and Heitinga can hardly be called "bright, young things" I'm not going to name names of players we should have signed as it's pointless.
If BK is such a great negotiator why can't he attract the players Moyes wants. Surely the list of players he gives to the board are realistic targets, who he feels we could sign?
Peter Griffin, Posted 26/10/2009 at 05:15:36
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I’m assuming that the classy playmakers topping DM’s transfer wishlist (Riquleme! Moutinho! Defour!) have either rejected Everton as a worthy club for their talents, or simply cost too much.
Me? I’m wondering just what’s going to happen at White Hart Lane tomorrow night. But I’ll be there and hopefully something will happen to lift the gloom and doom on here which is getting seriously depressing.
The only thing that saved us in seasons past, and may save us this year, is having lots of versatile players. Even the Everton captain and stars do it, like Lescott at left back and Cahill at striker. (How I wish Jo could play left midfield right now.) Sorry, but having a roster full of players who can only play one position is a luxury available only to the wealthy.
As for Fellaini, come on guys, he was clearly brought in as a replacement for Carsley, not as a creator. There just weren’t any of those available. Still aren’t. But I think a healthy, mature Fellaini will be a tremendous force eventually.
But Ciaran has his points with versatility. Moyes does like his versatile players. But what I find frustrating is we all know what the weaknesses are in the team, but after 5 seasons, they are not all adressed. Right back might have been sorted with Neill or Heitinga. But this midfield enforcer and right winger hasn’t, and it is kinda frustrating.
But saying that, Moyes’ transfer record has been majorly very good, with likes of Jagielka, Cahill, Arteta etc, we can’t complain too much.
I believe he is aware of what his budget is, for player acquisitions and wages, and this is his strategy for dealing with it. It’s had to go to extremes due to the injury situation, with players like Hibbert (who many on here wouldn’t have as right back) having to fill in at left back and central defender.
Such versatility is useful in some players, but others really under perform when played in other roles — they’re not proving they’re versatile, merely being played out of position.
And a team of Nevilles and Jagielkas isn’t going to win much silverware I think.
One thing also, lads, is that we must all realise that he had a bad virus and lost lots of weight, then he has wisdom teeth trouble (any of you ever try running with sore wisdom teeth, never mind having to head a fucking football!!) and he was taking antibiotics for over 2 months!! A week of antibiotics can leave a lot of people feeling shitty but 2 months... come on.
He has had a terrible pre season and first part of the season with medical problems and still has not been our worst player. Fair play to the guy.
My point is, regardless of your budget, there is always players available in any given position. You may not be able to afford the one you want, but it’s the coaches job to work with the players and help them improve. We have lacked pace and creativity for years and it hasn’t been addressed.
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Krancjar was available for £3M... we paid £6M for Heitinga.
I don’t accept your assertion at all... nevermind the fact that you are mis-quoting me. I stated that some utility players are probably a necessity for the squad... We seem to buy them at every opportunity.
Isn’t it wonderful when hubris goes wrong all because your opponent can’t understand the point put in front of them.
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1 Posted 26/10/2009 at 14:26:23
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Having defended him before, and being of the opinion that he needs to have better players around him to shine, I’m getting quite perplexed by his unforced errors and basic mistakes.
The question you ask is a very fair aand pertinent question: Why was he bought? — because, if we were looking for a playmaker, he certainly wasn’t it!
As for Heitinga — completely perplexing one that... no pace, no positioning, defensively suspect but good passing.
I think the main problem with our transfer policy is the number of utility players we buy (and I include Heitinga in this)... It’s about time we bought specific players for specific positions and played them there. A couple of utility players may be a smart move for any squad, but buying them for first team players will not result in a balanced team.