The Mail Bag
Neill for £750k???
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So the club has confirmed that they are seriously considering a bid of £750k for Lucas Neill.
I am the only one confused about this. Neill is a solid Premier League performer. He has hardly set the world alight since his arrival, but neither has he stank the place out.
He also offers cover across the whole back-line and without him this season could have been much worse (who would have played centre back in last 10 games??)
£750k, we might lose him fat end of season for nothing but what difference does £750k make in Premier League Football?
If we sanction this move, it makes me seriously wonder how fucked this club is? Are we that desperate for relative pennies?
I'm confused.
Fran Mitchell, Posted 13/01/2010 at 10:58:44
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I was just wondering if it was a blessing in disguise that we didn’t sign Kyle Naughton. Had we signed him, we may not have signed Heitinga (who was probably bought as a RB) but is proving to be very important while we have been short in midfield and at CB (the same goes for Neill).
It is also ironic that, in the Spurs game, it probably would have been Naughton who played instead of Coleman... which was the game Coleman showed us all what he was capable of, while I doubt Naughton even made the Spurs bench. On the other hand, Naughton may well prove to me the RB equivalent of Ashley Cole and win everything under the sun at Spurs, but I doubt it.
As it happens, we now have an abundance of right backs. So if you had to pick, who would be your first choice right back for the blues when all are fit and available?
Phil Neville, Age 33
Lucas Neill, Age 31
Tony Hibbert, Age 28
Seamus Coleman, Age 21
Dan Gosling, Age 19
I think Neville and Neill have possibly only got another year or two at the top so clearly Coleman and Gosling are the future and will probably end up playing in midfield, but my first choice RB would be Neville as I think it is his best position and I believe he needs to be in the team as his leadership as Captain is vital to the other players.
It’s a good job we got rid of Jacobson! He looked poor against Man City for Blackburn, let's hope Neville can show him how it's done...
Where have the club confirmed this?
Take the money and run. Neill is on the way out anyway at the end of the season on a freebie, and he was always a panic buy following injuries.
It would also seem that Neill wants to go to Turkey, so I don’t think this is a case of Everton having to sell out of desperation.
Neville can go centre half and perhaps Coleman might get a bit of a run at right back.
It would also seem that Neill wants to go to Turkey, so I don’t think this is a case of Everton having to sell out of desperation.
Neville can go centre half and perhaps Coleman might get a bit of a run at right back.
I think the player wants the move but Moyes wants to get Senderos in first, also Moyes said when Neill came to us that he would not have gone for him only he wanted back-up whilst Pip was injured. The other factor would be Neill's wages would be quite high considering he came on a free.
Neil has done ok for us but he’s in his 30s, he’s probably not first choice when everyone's back and again there's the wages, £2m for a bench warmer. Lastly, Heitinga is the better centre-back and together they're quite short.
Me thinks Moyes wants a) younger player and b) a left sided player to complement Jags
In: Senderos;
Ou : Neill
Not sure about Senderoos but part of Jags and Lescott was the clear right/left combo.
In: Senderos;
Ou : Neill
Not sure about Senderoos but part of Jags and Lescott was the clear right/left combo.
Possibles centre backs at Everton
Jags - not due back until February and may be March before he is at full pace again.
Yobo - at Afcon until the end of the month at least.
Heitinga - proving to be an outstanding acquisition as a no nonsense centre-half.
Distin - Out for at least another 2 weeks.
Duffy - Not ready for Prem yet
Neville - awful at centre back.
Hibbert - actually quite solid there in an emergency, but never first choice
Conlcusion. We can’t afford to let Neill go now, but in 3-4 weeks he will probably be surplus to requirements, especially with Coleman, Heitinga and Hibbert all ahead of him for right back.
If we can delay the move until the very end of the month it makes sense, but if it happens before then and we end up dropping 4 points as result of not having cover, it could cost us two places in the final prem table and that is not worth £750,000.
Jags - not due back until February and may be March before he is at full pace again.
Yobo - at Afcon until the end of the month at least.
Heitinga - proving to be an outstanding acquisition as a no nonsense centre-half.
Distin - Out for at least another 2 weeks.
Duffy - Not ready for Prem yet
Neville - awful at centre back.
Hibbert - actually quite solid there in an emergency, but never first choice
Conlcusion. We can’t afford to let Neill go now, but in 3-4 weeks he will probably be surplus to requirements, especially with Coleman, Heitinga and Hibbert all ahead of him for right back.
If we can delay the move until the very end of the month it makes sense, but if it happens before then and we end up dropping 4 points as result of not having cover, it could cost us two places in the final prem table and that is not worth £750,000.
When they’re all fit we’ve got five centre backs. I’d probably put Neill 5th on the list, so can see where it makes sense. The problem is two of the others are injured and one is in Africa so its wrong to sell.
Neill’s other position is right back, where we also have a surfeit of players. He’s done okay for us, nothing special, and we’ve needed him during this injury crisis, but if we had everyone fit it’d feel like money for nothing. If it funded somebody like Galindo (not that I know if he’s actually any good or not, but the signs are promising) I’d be happy.
Neill’s other position is right back, where we also have a surfeit of players. He’s done okay for us, nothing special, and we’ve needed him during this injury crisis, but if we had everyone fit it’d feel like money for nothing. If it funded somebody like Galindo (not that I know if he’s actually any good or not, but the signs are promising) I’d be happy.
Iain:
its not £2M, its £750-800k. If we got offered £2M that would be understandable. He is also 6’1", so is taller than Jags, Heitinga, Neville, Hibbert, Baines, and Coleman. This makes him our 3rd tallest defender.
I would also like to add I rate him highly. I think he would be our best right-back if played there. He is solid defensively and is the only right back we have who has proven to be able to cross well on a consistent basis. Obviously fitting in Neville into the first 11 until a suitable captain is found....personally I would like to see Jags as captain upon his return with Neville dropping to the bench.
Yes we make a profit on someone, but is it a worthwhile profit? £750k in today’s market will hardly get loan deal pushed through. If Baines gets injured, I would much rather have Neill at left back than anyone else at the club currently.
Also, with our woeful ability to actually sign players I believe if we sell him we will simply be 1 man down, while the club debt has a pointless £750k paid off.
its not £2M, its £750-800k. If we got offered £2M that would be understandable. He is also 6’1", so is taller than Jags, Heitinga, Neville, Hibbert, Baines, and Coleman. This makes him our 3rd tallest defender.
I would also like to add I rate him highly. I think he would be our best right-back if played there. He is solid defensively and is the only right back we have who has proven to be able to cross well on a consistent basis. Obviously fitting in Neville into the first 11 until a suitable captain is found....personally I would like to see Jags as captain upon his return with Neville dropping to the bench.
Yes we make a profit on someone, but is it a worthwhile profit? £750k in today’s market will hardly get loan deal pushed through. If Baines gets injured, I would much rather have Neill at left back than anyone else at the club currently.
Also, with our woeful ability to actually sign players I believe if we sell him we will simply be 1 man down, while the club debt has a pointless £750k paid off.
I’m with you Fran with rating him fairly highly and would be dissappointed if he left us. He is a very solid influential defender, captain of Australia who could be a very valuable member of our squad for the remainder of the season & perhaps next season too.
He certainly should be ahead of Hibbert at RB if no room for him at CB.
Sol Campbell has gone back to the Arse so maybe Arsene is prepering for Senderos to move on. However, I would wait to sell Neill at the end of the month.
Fran, according to some reports in the press, Moyes is after Matthew Kilgallon, from Sheff Utd, who was supposed to be wanted by Newcastle Utd but, when he found out that Everton were interested, he refused to speak to them, and a deal is reported to be in the offfering? As Kilgallon is out of contract in the summer.
Neil’s a mercenary and will probably leave. I’m not really concerned as it seems like a decent profit, and Moyes will only sanction it, I assume, if a replacement is in the pipeline. Probably Senderos on loan, who, I for one, would prefer; younger, more talented and greater commitment (which isn’t saying much!).
We are short of both money and centre backs and have to weigh up £750k against losing one of the very few centre backs we have at present.
If we can delay it until the end of the month then I would sell as he was only signed after Phil Neville got injured anyway.
If we can delay it until the end of the month then I would sell as he was only signed after Phil Neville got injured anyway.
Alasdair, you mention that faling two places in the league would cost more than £750k. This is true but you also need to take into account cashflow and the ability to realise the money in January rather than in the summer.
Also we dont know what DM has in store in terms of incoming defensive signings on a loan in the coming weeks. For me if we make 750 profit, help cashflow and sign a loan defender keeping the numbers the same then it makes sense.
Also we dont know what DM has in store in terms of incoming defensive signings on a loan in the coming weeks. For me if we make 750 profit, help cashflow and sign a loan defender keeping the numbers the same then it makes sense.
Let's sell him now and offer the money to City for Lescott. Let's face it, he's only worth that much. :)
Fran, the Aussie press reported that Neill was signing on for something in the region of $76,000 (Australian) – or around £43,000 - a week. Add his pay between now and the end of the season to the reported transfer fee and you’ll end up with a figure in the region of the £2 million that Iain suggested.
DM will only let him go if he has a replacement lined up - chances are it's Senderos on loan... which I think is a good bit of business.
The only other option is pairing Jags up with Killgallon again and if reports are right Sheff accepted £1.75M from Burnley to buy now, which means he would cost us a mill (once Niell goes) — which is a snip (he is quality and young), even though he would be free in the summer.
The only other option is pairing Jags up with Killgallon again and if reports are right Sheff accepted £1.75M from Burnley to buy now, which means he would cost us a mill (once Niell goes) — which is a snip (he is quality and young), even though he would be free in the summer.
Norman Merrill
first you say "According to some reports in the press", enough said really
Also, who did you say, Kil who oh that's right Kilgallon. I dont know if he’s any good, I know Neill is. I had never heard of Kilgallon before we were linked with him. I dont even know what position he plays, can he play left back? Right back? do you know?
Also, if he is going to us for free at end of season then keep Neill til end of season, lose him for free and get Kilgallon in then. We dont lose anything.
Senderos? seriously, will he be any help if Baines gets injured?
Things finally seem to be getting settled, why change that for a measly £750k.
Like I said, I dont expect us to but anyone so seeing it as simply losing a good player.
Also...he’s a mercenary.....find me a football player that isnt?
Our Hero big dunc demanded to be the clubs highest playing player...is he a mercenary?
King Louis wants a pay rise?
If we offered Tim Cahill a new contract with a pay cut would he take it, If Mikey Arteta got offered £80k a week at city you honestly think he’d reject it.
first you say "According to some reports in the press", enough said really
Also, who did you say, Kil who oh that's right Kilgallon. I dont know if he’s any good, I know Neill is. I had never heard of Kilgallon before we were linked with him. I dont even know what position he plays, can he play left back? Right back? do you know?
Also, if he is going to us for free at end of season then keep Neill til end of season, lose him for free and get Kilgallon in then. We dont lose anything.
Senderos? seriously, will he be any help if Baines gets injured?
Things finally seem to be getting settled, why change that for a measly £750k.
Like I said, I dont expect us to but anyone so seeing it as simply losing a good player.
Also...he’s a mercenary.....find me a football player that isnt?
Our Hero big dunc demanded to be the clubs highest playing player...is he a mercenary?
King Louis wants a pay rise?
If we offered Tim Cahill a new contract with a pay cut would he take it, If Mikey Arteta got offered £80k a week at city you honestly think he’d reject it.
Fellaini left the club he’s been with for years, that developed him to come to a team with less chance of silverware but more money.
Pienaar hasn't yet signed a new contract, probably a money thing. Jagielka wouldnt sign a new contract for Sheff Utd, we got him on the cheap and he got better wages.
I could go on, but the way people demonise certain players as to somehow justify other players as being better people. I dont particlary like any of them, even our boys as they earn £40-50k a week and non would walk the streets with the rest of us. FFS look at Phil Neville's house.
Unless Neill wants to go, I think we should keep him. I think he’s got better of late and I’d certainly trust him over Yobo who has been shocking.
Also I’ve heard Heitinga won’t be available for the Europa League this season so I don’t see the point of getting rid.
Are we so skint were desperate for a paltry £800,000??
Also I’ve heard Heitinga won’t be available for the Europa League this season so I don’t see the point of getting rid.
Are we so skint were desperate for a paltry £800,000??
I'd like it if our amazing chairman would sign some players, instead of letting MORE go. Then again, Senderos may come in, and Jags and Arteta will be just like new signings.
We don’t need a loan defender for the rest of the season.
In a month we will have Yobo, Jagielka, Heitinga and Distin as fit centre halves. What will do with Senderos or Kilgallon then? Neill will be surplus to requirements by then. Unfortunately not until then, so if that means we need to forgo the £750,000 potential income then so be it. We cannot buy anyone of any quality for £750,000 in January, so I don’t see why we are so desperate for the money.
If Kilgallon and Ledley are coming for nothing in the summer what do we need £750,000 for now??
If we can delay it until we have one more centre back available from our three that are out then still get the £750,000 then it makes sense. If not then we keep him until the summer.
In a month we will have Yobo, Jagielka, Heitinga and Distin as fit centre halves. What will do with Senderos or Kilgallon then? Neill will be surplus to requirements by then. Unfortunately not until then, so if that means we need to forgo the £750,000 potential income then so be it. We cannot buy anyone of any quality for £750,000 in January, so I don’t see why we are so desperate for the money.
If Kilgallon and Ledley are coming for nothing in the summer what do we need £750,000 for now??
If we can delay it until we have one more centre back available from our three that are out then still get the £750,000 then it makes sense. If not then we keep him until the summer.
If Neill is sold, it is pure stupidity. He has played a big part in keeping things steady at the back recently and has built up a good partnership with Heitinga. It is no coincidence we have looked more solid in Yobo’s absence. If he is sold who is gonna play!?
Yobo is a liability.
Distin is not fit.
Duffy is not ready.
Jagielka is not yet match fit and could not be properly until next season.
Being from Leeds, I can give you all the heads up on Killgallon as well... He is rubbish!
Senderos & Killgallon would be terrible signings. I really can’t see either ending up here.
Nice post Fran by the way. I totally agree.
It says something about Senderos, when Arsenal are struggling for cover at the back, they bring in a 35 year old Sol Campbell as cover, and are willing to let Senderos go.
This just about sums up the pathetic shit way this club ha snow become under the Kenwright era...fucking joke!
Good post Fran, I couldn’t agree more.
Good post Fran, I couldn’t agree more.
Not overly concerned about Neill. To be fair he has been fairly solid for us of late when we’ve needed it. I’d personally sell both Yobo and Distin ASAP.
Of more concern to me is today’s reported rumours of Chelsea sniffing around Fellaini and the reported quotes from his dad that he needs a bigger club. Cheeky bastard.
Fellaini is like a young Ballack and is now showing what some of us had no doubt he would. Having the height of Fellaini and Rodwell and the guile of Arteta, Pienaar and Billy (and even Osman) gives Everton a fabulous first choice midfield that I personally wouldnt swap for anyone else’s.
I guess in this still money-raped world of the EPL we’re fucked as to what if anything we can do to retain our players. But we’re currently is risky territory with Saha & Pienaar and the idea of Fellaini also getting itchy feet is hard to stomach.
And contrary to other observations, I think Shane Duffy is very close. I’d certainly start to risk him against teams outside the top 7. I mean, we’ve had to get by with Joe Yobo and Distin, both of whom have major flaws in concentration and ability.
Of more concern to me is today’s reported rumours of Chelsea sniffing around Fellaini and the reported quotes from his dad that he needs a bigger club. Cheeky bastard.
Fellaini is like a young Ballack and is now showing what some of us had no doubt he would. Having the height of Fellaini and Rodwell and the guile of Arteta, Pienaar and Billy (and even Osman) gives Everton a fabulous first choice midfield that I personally wouldnt swap for anyone else’s.
I guess in this still money-raped world of the EPL we’re fucked as to what if anything we can do to retain our players. But we’re currently is risky territory with Saha & Pienaar and the idea of Fellaini also getting itchy feet is hard to stomach.
And contrary to other observations, I think Shane Duffy is very close. I’d certainly start to risk him against teams outside the top 7. I mean, we’ve had to get by with Joe Yobo and Distin, both of whom have major flaws in concentration and ability.
Seems to me that some have short memories about Jags ability. He is a great stuck-in merchant but at the same time he is the master of the hoof ball.
Neill is our first centre-back in a long time who always looks to pass the ball forward along the ground.
Neill is our first centre-back in a long time who always looks to pass the ball forward along the ground.
Lucas Neill isn’t a great centre back, he is a good one. Yobo and Distin aren’t great centre backs and frankly come behind Neill in the reliability and quality stakes.
In the current climate I would think that off loading the latter would be more preferably as a Jags / Neill partnership would be far more solid that any other currently. Both experienced and good centre backs.
I doubt he would want to move being so close to the World Cup as his profile and fitness would be a key requirement for his selection and performance for Australia. Bare in mind too that he is a good and close friend of Tim Cahill, if we off loaded against his will I suspect Tim would not be very happy either and would be looking for a way out at the end of the season.
I think Neill has beeen a good shrewd investment and I would like to see him partner Jags. If Moyes can leave it alone for a few months he could then decide who he should let go. (Distin has to go before Neill surely??)
In the current climate I would think that off loading the latter would be more preferably as a Jags / Neill partnership would be far more solid that any other currently. Both experienced and good centre backs.
I doubt he would want to move being so close to the World Cup as his profile and fitness would be a key requirement for his selection and performance for Australia. Bare in mind too that he is a good and close friend of Tim Cahill, if we off loaded against his will I suspect Tim would not be very happy either and would be looking for a way out at the end of the season.
I think Neill has beeen a good shrewd investment and I would like to see him partner Jags. If Moyes can leave it alone for a few months he could then decide who he should let go. (Distin has to go before Neill surely??)
While I think we have greater concerns approaching (eg, holding onto Pienaar, Saha, Rodders and Felli), I would like to see us hold onto Lucas. The ongoing rumour of us signing Senderos doesn’t excite me at all.
As an Aussie I’m always pleased to see one of us play for Everton but I have also rated Neill for a long time. He offers versatility but also a calm head and skill. He is a footballer not a hoofball merchant.
All the rumours saying he is looking to link up with Kewell are off base. While he and Kewell would be friends he is very close to Cahill. They both played at Millwall together and are great friends off the pitch.
Let me put it this way I’m concerned if we need the money that badly and I think Neill is a class above the current version of Yobo and Distin.
The biggest concern I have is that Lucas may see Turkey as a safe option for his career. Galatasary have wanted him for over a year and would offer him more stability than is afforded to him by Everton. Fingers crossed we keep him and sell Yobo.
Fran, totaly agree on keeping Neill. IMO, his partnership with Heitinga has been the reason for no hoofball. We have been playing proper joined-up footie from the back which never happens with Yobo in the team. But we're talking about Everton here so I’m expecting the shot to the foot before the end of the month.
It’s a good deal and good business. We paid nothing, made nearly a million. Jags is just about back, Distin should be ready, Yobo will probably be back in no more than 2 weeks with Nigeria already losing. Heitinga has established himself in the center, not so much Neill. We have him a contract when he couldn’t get one, he did a good job for us, we make some money off him, and he gets a year extension on his contract and probably on better wages.
It’s a win win. He was never going to be here next season, and in a couple weeks time he would not be first choice, or second choice, or probably even third choice. Jags will be first, hopefully Heitinga his partner, then Distin and Yobo.
Neville first choice RB, then Hibbert or Coleman as 2nd or 3rd. It’s a little bit of extra money, no harm done. I’m upset we didn’t get this Galindo kid. If he turns out to be a star for Arsenal we will be kicking ourselves.
It’s a win win. He was never going to be here next season, and in a couple weeks time he would not be first choice, or second choice, or probably even third choice. Jags will be first, hopefully Heitinga his partner, then Distin and Yobo.
Neville first choice RB, then Hibbert or Coleman as 2nd or 3rd. It’s a little bit of extra money, no harm done. I’m upset we didn’t get this Galindo kid. If he turns out to be a star for Arsenal we will be kicking ourselves.
Sounds like a good deal to me - he was always fairly mediocre, and with Hibbert and arguably Coleman higher up the pecking order it made no sense keeping someone who was apparently on about £30k per week to sit on the bench.
It looks certain that Senderos is coming in now, given Sol Campbell has been given a short term contract at Arsenal. That’s a really good exchange of players and will improve us - I’d rather have Senderos as cover than Neill.
It looks certain that Senderos is coming in now, given Sol Campbell has been given a short term contract at Arsenal. That’s a really good exchange of players and will improve us - I’d rather have Senderos as cover than Neill.
Oh, and secondly, Neill isn’t and never has been a centre-half!
Sorry, I don't buy this mediocre business, he is far from mediocre. Considering fans have been moaning about our lack of creativity down the right, he is the one right back we have who can pass along the floor and cross.
All of a sudden, Hibbert is being modeled as a reason to let Neill go. For me Hibbo is a model as to why we need him. I don't overly dislike like Hibbo, but I wouldn't really mind if he never played for Everton again. I would like Neill to play for Everton again.
Also, what the fuck are we gonna do against City. I was confident about this game, now less so. Our defense has just been fucked over. Is Duffy gonna handle Tevez?
£800k, seriously, what is the point?
I don’t want Senderos under any circumstances, he’s fucking garbage.
When a player as poor as Beattie can absolutely destroy you, which he did at Goodison in February 2006, it shows how bad he is.
When a player as poor as Beattie can absolutely destroy you, which he did at Goodison in February 2006, it shows how bad he is.
Also, What if Baines gets injured? We have no-one. I would much rather have Neill at left-back than Neville.
Lee one guess where he represents his country as captain…..yep that would be centre half. I’ve watched him for years and I think he is just as good at centre half as right back. Not that it has much of an impact to us now.
For any of us who like to watch any Everton players or past in the World Cup do yourself a favour and watch Cahill and Neill play for Australia. Tim is typically himself for Australia he always gives 100% but something happens to Neill. Its as if he grows another leg he is superb at cb for the national team.
Going, going,....gone.
As of 0235 on 14/01/10, I cannot find any confirmation of this ’transfer’ on Everton or Galatasary’s website. So where is this confirmation you speak of Fran?
It’s on the Galatasaray website Stewart, in Turkish, but you can get the general gist of it.
Does this mean Jags is fit? I sure hope so because we have a couple more weeks without Yobo and Distin.
Represents good business for me. Get an old player in for free to do a good job whilst we need the cover and flog for 800k. Not much money in football terms but thats 800k out of the bag from nothing for an old player. Moyes wouldn’t sell unless he had backup. Maybe with Seamus Coleman stepping up to the plate, he feels he can shuffle the pack and have enough cover. IMWT..
It’s not just £800k, it’s the wages we’ll save too - which add up a fair bit too.
We have three right-backs at the club in Neville, Hibbert and Coleman. We have three centre-halves with a fourth certain to come in. We only have one real left back, but Neill wouldn’t be any sort of solution there anyway.
I don’t see what people are moaning about with the sale of Neill - a squad player at best who isn’t needed at a time when we need to free up our wage bill and increase our transfer budget by any means necessary, even if it’s just to support the wage requirements of loan signings.
Lucas Neill is not a top Premier League player by any stretch of the imagination - unbelievably, some of you are making him sound like the re-incarnation of Lothar Matthaus! Get a grip!
We have three right-backs at the club in Neville, Hibbert and Coleman. We have three centre-halves with a fourth certain to come in. We only have one real left back, but Neill wouldn’t be any sort of solution there anyway.
I don’t see what people are moaning about with the sale of Neill - a squad player at best who isn’t needed at a time when we need to free up our wage bill and increase our transfer budget by any means necessary, even if it’s just to support the wage requirements of loan signings.
Lucas Neill is not a top Premier League player by any stretch of the imagination - unbelievably, some of you are making him sound like the re-incarnation of Lothar Matthaus! Get a grip!
Lee Kidd I understand your point of view and respect it. However, he is a much better player than Hibbert and at least had the ability to pass the ball, instead of playing hoof ball all the time! It’s also sad to see how desperate we are for funds because we have obviously snapped their hands off for the dough! What bothers me is that we have gone ahead and sold him just before an important game with Man City.
Lee, I understand you point of view but can’t say I’m on the same page.
So we get the transfer money and save on his wages. Big woop. The transfer fee is pathetic and we still have lesser players like Hibbo and Yobo soacking up wages.
He may not have been top of the premier league but he is long way from being an ordinary player.
My concern is he was solid cover in a number of positions. Are we really happy to let him go without a replacement? If its Senderos my head will drop.
So we get the transfer money and save on his wages. Big woop. The transfer fee is pathetic and we still have lesser players like Hibbo and Yobo soacking up wages.
He may not have been top of the premier league but he is long way from being an ordinary player.
My concern is he was solid cover in a number of positions. Are we really happy to let him go without a replacement? If its Senderos my head will drop.
I agree that Neill is a really good player, but that is as a centre-back. As a full-back, he is too slow. Reminds me a bit of Alan Stubbs in that department. Heitinga came to his rescue in the last match as Arschavin went past him on the touchline. (But who can blame him?)
He has done a really good job for us, but as Jags is coming back, and Heitinga growing with each game, he may be surplus to requirements soon, as we already have a couple of others coming back from injuries soon.
Yes, we do make a profit when selling him. But £800k is not really a profit anyway... £5 million paid for Distin will never pay of if he doesn’t start to deliver soon. Cashing in on Distin would probably be more suitable for our economy. But then we just have Yobo as a tall centre back, as both Jags, Neill and Heitinga is the opposite.
As he probably wouldn’t be near the first team next season, this could well be a good time to sell, but I thought we had the whole month to do that. Why sell him now, just before the City-match? Couldn’t we have waited for two weeks and then do the business, when we have all the others back from injury?
As a right back I see Neville, Hibbert and Coleman ahead on him based on pace, witch is extremely important as a full-back. I could understand other teams playing slow full-backs against Everton, as we have nobody to run past them. But that is another problem. Is Heitinga by the way eligible to play in the Europa League now?
I’ve not had chance to read all the posts but I’m sure this has been mentioned by one or two. But to reiterate to the majority who seem to be missing the point.
The £750k is not the major figure of debate or the reason why Moyes would let Neill go. Allowance has to be made for the wages that Neill would have picked up between now and the end of the season.
Moyes and the club must consider a number of factors. The window dictates that there is only a short period of time that players can be off-loaded. Also off-loading players is not necessarily easy, so if an offer is received for a player that you would in the overall scheme of things be prepared to go without then those offers may need to be accepted.
They must also be considering that a number of players are due to come back from injury between now and the end of the season. This coupled with the emergence of Coleman means the defensive cover is maybe slightly better than they had thought and this could result in players like Neill sitting on the bench or in the stand at a cost of £30k a week.
There may also be someone in the pipeline that Moyes now has his eye on bringing in before the window closes as cover in other area (midfield being the obvious one).
Finally, one final thing that may not have been mentioned… Maybe Neill wanted to move. Who set up the deal?? Was it an agent working for Everton trying to offload players or was it Neill's agent trying to find him another club.
It could well be the case that Neill knows that he is there as short term cover and does not feature in Moyes long terms plans. By moving he could be ensuring that he plays as first choice in his preferred position ahead of the World Cup this summer
Fran, £2m was for the wages. and in todays game 6ft 1in as the taller CB ain't great.
It seems as if he’s gone now, through his own choice not ours. I would have prefered to have kept him but it’s not the worst thing that could have happened, and it does free up cash for an other's wages.
Make no bones about this, we will have a wage structure in place and probably would've had to lose someone in order to bring someone in; economics.
He joined us to keep his fitness levels up for the World Cup (and earn a few quid, too. I can’t imagine he came cheap). With Jags/Yobo coming back and, in my opinion, Heitinga having cemented his place in one of the CB berths, then at best LN was going to be a benchwarmer, unless something happened to Baines. If Gala can guarantee him a starting place each week, I can’t blame him for going. Sorry, to see him leave, though. I liked his attitude. He’s another good reason to be cheering on Oz as they beat England in the first knock-out stage of theWorld Cup.
Lee, your comments border on the idiotic. He is very much a centre back and a right back. He also has been one of the top performers in the EPL. Not to mention was wanted by Barcelona after the last World Cup.
This is a puzzling move. Firstly I can’t imagine Moyes would want to sell Neill and replace him with either Senderos or Killgallon who are both rubbish.
This is a puzzling move. Firstly I can’t imagine Moyes would want to sell Neill and replace him with either Senderos or Killgallon who are both rubbish.
Secondly, Neill is a better option at CB than Yobo or DIstin. It would surely make more sense to sell either of those. I do not rate Duffy so I can’t agree with suggestions of throwing him in. Jagielka is not fit.
Seems bizarre to mess with a side in form. Maybe we are in a worse shape financially than we thought. But then why the fuck waste £9m on Bily and £6m on Distin if that were the case?
When we signed him i thought he was a yard dog. Since then he has proved anything but. He is an excellent defender and also a good footballer who ALWAYS looks to pass the ball out of defence. We have just broken up a really good partnership that looked solid for the sake of £800k. I expect that Distin is now fit or this will be a terrible move
Probably (as mentioned) to do with balancing the books rather than talent or lack thereof. Our last financial report didn’t we make a operating loss of £7m?
In these belt tightening times, I suppose it’s a good deal, Neill must have been on over £30k a week, he refused to resign for the Hammers when offered a "paltry" £30k remember, and his wages will cover the wages of one top class (manny, manny, please, manny!) or a couple of scouted players without going further into debt. Timing is strange though, the way we usually drag deals out surely we could have stalled Galla for a week or two.
Who knows? But Surely we will be seeing a few ins and outs in the next two weeks and it’ll all make sense.
In these belt tightening times, I suppose it’s a good deal, Neill must have been on over £30k a week, he refused to resign for the Hammers when offered a "paltry" £30k remember, and his wages will cover the wages of one top class (manny, manny, please, manny!) or a couple of scouted players without going further into debt. Timing is strange though, the way we usually drag deals out surely we could have stalled Galla for a week or two.
Who knows? But Surely we will be seeing a few ins and outs in the next two weeks and it’ll all make sense.
I find it unbelievable that he is being let go. If it was for a few million then fair enough but for £750K, WTF?! He has been pretty solid for us at CB. Being Oz captain Im sure he is a good influence within the squad. The number of times Moyes crys that the squad is too small and now he does this. So what now, Osman at CB. Fucks sake.
If this is true then why hasn't the OS come out and said it? If this is true, I think we have really fucked up. We just haven't got the squad to be getting rid of players at the moment and if it's because we’re getting Senderos then we’re even bigger mugs than I thought. Lucas Neill or Senderos?! It's not even funny!
Look on the bright side Kieran, Osman may step into our clumsy ex-CB's boots vs Man C, but that £750k plus £30k+ saving must be enough to sort our Pienaar’s contract!
Ermmm
So who is playing along side Johnny on Saturday???
Breaking up the best CB partnership we have had all season for £750,000!!!
Unless Moyes is bringing in a player/loan today this makes no sense.
So who is playing along side Johnny on Saturday???
Breaking up the best CB partnership we have had all season for £750,000!!!
Unless Moyes is bringing in a player/loan today this makes no sense.
Got a point there, Andy! Get rid... haha! I know a lot of people dont rate Neil, I personally do and this doesn't make a lot of sense to me at this present time. Perhaps if we can keep hold until end of Jan then ok... but now?!
If we’ve got £750k for him, doesn’t that effectively mean that we’ve had his services for nothing for the first half of the season. That’s zilch, nada, nothing - for free, not a penny. That’s pretty good business by Moyes in my book.
Still not confirmed by Everton — I suppose the deal’s not done until the club get the cash.
I’m not sure if Senderos is really the man for us, or rather Everton may not be the club for him — he’s after first team football & is he really going to be certain to get that once we have more centre backs available?
Is Michael Ball still out of contract?
No great loss.
Hibbert, Neville, Duffy can all slot in until Distin, Yobo, Jagielka are back.
£750k for someone who in 4 weeks probably will be playing his games with stiffs on more than £35k per week? No brainer for me.
Hibbert, Neville, Duffy can all slot in until Distin, Yobo, Jagielka are back.
£750k for someone who in 4 weeks probably will be playing his games with stiffs on more than £35k per week? No brainer for me.
Yeah great idea to play Hibbert, Neville or Duffy at CB against Tevez Gareth.
The transfer has started to make a little more sense. Frank Rijkaard is the manager at Galatasaray which I didn’t realise was the case. He tried to sign Neill for Barca after the last world cup so is obviously a fan. Still I don’t see how this benefits Everton at all in the current circumstances.
The transfer has started to make a little more sense. Frank Rijkaard is the manager at Galatasaray which I didn’t realise was the case. He tried to sign Neill for Barca after the last world cup so is obviously a fan. Still I don’t see how this benefits Everton at all in the current circumstances.
From BBC website :
"Australian Associated Press reported that Neill said: "I’m delighted to have signed with Galatasaray and play for a big club with big ambitions in Europe." "
Hmmmm.... a little parting shot there is it?
"Australian Associated Press reported that Neill said: "I’m delighted to have signed with Galatasaray and play for a big club with big ambitions in Europe." "
Hmmmm.... a little parting shot there is it?
James - I see where you are coming from - Tevez fast direct and robust. A bit like Arshavin then and Neill had him in his arse pocket all game didn’t he?
Nah, Lee. He was on SSN earlier on on the phone - had nothing but good words to say about us.
By the way, James Stewart, you’re the idiot mate. I’ll say it again - three right backs, four centre halves already at the club, so we’ve just got a cash fee for a benchwarmer in his 30’s whose contract was up in the summer. Great business by Everton.
By the way, James Stewart, you’re the idiot mate. I’ll say it again - three right backs, four centre halves already at the club, so we’ve just got a cash fee for a benchwarmer in his 30’s whose contract was up in the summer. Great business by Everton.
Cheers for that Lee, that’s good to know. I’m stuck in an office in Rotterdam away from a tv at the moment so didn’t see that :)
Lee you can go on about right backs all day long but Neill isn’t a right back so I’ll ignore the "3 right backs" bit. Who are these available "4 centre backs"?
I count one currently available. Hardly great business by Everton is it if we have no one to play next game.
Gareth, I wouldn’t say Tevez is anything like Arshavin... no. I detect a hint of sarcasm there. Neill performed well against Arsenal so I’m not sure where you are going with that.
I count one currently available. Hardly great business by Everton is it if we have no one to play next game.
Gareth, I wouldn’t say Tevez is anything like Arshavin... no. I detect a hint of sarcasm there. Neill performed well against Arsenal so I’m not sure where you are going with that.
what a joke that we’ve accepted such as low bid. Okay his contracts up in the summer, but I’d rather keep him until the end of the season and let him go for free than make 750k for him. We need him at the moment with Jags still out, Yobo at the African Nations Cup and Distin with a dodgy hamstring. What happens if we Heitinga gets injured or Distin aggravates his injury?
We’ve got some really tough games coming up and I don’t think Moyes is wise to be letting a fit centre back go at the moment and risk us being short in defence for games like the derby. Okay, Neill may want to leave, but all Moyes had to do is say; stay until the end of the season and then go and that way we’ll have Jags back then and Neill wouldn’t get a game then anyway.
We’ve got some really tough games coming up and I don’t think Moyes is wise to be letting a fit centre back go at the moment and risk us being short in defence for games like the derby. Okay, Neill may want to leave, but all Moyes had to do is say; stay until the end of the season and then go and that way we’ll have Jags back then and Neill wouldn’t get a game then anyway.
And if we’re seriously selling him to bring in Senderos, that really says it all. Senderos and Yobo, a catastrophe waiting to happen.
My thought exactly Anthony. Hell we will be bidding for
Titus Bramble next!
Titus Bramble next!
James, apart from getting done big time on the wing for pace only for Heitinga to bale him out. Probably what he would have been up against on Saturday.
James, so he was a right back at Blackburn exclusively for five years, then at West Ham? Or am I living in a parallel universe where that didn’t happen.
He’s a damn right back, who can be shoehorned into centre-half out of desperation.
He’s also a 31 year old who had months to run on his contract who we have made a profit on to the point where we have basically had a player on the pitch for free for the first part of this season.
I didn’t say we had four centre-halves available, I said at the club. We’re also going to have another coming in. Personally, I can cope with seeing Shane Duffy come in for one game if need be, if that means Everton have saved themselves well in excess of £1m on a benchwarmer for the rest of the year. Or even Marouane Fellaini actually.
He’s a damn right back, who can be shoehorned into centre-half out of desperation.
He’s also a 31 year old who had months to run on his contract who we have made a profit on to the point where we have basically had a player on the pitch for free for the first part of this season.
I didn’t say we had four centre-halves available, I said at the club. We’re also going to have another coming in. Personally, I can cope with seeing Shane Duffy come in for one game if need be, if that means Everton have saved themselves well in excess of £1m on a benchwarmer for the rest of the year. Or even Marouane Fellaini actually.
People are so fickle on this website! Neill and Heitinga were lauded on here after the Arsenal match now he is leaving its suddenly changed to "getting done big time".
Both CB’s were excellent against Arsenal.
Lee, we will just have to leave it at that I think our opinions are just very different. I fail to see any benefit in selling Neill while keeping Distin and Yobo. Both inferior cover in my opinion to Neill. Distin is even older than Neill! Or perhaps your just excited at the prospect of Senderos as a replacement.
Both CB’s were excellent against Arsenal.
Lee, we will just have to leave it at that I think our opinions are just very different. I fail to see any benefit in selling Neill while keeping Distin and Yobo. Both inferior cover in my opinion to Neill. Distin is even older than Neill! Or perhaps your just excited at the prospect of Senderos as a replacement.
James, I’m not fickle and have never lauded him, hence my opinion that it is a good deal.
No one can deny he was done - its there on film for all to see.
No one can deny he was done - its there on film for all to see.
He was also inches away from stopping the last Arsenal goal and made many impressive blocks/tackles. His best quality however was his ability to pass it on the ground out of defense. A concept none of our other defenders can seem to grasp. Heitinga aside.
He did get beaten for pace by Arshavin once if thats the incident your referring too. Not like Hibbert or Yobo ever get skinned is it!
He did get beaten for pace by Arshavin once if thats the incident your referring too. Not like Hibbert or Yobo ever get skinned is it!
More money for billy bull west end shows!!
Moyes took him when nobody would touch him with a barge pole, he sat round on his arse taking wages for weeks and weeks, his attempts to get fit were insulting to all blues. When he did finally break in — injuries meant there was no one else — we conceded 3 per game, many of them were directly attributable to him.
He did improve but even in his best games we concede goals at an alarming rate. I think we only won one Prem game with him in the team.
Having robbed Everton of wages for months, he then has the effrontery to say he was going to a "Massive club with European ambitions".
In EFC’S long long history, few players could have had a worse points per appearance record than him. At least Glen Keeley didn't cost us a million quid in wages
Evertons worst ever signing? He just has to be up there...
He did improve but even in his best games we concede goals at an alarming rate. I think we only won one Prem game with him in the team.
Having robbed Everton of wages for months, he then has the effrontery to say he was going to a "Massive club with European ambitions".
In EFC’S long long history, few players could have had a worse points per appearance record than him. At least Glen Keeley didn't cost us a million quid in wages
Evertons worst ever signing? He just has to be up there...
We have a game on Saturday, we have one centre half... and people are happy about this? I really don't get it. Why the fuck do you care if the club's cash-flow is improved slightly?
I care about the team I am going to spend my money on watching pay a top-class team this Saturday. In one move, that team is now weaker than the one that played Arsenal last weekend. If we had already signed someone that’d be fine, but we haven’t and I don't expect us to do so.
Senderos, Kilgallon? seriously, are you the same fans demanding we challenge for European places and silverware, and you are happy with us signing these players. Really? I don't expect us to sign them anyway.
Also, if you think we saved £2mil then how is this. OK we save money on wages, but by your logic we are going to sign someone either on loan (Senderos) or permanently (Kilgallon), so we dont save £2mil, as they earn wages too you know.
If we do save £2 mil, then its becasue we have weakened our team. I’d rather have a better squad than a weaker one.
All this we have x many, he’d be on bench.... excuse me, but I thought we wanted to compete in FA Cup, League and Europa. That means we need a big squad, something we don't have.
What if we have another injury crisis? What if the big Fella gets injured and we need Neville in centre mid.
Jags wont be ready till next season. Distin has a hamstring injury, which is very unpredictable, Hibbo has been in and out with injuries. Coleman looks impressive but is young.
An absolute retarded decision by the club, and according to Neill he was happy and didn't instigate a move, so Everton could easily have rebuffed Galatasary.
Yes he was signed due to Nev's injury. BUT if I remember rightly, in August people were going mad on here at the lack of signings. So is our squad big enough all of a sudden? Have Hibbert and Neville all of a sudden became top-class defenders capable of passing along the floor?
Duffy, oh that 17/18-year-old who's never played in the Premier League before... he sounds reliable. Sorry but this is seriously retarded.
Also, "he got beaten for pace"... oh that's right, I always remember Neville and Hibbert being regarded as speed demons. Same for Jags, he’s like the flash, isn't he.
And I’ll say it again: our squad is now weaker, so how is it a good move?
I care about the team I am going to spend my money on watching pay a top-class team this Saturday. In one move, that team is now weaker than the one that played Arsenal last weekend. If we had already signed someone that’d be fine, but we haven’t and I don't expect us to do so.
Senderos, Kilgallon? seriously, are you the same fans demanding we challenge for European places and silverware, and you are happy with us signing these players. Really? I don't expect us to sign them anyway.
Also, if you think we saved £2mil then how is this. OK we save money on wages, but by your logic we are going to sign someone either on loan (Senderos) or permanently (Kilgallon), so we dont save £2mil, as they earn wages too you know.
If we do save £2 mil, then its becasue we have weakened our team. I’d rather have a better squad than a weaker one.
All this we have x many, he’d be on bench.... excuse me, but I thought we wanted to compete in FA Cup, League and Europa. That means we need a big squad, something we don't have.
What if we have another injury crisis? What if the big Fella gets injured and we need Neville in centre mid.
Jags wont be ready till next season. Distin has a hamstring injury, which is very unpredictable, Hibbo has been in and out with injuries. Coleman looks impressive but is young.
An absolute retarded decision by the club, and according to Neill he was happy and didn't instigate a move, so Everton could easily have rebuffed Galatasary.
Yes he was signed due to Nev's injury. BUT if I remember rightly, in August people were going mad on here at the lack of signings. So is our squad big enough all of a sudden? Have Hibbert and Neville all of a sudden became top-class defenders capable of passing along the floor?
Duffy, oh that 17/18-year-old who's never played in the Premier League before... he sounds reliable. Sorry but this is seriously retarded.
Also, "he got beaten for pace"... oh that's right, I always remember Neville and Hibbert being regarded as speed demons. Same for Jags, he’s like the flash, isn't he.
And I’ll say it again: our squad is now weaker, so how is it a good move?
All I care about is football. £750k is hardly gonna improve our financial prospects in the long run. So either the club is seriously fucked as I first mentioned and we need to save every penny, or the club is simply stupid. Either way, this is not good for Everton Football Club.
Dave Wilson, so you directly attribute our poor form to Lucas Neill? Not the fact Phil Neville was woeful up until his injury? Not Tim Cahill's woeful performances? Not Jo’s inability to play football? Not Yobo’s below-par form? Not Baines’s woeful form? Nothing to do with injuries to Jags, Arteta, Pienaar, Yakubu?
Maybe we could turn that arguement around: Without Neill at home we lose against Arsenal 6-1; away, with him, we draw 2-2... so single-handedly he improved our attack by 100% and our defense by 300%.
Maybe we could turn that arguement around: Without Neill at home we lose against Arsenal 6-1; away, with him, we draw 2-2... so single-handedly he improved our attack by 100% and our defense by 300%.
Well said Fran Mitchell, you’ve basically written exactly what I feel.
I’ve said it before somewhere further up but I’ll say it again: we just haven't got a big enough squad to be getting rid of anyone at the moment — let alone one of our better players... and also someone who can play all across the back line. If he does go, it is just retarded.
Fran, you articulated by precise feelings regarding the Neill fiasco perfectly, thank you!
Don’t bother reading Dave Wilson’s posts/comments — I stopped long ago. He’d have a back four made up of Hibbert & his offspring if he could!
Don’t bother reading Dave Wilson’s posts/comments — I stopped long ago. He’d have a back four made up of Hibbert & his offspring if he could!
No Fran, it wasn't all down to Neill, but he hardly covered himself in glory. By the time we played at the Emirates the whole team had improved, even there Neill was our weekest link.
I can't change the facts, with him in the team we scored two against Spurs, Arsenal, Bolton, Hull, we even got three against Chelsea but we didn't win any of those games, look what happened when he was finally dropped at West Ham?
The fact is, we generally needed to score 3-4 to win when Neill was playing... All down to him? Well it wasn't like that before he came and I’ll bet it won't be like that when he’s gone so draw your own conclusions.
I’m just sticking to the facts, Fran.
I can't change the facts, with him in the team we scored two against Spurs, Arsenal, Bolton, Hull, we even got three against Chelsea but we didn't win any of those games, look what happened when he was finally dropped at West Ham?
The fact is, we generally needed to score 3-4 to win when Neill was playing... All down to him? Well it wasn't like that before he came and I’ll bet it won't be like that when he’s gone so draw your own conclusions.
I’m just sticking to the facts, Fran.
On OS now. he was shocked to move but he is still available for the Man City match.
Still cant believe it. Ridiculous decision
Still cant believe it. Ridiculous decision
Hibbert wouldn't get into my starting 11, I only disproved the shite people made up about him... remember?
If you want to dispute anything I said, go ahead, that would be far more helpful to the thread than making stupid comments.
If you want to dispute anything I said, go ahead, that would be far more helpful to the thread than making stupid comments.
He’s available for the City game, meaning we’ll make do with him for that and have a proper centre half in for the game after that.
Yep so on official site now. Such a stupid mistake. I hope he plays against Man City, plays a blinder, scores the winner and shows everyone just what we’re going to be missing, may fuck up the progress we’ve been making recently.
Heitinga has started to look comfortable and a very good player and now we’re going to throw another defensive partner in for him, unless Jagielka makes a mysteriously quick recovery that requires him to not need game time to get him up to speed first.
We’re fucked because Yobo is useless and Distin will also need to not be rushed back, but I'm sure we’ll be told that Hibbert has played very well there when needed and will do again??!!
Either that or we’ll sign that quality defender Senderos that will make things all ok again! I'm quite pissed off to be honest!!
OS confirmation. Fran, don’t get too worked up, Neill is available to play Saturday and then goes to Turkey.
Had to admit, thought it a little stupid to leave ourselves short at the weekend, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. With our next Prem game not until Jan 27, when Distin (already back in training) should be available and Yobo will be back (or on his way if Nigeria make semis or beyond), we should, barring more misfortune be well covered.
I thought Neill played well on Saturday, and has been decent for us, but he is no better than Distin or Yobo 1 all 3 are decent, experienced centre halfs. Jagielka & Heitinga is the thought occupying most Evertonians' minds with regard to the defence, and I don’t buy all this about height — both are 6ft, and have a 6ft 4in Belgian covering them.
Jags will not be back until mid- to end-February, I would think. I would hope we are in a position where he will be able to be used sparingly, but don’t go thinking he won’t be ready till next season. He will make a fourth choice available.
With all the facts now digested, it seems we’ve made ourselves a decent amount of money, all profit lest we forget, and lost a player in the most covered area of the park. I will be confused if we bring in a defender, and pleasantly surprised if an attacking option is brought in.
Had to admit, thought it a little stupid to leave ourselves short at the weekend, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. With our next Prem game not until Jan 27, when Distin (already back in training) should be available and Yobo will be back (or on his way if Nigeria make semis or beyond), we should, barring more misfortune be well covered.
I thought Neill played well on Saturday, and has been decent for us, but he is no better than Distin or Yobo 1 all 3 are decent, experienced centre halfs. Jagielka & Heitinga is the thought occupying most Evertonians' minds with regard to the defence, and I don’t buy all this about height — both are 6ft, and have a 6ft 4in Belgian covering them.
Jags will not be back until mid- to end-February, I would think. I would hope we are in a position where he will be able to be used sparingly, but don’t go thinking he won’t be ready till next season. He will make a fourth choice available.
With all the facts now digested, it seems we’ve made ourselves a decent amount of money, all profit lest we forget, and lost a player in the most covered area of the park. I will be confused if we bring in a defender, and pleasantly surprised if an attacking option is brought in.
I have long since given up trying to understand Everton’s transfer policy...both in and out ..but mainly out. I have tried to understand it since the selling of Alan Ball all those years ago but to no avail.
Neill was not a player for the long term obviously but in my view he was just starting to make a very useful contribution at a time when the club needed every hand to the pumps. His presence for the rest of the season, even if only as backup for a returned Jagielka or as cover at right-back would have been very useful.
The fact that he was surprised at the move obviously means he didn’t ask for it nor probably wanted it. If the move was sanctioned in order to make a quick £750k from zilch outlay then we can only conclude that (whilst it may be a large amount of dosh for us ordinary folk) the club must be in dire straits if it needed that paltry payout (in Premier League terms) I just do not understand it. We could rue the day if Jag’s comeback is protracted, Yobo gets injured in Africa or we have to depend on good old Tony H!
Neill was not a player for the long term obviously but in my view he was just starting to make a very useful contribution at a time when the club needed every hand to the pumps. His presence for the rest of the season, even if only as backup for a returned Jagielka or as cover at right-back would have been very useful.
The fact that he was surprised at the move obviously means he didn’t ask for it nor probably wanted it. If the move was sanctioned in order to make a quick £750k from zilch outlay then we can only conclude that (whilst it may be a large amount of dosh for us ordinary folk) the club must be in dire straits if it needed that paltry payout (in Premier League terms) I just do not understand it. We could rue the day if Jag’s comeback is protracted, Yobo gets injured in Africa or we have to depend on good old Tony H!
I think the structure of the deal reveals that we are unlikely to bring a central defender in.
Neill has not been allowed to complete the move until after this weekend’s game, indicating that he will play alongside Heitinga against City.
By next weekend’s cup match against Birmingham he will be gone, but Kilgallon or Senderos would both be cup tied, so the starting two will be Heitinga and Distin. That will be our two until Yobo and Jagielka come back and we have our four.
Neill has not been allowed to complete the move until after this weekend’s game, indicating that he will play alongside Heitinga against City.
By next weekend’s cup match against Birmingham he will be gone, but Kilgallon or Senderos would both be cup tied, so the starting two will be Heitinga and Distin. That will be our two until Yobo and Jagielka come back and we have our four.
Ok, good news that we have him for Saturday (not that I’m particulary fond of having a player in the team who has no affiliation with the club... Is he gonna risk injury for a club he he has no future with? Will he be totally focussed?)
However, I’m still bemused... His versatility, the style of football he played, leadership qualities and his ability gave reason to keep him. At 31, he’ll still have 2 years left in him. Our squad is small, and I’m sorry I have not bought into this "Hibbert is a good player" bullshit thats been fed over the last month or so. Every cross still hits dogs in Stanley Park more than any attacker's head.
I don't bash him game after game, I’m not a fan of scapegoating individuals, but Neill is a better player than Hibbert so I’d rather have Neill in the team.
The one time he played right back, he set up 1 (maybe 2) goals from crosses. Hibbo does it once a season.
Neville is ok and his leadership is good and important, but is still a key part of the hoofball style of football, even when he was a Utd he resorted to hoofball, so it ain't the manager, it's the player.
Who offers competition now? We have Distin and Heitinga. There is no pressure on either of them until Yobo returns. Even then we are assuming none will get injuries.
Jags will not be his usual self until next season... IF he returns to his usual self, injuries such has his make it no guarentee, especially if he has lost some of the little pace he did have.
I still think its a bad move, I think it has weakened our squad, we have a potentially another 30 or so games to play... hopefully.
However, I’m still bemused... His versatility, the style of football he played, leadership qualities and his ability gave reason to keep him. At 31, he’ll still have 2 years left in him. Our squad is small, and I’m sorry I have not bought into this "Hibbert is a good player" bullshit thats been fed over the last month or so. Every cross still hits dogs in Stanley Park more than any attacker's head.
I don't bash him game after game, I’m not a fan of scapegoating individuals, but Neill is a better player than Hibbert so I’d rather have Neill in the team.
The one time he played right back, he set up 1 (maybe 2) goals from crosses. Hibbo does it once a season.
Neville is ok and his leadership is good and important, but is still a key part of the hoofball style of football, even when he was a Utd he resorted to hoofball, so it ain't the manager, it's the player.
Who offers competition now? We have Distin and Heitinga. There is no pressure on either of them until Yobo returns. Even then we are assuming none will get injuries.
Jags will not be his usual self until next season... IF he returns to his usual self, injuries such has his make it no guarentee, especially if he has lost some of the little pace he did have.
I still think its a bad move, I think it has weakened our squad, we have a potentially another 30 or so games to play... hopefully.
What are the chances he plays on Saturday, gets a really bad injury, the Turks pull the plug on the deal and we are left paying his wages until June as he sits on the physio’s table getting his groin rubbed by Baz .......
I would be very surprised if he played on Saturday....mind you nothing Everton do surprises me !!!
Why do I have to log-in every time I post anything? I only logged-in half an hour ago for my previous post.
Why do I have to log-in every time I post anything? I only logged-in half an hour ago for my previous post.
It has now been confirmed on the OS, Neill leaves for Galatasary following the game with Citeh at the weekend.
http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/neill-shock-at-switch.html
Good news is we might have another defender available now that Distin is back in training.
http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/neill-shock-at-switch.html
Good news is we might have another defender available now that Distin is back in training.
Dave Wilson you’re on glue mate. Ask yourself the question who would have been CB or RB for all the games Neill has played there?
Answer... Hibbert? Baines? Cahill? Saha!
He has done a job for us in what has been a very difucult few months, and to slag him off is stupid.
Good luck to the lad and I hope there are more who think like me and give him the applause he deserves on Saturday.
Answer... Hibbert? Baines? Cahill? Saha!
He has done a job for us in what has been a very difucult few months, and to slag him off is stupid.
Good luck to the lad and I hope there are more who think like me and give him the applause he deserves on Saturday.
Fran
Sorry but what you say just isn't true,
1: Neill played several times at right back - and was slaughtered
2: These crosses Neiil made you talk about, sorry they didn't happen, EFC have not scored a goal from a Neill cross, he did get tenuous claims of assists after knocking balls — one from his own half — to Saha + Fella at Bolton, but they both had an awful lot to do after his passes
3: I don't buy Hibbo's a good player either, but, despite being moved around the back four all season we have scored more from his crosses this season than we have from Neiil's.
They might not suit our argument but can we just stick with the facts, please.
Sorry but what you say just isn't true,
1: Neill played several times at right back - and was slaughtered
2: These crosses Neiil made you talk about, sorry they didn't happen, EFC have not scored a goal from a Neill cross, he did get tenuous claims of assists after knocking balls — one from his own half — to Saha + Fella at Bolton, but they both had an awful lot to do after his passes
3: I don't buy Hibbo's a good player either, but, despite being moved around the back four all season we have scored more from his crosses this season than we have from Neiil's.
They might not suit our argument but can we just stick with the facts, please.
Evertons worst ever signing? He just has to be up there...
This statement has got to be from someone who has never been to watch everton play in the last 20 years.
I cannot believe anyone could think that Lucas Neil is not a better footballer than:-
Carl Tiler
Mitch Ward
Marc Hottiger
Earl Barret
Tobais Linderoth
Scott Gemmil
Stephen Hughes
Brett Angel
John Spencer
Mikel Madar
Mark Pembridge
Claus Thomsen
Tony Thomas
Etc, etc, etc.
This statement has got to be from someone who has never been to watch everton play in the last 20 years.
I cannot believe anyone could think that Lucas Neil is not a better footballer than:-
Carl Tiler
Mitch Ward
Marc Hottiger
Earl Barret
Tobais Linderoth
Scott Gemmil
Stephen Hughes
Brett Angel
John Spencer
Mikel Madar
Mark Pembridge
Claus Thomsen
Tony Thomas
Etc, etc, etc.
There must be some logic to this or is there? Is Distin ready to come back or is Pip going to step in? Still precarious in my view with both of them just coming back after long injury periods or is Moyes speculating Yobo will be back early? The other side may be he has someone else up his sleeve which I think could be Senderos.
David Thomas
Whether or not you believe the players on your list are better players than Lucas Neill is immaterial, as that's not what I said, please stick to the facts, I said worst signing.
Lucas Neill has been paid well over a million quid to play for us, probably the cost of everyone one on your list put together, and at a time when the club could least afford it, yet they all won more games playing for Everton than Neill and they all played with a less talented squad.
Sorry but the club didn't have to wait three months before they could find a pair of shorts to fit any of the players on your list and I don't believe anyone them comes close to this guy when it comes to being Everton's worst ever signing.
Whether or not you believe the players on your list are better players than Lucas Neill is immaterial, as that's not what I said, please stick to the facts, I said worst signing.
Lucas Neill has been paid well over a million quid to play for us, probably the cost of everyone one on your list put together, and at a time when the club could least afford it, yet they all won more games playing for Everton than Neill and they all played with a less talented squad.
Sorry but the club didn't have to wait three months before they could find a pair of shorts to fit any of the players on your list and I don't believe anyone them comes close to this guy when it comes to being Everton's worst ever signing.
Should have got a bit more cash for him, but delighted he’s gone. His positional play was AWFUL. JUST AWFUL.
He was a decent athlete, tough, etc but all the goals we’ve conceded recently have been for him being mentally a yard off the pace. If we could get Senderos, I think he could really blossom under DM. He takes some stick but I think hes MUCH better than Neil and with some guidance and regular games might be mature and commited enough to finally make a name for himself in the prem. Still, win win as far as I’m concerned.
He was a decent athlete, tough, etc but all the goals we’ve conceded recently have been for him being mentally a yard off the pace. If we could get Senderos, I think he could really blossom under DM. He takes some stick but I think hes MUCH better than Neil and with some guidance and regular games might be mature and commited enough to finally make a name for himself in the prem. Still, win win as far as I’m concerned.
Dave Wilson, Tobias Linderoth alone cost Everton £2.5 million plus wages.
Furthermore, I have got to ask you whether you actually go the game because I have been to every single game Lucas Neill has played for Everton and, in my opinion, he has done a great job. I sit in the upper Gwladys Street and at most games people around me were saying how well Neill had fitted into the back four and what a good partnership he was forming with Heitinga. Also at the Emirates the away fans were singing "There's only one Lucas Neill".
Furthermore, I have got to ask you whether you actually go the game because I have been to every single game Lucas Neill has played for Everton and, in my opinion, he has done a great job. I sit in the upper Gwladys Street and at most games people around me were saying how well Neill had fitted into the back four and what a good partnership he was forming with Heitinga. Also at the Emirates the away fans were singing "There's only one Lucas Neill".
David, You persist in asking so I’ll answer, yes I do go to the game, home and away. I think in the 20-year period you speak about I’ve been to over 800 games.
Linderoth was plagued by injury in the 3-4 seasons he was at Everton and I don't think he can be compared to Neill who was merely stricken by fatness. The Everton support were terrific at the Emirates, cheering everyone, the only real concern Evertonians felt was when an Arsenal forward ran at Neill — like when Arshavin roasted him.
Sorry mate but you can count on one hand the number of games Neill has played centre-half; remember, until just a couple of weeks ago, Moyes was even playing Hibbert there.
Neill was still right back as recently as when he got slaughtered at Chelsea.
Feel free to call this a this "partnership" but I want more than narrow victories against Burnley and Carlisle and a draw at Arsenal as prove of that, especially as Neill looked the weakest link in all three games.
Neiil cost us goals nearly every time he put on a blue jersey.
Linderoth was plagued by injury in the 3-4 seasons he was at Everton and I don't think he can be compared to Neill who was merely stricken by fatness. The Everton support were terrific at the Emirates, cheering everyone, the only real concern Evertonians felt was when an Arsenal forward ran at Neill — like when Arshavin roasted him.
Sorry mate but you can count on one hand the number of games Neill has played centre-half; remember, until just a couple of weeks ago, Moyes was even playing Hibbert there.
Neill was still right back as recently as when he got slaughtered at Chelsea.
Feel free to call this a this "partnership" but I want more than narrow victories against Burnley and Carlisle and a draw at Arsenal as prove of that, especially as Neill looked the weakest link in all three games.
Neiil cost us goals nearly every time he put on a blue jersey.
Dave, I think we will have to agree to disagree on Lucas Neill.
You obviously don’t rate him and I think in the 15 games he has played for Everton, he has been one of our best performers.
Just out of curiosity, you stated, "Neill cost us goals nearly every time he put on a blue jersey" — which goals in particular are you talking about? Obviously there must be a long list that you attribute to poor play specifically from Neill.
You obviously don’t rate him and I think in the 15 games he has played for Everton, he has been one of our best performers.
Just out of curiosity, you stated, "Neill cost us goals nearly every time he put on a blue jersey" — which goals in particular are you talking about? Obviously there must be a long list that you attribute to poor play specifically from Neill.
Hibbert is now injured for a month.
So we now have gone from 4 right backs to 2 in 2 days... what if Nev gets a recurrence? With our luck this season I wouldn't bet against it. That’ll leave us with Coleman and alot of football to be played.
I don't think Neill is the greatest ever Everton player, but he is good... and now we have lost him. Our squad is weaker as a result so I don't see how this is a good move.
Worst signing... erm James Beattie, Simon Davies, Bakayoko, Krøldrup — all cost millions + wages.
The goal vs Arsenal was a wicked deflection and could have happened to the best of defenders. Arshavin had a rather weak game, and when he did do something, well that's because... erm, well it's FUCKING ANDREY ARSHAVIN, one of the best players in Europe.
Senderos got skinned by Beattie, and you want him????
So we now have gone from 4 right backs to 2 in 2 days... what if Nev gets a recurrence? With our luck this season I wouldn't bet against it. That’ll leave us with Coleman and alot of football to be played.
I don't think Neill is the greatest ever Everton player, but he is good... and now we have lost him. Our squad is weaker as a result so I don't see how this is a good move.
Worst signing... erm James Beattie, Simon Davies, Bakayoko, Krøldrup — all cost millions + wages.
The goal vs Arsenal was a wicked deflection and could have happened to the best of defenders. Arshavin had a rather weak game, and when he did do something, well that's because... erm, well it's FUCKING ANDREY ARSHAVIN, one of the best players in Europe.
Senderos got skinned by Beattie, and you want him????
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1 Posted 13/01/2010 at 09:06:27
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I know a lot of people on here didn't want to see him come in the first place, so will be happy to read this, but I for one thought he had become solid in our defense and would probably prefer him to Distin.