Teenage fullback is the only arrival

, 31 January, 542comments  |  Jump to most recent
Magaye Gueye makes loan move to France

Everton have completed their only signing of the January transfer window, with 18 year-old right back John Stones arriving from Barnsley in a deal that could eventually be worth £3m to the Championship club.

The England U19 international signs a 5½-year deal at Goodison Park, with Everton believed to be paying £500,000 up front and the remainder partly dependent on appearances and due in instalments.

Wigan Athletic appeared set to sign Stones after it was reported they had lodged a successful £3m offer around lunchtime but the Blues eventually sealed the deal shortly before the 11pm transfer deadline.

In terms of out-goings, an already small squad looks set to lose another member with the news that a loan deal to send Magaye Gueye back to France on loan to Brest was completed just before the deadline.

A day that promised much with reports late last night suggesting Everton were planning an audacious swoop for Alvaro Negredo of Sevilla but their hopes of negotiating a £9m deal were scuppered early in the day when it became clear that the Spanish club were looking for what the 27 year-old's agent suggested would be "crazy money."

Short-lived reports that talks had resumed between Everton and FC Twente with regard to Leroy Fer and that the deal could yet be revived briefly offered hope of a deadline-day surprise but the Eredivisie club's president, Joop Munsterman, quickly quashed them.

Later, a Sky Sports update claimed that the Blues had had an approach to take Scott Dann from Blackburn on loan with a view to a permanent deal turned down but that has not been verified.

Moyes had expressed doubts yesterday that he would be able to get any business done in time, but CEO Robert Elstone was more upbeat, saying that there would be plenty of activity at the Club as they look to bring in much-needed reinforcements.

A striker and a central midfielder were thought to be Moyes's most urgent priorities and while a number of names were thrown up in the last few hours, including a revived move for Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe, Junior Malanda of Zulte Waregem and Real Betis' Ruben Castro, none of the links came to fruition.

It leaves the Blues with the same shallow squad with which they began the January transfer window and supporters' hopes of an injection of fresh blood in midfield and attack left unsatisfied.

Moyes will rely now on the continuing fitness of key players like Kevin Mirallas and Darron Gibson, while hoping that Nikica Jelavic can rediscover his scoring touch up front.

 

Reader Comments (542)

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Carl Bloxam
1 Posted 31/01/2013 at 07:08:05
That's good! I don't want to hear about them till they have been signed. I swear other clubs just read toffeeweb updates about our targets then just jump in and flash the cash. Come on DM work some magic. Very disappointed about Fer transfer. We need some muscle and backup. One good striker, Gibson to stay fit and jelly to find that streak again and we are top four!
Lewis Barclay
2 Posted 31/01/2013 at 07:14:18
Where is all the money coming from?

We're either borrowing the cash from next years tv or someone's leaving!!

Kevin Day
3 Posted 31/01/2013 at 07:15:28
I think come 23:00 tonight that we will all be very happy, today is going to be a good day!
Douglas Turner
5 Posted 31/01/2013 at 07:01:17
Alvaro Negredo would be a top signing! At the age of 27 we can get a t least the money we put out for him after a 4 yr stint, providing the fee doesn't go past £13-15m! He looks like a world beater and the 4th spot would look much closer with him in an Everton jersey! Sadly, like most Evertonians, I have little faith in the board and think we'd be lucky if we get Vadis Odjidja even on loan! Feel free to prove me wrong Bill, any time today would be Triffic!
Dick Fearon
6 Posted 31/01/2013 at 07:32:21
If the 26th richest football club in the known world cannot raise the cash how the hell can so many poorer clubs flood the buyers market?
Kase Chow
7 Posted 31/01/2013 at 07:39:45
What the hell has happened with Vadis? Have we gone off him?
Pat Waine
8 Posted 31/01/2013 at 07:40:05
Kevin Day - your glass is always full. and I hope you are right. Question - does anyone think our squad is good enough without any additions to make champions league. I for one do not . so we need to add cover a forward and a midfielder. Its time to gamble a little.
Matthew Salem
9 Posted 31/01/2013 at 07:43:44
I have rarely been as excited about transfer deadline day as I am today. I believe a striker us what we need most and I hope the rumours on Negredo have some substance. I want to second what Kevin is saying. This is going to be a good one for us. Come on lads, keep the faith.
John Maxwell
10 Posted 31/01/2013 at 07:50:45
Lets get the ball rolling!

My mate who cleans the bird shit off the Easyjet planes at John Lennon airport swears he just saw Messi get off the plane with an Everton scarf!!!

Roll on midnight!

Matthew Salem
11 Posted 31/01/2013 at 07:57:38
My mate whose birds shit on the Easyjet planes at John Lennon Airport swears he has one that looks lik Messi.
Paul Olsen
13 Posted 31/01/2013 at 08:10:50
Heskey is probably flying in right now from Oz. We´ll probably miss the paperwork as he´ll be stuck mid-air come deadline.
Dave Whitwell
14 Posted 31/01/2013 at 08:23:55
I'm surprised we haven't been linked with Diame of West Ham, during the window, hes a big strong CM but worth proven premier pedigree and apparently has a release clause, seen him play 4 or 5 times this season and hes been quality everytime.
Kevin Tully
15 Posted 31/01/2013 at 08:37:47
My Auntie's Uncle says McFadden is on his way!!!
Martin Faulkner
16 Posted 31/01/2013 at 08:50:21
Tom Huddlestone anyone?
Alan Newton
17 Posted 31/01/2013 at 09:02:29
Can someone remind me how much of the Rodwell & Arteta money was actually spent?

I'm not convinced the whole lot went and that all of the remainder went to the bank. I have a feeling we have quietly had a sum tucked away for transfers but have not been open about it, so that we don't get screwed in negotiations. I do also believe we will be borrowing against future Sky revenue to help bolster whatever is in the pot .... although why it's always left to deadline day for clubs to make a move is beyond me. We needed these players on Jan 1 !!

Peter Jansson
18 Posted 31/01/2013 at 09:01:56
You guys must be joking about premier league vs la liga. La liga is much better than premier league. Barca and Real would be ahead of United. Then we have Atletico Madrid(that are ahead of Real in the league) with players like Falcao. Then we have Sevilla, Valencia, Betis, Malaga.. tons of good teams. These teams are way better than West Brom and Swansea..
Martin Hughes
19 Posted 31/01/2013 at 09:04:57
Have we had a takeover and it wont be announced until jan window is over as to avoid over inflated prices, maybe moyes will sign his new contract tommorrow!
Scott Ellis
20 Posted 31/01/2013 at 09:06:13
I beleive one of our silent owners have put there hands in there deep pockets..lord grantchester prehapes , the club cant borrow any more cash from the banks , so this must have come from one of the directors.
If the club is to be sold it would be worth more if its in the CL.
What ever the truth is manners nothing to me I just want to see progression with this team and another quality player will boost our prospects..
COYB
Martin Faulkner
23 Posted 31/01/2013 at 09:11:26
Peter, That's your opinion mate, many would argue that both leagues have their own pros and cons. La liga has their own fair share of average teams who wouldn't make it in the prem, Granada, Getafe, Osasuna, Mallorca (this year) Rayo Vallecano are some of the lesser fashionable spanish sides. As for your assertion that Barca would be ahead of Manure, it aint neccesarily so, i'd like to see them go get a result at Stoke with an english referee. Their different leagues with different styles.
Chris Wilkinson
24 Posted 31/01/2013 at 09:23:42
Martin - please none of that nonsense about "a cold rainy night at stoke" that every English pundit seems to mention. If you believe that a Barcelona or Real Madrid couldn't handily beat a Stoke every time, you're delusional.
Andrew Fair
25 Posted 31/01/2013 at 09:26:13
I would have huddlestone! Got a great range of passing and would offer an extra presence in the middle. With Gibsons fitness would be good to have back up! Would love negredo has looked a classy player but have my doubts that will get done!
Chris Morris
26 Posted 31/01/2013 at 09:27:27
Let's buy a player that will make a difference. Jelavic can't be this poor forever & I honestly think he's trying too hard outside the box. So if we get a player who can help him and the team it'll be a good signing
Brent Stephens
27 Posted 31/01/2013 at 09:43:23
Dick Fearon #901 "If the 26th richest football club in the known world cannot raise the cash..."

Are we 26th richest? Or just 26th in terms of income?

Jason Heng
28 Posted 31/01/2013 at 09:55:54
Riquelme.
Björn Håll
29 Posted 31/01/2013 at 09:55:56
I was glad that the Fer deal collapsed. What Everon need is an intelligent playmaker in centre of midfield. Why not Albin Ekdahl of Cagliari.
Adam McCulloch
30 Posted 31/01/2013 at 10:15:00
Bjorn you took the words right out of my mouth...do agree though we could do with a creative outlet in the middle. It's hard to say though, because with Felli pushed up a bit of presence is needed there as well. If Huddlestone was any good I would say he's the type we need: brawny but can pick a pass.
Matt Traynor
31 Posted 31/01/2013 at 10:15:08
To those asking where the money is coming from, very few transfers are cash up front, and are spread often over the life of the players contract, plus there may be add-ons, based on performance and/or club achievement. This doesn't include the agent fees or the transfer levy of course.

The last major transfer that was cash up front was when the Reds were up shit creek after selling Torres, and Newcastle demanded all £35m up front or no deal, and that was on deadline day.

Therefore it's quite plausible that Everton could land a £10m bracketed player. The other thing to remember is that in these days of ludicrous wages, is the total cost has to be factored in - £60k a week over 5 years brings another £15m+ to the costs column, before bonuses.

Who'd be a football chairman eh?

Terry Riley
32 Posted 31/01/2013 at 10:23:28
I'm gonna go watch the paint on me bathroom door dry...........
Martin Faulkner
33 Posted 31/01/2013 at 10:20:03
Chris, who said anything about being cold and rainy? What I said was an English Ref, differnet styles in different leagues are also officiated to suit those leagues, I was referring to Stoke's rather impressive run of home form that's just ended. Really everytime? Like Barca away at Real Sociedad, Real away to the mighty Osasuna or Celta Vigo?
Peter Jansson
34 Posted 31/01/2013 at 10:26:25
Everton should get John Guidetti from Man City. This guy is good, young, will become a star.
He suddenly got sick (virus) and have been away for 6 months. However he is back training and playing football again.

Maybe they can get him for a good price.That would be the scoop of the year and a brilliant long term investment.

Brent Stephens
35 Posted 31/01/2013 at 10:25:00
Matt ~949 "Who'd be a football chairman eh?" We're all chairmen on here. And managers. And medics. And gifted with crystal balls (or some with just balls?) And...!

Matt, I agree that's the sensible way to look at it, i.e. costs spread over the period of a contract. Does that leave us, though, with the outgoings in any year being the sum of many contracts signed years previously, plus, as you say, the annual wage / bonus outgoings? So leaving not a lot to spend in any year, even if only the upfront part of a new signing?

Peter Jansson
36 Posted 31/01/2013 at 10:29:44
Martin.. just dream on, meaningless discussion. Stoke does not have a chance against Barca. Maybe if the field is covered with 30 inches of snow.
Gareth Fieldstead
37 Posted 31/01/2013 at 10:18:21
I hope your right Kevin, you seem confident! I think it is just common sense Lewis, the position we are in gives us a great chance of the holy Grail, if we fail several of the players will leave at huge profit, either way whoever has put up the money cannot lose. Rumors still persist that the Fer deal is far from over. I do think signings will be made, hopefully of the quality that will go straight into the first 11.
Kevin Day
38 Posted 31/01/2013 at 10:41:25
Keep the faith!!
Martin Faulkner
39 Posted 31/01/2013 at 10:33:44
Peter i'll agree to disagree with you on which is the better league mate, however I do agree that Guidetti from Man City is well worth trying for, had a really good loan spell at Feyenoord last year.
Scary figures indeed Matt, QPR just loaded themselves up with 20-30 mil for Samba then. Is Harry doing another Portsmouth? Their wage bill must be through the roof.
Duncan Anderson
40 Posted 31/01/2013 at 10:40:19
Peter.

If Stoke have no chance against Barca then how come a British team north of the border managed to beat Barca in the Champions League this year? Stoke aren't that far different from Celtic. No snow required! Barca and Real are great teams and there's maybe another 2 or 3 good teams but how many divisions can boast a team outside the top 4 winning the Champions League? And Chelski may not even make the top 4 this year either.

The Premier League has far more strength in depth than La Liga. Chelsea did to Barca what Stoke do to every team that visit them. Get physical and defend deep.

Trevor Lynes
41 Posted 31/01/2013 at 10:50:41
Id love Lukaku up front as he has proved himself in the premier, is young and big enough and fast enough to look after himself.
I see him as a better prospect than Sturridge, perhaps another Drogba !
He has done well in a pretty average team.
Dont know how much he would cost but a bargain compared to Sturridge.

Im sad about missing Fer as he has all the credentials..young, tall, quick and strong enough to compete in the premier...hope we go for him in the summer, maybe another Viera ??
Ofoe is an unknown to me so I cannot comment.

We need a decent young right back.
I did not realise how valuable Hibbert is to us as he has been sorely missed.
Jags has to get back to centre back he does not have the pace for fullback.

Will Leaf
42 Posted 31/01/2013 at 11:01:43
This was quite funny:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_f1N51Gv9c

Jim Knightley
43 Posted 31/01/2013 at 11:13:15
I'm just happy to see us trying to buy people....As an Everton fan, recently, until the end of last Jan, we've been denied the luxury of Prem League transfer excitement...To be linked with Negredo...to have the possibility of bringing Stones in and another unnamed Spanish player...it's damn exciting -

Possible transfer targets then? Negredo obviously...a resurrection of Fer? Stones seems a possibility. Then there's Sinclair, Vadis, Ince (would love him), Huddlestone, Phillips, Marin, Guidetti etc etc (Although City may need him as a fourth option now)

Hopefully it will be a good day.

Terry Riley
44 Posted 31/01/2013 at 11:21:56
Will just shared it........."bit of a larf" said 'awwy'
Nick Entwistle
45 Posted 31/01/2013 at 11:27:08
Trevor, he cost Chelsea a fee rising to £18m a year ago. I'd love him too, but even a part exchange with Fellaini would never happen.
Chris Sillett
46 Posted 31/01/2013 at 11:33:47
I wonder who told the Echo to write this piece haha?

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/everton-fc/everton-fc-player-profiles/darron-gibson/2013/01/31/everton-fc-s-season-won-t-implode-if-they-can-t-add-new-signings-100252-32716282/

Alan Myers has just said on SSN that Fellaini is going nowhere, still nothing on Negredo and Wigan have agreed a fee for John Stones (never heard of him).

We better get a move on if we want players as I'll be absolutely fuming if we sign nobody and then hear people saying "at least we never sold anyone!"

Gavin Ramejkis
47 Posted 31/01/2013 at 11:42:10
Wigan have had a £3m offer accepted for John Stones the right back at Barnsley we were looking at other option is young right back at Leeds. Capoue not going to QPR as not interested in getting relegated and PSG not in hurry for money but admit he will go in June, think a good move would be loan with view to buy if Moyes has no midfield options in the fire
Steve Ferns
48 Posted 31/01/2013 at 11:44:57
Anyone else heard the rumours that Everton are lining up Joao Moutinho in the event that an offer too good to refuse is made for Fellaini. Apparently he is now owned 100% by his club and this will prevent the issues that stopped us and Spurs signing him in the past.

If the big Fella stays, and I hope he does, will the spaniard really be what we need as surely we would be better investing in a holding midfielder (to get Neville off the pitch) a pacy winger as cover for Mirralles or a right back.

Also, with Craig Gordon on a free (still the most expensive British goalie of all time and only about 30 years old), would he not be worth bringing in as cover for Howard. Surely, as an out of work footballer, he's not going to ask for too much.

Steve Ferns
49 Posted 31/01/2013 at 11:51:31
To clarify, by Spaniard, I was referring to Negredo.
Philip Quilliam
50 Posted 31/01/2013 at 11:38:57
If LaLiga is way better than the premiership then in the real world where people actually pay hard cash to watch football not just state opinions how come the premier league is the most marketable and watched competition in the world? If there are so many great sides in La Liga how come since it started in the 50's only 2 Spanish teams have ever won the European Cup/Champions League? 5 different English teams have won it in that time and that takes into account that we didn't even enter the first one and we were banned from entering for 5 years.
Tim Spring
51 Posted 31/01/2013 at 11:57:51
Has anyone else done absolutely no work today and just been refreshing twitter, BBC Sport and SkySportsNews?

Luckily my boss in on maternity leave so I get to watch first hand the disappointment of us be strung along with the thought of signing a goal scorer only for Spurs to swoop in and take him from under our noses!

Matt Traynor
52 Posted 31/01/2013 at 11:57:10
I hope every rumour on twatter isn't going to be repeated here, or the server will be overloaded, and this will get tedious with the oh-so-funny parody "my neighbour saw..." snippets.

When the BBC live text editor gets everyone in a spin by postulating out loud whether Baines might suddenly attract a last day bid, or others saying about Fellaini, it sets the tone for a seriously dull day.

The clubs finances have been well documented so that if someone is sold, it is because of that. However, I do wonder if part of the theatrics we're being treated to is the board playing out the final act of trying to tie Moyes down to a long-term deal.

Certainly if he's not prepared to commit, he shouldn't be bringing any players in who a new man "may not fancy".

Kevin Tully
53 Posted 31/01/2013 at 12:07:20
BBC reporting Everton interest in Leeds right back Sam Byram
Steve Ferns
54 Posted 31/01/2013 at 12:11:51
Anyone seen anything of these young right backs? Are they any good? What type of fullback are they a Hibbo, a Neville or a Coleman?

Remember that other right back we used to have, Dan Gosling, who joined Newcastle to play more first team football. Great move, Dan. Looks like he's on his way to Villa now.

Kevin Tully
55 Posted 31/01/2013 at 12:17:46
D'ya think we will see a big offer for Fellaini from Chelsea or even Arsenal?
Gavin Ramejkis
56 Posted 31/01/2013 at 12:15:33
Philip you sound like an advert for Sky, don't be fooled by this best league in the world bollocks, also worth remembering how many teams the EPL sends to the Chumpions League and how many La Liga send. The EPL generally pays the best wages and that's about it.
Kevin Tully
57 Posted 31/01/2013 at 12:41:30
Looks like we have made another joke offer ;

This is the latest from Guillem Balague: "Everton is interested in Negredo but Sevilla want to sell for €20m. At that price, he is not going to Everton."

Ian Edwards
58 Posted 31/01/2013 at 12:46:25
I saw a quote from MARCA saying Sevilla wanted €13m for negredo. Difficult to know what is going on.
Steve Ferns
59 Posted 31/01/2013 at 12:47:48
I believe we will sign someone today, and cannot see us chasing Negredo if we cannot afford the asking price. Maybe it's one of those on the drip type buys with little cash upfront. Who knows, but I'm more concerned with getting a midfielder in for now.
Kevin Tully
60 Posted 31/01/2013 at 12:51:45
I am still sticking by my original prediction of two loanees with bewildered looks on their face, holding up a shirt with their name on.

Whispering to each other "Who is this ginger fella next to us, and what does he mean by track back?"

Steve Ferns
61 Posted 31/01/2013 at 12:50:35
Anyone know who McNulty (ex-Echo now with BBC) is referring to as the unnamed second La Liga player we are looking at?
Noel Early
62 Posted 31/01/2013 at 12:53:11
We can't let Butland go to Stoke! £4 million is peanuts for a lad who will be our goalkeeper for 15 years. It wouldn't make a big difference to us now but down the line he would be an amazing signing.

The Negredo link has gone quite. I can't see it happening... I would be made up if it did all the same.

Jim Knightley
63 Posted 31/01/2013 at 12:54:20
I don't see why we would be in negotiations with Sevilla, if they wanted to sell for 20mil euros.... It worries me a little though, because Balague is usually spot on.

But there is one guy who I will trust today, and that's Phil McNulty.

Any news on the unnamed Spanish player yet?

Also, there is no way Arsenal will go for Fellaini...they have Cazorla for the AMC role, and need a defensive midfield, a left back, and a striker in that order. They couldn't afford Fellaini anyway.

Ernie Baywood
64 Posted 31/01/2013 at 12:52:48
At the risk of setting a dull tone for the day... I expect to see one in and one out.

Baines and Fellaini could still attract stupid money. Someone out there must want Heitinga. The quiet on these fronts has me unnerved - not every transfer is a Lescott-esque media game.

A forward would be exciting obviously - nothing quite captures the imagination like a striker... but we desperately need another centre mid. Even just a filler.

James Marshall
65 Posted 31/01/2013 at 13:14:45
Here's an interesting little snippet from Leroy Fer:

Here's European football expert Andy Brassell with reaction from Twente's Leroy Fer, speaking after his move to Everton broke down on Wednesday. because of a problem with the 23-year-old's knee.

The midfielder is "deeply disappointed", he told the website of his representatives Sport Promotion, but is hopeful a deal to take him to Goodison Park can be resurrected in the summer.

"Everyone has done everything to make this transfer happen,'' lamented Fer. "I was even prepared to financially brainstorm to get around the problem, but nothing helped.'' The 23-year-old, who is now preparing for Twente's Eredivisie match against Utrecht on Sunday instead of the Toffees' game with Aston Villa, said he understood Everton's position.

"I was approved by the doctors in England," he said. "The meniscus is firmly back in order, but the wound is still fresh, although I can play back smoothly. Everton then decided to change the method of payment - slightly more for their security than directly because of the medical results. I can understand that, especially when you're talking about this kind of money.''

Dan McKie
66 Posted 31/01/2013 at 13:11:34
If we needed reminding how desperate we are for a centre midfielder, it was last night's game. Phil Neville was an embarrassment. Getting another striker would be nice but it's the centre of midfield that is the priority.
Kevin Tully
67 Posted 31/01/2013 at 13:20:08
Have the board fucked us over again if we don't get anyone in, or have they just been unlucky?
Jim Knightley
68 Posted 31/01/2013 at 13:22:11
Personally I think the board have been unlucky Kevin...we had a deal agreed for Fer, who would have been a promising acquisition in a position where we needed to strengthen, but you can't take a chance on knee injuries... Although if no one comes in by the end of today, it will still constitute a fuck up. I'm still hoping for two though. Negredo would be great, but I will be disappointed if no cm with defensive ability comes in.

On the plus side, Gibbo was on the bench yesterday. If only he could stay fit for 4 months...

Rob Esteva
69 Posted 31/01/2013 at 13:26:42
Gibbo....sounds like a new signing to me....
Harold Matthews
70 Posted 31/01/2013 at 13:17:05
Sky Sport pushing for a Fellaini move, running out of news.

Harry is still buying anything that moves.

9:35 Finch Farm, Fellaini going nowhere.

Wigan have gazumped us to Stones.

Kevin Tully
71 Posted 31/01/2013 at 13:29:27
4 Premier League clubs yet to do any business in this window ; Villa, WBA, Man City and Us.
Steve Ferns
72 Posted 31/01/2013 at 13:29:36
Redknapp making up for lost time, having missed out on the last summer window!

Also was he misquoted in this article!

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11711/8352299/Boss-Harry-Redknapp-launches-scathing-attack-on-wages-at-QPR

Steve Ferns
73 Posted 31/01/2013 at 13:33:51
From Sky Sports:

"Harry Redknapp is back in his car, and back on Sky Sports News, talking about his delight at signing ‘top, top player’ Chris Samba. The QPR manager says he is not expecting any more signings before the transfer deadline, just as his phone rings in the background."

The guy is a walking parody of himself.

Philip Quilliam
74 Posted 31/01/2013 at 13:36:50
Gavin. So there we have . The best league in the world is La Liga based on bugger all really apart from Gavins opinion.
Jim Knightley
75 Posted 31/01/2013 at 13:42:47
Harry is fantastic and awful... he is a car salesman really, but it wouldn't be deadline day without him in his car.

On a serious note, the Samba deal is disgusting. £12.5million and £100k a week for him is nothing short of disgusting... him and Remy are greedy bastards, and although I think they will escape relegation, I would love them to go down.

I wonder what QPR's wage total is now?

Also, let their best midfield leave imo on loan (Faurlin). I wouldn't have minded him in our squad.

Tom Bowers
76 Posted 31/01/2013 at 13:15:13
There is so much inane garbage being tweeted and blogged these days it is difficult to give much credibility to any of it especially player transfers. Why Everton or any club would leave it till the last few days is beyond me.

Okay, it may happen but the team buying could be deemed to be desperate and the sellers could soak the buyer with the cost and the player with his terms. Everton have known for a while that the goalscoring had dried up and with the Mirallas injury problems to boot they could have acted earlier.

The question is,was a midfielder the priority and now that deal fell through have they decided on a striker instead or were both on the radar all the time?

Jim Knightley
77 Posted 31/01/2013 at 13:47:01
With respect to the best league in the world talk...Barca are incredible, Real are super, despite this season's mess up, and Malaga and Athletico are fantastic teams, and would give any Prem team a run for their money. There are several other good teams in Spain, and I think the conception of Spanish Football as overly lop-sided is a little out of date... Esp given that realistically, only City or United were only ever going to win the Prem, just as Real or Barca were going to in Spain, and Borussia or Bayern were/are going to win the league in Germany.

But that said, the television rules in Spain are biased against Real or Barca, and ruin the competition of the league somewhat, and I personally prefer the Premier League, as I still think it gives more surprises, and is still more balanced. Truly though, our league is becoming more European, and the difference between Spain and England is now negligible. A top player in Spain these days will generally do well in England, and vice-versa, and I think immediate impacts (aka Michu, Hernandez, Chico, Mata, Silva, Cazorla) are becoming increasingly more common as a result.

Trevor Lynes
78 Posted 31/01/2013 at 13:45:29
On Sky all the gossip is about Felli leaving and this being discounted?? Nothing at all about anyone coming in. We are again the least active according to Sky. The media would have very little to report if it was down to us. :0)

Gary Neville says that we don't panic buy (what about Felli?) and we are a sensible club...? It's glaringly obvious to every fan that we definitely need good reinforcements to sustain the challenge for a top position.

I really am optimistic that this team could challenge for the top if we could get some financial support. The better players would want to stay with us if the club displayed real ambition. DM could become the new Bill Shankly!!!!

Steavey Buckley
79 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:00:09
"'If the 26th richest football club in the known world cannot raise the cash how the hell can so many poorer clubs flood the buyers market?" The answers are probably a combination of salaries are higher at clubs like Everton; while other board of directors of other football clubs, put their hands in their pockets. BK would probably bring out a bunch theater tickets out of his.
Denis Richardson
80 Posted 31/01/2013 at 13:41:41
Bottom of the table and you pay £12.5m and £100k a week for central defender Samba! That is one hell of a gamble. If they don't stay up, that cash is straight down the loo as he walks off for a minor fee. Add to that he's obviously only joining for the cash, just like almost the whole team... how much is that spent on transfers now since August - around £50m? Never mind the wages!

I really used to like QPR, back in the Ferdinand / Sinclaire days... they were fun to watch (post plastic pitch days anyway). Now they are just a full blown advert for what is wrong with the top flight in English football.

In the words of one Geordie – 'I would just luv it' if they disappeared into the Championship!

Back to the OP – don't hold your breath. Clock is ticking, I heard someone saw the Stracq bard a flight to John Lennon Airport – return of Count Stracqula?

Andy Parsons
81 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:09:22
I wouldn't be shocked if nobody came in or out. I think the priority is keeping what we have, but obviously adding to that is a bonus. I still think we will compete for 4th irrespective of whether we sign anyone.
Dan McKie
82 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:17:42
Well Negredo's agent has come out and said that a move to Everton today is 'impossible'. Rob Elstone and Bill are gutted, as they were hoping that deal would drag out all day before being shot down. Im sure they have a couple more unrealistic targets to aim for to keep us interested though. Kaka anyone?
Steve Ferns
83 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:17:35
I disagree Andy, what's the chances of Gibbo being free from injury for a sustained period over the next 4 months? Heitinga and Neville in central midfield is not worthy of top 4. Also, all we need is a bad injury to 2 of Pienaar, Fellaini or Osman and we're suddenly a very average side again.
Gavin Ramejkis
84 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:19:45
And the EPL is the best based on the all seeing knowledge of Philip Quilliam the Quincy of all matters football? Get over yourself !
David Ellis
85 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:20:17
Denis 027 - could not agree more. Used to watch QPR in the 80s quite a lot when I lived in that neck of the woods. Nice mid sized club and fond memories of a cracking side in the mid 1970s - Stan Bowles - Gerry Francis etc.

But now I want them to be relegated.

Their chairman is already sending out signals that he has had enough. He is gambling it all on staying in Prem this season. But even if they do survive this season (and they should given the depth of their squad) I am sure it will end in massive losses and an implosion in a couple of years.

James Marshall
86 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:25:24
We meed a central midfielder and a striker IMO. We lack depth in the middle, badly with only Osman and Neville since Fellaini has been employed further forward - Gibbo can't be kept fit for long enough to stay there so a central midfielder of quality would suit us down to the ground.

As would some help up top, since Jelavic has forgotten how to play football.

Kevin Tully
87 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:26:51
If we do not sign anyone today- it will send a clear message regarding the Board's ambitions for this club.

Did they only find out on Monday they had £9m to spend?

Brian Waring
88 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:28:52
Thats the thing Kevin, all this money just seems to have popped up from nowhere, one minute we're skint, then we've got millions.
James Marshall
89 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:31:47
Our man in Spain Andy West brings some bad news for Everton fans: "Can we rule out the possibility of Alvaro Negredo joining Everton? In Spain, El Desmarque are reporting that Sevilla have rejected a €14m bid - they don't have a replacement lined up and are focussed on preparing for their cup semi-final against Atletico Madrid tonight.

"And on Merseyside, the Liverpool Echo are quoting Negredo's agent Juanma Lopez, who says that the deal is "impossible." Looks like Everton have left it too late."

Dan McKie
90 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:31:14
Kevin, do you really think we have £9 million to spend? All we heard was that the Fer deal was agreed, meaning Everton had agreed to pay £8.6 million. Cue the medical which showed a 'problem' with his knee which kept him out for 5 weeks back in September, but he's managed every game in the last 3 months, so Everton go back and say 'now about that £8.6 million, how about spreading it over 5 years due to this knee injury?' to which we were told to not let the door hit our arses on the way out.
Kevin Tully
91 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:38:28
With you all the way Dan, the board and under pressure to strengthen, I actually think they are on a PR crusade, so they can say "Look who went after."

I personally think some are falling for it as well!!

Steve Brown
92 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:43:36
Just heard Fabrizio Ravanelli and Muller have arrived at Goodison to discuss their salary terms - "netto' of course.
Chris Keightley
93 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:45:17
Reel in and call it a day... not even a nibble!

We had to strengthen, left it way too late. "We will be happy with what we have got" — just does not sit with me.

Tom Bowers
94 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:39:02
It's all up in he air as far as Everton are concerned. As I said earlier it's nothing but rumours regarding transfers and Everton of all clubs do not have the kind of money being touted.
It will be a pay as you go or instalment plan.
Other plans such as loan deals are the obvious answer but time is running out.
My feeling is that they should have had their irons in the fire well before Christmas.
James Marshall
95 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:45:24
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/everton-fc/everton-fc-news/2013/01/31/alvaro-negredo-everton-fc-transfer-ruled-out-by-his-agent-100252-32720222/
Julian Wait
96 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:46:08
self explanatory really :-(

http://garpat.wordpress.com/2013/01/31/wordcloud/

Steve Brown
97 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:47:55
..a nostalgic incident of involuntary memory.
Kevin Tully
98 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:47:25
We may as well have tapped up Messi as Negredo, the Spaniards are still rolling round their office.

Brian Waring
99 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:48:18
That can't be right, we've had a bid of £12m turned down by Sevilla???
Trevor Whyte
100 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:37:37
Jim Knightley,

Your post on QPR is spot on. I agree with everything you say... Hope they do go down! Been ages since I was on here, I'm in Adelaide now. Gotta stay up through the night for this, so I hope I'm not disappointed. But if I fell asleep and woke up to another Fellaini-like deal I'd be over the moon!

I personally think a couple of Championship bargain signings, maybe a CM on loan... and one very decent striker is our limit today. Gueye sale/loan; Vellios/Duffy out on loan maybe, they seriously lack competitive gametime.

Kevin Tully
101 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:52:32
Has anyone spotted Bill at Goodison waving a fistful of fifties?
James McPherson
102 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:48:28
If (and to be fair it still is) no players arrive, the club's January investment would seem to stretch to some airline tickets and acting lessons (we know who could provide that!). Incredulous that they found £9m on Sunday night! Seems really odd to me - almost like an elaborate charade. Probably got that all wrong....but mind, it seems our club's approach is equally wrong too. I am sensing a lower league right back is where it is at!
Dan McKie
103 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:53:05
Probably is right Brian. However, the £12 million bid was made right after they had said that £20 million was the price. Had it been accepted, another dodgy x-ray would have been produced.
Daniel Lawrence
104 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:50:50
Great, glad that's sorted, don't have to watch the rest of this debacle for the next few hours.Move along, nothing to see here....
Brian Waring
105 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:57:34
Agree with you on the cash James, supposedly Sevilla turned 2 bids from us, a £9m bid and £12m bid. Where is this cash coming from?
Erik Dols
106 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:52:42
Dutch press is claiming Chelsea made a formal bid for Fellaini, 38 million Euro's. They are speculating we will buy Fer at Twente's terms if the big Fell goes.
James Fletcher
107 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:01:21
Just seen that too Erik
Trevor Lynes
108 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:54:53
As usual all business is left until it is too late to take alternatives except for the debris that is offered from clubs looking to drop their wage bills !

BK and co know all about dropping wage bills as they regularly loan out loads of players with very little trouble.

We ONLY have trouble buying or loaning IN

I do not want to see anymore stopgap loans or freebees of the likes of Hitz, Neill, Hahnemann, MacFadden and co. sitting on our bench wearing our strip demeaning our club !

Brian Waring
109 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:00:11
Agree with you Dan, think we have seen enough in the past to not be taken in.
Kevin Tully
110 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:00:52
Come on lads, give a bit of credit where it is due - our club has one area of expertise which Man U cannot even match, spinning a tale.

Michael Brooks
111 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:03:47
Who do you believe on one side there’s Moyes expressing his doubts and on the other you have a man who is not shy in telling odd story to be kind, Elstone telling us “that there would be plenty of activity at the Club.”


For me it has to be Moyes and I am sorry to report I would be very surprise if anything more than a loan or two happens.

Brian Waring
112 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:02:52
Can't see the Fellaini rumours being true, would have thought Chelsea would have come in earliar, instead of leaving it till last minute.
James McPherson
113 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:04:07
Erik...Sky 5 have been punting Felliani to move with the same vigour as his agent/father! Suits them to pander to the "big boys" ...the remaining 15 or so clubs are here only to serve. Little wonder the dutch media (with an interested audience) are putting this story out there. However...would explaing the mystery of the money...and the numbers stack up - £26M in £10 out - £16M a black hole known affectionately as Operating Costs.
James Marshall
114 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:08:56
Leaving things to the last minute is done deliberately - it gives clubs leverage when they dangle the cash-carrot in front of the faces of certain clubs. Why do you think we offered money for Negredo today? Because Sevilla are skint.

Why are Chelsea offering us cash for Fellaini today? See above.

It's not rocket science, and there is method in the (deadline day) madness.

Si Cooper
115 Posted 31/01/2013 at 14:19:13
Had hoped to hear that someone was taking a medical by now, but if anyone is at Goodison or Finch Farm at the moment it seems to be unknown to anyone. Negredo is due to play for Sevilla tonight so would we sign him without the medical having been done (assuming they will drop the asking price)?

Was more hopeful that we would recruit a powerful and pacy midfielder to provide cover in front of the defence more than anything else. Did anyone notice that Fellaini didn't play the advanced role last night? He patrolled between Neville in defensive midfield and the attackers, giving Ossie license to roam and support the likes of Baines, Pienaar, and Mirallas. For me this made everything work much more slickly than they have for a while and I would like to see this set-up used as much as possible for the rest of the season.

As things now stand, a quality player in any position (bought or on loan) would be a real boost, even as a sign that the club can still make things happen when the chips are down.

Stones and Butland seem to be going elsewhere, though I am not too fussed about them anyway. News about Beckham at PSG just makes me yawn, but I am getting more and more annoyed with the SS obsession with Mario Balotelli's move to AC Milan. Who in this country really gives a toss (unless they are Italian or something)?

Jay Harris
116 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:08:38
Brian,
I cant see it happening but Chelsea would see us as a threat right now so the best way to weaken the competition is to buy their best players and not give them the chance to strengthen or at least get into the players head.

More logically however It may well be that an agreement has been reached for the summer which would explain this sudden influx of cash from behind Bill's sofa.

I normally wouldnt be so paranoid but this is Kenwright's Everton we're talking about.

James O'Connell
117 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:15:18
We still have till 11pm to sign Heskey.
John Keating
118 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:19:58
I hope we keep completely out of this last day madness.
Bringing in players now for over inflated prices just to keep the punters happy is a big mistake.
If we really needed someone we should have been ready on the first day of the window and had it long sewn up.
I can't believe that one player at this late stage will make such a huge difference - unless it was Messi !!
Lets go with what we have.
James Marshall
119 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:23:15
Can everyone please do some Google research on the Negredo thing - we will not sign him. Sevilla have pretty much blocked the move.

If we do sign him, I'll eat Goodison Park.

Brian Harrison
120 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:16:44
I think even Sky are desperate for a big money move, they usually try and whip everyone into a bit of a frenzy but looks like very little happening at any of the top 5 clubs either in or out. Most of the deals are by clubs in and around the drop zone, which is understandable given the Sky money on offer next year.

I will be happy if we lose nobody and keep Gibson and Mirallas fit for the run in.

Bill Griffiths
121 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:21:55
My view on this is that we should stick as we are for now. As far as I am concerned anyone bought in now would be more of a panic buy and sop to us supporters. Hope I'm proved wrong however and we miracuously sign someone decent. Though I'm not anti BK like a lot on here it does seem strange all the non-activity then at the end when times running out some money miracuously appears out of nowhere. It does make me wonder.
Danny Broderick
123 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:30:54
At this late stage, I can only see us getting in a loan or 2, and even then it would probably be players out of favour at other clubs.
Darren Bent on loan anyone?
Denis Richardson
124 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:31:39
Given the time and lack of any rumours even of transfers into GP, I think we can safely say that we will not be signing anyone. Even if we had a target now, would there be enough time for a medical?

Only thing I can see happening is maybe getting a loan or two in, presumably no medical means this can be done with a phone and fax machine...

Someone should explain to EFC that the transfer window is 31 days long and not 2!.

Patrick Murphy
125 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:26:32
We won't go for Butland or any other English based player as the money has to be paid within a strict time limit, not 500 grand down and the rest over 3 seasons.
James Marshall
126 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:37:51
Stoke have agreed to buy Butland anyway, with him going back to Brum on loan till next season.
Tony Marsh
127 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:35:29
Another shambolic transfer window descends into farce. Bill Kenwright is a disgrace and I firmly believe that there was never any possibility we were in for Leroy Fer properly. It was all a fucking sick joke on us the fans.

I spoke to a few people today and it is quite clear we never had the money in the first place so why bother with the offer to Twente? The knee is even a minor issue.

Why do we continue to put up with this nonsense year after year? This club doesn't deserve the fans it has supporting them. Kenwright is still a Spiv conman and he will never change.

James Marshall
129 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:43:50
Tony – do you remember what happened last January?

You have a very short memory!

Dean Adams
130 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:44:53
Tony - your negativity is what reminds me that this is a great club, with some very un-happy fans. Cheer up lad, we have over 40 points, mission accomplished!!
Dan McKie
132 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:47:40
James, we sold Bily last January for a reported £5.5 million and bought Gibson and Jelavic for a reported £5.5 million for the pair. This year we have sold nobody, so I don't think we will get anybody in.
Ray Roche
133 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:48:06
Tony, which "few people" were they? I mean, I spoke to a few people today, my mates Dad, the gasman, some woman in a shop... if asked, I'm sure they could all spout comments re the transfer window.
Steve Ferns
134 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:49:28
The door isn't closed on Negredo just yet, Sevilla need the money and their proposed sale of Fazio to Zenit has fallen through. Maybe they will call our bluff on the previous bids?
Steve Ferns
135 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:49:28
The door isn't closed on Negredo just yet, Sevilla need the money and their proposed sale of Fazio to Zenit has fallen through. Maybe they will call our bluff on the previous bids?
Kevin Tully
136 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:49:09
How can anyone say they are happy to keep our squad as it is?!?!??!

We are supposed to have £9m quid to spend, and our centre-half is playing fucking right back!!! Our striker can't buy a goal, and our midfield lynchpin is a 36-year-old who can't pass wind.

We are 1 point off a CL spot and we are desperate for reinforcements.

I give up.

James Marshall
137 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:56:42
Dan 094 - true we sold Bily, but to be fair, he was shite.

My point (to Tony) was more that we have managed to buy people in January, contrary to his suggestion that this 'happens every year'.

It doesn't.

Brian Waring
138 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:56:36
Just got to find the €20m now Steve, also the predictable high wages Negredo will want .
Ian McPherson
139 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:59:29
I think something will happen before 11. But the ususal Everton, we didn't file the papers on time bull...
Jim Knightley
140 Posted 31/01/2013 at 16:01:08
Tony, how is a knee injury a minor issue? Given that no fans had any expectations of a big deal, you actually think we bid for a player, got him to have a medical, and then come up with some bullshit about that medical, all as some kind of smokescreen?

You are beyond daft.

I also think we will sign someone before today is out.

Tony Marsh
141 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:58:18
Ray and Brent, because you don't have any contacts within the club, whether they be players (ex or present) or present employees, doesn't mean I don't. I know quite a few people connected to EFC in some form or another. I'm not some delusional fan who waits beside the telly for info on nonsensical bogus transfer news. Don't question my credibility please as you don't know me.

If you are happy with this shite then great... but I'm not. Last year, we were not promised anything and got a few decent players in. This year, we have been promised one of the up-and-coming stars of Europe and had it ripped away from us... That's the difference.

James Marshall
142 Posted 31/01/2013 at 16:04:31
I agree Jim, why would a business/football club to go such extraordinary lengths for a bit of PR? That's utter madness, and would never happen.
Chris Dwyer
143 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:59:49
With regards to Fer, it would have been sensible to pay Twente say £2m to have him on loan for the rest of the year to prove his fitness, then the balance paid in the summer or simply send him back. Perhaps Twente are aware of his potential to injury and just want a quick sale...
James McPherson
144 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:56:36
Our exsiting players can do a job and will get us a top 7 spot (comfortably). Perhaps that's it, that's all it ever will be under this regime. The vast vast vast majority of fans understand that but just want to hear the club be honest and say it out loud..."we are a club with limited scope, we will always have to sell to buy and our operating model makes it extremely unlikely we will win any honours or indeed qualify for the champions league" ...it is the spin, the lies and the outright b/s that gets everybody wound up! Tony Marsh is merely venting how many of us feel about the b/s. He is as consistent as the board's lies have been lamentable.
James Marshall
145 Posted 31/01/2013 at 16:05:42
Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar on Twitter: "Deadline day is crazy hope we get some players in."

That to me, says the players feel the need for fresh blood as well.

Draw your own conclusions.

Jimmy Sørheim
146 Posted 31/01/2013 at 15:56:18
What is needed the most is a creative midfielder and a striker. If we can get one on loan and buy another I think that would be great.

Seeing Mirallas and Gibson back does give me hope of finding our scoring form again, but then Moyes would have to try out both Vellios and McAleny to see where they are form wise compared to Jelavic.

I have no doubt that either Vellios or McAleny would do better then Jelavic right now, and I can not understand why they are not tried and tested. We have to make the best use of the WHOLE squad, not just the first eleven.

Rotation is key at this time of the season, and I fully believe that we would be better off playing Vellios and McAleny instead of Jelavic for the next 5 games or so.

Brian Waring
147 Posted 31/01/2013 at 16:09:27
Chris, it sounds like we tried to just take the piss with Twente.
Dan San
149 Posted 31/01/2013 at 16:11:00
7 hours to go
Dan San
150 Posted 31/01/2013 at 16:11:45
I would just like to say Ofoe looked flippin mint!
Ray Roche
151 Posted 31/01/2013 at 16:09:02
James McPherson @110,

James, myself and no doubt most people on here share Marsh's frustration at the usual deadline day scramble and, no doubt, spin emanating from Goodison, but to spout the "I spoke to a few people today " sort of tripe without any proof that the "people" were qualified to add some accurate insight into the apparent transfer dealings is just ridiculous.

Jim Knightley
152 Posted 31/01/2013 at 16:12:40
Maarten Stekelenburg is possibly going to Fulham on loan....I think he would have the potential to challenge Howard.

One very slight potential link...Apparently Fabio Quagliarella is in talks with an English club... Juve want to get rid to fund a move for another striker. Could be us...

Brian Waring
153 Posted 31/01/2013 at 16:13:36
I wonder if we 've somehow pissed off Brugge last time we tried to get Ofoe.
James Marshall
154 Posted 31/01/2013 at 16:14:10
Of course Twente know how good Fer is - he's keeping Wesley Scheider and Van de Vaart out of the Dutch national team FFS!

We should have pulled out the stops to buy him and not pissed about with the deal - unless his knee is genuinely a concern, then its a different matter. The reason the deal went south, is we wouldn't pay upfront and Twente wanted the cash so they could buy another player - they even stated this fact.

James Marshall
155 Posted 31/01/2013 at 16:16:28
Or even Wesley Schneider - I've no idea who that other imposter is.
Kevin Tully
156 Posted 31/01/2013 at 16:25:34
I'm telling yer, two fellas form the Democratic Republic of Outer Fuckknowswheristan will be on the OS in the morning – on loan for 6 weeks.

I got the fright of me life when I first set eyes on the Stracq!!!

Harold Matthews
157 Posted 31/01/2013 at 16:02:32
Yes Si. It worked well with Fellaini deeper, Hope he stays.

Kevin.. Spot on. We can wave goodbye to 4th place if we fail to strengthen, Surely we won't waste our fine start and present good position. If we do then I would not fancy reading the subsequent TW threads.

Jimmy Sørheim
158 Posted 31/01/2013 at 16:10:47
Regarding transfers, Moyes can only do what he can do to try and lure a player, but if the club is demanding silly money then that is it.

I think it was a mistake to wait until the end of the transfer deadline before trying to sign someone. Vadis should have been the first player in on loan, and then we would have less pressure to get one more.

It seems like Moyes always has to wait until the end before something happens, to me it probably has to do with money not coming in until late January each year. Half-season tickets and so on.

I do not think Everton will get anyone in at this late time, and for anyone to think that would be naive.

Jack Okell
159 Posted 31/01/2013 at 16:46:07
We've just had a bid accepted for that young Stones lad, from Burnley. I DO hope this isn't the end of our transfer activity... one defender. :(
Brian Waring
160 Posted 31/01/2013 at 16:50:54
I thought Wigan had a bid for £3m accepted at lunchtime. Also, another young player for the future isn't what we need right now.
Dan McKie
161 Posted 31/01/2013 at 16:53:22
Sweet, an 18 year old right back that we wont hear of again until we release him. I heard Wigan had a bid for him accepted earlier to the tune of £3 million!
Jack Okell
162 Posted 31/01/2013 at 16:55:39
Sky Sports sources understand that Everton have had a bid accepted for Barnsley youngster John Stones. The player's agent is believed to be on his way to the training ground to tie up a deal.
James Marshall
163 Posted 31/01/2013 at 16:54:50
I hate to read too much into this stuff, but I do like deadline day for the pure audacity of reporting - this from the Mirror:

Moyes' £8.6million move for Dutch midfielder Leroy Fer could yet be revived at the eleventh hour with FC Twente agreeing to let him join the Blues initially on loan

Terry Downes
164 Posted 31/01/2013 at 16:55:20
It's a fucking disgrace that a team 5th from top can't reinforce the team when it needs a boost. This is our best chance of Champions League football.

The whole board should hang their heads in shame, and as for Kenwright — he should be run out of town.

Steve Guy
165 Posted 31/01/2013 at 17:07:47
A striker and a central midfielder are thought to be Moyes's most urgent priorities ..........so we bring in a full back for where have two players already ??!!
Kevin Tully
166 Posted 31/01/2013 at 17:10:51
An 18yr old Barnsley right back, now that's our type of signing.

Superstar strikers for £15m were never really on the cards, but we certainly got a few miles out of that load of shite.

Kevin Tully
167 Posted 31/01/2013 at 17:15:16
Btw - don't fall for the £3m quid line either, he will have to have a full England cap before that sort of money is due.
James Marshall
168 Posted 31/01/2013 at 17:17:47
6'2 is tall for a fullback. Still at least DM will have the opportunity to play him out of position when he fancies a little change!
Chris Morris
169 Posted 31/01/2013 at 17:22:12
Right Hang On......... Barnsley??????????????????????????????????
Chris Morris
170 Posted 31/01/2013 at 17:24:14
Saha has been relesed by Sunderland. What are the odds on a return to Everton????

Please no

Denis Richardson
171 Posted 31/01/2013 at 17:20:07
18 year old right back, mm. Am all for building for the future but is this really a priority position? Hibbo, Coleman, Neville, Jagielka, Heitinga - thats 5 players off the top of my head who can play at RB if needed, at least until the end of this season.

Presumably this lad (if he actually comes) will just play in the reserves and not come close to the first team anytime soon.

Not exactly where our focus should be on deadline day!

Phil Sammon
172 Posted 31/01/2013 at 17:27:49
I understand blind optimism doesn't go down well round here...but I still reckon we'll bag Fer in a last minute deal.

This Stones lad is supposed to be a great prospect but we need finished articles. I sincerely hope this doesnt mean Coleman to right wing. He's been coming on nicely at RB

Shaun Brennan
173 Posted 31/01/2013 at 17:29:17
IT'S ALL A BIT SHIT REALLY..
Spragg Johnson
174 Posted 31/01/2013 at 17:27:12
Manny Fernandes and JR Riquelme spotted in a Bootle Nandos! Watch this space...
Jim Knightley
175 Posted 31/01/2013 at 17:32:50
Hibbert's 32 next month...Heitinga isn't a good right back, and I doubt he will be at the club beyond the summer, and another rb gives us the option to put Coleman wide when we have injuries (not ideal but better than Nasmith).

Stones has been doing well, and is only 18, and I doubt we've given much more than a million up front...we can't complain about the lack of good youth players, and then moan when we sign a very promising youth player. Of course it's not what we want, but I don't think getting Stones in will affect that.

I'm still confident we will bring in at least one senior before the deadline. (Pretty confident anyway...)

Brian Waring
176 Posted 31/01/2013 at 17:36:36
Couldn't have put it better myself Shaun.
Colin Southern
177 Posted 31/01/2013 at 17:31:22
James McPherson (110), if you were trying to attract decent players to come your club that would be the daftest thing you would come out and say.
Jim Knightley
178 Posted 31/01/2013 at 17:37:42
Also, he has a lot of the tools required to be a top long term centre back...and in my book, versatility is a big plus.
Brian Waring
179 Posted 31/01/2013 at 17:38:07
'Senior' Jim, Saha maybe? LOL!
Tom Bowers
180 Posted 31/01/2013 at 17:22:44
We have to face facts and they aren't that bad. We all know that the club has little money to splash around so any big buys are out of the question. Loan deals and cheapies are all that may be in the works.
Fact is we are sitting in fifth position despite a run of unimpressive performances.
Jela has hit a barren spell but Miralles and Gibson are back to fitness and hopefully will steady the ship.
Having said that, Everton are still a difficult side to beat and when you factor in what the big money teams (Arsenal,Redshite and Spurs.) have achieved so far this season then you can see which team deserves the accolades.
Now the naysayers will spout that we are about flounder because of no new signings, Gibbo and Miralles are going to get injured again etc.etc. but that may not happen and surprise surprise they may just finish at least fourth or even third as the other big money team Chelski are playing inconsistantly.
Yesterday Everton completely dominated Albion in the first half (I don't think Albion had a shot on goal) and okay Albion had to change their setup and attitude after the break as they were 2-0 down but all they had was a gift from Heits. and a free kick.
That was an excellent result without being impressive but dominating nevertheless.
There will be more I feel.
Brian Waring
182 Posted 31/01/2013 at 17:40:26
Jim, I think your trying to convince youself.
Jim Knightley
183 Posted 31/01/2013 at 17:40:58
Not funny even as a joke Brian....Be linked with Mcfadden next!
Brian Waring
184 Posted 31/01/2013 at 17:42:14
Hang on Tom, we had a £12m bid turned down by Sevilla for Negredo.
Brian Waring
185 Posted 31/01/2013 at 17:43:55
Also Tom against West Brom we had 63% possesion with only 4 shots on target, West Brom 37% and 4 shots on target.
Brent Stephens
186 Posted 31/01/2013 at 17:47:28
Tony #106 "Ray and Brent, because you don't have any contacts within the club, whether they be players (ex or present) or present employees, doesn't mean I don't. I know quite a few people connected to EFC in some form or another. I'm not some delusional fan who waits beside the telly for info on nonsensical bogus transfer news. Don't question my credibility please as you don't know me". Do you see what's wrong with that, Tony? We shouldn't question your cred because we don't know you, but you question our cred by assuming we don't have any contacts, even though you don't know us! Rich, to say the least!

And then "we have been promised one of the up-and-coming stars of Europe and had it ripped away from us... ". Who promised us what up-and-coming star, when? Promised?

Si Cooper
187 Posted 31/01/2013 at 17:55:41
Brian, fortunately some of us were able to watch the game and don't just have to rely on statistics!

We were much more attacking and creative, with many good attacking situations not actually resulting in a shot on target down to their desperate defending.

We were the better team by far and thoroughly deserved the win despite what simply looking at stats tells you.

Anthony Flack
188 Posted 31/01/2013 at 18:03:51
shit just realised I have been reading this trail backwards, and we just signed Fer.......
Kev Johnson
189 Posted 31/01/2013 at 17:54:16
Hi, I'm Mr Devil's Advocate...

Pienaar's excited tweet about welcoming new additions is equivalent to a kid in a sweet shop urging purchase of another quarter of pineapple chunks. Footballers just want "more" - but more in not necessarily better. The optimum may be exactly what we already have. I know footballers always say they like competition for places, but it means nothin, it's just press-release-speak. What else are they going to say in public - that they resent the new guys because they (a) threaten their own position at the club, and (b) show that the manager lacks confidence in them, which is likely to make them perform worse? No, of course not. But if we get in the much touted striker, Willie Whoever from Wherever FC, then do you really think Anichebe, Jelavic or Velios will be pleased? I don't think so. New signing can disrupt the team, and one of the things EFC have going for us is that we have a fairly settled team and a fairly stable set up.

We don't need any new signings, we need the players we have to do the business - much the same business as they have been doing this season, only a bit better and more consistently.

Or not?

John Crawley
191 Posted 31/01/2013 at 18:03:40
Based on past experience I very much doubt we will sign anyone of any note for any type of large fee. I can't remember the last transfer window were we had a positive net spend.
Brian Waring
192 Posted 31/01/2013 at 18:08:54
Si, I know we were the better team. But there are plenty of lads on here who like throwing the stats round to make their point.
John Ford
193 Posted 31/01/2013 at 18:08:53
Kev

Do you not think its the case that Piennar is stressing that we need more good quality players?

We were much better than West Brom but we've seen how we struggle even with just a couple of injuries to key players.

Ian Linn
194 Posted 31/01/2013 at 18:14:31
Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writer
EVERTON LATEST
"Can confirm that Everton's £8.6m deal for FC Twente's Leroy Fer is not back - and never has been."
Si Cooper
195 Posted 31/01/2013 at 18:08:32
Kev, I doubt Pienaar is idly speculating. I would suspect he looks at some of his team mates and thinks "Struggling with the pace a bit" or "Knackered and likely to fade."

I am basing this on the tenuous idea that footballers understand that a good squad can be a useful thing in helping them all to achieve things they can all be proud of.

Kev Johnson
196 Posted 31/01/2013 at 18:20:51
John - probably, yes. But I think he'd be better off improving his own performance rather than urging the club to splash out money on new players. From what I saw against West Brom - which was most but not all of the game - Pienaar was pretty poor. Yes, some nice link up play with Baines and Osman but also a lot of loose passing. He was below par, I thought.

Buying new players has negative as well as positive repercussions. Apart from which, I disapprove of the whole "Buy, buy, buy!" ethos which is passes as normal these days. It seems to me that football fans are being trained to expect their clubs to splash the cash on transfer deadline day, almost as a form of entertainment. It's just "shopping therapy" for blokes! "Ooh, I don't like that handbag anymore - I've had it for ages". Er, you've only had it for a year and there's nothing wrong with it, love. "I want a new one" Etc, etc.

Your sincerely, Mr Devil's Advocate

Si Cooper
197 Posted 31/01/2013 at 18:30:26
Kev, is your response to John supposed to cover my comment as well, because I don't think it does?

Disagree with your shout on Pienaar as well. The lad has been an ever present (or near enough) this season and his form will dip occasionally. He is still putting the effort in, often popping up on the right to help move the ball away from defensive positions. He would certainly benefit from having more attacking threats in our side to attract defenders and give him a bit more room to operate in.

That to me is common sense, not simply grasping for more playmates.

Dan McKie
198 Posted 31/01/2013 at 18:32:53
Kev, Pienaar is out of form, it will happen to every player. The problem is, we have to play the out of form players anyway, as we have nobody else.
Brian Waring
199 Posted 31/01/2013 at 18:38:39
I thought Pienaar's performance last night was one of the reasons we looked better.
Kev Johnson
200 Posted 31/01/2013 at 18:37:42
Si - no, I posted it before I saw yours.

I didn't say Pienaar doesn't put the effort in. He does - but, frankly, so what? Working up a sweat is the absolute minimum we have a right to expect from a man playing for Everton. I thought he was generally poor against West Brom (and Southampton), but I don't have a problem with him generally. He's a right good 'un. I just think he should refrain from advising the club to spend money it doesn't really have on reinforcements when he'd be better off improving his own performance - because there is room for improvement

I don't agree with you that bringing in other players - to increase our attacking threat or give him more room to work in - would make him play better. Baines plays brilliantly no matter what. You don't hear him complaining that he has to do too much work because somebody else is not up to standard or that there's no one there to take advantage of his crosses, etc. He just does the business.

Terry McLavey
201 Posted 31/01/2013 at 18:45:34
Alan (#925) — Do you know I had honestly forgotten about Rodwell! I thought we would miss him... but apparently not! Has he played for them yet?
Ian Allaker
202 Posted 31/01/2013 at 18:47:59
Suprised we havnt made a move for Gary Hooper, we could probably gat him for about £6m
Tony Bell
203 Posted 31/01/2013 at 18:34:28
I'm normally content with the knowledge that we are skint in a transfer window and so expect little.With the large bids for both Fer and Negredo they have wet mine and probably many thousands of Everton fans' appetites

No disrespect to the young Barnsley lad,but I hope he isn't the end to our spending today (if we beat Wigan to him that is)

Noel Early
204 Posted 31/01/2013 at 18:48:29
Welcome to Goodison, John...

You're probably going to be a 4th choice right back behind Neville, Coleman, Hibbert... oh wait, 5th maybe since Jags also plays there now. Good luck!

I'm still holding on to some hope that we can make a signing that's going to help in the push for fourth... doubtful, but at least Fellaini and Baines are here until the summer.

John Ford
205 Posted 31/01/2013 at 18:39:22
Kev, the buy buy buy ethos you refer to is really a feature of the money clubs who seem to have a collective disorder in this regard. This is hardly a feature of Evertons recent history.

Bringing in a couple of players now, right now, is clearly a sensible option for us. Sensible because it is blatantly obvious we need to improve if we are to have a serious chance of a top four position.

We have several away games at top clubs to come and we have a team who seemingly malfunction when we don't have our best eleven playing. That's not to take away from our boys who not for the first time are fighting against teams with vastly superior resources and are holding their own. Kudos Mr Moyes.

If we are to progress we need players and now is the time. If we were mid table it wouldn't really matter.. This isn't being flippant or excessive or unrealistic. Our chance is now. Happily It looks like the club recognise this too, looking at the sums we appear to be dealing in. I really hope something happens tonight.

Paul Andrews
206 Posted 31/01/2013 at 18:57:18
The large bid for Negredo.

Remember we bid £12 million for Shearer the day AFTER Newcastle agreed a £15 million fee.

Laughing stock or what???

Denis Richardson
207 Posted 31/01/2013 at 18:46:23
Jim - Stone may turn out a good buy (if we get him) but the point is not whether we should sign him or not. The point is that this should not be what we focus on this transfer deadline day - RB is not a priority right now.

The kid will not touch the first team anytime soon presumably, so lets focus on a position where we do need strengthening. Doubtful that GIbson will be injury free for the next 4 months.

Kev Johnson
208 Posted 31/01/2013 at 18:52:38
Brian - fair enough, no two people see a game in the same way.

Dan - no one can be on form all season. Even Baines had a bummer against Southampton! But when a player has a dip in form it's up to a manager to ... er, manage that. Just dropping him and bringing in a new player doesn't really solve it, in fact it can generate different problems. Maybe that will exacerbate his poor form, whereas persevering with him and showing confidence in him might help him get over it? Moyes is currently experimenting with bringing Jelavic on as a sub. Who knows, that might work. I hope so.

Unless we're talking squad rotation, which is a different kettle of cod, I think.

Brian Hill
209 Posted 31/01/2013 at 18:53:36
James Marshall @ 108: "why would a business/football club to go such extraordinary lengths for a bit of PR? That's utter madness, and would never happen." Fortress Sports Fund? I am not claiming that the Fer situation is a smokescreen/scam/whatever, and the whole story may be legitimate, but Kenwright does have a history of lying and fantasising for the sole purpose of improving his own position.
Roberto Birquet
210 Posted 31/01/2013 at 18:57:27
By the way all, and bear with me on this. The govt and the Bank of England has a policy of attempting to destroy the value of money. The incoming governor of the Bank has let it be known that even more "irregular" policies will be used in which inflation targets will be cast aside.

What does this mean? It means they want to destroy the vlaue of money through inflation. Its value has fallen 15% plus since the banking crisis already, essentially reducing everyone's debt burden by 15% (and anyone's savings by the sqame amount).

UK debt is enormous (and I do not refer to to govt debt, which is relatively low against each of three major private sector areas: consumers (you and me), non-financial companies - eg Everton FC -, and financial companies - the worst of the lot). To save the banks, we need a zombie economy in which no-one sells their house (tick), and reduction in the value of money (part done, and soo to get worse). We could just nationalise the banks for 10 years, and sort them out, but govt friends and bankers wouldn't get rich that way.

So destroy the value of money it is. Perhaps, that's where the money is coming from. It just won't be worth that much. Hope we get a bloody good striker, or Jela wakes the feck up.

Mark Boulle
211 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:07:14
Uh-oh...from the Guardian football transfer deadline day ticker at 6.25 p.m....

"A PSG signing that will actually improve their chances on the pitch?"I am watching the Beckham circus and on one of the French TV channels very close to PSG (they own it) has reported that FELLIANI could be a PSG player today!" booms Sandrine Kane. "Sorry Everton fans!"

Kev Johnson
212 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:01:46
John (201) - I think you're probably right. I'm not wedded to my opinion on this - as I made clear, I was playing Devil's Advocate. But I think there's more than a grain of truth in the point of view I was expressing.

However, I stand my ground on Pienaar. He's not on top form at the moment, but he's a skillful hard working player who's done really well for us over a period of time. Nevertheless, he should shut his cakehole about the club spending money and concentrate on playing football very well - which is what he's paid for. You're a midfielder, Steven, not EFC's manager/chairman/financial controller.

James Marshall
213 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:18:10
I have two worrying words to say:

Wes.

Brown.

You heard it here first.

Tony Marsh
214 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:18:59
If Wes Brown signs for Everton and we let Fer go because we tried to swindle Twente, I will never set foot in Goodison Park again as long as these pricks who run it are there. How embarrassing would it be to sign another washed up Man Utd player? Probably a down payment on Felli for next season if true... FFS!
Denis Richardson
215 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:20:08
James, I read the wes brown thing on bbc, but thought it was just a joke - someone said they saw him at finch farm.

i think this is a joke tbh - then again we did sign MacFadden again!

James Marshall
216 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:23:00
Denis - I know, that's where I read it - unlike some people on here, I don't have 'sources' or 'people close to the club' to call upon for my information ;-)
Denis Richardson
217 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:22:04
From bbc 'expert' pundit..........'During the January transfer window you see a lot of players going for a lot of money and earning a lot more money that they are worth."

Says world football god / expert Robbie Savage, who himself moved from brum to blackburn during a, erm....january transfer window (remember that one, to be closer to his ill parents in wrexham even though brum is closer to wrexham than blackburn!) and then from blackburn to derby during a, erm.....january transfer window.

f'ing absolute tool!

James Marshall
219 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:31:08
He has lovely hair though, Denis.
Tom Evans
220 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:29:56
McNulty says EFC still active on many fronts for tonight.
James Stewart
221 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:29:14
Have to agree with Marsh on this one. We have been a shambles so far in this window.
James Stewart
222 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:32:58
The Fer and Negrado Bids stink to high heaven. Why even bid for Negrado. Totally out of our range but then that was probably the point.
Kev Johnson
223 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:30:22
Savage may well be a tool - but he's right in this instance.

To follow up my previous posts in Pienaar and gratuitous cash-splashing, I've just seen this quote from him on the OS: "November wasn’t a good month personally but the manager stuck with me. I had to pay him back and in December I did my best. January has also been a good month."

There you go, I rest my case. Someone has a dip in form but the manager sticks with him and he comes good. Much better than buying in a shiny new midfielder at the first sign of trouble. Cheaper, better for team morale, just generally better.

Terry Myers
224 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:36:21
James Marshall — three words to say:

John
O
Shea

James Marshall
225 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:38:41
Ruben Castro?
Paul David
226 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:37:19
Kev

What happens if they never find their form again and we're stuck watching them play shit week in week out (Neville).

Denis Richardson
227 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:36:49
Kev - Savage is a tool and what he could have said is 'During every transfer window you see a lot of players going for a lot of money and earning a lot more money that they are worth."

Then again, he does have an amazing knack for both stating the bleeding obvious and talking total bollocks - but hey, he's an informed pundit!

And how could I forget about the hair.........aarrrrrr

come on moyes - SIGN SOMEONE FFS.

Brian Waring
228 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:41:15
Castro 31 though James.
Ian Allaker
229 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:38:57
I would rather Everton aimed high and failed to bring someone in because of the cost, than buy a 5th choice average player who doesnt improve the team.
James Marshall
230 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:44:10
Brian - agreed he's not ideal age-wise, but 3rd top scorer in La Liga last season so still knows where the goal is.
Kev Johnson
231 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:41:46
Paul - good point! I'll have to go away and think about that one.

Denis - how about I send you into an apoplectic rage by reminding you that Moyes tried to sign Savage. It came quite close to a deal, as I recall. I reckon you would have literally exploded with disgust if he's trotted out on the park wearing an Everton shirt! So don't go advising Moyes - who is reading this, obviously - to buy just someone because it might just be the new Robbie Savage!

Jim Lloyd
232 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:39:40
Trouble is, we ought to have known the script off by half. I could see Kenwright desperately trying to find something not quite right with the lad. I'm sad to say, I'm not surprised at all that the deal fell through.
Kevin Day, Matthew Salem, you both think it's going to be a wonderful day? I hope you're right but I can't see it. Hope I'm wrong!
Barry Rathbone
233 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:41:45
Kev 224, no competition breeds complacency.

You know those games when players are walking round scratching their arse and we draw or lose when expected to win?

That's sort of shit we end up with

Paul David
234 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:46:25
Can't believe we didn't go for Butland. What about Guidetti from City?
James Marshall
235 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:49:35
Mancini has already said Guidetti is going nowhere, due mainly to selling Balotelli, which incidentally I think is a massive loss to the English game.

Paul David
236 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:52:21
Yeah but didn't he say the same about Balotelli?
Kev Johnson
237 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:50:22
Barry - that's what everyone says these days, but I don't agree with it. Who's our best player? Baines. Does he have any competition at LB? No. How much squad competition did successful teams of the past have? Our 1970 team only had Sandy Brown! To bring it up to date, do you really think Messi is shitting himself in case he's dropped in favour of a new signing? No, of course not.

I don't think laziness or arse scratching is generally the problem with us. Even Vic is putting in a shift now. DM has his faults, but he's not a slacker.

Denis Richardson
238 Posted 31/01/2013 at 19:55:51
Ay Kev, I remember us being linked with savage a few years ago, don't think brum accepted our bid in the end so not sure how close it actually was to happening.

Tbf, savage would have been ok to have as a player, he just needs to keep his mouth shut. Always one of those you hate playing against.

James Marshall
239 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:05:17
Fair point Paul.
Steven Telford
240 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:04:18
Barry, we already have enough trouble "affording 1 team"
Denis Richardson
241 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:09:20
BBC says 'STAND BY EVERTON FANS'..............
Roman Sidey
242 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:09:03
Kev, in all fairness, Baines put up with about two seasons of pushing for a spot so is probably going to be a little less complacent than others. Some of these players have been in the 11 regardless of form for a long time.
Steven Telford
243 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:08:51
What a SHIT day.
Patrick Murphy
244 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:13:24
Steven it may well be Shit for bringing players in, but if we lose anyone of note it will be a truly shit day.
Martin Handley
245 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:10:12
Some twitter account claiming to be Joleon Lescott is saying he's at finch farm,but we all know they can be cloned.

Both local radio stations still claiming the Fer deal is back ON.

Talk Sport are claiming Vladis wotisname is signing for us along with a Brazilian striker and the return of big Denis!

All good fun eh!

Roman Sidey
246 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:17:39
Martin, I think it was the same person that hacked Nev's Twitter that did that to Lescott's.
Dan McKie
247 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:16:43
Stand by for this right back! To be fair we do only have 5 players who Moyes will defo pick ahead of him in that position.
Jon Andersen
248 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:18:44
Stand by Everton fans.... does that refer to the deal for Negredo being off?
Steven Telford
249 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:17:32
Great everbody else is getting better while we are (touch wood) "not getting worse"
Dan McKie
250 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:19:25
Was the 'stand by Everton fans' on the BBC to tell us that Negredo won't be signing??? Fuck this, they are taking the piss. I'll read about the so close but no cigar deals in the morning!
Martin Handley
252 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:21:33
BBC are now saying some Greek goalie is heading to merseyside to take a medical,like we need another Jan Mucha! FFS!
Kevin Hudson
253 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:23:38
Momo Diame....?
Trevor Lynes
254 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:13:54
I thought young Kennedy was signed as a promising fullback.
Now we will have two...but for the future methinks.
I don't think they will be of much use in strengthening the squad for the run in this season.
Hurry back Hibbo !!
Martin Handley
255 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:25:06
Trevor, Kennedy is a forward/RM.
Dick Fearon
256 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:17:09
I have a feeling of despair about our transfer policy. Everything we touch turns to sold but not to us. I have given up hope of us bringing in anyone of note, we are on the brink of an amazing successful season it will be shameful if BK and his mates do not pull their weight.
Martin Handley
257 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:29:17
Kevin Hudson yep it looks like sky are saying it's us that've activated Diames' release clause. Tell you what guys Santa will be pulling on a blue shirt next!
Kieran Jones
258 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:29:59
What a shit day!! I just got an autograph of Joe-Max Moore! (Remember him?) He was on the Pier Head at The Beatles Story. I wonder if he is signing! Fuck all else coming in...
Dave Whitwell
259 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:37:33
Hi we're in for Diame, he is qulity
Neil Wood
260 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:39:35
Who has confirmed the "Diame" rumour ?
Dave Whitwell
261 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:40:49
Sorry annoying predictive text, that was hope were in for Diame, SSN are saying a bid has been made by an unnamed premier league club
Lyndon Lloyd
262 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:40:59
No one has confirmed which club has triggered Diame's release clause yet as far as I can tell.

The Telegraph's Jonathan Liew says he doesn't believe it's Tottenham. Arsenal would be an obvious interested party as well as us.

Jimmy Sørheim
263 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:08:38
This smells like a trick to me. Everton wait until the end and then start working during the last days so that it seems like they have done all they can to bring in players, but only end up with little or nothing to show for it.

If it seems like they are trying then that must be the truth right? I maintain that, if they really wanted to bring in top players, then they would not waste any time in doing so. Here, Everton have wasted an entire month almost and so far have no results to show for it.

I would think Moyes is taking part in this trick, and just being pleased about his salary. He can act like he has ambition all he wants, but action speak louder then words.

It is clear that we need a midfielder and a striker, but not enough have been done to make it happen to be honest. Every January tends to be like this, we are now in fifth and have a real chance in getting CL but in the end we will lose out because Everton are not able to do what is needed.
Clearly Everton have money to use now so we can not blame that fact here. It is not enough to bring in a defender who is 18, we need a midfielder and a striker the most.

Phil Sammon
264 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:42:32
I predict that's Arsenal.

I thought leaving Fer was an ok idea at the time, as we had the chance to persue other targets. Now I find myself praying we just give Twente what was agreed.

We are so close to a top 4 spot here. I'm not suggesting we put all our eggs in one basket...but can we please spunk £9 million on someone! If we don't make CL then we make any money back by selling Fellaini.

I'm normally rational guy when it comes to football...but Everton don't half test your sanity.

Steven Telford
265 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:36:21
Will Moyes perceive that he was or was not backed in the transfer market?

In one sense, the board tried; in another sense, it tried not hard enough.

Roman Sidey
266 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:50:56
Hear hear, Phil.
Steven Telford
267 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:49:02
BBC are a fucking joking making Beckham's transfer the cover story of the day.
Gavin Ramejkis
268 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:44:30
Negredo about to play in the Copa del Ray so that's defo dead
Kevin Tully
269 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:54:13
Guye going out on loan - huge news!!!
Jim Knightley
270 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:55:43
Any late deals? or are we all going to bed disappointed?

I've still got an inkling someone will come in...but I'm not sure whether that is just blind optimism.

Ged Alexander
271 Posted 31/01/2013 at 20:59:03
Plaintiff cry, I know, but we can't blame the board for transfer deadline being stupid. And we do need a right back.
Ged Alexander
272 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:02:41
Chief football writer Phil McNulty
EVERTON LATEST
"It looks very much like Everton's business will be restricted to Barnsley's John Stones coming in and winger Magaye Gueye heading back to France on loan."

Bedtime.

John Crawley
273 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:04:58
I think its blind optimism Jim! So much for Moyes request for the board to advance £20 million from next season's tv money!
Brian Waring
274 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:04:42
Moyes will come out backing BK tomorrow, saying Bill did everythibg he could and has been working 24/7
Gavin Ramejkis
275 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:07:39
Bill did everything he normally does, sweet f a
Brian Waring
276 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:07:39
He's an 18 yr old right back Ged, who probalby won't get anywhere near the first team for another 3/4 years.
Martin Handley
277 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:08:26
Look like most people I'd have loved Fer to sign but if his knee is knackered what can you do?
Jim Hourigan
278 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:04:20
Looks like another crock of shit. Bullshit Billy will be on tomorrow saying how hard they tried and sycophant David will whimper his support for all Bill's efforts.
If we really wanted to sign someone it would have been completed much earlier because it would have been targetted and sorted, all this is smoke and mirrors to keep us simple fans happy. Who's taking who for a ride ?
A championship youngster who, if he's like all Davids other 'players with potential' will get shipped out sooner rather than later - Gueye anyone
Ged Alexander
279 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:09:05
C'mon, Brian. We don't know what heel goes on...but we do know this is a stupid day
David Israel
280 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:01:11
Let's face it. It's John Stones - with due respect, whoever he may be - and that will be all.

This Negredo talk sounded farcical from the outset - although, I have to add, Everton don't seem to have anything to do with this sheer speculation.

The Fer deal probably collapsed for two reasons: his knee - who am I to say it's an excuse? probably just cold feet - and a very, very late move.

Having said that, let's not exclude a couple of loans come 11 pm.

And please, everyone, do not ever, ever again mention Joao Moutinho: he now plays for Porto, not for the penniless Sporting Lisbon, and Porto are known to sell for very high fees and to drive a hard bargain. Off the screen (expect him to go to Spurs at the end of the season, though...)

Kev Johnson
281 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:06:07
"Can we please spunk £9 million on someone!" (267) Phil, Phil, pull yourself together man!
Andrew Yates
282 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:10:00
What about McGeady from Spartak?
Brian Waring
283 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:11:48
McGeady was going to Wigan at one point on loan, wonder what happened there.
Jim Hourigan
284 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:10:58
ps Fer did not have a knee problem , he had a minor minuscus tear ie cartilage to you and me, for which had a keyhole op and he was back playing with no apparent problems. Normal football injury NOT a career threatening knee problem - yet more bullshit to keep people happy
Brent Stephens
285 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:12:02
...and not to death, Phil
Brent Stephens
286 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:14:16
Bullshit "doctors" on here who apparently know what shape Fer's knee is in.
David Israel
287 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:14:25
Yes, Jim Hourigan # 287, I also think Fer's injury was nothing serious, but that doesn't prevent our medical staff from being worried about it, that's what I meant, especially in view of the fee involved.
Dick Fearon
288 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:08:24
Ah well thats another one out of the way, our little charade should keep the punters off our backs. Now where's that lucrative 5 year contract you want me to sign.
Phil Sammon
289 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:14:55
Ha, ok Kev.

I just fear we are missing a massive oppotunity here...and there is very little risk.

So we buy Fer for £8.6M

1. We get champions league and pocket a load of cash and retain our best players.

2. We don't. We sell Fellaini for a load of cash.

Where's the risk?

Brent Stephens
290 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:18:57
David, I've just noticed you said the problem with Fer might have been cold feet.
So def not a player for a cold night at Stoke!
Andrew McLean
291 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:19:50
Fer is old news, that's in the past, time is short, move on people please.
Chris Owens
292 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:15:50
Don’t let Fellaini out of that cupboard for another couple of hours.
David Israel
293 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:19:42
From what I'm reading in the transfer updates, QPR will be the team to beat in next season's Championship!

More seriously, I think this month's transfer activity probably means Villa are doomed.

Sorry for being off-topic.

Ged Alexander
294 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:21:02
Gibbo and Mirallas have barely played this season... you think the medicos are sensitive?
David Israel
295 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:21:53
Brent # 294, I have to admit I hadn't thought of that, but I meant Everton's cold feet, not Fer's! ;-)
Paul Smith
296 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:20:41
I am gobsmacked. I genuinely thought we would sign someone. Although Moyes was always cagey , Robbie lad said "there were still some irons in the fire", oh he he must of meant -Stones.
Kev Johnson
297 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:25:36
I heard Phil Neville might be a late sale...

Well you've got to have a dream, haven't you...

David Israel
298 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:24:30
Ged # 299, Gibson's and Mirrallas' problems (and a few other people's) probably have more to do with physical fitness coaches than with medicos. That's my inkling anyway.
Steavey Buckley
299 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:28:15
Everton now have 5 players who can play right back, 5 more and a whole team plus the goal keeper. But not one player who is a consistent goal scorer.
Kev Johnson
300 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:31:57
It could be our cunning new tactic, Steavey - a keeper and ten right backs!

The formation would be a 1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.

To be fair, we'd be pretty strong on the right...

Steavey Buckley
301 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:36:41
305. It is so funny yet nearly true.
Lewis Barclay
302 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:36:11
Everton are the new Michael Barrymore team.
All right at the back.
Paul Gallagher
303 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:37:45
Maybe Bill Kenwright will make a new play about the transfer window...?
Charlie Martin
304 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:38:37
Gueye accepts a move to Brest, sounds like a very liberal party.
Kev Johnson
305 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:39:18
I see the Beeb are reporting that Leeds have bought "Central African Republic striker Habib Habibou".

Firstly, what a fantastic name - Habib Habibou! Why can't we buy someone with a name like that? Secondly, I have never heard of the Central African Republic. Is it because I is white?

David Israel
306 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:42:20
Let's hope, Charlie Martin # 309, that Brest don't find anything wrong with his knees!
Gavin Ramejkis
307 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:27:18
For a guy with a fucked knee Fer has been playing games on it, the reports sound more like FC Twente wanting the readies so they could replace him and not happy with the never never terms
James McPherson
308 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:45:16
Gueye goes to Brest...always said he sucked!
David Israel
309 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:44:57
Kev # 310, if this is any help, it sounds as though it lies somewhere in Central Africa! (apologies to John Cleese :-))
Brent Stephens
310 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:46:38
The advantage of Kev's 1-1-1-1-1- etc formation is that you don't need a straight back line to get the offside decision.
Terry Downes
311 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:48:09
A fucking embarrassing transfer window for us.
Kevin Tully
312 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:49:32
Have we signed those two bewildered Africans on loan yet?
John Maxwell
313 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:50:51
Thank God Gueye has gone, 1 good game in how many years ?

My dad can run quicker than him and he's 67 !

Daniel Lawrence
314 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:51:36
Chances of this Stones dealing falling through?
Graham Mockford
315 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:44:47
Let me ask the obvious question, I know it is deadline day and we are all hoping for the big feel good signing. But if the right deal is not there to be done and we genuinely have the money to spend, would we rather spend it on Johnny Euro now or wait until the summer until we can get the right guy?
This squad as it stands and with a bit of good luck as far as injuries are concerned is still good enough for CL qualification, the last year shows that to be true.
Charlie Martin
316 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:41:26
@ Andrew 295 "Fer is old news". No he isn't.

If the guy looked a medical risk after a scan, fine, ask to stage payments; what I had a problem with a couple of days ago was an official announcement of any sort (pending detail/wage and medical); no club does that because it tells the rest of the world that the guy is available. it was on our clubs home page BEFORE he signed. Was it "we're being ambitious" false PR? Probably not, but we need to understand why that announcement was made. It serves the club and fans no purpose to become a tablloid column so at the very least it shows how badly we are run near the top. Its not a transfer deadline story now Andrew, but a 'how is our club being run' story, and for me that's current news not old news.

Gavin Ramejkis
317 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:53:19
If Quo Vadis was the right guy in the summer what has changed? surely in this day and age a manager worth a balloon has ideas of weaknesses having seen his team play for half a season and used his scouts and his own eyes to choose targets before 1 minute to 11 on transfer deadline day?
Kev Johnson
318 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:50:56
Very true, Brent. Although the nightmare scenario is that the preponderance of players on the right might cause the pitch to tip up - causing utter carnage. No one wants to see that happen... Although, on reflection, I do.

Talking of Gueye going to Brest, there's a place in Italy, near Lazio, called Arsoli. Suarez will end up there one day, unless I'm much mistaken.

Graham Mockford
319 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:52:36
Kevi #310
All I know is the capital is Bangui but that is because I'm a very sad quizzer.
Si Cooper
320 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:55:06
How do you work that out Graham? We are currently in fifth, which is 'close but no cigar' as far as CL qualification goes.

This transfer window has been a wasted opportunity as far as I am concerned.

Brendan McLaughlin
321 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:53:29
Graham #320
Where you getting this Johnny Euro information from...I take it he plays right back?
Eugene Ruane
322 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:48:14
John Stone - "It's a great step up for me. Barnsley is a great club and I've enjoyed my time there, but when the offer came from David Moyes, I couldn't say no. I'll get the experience I need, plenty of game time and who knows, in five years, when my loan is up with Leeds, I might get to warm the fucking bench at Everton"

Ok he didn't say that...but he might if he had a crystal ball.

Denis Richardson
323 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:53:23
Graham - understand your point but EFC is a premiership club with a whole army of scouts. How can there no be a 'right deal' out there?

We may not be able to spend 20m on a player but I would have thought our scouts could find multiple players, who we could afford to bring in - its their job after all.

Being a scout at EFC must be the easiest job in the world - no one expects us to sign anyone anyhow, so you can just put ya feet up and switch the telly on.

'That messy looks pretty handy, out of our range though - oh well, lets have another bash next year...'

Brent Stephens
324 Posted 31/01/2013 at 21:58:41
Kev, is the solution to the potential tipping pitch one like Yeovil's (was) i.e. itself sloped, but in a counter direction? We could then have those fans who take the moral high ground standing on the higher side.
John Keating
325 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:00:23
Could be worse.
We could have that prick Odemwinge playing for us!
Feel sorry for WBA
Kev Johnson
327 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:00:33
John Stone - it's not a great name, is it? Bit dull. Not like Habib Habibou - now that is a player.

Graham - I'm genuinely impressed. I feel bad for not knowing, but there you go. Why have I never heard of it? Do they play football there? Obviously they do, hence the great Habib Habibou!

Si Cooper
328 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:03:29
Basically, we couldn't find anyone better than Phil Neville!!!!!!!

I don't believe we ever had the sort of money that was mentioned in the last few days.

Phil Sammon
329 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:06:30
BBC Sport:

'Leeds make their third signing of the day as the Central African Republic striker Habib Habibou joins on loan until the end of the season with a view to a permanent deal.

The 25-year-old is perhaps best known for a video of him throwing a duck from the pitch.'

I'll take Stones.

Si Cooper
330 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:07:09
Kev, think it used to be called something else until quite recently. The Congo, perhaps?
James McPherson
331 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:10:52
Si Cooper - spot on. When the dust settles...Michael/Lyndon set up a poll...
EFC January window...Charade or Genuine?

Know where my vote would go.

Denis Richardson
332 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:10:11
Si the CAR has always been called that (since independence anyway), its next to Camaroon.....good knowledge on the capital!
John Ford
333 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:11:30
Been out all evening, just got back in and was expecting to hear from some happy blues fans.....but no...we've signed tumbleweed!
Denis Richardson
334 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:15:08
cameroon that should be...........right onto Villa at home then.

F'all going to happen on the transfer front.

Kev Johnson
335 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:10:06
Phil - that's where you and me are different. I like duck throwing videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7VKpT8zdsg

Si - it's been the Central African Republic since 1958 - before that it was French colony of Ubangi-Shari! Never heard of that either. It just gets worse...

Brent Stephens
336 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:16:19
John, this tumbleweed we've signed, is there a Youtube on him? Only joking - I know Youtube is shit.
David Israel
337 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:11:44
Not, not Congo, Si, that was Zaire until recently. The Central African Republic - birthplace of great footballers, just ask Neil Warnock - used to be called, at one point, the Central African Empire, with this canibal at the helm, who gifted a few diamonds to the then French President. Impressive people, all around! ;-)
Jim Knightley
338 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:12:41
Extremely disappointed...

That said, I don't think we can buy a cm with a dodgy knee. What would happen if it went in three months, and we had a Michael Owen on our hands? When you have as little money as we do, you must be cautious.

Mega gutting though. We may have gone for tons of players today, which we don't know of, and will never know about...But I'm inclined to say that we could have been boasted by a loan of Sinclair, or Marin or the like...and it would have been great for squad morale to have someone come in. The only slim chance of getting top four now rests on players staying fit.

But it says alot really..Arsenal spend 8.5mil on a left back, Spurs bring in one of the best midfield prospects in the world, and we do not add a senior player. Even Lpool have managed 20mil plus on Sturridge and Coutinho.

Brent Stephens
339 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:19:41
Sky saying weve got Stone
Pete Cumberlidge
340 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:18:39
And I thought that today would be like Groundhog Day.... only its been worse
Si Cooper
341 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:16:24
Just read about it on Wikipedia. Denis. CAR since 1960 when got independence from France (briefly Central African Empire).

Graham was the one who knew the capital.

It is next to what was the Congo though.

Any one think we wouldn't have gone for Stones this transfer window if we had signed someone else / if Wigan hadn't been on the verge of getting him?

Gavin Ramejkis
342 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:21:40
There's not a hope Stones will be anywhere near the first team, he'll get a few games in the stiffs then out on loan
Phil Sammon
343 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:21:20
Still half an hour or so...but I cant believe we havent even got a loan or two.

I hate to bash the club....but surely we could have found a replacement for Phil Neville.

Kevin Tully
344 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:16:37
Done deal for the boy from Barnsley.

B.K to Moyes " You are going to have to bring someone in, I will be crucified if we are the only P.L. club who haven't signed anyone."

Moyes " Aye, I know a kid we can get for next to nothing, he's only 18 but I'm off anyway."

Pete Cumberlidge
345 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:21:31
Didn't Moyes say he would not be discussing his own contract until after January I.e. after the transfer window closes. Don't really know what that meant then or means now? We can only presume. I'll just presume that it means he won't bother either
David Israel
346 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:25:49
I expect that DM, with this exciting signing in the bag, will now put pen to paper. Here's hoping the medicos don't find anything wrong with is (David's) knees.
David Israel
347 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:27:34
I meant "his knees", of course. Typo
Patrick Smith
348 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:22:54
We didn't have to sell anyone and one young prospect bought. What's negative about that? Pissing and moaning about nothing.
Brendan McLaughlin
349 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:24:25
Gavin #349
I've got the title for your article already...
"STIFFS..STONE..LOAN"
Kev Johnson
350 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:29:15
What, David Moyes has got dodgy knees? I knew he had a dodgy taste in captains, but that's news to me. Maybe that explains his belated substitutions - he tries to get up at 60 mins to bring on Oviedo but it takes him 20 minutes to manage it, what with the pain in his joints and all, by which time there's only ten minutes left and it's too late for him to make an impact.
Jim Knightley
351 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:33:34
Yes Si, I think if we had got Fer or Negredo, Stones wouldn't have been an option. Bidding for him signaled the end of the prospects of a high profile buy imo.
Si Cooper
352 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:28:39
Just over twenty minutes to go so there can't be any more business we will do unless we were the ones who triggered Diame's release clause and he is signing up at the moment.

If signing a young defender is enough to get Moyes to sign a new contract then why wasn't it done ages ago.

I can't imagine what has happened over the last week or so really amounts to showing the manager that he is being backed, so if he does sign he will be shown to be a charlatan who is happy with the money.

Phil Sammon
353 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:36:41
Si

I think Moyes was more concerned about keeping the players he had.

Brent Stephens
354 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:38:50
Good shout, Phil
Kev Johnson
355 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:38:04
Maybe the reason for us not going back for that Belgian dude, Vadis Thingymyjig, is that there was ill feeling between the clubs after the cock-up in the summer? That's the only reason I can think of why we haven't signed him up.
Steve Edwards
356 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:28:17
Don't for the life of me see any point in signing an 18 year old full back now for 3M. What is he? One for the future. Probably bought him just to rub salt in the wounds of Evertonians who were hoping that the squad would actually be improved. Yeh put him in the youth team, warm the bench with his ass and then probably loan him out for ' experience'. Why fuckin bother? We've seen it all before. The squad needs improving now!
Jim Knightley
357 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:42:05
Steve...What do you think is the point in signing youth? Remember when we almost got Walker/Naughton a few seasons ago until fucking Spurs came in? As much as I would have preferred a senior buy, I don't understand why we are going to criticize this team for buying a very promising young player who is playing regularly in the Championship. Esp given that, bar Coleman, our right back options are ageing. Transfer windows are not only about the next six months.
Chris Sillett
358 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:43:40
What a depressing day this has turned out to be. Our best chance of finishing 4th for years, we needed another striker or midfielder and what do we get? An 18 year old right back from Barnsley. Im not surprised in the slightest (this is Everton) but its the hope that kills me everytime. Last summer's deadline day ended in failure with the Vadis Ofoe cock-up and this years deadline has turned out to be just as fruitless. If we don't get europe this season i'll seriously be considering not renewing my season ticket after 10 years!
Brendan McLaughlin
359 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:45:48
Kept all our best players, dodged a bullet in Leroy & signed a very promising player for the future....all in all, a pretty satisfactory window.
Kev Johnson
360 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:47:52
True, Jim, but it's not really a priority position, is it? Mind you, having said that, with our current injuries the lad might get a game on Saturday!

If it had been a good young keeper I'd have been more impressed.

Jim Knightley
361 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:50:50
It's not priority Kev, for sure. But I suppose we know we need another one long term, and I reckon Wigan forced our hand, after we realised Negredo was a no go.

Still part of me hopes we've sneaked a deal for someone somehow...It's pathetic really.

Jim Knightley
362 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:52:51
Can't believe how cheap Stoke have got Butland for.. up to 3.5mil?! why didnt we get him!!!!!!!
Alex Foxx
363 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:47:59
Similar to the Oviedo deal - good to pad out the squad and bring the average age but another player we won't see in the first team this year. Don't understand why Moyes has gone off his Summer targets - No Vadis, and no Butland. £3.5m: Stoke have got an absolute bargain.
Ian Bennett
364 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:56:04
He's a replacement for begavic, so he'll get games next season. He wouldn't at ours.
Steven Telford
365 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:44:22
Look, it's been a shit day, but there is no excuse for talking shit about Stones, it's not his fault that the board have failed to do more significant business. yes he should have been a peripheral signing rather than thee signing of the transfer window. all the same, we should welcome him to Goodison, and wish him all the best. Truth is, we do need both cover and a longer term replacement at right back. I for one am happy to see some youth come into the team.
Dan McKie
366 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:49:46
18 year old right back? Wow! We won't see him for years, if ever! That's the only position that we are overstocked with players, but yeah, great move. Moyes can keep Neville in midfield, and keep praying that Jelavic remembers where the nets are.

For me, this has been the worst transfer window. They made us believe that we had signed a highly rated young Dutch international, then made us believe they were going after a class Spanish striker, and made us believe we might have some money. They will be posting the letters for season ticket renewal next month and this is the first time that I just don't know if I will bother. Moyes, Fellaini and Baines will all be gone in the summer, and others will likely follow.

Steven Telford
367 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:57:18
should we have made a move for Jack Butland?
Phil Sammon
368 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:54:12
I think Stones is a lad we've had our eye on for a while and Wigan's bid forced our hand.

Just seen in interview with him on Sky and seems a really down to earth lad. His agent, by his side in classic 'I've got money' big collar shirt and massive watch...utter scum.

I don't know what this means for Hibbo and Coleman. I thought Coleman was our RB for years to come. Its a strange one...no matter how good a prospect he is.

Kev Johnson
369 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:58:35
Well, the deadline has passed.

Let's look on the bright side... we've got Villa at home on Saturday! If that's not three points then I don't know what is.

Andy Whittingham
370 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:57:38
Right, when do we all link arms and sing Auld Lang Syne?
Brent Stephens
371 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:59:34
No, Dan. You made yourself believe we'd signed a highly-rated Dutch international.
Winston Williamson
372 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:58:25
What a completely missed opportunity! Sorry, but we've had 31 days to sort something (even before, to line a deal up) and we end up with an 18 year old right back (although sounds like a good lad).

We are run like a middleweight championship club who happen to be sitting 5th in the premiership. I bet my bollocks we don't end up in the top 4....I completely hate that fecking cunt Kenwright

Kev Johnson
373 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:02:10
Not a bad player, Lang Syne - although a bit... auld.
Gavin Ramejkis
374 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:59:02
And another shit transfer.window shuts, thanks Everton
Peter Laing
375 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:01:47
Pray that Gibbo and Mirallas stay fit, attempting to push for 4th with Neville in Midfield is a shuddering prospect
Clarence Yurcan
376 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:01:17
Utterly depressing, the Fer announcement and retractment makes it even worse!
Chris Sillett
377 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:03:23
Fear not lads, the signing of Stones means Neville is now free to work his magic in midfield for the next few years!
Kev Johnson
378 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:04:15
Winston, mate - you don't want to bet your bollocks. We might just finish 4th... and if we do you'll have no bollocks. Think twice about going down to Ladbrokes and plonking your gonads on the counter. Alternatively, if you're determined to do it then let me know in advance because I want to make sure I'm not there.
Patrick Murphy
379 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:05:20
The signing of Stones means Neville will be able to remain at the the heart of the Midfield and not as a make-shift right-back, Captain has to play centrally, well in the PN book of captaincy it does anyway.

14 games to go, we'll just have to get behind the players we have and call an inquest at the end of the season.


James McPherson
380 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:04:32
The club once again has failed (even moderately) to back itself...yet we will all be there Saturday. This is a bad window not for the lack of signings but the fact that it heralds the departure of Felliani and possibly Baines in the Summer...as for Moyes...well who knows?
Douglas Turner
381 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:00:14
11 bells and we've bought Gosling MKII. Billy balls up did it again! Watch the red shites cruise past us as kenright stalls on the gas money to finish the job! Gr8 incentive to keep Moyes Bill.
Sean Patton
382 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:07:05
Not to mention the numerous statements on the OS in the next few days about how close we came and well yer know we tried, an utter omnishambles of a board
Dan McKie
383 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:05:19
Yeah Brent, the story on the official site had nothing to do with it. The tweets from Heitinga, Pienaar and Neville bigging him up wasn't the reason neither.
Winston Williamson
384 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:07:57
Kev...I do my betting online...
Having no bollocks......I'll be made Everton Chairman in no time
Ray Jacques
385 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:03:48
The teams we are supposedly competing with for fourth (Arsenal, Spurs and Lpool) all strengthened in the window. We do nothing.

If we finish in the top four then Moyes should be given the freedom of the city. Going to bed fed up and disappointed.

Gun fight and knives, some truth in that one after all.

Kevin Tully
386 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:04:50
This board don't want us to get the C.L. - imagine the pressure to invest in the squad. Fucking frauds the lot of them.

Sky money & loans is the business model - this is all the evidence anyone needs that there is absolutely no ambition on their behalf to be contenders for a top 4 spot.

Woods & Earl are worth hundreds of millions, and we get a kid from Barnsley who won't even see the bench.

Max Murphy
387 Posted 31/01/2013 at 22:58:16
Transfer Window? Who does Window play for?
Paul Andrews
388 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:08:00
The best chance we will have in a long time to reach top 4, just 2-3 players needed to beef the squad up to give us a fighting chance.

Injuries, suspensions, fatigue, small squad to begin with... even smaller after one in and one, possibly two, out. Top 4 won't happen now.

James McPherson
389 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:10:03
I'll do my own straw poll - the transfer kitty - bogus or real?
Peter Laing
390 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:12:00
I would just love it if QPR and Villa go down preferably taking the skunks with them
Winston Williamson
391 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:13:18
bogus bogus bogus
Bill Gall
392 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:03:58
Never mind after all the crap that is the transfer window, you can go to Bill Kenwright's new production Smoke & Mirrors coupled with Anatomy of a Horse Dealer. Also you (kneed) information before you buy a player. Everton must be one of the few clubs that can strengthen their team by buying a young player with no Premier League experience and ship one out with Premier League experience.
Peter Laing
393 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:13:49
Bullshit transfer window from the master of spin Mr Kenwright and his pupett Elstone
Kevin Tully
394 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:15:34
Can anyone tell me what value these charlatans add to this club?

I cannot think of one redeeming feature any of them bring to the table.

Dennis Shaw
395 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:15:50
Kenwright out and take that Elstone with you.
Gavin Ramejkis
396 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:14:27
Wonder what line Gollum will use to unveil his new £4m a year contract with his face freshly released from Billy Bullshitters arse crack? "The board promised they wouldn't sell any of my stars", blah blah "they back me all they can", blah fucking blah
Peter Laing
397 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:23:01
Gavin, Mirrallas will be just like a new signing ha
Tom Dodds
398 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:22:41
The board are waiting for Kenwright to implode.

I say the board are waiting for Kenwright to implode.

Have yer not fuckin' got it yet???

Anthony Jaras
399 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:22:25
Do you mean Phil Neville who has been in the midfield helping us push on for fifth in a league filled with clubs spending millions? Oh yeah, that Phil Neville?

Don't let the facts or the results get in the way of a good moan eh lads!

Gerry Quinn
400 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:29:36
I bet that this new full back becomes another Bainsey.......................
http://www.onthepontyend.com/2013/01/good-luck-stonesy-were-proud-of-you.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+otpe+%28On+the+Ponty+End%29
Dennis Shaw
401 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:27:19
Anthony - come on not even Alistair Campbell could spin Neville in midfield as a good idea.

Is anyone really surprised that once again the Board let us down and whilst I'm happy that we have signed a good prospect this should been additional to a decent midfielder and striker to allow us to compete over the hard part of the season.

Gavin Ramejkis
402 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:28:53
Seriously Anthony, Neville is a liability and should retire on a high not just get even slower and misplace more passes direct to the other team, at best he is cover at right back but he's piss poor in midfield
Phil Sammon
403 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:29:57
Anthony

We struggle by with him in the side. If you think he adds to the team then you need to see a doctor.

Paul David
404 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:29:35
Anthony

Yeah cos we need all 11 players to be on fire to be just 1 or 2 places higher than were we would have expected to be anyway.

Ian Allaker
405 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:28:55
Exciting times, 4th place here we come. I've got a good feeling about this lad. Hopefully the next England right back like Kyle Walker. I can see it now, a right back version of Baines, controling the game from RB. Next time a team tries to nulify our left side they are in for a shock from our right side.

Got to stay positive ay?

Daniel Lawrence
406 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:27:22
So we spent £500k in an attempt to qualify for The Champions League.

Tin-fuckin-pot.

Daniel Lawrence
408 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:27:22
Unfortunately Ian, Baines won't be here by the time this lad breaks through.
Arlen Connor
409 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:33:24
'come on not even Alistair Campbell could spin Neville in midfield as a good idea'

Oh really? How about thoughtful, considered analysis.

http://theexecutionersbong.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/better-the-neville-you-know/

I'm no major fan of Neville, but I appreciate the positives he brings. And the ability of professionals like Moyes to know better than most punters on here

Steve Edwards
410 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:15:44
Jim(365). We've bought promising young players before, Luke Garbage or whatever his name is for one. That Kennedy kid for two. What happened to that guy Junior? Ninety percent of these sought of signings disappear into thin air, forgotten by the fans expecting great things from them, they quietly disappear back down the leagues. Make no mistake however promising this kid is, it's a long shot. It's as simple as that. No garantee that he will be an outstanding full back in a year, two years or ever.
Anthony Jaras
411 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:37:16
I can't stand Neville in midfield to be honest, but facts are facts and we are fifth in the league, even with 'Piss Poor' Neville as a regular there.
Jim Knightley
412 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:39:11
Steve, which of those was a starter in a Championship side at 18?

There is a difference between youths we buy for a nominal amount, or at 16, and someone who has been making waves like this guy has.

And Junior has been here for six months...give him time. Kennedy needs it too. Doesn't mean they won't turn out good at some point, or we won't make a profit long term.

Simon Crowley
413 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:25:35
Quite frankly amazed at some of the comments being made by some people on here.

Think we need to rein it in a little and realise that
a) we didn't lose anyone and
b) we have signed someone.

Granted the young lad is one for the future but we have to operate like this to push through players for the future and generate potential income. We are not in a position to have taken a risk on Leroy Fer as we would NOT have gotten insurance on his knee so if that knee goes we are screwed, we cannot operate like this!!.

We went in for Negredo and sadly was not available at this time but atleast we tried to operate within our means, which is more than most of us thought.

Granted we could have tried to do business earlier but if no one else noticed alot of business has only happened in the last 48 hours as well as the fact we cannot offer silly wages so almost have to look for the best of a bad bunch as players can be waiting to see if a better option for themselves comes along.

We could have panic bought but didn't. Think of the future and not just a signing to make us all feel better. Remember Bilyaletdinov anyone?, felt great but after 1 game was more of a hindrance than a saviour...case in point!!. COYB

Kevin Tully
414 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:39:37
The only reason we signed the kid from Barnsley was for P.R. reasons.

That is one signing that could have waited until the summer. Why would any club attempting to reach the C.L. put all their efforts into signing a player who may be in the first team in 3 years time?

Wise up to way this club operates people.

Anthony Jaras
415 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:44:01
Kevin,

P.R reasons? How does that work? Have you seen the reaction on here? Hardly 'good' P.R is it?

Dennis Shaw
416 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:38:49
Ha ha just watching Sky Sports hundreds of fans outside Stoke behind the Sky reporter flick to Finch Farm and tumbleweed - we all just knew.

Neville was finished for me when he criticised the fans booing the negative substitution at the mighty Bolton and when he suggested his twitter account had been hacked when he welcomed Fer obviously not following Kenwrights dastardly plan.

Arlen stats can be manipulated to make anyone look good I base my opinion on watching him week in week out

Anthony Jaras
417 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:45:33
Plus, how could it wait til summer, when Wigan had a £3m bid accepted two hours before we even entered the picture?
Richard O'Shea
418 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:47:09
Look on the bright side Mirallas hardly played for us this season. H aving him back for rest of the season be like a new signing.
Mark Boulle
419 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:39:43
Bitterly, bitterly disappointing. I can scarcely put into words how angry I am at the Board for completely and utterly failing to make the most of this golden opportunity finally to join the CL gravy train and solve our financial woes once and for all.

Yes, we may be 5th and hanging on to Spurs' coat tails for now, but one glance at our remaining fixtures and the way our rivals for 4th have strengthened tells you that without further strength in central midfield (which for me was always our number one priority), Moyes would have to be awarded Manager of the Century, never mind the year, to make 4th place and will do bloody well to keep us in 5th.

Brendan McLaughlin
420 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:48:31
Anthony #426
It's all PR....commonsense doesn't come into it
Dennis Shaw
421 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:48:15
I think we should welcome the new lad and be careful not to divert our disappointment of the board onto him lets just hope he gets a game maybe a chance to push Coleman onto the right wing.
Ciarán McGlone
422 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:42:36
Phil Neville is terrible.

Wednesday night was a great example of how useless he is. When we have possession he never wants the ball if there's an opposing player within 20 feet him. In fact sometimes he actually moves behind an opposing player while pointing elsewhere..

The times when he actually has the football thrust upon him, he usually puts the player he gives it to in difficulty with a hospital pass.

Utter shite.

As for the transfer window. A fuckin shambles.

No, not the innability of our custodians to provide financial support.. the attitude of some on here who quite clearly swallow the bullshit they're fed - then go on to defend it.

Shambles.

Jim Knightley
423 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:48:14
Kevin... we clearly didn't put all our efforts into signing him... we bid after deals for Fer and Negredo, and who knows else fell through. Don't let the disappointment of today cloud your objectivity.

One thing guys... Why are some of us looking at Stones as a negative? we've fucked up big time when it comes to seniors, but I personally don't see the point in lamenting the signing of a very impressive looking youngster, who several Prem clubs, including Chelski have been linked with. I also expect the deal will involve a figure rising to £3million, not a £3million payment.

Kevin Tully
424 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:45:51
Anthony - the board did not want to give it's detractors the ammunition of only us and West Brom in the P.L. not to have signed anyone.

What do you think all the Negrado bollocks has been about?

Simon Crowley
425 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:25:35
Quite frankly amazed at some of the comments being made by some people on here.

Think we need to rein it in a little and realise that
a) we didn't lose anyone and
b) we have signed someone.

Granted the young lad is one for the future but we have to operate like this to push through players for the future and generate potential income. We are not in a position to have taken a risk on Leroy Fer as we would NOT have gotten insurance on his knee so if that knee goes we are screwed, we cannot operate like this!!.

We went in for Negredo and sadly was not available at this time but atleast we tried to operate within our means, which is more than most of us thought.

Granted we could have tried to do business earlier but if no one else noticed alot of business has only happened in the last 48 hours as well as the fact we cannot offer silly wages so almost have to look for the best of a bad bunch as players can be waiting to see if a better option for themselves comes along.

We could have panic bought but didn't. Think of the future and not just a signing to make us all feel better. Remember Bilyaletdinov anyone?, felt great but after 1 game was more of a hindrance than a saviour...case in point!!. COYB

Kevin Tully
426 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:52:04
Anthony – there you go falling for it again, we have not just spent £3m – I believe it is £500k rising to a possible £3m based on appearances for the first team, sell on clauses, international appearances etc etc etc etc.
Paul David
427 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:55:44
"Rising to £3m based on appearances."

Just £500k then.

Steve Edwards
428 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:46:01
Jim (#421),

If Kennedy isn't better than Stephen Naismith (who is nothing more than a passenger when he plays right midfield) he should pack in. Moyes hasn't give him a sniff. He incidentally came with a similar fan fer as our latest wonder boy. He may come good (how many 18-year-olds play in the Premier League?) but make no mistake it's a long shot and not something that will get my pulse racing. If it floats your boat, your easily pleased.

Kevin Tully
429 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:55:12
Jim, two clubs have told us to not even bother trying to do business with them Twente & Sevilla - do you see a pattern emerging?
David Cornmell
430 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:59:18
Can't believe I sat up waiting for.... well, nothing.

At least I'm bevvied.

Dennis Shaw
432 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:59:03
Maybe we can differ paying for our season tickets based on performances, transfers, the weather etc the Billy way of doing business. Off to bed — it's only 270 more sleeps till the next transfer deadline day I hope I can sleep.
Ian Pilkington
433 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:59:33
A great transfer window for Blue Bill, only £3M spent and another wage bill saved.
Michael Brooks
434 Posted 01/02/2013 at 00:06:39
I though a couple of loan signings and that would be it but to sign an 18-year-old in a position where we are not crying out to strengthen is just a joke. Centre midfield or striker... yes, right back!!! Is it 1st April?

Will someone tell me why? The board can’t come out and say, there’s no money and we aren’t selling the club and just stop the lies, is it too much to ask?

James Marshall
435 Posted 01/02/2013 at 00:08:52
We should have bought Leroy Fer.

Goodnight.

Kristian Boyce
436 Posted 01/02/2013 at 00:07:17
Ian, it's even better, only £500k plus the wage savings on Gueye off the wage bill.
Ian Allaker
437 Posted 01/02/2013 at 00:00:46
Maybe Moyes will move Mirallas upfront and put Coleman back on the wing and then play stone at RB. He's a tall lad this kid, I have read he has potential to play CB as well, perhaps a long term replacement for Distin.
Jamie Sweet
438 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:51:45
A baffling and hugely disappointing transfer window and I think a real opportunity has been missed to try and push for a Champions League place.

Having said that, our main rivals haven't strengthened greatly either so all is not completely lost. We are now hugely reliant on avoiding our usual injury plague though and I can't help feeling that it's a sign that we're lacking ambition (we've got 40 points after all, that'll probably do some people).

On the bright side, a warm welcome to John Stones... a real bright prospect for the future.

Andrew James
439 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:54:02
If I was Moyes, unless I was guaranteed £15 million and no selling in the summer, I'd move on.

We didn't have enough for 4th in August and we still don't. I hope the Europa League does for the horrible shower and Spurs but if they both keep their league form up we could finish 6th or 7th or even 8th.

From what I can see, referees have cost us 4 points this season - Newcastle at home and Norwich at home. (There are other decisions but I balance those out with some that have gone our way)

Our defenders and goalkeeper have cost us another 4 - Howard at Stoke and our inability to clear at Fulham.

Our strikers (sorry Jelavic) have failed to make the above not such an issue.

The FA are useless, we cannot change that.

Our defenders should sort it out, we can change that.

Our striker needs serious competition.

Therefore I curse the board for not backing Moyes for another striker. We create so many chances yet have rarely scored more than 2 per game.

Jelavic looks shot so we now have to rely on an injury prone Belgian and Victor Anichebe. Hardly the platform to get to 4th.

The only way this can happen is if Gibson and Hibbert return and we start turning clean sheets and nicking goals from Fellaini, Osman, Pienaar and Baines.

Either way, if we get 4th by some miracle, it's going to be a long and nerve jangling 4 months.

Jim Knightley
440 Posted 01/02/2013 at 00:11:31
Steve... I'm not easily pleased....Anyone with the ability to read, can see that...which I assume you can do. But I'm not going to get annoyed because we signed a promising rb (and potential cb). And I'm not going to right a youth player off because he isn't playing above Naismith...that would be beyond stupid. Maybe next year, or the year after he will be in the team? We will see. But last time I checked, Naismith was still an international, so I won't be telling Kennedy to pack it in.

And Kevin...what point are you trying to make? Of course Twente wern't happy... but why would we not want to re-structure a deal for Fey if he has the potential of long term knee trouble. And Sevilla didn't want to see their best striker...yep, that's our fault, isn't it? If you don't try, you don't get.

Again, I will say this...why can't Stone be a silver lining? instead of an avenue for frustration.

Colin Glassar
441 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:46:22
Another shambolic Transfer Window. I don't know why so many are blaming Kenwrong and Failstone when Moyes is just as much to blame IMO. There is no planning, no Plans B, C or D, no strategic thinking or interest in finding targets early and pinning them down.

We lost out on bargains like Holtby (£850k) and Butland (£3.5m) due to this negligence. These two inept idiots apparently started to look at "possible targets" in mid January which is absolutely pathetic. If elstone is BK's ventriloquists dummy then Moyes is his lap dog. They are a little, self serving gang who are in it for personal gain and for fulfilling their egos.

On the other hand I think the signing of Stones will be inspirational as he is very much in the Bainsey mould.

Tony Marsh
442 Posted 01/02/2013 at 00:09:19
This re-occuring theme/nightmare every window is now so commonplace at our club that we are becoming immune to it. Kenwright knows full well that the majority of our fan base are to apathetic, apologetic, disinterested, disillusioned, and so petrified of change that he can get away with pulling stroke after stroke without so much as a murmour from the supporters.

What has happened this week is absolutely disgusting. To treat our fans with such contempt is one thing but to try and treat us all as though we are all fucking thick as shit is another.

Basically what the club is saying is that there is not a single midfield or attacking player in the whole world who is better than what we now have who we could buy for £8 million with two to three days to look? It's a fucking scandal on a Tesco/Kings Dock type scale. I hate BK and Moyes for the Fer debacle. Fuck the knee-jerk bullshit, they didn't have the money — so fucking say so. Twats.

Jim Knightley
443 Posted 01/02/2013 at 00:18:18
Ignore the typos....Very very tired. I blame this rubbish deadline day for delaying my work, so I'm now working and depressed...instead of happy or in bed.
Spragg Johnson
444 Posted 01/02/2013 at 00:15:27
Billy Bullshit's smokescreens of Fer and Negredo worked a treat! We're a big club with big targets... yeah right... a teenage full back from Barnsley... wip dee fucking doo! Coleman, Hibbert, Neville, Jagielka and Heitinga can all cover RB anyhow.

The second half of this season will be tougher than the first as we play all of the big clubs AWAY... If we have any more injuries, Jelavic can't find form and the injury prone likes of Gibson and Mirallas continue as they are... we could be in for a reverse of the usual second half of the season climb.

At least Gueye has moved on though!!

Oh how I love supporting this club!!

Phil Roberts
446 Posted 01/02/2013 at 00:11:00
I have sympathy for Bill.

He will now be blamed for not getting 4th place and it was all to do with this transfer window.

Blunt terms - we were never going to do it, even if we had signed Fer and Negredo!

After 24 games we have taken 2 points less than the same fixtures last year. Yes, 2 points LESS than last years same fixtures. Not 24 games, but the same teams. We still have to go to Arsenal, United, Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool and City at home. Quick assessment of last 14 games will get to 64 points - probably. Spurs and Chelsea are on for over 70.

Fer and Negredo would not have given us another 8 points.

So we finish 5th and it is all Bill's fault because he has not invested in a dream that will not happen.

Home wins, Villa, Reading, QPR, West Ham, Fulham & Draw with City and Stoke (we have to foul up at least once) = 17 points. Away win Sunderland, Draw Norwich, Arsenal, Liverpool. Lose Chelsea, United, Spurs = 6 points = 64 points. So I'm wrong, we win at Arsenal and Liverpool and only 1 loss = 70 points. Yeah, and we would have done that with the 2 new signings. Dream On!

We were not going to do it, so it is not his fault, except we now know it is his fault - rather, we just get depressed and €30m spent including one guy who maybe will be finished with a dodgy knee and still with the same end result come May.

Mike Jones
447 Posted 01/02/2013 at 00:37:55
I've not been reading ToffeeWeb for the last 3 hours but I imagine there's a lot of upset... why? Where are the major Premer League signings tonight to affect us? And where have I read that Baines and/or Fellaini have gone?
Andrew James
448 Posted 01/02/2013 at 00:30:32
Spragg - one positive

Our ridiculous draws meant we still maintained 4th as opposed to progressing higher. Reason? Our direct opponents were in Europe and dropping the odd point here and there while West Brom were in great form. We've slipped a place down because Spurs aren't playing on Thursdays..for the moment.

Soon our direct opponents go back to Europe meanwhile West Brom won't keep the pace up. I predict that one of Arsenal, RS or Spurs will drop silly points in their Sunday matches or whatever.

Meanwhile, our away games:

Chelsea - we do ok there
Man Utd - nothing to be scared of
Spurs - not great but a draw or gutsy win is possible
Arsenal - again not great but a draw is possible

But we do have City at home which is usually a good result. We also have West Ham, Fulham and QPR at home. Games I would expect 9 points from.

Kevin Tully
449 Posted 01/02/2013 at 00:41:09
Phil #456,

Never mind Bill, what about the other board members who are worth 100's of millions, why didn't they underwrite some signings until the extra £30m arrives next season?

Jim Knightley
450 Posted 01/02/2013 at 00:40:46
Phil, what's with the pathetic statistical treatment? have you considered Spurs' run of fixtures in that? their failings against poor sides at home in the division?

Have you considered the possibility that we might draw at Spurs and Arsenal, and only have to better Spurs' results by one point between now and the end of the season, and can drop 2 points on Arsenal? Have you considered that Spurs still have to play Thursday night Europa league football? and Arsenal have Champions League?

Have you considered that Mirallas and Gibson are coming back to fitness?

Why write us off?

One more thing...if we don't have the big clubs at home it also suggests something else...we have easier home games. We can still get fourth...it will take an almighty effort, but why write us off now? These are the players that have got us into fifth arnt they? and largely the players which secured us a great second half of the season last year. If we go into May six points off fourth, I might give up then. But I'm not giving up yet...especially when we have great Jan onwards form in recent history, and Spurs have one of the most pathetic implosions of a big club in recent times in theirs.

Trevor McKinlay
451 Posted 01/02/2013 at 00:37:44
From the limited video on YouTube, Stones looks like a centre back in waiting, he's too tall to stay at right back. It was a gap that needed plugging, someone young with a bit of pace to hopefully line up alongside Duffy once the old guard move on. Still not the exciting signing we all hoped for, and probably not even an exciting Baines type full back for the opposite flank.

By the way, in response to the comments on Kennedy, he was described by his Scotland coach Ricky Sbragia recently as "exceptional", so don't write him, or Moyes's eye for a young player, off just yet.

Trevor McKinlay
452 Posted 01/02/2013 at 00:57:26
Like a young Ferdinand, according to one Barnsley forum. I'd settle for that as long as it's Rio (or possibly Les), but not Anton!
Andrew James
453 Posted 01/02/2013 at 01:01:07
Jim - very good points

And Spurs are not a big as club as their fans would have them be given they've not won the FA Cup for over 20 years, the league for over 50 and don't fill their ground every week despite this myth they would fill a 60k stadium if they moved...I assume they think corporates would pad that out but corporates don't want to travel to Zone 3 London/Seven Sisters when they might be getting into the Emirates or Chelsea.

Ste Traverse
454 Posted 01/02/2013 at 01:11:02
A few beauts over on the live forum are trying to tell us we should be grateful none of our best players have been sold!
Mike Jones
455 Posted 01/02/2013 at 00:55:49
Jim Knightley #460 — "We can still get fourth... it will take an almighty effort, but why write us off now? These are the players that have got us into fifth aren't they."

I agree with Jim K (for what it is worth).

I like this site; I've visited for 8 years and commented about 30/40 times (3 times so far tonight!), but some of my fellow Blues leave me nonplussed; my view is that there is a consistency in the Club now, matched quite rightly by expectation, neither of which were there 10 years ago. The stakes are higher now, but, in my opinion, we are better equipped than ever before to meet them. If you want delusion (or a chuckle) visit Red and White Kop – it demonstrates what can happen when you detach yourself from reality.

Kev Jones
456 Posted 01/02/2013 at 01:10:38
Mid December, if you'd have told me we'd keep Felli & Bains, I'd have taken that as a successful transfer window. Granted we 'missed out on' the usual phantom 'next Viera', whilst the media (not the club as far as I can see) conjured up a Negredo (the new Riquelme/Moutinho/other-unaffordable-luxury-we-can-only-dream-of. We'll not get 4th, and we're still undesirable to new investors. Like we didn't know that already. But we're looking in decent shape for a possible Europa league, a possible cup run in the offing to boot.. Hell, I'd take that in July, never mind December.

Sod blaming the board; we know they're toss, and will always be toss until we find a fool with more money than sense, which'll probably never happen. At least we don't seem to have gone backwards.

Patrick Murphy
457 Posted 01/02/2013 at 01:09:37
What's all this second half of the season nonsense?

Saturday will be the 25th game of the season which makes it closer to 2/3 of the season gone rather than half, we can make fourth, if Moyes motivates the team well enough and we start to tighten it up at the back. We just beat WBA and all our major contenders slipped up, so why the doom and gloom?

If we are still within striking distance come the end of February, anything is possible. Stay in the FA Cup as long as possible and morale will be okay, we don't need the supporters to throw in the towel just yet, but we do need the fans to get behind the team on the pitch, starting on Saturday.

If the CL dream ends and we miss out on European Qualification then the supporters can rightly start an inquest into the running of the club.

Whatever happens you can guarantee that BK will still be here for the long run, he's going nowhere, BK is to Everton what Peter Swales was to Manchester City. As long as he hits the season ticket sales target, he has nothing to worry about.

Harold Matthews
458 Posted 31/01/2013 at 23:43:40
Just woke up. Nodded off in the chair. Can't believe we haven't signed a star. Oh yes, John Stones is a terrific prospect and if he played for swansea or Southampton he'd get a game. He's certainly good enough. I've seen him many times.

The Board must think we will remain injury free for the remainder of the season. Fat chance of that happening. Also, Jags and Ossie reckon the aches and pains kick in around the 25 game mark which just happens to be this weekend.

Strange how we only went after one player. A player we knew had knee problems. A tall handsome lad with a long slow stride who could score goals but couldn't trap a bag of cement. Odjidja-Ofoe is a much better footballer. Likewise the Yank who Stoke snapped up for £4ml.

For me it would have been the Everton fan Holtby. Learning we had the money only makes things worse. Watch this intelligent dynamo at Spurs. He will light the place up.

Our 1st team are a good little outfit and we will just have to get behind them. Giving Neville, Heitinga and Naismith abuse upsets the whole squad and does more harm than good. I hate to hear boos for anyone in an Everton shirt no matter how poor they might be.

Steve Barr
459 Posted 01/02/2013 at 01:37:00
I agree with Tony Marsh on this one.

We never intended to buy Fer @ £8m. We tried it on and Twente saw right through it. Amateur, just like the whole Everton set-up I'm sad to say, particularly our PR and Marketing team.

A bit of cartilage trouble showed up in the scan! If that is true, who do they think they are kidding? That might have been a a career-ending injury a century ago but now?

Just see how well our torn ACL boys fairing at the moment. Jags, Arteta etc etc. Taking the piss. As Tony says, they must think we are absolute idiots.

I know I am... just forked out a fortune to bring my lads over for the Easter break, from the USA, to see a few games. Reading at home, the 6th Round Cup tie, assuming we beat Oldham in the big one and get a home draw, and Man City.

Will I ever learn?!

David Cornmell
461 Posted 01/02/2013 at 01:52:13
Agreed, Steve Barr.

The whole we'll pay the rest when he plays a few games goes down like a lead life jacket. Clubs have not forgotten Per Krøldrup. Money on the nail please.

Si Cooper
462 Posted 01/02/2013 at 02:13:22
When will people learn that you can't take statistics from last season (or even the last game) and just apply them to the future. Life just isn't guaranteed to work out that way, unless you are looking at huge populations were things average out.

We are in a good position to challenge for fourth (or higher) and whilst we may still do it, it would have been reasonable to assume that we could lower the risk of one of the things that could adversely affect us (the loss through injury or poor performance of key personnel) by bringing in some quality reinforcements.

We didn't even end up with a couple of loan deals, so I can't see how the manager can be anything but disappointed with the way the club has been able to back him in this transfer window. At this level making things happen is the bottom-line and good intentions or wishful thinking just don't cut it.

Welcome and good luck to John Stones. I hope he got some assurances that the manager he was signing for will still be around next season.

James Stewart
463 Posted 01/02/2013 at 02:50:04
So in the end we spent 500k. All blue bills bullshit phantom bids make me sick. What kind of mug believes we were seriously in for Negrado etc
Jamie Sweet
464 Posted 01/02/2013 at 02:49:04
Moyes is on his way out I reckon... and who could blame him?!
Harold Matthews
465 Posted 01/02/2013 at 02:58:34
Nice one Si .. I forgot about the managerial situation.

Actually, this non-event transfer fiasco has a distinct smell about it, as many posts have pointed out.

Fer can drive forward but has limited skills. £8ml was far too much. Vadis and Holtby are better all round players yet we couldn't afford £6ml for these guys.....and the Negredo business has to be an insult to our intelligence. Richer Clubs than Everton could not afford this brilliant player.

The recently disclosed massive wage bill eats up most of the money and I can well understand the club not wanting to increase it. This they have managed to achieve but if it was their plan all along they should have told us.

Apart from Baines we don't have any fancy superstars but over the last 38 games we lie 3rd behind United and City. God knows how we do it but we do. It's actually pretty awesome. We have players out of position, players who look useless and a regular injury list. Our manager drives us crackers with his 5 and 10 minute sustitutions and his failure to see that there are other players on the bench who can actually play football. We are unlike any other team, playing to his unique and mysterious system and keeping the opposition awake at night worrying how they will cope against our lobsided onslaught. It's a crazy situation which is not good for my health but we're stuck with it.For Evertonians it is never easy.

Eric Myles
466 Posted 01/02/2013 at 05:06:36
Patrick #470 "If the CL dream ends and we miss out on European Qualification then the supporters can rightly start an inquest into the running of the club"

Have you forgotten the last 10 years? The running of the Club has been bad for at least that long, with the current incumbents responsible for a litany of lies and failures.

What this transfer window shows is that this Board has no ambition and if our players and manager have then who can blame them if they leave to fulfil that ambition where it will be appreciated?

Mohammed Horoub
467 Posted 01/02/2013 at 03:12:18
Not surprised with the end result... Fact is the club has no money. Moyes was trying to lower expectations and protect both the team and the fans. The Fer signing is just the latest in a long line of Kenwright's productions, only we were all so desperate for new recruits that we bought the act.
Our only hope now is that we remain injury free the rest of the way and Moyes can motivate the team to keep going despite the board's lack of support.
I don't understand why the owners didn't come together to collect the 20-25 million that was needed to bring in 3 quality 1st team players. Something is seriously wrong with an ownership that has no faith in its company.
I don't agree with some of the posts that say 4th is impossible. I still think even 3rd place is available.
Our away games are tough but the team and manager are built to cope with them.
It's the home games against weaker opposition which I'm worried about.
14 games left and we need 30 pts. 8 wins 6 draws will do it or 9-3-2 also works.
Should be fun.
Paul Andrews
468 Posted 01/02/2013 at 06:32:09
David can sign his contract now.

A word to those saying we can keep our money to use in summer.We will have a maximum net spend of £5M taking into account players leaving. We won't even spend the £8.6M (ahem) Fer transfer money.

The things some Blues will take in is unbelievable, grown intelligent men being kidded season after season.

James Morgan
469 Posted 01/02/2013 at 07:08:31
What a fucking joke this club is. A actually thought we were in for some quality players, now I actually believe it was bullshit all along. More smoke and mirrors. It's pathetic.
How is an 18 year old right back going to push us towards Europe?
What an absolute farce. We were never in for Fer or Negredo and we only bought this kid to stop Wigan getting him, in my eyes Moyes probably would've wanted to watch him another year.
Phil Walling
470 Posted 01/02/2013 at 07:18:45
I still maintain our squad is good enough to finish sixth.......or seventh!
Paul Gladwell
471 Posted 01/02/2013 at 07:36:42
Mohammed,our away games are tough!
We play Man Utd, Chelsea,arsenal and the shite away all games we have never won in decades and you just know we will go to these grounds especially Anfield using shit ourselves tactics with Osman out wide etc
Brian Williams
472 Posted 01/02/2013 at 07:26:44
David Moyes stated, did he not, that there would be a small amount of money available to do business in this window.
He was constantly trying to lower expectations and rein in the madness.
The feeling generally on here seemed to be that it would be a good window if we managed to keep everyone we had.
Whether we were genuinely trying to sign Fer (I reckon we were), or Negredo (don't think we were), we have indeed kept everyone, and added a very promising young defender.
The board are onto plums whatever they do. If they don't try at all then they're accused of allsorts.
If they try to work the head on some other team to get players we have no right of getting (cashwise) they they're accused of "smoke and mirror's" to appease the fans.
I don't go for the smoke and mirrors myself, not one bit.
I do think they tried their arm to get someone on the drip , and they were rumbled.
We're partly to blame for how we feel this morning because we allow ourselves to start wishing and hoping, instead of being totally realistic.
I'm afraid it's STILL down to money, and always will be.
We don't have any!
James Morgan
473 Posted 01/02/2013 at 07:44:55
Not even a stinking loan!!!
Spragg Johnson
474 Posted 01/02/2013 at 07:45:09
It's a new day ... Back to positive thoughts ... Bring on the Villa ... And SH*T on the Villa!!
Paul Gladwell
475 Posted 01/02/2013 at 07:43:37
Brian, I think the comments of a good window being selling no one were made a while back before everyone had witnessed the last four or five games of piss poor passing from tired looking players not to mention the sight of every other club getting some fresh faces in.
Colin Glassar
476 Posted 01/02/2013 at 07:39:02
We'll be lucky to end up in the top 7 now. Too many tough away games with a threadbare and tired looking squad. Thanks Moyes, BK, board members et al for pulling the rug from underneath us once again. Midtable survival is the ambition of our once famous club.
Ray Roche
477 Posted 01/02/2013 at 08:00:30
If...IF...we were supposed to be interested in Holtby it's the usual bi-annual disgrace masquerading as our transfer window that he went for to Spurs for £1.5m , according to the BBC, and Fer went nowhere for £8m. I mean, we were serious about the Fer bid, weren't we? Weren't we?

I hope Stones doesn't read Toffeeweb judging by some of the earlier remarks. All the world and his wife have been whingeing about us getting a RB, we get one, and suddenly one poster claims we have enough RB's already in Jags, Neville, Coleman, Hibbert, Heitinga, The Toffee Lady, Dixie the fuckin' mascot, that huge pair of hairy bollocks that may, or may not, contain a man attempting to raise awareness of testicular cancer, ,,,,,unbelievable.

Mohammed Horoub
478 Posted 01/02/2013 at 08:04:34
Paul, I agree it won't be easy not to mention Spurs away which could be the decider for 4th. We might be able to catch Man U with a sucker punch as they are playing Real Madrid a few days later. Still talk about results away is useless unless we pick up atleast 5-6 wins at home.
Atleast it's only a 1pt difference with 4th rather than the usual 10pts.
Ray Jacques
479 Posted 01/02/2013 at 07:42:17
Can we stop all the attempts at predictionsof results. If football was like this I would be a very rich man and clean out the bookies every week.

The top and bottom is that a new signing would create some excitement for the fans and freshen the team and even provide alternatives in games when changes are needed.

Also if a good window is keeping our better players, how sad. Thats not progress and surely our aim is to finish 4th which by previous seasons finishing positions would require progress in order to acheive??? Seems to me the club have no ambition/cash/desire and are relying on Moyes and the players to pull a rabbit out of the hat.

Paul Gladwell
480 Posted 01/02/2013 at 08:18:02
That's what makes it all the more annoying Mohammed, the chance to break into the top four has never been so close, millions of pounds of TV money is coming our way and yet what does our club do?
We look knackered, we are preying for crocks do not get injured but they will and then what? Your right back at centre mid, your England centre half at right back, your worst centre half at centre half and your centre mid England midfielder at right mid a position he is garbage at, we got away with these square pegs in round holes the other night but we won't at places like across the park, I hope I'm wrong but I would be surprised if we finish above them.
Steve Guy
482 Posted 01/02/2013 at 08:45:15
Don't forget to applaud the Dear Leader on Saturday.
It was against Villa last season that the most shameful display of pre meditated crowd manipulation I have witnessed took place. Kim Jong Il and Communist Leaders in the Soviet Union would have been proud.

I hope that next time the Club try it they will need an army of seals because fewer and fewer must surely be falling for this pathetic bravado ?

Ray Roche
483 Posted 01/02/2013 at 09:07:08
Shouldn't that be Kim Jong Bill?
James O'Connell
484 Posted 01/02/2013 at 09:05:37
I just feel gutted this morning and annoyed with myself that I actually thought we might get a striker in. Hope spings eternal but transfer deadline day never fails to disappoint.
Steve Cotton
485 Posted 01/02/2013 at 09:20:51
Do any of you actually think Bill wants us to get 4th place?? Then he would be in the brown stuff as he would have to strengthen the squad whether he liked it or not... and guess what: 'Still no money'.

Getting through that glass ceiling of 4th is his nightmare scenario as he would have to find something fast and he doesn't have the minerals!!!!

Phil Sammon
486 Posted 01/02/2013 at 09:02:12
I always defend the board and Moyes but this is enough to test anyone's patience.

We have known we needed a CM for 6 months. Since then we have only learned that Darron Gibson has more injuries than we could ever have imagined.

So we've had £8.6M set aside and 6 months to find a centre mid better than Phil Neville. We failed. I am forever giving the board the benefit of the doubt...but how can you here?

There's Spurs fans annoyed at their lack of transfer activity...well Jesus Christ, we should be calling for BK's head!

All this talk of a light squad and 'brining in a couple of loans', we get the oppotunity and we cock it up. Unbelievable.

Stuart Gray
487 Posted 01/02/2013 at 09:27:43
It is such a shame that the positivity of the early part of the season has been fading. People will say that if there isn't any money in the bank then we can't go out and buy, but that's not true. With Everton being safe in the division now we will benefit from the massive increase in TV revenue. We could easily secure a loan against that, push for the Champions league and then get even more revenue. It's getting pathetic that we scrape around the bottom of the barrel and expect other clubs just to give up their best players for half their value on the last day of the transfer window.

FFS, yes I know we are still in 5th and I know we might still get 4th and I know that we always have a strong second half of the season. But why don't we just give ourselves a shot in the arm? We saw what happened last January, if the same thing happened this year we'd be odds on for CL. So short-sighted, pretending to bid for players that we can't actually afford just to make it look like we were busy in quality players when in actual fact we were probably looking to bring in Beckford again.

Phil Bellis
488 Posted 01/02/2013 at 09:42:44
"I always defend the board ..."
For Christ's sake, Phil, why?
Mohammed Horoub
489 Posted 01/02/2013 at 09:51:14
The direction ( or even fate) of the club now lies squarely on the shoulders of Jelavic. We need to find Jelavic '12 and soon otherwise all the good foundation built so far this season will go to waste...
What a difference a year makes...
Amit Vithlani
490 Posted 01/02/2013 at 09:50:12
Paul Gladwell at 520 you nailed it.

I would add that I wasn't expecting us to splash millions, but it was clear that the squad needed strengthening, and we could have done this through a couple of loans.

I am happy we kept our key players, but a good transfer window would have involved getting atleast 2 players in who could step into the first XI immediately. John Stones may prove to be a first teamer but in all cases I think the lad will need time and we need to be patient with him as he is so young.

Ultimately our activities in the transfer window are dicated by the Board and BK. If Moyes was given access to funds, he would have brought in players. He has shown this in past Windows.

I dearly hope our squad can summon the puff and the mental strength to maintain momentum. If we do achieve 4th from here, it will be a truly remarkable achievement.

I think it is more likely we will finish 5th - 7th, and the FAC represents our best chance of glory. We should be able to raise ourselves for one-off games at irregular intervals and have shown that our fit and firing first XI is a match for anyone. Not so sure we will have the stamina and squad depth to win enough matches to finish 4th (or perhaps even 5th)

Steve Edwards
491 Posted 01/02/2013 at 09:04:11
Jim (450)
Stephen Naismith must be good if he is a Scotish International. Just hold on a mo until I stop laughing! No I can' t write anymore, it's no good, I'll have to stop.
Douglas Turner
492 Posted 01/02/2013 at 10:01:15
Phil #572 Coz they mean well? Sorry! Tooo sooon!
Phil Bellis
493 Posted 01/02/2013 at 10:09:52
Douglas
So, perhaps, did Captain Edward Smith
Gareth Ashman
494 Posted 01/02/2013 at 10:11:37
Can we still sign 'loan' players (outside the transfer window), who may not be associated with professional clubs at the moment? If so, there must be plenty out there, perhaps towards the end of their career, or coming back from injury, who could do a job for the rest of the season... eg, Thomas Hitz!
James McPherson
495 Posted 01/02/2013 at 10:18:52
The inquest should not be held now. We need gto get behind the lads and just hope that they get a second wind and kick on. It's unlikely but get behind them nonetheless.

The inquest will start if (as is likely) we fall back and finish a now "typical" 7th. The inquest will start when players submit transfer requestsseeking ambition. When that happens let's not buy the club's spin and lies and the inevitable dirty tricks that will ensue.

If this miserable window does at least unite us in attributing blame where it should be -ythe board! - then at least it has delivered something.

The money was never there - that's why the spend is £500k. The whole thing was a PR scam - looking busy - with out real intent - easy to do when you know how.

Be interesting to see Moyes' reaction. Will he sign?

Chris James
496 Posted 01/02/2013 at 10:26:07
I appreciate we're disappointed at the lack of a big name first teamer, although to be fair to the club they did say repeatedly they wouldn't be signing anyone and did make an effort with Fer. Maybe they could have / should have taken the risk, maybe something else happened, maybe they never wanted to buy him at all (although I find that kind of fanciful), the truth is we'll never know.

The situation is that we are where we are and on reflection the window could have played out a lot worse. Who here would have happily seen Fer in and Felliani out for instance? I certainly wouldn't. Keeping hold of Felli and Baines was a top priority and that's been achieved.

The addition of a young right back who I think will get some game time this year (as a sub for Neville) is another tick on the sheet as that's been a problem position for years and with Hibbert and Coleman both out injured presently we need help. IF he is able to step up then it could mean Coleman pushed up to a right wing role giving us another option should Mirallas injury return.

What's more, with Gibson and Mirallas both off the treatment table, our first team is looking like it could be back in business:

Howard
Neville/Stones - Jags - Distin/Heitinga - Baines
Mirallas - GIbson - Osman - Pienaar
Felliaini
Jealvic/Anichebe

Subs: (3 from above) + Vellios, Naismith Oviedo, Hitz

With Coleman, Hibbert and (next month) Barkley to come back plus the likes of Junior, McAlney and Duffy getting some cameo appearances I don't think we're looking in too bad shape for the run in.

IF Mirallas and Gibson stay fit and Jelavic can get a bit of form back, then I think we still have a genuine shout for 4th. Noticeably none of the teams around us, bar maybe Liverpool (I think this year's too soon for Coutinho, but Sturridge is important addition for them) have notably strengthened in the window either. Spurs have added more midfielders that we may have liked but they didn't need and failed to address their lack of strikers. Sure Chelsea do have Ba now (can you imagine where we'd be with him and Jelly!) who will do well IF he plays, but the waiter is persisting with Torres and the rest of their team seems to be falling apart. Likewise, I remain to be convinced a Spanish defender is going to solve the defensive problems at Arsenal.


14 games to go plus (hopefully) another 4 in the cup, if we can just keep the morale strong, the side fit and get the slick of luck we were denied in the first half (it is supposed to balance out after all), then this could be a vintage year.

Dan McKie
497 Posted 01/02/2013 at 10:54:30
The club have been silent this morning, though I expect a few Everton in the community stories, Phil Neville rallying cries, and a blog from Elstone reminding us that Coleman, Distin and Jags signed new deals.
Stuart Gray
498 Posted 01/02/2013 at 11:16:42
Chris 591 - The board might have said we wouldn't sign anyone but then they went and pretended to spend nearly £9m. That clearly is going to get hopes up.

More to the point, with an incredible wealthy set of board members and owners - why have we no money? Why aren't we signing people that could give us the impetus to push on? Is is because BK sold our soul and it's too expensive for him or anyone else to buy back?

It's a load of crap. Yes get behind the team, but don't expect us to like the smoke and mirrors.

Colin Wainwright
499 Posted 01/02/2013 at 11:31:30
Good luck to the lad. Nowhere near enough though.
Paul Gladwell
500 Posted 01/02/2013 at 11:28:08
Chris do you honestly think Gibson and Mirralas will stay injury free?
Do you think in your dreams Moyes will play an 18 year old in experienced right back?
Do you think cameos will come to the likes of Duffy etc? How are these going to get a sniff when even Oviedo and Velios don't?
Honestly mate these things don't happen, the remainder of the season will be one long battle hoping we don't get injuries and when we do it will be all Moyes favourites filling in in positions they are garbage in eg Osman out wide,jags right back,Heitinga anywhere.
Lets hope we can do it, but yesterday has made the job twice as hard.
Steavey Buckley
501 Posted 01/02/2013 at 11:30:21
If the young lad, Stones is not part of Moyes first team plans, then he should go back to Barnsley on loan. And spare the lad the acadamy which is mostly for those players who when they finish their first professional contracts, usually, they receive their p45s. And have to find another club.
Mark Wilson
502 Posted 01/02/2013 at 11:01:47
James 508# Sorry, but to suggest that "we were not in for Fer" is allowing your disapointment at this pathetic transfer window to go into OTT mode unless you also believe nobody ever stepped foot on the Moon etc. of course we were in for Leroy Fer and no it wasn't all a plot where we deliberately discovered make believe issues with his medical. We were gambling with money from the summer, probably another short term high interest loan secured on the increased TV revenue. I suspect it was left so late to get the price down to £8.6m from an opening position by Twente, likely I guess o be in excess of £11m. But the injury was just too recent and the insurance situation too iffy to make this an easy deal. It was a serious effort I've no doubt and only time will tell if we should have taken the gamble......me?.....I'd have said go for it but I get it that risking this money int something our club can get away with.....

As for the rest of it, well I'm gutted to be honest. Yes we are doing well, yes we are in a strong position to attack a CL place. But over Christmas and beyond what most, not least of all DM, has started to happen. The absurdly small squad has been stretched, not by loads of injuries but just two or three key players being out for lengthy spells. Performance levels have dropped from others as they come under pressure to cope. It is to the players credit that they have hung on in there and scraped some results when generally playing aweful.....Saints away was as bad as I've seen for a long time. But there is still spirit there and we remain in that good position.

So now was the time to gamble. Now was the time to increase that short term loan to £20m or so and go in eat lire than usual for targets and yes, I suspect that if we had offered £15m for Negredo ten days so he would be here now and perhaps with the risk on Fer and this very promising lad from Barnsley that would have been enough to make the difference. I think a bank loan should not have been necessary but then Earl and Woods who have the money just don't seem willing to invest in our club in what is surely a risk but a reasonable one with a genuine chance of success.

I believe there was "effort" in the last few days to recover the situation but this is the Premiership, it's unforgiving at best, and however harsh it sounds, the club has failed to deliver the glaringly obvious, indeed desperately needed, squad increase and improvement that was needed right now. We can overcome this but only with a huge slice of luck to give us an injury and suspension free run in, because our best 13 or so can compete and get that CL spot and win the FA Cup. I really believe that. But I can't see us being that incredibly lucky with injuries because several of those key players look fragile to me and let's face it, EFC just isn't a lucky club.

I can see how all this fuels the Blue Union fires. Why wouldn't it, really, it's a mess. But again, inside Goodison on Saturday there has to be the support to match the players efforts and regardless of how frustrating it is, being there for the team and just focusing on each game as it comes, and hoping for that luck, is all that's left to us right now and we can do it, it's there for us. But it will need an incredible effort, luck and skill and the kind of amazing support you see at our way games from the best fans in the country.

Ray Roche
503 Posted 01/02/2013 at 11:47:31
Well said Steavey.
Paul Andrews
504 Posted 01/02/2013 at 11:48:25
David Moyes yesterday: "The squad needs a bit of help,we hope to get players in."

Result.... our paper thin squad is thinner: one in and two out.

James Lauwervine
505 Posted 01/02/2013 at 11:47:51
To suggest that the whole Fer thing was a set-up to pretend we had money and keep the fans happy is absolute nonsense. Do you really think Moyes would go along with that? Totally ridiculous.
I remain optimistic about this season and unlike a lot of people, I didn't give a monkeys if we got anyone in January. The team we have has got us to this position, we are a point off 4th at the beginning of Feb and in the 5th round of the cup. We have some very good players and can put out a team to beat anyone. FFS look on the bright side and stop the inane whinging and conspiracy theories.
Phil Bellis
506 Posted 01/02/2013 at 12:02:07
Oh, Ok, fair enough James
What are we like, eh? {tschh}
Phil Sammon
507 Posted 01/02/2013 at 11:47:22
Moyes on Stones: “We’re pleased. He’s a young boy and I wouldn’t say that it is particularly for now.

“He’s someone that we are bringing in looking towards the future and not for today really.”

- So why the fuck are we wrangling this deal through at the eleventh hour?! All we have done is stall this lads development.

Moyes on Gueye: “He was involved a lot here and was around the bench, but he was really keen to go back to France at this present time."

- He was involved a lot. Was he?! About three, five minute spells at the end of games. Has the man completely lost it or what?

I wish they'd just come out and said there'll be nobody coming in and nobody going out. Instead of this bullshit about £9M midfielders on the 'brink' of joining.

For the very first time in my life, I would happily support a protest against the board. It's not about BK out, as such, but there is clearly somebody taking the piss.

Jim Knightley
508 Posted 01/02/2013 at 11:57:39
Steve, the point is clear...why would I write off an eighteen year old because he hasnt displaced an international in the side? I've simply subverted your application of such simplistic and tautological reasoning... We will know if Kennedy is good enough in the next few seasons...generally most players do not show their ability in the first team as young as 18...if we wrote off everyone at that age, we'd never have seen the likes of Luca Toni, Drogs and Di Natalie emerge.
Jim Knightley
509 Posted 01/02/2013 at 12:04:53
And yes, these conspiracy theories from ostensibly intellectual people, are bizzare... I'm just glad Alex Jones isn't an Everton fan.
Steavey Buckley
510 Posted 01/02/2013 at 11:50:37
I was one of those that thought some years ago that the academy or youth team would be a conveyor belt or spring board in to first team when they moved from Bellfield to Finch Farm. How wrong I was. Year in year I see the shocking waste of young talent of promising young players having to move on. Surely, by the age of 18 years of age, it should be obvious if the player has it or not (skill wise) to be ready for first team action? Why they have to wait another couple of years to dawn on youth coaches they are not good enough, is hard to imagine they lost their skills and technique in those 2 years. Or weren't those players good enough in the first place, but kept on to make the numbers up? Which ever you look at it, players that don't make it are a disappointment, not only to themselves, family and friends, but to the supporters.
Bill Griffiths
511 Posted 01/02/2013 at 11:58:11
Such a lot of negativity and pessimism being posted though I guess given all that's gone on I can understand it to a certain extent. Personally I am or have been a supporter of BK and a passionate supporter of DM and am always amused by all the conspiracy theories being posted on this site. However the events of this last week have made me think about my views and opinions regarding BK and the Board. First of all I hope DM stalling over a new contract isn't resultant on The Board having provided funds for new signings in this window. Though I have uptp now always been a supporter of BK and the Board I am completely baffled by this weks events in that given DM's comments there were no real funds available for signings and 1 or 2 loan signings was probably all that we could hope for. Suddenly with a few days to go we are ofering 8 or 9 million for a player, all be it, paying by installments. we then manage to even cock that signing up. If this money was available why wait until the last few days before trying to sign anyone? Also after this fell through why not sign who we have always been interested in? After the Fer deal fell through it appears to me we were acting like headless chickens trying to sign anyone just for the sake of it and as a sop to us fans. My initial thoughts are still that BK has our best interests at heart and will do right by us eventually. However given the events of this week this hardly seems to be the case and maybe I will need to review my thoughts on this matter.
Thomas Windsor
512 Posted 01/02/2013 at 12:12:17
If Moyes never plays Duffy, Barkley or Vellios, what was the point in signing an 18-year-old?

We needed a decent midfield player today if we are to get 4th spot; it looks like the Europa League then next season.

Thanks, Billy and Davey!

Paul Gladwell
513 Posted 01/02/2013 at 12:22:49
Shall be interesting to see what happens to Stones and also Garbutt and co as we have wasted a bit of money on buying kids like Gueye and Jukevitz in the past rather than give more of a chance to our own home grown.
Douglas Turner
514 Posted 01/02/2013 at 12:46:08
Phil #582, Funny how J. P Morgan missed the boat that day! Sadly, the VIP passengers that were on their way to oppose the Federal Reserve Bank didn't get the same tip off! But I digress! xD
Ste Traverse
515 Posted 01/02/2013 at 12:50:16
Yet again the club takes the piss out of the fans with blag 'bids' for players. The same old trick used over and over and over.
Eric Myles
516 Posted 01/02/2013 at 12:44:06
Chris #951 you could get a job as Elstones speech writer, if you don't already have it?
Steve Edwards
517 Posted 01/02/2013 at 12:59:32
Jim(627) Everthing in the future, it's here and now that matters. Like other people on here have said, key players will more than likely be gone next season. We had a chance to do something really worth while this season and I think we have just blown it.

James Lauwervine
518 Posted 01/02/2013 at 13:22:40
Phil #624, mostly negative and/or clueless, I find. It's even worse sitting on the terraces.
Ian Allaker
519 Posted 01/02/2013 at 13:32:20
The youth havnt done that badly over the last 10 to 15 years compared with most teams. Osman is in the team with Hibbert, Jeffers, Dunne, Ball and Gavin McCann, all came through and played at a good level. Rooney did very well, Vaughn did well until his injuries, Victor is now looking promising. Rodwell has done ok playing for the Champions. Then the likes of Foreshaw, Hope Akpan and Baxter are playing at a good level and will likley improve.

The teams who seem to be bringing through the youth are realy just buying the best youth from around the country from lower league teams.

Gavin Ramejkis
520 Posted 01/02/2013 at 13:47:19
Ian of those only Osman and Hibbert remain and they are both in their twilight years but still not displaced by kids. Jeffers, Dunne, Ball and McCann all sold to pay the banks off the our other releases aren't pulling up trees so not sure what your point is exactly? Now other than Rooney who was home grown anyway can you name another player Moyes has bought below the age of twenty who has got on the first team pitch? Signings for the future ok I can go with the logic despite the vast majority never seeing the light of day but its the here and now. A misfiring striker, an injury prone central mf, a tortoise like mf who should retire and an injured right winger and a key player saying he will stay if we make CL qualification. To him and the fans alike, with no disrespect whatsoever to John Stones, but what does him being the only signing and the squad going another player less with Marvin Gaye away to France, say to Fellaini and the supporters?
Phil Sammon
521 Posted 01/02/2013 at 14:03:08
Gavin

Rodwell.
Coleman (20 ish)
Gueye
Vellios
Duffy
There's more.

Jeffers, Dunne and Ball were from an entirely different era. We were, lets face it, crap as well as skint.

Max Murphy
522 Posted 01/02/2013 at 14:03:30
The circus is over - and thank God too! What a shambles that January transfer window is - just ask QPR and W Brom! Now lets get on with the rest of the season.
Fair play to Baines and Fellaini for keeping the faith - but now Everton must do a job and secure that 4th spot if we want to retain these players. Watching the teams above is - Man U were lucky against S'hampton and Rooney was the difference. Chelsea let a 2-0 lead slip, and Spurs had one attack all night and Bale scored, and Siteh only drew. So other teams are getting the jitters, but we must hold our nerve. Moyes has to start using his bench effectively, and make sensible team selections. He must recall Barkley from Leeds immediately. He has given Jelavic numerous chances, so he must freshen it up - try out Vellios. He has Oviedo who, like Vellios, plays well when he gets the chance, and use Thomas H when needed. If Mirallas and Gibson can remain injury free, then maybe we can rebuild our early season platform. We should only use Neville for emergency right back duties. The other night he gave away a silly free kick in a dangerous area and they almost scored - then a stupid headed back pass that sent up another attack for the opposition. We'll fall apart if he is retained at CM. If by any chance we are 3 or 4 goals up against Villa on tomorrow, with half an hour left to play, he should start using his bench - but please don't bring on Jelavic again! COYB! COYDM!
We can do it! We have to do it for Baines and Fellaini and for all the supporters whose heart you've broken year in and year out!
Phil Bellis
523 Posted 01/02/2013 at 14:19:37
James, 674
That's Evertonians
Bitter, biased, blinkered
Passionate, loyal, knowledgable
Yer pays yer money

Nick Entwistle
524 Posted 01/02/2013 at 14:39:58
500th post. Its made my day.
Brian Waring
525 Posted 01/02/2013 at 14:35:34
Max "Fair play to Fellaini and Baines for keeping the faith" Not being funny Max, but no one actually came in for them. Saying that though, if someone had come in for Baines, I don't think his head would have been turned, I actually think he is a stayer for us. Fellaini.....Well, I think he wants to go anyway, no matter the outcome at the end of the season.
Max Murphy
526 Posted 01/02/2013 at 14:43:10
Chelsea have been sniffing around him for a while. If he'd showed the slightest inclination he wanted to leave, they would have taken him.
Kev Johnson
527 Posted 01/02/2013 at 14:49:05
Well played Nick. You qualify for a TW testimonial. Who do you want our opponents to be?
Tim Spring
528 Posted 01/02/2013 at 14:54:51
I may be a bit late to the party with this but a mate who supports Barnsley about John Stones.

"He’ll play for England one day (and soon). Only made the first team late last season but had a huge impact. Good stopper who’s also creative going forward. Makes mistakes but usually harries back and retrieves the situation.

He needs to put a few pounds and bulk up.

We knew he wouldn’t be with us long and I’m pleased that he’s gone to Everton rather than come back to the championship with Wigan.

He’s a Tarn lad and most Barnsley fans are pleased for him on a personal level (just wanting more than £3m)."

Hopefully he develops into Baines Mk 2 in the next couple of years.

Brian Waring
529 Posted 01/02/2013 at 15:01:26
Max, the only people who have been saying Chelsea were interested in Fellaini were the journalists, Chelsea have never publicly stated an interest, so at the end of the day it's just rumours. It wasn't that long ago that the journalists were telling us Man U were looking at Fellaini.
Paul Gladwell
530 Posted 01/02/2013 at 15:03:47
Max, Phil Neville has been giving fouls like that away all season, he has been giving the ball away in dangerous places all season and costing us goals like that QPR yet when Barkley lost possession once against Chelsea every man and his dog had something to say about how he's not ready because of this including Moyes
Max Murphy
531 Posted 01/02/2013 at 15:22:32
Brian, it's not just the journalists – there are people at Chelsea who want Fellaini. When Felli announced he'd stick with Everton to try and reach the CL, they backed off. If we don't make the CL, Fellaini will be a Chelsea player. They are there with the money. I would like to think Felli would stay with Everton if we did reach the CL.

Paul G. Spot on with Neville and Barkley – yes – Neville has been doing it all season – but I I'd been still writing next week if I reported all his mistakes of the season. Barkley had a cracking game against Villa Real in a pre-season friendly – but no recognition from the selectors.

Eugene Ruane
532 Posted 01/02/2013 at 15:27:20
Tim (721) - Don't for a second doubt your mate's appraisal of the player.

However, my guess is that unless Moyes has some sort of cautious Presbyterian bypass, we won't get a good look at him until he's about 29.

(possibly about the same time as Barkley is 'ready')

Steavey Buckley
533 Posted 01/02/2013 at 15:56:24
"Steve, the point is clear...why would I write off an 18-year-old because he hasn't displaced an international in the side?" At 18, a player should be in the first team squad ready to displace a seasoned international. If he isn't, what's the problem?

If it's about skill, then he is not going to gain it, just like that. If it's about experience, playing in a real football team is the only way. And that will probably mean being loaned out. Not hanging around the academy until his contract is up.

When Dunne, Ball and later Jeffers came into the Everton side back in the 1990s, it was possible back then to bring inexperienced players of 17 and 18 years of age straight into the side. Now, the standard is far much higher to get away with playing inexperienced youth without the required skill factor.

If Moyes could replace Neville with someone from the academy, he would have done so by now. But when Moyes tried Junior against Leeds, he did not do so well. And Everton got beat 2 - 1. Even though he was not solely responsible.

Phil Walling
534 Posted 01/02/2013 at 16:23:32
Moyes has said on Sky that he`s one for the future.That`s code for saying that he lad will get his next league game in a couple of years time..........on loan to Brentford!
James Lauwervine
535 Posted 01/02/2013 at 16:27:51
True Phil (700), though I'd take issue with adjective 6.
Chris Keightley
536 Posted 01/02/2013 at 16:28:27
Stones maybe 18 but he has played against some of the relegated sides from the Prem with experienced wingers and has come out rosy, and with great reports - why place him in the reserves give him a run out ASAP even if its for 25 mins, remember hes had 28 games in the Championship not League 2 he knows how to play and has obviously got talent.
James Fletcher
537 Posted 01/02/2013 at 16:37:05
Got to say that I agree with Chris here, let's see how he does against VIlla, there won't be a better opportunity to give him a run out. It's got to be better than playing Jags or Nev there.
Eugene Ruane
538 Posted 01/02/2013 at 16:35:22
Agree Chris (745) - with that basic reasoning/philosophy.

It's odd (to me), many supporters seem to have fallen for some idea that a 17/18 year-old who is selected, BECAUSE he's 17/18, is automatically going to come on, shit himself, trip over his boots, generally look like Bambi, score an own goal, then be booed off after 10 minutes

(nb: personally I'm more worried about our 37 year olds performing this way).

Fact is some young'uns are up to it and some aren't and the ONLY way to find out is by giving him/them a proper run in the side

(nb: rather than one game and - "HE MADE A MISTAKE!! LOOOAN!!!"

Paul Gladwell
539 Posted 01/02/2013 at 16:53:50
Eugene the shite are seeing results by not being scared to play young lads, that little fucker out wide makes a hell of a lot of mistakes but I wouldn't mind him playing for us , young lads will make mistakes but we have a World Cup finalist who costs us a goal every time he puts on a blue shirt this season so surely Duffy deserves the next crack.
Graham Mockford
540 Posted 01/02/2013 at 17:03:55
Paul,
Will they be the results at say Stoke or Villa or even Oldham? They are shite and always will be whilst they have the PR whore Rodgers in charge.

Just to put in perspective they have yet to beat a team in the top half of the table this year.

Maybe you could choose a better example of a manager employing younger players successfully say Lambert.

Paul Gladwell
541 Posted 01/02/2013 at 17:32:16
Graham, I'm not talking about actual team results mate and don't be too confident they will continue to be shite, you know what they are like and the money they continue to splash They are improving.
I am talking about the fact they have thrown in kids and they look pretty good for the coming years these kids.
Paul Andrews
542 Posted 01/02/2013 at 17:33:28
Anyone want a bet that David signs his new contract this month?
Graham Mockford
543 Posted 01/02/2013 at 18:19:31
Paul so they are seeing results but not actually getting results.. Hmm

Sterling does look a prospect, but so he should he was signed at 15 for what could end up being £5m. Who are these other outstanding youth prospects?

Phil Sammon
544 Posted 01/02/2013 at 18:42:20
Graham

I think he's just saying that Liverpool's decision to give Sterling a chance will pay dividends. He looks a good player now and should end up a very good player. Shelvey and Wisdom are also getting chances and I think they'll both turn out decent.

The point is that these lads, just like Barkley, Garbutt, Lundstrum etc have all excelled at youth level. Liverpool are giving their lads a chance to progress - Everton are not.

I've just been watching Moyes on Everton TV talking about Stones. He said something like, "Thats the good thing about Everton, we have a small squad and give our young lads a chance." Well I'd disagree strongly with that one. The one oppotunity his has given the 'youth' is away at Leeds, when he threw them all in at once. Surely the way to do it is to surround a youngster with experienced players...not just hope a bodged reserve team can do a job in a very tricky away tie. Barkley's one chance after his Wednesday loan came at home, trailing to European Champions, and then gets shipped out because he gave the ball away trying to overplay. Why didn't he come on when we were drilling Cheltenham? Where he could have actually had a chance to play without pressure. So many oppotunities missed.

Sorry there, bit of a rant.

Patrick Murphy
545 Posted 01/02/2013 at 19:00:52
There is very little evidence to show that Everton give youngsters a chance, a cameo role every couple of months, hardly constitutes being given a chance. I don't know how I would feel if I saw experienced professionals making mistake after mistake and still being picked in front of me. I know some will say that a first team place has to be earned, but isn't it also true to say if you make more mistakes than you should you deserve to lose your place in the starting line-up.

Probably, 90% of Everton's games under David Moyes have been tight affairs, so there have been vey few opportunities to put in a youngster and even when it happens there is very little time for the younger player to make an impact.

If we achieve CL, the pressure will be on BK to find the resources to fund next season, if we don't our best players and manager are likely to leave. If we race into a four goal lead before the hour mark during the game, some senior players may be exposed to the competition of youngsters and so perversely it's in the senior players interests to keep things tight and interesting. We are a strange club,


Graham Mockford
546 Posted 01/02/2013 at 19:20:56
Phil

I can't believe I'm arguing with a fellow Evertonian about the merits of Liverpool. I have stated that Sterling is a good prospect but he is in danger of being overplayed. Wisdom is quite simply not ready, if you saw him at Goodison that was quite clear. Shelvey will never be a top class player, big yard dog who is physically beyond his years but lets not forget Liverpool payed big fees for all three.
These players might be getting into the Liverpool team but they would not get into ours. Quite simply because there are only two Liverpool players who would get into our first eleven and you don't know how good that makes me feel.
Let me give you a number 419. The number of days since that shower were above us in the League.

Phil Sammon
547 Posted 01/02/2013 at 19:35:41
Graham

I'm not arguing that they're great players. Sterling is certainly a talent and the other two are players who have excelled at youth level.

The point is that they've been given a chance. Moyes has done everything to avoid giving our youth a chance. I know I keep harking back to it...but 4-0 against Cheltenham and he brings on Heitinga, Hitzlsperger and Naismith. I was not the only one perplexed in the terraces.

Graham Mockford
548 Posted 01/02/2013 at 19:41:29
Phil

The way I saw the Cheltenham game is that he was using players who are likely to be part of the squad for the remainder of the year. Moyes is naturally a cautious and pragmatic manager, traits which some would have you believe make him a poor manager. I like to look at the League table and make my judgement.

Ian Allaker
549 Posted 01/02/2013 at 19:41:15
Have to agree Phill, I couldnt believe Barkley never came on at Cheltenham, especially now that Moyes wouldnt let him play in the cup for Leeds. If he wasnt going to get a game at Cheltenham he's not going to geet a game for us in the later rounds so he might as well play in the cup for Leeds. Wasted oppertunity.

I think Moyes would be willing to give the kids more of a go if they didnt let him down at Leeds and if we were mid-taable not playing for anything. Moyes will not take the risk on an untried and tested player when we are so close to 4th place which I can understand.

Marc Sansum
550 Posted 01/02/2013 at 20:33:45
Not sure if this has been seen before, but a comment from Peter Beagrie about our new signing......

http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,25212,15231_8461639,00.html

FULL-BACK OF QUALITY<>Hi Peter, In a previous column you praised Championship full-backs Kieran Trippier and John Brayford. In your opinion, where does John Stones, who has just joined Everton from my beloved Barnsley, rank in comparison? Cheers, Liam Ashfield (Barnsley fan)

BEAGS SAYS: John's meteoric progression was monitored by a host of Premier League clubs, with Chelsea, Wigan, Aston Villa and Swansea all keen to pluck the 18-year-old, but Everton - a fantastic club, with a great manager and supporters - have now secured his signature to give competition to Toffees stalwart Tony Hibbert and Irish youngster Sheamus Coleman in the right-back position.

Stones is a very gifted young footballer and has all the attributes required of a modern-day full-back; he has athletic prowess, excellent distribution, is cool in possession and can also operate at centre-half. Former Barnsley manager Keith Hill and current incumbent David Flitcroft have also spoken very highly of John's temperament, describing him as a model professional and a joy to work with.

I wish him all the best at Goodison Park, one of the bastions of English football, while it is great to see that some of the reported £3million fee the Tykes received for Stones has been put towards bringing in Chris O'Grady, Jason Scotland and Rory Delap. Each of those players has bundles of experience and a point to prove - though whether they can help Barnsley secure the points they need to stave off relegation is debateable.

Ian Smitham
551 Posted 01/02/2013 at 19:52:08
Guys, I need a it of help. We have no money, but,out of the royal blue, we are agreed a fee for a midfield player for a lot of money, it falls apart, so the next minute it is for a striker, does that mean we need a striker and a midfielder? If we had bought the midfielder would we have bought the striker? To top off my confusion, we have given Coleman a new 5 year contract, and then bought a Right back.
John Templeton
552 Posted 01/02/2013 at 20:42:11
I'm convinced I could take Fer to the best Orthopeadic surgeon in the world and he would be cleared. How the hell can a team doctor who hands out pills for headaches give an expert opinion which is way out of his depth?

Fer was playing well for FC Twente. He had played against a top dutch team only days before earning rave reviews. He was the best player FC Twente had.

We did nothing in the transfer window. He bought a 19-year-old right back yet he won't play Barkley who was supposed to be an excellent player.

We'll be lucky to finish in top 10.

David Greenwood
553 Posted 01/02/2013 at 20:50:53
Graham, terrific post. Two of them, nine of ours.

The tide is turning, slowly, but we are better than them.

We just need to kick on and believe in ourselves.

Brendan McLaughlin
554 Posted 01/02/2013 at 20:50:04
"Confused.com" #816
I'll give it a go...
Yes
No
Coleman's 23/24 and a midfield option, Stones is 18....succession planning, cover, options or whatever you want to call it.
Tony Twist
555 Posted 01/02/2013 at 22:25:37
Not disappointed with our purchase, Stones has a lot of promise. Whether Moyes and the present set up will aid his development is another thing.

The other failed deals were just a farce maybe the chairman was trying to convince Moyes that he is trying to get players that Moyes wants though really the money aint there. He may be extremely worried that Moyes will walk. Moyes and his team needs to improve the players we have.

It is poor that Moyes is unwilling to use the likes of Vellios, Barkley as bit players in matches. Vellios being a swap for Victor and Jelly late in matches and Barkley only in the old Tim Cahill position, advanced, not CM, so if he does lose possession it's not damaging.

I don't understand Moyes not doing this considering our threadbare squad. If they are not ready to play 1st team football for us now will they ever be.
Ian Allaker
556 Posted 01/02/2013 at 23:36:59
I would say 4 Liverpool player and 7 Everton.

--------------------Reina-------------------

Johnson-----Jaggs----Distin------Baines

Mirallas----Gibson---Gerrard----Pienaar

------------------Fellaini----------------

-------------------Suarez-----------------

Andy Kay
557 Posted 02/02/2013 at 02:18:22
The sad thing about the lack of a couple of players coming into the club at this stage is it's not just 4th up for grabs but 3rd also! Chelsea are only 5 points ahead of us, drawing with the likes of Southampton and Reading etc, with us still to play, and the likes of Spurs and Arsenal dropping points against "weaker" teams.

Two or three players could've given us a real positive push towards finishing behind Man Utd and Man City, who in my opinion are too far ahead already. Can't think we'll get anywhere near the 3rd or 4th now. As Walter would say ...."disappointing".

Gavin Ramejkis
558 Posted 02/02/2013 at 09:49:57
Phil 692 your genuine thoughts on whether those players were selected through ability or because Moyes quite literally had no one else to select? Coleman was over 20 when he signed so scratch him you could even add after his motm vs Spurs he was dropped by Moyes and sent to Blackpool. Marvin didn't get an appearance for the first team til he was 21 and that was as a sub not first choice start. Duffy has been ignored the majority of his time on the clubs books with the old guard shuffled out of position rather than play him and loaned out, Velios barely gets splinter time on the bench unless Anichebe is injured. I hope your more doesn't include Barkley and McAleny which pretty much cements the barely catch splinters argument and farmed out on loan
Gavin Ramejkis
559 Posted 02/02/2013 at 10:14:41
Ian agree with you over sewer rat but Johnson is a woeful right back caught out of position more often than not, Reina does throw the ball out which Howard never does but seems to have gone stale
Ian Allaker
560 Posted 02/02/2013 at 13:44:34
Who would play ahead of Johnson then? Johnson has less mistakes in him than Coleman and better than him defensivley. He is also far better than Neville and Hibbert going forward and I would say better than Coleman going forward.

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