Martinez not looking for striking reinforcements

, 14 May, 95comments  |  Jump to most recent

Martinez had planned on Kone's renaissance this season following his long injury lay-off.

(Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Roberto Martinez has poured cold water on early speculation linking Everton with attacking targets by claiming he doesn't need to sign another striker this summer.

With a disappointing season coming to an end, Evertonians are already looking ahead to the upcoming transfer window for indications of the manager's squad-rebuilding plans.

Martinez moved to bolster his attacking options before last summer's transfer deadline by bringing in Samuel Eto'o but the Cameroonian left the club in January for Sampdoria without being replaced.

With Arouna Kone struggling to recapture the form of his Wigan days, Steven Naismith proving to be an erratic source of goals and Kevin Mirallas's playing time much reduced in the second half of the season, the burden for scoring the team's goals has fallen on the shoulders of Romelu Lukaku.

The Belgian has been toiling through a drought of goals from open play in the Premier League for the last few weeks, though, so many fans were expecting a forward to be a priority this summer.

When asked if he was looking for another centre-forward, however, Martinez was unequivocal in his response.

“No,” the Spaniard said. "We want to keep two number nines.

“Arouna Kone had a long spell out and needed to get his match-fitness so that was the thinking behind it last season. And we have other players who can play in that position if needed. So that is the way we are going to structure the squad.”

 

Reader Comments (95)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer


Jimmy Salt
1 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:10:40
Lost for words to be honest, but I’m sure other people will do it for me.
Ian Jones
2 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:13:36
Well thatÂ’s the striker position sorted. Good to get it done early
.
Ray Robinson
3 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:12:16
If he really means this, he has totally lost the plot and Kenwright should immediately hand him his P45 to allow a replacement manager as much time as possible to remedy the blindingly obvious.
Ian McDowell
4 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:16:01
Well I do feel we have other priorities such as a No 10 a CB and not one of these fancy ball playing defenders but a proper CB who can dominate the area and inspire those around him and a left winger.
Nick Page
5 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:18:29
We’re guaranteed to be amongst the lowest spenders again. It would be nice to know what the board does with all this cash
Lyndon Lloyd
6 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:15:18
As I tweeted earlier, if itÂ’s not a smokescreen then I give up.

He could be trying to keep Lukaku and (more probably) Kone sweet over the last couple of matches by not overtly advertising that he’s looking for fresh options but he clearly needs to change tack because the pair of them have one – ONE – goal from open play in the League in 2015.

What we need, as badly as we need a playmaker and another centre half, is a reliable striker to either take the burden off Lukaku or provide him with the competition he needs to stay focused. Relying on Naismith and Mirallas – the players "who can also play in that position" – has clearly not worked.

Steve Cotton
7 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:21:37
The man is a joke.
Helen Mallon
8 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:22:48
I believe itÂ’s time for the board and Martinez to come out and say what money we have or get out. By the way how much debt are Everton in I need to know and so do all Evertonians
Trevor Peers
9 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:18:36
Unbelievable, but not surprising. Another season of 2 goal attempts per game and more losses than wins. WeÂ’ve been sold down the river by the enlightened one. The real meaning of enlightenment is to gaze with undimmed eyes on all darkness.
Christopher Wallace
10 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:27:31
Martinez clearly loves saying things to wind up TWers!

IÂ’ve no doubt he waits for these articles to appear, then logs on to enjoy the saltiness!

Joe Foster
11 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:24:42
Really RM? Kone?

This fucka’s got to go.

Ian Jones
12 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:29:26
Well, as has been said on another thread, Chris Long is promising so that may help. I agree that a creative midfielder is a target and may get Lukaku more up for the games.
Chris Feeley
13 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:25:52
Nothing less than I expected. HeÂ’ll be using what little money we have to extend the contracts of the flops heÂ’s either bought in or backed without merit to try and keep them sweet. He should hang his head in shame at the way he has lowered expectations so drastically in such a short period of time.

No new striker almost certainly means though that thereÂ’s little or no chance of two up front next season. So much for being tactically flexible!

Roger Helm
14 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:33:22
Just the way to sell more season tickets!

I canÂ’t wait for next season to watch Kone banging them in.

Geoff Evans
15 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:39:07
The main priority is a new manager.
Tony Graham
16 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:39:55
Kone? Is he mad?
Ray Said
17 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:38:25
If Kone is the answer then what the hell is the question?

Who scores less than Bernie Wright? Kone
Who has no visible impact on any game? Kone
Who can’t shoot, head, run or pass? Kone

Darryl Ritchie
18 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:22:45
There is obviously next to nothing in the transfer kitty. A CB to replace Distin, Lennon on a permanent (if the price is right), and an attacking midfielder. ThatÂ’s all she wrote!

WeÂ’ve a small, aging squad, with issues at every position; but thereÂ’s no money. RM could come out and say that we need 6 or 7 new players, like he did last season, but the fact is that it is the same now as it was then; no money. He has to identify the the area with the most problems, and try to find a way to fix it.

One of RMÂ’s biggest faults is that he doesnÂ’t know when to shut up. HeÂ’s an intelligent man who ends up sounding like a fool, because he talks when perhaps he shouldnÂ’t.

Geoff Evans
19 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:49:23
All the available money went on pension plans.
John Keating
20 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:51:20
Unbelievable.

Obviously it can’t be put down to a language issue. It’s either a joke or the guy is certifiable – think the latter!

Michael Ward
21 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:49:28
I would much rather the club spend money on the following (in order): left winger in the Pienaar mould; creative central mid / No 10 (Eriksen cost £8M, Sigurdsson also cheap – it is definitely possible to get top quality at a decent price); and then a young / backup centre-back and promote one of Galloway or Browning.

Galloway for me. Browning looked good in cameos for the first team but what I have seen of the youth team Galloway looks better. I have no issue with not throwing money at what will be a 3rd choice striker... We have higher priorities and are not made of money.

Paul Hewitt
22 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:54:28
So we donÂ’t need a new goalkeeper and now we donÂ’t need a new striker. The guys a genius.
Paul Ellam
23 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:56:12
This club is laughable! There is more money sloshing around than ever and we are still spending minimal amounts.

I would like to know just where all this new money is going cos it sure ainÂ’t on the squad. The board must think we are all stupid!

Brian Harrison
24 Posted 14/05/2015 at 19:04:02
Well let’s be really positive and hope that the chairman has had RM in and told him that you are a lucky man as I am going to give you 10 games into next season to prove you can handle managing Everton FC. But I am not letting you spend another penny until you prove to me and the supporters that you can turn things around.
Terry Downes
25 Posted 14/05/2015 at 19:04:07
What manager tells the press all his plans?

So many people just canÂ’t wait to jump in feet first. LetÂ’s just wait and see who comes in before we all get in a right depression.

Darren Hind
26 Posted 14/05/2015 at 19:12:24
Ian Jones (#2),

Laughing here!

David Holroyd
27 Posted 14/05/2015 at 19:07:12
All you season ticket holders – send them back. All you will get to see is the same as this season. Plus Martinez telling you how well we played, even though we’ve been bored to tears passing back and forward.

Just how many games has Martinez won in the Premier League? Kenwright will wait till Xmas before getting rid, but thatÂ’s season 31 without winning the league. I fear that it will be 50 years before that happens.

If we arenÂ’t there already we will be a middle to lower table team for the foreseeable. Younger supporters will eventually drift off to the red shite. Still they wonÂ’t be bored with Bill’s yesteryear talk of the boys pen, cos there will be no one there.

Lyndon Lloyd
28 Posted 14/05/2015 at 19:14:09
My problem with the wait-and-see approach, Terry (#25), is that both Martinez and Moyes before him were very good at setting low expectations before transfer windows... and even went so far as to lower them even further once the window was open.

If either manager said they were unlikely to make many signings, it often ended up being dead on. And in the last two Januaries when we were looking to the manager to follow through on a pledge to replace out-going players we get a crock in the form of Lacina Traore ("replacing" Jelavic) and a large basket of nothing last January to replace Samuel EtoÂ’o.

You can go all the way back to 2005 when it was obvious to everyone that we needed a reliable striker to help get us into the Champions League and one never materialised.

So, after this miserable season, I think you can forgive fans for wanting some crumb of evidence that the manager has a] identified the shortcomings in his squad (the change in rhetoric from needing a new keeper in January to not needing one now suggests he hasnÂ’t) and b] has the ambition to do something about it.

No-one is realistically asking for names of targets, but to categorically say heÂ’s not looking for another striker because he is happy with what he has is worrying. Either deflect the question or provide some incentive to those existing players to perform by admitting that, yes, I am looking to add depth.

Like I say, maybe heÂ’s trying not to ruffle any Belgian feathers by hinting at future competition up front.

Geoff Evans
29 Posted 14/05/2015 at 19:23:10
Lyndon

Lowering expectations seems to be a large part of the job description.

Brian Porter
30 Posted 14/05/2015 at 19:23:22
Martinez has to go! IÂ’m at a total loss for words at his latest idiotic pronouncement. Two strikers with one goal between them all year in open play, and the manager says we donÂ’t need a striker! Yeah, yeah, yeah, Roberto, and so it goes on...
Terry Downes
31 Posted 14/05/2015 at 19:23:36
Fair point, Lyndon... but to be honest not many fans thought we would have spent £24mill on Lukaku but we did.

Hopefully thereÂ’ll be another big name to come in.

Callum McNab
32 Posted 14/05/2015 at 19:05:04
Paul, thatÂ’s exactly what they do think. After the crap they have done for more than 10 years and still selling more season tickets than ever, why should they change. You only have to see the response you get if you talk about protesting or taking any sort of action against the board.

You’ve seen yourself nothing is going to change with this clown and the board, so if those fans are happy to put up with the dross that is churned out from everything involved with the club (on and off the field) then sadly nothing will change. No chance of trophies, just the prospect of beating Manchester United or Liverpool once in a blue moon... if they arenÂ’t up for it.

ThatÂ’s the reality now sadly with our club. I honestly never thought the day would come that Billy Boy and his muppet in charge would kill my desire for my beloved Blues, but they have. I suppose you can say if you’re a true supporter, you put up with the bad times as well as the good. Well, thatÂ’s what this board prey on; they know we will put up with any shite they give us and we will still turn up for the next game.
I hope to god IÂ’m wrong, but I genuinely fear for whatÂ’s coming next season; alls I know is I wonÂ’t be there anymore.

Trevor Lynes
33 Posted 14/05/2015 at 19:28:30
Our glaring priority is not a striker. It is someone who can create chances. No striker will score without a creator in midfield.

We have dried up more strikers than I can keep count of and it is because we do not create enough chances.

Baines cannot bomb forward without a Pienaar to work with so that particular source of ammunition is unavailable.

Geoff Evans
34 Posted 14/05/2015 at 19:30:55
Brian,

RM keeping Bill on side by not spending cash. ItÂ’s called self-preservation mate.

Patrick Murphy
35 Posted 14/05/2015 at 19:22:29
Lyndon is right about the lowering of expectations in the transfer market. Kenwright and company are very good at it and have often failed to strengthen the squad at the right times. January 2014 being a prime example – if ever there was a time to spend a few bob it was then while the new manager had the feelgood factor going for him and we still had a good chance of gaining that fourth spot – they didn’t and we have gone backwards ever since.

Perhaps the players have also tired of the jam tomorrow situation and gave up before they even began this season. It will be very interesting to see how many season tickets have been sold by the end of the early bird period and whether we are once again restricted in the transfer market.

Undoubtedly the club will argue that we are moving forward as nobody of any significance left the club last summer and if they give Roberto circa £10-15m this summer they will see that as an improvement on what has happened in most of the previous decade.

The problem with that argument is that we were at a very low base to begin with and the need for reinforcements has been shown by the team’s performance this season with most of the Â’reliableÂ’ players approaching the twilight of their careers. Roberto obviously can choose to spend his budget on one creative midfielder or a number of players to fill the more obvious gaps in the squad, part of the responsibility for being in that position is RobertoÂ’s how he thought that bringing Alcaraz, Kone and Robles into Goodison before he had time to really assess the squad will always be a mystery to me, but perhaps that was the only way he could prise McCarthy from WhelanÂ’s grasp.

Glen Garrett
36 Posted 14/05/2015 at 19:30:59
ItÂ’s looking like Martinez has already got a place booked for the Championship at the end of next season then.

OH DEAR... itÂ’s onwards and downwards then.

Richard Reeves
37 Posted 14/05/2015 at 18:57:23
Lyndon (#06) nails it on the head and I donÂ’t think it is a smokescreen.

Obviously the manager will have very little to spend until the inevitable big money sale and going by form that would be late in the day but I also get the impression Lukaku has to be the main man and Martinez must make him feel that way.

I was hoping we would sign Charlie Austin, both players have got a good strike record and it would of been interesting to see them compete to be top scorer.

Ross Edwards
38 Posted 14/05/2015 at 19:45:58
What a phenomenal summer in prospect. WeÂ’re in a good moment.
Anthony Flack
39 Posted 14/05/2015 at 19:48:23
Kone might come good, and chaps the lottery numbers for next weekend are 12 32 1....
Paul Jeronovich
40 Posted 14/05/2015 at 19:47:28
Awful player. He adds nothing to our team. Give him a free transfer and pay someone who A) is fit more than ten games a season and B) actually plays like a striker.
Brian Harrison
41 Posted 14/05/2015 at 19:36:43
Callum

I have already renewed my season ticket, I think, after going to Goodison for over 60 years, I just can’t stop. Despite this season being as bad as I can remember for being bored rigid watching the rubbish that RM is largely responsible for. Maybe you’re right; maybe if enough of us didnÂ’t renew, the board might be forced to sack him.

I think RM is lucky that, apart from a few boos at the end of some games, there hasnÂ’t been any demonstrations inside the ground, apart from the game were the fans let him know that the constant passing back and across was not what they were paying the money to watch.

Mind, having said all of that, he still has some supporters who think he is the right man to manage us. I cant see were they get that belief from but I hope to god that they are right and I am wrong; otherwise, next season in my view could be worse than this season.

Geoff Evans
42 Posted 14/05/2015 at 19:56:32
Brian

People like you deserve a great deal more than youÂ’ve come to expect. Keep the faith, mate, and maybe... one day.

Christopher Kelly
43 Posted 14/05/2015 at 20:14:17
ItÂ’s a bad dream you just canÂ’t wake up out of. You swear itÂ’s not reality but again, you just canÂ’t wake up. The fact that this idiot is making millions every year "managing" and I have a normal job makes me feel like I picked the wrong way in life.
Ray Robinson
44 Posted 14/05/2015 at 19:59:27
The most expensive commodity in any team are forwards but Everton has never had enough of them as long as I can remember. Moyes went most of one season with just Beattie available. We will never break the top 4 because we never have enough options up front.

Yes, I know the reasons for lack of choice are largely financial but even Hull have four strikers ffs! If anything ever happens to Lukaku next season, who takes the lead role?

Kone? No chance. Mirallas? (will he even be here?), Naismith (good eye for goal but very limited player). Barkley? Never a forward in a million years. Long? (no experience), Henen (only on loan but ditto).

At least one other forward is essential. Surely there’s a Michu or Pellé out there? Why isn’t Martinez tapping into the South American / Spanish market? They don’t all cost £28m.

Paul Gladwell
45 Posted 14/05/2015 at 20:30:26
I bet even Billy bull is fuming with this quote, imagine he will be dragged into the office:

"We are trying to sell fuckinge season tickets and you’re giving the game away with the gullible ones before theyÂ’ve spent their cash!"

Please, Bill, get shut – he’s wearing me out by the day.

Ian McDowell
46 Posted 14/05/2015 at 20:35:09
Not sure if we need to look abroad. The Premier League has two quality strikers that have been relegated in Austin and Ings.
Graham Miller
47 Posted 14/05/2015 at 20:34:47
I remain to be convinced that this fella knows what heÂ’s doing. At every turn he seems oblivious to the obvious. We need more quality up front, two centre-halves as backup and competition and more pace and creativity in midfield.

We should be doing our utmost to move on the four or five players in the final year of their contracts, promoting youth and attracting some quality Bosmans. If he canÂ’t see that, then he should go now.

Tony Hill
48 Posted 14/05/2015 at 20:39:01
Brian (41), IÂ’ve just done the same against my better judgment.

Reading RMÂ’s words here, though, they could mean almost anything. We can only sit tight and pray.

Milos Milenkovic
49 Posted 14/05/2015 at 20:46:44
Martinez should have been sacked in January. There is not a single thing suggesting that he will turn things around. Unfortunately we will wait until we drop in to the bottom 3 at some point during next season to think about it. Then we will need time for next manger to save us, then to build his own team...
Jim Bennings
50 Posted 14/05/2015 at 21:00:34
Agreed Milos,

Martinez should have been sent on his way after that Hull debacle on January 1st.

The mere fact heÂ’s talking Kone update, is he for real???

Also he states "We have other players who can play there." Who like Roberto lad? And if thatÂ’s the case, why not use these mystery strikers this season when weÂ’ve struggled??

My god I fucking despair at this club. It’s almost like we just think we are going to go with roughly the same group of ageing, injury-prone, not-good-enough players next season and it will all be okay...

It’s Everton FC all over, so it shouldnÂ’t surprise.

Trevor Peers
51 Posted 14/05/2015 at 20:50:27
WeÂ’ve still got 2 games of the old season left and yet Roberto is allowed to make one controversial statement after another. Surely BK canÂ’t sanction this type of nonsense?

Maybe the rumours are true and he is genuinely ill.ThereÂ’s something not quite right about the whole bizarre situation. It must be affecting season ticket sales by now.

Amit Vithlani
52 Posted 14/05/2015 at 21:01:14
Yes, of course we donÂ’t need any more strikers. Our tactical tit of a manager has inside information that next season, matches will be won by the teams who make the most passes. In the event of a tie, the team which passed the slowest will be declared the winner. A local matchstick manufacturer will supply free matchsticks at every game so supporters can prop open their eyelids.
Aidy Dews
53 Posted 14/05/2015 at 21:04:17
A team with European aspirations, specifically the Champions League, canÂ’t go into a season with the strikers we have!

Lukaku is still young and inexperienced although he gets his goals and as a lot of bad games and then thereÂ’s Kone! We have Naismith and Mirallas who can play there but they’re not proper strikers!

IÂ’m baffled as to why he doesnÂ’t want to bring an out-and-out striker in to give Rom & Kone competition! Unless heÂ’s thinking of showing some faith in the likes of McAleny, Long & Henen?!

Even when you only play one upfront, you still need 3 strikers that are capable of coming in and doing a job and score some goals when needed... and we only have one!

John Raftery
54 Posted 14/05/2015 at 20:56:14
I expect Chris Long to be one of the four under 21 players to join the first team squad when pre-season starts in July. He has pace and has now proved he can score goals at Championship level. As an international at the various age levels he has looked as good if not better than Harry Kane did. So he deserves a chance.

Our biggest problem this season has not been the scoring of goals but the creation of chances. We desperately need a creative midfield player and that is the position for which I would prefer to spend our transfer funds.

Jim Bennings
56 Posted 14/05/2015 at 21:10:31
Lukaku needs some serious competition to get his lazy arse in gear. LetÂ’s be honest one of the reasons he trots through matches because he knows heÂ’s safe with just Kone as a threat...

Kone a threat? – ha!!

Jim Bennings
57 Posted 14/05/2015 at 21:18:35
John

IÂ’m not sure you can really justify how "Long looks as good if not better than Harry Kane.."

Maybe if and when he starts playing AND scoring the goals Kane has, then perhaps you can justify this but you’re talking about Kane, a guy who scored a hat-trick against Chelsea mate!!

IÂ’m not sceptical over Long but we have been there before with Cadamarteri, Branch, etc etc...

Rooney was a 16-year-old freak of nature, letÂ’s be honest, and will never been seen again from a lad that age with the touch, pace, aggression and the end product.

Dave Abrahams
58 Posted 14/05/2015 at 21:25:51
John (#54), I think Chris Long was wasted by Martinez in the first half of the season, the lad hardly played and was then loaned to Brentford where he had some success.

He should have been with the first team squad throughout the season, coming on in 20 and 30 minute spells. There were quite a few opportunities for this to happen but the lad was left stagnating and learning nothing. If this is an example of Martinez giving youth a chance, then it is patently obvious he goes the wrong way to show it.

Tony McNulty
59 Posted 14/05/2015 at 21:28:14
Just spotted that Neville Southall is the guest at the Everton SupportersÂ’ Club in London’s AGM in July. I will be interested to hear his thoughts on the current regime. He generally seems to tell it as he sees it. I havenÂ’t a clue what heÂ’ll make of the current set up.

I still canÂ’t really square the comparative success of last season with the way we faded in the early part of this year. It doesnÂ’t seem to be one single thing, but you canÂ’t administer any medicine until youÂ’ve diagnosed the problem.

Scott Hall
60 Posted 14/05/2015 at 21:35:49
Kone makes me believe I can still make it. I could easily be shite up front too.
Eddie Dunn
61 Posted 14/05/2015 at 21:23:13
Kone is a Championship player. Lukaku is under achieving due to lack of motivation, and part of that is lack of competition. He improved after he was dropped, if you all remember.

I hope Martinez is just being careful not to alert competitors of his targets, after all, you can normally take what he says with a pinch of salt.

However, we do need a centre half and a creative mid before anything else.

Christy Ring
62 Posted 14/05/2015 at 21:05:19
Is Bob having a laugh? We donÂ’t need a keeper and striker!! If heÂ’s serious, itÂ’s time to go.

I’d give Kone and Howard a free transfer. He has to spend and, as transfer budgets go, Kenwright has been one of the lowest spenders in the Premier League in the last 2 years. Okay, Lukaku cost £28M, but we got £27M for Fellaini, so there should be no excuses that we have no money in the kitty,

Guy Hastings
63 Posted 14/05/2015 at 21:33:04
When asked whether he was looking for another centre-forward, Martinez was unequivocal in his response,Â’None of your fucking business, matey,Â’ he replied. Â’Next question, please - which I shall answer in the same manner.Â’
Bobby Thomas
64 Posted 14/05/2015 at 22:09:50
On Kone, I think itÂ’s very unfair to judge him coming back after that knee injury. 14 months out means heÂ’s quite lucky to still have a career. It takes a year to get back.

Saying that, those circumstances themselves mean we need a new striker for cover. However, no doubt money will be tight again at Goodison.

I personally hope Lukaku has a boss season and we can sting some daft fuckers for £40 mil to facilitate some squad re-building.

On the keepers, HowardÂ’s on a 4-year deal, gents. IÂ’d be surprised if he doesnÂ’t start the season. HeÂ’s still a good age for a keeper at 35 and he can recover; the previous season was his best. Make no mistake though, this season has been unacceptable.

Robles has shown he can play in the division. I would welcome an open competition for the Number 1 spot. Martinez has backed Howard to the hilt, he canÂ’t ask for more, it would be fair to say he owes him. If he displays anything near approaching this seasonÂ’s form... then drop him!

Andy Crooks
66 Posted 14/05/2015 at 22:22:36
I believe that if there is only limited money available it would be wise to use it to dismiss and compensate Martinez. He really is utterly, laughably, jaw droppingly useless.
Mike Hayes
67 Posted 14/05/2015 at 22:24:51
If next season is the same as this but other teams are better then we could be Championship fodder – might this be a "good" thing to kill the cancer that is spreading through the club? Could spell the end for Kenwright and Martinez and the crap they are full of.
Tom Bowers
68 Posted 14/05/2015 at 22:34:34
This statement by Martinez proves he has no idea. What on earth is BK going to do about it? Absolutely nothing because he is also out to lunch.

This has been a disastrous season for the Blues with as woeful an excuse for an offence as we have ever had and yet this man says we donÂ’t need a class addition to the striking department. What utter tripe. They have struggled in so many games even against so-called lower opposition that I was ashamed to watch sometimes.

Everyone agrees Kone is not up to Premier League status and the others, Mirallas not much better, along with Naismith, will offer nothing better next season. So, the question is who does help out a very limited Lukaku?

There is nobody coming through the ranks as far as we know so next season will almost certainly be more of the same huffing and puffing with the same old excuses every time points are lost.

This club is being taken to the dogs I am sad to say and it may just take something drastic to turn things around

Jim Bennings
69 Posted 14/05/2015 at 22:52:25
Bobby

Kone is 32 years old in November and have you seem his performances this season?

The likes of Kone, Pienaar, Osman, Barry, they are not going to get any better or quicker than they are now. Next season theyÂ’ll be even slower again, as will others like Gibson, Baines, Jags.

ItÂ’s blind faith or just stupidity to expect these types of players to do anything next season when they have failed dismally this season.

Steve Chesters
70 Posted 14/05/2015 at 23:23:06
For HeavenÂ’s sake, this idiot must be sacked immediately, I cringe every time he opens his mouth.
Steve Chesters
71 Posted 14/05/2015 at 23:25:16
In fact, he is phenomenally useless!!!
Phil Walling
72 Posted 14/05/2015 at 23:28:19
Chris Long has scored 4 goals in 10 appearances for Brentford. LetÂ’s see how he performs in his final game( s) for them before proclaim him as a Premier quality player.

As Patrick says, BK will release £10M to £15M for the manager to spend this summer but would do better to use it to pay him up!

John Raftery
73 Posted 14/05/2015 at 23:24:59
Jim - 57 I meant that Chris Long looked Â’as good if not better than Kane didÂ’ at the same sort of age. In fact as an under 20 international Kane looked very average playing in front of a midfielder by the name of Ross Barkley who at that age looked a much better prospect. Kane has blossomed since becoming a Spurs regular in November.

I am not saying Long will necessarily follow suit but at least he should be given the chance to show us what he can do in pre-season.

Dominic Tonge
74 Posted 15/05/2015 at 01:10:37
If this isnÂ’t a wind up and we donÂ’t get a quality striker and a Number 10, my glass will be officially half empty.

I am worried already for next season, itÂ’s like Smith or Walker are back. IÂ’m 34 now so I should be bloody used to it. Frigging hell. ThatÂ’s wound me right up.

Eric Myles
75 Posted 15/05/2015 at 02:02:26
Helen #8, they donÂ’t know how much money there is to spend yet as the window isnÂ’t open so we havenÂ’t had a chance to sell anyone.

The level of debt can be found in the annual accounts.

Conor McCourt
76 Posted 15/05/2015 at 02:51:44
Our board get away with murder while Roberto gets hammered as David did before.

We had saved for 3 windows and 2 tv deals as well as the surplus from Fellaini and Anichebe minus McCarthy and all Roberto got was a pitiful £30 mil. He wanted 7 players but rightly prioritized a top class forward rather than the same mistakes we made for the last 2 decades of £10 mil failures. A normal window for Hull seen a £43 mil outlay.

We will get £15 mil this summer at most and considering Moyes for his last 3 seasons stopped looking at the future (who can blame him) except for the brilliant purchase of Stones, we have an ageing and decrepit squad whereby we need to look at starters before we can realistically consider squad competition.

We need at least one wide player, possibly two depending on how Roberto sees it, and a No 10 as Barkley seems likely to drop deeper.

If we then look at the squad with Alcaraz and Distin gone, we need a centre half, a goalkeeper, and perhaps a creative midfielder before a striker and then another right back.

Attacking-wise we have lacked guile, the creation of goals as well as scoring them. Sunderland was a key example with only Lukaku on the pitch then our 2nd and 3rd best chances of a goal were two defenders, Coleman and Jags. Added to that we havenÂ’t got that magician in the hole who can play that killer ball.

This game was symptomatic of our season with the shanks Of Barkley and Lennon and the backpass shots from Osman. We cant just rely on Lukaku for firepower. Dellboy must be a priority as we need goals and assists from all areas.

Lyndon you are of course correct in saying that to be Champions League contenders you need 3 quality strikers but we are way off that level. For instance Spurs worst player who struggled to make the bench for 3 successive managers comes into our squad and looks like one of our star players. I do think though the manager may on the quiet try to bring someone like Bamford on loan if possible but without the pressure of expectant fans and if we donÂ’t get we will make do with Kone.

Before people blame Martinez for not prioritizing a second striker; consider that Distin, Alcaraz, Ossie all need replacing with Pienaar soon to follow then £15 mil doesnt go a long way. The manager’s policy of bringing in 3 quality additions seems sensible to me to address the areas of greatest urgency if not granting the immediate success we all crave for. It’s the chairman we need answers from.

Terence Leong
77 Posted 15/05/2015 at 03:42:35
We have players who can finish. We donÂ’t have players who can create. For all his limitations, Naismith can finish. Take a look at the goals he has scored. He can finish them. Likewise Lukaku takes his chances very clinically too.

KoneÂ’s finishing is suspect, but I have seen glimpses of his ability to do link-up play, and when played slightly deeper (rather than the main striker), he is more effective.

Eric Myles
78 Posted 15/05/2015 at 06:05:04
Christy #62, "Okay, Lukaku cost £28m, but we got £27m for Fellaini, so there should be no excuses that we have no money in the kitty."

We sold Fellaini before buying Lukaku, thatÂ’s why thereÂ’s no money in the kitty.

WeÂ’ll have to sell to buy again this season too.

Brian Porter
79 Posted 15/05/2015 at 05:51:01
Well, looks like thereÂ’s still time for me to make the big time. Roberto, IÂ’m 62, and see you have a liking for players of retirement age. I could do a great job as a stand-in striker, having had many years of experience in amateur football. Oh yes, maybe I should mention I was a goalkeeper but that shouldnÂ’t stop you picking me up front as I see you often play players out of position.

My strike rate was far superior to Arouna KoneÂ’s, regularly netting two or three penalties a season. Having supported Everton for 56 years, I think this could be a phenomenal time and a good moment for me to make my mark at my chosen club.

ps: I will bring my own walking stick, and my other needs are few, an oxygen mask and pitchside paramedics will do. There, not much to ask for, is it?

Paul Andrews
80 Posted 15/05/2015 at 06:29:19
Conor,

That is a great post mate.

Martinez said he wanted to bring 6-7 players last season. When Kenwright and the board didnÂ’t give him the transfer budget required Martinez got a lot of stick because he didnÂ’t bring 6-7 in.

Do some of our fans really believe ANY manager would make a statement that the squad needed that many reinforcements,and then make a decision not to buy them? The blame us with the board, not the manager.

Chris Feeley
81 Posted 15/05/2015 at 07:03:24
Terence - "Lukaku takes his chances very clinically too."
Have you been watching him this season? The lad has scored 9 league goals from 34 games, of which a couple have been penalties. A strike rate approaching 1 in 4. IÂ’d imagine itÂ’s somewhat down to him being a lazy, uncommitted oaf.
Bobby Thomas
82 Posted 15/05/2015 at 08:32:42
Jim #69

I referred to Kone only. HeÂ’s had a career threatening knee injury. You donÂ’t just come back from that. I also said we need a new striker for cover because of this.

The other players, I know where you are coming from.

We have become a haven for long contracts for players in their late 20s to early 30s. We all agree on the Barry thing but heÂ’s here and needs to play less so when we get him we get the best of him.

Baines's 4-year deal is looking increasingly unwise. The way we do things if you get offered double figures for a 29-year-old left-back you take it. Ossie & Pienaar we know about, fading & very underrated and appreciated footballers both.

As for Jags I think he is still at the top of his game. Came back from the World Cup low on confidence and mentally as much as anything wasnÂ’t at it. Second half of this season, he has been one of our best players. The imminent task could be replacing Stones not him.

The squad is going to take a couple of seasons to turn over due to contract situations.

Ian Hollingworth
83 Posted 15/05/2015 at 08:59:17
Going one way with this clown. Try asking a Wigan fan if they want him back and the answer will tell you everything you need to know especially given their current status. I have tried it with a couple and the answers they give were very much like reading these pages.

Be afraid fellow Evertonians be very afraid.

Bobby Thomas
84 Posted 15/05/2015 at 08:44:39
And Roberto, please donÂ’t start the task by signing a 28/29-year-old wide man from Spurs who has never been quite good enough on the obligatory 3/4 year deal.

I'd run my arse off for a last big contract as well. HeÂ’s decent, but the wrong age, one dimensional & can only play on one side.

Trevor Peers
85 Posted 15/05/2015 at 09:07:47
Kone was rumoured to be going to a Spanish club in the January window, so keeping him is a conscious decision by Roberto.

Just how long he needs to get over his injury is just an excuse that will be trotted out for his awful displays. Gibson has had some bad injuries but quickly found his form when he eventually returned to the team.

James Martin
86 Posted 15/05/2015 at 10:26:16
It comes down to creativity. No point buying strikers if you play a midfield of two sometimes three players who canÂ’t pick a forward pass between them. Fine if we somehow landed a Suarez type who can make chances for himself and others but at the moment you could have Ronaldo upfront in this team and he wouldnÂ’t score many because Roberto has a fundamentally flawed view of what a midfield is supposed to do and picks useless ball retainers like Barry over natural progressive footballers like Barkley or even Osman.
Paul Tran
87 Posted 15/05/2015 at 10:30:17
I got into a lift at Manchester Airport last night and the first thing I saw were the words Â’Kone LiftsÂ’. Lifts what - blood pressure?

This looks like a combination of low budget and MartinezÂ’s regular attempts to sound smart and clever. Far better to tell everyone that weÂ’re constantly looking to improve the squad and leave it at that.

We need a decent playmaker who will create chances, score goals and let us know how good our current strikers really are. Then a centre back and keeper. Then and only then, at least another striker.

Or we could focus our thoughts on signing an unproven youngster in a position where we have two existing options. ...

Trevor Lynes
88 Posted 15/05/2015 at 11:39:52
So all you guys above think we should just buy strikers? How many strikers have we had going through this club that have almost dried up within a few months.

The manager is correct about the priorities and that is finding a creative player in midfield. Strikers do not score unless they have chances and that has been proven over the past 20 years at this club. We have gone through more strikers than I can count and we have not had a top creative player in all that time. Arteta was the nearest and Osman has been our most recent.

The acquisition of a top midfield general is out biggest priority. The man with the most assists has been Baines and that is surely an indictment of our midfield. We need to spend big money in getting someone from somewhere who can see the Â’killerÂ’ pass and be able to beat his man. The nearest British players are Delph and Puncheon and apart from them they are all foreign.

Clive Rogers
89 Posted 15/05/2015 at 10:46:14
Strikers are expensive. That rules us out then.
Winston Williamson
90 Posted 15/05/2015 at 12:20:37
I decided not to renew my season ticket for next season. I made this decision on a purely entertainment basis. IÂ’m going to try knitting instead...much more excitement
Stephen O'Donnell
91 Posted 15/05/2015 at 12:55:00
CanÂ’t believe what IÂ’m hearing... Get fans to renew their season tickets, then drop the bombshell we donÂ’t need a new goalkeeper or striker or anyone for that matter!

We are a laughing stock, like Newcastle... Kenwright and Martinez should get out of our club now!

Roger Helm
92 Posted 15/05/2015 at 13:39:00
Lukaku hasnÂ’t scored much this year but in the two previous seasons it was nearly one in two.

HeÂ’s feeding on scraps; by the time the ball eventually gets near him he has two or three big defenders in attendance. He looks dangerous when we play the ball to him early, which unfortunately is only rarely.

Max Wilson
93 Posted 15/05/2015 at 13:46:17
Having only just seen RMÂ’s latest utterances, which make us all, I am sure, shake our heads in disbelief, IÂ’m now very worried about next season. Even if RM thinks heÂ’s got a youngster coming through (Long?) this takes time and meanwhile Kone is not the answer. I believe heÂ’s one of the players weÂ’d be pleased to see moved on in two weeks time. Who in the club organisation is discussing RMÂ’s idea with him?
Chris Feeley
94 Posted 15/05/2015 at 14:08:01
Roger - Two seasons on loan where he was trying to prove himself and win a contract against this one where heÂ’s used multiple excuses to justify his lacklustre performances. ItÂ’s obviously never his fault, or was the Sunderland game (to name the most recent in a long list) just a figment of my imagination?
Fran Mitchell
95 Posted 15/05/2015 at 13:44:38
We all know we have very little to spend this summer, how little weÂ’re not sure, but it is little nonetheless.

Our absolute priorities are: winger (personally we need two) and playmaker, this is obvious to all. We need pace, we quick passing and precise passing in the final third. Any money must be used for that, and if we only signed two players but they solved these issues (without sales) then I would be reasonably satisfied.

Secondary priorities: goalkeeper, as Howard is old and erratic. If the Howard of 2013-14 is here next season, we can afford to wait. If this seasonÂ’s Howard turns up, weÂ’re is trouble. Defender, Stones is a work in progress (much overhyped) but with great potential, but requires backup for when he loses form. Jagielka is getting on, and injuries are more regular (and longer) as you get older. We need at least one back up, maybe Galloway and some other youth can provide this. If so fantastic, more money for other areas.

Third priority: striking partner/competitor for Lukaku. Strikers need confidence and service, and Lukaku has lacked both all season. But if the team plays to his strengths (direct, fast attacks rather than pedestrian sideways passing) there is a beast of a striker there, someone with 30+ goals in him. But as always, backup is needed and Kone is shit.

Maybe McAleny or Long can step up as back up, is it really so difficult to imagine bringing through a 10-goal-a-season striker through the academy? Fact is, Austin is an average striker and will cost £10-15 million, and we can’t afford that. Maybe we could loan someone, or find a Latin American gem for £2 million, but a big maybe. My opinion: give youth a chance.

Fourth priority: general squad building: personally this should what we use the academy for. Youngsters to slowly take over from the old guys, with no pressure and with the old guys to tutor them. Ledson, Lundstram, Dowell, Green, Galloway, Grant and maybe one or two more. If they aint up to it, the older lads are there to step in, but maybe they are. Maybe they can become decent squad players despite not being wonderkids (we put too much pressure on young lads, expecting each one to be a Rooney, each one to be the next great hope) but lads who give their all and do a job. Fergie used this method at Man Utd, and it worked.

Denis Richardson
96 Posted 15/05/2015 at 15:27:53
Am going to try and stay positive and assume this means heÂ’s spending most of the kitty on a quality no.10, a pacey and decent wide midfielder (or not Lennon) and a decent CB.

If he ticks those three boxes then IÂ’m ok to go it with Rom and Kone up top from the off and promote one of the youth strikers.

Drew O'Neall
97 Posted 16/05/2015 at 17:01:26
He qualified his response by saying "We will keep two Number 9s", allowing him to replace one or then should the right offer arrive.

A lot of people on here take him at first glance and donÂ’t realise that these questions from the media are all potential grenades, unless you are at Man Utd or Man City you donÂ’t come out and say Â’yeah Kone can go and weÂ’re gonna bring in Cavani, Neymar and BentekeÂ’ it doesnÂ’t work like that.

If the right offer comes in, heÂ’ll change it. Relax.


Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.

» Log in now

Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.


About these ads

© ToffeeWeb