To spend or not to spend...

Jon Welsh 13/07/2007 5comments  |  Jump to last
For those of us who have spent the close season frantically looking for news on our latest signings, this summer has been somewhat of a let down. This has led to many fans calling for DM and BK head for our failure to capture those 'big name' stars-Reo-Coker, Nugent, Koumas, Parker, Barton et al.

As fans, who generate a large ammount of income for the club, we have a right to express our opinion. What is foolish though is to condemn our mangement before a ball is kicked.

So, what is our current situation? To fans born in the mid 80s onwards, who for all the reading and all the stories in the world, can't remember our success under kendall in the 80s, THIS is the golden period of everton f.c.in their lifetime. Now before you throw something at the screen gents, think about it.

Fans 24 yrs old and under have never seen captain Kev lift trophy after trophy, they have never seen attacking football and Goodison rocking against Munich. They remember Norwich sticking 5 past Mike Walker's team at Goodison. They recall last day relegation battles, John Oster and Mitch Ward. As for Europe ? nobody remembered how we were denied our chance at Euro success-no one knew who we are.

We were at the bottom rung of the European league ladder. Fact.

Then, 5 seasons ago, BK appointed Mr Moyes, a young manager with a lot to learn. BK took a huge gamble, considering we were relegation material.

That gamble payed off. Since then, we have had a rollercoaser ride of Rooney, a creditable 7th, the Man City debacle, Champions League, Euro failure and last season's 6th but could have done better. The very nature of inconsistency means that it is hard to judge, yet we are forgetting where we currently stand.

Our reputation in the eyes of the media and other clubs has risen from has been relegation battlers to up and coming club with some excellent players. We have a mangager who, although prone to mistakes, has delivered some of the best afternoons in Goodison for a decade and has revamped the squad for the better. Other clubs now covert our players and we have players seemingly desperate to come to us. We are European challengers and our squad is committed and loyal. This is the first period since 1992 when this has been the case. Even Big Joe, despite the FA cup, couldn't lift us out of the doldrums.

DM didn't improve the squad by magic. Kenwright backed him and continues too. Now, don't get me wrong, I detest BK's spin and theatrics. Me and my mate gave him a lift to Unsworth's testimonial a few years ago and I won't even go into the lies he was spouting ? that's another tale. What isn't a tale is that he has put the club back on an even keel, backed the manager considerably and realised the stadium issue needs to be addressed ? whatever your viewpoint.

I conclude that we are in the best position we have been for 15 years. I know you agree, that's why you're so eager for that 'big name' to push us on to the 'nest level'. Well, look around at the buys this close season-would any of these players have improved the squad? Hardly.

And it's no use saying 'well if BK gave him more money then we could buy...' because for one, we have a set budget based on our incomings and outgoings and secondly, who would we buy? We aren't quite at the stage where top european players want to join us, so why waste precious funds on crap?! If BK turned round and said here's £20m, we would still have no one to buy!! Look at City, all the Thai dictator funds in the world and they are paying £8M for a little known Italian stiker! I'd rather stick with Beattie!!

So, let's get back to work and wait for the new season with anticipation, not trepidation. And for all you people wanting to join the silly season crapfest I have two words for you... Leeds Utd.

Reader Comments

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


Andy C
1   Posted 13/07/2007 at 16:12:30

Report abuse

Great Post - I’d rather have Victor and Vaughan than Nugent and Smith. I’d rather have Osman and Carsley than Reo-Coker and Richardson. In truth the only players we have been linked with that would really improve our squad are Riquelme (never gonna happen) and Fernandes (i still think moyes is trying to drive the price down). So lets just wait and see...
chris williams
2   Posted 13/07/2007 at 16:41:19

Report abuse

nd reasoned post.DM is getting it right by not paying over inflated prices for players no better than we already have also we have to preserve the team spirit that has built up within the squad the like of Barton would have quite literally ’KNOCKED’ that out of the squad on the training ground.
Mark Pendleton
3   Posted 13/07/2007 at 18:30:58

Report abuse

I couldn’t agree more. Yes, we’d all like to sign more players but of the ones that have moved to date i can’t think of any i’d be happy for us signing given the fees involved. I think Vaughan and Anichebe are better players than Nugent. It’s all very well to say a paper thin squad has lost players so we are worse off but Nace, Sando and Dickie hardly played at all last season and therefore they’d off the wage bill ready for a new addition or two. £8.5m for Reo Coker? £6m for Nugent? Not for me thanks.
Dave K
4   Posted 13/07/2007 at 18:34:28

Report abuse

I entirely agree that Reo-Coker, Nugent, Koumas, Parker, Barton are no better than our current players. The problem is that our squad is too small for this year’s UEFA campaign and signings of some sort must be made soon so that the new players can have time to blend in.

I agree with DM that prices are inflated - but didn’t DM admit the same last year when he went and bought AJ?

And with the inflated prices for the five names mentioned above, it makes the price for Fernandes look more reasonable.
Tony Ainscough
5   Posted 14/07/2007 at 14:52:15

Report abuse

Since when have the supporters give a shit about how much a player costs these computer games have a lot to answer for The simple fact is if we want to compete on all fronts (and there are still some evertonians who expect this)then we need a bigger squad


© ToffeeWeb