The Mail Bag

Ok, I am a fool

I have finally admitted what some have said for years. I have accepted how rediculous it is to be sat at my PC all night hitting the refresh keys, just hoping to see that we have signed someone of Riquelme's class but with just 40 mins remaining I have thrown in the towel. Having been up since 5am I am now too knackered to stay up for a fruitless further 40 mins for something that, if I am honest, I know will not happen.
Matt Jones     Posted 31/08/2007 at 23:17:32   Comments (24)

Mad Dog

I know Tommy is not the perfect choice but I am glad he is back. He probably wouldn't have been here if it wasnt for the Fernandes saga but at the end of the day he is a good short-term option. He is better than Carsley and Neville and it will be good to see their partnership split up.

We are in desperate need for someone in Gravesen's mould. Obviously he can be erratic but on his day he is a matchwinner. I just wanted people who accused Tommy of not being able to pass to see this. I think Johnson's game will defo improve with Gravesen in the team.
Connor  Rohrer     Posted 31/08/2007 at 23:05:33   Comments (8)

Wyness and a life of deception

Well, well, well. There is one hour to go and shock horror, no sign of Riquelme or Appiah!! Am I the only one thinking that Wyness raised expectation among the fans amongst earlier this afternoon when he skirted around the issue of deadline day signings when asked by a Sky Sports presenter? Of course, I will eat my words if, and it's a big if, if we do get any new signings in.
Christopher Marston     Posted 31/08/2007 at 23:00:26   Comments (15)

Best Everton Team since the 80s

Although it may be a bold statement to make, I think that we are on the verge of having the best Everton squad since the glory days of the 1980's.

From back to front we are blessed with talent, and soon we will have the strength in depthe we have dreamt of for so many years.

Tim Howard, one of Moyes greatest signings, we missed Nev so much til we got Nigel Martyn — who was just past his best but still great — and now we have Tim between the stick I rarely panic.

Phil Neville, a born leader who has so much experience, he drives us on and off the pitch with his enthusiasm and commitment, a top drawer pro.

Joleon Lescott, a real gem. One of the best defenders in the league last season, great pace, heading ability, athletism and desire to win, he will become the greatest defender in England real soon.

Joseph Yobo, a true athlete. His pace and power can make the top strikers look ordinary at times and he shows a real determination in every game.

Leighton Baines, without doubt will be England's first choice left back in the next few years. Operates up and down the flank effectively and can pick out a pass. The left back we have waited a long time for.

Mikel Arteta, what can I say? Awesome. One of the most talented players ever to wear the shirt. How he is not playing for Spain I will never know. Just needs to shine when the going gets tough.

Tim Cahill, hard as nails. Solid in every challenge be it on the floor or in the air, great pace and determination, great goalscorer from midfield, total passion for the cause.

Lee Carsley, unsung hero. Does a great job without courting any headlines or fishing for glory. Tough as old boots who gives you the impression he would die for the cause.

Leon Osman, silky touches. Great feet in tight spaces, if he had pace he would be one of the most dangerous players in the league. Honest pro who works hard 100% of the time, and reaps the rewards.

Andrew Johnson, tireless front man. Having a bit of a drought at the moment, but still causing problems to all defences. Great work ethic for a front man, makes goals for others with his constant niggling at defenders, will start to hit the net soon with his new front man partner.

Yakubu, powerful predator. All the signs show that this signing will be the one to spearhead our drive to glory. Quick, powerful, direct, he has a great Premiership goals to games ratio and I see no reason why this cannot continue. We are the biggest club he has playerd for and should, with AJ, score a hat-ful. Add to this Gravesen, Stubbs, Jag and maybe Pienaar?, etc.

We have a great first 11 with, for once, a talented and experienced bench to call on.

The future is bright..........The future is Everton.
Anthony  Jaras     Posted 31/08/2007 at 21:04:05   Comments (20)

Any News

So did Riquelme fly into Merseyside today? Is Appiah in frantic talks with Blue Bill? Surely someone has been on lookout patrol at the JLA, Goodison, and wherever else transfers are agreed these days...
Rob Paterson     Posted 31/08/2007 at 20:43:19   Comments (47)

It Sure Beats Last Week!

Following on from one of the most traumatic weeks I have ever known as far as football is concerned these past few days have been just what the doctor ordered. Putting the Yes to Kirkby move and the Fernandes Fiasco behind me was very hard but the signing of Yakubu and Tommy G with promises of more to come has blown away the suicidal tendancies for the time being.

Gravesen will be back to his old self once he runs out at Goodison and realises he has come home to the best club in the land. Don't believe the shite coming out of Scotland. My mate who is from Glasgow and a big Celtic supporter reckons Tommy and the Angry Ant Strachan had a big bust-up on the training ground and that was that for Tommy Boy. Real Madrid don't sign deadbeats so judge him on that.

As for this Uefa Cup draw. What a downer it is going to the Ukaraine. Apart from the 7-hour flight the whole country is lit by one 60 watt bulb and it will be colder than a witches tit when we play there. No need to pack a cozzy on this one lads.

Why couldn't we have got the plum draw in Cyprus?That would have been some trip away for the boys to enjoy. There's still plenty going on in Ayia Napa and Larnaca in October and it's still well into the mid-80s. Lucky bastards those Spurs fans.

Anyone thinking of going over to the game in Ukaraine will be well advised not to travel on the day of the match, leaving yourself with just hours to spare. Go the day before because if there are any delays or fuck-ups at the airport [Romania EFC-style] you will definetly miss the game.

As for the Yakubu deal, I really hope Moyes doesn't use him as a target for the airbombs. Let him and AJ loose on Bolton and all the other teams we play from now on. With Arteta and Tommy threading in the killer passes, who knows what we can achieve. Please, no more long-ball shite.
Tony Marsh     Posted 31/08/2007 at 16:24:53   Comments (14)

Press Conference

Two people have just texted me to say Everton are having a press conference at 4.30pm. Has anybody else heard this? There are so many rumours today about Riquelme or Appiah its getting exciting.
John Martin     Posted 31/08/2007 at 16:14:10   Comments (19)

Riquelme, SSN, Medical?!

I've just been watching SNN, and they were talking about transfers, they said that they have cameras up and round the country, they then went on to say, "We expect most news/info to come from Everton today."

They then said that there was a medical going on right now, I didn't hear if it was Riquelme, but I'm only watching SSN, cos I was told to by someone, cos they heard that they were talking about Everton & Riquelme. So, yeah ? just thought I'd share (:
Toffee  Girl (:     Posted 31/08/2007 at 14:57:48   Comments (16)

Horrible Feeling

Is it just me or does anyone else have the horrible feeling that we're gonna here from the club: "We agreed a fee with Fenerbahce and terms with the player but some complications arose during his medical blah blah blah" and we will agonisingly miss out on Steven Appiah.
Declan Critchley     Posted 31/08/2007 at 14:39:34   Comments (6)

Grav

I just want to say first of all I adore this site, virtually all my Blue news stems from here and for that I congratulate you. However, I must say the description given of our Tommy in the rumour mill was little short of disgraceful. Referring to him as a 'desperate' aquisition is very disappointing. Thomas Gravesen was one of our finest performers, his departure had a far more substantial impact than that of Shrek to manchester. Show some repsect in future.
Neil Styles     Posted 31/08/2007 at 13:39:53   Comments (3)

Yakubu Chant!

YA ya ya ya ya kubu!
Ya ya ya ya ya KUBU!
He?s Nigerian!
Stronger than 2 men!
Lets score again! YA ya ya ya KUBU!

Yaaaahh Yaaaaa KUBU!
YAAAAHH YAAAAA KUBU!
Ian Goodwin     Posted 31/08/2007 at 13:13:47   Comments (73)

Uefa Cup Opponents

Does anyone know what the significance of the groupings are in the Uefa Cup draw that was done today? I am fairly pleased with our first round draw against Metalist, and would expect us to progress to the group stages (we are Everton though, so I'm not counting any chickens yet).

If we are to progress however, are we to be in 'Group 2' along with (most likely), Villareal, Leverkusen, Standard Liege and Galatasaray? This seems like quite a tough group in comparason to some of the others. If this is the case I am a bit less satisfied with the draw.
Gareth  Cooper     Posted 31/08/2007 at 12:37:21   Comments (15)

LCC: Look and Learn

This article in The Herald highlights the £50 million boost the city of Glasgow will get for having two teams competing in Europe. Glasgow city council are totally aware of how important its two clubs are to the city, Why do Liverpool City Council not realise what they are losing in Everton?
Dylan Thomson     Posted 31/08/2007 at 12:37:28   Comments (6)

Deadline Day Deals???

I notice on EVERTONFC.COM an official comment by David Moyes that he is still trying to bring in " maybe one more" before the deadline so it looks as though there is still a strong possibility that some negotations for another player are at a crucial stage. Any cab drivers or airline stewards noticed any unusual passengers...???
Martin Berry     Posted 31/08/2007 at 11:44:04   Comments (25)

UEFA Cup Group 2

I've just nbeen looking at the UEFA web site and seen that we're in 'Group 2' for the draw. This has narrowed our opponents to one of five teams: UD Leira (POR), R. Standard de Liège (BEL), FC Metalist Kharkiv (UKR), FC Sion (SUI), FC BATE Borisov (BLR).
Peter Hughes     Posted 31/08/2007 at 09:35:15   Comments (0)

Grave Digger

Gravesen is one astute piece of business. Apart from Rooney, Gravesen has been the biggest loss to the club in the last few years. Moyes knows all his attributes, and how to get the best out of him. He is much better going forward than Osman is and certainly has more physical presence.

He might be mercurial, but we are not relying on him. This time around, he is adding depth. In many ways this is much better business than what we were going to do with Manny.

Now if there was just one more signing tonight — Appiah, Riquelme or even Bouba Diop.
Nigel Gregson     Posted 31/08/2007 at 02:48:11   Comments (38)

Your Ballot

Your recent ballot, which I've voted on by the way, is a bit contrite, don't you think?

BK said that if the majority 50.0001% voted against Kirkby then that would be it. Your poll is looking at: Would a return of less than a 60% yes vote in the ballot give the Board an acceptable mandate to relocate EFC to Kirkby?

So, if the result was LESS than 60% AGAINST Kirkby, would that be an acceptable mandate?
Tony  Marks     Posted 31/08/2007 at 00:25:21   Comments (19)

Riquelme jets in for talks!

Well looks like we could get him after all according to the Daily Mail, but looks like on a loan rather than a full transfer... What do people think? I think a loan move would be better then forking out £10 million for him, would be a great bit of business.
Ashley Woodstock     Posted 30/08/2007 at 23:46:53   Comments (88)

Gravesen return

Initial response to Gravesen return appears quite negative. I think it's a good signing. Moyes has always said that he was going to bring in a few players on loan. This is not a replacement for Fernandes signing but a genuine strengthening of the midfield for this season. He has the confidence and ability to hold the ball and vision to open up a defence, unlike many of our present midfield. Like everyone else though I still hope for one more big signing tomorrow.
Tom Sullivan     Posted 30/08/2007 at 21:03:38   Comments (23)

Typical

One noticeable characteristic of Everton is how long transfers take if the player involved is quality. Another noticeable characteristic is how quickly they can swoop for dross. To re-sign Gravesen is an act of desperation. He is nowhere near as good as he thinks he is and hardly a suitable alternative to Fernandes.

Team spirit will suffer if he tries to subdue and bully some of the younger team members as he did in the past. I hope we are not in for a season of Gravesen throw-ins, Gravesen free-kicks, Gravesen corners but I fear that we are. If his talent measured up to his ego, I could just about accept his return. Another typical Moyes signing and testimony to his apparently woeful lack of knowledge of suitable creative midfielders.
Brian Finnigan     Posted 30/08/2007 at 19:21:13   Comments (80)

Tommy's Back

Just seen on club page that Gravesen's back on loan. I really thought all the rumours were just that. Hope he makes me eat my words but I don't think this is the type of addition to the squad that Arteta and Cahill had in mind when they signed extended contracts. Let's hope the club get their act together in time for the January window.
Phil Grayston     Posted 30/08/2007 at 18:48:13   Comments (71)

Is Van der Meyde just tired?

I've just been through the posts about the Fernandes affair and came across a comment I felt I had to respond to. Said comment referred to Andy van dr Meyde as being a Dutch waster. I too thought he was more than a little lethargic in his efforts on the park, until my grandson was born. Having been born far too early he had some complications that could only be dealt with at Alder Hey. That's where I first saw Andy Van away from a footy pitch. His brand new baby daughter was in the incubator opposite to my grandson. Andy sat and watched her from morning till night. He never left her side. That was back in April, but as far as I know she is still in hospital and her father is still keeping his vigil.

I don't know about anyone else but for me it accounts for some of this young man's behaviour and certainly excuses his lack of performance. There isn't a man alive who could spend so long awake and play dominoes well, never mind football.

No doubt he will always have his detractors, but I hope that in future the derision comes with a little bit of compassion. Always remember that he is a stranger to our shores, and loneliness is an awful, awful thing.
Mike Neely     Posted 30/08/2007 at 17:57:59   Comments (11)

Incompetent but...

I know the club is run by a fairly incompetent bunch but given the Fernandes saga I would be truly shocked if the club were not at least negotiating to bring a midfielder in at this stage...although not necessarily a good one...
Declan Critchley     Posted 30/08/2007 at 16:42:08   Comments (8)

Still No 9??

What the hell is going on here, club record signing, vacant 9 shirt so he chooses 22?? We now have no number 9 until at least January unless Moyes has something even bigger up his sleeve tomorrow!!

Why oh why whould Yakubu not be given/want the sacred 9 shirt. I play up front and have to have the 9 shirt otherwise I get the hump! - I was lucky enough to play (and score!!)in a 'mini' derby before David Unsworth's testimonial at Goodison and when I was offered the 9 shirt I nearly ripped Derek Mountfields arm off!! I was an honour to wear it.

I cannot believe that Everton will have no number 9 this season. Does anyone have any explanation?
Paul  Smith     Posted 30/08/2007 at 15:53:54   Comments (64)

Money, Money, Money?!?

Personally, I'm over the moon with the signing of Yakubu, always liked him and believe he'll be worth every penny of the £11M+... But, I'm now left wondering how much (if any) money Davie has left in the transfer kitty? If we were going to spend £12M on Fernandes and had initially outlaid £8M for Yakubu, does that mean that there's still £9M-ish left to play with?

We really could do with that central midfielder with a bit of class but I'm not exactly over the moon with our options on the wings (particularly the left). Realistically, Appiah would be a good signing, but I firmly believe Gravesen would raise his game for us again (although not making the line-up at Celtic causes some doubts). But, I've read in the paper and around the web that Baptista is being offered around by Real Madrid for £8M ? maybe even a possible loan there? And as much as I hate to say it, Kewell could do a job for us down the left ? can't be any worse than van der Meyde! What happened to Vogel as well?

Anyways, if we can avoid any serious injuries, I'm relatively happy the way things stand and am actually looking forward to Europe this time around as well as a strong domestic campaign. Guess all will be made apparent in the next 36hrs or so. Fingers crossed that Moyes has a trick or two left up his rolled up sleeve...
Scott Milne     Posted 30/08/2007 at 14:17:57   Comments (19)

Was I denied a vote?

Last fall (November 2006) I become a paying member of "EVERTONIA" in order to have priority for purchasing tickets for the Bolton game last year (what a goal!). I laid down some good cash to make the trip from the USA, but the experience was incredible. Magical in fact.

My question is, as an adult 2006-07 Evertonia member, should I not have received a ballot? Were ballots not sent abroad?

My vote would have been NO... KEEP EVERTON IN YOUR CITY!
Sami Fam     Posted 30/08/2007 at 14:11:48   Comments (14)

Nil Satis Nisi Optimum

A poem written by Rhys?s father, Stephen (From today's Liverpool Echo)

Now God wanted a football match
And to play it up in heaven
But first he needed players
And select his first eleven

Georgie Best, big Brian Labone
The legend Dixie Dean
Alan Ball and Bobby Moore
All made it in the team

He needed one more player
Someone who would be quick
From up above he looked down
And saw Rhys there in his kit

So Rhys was taken up above
God took him by the hand
To play the game he loved so much
Where sponsorship is banned

There is no cheating either as
God is the referee
There are no mega wages
And the transfers they are free

The games are live on telly
You don't have to subscribe
The players all stay on their feet
Cos no one takes a dive

So Rhys plays now so happily
To the angels in the crowd
And every time he hits the net
They roar his name so loud

Have fun my little blue boy
You?re safe and in God?s care
?Till it?s time for me to get my boots
And join with you up there
John Partick McFarlane (Junior)     Posted 30/08/2007 at 14:14:58   Comments (6)

Is anyone else at all concerned?

Having Yakubu sign is excellent news and a big boost BUT... has anyone considered what will happen come the new year? Two words: Super Eagles.

Straight off, we'll lose Yakubu, Yobo AND Anichebe ? and not just for one match either. Two strikers out of five down... let's hope our other three stay fit and card free!!

I'm sure Moyes has this all in hand...
Tony Hawkins     Posted 30/08/2007 at 12:41:10   Comments (13)

If no replacement for Fernandes is found....

Let's face facts - despite all the conjecture, its very unlikely that we will sign a midfielder before midnight tomorrow (although I would love to be proven wrong - Appiah in particular would be great). Things don't happen that quickly, especially at Everton, and Moyes will not have his hand forced by greedy clubs upping their asking prices because they now know we have 12 million to spend.

So, that leaves us with an opportunity to look at the current squad and assess our chances going forward through the season. The reliance on Arteta for creativity and craft in midfield is worrying, but I'm not sure all is lost. Consider the following 'best XI': Howard (GK), Neville (RB), Baines (LB), Yobo (CB), Lescott (CB), Pienaar (LM), Arteta (RM), Jagielka (DM), Cahill (AM), Johnson (CF) and Yakubu (CF). Subs Wessels, Osman, Anichebe, Stubbs, Vaughan (or swap AJ and Vaughan).

This is certainly not a team of alehouse hoofballers, with Arteta, Pienaar and to a lesser extent Cahill all capable of opening up defences. I guess the problem actually lies in the fact that its not always the players themselves, but rather the way they are trained to play by the manager. However, Moyes's recent attempts to sign Fernandes and some early glimpses of ball-to-feet (Spurs away) might indicate a slight paradigm shift in the boss's thinking. Let's hope so anyway!

At the very least I think we have a team that can do the business until the January window, when there may be more room for manouver regarding a centre midfielder. In the meantime let's hope Cahill and Vaughan have speedy recoveries so that Moyes can have a nice selection headache.
Neil Humphrey     Posted 30/08/2007 at 12:10:34   Comments (13)

Value for Money?

Initally, when I heard the news that the Yakubu deal had gone through, I was filled with delight as all everybody keeps revealing, he's second only to Thierry Henry in the Premier League goalscoring ranks in the last four years.

However, it then occured to me that Thierry Henry had been receiving passes from the likes of Fabregas, Pires, Bergkamp and Viera. Surely if Yakubu was receiving passes from Lee Cattermole, James Morrison and Fabio Rochemback, and still managing to score the goals he did he must have a lot quality.

If The Yak is to be value for money and be scoring 20 goals as he has suggested on the official website today, we need to be buying a midfielder that has quality and can be giving him the service that he deserves. We will also, if we purchase a quality midfielder (I personally am a huge fan of Stephen Appiah) see not only the best of Yakubu but also of AJ who we have seen starved of service (not counting 7ft hoofs!) throughout his career.

Moyes must buy a midfielder who will give our £19 million strike force the chance to fire us into hopefully the top four.
Sean Loftus     Posted 30/08/2007 at 11:26:47   Comments (8)

How Stupid Are Boro ?!!!

I'm sorry I'm still pissin meself at the article in the The Mail today. 'Middlesborough trail Italian Star' ? go on, have a guess, who do you think it refers to?

None other than our very latin sicknote Sandro Pistone. The Boro idiots on their websites are getting all excited about it too!

Ow, ow, ow, I'm laughing so much it's hurting! The words, star, footballer and worldclass in the same sentance as Pistone!! I haven't laughed so much since we got £2.5M for Barn Door Bent!!! [Just thought I'd brighten your day up with that little titbit!!]
Martin   Handley     Posted 30/08/2007 at 10:43:26   Comments (11)

Possible Transfer target?

Having missed out on Manny, there are rumours a plenty as to who Moyes may be after for the elusive 'creative midfield' berth. The names mentioned so far this week don't get my juices flowing so far with Nolan and Bouba Diop both average players for average clubs, the one exception being Stephen Appiah having seen little of him up until the 2006 World Cup where Ghana v Italy looked like a routine win for the Italians. Ghana ran them close and pulling all the strings from centre mid was supposed to be Essien but instead Appiah was a colossus. Real box-to-box player ? just what this present Everton team is screaming for.

Appiah is currently playing at Fenerbahce, who played the second leg of their CL qualifier at Anderlecht winning 0-2. Appiah was linked to West Ham and Schalke earlier in the season but nothing has materialised SO FAR! Appiah has not featured for Fenerbahce in either leg of the CL qualifier so would be eligible for Europe.

I feel he could be perfect in the middle with a good range of passing, energy and a fierce shot and would certainly take a lot of pressure off Arteta. Although supposed rumours are that Moyes has asked about the availabilty of Appiah and been told he's not for sale? Strange then that the player was not picked for either leg of Fenerbahce's CL qualifier! Perhaps he's injured... A bid in the region of £8M would seal a transfer but with likely competition from West Ham following Dyer's injury could mean a bidding war. The race is on!
Brendan Fox     Posted 29/08/2007 at 22:46:08   Comments (38)

Second-Best Nugent

Harry Redknapp has admitted that he would allow David Nugent to leave Portsmouth just a month or so after signing him.

Basically this is Harry admitting Nugent is out of his depth in the Premiership and wants to recoup some money to sign a better striker.

Moyes was on the receiving end of alot of critism this summer when he refused to allow Everton to enter the Nugent bidding war. So many fans were convinced that boyhood Evertonian must be brought to Goodison.

Moyes however stood firm, maybe he had watched Nugent enough last season to know his limitations or maybe he saw Nugent's dismal performances in the Euro Championships. Either way Moyes refused to go after Nugent safe in the knowledge that the player wasn't as good as the fans had heard.

While some were throwing the usual Dithering Dave name calling his way, Moyes quietly got on with business.

First he got shot of James Beattie to raise a bit more money. Then he did a deal for Yakubu.

Now we know why Moyes didn't enter the race for average-at-best Nugent, he was after a bigger fish.

He wasn't dithering this summer, he was doing his homework. I hope some of you who blasted Moyes for not signing Nugent now feel guilty.
Dutch Schaffaer     Posted 29/08/2007 at 21:39:07   Comments (22)

Everton in Everton

Throughout the current debate on moving grounds and weighing up the Kirby versus Goodison question the whole debate has become skewed. I am firmly in the camp of keeping Everton in Liverpool, but I want to see Everton return to Everton. As someone who lives in L5 I see so much space around that could be used.

The Tunnel Loop is a good suggestion, but my heart wants to see a stadium built on Everton Brow and the Dixie Dean playing fields (currently a disused park). This stadium would look over the city and provide a fantastic architectural statement as well as taking Everton back to its St Domingo roots.
Kevin Armstrong     Posted 29/08/2007 at 20:55:01   Comments (13)

Don't Risk Them Davey !!!!!

The Nigeria squad for a game on 8th September has just been announced and includes Yobo, Anichebe and Yakubu. This game is against The Crocodiles o Lesotho!!!! Why can't our lads represent their country against another team of footballers?

Why have they now picked Yakubu after all they haven't done to help secure his move? I think this game constitutes an unnecessary risk to our fine footballers, and Davey Moyes should refuse to let them play in this potential bloodbath.

We Blues must take a firm stance in this instance, and pretend our players are too injured to travel. The Nigerian FA doctor shaking chicken feathers at them would not understand the subtleties of a fractured blister or split ends, and our players would be spared.

Either that, or let Victor make the travel arrengements...
Keith Harrison     Posted 29/08/2007 at 20:28:46   Comments (2)

Seeded!

We will be one of the 40 seeded teams.

2 goals in the last 12 minutes rescued Shaktar Donesk and they go through with Dynamo Kiev also winning. We cannot be lower than 40th and we will be seeded.

Now then — will we get someone like Dunfermline (or their Swedish 2nd division opponents) or someone like Dinamo Zagreb? Guess what my money is on!
Phil Roberts     Posted 29/08/2007 at 19:09:57   Comments (18)

Yakubu

Great signing, the one we've been waiting for all summer. Good pedigree and if he gets his hunger back, he will give most defenders in the league a game. One point, though (sorry to piss on the parade)....

He's not going to score any goals unless we create something for him. Firing 6ft balls up to him or blasting it in to his chest with his back to goal will have the exact same result its having now. Shit to watch and little in creativity.

Let's hope Moyes and some of the bigger culprits (Neville, Hibbert, Stubbs etc), dont just rely on his pace and carry on with the ineffective plan we're on now. Wishful thinking, eh...
Carl Wright     Posted 29/08/2007 at 16:35:31   Comments (31)

Dear Tony Marsh...

Should you not, Tony, now apologize for accusing EFC, and specifically Bill Kenwright, of shafting us all by pretending to be signing Fernandes and Yakubu only to gain favour in respect of the Stadium vote?

If you wish to describe EFC's attempt to sign Fernandes as lazy, too slow, too late or even incompetent then I might agree with you but it was never what you argued it was. It was never a concerted attempt to lie to us. Whatever you think of the move to Kirkby (and I do understand how your feelings on that issue are engendered) it was a mistake to try to link the two in the way that you did.

We have now signed a striker who can resist being pushed off the ball, who is quite good in the air and who has a good shot in him. He also scored one of the best goals I have seen at Goodison in the last few years. And his record recently (as we all know) is second only to Henry as a goalscorer.

Try to see the move to Kirkby as a 'deposit' in the bank that is reasonably dependable (subject to further negotiations!) and who knows, if other options firm up, we don't know what could happen do we?

Let's not allow the Stadium issue to cloud everything pertaining to our club at the moment. Let us get behind the team for now, forget the Stadium for the moment because for the next few years we are still at Goodison anyway! The team is building and the most encouraging development for me is the recognition by David Moyes that we need more CRAFT in midfield!

Some of us, including yourself, have been saying that in our different ways for the past few seasons. Now the 'boss' is saying it! OK, the attempt to address it by signing Fernandes has failed, but let us concentrate on ensuring that the club continues to try to address it, rather than carrying on the argument over the move to Kirkby which may not even happen! I think any argument over our midfield on this website would not be divisive!
Dave Roberts     Posted 29/08/2007 at 15:28:23   Comments (24)

Is he any good?

I know its only a rumour and excuse my ignorance but is Steven Appiah any good? Is he what we're looking for? I'm not even gonna check YouTube because it makes me look like a world class, pacy winger. Trust me, I'm not...
Declan Critchley     Posted 29/08/2007 at 15:46:48   Comments (19)

YAKUBU SIGNS ITS OFFICIAL

The official website has confirmed Yakubu has signed after a succesful work permit application.
James Elworthy     Posted 29/08/2007 at 15:20:45   Comments (33)

Why would Fernandes be back in Liverpool?

I have just seen him in town in Diesel with a Portugese speaking friend. Has he signed for Valencia? or is their another twist in the saga? May be a simple answer to this... or may be a scoop!
John French     Posted 29/08/2007 at 14:48:28   Comments (43)

Where did the magic pot of gold come from

It seems magically in the middle of August a pot of around £20 million was found for new players. There is various speculation abour where the money came from:

1. Our newish board member (Robert Earl)
2. A release of the television money. BK won the lottery.

1. He has been involved for over 12 months so why now and why 20 million?
2. Why wait until the middle of August when it would have been far more beneficial to get new players in for pre season?
3. Why was Moyes shopping in the bargain basement for so long (Vogel,Pienaar etc.) and looking for loan deals?

Given the unique nature of ToffeeWeb, someone with an Aunt who runs a hairdressers or whose cousin works at the bank must have some more information. I am intrigued as I am sure many others are.
Jay Harris     Posted 29/08/2007 at 14:03:56   Comments (18)

In-depth news

Your links to 'In-Depth News' are still not working!
Thomas Mann     Posted 29/08/2007 at 12:08:30   Comments (0)

See the Big Four at Goodison

I am all for creative marketing ideas and the creation of business links with other companies for the good of Everton FC, but the clubs current marketing department are turning our proud club into a joke.

I was leafing through the Echo last night and my eye was caught by an advert that I initial thought was for Setanta Sports. You know the one, watch X amount of matches involving the Big Four, this season on Setanta Sports. I must admit, I was a little slow in realising the true horror of what I was about to read, but as I looked across the action shots of Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United, I noticed there was an Everton player in each of the pictures. This made me study the advert more intently until I realised that it was in fact Everton FC advertising these games.

Now as I have previously stated I have no objection to the club marketing themselves on our own strengths, but for fuck's sake, how has it come to this? The fact that we have to advertise on the strength of other teams is insulting, degrading and disrespectful. The advert also contained and a list of dates and fixtures when Everton play the Big Four clubs and guess what, those creative people in marketing have decided it to be fitting that the names of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, be highlighted in bold type.

This is an absolute joke, we are basically saying to all the Mancs and Kopites in the area to come and fill our ground when we play them.

Secondly that stupid fucking deal to buy a mobile phone and get a season ticket. This is unbelievable embarrassing, we are not Wigan or Blackburn ? We are Everton FC and we are being made out to be a complete joke by our own marketing department.
Daniel Gorman     Posted 29/08/2007 at 11:55:35   Comments (1)

Is Kenright too nice?

I am no apologist for the mistakes made by the EFC board or more particularly Bill Kenright in the last 5 years but I do have difficulty believing that Blue Bill is a conniving, manipulative sneak. Which is how he is often described on this forum!

I think we need to understand the man to appreciate his behaviour. For me, Bill is a theatrical type who wallows in success and positive critical reviews but can be deeply hurt by criticism and negativity; hence his reluctance to face-up to the fans at no other time other than when there is good news to impart.

He is a total luvvie. An integral part of being a luvvie is a softness of character and naivety. To balance his personal luvvie attributes he has appointed the arch-bully Wyness to the role of Chief Executive at EFC.

I can only see vulnerability in Blue Bill that stems from his life?s career and his obsessive affection for Everton. Who else amongst us would mortgage our family home to dig-out EFC from the muck?

He is an Evertonian like you and I but what he is not is somebody who lives in the real world and more particularly on Merseyside. He does not appreciate the rough and tumble of a roller-coaster in our great city. He does treat the club like his own personal train-set but ,or all his faults,I know who I?d rather have as our chairman when you consider alternatives like Red Roman, Verner at Villa, the Yanks at Anfield and the dubious history of the guy at Pompey.

Recently, Bill has somehow secured another £25M to spend on players whilst naively being duped by Fernandes and his agent in the midst of a transfer. He really is a nice chap but very green.
John Sheron     Posted 29/08/2007 at 11:02:04   Comments (3)

The Fernandes Hole

After the failure to get Fernandes we now have 2/3 days to get in another attcking midfielder and the only option I've seen is Kevin Nolan. For me Nolan is a less effective Cahill whose goals mask major deficiencies in his game. It looks like being a big ask for the club to find somebody suitable, agree a price, personnal terms, medicals etc in the time remaining. So where does it leave us and what solutions do we have?

I personally think the answers lie in our Ajax boys. Moyes has to get Pienaar in the team and playing. It is imperative that he is given the chance rather than beocming a perenial bench warner whilst we watch Ossie toil up & down with very little result. He has the ability to become a top player for us and a real influence on the team in a similar way to Arteta. I also think we need to bring the much maligned AvdM back into to the fold.

I know many people feel the guys is a waste of space and has had too many chances & I was very keen to get shot when it looked like Manny was coming but now why not get him playing. He has undoubted natural ability and is one of the few players in our squad who can beat a man. I think he now has to get on the pitch, get his fitness back to what it should be and he could still turn out to be a good player for us. Let's not forget he has played for Ajax, Inter & Holland so his quality isn't in question.

As much as we will miss Manny, I really believe that in Pienaar & AvdM we have enough quality to compensate. I just hope Moyes gives them his trust and lets them get meaningful runs in the side so they can get up & running. We all know what Ossie can do and we also know exactly what he can't do so give these guys the chance to take us onto the next level & fill the Fernandes hole.
Andy Tomczak     Posted 29/08/2007 at 10:54:54   Comments (5)

“If Arteta is out...”

In his quest for replacements, Moyes should be asking himself one simple question: "If Arteta is out how are we going to score?"

Yes, this is one of the 'best' teams (all relative) we have had in years. It is, if we are honest, also one of the most singularly reliant upon one man ? Arteta. With three days to go...could you see any team parting with 'their Arteta'?

Sadly, May, June and July have been and gone... that's been the error. The issue of Everton without Arteta has been visible for a long time. We do not appear to be a club who can do anything in tandem... only ever Plan A!
James McPherson     Posted 29/08/2007 at 08:57:45   Comments (1)

My Take On Things

I don't want to sound negative about Moyes because overall, he's probably the best manager we've had since Kendall (the first time), his methods do work and we've go the most exciting squad that we've had in years. There is always room for improvement though.

As far as this summer's transfer policy goes, it seems like Moyes was given a modicum to spend in June, which he decided tha t he didn't want to blow on just one player... Fernandes. Either that or the club decided that they wanted to send out the signal that they were skint to discourage other clubs from inflating their prices for players. We do seem to have dithered over Mani though sadly and it appears that the player's agents have decided to cash in by agreeing a deal elsewhere.

I do have reservations about Yakubu's attitude, but £11.25m for a player who is supposedly second only to Thierry Henry in the Premiership goalscoring charts for the last 4 seasons seems like good business to me... especially as Bent was £16m and Hargreaves nearer to £18M.

Moyes does also seem to have got it right with Nugent. I watched him in the U-21 Championships and he did seem to be especially ineffective. I would only have taken him on a free.

Who do we get in instead of Mani? I'm not keen on 'The Wardrobe' Diop. As the gaffer says, we need craft, flair and creativity. I'd love to have Van der Vaart, but I think the chances are very slim.
Simon  Birdsey     Posted 29/08/2007 at 00:40:00   Comments (121)

Squad rotation

Steve Flanegan's piece got me to thinking again about what I perceive to be the benefits of the competition.

The competition itself is of little apparent value unless you win it outright. Getting to the latter stages where people might take notice is all well and good but the big guns who fell out of the Champion's League usually draw all the attention in the latter stages.

In May and June, knowing that we may not win the competition outright, I was thinking that the competition would act as a lure for a better quality of player. This would stand us in good stead for the league campaign, regardless of our success in Europe. At this stage of the transfer window though, I'm starting to have serious doubts about this. Any players we have signed could be said to have had genuine alternate reasons for signing for us:

• Jagielka did what a lot of the star players do when a team they get promoted with go straight back down again.
• Baines moved because of the new broom sweeping all clean effect at Wigan.
• Pienaar moved to get a game and to kick start his career.
• £11M for Yakubu was too good for Middlesboro to turn down.

With a small squad, Moyes is going to have to rotate players in order to rest them. He is going to have to try different players in different positions. He is going to have to stop playing it so safely with his selections.

Of course, whether or not this means that he gets it right would remain to be be seen. The signs in some games over the last twelve months have shown that he can do, just not consistently enough. Fingers crossed that, with two games a week over a large chunk of the season, he might just.
Kieran Fitzgerald     Posted 28/08/2007 at 22:32:16   Comments (6)

Papa Bouba Diop

Reading the Daily Mail today, and we are linked with Papa Bouba Diop of Fulham. So let me get this straight: we are extremely close to signing one of the best young players in the world, who can attack an defend and has bags of skill and now we are linked with a move for a player who Fulham want rid of, whose red card record is abysmal, who has absolutely no 'craft' (which Moyes said we desperatly need) and who in my eyes is no better than what we have got in Neville and Carsley.

What is going on? And Kevin Nolan isn't the answer either. What we need is a midfielder from Europe that will bring the same excitement that Fernandes did. Will Diop or Nolan really take us to the next level. We need someone like Diego from Werder Bremen or Van der Vaart from Hamburg.
John Murphy     Posted 28/08/2007 at 22:12:28   Comments (35)

Fair play to the Reds.

I just watched the start of the Liverpool game and am humbled by the reception given to the family of Rhys Jones by the Anfield crowd. They are on this occasion a credit to their club and in there was a wry smile on many a face thinking of the young lad looking down and hearing Z-Cars at Anfield. May he rest in peace.
Brian Hughes     Posted 28/08/2007 at 21:10:24   Comments (23)

Bring back mad dog!!!

Amidst all the gnashing of teeth about Manny's defection, it seems blindingly obvious to me that now is the time to bring the prodigal son, Tommy Gravesen, back into the fold. He is available, loves the club and is only 32 years old. He is exactly the sort of playmaker we need. If nothing else it would buy Moyes a bit of time to find a younger, long term alternative!
Gareth Hughes     Posted 28/08/2007 at 20:17:07   Comments (62)

The Moyes Instinct

I am surprised that the selection of Stubbs over Lescott has prompted so little reaction.

Don;t get me wrong Lescott has his weaknesses, principally that he is prone to lapses in concentration, but against a good passing team like Blackburn, Stubbs cruel lack of pace was always going to be more of a liability.

As with last seasons game against Spurs, Moyes went with the safe easy choice. It was not the worst mistake in the world but demonstrates yet again that he is not a coach who can compete at the very top level.

His innate desire to cover his back in all circumstances will always be his undoing and goes a long way to explaining his appalling record in cup competitions. Nigel Martyn hinted as much in his recent echo column when he revealed that Moyes took 3 weeks to decide whether to sign him.

He is a safe pair of hands and has done a good job as a transitional coach to cover the period after Walter Smith. Those people waiting for him to make the next step up are however wasting their time - he cant change who he is.

The signing of Yakubu wil signal more of the long ball game. I think it will be a very bad signing and would not be in the least surprised if in the end it costs Moyes his job. In the long run this will be no bad thing if we can then find the right coach for the level we are at now.
John  Doolan     Posted 28/08/2007 at 18:29:10   Comments (33)

Dream Teams

Can you ask people to stop sending in their dream teams or the line ups they wish to see at Goodison especially with 2 or 3 players that are signing within the next 24 HOURS. It's really started to annoy me. Thank you and keep up the good work.
Anton  Fitzpatrick     Posted 28/08/2007 at 15:16:49   Comments (42)

It isn't all Bill's fault!

I am not a total fan of Bill Kenwright's but I am getting a little fed up of every time something goes wrong at our Club, he gets the blame.

Did anyone read Dave Prentice's article in the Echo on Friday?

One paragraph stood out;

This is despite Everton standing fourth in the formative Premier League table, despite Everton finishing last season in sixth place and qualifying for Europe, despite breaking the club's transfer record three times in three seasons, despite tieing up the club's two most coveted stars on long-term contracts this summer, despite lowering the average age of the squad by seven years in five seasons and despite moving the club to a brand new state of the art training complex.

Surely he has done some good and can't be blamed now for the Fernandes saga.

This player has decided to join Valencia instead of us, pure and simple. We are not one of Europe's top clubs, they are and the player has decided to go there to play Champions League Football, something we can't give him.

We all need to move on and stop playing the blame game. Why is this Bill Kenwright's fault?
Phil James     Posted 28/08/2007 at 15:06:52   Comments (33)

Irony?!!

Nice to see on the official webshite that we are celebrating 800 years of Liverpool! Nice to see that we are celebrating the city we're leaving... whoo hoo!
Paul Henshaw     Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:15:10   Comments (7)

Why The Yak?

Why are we even signing Yakubu? Especially at £11.25 million?

Evidence from Saturday suggests it's craft we need coming from either wing ? especially the left-hand side ? and the middle of midfield. Baines will help down the flank but he can?t be expected to get to the bye-line every time we attack. Arteta is not a right-winger and we might benefit from his craft more in-field. We currently have Jagielka, Carsley and Phil Neville to operate our centre-mid. Obviously Fernandes was to be added to that but we all know how that turned out now. However, that is finished now and we must move on.

Up front we have AJ (poacher, hard worker), Anichebe (powerful), Vaughan (all rounder) and McFadden (answers on a postcard). Obviously JV is injured just now but his progress has been brilliant ? his performance at Old Trafford last season was evidence of the potential he has. Anichebe?s progression is great as well but surely signing a striker like Yakubu will set Anichebe back rather than help him improve. McFadden can produce moments of greatness and I feel he is better playing off the striker than being stuck out wide. He surely would be looking for a new club were we to bring in the Yak.

This large amount of money punted on a striker who, going by some comments from his current clubs fan base, is a lazy bastard might not be a very good idea at all. As unlikely as it is, the appeal getting turned down for the work permit might be a blessing in disguise for us.
Ross Trotter     Posted 28/08/2007 at 12:28:12   Comments (35)

Creativity

While it is only a rumour, I hope the story linking us to Kevin Nolan is just that... a rumour. With our protracted and fruitless attempts at signing a creative midfielder having failed, surely we should be trying to get another player of that mould in... and Kevin Nolan is certainly not that player!
Graham Nolan     Posted 28/08/2007 at 12:26:56   Comments (12)

Amateur Dramatics

So the club have broken thier silence and, suprise, suprise, they have exonorated themselves from any blame. Its all down to Fernandes that this deal turned sour.

Well, I am sorry but I don't buy it. According to Kenwright, he shook hands with Manny on Saturday night to conclude the deal having got the clearance required??? How does that work then?Fernandes probably thought he was signing for us when he arrived back on Merseyside last week. Yet on Saturday night he is still shaking hands. Where was Fernandes supposed to go after Saturday nights handshake? What was he supposed to do when he got there? The lad was left in Limbo by Kenwright and the Everton board with only days before the transfer window closing not having put pen to paper and not knowing where he stood. Saturday night FFS. What were the club thinking?

That's how I see it anyway. Perhaps BK wanted Manny to bolt as part of the scam. Don't think Kenwright isn't capable of such thingss. The man is as slippery as eel in a vat of Swarfega and I wouldnt believe anything he says. It's no wonder Manny legged it. Why wasn't he signed up on the Friday or something legally binding done before or during negotiations? Never mind shaking fucking hands that late in the proceedings and thinking the job's done.

We knew the blame would be shifted but the excuse doesn't make any sense. The club are saying they got the clearance and it took them a week's work to do it so why the fuck didn't they get his signature? It stinks to high heaven.

By all accounts the Yakubu deal is a peice of piss and it's in the bag. That job's done as well. Well, I will wait untill tomorrow before I make any judgement on that score.

If this is how Kenwright & Co operate over the signing of one player, can you imagine the goings one when they try to build this new ground. What a fucking scream that's going to be. I can't wait. Don't imagine for one minute though that the finished product will even resemble what we have seen so far. I am waitng for the day when we hear the news that new plans have been submitted for the Kirkby arena for a smaller more affordable stadium. "A 55,000-seater was beyond our needs..." etc etc etc. That's if Kenwright doesn't piss off the Tesco's Team by then with his bullshit.

Well, with all our hopes and prayers dashed, this week we set off on the road for the glamour tie of the weekend at Bolton Wanderes. Moyes's Mighty Midgets will be in for another physical battle at the Greybok and defeat there will turn this season so far into a disaster. Let's hope that Yakubu signs up in time for the game [Deep Breath] because we need someone bigger than 5ft 6inch who can get on the end of those air bombs we fire at our forward line.

If the Yak deal fucks up then we can always ask Big Dunc to stand in. That would be good for a laugh. I mean things couldnt get any more farcical at the club ... could they?
Tony Marsh     Posted 28/08/2007 at 10:48:46   Comments (35)

Z-Cars

Liverpool Football Club should be applauded for agreeing to allow Z-Cars to be played at Anfield tonight, as a mark of respect for young Rhys.

Well done, Reds.
Tony  Marks     Posted 28/08/2007 at 11:30:32   Comments (24)

When will they learn?

Most clubs with any sense keep possible transfers close to their chest till the bloke signs on the dotted line and they bung him in front of the media.

For weeks we've heard from Kenwright, Moyes and the idiots at the Echo that Manny was "24 hours away from signing" or "I'm totally sure he will be an EFC player in a couple of days" etc etc. WHY WHY WHY bother saying all of this when there is no reason to? Over the years we've had to put up with loads of these incidents, it never changes.

I realise that the fans are always begging for transfer info but surely the way the club operates is insane. Bring the guy in, get him to sign THEN tell the fans. It became increasingly obvious that the Manny transfer was going pear-shaped as the days and weeks went on. I ask you, which other club acts like this? If this is Kenwrights "Everton Way" find another way sharpish.

Maybe the Yak will sign, maybe we can find another midfield player. To be honest we need more that that but its the 28th today and time is running out. For the last 3 years I've been waiting on transfer deadline day for news... NOTHING ever happens.

Manny shafted us, it's obvious, but next time EFC keep quiet till the deal is done, you only piss the fans off more if you blab too much!
John Audsley     Posted 28/08/2007 at 09:42:22   Comments (3)

He's off to sunny Spain

Well, the 'Fernandes saga' is another fine mess we have had to put up with and I doubt if it will be the last.

Why? Well, whether you like BK or not, you have to give him some credit for finding the cash to give Moyes but to me it seems like we have been a victim of circumstances and a lack of 'up front' cash. I doubt if Kenwright was in a position to offer loads of cash up front so like most other clubs he will have offered some sort of downpayment with the promise of the rest later (even Man Utd have to do this). Unfortunately, Valencia have been throwing their money around all summer so they must have been able to offer more cash up front than us and this is why Fernandes's owners probably decided on that one... plus I think they offered a bit more than Everton were offering overall anyways. I don't think the player himself had much say in the matter, although I think I'd rather live in Valencia than the UK.

When you add this to the fact that the Premier League where taking so long to ratify the transfer, its not all that surprising (but still incredibly irritating) that it all went wrong.

I'm not making excuses for Kenwright as I'm as pissed off with Everton as most of you are but this is the situation we are in now... but at least we will have a shiney new stadium soon... shame about the team, but at least it will look good on Sky TV.
Iain McWilliam     Posted 28/08/2007 at 09:44:05   Comments (9)

A couple of questions about third-parties

Just wondered if anyone knew any more about these kind of arrangements such as:

• At what age are players entering into these contracts?
• How much autonomy do they have within them (e.g. does the Bosman ruling apply to them)?
• Are they fixed-term or permanent ownerships?
• Does the player benefit in anyway or are they simply making money for the owners?
• What does the club actually own if they take on a player with third-party ownership ? can the player simply walk away at any time?

Questions

Does anyone else agree with me that Moyes only signed De Silva because he thought he had no money and then loaned him out because he suddenly (mistakenly (?)) thought he did have money to get someone better? Will we now ask him to come back because we don't have an adequate squad? Will we now also really fire AVDM or put up with his crap because he is now by default more useful to us than if we had signed Manny? Finally, how can we blame red tape delays during "frantic discussions late on Friday night" for costing us the Manny deal when the transfer window has been open for THREE MONTHS?
Kieran  Kinsella     Posted 28/08/2007 at 00:32:44   Comments (44)

£8k per week

I have been informed that Kenwright is being paid £8k a week by EFC. Does anyone know if this is True?
Steve  Sweeney     Posted 27/08/2007 at 22:26:33   Comments (10)

Show me the money!

Show me the money ... show me the signings of Luis Gonzales, Manuel Fernandes, Yakubu or somebody else, anybody else... who can kick a ball in a straight line without having to resort to hoofball!

This stinks to high heaven ... Why when over the last 20 years we have had no cash, suddenly we are swimming in it ... and it's all to fund moving to the 'next level' on the pitch and off it?!

Why, when the board openly admits that we need to use at least some 'internal funding' for Kirkby do we suddenly start being frivolous in the transfer market?

Why, when David Moyes says that he won't be fooled into spending 'silly money' in the transfer 'silly season' do we suddenly bid 20 million (+ wages) for just TWO players... a couple of years ago all we could afford was Marcus Bent for gods sake?!

Why does transferring such players turn out to be more complicated than solving a quadratic equation whilst blindfolded with your hands tied behind your back... how the hell can Man City sign eight players from all corners of the fucking globe in a matter of a few days without such issues?

Where is the money ... why are all Everton transfers so protracted ... why do the big money deals almost ALWAYS fall through? Kuyt / Owen / Gonzalez / Smith / Fernandes .... Yakubu?

Why are we continually fed this PR spin shit in the media only to be continually, consistently, let down... squad size still NOT increased from last year... in fact 'decreased' if you count Pistone !

What the hell is going on? It's as if the club never really want such players in the first place, as if these deals are made up for sadistic pleasure or as a mechanism by which to promote some other agenda... maybe, just maybe, the MONEY isn't really there at all?

At least the truth will be known by next week...
Matt  Willey     Posted 27/08/2007 at 21:43:27   Comments (19)

One Extra Addition?

I notice that the Official Everton press release says:

"David Moyes and his coaching staff are continuing to seek the extra addition to our squad, which they feel they require for this season."

Extra addition, in singular, no doubt implying Yakubu. This would imply that only Yakubu will be sort for the final addition before the close of the transfer window, and no 'replacement' for Fernandes will be sort. I would have thought that an additional midfielder would now be a priority ahead of the signing of Yakubu, although I am very much in favour of signing him.
Philip Howden     Posted 27/08/2007 at 22:08:31   Comments (23)

Owner?

Many heated words have appeared on the site regarding the Manny transfer saga.

I have no facts or information of any sort to explain what has happened but the whole thing has left me with a couple of worries.

Firstly, I am extremely worried for the image of football itself when a player can be 'owned' by someone. Having a reputable agent to look after the affairs of talented young men who find themselves elevated into the millionaire classes is fine by me.

BUT, when a player is 'owned' by someone it smackes of slavery to me and I believe our FA and EPL should be urging FIFA to look closely into this seemingly current trend. Surely the authorities have a duty of care toward these young men and should protect them from the possibility of manipulation.

Secondly, as an Evertonian who is looking to a good season I thought the strenghthening already done had left only the signing of a top class creative centre midfielder and striker plus possibly an experienced wide man would give us that very good chance to have a good season. It seemed to be going to plan until Manny,at the eleventh hour,is whisked away to Spain which has left us all rather disappointed.

What is maddening me though is the thought that his 'owner'has made the decision for his own gains and robbed us of the time to fill,in my mind,a crucial position for team strenghtening.

Player ownership has dire effects not only for the player being hawked about and for clubs trying to do team building business,but also for the fans who seeing players come and go at their 'owners'behest with the club having little say may well become fed up with the whole thing and vote with their feet.

Something seems rotten throughout football as long as this is allowed to continue hence my plea for intervention from the authoroties.
UP THE BLUES

Reality check, please

OK, yes, I'll admit that I am very disappointed about the Fernandes situation. And no doubt Kenwright is and Moyes is and maybe many of the players are. I don't think the club are to blame for it falling through. They worked on a solution which the Prem League says have been tightened as a result of the Tevez affair. And, in the end, a more attractive option was put to Manny. That's it. End of.

My main gripe, aside from all of the conspiracy theorists coming out yet again, is the number of calls for us to sign Riquelme. I don't want him. I don't want him for £10m, £5m or £1m. I don't think he would fit into our squad or the Prem full stop. We would never do well enough to get what he cost us back (and I'm not talking resale i'm talking league position / cup success). Normally if fans heard Moyes was willing to splash alot of what relatively little we have on a player that age there'd be fury. In the past we've lambasted managers for getting what have been quality players of his age on a free.

I'm sure Moyes will have other options. If not, then we'll have to wait until he does. I'm sure Yakubu will sign. Our squad is still far better than it has been for some time. Cahill will be back soonish. Then Vaughan. It's not the end of the world. Let's not panic. And let's not use any and every situation to blame the management, the board, the tea lady and her neighbour. I feel sorry for BK and DM. If it rains tomorrow that's their fault for sure.

Get real people.
Mark Pendleton     Posted 27/08/2007 at 20:36:05   Comments (24)

Shithouse Fernandes, Bungling Bill

Have to say, shithouse Fernandes first of all. To try and say 'well I was here one minute and signing for Valencia the next' is just an insult to anybody's intelligence. Add to the fact that the guy was signing kid's football shirts on a particularly poignant weekend and you obviously have a first rate money grubbing twat lacking in any moral fibre

Having said all of this, the board have had an eternity to get this wrapped up and even in spite of the FA's intervention could have put together a pre-contractual agreement to prevent this gazumping. Smacks of limited business acumen and so obvious that Tesco Terry wasn't able to assist with this one. I'll no doubt have soft twats replying to me with 'well if you could do better why don't you be a chairman?'.

Time for a vote of no confidence in this chairman and the board. The majority of Everton fans are not stupid or gullible muppets and I fully expect that Blue Bill and Bully Beef are in for a rough ride now — good, let's hope they do one as everyone can see through the farce that this Kirkby deal is too. Ten thousand people chose not to vote on this and that says it all to me. Time for all supporters to unite now and bring about a change in the custodians of this club before it's all too late
Anthony Newell     Posted 27/08/2007 at 19:30:28   Comments (6)

Silence is Golden

As the aftermath of the Fernandes saga still continues, it is 9pm GMT and still no official word from the club via announcement or the website. I honestly feel that the club are in deep shock about the situation, left fuming about what has gone on. I know in the past we have all moaned about the 'dithering' which has occurred during other prolonged transfers, but this one is different.

This transfer has been held up for a legitimate reason, due to the 3rd party involvement. Before we all moan about the Tevez and Red $hite players sagas, and biased FA, this transfer is completely different from those. If Fernandes signed for us, it would probably have meant a rule change from the FA, which is was unlikely. The difference between the Tevez transfer and ours is that Tevez is owned solely by MSI and loaned to Man Utd. We would have only owned half of Fernandes, which caused the problems with the FA.

There were a couple of ways that we could of signed he legally, firstly by buying his contract from Benfica and giving the rights to the company that owns him. Then loaning him for a set number of years from them, with a view to purchase in the future. A similar loan situation to the Argies. Obviously this isn't ideal as we would be spending 6-8mil on a player, and we wouldn't technically own him.

The second way would be to buy his rights from the sports agency along with Benfica's share. This would of meant that we would of owned him completely, but this would of been a huge cost to get him to play for us. 6-8mil to Benfica and a similar amount to the company.

Like I said earlier, I honestly believe that the club are shocked by what has gone on over the last 48hrs. I think Moyes was already thinking of him as our player, and using him in training to get ready for the match against Bolton. If the FA definitely weren't going to allow the transfer, they would of known by now. I believe they thought that a compromise could be made, why else would you allow a player to train with you for a week?

The whole situation proven the FA's concerns about 3rd party ownership correct. The FA don't like the idea that an outside body can have an effect on the game or a player, which I think what has happened in this case. I reckon that Fernandes was expecting to sign for us, but Global Sports Agency didn't want to give up the rights to him. Why sell his rights now for 6-8mil, wait a couple of years and hopefully make 20mil. GSA saw that they could make more money for him somewhere else, and offered him to Valencia instead.

In the end, where does it leave us, obviously without an excellently gifted young midfielder which we are crying out for. With less than 4 days left of the transfer market, the management team need to move quickly to get a replacement in for him.

The Blackburn game showed the lack of creativity in the center of the park, we a desperate for some quality there. The money is supposedly there to buy someone, so the club needs to act fast to save face and to save our season.

A quick side note.... Did anybody see if Moyes was with the rest of the players at the Rhys Jones memorial? I've watched the footage a couple of times, but didn't see his ginger hair. Hopefully this is a sign that he is working on bringing some players in.
Kristian  Boyce     Posted 27/08/2007 at 17:59:48   Comments (7)

On a positive note...

I don't know if anyone caught the laying of the tributes to Rhys Jones today, but on a day when a lot of Evertonians have a lot to be angry about, I certainly took some heart from the trouble and sincerity with which the club have dealt with the tragic shooting of the young lad. Alan Stubbs (surely the truest blue we have in the team) was impassioned and moving in his sympathetic plea for assistance and condolences for the family. Lest we forget why we love this club, certainly for the trophies, history and greatness that we all know is there, but also because we are different from virtually every other club in the premiership in that we have players who care about the club and its supporters.

I would have loved (and expected) Manny to join, but in a non-footballing sense, I am more grateful that we have ambassadors such as Stubbs who, although unlikely to provide the quality to lift a trophy, lift the club above all others in terms of honour, character and loyalty.

Let's hope our future signings combine the footballing excellence we expect, with the characteristics we can respect.
Andrew Humphrey     Posted 27/08/2007 at 18:42:19   Comments (2)

Fernandes disappointment

Sporting Life, "Everton had thought they had sorted out a deal to take Fernandes to Goodison Park on a permanent basis but after watching their home 1-1 draw with Blackburn on Saturday he opted to move to Spain." After such a performance, who can blame him?!

On a serious note, this news is shocking. We have lost out on a potentially great player, and we certainly need some more creative drive, which even Moyes has admitted after the last 2 matches. I hope Moyes has some other targets to switch his attentions to, but they better move very swiftly.

I know people will come out and blame the club, but it does appear at the present time that we tried to push the deal through and the FA were taking their time with the whole 50% ownership issue, which let Valencia come in and steal him away.

On the other hand, maybe it will come out we were to blame, and comments from Fernandes such as, "What happened with Everton are things that I know nothing about" don't offer much re-assurance.

So, as happens all too often, we have lost out on an exciting transfer target so late in the day and must now hope something better comes along...
Mark McDermott     Posted 27/08/2007 at 18:18:04   Comments (5)

Yakubu Fiasco

According to the Official EFC website, I see that club officials are planning to attend an appeal hearing for Yakubu's visa application. An appeal!? Does that mean he was denied one by the government in the first place! Given the Fernandes about turn, this is all beginning to look a little bit suspect.
Michael Greaves     Posted 27/08/2007 at 18:13:29   Comments (3)

Manny

First of all, let's agree that the Fernandes transfer was not some clever plot by Kenwright to make the fans happy before the move vote. Too much work has been involved and let's face it you're giving BK too much credit if you think he's that clever. Suggestions that Fernandes/Yakubu are just pawns in the move vote battle are just paranoid thinking.

It now appears that Fernandes has moved elsewhere and Everton have been left with eggs on their faces. I honestly believe that after all the hard work agreeing the deal Everton had thought they had their man.

So what went wrong? So far the club has kept quiet but we can assume that the red tape involved in the deal dragged on so long that the player was offered another option and took it.

Of course many fans are quick to blame the club, the deal was a conspiracy, another BK fuck-up etc.. But ask yourself this, what sort of a man verbally agrees to a deal, spends all week training at Bellefield, is a guest at the Blackburn game and then out of the blue decides to sign for another club (probably offering more money)? That is not the sort of man we want at Everton.

Without knowing too much of the facts it's hard to say what went wrong, maybe some parties at Everton did fuck up, but that doesn't change the fact that what Fernandes has done is disgraceful. The man is a shit and I for one am glad now that we have seen his true colours that he hasn't signed for Everton.

I find it amazing that so many people are laying blame for this fiasco with Everton. Are the club to blame because red tape delayed the deal? How can you blame Everton when it was Fernandes who quietly arranged a back hand deal at a different club.

Ask yourself one simple question, without knowing the facts do you a) give the benefit of the doubt to your beloved club or b) give the benefit of the doubt to a player who lead us down a path and then pissed off to a different club?

Until we know for sure what went wrong I automatically support the club. Fernandes doesn't deserve any loyality because he went back on his word and has effectively fuck us over royally.
Dutch Schaffaer     Posted 27/08/2007 at 16:42:08   Comments (23)

Other options!

Wow, sheer amazement! Everton are made to look like a bunch of fools in the transfer market. From Muller to Manny, the list is endless on deals that Everton have sensationally failed to conclude after tons of media hype.

So, I now think with just over 4 days to go, who could be avaiable. I know Van Der Vaart has made his intentions clear to leave Hamburg, now, his club may be unwilling to sell, but if Everton promise a QUICK deal with money up front then there is a hope we could get this young gifted midfielder who could play thru the middle or on the left. What does everyone else reckon, any other options?
Christopher Marston     Posted 27/08/2007 at 16:31:00   Comments (11)

Get excited: TOP midfielder imminent!

After (wo)Manny's u-turn, with just days to the end of the transfer window, I'm loving the announcement that is looming re a Riquelme-esque signing ASAP. Logic makes it a 'no-brainer' e.g.

1. The board were gonna spend 12 million on Manny BEFORE the Kirkby vote was known.
2. The board can now factor in the furure circa 10 million per season extra revenue from the Kirkby Project.
3. The Board and Moyes can clearly see (from Reading and Blackburn fixtures) that we need a TOP quality creative midfielder NOW, to assist Arteta.
4. Moyes recognises 'The Time to Act is Now' and the board have promised to 'push the envelope' and 'back the manager'. It's never dull is it, but great to know we can trust in the 'Everton Way'.

Bring on Riquelme!
Mike Hunt     Posted 27/08/2007 at 15:03:14   Comments (62)

End of the world

I would implore everyone as Everton football supporters to keep their calm about the Manuel Fernandes business. I am no official mouth piece for the administration. On the contrary I was gutted to read the news myself. The fault does lies with someone, however we hardly know who that someone actually is (and I doubt that we ever will).

I remember a similar outcry at the time Wayne Rooney was sold. But what happened eventually ? We survived that season, and we WILL survive this. At the end of the day football is a TEAM game and while Manny would have enhanced the team, his absence certainly does not destroy it.

In fact, before January last year, I didn't even know about Manny's existence. He can go to Valencia and and play for the perennially underachieving Valencia side; I for one don't want unprofessional and unreliable people like him in our squad.

One thing I do know is that Moyes will find someone else eventually, he always does. Until then, we still have Baines, Pienaar and Jagielka to look forward to.
Nigel Gregson     Posted 27/08/2007 at 15:11:15   Comments (36)

What now?

With the Fernandes deal now dead in the water, and with so little time left to make transfers, attention must now change to signing another midfielder.

The time for recriminations and Board -bashing will come. We desperately need another creative midfielder because a central midfield of Neville and Carsley is just too depressing for words. So will our tenuous link with Riquelme be revived? Or perhaps our even more tenuous link with Lucho Gonzalez?

No, I think not, more likely is that we get a stop gap signing in the mould of Kilbane. Perhaps Moyes should go for a wide midfielder and play Arteta more centrally.

I, like most of you, am very depressed about the whole situation and feel the need for a big name signing (other than Yakubu) to quell my anger at this farce.
Graham Nolan     Posted 27/08/2007 at 15:09:18   Comments (26)

Sound of silence

Just seen the picture of Manny holding his Valencia jersey - another kick in the guts. Its 2:50pm, the story broke yesterday evening, and so far not a word on the Official Site about the saga. Nothing short of pulling a world class midfielder out of the bag is gonna make me feel better about this farce, but it would be nice to be told about Everton's side of the story, wouldn't it?
Robin Byrne     Posted 27/08/2007 at 14:48:46   Comments (41)

To the TW Editor

Michael, only a few days ago you published a letter stating quite clearly that the corosive views of Tony Marsh would not be tolerated and that you had banned him from contributing to the site.

I log on today, to find the man is still being published and is still listed as a columnist. His latest mail, off the back of the Fernandes deal imploding, is as bitter and divisive as anything previous. Yet again he attacks fellow Blues without provocation and the only difference this time is that he has not resorted to swearing to 'emphasise' his dubious points.

I had applauded you for the stance you took over the rants we were subjected to last week (and prior to that), but if you had no intention of prohibiting Mr Marsh's 'contributions' why on earth did you say you were?
Steve Guy     Posted 27/08/2007 at 14:00:55   Comments (14)

Everton or Valencia?

Imagine if you can, you?re a 21-year-old footballer currently out of favour at your current club. You have no affiliation to any club, you are merely an employee. During the summer transfer window, there has been little interest in your availability until near the end of the window. Everton, a club you have spent 6 months on loan with, suddenly put in a bid of £6M for half of your playing rights.

Okay, so they are not one of the better-known European clubs but at least they have some history & obviously have enough money available to afford the bid. They are also in the Uefa Cup so there is some hope of appearing in the European ?shop window?.You grab the chance of first-team football & negotiate a deal. However, due to FA rules, the deal is held up due to third-party part-ownership being against the rules.

Everton FC then negotiate with the third party to buy their half in order to comply with the rules. This, of course, takes time & in the meantime you spend time at the club, signing autographs etc & build up some goodwill for your impending transfer... Suddenly, you receive a call from your agent advising you that Valencia are interested in signing you for a much higher fee & probably a much higher weekly wage. The problems associated with third-party part-ownership don?t exist in Spain so the whole deal can be done within a 24-hour timeframe. You jump on a plane to Valencia & negotiate a deal.

Here then are your options:

Stick with the original deal & hope that Everton can conclude the deal with the third party before the window closes? (If this fails you?ve just wasted 5 months of your life). Play at a ground that is past it?s sell-by date for a few years, then move on to a ?cowshed? in a socially & economically deprived area out of town? Play a style of football that closely resembles rugby in that ?up & under? is the order of the day, the only difference being that the team doesn?t move forward en mass as in rugby? Live in a country where the taxes are high & the weather is crap?

Conclude a deal in 24 hours, receive more money, play stylish football at a very nice stadium, have the added advantage of a Champions League shop window, pay less tax & live in a country where the sun shines all year round?

Manny... Something doesn't add up?

having read the initial post late last night and being absolutely gutted going to bed I started thinking that the story really doesn't add?... maybe I'm just clinging on to hope too much, much like getting a No vote for kirby??

What strikes me as strange is the prices stated. As I read it Valencia have offered £10M for 50% of his rights yet we apparently have managed to gain 100% ownership for only an extra £2M??? In my mind that means we either have the greatest negotiators of any football club in BK & KW or Valencia have the worst??? Surely, if Valencia were coming in at the 11th hour, their offer would be only slightly in excess of what we've offered ? not approaching double? Add to that the apparent €60M buy-out clause mentioned and the figures begin to look stupid.

Manny was Kenwright's guest at weekend, personal terms have been agreed, I guess a contract signed subject to Premier League approval... players commenting on the new arrival and the man himself signing kids autographs in the EFC lounge ? making it look as if the deal is 99.9% done. So what has changed in the space of 12 hrs??? A story appears on Valencia's website is picked up by an independent site and is then spread across numerous other, including our official sites rumour mill section. These stories appear on a Bank Holiday Sunday evening when no-one is at work indicates that the stories have been propigated around the web via some clear web design code that pipes stories into a website via an automated fed, check out the text of each page... its the same word for word on a number of them, if not all.

So is manny going to sign??? Until he is in a blue shirt photographed next to Moyes and The Yak, we can't be sure. But I do still hold some hope (after the summer of rumours, lies, truths and half-truths that has been EFC) no-one actually knows what to believe anymore and has little or no confidence in our club's ability to act effectively on any front.

Could Valencia's website simply be a "test story that wasn't meant to be seen by the public"... anyone else remember a club crap enough to do something as stupid as that recently???
James Taylor     Posted 27/08/2007 at 12:27:08   Comments (26)

Welcome To The Real World

So the Fernandes deal has gone tits up? As good a player as he is, I am not as devestated as the rest of you because I knew all along this deal would not happen. In fact, I have been warning 60% of you for weeks about it now. The Yes voters have fallen for the Bill Kenwright loaded dice routine and your kecks are well and truely around your ankles right now.

Micheal, is it any wonder I was Apocolyptic with rage last week when the result of the Kirkby vote was announced? Some of us knew what was going on while others chose to ignore it. This Fernandes fiasco is another horror story to add to Bill Kenwright's list of shame: Kings Dock, Fortress Sports Fund, Ticket Fiascos, Stranded Fans at Airports, Phantom bids for Players... the list is endless.

Bill Kenwright is the Paul Daniels of football chairmen. He is a small guy with a massive ego who makes things dissapear. It's not scantilly clad ladies and white doves that our Bill has in his act though. Kenwright makes football stadiums, Players and supporters dreams vanish in to thin air.

I reckon I am due a ton of apoligies from the rogue 60% of our fans. I tried warning you all these past few weeks about BK and his scheming. I knew he was out to steal your votes but all I got was ? "Marsh and his negative anti-Everton, anti-Kenwright bile isn't wanted here." How foolish you must feel right now for trusting this man. Tell me this: who isn't anti Bill Kenwright at this moment in time? If Tescos sold humble pie, you lot would be having lumps of it for breakfast right now.

Of course the EFC spin machine will come out with the usual nonesense, blaming the player and his agent for this mess. Trouble with that is we have seen this scenario all too often and the excuses have worn thinner than Steve McClaren's hairline.

We were told Manny would be in the squad for the Reading game with more signatures to follow ? that was 12 days ago. Well, where are they? Even the Yakubu deal is going pear-shaped and I wouldn't hold my breath on that one coming off either. Kenwright would say or do anything to get his own way and if that means putting a dagger in your back then so be it. He just had to win this Kirkby vote at all costs. Too much for him and Wyness to lose, you see.... Oh and by the way ? it worked!

So what now, I ask? Do you still trust Kenwright and Wyness after this? Surely now you must see them for what they are? Its a horrible feeling knowing you have ben dupped, conned, led up the garden path isn't it? Well at least he never fooled me and the other No voters. We said all along that BK can't be trusted. Trusting Kenwright with a deal as big as the Kirkby move is a recipe for disaster. Personally, I wouldn't trust the guy to walk my dog... He would probably come back with a goldfish on a lead.
Tony Marsh     Posted 27/08/2007 at 11:13:11   Comments (92)

So far, so same...

Nice to see some football after a summer of hysterical responses to tabloid speculation.

Four games in, what's changed? We've out-battled and beaten a workmanlike side, played great stuff to beat a side that gives you space to play, lost to a workmanlike side and ground out a draw against what to me looked like a good Blackburn side.

We still desperately need someone on the coaching staff to teach the players to be comfortable on the ball and pass it to feet. No reason to panic, no reason to get excited either. The one good thing is that Moyes is publicly talking about the need for 'craft'. I hope he is able to sort it out in the next few days. Our current 'leave it to the wire' transfer policy isn't good for my health!
Paul  Tran     Posted 27/08/2007 at 09:17:22   Comments (1)

'Safe hands Kenwright'

Like most, I am extremely disappointed to see the Fernandes situation turn out the way it has. However, it would appear unlike most, I am not suprised in the least. Whilst you can't declare Everton's interest as totally spurious, I remained far from convinced about their real intent. The timings and sequence of events triggered my innate wariness of all things Kenwright.

Having had all summer to sort it, why leave it so late, especially knowing the complexities? If it was a funding issue, where have these funds now come from... and why have they arrived with solely one week to go before the window closes?

Look no further than the ballot. Call me cynical... but just look at the "previous form". The ballot was always more than the rather simplistic Yes or No to Kirkby. To me, considering the paucity of detail given, in relation to the far-reaching and irrevocable changes ensuing, it was always a vote confirming trust for the Executive to act in the best interests of EFC.

I do not trust them and have zero faith in their capacity to deliver. My vote was "No".

Ok, let's give Kenwright/Wyness and for that matter Moyes (as he is complicit in these shananigans) the benefit of the doubt. Let's see details (dates of correspondence and meetings will suffice) of the meetings/discussions we have had with the FA Premier League concerning Fernandes over the Summer. Do not need to know about any confidential content... just dates... confirming that we were trying to seriously close the deal. That will tell you all you need to know.

Now for the Yakubu problem... Don't forget ? we are a club who prides itself on having "No plan B".
James McPherson     Posted 27/08/2007 at 08:48:46   Comments (26)

Percentage Football, Part 2

Or, Who wants to be a millionaire?. Should it be, as Mike Jameson nearly says, Bank Holiday-gate... even Lancaster Gate. Can you be paranoid enough when This Board is involved? they don't 'SEEM' that clever, all we are left with is 'Bill-Gate'... When who we need is Bill Gates.

Show me the money is still a good call. Pre- and post-vote, we've had, out of the blue( pun intended), £20 mill, albeit of the jam to-morrow variety, thrown about like a armless miser. If the clock runs out on Yakubu and we've been Sisso-KO-ed on Manny, then all the Yes voters may yet end up, 3 yrs down the track, having a pre-match bevvie in that new pub 'The Very Sour Grapes'. AND a 60 mill.euro / £40 mill buy-on clause... Who knows who's going to get what percentage of that?

Benfica don't seem to be a selling club, on the bones of their arse; they have though been trying to move the lad on for 18 mths. But £6 mill for your 50% or £10 mill for your 50%... not the hardest decision in the world. Meanwhile, the two tramps (who shall remain nameless) are still waiting for Godot ? who, by the by, never did turn up. 'Just wait until that Godot turns up, it'll be like signing a new player'.

Like I said, it's the Evertonians' rollercoaster. Yet we always seem surprised. Sigh...
Derek Thomas     Posted 27/08/2007 at 08:01:10   Comments (0)

Miserable but I don't know what else

I was in a bad mood after the game yesterday. I thought it was a pretty scrappy game that on paper we should have won. But I felt better today. I stayed away from the computer to avoid reading any more match reports and watched the MU game to distract myself.

I ended up talking to a friend about that it was a poor showing BUT we were still 2-1-1 and since Everton is very much a team that on their day can beat anyone and when not on their day can lose to ANYONE, I wasn't too concerned about who we beat and who we lost too. I also reassured my friend our quality would go up a lot as soon as the paperwork with the Yak and Manny came through. Then I got on the web...

What the hell?!?!? First off Manny should be ashamed and I can only hope their is karma in the world and maybe one day he'll learn a lesson. On top of that, we need to find a replacement. 100% need to. I don't know who, but it better not be an MU reject. If we don't get Yak... I seriously will lose my mind. If Everton doesn't explain tomorrow someone, should get fired. Someone. There's a week left; they'd better do something to cheer us up.
Joey Brown     Posted 26/08/2007 at 22:55:23   Comments (66)

The Yak Goes Back

Sky Sports have just reported that we will be unable to sign Yakubu. It states this as a matter of fact and does not mention any appeal by Everton. Could it be that BK did know of the problems with Manny and the Yak being unsurmountable, and kept Moysie and the voters unaware of this?????

James McFadden today on Everton TV stated that Manny and the Yak would increase competition this week... What is going on?????
Keith Harrison     Posted 26/08/2007 at 22:48:12   Comments (22)

Weaknesses clear to see

Are we being left behind? After rewatching the match yesterday, it was plain to see we are in desperate need of players. We where matched in terms of workrate, overpowered in terms of phsicality and generally outplayed.

It is plain to see that if Arteta is marked out the game then we are very much finished in terms of actually adding any creativity to the game. We will see this more and more in terms of Arteta being taken out the game. Blackburn doubled up on him with both Warnock and Pedersen as did Reading with Hunt and Shorey.

After watching the game yesterday I thought, yes, it was a bad result but when we get the likes of Yakubu and Fernandes in and kick on... Now, both those deals look to be coming to an end. Yakubu is touch and go whereas Fernandes is more or less a Valencia player judging by reports from both Spanish and English headquarters.

Where will the goals come from? It is getting plainly obvious that Johnson is very overrated. As the games go by and am continually seeing weaknesses in his game. His first touch and Technique are Championship level whereas he never seems to want to shoot. I admire his pace and workrate but when was the last time he actually went behind a back four? The last time I remember was against Watford where we won 3-0 and again he failed to shoot and instead won a penalty as he did against Sheffield Utd at the earlier on in the season.

The most effective strikers we have at the club are both Anichebe and Vaughan. Anichebe may be a limited footballer in terms of first touch, hold up play and technique but he is also big, strong and decent in the air and is capable of adapting to the football we play. We are a long ball team. I dont see any reasons why that is going to change. After watching the game again at home the "HOOFBALL" was so bad I felt like shouting at the TV. You could hear Moyes shouting at the likes of Hibbert and Neville "KEEP THE BALL ON THE FLOOR" yet they contunued to do it.

The plusses from the game yesterday where Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka. At least when Baines did hit it long he hit at to the channels where AJ could actually run onto it instead of floating the ball right onto 6ft-5 Samba's head. Jagielka is like an updated version of Carsley. He can run all day, tackle, break up the game but he actually gets the ball down and passes it.

Hopefully Pienaar can find that extra bit of creativity but he doesnt look suited to a central role and there is no way Moyes will play him instead of Osman. Moyes needs to be brave against Bolton. Stop picking the likes of Stubbs, Carsley and Osman and freshen it up with the likes of Baines, Jagielka, Lescott and Pienaar.
Connor  Rohrer     Posted 26/08/2007 at 21:55:49   Comments (3)

Rational reasoning behind the Manny Transfer Trouble

Ok can we be rational here please?

Let's look at the facts:

1) Moyes stated Fernandes was set to sign, simply the final part of the paperwork was only submitted at the end of the week i.e. Friday. He says so on Sky Sports and the OS.

2) The paperwork, being submitted Friday, will not be looked at again until Tuesday. REMEMBER- ITS A BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND. Why would the FA work during then? Who would really sit down and sift through paperwork unless it was a matter of national urgency within football?

3) As a poster mentioned before we did have a period of grace to complete a deal. With this FA saga dragging on, it has obviously elapsed.

4) Therefore Valencia have had a bid accepted. Nothing wrong with that. Their website even says that. NOTHING MORE. I am fluent in Spanish- seriously I can swear it says nothing more or less ? he is going to meet them over the next few days to discuss a contract/personal terms/medical. Ooof that's a lot.

5) Fernandes has every right to speak to Valencia ? but he might not want to ? remember he will be looking for a team before the window shuts as Benfica won't take him back into the starting team.

So that's all we have at the moment. The solutions to these problems are simple:

1) The FA after Bank Holiday Monday, clear Fernandes for a move. He joins us, after we persuade him the paperwork is nearly done (if that even needs to be done... he has yet to decide to talk to Valencia!)

2) We decide to buy out MSI's share of Manny for £6M. Problem sorted. Personal terms and a medical have been done and dusted already.

3) We back off, the FA don't make a decision and he is free to join Valencia.

Just calm down people. I know we all want to see him sign, but we have been carried away by facts that have had too much gossip and spin injected into it.
Mike Jameson     Posted 26/08/2007 at 20:56:02   Comments (31)

The Future, not the Past

So it looks like Fernandes has found his deal elsewhere... good luck to him. Very young, a decent player IN PROSPECT but still a risk as a long-term signing. This is hardly the end of the world for the Blues.

So... five days of 'window' remain. Where to now ? ... Bolton? The right money would get Nolan who could well be a more proven central midfield player than the young lad from Portugal would have been. Nobody, watching David Moyes's sides, could possibly mistake these selections for a subtle team and with that in mind the more solid Nolan is the kind of player who might be a better fit. Don't get me wrong.... I enjoyed the 'Golden Vision', the big FOUR from the championship (never forget the brilliant Morissey) , and Howard's 80s side and these sides were a delight to watch. Today we are far from easy on the eye with a lot of contributors to this site complaining about hoofball and it is just a thought that, on the evidence of both home matches this season, Fernandes might have spent most of his time at Goodison watching the ball flying over his head.... Ask AJ if you doubt me!

Nolan is the right age, probably the right price and, as far as I am aware, Bolton can give us a 'clean transfer' and government sanction would not be needed in order to play him.
Glen Strachan     Posted 26/08/2007 at 19:05:43   Comments (11)

Legal issues with Fernandes

Now that Valencia, Sky Sports News and the Guardian claim that Manuel Fernandes has agreed a six-year contract at Valencia there must surely be some issues with this. If anyone knows of any details about this, then please tell me because I am quite astonished about what has just happened.

Now, we don't know the full story yet, Everton could have got knocked back by the FA to allow him to player under third party ownership; we havn't been told anything yet.

Anyway getting to the point, if an indivual at any company (this could be sports, solicitors, even McDonalds)has agreed (not sure about signed), and passed a medical at Everton but is awaiting on clearence from the premier league, then isn't there some kind of legal issue which would not allow him to agree to sign a contract at another club?

Come on, it was only the other day that Moyes said we we're closer to completing the signing.
Shaun Ashton     Posted 26/08/2007 at 18:27:24   Comments (183)

Yakubu

Just read reports that Yakubu has been refused his work permit. The reason, he has not played the required quota of games for Nigeria. We have appealled the decision, and will know on Wed if we are successful. Can anyone remember if there have been other examples of this, and what was the outcome?
Brian Waring     Posted 26/08/2007 at 18:22:48   Comments (8)

Manny snatched by Valencia

Just read on a spanish website that Valencia have signed Manny Fernandes.... bad news after yesterday´s dire display.
John Harris     Posted 26/08/2007 at 18:13:28   Comments (81)

Mr Average

There should be two Tonys kicked off the team this week: Tony Marsh and Tony Hibbert. Hibbert deserves it more than me though.

What can you say about yesterday other than What the Fuck is going on? If this is progress then I don't have a clue about football.

As if the team selection wasn't bad enough, looking at all the midgets in Blue lining up against the six-footers had me fearing the worst before we even kicked a ball. "Men against" boys, I called. Watching Everton players nudged and knocked off the ball so easily is embarrassing. We need more beef.

To be honest two things cast a huge shadow across yesterdays game. Firstly the young lad Rhys Jones losing his life in such a senseless way put a lot of things in to perspective for me.

Secondly, a club that's lost its soul made it hard for me to even bother with it. The football side of things yesterday seemed not to matter regardless of which team won or lost. There was something missing. An impending feeling of doom hung over the place and many of us still fear this Kirkby move. We now have 7 points from a possible 12 and with a bit more character from the players and more imporantly the manager we should of had all 12. It's now turned out to be a very average start to the season with a very average man at the helm. Reading got thumped yesterday at crappy Bolton so it just shows you how good they really are.

Granted Moyes is a good organiser who picks up some decent players on the cheap but he sure isn't a good football coach. When was the last time we saw an Everton side or player do something new and exciting during a game? It's the same old thing week-in, week-out, season after season. I know he will not get sacked or leave so I will not even mention him going but the man in charge of Blackburn would be an ideal replacement if Moyes ever did go.

I like everything about Hughes and his team. Solid hard working and skillfull and not much money spent either. Everything the Moyes brigade tell us Davey has in his locker. Well, if this is Everton at its best there are going to be some empty seats out in the Stadio Del Knowsley in 3 years time. Filling that place up with 55,000? I don't think so on this evidence.

I know the Moyes minions will go crazy at me having a pop at thier beloved Davey but the facts are there for all to see out on the pitch. Poor team selection, poor tactics, zero entertainment value and a team and manager that cave in much too often for my liking. All of these issues have been labelled at Moyes before and it's still the same now. Progress, you call it; I say it's just an average side with an average manager... Bring in Mark Hughes!
Tony Marsh     Posted 26/08/2007 at 14:48:23   Comments (13)

Manny

I've read some disturbing reports this morning that the Prem League have blocked Manny's move to Everton. Anyone heard anything? If so it clearly shows that the likes of Man Utd and Liverpoool get preferential treatment over the rest of us - or am I just being paranoid???

Also the appeal against The Yaks work permit has now been moved to Friday so he's unlikely to play at Bolton. Why doesn't any of our transfer go smoothly! Oh well, even more reason to drink more beer at the Mathew Street festival in a bit...
Charlie Skinley     Posted 26/08/2007 at 15:05:40   Comments (7)

Doom & Gloom

Atmosphere in the mailbag is pretty low at the moment. Time for me to think positive before I top myself. 4 games down. 2 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss. Not a bad record.

Baines had his debut and looked absolute class. After many years with a weakness at left back we now have a star there. Arteta gets better and better. Proud he plays for our team.

Fernandes and Yakubu on the way. Both have great potential. Both will give the team a much better balance. Both young and can make big contributions for years to come.

Cahill and Vaughan to come back. Looking good for us to finish with more points than last year and make a better job of Europe than we did last time.
Tom Brown     Posted 26/08/2007 at 12:52:27   Comments (6)

55k Ground

Is it just me or are there other people out there who are amazed at us wanting a 55,000 seat stadium? At the game yesterday were 33000 fans this is disgaceful if we really want to compete with the so-called big boys. The reality of our fan base is that we cannot attract more than about 40000 and that is the maximum given the amount of full houses we have had in the last 15 or 20 years.

For all you delusionists out there who think we are a massive club, wake up and when we go to Kirkby are we to have 20000 empty seats every week and look stupid like the Boltons and Boros of this world.
Mick  McDermott     Posted 26/08/2007 at 11:50:42   Comments (3)

Who should be playing...

I'm in agreement with everyone of how bad Tony Hibbert is, and the lad just shouldn't be in the team, to be polite, he is shite. But I think a player who gets away with a lot is Phil Neville. I'm sick and tired of his woeful passing and stupid rash tackles, often giving free kicks away in needless and dangerous situations. If I had my way, he wouldn't be in the team. But if he has to play, then the only place for him has to be right back. He is not a centre-midfielder, but at least at right-back he is better than hibbert. Please don't play him centre-mid again!

Phil Jagielka was a breath of fresh air in that position when he came on, he reminded me of Hammann when he was at Liverpool. He kept the game ticking, strong in the tackle, good passing, much taller and imposed himself. He could make that position his own and let the likes of Fernandes play their game. We are just too reliant on Arteta, if he doesn't create, no-one else does. Osman has had his two games for the season, I think we are crying out for a left-midfielder in the Pedersen mould (that fella has got a cracking left foot).

So for me that back four that finished yesterday should be the back four for good. Baines will be a classy addition. A midfield of Arteta, Fernandes and Jags, and a left-midfielder (Osman at moment), possible diamond when Tim Cahill is back. Front two of AJ and The Yak, as AJ desperately needs a goal and some service, and another presence to get him going.

With 4 games gone, I'd say it's satisfactory, but still a lot of work to be done, and still some homework to be done by Moyes.
Mark Crotty     Posted 26/08/2007 at 11:04:01   Comments (5)

Tactics

The one thing that stood out for me yesterday was the lack of creativity. It's ok to talk about buying Yakubu, but how is Moyes going to use him? He plays hoofball with two tiny strikers so you can see it coming when he gets a big fella. I think we have the players to play decent football, certainly no worse than Blackburn's, but they made us look third-rate at times. Hughes has them passing and moving the ball quickly to wide areas, we had no answer to it yesterday and it was painfull to watch. Expect no different when Yakubu arrives because he is exactly what Moyes is looking for. A big man to hoof the ball up to.
Dave Lynch     Posted 26/08/2007 at 10:52:11   Comments (2)

Basic English

I don't know if I am being out-of-order here, but over the last few months the TW Mailbag seems to have gone from well thought out pieces to infantile rants with little or no regard to our native tongue.

Now, I'm not saying that everything that I submit is perfect, but I do try and use some basic English in my posts - full stops, commas and capital letters should be the least people can expect!

ps: The name calling has also gone up a level or two - with some people resorting to pure insults (Pricks, wankers, etc) when they disagree with what others are saying.
Matt Geraghty     Posted 26/08/2007 at 10:52:37   Comments (0)

Tony Marsh

Tony Marsh was banned because of the awful things he was calling Evertonians. The thing is though he is so so right about Moyes, the man has no idea at all, he has not learned anything from the Spurs game. If we had played a good team yesterday, it would have been 3 or 4 nil in the first half, it took another few boos to start him thinking properly.

By the by, for the boys in the lower Glwadys St, it's not "We'll hang the kopites one by one on the banks of the royal blue mersey" It is now "We'll hang the kopites one by one on the pavement of the royal blue East Lancs!" Try it, it does fit in.

One more thing, if we can't read Tony's point of view of all things Everton, why do we have to put up with that brain-dead idiot Richard Dodd and his stupid ramblings? I know Tony's name calling was over the top, but fair's fair...
Colin Potter     Posted 26/08/2007 at 09:37:32   Comments (0)

The No 9 tradition

We all know that there is a tradition associated with the Everton No 9, but there is also a tradition of launching long balls to whoever that player and his partner is.

Much as I was frustrated with Moyes inept tactics yesterday, it really is nothing new. Countless managers down the years have employed this tactic, Kendall did it when Mo Johnston and Cottee where playing up front, Smith did it when we had players of the size of Cadamateri and Jeffers up front.

To me this is basic poor coaching. The whole crowd could see it against Blackburn. I don't know if anyone else saw it but at one point in the 1st half, after Howard had thrown short to Baines, Moyes indicated to him to launch it long next time ? unbelievable!

I honestly think that subject to confirming the 2 new signings next week, we have the best squad of players at this club that we have had for a long time. I'm afraid I just don't trust Moyes to get the best out of them. There is no chance of him being moved on in the near future and that wouldn't be the right thing for me anyway, but I do think there is a need to shake things up on the coaching side and to bring someone in who is able to look at the players we have, see that its a squad geared up to play flowing attacking football and get us doing this!

I don't think there is a need to move any players out, but if progress is to be continued, the likes of Hibbert, Osman, Carsley, Stubbs and McFadden cannot be in the 1st XI.
Lee Gorre     Posted 26/08/2007 at 09:21:06   Comments (22)

God is an Evertonian

I just read Moyes's comments after the game and it is wonderfully reassuring to know that we could count on a divine intervention when we need one.

It seems that both Stubbs and Carsley were taken off because they had both picked up groin strains in the first half ? and not because they personified the utter haplessness and helplessness of yesterday's Everton against a competent Blackburn side. If only God had sent some minor knock to Hibbert, which would have prevented him from playing for Everton in the next, say, 10 years. Or even better, wouldn't be nice if Hibbert inhertited a fortune in Australia and quit football for good?

It seems Moyes would have played Carsley and Stubbs intil the end of time and would have us explore new depths of uselessness had they not been injured ? a rather depressing thought with not too pleasant connotations for Mr. Moyes.

I hope that the second half last night at least convinced him that there is life without Stubbs and Carsley after all. And a much better one at that.
Pavel Ivanov     Posted 26/08/2007 at 08:55:27   Comments (4)

Faddy & Impact Players

Great goal by McFadden yesterday, following an impressive substitute appearance last week, gives me some hope that we might finally be about to see the best of him consistently. As other posters have rightly pointed out in the past, he's been very hit and miss so far, but he's definitely getting better in my opinion. I just wonder is he better coming off the bench and making something happen?

Theres a lot to be said for impact players on the bench, people who when they come on really change things up. I think Anichebe at the moment is this type of player as I think he gives us a different option up front, but he's just not at first team starter level yet. While Faddy can be VERY frustrating running into blind alleys and doing one too many twists and turns, he definitely gives us a different dimension when he plays.
Robin Byrne     Posted 26/08/2007 at 09:10:35   Comments (1)

After Watching The Blackburn Match

I watched the match yesterday and for me a few questions were answered.

First, Tony Hibbert needs to be replaced. He always tries and never gives less than 100%, and is a good squad player, but should not be our first choice right back. This should go to our captain Phil Neville.

Second, Leighton Baines. What a player!! I had only seen him in patches for Wigan, but he is probably our best left back for many many years. Great defender and superb going forward and a good crosser of the ball. How I wish Big Dunc or Beattie were still here!

Third, Alan Stubbs. Experience he does add to the side, but is let down by his lack of pace. He also seems to have lost a slight physical edge to his game. Cant understand why he was picked over Lescott yesterday? Fourth, Phil Jagielka showed enough for me to suggest that he can do the holding role in midfield better than both Neville and Carsley. He is young, energetic and good in the tackle. Osman, like Hibbert is a very good squad player but when all the players are available, how many of us would pick him over Piennar and Fernandes?

Also, with Yakubu hopefully coming in, the forward line looks sorted. The Yak and AJ, with Vic, McFadden and Vaughan as back up sounds good to me. This would be my starting 11 - Howard, Neville, Baines, Yobo, Lescott, Jagielka, Arteta, Fernandes, Piennar, Johnson, Yakubu. Good enough for a top four finish? Maybe???
Simon Gemine     Posted 26/08/2007 at 08:46:23   Comments (1)

Percentage football

Yet again, or so it seems, Davie has no idea what his best starting 11 is, but in mitigation there are some players caring injuries so a gamble(s?) was(were) taken.

The 1st game (wigan) turned out to be a win and as we all know by now it's the result that counts.So the incumbents retained their spots. Then the Spurs game, which, with the value of the ever 20/20 hind sight, flattered to deceive.

After the lord mayors show came Reading, followed in quick time by the shit cart of today's performance. So here we are 10% of the season gone and 7 out of 12pts to show for it. Does that mean that statistically speaking we might end up with 70 pts??... chance will be a fine thing. 10% of our squad is already injured, 10% seem to be caring injuries, 4% of our squad is out on loan!! Whats the story there then, where's he gone, to get his 1st team football, why not get it here?? there seems to be an opening or 2. 100% of our South African players don't seem to be able to get a game and are now covering the space on the bench of the 4% that is out on loan to fuck knows who. Confused?? s.o.p.

The pendulum on the Davie Moyes 'Swingometer' is set right in the middle.

The Yak may yet turn out to be a James Beattie Mk2 at twice the price already.But lets slag that bridge when we come to it. As for Manny, seeing, (as yet unseen) will be believing.

That was the week that was in the roller coaster ride that is the lot of the Evertonian. And you know what?? I wouldn't change a thing...well maybe the crap stuff.
Derek  Thomas     Posted 26/08/2007 at 07:29:41   Comments (0)

Shifting them on

So far this transfer window has rightly focussed on getting in more effective players than have hitherto been available to us. On the evidence of our games to date, Moyes should now spend the coming week on shifting on a few who have been found wanting.

In my book, Carsley, McFadden, Osman and Turner have all served their purpose and are now dispensible. At the risk of being slightly controversial, I would also accept a good offer for Johnson as he is palpably below the top draw player we all believed him to be.

Now I do realise that we could ill-afford to let them all go at once but I have little doubt that most of the above-mentioned will not be wearing an Everton shirt come next February!
Ken  Wheldon     Posted 26/08/2007 at 07:40:10   Comments (17)

Have We Sold The Wrong Striker?

Lets be brutally honest; right now Andy Johnson couldn't score in a brothel.

For some reason, Everton's main striker seems to have lost his ability to find the net. Sure he's all about running and work rate but it's a strikers job to score goals and at the moment Johnson sucks at that.

It's even more annoying because James Beattie scored again today for Sheff Utd. Now it's fair to say that Beattie is playing at a lower level but I believe Beattie is a more natural goalscorer then AJ. Beattie also has more physical presence which would better suit Everton's style of play.

What happened to Beattie is a real shame, an undeniably good player lost his confidence and his goal-scoring touch (sound familar AJ?). I'm not saying I would swap AJ for Beattie but watching AJ fail time again to get a shot on target against Blackburn, I did just for a second wonder if Moyes had sold the wrong striker?
Dutch Schaffaer     Posted 25/08/2007 at 22:36:23   Comments (25)

Ominous Words

"Hopefully in the next week or so we can strengthen the squad - but you never be confident until it's done." ? These are Moyes´s comments post Blackburn game. This could be what we are all fearing deep down, that Yak and Fernandes won´t sign at all. Please pretty please prove me wrong Davey!
Robert Prince     Posted 25/08/2007 at 20:25:46   Comments (22)

vs Blackburn

Definetley a difficult game, it was never going to be anything but. I feel sorry for Johnson, the weight of expection and pressure he is under is immense. McFadden is lightweight but technically, given the opportunity, is outstanding, just dont lean on him.

My brother and I watched the game in the pub down here and the one over-riding impression we got was how quiet Goodison was. I dont understand why GP is atop 4 away teams nightmare simply placid when they are not.

The team needed a lift today, Its been such a difficult week for Merseyside in general and although I dont agree with tv friendly kick off times, we lacked any real impetus on the pitch or from the terraces.

Arteta got a bit lost midway and teams know that at the moment to beat Everton you just shut Arteta out, Johnson was struggling but then he is not having the rub of the green yet, Yakubu's arrival will see a change to his fortunes Im sure.

Anyways, I was quite vocal on the stadium but as the vote is in favour, i suggest we just get behind it and make the most of it, at the end of the day, its not like its a bad option. EFC just need to promise that should any other opportunities arise within the preferred area during development stages then they will properly investigate them.

Now lets go and win the UEFA cup!
Paul Skelhorn     Posted 25/08/2007 at 20:12:38   Comments (24)

Fighting Blues

So we go behind early to Blackburn after running the first few minutes........ plenty of time to get back yeah???????? Really?? How often do we come from a goal behind to win?

We did it last season......once......Fulham led for 2 minutes at Goodison before Carsley got us back en route to a 4-1 win. Last time we came back...... Bolton at Goodison ... 3-2 from 0-1 and 1-2 in 2004. Big Duncan and Graveson got cracking equalisers and Bolton gave us an own goal winner.

Before that.....August 2004 at Crystal Pal... Gravesen had two in a 3-1 win.

That makes 118 Premier games and three come-backs from a goal down to win..... two down - forget it! Do we just chuck it or what?

Nobody ever seems to talk about this but did Blackburn know that they were pretty well guaranteed at least a point as soon as that ball squirted past Tim?

Something surely must be done, David?
Glen Strachan     Posted 25/08/2007 at 19:56:41   Comments (4)

Can you spell “hoofball”!?!

Just watched the match. Maddening is the word. One beautiful passage of play, converted smartly by McFadden, and DROSS the rest of the time. Why the long ball? Please, why the long ball? It's such a bald-faced idiotic tactic even an FM loser like me can see the stupidity of it. If this is how they are going to feed The Yak, then I'm afraid he's not going to produce. Please for the love of Dixie, sort it out, Moyes!
Mikhail Ridhuan     Posted 25/08/2007 at 19:13:32   Comments (15)

Big Mc

I just sat there thinking how ineffective Johnson is and we're desperately short up front because McFadden is never going to score... McFadden scores 1 minute later!

Seriously though, Yakubu is needed desperately plus potentially another striker. Some great ball players in the team now but I don't see many goals coming unless something changes. I really want McFadden to do well because I think his heart is in it, I'm just not convinced he has the class to cut it.
Dan Parker     Posted 25/08/2007 at 18:53:33   Comments (13)

Kirby or not

There will be people with the knowledge and the memory to put fact to perception, it would be interesting to see their views on the following. I have a perception that, many years ago, Everton considered Stanley Park as a alternate to Goodison but were turned down by the council; something about not developing in open spaces. Another idea that I think fell foul of the council was redevelopment at Goodison by acquiring property and demolishing it. Something about loss of valuable housing stock blocked that scheme. Then there was Kings Dock; perhaps it was never financially viable but there were howls of protest from the council. This time traffic was the problem.

Now, when a financialy viable means of acquiring a stadium that can generate the revenue Everton needs to stay in the top flight, all sorts of new ideas for keeping Everton in our city emerge. The most prominent, the loop is unsuitable. Traffic will empty onto the same urban highway that the Kings Dock would have used, the site has no potential for the supporting commercial development a major stadium needs. It is derelict land created when Scotland road was demolished.

It was fine for the council to demolish a whole community and move them to Kirby so they could build a tunnel but not fine for Everton to demolish a row of houses to create a stadium essential to the survival of the club. It is fine for the Red side to build on Stanley Park and why traffic emptying directly onto urban trunk roads from Kings Dock was a problem when the red side can empty traffic onto inadequate roads around Stanley Park has not been addressed. Of course the Everton could listen to Keep Everton in our City brigade and spend several more years declining gently away, being thwarted at every turn: perhaps that is the movements real intent.

Alternativley the club can go somewhere where it is wanted and secure its long term future. The loser will be the city of Liverpool and they deserve no better given the grossly biased way the city has addressed the needs of Liverpool FC and Everton FC. A 60,000 seat stadium as part of the Kings Dock even if it cost a bit more than Kirby would be great but Everton will get no support in Liverpool for a stadium that is better in anyway than that the City will organise for the Red side. Let's get out and get on.
John White     Posted 25/08/2007 at 18:01:55   Comments (4)

Everton v Blackburn Rovers

Good to see Baines get a debut, but somewhat shocked to see Lescott dropped to the bench.

Stubbs is going to struggle with the pacy Blackburn frontline, and Jags has not been given a start again, would like to have seen Hibbert make way after some suspect performances.

Fingers very much crossed today!
Stuart Mitchell     Posted 25/08/2007 at 17:03:29   Comments (45)

Beattie for England

I had to laugh when I read this story just now ? 'Beattie hopeful of England call-up'.

It seems he is hopeful for playing for England if he scores regularly for Sheffield Utd. I think there is more chance of Steven Gerrard putting on a royal blue shirt next season.
Gavin Harris     Posted 25/08/2007 at 14:06:37   Comments (4)

Everton?s Squad Size

It was interesting to read Jose Mourinho?s comments on the BBC that he believes that the ideal squad size for him would be 26 players. I made a comparision between the squads (only numbers) that Everton and Chelsea have. Not counting our ?up and coming? academy/fringe players ? Ruddy, Boyle, Kissock, Vidarsson, Jutkiewicz, Agard ? and, Anderson Da Silva (on loan), and counting our ?chickens before they have hatched? i.e. Fernandes and Yakubu, we have 23 players ? 3 in the goal, 7 defenders, 8 mid-fielders and 5 forwards. Chelsea have 2 more each in defence and mid-field. Since Mourinho also stated in the same interview that he wouldn?t mind if one of his defenders moved out, Chelsea?s squad size is likely to come down to 26 by deadline day.

Assuming that Everton?s strength remains at 23, we are about 3 players away from the ?ideal? squad size. Of course, DM may have a different opinion and may feel that Everton is sized exactly right at this moment (especially since, with all due respect, it is likely that Everton will play fewer games than Chelsea). Anyway, the point is that ? slowly but surely ? our numbers are looking comparable to one of the top teams. We are probably 1 midfielder and 1 central defender away from a full-sized premiership team.

(By the way, just looking at the 2 squads, I would like to see Glen Johnson moving from Chelsea to Everton ? since many posters on TW seem to believe that this is our most vulnerable position at the moment.)
Ajay Gopal     Posted 25/08/2007 at 11:05:02   Comments (3)

David Murray Slams Kenwright's Management Method

Calm down, this isn't a personal attack by the chairman of Glasgow Rangers... it's a general attack on anyone who would: "strip out the club, take out the assets, sell the land, sell the best players, do a sale or lease-back with the ground or sell the training ground."

You can read the full article at this link.
Nick Harrison     Posted 25/08/2007 at 03:20:55   Comments (12)

New players

Is it just me? But here we are with a new striker in Yak, and a midfielder most of us have been shouting for since his loan ended. Jag and Baines are again great improvements. Yet all the guys that normally post have stayed strangely quiet why? I too am gutted about the ground vote but life goes on I don't trust or like Kenwright but on the playing front he has delivered.

Now we will see if Davey is tactically lacking or if its been through lack of quality that his subs have usually been poor. Come on boys, do not let this vote ruin our season. This is Everton ;how many fuck-ups have we had in the past? Would you honestly expect Bill not to cock this one up? Let's get behind the lads. It's the non-voters that let us down ? not the players.
Roy Coyne     Posted 25/08/2007 at 01:05:09   Comments (3)

Done?

60-40 for, fair enough, the tribe has spoken. I for one will be collecting all the images bandied about and then compare them to the eventual finished product, not that it will do any good once it's all done and dusted, but these things never seem to turn out like they look on the packet. As for the bigger picture, the revenue streams / spin, time will prove or disprove if we did the right thing. I can now, as always, go back to living my football life one game at a time.
Derek Thomas     Posted 24/08/2007 at 23:27:24   Comments (1)

Would I be happy if I were Kenwright?

Firstly let me say that I do not suspect Kenwright of any ulterior motives — I believe he is doing what fellow Evertonians often accuse him of not doing — i.e. acting like a business man and putting head before heart.

Secondly, I wil admit that I voted "yes" after many weeks of agonising but I can't say I'm at all happy with the result. I did so because I could see my beloved club getting left behind.

So I will not be sitting smugly at the Park End tomorrow. Instead I'll be worried about the consequence of my vote and feeling pretty shitty for the young lad who lost his life this week.

However, when the match starts my will to win instinct will take over and I'll be supporting the Blues — which I'll do in Kirkby — even if I'm not happy about it.

Do you think Kenwright will be any different? My guess is that he won't be happy with the outcome and the sizeable minority, together with the no-voters may yet lead him to pursue other options.
Ray  Robinson     Posted 24/08/2007 at 23:24:27   Comments (4)

Delusional about 41.5% and what you get for £35M nowadays.

Ballot result....Everton Statement.

"a majority of those Evertonians who were eligible to vote do support the Club in its desire to relocate to a new home in Kirkby."

Fact; 41.5% of those eligible to vote, voted in favour of Kirkby.

"It is reassuring to know that the MAJORITY OF EVERTONIANS do support the Club as it pursues its long-held desire to provide a WORLD CLASS STADIUM."

Fact; You cannot possibly know that 41.5% of those Evertonians eligible to vote represents a majority of Evertonians.

Fact; Stadia built at the paltry cost per seat represented by the figures for the Kirkby Stadium cannot possibly claim to be world class... otherwise all new world class stadia would be equally cheap (after factoring in the Tesco subsidy) and they are not.

"The result comes at the end of a TRANSPARENT, DEMOCRATIC process."

Fact; Transparency should have included having people with an opposing view to the Club being in a position to monitor the process. Democracy implies that those eligible to vote would be presented with balanced alternatives from which to choose. Stagnation and oblivion were the only two opposition candidates. Priceless use of English.
Brian Finnigan     Posted 24/08/2007 at 21:50:31   Comments (6)

Time for AJ to deliver

I know it`s heresy to mention it but has anybody noticed that AJ has now gone 11 matches without finding the net? His last goal was against Arsenal on March 18 and however much unselfish running he does a record like his hardly makes him a multi-million pound striker.

No doubt his failure to contribute more than the occasional goal - and the injury to Vaughan, a more natural finisher - persuaded Moyes to demand funds for re-inforcements. Following on from the signing of the hopeless Beattie and the relative failure of Johnson as an out and out striker, it is to be hoped that, at last ,with the coming of Yakubu, the manager has found the solution.

I know that Steve Bruce regarded AJ as a winger `who could do a job in the middle`. Am I alone in thinking he got that one just about right?
Paul  Corbett     Posted 24/08/2007 at 21:48:23   Comments (13)

New Ground!

I'm not pro-Kirkby but I'm certainly not anti-Kirkby, I'll go anywhere to watch the club I love and have supported all my life. I wish people would get off Bill Kenwright's back, what more do you want from him? Most clubs would have just said "we're going" and left it at that I would have prefered a city centre location, we had a chance with the Kings Dock and we blew that.

The fact is, as much as I love the place Goodison Park, is an absolute dump and not fit for the modern day. We need a new ground desperately and the majority of fans with a vote 'democratically' agreed. There is a long way to go before planning permission etc is granted and I work in Kirkby so I know the residents are not going to take this decision lightly.

If it can take the club onto the next level we should get behind the club, despite people whining about Moyes and his tactics etc the club is in a lot better shape than 10 years ago when Howard Kendall was manager and Peter Johnson first sold us the 'Kings Dock dream/farce'.
Si Mar     Posted 24/08/2007 at 21:10:48   Comments (0)

One City - One Club

Well, it's already started; there is only one team in Liverpool. Here's the headline and extract from the Guardian: Everton fans vote to leave Liverpool - 'Soon there will be only one team in Liverpool: Everton fans have voted to back their club's proposal to move from Goodison Park to a new 55,000-seater stadium in Kirkby... ceding the city to Liverpool Football Club.

I really wish I understood how moving from a fast-developing and world-renowned city to a borough that nobody has heard of is going to raise our profile and improve our fan base. This is a short-term fix and not the best solution for Everton. I truly hope I'm wrong, but I'm worried that I'm right. I just hope it's not too late for Everton to look at other alternatives in the city.
Andy  Norbury     Posted 24/08/2007 at 21:06:37   Comments (0)

Self-fulfillng prophecy

The cry of some fans is that by moving to Kirkby we will lose the next generation of fans. So what do some of these 'die hard' fans propose to do ? they themselves will stop going the game and hence do their best to make sure their prediction comes true ? absolute madness.

If supporting a team based in Liverpool means the earth to you then I am sure that they will be able to make room for you at the new airport terminal.

Instead of becoming all sensitive and forlorn over jibes from the kopites why don't you tell them that they have eternally disgraced their city in Europe with their part in the Heysel disaster and by mugging their own for tickets.

The shite love all that bollocks some blues fans are now coming out with ? you know the sort of stuff ? fuckwit banners about achievements echoing in eternity and quasi-fascist websites about "kop values" ? truly pathetic cobblers which blues fans want no part of. For God's sake develop some backbone and give as good as you get.

Kirkby will be fine at the end of the day and in fact will reflect all the good points about EFC that makes us better than them ? hard, rough around the edges and absolutely no bullshit.

What we need now are supporters of the club who will stand by the club.
John Doolan     Posted 24/08/2007 at 20:16:39   Comments (0)

Get the music right!

Well, what`s done is done and we can now return to the football and it had better be good... Chairman Bill will be feeling pretty pleased with himself tonight because he has managed to work the reponsibility for what could prove a disaster onto the `ordinary` Everton supporters. In fact, his troubles may only just be starting. Lose tomorrow and get less than stellar impact from the `multi-million pound` signings (whenever they become available) and the worm will turn with a vengeance.

He should know there are some pretty angry people `out there` and whilst everything is overlooked when the team are winning, any sign of a crap season ensuing will be seized on as yet another mark of his incompetence. I know, I know, different issues entirely but the talk of the alehouses this afternoon is along the lines of `well they better have a fucking good season if they want me to start loving Kirkby`. Kenwright and Moyes have always sung from the same hymn sheet ? they just better get the music right from now on!
Neil Mann     Posted 24/08/2007 at 20:04:56   Comments (9)

It's Done

So now we know the Blues have given the Board a mandate to move to Kirkby. I really did vote No, for no other reason that I don't trust Kenwright to manage this club. However, that said, my other blue brothers have not voted the way I did, so as a blue I will get on with it ? support them for the rest of my life, encourage my grandson to support them, and hope that we really do move forward, because I really do love Everton and in the end I think that being an Evertonian can beat anything.

I have watched the great players Ball, Harvey, Kendall, Labone, Wilson (the one who won a World Cup Winners medal) and also the great side of the 80s. I will always support Everton and hopefully Kenwright will go and be replaced by someone who can take this club to the top where it belongs then everyone will be happy.

I would also ask all supporters to say a little prayer for young Rhys and hope he is kicking a ball around with Dixie and Bally. God bless Rhys.
Steve  Sweeney     Posted 24/08/2007 at 18:44:44   Comments (5)

Has the Fat Lady really sung?

From my understanding of the associated reading around the recent vote, it was asking whether the club could continue negotiation on Kirkby. It was not a final say that that is the end of the line. I am somewhat disappointed with the result, but one thing I do hope is that those that really do have the means to offer a viable alternative do not give up!

It seems all so easy for people to throw in the towel now, but realistically this is where it should begin, the club has its allowance to continue this negotiation, and they will no doubt look to tie it up quickly. Maybe itis a pipe dream that something, someone will come up with something totally concrete at the 11th hour.

As for what we can do as fans? Well if you disagree with the Board of Directors, let them know, I would only ask that any protest should not be aimed at players (whether they support Kirkby or not), but at the Board. 40% of 40,000 people can make quite a noise, so do it.

But the other call I would want to make, is if someone voted Yes or No, let them make their own choices. This talk of traitors, turncoats and whatever else just makes my blood run cold. We are all Evertonians, we all had a choice to make and still have. It may be over, my words meaningless, but if all the no voters simply pack in and take their ball home it is definitely over.

Make your voices heard, don't give up. And hope that somebody, somewhere, has the means and the drive to put the package together, that we can all get behind. A quality stadium in a quality city! (I am out-of-towner in case any of you were wondering)
Dave Turner     Posted 24/08/2007 at 17:56:49   Comments (7)

Mohammed

Well, the vote's in and the Board have a mandate to go to Kirkby. I know trhere are a lot of people upset and angry about the vote's outcome and we inevitably will be moving out of Liverpool. KEIOC fought a gallant fight and unfortunatley were not able to persuade enough people to vote No. Whether or not this turns out to be a bad thing for Everton only time will tell.

But I have got a suggestion where we can all unite under the same banner and fight a good fight. We need to collectively get to gather and follow the cause for BKBIL ? Bring Kirkby Back Into Liverpool! Now that would be a cause worth fighting for, wouldn't it?

I know I am a woolyback and you might say mind your own fucking business. But you were once all Liverpool why can't you be again. They reunited Germany and the biggest twat the world has ever know was in charge there. BKBIL... COME ON YOU BLUES!
Mike McLoughlin     Posted 24/08/2007 at 17:31:10   Comments (5)

Good times...bad times

It is with heavy heart that I accept we have voted yes to the move to Kirby. I know it isn't a million miles away but most have missed the symbolism behind such a move. It will likely have consequences in terms of support in later years but let's wait and see. I have never believed that Kenwright really loved the club and I think he has pioneered this move to help uincrease his own wealth - I bet he sells up within 2 years!

I think we all need to accept that Kirby is going to happen and that no amount of moaning or campaigning is going to change the result.

For me, I believe that the club's desperation to move has fractured into two sets of supporters:

1)Those of us who have seen some great football in the seventies and most of the eighties, understanding the saying Nil Satis Nisis Optimum and disbelieving Wyness and Kenwright on previous form.

2) The younger supporters who have been unlucky and not seen these great times and honestly believe that the likes of Atrtetea and Aj are amongst the best ever seen in a blue shirt.

I am glad that I have witnessed great times in Goodison and sadly feel that this will seal our fate as perceived number two club in the city. We are now going to be residing in a town that has a population less than half of that of Birkenhead!

Despite all of this - I still love Everton Football Club. It is the people running the club I dislike.
Russ Kavanagh     Posted 24/08/2007 at 16:22:13   Comments (33)

How much Everton have improved

I know there are other things going on today but I've just read Gareth Southgate's comments about Yakubu signing for us. I'm happy because of one quote from him:

"We feel at this moment in time that his head had been turned by the possibility of moving on, and I can understand that."

It shows how much Everton have improved over the last few years that we can have that affect on quality players that they get excited and want to come here. I know Boro aren't exactly a big club but they are a club who tend to throw bucket fulls of cash at players which is the opposite to us.

Hope he's a great signing for us, I have no doubt he will be.
John Fowler     Posted 24/08/2007 at 16:23:24   Comments (12)

Injury worries ahead of Blackburn Game

It seems we have quite a few injury worries ahead of tomorrow's game. Long-term absentees Cahill and Vaughan as well as Yobo, Johnson and Anichebe which are all marked as doubtful. Not to mention Yakubu being ineligable due to paperwork not being completed on time.

Let's hope Baines is fit and Yobo, Johnson and Anichebe pass fitness tests because otherwise we may struggle against a team I particularly dislike. Come on you blue boys.
Tony Bell     Posted 24/08/2007 at 14:48:24   Comments (17)

Farewell, Everton. Hello, Tesco Dons

Before I comment, can I say that I bear the people of Kirkby no ill-will, and that I believe an Evertonian born in Liverpool is no more inherently a legitimate ?blue? than one born in Kurdistan.

Right then...

In choosing to depart the city of Liverpool, Kenwright, Wyness and those who voted ?yes? have - for this Evertonian at least - divested the words ?Everton Football Club? of much of their meaning and identity, and without meaning and identity, success, victory, the acquisition of trophies etc., have precisely no value whatever.

Regardless of what happens on the pitch, however many choose to turn up at the ?Every Little Helps Theatre of Affordable Dreams?, however many European cups are paraded through the streets of a new town in the north west of England, I for one will not be joining in. Such spectacles will mean as much to me as news of a midweek friendly win for Wigan Athletic.

This is obviously a very personal response to the decision and I?m not so narcissistic as to expect that my views could or should have any bearing on the views anyone else. At this moment, I feel deeply sad, that?s all. Whether you decide to follow the club to Kirkby or not, very best wishes to all Evertonians.
Steve Rooney     Posted 24/08/2007 at 14:19:31   Comments (41)

Reflection

As a lifelong Everton fan from the Emerald Isle across the water, I appeal for calm amongst our supporters.

As an outside fan, relocation is not a problem for me but reading such articles as above and by Colin Fitz, I find this to be such an emotive issue in the city that a period of calm and reflection over the result is badly required. In Ireland, we had the Roy Keane saga when he walked out on his country before the world cup and it caused rows and mayhem and even at times punch ups between supporters. To this day, the subject is unmentionable in a pub. I can only hope the same situation does not befall my beloved Everton and appeal to the Board to examine ALL posibilites before any concrete decision is made.

Never was a greater phrase compiled and Mr.Wyness please note "Nil Satis Nisi Optimum" Everton Forever........
John Gorman     Posted 24/08/2007 at 13:26:11   Comments (11)

Kirby v Walton

I have read with interest the typical scouse over-reaction to progress. We have a chance to get a new ground at sensible money. We have a chance to put the club on a sound financial footing. We have a chance to propel Everton to the next level. What is the problem?

The ground will be 5.3 miles from Goodison (one of the more anal amongst us posted that piece of information). Our current ground is historic, fantastic as a piece of what football used to be but no longer relevant (I was at a game when attendance totalled more than 73,000 but you couldn't buy a pie let alone a beer).

I shall mourn Goodison as I mourn the passing of pounds, shillings and pence but we need to recognise the modern world ? please guys let's get together and make our team great again. David Moyes is doing a top job ? think what more money could bring. The majority has spoken ? now kill the argument and get together as our boys have on the pitch ? stop being divisive. Plenty of debate of course, but please no anger!!
Bob Marchbank     Posted 24/08/2007 at 12:35:07   Comments (15)

In Memoriam

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence Johnny Todd and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message ?Everton are Dead?,
Put blue and white scarves round the necks of the public doves,
(The traffic cops in Kirkby are going to need boxing gloves).

Everton were my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought our club would last for ever? boy I was wrong.

The season ticket?s not wanted now: you can have it back;
You can stick your Kirkby stadium up your fat hairy crack;
With your ?fast food franchises? and watered down ale.
You can buy the bread-heads Bill ? but this heart is not for sale.

The spirit of ?Everton from Everton? is officially gone
And the lads who fought at Normandy and the trenches of the Somme
Wouldn?t thank you for your calculated clinical corporate decision
Because your short term expedience is culturally lacking in vision

And when in years to come in our ?one club? city
When the only team is Liverpool, (and they?re still shitty!)
And your lad says to you ?Dad? how did we get in this mess?
You can look him in the eye and say ? ?Son, I voted ?Yes?

Hurry up and sign the Yak

I'm not sure if others are feeling the same but isn' this transfer dragging its heels?I also see on Sky Sports News that he will not sign in time for Saturday... why are we slow on the uptake when Heinze shows interest in joining Real Madrid and is shown 24 hours later being paraded around the pitch. This transfer window has really pissed me off
Chris  Keightley     Posted 24/08/2007 at 12:23:18   Comments (20)

Leahy's letter swung it

And the club know it.

Like many, I judged that this was running dead even all the way through. There always seemed to be 45pc committed in the ?yes? and ?no? camps. It was always going to come down to a crucial 10pc, with a 5.01% swing in either direction.

Prior to the Wigan game I sensed that it was 50-50 with perhaps the ?no? camp just ahead by a nose. As we?ve now seen it came down to 4,762 voters holding sway. Which means that 2,382 voters made all the difference. And I firmly believe that can be attributed to Leahy?s well-composed letter being released by the club (after the voting had started, let?s not forget) as a last desperate measure to help sway a vote which, in the wake of Wyness? 6th-form effort, they were in serious danger of losing.

So (adopts cod Norwegian accent), ?take a bow: EFC?s publicity machine; a one-sided brochure; David Moyes, Tim Cahill (twice!), Mikel Arteta; Lee Carsley, Alan Stubbs, Andy Johnson; the might of the Daily Post and Echo; Terry Leahy; and Tom Cannon, your boys produced a helluva result.? Not.

Just 2,382 fans made all the difference. How mightily unimpressive. Keith Wyness should be shaking Terry Leahy very firmly by the hand for well and truly saving his bacon.

On a side note: is it just me who thinks that the result of this vote could have and should have been held over until Tuesday, chiefly out of respect for Rhys Jones and family? There?s a very good chance that some of the family will be there tomorrow judging by the heart-rending press interviews.

A post August Bank Holiday ?all back to work? Tuesday have been an ideal time to announce this in any case. What?s more there would have been a decent gap until our next home game to let emotions cool.

Now, though, we?ll be faced tomorrow with a potentially poisonous atmosphere on a day (with a late kick off and 2 hours more drinking time) which should have a sombre edge to it.

EFC?s rush to announce this vote smacks of kid on Christmas morning that can?t wait to show you what Santa brought.

Tell you, if the club turn round later today and crassly tell us to unite tomorrow for the sake of the Jones? family then I?ll throw up. They could have delayed this. Should have.
Greg Murphy     Posted 24/08/2007 at 11:58:11   Comments (10)

Why?

Cannot believe it! I'm sick to my stomach. You fools have been stitched up!! In a general election if it was Labour or none, would you vote labour without the ability to vote for any other party??? Of course not, only an idiot would & this ballot was bigger than a general election for us!!

Anyone who has read up on this fully would vote No, on the basis that all other avenues have not been fully & fairly explored. If they had then we wouldn't need a fucking vote!! I'm not gonna start going on about people from outside Liverpool or exiled scousers but if they voted Yes then it's clear they won't have to live with the jibes and fucking hilarious kopites who KNEW that this is a good move for them and a shit awful move for us!! You've been duped by a fat conman, and it's making me sick.

Before you start back, yes I will still go, yes I will still renew tickets, yes I am still an Evertonian but my heart says this is a bad idea, my head agrees yet we still go. Sick as fuck, angry Blue signing off.
John Lloyd     Posted 24/08/2007 at 11:03:22   Comments (12)

All is not lost

It may come as some consolation to the NO voters to learn that not all Tesco`s grandiose plans to `re-juvenate` townships come to fruition. In recent years they have spents a fortune trying to railroad through plans for the St John`s district of Worcester ? even to the extent of offering to provide a brand new senior school for the area. It`s all come to nothing, bogged down in a whelter of public enquiries, appeals to ministers and local bureaucracy.

I`m not sure that there is a bridge in Kirkby but if there is, I can assure you there is an awful lot of water to flow under it before Goodison can be abandoned.
Harry  Meek     Posted 24/08/2007 at 11:02:23   Comments (0)

11,000 Votes

Hard to imagine 11,000 votes didn't get received.

What could have happend to them all?
Tommy Coleman     Posted 24/08/2007 at 11:05:30   Comments (20)

BALLOT RESULT

BALLOT RESULT Published: Friday, 24 August 2007, 10:00

A statement from Everton Football Club - August 24, 2007

Everton Football Club acknowledges that a majority of those Evertonians who were eligible to vote in the ballot do support the Club in its desire to relocate to a new home in Kirkby.

We are the only major club in Europe to have handed over a decision of such importance and magnitude to its fan-base ? something which simply serves to underscore the enormously high regard in which we hold our supporters.

We now have a mandate to carry on negotiations with our two project partners ? Knowsley Borough Council and Tesco.

The Club?s Board of Directors, the management staff and the players would like to thank all those who participated in the ballot.

We would also like to thank the Electoral Reform Services who ran the ballot on our behalf in a diligent and wholly professional manner.

Whilst we concede that the proposed move has undoubtedly provoked a heated and sustained debate, it is reassuring to know that the majority of Evertonians do support the Club as it pursues its long-held desire to provide a world-class stadium for its world-class support.

The result comes at the end of a transparent, democratic process and we believe that now is the time for all supporters of Everton Football Club to set aside any differences of opinion and unite for the common good.

The simple truth is, we all want the same thing ? a thriving, ambitious and prosperous club away from the field of play and an attractive, competitive team on it.

• Number of voting packs dispatched 36,662
• Number of votes received 25,761
• Number of votes found to be invalid 63
• Total number of valid votes 25,698
• Turnout 70.27%

The Board promised to ballot Evertonians to ascertain their views on this move.

The question is: Are you in favour of relocating Everton Football Club to Kirkby?

The Result

• Yes 15,230 59.27%
• NO 10,468 40.73%

Arteta Off-Form???

Lyndon

In your match preview for Blackburn you stated that Mikel Arteta is off-form? He tore the back out of Wigan, supplied all three goals at Spurs and had a decent display at Reading! Not bad for three games into the campaign with little creative help around him.

If that's off-form I can't wait 'til he gets into gear!
Scott  Edwards     Posted 24/08/2007 at 09:34:38   Comments (1)

TV In Singapore

Response to Mark Cassin's listing (so ignore if you don't live in Singapore!)

With the new TV deal that we've all heard so much about, overseas rights were sold for GBP 625m. ESPN / Star Sports (ESS) were the incumbent, but were outbid by both SingTel and StarHub. StarHub in my opinion had no beef with ESS - they afterall are the cable channel that carries them in Singapore - but their fear was SingTel would outbid them, that's why we have to pay $15 more from October. But it's still cheap compared to Sky.

Channel 27 is the new Football Channel. It's shit. They may have Peter Reid as a pundit, but they've also got Carlton Palmer, who I admit talks a better game than he played.

But Chs 21 and 22 also show live games, and if you like your Scottish footy, tune in to Goal and Goal+ on 107, 108.

Now we have up to 3 live games concurrently, up from 2. My only remaining beef is on the opening weekend, 8 out of the 10 fixtures on Saturday and Sunday were shown live.

Us against Wigan was one of the 2 that wasn't (Derby v Pompey the other). Some things never change.
Matt Traynor     Posted 24/08/2007 at 01:42:04   Comments (13)

Final Thought..

I've only recently started to post on Toffeeweb. It was only the stadium thing that got my so wound up, so let me finish with this thought:

See you Kirkby.

See you away at Portsmouth and Newcastle. See you in Columbus, Dallas, ?El Madrigal? and Bucharest.

Right or wrong, cowshed or shapeship, Everton, Walton, Kirkby or Speake, I?ll be at the match because I?m an Evertonian and its my blood, its what I was born.

So, whatever the vote is tomorrow, if you?re pissed off enough to throw the towel in then do what you please, but I?ll be at the match, watching Everton - my Everton. The club my parents support, the club I support and the club my unborn kids will support. The club I love.

I?m an Evertonian, born not manufactured. And neither an obstructed view or 4 miles drive will ever change that.
John Charles     Posted 23/08/2007 at 23:23:39   Comments (35)

Toffeeweb poll

"Would a return of less than a 60% yes vote in the ballot give the Board an acceptable mandate to relocate EFC to Kirkby?"

I couldn't believe the latest poll when I saw it and even more surprised by the latest result.

What country have people been living in? Don't people understand a democracy?

If you get 51% you WIN the vote. Simple as that. None of this "if its under 60% what should we do". I f its over 50% its sorted, simple as.

If not, I'll be ringing Mr Brown to demand a re-election.
Gavin Harris     Posted 23/08/2007 at 23:01:59   Comments (22)

Grandad Yak

I have just read that there is a rumour that Yakubu has lied about his age. Supposedly it is commom with African strikers. I have now heard rumours about Martins, Kanu and Yakubu. Is it true? Wasn't Bakayoko about 10 years older than he said?. Maybe that's why Yakubu fails to score in the second part of the season is because he is burned out due to being in his 40s.
Connor  Rohrer     Posted 23/08/2007 at 22:28:05   Comments (24)

Delay in Fernandes, Yakubu signings.

I am starting to think that our two biggest signings of the summer, Fernandes and Yakubu, are dependent on the result of the ground move ballot tomorrow. Have we been given a sum of money to spend from an outside source who will only hand over the money if we move to Kirkby. I suppose if the answer is in favour of a move then both deals will go through tomorrow. If the answer is against Kirkby then we may be hearing of a failed medical or two.
Thomas Sullivan     Posted 23/08/2007 at 22:02:53   Comments (2)

Kenwright out.

Here is a man who swore that he wouldn't sell Rooney for £50M, then sold him for £25M.

Here is a man who wrecked the Kings Dock stadium.

Here is a man who seemingly lied with every breath he could muster about the Fortress Fund.

Here is the man that took Everton FC out of Liverpool and away from its core fan base.

What will be this man's Everton Legacy? He is still in control, perhaps he hasn't finished yet.

In case you haven't seen it before: Bill Out
Tommy Coleman     Posted 23/08/2007 at 22:00:35   Comments (69)

Let's not cut off our nose to spite our face

Whatever the outcome of the vote when the official results are announced tomorrow, please do not let emotions affect the support for the team on Saturday - or any other time, for that matter.

We now appear to have a good opportunity to consolidate - even move forward - with the squad that is being put together. Irrespective of where we end up playing, no true Blue would want this potential to be unrealised.

So keep any protests for before / after the match!
Ray Robinson     Posted 23/08/2007 at 21:59:08   Comments (66)

Tom Hughes

Right, whether you think this subject is boring or not, look at the bigger picture of what has been going on from the bullyboys at Goodison. Tom's plans were not set in stone; it was a preview with an awful lot of detail and drawings. This took a hell of a lot of time and effort and sacrifice.

Tom set out on a quest to show Goodison can be re-developed, in sections, with a will when it was categorically said it can't be done. Even that professor fella said the other night our gates would go down to 24,000 if we decided to rebuild Goodison. What a two-faced man he is. EGM anyone?

A hell of a lot of clubs have done the same re-builds but not us ? we neglected our stadium for years. No investment put in you see just sell sell sell and raise the debt without anything tangible shown for it. I ask anyone pouring scorn on this how much detail have we seen of the Photoshopped picture on the retail park in Kirkby and how long did they have to get in right? Was it over 18 months?

Who are KSS? Would they have a vested interest to pour cold water on Tom's plans, played the damning game for Everton. Oh, and by the way ,architects I have spoken too said what KSS did was deplorable and unethical in the industry.

The Tunnel site, same tactics by a transport official egged on by Everton no doubt to rubbish another option at its embryonic stage. HOK, you know that world-reknowned stadium designer, blew that myth of "it can't be done / it?s too small" out of the water in an 18-page document... Where is our 18 page document on Kirkby after how long again? Where?s our business plan after 18 months? When will many of our fans wake up and smell the coffee?

What our club did during the voting period was an insult to many people's intelligence and employed bully-boy tactics driving statement after statement down bewildered fans throats in the street who are left with the Echo and Post's literature on the subject. It was "move or we die". I really do despair at times with some of our fans. The vote was a sham; no other voting procedure would be allowed on such an important issue. The ballot papers came with ONE side of the story so how do you decide which is best long term? You look in the local papers and what did you find? Stories like the above. We will get what the fans vote for but it was always stacked against a fair vote based on literature shown.

Can anyone really argue on this? Remember not many of our fans are internet wise to see the other side of the coin. We were battling big business with vested interest all round. I do respect other fans' opinions but on the internet many fans push it too far with acid remarks after someone has put effort in to show another opinion in detail.

Tom has the right to reply to the sham written regarding his informed piece. He has family and friends who read the Echo and saw what was written. It?s easy to pour scorn on other people's efforts with a simple message on a message board or in a local paper. Think about what the People's Club did to this fan, they never asked him in to discuss his plans just set him up to be put in the stocks and laughed at by the ill-informed or simple-minded.

Tom, you did a sterling job lad, proud of your works and sacrifices whilst the employed at the club sat throwing darts at you. For shame on them and their ilk. It was not the Everton Way I was led to believe.

I?ll be in a ditch fighting for Everton with you Tom, anytime lad. Chin up. Divide and conquer, should be the club's motto now. They will reap what they sow. Short-term gain, long-term pain. We will not grow in Kirkby!

Ian Macdonald ? just another ordinary fan.
Ian Macdonald     Posted 23/08/2007 at 19:15:47   Comments (83)

SSN Reports fans vote IN FAVOUR of move

Sky Sports are reporting that Everton fans have voted in favour of a move to Kirkby, more to follow on SSN
Andrew  McGreavy     Posted 23/08/2007 at 18:53:31   Comments (74)

Whats going on?

Well it now over a week that Fernandes was supposed to have signed, and now 3 days since Yakubu agreed a fee.... no player has joined, does someone know something that I dont?
Will Bruce     Posted 23/08/2007 at 18:37:58   Comments (9)

Now we have a 'Squad' will we use it?

One of the strategies of David Moyes is keeping the same line-up from game to game. I can certainly see that this approach fosters trust from the players, and I can appreciate that our squad numbers have created limited options at times for Moyes to switch things around. However, when we have players back from injury and these two new signings are in the fold, will David actually start to rotate players in and out (even one or two per game), or will he stick with his static philosophy?

Our style of play is based upon hard work, hard work takes energy, and three games in a week is a hard ask for a team if they aren?t infused with some fresh legs along the way. There were limited options available for Reading, but later on in the season with UEFA games (and other cup games) adding to the schedule, will Moyes actually use the squad or stick to his old routine?
Greg Dawson     Posted 23/08/2007 at 18:09:28   Comments (1)

The Everton Way

Yesterday, Real Madrid were linked with signing Robben and Heinze - they have just announced their signings. This fucking morning Chelsea were linked with the Barcelona right back ? just announced signed him on a three year deal. Last week we announce we are signing Fernandes within '24 hours' ? it has all gone quiet. Yesterday it was mentioned we would be signing Yakubu ? on his way ? no news yet.

This 'Everton Way' really pisses me off - sack the Communications Manager, I say, who is clearly out of his depth. Just keep the long-suffering fans informed of developments that is all we ask ? a statement such as "discussions are ongoing" would suffice ? instead of the deafening silence.

God only knows what kind of a team we will put out Saturday - I can only hope they are waiting for the Ballot result and in true 'Theatre Impresario Style' announce the capture of Manny and the Yak at the same time. Well, one can but dream?
Steve Callaghan     Posted 23/08/2007 at 17:16:59   Comments (10)

Loopy

I just don't like this loop idea. The experience of driving to Goodison and walking through the local streets has a special feeling about it. A stadium in the middle of a 1970s style traffic management system just feels wrong for me. Kirkby aside, I don't fancy this option at all. I appreciate the effort people have put in to putting forward a different option but I'm not particularly sold on it. We're Everton, why should we be boxed in by a road on a Saturday by people doing their shopping trips to Cheshire Oaks?
Dan Parker     Posted 23/08/2007 at 16:46:26   Comments (1)

Darren Fletcher

I understand the consequences of going in for this player 'Feeder Club' 'Man U reject'...will all be shouted from roof-tops, however, he is apparently open to offers.

He is a very Moyes-type of player, Young, hard working, can tackle, can pass and is versatile. He also has [occasional] moments of brilliance. He would be an exellent partner for Manny in the middle while offering back-up for Arteta on the right-wing. He has potential to be an exellent player and considering we want to be a european team need a defensive mid who can do more than tackle (no disrespect to Cars or Nev, they are useful and have been very important, but not top-class).

The only question is after spending [hopefully] £20mil do we have any money left? I imagine, considering our friendly relationship with Man U however (which I am happy about if we get good players) maybe a loan deal like Howard's is an option.
Oliver McAdam     Posted 23/08/2007 at 15:52:44   Comments (25)

Anderson da Silva to Barnsley on loan?

Barnsley's official website brags about signing Anderson on loan, yet there is no mention of this on EFC's site or any place else on the net. Another case of Moyes signing a player who can do something meaningful with a ball and then be too afraid to use him (AvdM, Pienaar)? Answers on a postcard.
Pavel Ivanov     Posted 23/08/2007 at 14:14:58   Comments (16)

Internationals

Is it just me being selfish about the blues but in my opinion am quite happy the likes of Lescott and Arteta dont get picked for the countries. This just creates further problems like injury and more worrying the so called bigger clubs from Europe being alerted to amazing talent both of these players have.
Craig Jones     Posted 23/08/2007 at 11:53:49   Comments (7)

Fred Pickering

Sorry to tell you this folks, but one of our heroes is currently in hospital. The great fred Pickering is in the Royal Blackburn Hospital. A great player and friend in our town unfortunately the big man has had a stroke. Don't think he will thank me for this but I know he still has his fans and I am certainly one of them.
Terry  Hayes     Posted 23/08/2007 at 09:53:28   Comments (11)

Condolences

Can I be one of the first to offer my sincere condolences to the friends and family of young Blue Rhys Jones. I am currently working offshore in Norway and have just read the article on BBC News website, with the photo of the young lad proudly wearing his the Royal Blue shirt.
Lee Smith     Posted 23/08/2007 at 10:00:15   Comments (7)

It's not done until its done....

Despite The Daily Post reporting that Yakubu agreed his deal last night I won't believe he's ours just yet. Call me a cynic if you like but I can't help this little thought crossing my mind....The Yes/No Kirby ballot is closed at 12 noon which means everyone will have had their say one way or another, all the papers will be in and the club hoping their lastest 'transfer swoops' will have swayed the 'on the fence voters'. With Yakubu and more importantly Fernandes still to be officially confirmed don't be surprised if at sometime later this afternoon we find that the deal for Yakubu has broken down due to the players'excessive wage demands' or something similar....as for Fernandes where is he ? you'll most probably find that some obscure govt./Premier League ruling has halted that deal !!....call me a doom monger if you want but we all know it could happen !!
Nelly Blythe     Posted 23/08/2007 at 09:24:25   Comments (24)

It's over, some calmness please

In about 3½ hours the vote will close. Can I ask that, whatever the result, we all remain calm and accept the result? There have been lots of acrimonius debates, a number of angry comments but please leave it be once the result is announced. After this let's all just get behind the team and get Goodison bouncing.
Steve Linden     Posted 23/08/2007 at 08:18:02   Comments (10)

Setanta restriction

I'm writing this whilst visiting friends in Holland for a few days. I didn't mind being away when we play Blackburn on Saturday as I've recently subscribed to Setanta broadband (picture not great full screen but a lot better than nothing!). I've just tried to log on here and got a message from Setanta that the broadband service is restricted to the UK - why? I can't see how Setanta stands to lose any revenue if a UK based subscriber seeks to tune in while overseas (or why they wouldn't want subscribers world-wide for that matter). I'm not writing this to put anuone off the broadband service which is good as far as it goes but just because I'm puzzled and exasperated (and becuase i'm annoyed I'll miss the first sighting of Yaks in a blue shirt).
Bob Waring     Posted 23/08/2007 at 07:47:04   Comments (3)

Daddy? Did you vote ?Yes??

Wyness states that the Loop "is a red herring from the council" Financially that may be true ? we have no idea and neither does he. What we do know is that it is physically conceivable, based on what HOK Sport architectural and WSP engineering have to say. This, of course, contradicts what the board are saying. Well, that?s it.

I was born a Blue, I?ll die one. Those of you who voted ?Yes? for a better view and because the board scared you into believing you would be playing Marine within five years, will have condemned us to obscurity. Liverpool will grow, we may well wither ? and in years to come you will lie to your children and say that you voted ?No?.

Sore loser? probably. Sad, definitely.
James Percival     Posted 23/08/2007 at 00:03:23   Comments (27)

Bestway Option

Apparently Everton F.C. (Robert Earl) have recently had discussions with Bestway and LCC regarding the Scotland Road site. I can't help but think that both Bestway and LCC would not be committing such a significant resource to this project and contracting the services of one of the world's leading stadia design companies if EFC had informed them that's it's definitely a none starter....IT JUST WOULDN'T MAKE SENSE. I suspect that if their plan is found to be financially viable, baring in mind that most pro-Kirkby voters would wish to remain close to the city centre, Everton could still opt for the Bestway option whatever the outcome of the ballot. What do others think?
Steve Ryan     Posted 22/08/2007 at 23:14:54   Comments (10)

Lescott for England?

Having just watched the latest England friendly, can somebody tell me why Lescott hasn't recieved a call up as yet? It can't be to do with the lack of Premier League experience seeing as Ricahrds and Shorley started the game. I mean to say...Wes Brown? Surely it is only a matter of time before he makes it to the squad as cover for Terry and Ferdinand at least?
Roy  Harvey     Posted 22/08/2007 at 23:04:05   Comments (21)

Kenwright moving the goal posts ?

In his interview about the stadium debate he says that "if more than 50% or more than 17,500 vote No then we won't be moving to Kirkby". So, what if the vote is 49% No, 5% (spoilt votes), 46% Yes, does this mean we will still be going because the No vote is below 50% ?

Word on the street in Kirkby is that we are moving there one way or another so don't be surprised if the above becomes a reality.
Tommy Coleman     Posted 22/08/2007 at 22:33:59   Comments (16)

Everton Lagos: The case for a feeder team?

This is an idea that I think the club could use to boost their profile in Nigeria, inspired by the relationship Ajax have with Ajax Cape Town which saw Steven Pienaar move to Amsterdam. The reason I've chosen Nigeria is because they love their football and we currently have three Nigerian players in our ranks (Joseph Yobo, Victor Anichebe and Hope Akpan) one of whom is the Super Eagles captain and there is a possibility we will be adding Aiyegbeni Yakubu to that list tomorrow.

The largest city in Nigeria is Lagos. The population is currently around 16M but is expected to be 20M by 2010. They are a footballing city and some of the prospects include Taribo West, Obafemi Martins and our very own Victor Anichebe.

They had a football club last year called Julius Berger FC in the Nigeria Premier League, however the construction company that owns the club is going through hard financial times and in order to stabilise it, they have had to introduce cutbacks, one of which is severing the ties with the football club. The club itself is small and only seats 5,000 people although when in the African Champions League they easily filled a nearby stadium with 45,000. There is a lot of potential for a club in Lagos.

Why can?t Everton take over the 'running' of the club, by this I mean introduce ?brand Everton? to the Lagos people. What this would consist of in its simplest form is for a club name change, the Lagos people are not particularly attached to the club in its present form as it is only for friends and family of people who work for Julius Berger. By naming the team ?Everton Lagos? we would generate interest in the team and has it has ?Lagos? in the name the people would feel their city has an identity with the club. To register a club as a limited liability company with the Corporate Affairs Commission with the name ?Lagos? requires the approval of the state government but I am confident that they would approve it as it would benefit the community by having such an established football club associated with the area.

At this time there are problems in Nigeria as they do not have access to much Premier League football on television due to one of the television companies HiTV messing up the contract and focus may be on their domestic league instead, in which case it is an opportunity that we can not miss. Benefits would include Everton gaining a foothold in the Nigerian market and allow us to keep an eye out for talents for the future (coincidentally, Yakubu was a previously Julius Berger player) and it would cost little to run in the long run.

Some sections say that Nigeria is corrupt and that finding the right person to run the club over there would be difficult but surely Joseph Yobo (who often visits his hometown of Kano to perform charity work), Victor Anichebe (who has family in Lagos) or possibly even Dovecot?s own Hope Akpan would know of somebody who could arrange it and make a good job of it. I would have suggested Amokachi as manager but he has recently took over as manager of Nigeria?s Premier club Enyimba ? incidentally they are known as ?The People?s Elephant!

Thanks for reading.
Louis Platt     Posted 22/08/2007 at 20:56:32   Comments (12)

That Kenwright interview on the OS

Lasts 4 mins 56 seconds. It fleetingly mentions the word Kirkby. Once. After 4 mins 37 seconds. Make of that what you will...
Greg Murphy     Posted 22/08/2007 at 17:53:07   Comments (25)

John Rooney

According to The Express John Rooney is "beginning to cause a stir and has already attracted admiring glances from a number of top clubs". It also says he was released by Everton at 14, is this because we thought he was no good or was it the fall out from Tubby's defection, either way it looks like we should have made an effort to keep him. So possibly thanks to Stretford we've lost 2 good players.
Barry Lightfoot     Posted 22/08/2007 at 17:43:20   Comments (29)

Yakubu and Relief

Before so many of us do that Evertonian thing we do ? you know, how if we fell onto a desert island of supermodels with loose morals, we'd complain about the food options ? why not take a moment to be glad that we've signed a quality striker that can potentially be a difference-maker.

I know that we'll hear that he cost us too much and that he scores, but doesn't score enough, etc. Of course we'll hear that from the same fans who would complain if we didn't buy Yak that we're cheap. Our little FC can't win with the fringe element of bastards who are never happy with anything. But today, I am happy.

I don't know for a fact that it will all work out. But I would venture to say that on paper and by all regular objective standards, our team is better at this moment than it was yesterday. Glad to see us spending and making an effort. I'm relieved until Saturday when we'll have a whole new set of things to worry about. But it will be a great couple days.
Rob Villa     Posted 22/08/2007 at 15:52:57   Comments (21)

Yakubu!!

Just recieved a text message from O2 Everton stating that Middlesbrough have agreed the fee of £11 MIllion, also read on Skysports.com and they have revealed the same information. A lot of money, however I believe it will be a good signing as whenever I play fantasy football I always look out for him and he is alway near the top of the forwards points tally.
Eugene McLoughlin     Posted 22/08/2007 at 14:43:30   Comments (13)

Transfer hold-ups

Once again we as Everton fans become increasingly frustrated with actually how long it seems to take to complete a transfer. I fully understand that these transfers can take time and if it was an isolated incident we could exept it, but it seems every time we are involved with a transfer we have to have Sky Sports news on for a fortnight to see if we have signed a player.
Craig Jones     Posted 22/08/2007 at 14:18:44   Comments (9)

Big Foot?

At this stage of the 'game', this post is purely a comment on something that is now irrelevant but is just annoying me a bit. It's the quoted value of the Kirkby land, £50M, which is consistently included by posters and club, not to mention the finance ?expert? Prof Cannon, as part of the ?magical? £150M valuation of ?our? stadium in Kirkby.

But ? and I?m absolutely sure someone will correct me if I?m wrong ? the way I read it was this is the total value of the whole piece of land ?paid for? by Tesco of which our 'footprint' will be the smallest portion. In other words, if you lived in an apartment block which was valued at £20M it doesn?t mean that, because you own one apartment, yours is worth £20M. In my uneducated opinion, this makes ?our? stadium valuation a lot closer to £100M of which we will contribute around £50M.

That?s it, thanks.
Steve McBride     Posted 22/08/2007 at 11:04:44   Comments (5)

Where do we go from here?

After reading a post by Robert Llyod on how we could use the Tottenham Hotspur approach to team motivation I was interested to note the response of many Evertonians who came out in full blooded support for our manager.

I have to disagree with Robert's suggested use of tact to 'encourage' a manager to improve the team's performance (publicly demand a top 4 finish or else). Although I can empathise with his ultimate desire for Everton to push in to the top 4, to have a cup run, to qualify for and do well in European competition and to continue to develop the squad.

I agree with those who say that Moyesy has done a good job over the last 5 years and that compared with the investment made by other clubs such as Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Tottenham we performing better by comparison. However, what we need to do now is make the next step towards building a sustainable push for honours, season after season.

Yes Davey has dragged us back from the dark days of Walter Smith and we're all grateful for that, but don't forget what went before. Somewhere along the road we let our standards drop and we slowly began to accept what is in effect mediocrity. There is no doubt that the drop in standards has been 'organisation' wide. Look at the stadium fiasco we sit through now; the problems supporters have when trying to phone the club, the lack of trust and suspicion when we are linked with a player deemed 'too good' for Everton. Is it just me or does anyone else think it usually takes us longer than the average club to sign a player? Yes, if we get them in then everyone?s happy, but it?s the whole process that makes us look a bit unprofessional.

I'm not a doom monger and I don't feel I'm being overly critical. I feel that we are potentially on the crest of a wave which could take us places. If we get Fernandes and Yakubu, we will have one hell of a starting line-up and quality options on the bench. Whether we like it or not, we will have Moyes and the Board to thank for that. I just wish I knew what happens next because lingering with the excitement and enthusiasm is a feeling that something bad is going to happen.

So, I ask you to consider those who have called for improvement and progress carefully, as they only want what every other fan wants. The difference may be that they come out and say it with a zeal that some may find unpalatable. Critical analysis and constructive criticism are vital to improve; blind defence of the status quo is reprehensible at any level.
Stan Sheppard     Posted 22/08/2007 at 09:45:34   Comments (25)

Striking questions

Is AJ's 'injury' a cunning trick by Moyesy on the eve of an England game? Will Mark Hughes tell his defenders to kick lumps out of AJ? Would it be an idea to go back in for Nugent if, as seems likely, Redknapp is willing to trade? Is £12M too much for a player who will be missing in January? should we wait? How come it takes Vaughny 3/4 months to get over a shoulder injury (medics anyone?)? Why does big Vic go down in agony at least 5 times in each game? Should we all panic when he does? Is McFadden a striker? Can he be consistent? Will we ever win when Moyesy wears his suit? Is the world round?
Col Wills     Posted 22/08/2007 at 10:35:07   Comments (22)

Redknapp's revolving door

The Yak is priced way over the odds for a hit-and-miss (a lot) player. So maybe Nugent's now worth a punt at around the £4.5M mark, which was Everton's original sticking offer. Remember, after the £7M being bandied about, DN eventually went for an undisclosed fee ? I suspect a lot nearer £4.5M than £7M. Redknapp may simply not fancy him ? his "sign 'em up... sling 'em out" policy at West Ham still has Hammers mates of mine perplexed. Perhaps the lad's suffering from Unsy Syndrome and he's simply homesick. Of the two, I think it's worth the £4.5M risk on DN rather than blow another £8M on top for someone who, I suspect, will simply deliver more frustration to the fans in the stands than goals on the park.
Guy  Pierce     Posted 22/08/2007 at 09:58:06   Comments (19)

Hope for the best, expect the worst...

One thing I've noticed whilst watching Spurs grappling with another potentially disapointing season is this: Apparently both the fans (understandably as they are loyal fans after all) and the Spurs Board EXPECT their team to beat Everton.

Does this not say something about how we are percieved by (according to Sky) the fifth biggest club in the country (I will admit they are probably 3rd or 4th richest)? Does this not say that, despite our relative recent 'success', we are still just another also-ran?

Also, having watched Man City emerge from their grave (thanks to a crook and a manager who is a useless coach but just has a happy knack of putting as many quality players in his teams who can pass and move as he can) it makes me even more depressed at what we have to put up with despite whether we win or not.

If Fernandes and Yakubu join us this week, Moyes will once again have spent quite a bit but I bet Fernandes will spend more time warming the bench along with Baines and Jagielka than on the pitch... and we will still be (apart from Arteta) shocking to watch.
Iain McWilliam     Posted 22/08/2007 at 09:33:26   Comments (11)

Why Everton have not been bought?

Very interesting article in The Guardian today on Man City and why Thaksin bought them (go to ).

According to this, Thaksin preferred Man City because (a) they were relatively cheap (certainly cheaper than Everton's current market price), and (b) "unlike Spurs, Everton or Liverpool, all clubs sweating on difficult stadium moves or expansions, City came with a new 48,000-seat stadium built by the council along with their army of desperately loyal fans".

This certainly could be taken to support Terry Leahy's point that Everton will be MORE likely to attract investment if they go with the Kirkby deal. An argument I have made myself. But I am sure there are other views!
Neil Pearse     Posted 22/08/2007 at 07:27:55   Comments (9)

Nothing but the best?

I'm surprised no-one has commented on the latest goings on with Tottenham and Jol, and Sevilla and Ramos. Of course Spurs are not as big as Everton, are they? Until you read the statment from their chairman Daniel Levy: 'We demand Champions League football by the end of this season. Until then, our manager's job is safe.' John Moores would have understood that. Imagine our chairman Bill giving such an ultimatum?

Quite the opposite, Mr Moyes knows he's safe. More to the point, why are we so obsessed with the transfer window, when nobody talks about management transfers? Sevilla's Ramos has done wonders there (5 trophies in 2 seasons) and Spurs know this only too well.

Much as I admire David Moyes, we're talking about Everton FFS! How about giving a similar ultimatum to our Davy? Also, I'm certain that if someone like Ramos does go to Spurs, we'll be talking about 'the big 5'. And then it'll be official ?Spurs are a bigger club than Everton.
Robert Lloyd     Posted 21/08/2007 at 22:13:57   Comments (28)

Rubbish strikers .... but all heroes. Why?

Easy peasy, I know but an earlier strand was on the subject of lousy strikers. Cadamateri, Paul Wilkinson and Imre Varadi were all nominated and I have no argument with that, but all were heroes in their own way.....

Why? Mars Bar to the winner!
Ray  Robinson     Posted 21/08/2007 at 21:11:27   Comments (23)

Where/What is Everton?

In Washington, a town just West of Sunderland, a Mackem today asked me 'I guess you support Liverpool, then?' to which I responded 'No, I'm a blue', 'Oh' he replied 'Man City eh, top of the table and nine points for you then!'. This reminded me of an ex-girlfriend from Leeds who couldn't understand why I didn't support my 'local team' which she perceived to be Liverpool. She thought Everton was a London team like Arsenal or Chelsea as other cities don't usually have two teams and if they do they usually have the name of the city rather than a suburb. (I'd love to say she didn't last long but she did... shame on me!)

I guess this makes us quite unique, and although I'm an advocate of the 'yes' vote, and have vocally stated my belief that Kirkby is pretty much Liverpool, this little bit of poignancy made me stop and think a bit. Food for thought...
Mark Stone     Posted 21/08/2007 at 18:32:57   Comments (16)

New Signing - but not what we were hoping!

German goalkeeper Stefan Wessels!! Yep - not what I was expecting either. I'm all in favour of strengthening the squad but this was probably the last place in the team we were worried about. We've got him on a free apparently so probably not a bad signing - and lets hope it's the start of a bit more activity over the next 10 days
Andrew Bentley     Posted 21/08/2007 at 15:52:14   Comments (53)

Little too late?? McFadden's the key

For the first time as an Everton supporter, I felt we were heading in the right direction: Jags on board, Pienaar and Baines, good workmanlike players with a touch of class, but neither three are in a position to play straight away. Jags has had a few minutes, Baines is injured, and Pienaar is scrapping for a starting berth

Why on earth hasen't Moyes and the Board invested in two good strikers, a bug-bear for Everton since the eighties? Pretty football without the goals to push on; I would have gambled £8M on Nugent (he will come good, trust me), taken one of two or three from Arsenal on loan (they have an abundance)... but no: let's leave it 'til two weeks before deadline and link us with any Tom Dick and Harry upset at their clubs.

Vagner Love's the latest, im bewilderd and bored of the links. Play McFadden more reguarly please, it may be the answer.
Chris  Keightley     Posted 21/08/2007 at 14:54:04   Comments (13)

The Blame Game

Having logged on and read over a couple of other non-Kirkby articles/posts and especially Tony Marsh's latest piece. I found myself a bit pissed off with Tony for (surprise) his negativity towards absolutely everything blue! But on the other hand I agreed with parts of his Reading game views.

We did look terribly short of ideas, hence the lumping it forward to burn out AJ tactics we adopted & we didn?t look as solid as we have recently at the back, this was probably more down to missing Joey who is even more important to us than ever!

Another thing that was highlighted is the quality of Arteta, the man is simply the best footballer we've had for nearly 20 years, when he plays well the team looks better, players like Leon, Carsley, AJ and Vic look better because of service & space which the little Spaniard creates, but, if he has an off day, ALL of the players mentioned (and more!) look off the pace and bland also, which is the reason Moyesy needs to add more quality to the squad, cos as soon as the other clubs start realising this then who will step up and relieve the pressure???

Example ? If Ronaldo is having a shocker for the Mancs, Fatboy steps up; if he?s off the pace Tevez, then Giggs, Scholes etc etc! This is what we should be aiming for, nothing else. Manny is a great start to addressing this problem but we need more! Anyway got that off my chest. Let's get back to winning ways at Blackburn COYB!!

ps:- what are the chances of an old school unveiling at the match on Saturday, Manny (and maybe the Yak) on before the game in dodgy suits with blue scarves. Love all that, me!!
John Lloyd     Posted 21/08/2007 at 14:31:44   Comments (6)

Strikers

Ok now Johnson is injured and going to be withdrawn from the England squad according to Sky Sports News, Anichebe is supposed to be injured, which leaves us with McFadden up front. God help us.
James  Ainscough     Posted 21/08/2007 at 14:14:58   Comments (23)

Mechanics of the Vote

Couple of questions about the mechanics of the Kirkby vote:

1. What happens if neither camp hit the magical 51%? eg 49% no, 48% yes, 3% undecided unreturned.
2. Does the club have access to the current state of the vote? ie, Do they know if they're winning so far or not?

Some Fun for some down blues

Ok Lads, here's the game. I want the whole squad done by COB today!! The aim is to write a Limerick about each player. I'll get the ball rolling with No.1 Tim Howard. Whoever replies to it goes with No.2 and so on and so on..

There is a young Man called Tim Howard
Whose kickouts are extremely powered
He gives a loud call,
And comes for the ball
And in the box he is no coward!

Now someone do No. 2... Here is the squad numbers link!
Arthur  Hooke     Posted 21/08/2007 at 13:42:10   Comments (43)

What's happening on here?

I used to really enjoy coming onto this site but I must say that my visits are getting less and less. I, like many others, are sick to death of the "Yes"/"No" to Kirkby debate, the constant whinging about Moyes, how crap the team is etc. It's just depressing reading daily - most of the articles being pure speculation or "I think....." with no real fact to them.

Considering it's an Evertonian fans page the red shite would find it more difficult to slag us off. My other moan is why the site never seems to be updated with ancient transfer speculation and really old news items reported on. I think I've fallen into the trap of whinging now ? but there again ? this letter probably won't see the light of day anyway.
Roy  McCue     Posted 21/08/2007 at 12:53:02   Comments (24)

Fernandes deal

Why is everyone moaning about not signing Fernandes? I can assure you he is definitely going to sign. Even if we didn't sign him before the transfer window, the Premier League would let us sign him. Both Liverpool with Maschereano and Chelsea with Ashley Cole where done after the deadline because the deals where arranged before. Does anyone remember the last time we signed Manny on loan? It went right down to the last day because it is a complicated deal.

From what I have heard at this moment in time we part-own him with another party, like Benfica did. We are negotiating with the third party to sell the other half so that we can own him fully. The negativity is getting very annoying. He is in Liverpool and he is training at Bellfield.
Connor  Rohrer     Posted 21/08/2007 at 12:05:37   Comments (13)

Arteta for England?

Anyone know if Arteta has been capped at ALL for Spain, incl under-21 caps? And if so does this mean he cannot play for any other nationality.

Only reason why I'm asking is that once he's played here for 4 consecutive seasons he's eligble to play for England. It worked for Portugal and Deco!

[Probably a bit of a non-entity/mad post; but having seen some of the posts on transfers and the stadium debate I thought I'd throw this one in the hat!]
Carl Wright     Posted 21/08/2007 at 11:53:29   Comments (16)

David Nugent

The reason given why we did not sign Nugent was that Moyes felt he was out of his depth and unproven for £6M pounds. In the Daily Mirror today I read Nugent has been dropped by 'Arry Redknapp as he is out of his depth. Derby are willing to sign him already. How bizarre!!!! This does vindicate Moyes's decision not to sign Nugent, we have already had Brett Angell and Bernie the bolt Wright, Mikael Madar, Mo Johnson, James Beattie and many others who I can't remember who have not justified the Everton No 9 shirt. Also, remember Forsell, who failed a medical... what has he done since?
James Elworthy     Posted 21/08/2007 at 11:52:31   Comments (30)

Transfer Hopes & Fears

Okay, so everyone's gone nuts over the long drawn-out transfer sagas of late but I'm pretty sure both the Yakubu deal and Manny Fernandes can be summed up in fairly short order.

Manny is going to be part-owned by us; we've fronted the money to Benfica for their 50% stake in the player, the other half being owned by a third-party management company. So why is it taking so long? Well, unlike West Ham, Everton have gone through the correct FA and Premier League channels to ensure avoiding a repeat of the controversy surrounding Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano last year. There's nothing sinister going on, just look at how long it took for Tevez to sign for Utd, around 6 weeks I believe. That's not to say it'll take us that long to sign Manny, it just has to be ratified by the FA and the Premier League so that everything's above board and nobody is left with egg on their face. Be patient, we will sign Manny before the end of August.

Yakubu is also pretty straight-forward. Boro don't really want to sell him but he wants to leave and we want to sign him ? therefore, we offered £11M, they said yes, then Pompey and Man City showed an interest so, in light of them shelling out £6M on Mido, they hiked up the price so they could finance their move for Alves (not the full-back). Basically Boro don't care who he signs for, as long as they get as much money for him as possible, now that's business and you can't blame them. They want a bidding war, and it looks like they're going to get one so, unless we up our offer to the alledged £12.5M that's being reported, then I would suggest Man City could get him as they've just lost Bojinov for 5 months due to a knee injury and aren't short of a few bob.

Pompey are his old club so he could be tempted there, but I don't believe he'd want to go back to them, not least cos it's a long way to uproot yourself and your family, but also because he sees us as a more competitive outfit (Uefa Cup etc) plus he's good mates with Yobo so that helps.

I don't think its helpful for us all to be crowing on about the speculation in the media and that this is the true story behind both transfers. Sky Sports News are still not reporting anything about the deal collapsing and it's nowhere to be seen on the Internet either.

Spurs however are lining up Riquelme, unless there's been an embarrassing mistake on the Sky Sports website!
Allan Hobbs     Posted 21/08/2007 at 09:22:05   Comments (23)

I'm Mandy, fly me!

Rewind back to the spring of 1963 and you will find me and a load of like-minded mates outside the paper shop all clustered round the one copy of the News of The World ... On the back page it was all Everton's defeat of Fulham to clinch the League; the front pages contained the, for then, scandals of the Profumo Affair. Being typical grubby-minded schoolboys, this was good stuff, but first, like all true sports fans, we read the paper from the back to the front.

Along with all the other suspects was a certain Miss Mandy Rice-Davies, euphemistically labeled a 'hostess' ? note well those first two letters 'ho' ? it tells you all you need to know.

A big-wig Judge, when asked to comment on his liason with the young Lady, denied all knowledge of it, "it never happened," etc. etc. To which our Lady of negotiable virtue said... "Well, he would say that wouldn't he!"

For 'HO'stess read financial expert... A professor of negotionable opinion??? As for his article... Well, he would say that wouldn't he!
Derek Thomas     Posted 21/08/2007 at 06:45:28   Comments (3)

Bellefield

I read that Bellefield is being redevoloped to accomodate 74 detached houses. Its a 8.9 acre site. One question:

WHY DID NO-ONE CONSIDER BUILDING A STADIUM HERE?

Am I missing something obvious? I know we don't have the money, blah blah, but Why was it not even considered or discussed. Surely its an option? The site is close to the 62 and not far from the 57, only a couple of miles out of town. I know its not central. but surely it must have been an option. Did I miss something here? Or is the reason because we need to sell it to finance the new stadium, and if so would the new stadium fall through if we did not get planning permission. Why would LCC give us permission when we leave them for knowsley?

Any ideas lads?
Steve Ferns     Posted 20/08/2007 at 21:35:11   Comments (15)

C'mon Moyes

Striker shortage, please confirm new recruits. Why are we still waiting for a striker so close to deadline day? It's becoming really frustrating, it's the last link that could be the difference between Champions League football and eighth. Sort it out soon, Moyes.
Chris  Keightley     Posted 20/08/2007 at 19:27:22   Comments (42)

How do we get our point across?

We know the club has got the media on its side. As we have seen in the press, it has not been a level playing field for the anti-kirkby move. And now, to break the camel's back, the club are not allowing any third party [KEIOC] to witness the counting of the ballot. So how do we get our point across? Enough is enough. I believe in a democratic open debate, which this has not been from the start. I've got all of the press headline copies to prove it. I think its time we voiced our concerns on Saturday, because we are not going to heard any other way.
Colin Malone     Posted 20/08/2007 at 18:40:55   Comments (17)

This Fernandes deal

Surely, if Everton have signed this player, it would have been announced, wouldn't it? Surely Moyes needs the fella in training to get him integrated into the team as soon as possible?

I'm not advocating any conspiracy theories, I just don't believe we're willing to meet his personal terms. I don't care if the fella was spotted in Nandos over the weekend claiming he's signed. If he'd signed, Everton would have announced it.

I am petrified at watching a season of Neville and Carsley in centre midfield and I honestly don't think we'll sign anyone else before then end of August.
Alan  Clarke     Posted 20/08/2007 at 18:20:41   Comments (27)

Another one slips the net

Just read that we lost out on Johnson of Man City as the lad came through our youth system. [TribalFootball] So we got rid of Baines, Jaga, Johnson and Barton. Probably more too. Was our youth set up that shite or did these guys develop late?
Gavin Harris     Posted 20/08/2007 at 18:21:25   Comments (8)

Kirkby: Yes or No

I have been supporting Everton for 35 years since my uncle first took me to a match when I was 7. I still remember the smells and sights of that day sitting / standing on a wooden seat in the Bullens Road Stand trying at times to see around a pillar!

Goodison Park is fantastic, old, full of memories for many many Evertonians ? myself included ? but I feel that we have to decide on this vote with our heads not our hearts. It seems to me that the finance for the move to Kirkby is more sensible and practical than any of the other options being proposed at present and I believe it would a big mistake to not vote YES and tell the Board that we are not interested in the move. I say this in the hope that whatever the outcome of this vote the Board will appreciate the depth of feeling within the fans and will at least give the other options a fair appraisal.

I fear that if we vote NO and then the other sites are shown to be non-starters we will be subjecting our ever-improving team to ever-worsening facilities, which will be worse than a move to Kirkby.
Paul Mannix     Posted 20/08/2007 at 18:14:07   Comments (4)

It's a conspiracy

From the Wikipedia website which most have prob heard about...

Recently, Mittal has emerged as a leading contender to buy Barclays Premiership clubs Arsenal, Wigan, Birmingham City and Everton, but has so far refused to comment. On June 25th Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung bought a 29.9% stake in Birmingham City making a full takeover from Mittal increasingly unlikely.[11]

But it was the second comment that caught my interest...

Sources close to the CEO of British supermarket chain Tesco, Terry Leahy, have said the two met in July of 2007 regarding a development in the town of Kirkby, a suburb of Liverpool.

Tesco, Kirkby, Mital influences?
Gareth  Izzard     Posted 20/08/2007 at 17:03:35   Comments (5)

Just three days left...

Just three days left for the club to keep stringing us along with the golden promise of more signings and a shiny new stadium in Kirkby in the hope that we'll vote 'Yes'.

Maybe after Thursday all talk of Fernandes, Yakubu and Vogel will be quietly forgotten with the excuse of "wage demands" or "moon in Taurus" given as the reasons for no incoming signings as we head into September. Then we'll carry on our merry way with a board that has given us a net negative investment in signings this year and a manager who when his back is up against the wall can't show the tactical nous to think himself out of a paper bag.

Still, I suppose we'll have Davey giving his optimistic 40 pt talk throughout the season telling us how Alan Stubbs is a model professional and how Tim Cahill and James Vaughan are like new signings. Then we'll have the usual positive spin coming from the Echo, Doddy and Dutch that can only surely be fuelled by class A drugs. It's so surreal, it's like an episode from The Prisoner.
Mark Wynne     Posted 20/08/2007 at 16:42:11   Comments (20)

Yakubu/Vagner Love

Now that the Yakubu deal is now offically off (according to Sky Sports News), as we won't pay £12M for him.

Everton are supposed to be after Vagner Love, I can't realy see this happening either as we will have to organise the fee, discuss terms, have a medical and secure a work permit in 11 days. Come on, it's Everton; we can't even agree a fee and personal terms within 11 days never mind a long process like this for a Brazilian player. We will have to dream on anyway, there is no chance a Brazilian international is going to join us!!!

Let's just move on to other targets now, otherwise we are really going to struggle for goals this season.
James Ainscough     Posted 20/08/2007 at 16:47:36   Comments (83)

An Open Letter... to James McFadden

Dear James,

Last season you scored, for me, the goal of the season. On Saturday you brilliantly teased the Reading defence and curled a ball with again considered skill which unfortunately hit the bar.

I can forgive you for a career with Everton that so far has been a bit shite because with the skill at your distribution we can all hope you really do become the 'Scottish Rooney'. What I can't forgive you for is against Reading, becomeing the 'Scottish Ronaldo' by taking the biggest, blatantest, cheapest, filthiest cheating dive that any player in a royal blue shirt has taken in seasons.

The integrity of Everton players is something that keeps my head held high when we're playing crap and losing games, and would never expect one of us to stoop so low... or indeed fall flat on their arse. You recieved a yellow card, I'd have given you a slap.

Yours Sincerely,

Nick
Nick  Entwistle     Posted 20/08/2007 at 15:58:08   Comments (6)

Shandy Andy

If you believe this link, then Shandy Andy is pleading with Moyesey and the fans for forgiveness for his latest errors. His reasons are because of his sick daughter, a reason I can sympethise with but I also feel that while I would truly love to see this guy come good, enough is enough.

Surely Moyes is no ogre and they have some sort of sympathy for Andy's girl and they have some sort of plan in place for him to be allowed to be with her, but then again it's not like these guys are working 12-hour days like some of us do.

The time has come now for the guy to be moved on.
John Fowler     Posted 20/08/2007 at 14:06:29   Comments (9)

Shame on you, Bill Kenwright

I have been reading the Everton related messageboards almost every day for as many years as I can remember; I buy and read EFC fanzines; I listen to radio ?phone-in shows on Radio Merseyside and Radio City and occasionally the ?Legends? on Century FM; and of course I talk to other Evertonians on all matters Everton, but I have never felt as deflated and sad as I do now. Peter Johnson, Walter Smith, Late 93-94 season, the Rooney experience, being kicked out of Europe because of ?them?... none of these things made me feel as sad as I feel now, watching Bill Kenwright and Keith Wyness divide us, turn us against each other, and cause us to argue and fight with such venom within our own ranks. I hope we are not poisoned by this.

We are Evertonians, we are better than this.

By the way, I am a shareholder and Season ticket holder, and I have voted No purely on the basis that I cannot trust the people who ?run? my club to make decisions of this magnitude, when they are prepared to do this to us just to benefit themselves.

Shame on you Bill Kenwright.
Steven Flavin     Posted 20/08/2007 at 13:11:44   Comments (31)

Fernandes and the echo

Does Kenwright pay his players to chat rubbish in the Echo so that it can focus the attention on other things, instead of talking about the Fernandes signing which the echo reported more than a week ago? He should be signed within 24 hours? And again, the other day, that the deal was completed? This sort of stuff doesn't fool me and it's really beginning to piss me off, I don't really give one what Stubbs has to say. I just want new faces! 11 days left as well!
James Ainscough     Posted 20/08/2007 at 12:42:45   Comments (45)

Another New Rule

Not only do referees have to give extra protection to Liverpool FC players it now seems that they cannot give any decisions against that club. [BBC]

When you compare the response of the authorities to all those incorrect decisions against AJ last season, this is a disgrace.

It should be an absolute scandal but I'm afraid these days it's just par for the course...
Tony Horne     Posted 20/08/2007 at 12:35:47   Comments (1)

My Name's Earl

It would appear that Bill Kenwright has always courted the friendship and attention of seriously wealthy associates and contacts including Philip Green. However, what has intrugued me most is the investment made by Robert Earl following his acquisition of the Gregg family shares, his subsequent sleeping-partner status for the past six months, recent election to the Everton Board of Directors, and the apparent injection of revenue that appears to have happened in recent weeks.

It would appear that Robert Earl is both a private and non-publicising type of figure, his purchase of Paul Gregg's significant stake in Everton coming with stealth and the approach of a man with business acumen. The official line from Earl has been that he has something to offer Everton with his experience in the leisure and entertainment industry; others have commented on his involvement in the Kirkby project and its endless potential spin-offs. Investing in Premier League football clubs these days seems to be the de rigeur of tycoons, russian ogilarch's and corrupt dissident statesmen. The impending global financial crisis, however, would suggest that the wholesale investment in football is both precarious and unsustainable; my question would be "What's in it for Earl?"

Without expecting any answers from Kenwright, Earl or Everton, my curiousity is based purely on the impact of such a major stakeholder and the impact of his stake on the future direction of the Club. If it means we are likely to see more cash available to David Moyes then this will be welcomed I'm sure by the majority of fans. The thing though for me is: what's in it for Robert Earl?
Peter  Laing     Posted 20/08/2007 at 11:49:16   Comments (8)

Hibberts not good enough

I just hope now after our defeat at Reading, Moyes replaces Hibbert for either Jags or Neville. Although the defence froze slightly (for their goal), and Stubbs should have done better, Hibbert's half hearted challenge could have changed the outcome of the game. I know he's good in the tackle, but every other part of his game is woeful - especially his distribution. I think Mr Moyes should use the Reading game as an excuse to replace both full backs, as Valente had a shocker to. Hopefully against Blackburn the back four will be Jags Yobo Lescott Baines, happy days, come on the Blues.
Mark Culbert     Posted 20/08/2007 at 10:20:44   Comments (20)

Prof.Tom Cannon Open Letter

Whilst he has not always called it right in the past, there seems irrefutable logic to Prof Tom Cannon's Open Letter (on Bluekipper). His reminder that it is the players and fans that create the memories and atmosphere (rather than the physical stadium) strikes me as pertinent. Yes vote in the bag now maybe?
Jason Hagarthy     Posted 20/08/2007 at 02:19:47   Comments (37)

Blues Going Backwards?

Most letters seem to think we are making progress this season - but are we?

The Reading performance from both manager and players was just like last season. No cohesion, long passes, ball in the air too much and no service to the strikers ? one of whom is so lazy and lacking a first touch (or a second, come to think of it) that any new signing would be better.

And last season from the same games against the same opposition we had more points (SEVEN) with more goals scored (6) and less conceded (2). This season we have SIX points, scored 5 and conceded 3. The only thing that is the same as last season is that DM still does not know how to use his subs ? remember Spurs at home last season?

What we need more than a new ground is a new Board/owners with greater business and commercial acumen and a manager with wider experience (especially in Europe). And we must not move out of the City ? that would be a disaster at some future point.
Keith  Park     Posted 20/08/2007 at 00:05:51   Comments (7)

Lancashire / Greater Liverpool

I have really enjoyed reading all the pros and cons of the move to Kirkby and how it is out of the city because of boundary changes of the 1970s. When that happened way back then, as a 15-year-old, I was a bit confused as to why they called the Manchester area Greater Manchester and they called our neck of the woods Merseyside. Now being a dyed-in-the-wool St Helener, I couldn?t for the life of me grasp why we wasn?t called Greater Liverpool.

I know a lot of my friends didn?t want to be called scousers and they put Lancashire on their addresses for years and some still do. I heard arguments rage in the pubs and clubs years later of how we should have stayed in Lancashire and we should have remained the great historic county. I myself have an affinity for Liverpool because it is my nearest city and I often visited there in the late sixties to spend my wages off the milk round. Me and my mates used to catch the 320 to the Silver Blades ice rink and we would fall on our arses every time we went on the ice. Used to be great though, when a nice-looking girl would hold on to us and guide us round the ice; was worth the fall.

My point in this tale of yesteryear is: what would have happened to the Kirkby vote if, all those years ago, we had stayed Lancashire or had gone to be called Grater Liverpool? Would the arguments still rage or would they be a little more tempered or even heralded as a great move? Would Kirkby be Liverpool? (I think it would.) I have to say for many, many years I thought it was Liverpool and really I think it is.

I honestly believe in my heart of hearts we will have to put up with a lot of shit form them across the park or over the motorway if we move. But I don?t think it will be too long before the whole area will become under the auspices of the Liverpool region. No doubt you have picked up which way my vote is going. But when it is all over we are still Evertonians. We were before and we will be again. Whatever happens, remember you?re a blue and follow the team. Once a Blue always a Blue. Blues are born not manufactured ? all of that makes you special.
Mick MacNulty     Posted 19/08/2007 at 22:09:56   Comments (4)

Reading away

Before I start I want to be perfectly clear that I think David Moyes is doing a good job as manager and I think the club is most definitely moving in the right direction (on the pitch). I just wish to make an observation or two on why we didn't get anything out of what was a tricky away fixture against a well-drilled, but far from exceptional team.

Wednesday 15 August and at half-time Chelsea are 1-0 down to Reading with the home team good value for their lead. Their manager sensing an upset uses his last two substitutions and his team go on to win the match 2-1, albeit with the help of Reading being reduced to 10 men in the 72nd minute.

Saturday 18 August and Everton find themselves in a similar position at half-time yet the manager only makes a change in the 57th minute when forced to because of an injury to Anichebe. James McFadden would follow in the 66th and Jagielka in the 89th. Everton go on to hit the post bust lose the game 1-0.

Now, not for 1 minute am I suggesting that we have the squad Chelsea have or that I wish Jose Morinho was manager. Instead, I question the reason why we have players on the bench who can make an impact (McFadden, Pienaar) if we are not going to use them when we need to change our approach to a given situation?

By all accounts McFadden played well when he came on and created our best chance; perhaps if he had been given more time he could have got the goal we needed to earn a draw. The Tottenham performance was superb (even though some still weren?t happy!) and I am sure Moyes rightly feels loyalty towards those who have done well for him in the past, but isn?t the point in having a squad and a subs bench that if the formation/tactics need changed you have the tools at your disposal to do so?

I?m optimistic about our team and I feel we are on the verge of having a really good side, especially if we get Fernandes and Yakubu in. I don?t mean to harp on but I am frustrated that we are so close and yet so far, as ? although we are progressing ? old frailties continue haunt us. COYB!!!!!!!
Stan Sheppard     Posted 19/08/2007 at 19:18:36   Comments (10)

Any legal experts out there?

Can Everton terminate Andy van der Meyde's employment due to breach of contract after suitable warnings? If not, why not?
Ray  Robinson     Posted 19/08/2007 at 19:29:27   Comments (12)

Two points

First, the match yesterday. 3 points there for the taking and we came away with nothing. Having watched the highlights, we were unlucky not to come away with a draw but we really should've played them off the park. I don't accept this philosophy of "lets forget it; win some, lose some" (nothing personal, Dutch) ? if we're looking to improve on 6th place in the Premier League then games like these are games we should be winning.

Secondly, some people have questioned the money we will hopefully be spending on Fernandes and Yakubu. I agree it's a lot of cash but in the current market I think it's good value. Consider this: if Koumas goes for £5.3M and Richardson goes for £5.5M (I still chuckle!), then a 21-year-old Fernandes is definitely worth £8-9M in my opinion.

As for Yakubu, while I'm not 100% convinced he's the striker to bring us to the next level, in terms of Premier League goals in the past 3 seasons, he's second only to Henry. Ok so that may have something to do with the transfer merry-go-round and not too many top strikers hanging around for 3 seasons in a row, but it's still an impressive statistic. He's 24, has a proven scoring record and has the talent and skill to score a goal out of nothing.

He's considered to be lazy ? my view is that he is definitely lazy at Boro, but he wasn't lazy under Harry Redknapp at Pompey so maybe Moyes can bring out the best in him. Anyway, Anichebe showed yesterday that, although he will hopefully be one for the future, we BADLY need another striker while Vaughan is out. Hopefully we get Yakubu and Manny in before next Saturday.
Robin Byrne     Posted 19/08/2007 at 18:32:41   Comments (0)

No to the Kirkby Gamble

The gamble of moving to Kirkby is too big a risk in many ways but the erosion of our future support is the biggest worry and the 'Yes' voters need to ask themselves why Liverpool FC said they would move no further than Stanley Park and why nearly every Liverpool supporter wants us to move to Kirkby. The answer is simple: LFC were not prepared to gamble with their support (even with all their out-of-town support) and kopites know the benefits of staying are all theirs if we move.

Maybe if we move to Kirkby we will be able to attract more finance but this is no guarantee for success ? especially when every other club seems to be attracting more finance now. But, because we are a two-club city, we would actually need to be as successful as LFC to maintain our future support (and I have known plenty of switchers in my time!). By staying at Goodison and/or in Liverpool, we know we can attract 40,000 but, if we move to Kirkby and we are not competing with LFC on the field, this could well dwindle.

The Yes voters need to realise that the likes of Tony Marsh, myself and other 'No' voters have no agenda. We love Everton Football Club and are pretty sure a move away from Goodison Park and the City of Liverpool is too much of a gamble for our club to take.

We genuinely care about Everton whereas people like Wyness, Moyes and others are saying what they are required to say. And when they are long gone, we the supporters will be still be here picking up the pieces if the move proves a disaster. If we do move, it should not be a gamble and it should not be because of so-called promises. Sell Goodison and then we'll help you. What sort of deal is that. No other business going would sell their main asset and then see what happens. And Kenwright's judgement has been suspect in the past. That's why it has to be a NO. And there should be no move if the vote is split. Everyone should be united on the right move!
Ged Dwyer     Posted 19/08/2007 at 15:57:35   Comments (21)

Parity

Three games in... how do we look at the six points? Is it a triumph? Four points ahead of the current champs, Man Utd! Or so-so... just behind Wigan on goal difference and three full points behind Sven's lot!

I was hoping for 10 points ahead of the Bolton game so that's now impossible but what went wrong yesterday? We lost a hard game to a team that is similarly stuffy to Everton of 2006-07 but with one important difference: Reading has a much more intelligent manager in Coppell than we have in Moyes. Anybody who saw Reading hold Man Utd easily at Old Trafford to 0-0 knew there would not be many chances for either side yesterday and neither keeper had a single save to make! Two Everton defenders contributed to the same bad mistake that led to the goal and neither will be in Moyes's first picks soon.

McFadden was unlucky with a chip that set up an easy chance for AJ but both shots came back off the post. We were just that much off stealing a point in a weekend that will be more important for signings if rumours of the arrival of Fernandes and Yakubu are true. Saturday was no disaster but it is the kind of game that we will need to win if we are to push on.

Fourteeen Premier League teams finished under Everton last season and when we play these teams at Goodison this time there will be 52 points available before we even think about away games or matches with the top 4/5 clubs from last time. The message ? same as it ever was ? win your home games and take what you can on your trips!

We have a better side than last time and if we can avoid the distraction of cup ties (no problem for the Blues in recent years, sadly), there is no reason we cannot finish high in a Premier League where an awful lot of teams are set to draw with each other week-in, week-out.

An interesting week ahead for Everton ? with rumours of players in and out ? and a big chance for the new men already signed to make an instant mark in a hard TV game against Blackburn. Like it or lump it, Moyes will always be conservative; that's how he is. Don't look for fantastic set-pieces or even throw-ins to our own players (totally agree with Michael Kenrick on that) but Moyes is certainly a solid if stodgy coach who loves good defence!

This Everton squad looks sloppy in its coaching on all the set-piece work where a smarter man like Coppell quietly takes care of these things. No matter; three points on Saturday and we are right back in the mix!
Glen Strachan     Posted 19/08/2007 at 15:59:40   Comments (4)

Hitch in Fernandes Deal?

Just wondering if anybody has looked at the post match interview that David Moyes gave to Everton TV?

After the general questions about the game, he gets asked how the Ferdandes medical is going and flat turns round and says he only wants to talk about the game. It definately gave me the feeling that all was not well???
Terry Maddock     Posted 19/08/2007 at 15:44:18   Comments (19)

Jimmy McFadden

Reading that Anichebe's injury not being bad was a relief today but at the same time I've got to say I want to see McFadden get some starts. I saw the recent stats comparing Yak to our strikers on Skysports and Faddy's numbers were not good but he really never is given many starts as a striker. This seems like a Beattie excuse all too familiar but the thing was last season Beattie had chances and Faddy really didn't. They both really flourished in the second half of the 05-06 season and that was because they were playing. I don't really expect Jimmy to get any games if Yak comes in but I think if he did he'd make us proud.
Joey Brown     Posted 19/08/2007 at 15:39:59   Comments (9)

Blame Canada!

I recently came across this video of a 9-year=old English kid living in Canada: http://www.youtube.com/v/0IhmJmpWD0E

He plays for Ottawa South United which is governed by the Ontario Soccer Association - we apparently have a deal with them with regards to teaching them training techniques and promoting 'brand Everton' out there. I believe his name his Elliot Simmons but I am not 100% on the surname. The website for the team is www.osu.ca

Maybe Ray Hall and the Academy staff will have a look at him next week when they are in Canada filming the 'Soccer Dreams' reality show?
Harry Horne     Posted 19/08/2007 at 15:09:14   Comments (0)

Possession

I didn't see the game unfortunately but have been looking at the stats and reports I've noticed an inconsistency.

The concensus is that we did not retain possession but game stats show we had approximately 49% which is actually quite a lot for an away side. Is it that all our possession was in our half or some other reason for the reports?

Seeing my first game of the season next week so hopefully we'll have improved by then!
Rob  Heaton     Posted 19/08/2007 at 13:00:37   Comments (1)

Throw-ins

It is strange that pundits make no mention of how weak we are at throw-ins. Other teams get first to the ball from most of our throws and most of their own.
Dick  Fearon     Posted 19/08/2007 at 10:21:12   Comments (8)

News from the front

Here?s a little pick-me-up vignette for a gentle Sunday. A close mate of mine (a ?yes? voter ? and guess what? we still speak, shock horror, even though I?m a ?no?) went to a wedding last night. Like many ?dos? up and down the UK, it can?t be deemed a proper shebang unless the DJ slings on ?New York, New York? at the end to signal just how classy the whole affair really has been. Half-way through the dirge in question, said mate, sat with his back to the dance floor, was more than a little curious as to why the people facing him were creased with laughter. Something was clearly happening on the dance floor. And his correct instinct, as he swivelled round, was that he was the butt of the gag.

As he turned, he realised just where ?Ol Blue Eyes? was up to. Cue: ?Theeeeeeeese liiiddle towwwwwwn Blues, arrrrre longging to stray? (cue assorted reds on the dance floor pointing with glee to those around the gaff whom they knew to be Blue). And in true scouse divas? fashion, never being able to let a beat go by without filling in with some compensatory lyric (think ?itchycoo, itchycoo? to wile away the epochs between Deano?s words in ?Little Old Wine Drinker Me?), they interspersed the bit between ?theeeese liddle towwwn Blues? with a wrong-bra-sized-knees-uppin ?Keeerby town, Keerby town, Keeerby town?.

And before you knew it, the Blue touch paper was well and truly lit in little bush fires all over the speakeasy and the action swung from downtown Manhattan to Copacabana in a ?and then the punches flew and chairs were smashed in two? type way. Nice.

Sheepish mate, who fled to the khazis, spoke to the DJ later. ?Jernow,? he said, ?I stopped playing YNWA years ago ? and no-one ever had Z-Cars anyway ? but I hadn?t realised that I could now cause murder playing this... I?ve been playing it for years.? There were no reports, I could gather, that any Blues were in-fighting. All were said to have voted ?no?.

The red-weeds? ?Little town Blues? refrain, coupled with some nice things about what they?re gonna do to Jose Mourinho later today, was said to have continued all the way to their taxis / meat wagons, depending on whether Her Majesty was offering them a bed for the night.

Friends, I merely offer you this morsel, without distortion, for you to make of it what you will. A new era has begun... Roll-on the friendly Derby.
Greg Murphy     Posted 19/08/2007 at 10:08:44   Comments (5)

Anger

Judging by my own reaction, and the tone of many of the responses to posts on yesterday's game, anger really seemed to be the order of the day. I have felt disappointment, depression and God knows frustration over the last couple of seasons after games but yesterday's result made me really really angry. Once I had calmed down a litle I tried to figure out why anger, instead of the usual negative emotions.

Expectations have been raised several times over the last few seasons, be it through new signings, a couple of good results based on playing style or a good league finish. The new signings haven't always worked, we return to hoofball after one good performance or we finish in the bottom five the following season after a good finish. But the team, and Moyes, always seemed to learn something from this.

As fans, we tried to stay positive too and would try to see that something had been learned, that there was an overall improvement. And in general, there has been an improvement of some description in the team by a season's end. There has been something that balances out the frustration and justifies our positivity.

This season, there were the usual expectations coming into the first game. Two of the new signings, in Jagielka and Baines, had established track records in the Premier League. The best players from last season were still at the club. Moyes had learned from the Spurs game last season and we could expect a better style of play, a better selection of players for each game.

After the first two games, while not completely happy, the new expectations seemed somewhat justified. Pienaar and Jagielka were getting some game-time, we were playing well enough and were scoring goals into the bargain.

Then came yesterday's game, and the worst of our complaints from the last couple of seasons were there for all to see. An insipid display, poor tactics, ridiculous substitions. A decent team, but one that we more than had the quality to beat, was still able to take all three points off us. And this for me is the reason for my anger.

The positives are there for people to see, we all know that, but unfortunately so are serious negatives that should long be gone. And that is the reason for anger. A very simple obvious reason but one that is very serious nonetheless.

Now, before you say it, I am not asking for Moyes's head; I am not predicting relegation and ruin. In a perverse way, my level of expectation for the season is still high, seeing as we are only three games in. But the negatives could well negate so much of the good work we do over the season that I fear genuine progress, serious progress that is within touching distance, will not be made. And this, in my mind is the source of the anger yesterday.
Kieran Fitzgerald     Posted 19/08/2007 at 08:13:48   Comments (3)

2 steps forward 1 step back?

I turn up to our Over-35s game (lost 3-2, our keeper had a 'Wright' poor game) proudly wearing the shirt to fly the flag for the top-of-the-league Blue Boys and cop plenty of banter from ex-pats and locals alike, who all, for a variety of reasons, hold various degrees of affiliation for English clubs. The Spurs excuse was that 'we had 6 out injured'(??) and other views were that the league doesn't get going 'til October when all the early sprinters fall off the pace. I for my part said that I would settle for a draw and there-in lies the problem. A potential 7 pts from 3 games, 2 of them away... surely that's a fair return? No-one can say that I am embracing mediocrity, can they?

The mind, as mine and others no doubt will, goes off on flights of fancy: maybe we'll keep on keeping on and go 9 games without a loss a la 1969-70. In fact, it swings all over the place, back to 84-85 when we lost the first 2 games and went on to win the league in a 42 game seasom with 5 games to spare... hope for Spurs yet then!!

I really thought that Tuesday's result was the way the Feb result should have gone and that Moyes has learned the lesson and turned the corner and that maybe Dutch has a point with his win some lose some. It's all very well going with 'plan A'... keep it tight and try and pinch one, but it seems that it is all too easy for Davie to fall off the joined-up football, play to win and not just 'not to lose' wagon.

Am I being too harsh? Over-reacting? Get a grip man: it's only 3 games into the season. I have, by enlarge, been a Moyes fan, never a blind can-do-no-wrong apologista mind, but mindful of his faults.

The game versus Blakburn now as an added presure to it (don't they all nowadays?)... Should Manny and Yakubu ever turn up and be fit to play, that makes five new players to fit in. There then comes the hardish task of finding and blending in the best 11, not easy. Lineker, Sharp and Heath played musical chairs for the first 8 or 10 games, that blending-in period cost us the league in lost points that proved costly at the end...

Although I could, just, manage finishing 2nd this season, due to a less than fruitful bedding in period, though not to those redshites!!
Derek Thomas     Posted 19/08/2007 at 06:38:59   Comments (1)

Midfield At Reading

Anybody else concerned with the midfield performance? At best it was average.

A couple of thoughts: we really need some width to provide us with other options; Seol and the excellent Hunt showed why. Why is there is no talk of us buying a winger?

Arteta for once wasn't firing on all cylinders, and as we know there was no one to step up and take on the creative role. This just underlines the fact that we need more flair in the midfield, if/when Fernandes arrives that will be the real test. Not how well he plays when Arteta is playing well, but how well he plays when Arteta is rested or having an off day.

Let's hope Manny signs soon and proves to be the player who can stand in for Arteta. COYB!
Steve Parry     Posted 19/08/2007 at 03:45:57   Comments (2)

Don't build your hopes up on Manny.

I've seen Manny play while on loan, and to cut to the chase, the lad has skill and vision but no engine. If Moyes can improve that side of his game, it will be a massive plus. If not, we will see a bit-part player that is only good when we are on top, ie Gravesen.

Before you have a go, I've been watching the Blues for forty-odd years and I've seen the Rodney Marshes, Stan Bowles, Duncan Mackenzies and they were idols with great skill but won nothing. I could go on, but let's look at Everton in the Eighties, I will never forget that side, every player worked their socks off. So yes we need Manny with his skill and vision and we also need him for 90 minutes.
Colin  Malone     Posted 18/08/2007 at 22:44:28   Comments (12)

Moyes debate

Today's game left me scratching my head about DM's coaching. Surely he knew in advance that Reading have two wide men in Hunt and Seoul who are quite skilful and dangerous but the two Everton full backs were far too often miles away in the first half allowing those two to create too much pressure on Everton. That Reading scored when they did was no shock and as usual when Everton concede first they rarely win. One more criticism ? does he coach the rest of the team to play the high balls in to diminutve Johnson for some wierd reason?
Tom Bowers     Posted 18/08/2007 at 20:30:01   Comments (19)

Where's Our Manny?

Let's all try and forget the Reading loss for the moment: win some lose some. What's more important is Manuel Fernandes. Yesterday, Moyes said that in 24 hours he expected Fernandes to be an Everton player. Well, 24 hours has long gone and, surprise, surprise ? no announcement of Fernandes signing.

After spending so long setting up this deal, I really hope Everton don't go and blow it at the last hurdle. The Reading defeat was annoying but Fernandes could be one of the most important signings Moyes has ever made. What's going on, eh, Moyes?
Dutch Schaffaer     Posted 18/08/2007 at 20:19:01   Comments (10)

What a waste

Three points to be had at Reading and the opportunity spurned, some points worth mentioning:

a) Hibbert is diabolical at passing and the sooner he is replaced with Jagielka the better. Add Valente to that list of players that need displacing from the first team for lack of quality ? Baines and Jagielka in now please. Stop pissing about, Moyes. You've bought quality, play them, you twat!

b) The side rely too much on Arteta for an outlet/creativity; if he is off-form then there is no-one to step up to the plate. Cue Fernandes but it should have been Pienaar on today from the start.

c) Late fucking subs again ? does Moyes ever learn? Bringing on substitutions half way through the second half is TOO LATE. Jagielka on with minutes left??? This a fucking joke. The side should have been changed at the beginning of the second half in an effort to put right a line-up that was far too defensive for a game against Reading.

d) Take £4M for Neville. We don't need Carsley and Neville in the same side ? it is too restrictive in allowing us to go forward.

e) Stop being conservative Mr Moyes (Aggghhhh - it's so fucking annoying). Reading are shit and were there for the taking today today. Change the set-up to beat crap sides. Jagielka, Pienaar and perhaps even Baines should have been right in from the off today.

To me, what was gloriously achieved at Spurs is nullified by a no-show today. This is not a knee-jerk reaction, this is a repeat of the points that have been mentioned ad nauseam over recent seasons. For fuck's sake, change the script!!!
Anthony Newell     Posted 18/08/2007 at 16:53:07   Comments (45)

Must do Better

Well, I know the Editor, Mr Kenrick, got royally slammed by the wise ones for daring to agree with one contributor that Everton could have done better in the second half against Spurs, but sadly it was all those failings he pointed out that came home to roost at the Madjeski and set up the Blues for today's dispiriting defeat.

Retaining possession has to be what Moyes works on next. A solid defence is all well and good... until it is penetrated. And then you have to go out and attack, you have to win the ball (which we did), you have to retain the ball (which we started to do in the last quarter), you have to use the ball intelligently and with guile (which we showed a few signs of doing, but too little too late), and you have to have the required degree of ruthlessness ? especially Johnson ? which he so clearly lacks.

Sorry, but it's gonna be a long hard season, I'm afraid.
Paul Hardcastle     Posted 18/08/2007 at 16:57:03   Comments (34)

Everton's No-Stars

There's an interesting quote from Lee Carsley on the BBC football site today, where he states that "There are no massive stars around ? we just have a lot of good players." This confirms what I have been thinking for a while now, which is just how much team spirit and "togetherness" can contribute to a team's performance.

I think David Moyes has created a stable, friendly working atmosphere at the club, and Carsley's quote reminded me of the tag that the championship-winning team of the 80s earned. It just feels good that, in this era of money, media and celebrity, our club are functioning in an earnest, traditional fashion, and making good progress.
Matt Kassell     Posted 18/08/2007 at 12:45:15   Comments (7)

Last Call for City Center

A lot has been written in the last 10 months on the move and much is still to be uncovered by the club after the vote has closed. I have never trusted the club from the outset on this project... too many vested interests have been at the center of this project. The money trail will eventually stop at the doorstop of those who stand to most profit from this exercise and that will be the custodians and hidden benefactors of our club.

The drip drip feed of the release of the Kirkby plans has only further complicated the situation and in the end, once all the Yes and No voters have seen the full and true plans in broad-daylight, then one feeling will rise up like no other and shout... Conned!

It will be like being blindfolded and taken for a long ride outside of your city and dropped off the back of a bus in the middle of nowhere. A quick check around and the first sign that the familiar Liverpool skyline is nowhere in sight, except for Tesco carrier bags drifting like tumbleweed across a vast retail park. Welcome to the "me too" strip mall, shopping trolleys, shoppers fighting for car park spaces and the wife & kids who set about their battle plans for their weekly shop.

Apparently there will be a football ground somewhere in this shopping jungle and maybe a plastic pub full of Tesco shoppers tired from their weekly shop. Oh, but hang on, must not forget, I have to pick up the wife & kids and the Tesco shopping after the final whistle and then spend an hour or two crawling out of the car park to the edge of retail park.

STOP right there! I don't need a vote on this because every blue cell in my body tells me that this is wrong and I should be somewhere else except this place.

Enjoy Kirkby, really.... but I will be in one of the many cracking city center pubs, watching the game and laughing my ass off at the reds fans with my wife and her Tesco shopping trolley fooking miles away. We all have to make choices and this one was the easiest choice I ever had to make.
John Cribb     Posted 18/08/2007 at 10:27:34   Comments (25)

I voted yes

This is not a factual arguement for the pros and cons of the vote, this is purely my feelings of why I voted Yes. I suspect that many people will have exactly the same feelings.

I have been going to Goodison Park for nearly 50 years, firstly with my father and now latterly as a season ticket holder with my son and daughter. My very first memories of Goodison were of standing on the Street end next to the old boys pen with my father, uncle and their friends. In those days and even now I feel it a privilege to go. I have visted many other grounds since, but they never have the same feel as Goodison. I know from the letters, articles etc, you see on this website and other sites on the internet that many many people have the same memories and feelings for Goodison.

As soon as the ballot was announced my immediate thought was I will vote No. Why No? Ffor many reasons, not least the memories but also the feeling of moving from Liverpool. Although born in Liverpool, I left the city when I was three and now live 40 miles away, but I still have a strong attachment to the city. However, over the weeks, I have, like all Evertonians spent many hours debating with myself the pros and cons of the prospective move out of the city.

In the end I decided to vote Yes. The reasons being that life moves on. The football world has changed beyond all recognition even from the 80's when Everton had a very strong team. Everton as a club have effectively stood still since even before the Kings Dock project fell through. It is sad to say that money rules this game that we all love, it is a fact and however much we would like to go back to the old days, it is not going to happen. Standing still as we have done for these last five to ten years is no longer an option. We would all love to stay at Goodison, but we can all see that the cost, time and disruption of developing the ground will last for many years, in other words, more years of just standing still. The other schemes are just pie in the sky.

Some may say that the new ground will not have the same feel as Goodison. However, my experience of Everton fans and their knowledge and passion for football makes me feel absolutely certain that, if and when we move, the new ground will soon be a proper football ground with a renewed atmosphere, new memories and new victories and hopefully championships and cups to celebrate.

I will not argue with the "no" voters, they have their opinion and we must respect that opinion. But for me, I have already cast my Yes vote.
David Owens     Posted 18/08/2007 at 09:23:01   Comments (0)

The pulse is racing..

It is now nailed-on that Yakubu and Fernandes will be wearing blue shirts very soon. So what sort of squad has David Moyes put together?

Without a question of a doubt it is the best set of players we've had since the glory days of the mid-eighties. I'm not making any silly forecasts of winning the Premier League but I'd be disappointed if we finished 4th. The blend of experience and youthful talent coupled with the sublime skills of Mikel Arteta will make us a force to be reckoned with.
Col Nolan     Posted 17/08/2007 at 22:25:52   Comments (42)

This is progress

If anyone is in doubt about how far we've come in recent times, have a look at this link on the Blue Room One of the more intelligent posts on the BR but seemingly provoked no reaction.
Ray  Robinson     Posted 17/08/2007 at 21:38:04   Comments (8)

For fook's sake

I really feel that the LOOP site is being overlooked. The official website is now claiming that it is waaay too small... Surely in this day and age of engineering that is a very bold comment? But of course the the Loop is just a fly in the ointment to the club in the present state with all that "funding" that is available for Kirby Town, which is basically what we are being told will be "delivered".

Of course there are no figures that match any semblence of good accounting from the Club (WHY?) but surely it is worth looking into. All you fans who say "but we must move now"... well, hold on for a second (week, month... club parlence)

Of course we need a drastic change of ground, no-one is in dispute of that. But to go along with the club's "No plan..." is tantamount to negliglence to you and all us other fans. The fact that there is no 'Plan B' is quite catergorically indefencible.

I know you are going to come back at me and say well there is not an option. MY POINT IS VERY SIMPLE; a club of Everton's stature and all that we are should never, ever think, even for one milisecond, that moving to Kirby is the right move.

Again "But we have no choice"?? Why?? We should have a fucking choice and anyone not demanding or expecting one should maybe think WHY we don't have one. Your emotions are maybe being torn because of the club's propaganda. Really, funding's fucked, we know. But what's the fucking rush out of Goodison? OK, we are not making enough money and of course we really need to address that. BUT AT WHAT COST...?

Moyes is surprising us more and more and my bet is that this season will give everyone a surprise, but I would say that, being an Everton fan. Somewhat dislodged out in the Far East. It's not worth it.

Yes, where is the funding proposition for the Loop? Same place as Kirkby Town's I would guess? Nowhere... The People's Club's chairman has not uttered one word... One word on the matter in months... This is the man who is bascially in charge of our club, which to me, is just as pathetic as the The People's Club's mantra. The lack of information or anything remotely transparent as Bill's multi-transparent dream coat is... you get my point.

A FUCKING UTTER DISGRACE AND A COMPLETE INSULT TO ANYONE WITH AN INTELIGENCE TO FEEL ONE.
Gary Russell     Posted 17/08/2007 at 19:38:59   Comments (5)

Lescott for England...or not!

Now I am no England fan but can someone please tell me how Stuart Taylor gets picked for England ahead of Joleon Lescott? WTF is that all about?
Richard Williams     Posted 17/08/2007 at 20:19:08   Comments (15)

David Conn Article in the Guardian

This article hits the nail right on the head when he informs us that Tesco will be making an estimated £1m a WEEK from their proposed store in Kirkby. Without Everton they simply wouldn't get planning permission to build such a large supermarket. No wonder Sir Terry Leahy is so keen on the move.
John  Crawley     Posted 17/08/2007 at 20:04:28   Comments (15)

Man Utd do us a favour?

Football is frequently a funnier business these days than ever before (for funny read dubious). I was interested in the post the other day about the Lucho Gonzalez bid being a stalking horse to the benefit of MSI, thus smoothing the way for us to acquire Manny Fernandes. That theory makes a great deal of sense; Moyes likes proven players not speculative punts, so why would he ignore Manny whom he knows and can slot straight in, in favour of a player who is very talented but untried in this country?

With the Fernandes transfer almost complete, another thought occured to me. Our close current relationship with Man Utd seems to have attracted a lot of criticism (maybe it smacks too much of Bush & Blair!!), but I wonder if, behind the scenes, Man Utd may have just done us a big favour. Here's why:

We all know the Tevez transfer from West Ham to Man Utd has been incredibly complex, time-consuming and costly. It has taken months to sort out, even for Maurice Watkins, the Man Utd director who is reputed to be the finest legal mind in the country on transfer law. Having completed that deal, the Fernandes transfer has been relatively quick and straightforward, seemingly, completed in under two weeks.

With our finances as they are, I'm not sure that we are buying Manny outright at this point (as Man Utd have not bought Tevez). Instead, the various legal loopholes have been circumnavigated in such a way to allow Man Utd to acquire Tevez for a certain amount at this point and then complete the deal later for a further fee. Does this not sound like the way Everton like to do business recently?? (ie, you don't need £5M to buy a £5M player ? the classic BK soundbite).

The BBC certainly think so, claiming Everton 'are only buying 50% of the player from Benfica, with third party companies owning the rest ? however, they will have an option to buy out the rest of the player after a fixed period.'

So, if Everton are managing to complete this deal in the same way, I very much doubt its Bully's business acumen that has figured this out so quickly. More likely BK has rung David Gill and the necessary info has been passed across to allow us to follow the exact same path as Man Utd have and in time to get Manny now.

We may not have liked the Rooney transfer and had suspicions that the deals for Phil Neville and Tim Howard had strings attached. But one thing is certain, that 99% of Evertonians are delighted at Manny's capture in this transfer window and I suspect we might just need to thank our friendship with Man Utd for that.

Just a theory!
Tom Hadley     Posted 17/08/2007 at 19:37:42   Comments (3)

Yak on way

Yak has been left out of Boro's squad to face Fullham. With Mido now in Boro are willing to sell. Boro want a couple of proven players especialy in midfield and at the back to cover fot Huths injury, and the £4 million they make from buying Mido and selling Yak deals will go to fund this. Sky Sports has it that Yak is out of their squad for Saterdays game.
Mark Perry     Posted 17/08/2007 at 17:07:55   Comments (47)

Andy Van Der Meyde

Would it be possible to sack Andy Van Der Meyde... and how does David Moyes go about doing it?
Jason Broome     Posted 17/08/2007 at 16:55:13   Comments (46)

Analyst trashes the Loop ?

The board, via their organ has produced an ?analyst? who rubbishes the Loop proposal and then ends with a tag line supporting the Kirby project.

The guy is a stadium car park analyst he is NOT an architect and without seeing the plans he is ill-placed to pass comment. Of course, the analyst lists, on his web site, one of their projects as the relocation of Everton FC to Kirby, so his opinions are NOT exactly unbiased.

This is NOT a feasibility analysis it?s a biased view. I?m sure if Bestway were to engage his services he?d find a way of making it fit.

The club should welcome alternatives and should wait until plans are revealed before getting the car park advisor in to pass comment.
Bootle Blue     Posted 17/08/2007 at 15:34:47   Comments (45)

England Squad

I see that as well as there being no room for Arteta in the Spain squad there is also no room for Lescott in the England squad. This is despite there being room for Wes Brown and Steven Taylor. He can play centre back and left back and has been consistent from the moment he put on a blue shirt. I shouldn?t be surprised as McClaren is a nutsack anyway.
Stan Sheppard     Posted 17/08/2007 at 15:21:57   Comments (14)

Radio Ga Ga

Anyone know where to find internet radio coverage of Everton (without the EFC fee)? Radio city had coverage last week but not internet rights, and BBC Radio Merseyside were no joy either.
Nick Entwistle     Posted 17/08/2007 at 14:29:53   Comments (10)

Anyone remember..

Hmmm... anyone remember the last time we opened with three victories on the bounce?

I think I do. As an innocent and impressionable 14-year-old I distinctly remember tuning in to a barely audible Five Live (in Ireland it's always barely audible!) to hear Stuart Hall wax lyrical as the Toffees blew Sheffield United away with the help of a Tony Cottee hat-trick.

Did we qualify for Europe that season? I can't remember!
Jeremy Sweetnam     Posted 17/08/2007 at 14:17:06   Comments (11)

Where did the money come from?

Where did Buster suddenly get £19 million from?

A few weeks ago while we were haggling over buying Jags and Baines, it appeared that we didn't have a pot to piss in.

So what's happened?
Brian Baker     Posted 17/08/2007 at 13:52:25   Comments (41)

Much blinding in the Marsh (household)

I imagine that Tony Marsh is a very unhappy man at the moment. That`s the problem with holding a polarised view - you`re likely to look a prat when the opposite to what you predict happens. Still it will only take one defeat for Moyes to re-gain `wanker` status and Kenwright to be back to Scrooge for only investing £30M or so in the present window.

And where has dear old Doddy gone to? I thought he would be filling the after-match columns with Great Moyesiah stories and proclaiming his beloved Blue Bill as the most generous chairman since Abramovitch. The relative absence of these zealots from the mailbag has, at least, provided space for more balanced views to be aired. All in all, I think the Mailbag has taken a turn for the better with most posters praising the manager and team but recognising that there`s an awful long way to go.

I hope we sew up Fernandes and Yakobu ? they will be great additions to the squad although don`t expect too much from them early on. But returning to my theme, is there any chance that Marsh and Dodd will one day recognise the colour grey? I guess not but perhaps that`s what makes the Mailbag such a compulsive read!
Anton Cumberledge     Posted 17/08/2007 at 12:37:28   Comments (13)

Impending Record Transfer

I'm not sure if this has been covered previously, but amidst the excitement of the great start to the season and the massive stadium debate, it's been largely forgotten that if and when the transfer of Manny goes through, he will smash the Everton transfer record of £8.6M for AJ. This assumes we are paying the third party somewhere between £4-6M for their share.

I remember a couple of years ago we smashed the record to bring Beattie in (£6M) so surely breaking the record in three successive years is a sign that Everton are genuinely willing to compete with the big spenders? The only difference is that we buy smarter than your average billionaire's plaything. Come on you Blues!
Zac Stephenson     Posted 17/08/2007 at 11:13:04   Comments (21)

Delay The Vote

Every day I absorb the arguments from both sides of the vote. I have ranted at people on both sides, I have cringed at the insults that have flown around and on one occasion, I am sorry to admit I found myself insulting some of my fellow fans. For that I apologise. I have considered voting both ways at some point since the debate started and to be honest I cannot pledge my support 100% to either camp. Too many questions remain unanswered:

1. Will a No vote mean a definite end to Kirkby?
2. Will a Yes vote mean that Everton will relocate to Kirkby regardless of other alternatives?

Herein lies my dilemma. Without my two questions being answered I cannot vote. What if I vote for Kirkby and then find out that the Loop would have been deliverable at no extra cost, or I vote against Kirkby and find the Loop is just a pipedream? So what is the solution? The club needs to delay the vote. We need to pressure the board into doing this so that we, as fans, can gather facts and make an informed decision.

Many people have said that this vote needs to be made with the head and not the heart (mainly yes voters). Well, give me time to gather the facts and I will vote with my head. Without time we are all voting with our hearts becasuse neither side has produced a watertight argument for my vote.

Again we need to call for a postponement of the vote in order to make an informed decision about the future of our club. Everton is the People's Club and we are ALL the people.
Steve Pugh     Posted 17/08/2007 at 09:51:19   Comments (7)

Objective analysis

One of the two national TV channels over here started showing a Premier League highlights package on a Saturday evening about eight seasons ago. For a while, soon after the show had started, ratings were touch and go and there was a debate as to whether or not the show would be axed. The Evening Herald ran an article about the show and it's merits at the time. It raised two very interesting points.

The first was that Eamonn Dunphy and John Giles, the show's two main pundits, were that long gone from the game in England that they no longer had any ties to people employed as players, managers, coaches or directors. They simply didn't mix in the boardroom, in a corporate box, or on a golf course with any of the above.

As a result they could be as honest and as forthright as the liked with their analysis. Alan Hansen, Gary Lineker, Andy Gray and whoever else were pundits at the time in England, on the other hand, were still mixing with then current players, managers etc. The obvious inference was of course that you were going to get the bland neutral analysis you were getting at the time. They were hardly going to criticise their friends, were they?

The second interesting point the article made was that a lot of football jouralists in England would request a tape of the the show be sent across on Monday. The reason being of course the honesty involved with the analysis.

The show was kept on, and last season was interesting by way of one of it's pundits. Graeme Souness, without a club, got work doing punditry with the show. Articles citing interviews with him towards the end of the season highlighted how much his eyes had been opened. In fairness to the guy, he was actually a fairly good pundit, and once he got into the swing of it, was honest and objective. Alan Shearer, on the other hand, was a guest on a radio talkshow over here during last season and got savaged while trying to defend MOTD.

In an age when Sky and it's patronising approach dominates the sport, the show this side of the water really is a breath of fresh air.
Kieran Fitzgerald     Posted 16/08/2007 at 22:25:11   Comments (18)

Moyes Out

The start to the season has proved Marshy and the other Moyes-haters have been right all along and that David Moyes is officially clueless. With only 5 goals scored in our first 2 games and maximum points gained, the fact is with this idiot at the helm not spending money on greats like Nugent and Koumas (both of them having set the Premier League on fire thus far) we've got what we deserve in the league and a season on battling relegation beckons.

That Osman has proved to be so ineffective thusfar and we would have been much better with Richardson. Whilst Alan Smith would have been far better than having to make do with Victor upfront. Moyes out I say — anyone know a good leaflet firm?
Chris Leyland     Posted 16/08/2007 at 22:00:41   Comments (52)

Summertime Blues

How exciting is it to be an Everton fan right now — top of the league, UEFA cup run to follow? I honestly think we can be the happiest bunch in the Premiership thus far. That could suddently change as in the past when we've gone crazy after a couple of good results but things look bright.

After what was rather a miserable summer, looks like Manny is on his way (fingers crossed) and we'll have yet another gifted young player in our team.

To his credit, Moyes has slowly but surely instilled youth, determination, grit and skills into his Everton team. The overall value of our team has gone through the roof compared to pre-Moyes days and we now have players that other fans envy.

And I know several people (Man U fans, non-Everton fans) that have 2-3 Everton players in their fantasy football team. Shows how well resepected we've become compared to the fallen giants, bottom 5 finishers of a few years ago.

Have you noticed how nobody talks about Rooney anymore? Miss him, call him a traitor — whatever you think but he could have been one of the best things that happened to us. Combined with Euro/World Cup style temporary inflation, he provided the cash injection we needed for Moyes to begin his transformation.

Ground decisions aside, the team we have right now is a small but solid unit. The school of science grades have moved from yearly D's and E's to B+. We're not there yet but the gear has shifted in the right direction.

Long may it continue.
Dan Parker     Posted 16/08/2007 at 21:48:51   Comments (3)

Da Loop

Why do people think by voting "yes" we are saying "no" to the loop? The yes vote is only to say we are happy with the way the Kirkby deal is going and to please keep negotiations going. Do you really think Bill Kenwright would turn down the loop if it turned out to be a viable site? He stands to lose millions if he's wrong about Kirkby. If we vote yes and the loop turns out to be a better or worse option we win either way. If we vote no and the loop is a red herring then we lose big time. Voting yes is, as those lovable Yanks say, a "no brainer."

I'll put it clearly:
Yes = Kirkby & The Loop
No = Just the Loop
Barry Lightfoot     Posted 16/08/2007 at 21:46:06   Comments (9)

Google the Loop

Can I advise everybody who can, to log on to Google Earth. Bring up Goodison and draw back a touch until the Loop comes into view. As far as I can see the Loopy Oval is no bigger than Goodison and it would be a tight fit to get Goodison on this site never mind a 50,000 seater Stadium and a hotel. Methinks we are being conned 'ere.
Dave Roberts     Posted 16/08/2007 at 18:18:43   Comments (43)

Children

I have just read the post by E. Humphries. More to the point, i have read the replies by some of you children to MK's response.

This used to be a website where you could express your view and opinion and get an adult response via another posting. The worst thing the editors have done in my humble opinion is open up the response for immediate reply. It is now becoming more like a chat room for children.

The abuse you lot handed out was awful, not wanting to sound like a groveling sycophant. Do you lot know how much work is put into a website like this, you should be grateful he spends his time running this site for abusive clowns like you lot.

Why don't most of you go back to the forums and chat rooms that suit your mentality? If you must reply try and make it constructive. Christ! Two games in and you lot think we're world beaters.
Dave Lynch     Posted 16/08/2007 at 17:11:55   Comments (4)

Mr Mittal and Me

Interesting link to the Wiki write up of the wealthy Mr Mittal, and his possible purchase or Everton. So rich apparently he is said to have two cars and a Setanta subscription. Anyways, this dude lives a five minute walk from my less selubrious surroundings in Bayswater. Maybe I should write a letter and pop it into his letter box that's lined with the skin of poor people. But not too sure what to say. Any ideas?
Nick  Entwistle     Posted 16/08/2007 at 16:36:28   Comments (20)

Small Squad A Good Thing?

Most of us have spent all summer complaining that having such a small squad will be Everton's undoing this season but is there an argument that the small squad may actually be a blessing in disguise?

Take Spurs for example, they have four arguably world class strikers, which on paper sounds great, but watching them play tells another story.

Berbatov was visibly annoyed being taken off in the first game, Bent is struggling to settle and when DaFoe came on against us he flashed a shot laughable wide because he was so desperate to make an impression in his short game time.

Many of the larger squads have a problem of not having a settled side and having disgruntled players upsetting things because they cannot get into the team.

Everton on the other hand have a small, high quality squad which thrives on the team spirit it has built.

Moyes has a very settled team and knows exactly what he can expect when he sends them out. AVDM aside there aren't any disgruntled characters causing problems.

It's always good to have quality on the bench, but isn't that what we have? Our bench this weekend could contain Pienaar, Jagielka, Baines and possibly Fernandes. And thats without Cahill and Vaughan. Sounds pretty good.

West Ham have spent millions this season but their dressing room contains characters like Bellamy, Neill, Bowyer and now Dyer. Compare that group of big-time charlies to model professionals like Stubbs and Neville and you can see why we are so much better then them.

Now I know the flaw in this argument is a injury crises. I accept that three or four more injuries will cause a problem.

But barring an injury crises, I really believe a small, high quality side with great character can go far.
Dutch Schaffaer     Posted 16/08/2007 at 15:31:57   Comments (7)

JJB/Everton

What's happening with JJB and Everton?? I took my Everton top to JJB to put a name and number on. They refused saying: 'we don't print names on Everton kits anymore and we don't stock Everton kits anymore'. But they still print names on all the other kits. Living in the North East it's hard to get hold of Everton merchandise. The only shop that used to do them up here have stopped. This is one area where the club is loosing out. I looked around in the shop they had plenty of Liverpool, Man Utd, Celtic, Rangers and few others hanging on the walls and plenty of it. I'm dissapointed to say the least. Wyness needs to improve the marketing side of things.
Shaka Islam     Posted 16/08/2007 at 12:58:08   Comments (39)

KEIOC Loop Proposal

Sorry but I'm not having any of this anymore. We still have nothing on the financial side of this plan so once again who will pay for it? And quote like this make me laugh...

"We believe that there will be a major fan involvement in the final design - the desire to make it a home for Everton for future generations and as such one that can't be rushed into."

WHY? Fans involvement? Who do they think they are? I take it KEIOC are about to buy out BK and the board and take control of the club? How else could fans possibly have any say in the stadium design? Are any of them qualified stadium designers or architects? Maybe they are but im yet to be convinced that they are anything more than the owners of the pubs that surround Goodison.

Another quote.... "These early images were not produced by HOK but are intended to demonstrate how a stadium would look at this important city gateway location." So who did them and who says that HOKs design will look anything like it? I'm sorry but its naff again.

BK fucked up by giving us a vote in the first place. For one minute forget the football side and see this as a business. NO company who is being offered a £150M asset for £25M should let the outcome be decided by people with no financial or business input into how that business is run. I'm convined the outsome will be NO btw, then I believe LCC will go very, very quiet and KEIOC will slip away into the shade because they will have won. Then where will we be? Two years behind were we are today ? that's where.

A Yes vote only means continue with negotiations, not demolish Goodsion. I don't beleive you can vote No based on anything that KEIOC has produced so far. If you vote NO you are still voting with your heart and not because KEIOC has been anywere near convincing.
Andy  Baker     Posted 16/08/2007 at 12:25:56   Comments (54)

The In's and Out's

I would like to start a debate about the general presumption that brining in loads of new faces to a team will work immediately. Why do people assume that throwing money at a situation (by this I mean buying 7 or 8 players) will suddenly make a team the best in the world?

When I was at school and a new player was brought to our team, they would have to start by standing on the sideline. Then if the team was winning they never got a chance, which was only fair to the current squad of lads and an easy decision for the manager to make ? don?t fix something that ain?t broken and all that. The new player would get to know the lads and impress the manager enough in training to persuade him to give him a couple of appearances as a sub, say. If after this initial period the player had settled in, tried hard and played well enough would they be given a start. The decisions would be harder for the manger if 6 new players where signing on for the new season as the manager would not know their style of play or how they would fit in to the team / system. The transformation in the second instance would obviously take longer as there are more lads in the equation. Now I know this is a primitive example, but take a look at Spurs; they finished 5th last year, which you could say was a good season. So basically the players that they had did OK. Why therefore does Jol think that by releasing a load and bringing a load in that they will do better? (£16m for Bent is ridiculous I know?!!!!) Surely the transformation needs to be smooth; yeah get rid of fringe players that never contributed last year but keep the nucleus of the team that you had. Put the newer players on the bench and make them WANT to win their place; make them hungry for it; make them earn the right for a place in your team and at the same time reward the hard work the players from the previous year by keeping that team intact ? at first. If a player can swan in and out of a team, how does that look to the long-term squad members and the players that try and work for the club? There are injuries and players wanting to leave that you can?t account for of course, but you get my point.

What I am trying to say is that admittedly Moyes dithers sometimes, but all he wants are players that want to play for Everton and put the effort in to win games for our club. He won?t be robbed or pushed in to buying players he doesn?t want or need. This I think shows that he is a strong character.

Yes, we do need players but we are now bidding and hopefully Moyes will get his men. Have some patience and make your mind up after a few months eh? I think he knows what he is doin??
Andy Callan     Posted 16/08/2007 at 12:01:48   Comments (18)

The Bestway Loop stadium images

The initial pictures of the proposed Bestway Loop Stadium are horrible! A bog-standard bowl with a weird tower thing stuck on one end.

I don't know what KEOIC will make of the proposed design. Their proposal for redeveloping Goodison goes on and on about how the four-sided two tier stadium we currently have is the essence of Everton.

Anyone can come up with some nice-looking (or not) computer generated pictures of a stadium - as opponents of Kirkby have pointed out.

What's lacking with the Loop proposals so far (and the redeveloped Goodison option)is any proper information about how it would be paid for (all we have so far in each case is the idea of building a hotel as part of the new stadium).
Julian Evitts     Posted 16/08/2007 at 12:08:11   Comments (14)

On a High....

I am sure I am not the only one but I am buzzing with exitement at the moment, the way our lads played on Monday night was amazing, against a side that has spent big big money. What is even more exiting is we did it with all the same players that we had last season. What's going to happen when Cahill, Vaughny, Pienaar, Jags, Baines, Maybe even Manny and Yak, come into our suberb side? The squad may be small but is buzzing with quality players.

Moyes has done well at filtering out the shit, we all know who they were. What a signing Lescott was as well he's a collossus. I can smell silverwere this season, blues ? anyone else with me? I would love the Uefa Cup. My predicition is 5th in the league, FA Cup Semis, Carling Cup Winners, Uefa Cup Semis.

Also finally any news on Manny I am clicking all over the internet trying to find some news is he our man. I am a very Happy blue. COYB see you all Saturday at Reading
Michael  Cummins     Posted 16/08/2007 at 11:34:10   Comments (5)

Manny Money

Fernandes at £6M for 50% of the transfer rights? Simple economics would suggest that the other party won't sell him for much less than that, so we're looking at a fee of £12M? Now I was under the impression that we had an option on him for 12 million Euros? That's approx. £8M. Are we throwing money away just beacuse we let the deadline of that option pass, or was the option just for the 50% Benfica owned and did we manage to negotiate £2M off? Or am I completely wrong anyway? Can someone clarify this?
Erik Dols     Posted 16/08/2007 at 10:20:36   Comments (5)

Moyes we thank you !

Can we just now say thank you to David Moyes. He hasn't wasted our millions, his taken his time, and made sure any signing is worth there money. He is looking after the club short- and long-term. A lot of fans have had a go at him for not signing players, but look how we have started. He knows best, let him get on with it. I would love for him to grab Manny, but if he doesn't then I trust Moyes with the reason why not. Thank you Davey your making us proud again.
Trevor Tannenbaum     Posted 16/08/2007 at 08:12:49   Comments (2)

Stubbs you legend!

Let's pay more attention to the hidden success players. We should all give credit to our greatest General. Yes that's Stubbsy, he's always been the rock deep in our defence. You have got to admire his survival in team selection with all the rich pickings we have in defence and off field due to his battle with cancer, when he was released by club due to illness, his confidence and dignity to play remained strong and he prooved to come back and not only play defensive football but now play attacking football for the team he loves. This veteran is just grateful to accept small contracts and to be out there playing for this club, to which he gives so much, week-in, week-out. Stubbs, you're a legend!
Cliff Zampost     Posted 16/08/2007 at 07:23:23   Comments (3)

Vote outcome?

Just a quicky on the move... What do people actually think the result will be? Not actually seen any opinion on how people think the vote might go. I'm in the YES camp myself. It seems 50-50 in terms of whats in the media etc but i've been assuming that as those in the NO camp are bound to be more vocal, that is probably not a true reflection. Do the KEIOC people actually believe they will get a majority or is their campaign more a point of principle? So, on gut instinct or based on a head count of people you know ? what do you think the result will be?
Jon Sellick     Posted 15/08/2007 at 17:04:25   Comments (44)

4-5-2

If or when Fernandes signs we will undoubtedly have one of the best midfields in the league, and I say that without even considering Cahill. Tottenham for all their firepower couldnt match us in midfield.

Now we have out-played many a team across the middle of the park over the last year or so, including some of the 'big four'. The big difference last night was that we did it playing 4-4-2, as opposed to the 4-5-1, deployed all to often against 'superior' teams. Now I know the two front men worked their backsides off, but we outclassed a team many consider to be one of the best attacking outfits in the league. Playing 4-4-2. Without Cahill or Fernandes. And away from home.

Now I'm torn. Once Fernandes we have with Cahill, Pienaar, Arteta, Osman and Van der...forget that, attacking ball players, possibly Mcfadden can be thrown into that grouping as well. Then we have Carsley, Neville and Jagielka who can all protect the back four (the latter two doubling up as defensive cover). I won't go through the whole squad, we all know it. What I'm trying to say is with a couple more quality additions we will have have a top-quality side, with cover for all but a injury crisis of Newcastle proportions.

A couple of selection headaches for Moyes in that Fernandes is a starter if fit, but so is Osman (at the moment), who to drop out of Neville and Carsley (who played like they shared the same brain last night), and just who to play at right back. Teams such as spurs may have 20+ players to choose from, but how many are unfit, unreliable, unconsistent, unproven or just plain useless (see Jenas). I'm much happier with a potential core of about 18 quality players. Possibly a few promising youths added and things aren't as doom and gloom as we all thought.

On the Yakubu front, I feel he would be an excellent addition, and could form a tantalising partnership with AJ, and could really help Vic develop (and I dont say that because they could both play for Nigeria). I can't help but question the logic in breaking our transfer record again on a player who we will likely be without for the tought Xmas period due to the African Nations Cup (we will already lose Yobo and could even lose Vic).

If he does sign I will still be made up, but perhaps we'd be better loaning someone, or getting this Ezquerro guy and then save the money till January when we will have a better idea of how the campaign is going, what the injury list is like and how long we have to wait for the second derby game so we can complete the double over them.

Finally if we do sign him, with Cahill and Fernandes, wouldn't a 4-5-2 formation be ideal?!?!?
Eddie Harrison     Posted 15/08/2007 at 16:04:22   Comments (19)

Nevlle must stay

Whilst everyone is rightly praying for Manny to sign on the dotted line, we should also be on our knees to whichever God you worship to pray just as hard that the Club don't see it as 'good business' and let Phil Neville go to the Skunks.

I predicted last Summer that Phil's contribution to the team would be significant and that he would be team captain sooner rather than later. I was obviously right about the captaincy and I feel justified in re-affirming my view that his leadership on the field (combined with the winning mentality he developed at Man Utd) is one of a number of key factors in our progress as a team to date.

I genuinely believe it would be a major setback if he were to leave any time soon. Yobo as captain in two years time is my next prediction !
Steve Guy     Posted 15/08/2007 at 16:30:39   Comments (25)

Why do we have a world class midfielder warming our bench?

The team is really doing well. Last night?s game was one for the record books, but I still feel we could have done much better. Some players showed real class and I feel we should have kept on attacking the Tottemham defense. Our defense looks good and I would like to raise attention that we?ve got a world-class midfielder in Steven Pienaar sitting warming the bench. Sure Moyes should have given the guy a run?

I was extremely disappointed that he wasn?t given a chance to penetrate the Tottenham defense. The best way of defense is always to keep attacking, taking the game to the opposition. Pienaar has played in bigger games, bigger stadiums, better opponents and he knows what pressure is all about. The result was good last night, but could have been better! Why is our best midfielder kept on the bench to watch the game?
Edward Humphries     Posted 15/08/2007 at 16:05:48   Comments (38)

Searching for local talent

All this 'ground move' crap that's been boring me for weeks and months and what feels like years now has got me thinking about people's perceptions of Liverpool boundaries and, subsequently who is from Liverpool.

What is clearly evident is that if Knowsley, Huyton and Sefton are 'woolyback' territory, there's a real dearth of talent coming from our great, cultured city. Starting with the mighty blues, we don't have a single scouser in the first team... or even the squad. Stubbs and Baines (Kirkby), Hibbo and Osman (Huyton) Big Vic (Crosby, Sefton via Lagos). So what of Liverpool with Steven Gerrard and Carragher of Huyton. And what of other famous scousers plying their trade in the top flight of English football, not Barton, Nugent or even Trundle of the Championship (Huyton), not Owen (Deeside). Of course there is one, he's from Croxteth (about 2 miles from Evertons proposed ground and about a mile or less from the city boundary). But he's an honorary Manc anyway.

This seems a real shame. I have always been hugely proud that so many scousers were playing for England (even if they were from the shite) but it now turns out that NONE do. What's more I loved the fact that Everton, unlike so many of our premiership rivals, relied so much on local lads, lads from Liverpool playing for their local team. Again, NONE!

I suppose the one good thing to come out of this is that if (when) we become the Kings of Kirkby, the Knowsley Kights or the Tesco Blue and White Stripes we will have an unbelievable pool of talent on our doorstep.

Hopefully reading this you'll be aware that I'm being sarcastic. Of course stubbsey is a Scouser; of course Gerrard, Hibbo, Carragher, Barton, Nugent and Bainesey are all Scousers.

As for the rest of the crap that's flying around, of course people will still grow up as blues. Half the fans are from Chester and North Wales ? do you think an extra 3½/4 miles is going to bother them? NO! Especially not if they're coming over the Runcorn Bridge they can just jump on the 'Everton FC Exressway' and carry along the M57.

And what for the thousands and thousands and thousands of children growing up in Knowsley? We keep forgetting about these children. Do they not support football? They're bloody good at it, considering see my post above. As far as I'm concerned, the more Gerrards, Stubbseys, Baines, Carraghers, Hibbos etc that grow up blue the better.

Vote No? In the words of Ricky Tomlinson (not a scouser) ... My Arse!
Mark Stone     Posted 15/08/2007 at 15:17:31   Comments (5)

Sky stats???

Did anyone see the man of the match interview last night on Sky with Stubbs and MOTM Osman?

Who was doing the interview as his stats where laughable, "So three defenders scored tonight and that's your first goal of the season Leon." WTF!!! Stubbs and Osman faces where a sight as they walked off both thinking "fooking tool".

Is it so hard to get your stats right if that's your job, for Sky yes it is. Very minor thing but couldn't believe it myself, thought it was quite funny!!
Chris Mckenny     Posted 15/08/2007 at 14:50:45   Comments (10)

Getting the Vote

As a current and long standing season ticket holder, I have waited patiently for my voting slip on the proposed move to nowhere land, after a week of so of waiting for the drop of the letter through the letterbox, I got fed up of waiting and contacted the Electoral Reform Society, to inform them that I had not recieved the all important piece of paper, they informed me that they would contact "we`ve cocked up again" EFC and that everything would be sorted!,

Coming on a week later, I contacted them again to see where we were up to, they then made a statement which set the alarm bells ringing. Everton had not forwarded any updated lists, hence people who had bought season tickets for this season would not receive any voting form. I then put the phone down in a hurry and rang Everton, only to join a queue of people waiting to contact them.

Now I can usually get a smile on my face when I hear the Z Cars theme, but it does wear a bit thin after 20 minutes, I eventually spoke to someone at the club and was getting nowhere until I mentioned "Do the media know about this fiasco?" and everything changed, I was promised that they would contact the Electoral Reform Society. 5 minuted later I recieved a phonecall from Everton saying they had done this and that my voting paper would be in the 1st post. Great delight Everton top of the league and my voting slip arrived today, now all I have to do is vote.

I agree that Goodison is very dated, but can we realistically fill a new 50,000 seater stadium with increasing year on year ticket prices, we struggle to get half decent attendences for FA Cup and League cup games, what will happen when we all ditch Sky? "Keep football on a Saturday" I say and all clubs have their own TV stations and will sell to individual subscribers, look at pre-season friendlies to see the future, grounds will be empty!

I believe that Blue Bill has "our" club at heart; remember the demonic red before him, he stripped the club bare! However, I also believe that Bully has to go, the figures do not add up and you cannot back yourself into a corner with nowhere to go and your hands tied. This is EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB, THE PEOPLE'S CLUB ? not some backward small amateur club in Scotland, where they sell their soul for a dram and piece of haggis. Keep near to the top of the league and the investors will come! Therefore I will vote against the move and will wait with baited breath for the outcome. Come on you Blues!
John Steadman     Posted 15/08/2007 at 13:48:00   Comments (3)

Transfer up-date

Surely the L'pool Echo are having a laugh (put the check book away till January) if Arteta gets injured, the craft will have gone. Can anyone up-date me with what is happening with Manny and Yakubu, read that Manny had travelled to London to tie up the deal, Yobo states that he wants Yakubo at the club, every tabloid seem to think we have tied up the Manny deal, can someone explain why it is taking so long?
jimmy Digney     Posted 15/08/2007 at 13:51:43   Comments (4)

The Ups and Downs

I'm 24 years old and work in a mundane job in a mundane town. I've spent the entire summer sifting through the various pages of this and other related websites and I ended up stressed, unhappy and endlessly wondering what direction we were going in. Did I ever get the feeling that we were a consolidated top 6/7/8 team or was it just another great attempt but ultimately our frailties would show us up?

Well, that was the first few months anyway... then the stadium debate took full control and nothing else seemed to matter. I'm still not sure either way although I've read everyone's views on it and I think they all put forward valid, well thought-out and true blue opinions.

Having checked the site on a regular basis, two to three times a day, often reading over the same articles, I began to construct images of what the new season would bring: new faces? new stadium ideas? new league status? I eventually listened intently on Saturday and was pleased with the result; I again listened even more intently last night and was overwhelmed (I was brought up in Hertfordshire where me and my brother were practically the only Everton fans in a 20-mile circumfrance and built up a steady hatred of THFC!!).

I realised that I love this club, no matter what. We have the ability to really do anyone, we have the smallest squad around but at least I get the feeling they all care. We're not the best, but we try; we haven't got a billionaire owner (which I'm glad about, who wants us to roll over to some American or Russian big head?? Really?). I know that the season will bring many ups and downs but I also know that I'll love it.

I'm sitting at my desk with 10 minutes of my lunch break left and all I want to do is look at past and present players histories, maybe see what there favourite music is, or even see if we get a tiny mention on the BBC website!?? I know it's a short piece but i'm passionate and there may be more to come!
Andy Yates     Posted 15/08/2007 at 13:30:48   Comments (1)

Silk and Steel

Normally I do not comment on individual games. However, I saw something from an Everton team that I have not seen in a very long time. I saw 'ruthlessness', the trait that I feel has been missing in our teams of the past.

The team looked sharp ? a well oiled machine with high fitness levels, beautiful understanding of team members, tenacity and mental toughness. A good pre-season, a settled squad line-up and gradual progression through the last few seasons has helped Everton achieve this level. They made this normally difficult fixture look very easy indeed.

Granted Spurs are a bit disjointed at the moment, but hey that?s not our problem. We didn?t ask them to spend £16 million on yet another striker (who by the way was made to look rather ordinary by an organized defense). We just went there and did our job without any fuss.

However, let us not get too carried away. There will be more testing times ahead. Reading no doubt will prove a tougher nut to crack. They just had a creditable draw against Manchester United and looked very well drilled, much like our own team.

What we do on Saturday will tell us a lot about the season ahead. Things to watch out for: Will Moyes be adventurous on the road against a ?lesser? team? Will the team?s fitness last, backing up from the midweek fixture? What can we expect from our new signings Pienaar and Jagileka (surely they will see more game time on Saturday)? Exciting times ahead?
Nigel Gregson     Posted 15/08/2007 at 12:00:19   Comments (8)

Lets kick on lads

Please Moyes take heed!!

Just 'cause we have won our first two games, don't rest on your laurels and think we don't need any more playing staff as per a quote from your interview last night...

...Fernandes is a must!!! Benfica have accepted a bid so it's just down to personal terms, let's not bugger this up for the love of god. We have had a great start but its gonna be a long hard season ahead and we need quality players to add to our already good team. Reading away will be a hard test as we must beat teams of this quality if we want to be up there.

Fernandes is a very good player with the potential to become great with your help just like what you've done with Arteta, improving his all round game especially his defensive duties which where superb from the majestic Spaniard last night. I love the man!!! So please sign Fernandes. You can see him and Arteta liked playing together last term and where very exciting to watch. He is young and will improve with help. Go on you can do it!!!

Final note, 3-1 fooking fantastic result. Well done lads made my day, night, week. Now let's kick on.
Chris Mckenny     Posted 15/08/2007 at 12:12:39   Comments (9)

If the vote is yes, what next and when?

The Club has told us that if a majority of those who are allowed to vote produce a No result then talks with Tesco and Knowsley will cease. What they have not told us (as far as I am aware) is what happens if the majority is in favour of the move to Kirkby.

Will the Club sign an irrevocable contract with Tesco and Knowsley? What time-scale is involved? I ask because many Yes-voters are under the impression that by voting Yes they are not closing the door forever on any other suitors with attractive, viable, alternative schemes that might surface after a Yes-majority is recorded.

What I am seeking is not your opinion but facts that you might have to hand. Perhaps clarification of this point should have been made by EFC and Tesco at the outset and the absence of such is a worry. Well-informed types (Richard, Steve, Neil, David et al.) I am relying on you to uncover the facts and to relay them to the electorate as soon as possible.
Brian  Finnigan     Posted 15/08/2007 at 10:36:11   Comments (3)

Moyes comes of age

Not the biggest of Moyes fans, but I think the team really want to play for the man now. Ordinarily we would have been blown away by Spurs when they over ran us in the first half but it did not happen. Outstanding performances from every man and for those knocking Leon last season you should be ashamed of yourselves. No doubt if his goals dry up you will be back at it. Well done, Moyes boys
Steve Lyth     Posted 15/08/2007 at 09:22:45   Comments (10)

Lescott's Tattoo

Great result last night. Well done lads. Still smiling this morning.

Someone might have asked this already, but does anyone know what Lescott's tattoo said? Hope its Everton written down his forearm!

Roll on Reading!
Allan Price     Posted 15/08/2007 at 08:09:04   Comments (12)

Armchair punditry

Great result, and while Spurs played much nicer football than us, there were lovely passages of passing football by us last night which give me great hope. I thought Howard was great in goal, Hibbert played better than he did all last season, Stubbs and Lescott were superb. Yobo looked a little like the Yobo of two seasons ago in the first half but settled and was back to his usual best later on.

I know Arteta and Osman stole the show, but I really feel that Carsley had a blinder of a game last night. Neville was decent too, but I lost count of the times Carsley tackled back and broke up the play, proper midfield destroyer. Anichebe did well but looked shagged tired at the end, and AJ never stopped running ? just a shame he couldn't have converted one or two of his chances in the second half, but I'm sure he'll open his account soon.

Yes, we soaked up pressure from Spurs and sat back a bit to hit them on the break, but there was a lot less hoof-ball than usual and if we keep playing like last night then we're hopefully in for a really good season. Now, where's that paper with the league table.....
Robin Byrne     Posted 15/08/2007 at 07:18:02   Comments (39)

Great result and performance

The result and TEAM performance last night at Spurs was as good as any given by the Blues in recent seasons. From Tim Howard at the back to AJ & young Vic up front, every player ran their socks off, the spirit of the side showed itself.

Watching the game on Sky, I was surprised we bothered to show up, as the so-called pundits(Andy Gray included) talked about what Spurs were and weren't going to do to us. But Mikel Arteta had other ideas, and his brilliant dead ball skills started to undo Spurs. A great team performance, and the spirit of the side shone thru. Just keep it up boys.
Norman Merrill     Posted 15/08/2007 at 07:05:11   Comments (4)

Footage of the Spurs win

You can view some of the highlights of the win here on the Daily Telegraph website. Be warned though the commentary is pro-Spurs and they missed Joleon's and Stubbs' goal, and the pundit ends by saying "Everton are temporarily top of the table" (twat). Nevertheless, its worth viewing to see Ossie's great finish and a fine save from Tim.
Chris Jones     Posted 15/08/2007 at 02:09:16   Comments (7)

Live in New Zealand

Watched the blues for the first time this season live on Sky Sports this morning, 8:00am kick off. This really this was a superb win; Spurs with all their money and signings couldn?t breakdown the outstanding defence of Stubbs, Yobo and Lescott and to a lesser extent Hibbert.

There are four points I feel are worth mentioning:

1. Moyes is showing faith in the team that got us into Europe last year and making the newcomers fight for a place
2. We must be the only team who has yet to have a player booked
3. Yobo did not come off with a minor injury, this is possibly due to the competition for players is that position.
4. Osman is performing like he fears for his place

Sitting with the Spurs fans...

When Everton visit London, I don't know what is worse: being seated with the home support when Everton are winning, or when they're losing. But on Tuesday night they were winning. And all I could do was sit on my hands. Spurs fans were lamenting the failure to pick up the second ball, lack of movement, and no final pass due to the Everton hussle. Even I started to become frustrated with a few Spurs payers. Jenas's name, close to genius, closer to penis.

Anywho, outplayed in the first half with 'football', but the combative approach worked well, as it says around White Heart Lane 'To Dare is to Do'... 3-1 at the break! Everton fans looked to be having the time of their lives. From high up in the North Stand it looked like the world's biggest bundle every time we scored. For me, I had to do with cockney aggression and fans who quite honestly haven't much time for some of their players... when Howard pulled off a point blank save at the far post, they were starting to leave. If I was them I'd have left in the first half when Neville pulled off a one-two with Carsley.

Arteta was great at retaining possesion but the only one. Fernandes will take this team to the next level and with Pienaar as well to play the ball, we're looking good for Europe... Champions' League anyone? Ahhh early season dreams...

Leave with 5 minutes to go so to avoid the moaning Spurs fans... was great to hear the cheers above the whistles at full time and walked down Tottenham High Street feeling on top of the league :)
Nick Entwistle     Posted 15/08/2007 at 00:42:59   Comments (4)

Spuzz

I watched the game in a Hastings pub. Next time, I'll ask them to keep the free jukebox on. Andy Gray has simply lost it (old Blue or not). Sky's obsession with big-spending 'Spuzz' (copyright A Gray) was bad enough but Gray's sniping at AJ, in particular, was quite unwarranted. AG's own game (and I saw most of them) was hardly dissimilar to AJ's ? scare the defence shitless when you get the ball in the area, drag men wide when you get the ball outside, nick 12/13 a season and, all the time, create enough space to give the midfielders a chance to get near double figures too. Great result tonight but, sadly, tomorrow's press will be nothing but 'Spuzz in crisis.' As for Wednesday's MOTD's casual mention, same old shit, I expect.
Guy Pierce     Posted 14/08/2007 at 22:53:56   Comments (2)

Optimism

I?m a Walton-born Canadian fan of the Blues and I?m thrilled to bits by their impressive start. I was just a teenager when Everton went through that incredible 1984-6 rejuvenation. I?ve followed their travails religiously throughout all the time I?ve lived in Canada, but more than any season I?m really lit up about their chances this season. I think with Arteta, Cahill and now it seems Osman, along with the potential of Anichebe, we could well have the best attacking midfield in Europe. Our defence remains top notch ? keep it up Lescott, Yobo & Howard ? and hopefully we can avoid injuries and really produce an effective front line: keep it up AJ!

As for the stadium, I'm not convinced by either line of argument. There seem to be good points for both sides. However, as a True Blue, I think all fans have to live by the motto, "Nothing But the Best". Better minds than mine have good opinions on our next move but I do know one thing ? we as fans expect and deserve the very best.
John Cummings     Posted 14/08/2007 at 23:06:11   Comments (0)

There's more of us than you

The other day on Talksport, Andy Townsend asked Mike Parry, with that curl of the lip so beloved of the media when talking about Everton, how many of our team would get in Liverpoool's.

On tonight's evidence. the answer is: Howard, Lescott, Osman, Arteta and Johnson as certainties, with Yobo there or thereabouts. Carsley didn't exactly let himself down either. And we've still got Timmy to come back, plus James Vaughan, who'll be a real star by the end of this season. And that's without even mentioning Manny.

Perhaps tomorrow, someone will ask how many Liverpool players would get in our team?
Hugo Kondratiuk     Posted 14/08/2007 at 22:56:29   Comments (5)

Praise Where It Is Due!

Last season, I hammered David Moyes on this website for his lack of guts in that last period of the home game with Spurs. Balls were located after that and tonight was maybe the ultimate proof that Moyes has learned from that mistake.

Maybe the best thing about this great start to the new season was Moyes's decision to keep on pressing Spurs in the second half even with a two-goal lead. But for Robinson, we could have had another three in the second half as well.

More of that please, Blues !
Glen Strachan     Posted 14/08/2007 at 23:03:45   Comments (2)

BBC - what do they know that we don't

Checked the squad on BBC today and guess who they have as No 37. Did they decide not worth taking him away only to put him back later? http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/shared/bsp/hi/football/statistics/players/f/fernandes_288661.stm

Also spent some time reading old match reports on ToffeeWeb in the last couple of days. When you see the dross of 6 years ago in terms of player quality and the teams with 6 recognised defenders being sent out ? we should never complain where we are now. It is light years away from those dark days.

We might not be there yet - but we are a heck of a lot closer to where we want to be than where we have come from - and let us never forget that.
Phil Roberts     Posted 14/08/2007 at 22:31:17   Comments (5)

Magic

What a fantastic performance from our boys tonight. Yes, at times we sat back but who wouldn't at 3-1 up at Spurs. There was only one team going to score in the last 30 mins. Victor worked tirelessly and Moyes recognised the big man was knackered and replaced him at the right time so maybe he is learning when to make good substitutions. Leon was majestic all night and Mikel was awesome in the first half. Anyone doubting his defensive attributes should see how he doubled up for Lescott in the second half, he rarely crossed the halfway line in the period when Spurs dominated in the second half.

As nervous as I am watching us holding a lead, we played with more composure and more confidence which if we can maintain and build upon, we are going to improve again this season. Well done everyone, 2 new signings and this will be the best August ever! Come on you blues!
Niall  Clinton     Posted 14/08/2007 at 22:22:49   Comments (20)

Leon Osman - an aplogy

Last Friday I wrote of my apprehension as to our midfield naming Neville, Carsley & Leon Osman as not good enough. I was very very wrong, especially with Leon. I'm very sorry! They all played their part tonight but Leon was fucking superb!
Mark Murphy     Posted 14/08/2007 at 21:59:20   Comments (26)

Arteta's Everton

Although I like him, am I wrong in thinking that Phil Neville should relinquish the captaincy in favour of Mikel Arteta by the end of the season?

Mikel embodies the passion and direction the club should be going in, has the respect of his peers throughout the game, and would influence new players like Fernandes (hopefully) to realise their true potential.
Jason Broome     Posted 14/08/2007 at 18:29:16   Comments (10)

Whats it all about ?

I am like thousands of Toffees out there ? totally confused and disaffected by our beautiful game. Every time I read an article about the new stadium I nod and agree and then change my mind at each and every comment below it! I can`t comment as I`d change my mind halfway through. I hardly ever look at the Official website as I find the spin a bit insulting.

I do find myself these days feeling rather superior to most football fans as Everton are certainly doing it the hard way! No foreign investment, mainly British players, manager that does not wind me up, and next to Man City the best fans in the country. I actually do believe that Moyes will bring back some entertaining and winning football in the next two seasons.

I can see his cunning plan at last, I only go to three games a year and some of it has been turgid, yes even Portsmouth at home was average, but with the calibre of squad he`s put together I think no-one can doubt him.

Back to the stadium, my three best memories:

1. Davey Johnson scoring in the derby when I was in the boys pen
2. Ipswich battering us 4-0 Gates etc and the whole ground applauding them for the last half hour.
3. Rooney scoring against Villa in the last minute (I still love that kid)

The missing 49%

Just a little poll. I think the vote is going to be quite close judging by the letters and articles displayed on TW and other sites. Although I am redin more and more pro-kirkby supporters coming on the sites of late. I wonder how many of the people who vote no will stop going to watch Everton if the vote goes for the move. I know Tony Marsh has already said he won't...
Mick McLoughlin     Posted 14/08/2007 at 17:56:15   Comments (12)

A View From the Dark Side

I don't expect this posting to be printed as it links to a source I would not normally entertain.

Like many fans I am constantly searching for further information on the proposed Kirkby move (or alternatives). By chance I hit on this article from a Red's perspective. You may not be interested in a view from the Dark Side but if you can stomach the insults it goes some way to highlight their feelings on our potential move. Of course, we're not interested in their views (are we?).

They can't wait to see the back of us, but even they realise what a move to Kirby will mean to the Walton/Everton area of the City. Do we have any obligation to this area of the City? Make your own mind up, it's only the opinion of a Red anyway (so we don't care, do we).
Bob Carlton     Posted 14/08/2007 at 16:30:18   Comments (11)

New signings - rumours

I know we definitely need some much-needed depth but a bit worried about some rumours. I just heard from a SWFC mate of mine who says that Chris Brunt is great one game then you don't hear of him the next. As an Owls fan, he'd take the £3 million. I told him that Andy van der Meyde was world class and we should do a swap deal. Spread the word. I'm not sure about Yakubu for any more than £8 million either (Africa Nations Cup and all that). Looking forward to getting Fernandes back, though, so hope it happens.
Mike  Hughes     Posted 14/08/2007 at 15:43:23   Comments (5)

The PR War

There have been several misnomers put around this and other message boards that I think are worth further discussion in the light of the recent transfer activity.

Firstly, the idea that EFC is "untruthful" or veiled in secrecy over its transfer secrets. For those who think that Moyes and the Board should be more transparent in their dealings, I think they are failing to grasp the state of today's transfer market. There seems to be no sense in Moyes showing his hand in terms of any funds that he has or potential targets. In the first instance, that would mean ? a la Chelski ? clubs would put up prices when they become aware of Everton's war chest. And secondly, as we discovered with Sissosko, there is little benefit in declaring an interest in a player publicly as it only seems to draw interest from other clubs, again escalating the price.

The second area of criticism regards the quality of the squad. As far as I can see, Moyes is doing everything to address this within a reasonable budget. Last season, he had to replace an ageing centre back combination, an ailing goalkeeper and a strikeforce lacking in pace. In come Lescott ? probably the best value for money transfer of last summer ? joined by Johnson, who also now seems good value, and Howard who has been a revelation. Before Xmas last year, we were lacking quality in midfield, and Fernandes was brought in on loan.

This summer's dealing all seem to make sense and should be commended. Moyes has extracted great value for crap ? Naysmith and Beattie (yes, that was his mistake), and has brought in young, local quality in the shape of Baines and Jagielka. Creativity is still an issue, so Pienaar has arrived in what has widely been heralded as a great bit of business and scouting skills. And now, despite much wailing and moaning after it was widely assumed he wouldnt return, Fernandes seems to be heading back here. The latter two signings, combined with the ball-playing instints of Baines and Jagielka, must ultimately improve the quality of football, which does still leave something to be desired.

All stadium issues aside, EFC has a lot to be optimistic this season with the youngest, most exciting line up for many, many years. We have Arteta, one of the premierships best players, who was bought for only 2 million pounds! An burgeoning array of attacking options and a great, young defence.

For a long time I thought Moyes was the wrong option for a great club like Everton; he seemed too limited and parochial in his ambitions. But now we, as fans, only have to look at how the other Premier League managers talk about Everton and its manager to realise that the people's club are on the verge of regaining some of its lost status. No, we are not winning the Pemier League yet, and no, we are not playing School of Science football quite yet, but the club is on an upward trajectory and all our full-hearted support can only improve this exciting potential.
John Williams     Posted 14/08/2007 at 13:08:14   Comments (21)

Neville to Newcastle?

Has anyone seen that 'Big Sam' is apparently going to offer £4 million for captain fantastic? I know he gets a bit of stick on this site due to him being a defender playing in midfield (when he looks scared of the ball half the time) but I would be sorry to see him go! I hope Moyes laughs this one off!
Dan  McKie     Posted 14/08/2007 at 12:32:40   Comments (15)

No Plan B: Yes there is (from KW's mouth)!

I feel Keith Wyness is being unfairly criticised re the 'no Plan B' slur. If you see the interviews in full on EvertonTV, you will note he was pushed into agreeing with that position. What he was actually saying is that there is no Plan B in terms of a viable and deliverable alternative to the Kirkby Stadium. Indeed he later goes on to say that the only other plan B is to stay at GP. This "no Plan B" bollox is unfair to say the least.
Mike Hunt     Posted 14/08/2007 at 12:26:36   Comments (1)

Everton can't win in London.

Of course we beat Spurs last year, but still I feel this pain in my stomach on a day we travel to the capital. It may only be a mental thing, I don't know if it's really true we lost more points on the way in London than in the rest of the country in recent years...

Am I the only one who feels this way? And is there someone who can take away this feelings by giving an overview of results playing away from Goodison last year, showing it's only my feeling we always lose in London? Again, I know we defeated Spurs and tied against Arsenal and Chelsea last year, but I feel last year was an exception... And we still lost the Fulham and Hammers games.
Erik Dols     Posted 14/08/2007 at 10:15:51   Comments (12)

This is great....

....enough with the transfer spec and the stadium debate ? enjoy this: Everton v Moenchengladbach, 1970

Paul  Daly     Posted 14/08/2007 at 03:24:38   Comments (15)

Bleattie

Frozen out my arse. Moyes gave Beattie chance after chance after chance and each time he blew it. The other strikers (kids included) took their chance and banged the goals in. I'm sorry lad, but that's a lame excuse. You failed to deliver, you're out. Don't get petty and let your shortcomings fall on others. You were shit when I watched you play against us for Southampton, you were shit at Everton and you'll eventually be shit in the Championship.

As someone posted many echelons ago, never trust a player with a dodgy haircut!
Dan Parker     Posted 14/08/2007 at 01:19:34   Comments (17)

Giveaway Everton odds....

I'm not a gambler at all but having got very enthused by hearing Manny is in town for talks, I thought I'd see what bets were going on the Mighty Blues and I found a betting website (the one ran by the company who are televising 90 odd live Premier League games this season) offering a handicap bet of 14/1 that Everton plus 30 points will win the league so i've had a punt and put on £200, which should net me £3,000 come May!

That means all we need to do is get 50-60(max) points and its a banker unless one of Chelsea, Man Utd et al produce a hurculean effort, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Everton will do the business and in turn this will pay for my Euro 2008 trip/rip-off tickets!

Does anyone share my optimism or am I getting over optimistic about this 'easy money' bet?!
Brian Taylor     Posted 13/08/2007 at 23:14:44   Comments (9)

Everton Who?

I've just read page 395 on ceefax, informing us that David Unsworth has signed for Burnley. It mentions his previous clubs as being West Ham and Portsmouth, but no mention of the many years spent at Everton where he got his only England cap and an FA Cup winners medal. Why do we always get ignored?
Joe  McMahon     Posted 13/08/2007 at 21:12:16   Comments (9)

There's a tree with money growing on it

... grab some!

On the subject of seeking innovative sources of revenue, Everton?s business management has time and again passed up opportunities. There is still no concerted effort to bring in revenue from the uncounted number of Evertonians who live outside the UK. I live outside the UK for a good part of the year and I know how little the club reaches out to the Blue Diaspora.

There is little effort to give the club a profile and a brand in some of the biggest overseas markets where other clubs have ploughed furrows ahead of us. For a time ? admittedly a short time ? we had a Chinese international player in Li Tie. What efforts were made to move merchandise and create a brand in one of the world?s emerging football markets during that time?

Tim Howard has a huge profile in the US, enormously popular. Most Americans think he still plays for Manchester United. What efforts have been made to move merchandise associated with him in the US? We went on what was laughably called a pre-season tour in the US ? one struggling MLS team and a team of college kids. Why not three relatively competitive games that will help create a profile to build on in the US?

When you look at the balance sheet, what we draw in revenue from merchandising is pitifully small considering our history and our status. We need to focus better on new areas of revenue, then maybe we could afford a stadium within the boundary our home city.
Peter Fearon     Posted 13/08/2007 at 20:01:43   Comments (7)

Uefa Cup Draw - when?

I have to plan my work diary some weeks ahead but don't want to be away for the Uefa Cup games if I can help it. When is the draw?
Mike  Hughes     Posted 13/08/2007 at 20:30:02   Comments (3)

Season Ticket Holders not getting a Vote

Have any other season ticket holders not recieved a ballot pack as yet? My dad and I have had a season ticket for the last 12 years, live at the same address and have no problem getting a renewal form for our tickets each year. However, only one ballot pack turned up. When I rang Everton today to ask why, I was told that, as we have two tickets at the same address under one Client reference number, as allocated by Everton when they stopped sending individual renewals, that only one ballot paper goes to each Client Reference. When asked why, as obviously I'm not using two season tickets myself, I was told (after the girl consulted her manager) that this was the way they had decded to do the ballot. I asked what would happen if I had bought season tickets for all my family (there are five of us that have them), the answer was.... one ballot paper for one client reference number. I've checked with the other three, and they have the same situation, one voting paper turned up.

Is it me, or have they lost the plot over ticketing type issues again?! Does anyone have an e.mail address for the king of communication, Ian Ross, or has this happened to anyone else? So much for a fair and honest vote. I can't believe we are the only two people who live at the same address with one Client Reference!
Rob Rimmer     Posted 13/08/2007 at 19:49:40   Comments (10)

Keep Ball not Hoof Ball

From my perspective, there was only going to be one winner on Saturday once we'd got off the mark. However, as ever, the last quarter of an hour did seem to drag on for an age as we nearly contrived to blow it.

Reading the Guardian report today, I was surprised to see that we only had 38% possession whereas Wigan had 61% (yes, I know it's missing a percent!).

This is Moyes's biggest challenge if we are to move to the next level — improving possession. I appreciate it's what you do with the ball that counts but it's a sobering thought that without a scuffed goal from Anichebe, we'd have thrown valuable points away.

It's acceptable to have less possession away from home (eg, Newcastle at Bolton: 39%) as sides play on the break, but 38% at home is really not acceptable. I'm afraid that if we want to improve (especially in relation to the top 4 and European sides), the first team future of players such as Hibbert and Carsley has to be limited, despite their attributes.

Still Manuel Fernandes would be a good start!
Ray  Robinson     Posted 13/08/2007 at 19:24:55   Comments (14)

Manu our man...?

Breaking news from here in Portugal? this report from the daily footy paper Bola, timed at 17:08 today, Monday 13 August:

?Benfica has now received an official offer from Everton to acquire the club?s 50% economic rights for Manuel Fernandes. Benfica will now decide whether to accept Everton?s offer, or alternatively try to acquire the other 50 percent of the player?s contract that currently doesn't belong to Benfica. In the official Benfica statement, the spokesperson said that the player's own desires will be ?decisive" in influencing the club?s decision on this matter.?

This adds to an earlier report, mid-afternoon, that said:

?Benfica?s Manuel Fernandes broke off from training with the team this morning in preparation for the game with FC Copenhagan as the midfielder could be heading for the exit to Everton. The player?s absence from the team hotel received no official explanation from the club, but speculation is mounting that he will move to the city of The Beatles where he played last season on loan. It must be remembered that if Manuel Fernandes is used in the game with FC Copenhagan he would be ineligible to represent another team in European competitions this season.?

Keep watching the skies, people?
Art Greeth     Posted 13/08/2007 at 18:14:23   Comments (100)

Optimism for the future: On and Off the Pitch

The Power of Positive thinking is a wonderful thing. Envisage a bright future and back the Board and the Team and our wishes will be granted because expectation IS a self-fulfilling prophesy! Just like half-time against Pompey, we believed we could do it and the positivity fell onto the pitch, which was imbibed by the team. Let's stop bickering and be POSITIVE so we can create a BRIGHT BLUE FUTURE!
Mike Hunt     Posted 13/08/2007 at 15:48:06   Comments (2)

Problems with new season ticket

Well thank God the season has started and on top of that we have 3 points in the bag.

But did anyone else have any problems getting in the ground with the new season ticket? Mine didn't allow me access and I had to be let in manually by the guy at the turnstile. I have spoken to Everton and they have said there were problems with the electronic turnstiles. Not very professional at the curtain raiser of the new season. Just wondering how many others have been affected.
Tony Bell     Posted 13/08/2007 at 15:52:14   Comments (4)

Caring about Spain...or not...

Just read more DM quotes there imploring Aragones to check out Arteta. I know managers like to show loyalty to their players by touting them for a national side but really, with the squad the size that it is and with Arteta being such an integral part of our plans, shouldn't Moyes be doing his best to ensure that Arteta never ever plays for Spain!

I mean I don't give a toss about whether he ever gets capped. And if he does, it just means that Barcelona will eventually come sniffing around with a £12M bid and before you know it he'll be an expensive bit part substitute for Frank Rijkaard. That, or he ends up getting a good kicking playing in some nothing ?must win? qualifier out in Azerbaijan (or whoever the hell are in Spain?s group) in the middle of November and he?s out for 6 months.

So Dave, keep quiet about Arteta. It?ll be our little secret?
Jeremy Sweetnam     Posted 13/08/2007 at 14:16:36   Comments (9)

And If Ya Know Yer History....

Please help me. I have read many, sorry, every article on here regarding the ground move debate. I picked up on one point in particular... the one about Everton moving out of the city once before when we left Anfield. Well in the pub after the game on Saturday, I repeated this 'fact' only to be called the biggest prick in the world.

So my question is can the people stating said fact back this up with any evidence and if so where can I find it? This is nothing to do with the stadium debate ? I just need to prove I'm not repeating complete bollocks.

It may also help you prove to the peole on here who might have also thought you were talking bollocks...
Andy Baker     Posted 13/08/2007 at 14:17:34   Comments (7)

Stubbs....the enigmatic fan

Am I alone in being irritated by Alan Stubbs appearing on the official Club website to say that all he wants from the Kirkby vote is what is best for Everton? Is he talking as a fan or a player? If it is the latter then he has already had his say in the glossy brochure and in that publication he was in favour of Kirkby.

If, however, he is now speaking as a fan then he has most of us at a disadvantage because we cannot place postings on the main page of the Everton website. Is this the same player/fan who was actively encouraging Rooney to leave town on the first available stage three years ago? Will he claim now that he did that in the best interests of EFC?

My opinion (which I have stated before) is that the players are unwise to allow themselves to be seen encouraging fans to produce one particular outcome from the ballot. Their job is to play football and in the case of Stubbs he would be well-advised to spend more time on the training pitch developing (I really mean discovering) his short-passing game. His approach to Kirkby is as subtle as his football and his PR role is not welcomed by this particular fan.
Brian  Finnigan     Posted 13/08/2007 at 12:36:32   Comments (16)

Beattie

I know it's all far too late and the lad has left us but I just thought I'd congratulate him on his return to the goals on Saturday.

Now while you might all say "it's the Championship" I believe that he's finally got the service he requires. With Gillespie wide, he will now get plenty of service and I think he will score 20 goals this season.

So, although some may be happy to see him gone, I will remain dissapointed that he never got the proper service he requires (crosses from wide) to become a legendary Number 9 at Goodison.

Good luck Beats.

I would like to close though with a BIG come on you Blues, let's find someone to take the great shirt and supply him with the bullets to make us great too!!
Paul Smith     Posted 13/08/2007 at 12:36:49   Comments (3)

I am feeling good....

Blues, anyone else feeling pretty good about where we are going? If we can forget the move for the duration of this post, with Howard Jags Yobo Lescott Baines Manny (hopefully) Tiny Arteta Pienaar AJ Big Vic and Vaughny.

That is a class team that is young and is going places. Okay, we have a small squad but we DO have back up or "squad players" that could come in and do a job agianst some of the lesser teams in the prem if we have a few good cup runs. Players Like Neville, Stubbs, Hibbert are all good cover at the back. Carsley, VDM, Ossie are all good cover in the middle. If we do get the Yak from Boro too, we'll have 4 quality strikers.

See you at Reading, as I can't get to Spurs. COYB
Michael Cummins     Posted 13/08/2007 at 12:10:45   Comments (2)

Lost for words again...

This subject has been brought up a couple of times in the past but some news this weekend has got me lost for words. The news was that Paul Allen, is looking in to the possibility of buying Southampton!!

For those of us who dont know who this fella is, he's the co-founder of Microsoft and friend to the stars. With a wealth not to far from that of Bill Gates. He also owns the Seattle Seahawks.

Reading a statement (made in April iI think) he calls them a family supported club, with tradtional values an a sleeping giant. If that's Southampton, what the fuck are we!!?

This 24/7 ficticious search for suitbale investors is a joke!! How can we be bypassed by the likes of Southampton!! What makes us such an unattractive proposition for potential investors!? If we are looking for investors surely there would be a glossy, prospectus in distribution, up-selling the clubs qualities?

My gut feeling is the search has stopped (if it ever started) and approaches are being rejected while the stadium issue rumbles on.

I can probably answer my own question on whats makes us a poor investment proposition; 2 city club, debts etc. But the potential, tradition and fan base dwarfes the likes of Man City, Southampton and West ham, so in effect the positives outway the negatives....

....but I'biased.
Carl Wright     Posted 13/08/2007 at 11:32:35   Comments (5)

Golden Ticket

I?m not a season ticket holder, never have been, never will be as my job does not allow it but I do get the sense of feeling that unless you are a season ticket holder you are not really classed as a fan by the majority.

I went to my first game at GP when I was about 5 with my dad. It was awesome, but even then I was sat behind a stanchion. I go to about 10 games a season and order my tickets online; however, as you walk towards your seat you never know what type of view you are going to get. Even the seats which are not classified as ?obstructed view? have a very poor ?C? value. If I was a season ticket holder with an unobstructed view I may very well vote no but let's face it, it GP has had it?s day. Driving past the loop this morning I just had to smile, it is a pathetic site, dreamt up by the ?No? campaigners. Come on, boys, come up with something better than that please.

I don?t have a vote and trust Everton fans will do the right thing for the club either way. However, I would urge fans to hold off until more information has been presented from both sides. With this vote you have been presented with the equivalent of a Willy Wonka golden ticket, please use it wisely.
Frank Stipes     Posted 13/08/2007 at 09:02:43   Comments (2)

Kirby the only to move to the next level

Firstly, I just can't comprehend the 'No' argument. The entire basis of is to keep the club within the city boundaries. So I take it those who argue that would be fine if it was moved 7 miles to say - Garston?? instead of 4-5 miles to Kirby?

Also the argument that Kirby is not strictly within Liverpool City council boundary. Boundaries change, what if in the next 10 years the government decided to shake up local government and did away with the borough of Knowsley and decided to enlarge the Liverpool City Boundary? Would that suddenly make it alright?? Are the residents of Knowsely not scousers? I was born in Fazerkerly Hospital and brought up in Litherland and Seaforth, which is in Sefton, I take it I'm not a scouser either. It's a stupid argument that is not rational, and those who stick rigidly to the KEIOC campaign are acting like spoilt/selfish children.

We are at a very important time in our clubs development, it looks like we may have dragged ourselves out of the annual fear of relegation football, and hae been gifted the opportunity of a £150m stadium for a 6th of the cost, which will mean more revenue for the club and more money for players to enable us to make the next step and properly challenge the present big four. I can't believe supporters of our club would risk it's future because of an imaginary boundary, which itself is not set in stone.

Goodison is a grand old lady, but she has had her day, and stark truth of the matter is we cannot afford to replace it. It's time to move on, if you keep looking back, you won't be able to see how far forward you can go.
Peter  Jamieson     Posted 13/08/2007 at 08:43:04   Comments (8)

Give AJ the No. 9 shirt!

Gentelmen, there where only two players on the park on saturday, our best player by a long mile in Mikel and MR "I do so much and don't get rewarded"...AJ. Mate, if you visit this site, keep up the good work. One of our best players for years and woud love to see the No. 9 on you. See you at THFC and RFC.
dominic eaton     Posted 12/08/2007 at 23:56:08   Comments (0)

Corporate Hospitality

I'm sure I'm opening myself to a tide of abuse from some of the regulars on here... but here goes. I don't suggest Everton will guarantee to sell out at a new ground but I'm sure you will get a big increase in takers.

Whether people care about corporate seats is debatable but the club clearly believes that this is a positive revenue stream. They did the analysis.... so we take it their figures add up?! Not defending a move but I'm pretty certain that the empty seats are due to the facilities ? not the impoverished Merseysiders!

For the record, I think GP can be one of the most atmospheric stadiums in England... I will shed a tear like the rest of you if she is to close her doors for good.
Ian Martin     Posted 12/08/2007 at 17:56:38   Comments (6)

Terry Leahy Letter

What a shame the letter from Terry Leahy was not published before the voting forms were posted out.

I have been an ardent member of the 'no' camp thus far, largely because I don't trust what BK and KW have fed us so far and because it has been outrageously positioned as our last chance to escape from a guaranteed downwards spiral towards oblivion.

Now I'm not saying Sir Terence is any more trustworthy as we don't hear much from him, so we can't be sure, but he has finally filled in some of the areas that I, and many others, felt was missing from what BK and KW have been feeding us.

I would have been far more likely to have voted for the move to Tesco Town had Terry Leahy's letter been published earlier.
Paul Johnson     Posted 12/08/2007 at 16:46:51   Comments (13)

One of the Best Grounds In England

Over the past couple of weeks I have been grappling with "the" question:- Grasp the opportunity of Kirkby or wait for something better to (maybe) come along.

I have found myself drifting from a "no" towards a "maybe move" stance. However, I read today's Observer football pullout which rates all the Premier League stadia. Guess where do you think tatty old Goodison comes in? 15th? 18th? Wrong... Joint second after St James Park. The bottom four ranked were all recent builds. Only Sunderland, of the new stadia got the thumbs up. Goodison was regarded as a "proper" stadium, albeit with the problems we all know about.

So where does this leave me ? more undecided than ever! I suspect I'm not alone...
Rob  Sawyer     Posted 12/08/2007 at 13:29:07   Comments (28)

Team Selection

Although I didn't see yesterday's game and had to rely on the highlights on Match of the Day, it seemed a somewhat strange team selection at first glance.

Hibbert ahead of Jagielka? Lescott still at left-back despite the return to fitness of Valente? With Vaughan and Cahill out injured and VDM confined to an observer's role, it was as though last season never finished. A closer look reveals some reason for Moyes's conservatism however.

Firstly, Valente, despite being a fit and natural left-back, has by all accounts been poor in pre-season. I don't think Lescott was played on the left because Moyes really wants to partner Yobo and Stubbs but more because he doesn't trust the Portuguese. He said unreservedly during the week that he wants to play Lescott in the centre and I have no doubt that will be the case once Baines is fit.

My concern comes against teams with better attacks who will expose Stubbs for pace forcing us to sink deep and return to the long-ball game that blighted our performances last season. However, Moyes will always gamble on snatching a goal ahead of playing a leaky defence and, with our current midfield, he's probably right to do so.

Jagielka's omission is more puzzling but there have been rumblings that Hibbert has looked a better crosser during pre-season. Without a doubt a top-quality tackler and committed performer, his failings have always been in the attacking side of the game expected of the modern full-back. Perhaps Moyes felt that at this time he is simply a better bet than the new-boy?

On the other hand, Moyes held back Lescott for a couple of games at the start of last season for reasons best known to himself. It did us no harm however and perhaps a similar 'easing-in' approach is being taken again. But on the other hand, against the fast and skilful Spurs attack on Tuesday, Moyes may withdraw Stubbs in favour of Jagielka in the centre and this could explain a 'start as you mean to go on' policy of having Hibbert on the right.

The rest of the team somewhat picked itself. VDM still looks someway short of the player we all want, and Pineaar hadn't played with his new team mates yet, leaving the midfield a no-brainer selection-wise.

From MotD's (last on as ever) highlights, Anichebe and Johnson seemed to link up well showing some promise the the loss of Vaughan won't be too painful for the time-being and as ever Arteta glitters. He looked a man on a mission to prove, like Moyes, that you don't need to be able to splash £50M to succeed.

Whether he will be able to accomodate the diminutive Pineaar, Osman and Arteta in the same midfield is dubious and Osman's scoring performance will leave him with a difficult choice. I suspect there will be few changes for the Spurs game.
John Holmea     Posted 12/08/2007 at 11:33:08   Comments (19)

The 22,000 Catchment

Right, Tesco's are going to get us a 55,000-seater ground for practically nothing,if you can believe that. Everton's average gate is 36,000. Okay, now what if maybe 3,000 will not go under any circumstances, that means we need to find 22,000 to fill this new ground to at least keep the prices at an acceptable level, and also to pay for any extras caused by add-ons like new roads etc, that's if we have to help to pay for any new transport system.

Firstly, Kirkby Evertonians; I think a large contingent of them already go to the match, after all, its only 6½ miles down the road. There are obviously kopites living there, also they have Kirkby Town FC. The population of Kirkby is approx. 44,000, so I don't think you will get many extra fans from there.

Skelmersdale; I presume you will get some fans from there, a few who don't already go maybe.

St Helens... a fanatical rugby league town. I play bowls there, and there are Evertonians there, but most of them already go.

Then there's Wigan, fanatical rugby league town with a Premier League side, but cannot fill their own ground.

Bolton? they cannot fill their ground either.

Widnes? rugby league town, but you could initially get a few going out of curiosity.

Runcorn to my mind could be split three ways: Blues, Kopites and Utd, but you could get a few, as it will be easier to get to.

A bit further east you have Warrington, a rugby league town.

Coming back along the Mersey(Royal Blue), there's Birkenhead,as we all know split three ways again. Further south there's Chester; I would say its mostly Man Utd, with sprinklings af Blues and Reds.

So, my friends, where are the 22,000 going to come from? Are Tesco's going to pressgang them in for us? After a year or two when the novelty has worn off, and we cannot afford the players that need, what then? As for Mr Wyness's up to £10 million for Mr Moyes, there are ten digits up to ten, nought is one of them!

I really hope it is a no vote for the sake of EFC because in a couple of years after we move, we could in all probability joining the Half Empty club presided over by Boro, Bolton, Wigan, and the rest that are in it. How sick would it get if the away crowd came and instead of singing "Who are you", it became "WHERE ARE YOU ALL?!?" Vote NO and lets progress in OUR CITY ? where we belong!!
Colin Potter     Posted 12/08/2007 at 09:15:57   Comments (36)

Extra income for Everton

It occurred to me yesterday leaving Goodison Park that it's such a lost opportunity from Evertons point of view, that there is nothing to keep fans back after the game. 40,000 leave at once. Surely they could open the bars again, show edited highlights of the major incidents from the clubs video footag, (that they show during the match on the big screen so surely no problem re-running them??) even show the 5:15 pm game (even if it's Liverpool playing ? it's still Premier League footy!)

I saw a lot of fans making it back to surrounding pubs in Walton and in the city centre. Can't help feeling if only a quarter of those at the game stayed and spent a tenner on drinks or food thats £100k per home game, £1.9M per season plus cup games. Plus it would make the bottleneck around the ground less of an issue as people would drift away a bit more slowly than all at once.
Mark  O'Brien     Posted 12/08/2007 at 09:38:02   Comments (5)

A Question of Trust

Sir Terry Leahy makes HIS and Tesco's argument for Kirkby, and parts of it are compelling for him and for Tesco.

However, he loses the argument for me by saying "When the Board, the manager and the leading players of Everton are unanimous that a move to Kirkby is right, I know they have the best interest of the club at heart and I trust their judgement." Well he would say that wouldn't he because he and Tesco will benefit enormously.

The real issue is with the Board, and whether we trust them to make this momentous decision "in the best interests of the Club" from which there will be no turning back. I am afraid I, like many others, do not trust them. The disdain they have shown to fans and their breathtaking arrogance of "no Plan B" and rubbishing all other proposals merely confirms this.
Rodger Armstrong     Posted 12/08/2007 at 09:01:08   Comments (14)

Mixed Blessing

I see yesterday`s welcome but none-too-convincing victory as a mixed blessing. I am sure I am not alone in suspecting that the sudden interest in signing the likes of Gonzales, Fernandes and Yakubu was no more than a typical Kenwright `snow job` aimed at getting early votes for the move to Kirkby. It is already emerging that `hard bids` were in fact no more than `expressions of interest` and that we are still a hundred miles away from signing anyone of this calibre.

Moyes`s reluctance to embrace change showed yesterday in his failure to have his new boys in from the start. If Jagielka is not a better full-back than Hibbert and Pienaar not more creative in midfield than Neville then neither should have been signed. My worry is that he will see the victory as a sign that all is well with his side and that we shall soon hear that `big money` signings would only rock the boat.

Of course we shall see `numbers coming in` before deadline day but they will be just that ? numbers!If Everton are ever to worry the Big Boys or make a real impact in Europe there is an urgent need for an infusion of CLASS ? a commodity sadly missing under Moyes since the passing of a certain young local boy!
Mike Ormisher     Posted 12/08/2007 at 08:48:06   Comments (8)

Z-Cars theme

I know it is probably very trivial in the current climate of the ground move and search for more players, but did anyone else find the new "Premier League" music and the announcers talking over Z-Cars yet another bit of innappropriate interference on the traditional entrance of the teams onto the pitch? The old music was bad enough but this was USA all over.
Lee Gorre     Posted 12/08/2007 at 08:58:58   Comments (3)

12000 miles from Ken Buckley's seat...

So that's it then, the long awaited big kick off, well the Saturday portion of it anyhow.

If you where there, how was it for you, did the earth move? There are 3 things that there is no 'bad' for, just 'some better than others', sex, beer and wins. From the reports it was a bit of a clerics egg and the dominant theme STILL seems to be the inability to totally dominate teams at home and kill them off.

But as we are always being told, 'It's the result that counts'... Except in a few cases, I for one, remain unconvinced, that more 'joined-up football' is to be poo-pooed. Were we the only Saturday game NOT on Sky?

Of the games I did get to see, I was appalled at the acres of seats empty at Boro... big up-and-coming club? My arse! Potential transfer target Yakubu (or PR smokescreen if you prefer) didn't get a lot of sevice but played well enough in the linking/forward role, but £10 mill?? He looks like a big Victor clone... or is it the other way round? At that price I hope it is just a smokescreen.

The Sunderland-Spurs game was a huff-and-puff rope-a-dope type of game in which Spurs played to excess the dope part with a laid-back attitude that made Perry Como look like St Vitus! The Black Cats' last-minute goal might turn out to be Premier League money in the points bank come the end of the season. I hope we don't get the backlash on Tuesday.

As to the other main bone of contention, the vote/ground move, I thought that Big Tel's piece was very plausable and may even be true. He sets out his stall on the first page in saying, that in answer to "What's in it for Tesco?" ...well it's £400 mill.

As I havn't got a vote, I hope whoever comes out on top is right.
Derek Thomas     Posted 12/08/2007 at 06:22:46   Comments (0)

The Other Side of Insular

Sir Terry's letter is the most succinct of all I have read on the tiresome matter of the Kirkby project, and whether it makes any sense for us to basically own a spanking new increased revenue stadium ? for less than Liverpool pay for their summer overhaul. Can't you see that Kirkby will not be Kirkby anymore. I actually trust Sir Terry better than anyone on this move. He has the credentials.

One last thought: am I the only one on this planet that thinks that Liverpools proposed new ground is one of the most hideous that I have ever seen. It finally destroys the neighborhood. Quite frankly I look forward to moving away from Walton and believe that Liverpool are perhaps building a stadium that is doomed by not being drivable and parkable to.

I also wonder why Everton and Evertonians have not considered an almighty protest against the LCC. For the life of me I can not find one single reason why the Stanley Park covenant has been changed for the convenience of LFC. I do feel that Everton is entitled to millions in compensation (for instance the harm to our brand by forcing us out of little Liverpool and having us remain outside the city center).
Mike  Dolan     Posted 12/08/2007 at 03:26:08   Comments (12)

Will Moyes and Everton evolve this season?

Whilst I was glad (and relieved in the end!) that we gained three points today, I feel that a couple of long-term issues, some interlinked, need addressing if this season is to be an improvement on the last:

1) We need to start killing sides off at home

This was apparent last season and obvious again today. More driving force and creativity from midfield would no doubt assist us in this regard. I know we are limited in this department but if we only have Pienaar to assist the efforts of Arteta then let's have him in from the start. On the evidence of today he warrants the inclusion. I thought both Osman and Pienaar could have been accommodated today at the expense of Carsley/Neville. I think Osman has the potential to excel against the likes of Wigan at home but tougher fixtures question his inclusion. How many times are we going to sit back on a lead and invite the opposition to put pressure on us? At 2-0 up today Jagielka and VDM could have been brought on to really twist the knife. Battering sides at home is morale boosting!

2) Carsley and Neville

As another contributor has said, Carsley and Neville in the same midfield hinders our ability to penetrate with telling passes. Neither of them is particularly good at passing and to be both selected in midfield for a home fixture is concerning to say the least. Neville is best in defence, keep him there. We only need one holding man and Carsley is the obvious choice.

3) Put out your best eleven in their best positions

Having spent the money on Jagielka let's have him in. I don't know the reasons why Hibbert started today over Jagielka but it's clear that the former is a squad player at best. The latter is a more dynamic player with superior passing ability. More of a driving force to link defence and attack. Let's have him in from the start for god's sake! Lescott paired with Yobo in the centre is undoubtedly the best option. Valente at LB would have offered us more link up on that flank today though I expect to see him superceded by Baines.

4) Drop the conservatism, let's go for it at home

I was slightly surprised/concerned by an apparent conservatism in team selection today. It worked and we gained three points but the customary nervey nail-biting at the end was unnecessary when Wigan should have been dead and buried. How many times have we said this before? If Fernandes and Yakubu can be drafted in then I think it will help Moyes to throw off the shackles.

I strongly believe that what happens in the first two months of this season will tell us whether our manager has really learnt anything at all. Moyes needs to change his modus operandi as on the evidence of today sides like City and Newcastle will be breathing down our neck for those European places. The first 8 fixtures are an excellent opportunity to get points on the board but we need a fresher, more dynamic approach to last season if we are to achieve this. Time will tell...
Anthony Newell     Posted 11/08/2007 at 20:35:51   Comments (21)

Any responses?

After reading the key Open Letter from Sir Terry Leahy, I have to wonder... Are there any valid 'No camp' responses left, Lyndon et al?
Derek Howl     Posted 11/08/2007 at 18:56:54   Comments (86)

Stevie Pienaar

Stevie Pienaar really stood out during his brief stint today. He has raw pace and the ability to beat a defender one on one. He also looked keen to come back and defend when needed and the eye for a good pass (like when he set up the second goal). The only time we did a threatening one-two was when Pienaar and Arteta linked up.

I know its very early days, but I can't wait to see this kid play a full game on the left side, maybe the Spurs game ?
Nigel Gregson     Posted 11/08/2007 at 17:38:24   Comments (34)

Great Start for the Blues!

Finally, all the summer bullshit is over and we are back to business! (Okay, well, not quite: we still have two more weeks of transfer madness to suffer and the usual idiocy of Deadline Day!)

But enough of that: I'm really, really pleased that we got off to a good start with a very important home win to set the standard for the new campaign. I couldn't get the match today but it was great to see a big crowd and bouyant atmosphere in Goodison, cheering the lads on. And I'm overjoyed that two of our homegrown tallents (especially Oz) got the goals.

Yes, it's a pity David Moyes couldn't be more adventurous and it's a pity we didn't batter the living daylights out of them. But as modern-day Everton fans we need to be grateful for every one-goal victory Moyes and his conservative football brings us.

Onward and Upward! COYB!!!
Paul Hardcastle     Posted 11/08/2007 at 17:31:05   Comments (7)

Sir Terry Tesco Toffee open letter

Whilst currently removed from the UK perhaps distance gives more perspective on the crucial stadium question. Though feel free to discount my missive since my opinion should perhaps carry much less weight then those able to attend Everton's stadium.

In an age where cash is king, Sir Terry's words appear very wise indeed and perhaps should be taken on board fully. Since successful economics off the pitch is crucial to getting to the top consistently in the Premier League on the pitch it is surely a 'no brainer'. The richness of Everton's future history will be determined by achievments on the pitch more than which Liverpool/Merseyside 'L' postcode the stadium is based!

One of history's greatest economists, John Maynard Keynes, famously said, 'In the Long Run we are all Dead!' Accordingly, it is imperative the right choice is made to give Everton the chance to build on the progress being made. Look forward not back, onward and upwards Everton (on and off the pitch). COYB!
Jason Hagarth     Posted 11/08/2007 at 12:39:48   Comments (6)

A Minor Oversight

I'd like to take a moment to thank the developers of the official Everton FC website - their inclusion of a comments facility attached to selected news articles and the "thumbs up" device give fans a real opportunity to weave their opinions into the fabric of the site.

Further, the club's desire to make wide use of open letters as part of their relocation campaign belies a great deal of verve and passion underpinning the administration's strong belief that Kirkby is the right option.

Curiously, however, the site managers appear to have made something of an oversight - these open letters don't have fan comments enabled. This is a clear technical error for Keith Wyness' letter - at the very least - given the sequence of questions seeking answers. I can only imagine that Mr Wyness is feeling frustrated at the dearth of response but I can't comprehend why he hasn't brought this up with the technical staff to ensure its speedy resolution.

Hopefully this will all be remedied quickly to ensure that the well-considered and balanced views put forth by the club can take their proper place as the starting point for enlightened discourse and dialogue between the fans and the club they dearly love. It would certainly serve to diminish wholly devilish cries of propaganda that are blighting such a crucial issue.
Andrew Freedman     Posted 11/08/2007 at 12:49:32   Comments (2)

Moyes & Maths

DM constantly tells us what we already know - we have a small squad and need more cover and competition for places, even more vital this season with a Euro campaign. He has let four players go and signed four. Hmmmn. I didn't get my Maths O-level but you don't need Carol Vorderman to work it out.

Also, four of our better players are currently injured - one for at least 4 months and one for maybe 6 weeks. Can he not be given the Tesco money NOW (it's a done deal methinks) and bring in two or three quality players for the full season and not January for four months?
Dean  Peamum     Posted 11/08/2007 at 11:18:52   Comments (1)

Are JJB doing enough for us?

My girlfriend and I went into Chorley town centre yesterday intent on buying the new Everton home shirt. We located the local JJB and proceeded to look for the Everton shirts. As JJB are the official distributor of our shirts you would have thought they'd be in the front window. WRONG. Maybe they were in front of you as you walked in. WRONG. In fact I had to ask an assistant to point out where they were.

They were tucked into a corner, with only three racks of space next to the Newcastle shirts which had 4 racks. When I quizzed the assistant about it he had said the store manager had put them there. When I spoke to the store manager about the fact that Everton pay good money for JJB to sell these shirts he just shrugged.

Am I the only one who is annoyed about this? Why have we outsourced our shirt sales if the retailer doesn't give a stuff about us? I was left very annoyed with the situation, but at least I had a new Everton shirt with Yobo number 4 on the back. Anybody else had issues like this??
Tony Bell     Posted 11/08/2007 at 10:57:13   Comments (11)

Ten Evertonian Wishes

1. EFC win some silverware (any of the domestic cups will do if not the Uefa Cup).
2. EFC batter someone with 5+ goals. Possible candidates are Derby, Fulham, Man City, Boro ...... or Wigan today.
3. EFC break into top four again, forcing bitter Rafa Beneathus to blame underinvestment in his team-building plans.
4. EFC do the double over Liverpool; sulking Scandinavians and Cornishmen protest by throwing missiles onto the Anfield pitch. A LFC spokesman says, "they weren't real LFC fans" (ie, it was someone else's fault - again).
5. An EFC striker scores 20+ goals but turns down an England call-up as "EFC is my priority".
6. The half-time hit-the-cross-bar competition is scrapped and replaced by the Goodison Cheerleader Girls (they were class).
7. The Health and safety at Work Act forces EFC officials to turn the volume down on the PA loudspeakers.
8. David Moyes wins Manager Of the Year (again) forcing a bitter Red Rafa to claim, "anyone can win that with the finiancial backing he has received".
9. Tim Cahill and James Vaughan come back stronger than ever.
10. Big-spending upstarts like Man City, Newcastle, Pompey and West Ham are put in their place by Moyes's Boys with last minute substitute-inspired home and away Everton victories.

Why do I have voting papers?

I was rather confused the other day when my wife and I received letters from Everton. Inside each letter was a voting form. I have never been a season ticket holder or a shareholder. The only kind of membership of the club I have had was being a member, along with my wife, of Evertonia the season before last. I find it strange that I have received voting papers when I don't appear to be eligible. Any ideas? Have any other Evertonia members received voting papers?
Stuart Bryan     Posted 11/08/2007 at 08:52:48   Comments (1)

4-4-2 or 4-5-1?

Every time we have tried 4-4-2 we get stuffed. Recently 4-5-1 has been boring due to the talent of the players available. If we get Manny back, I feel that 4-5-1 will be our best formation. I always thought 4-4-2 was the way that teams won anything but to see the attacking talents of Arteta, Cahill, Pienaar and Fernandes will be fantastic. AJ will get more room for runs and will certainly get more chances. Any thoughts?
Steve Brown     Posted 10/08/2007 at 23:46:25   Comments (10)

Hypocrites

I'm normally a Blue Kipper and WSAG website reader really, don't normally read ToffeeeWeb. And I won't be doing it again. This site is a disgrace. The club is accused of running a PR machine, propaganda galore, players alledgedly forced to make pro-Kirkby statements, bullshiting about transfers for a 'Yes' vote, etc, etc, ad nauseum. OK, anyone can email in, even me, and give an opinion, it's not the website's fault?

But the people really doing the PR bullshit is the anoraks, KEIOC, and the amazing number of part-time architects/property developers that seem to have sprung up suddenly. The supposed 'moderators' on this site give plenty of space to hare-brained GP/Loop stuff and tiny space to anything pointing out the realities of those pipe dreams and the benefits of the Kirkby proposals. Anything pro-Kirkby is branded 'PR'.

Credit to the board, for holding a vote in the first place ? a first. Do any of the 'No' voters acknowledge this? See, the difficulty with democracy is, it is prone to pressure groups and minority interests clouding the issues.

Now for my opinion, not propaganda. I'd rather be in Kirkby with a chance of winning honours than remain at GP never winning anything again. People who use the 'it's not in our city' argument are not worth bothering about. Suppose, just suppose for a second, if you can, that the board, Moyes and the players, have got the best interests of the club at heart and they back Kirkby. It would make me consider the move rationally. Not start accusing all and sundry of pulling the wool over people's eyes.

If we turn this offer down from Tesco, run by an Evertonian, offering US financial help to build a ground WE CAN'T AFFORD TO BUILD OURSELVES, which will give us extra funding when our own stadium is falling down, then we don't deserve help.

If KEIOC revealed they have found someone with a billion big ones to build us a stadium and invest in the club, in Liverpool, I would go for it, no doubt. But they haven't. And they won't because they can't find one.

I respect any Evertonian's views on the move. We all have a right to an opinion. But we also have a right to a fair and balanced debate with some accuracy of information and facts, something this website has woefully not provided. It is biased. If you are pro-'No' at least declare that.

For me, anyone who say's they won't support Everton if they go to Kirkby has got no heart and anyone who votes 'No' has got no head.
Pat Domingo     Posted 10/08/2007 at 18:46:49   Comments (44)

Voting Papers

Sorry for posting this, but I was wondering if I'm alone in being a shareholder who has received absolutely zilch in the post yet. I don't know if I should be getting on the phone or whether patience will see me ok!
Brian  Denton     Posted 10/08/2007 at 19:02:30   Comments (10)

The word of which we cannot speak (positivity)

No 40-point survival soundbytes from Moyes. Positivity for a change!

"We always like an open league and I would not even consider saying that Everton will not be in the shake-up at the top. You start a season intent on winning the league. That may be a little unrealistic, but I am hoping it will be very open and teams challenge the top teams.

"We do not want it to be that only money buys you success. We want it to be that good coaching, good management, good organisation and a well-run football club can also get through at the top. Not just those with money."
Dan Parker     Posted 10/08/2007 at 17:51:48   Comments (12)

The big kick off!

We need a striker (or two!) so that we have 5 that we can call on. Vic and AJ will start tomorrow but we need to get some cover and quick. The only problem is that everyone can see we need a striker and that may inflate the price even more!!

On the subject of midfield, we are Manny away from one of the best midfields in the league. Arteta, Fernandes, Cahill and Jagielka/Neville would put the shits up most if not all teams in the Prem. Theres lots of hard work coupled with skill and creativity.

Put that with a back four of Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Baines with Howard in goal. Then AJ + Vaughn/ANOTHER and we have a starting 11 that is capable of regular performances of quality and effective football.

I am not naieve enough to believe that we could finish in the top 2 or even win it but I do believe that that if you could play everyones best starting 11 all season then our team would be good enough. Obviously, due to injury/suspension it will not be possible to sustain that fight. The next job for Moyes is to build the rest of the squad around what he has so far.

So far so good and I would be happy with a top 6 finish and a Pot of some kind. COYB!!
Paul Smith     Posted 10/08/2007 at 15:57:18   Comments (14)

Manny and Yak

Does anybody out there have any clear idea as to our current position in the Manny and Yak transfers? Are these just smokescreens to convience voters that just received there ballot papers? Or is it just true which would be great. I have a funny feeling its the former.
Tom  Lynch     Posted 10/08/2007 at 14:19:56   Comments (48)

A new season dawns

And I have to say I do not view it with the usual anticipation. Despite our fine standing last season I just look at the probable midfield for tomorrows game and despair: Arteta (fine, but then..) Carsley, Neville and Osman. That is one poor midfield and thank God we are only facing Wigan, although to be fair they are probably looking at that and feeling the same way!

Also, am I correct in saying that we currently do not have a Number Nine? The club of Dixie Dean does not have a centre-forward to grace the shirt? We are not ready for this season yet - and thats very sad when we consider the platform we had to build on! Still ? COYB ? fingers crossed eh?
Mark Murphy     Posted 10/08/2007 at 13:44:46   Comments (27)

Buying tickets from Everton

I live in London and try to go to as many games in the Capital as possible. I am not a season ticket holder so have to wait for general sale. So when when are Everton putting tickets on general sale for the Spurs game? Monday at Park End box office the day before the game. Yes, I have faxed Everton a request for a ticket should they go on general sale. The last time I did that though the first I knew I had a ticket was when I received my credit card statement some weeks after the game. What chance a courtesy call this time. I will ring up on Monday and no doubt have to listen to the message about the Crystal Palace match again that they still have on their recording before I speak to someone. What's wrong with Everton ? don't they want our support? Oh silly question, of course not, that's why they are frigging off to Kirkby.
Mike Kennedy     Posted 10/08/2007 at 12:45:01   Comments (7)

'Cahill backs move'

I took time out from drinking and eyeing up the lovely ladies (there is even one right next to me on the Internet bit of the hotel!!) here in the party island of Ibiza to have a little look on the Everton site to check in on whats happening. We signed Laighton Baines which is absoluty fantatsic (I have wanted him in a Royal Blue shirt for a couple of years), but then on the Official site I was confronted with the title 'Cahill backs move'. I could not give a flying fuck if Cahill or any other player 'Backs the move' out of our city.

The players are there to play - ie, concentrate on picking up three points on Saturday. Us Evertonians are gojng to have to live with this for the rest of our lives - remember the flag in the Kop End at last seasons derby, 'One club - One city - One name - Liverpool' we will get that for ever, yet the players who wont be here in 6-7 years are saying what a great move this would be.

I'm sorry, Timmy; I think you are a great player for us but please do not insult us by supporting a move that you will not have to live with for the rest of your life. Players come and go ? us fans are here forever.
Adam  Bennett     Posted 10/08/2007 at 10:50:42   Comments (6)

Best Way!

Lyndon, on Wednesday you told us to wait until Thursday to see what would be revealed from Bestway, today you are telling us to wait another two weeks. It seems that everyone is willing to give EFC down the banks for mis-truths etc however are too eager to offer their own. The Loop option is bullshit, we all know it. It is not big enough, GP only just about fits into it now!!! It seems that this "two-three week" period is only designed to put doubt into peoples minds and is underhand to say the least. KEIOC have been queit the last couple of days, I wonder whether they realise that they are running out of steam?

If you want to KEIOC then please put a better argument up than "wait and see".
Frank Stipes     Posted 10/08/2007 at 10:21:26   Comments (3)

Tomorrow is our St Crispin's Day.

This has been the worst close season in my memory. It is accurate to say that a civil war has been fomented by those in charge of our Club. Whether this was done with malice or unwittingly, we will never know for certain. The timing of the ballot, so close to the end of the period of exclusivity, leaving little opportunity for cases other than Kirkby to be properly explored, has divided the Everton family. Some have already voted Yes and some have already voted No regarding the proposal that the Club move to Kirkby. Many are still unsure and waiting to be persuaded one way or the other. Through circumstances beyond our control, we have reached a watershed moment in the history of our Club and passions have been stirred.

Each side (for and against Kirkby) has voiced their opinions loudly into the faces of their perceived opponents in the debate. At times the atmosphere has been polluted by suspicion and rancour. Even the players have unwisely been enrolled in a campaign that has done great damage to the cohesion of the support upon which the Club relies. No doubt many arguments and counter arguments remain to be developed. As we approach the outcome of the ballot, the atmosphere is likely to become more bitter. Energies which should be expended in supporting the team (as distinct from the Club) will be dissipated in more internecine warfare. For a decision of such importance, it is right and necessary that such battles be fought; but fairly with equal time and resources allocated to opposing points of view.

It would be relatively easy for the anger and frustration that we share to become evident tomorrow, both within and outside the ground. Many people will be watching to see how both sides interact with one another before, during and after the Wigan game. There is the potential for the name of the Club and its supporters to be besmirched by angry and foolish behaviour on the day. I appeal to all fans to declare an armistice for 24 hours and channel your energies into supporting the players at the start of a new season.

Perhaps a speech written by another Bill many years ago that was meant to unite people in war can be paraphrased to produce calm tomorrow amongst our ranks. It can act to remind us of our common cause and show those watching us that we know how to behave towards one another; "This story shall the good man teach his son; From this day to the ending of the world. And we in it shall be remember'd; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he today that supports his team with me Shall be my brother, be he ne'er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition: And gentlemen in England now a-bed Shall think themselves accursed they were not here."
Brian  Finnigan     Posted 10/08/2007 at 08:29:07   Comments (7)

Propaganda?

I've seen a great deal of criticism of the club for the voting materials strongly pushing the stadium and getting players to comment on how they support it. This is being portrayed as somehow unfair or unethical.

Now I haven't made a decision yet, because it's (to me anyway) a tough call. But as far as I'm concerned, the club are perfectly within their rights to try and sell the decision as much as possible. We are not voting on an abstract and completely objective issue. We are voting on the board's *strong* recommendation. i.e the club is saying that "we feel we absolutely need to do this" and trying to get people to agree with them. They are perfectly within their rights to do so.

To be honest, for all the talk of propaganda I think the club has actually done a really bad job of selling the decision. If they had sold it well, faced with no genuine details of possible alternatives, thrown together at the last minute by LCC, then it probably would have been more of a no-brainer decision for a lot of people. They've failed to do so. The promotional materials have no real details on the financial benefits, nor figures on the alternatives ? so that we can really see why Knowsley is so much the preferred option. Without such explanation then certainly I feel a lot less comfortable about a Yes vote.

I do think, with all the criticism, the actual fact that we're having a vote is being overlooked. The brochure does make a fair point there ? we're a rarity in that our club has allowed us a binding vote on the issue. I'm thankful for that, whatever my decision.

On a final, and somewhat unrelated note. I was under the impression that Liverpool's planning permission in Stanley Park was based on the fact that there were no other feasible sites for redevelopment within Liverpool. Now that LCC is falling over themselves (at the last minute I feel) to come up with feasible sites for redevelopment, what's the deal with that permission?
Robin Cannon     Posted 10/08/2007 at 08:55:44   Comments (5)

Vote

I received a pack from the club with a voting slip yesterday which I found very strange as I am neither a season ticket holder or a shareholder and haven't renewed my Evertonia membership for the past two years. I go to as many games a season as possible (not nearly enough!) and buy some things from the online store but that's it. Don't get me wrong I think its great to have a say but just wondered if they had widened the net.

On another note why does the club not get Vogel in for the reported £1M now they suddenly have all the money to spend on the same week the vote papers go out. Hope there is some fire behind all the smoke and we get some quality in but it's like groundhog day every transfer window usually ending at midnight on the last day with the usual zip.

Keep up the good work lads, love the site. It's my first port of call every morning to see what's happening.
Paul Dalton     Posted 10/08/2007 at 00:12:45   Comments (5)

Revelation

I was just reading Tony Burn's season preview on ESPN's website and I think he summed up something about next season very well.

"At some point this season we could be looking at a strongest 11 of: Howard, Jagielka, Yobo, Lescott, Baines, Arteta, Cahill, Fernandes, Pienaar, Johnson, Vaughan."

If that isn't mouth watering I don't know what is. And that's if we don't sign Yakubu.
Joey Brown     Posted 09/08/2007 at 23:48:59   Comments (11)

No talk of stadiums here!

If like me you've had your say on the matter and are now frankly bored silly with the whole "will we? won't we?" situation then let's debate something else!

What is the Ugliest Everton 11? The simple rules are as follows:

1. Each quasimodo must be represented in the position he actually played at whilst with the club. (NB utility players such as Alan Harper, let's face it he will make the team, act as jokers and can play anywhere within reason)
2. You can't cite a player from the distant past without reference to a place where a verifiable image can be viewed.
3. 3. No mention of the K-word should be allowed whilst replying to this article.

Saturday Protest

There have been posts recently about keeping Goodison Park this Saturday protest-free. I couldn't have agreed more; it should be about getting Everton off to a good start etc. However, Wyness's recent comments really angered me.

I get the feeling that the Everton Board, who once told us earlier that its too early to hit the panic button, have finally hit it themselves. Moyes told us not too long ago that we wouldn't be forced into making excessive bids for players unnecessarily like other clubs have. £10M for Yakubu... I get an overwhelming sense that everything is a total mess at the moment, and that Saturday's game is an ideal time for fans to voice that dissatisfaction to the Board. We have learnt that they cannot be trusted in what they say. I hope all this vile, sickening propaganda surrounding the move is apparent to everyone voting.

Perhaps the answer is for both the YES & NO voters to unite on Saturday to voice their disgust at Mr Wynnes? As some have suggested, he may be relying on supporter divide in order to support the highly suspect business decision tactics at a later date ? Saturday's game could be an opportunity for the 'supporters' to unite.

Some may say that this could distract the football on the pitch ? even if this was true, our long-term future may be worth 3 points if a powerful enough message is sent vocally. It could be argued that such passion and protest may even spur the players on. What better opportunity will Evertonians ever get to express themselves, or exercise their right to protest? If time really is running out, we need to show our dissatisfaction sooner rather than later.
Alex Kociuba     Posted 09/08/2007 at 22:50:12   Comments (11)

Matt McKay

Remember Matt McKay? He was the 17-year-old player Howard Kendall signed from Chester back in 1998. Amazingly, McKay had only played three games for Chester when Kendall decided he'd seen enough and paid £250k for him. Big things were expected from McKay, "one for the future" declared Howard.

McKay spent four seasons at Everton, but never got close to the first team. He made a few appearances for the reserves but was pretty much an enigma to the fans (you might say Vidarsson is a modern day McKay). Then, at the age of just 21, McKay decided to retire from football, due to injury problems.

If McKay really had been one for the future, he would only be 26 today, in his prime and could be a big part of the Moyes side. Does anyone know why Kendall thought he was such a promising youngster? Why McKay never got close to first team football? Why he retired at such at a young age? Where did it all go wrong? And what is he doing today?
Dutch Schaeffer     Posted 09/08/2007 at 22:18:26   Comments (8)

Lining pockets

I know I'm digressing a little here, but when David Moores realised he couldn't afford to fund a new stadium, he set up a world-wide search,to find someone who could. Just a thought: before he moves us out the city, why can't Bill try the same?!?
John Anderson     Posted 09/08/2007 at 22:20:12   Comments (1)

Its Our ID

I've been living in Bristol now for 7 years. I'm a born and bred blue from Clubmoor, just at the bottom of Pinehurst Avenue.

I often wear my various Everton tops out and I see countless Liverpool tops when I'm out and about in Bristol. I have never been inclined to say to any of these beauts 'where abouts in Liverpool are you from mate' as I know full well that they're not! However, every last person adorning an Everton top has always been a scouser. It's who we are.

I'm not saying that there aren't any Liverpool fans in Liverpool when they are clearly in the majority. I don't care about them though. What I care about is My Club and its great history. My Club is from Liverpool and when people ask me why I support Everton and not Liverpool it's easy: we ARE the People's Club. We put up with the bad times and long for the good times.

I'm off to live in Thailand for a couple of years at the least but I don't want to be meeting those beauts with the red tops on telling me that my club doesn't represent the City of Liverpool any more. Liverpool City Council should be ashamed of themselves. Let's face it though, half of them probably support Liverpool and the rest are probably wools as well.

As neither a shareholder nor season ticket holder, I don't get to vote. However, as a youngster I followed the blues all over, an ever-present in the good and the bad times.

I saw probably the worst game ever to grace the top division when we played out a goalless draw of the direst quality with Coventry City. It was that bad it was almost funny. Some fans were throwing their season tickets on the pitch (there wasn't that many games left though). I was also present at the likes of Bayern Munich at home and the Epic comeback.

The point is these memories, both good and very bad, are what makes me and countless others Evertonians. It's not just about going to whatever ground we end up at. It's supporting the club whoever is in charge and cheering when it's goin well and moanin when it's not.

The one thing we have other than our rich history is our Identity. I can't vote but mark my words: Kirbky will be the beginning of the end.
Colin Grierson     Posted 09/08/2007 at 21:00:51   Comments (8)

Wyness... what does this say about him?

Will someone read this and tell me what it means. Does Mr Wyness tell fibs or am I getting it wrong?? Zhu v Treasurer
Kevin  Wood     Posted 09/08/2007 at 21:12:17   Comments (7)

There's a match on Saturday, by the way

I've just come home to find my ballot paper (still undecided, change my mind every day), have checked Radio City, teletext, websites and the next door neighbour's cat for any news of Yakubu and Manny signing — and then it struck me: I've a match to go to on Saturday!

Seldom have I been so preoccupied close season with such little thought to the coming season.

I do hope that if there is any fallout over Kirkby on Saturday, that public hostilities are concluded well before kick off.

I want a wall of sound to SUPPORT the team once the players emerge. COYB!
Ray Robinson     Posted 09/08/2007 at 20:29:49   Comments (8)

Cards on the Table

Right lads, I'll start by saying that I think that Kirkby is the best way forward. But, if I'm honest, staying in the City boundary would be the ideal solution.

Personally, I think this Loop business is nonsense. And I'll not let it enter my head when I cast my vote. However, there will, unfortunately, be those who see this as a genuine alternative. My fear, therefore, is that people who would otherwise be voting yes, may now be inclined to vote no in the hope that the Loop comes off, which in my honest opinion it wont.

People of this mindset, that is those who are interested in seeing the Loop site put forward as a genuine alternative, deserve to be given more information before they cast a vote that may potentially harm the future progression of the club.

So, if there is anybody out there who can provide an explanation on the most important aspect of any proposed site ? the funding ? then I would challenge you now to answer the following questions:

1) Do you know how much the Loop site would cost?

2) Who will pay for it?

3) What would Bestway get out of this?

Cheers.
Lee Spargo     Posted 09/08/2007 at 20:15:16   Comments (6)

Open Response to CEO

Dear Keith,

Many thanks for your letter (http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/ceo-open-letter.html) which I read with great interest. It strikes me however that had you not signed an Exclusivity deal with Tescos, that EFC may well have had an opportunity to investigate such issues (relating to this and any other proposed site) and that therefore you would have the answers you seek.

Do you not think it ironic that the questions you ask are questions which you have not yourself answered in your 'Information Release' to the voters in this ballot? It is my sincere hope that you have answers for these questions re: Kirkby and that you are not basing your support for the move on the opinion of a couple of footballers: as good a footballer as Mikel Arteta is I am yet to see evidence of his ability to be the CEO of a multi-million pound business!

I am furthermore appalled that you feel justified in calling into question this solution when by your own words you clearly do not have sufficient information! How then have you judged the lack of suitabililty of this site?

In conclusion, I am astounded that a man of your undoubted experience would have made such basic errors in judgment; perhaps however it is not too late. Might I suggest that you either start doing your job properly or failing that, you resign?

Your Sincerely,
Rupert Sullivan     Posted 09/08/2007 at 13:10:18   Comments (11)

Voting Process

I've already brought this up as a sub comment, but it will be better noticed here. All members of Evertonia, as well as season ticket holders, are allocated a vote on the stadium move. Many away supporters, including followers of Man Utd and L'Pool, have become members of Evertonia in order to gain an advantage when applying for tickets,to see their team at Goodison Park.

It would be a travesty for non-Evertonians to gain a vote, on something which does not concern them, whilst Blues without season tickets, have no say on the subject. Ulterior motives of our red 'brothers' also sets the alarm bells ringing. It has already been suggested that such members have already recieved their voting forms.

Surely the club shoud be made aware of this immediately, and the ballot should be null and void, with Evertonia members not being given a vote, as genuine Evertonia members may have a vote already as season ticket holders, whilst simply being a member of Evertonia, should not be a qualification for voting.

The voting process seems shoddy, with some getting two ballots. This cannot be considered a truly representative vote, for the voice of the Evertonian masses, and the board should act now!
Blue Boy     Posted 09/08/2007 at 14:43:40   Comments (4)

Manny ? Part ownership?

Just read on this Portuguese website that we have offered €9M for Manuel Fernandes. I think that is around £6M which would pay for Benfica's half of Fernandes. Are we allowed to only own 50% of the player or would we have to buy the rest of the part owner? From what I have heard we are going in for him but it is going to take time because the premier league will have to get involved.

It does look like this is more than speculation considering it has appered in such places as The Echo, Portuguese news papers, Sky Sports News etc. Hopefully we can get him in and kick on with the season.
Connor  Rohrer     Posted 09/08/2007 at 14:43:10   Comments (20)

CEO's questions... what a joke

Just thought I'd express me opinion on Bully's questions released on the official site.

Bully: Why, if the site is, indeed, both deliverable and suitable, is it only now being touted as a viable possibility? We, as a Club, have been engaged in talks with Knowsley Borough Council and Tesco about the possibility of relocating to Kirkby for the best part of 18 months and yet only now has this site been put forward as a possible alternative....

Answer: Because you had an exclusivity period signed

Bully: Since the announcement of the Scotland Road site there has been no mention of either ? why is this?

Answer: maybe because Scotty road is better and more 'deliverable' (by the way, I'm sick of that term)

Bully: With regard to the actual availability of the site, we understand that it is has, for some considerable time, been under consideration for the relocation of businesses to accommodate Project Jennifer for St Modwen. Is this the case? In order to provide the retail element which is essential to make any new stadium project deliverable, further land adjoining the current site would be required. Is this land available, who currently owns it and what would the purchase cost be?

Answer/Question: How much is Kirkby gonna cost again, Bully? Exactly...

Bully: Is the site actually suitable? Would a 50,000-seater stadium fit on the available land whilst guaranteeing the required circulation space for supporters and vehicles?

Answer: Yes easily, vehicles an supporters? Every single bus route will take you to the city centre. You can walk from the city centre... problem solved

Bully: We do not believe that the existing transport infrastructure in the Scotland Road area would be able to cope with the volume of traffic generated on matchdays.

Answer/Question: Would Kirkby be able too? Have we seen any plans? No. Also, again, YOU CAN WALK FROM THE CITY CENTRE

Bully: What is the proposed timeline for any development on this site? We believe it would take between six and nine months to complete a comprehensive feasibility study, a further six to nine months to prepare a planning application and then an additional four to six months to receive a formal planning decision. In addition, if the scheme was to be "called in" by central government, the entire project could be subjected to a delay of anything up to a year

Answer: With the current board and you in charge yeah it will. when u lot clear off and we get people in who know how to run a business, cut this time by half.Plus isnt Kirkby still gonna take time if and god i hope it doesnt happen, but if the vote is yes.

Bully: Scotland Road "rabbit" out of a hitherto cunningly-concealed hat, we do find it curious that it is being portrayed as a genuine, realistic and deliverable scheme at the precise moment our supporters are being invited to participate in a ballot about our proposed relocation to Kirkby.

Answer: Really? So its got nothing to do with the exclusivity period ending also as the voting for kirkby commenced. was this not a tactic by efc to only give the supporters one option? ie no plan B. maybe u should have kept the exclusivity period until after the vote bully then there would be no competition for your Kirkby dream.

How can he justify asking so many questions about a project thats only just been discussed when the same questions are left unanswered for the Kirkby project which has been ongoing for 18months...
Andy Hosie     Posted 09/08/2007 at 14:31:32   Comments (6)

A River in Egypt

Could some of the Yes voters tell me this? If the situation were reversed and it was Liverpool planning a McStadium outside the city and we were building on Stanley park would we be celebrating? Of course we would! Wouldn't we be saying the same things about their project that the No voters are saying about this project? Of course we all would! Yes voters seem to be so sold on the platitudes and doubletalk that they're not seeing reality. This is a third rate stadium in a fourth rate dump, on land that is valueless. It's not about emotion for me. You're all in denial about what this stadium is going to be like. Crap.
Dylan  Young     Posted 09/08/2007 at 14:15:34   Comments (8)

New Statesman Wanted

Having just read Keith Wyness? open letter on the Official Site I felt rather disappointed.

A number of his questions are entirely valid and fair. However, it was his tone that (for me) so badly let him down. I would question why it has taken so long for him to reply if The Loop is so immediately infeasible unless he has noted a groundswell over this last fortnight or so.

I have found some of the basic propaganda employed by the club rather distasteful, such as using players? and management?s commitment to reinforce their case ? was that a pre-requisite of people signing, to have the new stadium guaranteed? Why were their opinions held back until convenient times in the ballot? Also, a number of the ?facts? in the ballot leaflet are extremely fuzzy as others have already pointed out on this site.

Most remiss of all, he conveniently offers the relevant parties no opportunity to reply, thus rendering his questions entirely redundant in that format and altering them to presumptuous statements. Many of the OW?s articles offer the right to comment. Not this one. They all offer the right to use the ?thumbs up? button, including this one but where is the thumbs down button?

I found the final paragraph most laughable of all opening by stating that he did not question the integrity of parties involved but in the same sentence going on to mock them with ?rabbit out of hitherto cunningly concealed hats?. Ask questions Keith, sew seeds of doubt by all means but don?t reduce yourself, and our club, to amateurish jibes and one-sided arguments any further. Admittedly, the other suggestion may be too late but at least have the cojones to discuss, or even rubbish, it in an honourable fashion.

Please don?t read this posting as pro- or anti-Kirkby (although I know most of you will draw a predictable conclusion). Quite simply, I found it unprofessional and not in the least bit statesmanlike, as one would have every right to expect of a company?s Chief Executive Officer. He should be above such playground antics, however frustrating he may find it.
Lee Mandaracas     Posted 09/08/2007 at 12:33:14   Comments (5)

The 'Loop'

Keith Wyness has recently posted an open letter on the club's website asking for clarity on the proposed 'trumpet loop' site off Scotland Road. I would like to echo his words as he asks some good, challenging questions that I feel require answering.

I went along to the KEOIC presentation of proposed sites and wasn't that impressed. They had little in the way of financial solution - which, lets face it, is the biggest key in all of this.

We can't stay at Goodison, there simply the infrastructure or room to expand. We also do not have the money as a business to redevelop the stadium without the help of massive business partners. That comes in the form of Tesco's, JJB and Knowsley council - and I say grab it with both hands, every other club would. Also, I dont see KEIOC putting their hands in their pockets or LCC for that matter.

For me, its far to late in the day to propose a site such as the 'loop' - it requires purchasing, developing, Compulsary purchase, more roads etc. Its just not viable and its a horrible, narrow minded tactic to thawte an honest ballot of the most loyal fans.

Goodison is my church, I have many happy memories and I have many sad memories. People have been wed there and people have had their ashes scattered there. But that aside, the club is still here now and the club has to secure a future - the past is history, nothing more, and its time to create more history by moving onwards and upwards. A new stadium, new revenue, new partnerships and investments can only enable us to compete at the highest levels.

Ask yourself one simple question 'why are American / Russian / Icelandic billionaires queuing up to buy West Ham/Portsmouth/Villa and Leicester!?' Why are they bypassing Everton?' - the answer, because the first thing any new owner will have to do is fund a stadium. Most investors will be put off by this and would rather spend elsewhere or wait. New stadium will be an attraction as it wont cost and investor a penny! (Possibly)...
Jamie Rowland     Posted 09/08/2007 at 11:15:52   Comments (13)

Slow but steady

I'm as critical as anybody about the way things seem to be going at the club generally and the obvious stadium debate but looking at the playing side is it really that bad? In our squad now we have some excellent, young players in most positions and a number of strong, utility men who can do a job when called upon. I know that the squad lacks depth but lets face facts Everton cant afford a squad like the top clubs because of the financial divide.

Despite one or two obvious learning points (which is par for the course for any young manager steping up) Moyes is smart, getting smarter and most importantly he has a plan - main problem is its got to be incremental and long term but theres nothing he can do about that. He is slowly but surely assembling the best squad of players that we have seen in 20 years at EFC. We have a back 5 that is looking unbelievable and we are only 3 or 4 players from adding the necessary depth to the whole squad for the Premier League and a few good cup runs.

If we get into Europe on a regular basis we will need more players of course but that will come in time. Slowly but (most importantly) surely we are assembling one of the best young squads in the Premier League. I work all over the country and believe me we are no longer seen as the laughing stock that we have been oustide of our great city for the past decade. I no longer have to anticipate a negative reaction when I tell supporters of other clubs that I am a proud blue. I used to get shit in Leicester for gods sake! Lets look forward and trust Mr Moyes - the same trust doesnt extend to Kenwright and Wyness by the way!
Patrick Connors     Posted 09/08/2007 at 10:16:17   Comments (1)

Dodgy phone call

Has anyone else had a dodgy sounding phone call from a company claiming to be a financial partner of the club?

They asked for some of my personal details in exchange for entry into a free prize draw....sounded very dodgy and i'd be annoyed if EFC had sold on my personal phone details.

Anyone else had this?
Dean Paton     Posted 09/08/2007 at 09:55:09   Comments (5)

Go Global?!?

Is this more propaganda ahead of the Kirkby move?

Manny Fernandes to sign today? (!)

"Awash with new money from Kenwright's allies and backers, Everton want a quick result - and super agent Pini Zahavi, a major player in the deal, is jetting in from Israel to conclude talks.

Boss David Moyes has hit the jackpot after his chairman was told to 'go global' by financial sidekicks.

Kenwright now has Planet Hollywood billionaire Robert Earl on board among other wealthy fans who want to see Everton take off."

SOURCE : THE MIRROR
Shez Khan     Posted 09/08/2007 at 09:54:20   Comments (21)

European update

I know everyone is concentrating on the Stadium debate and the start of the season, but with the Champions League 2nd round qualifying finishing last night, it may be a good time to have a look at where we currently stad in terms of the seedings for the UEFA Cup.

We certainly got a good result when Tampere United from Finland knocked out Levski Sofia to take away another team who would have been seeded above us.

Basically, the situation is that if all the teams who are expected to progress do so (i.e. those with the higher UEFA Co-efficients), then Everton will be the 35th seeds in the first round of the UEFA Cup.

The best position we can obtain is 24th place, whilst the absolute worst place we can finish is 45th.
Steve Flanagan     Posted 09/08/2007 at 08:19:22   Comments (2)

Crazy Forum.

Hey, I think this forum IS GREAT... If we buy no-one and get a loan-signing (Manny) then it's a smokescreen against lack of activity. If we try (at least rumour to try) to get someone then it's a smokescreen for Kirkby... If we want to buy cheap players then naturally people will say that its shows lack of aspirations, but if we try to buy expensive then same guys will speak about all sorts of conspiracies... Maan this is crazy. Micheal/Lyndon I suggest you start a TV channel, we have plenty of soap writers (complete with the conspiracies) here :-).
Varun Rajwade     Posted 09/08/2007 at 07:50:31   Comments (5)

Request for those in construction

Could you IT geniuses at TW please put some kind of counter on the home page, which shows the amount construction costs start to increase by as time goes on? You know, like Gmail do as you login, and it shows how much extra space you're getting. Then maybe you could add a sub-counter, Cost to Everton?

Before I get lynched, one of the big problems in the UK is the spiralling costs of construction. Look at Wembley (bad example maybe), look at Arsenal (better example). Methinks more than a little contingency will need to be found by someone, whether it be Kirkby, Goodison, The Loop or the Dark Side of The Moon.
Matt Traynor     Posted 09/08/2007 at 04:48:21   Comments (6)

Transport

I am seriously worried that Evertonians are being made to vote on a subject that we have nowhere near enough facts on. It worries me that my matchday experience will involve an extra hour of sitting in traffic to each journey. There has been no real mention of how this move to Kirkby would accommodate 50,000 fans converging on the ground every home game.

As it is Kenwright's Everton, I imagine everything will be done on the cheap so there will be no train or tram service, just a few extra soccerbuses from the city centre which will get caught up in the rest of the road traffic. The new ground will be too far for most fans to walk to so everyone will be relying on road transport. It will be a nightmare and I will find it hard to continue going if I'm spending so much of my time sat in traffic. It will also make it very hard to tap into these "new fans" which Wyness wants to attract if their matchday experience is the same.

This is not the sole reason for me voting NO but it is a major consideration.
Alan Clarke     Posted 09/08/2007 at 00:46:20   Comments (14)

Manny

I sure hope we sign him. Honestly I'm in the air on if Yakubu is even needed. But Manny...would be nice. Here's hoping he's got blue blood.
Joey Brown     Posted 09/08/2007 at 00:48:02   Comments (51)

I've voted Yes

It's about time we got real. Nothing has been offered within the city boundary (and since when has Bootle, Halewood or Kirkby not been 'Liverpool'?) The Kirkby deal is excellent - it means we pay VIRTUALLY NOTHING and we establish a major link with one of Britain's most successful enterprises.

There simply isn't an alternative, and nostalgia for the creaking ruin Goodison is likely to become changes nothing.
Mike Homfray     Posted 09/08/2007 at 00:36:14   Comments (24)

The first eight fixtures - off to a flyer?

Just had a look at our fixture for August & September. Apart from a tricky away game at Spurs (well, I say tricky but we won it last season) and a tester at home against Man U I reckon we should be looking for a haul of 17 points from these opening games. That would stand us in excellent stead for the rest of the season and give us the kind of opportunity we had when we achieved 4th when the occasional loss didn't dent our momentum too severely

If we have any aspirations to be knocking on the door for fourth place then we should be looking very realistically at going to places like Villa, Bolton & Reading and getting 3 points now. Anything less should be regarded as failure. Of course all of this is dependent on whether we get some striking reinforcement and another creative outlet in midfield to fill the void left by Fernandes. We should not rely solely on Arteta.
Anthony Newell     Posted 08/08/2007 at 23:32:00   Comments (0)

Mickey Blue Eyes

I would be grateful if you could provide a link to Mickey Blue Eyes' article on the stadium vote over at Bluekipper. His thoughts I believe add some intelligent clarity to the subjects surrounding the debate.
Vincent Lysaght     Posted 08/08/2007 at 22:04:26   Comments (5)

You have to vote Yes!

• Voting Yes means the club continue to talk to Knowsley & Tesco.
• Voting Yes means we have an 'out' if LCC & Bestway can't deliver.
• Voting Yes means we instantly become a better investment prospect.
• Voting Yes makes the club stronger in all respects, it gives us the chance to say to LCC, put up or shut up, you've had your chance.
• Voting Yes makes Tesco sit up and take notice that the fans know a good deal when they see one and are putting our faith in them to deliver the right kind of stadium.
• Voting No however, kills off the chance of a link up with a giant UK company with endless opportunities.
• Voting No means no leverage with LCC in any negotiations.

Ethical Partners

Do we really care about Tesco's ethics? Are they bully boys looking for desperate partners who would sway toward the brand dominating the market place and at the expense of local businessmen? I read this on the Time online and drew several comparisons of my own relating to the current Stadium debate, a debate in which Tesco's themselves seem to have stayed extremely quiet... Just wait till they get the no vote.

Article from Times online:

Ask William Chase why 500,000 bags of his Tyrrells crisps are sold every week and he'll tell you it's because customers like a company with a good story. Chase's rise, fall and rise wouldn't make a bad plot line for The Archers parts of his story mirror that of young Tom Archer. To summarise: he took on the family farm in Herefordshire aged just 19, and ran it for eight years before debt and badly judged deals with the supermarkets took him under. After bankruptcy, he spent a quiet decade toiling as a potato trader, only to have a eureka moment at the age of 40 crisps. Not the mingy, artificial kind that Jamie Oliver might campaign against, but posh, "sustainable" crisps, whose journey from potato field to small local shop, or upmarket independent store, could be fondly imagined as we washed them down with a nice merlot. It worked so much so that last year Chase had to fight off Tesco, who tried to sell Tyrrells products sourced on the "grey market" (bought from a third party, without the manufacturer's permission). There was a David-and-Goliath skirmish which ended with Tesco backing down. Chase is the only British crisp maker to carry out the process from seed to bag even though he tells me it would be more profitable to buy his potatoes elsewhere. "We keep the farm going because it's part of the story," he says. It helps that growing potatoes is Chase's passion: "I'd hate to be stuck inside all day." The crisps, made from root vegetables as well as potatoes, are hand-fried in small batches. "In most crisp factories starch is washed out of potatoes so they don't stick together when you fry them. But this also removes the flavour," says Chase. "Here we leave it in and have a chap with a big rake separating them."

He admits that it is the dream of many small producers to be taken up by a supermarket such as Tesco, which has 31 per cent of the UK grocery market: "It was a tough decision saying no. When you're offered the chance to expand a business that you've raised from nothing, your instinct is the opposite. But I knew going into the mass market would take the edge off the brand," he says. "I'd lose my major suppliers such as Selfridges; and looking back at how Tesco treated me after I politely declined, I know I did the right thing." Chase says that going bankrupt was the making of him. "It makes you braver. I know how failure tastes and it's not the end of the world," he says. Would he consider selling up as Green & Blacks have to Cadbury Schweppes and Body Shop to L'Oreal? "Not yet. I'd rather find ways of expanding the brand without it losing its pedigree." Next up, Tyrrells vodka. Hitting shelves this June, made from, obviously, the finest Herefordshire spuds. www.tyrrellspotatochips.co.uk
David O'Brien     Posted 08/08/2007 at 20:36:23   Comments (0)

The One Key Figure, The One Key Fact

Like most of my generation, and I think of the wise men of ToffeeeWeb correspondence (David Hall, Harry Meeke) I have not had a lot to say about the most important event in Everton's recent life, the great stadium issue.

In the best of all possible worlds, a site as near to the city centre would be ideal. A revamping of Goodison itself would be a fine second choice. I don't feel that Kirkby, Bootle and Huyton are foreign lands, they are to me Liverpool in heart and soul.

But the only fact that matters is the one that states that if Everton go to Kirkby they will receive £50,000,000. That's it! End of argument.
Rick Tarleton     Posted 08/08/2007 at 19:48:23   Comments (9)

It's time to stop!

Right, let's get this sorted once and for all.

If you agree with the Kirkby move that's fine.

If you disagree with it that's fine also.

People are entitled to their own opinion on the matter and that's what breeds healthy debate.

Unfortunately it also breeds people who think that their opinion is the only one and the one that should be followed.

Comments like:
"People who vote for Kirkby are scabs and traitors."
"Real Evertonian's would vote No."
"Real Everton supporters would never vote for Kirkby."
These are just stupid comments and should be stopped now.

As Everton fans we just need to agree that people who vote for Kirkby have that right and people who don't have that right also it's all about democracy and the right to vote.

But stupid comments like the above are ridiculous. We're all Everton fans regardless of the way we vote and nobody can assume that they have a higher power over somebody else because of the way they vote.

Let's just stop this stupidity now and join as one to get behind our team.
Steve  Claringbold     Posted 08/08/2007 at 18:22:21   Comments (9)

Yakubu

Computer says no...
Allan Hobbs     Posted 08/08/2007 at 18:24:05   Comments (33)

Ahmed Yahiaoui

No news is said to be good news, but in the case of Ahmed Yahiaoui I tend to disagree. Does anyone have any information concerning this lad's trial?
Jason Broome     Posted 08/08/2007 at 17:59:52   Comments (4)

Ballot and new signings

Just wanted to add that my brother and I received ballot papers yesterday having not been a Evertonia members for any of last season as we did not renew from 05/06. Surely this is going out to more than 35,000 people?

Also can anyone shed any light on where the Fernandes/Yakubu rumour first emerged from, was it just tabloid talk from the Daily Mail trying to double guess what may be going on? Or is there some substance behind the link?

I would feel a lot happier indeed with those two on board, In fact I'd go as far to say I think our first 11 (I stress first 11) would be on par with if not better than the red s***e.

It's been a long hot week at work already, I could do with some good news!!
Steve Smith     Posted 08/08/2007 at 16:53:06   Comments (0)

Not a shareholder

I am not a shareholder but have received two ballot papers ? how does the club explain that?
Mick Wrende     Posted 08/08/2007 at 16:04:09   Comments (13)

Pienaar

So is Pienaar eligable to play for Everton yet or what? He was supposed to have an answer last Friday so that he could play against Crystal Palace last Saturday, then it got delayed till the next day, and we've heard nothing since. Another prime example of the club telling you f**k all.
Shaun Ashton     Posted 08/08/2007 at 15:43:14   Comments (7)

The Moyesiah Commeth

If what I'm reading turns out to be true, the Moyesiah will have fooled us all if we end up splashing £20 million on players. Sly approach to fool teams we have no money and grab two big signings at the last minute. I just hope it turns out to be true and not another Billy Liar theatrical production.

And the Moyesiah said, go forth and watch Everton for I am the Moyesiah and those that follow me will be rewarded with results a plenty. And on the 5th day, he completed his team and proclaimed, "I am the Moyesiah, I have created my team and it will win the FA Cup"

It's just a question of faith..
Dan Parker     Posted 08/08/2007 at 15:06:48   Comments (13)

What if....?

I would just like to ask those Evertonians who are proudly stating that they have already put their cross in the Yes box, and it's back in the post, What if, in the next couple of weeks, Bestway and LCC come out and say the loop can be done, and give us a financial package that may not be as attractive as Tesco, but is within our means to do? Will you regret being so hasty in getting your vote back in the post? I know Bestway and LCC may not come up with anything. But I can't understand why you couldn't wait a while before sending your paper back?
Brian Waring     Posted 08/08/2007 at 13:00:22   Comments (48)

So where's the money come from?

Well it seems that those who wrote off the Gonzalez story were only half-right in claiming we were bidding money we didn't have for a player we couldn't get. Whilst it always seemed unlikely that an Argentine international playing Champions' League football in his prime in Portugal would switch to the Uefa Cup on Merseyside, it seems the bid and money are genuine. Witness the new speculation that Moyes still intends to spend that cash, even if not on Lucho.

Setting aside the who, just how has this money suddenly come into being? Various theories have been suggested ranging from Robert Earl dipping into his pockets to borrowing on next season's fund (correct me if I'm wrong but if we do that every year doesn't that just mean we have the same transfer budget as everyone else but with shiny added risk?).

My personal suspicion, admittedly partially nurured for it's implications which I'll get into in a second, is that this money has been available all summer. I suspect that Moyes wasn't looking at Baines or Richardson or Nugent or Koumas. He actually intended to purchase all of them but was put off by the unreasonable pricetags which to a certain extent he could afford but refused to pay, rightly thinking he could get better players for the same price elsewhere. His original intention was to buy those kind of players in abundance to bolster the squad numbers with the likes of Baines and Nugent hopefully progressing in the manner of Cahill and Lescott to become key players rather than just added numbers.

Thwarted in this attempt, Moyes has has mourned the passing of the £3-4m buy and looked to splurge his cash on one or two big buys instead.

That's my idea anyway... the bit I like about it is the implication that all the bitching, whining and moaning in the mailbag all summer would effectively have been rendered irrelevant by a complete misinterpretation of the club's situtation and the reality that it could quite happily have been negotiating big money purchases on the quiet. Of course the question still remains about the wisdom of leaving your signings until the season has practically started (if not later) but it makes the increasing irrationality of the mailbag more amusing.
John Holmes     Posted 08/08/2007 at 12:22:25   Comments (25)

Conspiracy Theories

I haven't got the time at the moment to write an eloquent letter in the impressive style of Ian MacDonald. I'm busy in work, and my boss is over my shoulder. Instead I just wanted to highlight something, and maybe you at ToffeeWeb could delve a little deeper than me.

Like the majority of people on this site, yesterday I received my ballot paper. And as an Evertonian now well accustomed to spin and smokescreens I read the brouchure and enclosed ballot paper in great depth ? afterall this isn't a decision to be taken lightly. Anyway, I dont want to get into conspiracy theories and what Everton and/or the Electoral Society may be up to, but did anyone else notice that the address on the Ballot Paper was different to that on the Envelope? Anyone? Was it just me? Ok, I need to get a life!

Needless to say I called the Electoral Society this morning who informed me that one of the addresses was their usual one, and the other address was a PO Box that they were advised to set up by Royal Mail as they receive that much post.

Could it be one address, namely the round file for Season Ticket holders, and another address of shareholders? Will Everton publish the count of ballot papers received or will they just publish the percentage vote for and against? You see where I'm heading...

Again, maybe I'm becoming paranoid, but we usually have reason for suspicion ? especially as blues! As a friend of mine said - did you know Keith Wyness was actually spotted on the Grassy Knoll! Oh, and rumour has it that, when Wyness resigns after the "No" vote that Alistair Campbell is taking over as CEO!!!
Mark Welsh     Posted 08/08/2007 at 10:20:26   Comments (4)

Danny Boy

All the talk of big deals for big players is sadly unlikely to me and I think we all know it. However much we'd like some of them to happen, namely Manny Fernandes, Lucho Gonzalez, Santi Ezquerro (though it appears it's only me who's up for this one!) or even Yakubu, I can't help but feel that the only one that's likely to happen is Danny Szetela from Columbus Crew.

This guy was with us briefly as a 16-year-old and although he has interest from various clubs in England and Italy, he apparently would prefer to come to us mainly cos of the language barrier and the fact he knows the club, likes the place and likes the people. He'll only cost £25k as well so that's got to be within our budget. Supposed to be a decent player too, hence the interest from Roma, Lazio, Galatasaray, Rangers, Boro and us.

One to keep a serious eye on I reckon. If you haven't heard of him by the way, he's a midfielder who can scsore goals and make them so would be a fine addition. PlLus he's only 20 and cheap!
Allan Hobbs     Posted 08/08/2007 at 10:35:41   Comments (14)

Cynical.....?

Am I just being cynical here..... Can't help thinking that the "double swoop" for Fernandez and Yakubu has come at the right time for the club who are sending ballot papers out this week? A deal sweetener or a nice PR story released to prove to fans the club are doing something?

I'll believe it when i see the players in an Everton shirt. Until then, the story should be treated with a very big pinch of salt.
Carl Wright     Posted 08/08/2007 at 09:01:42   Comments (22)

Feel the force

So the new season is almost upon us. The forum soothsayers are either justifying their misguided predictions of who we should have signed (and why we didn?t) or celebrating their insight into our beloved club?s real expenditure and canny captures thereof.

I imbibe the passion we all share for our club and equally respect that we are lucky to be able to express that opinion in an environment that encourages debate. I personally enjoy bivalence, a bivariate that provicates discussion. Irrelevant of where we believe Everton should be (based on our respective agendas) in the grand old scheme of things: ?Results are the Guru?. To summarise, would it be appropriate to suggest as supporters we are divided into two camps right now ? namely the glass is half full, or half empty?

Half Full: After almost suffering bankruptcy as a consequence of years of inept boardroom dealings exacerbated by relinquishing control to ?Sugar Daddy? Peter Johnson, which was followed by a subsequent plethora of abhorrent (and suspect) business decisions (e.g. Steve Simonsen transfer from Tranmere to Everton for £4million), BK negotiated control over EFC and soon appointed David Moyes as manager.

The basis of this decision being EFC were skint and needed somebody who could rebuild the club from the bottom up. Somebody who at that time was recognised (by Uefa at least in terms of coaching qualifications and other creditable sources) as the best young managerial prospect in the country who might, just might, reawaken a fallen giant.

Half empty: Everton Football Club have an undivided right to be not only winning or challenging for trophies each season but additionally have to accomplish this with style and guile — after all we are the school of science, remember? Anything less than this should be met by outrage and malevolence.

BK and KW should be castigated for their ineptitude — after all we only finished 6th last year, nowhere good enough. We should sell to anyone who can provide us with finance to purchase anybody we believe is worthy of the blue shirt. After all the fans know best right? It should be our absolute right to know every target EFC are after, not only that but to be kept stage-by-stage informed by the club of negotiation details. How dare EFC not divulge confirm or deny every scurrilous tabloid-selling headline of potential transfers.

Personally, I feel supporting Everton is like a zen exercise! Just when you think you?ve worked it all out ? you realise you knew nothing at all! That's what learning is, after all; not whether we lose the game, but how we lose and how we've changed because of it and what we take away from it that we never had before, to apply to other games. Losing, in a curious way, is winning.

We don?t have huge financial backing, we don?t have a wealthy benefactor. However what we do have money can?t buy. Our strength lies in our unification — our ability to make GP one of the most hostile arenas to play football in. I would implore every single Evertonian to remember this. We are work in progress, we are not the finished article however we are sleeping giants about to rise up again. My only hope is we lay aside our differences on Saturday and unite behind a manager who needs our support (especially after his recent tragedy) and the players who will not let us down if we believe in them. The choice is ours...
Peter Stone     Posted 08/08/2007 at 01:37:25   Comments (13)

Divided Household

Our voting papers turned up today, for me and the lad (13). "Danny, your voting slip is here, son"

"Thanks Dad, just put me down for a No." "Why son?" "Dunno, but everyone seems to be saying No, so I want to."

"But, son, you should make your own mind up."

"I know but I can't be bothered, in fact Dad, you just vote for me"

"But..."

"I'm off out Dad, see ya later"

Apathy? Can't be arsed about the Blues? Who knows, but I've filled his slip in anyway, and the vote is one Yes and one No, and guess what? We didn't abuse each other, we didn't threaten each other, we never even said that we were abandoning our children (Huh?) or grandchildren come to that. We just respected each other's opinions.

It's a pity some others on this site can't do the same. "Goodnight, son...still love ya... x"
(Love you too Dad xx)
Tony  Marks     Posted 08/08/2007 at 01:00:03   Comments (11)

Andy van der Meyde

Whilst doing some scouting on you tube, well isn't that Sven Goran Eriksson does, I stumbled upon this footage of a certain winger. The words "if only" spring to mind...
Steve Ferns     Posted 08/08/2007 at 01:03:39   Comments (9)

Fernandes and Yakubu?

I know I'm just a naive bastard grasping for straws at this point, but if what is on the Daily Mail website were true...

Well, it would confirm my long held suspicion that Everton FC is NOT broke, but MISERLY. They'll drive you crazy by NOT spending but when they decide they really want something, they'll find a way to make it happen. Oh please, let my straw grasping be worth it...
Rob Vera     Posted 07/08/2007 at 22:51:46   Comments (61)

Predicted Final Table

I took a shot at predicting what the final table might look like when the smoke clears in ten months. It was tempting to put the Shite in 18th but I was shooting for some semblance of objectivity. My rule of thumb is to try not to be off by more than 3 places for any team. So far, I am 0-for-the last three seasons albeit with a close call last year ? damn you, Reading!). Here's my go, along with a (pointless) explanatory blurb for each. Feel free to agree/disagree/read something else/call me an idiot.

1. Chelsea ? Contingent on a healthy Robben & Terry, they're just a little more consistent & physically strong for me than...
2. Man Utd ? I think it's Van der Sar's turn to get injured this year, Foster not yet ready for the spotlight, also look for them to drop costly points early (9/15, hopefully) as they get everybody integrated into the side.
3. Liverpool ? I actually visualize Voronin becoming more of a menace than the over-rated Torres. They'll probably make another run of it in the cups, but I don't see the staying power to hang with the big 2.
4. Arsenal ? I see the possibility of a decline for Arsenal but don't think it will be as sudden or pronounced as some believe. We've still got some ground to cover before we displace them in the top 4.
5. Everton ? Our solid back line and 'keeper will serve as a strong foundation as we scrounge for goals early in the absence of Vaughan & Cahill. If we field our best eleven, we are a match for anybody on our day. Expect a lot of one-goal victories & draws as Moyes goes into the shell with small leads. Finish approx. 6-8 points out of Champs League, not much of a cup run due to lack of squad depth.
6. Spurs ? They will score and be scored upon frequently. They may win the UEFA Cup due to their overwhelming attack & top-shelf strikers, but their leaky back line & subpar keeper (David James for England!) will lead to demoralizing blowout losses to the upper tier Premiership teams.
7. Blackburn Rovers ? Steady improvement from this side, Gamst & Derbyshire to make positive strides. Friedel is one hell of a keeper. Why did Kasey Keller play in the World Cup again???
8. Aston Villa ? Another slowly improving side, Martin O'Neill has added quality depth while jettisoning malcontents. This is where they would have finished last year if not for the litany of draws in the early season.
9. Reading ? I am sold on Coppell & despite the loss of Steve Sidwell they have two burgeoning stars in Doyle & Lita. I for one would not be surprised if Doyle leads the league in goals this coming season.
10. Newcastle ? After these guys stumble over each other in the early season trying to get used to one another (again!) & we all have had our laughs, look for Fat Sam to have them among the top-6 second half teams.
11. Portsmouth ? David James will steal some points for this otherwise subpar squad. If Kanu is interested, he may score about 13. Still, no real threat of relegation ? yet.
12. Bolton ? This is year 1 of the 2-year path to the Championship for them. Anelka will sulk, then depart (hopefully not for Goodison Park).
    
13. Man City ? Sven's international group of unknown quantities will prove little more exciting or effective than Stuart Pierce's efforts. If they pip points off us, that would be a shame.
    
14. West Ham ? Other than Parker, their additions are far inferior to the departures in my view. Ljungberg in particular will struggle in smaller areas of operation than what he is used to at Highbury/Emirates. They only stay up because the overall quality of the bottom third has worsened since last season.
15. Middlesbrough ? Boring Boro, Viduka was a decent workmanlike striker but he is gone, if we had our pick of their players for free the only ones I would want are Woodgate & Yakubu & Schwarzer, everyone else is shite.
    
16. Fulham ? Fulham has seen Northern Ireland's fast start to Euro 2008 qualification & decided they would rather have that team than Fulham's, so they have combined that side with a few Americans & will now proceed to hold their collective breath for 10 months. Not a strong side.
    
17. Sunderland ? Also not a strong side, Richardson & Chopra were overpriced but may bring enough quality to keep them up for now. Keane would be wise to leapfrog for a more-established club soon after the season's close.
    
18. Wigan ? We just bought their best player, they employ Kilbane (& pay him money!!), they lost their under-rated manager & replaced him with a no-name, then they signed Titus Bramble. = relegation
19. Derby ? I think I'm the only one who rates them this highly. Team spirit & cohesion may serve them well against Fulham, but they will be non-competitive in at least half their fixtures due to a 'talent discrepancy'.
    
20. Birmingham City ? Without Bendtner, they never would have been promoted. Without him, the situation will soon be put right this season.

Sorry, too wordy, got a little self-indulgent there...
Thoughts/Comments/Insults?

Trust

Just received my ballot papers today and I begin to wonder who next the Board will trot out to support the move. In the brochure we have an array of players telling us that we have to move. No objection to them having an opinion but how many of them will still be with us when the Tesco Dome is built?

For example, should I value the word of Stubbs who proved to be more interested in money than Everton when he openly encouraged Rooney to leave? How long will Carsley be around? Is it not strange that the Captain hasn't voiced his support? Apart from Stubbs no local born player has given their support.

Listening to the phone in I was intrigued when an irate Evertonian wanted answers from Wyness about his time in Australia so I found the link and it gives me more doubts about whom I should trust.

I feel we are being stampeded into Kirkby by a Board with a hidden agenda and I dont like it one bit.
George Carroll     Posted 07/08/2007 at 21:08:52   Comments (5)

Visit the loop and see for yourself

When Kirkby was first suggested by the club I was excited by the prospect, we were having a consistent season and the talk of the new stadium coupled with state-of-the-art training facilities and academy excited me. In my mind since the start of the Moyes era we have made slow but steady progress, (I know you will point to 17th place but overall we have).

Then came the exclusivity period which I assume was put in place to protect Tesco's interests. We were told there would be a ballot of the fans to see if we would support any proposed move.

My view was pointing towards a yes vote, and then came KEIOC. We were told a significant minority of Evertoinans met to discuss the future of Keeping the club in our city. Bradley announced that he was aware of investors who would be interested and that there would be parcels of land available.

Even the most ardent yes voter would want if possible to stay within the Walton/Everton area or at a push the city centre. But I have to admit that the suggested location of Kirkby just doesn?t cause a problem for me.

I was proud that ordinary Evertonians were undertaking efforts to ensure the survival of our club and there would at least be a counter point to any official line. Even if I decided to cast a yes vote?

Meanwhile the people?s park had been well and truly surrendered by the city to our bastard offspring, the Yanks invaded with plans to annex the park as a 51st state, making the possibility of keeping Everton in the Walton/ Everton area remote.

Realistically we all know in our hearts that the suggestion that Goodison would be redeveloped was a non-starter. Yes it could be, we?ve known that since the GFE plans, but we knew it would not be deliverable (to use bullyspeak).

I don?t propose to go over where my view of the KEIOC group soured, we all know it and they know too where they have gone wrong yet they, with Bradley's assistance, lead us to believe that there is a site, a holy grail if you will, and presented to us the Scotty Road Bestway/loop. KEIOC have championed this site with a passion whilst still beating the redevelopment drum.

Not only that but they a held a public consultation which I attended. It became clear to me from the consultation that redevelopment was still the preferred option, but was told the proposal would fit on the loop. We were then informed that Bestway wanted to do their own design and that that was going to be delivered shortly.

I listened to Radio Merseyside last night and in my view James Barton was the only one who made any sense, Bully did what he is paid to do ,and the No point of view did them selves no favours with the emotive anti board spin (in my opinion).

Even at this point the NO campaign had still not convinced me that plan B (redevelopment) or C (loop) are deliverable.

And then it hit me, today landed with a thud through the letter box an envelope from the electoral reform services. This is it no more hiding behind internet message boards, can?t put it off any longer have to make a decision. I?m still leaning to a yes vote I have read the clubs brochure and the KEIOC/GFE update what else can I do?

And then it hit me go to the loop. I?m in Liverpool, the loop's in Liverpool, so tonight I jumped in the car and went to the loop, made my way over the drawbridge single entrance and formed my own view of plan C. My only points of reference are Anfield, Goodison, Maine road, Eastland?s, Millennium stadium and Old Trafford.

I was able to drive right round the site and it immediately struck me that we would struggle to fit Goodison in and have sufficient room to breathe if leisure/ other business was also part of the development. On-site parking would have to be abandoned and any future expansion would have to be at the expense of the on-site leisure developments. I know of no stadium in the country that has under-pitch parking and I know how we like our firsts but can't see that happening.

I would urge those who are pinning their hopes on the loop as a credible alternative take some time and visit the site before you vote. It may not change your view but has to be better than a wide angle aerial shot of the site.

The ballot paper doesn?t have to be in until 23/08/2007 and I would urge you to take some time to consider your vote before it is cast however you end up voting.

Finally I would again urge for calm on Saturday, you may disagree with alternative views however we are all Evertonians and Saturday should be about what happens on the pitch

Come on you blues
Chris Taggart     Posted 07/08/2007 at 20:49:39   Comments (19)

So what has changed?

At last, Everton are getting their big guns to voice an opinion in the media...

Everton Chairman, Sir Philip Carter has joined the frey. He has come out and said Everton will play at the Kings Dock at the start of the 2005-06 season. Carter said: "I am encouraged by what Cllr Storey has said.

"He has seen the importance of such a scheme and recognised that the city needs an arena and stadium. We must go forward with confidence. We believe that our proposal is the ideal scheme for the city of Liverpool. The city needs a major venue and a showpiece development alongside Albert Dock. As a former chairman of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company I will be delighted to see such a development at Kings Dock.

"There will be transportation considerations but these can be resolved. I believe it would not be good for the city to have a development on Kings Dock that is only alive in the daytime. It is such an important site that it also needs to be used during the evening.

"Everton will play their home games there, but it will be much more than a football stadium. Even the arenas in Manchester can only accommodate up to 22,000 people. The proposed development by us at Kings Dock will be able to accommodate much bigger audiences for concerts. The important thing is that the city needs a development that sends out a statement to everyone.
Sir Philip Carter (16/05/01)

Baines a Red

We've heard just about everybody including Roy Keane, Chris Hutchings, David Moyes and the player in question, Leighton Baines, describe himself as a lifelong Blue, but doesn't this interview in Four Four Two magazine suggest he may have been telling porkies and is in fact a Red?

If you can't open the link, type his name into Google and its the fourth entry down.

Oh well, makes a change from Liverpool picking up all the top Evertonian players. Shame we had to pay out £6M for the privilege though.
Daniel  Howard     Posted 07/08/2007 at 20:30:08   Comments (8)

Derby Tickets

Ok...really long shot but all other options exhausted. Ex-pat living in rural Alaska; make it over once a year to Goodison for a game. Last season got over for the home Sheff Utd fixture and stuck around for the Arsenal C.Cup game. Takes WEEKS of planning and quite a wedge to get over and as I'm not a season ticket holder nor Evertonia member (for obvious reasons) I can never get tickets for bigger fixtures despite pleading with the box office a year in advance.

I have to agree; they shouldn't put me before season ticket holders nor any other local for that matter but I'd love to get to the derby and spend about 1,000 quid to make it for the weekend. Here goes: are there any season ticket holders who know they won't be able to make it to the derby in October who would be willing to sell me a ticket or two for me and the bird so we can start planning now? COYB. Paul
Paul Columb     Posted 07/08/2007 at 20:03:12   Comments (4)

Just a thought..

....but with United having bought Nani, Anderson & probably Tevez and already having Rooney. Would a cheeky late bid for one Louis Saha be out of the question?
Graham Nolan     Posted 07/08/2007 at 19:45:40   Comments (5)

New season

Scratch all my moaning and whinging since the end of May, the new season starts in four days and I'm like a child at xmas,on his birthday, after winning a rollover Lotto.

Amazing thing. Have been level enough headed, dare I say it even a grown up, about my football over the course of the summer. I have been as rational as possible over the whole stadium issue, the lack of money and transfers, and everything else associated with the club. Yet with only four days to the start of the new season, I've regressed completely into a state of pure joy and childishness. And you know what, it feels great.

After all the worrying and mixed emotions over what have been very serious and major issues for Evertonians over the summer, just to get back to thinking about football matches again feels really really good. Bring it on!
Kieran Fitzgerald     Posted 07/08/2007 at 19:30:05   Comments (3)

Tin pot ground

Just for people in the yes camp about the move, do you really think the new ground even looks any good? Just think of that before you mark your "x". To me it just looks cheap and nasty.
Anthony Washington     Posted 07/08/2007 at 19:35:05   Comments (3)

England centre back dilemma

Interesting to see that McClaren is begging Carragher not to retire from the England scene and is now reported to be begging Sol Cambell to come back in from the cold now there is an injury crisis.

I may be biased, but does it not seem an ideal chance to blood a young, hungry and above all talented centre half who plys his trade at Goodison? I think we all know it. Will it happen? I'm sceptical, McClaren seems to be a bit blinkered a la Sven. Phil Nev to have a word in his ear methinks!
Andy Morden     Posted 07/08/2007 at 19:05:09   Comments (6)

Wigan

Nothing to do with the stadium or transfers.... Our opening game on Saturday is against Wigan (bet you didn't know that!), anyway, they were the only team we did the double over last season. We want a good start regardless but let's hope we get more doubles this season....that would be a sign of improvement for sure!
Martin Cutler     Posted 07/08/2007 at 18:47:27   Comments (11)

Hands Up

Anyone who honestly thought we wouldn't have a cock-up over the vote? Come on let's be havin' yer! I just got home to find 3 letters from the ERS. The club have assured us that the ERS are onto it and not to worry... it's only one or two duplicates! PMSL. We will have 70,000 blues voting at this rate. It's embarrassing, isn't it? Be honest! :-)
Ian Martin     Posted 07/08/2007 at 18:30:43   Comments (7)

From horses mouth re Bestway site possibility

I spoke with Malcolm Carter (Bestway?s Property guy) this morning and while he was understanderably unwilling to give detailed information to me he did (in broad, vague terms) state the following (either prompted by me or of his own volition):

1. To the best of his knowledge he is unaware of any Evertonians on the Bestway Board.
2. Exploring the Loop site for EFC was not their idea (so LCC?s I assume).
3. For it to be a goer it has the be commercially interesting and viable for Bestway (and other parties) and that is as yet unknown but is urgently being looked into.
4. He is working with LCC to get detailed information on any possible plan (if viable) later this week.
5. He said given the scale of the Project, it would be impossible to put a figure on total cost but hinted it could run into massive numbers (9 figures I imagine) and he is unsure where the money would come from.
6. He re-emphasised that Bestway is not a charity and any money they put in would be for their own eventual profit, either directly or indirectly.

New Season?

While I understand that the Stadium debate is vitally important to the future of the club, there is the small matter of the new season starting in less than a week. I think that we need more posts and articles on footballing matters like team shapes, the new players we have and how we will size up against the teams that have replaced half their squads. (This is not a criticism of Toffeeweb as they can only publish what is submitted.)

It is important that we have a good start if we're going to do well, and I'm worried that too much focus on the off the field issues can affect the staff and the players (remember West Ham last season.)

So to start this off, I think the strengthening of defence will allow DM to play 4-4-2 more.
Steve Conway     Posted 07/08/2007 at 12:20:42   Comments (10)

Vote

Look at it this way, if we vote YES then we have nothing to lose, it would simply allow the Everton board to continue with negotiations as BK has stated. Everton would be able to use a YES vote for leverage against any new sites, Scotland Road, Speke etc, conversely if we say NO then we will have no leverage with the BESTWAY boys having the upper hand. This vote will not tie Everton in to anything at this point and if KEIOC, LCC et al are serious about their own feasibilities if will buy some time.

We need to adopt a poker face for this one, I believe Everton fans should vote YES and allow the business men to move in for some real negotiations. The alternatives which KEIOC and LCC have presented could fail drastically and then we will be left up shit creek without a paddle with everyone blaming the board!
James Gardener     Posted 07/08/2007 at 12:42:12   Comments (6)

Cant we all just get along?

Apparently there's a game of Premier League football going on in between the stadium debate at 3pm on Saturday. Can I make a few suggestions to yes and no?s for the weekend?

If you intend to vote no and are actively campaigning outside the ground, if some one says Yes to Kirkby ,simply ask them to take a leaflet, don?t call them nobheads etc. they have expressed an opposing view; shut up and move on to the next person.

If you?re a Yesser and are confronted by a Noer, don?t engage; simply take a leaflet and move on, appreciate the passion of some ordinary blues but you have no need to defend your position. aturday should be about the match its up to us to make sure it stays that way. See you there.
Chris Taggart     Posted 07/08/2007 at 12:23:59   Comments (3)

Be Positive Please

We've just signed Leighton Baines and I for one am now very happy. Don't get me wrong, this has been one of the most infuriating summers ever!!! Aren't they all with us, bar last season when we brought in Johnson and Lescott early!!

We've signed Jagielka and Pienaar and we've finally gotten rid of Beattie for a fee of £4M, no less, that's more than I ever imagined we'd get for him, much as he seemed a likable Everton player he just didn't have it did he!?! We've now got a case for arguing that we've got the best defence in the league: Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Baines, and, and this is a big if, if we sign Fernandes, we could possibly have one of the best midfields in the league too: who wouldn't be salivating at a midfield 4 of Jagielka in the hole with Arteta down the left, Fernandes down the middle and Pienaar down the right. Put Cahill - when back from injury - in front of that with Johnson in front of him and that's a team that can challenge for the title I reckon.

With a bench of Hibbert, Osman, Da Silva, McFadden & Vaughan/Anichebe I'm feeling very positive!! Even if we don't sign Fernandes or indeed anyone else, I'd be just as positive anyway: Da Silva and Osman have both looked good in pre season and they could probably fill that position more than amply, and while Cahill is injured McFadden - who again has looked good in pre season - could start behind Johnson and that's still a very strong team, so come on, no more whingeing please, be positive, get behind the team and maybe, just maybe this could be the best season yet!!! Nil Satis Nisi Optimum!!!
Steve Stobie     Posted 07/08/2007 at 11:41:29   Comments (2)

Lucky Number Seven?

I know it means little in this day and age but why is Andy Van Der Meyde our Number 7 this season? It seems unlikely that he'll play/be fit much so why him? Give him a crap number and give the Number 7 jersey to an as yet unsigned world class midfielder....
Declan Critchley     Posted 07/08/2007 at 11:36:55   Comments (3)

Baines Means Heinze

Hopefully today is the day that Baines?s move to Everton is finalised. Sky were reporting last night that he?d had the first part of his medical yesterday and will have the second part today ? I?m sure its just precautionary with his hamstring injury/strain. If he does join I think it?s a great bit of business. £5million (rising to £6m) is pricey for a defender but in today?s market its not that bad. Baines is only 22 so the best is yet to come, has 2 years Premiership experience under his belt, is an England U-21 international and should be a full international sooner than later, scores some cracking goals, and appears to be a Blue. Compare that to Gabriel Heinze at Man Utd ? similar market value apparently/allegedly, he?s 29, has 3 years Premiership experience (1 of which was mostly on the treatment table), is a full international for Argentina, and in my opinion is a sly dirty player (with some more ?honest? refereeing, he wouldn?t have been on the pitch very long at Goodison a few month back).

Put against Heinze, Baines looks great value to me at the price and would be an improvement to the team, rather than just another squad player. I?m not even going to mention Gareth Bale as I feel the amount of money Spurs spent on him was utterly stupid on someone so young and untried ? it may well turn out to be a bargain but somehow I doubt it. Anyway, fingers crossed there are no complications with the medical today and Baines joins, even if he?s not fit enough to play on Saturday.
Robin Byrne     Posted 07/08/2007 at 10:57:36   Comments (11)

Moyes Progress

The selling of Beattie to Sheffield United marks real progress for the club. Trouble is Moyes was the one who paid £6M for him when many an Evertonian knew he was the wrong player for Everton. And Beattie has held back the progress of the club for two and a half years.

Maybe now after signing yet another defender (where we've always been particularly strong) he can bring in the two essential players we've always needed since Moyes arrived at Everton. That is a dominant playmaker in midfield and a good wide man.

And, seeing as Moyes has finally admitted Beattie is another one of his transfer flops (along with Wright, Jeffers, Kilbane, Kroldrup, Davies, Van Der Meyde and with the signing of Baines - Valente) maybe he should take advice from someone who knows something about strikers the next time he?s looking for one, which should be now.

Speaking of which, I can name the good strikers Moyes has sold but apart from Johnson who are the good strikers he has signed in 5 years? Maybe that?s why it was a scratch team against Crystal Palace. Progress at Everton? Let?s just call it ?Moyes progress?.
Ged Dwyer     Posted 07/08/2007 at 10:27:25   Comments (21)

Pathetic

There are 3 season tickets in my household ? today we have been sent 5 ballot papers! A friend who was over from Australia and bought a season ticket for one season and has not renewed it, has also received a ballot paper. How can we trust the club to build a new stadium if they can't even organise a ballot properly? It is not even as if they are clever enough to rig it in their favour as we shall all be voting NO.
Mick Wrende     Posted 07/08/2007 at 09:55:27   Comments (11)

He's a scumbag don't ya know...

Here's the now traditional youtube compilation of "prospective" buy Luis "Lucho" Gonzales. Some nice glimpses here, taking into account some of the opposition (Brazil and Italy, for example). Saying that it could all be just a beatiful dream...or propoganda, depending on how you look at it! [Link]
Adam McCulloch     Posted 07/08/2007 at 09:54:03   Comments (1)

Hopes & Fears

Just wondering what all us Evertonians would consider a good season? What were your hopes for the new season at the back end of last term prior to our lack of transfer activity in the summer and have your hopes and ambitions now changed?

I'd hoped we'd move on from last season with a good run in Europe and perhaps finishing 5th? A nice FA cup run also? AND of course a couple of good results against the kopites. I realize that this is ambitious, but we should be looking to improve!

Baines is a good buy and Jags will come in handy, but now with the lack of other quality signings I'm thinking it'd be great if we could scrape into Europe again (without the inter toto) and not embarrass ourselves too much in the UEFA I'll be more than happy!

What about you lot?
Ian  Ankers     Posted 07/08/2007 at 09:47:16   Comments (6)

Just say no

I am not a scouser and have to thank Bob Latchford for becoming one of the chosen few. I love this club... it brings tears to my eyes in good ways and bad.

Until recently I was cast iron yes vote... I was a yes because the new stadium sounds like no more obtructive views, no sun in my eyes during the 2nd half (if I had a choice of seat). As previously mentioned just living out of the city I am not mixed up in a lot of the emotion.

However, I was lying in bed the other night and it suddenly hit me that my match day routine would just go. The fact that I now bring my 5 year old on the drive and we visit the Elm Tree for a pint, then walk up Spellow Lane.. go say hello to Dixie and then back on ourselves to buy a programme and then to the back of the Park End and but hot dog and chips...watch the players arrive...usually those who aren't playing as they are already there... walk into Bullens Road and give a police horse a stroke and into the ground and to our seats...YES our seats.. that seat is mine and that view that I have had for nearly 20 years is my window on Goodison.

The view has been good with Duncan rising like a salmon in his first game against the shite...its been bad.... Ablett slicing in against Wimbledon. But it MY VIEW and I want it to stay that way. I want to keep craning my neck down to the Park end from the Gladwys St side of the upper Bullens. I want to shade my eyes from the sun like thousands of others ...because I have always done it and I want my lad to experience what I experience.

So some of you reading this might think why is this guy going through step by step what he does on match day I urge you to think about your VIEW and YOUR routine and if you want to preserve it for future games, for future generations then just say NO.
Paul Kellett     Posted 07/08/2007 at 09:11:53   Comments (19)

White Elephant

As predicted, large cracks are now starting to appear in the 'Loop' proposal currently being championed by KEIOC and partners.

Did they really think that the proposed retail development needed to fund a new ground would go ahead unchallenged when Grosvenor Estates one of the largest property developers in the country and owned by Britain's official richest man in the UK, the Duke of Westminister, are pouring over £1 billion into nearby Liverpool city centre?

They certainly ain't going to stand by and watch as a 'secondary' development of retail outlets less than a mile from the 'big dig' dilutes what is a major investment for them!

Judging by this mornings Liverpool Daily Post, they are already preparing their opposition to any development on Scotland Rd.

So by all means, watch as the legal writs fly and in the interim period, our club falls further and further behind the rest.

To me this simply confirms that the 'loop' is no real viable alternative, look at it for what it is, a hastily drawn up scheme backed by opportunists (Bestway) with no history or heritage in working in any kind of partnership with football clubs or indeed anyone else.
Steve Hogan     Posted 07/08/2007 at 08:42:00   Comments (10)

Ground move

Although I don't live in Merseyside any more, having supported EFC since 1966 means it is in my blood as much as anyone (ask the wife on a Saturday if we get beat!).

I feel we've been railroaded into picking Kirkby by a board who couldn't go out to the marketplace and find a big invester to help pay for a stadium IN Everton.

When we got into the CL a couple of years ago, before a ball was even kicked in that campaign they should have been out scouring the planet for someone to take us forward.

Instead they sat on the arses and basked in the glory that went pear shaped and left us with nowhere to go.

I think the 'new' stadium at Kirkby looks like a poor mans excuse for a stadium, done on the cheap. Even if we do move there, we will be playing in a non descript lump of concrete that has no soul.

A new Goodison should be an iconic building, I hate to say it looking at the sketch for the RS new ground, that looks impressive, thats what we should be aiming for.

If we have to move then make it to a stadium worth moving to, not something that will just 'do'.

I still feel the board (who are only employees and will probably move jobs as soon as it goes wrong) have used all true Blues and BK is guilty of letting it happen, despite his so called love of the blues.

They are making in sound like all doom and gloom if we don't move, right now, to Kirkby, but if the vote goes against them, will they honestly not move. Looking at the EFC website, it says somewhere that the board will have the final decision on the move 'guided' by the vote, only GUIDED !!!

Looks like its all cut and dried to me. It also looks like this vote is being pushed as the be all and end all of it, WHY ?

Why can't we say NO then go though a proper look at alternatives? I'm sure another year or so at Goodison won't break the bank and it would give us the chance to stay in Everton, not Liverpool or any other suburb, EVERTON !
Russ Quinlan     Posted 07/08/2007 at 08:22:16   Comments (0)

Our Best(way) interests

I've just been reading through the mailbag and feel this needs more attention.

This is a link to the bestway board of directors. This was put up by Pete in another mailbag aticle.

Bestway directors.

I will be looking for at least one of these to come out and say he is a life long Evertonian who wants to club to move forward like Sir Terry Leahy befor I vote no.

Don't forget the club are only saying a yes vote will ''allow them to continue with negotiations'' maybe if they do LCC will actually come up with a financial plan to support the loop/traffic island?

The KEIOC was commendable and heart felt but not realsitic in my opinion.
Andy Baker     Posted 07/08/2007 at 08:02:33   Comments (22)

Baines Shenanigans

While I may just be being cynical does anyone else think this reported hamstring strain of our new left back might be part of a, shall we call it a "Gentleman's Agreement" to keep the young Mr. Baines off the pitch in our first game against Wigan?

After all the pretense of injury following all the furrowed brows of the Tim Howard and Manchester United deals would be a much more acceptable reason wouldn't it?

Either way I'd rather that than him not sign at all, from what I've seen he's a quality player and a fine addition but still more re-inforcements needed for the UEFA cup drive!
Lee Mather     Posted 07/08/2007 at 07:56:33   Comments (18)

Reading away

Does anyone know when they will be coming on general sale? because the people who run the official site seem to have not added any information since announcing they went on sale to people with 4 stubbs on Friday. Thanks in advance.
Danny Jones     Posted 07/08/2007 at 01:08:32   Comments (2)

Gonzales deal scuppered it seems

Now there's a surprise! Or is it? Just as the Echo are pronouncing how confident we are of landing our star buy:

"But as £5million Baines thrashed out personal terms and underwent a medical, it emerged that Porto had rebuffed a Valencia bid of around £12m for Gonzalez.

Real Madrid have also been linked with him, but Valencia believed they had landed the player after drawing up a lucrative contract approved by the 26-year-old's advisers.

However, Porto refused to sanction the deal and told Gonzalez they would not consider releasing him for less than £15m, nearly twice the club record £8.6m Everton paid Crystal Palace for Andy Johnson.

Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira said: 'It would be a massive blow to lose Lucho and I intend to make sure it doesn't happen." (Daily Mail)

Whatever the outcome some questions remain:

Is this another Smith/Owen/Kuyt fairy tale? (is it me, or is this just an Everton thing?) If not, do we actually have these kind of funds available?

If we do have NOW, is it mere co-incidence that Robert Earl has just been confirmed as a Director (and is therefore putting his hand in his pocket) and who will we get instead? (Manny maybe ? - although I'm not totally convinced about his commitment, even though his talent is beyond doubt)
Alan Clark     Posted 07/08/2007 at 00:39:47   Comments (20)

How refreshing

At last, news that not all footballers are money-grabbing bastards! Should fit in well here and I'm sure he will prove a fantastic buy. Roll on Saturday!

"The England Under-21 international, who rejected a £6m move to Sunderland and has been offered a more lucrative contract by Newcastle, discussed personal terms and underwent a medical on his native Merseyside yesterday and could be announced as an Everton player today."

Full write up from today's Independent:
Alan Clark     Posted 07/08/2007 at 00:29:20   Comments (6)

No surprises on the cards

In the end the vote will go against the club.... simply put, the fans will not allow themselves to be dragged out of the city, not even by a blue. That will be the cold hard analysis of the post vote... nothing more and nothing less.

The season will go on, the fans will be happy and the Board will remain very quiet for a very long time. Until the AGM!
John Cribb     Posted 06/08/2007 at 22:55:55   Comments (6)

Goodison Redevelopment

I've just taken the trouble to have a look at the impression of the redevelopment of Goodison as proposed by KEIOC on their website. It looks like the devilish offspring of a wholesale warehouse and HMS Illustrious! What a depressing spectacle... open corners and it just exudes mediocrity. What self respecting guest would want to stay in a hotel overlooking that monstrosity? (Not all the rooms could overlook New Anfield!). Mind you, who would want to stay in a hotel in Walton anyway... presuming somebody wanted to build one...when they could have a room overlooking the waterfront. And this hotel is supposed to help fund the grey palace? Bollocks!

Goodison may be falling down but at least it has character and its quaint 'ugliness' is a part of its charm. This design just sucks and it's not even worth exploring how it would be funded. Oh and by the way, the Loop, the new promise of paradise within the city is just simply too small. Go and have a look at it.

I'm voting for Kirkby because the only alternatives are Luddite bullshit.
Dave Roberts     Posted 06/08/2007 at 21:11:30   Comments (13)

Alternatives?

With the period of exclusivity passed and the ballot papers due to drop through the letterbox over the ground move, there is still no viable alternative to the Kirkby stadium move. The KEIOC and the LCC keep telling us there are alternatives, but other than a couple of rendered views of a redeveloped Goodison there are no real details.

The most important details, the cost and time it would take (not to mention planning problems) haven't even been touched on.

For supporters who believe the Loop is an alternative, I would urge you to physically have a look at this site, which is a traffic island with a warehouse on one side. Even with the naked eye, spacially it is hard to imagine a football stadium there, let alone parking space. Again no financial info is available apart from some tenuous agreements at the recent meeting.

If the KEIOC and LCC wish to persuade people to vote No, then we really do need to see some figures on the table pretty quickly otherwise the board are right, there are No alternatives.
Karl  Jones     Posted 06/08/2007 at 20:11:38   Comments (4)

Anybody at home!?

Knock Knock... Ding Ding, Baines has joined the club, but Kenwright is too busy posting the tickets for his new musical to announce anything. The official website will pick up on it in a few days I suppose.

I am beginning to give up with this club, after 37 years, we don't even feature in the Sky press ad, we get the last 30 seconds on Match of the Day, we have no strikers, no money, a ground that looks like my first Subutteo set, a crap away kit and I presume Van der Meyde is injured again?, I am off to buy some wool, gonna start knitting... blue wool of course!!
Will Bruce     Posted 06/08/2007 at 19:28:12   Comments (15)

Change Of Chairman

I know all those who want the Club to move to Kirkby will undoubtedly be up in arms at the 'negative' aspect of this post. However, having just listened to the debate on Radio Merseyside earlier this evening, it would seem that the only person at the club who will abide by the outcome of the vote, especially if that vote is No, is our Chairman Mr Kenwright.

Keith Wyness did not say that Everton Football Club would abide by the decision but stated that it was the Chairman's wish to have the vote and that he as Chairman would abide by it. So what happens if Mr Kenwright decides not to seek re-election to be Chairman? I have also noticed in the past couple of months that Mr Wyness (probably in error) has been referred to as the Chairman.
John Partick McFarlane (Junior)     Posted 06/08/2007 at 19:01:17   Comments (2)

There's always a downside

Without wanting to put too much of a downer on the Baines deal - the lad's a dirty kopite... Mind you it's a slight bit of revenge for Fowler, Rush, McMananman, Owen, Gerrard etc etc etc...
Richard Jones     Posted 06/08/2007 at 18:50:43   Comments (8)

Goodison: the finest club stadium in England

I will be voting NO to Kirkby simply because the alternatives, ie, redeveloping Goodison or researching optimum sites within the City boundaries, have nowhere near been fully explored. If, as I hope, the majority vote is NO then we will be able to seriously look at these alternate possibilities.

Throughout this voting 'ordeal', where emotions are running high, I urge Evertonians to stay united together for the good of the Team. Goodison Park is over 100 years in existence and for many, many years was proudly recognised as the finest club stadium in England. My view is that when the time comes to move, we must be assured that the new stadium truly reflects the greatness and history of the name EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB. Unfortunately, the plans for the Kirkby stadium are a poor immitation of what EFC stands for. It will be no better than the Reebok, Stadium of Light, and the like.

By voting YES you will be condemning the future of Everton FC to the backwaters of sporting mediocracy for ever... Surely we are worth better than that.
Frank Carse     Posted 06/08/2007 at 18:17:51   Comments (1)

Baines fails medical

I am currently working on a boozer by Goodison, and on my way home today I asked one of the staff for an update on any transfers, and he said that Baines has failed his medical. He did not know why or what was going to happen now. I believe he is currently out injured with a minor injury, this may be the reason, but I would be devastated if he did not sign as I really do think he would compliment the team so much.

Also, may I please pay my condolences to Davey Moyes, love him or hate him, I'm sure we are all mourning for you!
Nick Favioli     Posted 06/08/2007 at 18:29:34   Comments (16)

Moyes stays!

I felt I had to write this because going into work this morning to hear the news (off a Manc) that Moyes has resigned. Totally ruined my day.... thankfully it turned out to be a rumour, which ToffeeWeb confirmed.

Looking at the Mailbag this morning, it seemed every other blue felt same as me regarding this. that we were in a lot of the brown stuff... and not the brown stuff that them scabby barcodes drink either! At last it seems people realise just what a godsend Moyes has been for this club.

I for one will never forget the utter despair I felt when Smith was in charge, the feeling that we were going down for sure and I didn't fancy our chances of a straight return. Moyes has changed that to hope for the future and some long-lost (well since Royle, anyway) pride in my beloved Blues. I'm sure even the most diehard Moyes hater would agree he's done wonders with his limited resources and hopefully this morning, though under the saddest of circumstances, has made a few whingers realise just what we have, in my eyes our best asset (better than Arteta even!) and get behind the man with your support. My condolences to Moyes on his loss, but we need him more than ever.
Roy  Rennison     Posted 06/08/2007 at 17:25:50   Comments (0)

Strikers

Okay, so a classy full back like Baines is a must so one assumes Valente will just be cover if he stays fit and there is always Lescott but up front is now the problem. We wont'miss Beattie's lack of goals but, with Vaughan an absentee now, who covers if AJ or Big Vic get injured or just don't get goals consistantly enough to win games? Could well be the Nugent saga could come back to haunt us.
Tom Bowers     Posted 06/08/2007 at 17:18:05   Comments (10)

Getting Excited

Does any club make their supporters run the gamut of emotion more than Everton? It has been quite a roller-coaster ride this summer with all the stadium talk and transfer activity or inactivity, but finally the season is starting. I must say that the stadium issue has been disappointing, as it seems to have divided the fanbase. But the vote will decide this issue, so let's all place our votes and see what happens. We need to remember that we are all Evertonians ? for God's sake, let's act like it.

We now have less than one week until the season begins, and appear to have wrapped up Baines. This excites me, the guy is a top left back and there can be no argument about whether this strengthens our squad. We now have a very good defense, one of the best in the league, and my friends that is the cornerstone for success in any league.

Our summer activity seems to be left until late, frustrating to us fans who all wanted something good to talk about but I can now see the reasoning for staying out of the early transfer market. The prices were inflated and the players were average. We are now being highly linked with an Argentine international midfielder and possibly a striker from Barcelona. I know this is only rumour, but for some reason I have a good feeling about the Argentine fellow. I don't have any stupid sources or anyone who knows the third cousin of the groundskeeper's drinking buddy who says...... I just have a good feeling, don't know why. And I would prefer this guy to Fernandes.

But what really gets me going is the fact that we have a very English EPL team. Our backline consists of Hibbert, Lescott, Jagielka, Baines, Stubbs. Two English strikers in AJ, Vaughan and Victor has been raised in England even though he plays for Nigeria. And our midfield has Osman and Neville. I just think it gives us a little bit more to be proud of when we go up against most of the league with a lineup that is lucky to contain three Englishmen.

I'm over in America and I won't be able to watch the match live, but will have to try to wait until it is shown at 11:30 AM. But when the game starts I will raise my glass of Chang (yes they can be found over here if you look hard enough) and toast all of you lucky enough to be at Goodison Park to cheer on our Blues as they go on to crush Wigan!! "It's a grand old team to play for, it's a grand old team to support..." I just got chills typing that, can't wait to hear you all singing it! COYB!
David  Barks     Posted 06/08/2007 at 16:27:16   Comments (2)

What Price a No Vote?

We vote No, KEIOC get their way, they all go on the piss in the Winslow. Hooray lads we've won! Wake up next morning with the hangover to end all hangovers. Then what?

Do you think any investor in their right mind would put their money into a club that is ruled by a militant faction of fans? Do you think KEIOC will have a whip round and build us their stadium from spare bits of Lego? Or do you think we'll be left high and dry in a crumbling stadium unable to expand, unable to improve the team with a city council that don't want us and our neighbours laughing at us from the top of Count Dracula's shiny new castle?

Please KEIOC ? just do one. You're dragging us down.
Ryan Crest     Posted 06/08/2007 at 16:37:31   Comments (1)

Baines signs!

According to Wigan's website Baines has finally signed for us! That's great news and think that this is a quality signing by Davey and the boys. Defensively it leaves us with 2 players at least fighting for every position in the back 4, all of which are decent options. It probably leaves Hibbert, Valente and Stubbs as the weaker options who were all first choice over a year ago, which just shows how much we're improving! Roll on the weekend... can't wait!
Andrew Bentley     Posted 06/08/2007 at 16:12:44   Comments (0)

Happy days

I'm really looking forward to the start of the season. Match of the day sat nights, bladdered with a curry trying to focus. Back to normality at last.
David  O'Brien     Posted 06/08/2007 at 15:54:44   Comments (4)

A Title Challenge

If/when Baines becomes an Everton player our defence should consist of Baines, Jegielka, Yobo & Lescott, that's as good as any in the Premier League I would argue. With no injuries, our starting eleven would then possibly be Howard, Jagielka, Baines, Yobo, Lescott, Arteta, Neville, Pienaar, Cahill, Johnson & Vaughan. Let's be fair thats a bloody good side, possibly the best Everton side since the 1980's.

I know injuries will take their toll and the small squad will struggle to cope but still if fit that starting 11 would be good enough to beat anyone on its day. I would go as far to say that that starting 11 is a world-class midfielder and striker away from a title challenge.

If every player was fit, Gonzalez was added to the midfield and we still had Rooney, I bet Everton would be dark horses for the Prem title. Just a shame that injuries are unavoidable and Moyes doesn't have enough money to bring in two world class players. Moyes will get there in the end, it's just going to take longer with less resources.
Dutch Schaffaer     Posted 06/08/2007 at 15:22:09   Comments (5)

Striking Options

Now we all agree that we need a striker and I've just read this on Football365.

"Everton are being linked with Barcelona striker Santi Ezquerro.

"DiarioSport claims that the Toffees are the latest Premiership club to show an interest in the 30-year-old striker, who is available on a free transfer from the Spanish club.

"Ezquerro travelled with Barcelona on their pre-season tour of Scotland and attracted interest from Manchester City and Bolton.

"It is no secret that the player has set his sights on playing in England and were are working towards that happening, Barça's technical secretary Exiki Begiristain said."

Now I've watched A LOT of Spanish football over the years and both me and alot of mates have always wondered why Santi Ezquerro hasn't played more for Barca (I know, Messi/Ronaldinho/Eto'o) but he is QUALITY and if he came to Everton he'd be a BIG hit in this league.
Allan Hobbs     Posted 06/08/2007 at 15:31:30   Comments (1)

This vote is about Wyness

Everybopdy voting in the coming days should remember something. As well as being a ballot on whether Everton should move out of Liverpool, this is a referendum on the tenure of Keith "No Plan B" Wyness. He is so closely identified with the move that if the project is rejected by the fans he will almost certainly be out the door.

Even if you like the Kirkby plan, the prospect of unloading him is a mouth-watering reason to vote No. The man who gave you seat reassignments, screw-ups at the box office, stranded fans at airports ? thank God it was Speke and not Bucharaest ? and all the other episodes of mismanagement... this is the man into whose hands you are placing the future of Everton? Keep Everton in Our City ? and Let Keith Wyness go to Kirkby, if he can find it.
Peter Fearon     Posted 06/08/2007 at 14:33:13   Comments (2)

Springtime in Kirkby

Here is a synopsis for a well known movie that could be remade.

Fiction, stranger than fact.

Down-on-his-luck theatrical producer Max Biyalistok (played by Bill Kenwright) is forced to romance rich old friends to finance his efforts. When bankrupt accountant Leo Bloom (played by Keith Wyness) joins the company and reviews Max's books, the two hit upon a way to make a fortune by producing a sure-fire flop.

The idea which is to be their gold mine? - "Springtime in Kirkby." (copyright Kenwright Productions)

Raise more money than you need for a SURE FIRE Flop football stadium.

No one will suspect anything bad and you can pocket millions when it completely fails and you sell it.

They need the ultimate bad song to do this.

They find it in the new Everton theme song ?Springtime for Kirkby and Everton?.

Written and produced by Gordon Clegg (Internationally renowned actor of Coronation Street fame).

It can't fail, it's almost like real life.
Steven Flavin     Posted 06/08/2007 at 12:15:41   Comments (7)

Arteta's gonna leave

Mikkie's comments in the press are well founded. What I think he's hinting at is that there is far too much pressure on him as our only class player. OK, AJ will score given service and so will Tiny Tim, but we have nobody except our Spanish genuis able to do something special that unlocks defences or excites the fans.

He needs the help of quality players not content with hoofing searching, hopeful passess up field. I sense his frustration and fear that he'll go if Everton don't improve the quality of our squad.

I'm increasingly amazed that David Moyes persists in allowing our team to indulge in the kind of footy that gives the ball to the opposition so often. Too often we, the fans are tortured by a variety of passing that transcends woeful. Who made Tony Hibbert and Alan Stubbs (love him) our playmakers? I spend whole matches watching poor AJ chasing hopeful punts up field or attempting in vain to control a viciously struck ball on his head whilst being clattered by a 6'5" defender.

Please, lets have some quality, some skill, some savvy, some dexterity... or Our Teta will be off... and I wouldn't blame him.
Mark Palmer     Posted 06/08/2007 at 11:38:32   Comments (60)

Condolences

I have never been Moyes biggest fan. But, I think the majority of us have lost someone we loved. So, Davey if you do read this site, I would just like to offer my condolences to you and your family.
Brian Waring     Posted 06/08/2007 at 11:58:31   Comments (15)

More than just a game?

Over the past week or so I must have read every forum, every scrap of news that involved Everton - the stadium, the transfers, anything. The club has created, perhaps willingly, perhaps not, a news vacuum and the laws of physics dictate that a vaccum must inevitably be filled, so filled it is ? by rumour after rumour fuelled by an insatiable thirst for information. I've read the DM threads with disbelief and I think I must surely have reached the point where I have to disconnect the computer and telly and just poll up on Saturday to avoid any further damage to my already fraught nervous system.

My main worry is not MY nerves though, it's our collective attitude to the players, DM and the Board.

The game against Wigan could easily become more than just three points to win or lose. It will set the scene for the forseeable future. If, heaven forbid, we should drop points, how will we react? It's a distinct possibility that we will vent our frustration and let rip like at the Spurs game. For many people, that game was a watershed and I hate to say this but I think that the Wigan game may have already taken on these proportions before a ball has been kicked.

Of course, by Friday we may have signed Baines and Gonzalez (oh how I wish it could have been Manny) and we'll all be happy Blues heading off to the match, the trials and tribulations of the last months all forgotten. Well, temporarily at least. We can but live in hope I suppose but for me the important thing for Saturday is to get behind the team, regardless of what I may think of the Board and their PR skills, it's Everton and the team that means the world to me. The lads will be able to sense the feelings on the terraces and it's vital that we prove that our support is for them, as always.

We have a good team, we are in the Uefa Cup, we have fantastic support and we have to be positive and make Goodison rock on Saturday. The Board? Well, let's see what happens, they've hardly covered themselves in glory so far but I for one, have to get back to basics and show my support for the team. It's as simple as that.

Stand Up If You Love The Blues.

Come on guys, let's just do it and show BK what being a true Blue is all about. Let him be in no doubt where our support and passion lies. I can't think of a more important game in DM's reign, where we, as supporters, will play such a significant role.

What happens before and after the match with banners and shouts etc will reflect the feelings for the stadium and the like but for 90 mins we have to put that to one side and do what we do best.

Come on you Blues.
Lue Glover     Posted 06/08/2007 at 11:04:59   Comments (15)

Rubbish Rumours

Surely the fact that we are on the verge of signing Baines from Wigan will put to bed the ridiculous rumour that David Moyes has walked out on Everton?

The BBC has reported that the reason for Moyes absence is due to the illness of his mother, and any rumours suggesting he has walked out due to frustration caused by lack of transfer activity, is at best distasteful.

I am as concerned as most, at the thin nature of the squad but i find it hard to believe that nothing is being done to strengthen and improve the team. the key word in that is to improve!! there is very little point in us shopping for journeyman or average premiership quality players as they would not improve the quality of the squad by spending 20 games on the subs bench and the rest making up the numbers in carling cup games. Does anyone really believe that Jason Koumas, Alan Smith and David Nugent are really any better than Cahill, Arteta, Johnson and Vaughan? Surely all players added should be an attempt to strengthen our first 11 - Adding width and attacking verve to our defence (Baines), width and creative options in our midfield (Piennar), and versatility and commitment to our defence or midfield (Jagielka). with a limited budget we have to be choosy - not just pick up players because they are on the market and the usual suspect of premiership predators want another signing - pick any one of Portsmouth, Sunderland, Newcastle, Boro and Bolton.

My view is that yes we have left it late, but we should continue to focus on adding quality and take our time - ensuring the players we pick, fit in with the work ethic of the squad rather than dive in for the type of players that might disrupt that.

Thats it. Rant over!!
Steve de Polo     Posted 06/08/2007 at 11:34:53   Comments (9)

Balance

Without wanting to be provocative, I've noticed that the vast majority of headline articles are anti-stadium. Does this reflect the balance of article received or is it editorial preference? It is quite common for all the usual four article panels to be occupied with "No" vote contributions.
Vincent Lysaght     Posted 06/08/2007 at 11:18:33   Comments (16)

Kenwright must go

Participants at the clubs next annual meeting must take responsibility for our club and see to it that the club gets a new chairman. Bill Kenwright should not be allowed to lead our club because:

1. He?s apparently been lying to us on numerous occasions. The Fortress Sports Fund, King?s Dock and acquisitions of expensive players which never goes through. Last one in a number of players probably include Lucho Fernandez. Everton conveniently put in a bid of £11 million just as Real Madrid, Juventus and Real Madrid steps in. Heard that one before?

2. He seems either unwilling to or uncapable of finding outside investors to Everton, one of the most traditional and history laden clubs in the country, if not the world. In the meantime smaller clubs like Portsmouth and Bolton do get these investors and consequently outperforms us in the transfer market.

3. He is using his energy to take us away from Liverpool city, where we were the original team, and leave the city open for LFC to take over. Who would five years ago ever have imagined a discussion about Everton leaving Liverpool city?

I suspect at most other clubs in the PL, only one of the above points would be enough for the chairman to be forced down.

Bill Kenwright has seriously breached the trust of the clubs supporters, he?s ensuring our club is lagging behind much smaller clubs in terms of financial power and investment, and he?s moving us out of our city. He is a true Evertonian, but can we really continue to let that come in the way of our judgement of him and how he is running our club? No. And I beg for our next annual meeting to get their act together before it is too late.
Sverre Simen Hov     Posted 06/08/2007 at 10:54:07   Comments (0)

When rumour and bad taste collide

Whilst I respect the right of this site to reflect the views and concerns of fans rather than follow the official line it has become increasingly the case over this summer that the slightest suggestion of a story has been amplified beyond all reasonable rationality. Whilst this is at times understandable and, when it comes to transfer targets, part of the 'fun' of the silly season, it came to a rather ugly head last night.

Whilst David Moyes mourns the death of his mother the fans who he has served, irrespective of what you think of his footballing record, with absolute dignity, professionalism and integrity for the past five years opt to spread and perpetuate a farcical suggestion that he has walked out of the club a week before the new season.

Whatever you feel about the summer's goings-on this is little more than a slur on the character of someone who has conducted himself in a manner befitting more respect than to suggest he would be so unprofessional as to abandon the club in a fit of pique at such a crucial time. I stress that I am not referring to his footballing record but the nature of the man and standards he has brought to the club which deserve better than this kind of treatment. That it has continued even after the true, and saddening, nature of the situtation was revealed serves only to leave a bad taste in the mouth. It is rank opportunism by those with an agenda against the board to try to utilise Moyes' understandable withdrawal from the public eye for their own purposes.

Evertonians on these pages are partial to using the club's motto to berate underachievement wherever they see it. Rightly so at times. However, when we behave like this, we don't deserve the best.
John Holmes     Posted 06/08/2007 at 08:07:08   Comments (6)

If in doubt, do nowt.

The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, has been to me at least in very short supply and thats been most of the trouble.

Strangled by the exclusivity agreement, what little truth and news we did get was spinning so fast as to be (deliberatly??) blurred.

Truth and News, Pravda and Isvestia...Not so old Russian proverb There's no news in the 'Truth' and no truth in the 'News'.

What we got was vague 'up to' 10mill for Davey's transfers. Ground cost?? pick any number on the day if there's an R in the month.

So whats my verdict? I haven't actually got one that counts now as I don't have a vote. But I am, as they say now 'a stakeholder'...

IMHO The best that can be said, given the lack of both truth and news, is the old Scottish verdict of 'NOT PROVEN!

We now come to the old stand by...'REASONABLE DOUBT'...If you are 100% convinced that a yes vote is the way to go then by all means do so, with, if you care or not, my blessings, on the use of your Bill given franchise.

BUT and yes, as always, there is a but...If you are in any way shape or form NOT 100% for it but of the yeah wellwhat choice do we have, think on this.

We might have a little bit of rising damp in the 'Old Lady' but we are not in danger of being flooded out like those poor buggers down south any time soon.

We arn't rushed for time, only Tesco and maybe the board are.

In a close situation any Chairman has a DUTY for the sake of stability, due to lack of clear mandate, to vote for the STATUS QUO.

Any reasonable doubt WHAT SO EVER!! please vote NO.

Send the ball back to them and see what Better offer comes up.

I / we (?) know that the long term development of Goodison is in the 'too hard' basket.

Fools rush in, don't be a short term gain, long term pain type of fool, You are all clever people, just look at the club you support.

IF IN DOUBT DO NOWT !!
Derek Thomas     Posted 06/08/2007 at 06:36:48   Comments (3)

When there is smoke... OK, maybe not a wildfire

I really don't believe Davey would leave... his heart bleeds Toffee Blue and he has a decent gig going, despite the tight-wads up in the front office. Should he really leave, I'd consider that a really bad thing. Believe me, I was among the loudest cursing at my TV the night Spurs stole 3 points, but Davey has done a great job.

I do find it easy to believe, however, that the rumor of Davey leaving has had some of its fire fueled by some legitimate (and understandable) frustration between Davey and his lieutenants and the top brass. I think Irvine's recent comments regarding the "Baines Saga" would suggest such discontent.

More telling, however, might be Arteta's comments regarding his worries of transfer inactivity, which got a good run in the media, both in the UK and even in here the US on Fox Soccer Channel. At first, I was surprised that Mikel would say such things (however true they may be), simply because it might put his manager (which I presume he likes) under even more pressure. If I were a manager having a fuckin' hard time over the whole summer trying to bring fresh talent in, I'd perhaps not take too kindly to one of my players spoutin' off that we need more fresh talent!

But perhaps Davey gave the old "nudge nudge wink wink" to Arteta, encouraging him to spout off to the media and put pressure on the tight wads in the board room?

Perhaps this pipedream bid for Gonzalez was the brass' answer to such pressure......a lame way to deflect attention. THE FANS DESERVE THE TRUTH! WHERE IS THE MONEY?!
Sami Fam     Posted 06/08/2007 at 02:08:19   Comments (8)

Striking striking dilemma

The emergence of Vaughan and Anichebe last year merely camouflaged the basic dearth of striking capability that has continued to exist since Moyes's second season. Two successive January windows criminally did not see the arrival of a quality striker and, although Johnson's signing at the beginning of last season alleviated the problem, the fact is that we do not score enough goals from open play. This problem has been around for years now ? it's nothing new! With Beattie gone, a top notch striker is imperative. We've piled so much expectation onto Vaughan and Anichebe, it's untrue and I'm not yet totally convinced about either.

We can't blame it entirely on lack of midfield creativity, although granted that is also a problem. The fact is that you still need lethal strikers to put away the chances (sometimes to even make them for themselves out of nothing). Time is running out!
Ray  Robinson     Posted 05/08/2007 at 20:49:43   Comments (6)

Moyes: Any clues?

There's rumours flyin' round that Moyes has been sacked /resigned. Has anyone heard anything?
John Anderson     Posted 05/08/2007 at 19:06:02   Comments (109)

Lucho or Lies?

Rumours are bouncing around that we have completed a £11.3 Million deal to sign Lucho Gonzalez.

If this is true then where the hell did we get £11.3 million from, and why did we not spend it on Fernandes?

I tend not to believe anything that comes out of Goodison right now and will only believe it when I see his smiling face on the back of The Sun!
Jason Broome     Posted 05/08/2007 at 18:58:24   Comments (21)

Have we got better in reserve?

With the non-activity in the transfer market, is it time to blood the likes of Spencer, Vidarsson, Kissock, etc? I would like to see these players given a chance. James Vaughan was given a chance and has turned out to be a diamond. There's enough old heads to guide them through games.
Colin Malone     Posted 05/08/2007 at 16:28:13   Comments (7)

Palace Friendly!

Anyone get locked out of the game as I did yesterday for the first 15 minutes! I assume I missed the best action, the bloke next to me (a season ticket holder) fell asleep! Correct me if im wrong, but the official EFC website advertised £20 at the gate, a little steep, however no one had communicated that simple fact to CPFC. Not surprised we can't buy any players if thats the way us paying public are treated! Anyone got Bill's email address, not one to normally have a rant, but I'm a tad frustrated. See you all in a week.
Dom Eaton     Posted 05/08/2007 at 15:08:55   Comments (4)

Second Eleven

We are all worried about the size of Evertons squad and our lack of spending. Want to feel even worse?? Today I decided to put together my second 11 for everton based on the fact that at some stage of the season, most if not all of our first team 11 are going to be missing. So, although we won't all agree on this as the 1st eleven, but just for the sake of the exercise lets say this is our 1st choice 11:

HOWARD/NEVILLE/YOBO/STUBBS/LESCOTT/PIENAAR/JAGIELKA/CAHILL/ARTETA/ VAUGHAN/JOHNSON (Cahill & Vaughan already injured, but 1st choice when fit)

Now everyone, put together your second 11 (or 10. I struggled with 11)...its scary!

TURNER/HIBBERT/BOYLE/?????/VALENTE/CARSLEY/SILVA/OSMAN/VAN DER MEYDE/ ANICHEBE/McFADDEN
Ian  Ankers     Posted 05/08/2007 at 14:24:59   Comments (4)

Number 9...?

Now Beattie has been shipped out to Sheffield, it leaves our number 9 shirt open. I know it's a prestigius number that is usually given to experienced players, but rather than save it for a (probably fictitous) incoming striker, I would like to see it handed to young James Vaughan as a boost for him to reclaim his fitness. From what I have seen of him so far he has the potential and desire to fill it in a way that man-tits never could!
Marc Roberts     Posted 05/08/2007 at 13:06:39   Comments (2)

It always takes two to tango

Just returned from a few days away (relief). Returned to a mail bag that is (in the main) understandably pouring venom towards the board, in what has been (again, in the main... some people actually think what's happening is fine?) a hugely disappointing summer.

One contribution did catch my eye. Well done, Ray Robinson, (Warrington) for generating debate surrounding Moyes' role in this shambles.

I'll support you 100% in casting doubt on Moyes being a total victim here.

David Moyes has been the source of polarised views on this site. However, we could all unite on the fact that he is a man of principle, who knows his mind and has moral consistency underpinning him. Admirable qualities in the "dirty world" that so often is football in 2007.

Somewhat incongruous then that Moyes appears to be almost supine in his meek acceptance of the continued plight that affects Everton.

To me, seeing him operate in the way he does, it doesn't stack up. Therefore to me, he's compliant and complicit in the shenanigans. £11M for Gonzalez...? well it's so warped it's beneath contempt.

I draw this conclusion from the fact that Moyes, playing it the way he is, cannot lose in this scenario. Quite rightly he can take the plaudits when he does well against the massive odds...if we fail...well it's a resource issue...not your/my fault David. His copybook is clean and clubs will employ him... no question.

For a man who portrays a zeal for success and talks up Everton, after 5 seasons he should be knocking on Kenwright's door. If he does not or chooses not to, then that's fine. I can accept that. He's perfectly entitled to protect his interests.

That being the case, let's not then have the duplicity of him playing the victim. In you know who and you know who, there is enough bull coming from the club without him adding to it.

The relationship between Kenwright and Moyes suits both parties.Make no mistake in that. Kenwright should not take the brunt alone.
James McPherson     Posted 05/08/2007 at 12:42:42   Comments (9)

What say you now ?

Well, I've waited and waited as advised by Mr Dodd and Co. for something to happen with transfers? Well, one week to the season and nothing.

Well, Mr Dodd and Co, is this how you would run a football team? I think not. How can you possibly support what has gone on this summer? This is worse than last time we were in Europe.
Terry Downes     Posted 05/08/2007 at 12:50:51   Comments (0)

An open letter to Dominic King

Dear Dom , I can't let your most recent piece in the pink echo go without comment. To do so would I believe betray my cub scout reporting badge, a badge I assume you also proudly hold and which no doubt was the key to obtaining your current employment.

In your latest 'report' you immediately and without any crtical assessment absolved the club of all blame for the 'summer of no transfers' and scolded the club's followers to get behind the team.

Firstly, I should say that we need no lectures from an alleged red to get behind the team — we will get behind them as we always have done but what, I think, you were really suggesting is that we get behind Kenwright. Well, sorry, Dom, but that's not going to happen anytime soon and for very good reasons.

However, my main point is that this article contrasts with one 'written' by you earlier this summer, when again you scolded the fans that they could only legitimately complain about the lack of transfers in August. In both pieces there is a barely disguised contempt for ordinary fans who you clearly believe don't understand the complex world of football.

Th truth is that we see things only too clearly and your about-face marks you down as someone whose overriding priority would appear to be to act as an uncritical friend of the club.

My advice would be to bring more integrity and professionalism to your role and then maybe you and your employer would not be dismissed by 99.9% of Everton fans as an irrelevance when it comes to providing relevant and meaningful information on the club

Yours,

John
John Doolan     Posted 05/08/2007 at 11:30:07   Comments (6)

Vote of no confidence

I have come round to the view that the Kirkby vote should and must be treated as vote of confidence in the current regieme. On this basis I therfore intend to vote No. Its not that Kenwright is an evil genius as some people say, it is just that he is leading us where we dont want to go and his track record of managing major projects is extremely poor.

For me the pennies have fallen from my eyes and I have realised that the stadium issue is secondary.

Vote No and we will end up beter in the long run both in the boardroom and on the ground issue.
John  Doolan     Posted 05/08/2007 at 11:18:44   Comments (5)

Fernandes City Bound

Just read the rumour that Man City are about to bid 10mil for Manuel Fernandes. With Spend-Goran buying every player under the sun, it looks like our faint hope of him coming back this season on loan or otherwise, look pretty dead.

If only we had 10 Mil to spend on a player, oh wait, we've put a bid in for someone who obviously not going to come to us.
Kristian Boyce     Posted 05/08/2007 at 09:49:19   Comments (8)

Irvine's after-match comments

Alan Irvine is talking about a good display from a patched-up side and the season hasn't started yet. Have Everton forgotten about us fans? Can somebody please tell us what's going on. I thought the plan was that in pre-season you strenghten the squad. Are we so broke? Or hasn't Moyes got a clue when it comes to the transfer market? I just couldn't believe Irvine's comments. The season is one week away. Please, please let me wake up and it's all a bad dream.
Michael Sullivan     Posted 05/08/2007 at 00:15:02   Comments (15)

When is £11 million not £11 million?

Answer: When you make a bid for a player jointly owned by MSI (Tevez fame) and Porto! Something had to be dodgy about out our tenuous link with this undoubted quality player Gonzalez. My guess is that it will come off, we will get him for a season ( for a £2m outlay), he'll be a massive hit then get packed off to Man U and we will end up with a points deduction and massive fine for signing the guy in the first place! Oh the joys of being an Evertonian (see http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=370251 for the MSI kink...)
Steve Callaghan     Posted 05/08/2007 at 00:08:29   Comments (26)

Patchwork quilt

Alan Irvine talking about patched up sides in friendlies on the official website. Either buy some players or stop fucking selling them! The season hasn't even started yet!!
Dan Parker     Posted 04/08/2007 at 23:16:45   Comments (2)

Tattoo

With the 'news' that Randy Lerner has a tattoo of the Villa crest on his ankle, I just wondered if Bill had any tattoos? Maybe he has the Kirkby stadium tattooed on one butt cheek and Wyness' face on the other? Or more lkely maybe, it's 666 tattooed under that grey bouffant hair!

For God's sake, let's start playing some proper football again and put an end to this most depressing close season!
Blue Summer     Posted 04/08/2007 at 22:01:34   Comments (5)

Ins and Outs

So Moyes feels the need for yet more defenders. We have Vaughan, AJ and Anichebe up front (now that Beattie has moved on) and we intend to spend our small pile of pennies on defenders. Strikes me Moyes can spot a good defender at 5,000 paces — he was one! — but wouldn't know a decent striker if he smacked him. I spy with my little eye something beginning with A *mdash; Another season scoring f**k all goals!!
Steve Edler     Posted 04/08/2007 at 21:49:21   Comments (5)

And...

No-one is talking about our friendly today.

Good sense of perspective.

But on the 11th we must, must, MUST support our team even if not the Board.
Ged Simpson     Posted 04/08/2007 at 21:14:26   Comments (5)

No Vote No to Kenwright

Kenwright and Wyness are turning Everton into a laughing stock. The views on this site strongly indicate that there is no confidence in them delivering a successful football club.

They have been lucky in finding a manager who organises his team and plays a system that is hard to break down and relies on the theory of not conceding and snatching a 1-0 win. This close season has seen Premiership clubs awash with money from TV or new investors but our board don't appear to have any cash (EXCEPT FOR A FICTITIOUS BID OF £10M for a player we have not a chance of signing).

This board have known for at least 5 years that Goodison is falling down and plans have to made to either redevelop or move. In those 5 years they have come up with one brilliant plan to cause civil war between Everton fans but give them a vote on one option and lets see how it goes before we make the decision to move to Kirkby.

This is a disaster waiting to happen; my only hope is that a no vote will force Kenwright to go. Believe me this clown will destroy the club he supposidly loves. VOTE NO. IT IS THE ALTERNATIVE OPTION.
Steve  Sweeney     Posted 04/08/2007 at 20:36:33   Comments (0)

Decision time

Skysports.com are reporting ourselves and the skunks have both had bids accepted by the pie eaters for Baines and he'll decide over the weekend. Keep up the good work boys!
Pablo H     Posted 04/08/2007 at 20:23:36   Comments (1)

A Plea...

... for all Everton fans to forget about Manny Fernandes.

All summer fans have been banging on about Manny and the fact that Everton have not secured his services.

Whilst I agree that Mr Fernandes has undoubted talent I feel that it would be wise to bow to the superior knowledge of David Moyes, and every other manager in the UK and Europe, and accept that he is, perhaps, not the saviour of EFC that many want him to be. For christ sakes, even Harry Redknapp didn't fancy him!
Paul Travis     Posted 04/08/2007 at 19:43:13   Comments (2)

Lucho and his amazing technical ability

I know, I know..Its only hearsay at the moment, but if we get this fella, we're in for a treat. He's the complete package. I've just watched some of his highlights on Youtube and believe me, we havent had a fella like this since Inchey! What a goal scorer!! I know I'm getting a wee bit carried away, but hey, when have we been given anything exciting to crave this close season? I'm sick to death of the Stadium debate and just want it sorted out either way. Gonzalez would bring our boys a touch of class and verve, and a level of experience that Fernandes didn't have....Oh please, God, let this one go through!?
Chris Lawlor     Posted 04/08/2007 at 19:25:38   Comments (8)

Everton ? the scouting club

Does anyone else have the sense of dread when any player we're interested in gets mentioned as also being tracked by the fat barcodes?

Whilst it is no surprise that we go after similar players, is it just a coincidence or are we in fact their scouts? Having said that, based on some of the players they've signed in recent years then, we must be crap at that as well. I just hope we're paid a considerable retainer for our services.
Alan  Humphreys     Posted 04/08/2007 at 18:50:28   Comments (14)

Joy at last!

Finally we have improved our squad simply by getting rid of Beattie. The fact that we actually got paid for him is unbelievable but fantastic for us, thank you very much Mr Robson.

I'm not bothered about us losing out on Smith either, Newcastle always overpay their players and always end up with a collection of misfitted mercenaries. He doesn't have any pace and if Moyes has learnt anything from the disaster of Beattie it must be that your strikers need pace.

Anyway I'm just ecstatic that we won't have to play with 10 men next season... well done Everton for a fantastic bit of business!
Mike Price     Posted 04/08/2007 at 15:34:24   Comments (14)

James Beattie

Right, let me get this straight. We are a week away from the start of the season and we have just sold James Beattie for £4M. James Vaughan is out for at least 3 months. Anichebe and Johnson are therefore our first choice strikers. Financially we have spent fuck all money as Beattie has been swapped for Jagielka. We are down on numbers because we have let Fernandez and Naysmith go. We have the second smallest squad in the league and are in Europe this season. WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS GOING ON?!!!

WTF is Kenwright playing at? We now need a striker, midfielder, left-back and a host of other players to beef up the squad. Who is the new striker going to be? Nugent has gone to Portsmouth (and has scored on his debut might I add) ... why did we not bite the bullet and sign him if Moyes intended on selling Beattie? As for Gonzalez, pull the other one. Complete utter bollocks not least 'cos we need a bloody striker not a midfielder as priority! KENWRIGHT OUT!
Shez Khan     Posted 04/08/2007 at 15:33:17   Comments (13)

Number 9?

Any statto out there know if Everton have ever started a season with the Number 9 shirt vacant? I can't say I'm sorry to see the back of Lard Boy Beattie and have posted I'd rather see Vaughan wear the 9 than him but I also can't see this potless club buying a forward now, a bit like going to buy your Christmas dinner food on Christmas Eve; all that's left is battered, bruised and unwanted cast offs
Gavin Ramejkis     Posted 04/08/2007 at 15:06:39   Comments (9)

Now that Beattie has gone...

Now that Beattie has gone can we reassign his squad number or do we have to start the season without a Number 9? Assuming we don't splash out in the last few weeks of the window on a new one that is.
Barry  Bragg     Posted 04/08/2007 at 14:55:29   Comments (1)

Andy Cole

I can see us going in for Andy Cole. Just had his contract terminated by Portsmouth and is looking for a new club in the Premier League.

I'd go in for him. At 35 he is not going to stop the development of Vaughan and Anichebe but can step in and play a good few games next season. Didn't we go in for him last season? I'm sure we tried to get him in but he ended up going to Portsmouth. He is a natural goalscorer could come on the cheap and offer us some experience.
Connor Rohrer     Posted 04/08/2007 at 13:36:37   Comments (48)

Gonzalez? Bad Joke...

I have posted comments before on this website asking for positivity amongst us fans but I have completley and utterly lost all faith and will to stand up for anyone running our club. The latest crap to be fed to the Echo is that we have made a £10 million bid for Lucho Gonzalez.

Previous "leaked stories" to soften the fans up have been tried and failed, ie. Smith, Barton etc, yet the club still think that giving us a story like this will keep us happy and think we're actually moving forward. NO CHANCE. Why on earth would Gonzalez, an Argentine international, sign for us given our "ambition"? Where are we getting £10 million from all of a sudden?? Is Beattie's sale more than we thought???

Is Gonzalez a better bet than Fernandes who we were told was too expensive at £8 million, even though Manny has Premiership experience and has proven to be a success with us. Why why why are we fed such garbage? I'm usually mild mannered and patient with our transfer dealing but my blood is boiling. We are a joke, plain and simple.

All the rubbish about moving our club forward with Uefa Cup football, not making the same mistakes as we did when we got Champions League is coming back to haunt us again. All summer the Echo told us that Alan Smith's favoured move was Goodison, so why is he a Barcode?? No bid? Not enough wages? But we can spend £10M on Gonzalez cos he'd obviously only want £10k a week. I was going to go to Selhurst today but now I'm going to go shopping with my girlfriend instead, at least she's honest with me about how much she has to spend.

Moysey, my sympathies
Niall Clinton     Posted 04/08/2007 at 12:59:42   Comments (46)

The Number 10 shirt

Maybe I am clutching at straws in an attempt to mask my disappointment at the amount of transfer activity around Goodison Park. But why has the number 10 shirt been left free? Has Davey got someone in mind?

According to the Daily Express Everton are on the brink of landing Porto midfielder Luis Gonzalez for £10million. Hmmm... I wonder.
Neil Martin     Posted 04/08/2007 at 09:50:53   Comments (13)

Feel-good factor?

All the rumours about signing Smith before the Kirkby vote to maximise the "feel-good factor" makes me laugh. And signing a left back hardly fills me full of optimism (that's if he actually signs!).

I can categorically say that I couldn't be any more disillusioned right now as an Everton fan and there is absolutely no feel good factor. I cannot see how anyone has any faith left in Kenwright and I'm praying everyone votes NO to Kirkby.
Alan Clarke     Posted 04/08/2007 at 06:10:14   Comments (42)

Pissed off

I'm getting real pissed off now. Every club under the sun is buying players and we've not done anything to bolster the tiny squad. Yet again, are we on the verge of wasting our chance in Europe we worked so hard to attain. What's the fucking point?
Dan Parker     Posted 04/08/2007 at 01:04:26   Comments (14)

Done Deal

Story in all the pubs around Wigan tonight is that the Baines deal was completed at six o`clock. (Price £ 5.8M.) I looked on the Wigan web-site a few minutes ago and his name has been removed from their squad in which he was number 3. Looks like the announcement will be timed to coincide with mail-out of ballot forms. For Smith read Baines!
Carlton Marriott     Posted 04/08/2007 at 00:39:55   Comments (45)

For the love of God, vote no!

I'd planned to vote 'yes', but today I took a stroll down to Goodison to see if the Old Lady had anything to say to me.

I've taken another look at the Kirby proposal and in the cold light of day I think it is awful. It's a great solution for the Board, they get a new stadium on the cheap (and if you look at the plans, cheap it most certainly is), but it's crap for fans.

1. Personally, love Arteta and Johnson, but I couldn't give a flying fuck if they signed contracts on the basis of playing in an aircraft hangar in two years time. They'll be gone in five, but we'll all be around post that.
2. Wyness and Kenwright? They are offering a paltry £10mill a year if we rip the heart out of Walton and move 130 odd years of history. Insane! They could raise ticket prices by a tenner and get the same result.
3. It's wrong. It's a mistake, I too was wowed by the prospect of shorter pie queues and clean toilets, but that is not what we are. We are NOT some generic football club: We are Everton, steeped in history, steeped in Liverpool.
4. I'd rather move into Anfield than leave Liverpool — in fact, once the RS move into RS manor why don't we move back into Anfield and redevelop Goodison? The exclusivity period has denied any real debate; we have the board saying 'take this or we're fucked'.
5. Finally, I'm a blue, just am, always have been; and the gut feeling that made me one tells me that Kirby is a big mistake.

Sick of the spin

The official website claims Arteta says, ?We have a better squad than two years ago to deal with being in Europe. We have more experience and much better prepared, we?ve grown together and have a great team spirit and that?s important for a team like us.? The website fails to elaborate on the quotes direct from Arteta (which can be seen on Websites such as Sky Sports, ITV.com, Daily Mail etc etc) which state "It is going to be a long season and we definitely need new signings," said Arteta in the Daily Mail.

"If everyone is 100 per cent and stays fit then maybe we will be okay, but if we get two or three injuries, we are going to need more players. "

The stupid bastards running the Club thing we are all as thick as pigshit — OK, I for one have fallen hook line a sinker by buying a season ticket. However, if we don?t get off to a good start and we get a few injuries the Board will be in for a hell of a bollocking from the terraces — hard hats required as well as the comfy blankets for the Directors box, methinks.

I don?t want massive millions to be spent by a foreign Dictator/Terrorist — just want a few mill here and there to build up the numbers — is this too much to ask?

I'm sick of this board who have no clout whatsoever and who should be putting more effort into squad building than sending us fucking glossy brochures showing the new ground — won't be that special when we are in the Championship will it ?
Steve Callaghan     Posted 03/08/2007 at 23:20:10   Comments (2)

Shambles

I visited St Georges Hall today with a fairly open mind and came away unimpressed with what KEIOC had to offer.

If 'presentation' is everything it was a shambles. The first three posters decrying the move were littered with poor grammer [Irony alert! — Ed] and spelling mistakes.

"Annfield" and "Warren Bradly" two such examples. But to cap it all, no-one was present from the Bestway Group, except a young girl who was 'PR' and quickly deferred any questions asked of her to a member of KEIOC standing close by.

But to cap it all, absolutely no-one bothered to attend from LCC, despite it being on their doorstep.

The content was questionable to say the least, there seemed to be several pictures of the same stadium from different angles (with no roof apparently) with plenty of accompanying text exclaiming how it was possible for Everton to build a new ground on the site of Goodison Park, whilst demolishing the old one bit by bit, but wait for it, with no loss of revenue!! Remarkable.

They really did themselves no favours. Everyone was asked on exit to declare their intentions by marking on a slip of paper which had the question '' Do you want to move out of Liverpool''

Speaking to a number of people there, most had already decided before entering the venue which option to choose so the question was pointless.

I feel that KEIOC presented the illusion to anybody who attended that a viable alternative was 'done and dusted' and investors already lined up.

In reality no such parties exist and the only credible plan in place whether people like it or not is the Kirkby option.

If fans decide not to move to Kirkby it should be on the basis that they consider Kirkby unsuitable, not the alternative offered by KEIOC which quite frankly was a joke.

The club have quite rightly been accused of propaganda tactics of late with prepared 'statements' from players supporting the move who probably won't be around in 2010, if that's the case KEIOC should be a little more transparent as to who the 'mystery' investors are who are prepared to fund the 'loop' alternative.

In essence, the KEIOC proposal had no real substance and will only serve to muddy the waters for many people who will come away from the venue convinced that a real alternative is in place.
Steve  Hogan     Posted 03/08/2007 at 22:12:00   Comments (9)

Just Relax!

I just cannot believe that so many Evertonians doubt the ability of our Chairman and Manager to operate successfully in the transfer market.

So who was it that bought us Arteta, Cahill, Neville, Howard and Johnson—all players of utmost quality? Just who was it who put a team together that broke the monopoly of the so-called Big Four?

Now I know most of you live for today—the past is history and tomorrow might never come, but the bile aimed at our worthy leaders over the past 24 hours totally beggars belief. How many of you really thought that Barton, Nugent or Richardson would add real value to our team, particularly at the ridiculous prices being demanded for them?How many would seriously consider Smith worth paying £60,000 a week? Not too many, I guess, if you had to live with the consequences of your actions!

Make no mistake, whatever some Evertonians think of them, Kenwright and Moyes are admired and respected throughout the game for the simple reason they work as a team — and are good at what they do.

Whether or not the Baines deal goes through, come the end of August, they will have ensured that we are properly equipped to mount a challenge for success at home and abroad. So relax,will you and leave it to the experts.Everton are in safe hands!
Richard Dodd     Posted 03/08/2007 at 21:26:13   Comments (12)

Are we a joke?

From a Fantasy League website.. I hate being a joke.

BUDGET: £15 MILLION
Everton seem to have £4 million to spend this summer. Preston wanted £6 million for David Nugent, Everton reportedly offered just four, no deal. Man United wanted £6 million for Alan Smith, Everton offered just four, no deal. Wigan wanted £6 million for Leighton Baines, Everton, yep, they offered just four. The situation with Baines seems a little unique though as the Goodison Park outfit seem to have accepted that they might have to bid a little more and are now at least negotiating. The strange thing about all this is that David Moyes seems to think that James Beattie is worth £4 million, as that's what they asked Sheffield United to pay when they inquired about him.
Adrian Simpson     Posted 03/08/2007 at 20:37:31   Comments (0)

Please help my worries, Mr Moyes

Before I get slated, I know others are posting the same theme but COME ON, Everton, bring in the quality we deserve. Baines to Newcastle? Smith already gone!

Newcastle are full of crap, whoever is in charge can do nothing for them (Souness, Roeder etc), the club is shit. If we wanted Smith we could of had him I'm sure. Baines I think personally is a must ? please, Moyes, bring him in. Listen to your fans and your key players, Stubbs and Arteta have all publicly voiced their opinions, support them.
Chris Wilmot     Posted 03/08/2007 at 19:41:07   Comments (4)

You know where the door is, Moyes!

I want David Moyes to prove to me and my fellow suffering Evertonians that he is not complicit in these lamentable transfer dealings by kicking up almighty stink with Kenwright.

Bang on Kenwright's door and demand that funds be made available. Take a leaf out of the fat waiter's book and start behaving like Allardyce who complained that there weren't enough funds available.

It seems to have paid dividends for both of them. If we don't capitalise on the basis of a very good (albeit paper thin) squad this season, you can forget about ever getting crowds of 55,000 at Kirkby.

Ambition demands action. C'mon Moyes, show me you've got it rather than seemingly accepting everything the luvvy tells you! It seems totally out of character. I'd never have put you down as a "Yes" man.

If we don't land Baines now, we'll be a complete laughing stock and we'll be starting the season on a downer.
Ray Robinson     Posted 03/08/2007 at 19:13:38   Comments (1)

Car-crash summer

Who would have thought that after bouncing out of Goodiosn after the Portsmouth game we would end up enduring the worst summer in living memory and I am not talking about the weather.

A highly divisive stadium ballot where a Yes vote will represent the hollowest of victories as no one wants to go to Kirkby regardless of which way they vote.

A transfer budget and policy which once again is making us a total laughing stock - "hang on a minute, Wigan, I think we have just found another 50p down the back of the Park End — can we pay over 1000 years". I would ask Mr Dodd how he explains the Baines fiasco with his stated belief that wages and not transfer fees are the problem

And finally, injuries to 2 key players which just confirms my post-Istanbul suspicions that somehow Everton have greatly angered God/mother nature/the universe and are going to pay with an eternity of torment.

For me this summer has confirmed beyond doubt that Kenwright lacks the influence, finance and vision to lead a top football club. I don't trust in his ability to manage or deliver on any major project. "Wait and see" is a shit strategy but Kirkby with Kenwright may actually be worse.

I think if Moyes says at any point in the season that we are short of numbers then he should immediately start running and not stop for a very long time.

Still, on the bright side I look forward to the 31 August press conference when we will unveil those world class Albanians.
John Doolan     Posted 03/08/2007 at 18:46:56   Comments (25)

Team for Palace

I dont know if this is true but I have heard from a source that this could be the team for Christal Palace:

Tim Howard: GK
Phil Jagielka: RB 
Joseph Yobo: CB 
Joleon Lescott: CB
Nuno Valente: LB
Leon Osman: RM
Lee Carsley: CM 
Phil Neville: CM
Mikel Arteta: LM
Steven Pienaar: AM
Andy Johnson: CF

Supposedly it is the same formation we play to accomadate Cahill but instead using Pienaar. As I said I was told by a source in south london who said Alan Irvine has been practising while Moyes gone. By the way I have heard Moyes's mum died.
Connor Rohrer     Posted 03/08/2007 at 19:02:49   Comments (3)

Give us a choice!

I have just returned from the KEIOC presentation, and must confess I went with an open mind regarding the stadium debate. I have always maintained that I would vote for whatever option I felt was the best for Everton FC and Evertonians present and future.

I asked the following questions:

1. If Goodison Park was to be redeveloped on the existing footprint, how long would it take? How much would it cost? And who would fund the project? It appears that it would take four or five years, and nobody could give me answers to the cost and funding questions.
2. If Everton FC were to relocate within the city boundaries, would the City Council donate land to Everton FC? Would a commercial partner match the contribution promised by Tesco?

The Bestway representative informed me that Liverpool City Council were prepared to allocate Bestway a plot of land, which would free up the Scotland Road Loop, which in turn would be donated to Everton FC He was a little vague regarding the funding, and to tell the truth I lost the drift of his explanation, as it was pretty chaoctic at the venue, but he seemed to suggest that the Bestway contribution could be boosted. Because he didn't give a figure to begin with it's impossible to evaluate the assistance Bestway would provide.

I implore anyone who has influence to urge Everton to defer the Kirkby ballot, and to encourage all the interested parties [Everton FC, Liverpool City Council, KEIOC, and any potential partners] to sit around the table to discuss any alternative proposals. To dismiss them out of hand would be doing a great disservice to Evertonians, we do after all deserve something more than a take it or leave it situation.

It disappointed me to discover that Everton FC were not represented at today's event, [they must listen to the voice of the fans,] and if Kirkby is the preffered option then so be it, but give us something to vote on.
John  McFarlane Sr     Posted 03/08/2007 at 18:06:29   Comments (1)

ToffeeWeb Vote

The whole summer has not been spent constructively by anybody connected with EFC. The Board, the manager, the supporters, the media.

People are either pro-Kenwright or against Bullshit Billy; pro-Wyness or against Bully. Evertonians are openly waging war on each other to try and get their feelings across and gain support for their point of view.

Some things however cannot be disputed because they are facts.

1. Moyes has done at least a good job on a tight budget.
2. The playing squad is too thin on quality and quantity.
3. The Chairman has gone from stating a few months ago that there was a budget of 15m for players to total silence at the most critical point in the clubs history.
4. The Chief Executive after much posturing and a long time states there is no plan B.

Suggested questions:-

1. Are you happy with the current squad numbers?
2. Are you happy with the current squad quality?
3. Are you happy with the current board's support for the manager.
4. Are you happy with the current board's running of the club.
5. At similar cost/income to the club would you prefer to go to Kirkby or stay in Liverpool for a new stadium

This should also help to focus a few minds on the board.
NIL SATIS NISI OPTIMUM!
Jay harris     Posted 03/08/2007 at 17:19:36   Comments (0)

New Seasoncard,... or is it?

Does anybody have any inkling as to why the new 2007/8 seasoncard has neither a Barcode or any security chip printed on them? Having contacted the club three days ago, I've yet to receive a reply. Surely not another cock-up and 24,000 season ticket holders locked out for the Wigan game?
Karl Jones     Posted 03/08/2007 at 17:18:09   Comments (7)

Wait... just a little bit longer

Having just returned from St.George's Hall, I was impressed by the effort that had been made by KEIOC to show that alternatives to Kirkby might be available. If you listen to Wyness no alternatives are possible and yet I discovered that Kenwright has been in discussion with Bestways and LCC for the past three months; ever since the Loop became surplus to requirements for Bestways.

Given a little bit of time Bestways/LCC will provide further details. There is no need to vote at the first available moment and all eligible to vote would be well-advised to wait until Bestways have had a chance to put their case. Why not wait until the third week of the voting period and use the registered, next day delivery service provided by the Post Office. It might cost a few pounds but it will guarantee delivery (during Post Office workers strike action) and the delay will allow you to see if a viable alternative to Kirkby is possible.

Wyness and Kenwright are acting like some despots who claim that their countries enjoy fair elections but fail to see how hollow this claim is in their one-party states. Keep your powder dry. Wait a while and see if democracy can be introduced to the voting regime. You have nothing to lose and maybe much to gain by delaying your Kirkby decision for a few more weeks.
Brian Finnigan     Posted 03/08/2007 at 16:16:45   Comments (4)

Do the Board have any aces up their sleeves

Does anyone else here think that the board must have a few tricks up their sleeves in regard to transfers? Surely if they don't sign any more players, then there will be enormous pressure on them to explain truthfully why there weren't any more buys. I know Smith has signed for Newcastle, and we probably didn't make a bid, but I feel we are missing the boat here.

The board must be aware of the frustration of the fans, no one is that oblivious. Apparently, even Mikel is wondering what is happening with our signings. I think (hope is nearer to the truth), that the club will make at least 2 more signings, 1 of which will be a surprise. Please!
Simon Gemine     Posted 03/08/2007 at 16:15:45   Comments (6)

KEIOC Proposals?

Has anyone been to the KEIOC display today?

I went there being in favour of the move but went to see what the lads had to offer us. They have clearly put a lot of work into their campaign but I left St George?s Hall in no doubt there is no real Plan B or Plan C, just a lot of ifs and buts.

The Goodison rebuild is clearly a non-starter; no costing, no details on how it would be paid for and no information on how it would clear health and safety hurdles during the rebuild. Let's face it, this totally incompetent council has just cancelled the Matthew St festival with only 3 weeks' notice on Health & Safety issues. So rebuilding a stadium in such tight constraints (terrace housing all around) whilst keeping attendances around 40,000 and ensuring its cost effective — the answers were simply not there.

I was surprised but the Loop proposals where relegated to a small corner, but when you listened to what was on offer it soon became clear why. The main stumbling blocks appearing to be the reliance on LCC giving us additional land on top of the Bestway Land, this would need retail investment, a couple of miles from the new shopping centre, very doubtful? Again when pushed on what companies have expressed an interest it was clear there is none.

I know this is an emotive issue but if you plan to vote against the move please don?t do so thinking KEIOC have given us real deliverable alternatives, because they certainly haven?t. I?m glad I went to the display because any doubts I had have now gone, I?ll be voting Yes to Kirkby.
Charlie Skinley     Posted 03/08/2007 at 16:01:36   Comments (1)

To pay or not to pay

I see Smith's signed for the Skunks. From what I've read on here recently there's a split in the camp as to whether it's good or bad news. Immaterial now I suppose. Interesting though. I mean, what are people's feelings towards Everton's "alleged" wage ceiling. I say "alleged" because nobody really knows what the ceiling is or whether there actually IS one.

But from what I've read the rumour seems to be anywhere from 35-40k/week. Still makes me shake my head when I'm even only writing those sort of figures, but that's another story.

So do you go to a club who's qualified for the UEFA cup on circa 35k a week, or do you go to a club who hasn't, and has also underperformed forever (!) on a reputed 60k a week? (I'm dismissing the possibility that the turmoil Everton "appear" to be in re the ground move would be a deciding factor:but it might).

Well Smith's answered the question (if we even bid for him at all) one goes where the money is. I reckon that 95% of people would do the same. We have a saying where I work: "In a shit sandwich, the more bread you get the less shit you eat". One would have to have an extra special liking, or bond, with a club to turn down an extra 25k a week...
Brian Williams     Posted 03/08/2007 at 15:39:53   Comments (0)

Wait 'til 31 August!

I read somewhere on ToffeeWeb that Everton were holding back the announcement of the Smith signing until the eve of the Kirby ballot. Now, knowing how manipulative they are — or seek to be — I could believe that. The trouble is that although Moyes may have done a deal with his mate at Old Trafford, he clearly hadn`t put the time in with the player whose agent obviously had more ambitious (lucrative ) offers for him to consider.

Now history is repeating itself with Baines although this time it's the other way round. The player is desperate to sign so Everton are playing hardball over the fee and Wigan are well pissed off with the whole business.

Over the past five years there have been dozens of "warm" leaks in the local press that Everton are on the brink of a signing only to see last minute complications arise with work permits, bonus payments, agents' fees and famously a "failed medical" later denied by the player.

Perhaps the clue to these problems — which only Everton seem to experience — was given in the mind-bending complications surrounding the Rooney sale. As I understand it, lawyers are still busy trying to sort out who owes who how much! Add the fact that Everton always want to buy players "on the strap" and it's no wonder so few deals ever get to fruition.

I guess we can console ourselves with the knowledge that on or around 31 August, dozens of agents will be assailing Finch Farm with videos of latter-day Van der Meydes and Moyes can at last "get numbers in" very much on the cheap.

Isn't it refreshing to know our club is so well conducted?
Brian Noble     Posted 03/08/2007 at 15:25:19   Comments (3)

Big Vic

With both Cahill and Vaughan injured it looks like we are going to start with the Anichebe and Johnson partnership. Although others dont rate Anichebe I do. I have heard people call him a athlete and nothing more but I think he is starting to show promise.

He is very strong and quick naturally and standing at 6ft 1 he is good in the air. Against Portsmouth at the end of the season I thought he had a better game than Vaughan. And against Werder Bremen he showed how much he has improved. His touch and awarness are alot better and he is learning to use his pace a bit more.

I couldnt actually tell if he was that quick until a few games in. He is a power runner. Poor acceleration but once he gets going he is a quick as anyone. If he does start against Wigan I think he will show us how much he has improved. Is it me or is there always a better atmosphere around goodison when the likes of Anichebe and Vaughan start? When Beattie or even McFadden start everyone is less optimistic.
Connor Rohrer     Posted 03/08/2007 at 15:27:39   Comments (6)

KEOIC

Having previously labelled the KEOIC campaign a joke, I have to put my hand up and say I admire the effort that they've put in. From looking at the PDF doc, they really have worked hard to put something together. Not an easy thing to do when you have a day job and family on the side.

Whether you agree with the proposal or not, you cannot accuse them of being anything other than true blue with a passion for the great club of ours.
Dan Parker     Posted 03/08/2007 at 14:25:57   Comments (4)

Vogel & Principles

So everyone is kicking off about not paying £1m for Vogel.

Everyone believes it is we do not have the money. Forget it, if it was just £1m then we have at least that much.

But why do we need to pay the £1m? Either Real Betis want £1m for a free agent or Vogel wants a £1m as a leaving present and Real won't pay.

So you all expect us to pay out £1m we don't need to. So what happens the next time and the next time and the next time? We have stuck by principles and maybe lost out on a 30 year old player who only wanted to be here to be in European competitions. But the message is out there, Everton are principled negotiators and can't be bought/strongarmed.

This is a long game — and from someone whose daily job is to manage a buying portfolio of £60m — I wish some of the short term charlies out there who would accept the first offer that is on the table, were my suppliers. I would make such a large bonus based on my negotiations, I would be able to buy out Bill! Our strategy will work out, don't worry
Phil Roberts     Posted 03/08/2007 at 14:28:53   Comments (11)

Price Tags

I agreed with Moyes about the out of control price tags because of people spending money like they have it. Still I feel Everton have missed out on Smith. 6 Mil I think is a fair amount to pay for a 26 year old with real goal scoring skills, something we really need.

Newcastle now have 5 good strikers in Ameobie, Own, Viduka, Smith and Martins. I am sure had we tried hard enough to sign Smith he would have been tempted, more chance of first team footy and europe to go with it.

Feel a bit let down we did try harder on this one when we moan about over priced players.

What do you think? Jamie
Jamie Oliver     Posted 03/08/2007 at 14:35:46   Comments (12)

Baines signing in jeopardy!

So, the Beeb are confirming that Smith has indeed joined the Barcodes (dejavu anyone?), but, more worringly, they are also saying that Fat Sam is out to hijack the Leighton Baines deal. Come on Davey FFS, pull your bloody finger out!
Richard GloucesterBlue     Posted 03/08/2007 at 14:25:58   Comments (7)

This season has mid-table mediocrity all over

Seems pretty clear to me that the club are only working on "plan A's", and no "plan B's". But not just on the stadium front.

Plan A from a footballing perspective over the last 12 months was obviously to simply survive in the premiership to ensure the cash windfall of the increased sky revenue.

We achieved that. Now where? We dont seem to have any other plan. We are back in our cyclic swinf of good season - bad season, and one of the reasons for that is we are not taking opportunities presented to us to strengthen whilst the time is right (and our stock is at its heighest).

For sure, I'm not going to doom monger and suggest we are going to be a bottom 6 side, by I cant see us being a top 6 side either.

Mid-table mediocrity beckons. Plan A....
Jeremy Benson     Posted 03/08/2007 at 14:20:25   Comments (1)

Alan Smith

Just fresh from the Sky sports news, Alan Smith has joined Newcastle. I must admit though I am slightly relieved as I do not believe that he was the right player for us at this stage. Before the 'Dithering Dave' brigade pipe up just look at the figure and deal he is on at Newcastle. It is ridiculous.

I am happy to keep faith in our manager, he has not let us down yet in my opinion. Panic if you must but when you look at the actual quality and team spirit of our squad, we are looking quite healthy. Numbers we need, mercenaries we dont. Good luck Smith, Koumas, Richardson etc. You're gonna need it.
Danny Mullally     Posted 03/08/2007 at 14:16:50   Comments (2)

Not the Best Start

After just witnessing Newcastle sign their 6th high profile club striker (Alan Smith), I am devastated that the staff at Everton (in my opinion) did not do enough to sign him. We are selling Beattie and are left with AJ and Anichebe to realistically start the season with. Why on earth have we blown our transfer kitty on two fullbacks (nothing against them but I am a believer of leading from the front), but I can see us battling relegation or even worse, producing bore draw.

Cahill is out for the start and shockingly, Captain Phil has been playing as an attacking midfielder. I'm disappointed and I'm gutted we never got Smith or even made a move for Bojinov who was a bargain. It's not good enough!

Don't get me started on Kirkby. If we go, i will be heartbroken, choice or no choice. Somebody is bleeding this club and i just hope that those 11 players that are fielded against Wigan play out of their skin because I have a ticket and after all my moaning and whingeing, I want to see my boys play like Brazil next season. But I feel we are behind the pecking order before a ball has been kicked because we havent been creative enough in pre-season.
Graham Fisher     Posted 03/08/2007 at 14:13:26   Comments (0)

Total Joke!

I've watched from afar, especially all the different views posted on this great site, some I agree with, some I dont, but all arguments have been submitted with class, so excuse if this dont fit the high standards, but I got to get this off my chest.

Can someone please tell me what is going on with my beloved club and the money/transfer situation?

We just missed out on Smith to the Barcodes. I'm not a great fan of his, but the sign it would have shown is that we are acting in the background, and we know our targets. Now as I read to see the reasons he went to the Barcodes I now discover that Big Sam is also looking into Baines. We miss out on him we are to reward the fans/players with a loss of squad members, and no improvement.

If we do by a miracle have a decent run in Europe, we wont be able to compete in the league and the domestic cups, then at the end of the season with a mid table finish and out of all cups, Arteta gone, Lescott poached, Cahill vanished, all the hard work over the last few seasons will of gone.

We had the chance a few seasons back to offer European Football, we never ceased it to bring in any real quality, the same under Big Joe after the FA Cup win. All I can presume is that the board must be happy to let us just bubble along in the Prem, and take our money throught the turnstiles.

It's a joke, Im gutted, I love this club, but it seems more and more likely that the board wish to lie to us, and keep swinging that carrot of progression in front of us, with no intention of doing anything. If they would be honest, tell us the actual figures we have to spend, or the real reasons we aint got anything, that would be something.

I for one am getting sick of following that 'carrot' of lies, really am pissed about the situation. We lose Baines, thats it, you can forget me pumping anymore money into the club via attendance & merchandise. My head will start ruling my heart from then on!

Totally gutted!
Steve Foster     Posted 03/08/2007 at 14:00:50   Comments (6)

Latest on Leighton

I've just read (on bbc) that not only has that corrupt barcode bulldog chewing a wasp beat us to the signing of Alan Smith, he's also trying to gazump our bid to land Bainesy!

I left my job today... some of the lads there bought me a nice bottle of malt ('Oban' for the connoisseurs out there)... the top has just been popped off.
Sean Dylan     Posted 03/08/2007 at 13:57:01   Comments (22)

Goodison Option

Having studied the picture closely of the New Goodison Park, at the existing site, I'm a little confused. I can't see a Tesco anywhere, nor Asda, nor anyone else who is going to tip up for it for that matter. For gawd's sake. .WHERE IS THE MONEY GONNA COME FROM TO PAY FOR IT? Perhaps we can go to away matches with a bucket to do a collection?

We are already in hock for MILLIONS and we would be pressing the self distruct button if we incurred the debt of building this on our own. I want to stay in the city boundaries, I would love to see a New Goodison, but unless there is someone going to give us a deal like the one already on offer, at Kirkby, then my vote will be a YES. EFC not GPFC.
Mark Joseph     Posted 03/08/2007 at 13:40:41   Comments (5)

Reasons to be cheerful?

I find it strange that there is such an air of optimism on this site. Whether this is down to club stooges or just blind loyalty to the triumvirate that is Kenwright/Wyness/Moyes I have no idea. There is a real crisis at our club. We are about to embark on a Premiership campaign where all participants have received a significant cash injection. Most teams have gone out of their way with this money to improve their squads significantly, whilst others have struggled to tread water or just to keep the banking wolves at bay. I really don't know where we stand.

In the last few months we have cut loose Davies, Weir, Naysmith, Wright, Pistone plus a handful of youth players and you can also add Kilbane to that mix. In that same time we've signed Phil Jagielka and a couple of youth players. Don't for a minute count Fernandes or Pienaar, they don't belong to us, and probably never will. The Vogel transfer has been conveniently ignored since Betis wanted £1m and though we were in the hunt for Baines, I always thought we might sign Smith with the proceeds of the Beattie transfer. As it stands, it looks like the Baines transfer is subject to Beattie leaving.

The way I see it here, we have a net senior squad loss of -5 though for those blinded by the crap that Pravda constantly feeds us I'll accept -4 if you include Pienaar (a LOAN signing). Add to that the loss of Vaughan and probably Cahill to significant injury layoffs, Joseph Yobo and maybe Victor away for the whole of January for the African Nations and we are in severe shit. The teams around us have improved significantly, and we are relying on that dogged Everton spirit and the Moyesiah to pull us through.

So, expect an early exit in the UEFA cup and a bottom six finish on the cards — at least there?s Kirkby to look forward to eh?
Mark Wynne     Posted 03/08/2007 at 13:25:56   Comments (4)

KEIOC plan

....from the people who brought you "Look out, Kirkby — we're hooligans", The Keep Everton In Our City campaign have released plans for a redeveloped Goodison and I have to say that not for the first time, I'm completely underwhelmed by their arguments.

To quote directly from the KEOIC website:
" We are pleased to be able to show the long awaited plan for a redeveloped Goodison Park. Having worked closely with KEIOC Tom Hughes' plans will once and for all put to rest the myth that there is no plan B.

" Here it is in its entirety.

" There is no embellishment, no comic book floodlights and no emotive imagery. We think Evertonians know what a stadium looks like and here we offer a blank canvas, a starting point. We could also have plucked figures from thin air and we could tell you the stadium will cost one million, five million or two hundred and fifty million pounds to redevelop."

There, resplendant in its glory is KEIOC's plan B. It consists of an airfix-style model stadium.

Erm...

That's it.

In fact, even that's being generous. KEOIC mention that this is "a blank canvas, a starting point" should be read as " nothing like the final stadium "

Naturally, it follows that they can't even guess as to how much such a stadium would cost (or how long it would take, who would invest, how would we survive while it's built, how much debt we would be left with and countless other questsions).

Not much of a realistic alternative then, is it? A much more realistic alternative is that we stay at Goodison Park and just give it a new lick of paint every few years until it fails its safety certificate which is what I think will happen if KEOIC get their way.

My ideal solution would be to built the Kirkby stadium to be built on our existing footprint, for it to be named New Goodison and to have a sugar daddy investing hundreds of millions of pounds, expecting nothing but a premium seat every match and the best for the club. I believe that all Everton fans would hope for something similar.

However, I understand that this simply isn't going to happen. Therefore, I'm firmly in the Yes to Kirkby camp.

I'm actually starting to feel sorry for those saying no with these KEIOC idiots 'representing' you. They're unprofessional, overexcited and to be frank, fairly embarrassing to me as an Everton fan.
Chris Gallagher     Posted 03/08/2007 at 13:04:50   Comments (13)

The Bush & Blair years

Why do we buy into the Bill Kenwright and Keith Wyness media propoganda? Some have sat still, rubbing their full bellies boasting of last years accomplishments, while these two fat old men whore off our little girl.

Kenwright and Wyness have concealed the truth for far too long, have failed to represent the people of this beautiful club and have done little to promote its ideology.

They have taken us kicking and screaming into a foreign land, ignored our culture and our history, usurped all of our resources and have promised little internal investment, 'With No End In Sight.'

Does this all sound familiar?

Yet some of you believe that we have moved forward and that 6th place is a virtual guarantee?

The truth is we stand handicapped with two of our best players injured and no Fernandes (this time around) in places where we need, and have no cover.

We are so close to being great again, but it will never happen if these two stay. If they really love this club they would let her go.
Jason Broome     Posted 03/08/2007 at 11:54:43   Comments (1)

A proper people's club

EFC have adopted "The People's Club" as their slogan in recent times. To me, a proper peoples' club would allow it's loyal supporters to participate in ownership. This website is interesting. Could a similar site persuade Bill to allow EFC fans to invest and become proper members? The idea is not new but the success of this website shows it can be done!
Vincent Lysaght     Posted 03/08/2007 at 12:28:57   Comments (0)

Where is Everton's central midfield?

Is it just me or when you look at Everton's squad list is there only one fit recognised central midfielder?

It is quite alarming when you consider that the midfielder in question is a poor mans 'makalele' who has a particular weakness in creative/incisive passing. Losing Cahill is a blow but his weakness I believe is also the art of passing a ball so i can find no excuse as to why Everton have not prioritised a ball playing central midfielder this summer.

For whatever reason Moyes wasn't convinced by Fernandes but himself and Irivne must have seen at the very least he gave us a spark in the middle and provided a link between defence and attack. I read this website and articles about Everton daily and I did not subscribe to the silly season concerns but this is almost down to a week before kick off and we are already struggling for players. To say Jagielka and Neville can play there is to paper over the cracks because if anything they are cover for Carsley and not Cahill.

I was at the Werder Bremen game the other night and watching how their midfield passed and moved albeit in a 'friendly' atmosphere was interesting to contrast against Everton's more workman like approach with the ball. I've read how 'well we played' but they played seemingly within themselves.

Generally a friendly is used to showcase new arrivals; giving them a feel for the ground and the fans but the twelve thousand of us who showed up got to see just one player in Jagielka. A noticeable absentee was Vidaarson purely because the lad is a central midfielder who at 19 if he isn't good enough for a lark about on Goodison Park for 10 to 15 minutes in a friendly then what good will he be in a competitive premier league game?

I feel the stadium debate has been too great a distraction and has allowed the Everton board to get away with transfer inactivity so far. We've all been guilty of waiting to here what Keith Wyness and Co have had to say about Kirkby but to be honest as fans we've lost focus on what keeps a club operating which is fundamentally the ability to field a first eleven and fill a substitutes bench with worthy replacements.

Anyway, I'm glad the season starts a week earlier this year as it might be our saving grace when Moyes does wake up and say to Bill and Alan; "We're a wee bit short of players in the middle park are we not?"

PS I'm the biggest Evertonian in the world just like my 'mate' Bill Kenwright. I couldn't resist as Bill says it all the time I wanted to lay claim to the crown too! I've realised this last note demeans a fellow Evertonian in 'Dos & Don'ts' but I'm unwilling to retract it. Thanks
Andrew Evans     Posted 03/08/2007 at 11:13:16   Comments (3)

Baines & Smith

Does ANYBODY know what the hell is happening FFS ?

When I get a job offer (I wish), I have 24 hrs to accept it, so why are these "negotiations" so long and drawn out ??

Has anything been offered or accepted by anyone to anyone or what ?
David Smith     Posted 03/08/2007 at 12:10:06   Comments (7)

The year of the young

Has anyone considered that David Moyes` reluctance to blow money in this inflated transfer market is possibly because of his confidence in the young lads already named in the squad? By any standards, Moyes has proved a genius in `bringing players on`. He made a world class star of Rooney — so much so that his sale probably saved the club!

He`s made a solid Premier footballer out of the `too small` Osman and followed this with the introduction of Vaughan at 16 and Anichebe just a little older. No other manager can come close to equalling Moyes `one a year`average of creating top drawer players from the ranks and I have a sneaking feeling he has some new discoveries waiting in the wings.

Unlike many Evertonians, I believe the lack of transfers to be all part of the Moyes Masterplan.Why blow millions on moneygrabbers when you can build your own team for next to nothing?
Arnie Butterworth     Posted 03/08/2007 at 11:57:32   Comments (1)

Issues of the day

We need more players.
We don't have much money.
We need a new stadium.
Anyone anything further to add to that?
Allan Hobbs     Posted 03/08/2007 at 12:08:22   Comments (4)

The Everton Way

Without wanting to bore people with another assessment of the continuing lack of activity in the transfer market I wish to comment on how Everton approach each potential target and the drawn out process that always seems to ensue.

I was personally astounded by Bill Kenwright's statement following the acquisition of Phil Jagielka "We done it the Everton way" as in a laughable self modest and righteous assessment of the Club's transfer policy. Since Kenwright has been at the helm almost every transfer has been the subject of PR spin, red herrings and embarrasing failures, little in the way of substance and more in the way of publicity.

To me the Everton way is now synonomous with leaking information to the media, duping the fans on the eve of season ticket sales about money being available to the Manager, and long drawn out protracted negotiations. The going rate is the going rate, I didnt see many Clubs bartering over the sale of the likes of Kilbane and Davies who in my honest opinion went for well over their valuation.

Whilst Kenwright is in charge expect no difference, this unfortunately is now the Everton way and every Club, Player and Agent knows it. Its easy saying the market is overheated, quality players are unavailable but the de ja vu of two seasons ago scarily seems so apparent. We enter the season with Cahill and Vaughan out for lengthy periods, come January we lose Yobo and Pienear on international duty and god forbid injuries to any other key player. Its always difficult keeping the faith as an Evertonian, but for me this pre-season has been a huge let down and a statement of the Club's lack of ambition when it is needed most.
Peter Laing     Posted 03/08/2007 at 11:53:47   Comments (4)

Just Wondering

Why did Everton state on their website that Steven Pienaar had been granted a work permit to play in the UK, but now he's got to go to Germany to get a Visa. Why didn't they just say that on the website from the start, because what happens if he cant get his visa? We are left with, well next to no money and very few midfielders. Another major cock up by Everton. Would anybody please tell me what on earth is happening with Vogel? why didn't we just wait until everything was secure before telling the press and publishing it on the website? Fucking idiots they are.
Shaun Asthon     Posted 03/08/2007 at 12:00:24   Comments (3)

evertonTV

If you subscribe to the evertonTV site then check your bill. I was charged the new price of £40. If I had canceled my subscription and signed up again then it was only £35. The reward for being a returning customer is the only reason I can come up with? The club have refunded me a fiver. So if like me you pay for evertonTV check what you paid.
Mike Prendergast     Posted 03/08/2007 at 11:40:36   Comments (0)

Wednesday is D-Day

Be prepared for Wednesday, Everton will announce the signings of no fewer than 4 new players, to make the feel good impact greater ahead of the season.
Joseph McGivern     Posted 03/08/2007 at 11:24:16   Comments (9)

Time for Change

We have been harping on about a ground move for as long as I can now remember. We have already had the Kings Dock vote (which leaned towards a move) and we have been subject to countless other rumours since then.

Now we have a real deal. We can move, albeit outside of the city boundaries, but we can move ? and move to new facilities, new capacities, new investment.

I am not necessarily agreeing with Wyness when he says things like "an extra £10m a year" because that's hype and it ain't come Middlesborough's or Sunderlands way yet. However, I do feel that Goodison has had its day and is now a graveyard of yester year, has beens and over expectation. Its falling down, its not a patch on many of the stadiums in the league and it can't be easily expanded upon (although the atmosphere is the best in the league!).

KEIOC have produced plans ? apart from the fact that they have about as much aesthetics as Peter Kay's rear end ? they aren't viable. The lads at KEIOC have potentially shot themselves in the foot. No Money talk, no investment talk ? how are we going to pay for such a stadium? LCC aren't going to put up the money, Everton haven't got the money and tesco can't build a superstore.

I'm sorry to upset those hell bent on staying in the past but there really isn't much in the way of alternatives. Sentiment aside (and there is a lot of that ? people have been married at Goodison, had their ashes scattered etc.) Goodison is a relic, a fossil of our former selves and it's time to move on.
Jamie Rowland     Posted 03/08/2007 at 10:44:36   Comments (2)

Lack of vision

18 July 2007 — that was the date that James Vaughan was injured at Preston and the day our manager and board should have made signing a striker an absolute priority.

What has happened in the period since then? A fairly pointless trip to the USA — 1 game & the over-emphasised team bonding exercise for a squad only increased in size at the time by 1 player — endless links with defensive players, including yet another drawn out and embarrassing saga in trying to sign Baines, yet another player apparently keen to sign for us.

I can't say that Smith would have necessarily been the answer, but options are becoming shorter and shorter, and again another player that wanted to sign for us.

Anyone using the excuse of personal terms and transfer fees shares the same lack of ambition as the people that run our club. We're in an over-inflated market, you either play the game or fall behind. We again seem to have chosen the latter option.

I'd be really interested to know what the club's scouting network abroad is like. I don't know if Man City are signing the right players or not — only time will tell — but I at least admire their ability to identify the players they want and then go out and get them with the minimum of fuss and time - which is apparently copying the "Everton way"!

8 days to go until the start of the season, a lot of big talk needs to come to fruition very quickly now, e.g. Wyness - "we'll get the bodies in before the start of the season".
Lee Gorre     Posted 03/08/2007 at 10:25:43   Comments (2)

KEIOC stadium — Cost and Roof?

Just read the KEIOC pdf document and unless ive missed something there was absolutley no mention of how much this would cost or how the hell we would pay for it?

Also noticed the stadium has NO ROOF? This is taken from the pdf. A comparison:

''This stadium will be a completely enclosed arena (not covered, although this is also feasible), with all the characteristics of the large Spanish and Italian superstadia.''

People are talking about fan base and will they go to Kirkby, so are they telling us that we will get 57000 attendance at a match in december in a stadium with no roof?

It's a very emotional idea thats well put together and i would love to stay at goodison....this just doesnt seem feasible though. I also had worries about the timescale, the pdf claims a stand can be completed in 5 months? Not sure if that's possible to be honest.

I would urge people to not let this sway your vote, this is propaganda from the opposite side, they need to show us a complete costing and payment stategy, and the same questions need answering.

At the moment all I can see is a nice model with no real idea and business plan of how to actually get us there.

Let the slaughter commence...
Andy Baker     Posted 03/08/2007 at 10:26:10   Comments (4)

Questions For Fans

For all the money Spurs, Villa, Newcastle, Man City & West Ham have spent there are only three questions you should ask their fans.

1. Who was the last team to break into the Top 4? EVERTON.
2. Who was the last team to actually win the FA Cup? EVERTON.
3. Whose going to kick their over-paid asses next season? EVERTON.

Tom Hughes design

Firstly, can I just say hats off to the KEIOC lads. I have to admit that at first they did come across as being a bit "over the top" in some of their comments (well to me they did), however, looking at the plans they have to redevelop Goodison, I have to say that I, for one, am mightily impressed.

However, as always, there are some questions.

The first is, naturally, how much do they envisage this will cost? It's all very well coming up with some other decent proposals, but how much will they set us back? Will it be the £50m we're supposedly putting up for the Kirkby project, or will it be £150m, £200m?

Secondly, how long will it take? Can it be done in three years, four years, or would it take longer?

However, I have to say that their proposals have made me to have a rethink of moving to Kirkby.
Steve Flanagan     Posted 03/08/2007 at 09:52:34   Comments (3)

Ahead of the game

I know I shall get panned for saying this but I do believe that the Club`s current reluctance to dabble in the transfer market is a positive sign that they are now conducting their affairs to a sound business plan.

The vast majority of money spent by clubs this summer has been `on tick`-increasing their borrowings in the hope of striking gold.But it just ain`t going to happen!The same old faces will be at the top-all of them up to their necks in debt albeit covered by this year`s sugar daddies. What now makes our club different is that we`re ahead of the game.We`ve already learned to manage our spending and the increased revenue from the Sky deal will soon see us firmly in the black and ready for the exciting move to the new ground. Moyes has proved he can work miracles-just look at his record -and has,I am sure indicated his confidence to continue in similar vein.So why splash money around on greedy no-marks?

OK,so it hasn`t made for an exciting summer but come 11th August,I`m sure we shall see that ,once again,Bill and davey got it right.COYB!
George Farraday     Posted 03/08/2007 at 09:13:48   Comments (27)

Most Evertonians upbeat

I must move in different circles to most Toffeewebbers as the majority of Evertonians I mix with are pretty up-beat about the Club at the moment.

The proposed move is an absolute`no brainer`and will probably attract a 75% approval vote. On the field,the addition of Jags,Pins and Baines can only strengthen what was a very effective side last season and before anyone cites the injuries to Cahill and Vaughan lets remember that we were without them for long periods in 06/07!

Of course Moyes will move to bring in a few back-up players before the deadline and the Beattie money may provide funds for a re-placement striker.But even if we go into the season as we are we shall be stronger than last year-and we did finish sixth.

Too many fans get exercised by the lack of `big money`signings but it`s just not Moyes`style and we`re all the better for that.

Make no mistake,these are exciting times for Evertonians and once the diversion of the ground debate is over we can settle down to what I am sure will be a memorable season.
Peter Jones     Posted 03/08/2007 at 08:23:01   Comments (12)

Converted

I recently wrote a letter saying 'don't panic!' on the transfer front. Funny how things change haha

Over the past few days I've seen clubs move in stealth, buy players and improve squads. Albeit clubs with more money but money doesn't buy process. The Vogel 'deal' is on a par with Parker,Forrsell and marginly better than Muller. If he's really only costing £1m then what does that say about our financial restraints? Apparently he's worth it for nothing but not good enough to be worth next to nothing. Hmmmm.

Baines in the directors box on Tuesday SURELY should've triggered a move Weds/Thurs but.......no. Not yet at any rate.

Beattie out potentialy, Vaughan injured, Cahill injured yet no sign of any attacking threat being bought in. Even I had a wry smile at the defender we're 'linked' with because he was converted from striker to defence. So thats two positions covered.

Smith looks set for the barcodes and although he divides opinion on his effectiveness I am a big fan, seemingly so is/was Moyes. Of all the players you could expect to move this summer there doesn't seem to be much choice left. Has Jeffers gone anywhere yet?

Its not all 'end of the world is nigh' and I still believe in a prudent transfer policy paying off but theres a difference between being prudent and not having a pot to piss in.

Forget about this being a big season for Everton, its a mammoth season for Moyes because just as Walter is remembered for playing all those defenders its just as likely Moyes will be remebered for a catastrophic transfer policy.

Still, there are those who believe the transfers are being held off announcement to counteract any KEIOC campaign. Maybe but I'm not so sure BK and Wyness are that cunning.
Ben Houghton     Posted 03/08/2007 at 07:46:51   Comments (14)

Wait & see....

Whilst I'm not altogether satisfied with the quantity of player purchased this off season, I'm pretty happy with the quality. Even young Lukas looks a player. But I'm getting a little tired of all of us being up in arms that everybody else is improving around us. I know Man City, Villa, West Ham, Blackburn etc are all buying more players than us, but will they make an impact?

Of our 3 signings, I think Pienaar & Jags will be excellent. Baines would make three impact players. If another team - let's say Man City - buy 8 players, but only 2 of them make an impact (for whatever reason), then have they really improved more than us?

Now PLEASE do not take this as a defense of the transfer policy/ability of the club. I would love to see more men in a blue shirt with a European campaign to take care of. But please people! Don't make drastic claims that we're on our way for a massive tumble, because those around us have bought up. Warm bodies don't always mean capable footballers.

Moyes has a pretty impressive stike rate in the marketplace, and while i would like another player or two (praying for Baines at the moment), he's not prone to signing many duds. Even Krøldrup has proven himself a player in another league.

I'm taking a wait-&-see approach with all the clubs, right now. Come December, we can disect every clubs transfers and see what we have.
Jarrod Prosser     Posted 03/08/2007 at 03:06:03   Comments (24)

Doubt

Why do contributors who are pro-Kirkby not acknowledge the fact that such a move has got some very serious risks? One that, on the front it seems like a good deal, has so many factors which make it very high risk.

1. There is a high pssibility it will seriously erode our fan base, maybe not in the short term but definitely long term as we are not going to be located in the heart of our catchment area, while our rivals will be and Kirkby does not have a similar population.
2. We are not sure of BK and Bully's motives. Will they sell on? What are we sacrificing to finance such a deal?
3. Will it attract the coparate sector especially with our Americans not far away?
4. What guarantee of extra income is there? None by the sounds of it except £10mill that Bully claims will be available for transfers. £10m. Who will that buy?
5. What it will do for sure is curb our spending in the short term and will the likes of Cahill, Yobo, etc hang about. I dont think so.

While on the whole I feel we have to move as Goodison is not a viable option I don't think it should be the priority. The priority should be funds for transfers to maintain our position. Secondly we should be looking at finding an investor to build a stadium and invest in our club. I think this it is essential that this stadium is in the city and preferably part of a major devellopment shops appartments. That is the responsibility of Bill. If he can't do this then he should find somebody who can.
Tom Lynch     Posted 02/08/2007 at 21:48:49   Comments (15)

Opportunity Cost...

I am getting the distinct impression that an awful lot of fans who write in to ToffeeWeb are of the belief that EFC is saving its transfer kitty this year to pay for the stadium move.

I too share this opinion, but maybe I should have sent a question into Wyness about the point of having a great stadium in which to play but with no decent players... Will EFC get a gate of 50k in the Championship, will EFC fill all of those swanky new corporate boxes?

I suspect not. Maybe Everton would be better just going for the extra revenue generated from a cup run (heaven forbid EFC should ever win a cup game!) or even a couple of rounds in Europe...
Rupert Sullivan     Posted 02/08/2007 at 21:39:06   Comments (1)

Questions? Questions?

Before the yes brigade cast their votes, let them think about a few things first:

1. How will they get to Kirkby on match days?
2. What price will their new seat be?
3. How many supporters will we lose if the team is not successful?
4. What has Keith Wyness ever done for EFC?
5. How many of the current players who are supporting the move will still be with us in five years time (players and managers come and go; fans are forever)?
6. Do you really want to hand the city over to Gerrard, Carragher and Co?
7. Why did Tesco want to tie us in to an exclusivity deal and why was Kenwright foolish enough to agree?
8. Do you really believe EFC will cease to exist if the vote is No?
9. Which football club was in the city first?
10. Would you like to see millions spent on new players or a new ground?

This deal is not all it seems. Don?t throw away over a hundred years of history in a second by voting Yes.

Everton will survive without Kirkby. Give Liverpool City Council one last chance to get it right. WE CAN WAIT.

VOTE NO TO KIRKBY
Eddy Bernard     Posted 02/08/2007 at 21:33:42   Comments (9)

Smith and nonsense?

I read this on the ToffeeWeb website, "ToffeeWeb understands that Everton have agreed a deal with Manchester United and Alan Smith but that the announcement won't be made until the eve of the ballot on 'The Kirkby Project' so as to maximise the feelgood' factor ahead of the vote.

"As our source says of his source, 'I know he'll be dead pissed off with me for sharing this but just had to show everyone how cynical these buggers are!'

"We have no idea as to the veracity of the information so, as usual, don't shoot the messenger! We're just passing this stuff on..."

Isn't this liable?

It seems ToffeeWeb and Ben were talking nonsense about Alan Smith because he has been on Sky tonight talking about his move to Newcastle. Why have people got this so wrong?

It seems Moyes has got it wrong too, we missed out on a £4.5m Nugent and have yet to sign any attack-minded people which has recently been highlighted as a major mistake considering the fact that Cahill and Vaughan are out for a few months. On top of that Moyes has agreed to sell Beattie which will reduce our squad even further!

I hope Moyes has a plan otherwise we are in the shit.
Gavin Harris     Posted 02/08/2007 at 21:17:57   Comments (8)

The Last Summer of Love

Being an Evertonian one gets used to disappointing close seasons.

Year after year we wait patiently for impending transfers that never materialise, investment funds that have been invented as smoke and mirrors tactics or we watch our prized assets leave and then promptly slag us off in the papers.

But this close season has got to be the worst ever.

Forget all the aforementioned examples of blue ?character building?, the issue that worries me the most is the massive division or split that has appeared over the Kirkby debacle.

Let?s not go there on this page, TW has miles of comments for and against. No, what I want to do here is remind us all precisely what makes us so special.

We are Evertonians. Proud, honest, loyal devotees to a Club that means more to us than any club or club supporter worldwide!

From entering school to finding out 80% of your classmates spurt chunks about the dark-side, yet in reality they wouldn?t know how to get to Anfield even if they were on the 82c. But guess what, the minority blues in your class go the match!

From travelling abroad and standing in a bar with your new home shirt on when a total stranger comes up to you and kisses the roundhouse.

Or when you bump into an Evertonian mate you haven?t seen for over 10 years and you carry on the last conversation you had ? as if it where yesterday.

I know you know what I mean and you could probably wax lyrically about other instances of camaraderie, between blue and blue. But what makes my heart sink is watching us bicker, whinge, moan and generally slag each other off - in what is obviously the biggest single issue us fans have had to deal with since our inception.

Whilst the debate continues let?s all remind ourselves of the reasons why moving means so much to us and take 5 minutes out to occasionally say, ?Hey guess what? I disagree but I respect your views because you are an Evertonian too?.

Love and life to Blues worldwide for and against!
Karl Parsons     Posted 02/08/2007 at 20:42:39   Comments (5)

Proven Striker for £2m!!!

There is a release clause in Benni McCarthy's contract with Blackburn that he can go if an offer of £5m is received.

If we were to invoke this clause, Mark Hughes would then probably look to re-sign Beattie for Rovers, and after all wrangling is done, we could probably end up with Benni for £2 million or less.

McCarthy was also at Goodison on Tuesday night with his good friend Steven Pienaar, who had returned from Germany just too late to be included for the match.

Surely this would be good business for the club if Bill asked Pienaar to have a quiet word with Benni, who stated before he signed for Blackburn that he wanted to come to Everton.

We could then push the boat out for Baines plus Vogel and consider it a fantastic (though frustrating) transfer window.
Keith Harrison     Posted 02/08/2007 at 19:56:27   Comments (1)

Vogels gone Turkish

Sorry lads this could be a complete load of rubbish but according to this website, which I can only understand "Vogel" and "transfer" says he is now signing for some Turkish outfit called Kayserispor. No doubt they gave the paltry £1 million to Betis. Oh dear, lads, this is pretty shit. Apologies if I am wrong.
Danny O'Brien     Posted 02/08/2007 at 19:58:56   Comments (10)

Securitisation?

I've heard of this 'securitisation' but have never really understood its meaning. But I do think it is becoming more of a millstone around the club's neck than I previously thought. Would this be one of the reasons we don't attract 'investors' in the club? Is this the reason we cannot compete with similar/smaller clubs in the transfer market? I would appreciate some explanation from those who understand it far better than I do.

In the 'old' days season ticket sales would provide a pot of money to help the manager buy new players, this 'new' Everton way would appear to limit the amount of cash available to the manager during any one transfer window. Is it a way of ensuring that nobody does a 'Peter Johnson' and helps protect the club?
John Partick McFarlane (Junior)     Posted 02/08/2007 at 19:00:24   Comments (6)

(L)OOPS!

Just in case anybody is seriously considering the Loop option as a reason not to vote in favour of the move to Kirkby it may be worth remembering that this option, being pushed for all its worth by LCC, is being thus pushed by the Local Authority that has just cancelled the Mathew Street festival with 3 weeks' notice to the whole world!

Don't trust the buggers. LCC are incompetent, a major reason why I don't live within their remit anymore. I couldn't wait to escape... maybe it would not be a bad idea for Everton to escape too! It would be a severe mistake for our great Club (WHICH WAS BORN OUTSIDE OF LIVERPOOL) to put any faith in this bunch of misfits and incompetents. Don't vote FOR Kirkby if you honestly don't want us to go there, but don't vote AGAINST merely on the basis of alternatives promulgated by LCC! That would be a serious mistake.
Eileen Roberts     Posted 02/08/2007 at 18:35:11   Comments (2)

Hit or Miss

I like most would like Everton to sign the best possible players for our team and I get disappointed every day with the news of "no new signings". It now seems that maybe another one has passed us by in the name of Alan Smith. But wait, is this such a good thing? I cannot remember him being a prolific scorer of goals except one season for Leeds. Then take a look at the other players we have missed out on in recent years — Scott Parker: mercinary, goes where the money is; Emre, does not break any pots for me; Milan Barros, where is he now? Mikel Forssell, crocked again.

I am sure there are others! I am not saying Alan Smith would not be a good asset to the team but we do now seem to have a core of players that are loyal to the club and not just themselves. I am sure Arteta had a few offers but look where he stayed — loyal. These are the player we need.

Yes, we need more numbers in the squad but not at the risk of the team morale and the "spend for spending's sake" teams that seem to be in the Premiership at the moment. I would not bet on West Ham being above us come the end of the season, would you? Can you recall the signing of the two Argentine world beaters on deadline day last season and the fans saying that the league was as good as there is on Sky Sports, they scraped in to staying in the Premiership on the last day.

Come on, you Blues. Sixth or higher finishing above the mighty spenders of Newcastle, West Ham, Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Manc shitty etc will give me great glee and let them keep spending there ill-got gains on no hopers.
Paul Lovatt     Posted 02/08/2007 at 18:17:06   Comments (8)

Jagielka and Baines

Does anyone else find it rather laughable and bizarre that we could have had both of these players for nothing instead of paying £9m for both of their services? What the hell was going on at Everton academies back in the 90's!?
Alan McDonald     Posted 02/08/2007 at 18:21:07   Comments (10)

3 Number 15s!

We must have enough players in the squad, according to skysports.com, we've got 3 Number 15s!!!:

Everton Squad List
Goalkeeper:
13 Iain Turner 24 Tim Howard Defender:
12 Phil Jagielka 15 Alan Stubbs 
15 Joleon Lescott 15 Phil Neville 
19 Nuno Valente 2 Tony Hibbert 
36 Patrick Boyle 4 Joseph Yobo Midfield:
11 James McFadden 17 Tim Cahill 
21 Leon Osman 26 Lee Carsley 
37 Manuel Fernandes 38 Anderson Silva 
6 Mikel Arteta 7 Andy van der Meyde 
Forward:
20 James Vaughan 28 Victor Anichebe 
8 Andrew Johnson 9 James Beattie 

Just a thought?

Anyone get the feeling where not going to here the full extent of Cahill?s injury till after the transfer window has closed when he?ll have a ?Setback? in his recovery. There has been a couple of days now since the injury, surely we should know for sure the full extent and how long he will be out for.

What was the scan for, why have we only been told it?s not as bad as the last injury?

It may be my suspicious mind but I feel it?ll be the club's angle on this as they haven?t the funds for a replacement/additions in the middle. (We have NOT got enough quality not matter what some fans think) So it?ll be? ?Oh he?s had a set back, if only we knew the extent of the injury we would have got someone else in.?

We have only spent 4 million. [£3m net after the sale of Naysmith — Ed] The Board is a joke! We need money for transfers. End of! Even more so now Cahill?s looking at a lengthy lay off!

But nothing will happen and we will start the campaign with a thinner squad then any other team in the prem. Yet fear not some will say we still have a few weeks to go in the transfer market, be patient! FFS

Well I for one will be absolutely disgusted if we do not invest in the middle of the park? that said, will the club have to re-allocate the funds for Baines to accommodate the loss of Cahill?

Oh this club!!
Chris Mckenny     Posted 02/08/2007 at 17:23:52   Comments (3)

Players` greed the barrier

Most Evertonians are naturally disappointed that the manager`s intense summer transfer activity has not yet borne the fruit we (and he) hoped for. Contrary to much that appears in these columns, I have reason to believe that Everton have not `frequently been out-bid` for players they have targeted. The real barrier in converting `done deals` to completed signings usually revolves around the quite ludicrous wage demands from players and their agents!

As David Moyes has continually stressed, the Board have total faith in his judgement and have backed him on every recommended target he has put forward. But, and it is a big but, too many of these targets see Everton as a soft touch and set out to ante-up their wage demands just as the deal is struck. In one case, I understand a Man Utd player has saught to DOUBLE his take home from the Premier Champions!

Now you can talk of Scottish prudence all you like,but only a fool (or Sam Allardyce)would give into demands like that. Just think of the repercusions for the club`s overall wage policy! So before you go slagging off our Chairman, just give a thought to the real reason these deals don`t go through..... even if every player we hear mentioned seems to claim he is an Evertonian at heart!
Richard Dodd     Posted 02/08/2007 at 15:08:11   Comments (18)

Cahill Reports Premature?

Just been on the Official Website and apparantly Cahill may not be out for as long as initially reported.
Seamus Murphy     Posted 02/08/2007 at 15:23:31   Comments (0)

KEIOC Joke

So, the view of the 'new Goodison'. How do they plan to build that exactly? Whip it up during the summer or build one stand at a time? ? neither are viable options.

And the scheme to build a hotel and apartments next to the stadium ? what about all the houses and people that live there plus the church? You'd have to buy them out at considerable cost.

And who is going to stay at this hotel in the Goodison district of Liverpool ? who on earth would want to stay there apart from nights when there's a game on?

Don't get me started on the Loop plan either with Reg Holdsworth and Betterbuy. Wouldn't it be great sitting in a stadium with traffic whizzing past in sight...

For me, Kirkby's the only viable plan on the table and we shouldn't let our hearts stop us doing the right thing. That's what our forefathers believed when they split and moved to Goodison Park in the first place. It was the right thing to do at the time (and we all know what happened to those that wanted to stay). It's a brave thing Bill is doing balloting the fans - not many chairmen would these days. Let's give him some credit on that at least.

Differences adide, everyone wants the best for Everton and people will disagree whatever decision is made. I just hope we're not sitting here in 5 years with a knackered old ground whilst the Derby's of the world are overtaking us.

Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
Dan Parker     Posted 02/08/2007 at 15:08:25   Comments (16)

Another full-back?

Everton have been linked with a move for Elfsborg full-back Daniel Mobaeck. The 27-year-old has earned rave reviews since being converted to a defender from a striker, by coach Magnus Haglund. Mobaeck impressed many onlookers last week when he scored the winner in Elfsborg's 1-0 UEFA Champions League qualifier in Debrecen.

The player himself admits he would be tempted by a move to England. "Of course, I would be interested in playing in the Premier League," declared Mobaeck. "If an offer comes, which is right for both the club and me, I am of course interested. It's obvious that it is noticed in Europe when you score in an important match."

The player's agent Martin Klette would not confirm that David Moyes's side were amongst those interested - with Strasbourg also said to be keeping close tabs on Mobaeck. However, Klette did admit he did know of interest from two clubs. "I can confirm that two European clubs have enquired about Daniel, but I can't say which," Klette told Expressen.
Allan Hobbs     Posted 02/08/2007 at 15:12:11   Comments (20)

Judean People's Front

Worst ever transfer deals. Scroll down and look who's number 1!

Not quite as funny as a bunch of grown men designing a fantasy football stadium! For fuck's sake! They must've been deprived of Lego as kids.

Does any of this absurd stadium factionalism remind you of Monty Python's The Life of Brian? Are you the Judean People's Front? Fuck off! We're the People's Front of Judea!
Ryan Crest     Posted 02/08/2007 at 14:59:21   Comments (7)

Postman Bill

See the below from the Everton website. Looks like Bill has had a word with his pall at the Royal Mail union and organised a strike to ensure ballots aren't posted and treated as Yes votes. What should I do if I haven't received my voting pack?

There is an on-going Royal Mail Postal strike which will effect the delivery of all post. If you haven't received your voting form by Friday 10th August, then please contact us on 0208 889 9203. As appropriate, Electoral Reform Services will then distribute duplicate packs.

In the sticky brown

Hardly a ball has been kicked and Everton are in the sticky brown stuff! Moyes`s tardiness in the transfer market ? or is it Kenwright`s meanness with the chequebook? ? means that with just over a week until kick-off Everton are under-resourced to meet the challenges ahead. A fool could have predicted that players would be injured in the run-up to the season although only the most pessimistic would have forecast the loss of two vital players ? probably until after Christmas.

The club seems to have missed out on all its early targets,either because the fees could not be met or,more probably,because the going rate for top tier wages is completely outside Everton`s parsimonious budget. All this focus on the ground move may well have diverted attention away from team matters but for the second time in two years, we go into the season totally under-equipped.

Now we all know that Moyes is happy to dance to his piper`s tune but isn`t it about time he told his paymasters some home truths? `They usually come up with what I ask for`, he`s said in the past but if that`s the truth (I don`t believe it is!) then he'd better start highering his horizons.

Let`s face it, Everton are `boraxic lint` with even shoo-in transfers like Baines having to be strung out until `easy terms` can be negotiated. It`s well known in the business that the club is a nightmare to deal with on any matter involving finance and this summer`s inactivity reflects that fact. No doubt we shall see a flurry of last minute activity with the arrival of panic buys like VdM and loans of obscure foreigners. Then will follow the excuses ? always preceded by `I don`t ever blame injuries but...` Why the fuck am I an Evertonian?
Ron  Marchant     Posted 02/08/2007 at 14:02:30   Comments (3)

Alan Smith

So, it seems we missed out on Alan Smith to Newcastle. 1) Do these players learn nothing from recent history but 2) We need to ask ourselves why we missed out on the player, when with injuries to Tim and Vaughan we REALLY could have done with his services.
Matt Bone     Posted 02/08/2007 at 14:03:36   Comments (27)

Cahill Injury

Cahill?s latest injury is a nightmare; I am devastated for him but the whole thing stinks of unprofessionalism from the club and the player. Either Cahill was lying to Baz about the progress of the injury or Baz messed up and if I was Moyes I?d be furious about the whole thing. With the small squad we have it was vital Cahill was rehabilitated with the up most care and am failing to see any excuse Everton or Cahill can come up with as to why this latest injury has happened. Being unlucky does'nt come into it, the bone injury was either fully recovered or he was rushed back in order to play for his country.

Bone injures compared to muscle related injures are straight forward, there are less unknowns and treatment revolves around rest with a slow rehabilitation. The upside to bone breaks is that the bone after recovery is stronger then before the break and the recovery progress of the bone can also be measured by x-ray which gives a very clear picture of how far along the recovery is. From my understanding Baz took x-rays and gave Cahill the all clear to up his rehabilitation and take part in the Asia cup. In my mind if there was any possibility that the bone was not fully recovered he should not have touched a ball in that tournament and the way in which Cahill injured the foot on Tuesday (under no contact) paints a picture of a very weak bone and some very poor medical decisions.

Either Baz never spotted it, he did but the risk was low enough to allow him to play for his country or Cahill was not forthcoming with how the foot really felt for Baz to make a medical judgment on him not to play. Cahill has to prioritize Everton over country commitments and if the latter reasoning is true, he only has himself to blame for the injury and he has let us and himself down. Either way it?s a huge blow for the club given are circumstances, I just get the feeling the whole thing could have been avoided and lessons need to be learned.
Andrew  Edwards     Posted 02/08/2007 at 12:10:49   Comments (8)

Baines bid accepted today!

Though no idea who the club is, I would hope it is Everton.. May seem a strange link to give, but if you skip near the end of the audio clip there, there is talk of Baines and confimation a bid has been accepted, though no name of club given. Fingers crossed eh? [Link]
Dave Turner     Posted 02/08/2007 at 12:47:25   Comments (1)

Pinning Your Hopes

For those Blues who are pinning there hopes on LCC to deliver, should take a look at the www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk and see what a hash they have made of the Mathew Street Festival. Piss up, organise, brewery, couldn't, a, in, a. (Rearrange!)
Mark Joseph     Posted 02/08/2007 at 12:21:37   Comments (1)

Enough is enough Kenwright and Co must spend or go

With the Baines and Vogal transfer saga's dragging on (due to money), Smith reported to be in talks with Newcastle "were a big club" United. Everton appear to be going into a pivotal season with a team less than equipped and pinning hopes on Arteta single handed saving Kenwrights' blushes never mind his money.

Kenwright needs to wake up release those moths, dust off his cheque book and pull off a couple of major signings between now and next week. If not then its time to realise we need big investment now not next year or the year after now. Or expect us to look like laughing stocks again in Europe. Kenwright and Co find the money or find some one with money and leave.
Damian Wyatt     Posted 02/08/2007 at 11:34:07   Comments (4)

Cahill : the price of mismangement

If Moyes had the funds from BK then Cahill would not have so much responsibility on his shoulders and could avoid injuries like the one he has just picked up on Tuesday. This is mismanagement of the highest order and shows the implications of not spending a fortune on mediocre players.

It could be argued that Cahill's injury began with Peter Johnson but that could be a tenuous link. What there can be no doubt about however is that it is directly linked to BK and his frittering away of our millions on Joseph Christ Supermarket Sweep.

Don't think this is the end of it either. Word is that the soil is harder in that foreign land called Kirkby and if we move there I expect mass injuries, endemic disease and possible fatalities.

It is increasingly hard to keep my sense of judgement and sometimes makes me despair.

IMWT (In Moyes we Trust)
KEIOC
NSFE (New Start for Everton)
BKBIL (Bring Kirky back into Liverpool)
BOA 11 (Bring on Aug 11th - please, please )
Ged Simpson     Posted 02/08/2007 at 10:21:54   Comments (3)

Everton to borrow additional money to pay stadium over-run costs

Finally, an answer to an imporant question which should have, but has not, been covered in the ballot document and other statements by the club.

When asked by the Shareholders Assocation about over-run costs, Wyness gave this answer:

2) Many stadium projects end up costing more than originally envisaged.
a) If the stadium at Kirkby goes over-budget, who will pay the extra costs?
b) Would we be expected to contribute towards any over-run?
c) If so, what percentage of the over-run?

KW: It depends what the cost overruns are for. If we were to upgrade parts of the plan or decide on changes then we would pay for those. If it is due to inflation we expect to share such an increase in an equitable way with our partners. There is no doubt that cost overruns may happen and we still have enough flexibility in our ability to secure further debt to cover that eventuality.

So, if you believe the stadium will be brought in on budget, you can possibly believe the figures quoted about Everton's contribution, be that £10M or £50M, or somewhere in between.

However, if you think the stadium is likely to over-run (and which major project doesn't), then the figures quoted so far are nonsense, and our borrowings will be much higher.

This is something that should have been transparent from the start.

"Deal of the Century" anyone?
David Thompson     Posted 02/08/2007 at 09:48:48   Comments (8)

The new Carsley?

Check out the video of this 9 year old on Manure's books. Now if he were prepared to track back a bit more, do less of the fancy-dan tricks and more hoofball, he may just be good enough to impress Moyes. [Link]
T Gibson     Posted 02/08/2007 at 09:24:57   Comments (2)

Stanley Park

I've been thinking of this for a while, but surely Stanley Park is big enough for two stadiums? We could have LFC in one part and us in another, and the council can't seriously refuse us permission if they're allowing them to build on a public park, surely that's setting the trend so we should be allowed on the same land?

And the site of Goodison now could be sold to a retail partner for help with finance and the two clubs could benefit from the same improved parking/travel etc etc? I can't see any reason why Liverpool should have permission and we couldn't have it if we pushed LCC. Here's a link to a map of Stanley Park, compare it to the size of the sites of Goodison and Anfield around it, plenty of room!
John Fowler     Posted 02/08/2007 at 09:09:11   Comments (2)

Missed Opportunities?

Looking back at the league table at the end of last season, it shows us some distance behind the top 2 but not many points away from 3rd or 4th and champions league football. When you also consider that we were ahead at home (and comfortable for long periods) against both Man Utd and Chelsea, beat Liverpool and Arsenal at home and drew 3 of the 4 away games against these teams, this shows to me that we were getting closer to these teams.

So it makes sense that the summer brings an opportunity to try and narrow that gap even further. This isn't rocket science so must have been the first thoughts (hopefully) in both the manager and chairman's minds. Why money remains tight is a mystery to me.

Surely in Kenwright's tenure money received from transfers can't be that different from what's been spent. Aside from the heavy spending in the summer of 2000, every summer under Kenwright has been punctuated by scrooge like transfer dealing, some of which has been very embarrasing - remember the Savage saga?

I'm not sure that if he was given an open chequebook, Moyes would really know how to spend his money, given the amount of emphasis he puts on team spirit. Unless we suddenly have a surge of dealings with 3 quality players arriving, and I hope that still could happen, this could be yet another missed opportunity for the club. Even if those deals do go through, the closeness to the season's start and the time to gel is worrying. We suffered with that in 03-04 and again in 05-06 and had poor seasons.
Lee Gorre     Posted 02/08/2007 at 08:41:23   Comments (0)