ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

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, Prescot Posted 26/08/2007 at 07:40:10

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Keith Harrison
1 Posted 26/08/2007 at 08:37:41

I agree with your sentiments Ken, if not your choices. Turner is injured so it would be difficult to shift him anyway, and he is still an unknown quantity as far as we are concerned. Two highly publicised errors - sending off v Blackburn and clanger v Manure - does not mean he is not a good keeper.

Both Ossie and Faddy have quick feet, but are easily muscled off the ball. They are, however good squad players that I feel can do their best work when coming off the bench against tired opposition.

Carsley is probably in the last year of a blue shirt anyway, and there is no place for both him and Neville in the same team for me - unless Neville was playing full back. I would not get rid unless we signed Vogel.

Andy Johnson is not the finished article to me, he is not what I would call a natural striker a la Vaughan. He has improved his ball retention and all round play however, and the fact is, he has no chance of scoring while we persist in hoofing high balls in his general direction. We used to do this with Dunc, and he didn’t score off them either. I believe he will come good when playing off a big striker like the Yak, or even Vic and Vaughny when they are more experienced.

If we are to replace any of these guys, with the exception of Johnson, we must first redress the squad numbers with players who are better than them. All these players will be required sooner or later (like now)as injuries, suspensions etc weaken our squad.

In short, yes get rid of some, but only after obtaining better replacements.

A final point - what about Valente and Hibbert - two players I believe we could move on without having to replace, and use the cash to improve the midfield further. We have enough full back cover now with Joleon, Neville (either side)Yobo, Baines and Jagielka being able to play there.

Jamie Carroll
2 Posted 26/08/2007 at 09:51:11

Sorry, but that is complete tosh! especially about johnson. who constantly has to feed on HIGH ball?s up against taller defender?s.it?s not his fault he?s rusty as when he does get a chance, he probably can?t believe he?s on goal.He need?s better service, and a strike partner, then you will see the real a johnson.no need to panic.

Mark Pendleton
3 Posted 26/08/2007 at 09:47:11

Short memories eh. If it wasn’t for Ossie we may well not have had most of our points on the board so far. Rid of Carsley if we signed Vogel? I guess few really know what he’s like and whether he’d adapt to the Prem. Be very careful - you often don’t know what you had until it’s gone, and the other players were clearly delighted when Cars signed his extension and so was i. Faddy also produced the necessary finish to salvage a point yesterday and still has ability, is still pretty young and can only benefit from the competition. As for the rest of the squad obviously AvdM needs to move. Valente is back up for Baines (who was fantastic yesterday). As much as i love him i think we need to sign a quality right back to replace Hibbert. Then the first choice backline including Yobo, Lescott and Baines i as good as almost any in the league (and good to see Howard on form yesterday too).

Viv Whatland
4 Posted 26/08/2007 at 10:09:00

Why do people queue up to make excuses for Johnson.He sees so much of the ball but never seems to know where to put it.I’ve counted seven fairly easy chances this season which he’s snatched at and miscued.Grossly over-rated in my book.Take £6M now!

Mark Vaughan
5 Posted 26/08/2007 at 10:18:35

Yeah, let?s ship out players who, like it or not, do a job for us.. as part of a thread-bare squad.. going into a European season.

If only BK would go the whole hog and get rid of Moyes too.. bring in one of the fine footballing minds from these boards.. then all our problems would be solved.

I once bandaged up my brothers knee when he twisted it.. maybe I should be club physio.

Neil Pearse
6 Posted 26/08/2007 at 10:23:57

The only players Everton could currently afford to get rid of are Valente and VdM.

Carsley can always play a role, and is obviously a popular and important member of the squad. Osman is great cover across midfield. I have my doubts about McFadden, but he is a fantastic player to have coming off the bench when we’re trailing. And I would keep Hibbert as a squad player - we need the cover.

Actually, when the two new boys finally sign in, I think we’ve got a light but pretty good squad. Unless we are particularly hit by injuries (always possible), we look like we’ve got enough. If we are badly injury hit, then we may have to add in January.

Anthony Newell
7 Posted 26/08/2007 at 10:44:38

I would have to echo Keith’s points and agree with you apart from Johnson. I think Johnson’s game is suffering due to Moyes’s tactics and the long ball hoofed up to him. He is making the best of a bad job at the minute and I can’t help feeling that Beattie also suffered under a similar regime. Get it on the deck as we did against Spurs last season and a willing partner up front (Yak) and I really think we’ll see Johnson fulfill his potential

There are a few players who just aren’t up to it but unfortunately due to the size of the squad means we’ll have to keep them for a bit longer - Carsley and McFadden definitely fall into that category and I believe that Hibbert just doesn’t cut it at this level, never mind the next one up were trying to reach

Finally, Isn’t it very annoying that people respond with "you know it all" and "you go and do a better job than Moyes". This is about bloody opinions for gods sake, just because I don’t agree with some of the manager’s decisions it shouldn’t mean I have to show some FA/UEFA badges to justify my opninions

Allan Hobbs
8 Posted 26/08/2007 at 11:01:26

Nonsense, sorry people but thats incorrect - we had a small squad and still do by all accounts. We have the league, 2 deomestic cups and the UEFA cup to play in this season so we need all our current squad. We even need VDM fit and playing if possible (doubtful)

Carsley (ever present last year) Ossie (getting better all the time if not playing great currently) McFadden (often has an impact as a sub and a good squad player/see above) and Turner (you need goalkeeping cover, even for the cover)

Losing any of these would be foolish, we need a stronger squad not a weaker one; why are Evertonians on here so short sighted?!! I just dont understand views like this.

Building a strong, in depth squad is the key to success - go and look at the top teams squads for proof.

Laurie Hartley
9 Posted 26/08/2007 at 11:18:34

The last time I looked Valente was Portugal’s first choice left back. We are going to be playing against European teams shortly - I don’t think it would be a smart move to offload him.

Dick Fearon
10 Posted 26/08/2007 at 11:09:57

As with Johnson’s non existent first touch, Hibberts woeful crosses, Neville and Carsleys poor distribution, it is too late in their career for us to expect much improvement. As the saying goes, ’you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. With those lads it is a case of what you see is what you get. I wonder if they always had such weaknesses in their game or did they arise over time?

Neil McLaferty
11 Posted 26/08/2007 at 11:30:00

I Hope we sign a right back before the transfer window closes. Hibbert is a liability,he is simply not good enough. AJ would be better served if they played to his feet instead of hoofing the ball in the air all the time.

Mike Giller
12 Posted 26/08/2007 at 12:02:47

what a load of bollocks..sell Johnson what would be the point in that? hes getting no service at the moment

sell Osman isn?t he the leading scorer and two games ago everybody was saying Osman was fantastic?

for Carsley hes the unsung hero of most games

Mcfadden is also a decent player he was superb against Reading and his goal yesterday was decent dont we need these players for europe,fa cup and carling cup games..

Utter bollocks were four games in and already fans are talking shit.Does my head in.

Tim Lowe
13 Posted 26/08/2007 at 12:50:44

The only player who is obviously not up to it is tony hibbert. Yet another goal conceded where he’s played someone onside and his passing was woeful all game. If moyes had brought vic on for him earlier we could’ve nicked all three points.

Thought jags looked pretty good when he came on so would definately move nev to right back and with the manny deal looking like its going through we’ve got some good options in centre mid.

Honesty think this is as good a squad we’ve had for some time

Tom Bowers
14 Posted 26/08/2007 at 13:11:51

Johnson is still an asset.Neither Faddy or Osman despite the odd goal has the abilities to worry opposing defences.Yes he is supposed to score but not on his own without support from nidfield which was very poor yesterday until Arteta got going in the second half and Anichebe came on.Moyes team selection was all wrong and cost us.Vdm has to go and what about Anderson da silva?If he hasn’t got it now to be a part of the squad what’s the point keeping him?

Panceta
15 Posted 26/08/2007 at 15:31:45

We have lost Manuel Fernandes to Valencia CF (according to Valencia’s chairmain on local TV, it is not official yet), and Yakubu deal is not done so let’s not sell anybody next week...just in case...

Jimmy Last
16 Posted 26/08/2007 at 16:39:01

i just saw the Fernandes thing on Valencia’s official website, i sincerely hope that it is April Fool’s day in Spain or something, otherwise my high hopes for this season will be rapidly dissipating.....

Panceta
17 Posted 26/08/2007 at 17:04:24

Sorry, April Fool’s Day is December 28th down here... :( It looks like a done deal