ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

Danny Jones
1 Posted 27/08/2007 at 15:52:43

I was thinking more along the lines of re signing Gravesen, that’s the type of player we will end up getting if we get anyone lol.

Kevin Sparke
2 Posted 27/08/2007 at 15:52:24

Great... we’ve got 4 1/2 days...

Danny Mullally
3 Posted 27/08/2007 at 15:49:09

Dont really get the gist of your post there Mike, your either being very sarcastic or very naive.
I wish everyone would stop going on about Riquelme, top player but now pushin 30, overweight, and questionable attitude to have in our team at the moment.
I would love us to scour the continent for January window and bring in a stunning passerof the ball a la Fabregas.
Would bringing In Tommy Graveson on loan for 3 months be a bad idea?

Maybe, but this fiasco has left us in the lurchand we could do with a stop gap I reckon.

Stuart Mitchell
4 Posted 27/08/2007 at 15:53:46

I have been saying that all day!

Get Riquelme in, Fernandes can go feck himself!

Stuart Mitchell
5 Posted 27/08/2007 at 15:54:48

Danny did u see Riquelme in Copa America, he was different class!

Danny Mullally
6 Posted 27/08/2007 at 15:54:22

Danny Jones, we dont just share the same name, great minds think alike! haha! (i never copied your post check the time!)

Danny Mullally
7 Posted 27/08/2007 at 15:56:05

Alright Stu,

I have followed Riquelme closely since he was at Barcelona, and I hve no doubt about the mans talent, behind Zidane I class him as one of the great playmakers in Europe. He is getting on now though and for the wages he dictates and his age, weight, and the fact that he can go missing when the tempo gets a bit frntic, I think we would be better investing in a youngster similiar to a Cesc Fabregas.

I dont doubt Riquelme though, he is quality, but he’s second hand goods.

Leachim Seyah
8 Posted 27/08/2007 at 15:58:23

Me thinks we have been duped. Pretend to bring big names in, get the vote going your way then make up a bull shit story to cover. All smoke and mirrors, and fools who beleive in it get taken in!

Gavin Ramejkis
9 Posted 27/08/2007 at 16:03:41

Wait until January? Are you nuts? The season will be half over as could well be our challenge in Europe and any cup competitions, we need midfield creativity NOW not bloody January, same way we needed it at the end of the season after Fernandes’ loan finished.

Andy
10 Posted 27/08/2007 at 16:01:29

would moyes be willing to spend £10 million on a 29 year old though, i think not because he’s got no resale value, something which moyes is not to fond of, it would be a cracking signing theres no doubt about it but i just cannot see it unfortunately, only lucho would make up for not signing fernandes and theres no hope in hell we’ll sign him

Jake Stevens
11 Posted 27/08/2007 at 16:00:58

Riquelme??

Would you people button it. Hes bloody 30 you fools and if you read the comments that his agent made last week he sounds like a fuckin disaster. Nevermind the 10 million. He has West Ham or Man City all over him.....

The beauty of the Manny deal was that provided he didnt have a serious injury we were always going to make a profit.

Dont expect a top player to come in. absoloutly no chance....

Lets hope we can hoof our way to a top 6 finish.

Bring bag the ’dogs of war’ label...

Niels Jakobsen
12 Posted 27/08/2007 at 15:59:12

I’m disgusted with Everton’s latest transfer failure. We are a laughing stock. We have seriously missed out on signing Manny. Do Everton have a ’plan B’ or will it be a similar situation to the Kirby disaster i.e. no plan B whatsoever.

All i can say is i’m very, very disappointed with you Everton. Though, as ever, my support will continue.

Sebastian
13 Posted 27/08/2007 at 16:09:47

Celtic have put Gravesen on the transfer list. All the pieces are slowly falling into place... not for the better sadly.

Riquelme would be a great signing on paper, but with his condition and age can you really say that a £10M plus outlay on him would be good business? I in my heart of hearts couldn’t... not with our limited resources.

stuart Mitchell
14 Posted 27/08/2007 at 16:21:46

Danny, Riquelme (2nd hand goods as u call him) or neville and carsley?

Btw u seen the fernandes interview

http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=395678

simar
15 Posted 27/08/2007 at 16:31:26

Cant recall being this disappointed about anything related to our club for quite some time.
If that is the type of person Fernandes is then maybe we are better off long term without him.
Im saying this to try and quell some of the rage and find justification for what is unbelievable even by our standards.
Manny was in my opinion a class act and would of only added quality to the squad in what is going to be a long season. Surely we cant have Carsley and Neville in midfield all season?
Why was he shown on Sky Sports 11 days ago at Manchester Airport and why did he not sign?If Liverpool and United have found ways round these ’3rd party’ agreements, why couldnt we?!Someone at the club is responsible and I am waiting with great interest to find out exactly what happenend.

Big Pete
16 Posted 27/08/2007 at 16:42:30

Thanks for that link Stuart. Although my blood pressure has went up a few notches and I am incandescent with rage. Someone in the EFC organisation has answers to give about how they have totally and unforgivabley fucked up.

At least Fernandes has given his side. What about EFC and their mighty spin machine? Silence because you can’t spin this one. The club has messed up big time and we are now a laughing stock in Europe. No player or even agent is going to take us seriously in the next four days. It will take until January for the laughter to subside and the red faces to cool. Should be fucking red arses in the boardroom.

I reckon that quality free zone on Saturday evening didn’t help either. Knowing that he’d be in a midfield where the ball was constanly flying over his head to the giant target man.....Andrew Johnson!

Once again it is going to be a season of missed opportunity to kick on. In seasons gone by we have not had the money. This time we had the money (allegedly) and while Manny is busy signing kids jersys and autographs galore no EFC fat cat thought to get his scrawl on a contract document!

Sort this mess out once and for all. A public apology from the lame excuse for a board to all fans would be a reasonable start

Shaun Ashton
17 Posted 27/08/2007 at 16:54:32

Im just going to shutup about new signings till the end of the transfer window, if it says in the liverpool echo tommorow that a signing is immenent and the deal is nearly done and should be within the next 24hours, be it ronaldhinio/riquelme/fabregas/even anyone like gravesen or something. Am not going to believe it, its just a joke the amount of shit they put in that paper. Quick question about Riquelme, has he gained spanish citizenship yet or would that be another problem with work permit etc?

George, London
18 Posted 27/08/2007 at 16:53:00

Simar, I don’t think we’ll ever hear the exact wranglings of what went on-from the behalf of Everton FC at least.Maybe in the coming days Fernandes will shed some (shafted)light on the matter.

I have to really sympathise with Moyes here. He as a manager can only identify his targets and in a limited way persuade a player to join(which seemingly he had). It is up to the board to organise and finalise the legalities(which they defiantely didn’t).

He like almost everybody else realised that a player of Fernandes attributes was a priority for our midfield area. To be honest I have been shellshocked by the developments but yet worryingly unsuprised. Moyes is now left in the unenviable position of having to look for a sufficient alternative in all of what- 4 days.

Neil M
19 Posted 27/08/2007 at 17:09:16

Now that Fernandes has signed for Valencia i hope we do go for someone of similar quality. I would love to see Riquelme in an Everton shirt but I’m worried we’ll go for Gravesen or Vogal as a replacement because they are cheaper options. Against Reading and Blackburn it was plain for all to see that we lack the cutting edge of a quality midfielder in the middle of the park.

Stuart Mitchell
20 Posted 27/08/2007 at 17:21:12

No probs for the link Big Pete.

It seems the lure of Valencia was to big for Fernandes, but I feel we cannot blame Moyes or the board for this one, they had a large bid accepted and did all they could.

Not long left in the window, but Moyes has shown his intent with the bid for Fernandes and hopefully the signing of Yakubu (fingers crossed).

Lets just wait and see we we turn our attentions to, Lets hope its a world class midfielder, as we truely need someone with a cutting edge in CM.

gaz daniels
21 Posted 27/08/2007 at 17:24:42

its not the failure to sign fernandes that is really annoying me it is the silence that is following.
and that leaves me to conclude that everton fc have no idea at what has just happened to them.
its sad-and quite frankly shit

Stuart Mitchell
22 Posted 27/08/2007 at 17:29:36

Well i would rather they got all the facts b4 posting the story.

Brian L
23 Posted 27/08/2007 at 17:55:22

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_2689573,00.html

Fernandes admits surprise

"What happened with Everton are things that I know nothing about and what is most important now is that I am here," Fernandes said.

"I did not expect everything to happen to me so quickly, but I am very excited to be here.

So, what the hell has gone on then?

The ballot stinks and now this stinks.
How many Evertonians are now questioning whether Yakubu will actually sign?

Seany mac
24 Posted 27/08/2007 at 17:58:56

what a horrible little gobshite. i hope something happens to him to help him realise that in life you do not mess people around.....the word on the grapevine was that he was a moody little bastard anyway and im sure that we all agree, regardless of his class, the only player i want at everton is someone who would die 4 the club. give me carsley an nev anyday.....could b a blessing in desguise lads. heads up tho, thers still 4 days left and still many options available out ther....

ive heard that moyes has turned his attention to jao moutinho who plays for sporting lisbon

Mike Homfray
25 Posted 27/08/2007 at 18:07:10

What has ’gone on here’ is a player who is owned by his agent, and that’s where the decisions are made.

The PL have made it plain enough that the sort of power a third party owner has isn’t acceptable in their structures.

Hence, Global retain their control and financial stake by transferring him to Valencia

Paul Gladwell
26 Posted 27/08/2007 at 18:07:19

Dont be suprised if they come out and say we want Riquelme instead knowing full well we wont get him.
Its states on the sky web spurs and another English club are in talks with him , it also basically states hes a fucking nark who expects people to speak his language and that he expects his team to play how he wants too , so thats our long ball game going to piss him right off there

Shaka
27 Posted 27/08/2007 at 18:15:55

We aint gonna sign any one so don’t get your hopes up. If Yak signs even that would be a suprise

Tony Miller
28 Posted 27/08/2007 at 18:12:38

Manuel Fernandes well I am gutted about how we have lost out on this player as it sends out the wrong messages.

However you would think we were just about to sign Ronaldinio the way some people are going on.

Manny appeared to be a very good prospect. He was nowhere near the finished article, he may have turned out to be another Arteta, but may have turned out like a number of European players who come to our league.

We saw glimpses of class from him but I see glimpses of class from Osman and Faddy. No-one is saying they will be world class.

Again I repeat I would not have said no and was exited that he was coming. However I am more annoyed with the manner of the collapse rather than the result.

Once the club has got their story together it will be interesting trying to identify truth from spin.

With regards to Yakubu Boro had an identical situation with him when they signed him from Pompey. So there should be no suprise there.

We will get a permit on apeal, if we then don,t sign him I may just start sponsoring Tony Marsh.

Brian L
29 Posted 27/08/2007 at 18:12:58

If we’d have made moves for Fernandes at the end of the season instead of wating 1 week before the deadline, I’m sure it would have been a different outcome.

Funny how the timing of this coincided with the ballot. Why else did we wait until then? The players’ price was the same in May as it was when we ’agreed’ it in August. We know Moyes liks to get his players in early.

The 3rd party thing is a smokescreen.

It’s all b*llocks!

JohnA
30 Posted 27/08/2007 at 18:06:11

I now have grave doubts as to whether Yakubu will sign. Once again we have messed it up big time. When will our excuse for a board ever learn. Get the bloke to sign something !!!!
No Stuart they did not do all they could. They left the offer too late even though they were fully aware of the third party ownership and the problems it would cause following the Tevez affair.
I am also waiting for some sort of explanation but I won’t hold my breath as once again the silence is deafening.
What an embarassment.

Anthony Newell
31 Posted 27/08/2007 at 18:28:30

If that is your real name then apologies but otherwise i’ll have to assume it’s rhyming slang which is very appropriate given what you have written

Seany mac
32 Posted 27/08/2007 at 18:41:54

To Brain L - mate, the reason we waited till 1 week before the season to try to get him was so that Bill could save 400k+ on wages.....typical with our club.

Rob
33 Posted 27/08/2007 at 18:48:58

Talk about giving NON-answers! Fernandes clarified absolutely NOTHING with the following:

"What happened with Everton are things that I know nothing about and what is most important now is that I am here," Fernandes said.

"I did not expect everything to happen to me so quickly, but I am very excited to be here.

He takes no responsibility and acts as if he was magically transported to Valencia with no input of his own. What a gutless hack. Why don’t you just be man, Manny, and say you wanted to go somewhere else and were tired of waiting on Everton?

Brian L
34 Posted 27/08/2007 at 18:49:51

To Seany mac - if thats the case, why didn’t we delay signing Jagielka, Baines this year. Why did we sign Johnson/Lescott so early last year, when we could have signed them in August.

Do you honestly believe thats the reason? If every club delayed signing available players by 3 months, then they’d end up losing them, just like we have.

Dave Turner
35 Posted 27/08/2007 at 18:58:54

This is how some of the papers are reporting it.

We have our bid of £6mil for Benfica’s half accepted, and then moved to sign him on loan from the other half for 2 years a la Tevez.

Premier League ooh and aahh over it, so we tried to buy the other half off GSI for £6million.

Out of nowhere, Valencia turn up, pay £12million - this is the key point - for just Benfica’s half.

GSI still keep half their man, and he is off like a shot.

To be fair on the club, if that is true, then if any fault is anywhere it probably the fact he was owned by a third party, still the club could have bothered to say something, after all, last week, it was merely a case of 24hrs.

Alan Clarke
36 Posted 27/08/2007 at 18:52:44

I don’t quite go in for the whole conspiracy theory. I think the board had every intention of signing Fernandes.

Obviously the deal was never as close to completion as they made out. That is the conspiracy - we were nowhere near signing Fernandes when the statement "next 24 hours" was made. We were duped into thinking he’d pretty much signed right near the ballot. That’s why the board couldn’t keep quiet about it, they had to make noises about Fernandes especially considering how popular the guy was during his loan spell. And they had to make out it was a nailed on signing.

I just pray that people did not base their vote on us signing Fernandes.

Jason Jacobs
37 Posted 27/08/2007 at 19:08:34

How about Nakamura from Celtic. He is a very sinlar player to Arteta. He has a sweet left foot and can create something out out of nothing a la Fernandes.

Gavin Ramejkis
38 Posted 27/08/2007 at 19:14:56

A lot of people are saying some yes voters were swayed by the Fernandes and Yakubu signings and I don’t doubt this will have been the case for some but not necessarily all, it does however strike a blow in the trust relationship with Bill and another of his token lip service statements of keeping the supporters fully informed, this he stopped doing some time ago and despite "a majority" trust to say yes to the move I’d love to see a poll on how many yes voters trust the board given what has now happened.

Dissapointed Toffee
39 Posted 27/08/2007 at 19:01:11

It does seem a little strange, dont you guys think, that we all of a sudden had £18 million (or £24 million to spend) just as the ballot was about to happen. This was especially strange after there had been no indication of anywhere near this kind of cash at the end of last season!

So, given the benefit of the doubt and assuming that this is all above board, I think this has more to do with Manny being a bit of a tosser and his (owners) agents taking as much as they could get as soon as possible.

Even so ... Riquelme?
I don’t think so, David Ginola, Paul Gascoine ...

Let’s get Gravesen back on the cheap on a short term contract TONIGHT and start working on brining in someone a’la Fernandes in the hope that it will be this week rather than January.

Danny Mullally
40 Posted 27/08/2007 at 19:29:24

Jason,
Good shout over Shunsuke Nakamura at Celtic, he has been used more as a wide right player for them, but with often spectacular success, if he was a player we went for Arteta could maybe come back into the middle.
No doubts about the lads ability up in Scotland, its whether he could do it down here. But when you look at the history of some of the imports from up there in Scotland making it to be big household names it aint bad: Di Canio, Gattuso, Larsson, Arteta, Viduka.... So he may well be worth a punt. Gonna cost us £8mil+ tho and needs the usual work permit.
Good shout though he gets my vote!

Rob Prince
41 Posted 27/08/2007 at 19:46:59

I´ve just logged on to the official site (no news about Manny obviously) and there is a "contact us" section at the bottom where you can email them. I´ve just done so and raised a few issues....will they even read it?

Terry Smith
42 Posted 27/08/2007 at 19:39:55

Cant see Riquelme coming to Everton.I have a feeling we will go for Kevin Nolan.If that fails probably a last minute panuc buy on Celtic duo Miller & Gravesen.Back to the Fernandes saga he stated on his interview how he was suprised how quick the deal went through.I too think Everton have fucked up big time on this.It only took Liverpool a couple of days to get Mascherano & the same for Man U to get Tevez.It came to nearly two weeks for us to get nowhere.I hate to sound like a jump on the bandwagon moan but i get the feeling after the Ballot it was just a big typical Everton way SMOKESCREEN.Something needs to be sorted out before the window shuts otherwise the season will be over just like tha last time we was in europe.

Neil Pearse
43 Posted 27/08/2007 at 19:51:02

Rob: "He acts as if he was magically transported to Valencia". He was - by his agent / owner.

Tony Miller
44 Posted 27/08/2007 at 19:54:33

Terry, come on Tevez two month and Mascherano was three.

jayharris
45 Posted 27/08/2007 at 19:55:17

Would all those people who say the board and the manager cant be blamed its Judas fernandes who is to blame wake up once and for all.At the end of last season He stated he wanted to sign for us and was sent back to Benefica with no encouragement.Then he is courted at the last minute and after 3 weeks and a Kikby YES vote He is told that he still needs to wait with 6 days to transfer deadline what would you do if a top champions league said sign on the dotted line and you’ll be in the team this week.The Everton Board could’nt run a small shop (Hey we tried and ended up giving it to JJB)let alone a premiership club>For all those sheep who want us to unite behind those lying cheating incompetent people then I would say how can you build on sand?The whole club needs a shake up from top to bottom and we will only do that by protesting loud and long against Bullshit Billy and hid overpaid sidekick.Anyone for a motion similar to what got Johnson out??

Dave Turner
46 Posted 27/08/2007 at 20:13:37

EFC official word on Manny

http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/club-statement-on-manuel-fernandes.html

Peter Singer
47 Posted 27/08/2007 at 20:00:20

Rob Prince, as far as corporate communications go, you’ll get no real answer until an official version is constructed and published anyway.

Peter Singer
48 Posted 27/08/2007 at 20:14:51

So they say they worked through the night, that might soften our hearts. However, in big money business it’s business as usual.

But what I ask is this: if everything had been agreed with all parties, how come we didn’t start a legal procedure instantly?

Seany mac
49 Posted 27/08/2007 at 20:19:08

yes brian. i honestly believe that was the reason (above). we did not have this 20million until Robert Earle was appointed to the board and the money that has been used for baines’ an jags’ wages is down to the sales of beattie, naysmith, pistone, wright, davies, kilbane.....some of them big earners in wright and beattie. now we have the finacial muscle, i do not believe we should ’panic’ buy for the sake of 4 days. however, i see no reason why we wont sign yakubu as he will receive his permit. i wouldnt mind us making a move for huddlestone as someone mentioned above.....maybe worth a shout till january

Gavin Ramejkis
50 Posted 27/08/2007 at 20:26:03

Dave Turner I’ve just read the link on the official website and have to ask if the agreement was in place on Friday and the player was at Goodison on Saturday then why didn’t he sign on Friday night or Saturday whilst he was there? I’m sorry but this just doesn’t cut the mustard as being anyway near a good enough explanation did Bill know before the game, during the game or after the game, guess we will as usual never know, another one to add to BK’s illustrious growing fuckups.

Gavin Ramejkis
51 Posted 27/08/2007 at 20:33:10

Other than consolidating whatever is left in terms of our season what’s the point in buying in January, we needed players before the season started and with four days left guess what we haven’t got them.

Barry Johnson
52 Posted 27/08/2007 at 20:36:14

Everton FC has just posted an explanation for the Manny saga. Personally, I’m not convinced.

Ray Robinson
53 Posted 27/08/2007 at 20:37:10

Please nobody else state that we might as well wait until January before reinforcing. We could be out of all cups by then!

By all means, resist last minute panic buys but if there is anyone out there worth having, do it NOW

Jon Sellick
54 Posted 27/08/2007 at 20:43:18

Official club statement reads "we are seeking the extra addition to our squad we fel we need". Addition ?? What Yakubu? Or another addition on top of this? Watch another club from another country in which he doesnt need a work permit come in for Yakubu now. Gravesen would only give Moyes an option in midfield if he was goin 4-5-1, something we don’t want. Nakamura - yeah but is he worth the 12 mill plus Celtic would want. Where did Gonzalez of Porto end up?

terrymarsbar
55 Posted 27/08/2007 at 20:50:43

Off the EFC site;
Official Club statement regarding Manuel Fernandes:

Everton Football Club feels it should clarify the situation with regards to Manuel Fernandes.

We worked hard all last week on what was a very difficult and complex three-party agreement.

Everton staff worked through the night on Thursday, finally reaching agreement with the English footballing authorities on Friday afternoon.

A similar night’s work on Friday left us satisfied that we had both addressed and agreed all issues with the other involved parties.

However, on Saturday we were informed that another club had come in with a rival bid and despite sustained efforts over the remainder of the weekend the player today joined Valencia.

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

Jon Sellick
56 Posted 27/08/2007 at 20:52:03

Huddlestone is top drawer. They’re not gonna get him though are they. He would do for 10 years never mind till Jan, he is a big fella with a presense and a really expansive game - rangey passing and all that jazz - a bit like Carsley ya know.

Alan Humphreys
57 Posted 27/08/2007 at 20:47:57

Maybe I’m being gullible (and believe me I have no love for BK and cohorts) but the OS explanation does sound plausible - however the point regarding why contracts weren’t sorted Friday night or Saturday before the game may be simply explained, that by the time we were in a position to have him sign on the dotted line - Valencia had already made contact and our fate was sealed.

Personally, I’d like to thank all those involved so much - work tomorrow will be a joy for so many of us...

Dave Turner
58 Posted 27/08/2007 at 21:12:25

I have no idea Gavin, I just brought the link over.

Seems a daft situation, at the moment, I am just trying to not think about it too much.

The board have what, 4 days, to make amends. I ain’t holding my breath mind.

Roy coyne
59 Posted 27/08/2007 at 20:57:32

Its just another day in our lives under Kenwright,He could not organise a piss up in a brewery forget this over the last few days shite we had from May to sort it out,after the dock,NTL,fortress fund,24/7 investment search.dose any one still believe in Bill Kirkby looks even more scary now Kenwright out

James Taylor
60 Posted 27/08/2007 at 20:59:55

surely if EFC knew on saturday, the moment they were told they should have taken the hard line with both the player and the agent.

Given that accordingly everything had been agreed and accepted by the PL, personal terms and rights had been put in place surely the 1st comment out of Kenwrights mouth should have been "sign on the dotted line this minute or the offer is null and void"

it may made it more difficult for them to walk away...

however my money is on Kenwright being fucking soft and giving them a lift to the airport all smiles and hand shakes hoping they’ll go away thinking what a nice man.

i am so fucking pissed with whats gone on this summer, is Kenwright testing out his newest theatre script cos i tell you what its shit.

Stuart Duncan
61 Posted 27/08/2007 at 21:11:13

Let’s be honest at this stage (4 working days to go) the ONLY option is Vogel for £1m. You wouldn’t complete any other deal in time.

Let’s hope he passes the 75% test (Switzerland is not in the EU)!

Kevin Sparke
62 Posted 27/08/2007 at 21:34:15

We had the best part of 10 weeks to sort this. We were in the driving seat because the lad was on loan to us for 5 months.

Why leave it till the last minute when we could have had this wrapped up in June?

And anyway, where has all this extra 20+ million of cash come from all of a sudden?

Will Yakubu sign... or is there going to be a 12th hour cock up at the home office which means we have to wait until January?

Valencia did in 24 hours what Everton have been trying to do in weeks. Yes, I know they don’t have the hassle of bothering about 3rd party contracts but it never stopped the red shite or Man Utd getting their man did it?