ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

Wabi Sabi
1 Posted 28/08/2007 at 04:29:28

Why is it that a club with such history and tradition as Everton continue to behave like a new kid on the block? Just look at how Valencia have wrapped this whole Fernandes saga up so decisively and with such panache. Check their website! Can you really blame the guy for walking? We must appear as bungling fools by comparison. It's no good saying 'he's had his head turned' our guys should have screwed it on. What have they been doing whilst he's been here? We had him and we let him walk. Bad buisness, bad management and we're just left with a realy bad smell and continuing anxiety about the future... again!

Gaz Nickson
2 Posted 28/08/2007 at 05:49:04

I?d never suggest Everton are run by the most business savvy set of people - we look like amateurs a lot of the time when compared to other clubs in our league, nevermind in Spain.

However, I think some blame must be reserved for the league. The Red$hite managed to sign Mascerano with little or no fuss despite what the Spanish waiter says, and Tevez has been allowed to move to United - albeit in a drawn-out manner - while questions of third party ownership remain.

I?m not saying Kenwright is faultless here, but I think the league has played it?s part and if it was one of their favourite clubs, rather than Everton, putting in the application to sign Fernandez, it?d be signed, sealed and delievered by now.

Lastly, I don?t think you?re right about Da Silva. A bit of a daft presumption, if you ask me.

Ron Wilmington
3 Posted 28/08/2007 at 05:56:51

I agree Kenwright and crew aren’t blameless but as far as the Premier League is concerned Everton are in the same bin as Sheffield United, Wigan et al. If it was Man Utd after Fernandes it would have been rushed thru for the "good of the game".

Dave Wilson
4 Posted 28/08/2007 at 07:04:48

Come on guys, since when have we needed the help of the league to cock a deal up, the 20 million war chest that only materialised on the eve of the Kirby vote is about to vanish quicker than you can say
wheresyakubooooo?

Peter Singer
5 Posted 28/08/2007 at 07:49:58

Kieran, we signed De Silva two years ago, the lad clearly needs to get the hang of the English game, and we have no reserve fixtures until Thursday, and only two in September.

Shandy Andy will be offloaded as soon as someone wants him, there’s no point in kicking him out, because we’d have to pay his wages for the rest of his contract in advance.

John Holmes
6 Posted 28/08/2007 at 08:27:06

All those who think that £20m is going to vanish into thin air before Friday are going to look somewhat ridiculous tomorrow if Yakubu’s transfer goes through, which, barring a bizarre DWP decision, it will.

I wonder what the claim of a smokescreen will be then... If you think the board cocked up the Fernandes transfer, fair enough. Although surely spare some criticism for Fernandes’ owners who went behind our back. But to claim it was a conspiracy and we never intended to sign him is a farcical, unsubstantiated and unjustifiable claim on a transfer that was almost completed and was believed in by all interested parties.

Stefan Tosev
7 Posted 28/08/2007 at 08:45:48

Sorry John, I have seen enough of this Board and this is by no mean "farcical, unsubstantiated and unjustifiable claim" I dont know I maybe evolved into cynic but they are doing this every year and every time someone is defending them. Its getting ridiculous

ray
8 Posted 28/08/2007 at 09:01:27

No,it’s "Sorry Steff", because what IS getting ridiculous is the never-ending stream of undeserved criticism aimed at EFC and the Board. I know that some criticism will be valid and I’ll be first in the queue to deliver it when it’s deserved, but FFS,cut them some slack here. In Spain there is no problem with "third party ownership" so a deal COULD be put in place by Valencia in a time scale we can’t match in the UK. Add to this Fernandes’s actions in leaving Goodison and going straight for a ’plane to Spain, leaving us all with the impression that he would be signing, and you can see that the FA, moving with the speed of a glacier, and Fernandes and his owners are the ones who should shoulder most of the blame.He’s a bit of a sly fox, don’t you think?

Paul Dalton
9 Posted 28/08/2007 at 09:30:44

I agree Ray but I can understand the knee jeck reaction to the manny afair as he was the one player every fan wanted to see back. What made even harder was the "next 24 hours" story put out last week. Why does the club not keep stum until the players are holding the blue shirt up with a cheesy smile on their face?

Not sure where we go now, see Nolan being talked about. Not sure if he is the answer but we do need someone in the middle of the park before friday.

Allan
10 Posted 28/08/2007 at 09:54:19

Maybe the Vogel deal will happen now? Nolan, I certainly hope not, overated at best and anything that fat Sam’s had his dirty chubby fingers on has to be dodgy; mind you, he is from Liverpool so he’s bound to sign for us....sigh...

None of the blame for the Manny deal can be blamed on EFC, it was clearly the FA/Premier League dragging their feet, then Valencia offering more money than us, very simple as far as I can tell.

The Yak thing is just red tape; should go through barring a miracle, the home office simply need to give him a work permit and bearing in mind the fact that he’s chosen not to play for Nigeria anymore that should overide their rule on playing 75% of Internationals he was available for. There are players out there, and I’d be surprised if nothing happens in the midfield department before Friday.

Shaka
11 Posted 28/08/2007 at 10:12:11

Now Nolan, via Gonzalez and Fernandes. What a joke. On football focus last week they where saying Nolan’s been complaining he can’t play in a 4-4-2 system.

Allan
12 Posted 28/08/2007 at 10:20:51

I’ve never rated Nolan, though I did like him when he was in that all girl band in the mid eighties.

Shaka
13 Posted 28/08/2007 at 10:24:09

If we realy have got that kind of money then may be they should look at the like of Nelson plays in Portugal. Very skillful player. In the same mold as Nani, Ronaldo, Quaresma and Fernandes.

Allan
14 Posted 28/08/2007 at 10:30:09

There seems to be a glut of quality players coming out of Portugal at the moment, the new ’golden generation’ over there perhaps, but surely some of them have to be overated don’t they? I mean for every Christiano Ronaldo theres a Carlton Palmer waiting right round the corner. lets not forget too, this has to be sorted out quick smart as well.

Im hopeful that DM has a contingency plan up his sleeve.

John Holmes
15 Posted 28/08/2007 at 10:32:16

Personally I’d be happy with Nolan but I’ll trust Moyes judgement on who to get. After all, so many fans were baying for Nugent to be signed and look what happened... dropped after 2 games and already subject of exit rumours after 4.

Steve C
16 Posted 28/08/2007 at 10:33:35

What i really want to know is where did all this money suddenly come from?

One minute we have little or nothing to spend the next we are suddenly aiming big and trying to spend big.

Where did it all come from?

Iain
17 Posted 28/08/2007 at 10:34:07

I agree with the writer of the original post that we can?t blame ?red tape? for the failure to sign Fernandes. I know everyone is really frustrated but let?s try to remain positive.

It?s hard because over the past couple of weeks I really started to believe that we were on the verge of signing a really talented young midfielder who could enhance our team. Someone who could take away some of our reliance on Arteta and give us another really useful outlet for creating chances. He?s decided that he wants to join another team so we have to move on and find someone else who is just as good ? not easy I admit but with £12m to spend it must open up a few more possibilities.

While I do support the Everton board I really think they have messed up massively on this one and everyone knows it. The fact that they are blaming this on third party ownership problems is just nonsense designed to cover up for the fact that we were trying to pay as little of the fee up front as possible. From all the reports in the English and Portugese press Fernandes had an 18 million Euro (£12m) buy-out clause which we seemed to be meeting with Benfica for their half but not the agency that ?owned? the other half of the player. We were talking about paying the remaining 50% (£6m) in a loan fee over a number of years which is what caused the hold up with the FA.

They were obviously offered the whole £6m by Valencia up front and decided that this represented a better offer for them. Our board badly misjudged the situation and got complacent, hence why they didn?t push it through any quicker or try to get round the third party ownership difficulties by buying the player outright immediately. They definitely made a huge mistake that resulted in us being outmanoeuvred by another club but at least they showed the ambition we are all looking for in going for a player of Fernandes? calibre.

I do feel let down but let?s just hope that they?ve learned their lesson from this one and deliver the transfers that Moyes is looking for without anymore mistakes?..

Allan
18 Posted 28/08/2007 at 10:37:36

Steve - Robert earl is now on the board, he is the guy who runs Planet Hollywood, major shareholder and money-bags. This was fairly well documented a few weeks back mate.

Shaka
19 Posted 28/08/2007 at 10:33:16

Allan, the contingency plan is Nolan. I’ve seen alot of Quaresma he is one quality player. Gave Eboue a run around in the champs league. Also scored a great goal against a spanish team last season. The peace of skill that went before he goal left me dizzy watching it. There’s also Moutinhio. (think i spelt that right). But this is Everton where not capable of signing players of that quality.

Pistol
20 Posted 28/08/2007 at 10:34:37

The one major problem we will have now is that the market knows we are apparently flush with cash and looking to throw is around.

Wait until you see the ridiculous prices we are quoted in the next few days as we try to fill the gaping hole left by Fernandes. Ridiculous prices for distinctly average players such as Kevin "Bloody" Nolan!

Allan
21 Posted 28/08/2007 at 10:39:42

Shaka, yeah I know of Quaresma, he’s class, plays for Porto eh. Thing is, Porto have said they want £35m for him - Fiorentina are trying to buy him apparently. Sounds like a bit of a no go.

Steve Claringbold
22 Posted 28/08/2007 at 10:47:45

I’m still available, and I’d only cost £500 a week.

Shaka
23 Posted 28/08/2007 at 10:49:27

Dare i say it. There’s always Benayoun. Heard his unhappy at being left out. Think he’d add quality.

Allan
24 Posted 28/08/2007 at 10:52:25

My Nan’s STILL not been signed, she’s been sitting around all summer; mind you she sits around most of the time to be fair. Her and Steve would certainly add a good balance of stability and flair to our midfield though.

Brian Finnigan
25 Posted 28/08/2007 at 10:42:18

Robert Earl might run Planet Hollywood but David Moyes must come from Planet Ga-ga if he sees Nolan as a suitable alternative to Fernandes. There are many quality central midfielders in Europe....why are we interested in squandering £5M on a less than brilliant midfielder with dark side credentials?

It is about time the Manager developed a wider knowledge of the talent available (especially non-British) now that he appears to have come into money. How many journeymen can he fit into the heart of midfield and still aspire to real success in the Premier League? The man’s cautious approach is his weakness not his strength. We are in Year 6 for goodness sake! How long before we see some sustained quality football? NSNO.

Shaka
26 Posted 28/08/2007 at 11:01:11

Nolan is a typical Moyes player. a headless chicken who scores a few goals if you play him in 4-5-1 formation. His not the creative midfielder we want. The scouting network at Everton must be shite at finding players from abroad. They probably just use u tube!!!

danny
27 Posted 28/08/2007 at 11:09:23

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N156815070828-0944.htm

As much as I despise them good effort and hats off.

RIP in peace lad, lets hope they find the scum who dd it.

Samuel
28 Posted 28/08/2007 at 10:26:10

I was sitting in Row B central behind the goal in the Park End on Saturday and the first thing that really shocked me was the size of Leighton Baines. Talk about an elf with dwarfism. In fact is there any player in our team over 5’5?? Johnson is tiny, as is McFadden. Even Tim Howard didnt look that big up close.
We sure do suffer in the size department - and im afraid as was proved against Blackburn - size does matter.
As for Fernandes well - what can u do. Listen at the end of the day if he really and truly wanted to play for everton hew would of waited and signed on the dotted line. Thats it. No point spitting feathers over it. I think all too many of us who reguarly visit Toffeeweb assumed that it was done and dusted. And it wasnt.
Still lets see what the week brings (prob nothing) - to be honest cant wait till Friday and that window slams shut!!

Andy Lea
29 Posted 28/08/2007 at 12:14:39

With regard to how quick Valencia wrapped up the deal, the red tape that exists in this country regarding third party ownership is a stringent as it can be throughout Europe - in Italy its possible for two clubs to own shares in the same player, in Spain they are not as fussy regarding third party ownership hence we were gazumped on the 50% Benfica owned whilst we were negotiating with the 3rd party thus the speed of the deal.

With regard to our red neighbours, that is a huge tribute tonight and one that will mean alot to the Jones family - credit and respect where due. Well done LFC and rest in peace Rhys Jones

alex
30 Posted 28/08/2007 at 12:22:46

btw da silva played very well on sat.

Paul Coleman
31 Posted 28/08/2007 at 12:19:23

Maybe we could loan Fernandes from Valencia???

Steve Claringbold
32 Posted 28/08/2007 at 12:32:11

Well that’s it lads, I’ve passed me medical, I should be signing in the next 24 hours. Hopefully I’ll get into the squad for the Bolton game.

Andy Lea
33 Posted 28/08/2007 at 12:33:38

Thers only one Steve Claringbold - forgive for not getting your name on my shirt - too many letters lad!!!

Shaka
34 Posted 28/08/2007 at 12:33:24

Heard big Papa diop is being linked. I’ll be dissapointed if we sign Nolan. He suited big Sam’s style long ball. Now that Sammy lee is trying to play good football. Nolan is struggling apparantly he can’t pass. That was Bolton fan who said that.

Steve Claringbold
35 Posted 28/08/2007 at 12:36:42

www.skysports.com/football/claringboldsignsforvalencia

Sorry lads, there’s too much red tape in this country, I’m off to Spain where they have clear sellotape.

Keith Harrison
36 Posted 28/08/2007 at 12:42:09

Steve Claringbold, I’ve seen you play in the Carlisle over 35’s league mate, and if you’re worth £500 a week, my transfer fee will be of Manny proportions - and I’ve retired!!!!

Before BK, Bully and Moysie get too excited, I also have a third party ownership problem in that my registration is with Grasslot FC, but the wife holds the other 50% (my testicles)of me.

If you can get an Easyjet out to Valencia, let me know, and I’ll join you for the medical.

Cheers mate.

Keith

Steve Claringbold
37 Posted 28/08/2007 at 13:03:47

Haud on, I’m only 27.

I’ll see what I can do re: Easyjet. You’ll have to sit next to Allan’s nan though because I’ve got the window seat.

Keith Harrison
38 Posted 28/08/2007 at 13:06:17

Your only 27 ??????

We’re gonna claim all the points for the games you played in then.

Can you leave the flight till tomorrow, I probably go to the game v Coventry tonight. I don’t mind sitting beside Les’ Nan - she’s a bit of a raver on the sly.

Steve Claringbold
39 Posted 28/08/2007 at 13:10:36

Keith

What’s this over 35 malarkey then. I don’t remember playing in that you sure you ain’t getting me mixed up with someone?

Keith Harrison
40 Posted 28/08/2007 at 13:12:55

Only joking mate !!! Gotta go back to work now.

Cheers.

Allan
41 Posted 28/08/2007 at 13:25:14

I’ve heard of managers ’fancying’ a player, but Keith, mate, she’s old enough to be your......Grandmother!

I’ll pass on your details all the same, she is single after all!

Keith Harrison
42 Posted 28/08/2007 at 13:46:10

If she’s old enough to be my grandmother, she must be at least 85ish - I’m 48.

Mind you, it didn’t do Rooney any harm starting out with grannies !!!!

Allan
43 Posted 28/08/2007 at 14:50:42

Keith - she’s old enough, trust me.

Keith Harrison
44 Posted 28/08/2007 at 16:32:42

I’ll meet her at the Carlisle United game tonight. I’ll be wearing a white suit with a pink carnation in the buttonhole.

In case everyone else is, the password is "The busy lizzzies are nice in Aspatria at this time of year".

Look forward to it mate, must go home for a bath now, although the wife may be suspicious as it’s not my birthday until November.