I really hope this is NOT H.Kendall part 2 or 3. We know what happened last time!

It shows how much Everton's stock has risen in the eyes of many fans when the re-signing of Thomas Gravesen is met with mainly derision. Fernandes may be young and have potential, however a dozen games for Everton and his obvious dislike for the British weather and Moyes' work ethic put paid to his protracted transfer. 12 months ago Tommy would have been welcomed back with open arms, the man may be a maveric, total nutcase and ill-disciplined but he has charisma and full of fist clenching entertainment. I personally love the guy and cant wait to see that manic grin again !!!

Sorry, but Tommy hasn't gotten quicker since he left and wasn't quick to begin with. He is strong but doesn't tackle well but can make ten yard passes just like Osman. Hopefully he will just be a sub fill-in in case of injuries.

are we still hoing 2 sign appiah aswell??

Given how badly screwed over we were by Fernandes, I think it’s a pretty reasonable move quick to bring him in on loan. Moyes is about the only manager in the world to realise that being bald and fist clenching doesn’t make Tommy G a defensive midfielder, so I’m reasonably confident on him getting decent service out of him this season. No, it’s not a world beating signing, but it’s a decent one.

is appiah going 2 ne signed all not

I think it’s a fantastic signing and welcome back Tommy G with open arms. He’s never said a bad word against the club, quite the opposite, tries his best, has genuine quality and improves our squad in both strength and depth for the remainder of this season at least. I said on here last night i thought he should re-sign but never really thought it would happen. Welcome home Tommy!

We need a larger squad and Tommy is still a useful player. And no-one could say that he doesn’t want to play for us.

Is Tommy cup tied for the uefa cup? Does anyone know if he played for celtic in their CL qualifier?

He did not play in either:

http://www.celticfc.net/home/fixturesResults/ViewMatch.aspx?matchid=2007-08-15_spa&season=2007





http://www.celticfc.net/home/fixturesResults/ViewMatch.aspx?matchid=2007-08-29_spa&season=2007

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=478877&in_page_id=1779&ito=newsnow

thought this may get a few pulses racing... but more than likely its a load of rubbish!!??

David,
If that proves true it would be unbelievable. Trust me people, Riquelme would be amazing for us, and a one year loan would allow us to test it out first. What a team that would be, I will have nice dreams tonight.

Riquelme:

big name, big wages, big reputation, big ego.

Name a club he has not flopped at in europe? even Villareal it was one good season.

Don’t get me wrong - I’d have him on loan. Just do not expect Pele. He’s slower than Tommy. He’s just as infuriating and he’s lazier. Half the time he can’t be arsed. Oh but when he can ... oh my, I think I need to be excused!

2 ,ore players to sign for us by tomorrow transfer deadline day appiah and rigurlme

One thing that might be good is the penalty appeals. Did anyone see Tommy’s performance on Goal 2? Made me weep!!

Riquelme was class for Villareal, just fell out with the manager, it happens but doesn’t mean it would happen here. Watching him with Argentina was amazing, controlled the game, up until the Brazil match in which the entire Argentine side played poorly, but in that game I believe it was Riquelme who hit the post twice. I’d love to see how he would link up with Arteta, Yakubu, AJ, and Cahill when he gets back. The goals would be flying in with the delivery coming form Arteta and Riquelme. Not going to happen though, honestly.

My view on Tommy as posted earlier, in case you missed it:

Before spuddy came to prominence, Tommy was the darling of the Gladwys. He was also my favourite player, he?s the kind of enigma style player that I like. My previous favourite was Limpar who I unashamedly rated higher than Kanchelskis. I think that Tommy is a real Everton player. Why?

Tommy is passionate, he?s frustrating, he blows hot, he blows cold. He can at his best, be the best (how else would he have got to Madrid?). Tommy is what I like to call a conductor. He is the kind of midfield general we need. Has anyone ever seen Tommy shy from the ball? Has he ever not offered a pass? I know Arteta does this, but he does not have Tommy?s size, build, or presence to seriously play in the middle and so he?s best out on the wing coming inside to influence play.

I loved Tommy from the day he signed. All those who ask what he did in the first four years either: 1) have never played football to a decent standard, 2) did not go to the games, 3) do not like football to be played beautifully.

i remember the first time we saw Tommy. Me and my mate Johno went up to Preston for what was then our annual pre-season game. Tommy was billed as the opposite of gazza. Mad dog, the big butch enforcer. He burst through one on one with the keeper and we all expected him to leather it straight past the keeper, instead he feinted and hit a delightful chip over the keeper. From that moment on I knew Tommy was special.

So why did people moan about him for 4 years? Can anyone remember our team? a typical team would have been: Gerrard and a back four of Watson, Weir, Stubbs and Unsworth. With pembridge, gemmil and Alexandersen joing Tommy in Midfield and Super Kev or Big Dunc up front with Radzinsky.

Is it any wonder he could be so frustrating. How could you pass to any of them? Alex wouldn?t bomb down the wing. Pembo, I was won round by the fella, but he really did get the jitters if he got over the halfway line. gemmil, a pass to him was like a pass to the opposition. Tommy wouldn?t hoof it to either of the big fellas and the opposition always watched Rad for the ball over the top and Rad was so slow mentally that my nan would have beaten him to it. That usually meant Tommy dithered time and time on the ball looking for killer pass. He also saw the ball so really as Unsworth and Stubbs really mortar bombed the oppostion looking for Ferguson, whether he played or not, that Tommy would get so frustrated that he would run round the pitch demanding the ball. Also if he ever lost it he would go on a mission to get it back such was his passion.

further, some say good then past it now. 31 years of age past it? Has he lost that legendary pace? oh he didn?t have any? Has he had a bad injury? No? Then he can?t have lost his touch. The only thing is he hasn?t played much. Then surely he must have plenty in the tank for an old man? Moyes will get him fit. If there?s one thing he?s good at its getting hardworkers into the best shape of their lives. Tommy is one of those.

Tommy is passionate. Did we not hear stories have how he hung a picture of big Dunc above his matle peice in spain to remind him of everton commitment and dedication. I hope it is true.Tommy is passionate and I hope that his passion allows him to kick off the dust.

Imagine Tommy taking the ball off the back four and looking to pass to Pienaar, Spuddy, Cahill, Johnson or Osman with a killer trademark reverse pass. Makes your mouth water.

Tommy?s on a free. He?s 31. he offers craft and guile. He knows how to awaken a crowd, however you feel about badge kissing, fist waving or clumsy tackles, he could always get the Glawdys to life even in the darkest of the Walter days.

The only question over Tommy was his defensive capabilities. Moyes knows all about this. The year we finished 4th was due to Moyes saying to carsley "sit" and telling Tommy to forget about defending, and so playing 4-5-1 to accomodate this. Tommy has the craft, the vision, the touch, the passion. He?s on loan, costs nowt but wages, he knows half the team. He loves the fans. How can we lose?

One last point, lets forget about the whole "mad dog" tag. And he?s an attacking midfielder, not a defensive midfielder. The mistake about that comes from Germany. Following Beckenbouer, Germany likes a sweeper in front of the back four who picks up the ball and sprays it around, "quarterback" style. The position requires no real tackling ability as the game is different to ours and whilst we have Carsleys in England, they have Matthaus in germany (did you ever see him make a tackle?). That?s the kind of role Tommy grow up playing, Once he got to behind the front one or two he found found his niche.

And that?s it. Play Tommy in the Cahill role, forgive him his defensive deficiencies and his refusal to make a simple pass and enjoy the entertainment. I have enjoyed few everton games as much since tommy left as I did when he played.

Tommy is a real Everton player, just like McKenzie and Limpar. he?s flawed, he?s frustrating, he?s an engima, but boy am I glad he?s back.

Welcome home, Tommy.

This can’t be a bad move - Tommy adds proven quality to deepen the squad, at very little expense. Of course he’s not the future, just like Alan Stubbs never was, but players like them can play a very important role. And at least he knows his way to the training ground.

I remember years back that he felt unsettled at EFC because he was homesick. No problem this time - I’m sure that he’ll feel its like coming home. And welcome back too.

"at least he knows his way to the training ground" - whom are you refering to there keith? ;-)

............I hear some kid called Rooney on loan in the January transfer window.......I mean, you know how tight we are with Utd.

Great comments by Steve Ferns, with the team that Tommy will be playing in now we may see him being even more influential. Madrid dont sign bad players, as for what happened at Celtic is anyones guess, what we do know is that he is a very talented player, still only 31 so has atleast couple of years left in him and he is a trier and loves Everton. A great bit of business we cant lose on

I for one am happy that Gravesens returned i admire moyes for strenghning the current squad on the basis that we may well challenge for a cup this season gravesen knows everton like the back of his hand after 5 years at the club he will be a good squad player who will play a good 25 games for us this season my only problem with him is that he gives away so many niggling fouls gravs i wish you all the best.

I’m glad to have him back, but I’ve just picked up on something from Steve Ferns’... er, essay.
Steve, is your Nan a good footballer too? Does she play with Allan’s Nan? We must have a pretty good over-75s women’s team at this club...