The Mail Bag
Squad Additions
Comments (21)
I believe there are 3 positions that we need to strengthen in. A quality right back, a combative midfielder and a covering centre half.
The following are players that may not necessarily be available but I'd like to see brought in.
I'd go for Alan Hutton of Rangers for right back. He's been impressive in the Champions League and playing for Scotland. An excellent defender who is really good going forward as well.
If Fernandes is available, I think we should get him. Failing that, I'd take Sissoko from the shite. Both are young, have great engines and have got skill to go with their battling qualtiies.
For a centre half, Wes Brown from United woud be decent aquisition. Paul Scharner from Wigan looks a decent player and has the flexibility to play in midfield as well.
Strengthening in these areas is key to us continuing our progression.
Brian Lawlor, Posted 17/11/2007 at 17:30:37
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Ray
2 Posted 18/11/2007 at 08:29:48
2 Posted 18/11/2007 at 08:29:48
I think you will actually find that Fernandes wanted to join Everton until the third party shenanegan started moving goalposts. Alan Irvine spoke about it in one of the Evertonian magazines a few months back. The problem with that deal though was always going to be the third party involved. I think Morten Gamst Pederson would be out of our price range to be honest looking at around 10 million for him..I would like him at Everton though. I am not convinced 100% by Stewart Downing. He seems to be a natural left footer but whenever I have seen him play he has been a big letdown. I dont know how much he would cost but I am sure being an England international he would be somewhere near double figures. Even Sissoko would be a large fee simply because he plays for one of the so called top four but I cant see that one getting off the ground anyway. I think it all depends on how much we have to spend in January and if Robert Earle is still keen to put the cash forward to move us on further. I hope we can get at least two quality additions that may mean the difference between success and failure who knows.
Si
3 Posted 18/11/2007 at 09:01:50
3 Posted 18/11/2007 at 09:01:50
LM is priority I’d say.. but a big NO to Downing!
Can’t really see a RB incoming.. what with Hibbert, Neville, Jags.. Moyes’ll stick with those.
DM cover would be nice - probably the most realistic impending arrival I’d say.. if Manny then "hurrah!" - I’d be surprised though.
Can’t really see a RB incoming.. what with Hibbert, Neville, Jags.. Moyes’ll stick with those.
DM cover would be nice - probably the most realistic impending arrival I’d say.. if Manny then "hurrah!" - I’d be surprised though.
Peter Pridgeon
4 Posted 18/11/2007 at 09:06:44
4 Posted 18/11/2007 at 09:06:44
We should be ambitious and go for Gareth Barry from Aston Villa, a strong central midfielder with the ability to hold and win the ball. He would compliment
our current crop and give he light weights (osman and Pienaar) a chance to shine a little more.
Barry can also play left midfield when needed.
We took their manager in the early eighties so surly we can take their captain today.
our current crop and give he light weights (osman and Pienaar) a chance to shine a little more.
Barry can also play left midfield when needed.
We took their manager in the early eighties so surly we can take their captain today.
Mark Pendleton
5 Posted 18/11/2007 at 10:07:59
5 Posted 18/11/2007 at 10:07:59
I’ve been very impressed with Hutton too and as far as right back goes we’ve only got Hibbo and Neville in my opinion as Jagz is far better central defensive cover. I think Hutton could be undisputed first choice and complement an excellent back line of Hutton Yobo Lescott and Baines.
As for midfield Gamst-Pedersen would be good but highly unlikley we could get him. Downing is a more realistic option as Boro are on the slide. Barry unlikely to move either. Not seen enough of Appiah to have an opinion and as much as i liked Manny i think we need a bit of strength in there before we go for more skill as Pienaar is proving a real gem.
As for midfield Gamst-Pedersen would be good but highly unlikley we could get him. Downing is a more realistic option as Boro are on the slide. Barry unlikely to move either. Not seen enough of Appiah to have an opinion and as much as i liked Manny i think we need a bit of strength in there before we go for more skill as Pienaar is proving a real gem.
Andrew Humphrey
6 Posted 18/11/2007 at 10:24:19
6 Posted 18/11/2007 at 10:24:19
RB, cover for CB and combative midfielder = Jagielka! (At least in Moyes mind during the summer!)
Alan Clarke
7 Posted 18/11/2007 at 11:23:15
7 Posted 18/11/2007 at 11:23:15
How many right backs does one club need?
I keep reading that we should get fernandes again? Is there a story about us getting him? I thought he said no to us in the summer and signed for another club, why will he suddenly sign for us now? Also Sissoko said no to us in order to join the shite, why should we take him? Also they all think he’s crap and I don’t think we should take their cast offs.
I also see Wes Brown has just signed a long contract at Man U.
In order to strengthen Moyes needs to find some more gems like Arteta and Pienaar or like Redknapp found that Kranjar (spelling?). We don’t need to piss about with players who’ve rejected a move to Everton in the past or players who are quite happy at the club they learnt their trade.
I keep reading that we should get fernandes again? Is there a story about us getting him? I thought he said no to us in the summer and signed for another club, why will he suddenly sign for us now? Also Sissoko said no to us in order to join the shite, why should we take him? Also they all think he’s crap and I don’t think we should take their cast offs.
I also see Wes Brown has just signed a long contract at Man U.
In order to strengthen Moyes needs to find some more gems like Arteta and Pienaar or like Redknapp found that Kranjar (spelling?). We don’t need to piss about with players who’ve rejected a move to Everton in the past or players who are quite happy at the club they learnt their trade.
Mike Jones
8 Posted 18/11/2007 at 11:43:53
8 Posted 18/11/2007 at 11:43:53
Can somebody here please explain to me how ’Manny screwed us roally!’
Our blundering clowns at the top screwed that up, make no mistake. Of course, if you believe all is rosey in the garden, carry on slagging off the player. Otherwise, open your eyes and accept the fact that we are in DIRE trouble. Don’t have a pot to piss in.
Our blundering clowns at the top screwed that up, make no mistake. Of course, if you believe all is rosey in the garden, carry on slagging off the player. Otherwise, open your eyes and accept the fact that we are in DIRE trouble. Don’t have a pot to piss in.
Brian Lawlor
9 Posted 18/11/2007 at 11:59:33
9 Posted 18/11/2007 at 11:59:33
re: Fernandes.
I?ve posted before about him and I?ll say it again. He did not screw us. The company that own 50% of him and Benfica screwed us. He wanted to and thought he was joining us but our board and more importantly the FA, took too long over sorting out his registration. We offered 12 million for 100% of hm. Valencia offered 12 milion for 50% him and weren? governed by La liga over 3rd party registration.
I attended Everton?s end of season award dinner in May and I spoken to Fernandes for some time. He told me that whilst he would love to stay, teh decision where he played his football wasn?t down to him. He hadno input on joining Portsmouth or us.
Unfortunately, Fernandes is an example of what is wrong with 3rd party ownership.
All these fans that keep saying ?Manny screwed us? need to open their eyes to the bigger picture because if he had had his way, he would have been an Everton player.
I?ve posted before about him and I?ll say it again. He did not screw us. The company that own 50% of him and Benfica screwed us. He wanted to and thought he was joining us but our board and more importantly the FA, took too long over sorting out his registration. We offered 12 million for 100% of hm. Valencia offered 12 milion for 50% him and weren? governed by La liga over 3rd party registration.
I attended Everton?s end of season award dinner in May and I spoken to Fernandes for some time. He told me that whilst he would love to stay, teh decision where he played his football wasn?t down to him. He hadno input on joining Portsmouth or us.
Unfortunately, Fernandes is an example of what is wrong with 3rd party ownership.
All these fans that keep saying ?Manny screwed us? need to open their eyes to the bigger picture because if he had had his way, he would have been an Everton player.
Iain Thomson
10 Posted 18/11/2007 at 12:09:47
10 Posted 18/11/2007 at 12:09:47
Hutton is being watched by Chelsea and Man U apparently so cant see us getting him....a year ago he’d have cost peanuts..not sure ive ever seen a player improve as much in a year as hutton has.
Lets hope Moyes has found some scout from somewhere and pulls a central midfieler out the hat in january without us paying over the odds for someone average.
Lets hope Moyes has found some scout from somewhere and pulls a central midfieler out the hat in january without us paying over the odds for someone average.
Chris James
11 Posted 18/11/2007 at 13:00:06
11 Posted 18/11/2007 at 13:00:06
Can’t see any call for a right back to be honest, we have Neville and Jagielka who are both decent in that position and Hibbert is fabulous defensively.
A left winger would certainly be a plus, although Arteta, Osman and Pieenar can all play out there, someone to whip in crosses for the front man would certainly be handy. Not sure about Downing though, he’s really faded in recent seasons and Boro would want A LOT. We’d be mad not to give Shandy one last go before we went into transfer market in this position (even if only to help us get him sold to part-cover the costs).
Where we absolutely 100% do need support is central midfield and I reckon we need two players. Firstly a ball-winning/water-carrier who can win ball, pass it off and ideally actually pass/shoot (someone to replace Carsley in the Geremi, Essien, Hargreaves, Barry, Flamini mould) and secondly a creative but strong attacking midfielder/playmaker who can pass the ball to take pressure off Arteta/Pieenar (Fabregas, Gerrard, Alonso, style). Obviouly the latter is much more expensive/harder to find and arguably that’s where we already have Arteta (and maybe Pienar too if he stays) but if we’re going to challenge on all fronts and really take on the top sides we need strength and depth.
In terms of presently supposedly available talent (and assuming we have some budget) my January shopping would see:
IN: Sidwell, Appiah, Fernanded or Sissoko + Mollo, Riquelme or someone equally unlikely
OUT: Van der Mayde
A left winger would certainly be a plus, although Arteta, Osman and Pieenar can all play out there, someone to whip in crosses for the front man would certainly be handy. Not sure about Downing though, he’s really faded in recent seasons and Boro would want A LOT. We’d be mad not to give Shandy one last go before we went into transfer market in this position (even if only to help us get him sold to part-cover the costs).
Where we absolutely 100% do need support is central midfield and I reckon we need two players. Firstly a ball-winning/water-carrier who can win ball, pass it off and ideally actually pass/shoot (someone to replace Carsley in the Geremi, Essien, Hargreaves, Barry, Flamini mould) and secondly a creative but strong attacking midfielder/playmaker who can pass the ball to take pressure off Arteta/Pieenar (Fabregas, Gerrard, Alonso, style). Obviouly the latter is much more expensive/harder to find and arguably that’s where we already have Arteta (and maybe Pienar too if he stays) but if we’re going to challenge on all fronts and really take on the top sides we need strength and depth.
In terms of presently supposedly available talent (and assuming we have some budget) my January shopping would see:
IN: Sidwell, Appiah, Fernanded or Sissoko + Mollo, Riquelme or someone equally unlikely
OUT: Van der Mayde
James Elworthy
12 Posted 18/11/2007 at 13:31:33
12 Posted 18/11/2007 at 13:31:33
Hutton looked very good for Scotland at right back, Arshavin was superb for Russia a one man team and this morning I saw Riquelme play superbly for Argentina despite the fact he hasnt played for Villareal this season.
Wes Brown is too versatile and Fergie needs him as cover for his centre backs and Neville.
Wes Brown is too versatile and Fergie needs him as cover for his centre backs and Neville.
Paul Okell
13 Posted 18/11/2007 at 15:03:09
13 Posted 18/11/2007 at 15:03:09
Sissoko has never been the same player after his eye injury. Maybe at Everton he would be more comfortable with the large African contingent we have. However he another one you would lose for the ANC.
Justin Hoyt at Arsenal has been mentioned in the tabloids, I dont think he is good enough or would improve us, I would much prefer Hutton from Scotland with Faddy a possible player involved in an exchange deal.
I also think Arshavin is fantastic but we dont know if Moyes is amongst his admirers. Riquelme looked great on TV again this weekend but whether we could get him remains open to debate.
The opinions on Manny are 50-50 by contributors to this site, I am off the opinion he is a very good player but overpriced due to the 3rd party ownership and will any deal again be subject to protracted negotiations.
Scott Brown of Celtic would be a great buy.
A Tranmere fan suggested to me Ian Goodison as a good squad addition for Centre Back, I have never seen him play havent got a clue about him so does anyone know much about him to enlighten me. I did hear on Radio City he gets man of the match every week, and appears to be a Yobo type very laid back.
Giles Barnes of Derby looks a very good left sided player who potentially could be better than Downing who to me disappears in a game too much.
Justin Hoyt at Arsenal has been mentioned in the tabloids, I dont think he is good enough or would improve us, I would much prefer Hutton from Scotland with Faddy a possible player involved in an exchange deal.
I also think Arshavin is fantastic but we dont know if Moyes is amongst his admirers. Riquelme looked great on TV again this weekend but whether we could get him remains open to debate.
The opinions on Manny are 50-50 by contributors to this site, I am off the opinion he is a very good player but overpriced due to the 3rd party ownership and will any deal again be subject to protracted negotiations.
Scott Brown of Celtic would be a great buy.
A Tranmere fan suggested to me Ian Goodison as a good squad addition for Centre Back, I have never seen him play havent got a clue about him so does anyone know much about him to enlighten me. I did hear on Radio City he gets man of the match every week, and appears to be a Yobo type very laid back.
Giles Barnes of Derby looks a very good left sided player who potentially could be better than Downing who to me disappears in a game too much.
Mark Pendleton
14 Posted 18/11/2007 at 18:10:45
14 Posted 18/11/2007 at 18:10:45
Aside from the fact i wouldn’t want us to touch Riquelme with a barge pole he’s stated he intends to return to Argentina.
Joe McParland
15 Posted 18/11/2007 at 18:02:35
15 Posted 18/11/2007 at 18:02:35
Alan Hutton is having a superb season for both Rangers and Scotland. Another player up here who is catching alot of peoples attention is Barry Robson of Dundee Utd. He can play either centre-mid or wide left and is very stong on the ball and in the tackle. The one drawback is occasionaly his temper gets the better of him, but he has a superb engine on him.
Alan Clarke
16 Posted 18/11/2007 at 18:35:16
16 Posted 18/11/2007 at 18:35:16
Whether Manny screwed us or not, have we any real chance of signing him in January? That’s what I can’t understand, is all this talk as if we’re in for him again. Considering he signed for another club only months ago and aside from our own finances is it likely we’ll sign him? If not we may as well say "I’d love that Ronaldinho fella or Kaka, he’s class!"
We need to stay clear of any of that 3rd party rubbish and find a decent young centre midfielder. Are there any Spaniards available to keep Micky happy?
We need to stay clear of any of that 3rd party rubbish and find a decent young centre midfielder. Are there any Spaniards available to keep Micky happy?
John Murphy
17 Posted 18/11/2007 at 19:11:28
17 Posted 18/11/2007 at 19:11:28
Can somebody tell me who the manager we supposedly took from Aston Villa is?
Brian Lawlor
18 Posted 18/11/2007 at 20:16:34
18 Posted 18/11/2007 at 20:16:34
Alan, thats a little bit of an exaggeration on your part. In fact, that was just silly to even compare to Kaka and Ronaldinho.
I have suggested players that we could possibly sign and Fernandes is one we nearly did and you never know we could still sign. The reason why he has been spoken about again is because he has had a very public spat with Valencia.
We were trying to take 100% registration due to FA regulations and that was the delaying factor. If we had completed that, then he would no longer be "3rd party rubbish" as you so eloquently put it.
I have suggested players that we could possibly sign and Fernandes is one we nearly did and you never know we could still sign. The reason why he has been spoken about again is because he has had a very public spat with Valencia.
We were trying to take 100% registration due to FA regulations and that was the delaying factor. If we had completed that, then he would no longer be "3rd party rubbish" as you so eloquently put it.
Brian Garside
19 Posted 18/11/2007 at 21:17:39
19 Posted 18/11/2007 at 21:17:39
If you want an end to end MF then look at Anders Svensson formally S´hampton.Can passit long or short to teammate,horrendously powerfull shot and a dab hand at freekicks.Keeps Kallstrom out of the Swedish team and is playing well in Elfsborg.
James Elworthy
20 Posted 18/11/2007 at 21:29:58
20 Posted 18/11/2007 at 21:29:58
wasnt it Gordon Lee from Villa
Petter Igmusson
21 Posted 19/11/2007 at 11:57:47
21 Posted 19/11/2007 at 11:57:47
Brian: I wouldn´t go there, mate. Anders Svensson is a moaner, who would be in Moyes doghouse in no time. He only performs well against weaker teams, and only plays ahead of Källström because of his supposed defensive skills. He is great in Allsvenskan, but I can´t see him as more than a substitute in the PL.
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1 Posted 18/11/2007 at 08:16:03
I would say a left-footed left midfielder would be a priority, ideally someone in the Morten Gamst-Pedersen mould. (I wouldn’t mind Downing either)
With regards a centre mid, I don’t think Moyes would take Fernandes back after what he did. That bloke screwed us royally. We need a box-to-box midfielder with a physical presence. I’d still take Stephen Appiah out of all the names mentioned previously.