ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

Marcus Mason
1 Posted 10/01/2008 at 16:28:12

Take the money and run

john charles
2 Posted 10/01/2008 at 16:31:23

Which reports?

Link?

Paul Clays
3 Posted 10/01/2008 at 16:33:43

I would take £5.50 for him never mind £5.5 million!!!
Spend the money on Diarra.

rob jones
4 Posted 10/01/2008 at 16:36:10

I think we’d probably sign a striker or LM if we sold mcfadden IMO , Paul

and I agree, bite his hand off and get him out of here, hopefully we can get another bargain like arteta or cahill from the money

Paul Lenehan
5 Posted 10/01/2008 at 16:46:17

There is something about Faddy that I really like. I mean he can infuriate me during a game but when I see he is playing im always really rooting for him. Thats said 5.5m is a lot of money so if we were to sign another midielder I would take the money.

Louis Huglin
6 Posted 10/01/2008 at 16:46:54

I like McFadden as a player... one of those who can suddenly do something amazing, so exciting to watch: but as a result you tear your hair out in frustration. Definitely time that someone else endured that frustration. If the 5.5 million reports are true then there is no question Moyes will accept. Surely no one other than a deluded McLeish actually thinks McFadden is a 5m+ player?! Take the money, Everton, and spend it wisely!

Tom Rowe
7 Posted 10/01/2008 at 17:06:17

It was in the mirror today. I said this this morning. I feel as though someones secretly stealing my posts and using them as their own.

Yes Paul, I also suggested buying Diarra. I dont think he’l go to a managerless doomed, jinxed newcastle (mainly through fear of Barton) and when he sees the players he will have around him at Everton, I dont think he would be able to resist.

David Barks
8 Posted 10/01/2008 at 17:12:31

I think Diarra will be looking at the numbers being put on his paycheck instead of looking at the players he will have around him. But who knows, I’d love to see him come in, and if we could get 5 Million for McFadden, who I don’t have a big problem with as a player, and get Diarra for that amount I think it would be great.

Sean Dylan
9 Posted 10/01/2008 at 17:11:43

I agree Tom...Diarra would be a good asset to the squad and someone who is definately capable of taking over Carsely’s position if required.

I say this because i think Lee’s been playing ace recently and certainly has a couple of years left in them legs. Diarra however is definately more creative on the ball and it’d be nice to have someone playing the ’makelele role’ who can take the ball from the lumping hibbo/yobo and thread a pass or two.

Just checked the official site for the latest on Manny etc but it seems to have gone down. Is it my computer or the site anyone?

Mark Pendleton
10 Posted 10/01/2008 at 17:14:37

If Diarra were just interested in his pay cheque then he may be happy to sit in the reserves. The lad wants to play, much the same as Manny.

On Faddy, i like him too but when we’ve anything approaching a fit squad he’s just not going to get into it. Hence £4m plus and i’d take it.

Paul Lenehan
11 Posted 10/01/2008 at 17:16:10

I watched Diarra against Blackburn in the last round of the Carling Cup and he looked quality. He was playing a holding role, but was all over the pitch. He broke plenty of plays up but had the ability and athleticism to carry the ball forward and pick a pass.

Sean Dylan
12 Posted 10/01/2008 at 17:26:51

So come on then...is it my internet or’s the OS down?

Maybe they’ve a big anouncement to make and are just building suspense!

Andrew Humphrey
13 Posted 10/01/2008 at 17:49:27

I was at stamford bridge on tuesday night and he did go missing defencively a few times leaving Lescott vulnerable, but he was our ONLY attacking player on the park. No one else ran with the ball or crossed the ball into dangerous areas. He also hit the post and delivered the corner for Yak’s goal, and nearly set Cahill up. Of course Arteta, Piennar and now Manny may be better options, but if we are not desperate for the money he sure is a good option to have.

Brian Waring
14 Posted 10/01/2008 at 17:56:34

The problem with the lad Diarra is, are we going to be able to gaurantee him a regular starting place? That’s why he wants away from Arsenal.

Arthur jones
15 Posted 10/01/2008 at 18:06:37

We couldn’t pay Diarra the wages he’d get from Newcastle and he wouldn’t be guaranteed a place so as good as he is , I can’t see him signing for us .
And Sean , all I’m getting from the OS is a ’ Bad Gateway ’ message , so thats two of us with computer problems

Sean Dylan
16 Posted 10/01/2008 at 18:13:14

Cheers Arthur- didn’t really undestand ’Master Mccanns’ response! Thought my comp was on the blink again.

I’m sure it’ll click on in a moment and there’ll be Fernando in royal blue with his new watch- what you reckon?

Arthur jones
17 Posted 10/01/2008 at 18:31:40

After last summer , I’m not going to hold my breath Sean , but what a boost if he does sign !!!

Dave Southword
18 Posted 10/01/2008 at 18:35:28

Of course, 5.5M is not quite as much as it seems. We have to pay Motherwell 13% of any pofit we make (or 15% if he goes to the Old Firm). So:

5.5 - 1.25 = 4.25

13% of 4.25 = 0.55

So, we would clear a smidge under 5m. Good deal.

Matthew Lovekin
19 Posted 10/01/2008 at 18:35:59

Although McFadden can be a great player, now is the time to play him or sell him. If we can get 5m for him, then Diarra can apparently leave Arsenal for 5.5m and his wages are ’only’ 35k per week. A mate of mine is an Arsenal season ticket holder who rates Diarra really highly and says he is one of the most skilful players at Arsenal and a joy to watch. Surely we are a better proposition than Newcastle now especially after their Allardyce debacle and that we are in Europe and going for Europe again next season. Diarra is like Makelele and although only about 5’8" he is very skilful and covers all the pitch. He is an ideal long term replacement for Carsley and if we can get Manny back permantely and Pienaar to sign, what a midfield we would have! The remaining four forwards are all excellent, then perhaps another centre back and we could really push on for more honours.

Alan Clarke
20 Posted 10/01/2008 at 19:08:02

McFadden is too ’roy of the rovers’ for me. Too many times against Chelsea and whenever else he plays against, he gets caught in possession trying to take on the whole opposition team. It’s as if he’s always trying a bit too hard to prove his worth to the side. He’s also very very left footed which is another reason he gets caught in possession. But if anyone from the Birmingham board of directors is reading this, he’s excellent and you’re robbing us with £5million.

Richard Hare
21 Posted 10/01/2008 at 19:22:45

To sell McFadden and get someone in like Arshivan from Zenit (who we have been linked with) for the same or a little more money would be brilliant business.

Robert Carney
22 Posted 10/01/2008 at 19:56:14

Everyone who comments on Mc Fadden after meeting him say what a genuine caring and likeable fellow he is.

So was Stuart Barlow.

Thanks for the service, It is time for him to move on. Like Beattie, he is not for us. Anything over 2m is fantastic buisness.

I am sure serviceing our debt is a better future.

Charlie Skinley
23 Posted 10/01/2008 at 19:57:34

Errrm, I’m probably on my own but I’m not to sure about selling any of our players at the moment. £5m plus is a good offer for him and I think the board should consider it...... however I would tell B’ham they would have to wait until after the 2nd Leg against Chelsea before they could sign him. We have 2 games in between and we could pick up injuries or suspensions.

If we agree that compromise with them now it enables us to start actively seeking a replacement but ensures we have him on our books for the Chelsea game. An if we do get someone in between then let him go, what ya think?

Richard Porter
24 Posted 10/01/2008 at 20:14:37

re: Diarra

HE maybe on £35k per week now, but Henry Winter in today’s Telegraph claimed that he has been asking Newcastle for £90k per week if he is to move there.

"Allardyce sought to protect his back four by pursuing Diarra, but if the energetic Arsenal midfielder really was seeking £90,000 a week, Newcastle were wise to be cautious."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml;jsessionid=QGQQ4MZOSHA0JQFIQMFCFFOAVCBQYIV0?xml=/sport/2008/01/10/sfnnew110.xml

Robert Carney
25 Posted 10/01/2008 at 20:17:59

Good points Charlie;

Maybe the winner against Chelsea will be the ideal leaving party for all of us.

Dick Fearon
26 Posted 10/01/2008 at 21:18:13

I wonder how many of those who would ’take the money and run’ were saying the same last year about Cahill.

Tim has proved to be world class and IMO if any club gave Faddy a decent run as striker he would do the same.

Tony Williams
27 Posted 10/01/2008 at 21:29:19

"I wonder how many of those who would ?take the money and run? were saying the same last year about Cahill.

Tim has proved to be world class and IMO if any club gave Faddy a decent run as striker he would do the same"

Dick you cannot seriously compare Fadds to Cahill, Cahill has been "doing it" since day one and continues to "do it", Fadds for all his tryinghas scored some cracking goals but is so inconsistent it is unreal, poor decision maker.

If we are being offered £5.5m I say go for it, as it is only McLeish who would offer that

Charlie Skinley
28 Posted 10/01/2008 at 21:32:30

Its also worth remembering that faddy nearly got us that all important 2nd goal against Chelski, he hit the bar but if that had of gone in it would have been an amazing goal - thats what the lad can do an I just think we need to keep hold of him for now. Lets face it the Yak had a much worse all round game but he scored with his chance!

Andy Callaghan
29 Posted 10/01/2008 at 21:40:27

When you consider people like Kamara, Chopra and Kenwyne Jones all were sold from Championship sides for £6million, it?s pretty ridiculous how Birmingham could genuinely offer £2.5m for McFadden in the first place.

Joe McMahon
30 Posted 10/01/2008 at 22:35:11

Don’t get too excited - Diarra off to Spurs or Toon (as usual)

John Dela
31 Posted 10/01/2008 at 22:45:13

Why is everyone on Jimmy Macs back , he was our best forward on Tuesday night!!!!! he was more effective than AJ & made the goal & hit the post. His goal raatio this season in few appearances is ok & he is being played out of position most of the time! He is an 8 million pound player & fans want to sell him for 2.5 - 5.5 million what player will we get for that? Jimmy macs goal away at Metalist is the main reason we are still in Europe or do blues fans have very short memories??? We need at the moment to be a buying club & not a selling club! Please get off Jimmy Macs back he needs confidence & slating him on here & blue kipper is doing him no favours IMO he has the making of a very good young forward who can play behind in a front two partnership with the YAK far better suited than AJ who I feel needs to play out wide & down the channels not back to goal as he was brushed off the ball so easy on tuesday with his back to goal. I am not advocating selling AJ but we have a thin squad & selling international players is plain stupid so encorage Jimmy Mac & let DM decide!!! At the moment the club do not want to sell him & I support that view!

Karl Masters
32 Posted 10/01/2008 at 23:37:44

£5.5m is not enough when, as somebody has rightly pointed out, Championship players lke Kamara have been going for over £6m. £2.5m is an insult.

Jimmy is a regular international with the ability to beat any defence. Personally, I find him infuriating a lot of the time and we saw all facets of his game on Tuesday including just falling on his arse trying to make a pass!

Keep him and use as a supersub, which is his best role for now. Diarra? If he ws that good Chelsea and Arsenal would have been keen to keep him. His attitude and wage demands appear to make him a potential disruption to our squad’s team spirit. Avoid.

John Andrews
33 Posted 11/01/2008 at 00:28:45

I can only agree with one of the first posters and say that I would be happy with a tenner to get shot of him !
And for all the folks who reckon he is worth considerably more I can only ask if you are on some sort of medication ?
I will remind you again that McFadden had 29 games the season before last and what exactly did he achieve. For those with short memories. Not a lot !
Did not even manage to get into double figures goals wise which means that he scored less than one goal in every three games.
Top class premiership striker ? I think not.

Vincent Siow
34 Posted 11/01/2008 at 07:07:42

You see, the problems about McFadden is we don’t know how good he can become. If you look back at all the goals that we’ve scored in recent seasons, the fabulous goals scored have come from mostly him. Against Fulham off a Beattie header lay off, last minute winner against Charlton last season, Metallist away, Boro away 2 seasons ago. Don’t forget the beauty against France as well. As frustrating as he can be, 1.25 million pounds wasn’t a particularly big investment.

That being said, 5.5 million is an awful lot of money for a player of his current form so if I were Moyes i’d have a headache. The thing about this is Faddy doesn’t have a chance to play striker on a regular basis, and the wing isn’t exactly where he thrives as he has to work hard on defense we really isn’t his game.

We’ll see if Moyes really values him if a big offer comes along.

Tony Wiiliams
35 Posted 11/01/2008 at 08:55:08

"IMO he has the making of a very good young forward"

Aye John but there lies the rub, the making of James McFadden, which so far has been ongoing for over 4 years with absolutely no improvement.

Look at, for example, George Weah, he scored some cracking goals for Leeds but was in a word, shit, for the team.

I have been saying this phrase for 3 seasons now, "I wish we would see Fadds push on and become the player we hope/feel he can be"

He has had limited chances and the game against Oldham (not a great example, I admit) shows why.

He was crap then. He has skills there is no denying it but his decision making is so poor it is a liability, yes he set up the goal and nearly scored but he gave the ball away on numerous occassions in dangerous areas trying to dribble when, once again, the simple pass was ignored.

Kudos for his trying but he simply is not good enough and a £5.5m return for a £1.25m buy is good business in my books

Craig Ashford
36 Posted 11/01/2008 at 09:14:23

Have to say i agree with John Dela,
I think Faddy is under rated, and this topic would be laughed at had he scored against Chelsea in the Semi first leg, none of you would accept 5.5M for the man. You’d all tell B’Ham to pss off. Plus with the Yak in the ANC, what would EFC do if say Anichebe was injured and AJ was suspended for ’diving’ as his mis-led reputation proceeds him, it would only take Mark Clattenberg or our favorite Graham Poll combined with good acting from Fabregas, C.Ronaldo etc. I think the squads too thin and he only needs half a chance, So lets give him one!

Brian Donnelly
37 Posted 11/01/2008 at 09:49:25

Every player has got a selling value, for Faddy I would sell at £4m. Obviously the only person?s judgement that counts is DM.

As for him playing out of position in midfield, well it?s the only position he is likely to get at EFC because there are 4 better strikers ahead of him. Particularly, as our best formation is with only one striker.

He?s had his chance over the last 4 years, he is not going to get any better at Everton. He is not a youngster anymore and the odd great goal doesn?t compensate for some of his feeble performances. A good substitute to have, but if the price is right then sell.

Steve Syder
38 Posted 11/01/2008 at 12:28:47

Take ANYTHING and get rid! He’s a circus act.

Don’t give me that "Not yet reached his potential" malarky - we said that about Beattie. (we also said what a great bloke he was, but so is my son, and he’s not Premiership class either)

Bentley Gibson
39 Posted 11/01/2008 at 12:25:26

For whatever reason McFadden doesnt do it for me. He does some of the hard stuff, and none of the easy stuff.

He manages to get through gaps and beat people when it seems like he?s got no right to, only to overhit/underhit a 5 yard pass for someone to tap in to an empty net.

I dont think I?d be anywhere near as infuriated with him if he was incapable of doing the first bit though. It?s the fact that he?s capable of the bits no-one else seems to be, only to screw up the piss easy bit even I can do on a Monday night on the astroturf with my mates.

Its a shame because basically I?m admitting Ive lost patience with someone who has a superb talent, but lost it I have.

Arguments in his favour about him just needing a run of games should ask why he can do it for Scotland. Theyre not exactly playing week in-week out, and yet he scores sreamers and plays well for them. No, for whatever reason it just hasnt worked out for him here.

I watched the Kharkiv game on 5 the other night, for some reason it was on at about 4 in the morning and watched him try his luck from 20-40 yards when unmarked people were at the edge of the box. He was generally crap and frustrating until his goal, which was well taken, but equally when struck we had two unmarked men over. Had he missed I think we should have cancelled his contract!

£5.5m for Jimmy Mac, done. Every day of the week.