ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Surplus to requirements?

The welcome news of the loan signing of Manny Fernandes would suggest that the enigmatic career of Andy van der Meyde and the uninspiring form and fitness of Tommy Gravesen will mean that both will become surplus to requirements. With Steven Piennar also on loan, Lee Carsley entering the twilight of his career and Anderson da Silva and Bjarni Vidarsson unlikely to make the grade then we still look short in the midfield department.

Moyes has suggested that there will be little other inward business in the transfer market during January with an acceptable offer for James McFadden probably accepted. The business end of the season is beginning to shape up with some important games ahead; hopefully a lack of personnel in midfield will not prove to be our archilles heel. Andriy Arshavin is apparently available from Zenit and if the McFadden deal goes through would cetainly be worth a punt.
Peter Laing, Liverpool Posted 14/01/2008 at 12:18:08

back Return to the Mail Bag

Comments

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer

David London
1 Posted 14/01/2008 at 13:46:59

Andriy Arshavin is only "worth a punt" if David Moyes wants him.We dont pick the team!

Andy Ellams
2 Posted 14/01/2008 at 13:49:42

I have to say I think the signing of Fernandes will mean that Arshavin is not coming to Everton. If there is any more incoming transfer activity this month, surely it will be defensive, either Van Buyten or a defensive midfielder.

Anthony Newell
3 Posted 14/01/2008 at 14:04:42

A revised bid of £3mill for McFadden from Brum also rejected. Everton holding out for around the £5 mark. Lets hope the clubs reach a compromise. Come on Brum, up your offer!

Dan McKie
4 Posted 14/01/2008 at 14:11:15

I dont think many of us considered Andy VDM as part of the squad anyway this season so no loss there. Tommy Gravesen I think can still play a bit part role and we dont have to worry about Pienaar, Fernandes or Carsley till the end of the season (and I still think Cars has 1 or 2 left in him). I just hope that if we do sell McFadden that we get in a replacement this window but only if its someone decent!

Jay Harris
5 Posted 14/01/2008 at 14:13:29

For all you people wanting to get rid of McFadden just remember he can turn a game in a few minutes. He is a good quality footballer. I know he has weaknesses particularly tracking back but until we had quality to replace him I wouldn't be so quick to want him out of the door.
Same for VDM ? he has been a nightmare signing but might just be ready to show us he can play.
I think if there is any gap right now it?s a quality wingback who can cross and pass something we seem to be lacking too often.

Connor Rohrer
6 Posted 14/01/2008 at 14:36:54

I think it is a must that we sign both Pienaar and Fernandes. Pienaar for me has already earned his contract and Fernandes still has to earn it but I’m sure he will. Both are quality players and players who will improve the squad.

It is possible we could get both for around 10 million. Pienaar for 2 million and Fernandes for 8 million. Dominic King said in his article that whilst the price is 12 million it can be negotiated to a lower price due to Fernandes not being wanted at Valencia. Hopefully we’ll get both.

I’d keep Carsley and Stubbs myself. Carsley judging by this season has shown he can play for atleast another 2 more years either as a first choice or as a bit part player. Stubbs is also needed for me. He gives us the option of a fourth centre half and with Yobo staying for the full season next season he won’t be called upon as much keeping him fit and fresh. It saves us going out and buying a back up centre half when we can keep Stubbsy a player who still offers quality, personality and experience. I dont agree with those who claim his legs are gone because playing centre half doesn’t tire you out as you dont have to runt that much. With pacy defenders like Yobo, Lescott and Jagielka around Stubbs will be fine for another year.

I think the times up for McFadden. There’s no doubting he has potential but we already have better strikers ahead of him and it would be best for both parties if he moved on. At 24 he needs to be playing regularly in his natural position and we can not guarantee that.

I haven’t got a clue about Van der Meyde. Supposedly he was back in contention around the Alkmaar game but I have doubts whether we’ll see him again. If we got him fit and in the right frame of mind he’d be useful but I can’t see it happening. Anyway we now have creativity in Arteta, Osman, Pienaar and Fernandes so he’s not really needed.

Gravesen is a strange one. I’d keep him if where in Europe next season and if its on a free. If Moyes can get him fit in pre-season then he’d be a decent back up player to have. At the moment his severely unfit and it doesn’t help his aging legs.

Colin Jones
7 Posted 14/01/2008 at 15:08:58

Just want to mention Arshavin. I’ve seen a lot of people suggesting he is a great player and that he would be a good addition to the squad. I haven’t actually seen any speculation from a news source though. I was at the Zenit game and I can’t remember any of their players showing any outstanding quality, except for their centre backs perhaps, one of whom Liverpool have now signed. For me I didn’t notice any other good players and this includes Arshavin. What did others see that I didn’t?

Stefan Tosev
8 Posted 14/01/2008 at 15:26:13

Watch the highlights on EvertonTV they made two dangerous breaks and it was down to Arshavin and his tremendous through balls.

The guy has a vision,skills and great passing abillities. He will be excellent signing but I doubt that we could afford him,Pienaar and Manny at the same time

Connor Rohrer
9 Posted 14/01/2008 at 15:44:58

I rate Arshavin but people are going overboard with his performance versus us. Lescott dominated him for most of the game. He had one or two neat passing moves but other than that he didn’t look much.

There’s no doubting his quality though. I’ve seen him for Russia and a few times in the Uefa cup and he looks a classy player. I said we needed a central midfielder before we looked anywhere else but now we have Fernandes I’m all for Arshavin coming. Sadly I dont think it will happen as bigger guns will be out there and we don’t have the money.

Kieran Kinsella
10 Posted 14/01/2008 at 22:56:31

I seem to recall that when Pienaar arrived it was with view to a permanent £2.5M transfer. Moyes has since stated that no deal is imminent and this week suggested money was at a premium when talking about Fernandes. I am thinking that this may be true with the Kirkby thing less certain than it seemed to be when we borrowed money to buy Yakubu last summer. Anyway I was thinking if we have a whip around at next 6 or 7 home games and everyone chipped in 10 quid a game then we could wrap up a Pienaar deal with or without Robert Earl and the bank.