ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

Lyndon Lloyd

I really hope that I am wrong with that assessment, Mark, because I think we are at a really important juncture right now if we want to push into the top four. I think we can do it — and I've only started to feel it's possible in the last week or so, based on our win over City and Liverpool faltering — but not without adding a signing or two of real quality, particularly in the role that Moyes always wanted McFadden to play.

If you look at the main player's behind Manchester City's early success this season, Elano and Petrov are the two that spring to mind. Similarly, look at what Ashley Young provides Astn Villa. In Arteta and Fernandes we have the artistry but not someone who can provide real width, pace down the flanks and an eye for goal. (Can you imagine if we had someone like Kanchelskis right now...?)

I don't know whether Arshavin is as good as people say he is (I've only seen him the once when we played Zenit) but he sounds like the right sort of player. Money may well be tight — it stands to reason that it would be — but the payoff if we were to finish fourth would be worth it. Moyesey may be comfortable with the players he has but I still feel nervy when the likes of Cahill and Arteta are missing that we won't have what it takes to stay in touch with fourth place or beat out the likes of Villa.

Ste Kenny
1 Posted 18/01/2008 at 21:12:23

I?ve seen Arshavin a few times and every single time he?s looked top drawer. But he?s a player who likes to play centrally behind the front one or two. I?m ecstatic that we're in for players of this quality but I don't see where he fits into our team with Cahill playing that role at present and Fernandes also being a central attacking midfielder.

Dave Southword
2 Posted 18/01/2008 at 21:33:23

I would point out that we only received the money from the transfer today and already we are "what if"-ing about the money not being reinvested. By tomorrow the speculation will move onto Wyness and Leahy pocketing the cash as their Kirkby bonus.

Two weeks until the end of the transfer window... Moyes is making very cautious comments, but a few days before Manny came back he laughed off speculation he would be rejoining.

Mick Simo
3 Posted 18/01/2008 at 21:28:18

Ste I would say Fernandes is more an holding player, win tackles, protect the back four and distribute the ball calmly and effectively, reminds me a bit of Gilberto. Just copied this from some football websiteIn December 2007, FollowEverton.co.uk suggested that Arshavin could be a good signing for the toffees. The fan site suggested that the player would be a good signing for David Moyes after the owner of the website watched him play in the Uefa Cup.

Since the rumor began, although it may have been in the Everton managers mind to look at him, the news has spread, and websites and newspapers suggest that the winger could be moving to Everton in the January transfer window.

It now looks like the midfielder could move to Everton FC , after he said it would be his first choice, Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur F.C are also said to be watching the situation.

This could be the replacement for Mcfadden, the Russian can play in the same positions as the Scot, and may take his shirt if he is to sign.

Mark Griffiths
4 Posted 18/01/2008 at 21:21:24

I think the question is how much quality do we need in the midfield area at present?

I agree with Lyndon that when arteta and/or cahill are missing i do not have the same confidence of us winning and looking at the bigger picture without those two over a season i think we would not finish in the top 6.

I don?t think that we need 2 equally quality players in each position in midfield, we are not at that stage yet, a la manure, arsenal etc, but i do think we need competition for places there, maybe not the same quality for every position but at least 2 or 3 of the same quality.

Cars does a great job most of the time, but part of me agrees with some other views that he does not always do it against the big teams, and will he be as good next season.

Cahill excells in one role only.

Arteta is class no matter where he plays.

Osman has come good this season after erratic performances prior to this.

Fernandes has shown he is class, but still has a lot to learn and time will only tell how good he will be.

IF we are to really make a step forward and at least get within touching distance of that top 4, then i really think we need to buy 2 quality midfielders, one pacey, tricky winger and one box to box midfielder who can play the holding role as good as cars but has potential to get even better.

Arshavin does not really fit into these roles, so i also agree with Ste, but having said that, better to have too much quality than too little.

Jimmy Rooney
5 Posted 18/01/2008 at 21:44:26

I see the barcodes have been linked with Arshavin now. On his postion, he played right midfield for a few seasons, now he plays just of the forwards, but can switch back to right mid. Every year Andrey is on top of the 33-best Russian footballers list: he became number 1 in 2005 and 2006, and number 2 in 2001, 2002, 2004. This lad is class, and I would be supprised if we end up in a bidding war if we move for him.

Mark Griffiths
6 Posted 18/01/2008 at 21:58:42

FFS!

If it is true that the barcodes are sniffing around him, that will rocket his price, i wondered how long it would take before they start throwing their money around and inflating fees.

The plus side is he has stated he wants to come to us, but money talks!!

But, you can tell Keegan, they have got to go to him and convince him to go to the looney bin, and I tell you this: I will love it if he comes to us, love it!!!

Martin Cutler
7 Posted 18/01/2008 at 21:53:49

So, is Arshavin a good signing or not?
First of all, McFadden....I think for all his inconsistency (and there’s no doubt he was inconsistent!) selling him for the amount of money involved was good business. A plus for Moyes too.
Secondly, there is no doubt in my mind whatsoever that we need to purchase at least one additional player that will hopefully help us push towards 4th spot (and higher + cups). As I’ve said before, we are very close to competing at the highest level. No question that Moyes is pushing us there albeit slowly.
I don’t know if Arshavin is the right man or not (haven’t really seen him play) but somebody on a regular basis needs to be getting that bloody ball in the box (i.e. as somebody said....Ashley Young/Villa) .......from my perspective we seem to rely on the defenders a lot (which is not all that bad) to be crossing the ball but somebody with Youngs ability/style/energy in the team would be very nice indeed.
Everton 2 v Wigan 0
Everton 2 v Chelsea 0
..........if I’m right I’ll have two beers to celebrate!

Stuart Mitchell
8 Posted 18/01/2008 at 22:18:59

Arshavin is a massive improvement on Mcfadden (if we manage to buy him)

Honours
2001 - Russian Premier League, 3rd position
2003 - Russian Premier League, runner-up
2003 - Russian Premier League Cup, winner
2001 - best right midfielder according to Sport-Express
2004 and 2005 - best second striker according to Sport-Express
2004 - voted Player of the Year by the readers of Soviet Sport
2006 - named best player by Russian Football Union, Sport-Express, Soviet Sport, named Russian Footballer of the Year
2007- Russian Premier League, winner

Stuart Mitchell
9 Posted 18/01/2008 at 22:22:50

Years Club App (Gls)*
1999−present Zenit Saint Petersburg 211 (45)
National team2
2002−present Russia 32 (9)

Mark Griffiths
10 Posted 18/01/2008 at 22:38:56

Just seen on wikipedia, that Arshavin has stated he would like to play for Newcastle if the opportunity arises???

What the???

I thought he wanted to play for us, it will be a nervy 2 weeks i feel!

Terry Lloyd
11 Posted 18/01/2008 at 22:46:50

I think Moyes will make a 8million bid, take it or leave it. If he leaves it, Moyes want try and get anyone else in, unless someone key gets injured, then a loan deal.

Danny Militwich
12 Posted 18/01/2008 at 22:55:49

Firstly, I have every faith in whatever David Moyes decides to do over the coming fortnight. He will not have sold McFadden if he did not have confidence in the team being able to cope without him.

Secondly, Its amusing to read about some of the players that we are linked with and the usual bout of hysteria and panic from yeysayers or naysayers who have gathered there entire opinion on player using a grainy youtube compilation.
I am not having a go at blues for having a bit of a chinwag about who we are getting or what we are getting, but when people start to press the panic button and demand that Moyes signs this or that player, think about what we have achieved so far. Do you think the man at the helm wants to throw everything he has worked for all season away? Think about the eleven players we select to represent the club-many of them products of our own youth team or players entrusted by Moes to take the step to the next level. They all know what neds to be done-they all have the ability to deliver it. Whether we have that strength beyond those eleven players will be upto Moyes to decide.
I have my own suspicions, but I will keep them to myself and leave all the speculation to the daily rags.

Lyndon Lloyd
Editorial Team
13 Posted 18/01/2008 at 23:13:43

Mark: "Just seen on wikipedia, that Arshavin has stated he would like to play for Newcastle if the opportunity arises???
"

I wouldn’t believe much on the Wikipedia pages of any player likely to be transferred during transfer windows. Because the pages can be edited by anyone, you’ll invariably get some wag putting crap in there based purely on speculation — e.g. Riquelme signing for Everton in August, Dan Gosling’s move reported as official before it was confirmed, and Arshavin going to Everton was up on his page on Wednesday. Now it’s Newcastle. Sad fact of wikis, I’m afraid.

Arthur Jones
14 Posted 18/01/2008 at 23:53:11

In David Moyes's interview on Everton TV, he was asked about signing players this transfer window. His response was "I?ll have to see how much of Faddy?s fee I?ll be allowed to spend"... Doesn?t sound too promising, does it ?

Roy Coyne
15 Posted 19/01/2008 at 00:28:07

I am a bit surprised that we have allowed Faddy to go now with the Chelsea game coming up. Surely it could have been sorted that he joined after that game as we are now down another player. And can we have a gentleman's agreement that he can't play against us this season ? or is it only us that fall for it?

Stuart Duncan
16 Posted 19/01/2008 at 00:37:55

I don’t think Moyes will spend now. He’s got Fernandes and he’ll have Osman back soon, he has 3 strikers now, plus the Yak after ACN. And he doesn’t like spending in the January window.

He’ll save the cash until Summer and use it then. Moyes is in it for the long haul and blowing cash now is just poor value for money.

Stuart Mitchell
17 Posted 19/01/2008 at 00:55:52

Not poor value for money if he brings in 1 quality signing to help us do something this season.

Ian Tunny
18 Posted 19/01/2008 at 01:46:00

We have no chance of bringing in Arshavin, it is just wishfull thinking. Three clubs have made an offer for him, none of which are believed to be Everton. Two are Arsenal and Spurs. We can't compete with Spurs off the pitch money-wise, and we can't compete with Arsenal on the pitch in terms of potential success. Don't build your hopes up.

Jason Broome
19 Posted 19/01/2008 at 01:48:23

Unless they are of breath-taking quality, then I really hope DM doesn’t sign anybody else until the summer.

When you compare goings in & out, we have only spent £11M this season so why are we skint!?

DM said that he wanted 1 big name a year, so expect 1 Championship player, 1 awesome signing & 1 gem of a loan signing come the summer.

Mike Reynolds
20 Posted 19/01/2008 at 02:37:26

McFadden was a player this club outgrew. The fact we sold him is a sign of how we have advanced as a club. Once upon a time we were the sort of club who would have viewed McFadden as a saviour, some one to ensure we did not get relegated. Now, he is a player who can barely sustain a place in our side.

Don’t get me wrong I belive McFadden will secure Birmingham’s place in the Premier but he is NOT the sort of player who will secure our entry to the top 4. He needs to play upfront regularly to improve as a player and he will get it at Brum and, in my opinion, the other strikers at the club are simply better.

Will the money get re-invested? Maybe. Is now the time? I’m not sure as I know nothing of this Russian guy and can’t see Sidwell coming in.

Yes, we need a Midfielder general but Carsley is doing fine there for now so that would be a pointless spend, at least unttil the summer.

Elano is terribly average, he had some great moments but we will see fewer of them from now on. I don’t rate the guy but I do think we need a player of width, but also of intelligance, and pace. We need to buy a wide man that the top four would wish to sign.

That is the true sign of how far we have come.

Eric Myles
21 Posted 19/01/2008 at 04:08:57

I’m glad we didn’t get Diarra after his comments on his transfer to Portsmouth, ungrateful bastard.

Lee McCarthy
22 Posted 19/01/2008 at 09:06:42

As a club we just don’t think Big enough that’s the problem.

We used to!! All the usual bollocks is spouted like "let’s not do a Leed’s etc" but we are Everton and are far bigger than any of these clubs.

I think Moyes’s hands are tied most ov the time coz none of our hierachy has any bollocks to go for it.

When Everton wanted a player years we just went out and fuckin got them no matter who was after them.

Tony Part
23 Posted 19/01/2008 at 09:15:26

Correct me if I am wrong here but shouldn't we be swimming around in the millions now that Robert Earl is on board? This guy is a billionaire and it only became evident in August when he was appointed to the Board that we all of a sudden heard about our ability to complete a double deal worth nearly £20 million for Fernandes and Yakubu. Ok the Manny deal fell apart we all know but I read an article on Earl and if he is serious about his place on Board then he surely has to be the instumental one at present in terms of us moving forward on the pitch.

Martin Berry
24 Posted 19/01/2008 at 09:44:46

The fee for McFadden was brilliant business for a fringe player, well done David Moyes. Of course the money is still in the transfer kitty , it's not disappeared since summer and is available along with Mc Fadden's, it's just Moyes being canny ? haven't you lot learnt by now how he operates.

There is quality out there this January, if it's what Moyes wants then he will be in for that player. Dont be surprised AFTER Everton have beaten Chelsea that Moyes persues Sidwell, as Chelsea obviously would not consider a deal prior to the semi being decided.

Personally Appiah should still be that one player that Moyes signs, but Sidwell would also be ideal for us. Exciting times eh?

Mark Griffiths
25 Posted 19/01/2008 at 10:08:05

There seem to be quite a few viewpoints that we can deal with the current squad, and indeed Moyes has gone on record as saying he is very comfortable with the current squad (minus Faddy), but there are two problems that concern me: Injuries and suspensions.

Now it would only take injuries to Arteta, Yak and maybe Carsley, let's say for 4-6 weeks which could be the difference to us finishing in the top 6 and finishing outside the top ten and being dumped out of the Uefa Cup.

Yes, it is an IF, but if we want to be moving forward and taking our chances at breaking this hold the top 4 have then we need to be prepared and invest.

If we don?t get our house in order and think, well, we have a good bunch of lads who can do a job if injuries occur, then I am sorry but we are missing the boat again.

I am not saying spend stupid money and get even further into debt, but at least fatten up Faddy?s fee a little and get two decent midfielders or one quality signing.

James Murphy
26 Posted 19/01/2008 at 10:05:34

I think Moyes knew McFadden couldn’t cut it, Moyes looked gutted, it was Moyes who signed him, the Scottish Rooney, loads of expectations, Moyes stood by him for as long as he could. I think Jimmy was gutted he at to leave a club like Everton on the up, and the same for Moyes I believe he wanted Jimmy to suceed big time, but it just never worked out and in the end he got a fair fee for him.

Peter Jones
27 Posted 19/01/2008 at 10:39:45

McFadden was an important player. He was in the team for Chelsea first leg and was the only player who looked like he could create anything. He was played out of position because he was the best we had to play in that position. That situation has not improved because we have sold him - it has got worse. Have we given up on the Chelsea game? Playing a fullback at left midfield/wing is back to the worst aspects of the Smith era. This week is one of the most important weeks of the season and we have weakened our team. How is that positive or forward thinking?