ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Doesn`t that say it all...

....... about the parlous state of our finances? An extended contract for Nuno Valente who has managed to get on the field for all of ONE MINUTE in the last ten weeks!

Now I know Moyes has a penchant for re-signing players past their best ? Pistone, Ferguson, Gravesen, Stubbs and Weir all fit into that category, and if their serial injuries were not enough to keep the physios busy then let`s go for VdM, Gardner and the little full-back from Wigan, all of whom had not kicked a ball for months at their previous clubs!

Somehow, I can`t believe that Moyes would prefer to take the easy option of signing/re-signing these serial stiffs if he had the money to bring in effective alternatives. But you have to wonder, don`t you?

Perhaps it`s too simplistic, but if the funds are that tight, wouldn`t it be better to pin a bit of faith on our own Academy players or sign and be prepared to play a few more Goslings (or should that be goslings)? After all, they could hardly contribute less to the cause than most of the names I have mentioned.
Brian Noble, Ince Blundell Posted 07/05/2008 at 09:08:26

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Stephen Davies
1 Posted 07/05/2008 at 13:57:49

David Weir..... past his best, maybe, but he will probably be playing in the Uefa Cup final ? not bad for someone past his best!

James Smith
2 Posted 07/05/2008 at 14:03:15

Sorry, Baines past his best? Behave yourself.

I have absolutely no problem re-signing an experienced, competent player who is happy to be backup, especially when it is likely he will be 3rd choice left-back.

Sean McNally
3 Posted 07/05/2008 at 14:01:20

Thats not he argument though Stephen. Can you say Moyes made a mistake in letting Weir go? Brian is spot on in his post.

To be honest Brian, it doesn't make sense. When we have Baines, Lescott and Neville who could all slot into the left-back role. I have a feeling Baines may be on his way out in the summer......hope not like.

Danny Naylor
4 Posted 07/05/2008 at 14:02:21

Cos we re-sign Valente doesn't mean it stops Academy players coming through. He?s experienced and a solid player when fit. We need squad depth so what's the problem?

Funding ain't tight but it would be if we have no cover for left back at some point and have to buy someone and bring in an unexperienced left back. Common sense really.

And Stubs was a rock last season IMO.

Andy Hudson
5 Posted 07/05/2008 at 14:18:07

I think it shows that Moyes would rather spend his transfer kitty on area where we desperatly need top quality new players... i.e. midfield. Nuno can still do a job, so rather then let him go and have to replace him with another player of similar ability as backup for a few million, he’d rather keep him. Makes sense to me. Moyes won’t want to have an even smaller squad then next season so will choose who to move on and who to bring in wisely. I very much doubt Nuno will feature next season.

Stephen Davies
6 Posted 07/05/2008 at 14:09:27

Sean, I?m not saying he is not past his best, even past his best he has played in over 50 games for Rangers this season, scored a couple of goals and had a quote from the present Scotland manager "I certainly haven?t ruled him out for the World Cup qualifiers. He is still playing exceptionally well. " Some people playing past their best are better than other who are playing at their best. He is 37 after all.

Adam Cunliffe
7 Posted 07/05/2008 at 15:47:20

Valente is good cover at left back. Hopefully next season Baines will be at left back and Lescott will be playing in his favoured centre back position alongside either Jags or Yobo. If this is the case then Valente will be good cover for Baines, who is rather injury prone himself.

Gavin James
8 Posted 07/05/2008 at 16:03:27

He’ll always have his critics but Duncan Ferguson deserved an extension after his efforts coming off the bench the year we finished 4th. Fair enough it didn’t work too well, he even almost blew his swan song against West Brom but I’m sure we all agreed with the decision to keep him at the time. Alan Stubbs was superb last season and even this year was instrumental in performances such as Spurs away. Obviously I agree with you about Gravesen though.
I would argue that Valente is as good a second choice left back as any in the league except Bridge at Chelsea and I’d much rather keep him on another year than face the possibilty of seeing Neville constantly cut in from the left side should we suffer defensive injuries next season to the same degree that we did attacking-wise this. If he’s happy to be back up and continues to do a job when needed then great.
I also think once Baines gets a good run in the team he’ll prove his worth, have people forgotten how he kept Ronaldo in his pocket at Goodison in September and still managed to get forwards?

Jason Broome
9 Posted 08/05/2008 at 00:50:47

Valente has played in World cups & European championsips (including a final), won Championships, Champions League and UEFA cups.

If you were going into a big game who would you want to be training with - Boyle, Rodwell or Valente. Valente has more experience in big games than anyone else at the club!

Andy Hudson is right. Moyes doesn’t want to be worried about left-backs next season. Give the guy a contract - end of.