ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

The 'Big Name' game

During a piece on who the new Manchester City manager will be, the reporter started talking about who they would sign. It was interesting to note that all the talk was about 'big names' i.e. a person who will sell out the stadium, in their words a 'Michael Jordan of football'. In fact they did not mention the players' ability once.

For me, ability is the most important thing ? names mean nothing unless the talent is there to back it up. I would rather take a no-name from the Championship who could become a great than signing a player to increase shirt sales.

Surely a successful team will breed success in selling the merchandise... Or am I being naive?
Rob Heaton, Crewe Posted 02/06/2008 at 16:19:22

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Davey Militwitch
1 Posted 02/06/2008 at 17:59:01

Lost the trail of your post a bit there Rob,
Talking about managers one minute then moving onto the players?

If you mean big name managrs should not be chosen over domestic championship managers then I am inclined to agreee with you, the problem usually lies in the fact that big nam managers usually are successful people, Eriksson being a good example.

If you are referring to players, then I think the exact same principle applies, in our case we signed Yakubu, which if we cast our minds back came from out of nowhere-but why did we sign him? Because with his reputation, wherever he has played he scores goals. The same cant be said about Vaughan or Anichebe.

The key is really striking a balance of up and comers against tried and tested quality pro’s. We are not far off a good balance I think we have some good potential and craft, we just need to add quality-and that means going fo big names like Arshavin or Joaquin and the like.

Rob Heaton
2 Posted 02/06/2008 at 18:13:35

Sorry for being obscure.

I was talking about players but mentioned the manager stuff as it was in a report on managers that sky started talking about players

Jermaine J. J. Johnson
3 Posted 02/06/2008 at 19:04:32

Yo Rob, Yo is being naive man

Nick Entwistle
4 Posted 02/06/2008 at 21:48:46

Beckham sold shirts while Ronaldino won titles.

Tony Marks
5 Posted 02/06/2008 at 22:26:08

It was interesting to note that all the talk was about ’big names’ i.e. a person who will sell out the stadium, in their words a ’Michael Jordan of football’

What price Beckham for a last shot at the Prem and for a ridiculous amount of wonga?

Ciaran Duff
6 Posted 03/06/2008 at 00:47:32

I think Rob has a point. Sure ability will lead to better performance and success which is, of course, the main aim. However, I think that having some star quality in your team does bring in more punters through the gates and also across the globe which also brings in the $s. Most kids (and even big kids) want an idol to look up to. Beckham and Ronaldo are the obvious recent examples (In my day it was probably Alan Ball!). I think that "star quality" along with success & ability on the park which places Manure ahead of the other Sky4 teams.
For Everton, all we want to concentrate on is clawing our way up to compete with the Sky4 with graft, ability & whatever it takes. Hopefully we’ll pick up some star quality along the way. If not, we’ll worry about that when we get up there.

Anthony Dilworth
7 Posted 03/06/2008 at 14:01:39

Now is the time for Everton to make a statement of intent for next season and go out and buy David Bentley and Gareth Barry, for £20M. At the price Jo was reported to have been going to cost, we could have 2 England regulars .

Bentley would give us the width and crosses so badly missed last season and Barry would take the Lee Carsley role. It would cost more in wages than Jo but do we really need another forward when we are so short in midield?