ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Interesting soundbites

Firstly did anyone else notice David Bentley's little added comment of, "I want to play in the Champions League or at least Europe", opening the way for Everton to bid for him. He's English, an international proven, pacy... he's an ideal signing.

Secondly news of Manuel Fernandes signing for a supposed £6m is great news bargain buy in my eyes.

Thirdly has anyone else been impressed with Orlando Engelaar? He'd add that much needed height, calm passing ability and strength in midfield. Imagine of a midfield of Pienaar, Arteta, Engelaar, Cahill, Bentley.

Finally, why is it the 2nd Derby game is again away, surely no coincidence.
Thomas Hardy, Merseyside Posted 16/06/2008 at 16:48:55

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Lyndon Lloyd

Orlando Engelaar agreed to join Schalke 04 before Euro 2008 so he's not an option, I'm afraid.

Regarding the Anfield derby, it's been in the second half of the season almost every season for years now.

Connor Rohrer
1 Posted 16/06/2008 at 19:43:54

I don’t think Engelaar has agreed to join Schalke 04.......yet. I’m pretty sure they’ll only get him if they have the money. I could be wrong though.

Rob Foy
2 Posted 16/06/2008 at 20:25:47

To be honest, I wouldnt want Bentley in our side. He seems to have that spice boy attitude. Wasnt that the reason Arsenal got rid?

If he is saying he wants out now to get into a European side, say he does joine us and we dont hit 4th in the next 1-2 seasons, how long before decides he doesnt want to play for us?

No doubt he is quality on his day, but I feel it is a gamble and a short term fix.

Stuart Mitchell
3 Posted 16/06/2008 at 21:09:14

Rather have Neville in CM than Engelaar and I hate Neville in that position!

Did you not see how many passes Engelaar put astray!

Steve Studholme
4 Posted 16/06/2008 at 21:46:02

You have the potential to be Editor Lyndon. I would put you on a par with MK.

Danny Broderick
5 Posted 16/06/2008 at 22:05:28

Big deal if the 2nd derby is at Anfield, who gives a shit - all this conspiracy talk is doing my head in!

Steve Pendleton
6 Posted 17/06/2008 at 00:51:05

Can’t see why it’s an issue if we play them at Anfield second. Rather get the points on the board early in the Goodison fixture while we have a full squad.

Jason Lam
7 Posted 17/06/2008 at 02:59:56

If Bentley can perform for us like at Blackburn I don’t care how spicy he is. It’s a matter of man-management, which is exactly what the term ’MANager’ means! It’s their job to get the best out of the players!

Is Moyes better than Hughes?

Tony Part
8 Posted 17/06/2008 at 08:11:39

I dont think Moyes would go in for Bentley regardless of how good a player we think he is.

Bentley does come across as a bit of a Charlie Big Time and for my thinking he is the type of player who, if he came to a club like Everton and had a decent year or two, would be banging his own drums about a move to Liverpool or Man United, pretty much like he is now.

I would love Bentley based purely on the football side as I think he has lots of ability but I just can't see Moyes entering what would surely be a hard and long bidding auction.

Alan Whiting
9 Posted 17/06/2008 at 08:45:52

The exit of Cahill will allow Phil Neville to have a good run in the holding role in which he established his career at Old Trafford and won many of his 56 England caps. I have never understood the antipathy towards our skipper playing in a position to which his combative style is ideally suited and it is only when asked to be a constructive playmaker that he comes up short. A midfield of Arteta, Fernandes, Cahill and Pienaar in front of our Pip would certainly be my starting line-up.

Dave Griffin
10 Posted 17/06/2008 at 08:57:53

Bentley - great player, but is arrogant, disloyal and only interested in himself. He would cause more problems than he would solve. I reckon Moyes will steer well clear, and rightly so.

Connor Rohrer
11 Posted 17/06/2008 at 09:29:02

Are you joking Alan? Neville is a right back and nothing more. He played the majoirty of his games at right back for Utd and hopefully will do here.

He was never actually asked to play the playmaker role he was just asked to do a job which he failed to do every time bar one or two games.

Combative style? I’d even question that. Neville continually gives silly free kicks away in dangerous areas and I’ve even saw he shit out of tackles. I wouldn’t call him combative at all. Hardworking, decent cross and a good captain yes but not a defensive midfielder. Carsley although I wasn’t the biggest fan of was without doubt combative Neville sadly isn’t.

I’d have him in my team at right back. He doesn’t have the distribution to play in midfield which is needed. He was found out in the 05/06 season when he played as the defensive midfielder behind Cahill in a 4-4-2. Plus we need height and some physical presence in midfield and Neville offers neither.

For me Neville plays right back or he’s on the bench.......simple as. As I said though I hope your joking.

Gary Tan
12 Posted 17/06/2008 at 09:37:15

Alan, the reason why Nev can never play MF is that he can’t pass, can’t tackle, can’t dribble or shoot. Case closed.

Rob Lyons
13 Posted 17/06/2008 at 10:12:34

I am sure you mean the exit of Carsley Alan! I hope Cahill has not gone, I know he was out injured a long time so it feels like he has!!

Patty Beesley
14 Posted 17/06/2008 at 11:46:12

And did anybody note that Aston Villa have bid £15 mil for Bentley. Is he worth that amount? Can?t see Davey paying that sort of money for him - poor sod has to make the cash go around. Anyway, from what I can see, Bentley is a bit "gobby" and don?t think he would fit in particularly although I do think he is a good player.

Andy Callan
15 Posted 17/06/2008 at 12:28:41

£15m for Bentley? Fook that.

Fernandez wouldn’t be too bad if he turned out to be any good....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He was garbage the back end of last season; he is too small.

11 Lescott’s we need.

Ciarán McGlone
16 Posted 17/06/2008 at 12:58:58

There’s that little jingoistic soundbite again..’He’s English’

Who gives a flying fuck what nationality he is!

Ciarán McGlone
17 Posted 17/06/2008 at 13:00:35

The exit of Cahill will allow Phil Neville to have a good run in the holding role in which he established his career at Old Trafford and won many of his 56 England caps

Holy good fuck!

He played twice in that role for England and about the same amount of times for Man Utd ... and was fuckin useless...... in much the same way that he?s been absolute crap in midfield for us.

Sean Allinson
18 Posted 17/06/2008 at 13:01:45

Don?t think the extra proviso ?or at least in Europe? was aimed at us. More likely justifying his likely transit to Man City and the arms of Sparkey. Would love to have him at Goodison though. Him, Fernandes and Huddlestone would be fantastic aquisitions this summer. Dream on.

Andy Jones
19 Posted 17/06/2008 at 15:02:29

Bentley is crap, end of. thinks he’s much better than he actually is and wouldnt get into any of the top four sides apart from the shite coz they buy shite.

godrey jones
20 Posted 17/06/2008 at 15:53:38

way off Sean Allinson...

Mark Hughes and David Bentley never got on, so he aint gonna follow him to Man City...

James Marshall
21 Posted 17/06/2008 at 16:35:46

Bentley = overated, idiotic and too big for his little boots.

Arshavin = we’re only interested in him cos he played against us in the UEFA cup last year - nobody else had even heard of him until all the paper talk.

We should just sign Manny, at least we know what we’re gonna get.

Alan Clarke
22 Posted 17/06/2008 at 20:57:36

Bentley will either:

Sign for the RS where they’ll realise he’s not actually that good and he’ll moan about being left on the bench as part of Roffa’s "rotation policy". He will continue to moan about how it’s affecting his chances of appearing for Engerland.

OR

He’ll sign for Villa where he’ll play reasonably well but largely ineffective then moan about how he should be playing for a side in the Champions League causing disharmony amongst their squad.

I don’t want this little rat faced idiot anywhere near Everton.

Ste Lewis
23 Posted 17/06/2008 at 22:23:19

Yes he is rat-faced and ive never seen him track back when possession is lost BUT his striking of a ball is exemplary. Technically he reminds me of Zola (in his delivery - he’s obviously shitter). Is he an Everton player? No, he’s a fucking fancy dan BUT thats the level we need - without the ego.

Sean Allinson
24 Posted 18/06/2008 at 09:14:45

Godfrey,

Ive never heard that rumour. Can you substantiate it? The Rovers chairman has just been describing a conversation between himself, Hughes and the player at the end of last season where Sparkey was asking Bentley to stay at Blackburn. Doesn’t sound like there was any lack of respect. Spill the beans!

I’d love him at Goodison but my money is still on City.

Luke Dunn
25 Posted 18/06/2008 at 10:53:36

By the way, Engelaar has spent most of his career at mid table dutch league sides, had a brief spell in belgium at another mediorce side. Now, after 5 mins at Euro 2008, he is hailed as Carsley?s replacement. Against France, the manager could not get him off the ptich quick enough. Let's set our sights higher than him.

Kevin Jones
26 Posted 18/06/2008 at 12:09:32

I remember Bentley scored a free kick this season and celebrated by pushing his team mates away and shouting " that’s who i am" now he’s not a bad player but we do not need overrated bigheads strutting round the pitch only worried about themselves, £15m is £10m to much. IMO Tom Huddlestone would be a much better buy he just oozes class a can play centre halve as good as midfield and imagine how good he’d be once Moysey got him fit. However our 1st and most important signing should be Moyes himself !

Mike Grundy
27 Posted 18/06/2008 at 13:39:22

??Fernandes wouldn?t be too bad if he turned out to be any good....!!! He was garbage the back end of last season; he is too small??

I seem to remember him running the show against Newcastle!!