COLUMNIST JOHN HOLMES
A Warning Shot
By John Holmes : 08/07/2008 : 
Comments (89) :
Comments (89) : It seems increasingly likely that Andy Johnson, our once record signing, is on his way out of Goodison. Some will miss him, by all accounts a popular figure at the club and an unquestionably dedicated professional, he lit up the early months of his first season at Everton. Nonetheless many believe he has lost his ?edge? and the instinct for direct running that brought goals and penalties in plentiful supply. Increasingly finding himself running towards corner flags, he was an almost comically ineffective by the back end of last season; a paltry goal return glaringly obvious in comparison with the relatively free-scoring Yakubu.
The roots of his poor form are unclear. Physical limitations, one-dimensional performances, lack of service, low confidence and scandalous refereeing (the latter two partially fuelled by the words of Arsene Wenger) all contributed. Despite all this Johnson still brings something to the Everton team. He makes space for team mates (when there are any willing do something as novel as get in the box), provides an out-ball from defence, an option from the bench and is the only forward or midfielder than can lay claim to any genuine pace. Indeed, he?s the fastest player in the Premiership if you believe Opta.
Given all this, it?s perhaps unsurprising that, poor form accepted, Moyes seems reluctant to let him go. Always a fan of a good pro and desperately short on numbers, the manager?s weakening resolve appears to be based on the pragmatism of freeing up funds rather than any vision for the team?s future. A sale on those ground would herald a new phase in Moyes? stewardship of the club. For six years he has sought to bring exciting, young talent into the squad. The exceptional case of Rooney aside, this would be the first time one of those talents has exited for reasons other than ability.
Despite the transfer rumours, the youthful team Moyes has built have committed themselves wholly to the cause, inked the long-term deals and fought for the vision of driving Everton back to glory. Those who have left, Beattie, McFadden, Kilbane, Bent for example, were either clear stop-gaps or never really convinced that they were up to the job. Johnson is different. This time Moyes isn?t selling because he?s surplus to requirements or hasn?t kept pace with improvements, he?s selling to buy. The team he?s painstakingly constructed is falling prey to the financial failings of the club.
Does it matter? If the sale allows us to bring in two adequate replacements then surely it?s good business. Wrong. The sale of Johnson would be disruptive. The media like to talk about how Ferguson is onto his fourth or fifth United team or Wenger his third Arsenal team. No one else really gets a look in in these debates as they don?t hang around long enough but, after six years at the club, Moyes should. His first team were the hardy pros who took us to the brink of the Champions League in 2005. This season should be the solidification of the second team; the young talents who consolidate the gains of Moyes? tenure and provide the foundations for the final assault.
By selling Johnson to keep the project going, the work of team-building is disturbed. His departure would not be the smooth natural wastage we saw when Ferguson moved on Neville, Butt and Beckham from the class of ?92, it is more akin to the enforced changes seen at clubs like Portsmouth and Bolton. Transfers which enable them to refresh their personnel but in doing so destabilise the team and risk transitional spells where advances made are rapidly lost as players adjust to changes around them.
This is maybe an exaggeration if it?s just one player, but who?s to say it wouldn?t set a precedent? A sizeable bid for Osman, Anichebe or Hibbert would sound like good business but suddenly a host of new faces are needed to replace them. With that comes upheaval and a bedding in period, otherwise known as mid-table mediocrity.
Perhaps the sale of Johnson would be a one-off to get us through a difficult summer. Maybe the rumours of limited funds are untrue and Moyes sees Johnson?s sale as good value for a fading talent or an opportunity to raise money for a big signing like Bentley. Perhaps he won?t be sold at all. However, the replenishment of resources through big money sales is something Everton should avoid at all costs. That way lies Newcastle or Spurs ? perennial underachievement induced by turbulence and uncertainty with players who don?t know if their established patterns of play will be repeatedly sacrificed in the name of renewal. If that?s to be the case, frankly I?d rather keep Johnson and take what we can afford to bolster the squad. Big signings can be made next season and Moyes has proved himself adept at coping with what he?s got. Anything but stagnation in a cycle of ?this is our season? just like the last five where we?ve finished 9th .?
Much of this is speculative and the club?s respectful silence on transfers always leads us up blind alleys. However, one of the hallmarks of our upturn in fortunes has been stability and steady progress. Maintaining this is surely the key to our continued progression.
Reader Comments
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It looks like we’ll be playing 4-5-1 for sometime to come so providing we have a fully fit Cahill, I see Johnson only performing a bit-part role. If somebody is willing to pay £10 million then Johnson is an expensive luxury to have warming the bench and becomes the ’natural wastage’ to which you refer. I think it is a sign of times that we can even talk about moving on players like Johnson as in the past we’d have been completely reliant on them. I’d much prefer to see £10 million recouped and spent on a player who can be gainfully employed in our quest to reach that next level. A decent central midfielder would be a start. I really thought Johnson would cut it but for whatever reason it hasn’t happened, cash in, move on
Calulcated risk? Vaughen stays fit all season we play 4-5-1? Does AJ have the mental strength to play for the blues. Listen to the Yak after bad games he does not care about missing chances he knows he is top class and will just get on with it. My fear for AJ he just cannot put things behind him and get on with it, in short he does not think he is a top player himself
Perhaps an extra £10m to afford Arshavin??
First of all, I am a Johnson fan but in my own opinion the only reason why Moyes may sell Johnson would be because of the following: Johnson & Yak are not a good strike duo. 4-5-1 is more effective with Cahill behind the Yak. As one of the above have mentioned he is a very expensive benchwarmer and the longer we keep him the lower his value may come down whilst not playing.£10m plus Scharner would be a good deal.
My only BIG concern is that every player so far we have approached have decided to go to clubs that are not as big as Everton. I have even seen just now that Milito would prefer to join Genoa than us!!..Darren Fletcher surely must not of been on Moyes A, B or even E wish list.
Too small, too light and has lost that yard that made him score when other wouldn?t. He helped get us where we are but we now need better to push on. Trust in Moyes. He knows what he is doing. Moyes has made us proud to be blue again,
KEIOC. Two teams one City!!!!!
KEIOC. Two teams one City!!!!!
Good article. Very good. Honest and factual
I can’t agree with John Holmes on this one.
Andy Johnson is simply no longer the player we bought for £8.6 million. If you do not believe me then check out the goals from his time at Palace at this link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdYKZPpj6Ew
Last season he was a shadow of his former self, perhaps due to injury or lack of mental strength. Either way it makes sense to sell him at a profit when his star is fading.
Assuming we are playing 451 next season then he would be 4th choice for me behind Yak, Vaughan and Anichebe. The money we make from his sale can be better utilised in midfield.
Andy Johnson is simply no longer the player we bought for £8.6 million. If you do not believe me then check out the goals from his time at Palace at this link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdYKZPpj6Ew
Last season he was a shadow of his former self, perhaps due to injury or lack of mental strength. Either way it makes sense to sell him at a profit when his star is fading.
Assuming we are playing 451 next season then he would be 4th choice for me behind Yak, Vaughan and Anichebe. The money we make from his sale can be better utilised in midfield.
Who's to say AJ isn't a stop-gap, a bridge to another level like those before him. People assume the worst (well we have got previous I suppose). People would soon stop moaning if he goes and a bigger, brighter star sails in. I have confidence that if AJ goes, we have something much better in mind.
Problem for me is AJ is twice the player Anichebe is, and I can't see Vaughan staying fit for more than a few months at a time (love to be proven wrong) If the Yak gets injured, or goes through a rough patch, or looks dissinterested like he did at times last season we are up shit creep.
If he goes, then I think we are going to need another striker, as well as a few midfielders and a back up keeper.
I dunno, unless Moyes has someone better lined up, this looks like a pointless sale to me.
If he goes, then I think we are going to need another striker, as well as a few midfielders and a back up keeper.
I dunno, unless Moyes has someone better lined up, this looks like a pointless sale to me.
4-5-1 has been the basis of team formation since David Moyes dumbfounded the sceptics with the acquisition of the unfancied Tim Cahill and the journeyman Marcus Bent. Cahill has undoubtedly been worth his weight in gold with a goal return ratio of 1 in almost 3, proving to be only effective in a 4-5-1 and the arrival of the Yak has brought with it a genuine 20+ a season poacher. Add to this that we are desperately short in midfield and require a lynchpin to replace Carsley then the sale of AJ makes good business sense. Cahiill and Vaughan’s return from injury will negate the loss of Johnson and with a player brought in on loan such as Milito, prospects such as Aggard in the youth team, and the funds available for midfield reinforcements then my feeling is that Moyes is once again making a shrewd move and profiteering on a player unlikely to realise such a valuation again in the future.
I think its a calculated gamble by Moyes in order to generate an extra £10m to fund 2 or 3 large transfer fees - quesswork but three top quality midfield players, probably totalling £25m for them all - Senna, Amiar, Fernades. This should hopefully still leave him £5-7m in the pot for a couple of squad players (goalkeeper + defender)
I think he will go with attacking options from Yakubu,Vaughan,Anichebe, Lukas and Cahill. The gamble is Vaughan and Cahill being injury free and Anichebe and Lukas stepping up a few gears.
I think he will go with attacking options from Yakubu,Vaughan,Anichebe, Lukas and Cahill. The gamble is Vaughan and Cahill being injury free and Anichebe and Lukas stepping up a few gears.
I really found the article well thought out and written...However, as asked by others...how can the likes of Wigan afford 10 million while we seemingly cannot ?? Fans love to see new exciting players coming into the club to supplement and hopefully improve the team, but we are always looking for scraps instead of being contendors for at least a couple of the big names being auctioned off. Last season was a big money spinner and all we have done is offload so far...Players will come to clubs who pay well so we must be pretty low payers as time and again we lose out at the final hurdle...Im afraid all the talk of a bigger new stadium is completely lost on me unless we have a really top class team on the pitch...our fans are deserving of much better, and its about time the board put their hands in their pockets and REALLY backed DM with a really decent budget for the coming season. Its glaringly obvious that we need at least four new players including at least one star name....then we can consider offers for AJ...but certainly not before.
He was expensive, but needed 2 seasons back, but he’s turned out no better than I expected.
Only 4 strikers on the books, he would need replacing, maybe there’s a bunch of free transfers around, because the money will have to go to the midfield.
Only 4 strikers on the books, he would need replacing, maybe there’s a bunch of free transfers around, because the money will have to go to the midfield.
Mr Holmes.do you know something we don?t? I can?t see that we?ve actually sold AJ or bought anyone for that matter.. One point though, I would think that like any manager worth their salt or had any ambition David Moyes would move on if he could not improve his squad.
If it?s the case that we have to sell AJ to raise funds, it would be just another example of this club suffering under the current board and owner. I don?t know how much longer we can last like this... AJ isn't perfect, but if he does go, are we assured of getting a equal replacement? How the hell has it come to this??
I like Vic, I like his attitude, but I have grave reservations as to whether he?ll prove good enough to fire us into the top four.
Vaughany is probably more promising, but he does go for balls he can't possibly win. If he changes his style, his game may suffer; if he doesn't, then more lengthy spells on the treatment table are inevitable.
The Yak is class, but he?s prone to long barren spells, it's happened everywhere he?s been
With Cahill looking far from certain to start the season it would be utter fucking madness to move AJ on, he isn't top draw ? they cost £20M+ ? but he?s the best we can afford.
Can we please put this talk of Arshavin to bed too, even mentioning him is just wasting everyone's time, even if he turned his back on the best teams in Europe, we couldn't afford his wages.
Vaughany is probably more promising, but he does go for balls he can't possibly win. If he changes his style, his game may suffer; if he doesn't, then more lengthy spells on the treatment table are inevitable.
The Yak is class, but he?s prone to long barren spells, it's happened everywhere he?s been
With Cahill looking far from certain to start the season it would be utter fucking madness to move AJ on, he isn't top draw ? they cost £20M+ ? but he?s the best we can afford.
Can we please put this talk of Arshavin to bed too, even mentioning him is just wasting everyone's time, even if he turned his back on the best teams in Europe, we couldn't afford his wages.
Its pointless talking about the pro?s & cons of AJ as this has nothing to do with it, its just about money.
Moyes was quick too publically state AJ was NOT for sale & to try to get Kenright to re-iterate that, which he did BUT with some wiggle room. My reading of this was Moyes trying to back Kenright into a corner of finding NEW cash to buy players rather than having to sell & weaken the squad further to fill the gaping holes in midfield. Its obvious to all but the blind & the ?stoopid? that we?ve got no money and can only assume ( as there is NO transparency ) that he?s paying back Earl, Greene et al out of the sky money now they?ve apparentley jumped ship. Moyes knows this & consequently won?t sign his contract as with ?Bankrupt Billy Bullshit? at the helm he knows we?ve gone as far as he can take us.
It was my birthday this week & as I blew out my candles my 10-year-old (Everton mad) daughter Megan said, "Make a wish, make a wish."
Later on, before bed, she asked what I?d wished for & whispered was it Moyes signing his contract as that's what she really wanted & wished for so we could go on improving. Sad thing was that?s what I had wished for but hadn?t the heart to tell her I didn?t think it would happen as he?s reached the end of the road with us. Perhaps I should start praying for a miracle intead.
Nice posts Trevor, Marc. I too am far from certain that Moyes is committed to the club at the moment.
Fourth choice says Dave. Do you know how many goals Anichebe scored last season ? According to the stats it was just the ONE ! But of course he is better than Johnson.
I also wrote this on the other thread regarding Johnson. As long as the likes of Jagielka keep lashing the ball upfield at varying heights then Johnson will have no chance whatsoever against a bloody great centre back.
However if our defenders can be convinced to keep the ball on the deck then Johnson will thrive. If only by his pace.
Oh and preferably not towards the corner flag !
He should NOT be sold !!
Fourth choice says Dave. Do you know how many goals Anichebe scored last season ? According to the stats it was just the ONE ! But of course he is better than Johnson.
I also wrote this on the other thread regarding Johnson. As long as the likes of Jagielka keep lashing the ball upfield at varying heights then Johnson will have no chance whatsoever against a bloody great centre back.
However if our defenders can be convinced to keep the ball on the deck then Johnson will thrive. If only by his pace.
Oh and preferably not towards the corner flag !
He should NOT be sold !!
Completely disagree. Johnson has lost any confidence since those Puppets Wenger and Mourinho falsely accused him of being a diver. Now you would have to send one of his legs to row Z and he still wouldn’t appeal for a penalty. He should have turned around and ripped into them. That aside i think he’s championship at best. Ok he scored about 17-18 for Palace one year but around 10 were penalties.(granted he may have got most of them) Even when he got off to a flyer every goal was a deflection even Neville pointed it out and these need luck and that doesn’t last. Sooner or later you need to be doing it on ability and he hasn’t got what it takes at this level. Do you honestly think Moyes would sell a player he thought would be an intergral part off his first team. What your saying is he would sell the likes of Howard, Lescott Yobo or any of the other players just to fund buys from outside only to take a gamble on them settling in and justifying there fee’s. If Johnson leaves it’s because he’s not good enough. Everybody mentions his work rate but to me he’s just another Radzinski only not as good. So forget the tranfer fee we paid and the England caps i’ll be glad to get a profit on him and wish him all the best.
I agree with what I see as the majority. I we can get 10M for AJ, we’ve obtained an even better side of the bargain than we did selling Jimmy Mac. He’s basically going the same way as Marcus Bent: hard worker but can’t score.
But if it’s a choice between AJ and Arshavin who would you have?
1- Yak cost 11.25mil so to sell Johnson (a player nowhere near Yaks quality) for 10mil represents good business.
2- Who actually feels confident that AJ will score when he is lone striker? I certainly don’t anymore.
3- Moyes/Kenwright would never say he is for sale as then his value drops. How is that at all linked to our transfer pot.
4- Surely it’s best to offload players before making purchases otherwise you may sign new players and not move on current ones.
5- Think about 10mil for AJ plus the McFadden money and who we may be getting for that?
Everton have already said we will be breaking our transfer record again and sadly AJ is nowhere near a 10mil player.
2- Who actually feels confident that AJ will score when he is lone striker? I certainly don’t anymore.
3- Moyes/Kenwright would never say he is for sale as then his value drops. How is that at all linked to our transfer pot.
4- Surely it’s best to offload players before making purchases otherwise you may sign new players and not move on current ones.
5- Think about 10mil for AJ plus the McFadden money and who we may be getting for that?
Everton have already said we will be breaking our transfer record again and sadly AJ is nowhere near a 10mil player.
oh get over yourself!
Lets keep an asset that we dont need and dosn’t fit in to our style of play because we shouldn’t be seen as a selling club. Every club sells players to buy players.The deadline day sale of benjarni to city to fund defoe is the most recent and obvious one (look how that turned out by the way) but even the sky four do it with there frankly ridiculas funds. RS have just sold Crouch, Mourinho didn’t want to sell Duff (yes he’s been shite but Jose rated him) and even ferguson didnt wana sell pip to us. Fact is you cant fit square pegs in to round holes and keeping a player like aj will firstly lower his self asteme, lowering his value sharply as theres no way he will start reguarly. "bring him on from the bench" - a good option but not a viable one - i doubt he will stand for that. he did well against pompey doing this yes buit stricktly a 1 off and, as the person he is, i doubt he would accept it and although i dont rate him as a player i do like him as a person and don’t think thats fair for a professional.
keeping him would be niave as he’s our only seelable asset and to get a player for £10m, well, theres a lot of better, younger, players out there. it wouldn’t be niave - just good business. And like it or not, thats what football is these days (and its not new - im only 23 but im sure when we bought tony kay in the 60’s we had to sell someone to get him so its hardly a new thing)
Lets keep an asset that we dont need and dosn’t fit in to our style of play because we shouldn’t be seen as a selling club. Every club sells players to buy players.The deadline day sale of benjarni to city to fund defoe is the most recent and obvious one (look how that turned out by the way) but even the sky four do it with there frankly ridiculas funds. RS have just sold Crouch, Mourinho didn’t want to sell Duff (yes he’s been shite but Jose rated him) and even ferguson didnt wana sell pip to us. Fact is you cant fit square pegs in to round holes and keeping a player like aj will firstly lower his self asteme, lowering his value sharply as theres no way he will start reguarly. "bring him on from the bench" - a good option but not a viable one - i doubt he will stand for that. he did well against pompey doing this yes buit stricktly a 1 off and, as the person he is, i doubt he would accept it and although i dont rate him as a player i do like him as a person and don’t think thats fair for a professional.
keeping him would be niave as he’s our only seelable asset and to get a player for £10m, well, theres a lot of better, younger, players out there. it wouldn’t be niave - just good business. And like it or not, thats what football is these days (and its not new - im only 23 but im sure when we bought tony kay in the 60’s we had to sell someone to get him so its hardly a new thing)
If this is true - then Everton FC are truly financially fucked
Am I wrong to look for logic in all of this? When I read about selling AJ I just ask why?
A manager with long term views should know the style of team he is looking to build. He would hardly go out and pay 8 million quido for a stop-gap, just because he becomes available.
We have a good group of strikers, ably assisted by mid-field and, dare I say it, Joleon Lescott from the back. But we are sadly missing one particular style of player in mid-field. So, why sell AJ and bring in a striker. Sometimes it’s better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.
The logic says maybe the Board ain’t offering the cash to buy a ’pricey’ mid-fielder. So perhaps DM is forced to consider selling AJ (simple from the PR view because he didn’t perform too well last season) to get the cash to fix the glaring gap in mid-field that is even more obvious now that Cars has gone.
COYB
A manager with long term views should know the style of team he is looking to build. He would hardly go out and pay 8 million quido for a stop-gap, just because he becomes available.
We have a good group of strikers, ably assisted by mid-field and, dare I say it, Joleon Lescott from the back. But we are sadly missing one particular style of player in mid-field. So, why sell AJ and bring in a striker. Sometimes it’s better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.
The logic says maybe the Board ain’t offering the cash to buy a ’pricey’ mid-fielder. So perhaps DM is forced to consider selling AJ (simple from the PR view because he didn’t perform too well last season) to get the cash to fix the glaring gap in mid-field that is even more obvious now that Cars has gone.
COYB
If Arshavin comes in for AJ all is forgiven. Worse scenario is the money goes back to the board for other ’projects’. Like what happened to the Faddy money.
Just giz us some replacements and all is forgiven FFS.
Just giz us some replacements and all is forgiven FFS.
So perhaps DM is forced to consider selling AJ... to get the cash to fix the glaring gap in mid-field that is even more obvious now that Cars has gone.
That’s pretty much it, Bob. He has to sell to buy and AJ is one of our most sale-able yet dispensable assets. And people wonder why he hasn’t signed a new contract...
That’s pretty much it, Bob. He has to sell to buy and AJ is one of our most sale-able yet dispensable assets. And people wonder why he hasn’t signed a new contract...
If we are truly holding out hope of progressing on last year, which has been reiterated at all levels within the club’s hierarchy over the past few months, then selling AJ is not an option.
We need to buy the class of midfielder who will allow the Yak and AJ to play together. The Yak has proved himself more than capable of holding the ball up. AJ is mobile and can get past defenders, with the right delivery. We need 3 new midfielders and to keep the players we have.
Progress has come by integrating better players into the side we have and by moving on older players or players of limited ability.
AJ is a good player. Not up there with the Berbatovs, Ronaldos and perhaps Yakubus of the Premier League, but he gives a real good option.
Sorry, but Vic is not even close to AJ in terms of ability, attitude and scoring ability. Vaughan can’t be relied on (yet). Which would leave us with one first choice striker.
Maybe Moyes has something up his sleeve, to replace AJ with. I hope I’m proved wrong with my ramblings above, but for me last season’s return of 31 goals for the first 2 strikers isn’t too bad. Especially considering the obvious deficiencies in midfield.
Keep the 4 strikers + Cahill and buy 3 good midfielders to enable a Yak/AJ partnership. That should do it....... easy eh?
We need to buy the class of midfielder who will allow the Yak and AJ to play together. The Yak has proved himself more than capable of holding the ball up. AJ is mobile and can get past defenders, with the right delivery. We need 3 new midfielders and to keep the players we have.
Progress has come by integrating better players into the side we have and by moving on older players or players of limited ability.
AJ is a good player. Not up there with the Berbatovs, Ronaldos and perhaps Yakubus of the Premier League, but he gives a real good option.
Sorry, but Vic is not even close to AJ in terms of ability, attitude and scoring ability. Vaughan can’t be relied on (yet). Which would leave us with one first choice striker.
Maybe Moyes has something up his sleeve, to replace AJ with. I hope I’m proved wrong with my ramblings above, but for me last season’s return of 31 goals for the first 2 strikers isn’t too bad. Especially considering the obvious deficiencies in midfield.
Keep the 4 strikers + Cahill and buy 3 good midfielders to enable a Yak/AJ partnership. That should do it....... easy eh?
Steve Carter -
1/Jimmy Mcwa sold to balance the books (pay creditors or wages). It was a short-term fix.
2/ It weakened the team (we were short in the run in & could have done with him aiming for fourth & the REAL money that would bring).
It was just like this: Short-term panic as opposed to long-term planning. Do you really think that if Moyes HAD money he would sell? NO & he said so last week.
Eric Myles : Its NOT so get fucking real eh !!!
1/Jimmy Mcwa sold to balance the books (pay creditors or wages). It was a short-term fix.
2/ It weakened the team (we were short in the run in & could have done with him aiming for fourth & the REAL money that would bring).
It was just like this: Short-term panic as opposed to long-term planning. Do you really think that if Moyes HAD money he would sell? NO & he said so last week.
Eric Myles : Its NOT so get fucking real eh !!!
Can’t be arsed to do any work yet, so here are the goal tallys for the top 2 scorers (all competitions) of those clubs we were directly competing against in the second half of last season: -
Everton - 31 (Yak & AJ)
Villa - 24 (Carew & Agbonglahor)
Portsmouth - 20 (Mwaruwari)
Liverpool - 54 (Torres & Gerrard)
Man City - 16 (Elano & Vassell)
I know that these statistics don’t prove anything, but for me it suggests that the strikers at Everton aren’t necessarily the limiting factor in our league position.
Everton - 31 (Yak & AJ)
Villa - 24 (Carew & Agbonglahor)
Portsmouth - 20 (Mwaruwari)
Liverpool - 54 (Torres & Gerrard)
Man City - 16 (Elano & Vassell)
I know that these statistics don’t prove anything, but for me it suggests that the strikers at Everton aren’t necessarily the limiting factor in our league position.
Mark Cassin, Under normal circumstances I may agree with you, but clearly our club is suffering from a bout of very abnormal circumstances.
In answer to your questions 4 and 5 again I may agree except for one factor. Where has the money for McFadden gone? Who would we buy for the, what is now, paltry sum of £15m?
Are we really that desperate that we are now selling off players to make up Moyes transfer kitty?
So many questions and a deafening silence from Goodison Park. Except of course unless you include Ian Ross who has promised that Moyes?s transfer budget will not be affected by any move.
Could this be because they have given Moyes sod all to start with?
In answer to your questions 4 and 5 again I may agree except for one factor. Where has the money for McFadden gone? Who would we buy for the, what is now, paltry sum of £15m?
Are we really that desperate that we are now selling off players to make up Moyes transfer kitty?
So many questions and a deafening silence from Goodison Park. Except of course unless you include Ian Ross who has promised that Moyes?s transfer budget will not be affected by any move.
Could this be because they have given Moyes sod all to start with?
Terry Smith
"I have even seen just now that Milito would prefer to join Genoa than us"
Pardon my eyesight but didn?t Milito spend the entirety of last season on loan at Genoa, or at least part of it?
This might sound naive of me, but maybe Hispanic players prefer Hispanic climates ? let?s face it, England is hardly renowned for it?s golden beaches and bikini-clad ladies (well, except in town on a Saturday night)
On the AJ debate, I think it could do well for the lad if he moved on. He?s quite clearly short on confidence borne out of frustration. Our gameplan barely suits him either, you only have to look at the number of balls into the channels he chases. For £10 mill I?d bite Wigan?s hand off, get a midfield enforcer and a cheap striker to plug a gap because that is not where the problem is, it?s midfield.
And also forgive me for thinking but weren?t we panicking last time around about lack of funds and then suddenly in August we spunked £20 mill on Baines, Pienaar and Yakubu? What I believe happened is that we waited for the TV money to appear in the account before spending it, and I believe this is what?ll happen in three weeks time. Maybe Moyes is waiting to see how much he can spend before spending it - it?s called spending within the means and in the economic climate then that?s no mean thing.
But hey, let?s not let the facts get in the way of board criticism. After all, that?s what this board is really for, isn?t it?
"I have even seen just now that Milito would prefer to join Genoa than us"
Pardon my eyesight but didn?t Milito spend the entirety of last season on loan at Genoa, or at least part of it?
This might sound naive of me, but maybe Hispanic players prefer Hispanic climates ? let?s face it, England is hardly renowned for it?s golden beaches and bikini-clad ladies (well, except in town on a Saturday night)
On the AJ debate, I think it could do well for the lad if he moved on. He?s quite clearly short on confidence borne out of frustration. Our gameplan barely suits him either, you only have to look at the number of balls into the channels he chases. For £10 mill I?d bite Wigan?s hand off, get a midfield enforcer and a cheap striker to plug a gap because that is not where the problem is, it?s midfield.
And also forgive me for thinking but weren?t we panicking last time around about lack of funds and then suddenly in August we spunked £20 mill on Baines, Pienaar and Yakubu? What I believe happened is that we waited for the TV money to appear in the account before spending it, and I believe this is what?ll happen in three weeks time. Maybe Moyes is waiting to see how much he can spend before spending it - it?s called spending within the means and in the economic climate then that?s no mean thing.
But hey, let?s not let the facts get in the way of board criticism. After all, that?s what this board is really for, isn?t it?
Good article, John - I?d quibble on one point: the assumption of yours (and respondents to you, in fact) that Moyes?s "resolve to keep Johnson has weakened". This is based on nothing. No indication from Moyes that he?s shifted on his position regarding AJ ? the power of the local media to imply this is at work in your assumptions.
David Moyes emphatically (nay, categorically) stated 12 days ago that it was ?quite simple?: Andy Johnson is part of his squad and will remain a crucial figure in it. What?s changed? Well, Moyes is out of the country ? as is the player ? and the club have surruptitiously placed stories of the impending sale (no quotes, of course, that would take courage from someonne down at L4 and we all know that these spineless turds are in short supply of that commodity).
Don't add grist to the mill. Demand a Moyes statement. If he says it?s AJ out the door with his blessing, that would be a strange ? not to mention an embarrassing ? U-turn by the manager, but acceptable. Anything short of that is just playing the Goodison PR machine game for them.
David Moyes emphatically (nay, categorically) stated 12 days ago that it was ?quite simple?: Andy Johnson is part of his squad and will remain a crucial figure in it. What?s changed? Well, Moyes is out of the country ? as is the player ? and the club have surruptitiously placed stories of the impending sale (no quotes, of course, that would take courage from someonne down at L4 and we all know that these spineless turds are in short supply of that commodity).
Don't add grist to the mill. Demand a Moyes statement. If he says it?s AJ out the door with his blessing, that would be a strange ? not to mention an embarrassing ? U-turn by the manager, but acceptable. Anything short of that is just playing the Goodison PR machine game for them.
Just the facts maam.
Moyes has said he doesn't want to sell, and he would probably keep Johnson, but if Johnson comes out and says he wants to move, what choice does he have? With us opting for 4-5-1 most of the time is it completely unbelievable that Johnson may fancy more first team football? ? something we clearly can't offer.
By the club saying they don't want to sell and the player expressing his desire, we also don't have to pay all his loyalty bonues etc, this happens in all transfers.
Moyes has said he doesn't want to sell, and he would probably keep Johnson, but if Johnson comes out and says he wants to move, what choice does he have? With us opting for 4-5-1 most of the time is it completely unbelievable that Johnson may fancy more first team football? ? something we clearly can't offer.
By the club saying they don't want to sell and the player expressing his desire, we also don't have to pay all his loyalty bonues etc, this happens in all transfers.
My heart says I want AJ to stay, however my head tells me that for £10M we should be almost getting whiplash of the arm trying to grab the cheque.
Of course this decision rests heavily on who we have lined up.
I hear the name Darren Fletcher and it makes me feel sick. He is shite.
Paul Scharner is a good shout, maybe he is valued at between £2.5m and £4m in todays market, AJ and £8m maybe???
£10m can get us a great player or 2-3 good players, which I would prefer to do.
Scharner would solve the Carsley departure issue. Next it should be a striker. Who though????
Quality goes for £10m alone. Defoe, Crouch.
I hear Darren Bent being mentioned. How much can we expect to pay for him??? £8m???
We also need a winger. Don’t get me wrong, I would love Bentley, but do I want ALL our cash going on him? No!
English talent is very expensive and I know we can get some quality foreign players for a FRACTION of the cost.
Cahill, Arteta and Yobo cost under £10m for the lot, Moyes can look to do this again.
I pray!
Of course this decision rests heavily on who we have lined up.
I hear the name Darren Fletcher and it makes me feel sick. He is shite.
Paul Scharner is a good shout, maybe he is valued at between £2.5m and £4m in todays market, AJ and £8m maybe???
£10m can get us a great player or 2-3 good players, which I would prefer to do.
Scharner would solve the Carsley departure issue. Next it should be a striker. Who though????
Quality goes for £10m alone. Defoe, Crouch.
I hear Darren Bent being mentioned. How much can we expect to pay for him??? £8m???
We also need a winger. Don’t get me wrong, I would love Bentley, but do I want ALL our cash going on him? No!
English talent is very expensive and I know we can get some quality foreign players for a FRACTION of the cost.
Cahill, Arteta and Yobo cost under £10m for the lot, Moyes can look to do this again.
I pray!
BLAH BLAH BLAH !!!
David Moyes has said he’s not for sale.
AJ has said he doesn’t want to leave.
Paper talk says otherwise.
Oh let’s believe everything we read.....
Jeez it’s like this every effin’ close season. Last close season we were doomed, in for a relegation battle......,FFS !!!!
David Moyes has said he’s not for sale.
AJ has said he doesn’t want to leave.
Paper talk says otherwise.
Oh let’s believe everything we read.....
Jeez it’s like this every effin’ close season. Last close season we were doomed, in for a relegation battle......,FFS !!!!
I think £10 million is a price worth selling AJ at. I dont know if it is to add to funds Moyes already has or not, but either way it is good business. We need a few new faces in, not only to add depth and quality but also to add freshness and a renewed hunger that we missed at the back end of last season. We have to have our better players (certainly in midfield) always looking over their shoulders and looking to a bench with players more than capable of replacing them on the pitch if they are not performing.
AJ is average, and is being linked with average teams... what's the big loss!
BLAH BLAH BLAH !!!
David Moyes has said he’s not for sale.
AJ has said he doesn’t want to leave.
Paper talk says otherwise.
Oh let’s believe everything we read.....
Jeez it’s like this every effin’ close season. Last close season we were doomed, in for a relegation battle......,FFS !!!!
David Moyes has said he’s not for sale.
AJ has said he doesn’t want to leave.
Paper talk says otherwise.
Oh let’s believe everything we read.....
Jeez it’s like this every effin’ close season. Last close season we were doomed, in for a relegation battle......,FFS !!!!
I think in recent years, the message from Kenwright was that we are no longer a selling club. A couple of years fast forward, if we are to believe the papers and you can?t say they are all liberable with the truth... "If Andy Johnson wants to leave he will will be forced to ask for a transfer, based on denials that he was for sale." What? Does this smack of the Rooney scenarion all over again? Yes, Kenwright stablised the club, he has done as much as he can, we?ve already had the kit launch fiasco, what next? Delay in issue of season tickets?
Yes, we?ve gone forwards but now we are sliding backwards once more under the stewardship of Kenwright and Wyness.
Yes, we?ve gone forwards but now we are sliding backwards once more under the stewardship of Kenwright and Wyness.
I like AJ. He isn’t worth £10m though. He is also too good a player to spend 3/4’s of the year on the bench. It appears to me we need midfielders and a more potent goal threat than he can provide. I will miss him because he never gave less than 100% but I can remember a lot of times when he played that he was too fragile to hold up the ball and his magic with penalties seems to have deserted him.
So it’s a good move is it selling AJ ? Nobody can say when Cahill will return, one month, two months who knows.
So it is probably best that we get rid of yet another player.
And who says that we can get a GREAT player for £10m. We probably won’t even be able to replace AJ for that amount.
Or are we going for the likes of Berbatov, Keane or, perish the thought, Torres.
As previously mentioned when Yakubu won’t move his lazy arse next season you will then see the work that AJ does.
One of the few blokes who never gives up.
So it is probably best that we get rid of yet another player.
And who says that we can get a GREAT player for £10m. We probably won’t even be able to replace AJ for that amount.
Or are we going for the likes of Berbatov, Keane or, perish the thought, Torres.
As previously mentioned when Yakubu won’t move his lazy arse next season you will then see the work that AJ does.
One of the few blokes who never gives up.
Numerous contributions about whether AJ is good enough or not miss the point here.
Last summer, we were telling West Ham to get lost when they were allegedly offering £17m.
This summer, Moyes is saying he’s not for sale but it seems increasingly likely that he’s on his way. Moyes hasn’t signed his contract and BK is waffling about the credit crunch. This all points to one thing - we have no money, again! We will not be replacing him with a more expensive player. That is the issue here.
Last summer, we were telling West Ham to get lost when they were allegedly offering £17m.
This summer, Moyes is saying he’s not for sale but it seems increasingly likely that he’s on his way. Moyes hasn’t signed his contract and BK is waffling about the credit crunch. This all points to one thing - we have no money, again! We will not be replacing him with a more expensive player. That is the issue here.
John & Alex You?ve hit the nail on the head !
No doubt we?re in for Saha & / or Fletcher as Kenright can cobble together some deal linked to the Rooney transfer ( in utd?s favour as ever ) and he?s so desperate it?ll probably mean :
1/ He can give some of the AJ cash to his AWOL backers.
2/ Gets us the ?Manures? crap, injured & cast offs on MASSIVE wages ( aka Neville )
3/ Lets Utd off paying the last Rooney installment in hard cash.
HAPPY DAYS !
No doubt we?re in for Saha & / or Fletcher as Kenright can cobble together some deal linked to the Rooney transfer ( in utd?s favour as ever ) and he?s so desperate it?ll probably mean :
1/ He can give some of the AJ cash to his AWOL backers.
2/ Gets us the ?Manures? crap, injured & cast offs on MASSIVE wages ( aka Neville )
3/ Lets Utd off paying the last Rooney installment in hard cash.
HAPPY DAYS !
It’s the old one step forward, two steps back scenario with Everton. I agree with the author, selling Johnson would signal an alarming shift in transfer policy.
First of all, I don’t think we’ve ever played to the strengths of Andy Johnson. Looking at his Palace goals, he simply doesn’t get the kind of service he had there at Everton. That’s sad, but true. A similar thing happned when Yakubu signed, again, we wanted him to fit into our style of play - only that Yak was banging in the goals and could turn around and say "look, this is what I do and I do it well.. don’t force me to start messing with my style of play". AJ hasn’t had the bargaining tool of goals behind him to reinforce that position.
To claim AJ is surplus to requirements or a bench-warmer assumes, laughably, that every player will be available for every single game - no suspensions or injuries. We should all realise how ridiculous that proposition is... injuries and suspensions can be accumulated very quickly and are more severely felt when the squad is weak. It also shows a complete lack of tactical awareness because there are times when pace can kill an opposing team, so it isn’t always about just choosing the best 11 players.Sometimes you can exploit the weakness of the opponent and I see AJ having a massive role to play in both respects.
WIthout AJ, we’d be down to two fit, available strikers... Yakubu and Anichebe, who I think most people would agree had a poor year last season anyway. Vaughn is injury prone, like it or not and Cahill is a midfielder who is only going to be available to play a permanent attacking type of role in a 4-5-1. A well organised team can effectively counter the 4-5-1, as we’ve seen plenty of times in the past so to put all of our eggs into that basket is stupid. Even more crazy when you factor in a UEFA Cup campaign which needs an even larger squad unless you want to fill the bench with schoolkids from the reserves.
Fiurthermore, this idea that we’ll put the money from his sale to good use is ridiculous. This idea that we’ll use the transfer window in January to plug the gaps is nonsense, Arteta apart it’s hard to think of anyone else of any note we’ve signed at that stage of the season.
All in all, another worrying summer of endless speculation...
First of all, I don’t think we’ve ever played to the strengths of Andy Johnson. Looking at his Palace goals, he simply doesn’t get the kind of service he had there at Everton. That’s sad, but true. A similar thing happned when Yakubu signed, again, we wanted him to fit into our style of play - only that Yak was banging in the goals and could turn around and say "look, this is what I do and I do it well.. don’t force me to start messing with my style of play". AJ hasn’t had the bargaining tool of goals behind him to reinforce that position.
To claim AJ is surplus to requirements or a bench-warmer assumes, laughably, that every player will be available for every single game - no suspensions or injuries. We should all realise how ridiculous that proposition is... injuries and suspensions can be accumulated very quickly and are more severely felt when the squad is weak. It also shows a complete lack of tactical awareness because there are times when pace can kill an opposing team, so it isn’t always about just choosing the best 11 players.Sometimes you can exploit the weakness of the opponent and I see AJ having a massive role to play in both respects.
WIthout AJ, we’d be down to two fit, available strikers... Yakubu and Anichebe, who I think most people would agree had a poor year last season anyway. Vaughn is injury prone, like it or not and Cahill is a midfielder who is only going to be available to play a permanent attacking type of role in a 4-5-1. A well organised team can effectively counter the 4-5-1, as we’ve seen plenty of times in the past so to put all of our eggs into that basket is stupid. Even more crazy when you factor in a UEFA Cup campaign which needs an even larger squad unless you want to fill the bench with schoolkids from the reserves.
Fiurthermore, this idea that we’ll put the money from his sale to good use is ridiculous. This idea that we’ll use the transfer window in January to plug the gaps is nonsense, Arteta apart it’s hard to think of anyone else of any note we’ve signed at that stage of the season.
All in all, another worrying summer of endless speculation...
Why are people still harping on about Arshavin? Its embarrasing, we’re nowhere near signing the bloke and never were. Zenit want £20m for him and even Barca have said no!
Lots of people FOR the sale, lots AGAINST, and some ambivalent.
One way to look at it is to say to yourself, "If we didn’t have him, and he came up for sale at £10 million, would I want us to buy him ?".
This is only a whimsical way of looking at things, and will probably leave as much division of opinion as before, but it might just add a bit of interest, pending anything real happening.
One way to look at it is to say to yourself, "If we didn’t have him, and he came up for sale at £10 million, would I want us to buy him ?".
This is only a whimsical way of looking at things, and will probably leave as much division of opinion as before, but it might just add a bit of interest, pending anything real happening.
Seems to me like this could be Moysies Joe Royle / Peter Johnson moment with BK.
Only this time it is about having to make a sale as opposed to not being able to purchase.
Supposition I know but it looks more and more like there is a reason DM is not signing a new contract - he has 12 months of employment to go and wants to be free to speak with a suitor (of which presumably there would be a few) unfettered by contract ties.
I know he could do that with or without a contract, but DM strikes me as a man of principle and would therefore expect to keep to any binding agreement he signed.
Therefore not signing this one.
Yes supposition but as in all things in this life, of you open your eyes wide enough or you view things in retrospect, there is seldom no smoke without fire. Seldom.
Only this time it is about having to make a sale as opposed to not being able to purchase.
Supposition I know but it looks more and more like there is a reason DM is not signing a new contract - he has 12 months of employment to go and wants to be free to speak with a suitor (of which presumably there would be a few) unfettered by contract ties.
I know he could do that with or without a contract, but DM strikes me as a man of principle and would therefore expect to keep to any binding agreement he signed.
Therefore not signing this one.
Yes supposition but as in all things in this life, of you open your eyes wide enough or you view things in retrospect, there is seldom no smoke without fire. Seldom.
Funnily enough, I think with Carsley gone, this will give Johnson more of a chance to play in a 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 formation. Hopefully we get Fernandes back to cover the ’Carsley position’. He has a lot more pace so he can get back and forward, plus, Fernandes, Cahill, Arteta and Pienaar will offer a lot more ball to feet for AJ to prosper.
The only thin with this lineup is the dropping of Neville, which I think Moyes will not do. If I was to include Neville, I would have him at right back.
- - - - - - - - - - - -- - Howard - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Hibbert - - - - Yobo - - - - Jags - - - - Lescott
Arteta - - - Cahill - - - Fernandes - - Pienaar
- - - - - - - - - - - Yak - - - - - - - AJ - - - - - - - - -
The only thin with this lineup is the dropping of Neville, which I think Moyes will not do. If I was to include Neville, I would have him at right back.
- - - - - - - - - - - -- - Howard - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Hibbert - - - - Yobo - - - - Jags - - - - Lescott
Arteta - - - Cahill - - - Fernandes - - Pienaar
- - - - - - - - - - - Yak - - - - - - - AJ - - - - - - - - -
Damian
I don’t see Fernandes as a replacement for Carsley. I don’t see him as a defensive player at all. He very rarely breaks up play in the way that Carsley and did.
I really see Fernandes as a playmaker, who likes to sit and hit passes from deep, where he has time to pick out his target. I think with Fernandes in the team, we’ll still need a replacement Carsley. He just doesn’t have the grafting side to his game.
What we really, really need is a player who is both Carsley and Fernandes in one. That would allow the other players, like Arteta, Pienaar, Ossie, etc to play where they are effective. But that’s gonna be the hard part, especially when you don’t have £20M to blow on a Hargreaves or a young Makelele.
Your formation, in my humble opinion, would be too lightweight, too many of those players would be liable to go missing when the going got tough. One thing that could never be said of old Cars.
I don’t see Fernandes as a replacement for Carsley. I don’t see him as a defensive player at all. He very rarely breaks up play in the way that Carsley and did.
I really see Fernandes as a playmaker, who likes to sit and hit passes from deep, where he has time to pick out his target. I think with Fernandes in the team, we’ll still need a replacement Carsley. He just doesn’t have the grafting side to his game.
What we really, really need is a player who is both Carsley and Fernandes in one. That would allow the other players, like Arteta, Pienaar, Ossie, etc to play where they are effective. But that’s gonna be the hard part, especially when you don’t have £20M to blow on a Hargreaves or a young Makelele.
Your formation, in my humble opinion, would be too lightweight, too many of those players would be liable to go missing when the going got tough. One thing that could never be said of old Cars.
Hi Richard,
What I meant with regards to Fernandes playing in the ?Carsley Position? is that he doesn?t necessarily play in the same role as cars did, but we evolve that role into a more central midfielder role than a defensive midfielder role.
Fernandes in that formation as you said would be the one to sit back letting Cahill or whoever is there to get forward.
Fernandes is still young, so I could see him being shaped into that type of player that we need to cover that role.
True alright, that the side I mentioned would perhaps be light-weight, but it would be one hell of an attacking side.
One player I would like to see added to the midfield is Toulalan from Lyon. He perhaps could be the Carsley/Fernandes combined players. He would be pricey though.
What I meant with regards to Fernandes playing in the ?Carsley Position? is that he doesn?t necessarily play in the same role as cars did, but we evolve that role into a more central midfielder role than a defensive midfielder role.
Fernandes in that formation as you said would be the one to sit back letting Cahill or whoever is there to get forward.
Fernandes is still young, so I could see him being shaped into that type of player that we need to cover that role.
True alright, that the side I mentioned would perhaps be light-weight, but it would be one hell of an attacking side.
One player I would like to see added to the midfield is Toulalan from Lyon. He perhaps could be the Carsley/Fernandes combined players. He would be pricey though.
I think after six years at GP then we should have some faith in his abilities to buy and sell players. His success rate has been excellent except for one or two purchases. I find it amazing that contributors on here feel that they are in a better position to judge than DM. If he chooses to sell AJ then I don't believe it will be just to provide extra funds; If he chooses to buy Darren Fletcher then it's because he believes he is the best man for that role. We should have faith in his judgement as I do not feel he has let us down. I think Howard, Lescott, Arteta, Cahill and Yakubu are testament to his capabilities.
I fear that last years hard work and achievement will become a far to distant memory for the faithfull of EFC. Again we are linked with this and that, but who wants to sign for a club where the manager still needs to put pen to paper himself?! £10 million for AJ is a good deal but who could get to replace him (I?m hearing rumours of Saha!).
We don't know how much Moyes has to spend on transfers (I wonder if he does!).
As usual what was going to be a summer of optimism is going to be a damp squib. Forget Kirkby cos the way were going (I mean Championship) we may as well stay and play at GP.
I may sound pessimisitc but enough is enough, Kenwright should either sell or give Moyes £30 million to spend.
We don't know how much Moyes has to spend on transfers (I wonder if he does!).
As usual what was going to be a summer of optimism is going to be a damp squib. Forget Kirkby cos the way were going (I mean Championship) we may as well stay and play at GP.
I may sound pessimisitc but enough is enough, Kenwright should either sell or give Moyes £30 million to spend.
I now reside in Parbold and my next door neighbour is a Wigan Season ticket holder, he’s 100% convinced AJ will be signing for them within this week, but isn’t happy they’re willing to pay £10m for an "average player" his words not mine. I always ask away fans for there take on Everton and Cahill and Arteta are the players most away fans fear, so £10m would be good business for AJ as long as we replace him with a good-en. E-Banks Blake from Wolves could be worth a shout as Moysey’s record with lower league players is normally spot on.
Richard and Damien, the biggest problem with Fernandes isnt wheather he can or can't replace Carsley, but more that he doesn't actually play for Everton!
I have to totally disagree with this article. The fact is if the Blues want to be a genuine contender for getting a Champions League place then players such as Andy Johnson are not good enough. He has been a great professional and has been a part of lifting us back towards the top end of the table but the truth is he would not come close to getting in the team at any of the top 4 teams, and I doubt that clubs below that such as Villa, Man City, Spurs or Newcastle would include him either. He is very one-dimensional, has a poor touch and is far from clinical in front of goal. Everton need another striker that can chip in with at least 10-15 goals a season and I think that for £10 million we should be able to find a good player with pace that knows where the goal is. This would be great business for the Blues IF Moyes has replacements in mind. If not, then we are left with an even smaller squad and that is very concerning.
Aside from Johnson, players such as Phil Neville (is leadership enough to get a place in the side), Tony Hibbert (solid defender but prone to crazy wild tackles and is useless going forward), and Fernandes (should we end up getting him back) are not good enough for the top 4.
The jury is also out in my opinion on Anichebe (terrible first touch for a professional and no vision), Jagielka (showed promising signs but was embarrassed against the top teams), and, dare I say it, Cahill. For me Cahill is another Johnson type player who has served his time now and belongs in the lower echelons of the league. Yes his goals have been vital in the past but he cannot play in a 4 in midfield and needs a free role to really excel. As can be testified by our results against the top teams in recent years, 4-5-1 is a system that can be countered very easily by the better teams and Cahill is not good enough to be in a 4 in midfield. If we play 4 there, we need players that are good at keeping the ball, don?t get lost in games, and can be relied upon defensively as well as in attack, all things that are lacking from Cahill?s game.
If we are to move to another level, the Blues do need to gradually move out one or two players, get the overinflated transfer money and replace with quality if we are ever to get back to where we belong. Otherwise we will simply be overtaken by teams like Villa, City, Newcastle, Spurs etc because at some point these teams will get it right and we need to push on to stop this happening.
Aside from Johnson, players such as Phil Neville (is leadership enough to get a place in the side), Tony Hibbert (solid defender but prone to crazy wild tackles and is useless going forward), and Fernandes (should we end up getting him back) are not good enough for the top 4.
The jury is also out in my opinion on Anichebe (terrible first touch for a professional and no vision), Jagielka (showed promising signs but was embarrassed against the top teams), and, dare I say it, Cahill. For me Cahill is another Johnson type player who has served his time now and belongs in the lower echelons of the league. Yes his goals have been vital in the past but he cannot play in a 4 in midfield and needs a free role to really excel. As can be testified by our results against the top teams in recent years, 4-5-1 is a system that can be countered very easily by the better teams and Cahill is not good enough to be in a 4 in midfield. If we play 4 there, we need players that are good at keeping the ball, don?t get lost in games, and can be relied upon defensively as well as in attack, all things that are lacking from Cahill?s game.
If we are to move to another level, the Blues do need to gradually move out one or two players, get the overinflated transfer money and replace with quality if we are ever to get back to where we belong. Otherwise we will simply be overtaken by teams like Villa, City, Newcastle, Spurs etc because at some point these teams will get it right and we need to push on to stop this happening.
If AJ is moved on & we re-invest that cash on a striker that Moyes considers is a better player - then fair enough.
If we’re moving him on to fund team strengthening in other areas i.e. midfield where we’re woefully short of numbers, having lost Fernandes, Carsley & Gravesen. An area where we knew we were going to have to bring in 3/4 players all last season - it defies belief.
If AJ leaves without us having a top notch replacement lined up - I fear we’ll be searching for a new manager come May 2009.
If we’re moving him on to fund team strengthening in other areas i.e. midfield where we’re woefully short of numbers, having lost Fernandes, Carsley & Gravesen. An area where we knew we were going to have to bring in 3/4 players all last season - it defies belief.
If AJ leaves without us having a top notch replacement lined up - I fear we’ll be searching for a new manager come May 2009.
Mick - its all very well saying we need quality the like of which the top 4 have, but those players simply will not sign for Everton. Do you think David Moyes doesn?t want us to sign Deco, Lampard, Adebayor and similar players that are being linked with moves from their current clubs?
You have to be realistic - Everton are not a top European club and therefore cannot attract the type of players that the top 4 can. Most of today's European players haven?t even heard of us, basically because we haven?t been on the European map in their adult lives.
Even when we were the best team in England, we still never made much of an impression in Europe. Ask any European player these days if they want to play for Everton, or for arguments sake, teams like Villarreal, Sevilla, Fiorentina, even Celtic & Rangers and I bet you every one of them would choose any of the other clubs over us.
I love EFC the same as you do, but in reality we?re just not well kown enough, glamorous enough, or high profile enough to be considered by the majority of players these days.
You have to be realistic - Everton are not a top European club and therefore cannot attract the type of players that the top 4 can. Most of today's European players haven?t even heard of us, basically because we haven?t been on the European map in their adult lives.
Even when we were the best team in England, we still never made much of an impression in Europe. Ask any European player these days if they want to play for Everton, or for arguments sake, teams like Villarreal, Sevilla, Fiorentina, even Celtic & Rangers and I bet you every one of them would choose any of the other clubs over us.
I love EFC the same as you do, but in reality we?re just not well kown enough, glamorous enough, or high profile enough to be considered by the majority of players these days.
Damian Scott,
Cahill in a four man midfield. You’re havin a laugh.
Cahill in a four man midfield. You’re havin a laugh.
Selling AJ does not make sense. It makes even less sense when you concider its Wigan or Sunderland who want to buy him.
1) AJ is a valuable member of the squad. He played in 22 games and scored 10 goals last season, which is not exactly being under utilised, or out of favour, as the media put it.
2) The club have come out publically to say he is NOT for sale.
3) He travelled to Switzerland to train with the squad, making it inconvenient to meet other clubs and go for medicals.
4) Both Wigan and Sunderland have NOT offically announced an interest in AJ.
5) Would AJ want to move from a club potentially challenging for a top 4 place and are in the UEFA cup, to club probably battling in the relagation zone??
6) AJ has stated he is happy at Everton and has no intention of moving.
So whats fueling all of these strories and media speculation?
1) AJ is a valuable member of the squad. He played in 22 games and scored 10 goals last season, which is not exactly being under utilised, or out of favour, as the media put it.
2) The club have come out publically to say he is NOT for sale.
3) He travelled to Switzerland to train with the squad, making it inconvenient to meet other clubs and go for medicals.
4) Both Wigan and Sunderland have NOT offically announced an interest in AJ.
5) Would AJ want to move from a club potentially challenging for a top 4 place and are in the UEFA cup, to club probably battling in the relagation zone??
6) AJ has stated he is happy at Everton and has no intention of moving.
So whats fueling all of these strories and media speculation?
Can?t believe some of the stuff on here....."we could buy Arshavin with the money from Johnson?s sale," "he isnt good enough - average" etc. Everton have four forwards - Vaughan is injury prone, Anichibe is not good enough and lest anyone forget Yakubu goes to the African Nations every few years for 5 weeks. He was also dropped for being a lazy bastard. We need midfield players.....selling Johnson solves nothing. He would need to be replaced and everyone seems to think we can just go out and afford a striker from the next bracket up.
I am afraid that people like Arshavin & Torres are out of Everton?s reach and we cannot afford their wages. We need decent MIDFIELDERS - good enough to play 4-4-2 & 4-5-1. Johnson does all the running that Yakubu can?t be bothered to do and creates space. This includes chasing hoof balls into corner flags because the centre backs are unable to give it to anyone in midfield. He needs to be played in behind the defenders.....not holding the ball up for the likes of Cahill to score the goals on breaks.
I detest 4-5-1, we play it bacause we cannot compete with the quality of the top 4. The defence is sound, the forward line is good enough... it's the midfield midgets who need help. Strengthen the midfield but don't sell one of the best players in the squad to do it FFS!
Personally I dont she we should sell, we should be building a strong squad for another 45+ game season, you can remember what happened when the African Nations was on, then we struggled at the end of the season after the amount of games we played.
He is a good squad player and we need to keep our quality players.
AJ also suffers from an appalling lack of service, there's no point hoofing the ball up to him, he needs through balls and presently we don't have the players to provide them.
I say let's get a decent midfield.
He is a good squad player and we need to keep our quality players.
AJ also suffers from an appalling lack of service, there's no point hoofing the ball up to him, he needs through balls and presently we don't have the players to provide them.
I say let's get a decent midfield.
I agree with Alan, midfielders is what we need. It seems to me that we are going to mix it up a bit next season with 4-4-2 and 4-5-1. AJ does the 4-5-1 better than the Yak and good midfieders can feed off AJ but they need to be up to his pace and he won't have to hold the ball up too long. So I would rather see him stay and just forget what them other dickheads from down south said to destroy his confidence because that's were it all started to go wrong for him. Wasn?t it once said that most games are won from the midfield?
I agree with both of you midfield is the key. AJ is bedded in, he knows the club and what the fans want, and I think this as got James Beattie wrote all over it. For the record, when we won the league in the 80s with 4-4-2, which one of Bracewell and Reidy was the holding midfielder? Because I thought the two of them attacked and both of them defended... Is the new word for ball-winner "holding"?
Excellent article John. Well thought out and you hit the nail right on the head. My thoughts over the last couple of weeks have run along exactly the same lines, so that saves me the job of trying to create an article such at this! Why can’t people like us be in charge of the club and then dumb decisions wouldn’t be made?!
If he goes - and I hope he doesn’t, I would like to wish AJ all the best. I even hope he scores against us next season - I believe he’s a class pro. I’m sure the vast majority of us give scant thought to what it must be like to be treated as part of the cattle market which is the Premiership merry go round transfer dance. Think about the poor guy - you turn up for your first home match for Wigan and instead of the packed stands at Goodison, you see the half empty seats which comprise the soul-less JJB - yeugh, it sends shivers down my spine thinking about it. Players may be well paid but they are also human beings with feelings and emotions just like ours.
All the best Andy.
If he goes - and I hope he doesn’t, I would like to wish AJ all the best. I even hope he scores against us next season - I believe he’s a class pro. I’m sure the vast majority of us give scant thought to what it must be like to be treated as part of the cattle market which is the Premiership merry go round transfer dance. Think about the poor guy - you turn up for your first home match for Wigan and instead of the packed stands at Goodison, you see the half empty seats which comprise the soul-less JJB - yeugh, it sends shivers down my spine thinking about it. Players may be well paid but they are also human beings with feelings and emotions just like ours.
All the best Andy.
Good article and some good posts, the issue really is can we afford to let AJ go. Even the "top" teams have forwards which I think AJ is better than. Kuyt, Malouda, Saha, Bentner... AJ had a bad season, but I think that was more to do with him changing his style of play to avoid being criticised over penalties. He didn?t even claim on the occasions when a agricultural tackle in the box sent him flying. His game is about pace and getting there a fraction before the tackler. I don?t know whether he can get this back mentally but I am convinced that the sale of McFadden cost us at the very least 6 points and while that wouldn?t on its own have claimed fourth it would certainly have made the last few games more tense for the wrong side of Stanley Park. I just hope that we learn from this mistake and don?t get rid of AJ.
It needs also to be mentioned that with Vic out for a few weeks for the Olympics, and JV only coming back from injury we will be short on strikers anyway with only the Yak as regular. We need options and wouldn?t it be great to have some real pace on the bench when we need to change things up.
Good Article and some good posts.
AJ is a blue. All the fans think alot of him. They always will after THAT derby brace, the Arsenal goal etc. BUT (there is always a but....) £10m is good business. It is too much to turn down.
Arshavin is not coming - get used to it!
Bentley could be. I have a very good source that says that we are in talks. But (there it is again) in order to make the deal happen Osman is part of the package. £12m plus Osman? That’s all of the AJ money and Osman AND £2m. I’m sure that Moyes has other targets as well. However we all know how many players we have lost so if AJ and Ozzie go that makes 7 down. Okay Bentley coming makes it 6 down.
Moyes has a very difficult job to get numbers as well as the level he wants. And IMO it is not a balancing act; we need BOTH quantity and quality.
AJ is a blue. All the fans think alot of him. They always will after THAT derby brace, the Arsenal goal etc. BUT (there is always a but....) £10m is good business. It is too much to turn down.
Arshavin is not coming - get used to it!
Bentley could be. I have a very good source that says that we are in talks. But (there it is again) in order to make the deal happen Osman is part of the package. £12m plus Osman? That’s all of the AJ money and Osman AND £2m. I’m sure that Moyes has other targets as well. However we all know how many players we have lost so if AJ and Ozzie go that makes 7 down. Okay Bentley coming makes it 6 down.
Moyes has a very difficult job to get numbers as well as the level he wants. And IMO it is not a balancing act; we need BOTH quantity and quality.
"I?m sure the vast majority of us give scant thought to what it must be like to be treated as part of the cattle market which is the Premier League merry go round transfer dance."
I?m sure the comfort of a couple of million quid a year makes up for the appalling work conditions and absolutely horrible job!
Aye, dead on!
I?m sure the comfort of a couple of million quid a year makes up for the appalling work conditions and absolutely horrible job!
Aye, dead on!
If Blackburn want Osman, we should be paying them!.
Tell me this, if AJ is sold and Cahill and Vaughan fail to return from injury, we’re looking at a 4-5-1 with Osman in the Cahill role as Vic and Yak are too similar.
That has defeat written all over it. Great business!
Tell me this, if AJ is sold and Cahill and Vaughan fail to return from injury, we’re looking at a 4-5-1 with Osman in the Cahill role as Vic and Yak are too similar.
That has defeat written all over it. Great business!
Everton has no money whatsoever; Moyes, I?m guessing won?t sign his new contract because no money is being committed to transfers.
In these circumstances, far from ideal admittedly, the club has to sell players in order to bring in new ones. So, who is not in the first team and would collect a large fee? Step forward AJ. It?s not that complicated. Domestic players are over-priced so expect his replacement to be foreign.
In these circumstances, far from ideal admittedly, the club has to sell players in order to bring in new ones. So, who is not in the first team and would collect a large fee? Step forward AJ. It?s not that complicated. Domestic players are over-priced so expect his replacement to be foreign.
We come 5th, yes 5th in one of the hardest leagues in the world; with a squad that?s beginning to look half decent and a manager that can consistently deliver.
Yet we?re looking to sell a quality player because we?re cash strapped and potantially losing our Manager because he has no kitty.
This is insane. What are the board doing? Oh yes, of course, they?re moving us to a cow shed in Kirkby so we can compete?
Moyes is allowing us to compete, he needs cash and he needs to be able to keep the squad together.
I hate to say it, but I really could do a better job of finding investment for Everton.
Yet we?re looking to sell a quality player because we?re cash strapped and potantially losing our Manager because he has no kitty.
This is insane. What are the board doing? Oh yes, of course, they?re moving us to a cow shed in Kirkby so we can compete?
Moyes is allowing us to compete, he needs cash and he needs to be able to keep the squad together.
I hate to say it, but I really could do a better job of finding investment for Everton.
Maybe I am the eternal optimist but this pre-season is like no other over the past 3 seasons. Lots of speculation about ins and outs but at the end of the day it has been a steady ship with us holding onto the players we want to and signing 2/3 others. I think this is what will happen again....
I am fairly dissapointed at it as I think we have the base to build on and feel we need some class signings to maintain where we are.....
I am fairly dissapointed at it as I think we have the base to build on and feel we need some class signings to maintain where we are.....
We look likely to start the coming season without Hibbert for sure and Vaughan, Arteta and Cahill all very doubtful... now we look likely to lose Johnson having already lost Carsley.... what on earth is going on ????
Every other team has been at least active in signing new players or at least trying to, while we again wait for the dregs and hope that DM can produce more rabbits out of the hat. It's shameful that a club of our stature cannot compete with other clubs moneywise and I'm certain that our wages must be low compared to other clubs...
At a time when we should be so optimistic about the coming season... it appears to be fraught with uncertainty. A lot of our squad have been carrying injuries and I really fear that we have insufficient quality players to sustain a challenge over a full season. Other clubs realize the value of having bigger squads but we continue to run on a virtual shoestring with players often covering positions they would not normally play in. I truly pray I'm totally wrong !!!!!!!
Johnson is a tremendous worker for the team, unfortunately he has lost a bit of pace to get him clear of defenders and is now being pushed off the ball too easily and therefore looks lightweight. If Everton can get £10m or more then they have to sell him. Bent from Spurs is a much better option.
Anyone who questions AJ’s contribution to the team should look back to the home game against Portsmouth.
Playing 451 we were dominating but not really asserting and ended up 1-1 at half time ... AJ came on after 65 minutes and changed the game - his pace destroyed Portsmouth and we ended up 3-1 winners.
I sincerely hope he stays.
Simon, I agree that Johnson has the pace which can destroy most Premier League defences, I also agree with the argument of Carsley now gone it might free up a 4-4-2 (AJ and the YAK upfront).
But can somone answer me this: where is the £20 to £25 million that Moyesey was promised for new players? When will Moyes sign his contract? I know Blue Bill is everton through and through but surely someone can buy us out and give EFC the money it deserves.
As ever I remain loyal as EFC is in my blood but the question needs to be asked: ARE THE LUNATICS RUNNING THE ASYLUM?
But can somone answer me this: where is the £20 to £25 million that Moyesey was promised for new players? When will Moyes sign his contract? I know Blue Bill is everton through and through but surely someone can buy us out and give EFC the money it deserves.
As ever I remain loyal as EFC is in my blood but the question needs to be asked: ARE THE LUNATICS RUNNING THE ASYLUM?
I too sincerely hope AJ stays. On current form he wouldn’t start that many games, but with only a serially-falling -apart James Vaughan, and a Big Vic who has gone from a ’hopefully-one-day’ to a ’never-will-be’. strike resources would be stretched.
The main requirements for Everton are a strong central midfielder and a right back. Neither of these should be called Tony or Phil.
More creativity in midfield would be nice, but if Fernandes can finally shift Osman out of DMs reckoning, a 442 could be on (given that we get the aforementioned strong central midfielder).
I’d be happy with that, plus a real right back and decent sub for Tim Howard. But there’s one signing which would make me happier than any other.
That of David Moyes.
The main requirements for Everton are a strong central midfielder and a right back. Neither of these should be called Tony or Phil.
More creativity in midfield would be nice, but if Fernandes can finally shift Osman out of DMs reckoning, a 442 could be on (given that we get the aforementioned strong central midfielder).
I’d be happy with that, plus a real right back and decent sub for Tim Howard. But there’s one signing which would make me happier than any other.
That of David Moyes.
now i’m reading all these comments and i’m thinking and it is only thinking if DM doesn’t sign up could he, would he be willing to be a no2 to red nose fergie for 2 seasons before taking the helm. if it was me i would coz you can only work wonders and then get shafted by your own board for so long, you can be assured these transfer kitty problems wouldn’t be a problem at the other end of the 62. oo-er makes shudder just thinking about that
A well written article which also looks at the situation from both sides.
I?m a fan of AJ because of his attitude & work-rate. Fair enough, he didn?t have the best of seasons but I think a lot of that was down to poor supply & the fact he often played like a winger. Add to this his injury problems & some shocking refereeing decisions.
However - it seems we must sell to buy & if you run through the list of our players who could attract a decent fee, then surely he is the most saleable. I?d be loathe to see any other player depart ahead of him (from the ones who?d attract £10m+).
My biggest worry is that there seems to be more outs than ins.
I?m a fan of AJ because of his attitude & work-rate. Fair enough, he didn?t have the best of seasons but I think a lot of that was down to poor supply & the fact he often played like a winger. Add to this his injury problems & some shocking refereeing decisions.
However - it seems we must sell to buy & if you run through the list of our players who could attract a decent fee, then surely he is the most saleable. I?d be loathe to see any other player depart ahead of him (from the ones who?d attract £10m+).
My biggest worry is that there seems to be more outs than ins.
AJ will be leaving because there is good money on offer and he doesn’t really fit into the plan moving forward. I think it’s a nonsense to suggest he is being sold to raise funds and I think time will prove that.
James - Are you trying to say that Andy Johnson is just a level below the players you mention such as Deco, Lampard etc.? I completely agree that these players will not come to Everton but the fact is that there are many players out there with more ability than Johnson and the top four will not be taking all of them. We need to improve our squad season on season and the fact is Andy Johnson should not be in the starting 11. If he is willing to acknowledge that he is nothing more than an impact player, then of course we should keep him for that purpose. But I doubt that he would be happy with this and in a year or so his value will probably be back down near the 5 million level where it probably should be.
We could probably buy two very good international players with this 10-12 million fee that will be more than impact players, and of course Moyes knows this. However, we should not be selling players until we know we can replace them with higher quality and we should trust Moyes to judge this. However, all this talk of selling Andy Johnson meaning the club is in crisis and going in the wrong direction is way off the mark and Moyes and the club should be judged on these decisions at the end of this season or in a few years time when it is clear whether the club has moved forward from last season.
We could probably buy two very good international players with this 10-12 million fee that will be more than impact players, and of course Moyes knows this. However, we should not be selling players until we know we can replace them with higher quality and we should trust Moyes to judge this. However, all this talk of selling Andy Johnson meaning the club is in crisis and going in the wrong direction is way off the mark and Moyes and the club should be judged on these decisions at the end of this season or in a few years time when it is clear whether the club has moved forward from last season.
Just read that AJ is having Talks with Wigan today and should be signging with them tommorrow.
I cant believe they are letting AJ go and not have a replacement in place? EFC must be broke. What next? Will Robbie Fowler be joining us?
I cant believe they are letting AJ go and not have a replacement in place? EFC must be broke. What next? Will Robbie Fowler be joining us?
3-0 to the blues and AJ is a hero and the style of play 4-5-1. So AJ fits the style of play that gets results. Many players have an off season due to injury. The reason why he is to be sold can only be to raise money. Whilst we think AJ is surplus to requirements at present wait till we need a proven goalscorer like him. We can?t rely on Yakubu for 38 games plus Europe and the rest. I am not happy with strikers that we may buy but probably won?t. I am happy with strikers we have got.
Johnson (currently) is not worth anywhere near £10m IMHO. So if anyone (wigan/sunderland) offer £10m, DM should snap their hands off. Upfront (playing 451) is not where we lack players with the Yak/Anichebe/ Vaughan /Jutkiewicz - if we can use the cash to bring in a decent defensive midfielder and another player to boost squad numbers then I think that would be good business.
AJ is a class act, in the prem last season he was short of confidence and had injuries when he looked like getting back to pace and his best. Just look at his UEFA Cup record...
I?m getting really worried now that Everton haven?t singed anyone yet. Is Moyes waiting for someone or his it just that the club can?t afford to? We will wait and see. What happened to the £5million that we bidded for Ramsey... gone? I hope Van der Meyde will get fit and show us what he's made of and he will be like a new singing for us. And Tim Cahill... are his days numbered?
On the basis he didn?t play much last season and doesn?t score enough, then £10 milliion is a good deal. This is football; players move on, get over it.
The deal is all about business. £12 million for a player who isn?t worth that sum is good business. End of story.
The thing about these articles is you can read them but you don?t have to believe them. I don?t believe this. AJ is a casualty because he simply hasn?t been good enough and £12 million quid for a player who hasn?t been at the standard we need to move forwards is good business.
No matter how you dress it up!
The thing about these articles is you can read them but you don?t have to believe them. I don?t believe this. AJ is a casualty because he simply hasn?t been good enough and £12 million quid for a player who hasn?t been at the standard we need to move forwards is good business.
No matter how you dress it up!
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1 Posted 08/07/2008 at 21:17:57
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It doesn’t add up in some respects though. How can a smallish club like Wigan afford £10m, yet we seemingly cannot? Maybe Moyes has a use in mind for an extra £10m in his transfer budget or then again, maybe AJ is going nowhere. I certainly hope not.
If true though, we should push for £10m plus Paul Scharner - a very under-rated player in my book who could boost the squad - who has only a year left on his contract.