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The Most Important Summer in Years
Comments (14) : Firstly, someone normally spends big and is linked with just about everyone available or unavailable, this has tended to be United or Chelsea. The second trait is there is usually a transfer that becomes a soap opera and is somewhat conveniently finalised on deadline day.
Since David Moyes assumed control of this great club Everton have gone about their business quietly and professionally. This has somewhat frustrated certain groups and you can see their point. However, ultimately as a club we have benefited from Moyes?s transfer strategy.
This summer, however, I believe that our quiet and slow transfer strategy may ultimately prove to be our downfall. The next step is surely to challenge Arsenal, who I think are the weaker of the top 4. With the barren four years that they have experienced then it would be naïve to assume that Monsieur Wenger will not spend this summer.
Not only that but the clubs who finished directly behind us will not rest on their laurels. Firstly there is the soap opera that is Man City. Today?s reports suggest that they are willing to pay Samuel Eto?o £250,000 a week. Now I fully understand that this is a figure that almost no other club can compete with. Nevertheless, Man City are going to use their incredible bank balance to strengthen their squad. A front six of Robinho, Barry, Ireland, Wright-Phillips, Eto?o and Tevez seems very strong to me.
Aside from Man City, Tottenham always seem to have money available and Harry Redknapp will also spend. Aston Villa, who over-achieved last year, are less of a worry but Randy Lerner has claimed that money is available.
This in essence is proof that football is a changing commodity and that we need to move with the times. I seriously do not want to be left behind because who knows how long it could take to fully catch up?
So, as the title states, this summer is pivotal for Everton Football Club. I fully understand that as a club we are not blessed with a fantastic bank balance which ultimately will see us miss out on certain players. Nevertheless, it does not stop us from buying players quickly and strengthening a squad that can challenge for Champions League qualification.
Hopefully Moyes?s will have already identified his targets and will have offers in place. Assembling your squad a month prior to kick-off is extremely beneficial. I just hope come late August we are not sat here experiencing the same disastrous summer as last year?
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If we?re as under-prepared for this seasons opener as we were the last, Arsenal will embarrass us.
Do you not remember the Arteta deal... I think they were offering him for £2.4M or something and we haggled for a month over £300k... thank God nobody else stepped in!!
I am always hopeful but knowing Everton and the way we usually do our business there will be lots of disappointment ahead and we will all be anxiously watching that camp Andy Burton come midnight on deadline day!
If it hadn?t have been for Sporting?s greed and fucking about last summer, you?d be saying anything but.
I took a fair bit of stick on here last summer as I?d (wait for it) been told that the Moutinho deal just needed to be signed on the dotted line after Sporting got their act together. Even when it hit snags it was expected go through and I still maintained on here that it would (having been told that directly).
I know Fellaini?s not everyone?s idea of a star transfer but the club actually did brilliantly to get him with literally minutes to go at deadline day, all brought about by waiting and waiting for the Moutinho deal to go through.
If the club suffer from one thing it?s having principles, the same can?t be said about Sporting I?m afraid.
And I know there?s not a lot of Bill Kenwright supporters on here but NOBODY was more gutted than him that we weren?t able to parade Moutinho in a blue shirt on Deadline Day... though obviously some will maintain that he was only doing that for his own ends.
Yes, we support our team and we all want what is best for the club but we don't run it and we haven't mortgaged our homes to buy it.
So yes, this is a very important close season and we do need to strengthen the squad but under BK and DM I am sure we will carry on our steady improvement as we have over the past seasons. Have faith, we all want billions but until then we are in good hands. Just look at the facts and don't go on about a few comments made when he thought deals would be done.
I agree this summer is critical, but not for the amount we spend, but what we buy. We need to strengthen in certain areas, but most importantly if we do sell (Lescott to Man City is the biggest threat I think) we need to make sure we get cover that is quality, and quickly and at a decent price.
Moyes is without doubt one of the best man managers about, yes sometimes his tactics are a bit dithery, but he is learning, and we are progressing. I trust his judgement. When you consider the mistakes he has made (AvdM, Krøldrup) compared to the huge mistakes made by others, he is careful and meticulous. Let's back him to do what is right for us, as I truly believe he wants what we want... a successful Everton.
Again you can argue his "dithering" tactics are due to a lack of squad strength. We don't have the money to buy bench warmers of the class as Chelsea, Utd or Arse. We have 16- and 17-year-olds... C?mon Billy ? find this investor we need to continue our revival!
Behave yourself.
We are now hearing reports that Arteta is attracting the attention of Athletico once again and now that Pienaar had a good Confederations Cup, he is being linked with clubs all over Europe.
I?m unsure about our links with the likes of Owen, we already have a list of striking crocks! Do we really need to add to them?
I want to see a concerted effort to find an international class right back and a couple more young midfielders before we board the plane to North America and then no more speculation once we have lifted off!
I?d also like to see Jo re-sign on loan. I think that he will develop into a handy player given time, a good pre-season and regular football.
Above all else, as has been stated, the earlier they sign, the better the season usually pans out. COYB
As for transfers... don’t get your hopes up to much. That way your less likely to be disappointed.
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1 Posted 29/06/2009 at 20:52:56
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In fact, I can only remember one summer in which we have had our transfers lined up and completed very early on, when we recruited Tim Howard, Andy Johnson and Phil Jagielka very quickly, and we did really well that season, finishing 6th in comparison to the previous season?s 11th.
However, I certainly agree that this summer is very important ? everyone knows where the team is weakest, which means that Moyes almost certainly does as well, so targets should be singled out and snapped up as soon as possible.