ToffeeWeb - Season 2008-09

The Mail Bag

Fantasy Football

As the mailbag has been pretty quiet lately, and I'm on an IT course in London (where I haven't got a clue what's going on), I've decided to pose this question to relieve my boredom.

Taking into account our usual financial situation, who, within reason would you like to see Moyes buy pre-season?

Personally, I think David Bentley would be a good signing. Pacey, skillfull and good on the ball, plus I think he'll be available too. I'll overlook the fact he seems a bit of a tit whenever he's on telly.

So who would you like to see sat in the main stand with an Everton scarf held aloft?
Franny Porter, That London Posted 02/04/2009 at 10:46:45

back Return to the Mail Bag

Comments

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer

Michael Kenrick

Since things are quiet at the moment... have at it!

Ben Jones
1 Posted 02/04/2009 at 09:57:22

This position, in my opinion, is the position we need to strengthen in the summer, and surely Moyes sees it too. I believe we have a perfect player in Stewart Downing to play there, I just hope to god Boro get relegated so we can try and get him.

There was Johnson three years ago, Yakubu two years, Fellaini a year ago, I think it should be Downing this year as our major signing.

Philip Jones
2 Posted 02/04/2009 at 15:01:29

Give me that Liege fellow Dalmat anyday

Joeynkoo Ludden
3 Posted 02/04/2009 at 15:06:10

Gattuso on a free!

For the days of hoofball, that lanky tit Crouch would be a decent buy.

Patty Beesley
4 Posted 02/04/2009 at 15:50:32

Wagner Love

Danny Lizars
5 Posted 02/04/2009 at 15:50:19

Downing or Bentley would be good buys. Yeah Bentley is bit of a tit but I'm sure Moyes would sort him out. Downing isn't a bad player either and with Boro likely to go down we could get him cheap.

Hope you keep having fun on the course down London, Fran!!!

Ciarán MacGiolla Eoin
6 Posted 02/04/2009 at 15:53:15

Moutinho and Dalmat..would improve our first VI immensely.

Wagner Love is a waste of space.

El-Ray Jackson
7 Posted 02/04/2009 at 15:54:15

Stewart Bentley!

Danny Lizars
8 Posted 02/04/2009 at 16:03:33

Micheal Owen???

Caoimhín McCoombe
9 Posted 02/04/2009 at 15:59:20

Dafour at Liege is good too, though Arse & Villa have been sniffing him out, so that will push his fee up.

Adam Johnson at Boro has a lot of potential, good for the left flank too.

I like what I’ve seen of Thiago Neves though he’s moved around a lot in the last year.

Chinedu Obasi at Hoffenheim is another good young player - was awesome at the Olympics in my view

Gavin Roberts
10 Posted 02/04/2009 at 16:14:53

Roy of the Rovers!

Kevin Walker
11 Posted 02/04/2009 at 16:41:35

i agree with p.jones.....i thought dalmat looked very good against us and would take him in a shot................also good shouts for bentley and adam johnson. there are an unbelievable amount of decent players on frees as well at the end of the season including m.pantelic, s.vieria, suazo, sturridge, m’bami, pedretti, kezman, santana, de viao, banega, zigic, van den bergh, d.carvalho, sychev, eremenko, pogrebnyak, de guzman, obertan and english youngsters like jack collison, sean scannell and adam lallana.....they’re out there, bill, go get em!.....

Peter howard
12 Posted 02/04/2009 at 17:16:49

Gavin
Bad news ! Roy Race has re-signed for Melchester.

Dan Parker
13 Posted 02/04/2009 at 17:56:57

Mikel Madar

Brian Richardson
14 Posted 02/04/2009 at 17:59:07

Tony Grant

Danny Lizars
15 Posted 02/04/2009 at 18:07:04

Per Krøldrup?

Brett Bradshaw
16 Posted 02/04/2009 at 18:04:55

Richards
Valencia
Moutinho
Crouch
Jo

Ste Lynch
17 Posted 02/04/2009 at 18:52:09

Ciaran, I think actually having 11 players would be better. XI!!

Kieran Fitzgerald
18 Posted 02/04/2009 at 18:59:12

If they don?t come back up this season, I think a lot of the Reading squad will be up for grabs. Some one like Kevin Doyle, talented yet prepared to work his socks off, the right age with experience in the Premier League, would be a great purchase. He might be one of their star assets but the parachute payments would be nearly gone and Reading kept a lot of their Premier League squad so they may be looking to offload their highest earners.

Ian Tod
19 Posted 02/04/2009 at 18:59:34

Michael Owen - free(willing to take a massive wage cut, proven goalscorer, Excellent striker when fit)

Stewart Downing - 8-10 million pounds (would be the answer to our problems on the wings he was excellent against us in the quarter-final)

Joao Moutinho -10 million pounds(consistent and young would be the answer to having someone who can equal Arteta for creativity)

Ian Tod
20 Posted 02/04/2009 at 20:11:17

Jack Collison

Andy Morden
21 Posted 02/04/2009 at 20:10:05

WIth the exception of an odd few, we do seem pretty fixated on the ’obvious’ names like Bentley, Downing, Owen, Mouthinho etc.

Nothing wrong with looking at players with established premiership or international credentials, but I susepct to gain any depth in our squad Moyes and his team need to take a few ’gambles’ and bring in little known quantities or lesser lauded players with the view to bringing them on.

I actually think Walter Smith had a decent (not perfect) record of doing this.

Carsley
Radzinski (I’m sure I’ll get panned for this, but he was a handy signing for the money we paid)
Weir
Gravesen
Campbell

Moyes’ best signings have been of a similar nature. None of them cost more than £6 million, which in today’s market is peanuts.

Cahill
Lescott
Jagielka
Baines (well rated at the time, but not rated in the same bracket as say Ashley Cole when we brought him)
Arteta
Phil Neville (I’ve bitched about him in the past, but this season he has been worth his weight in gold).

I honestly hope Moyes looks to use his money cannily this summer, I honestly think it pays more than splurging it on one ’box office’ signing.

Ollie Taylor
22 Posted 02/04/2009 at 20:43:04

Tuncay
Quaresma
Pogrebnyak.

Dave Vickers
23 Posted 02/04/2009 at 21:55:51

Morrison from West Brom I thought he was Man of the match when we got a lucky win at home to the Baggies. i have only seen clips of him in other matches but he always gets in good positions.

Matt Bone
24 Posted 02/04/2009 at 23:08:22

Kevin Walker ? Sturridge, M?bami, Jack Collison, Sean Scannell and the Dali Lama ? are you saying all of these would be available on a free? Are you mad?

Guy Hastings
25 Posted 02/04/2009 at 23:10:12

My two lads - one a natural holding midfielder (with a dodgy knee, mind you) and the other a nippy right winger. Solve our two problem positions and, at a modest 10 per cent, keep their agent dad in the manner to which he thinks he could become happily accustomed. I hear that Moyes has his eye on a certain ?Champagne Tony? Marsh, too...

Gary Forster
26 Posted 02/04/2009 at 23:43:58

James Morrison and Kris Commons would be great signings in my book, neither would break the bank and hopefully still have spare funds to bring a big signing in the shape of Moutinho for example!!!!!!!!!!!

Dick Fearon
27 Posted 03/04/2009 at 00:02:08

Two wide midfielders who can stay on their feet. Any other talent it would be a bonus.

Charlie Smith
28 Posted 03/04/2009 at 00:15:19

Stephen Ireland.

Liam Kennedy
29 Posted 03/04/2009 at 00:18:15

We need some wide players, Downings ok but i’d like to see us have a go for someone like Nani, if Utd bring in a few more players he maybe surpluss. Malouda from Chelsea might be worth a punt or i’d love to see Joe Cole in an Everton shirt.

Steve Carter
30 Posted 03/04/2009 at 01:48:20

I’d like us to cash in and get rid of Yak and replace him with Josh Kennedy. Kennedy scored 4 goals in his first 5 games for Karlsruhe in the Bundesliga, but has suffered a drought leading to him being dropped and wanting a move. He’s scored 6 from 12 for the Socceroos. He’s 6’5", and much physically stronger than Crouch. He works hard, is low maintenance and, I’d think, would come very cheap. In short, Ferguson without drama, who’d fit in with our system very well. He’s tough Aussie country boy, who’d muscle up on defenders to set up the likes of Saha and Cahill alongside and behind him. And the rest of them would be lifted by him and Tim geeing each other up Aussie style.

Johnny McGurk
31 Posted 03/04/2009 at 02:30:48

I?d like some of what Liam Kennedy has been smoking...

I would want some more cover in defence... Moyes seems happy to move Lescott and Jagielka to the fullback positions when we?re stretched so maybe someone like Mancienne from Chelsea, a young English player who is a natural centre back but also very versatile.

Depending on the fitness of our strikers we may need cover there as well. I?d like to say Ebanks-Blake but Wolves are coming up and so they?d want the Earth for him. Perhaps Tuncay fits the bill but his goal-scoring record isn?t great and I?m not sure how much he?d like to bench-warm when our first choice strikers are fit.

The key position appears to be midfield, and a player like Arteta who is creative and can play both in the centre and also out wide would be perfect but won?t come cheap. Maybe a star signing in central midfield... Like Moutinho or a more defensive player like M?Bia or Annan and then a young winger in the mould of an Adam Johnson, Chris Eagles or Jack Collison?

The most important thing for the squad is the players personality... there's no point in bringing bags of skill if they?re going to disrupt the dressing room. I think thats why we?re better off going for more under-rated players and giving them their chance.

I?m disappointed we didn?t have any money in January as I would have liked to see both Jimmy Bullard and Charles N?Zogbia at Everton. They would be in the list except they only moved clubs recently.

Adam Fenlon
32 Posted 03/04/2009 at 02:48:52

Josh Kennedy is a very limited player and doesn't have the footskills of a comparable bigman like Crouch.

Would be half decent as a shock-sub in the same way Ferguson was in his second-last season but that's about it. Definitely not anywhere near an equivalent player to the Yak!

Jason Lam
33 Posted 03/04/2009 at 03:29:45

Arshavin

Eric Myles
34 Posted 03/04/2009 at 05:22:55

As it’s pure fantasy.

George Best or Pele

Steve Carter
35 Posted 03/04/2009 at 07:16:46

I agree with what you say in your first and last sentences, Adam (although I’d be a little kinder and say ’quite’ rather than ’very limited’). By the same (or similar) token, aspects of Tim Cahill’s game are limited (as our fellow posters often observe); nontheless his effect for us cannot be overstated. I agree that Kennedy would be half decent in the limited role you’d use him, but also think that he’d be value for money effective beyond that for the reasons I state.

James Boden
36 Posted 03/04/2009 at 08:51:44

Hey it’s fantasy football so here is who I would like to sign
Carlos Alberto
Franz Beckenbauer
Paolo Maldini
Alfredo Di Stefano
Hey can we have Cryuff, Van Basten and Maradona too please.
Oh and add in bringing back Peter Reid, Kevin Ratcliffe, Gary Lineker and Neville Southall as well. And then I will be happy.
Forget Holland 1974 this would be Total Football.

Gavin Ramejkis
37 Posted 03/04/2009 at 09:51:27

Lionel Messi
David Villa
Karim Benzema
Philip Lahm

You want more fantasy take a look at Christian Ceballos, he’d get a game now!

Ste Johno
38 Posted 03/04/2009 at 10:39:51

For cover at left-back, Steve Seargeant! My arl fella used to take me and our kid to the game then ... he hated him! ... for years i thought his first name was You’re Shit!

Gordon Blair
39 Posted 03/04/2009 at 11:11:04

Dalmat and Defour from Liege would be a good bet. Dalmat’s rapid and appears to have a bit of quality on the wing and Defour seems to have sufficient quality to help us not miss Mikel too much the next time he gets injured.

Dalmat’s 26 and Defour’s still only 20 and is used to playing alongside Mo.

Mo already being here could be the factor that tips the scales in our favour when the guys are choosing their next club.

Oh, and maybe Huth as a backup if the smoggies go down, as Joey will be off to AFCON.

Franny Porter
40 Posted 03/04/2009 at 11:27:50

On a seperate note, doesn't it seem like the bleeding AFCON is on all the time? It seems we always get affected by this tournament.

Although undoubtedly decent players, I would always have reservations about signing African players because of this reason.

This now means we will hardly see Yak next season, what with his recovery from his injury then no doubt disappearing off for the AFCON.

Michael Dawson
41 Posted 03/04/2009 at 11:26:58

I’m with the lads who mentioned James Morrison from West Brom. Bags of skill, can pick a pass and scores a few too. He is lacking in blistering pace, which I admit we could do with, but is perfectly capable of playing in the middle or out wide.

Should be available fairly cheaply assuming the inevitable relegation for the Baggies.

Jamie Butler
42 Posted 03/04/2009 at 11:38:34

Steven Defour from Liege. Looked decent when we played them, and is only 20 years old. Not a very big name so big clubs wont be after him and we could get him for around 5-6 million.

Damien McKay
43 Posted 03/04/2009 at 12:15:25

Well my mates dad has a mate who?s a cousin of a a reliable source who works at Goodison. And he said that we will sign the following....

Chris Eagles - £6M
Michael Owen - Free
Niko Krancjar or whatever is name is? - £2M

But I would like to also see that guy Dalmat and his mate Defour. Quality players. Forget Downing, he will go to City. I would rather sign Arron Lennon anyway and that Tom Huddlestone.

Vince Hindson
44 Posted 03/04/2009 at 13:46:21

There’s a young fella based in North London called Vince Hindson, who I’ve heard is exceptionally talented CF, and available too! His wages would be no more than £30,000 pw so good value too. We should sign him on a 5 year contract now!

Charlie Smith
45 Posted 03/04/2009 at 13:49:56

Damien sorry but no way would Moyes or Kenwright tell your cousins reliable source who we are interested in. Key word INTERESTED IN. Nothings complete until its complete.

Id pay the whole budget on Stephen Ireland. Best compliment to Arteta and is an awesome player

Dan McKie
46 Posted 03/04/2009 at 17:01:16

The 2 guys from west brom, James Morrison and Robert Koren are class players and both can play great football (its a pity west brom just cant score)! Good chance of them going down too.

Alan Clarke
47 Posted 03/04/2009 at 18:21:26

Duncan Ferguson

Tom Brown
48 Posted 03/04/2009 at 19:14:00

Problem 1. Need a right back who can contribute going forward. Fantasy solution. Glenn Johnson from Pompey. Young. Talented. Too good for Portsmouth and will be looking for a move. Not quite what the Sky 4 would want so we have a chance.

Problem 2. Need a proper winger. Doesn't matter which side. Pienaar can play on the other.

Fantasy solution. Can't quite see it. Variety of players who nearly fit the bill suggested above but none quite get my juices flowing.... Does Kanchelskis have a son?

Rob Gee
49 Posted 03/04/2009 at 20:38:44

Actually, I think he does. Isn?t he at boarding school in Manchester or something? Remember hearing him and his dad interviewed on the radio before the Champions League final.

Yak and Arteta will be sold and we?ll buy Downing and Wagner Love, you see.....

Stuart Mitchell
50 Posted 03/04/2009 at 23:05:50

Moutinho as we rely too heavily on Arteta for creativity.

Owen as I think he could (if fit) be a good foil for Yakubu. Anichebe is never gonna cut it and I doubt we can afford Jo, nor do I think he has done enough.

Also would like to see someone out wide with some genuine pace and ability to beat people. Not a fan of either Downing or Bentley, so I think it's up to Moyes and his scouting team to spring someone on us.

Dalmat could possibly be available and fill that position.

Vivian Sharma
51 Posted 04/04/2009 at 12:27:34

Martin Petrov.
Super player and not getting games at City.

Trevor Powell
52 Posted 05/04/2009 at 08:05:46

Bring back Nick Chadwick, I say!

Denis Byrne
53 Posted 05/04/2009 at 12:23:11

Eusebio and Puskas