ToffeeWeb - Season 2008-09

The Mail Bag

The future looks bright

After another great Premier League season, I really think Everton will push on now. Looming FA Cup final, talk of Moutinho etc is really exciting, if we can get a decent right winger in, and get the players back from the treatment room it will put us in a real strong position for next season.

I'm not worried by the likes of Villa, City, Spurs and the like - they can all splash the cash on players we cannot afford - but in Moyes, we have a manager who will look that bit deeper and will make sure any new player fits in with the teams ethos who won't upset the apple cart..

We are statistically the 5th best team in England. Next season there is every chance we can be in the top 4!

COYB - let's win that Cup on Saturday and really start to push onwards and upwards!
Paul Lindley, Liverpool Posted 25/05/2009 at 16:28:36

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Paul O'Hanlon
1 Posted 25/05/2009 at 20:32:38

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A right winger?s definitely one of our priorities, and one with pace, but who exactly is talking about Moutinho? He signed a new 4-year deal with Sporting only last month so let?s put that one to bed early this summer.

Keith Glazzard
2 Posted 25/05/2009 at 20:57:06

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Mental Health Warning -

No matter what happens on Saturday, be prepared for the media to be tipping "Villa, City, Spurs and the like" and ignoring us.

More fools them.

John Taylor
3 Posted 25/05/2009 at 21:12:27

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Paul,

The Moutinho thing has been in the media again this weekend and the player himself has mentioned Everton and a move to the Premier League.

As I understand it, the new four year deal he signed has a lot of clauses removed - apparently he got a cut of the fee over a certain amount and also got a payment if Sporting turned down a bid over a certain amount. All that has now been removed and it?s widely believed that this will help facilitate any summer move for the player.

Not saying he?ll be coming here, but players signing contracts means nothing at all.

Peter Roberts
4 Posted 25/05/2009 at 21:22:05

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Keith, I know exactly how you feel. I’m looking forward to picking up the season preview in July and the media stake the claim that Newcastle are going to represent one of the biggest threats to the current Top Four...

Fergal O'Regan
5 Posted 25/05/2009 at 21:04:45

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Nice to see Moutinho mention Moyes in his rant. Apparrently he has fallen out with the Sporting gaffer and they want rid. Not to get everyone's hopes up but I think we will get our man very shortly.

This summer we have to buy quailty players. We have the grafters but not enough flair, players who can turn the game with a pass, flick, shot etc. We need the backing of the board or whoever. I have a friend who is an Arsenal fan and he told me that we are 2 to 3 class players short of a top four spot. We are the team that the top 4 fear most that will break them up. Let's hope Saturday is the start of it.

Brian Williams
6 Posted 25/05/2009 at 21:18:46

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While I welcome players of Moutinho’s quality being linked (if you can call the very very tenuous Everton mention as being linked). I’m not so sure he’s what we need most for next season... I had to laugh though at one particular site that allows people to post transfer rumours...according to some donut who obviously got a little mixed up... we’re buying for our midfield that skilful player "Mourinho"

Paul O'Hanlon
7 Posted 25/05/2009 at 22:03:27

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John,

I understand what you?re saying about contracts, but do you seriously think we could afford him? Even if we had £15m+, would Moyes really blow his whole transfer budget on one player, and a central midfielder player at that? We signed Fellaini for £15m last summer and moved Arteta to there with great affect this season. Pace is what we need, and pace down the right more importantly.

Stuart Downey
8 Posted 25/05/2009 at 23:10:04

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Everyone saying Moyes needs pace down the right and shouldn?t therefore buy Moutinho ? surely he?d just put Peanuts on the right? Problem solved...

David Ellis
9 Posted 26/05/2009 at 02:32:13

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The future looks pretty much like it did at the end of last season.

Yes if we the win the FA Cup then great. Enjoy the moment. But don’t expect us to exceed this seasons acheivements next year.

The pinnacle of our realisitic ambitions has to be to win the likes of the FA Cup and the Europa League. A top 4 position is possible - perhaps - but then what? The way the Champions League draw works now means we are almost certain to draw an Italian, Spanish or German club. The chances of us getting to the group stages would be 50% at best. And one year in the group stages will not change the fundamental financial position of the club. To break the top 4 we will need 3 or 4 consecutive seasons in the group stages of the Champions League. This is unlikely to happen, unless one of them implodes financially (which just might happen!).

I am not being pessimistic. We just need to enjoy what we have. A good team, playing attactive football with a good manager and great fans. We are capable of winning the odd pot and hopefully we will do so.

But do not expect any more than that. We are financially weak and will remain so for the forseeable future. This is not 1984 all over again (and nor was 1995).