ToffeeWeb - Season 2009-10

The Mail Bag

Scott Brown: What do you think?

I see there is a rumoured bid from us for the talented Scot, who was Celtic's Player of the Season last time out.

What do others think? Personally, I think he's just the energetic, dynamic sort of player we need.
Karl Masters, Chatham Posted 26/08/2009 at 18:44:09

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Fran Mitchell
1 Posted 27/08/2009 at 00:58:46

Average midfielder, but an improvement of either Cahill or Neville playing in centre-mid.

Not going to set the world alight, the quality of the Scottish League is the lowest it's been in a long time.

I would prefer someone better, but I'd take him if there was no other options.

In a perfect world, one of the Diarra’s from Madrid, or someone of that ilk.

Paul Kersha
2 Posted 27/08/2009 at 01:07:55

If the Arsenal - Celtic game is anything to go by then fuck him off.

Sean McKenna
3 Posted 27/08/2009 at 01:33:50

Would much rather see McGeady, he stood out for me last night pace, power, tricks... the lot! Now how about this for a midfield: new guy Bily left, Benega, Rodwell, Pienaar, and McGeady... better stop or I’ll take an orgasim.

Jason Broome
4 Posted 27/08/2009 at 02:17:31

I have a bad feeling that he is the alternative to Banega. This is the kind of signing I would expect from Wigan or West Ham… not a team with Champions League aspirations.

He lacks pace, flair and imagination and doesn’t have what it takes to change the dynamic of our midfield. Leaving it late means we spend big on players we don’t want or need.

Cahill should be a striker and nothing else. Up front he draws comparisons with Totti. In midfield he looks lost.

Apart from Saha we haven’t signed anyone worthy of the top 4 in two years. Why piss more money away on Scott Brown?

Anderson is rumoured to be available. We have money. Sir Alex and Moyes are friends… what are we waiting for? I’m sure £10 million will seal the deal!

Jason Lam
5 Posted 27/08/2009 at 07:12:51

Celtic rejected Portmouth’s 9m bid last season, and now Everton ’seriously’ looking at him with a 6m bid.

WTF? How can we be taken as a serious club? Has Scott Brown blown his knee since?

Dave Wilson
6 Posted 27/08/2009 at 07:27:33

No jason, but believe it or not, Sellics need may just be greater than ours - no sky dosh for them

This guy looked the real deal before he had the misfortune of playing for Stachan. He has lost his way a bit, but he has to be a better option than Cahill or Neville, he has a drive we dont have in the middle of the park, Fellaini Arteta, Pienaar and "Billy" may all benifit from that.
In view of the fact that Iniesta and Xavi dont seem to beating down our door, I’d take a punt

Ciarán McGlone
7 Posted 27/08/2009 at 08:35:57

I’d be underwhelmed...

As said above..better than Neville or Cahill in that position...

That’s about it.

Neil Vaughan
8 Posted 27/08/2009 at 09:12:50

Think the general concensus is that he’s not of the quality we needt....& I have to agree entirely

Watched him on many occassions ....spends most of his time charging around like a headless chicken giving away silly fouls...

IMO the quality of the SPL is very poor (and that’s being kind)....we only have to look at our last purchase from Scotland to bring us back to reality...’The Scottish Wayne Rooney’...I dont think so

I think it shows the true extent of our ambitions and expectations if all we can attract is Scott Brown...I will be gutted...!!

Stephen Foster
9 Posted 27/08/2009 at 09:25:52

I know the SPL aint that great,

but to be named SPFA player of the year, you would think he cant be all that bad, must be worth 6m??

Duncan McDine
10 Posted 27/08/2009 at 09:35:14

On last night’s performance, I think he’d be a very average addition to the squad. Having said that, Arsenal can make decent players look like they’ve never kicked a ball before.

I certainly wouldn’t spazz one out if we got him (in the style of one little Argie)

Gary Drain
11 Posted 27/08/2009 at 10:03:26

McFadden. Enough said.

Chad Schofield
12 Posted 27/08/2009 at 10:01:42

Jason Lam, that’s exactly what I was thinking... but hadn’t thought of the lack of Sky money. Good squad addition.

Colin Potter
13 Posted 27/08/2009 at 10:04:47

Good idea Jason Broome,
Why not have a punt on Anderson from utd. Pay them on the drip, like they did with us over Rooney.

Ellen West
14 Posted 27/08/2009 at 09:59:37

If we do sign him, get ready for the following rhetoric..

"I know David Moyes has wanted to bring him to Goodison for some time and we look forward to welcoming him"

"We tried to get him in January"

“He’s a actually got a bit of Joe Parkinson about him".

Phil Martin
15 Posted 27/08/2009 at 10:14:27

Where’s this years’ Sky TV money?

Surely that £15M plus £20M for Lescott (even minus £10M for Bily) must mean Moyes has a recpectable kitty for the remining 5 days of the transfer window.
Or has the cash fairy been again and funnelled large amounts into a secret pot (labelled DK)?

Peter Griffin
16 Posted 27/08/2009 at 10:21:03

Huth is in talks with Stoke.

Howard Don
17 Posted 27/08/2009 at 10:59:43

Anderson £10miliion? I may be wrong but from everything I’ve heard, he hasn’t exactly set the world on fire at United. If SAF is moving him on after a short period at the club, I wouldn’t want him at anything but bargain basement prices.

Dan McKie
18 Posted 27/08/2009 at 11:19:11

A lot of Man U fans say that having Anderson on the pitch is like playing with 10 men from the start. He just doesnt do anything, be it a flash of brilliance or a mistake! They prefer Nani cos at least he gives them a laugh now and again, and belts the odd 30 yarder in! As for Scott Brown, Moyes may well get the best out of him, but doubt he would be in first choice 11, but then ain’t we always saying we need a bigger squad?

Karl Masters
19 Posted 27/08/2009 at 13:10:36

Seems to be general apathy or condemnation of this idea.

However, I think he’s a classic Moyes signing. We aren’t in the market for finished product superstars. We have to work with potential.

He’s no Arteta, but that’s not what we are looking for in Midfield reinforcements is it? We need a mobila and aggressive player to add some balance to the more skilful, but also more lightweight talents of Fellaini or Osman or Arteta or maybe Banega. It’s all about the right balance and he’s a better passer than Neville and good to have as Rodwell is maturing. He’s far more consistent than McFadden for whoever put that up.

Anyway, it might never happen, but if it does, I’ll not be surprised if he proves you all wrong

Steve Jones
20 Posted 27/08/2009 at 13:24:44

I agree with Karl, ideal for Moyes to work with and at least he is mobile enough to track runners through the midfield - something Fellaini and Cahill dont seem to be able to do.

Ciarán McGlone
21 Posted 27/08/2009 at 13:38:41

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5516490,00.html

Ciarán McGlone
22 Posted 27/08/2009 at 13:38:56

Interesting..

Valencia want de guzman..and we want banego...

cut out the middle man and just take de guzman

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5516496,00.html

Peter Roberts
23 Posted 27/08/2009 at 13:50:49

Ciaran,

I’d be very wary of taking De Guzman in all honesty. First of all, Feyenoord are wanting mega-money for him, even if they do decide to sell. He’s still very raw, and also spent much of last season, if not all of it on the sidelines through injury. It smacks a lot of a Fellaini-style signing as I’m not sure he’d be able to adapt to the pace of the Premier League - the Eredivisie is a lot slower.

James Marshall
24 Posted 27/08/2009 at 14:19:23

Ciaran, the Luisao story was just a phantom bid.

James Marshall
25 Posted 27/08/2009 at 14:22:14

Tncay and Huth look like they’re both going to Stoke........for some reason.

David McKitt
26 Posted 27/08/2009 at 14:18:57

I see stoke are in talks with Huth AND after Tuncay.. wouldnt mind both of them with us..
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_5516479,00.html

Will Green
27 Posted 27/08/2009 at 14:40:41

2 other (possible) targets look like they are on their way to other clubs, Rob Huth and Tuncay to Stoke for 11 million, both got prem experience and are internationals, Tuncay could have done a great job down the right hand side and filling upfront, and Huth is a rock in the middle, although a bit slow.
This could have major implications if Moyes wants Wheater, boro may not want to get rid of both center backs! Please dont leave it to the last min again Moyes.

Will Green
28 Posted 27/08/2009 at 14:42:17

just heard Tuncay move not cast in stone! hard working, skillful, adaptable, goal scoring, 6ft plus, International, easy to sell on Turkish hero, naaaa forget it, what am I on.

David McKitt
29 Posted 27/08/2009 at 15:18:12

Southgate has come out and confirmed both are in talks..
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/8224661.stm

Peter Griffin
30 Posted 27/08/2009 at 15:21:25

There’s a rumour of us going for Majid Bougherra. Rangers CB who we were interested in before he went North. Personally I think this is more realistic than most of the others mentioned. However don’t think they will be keen to sell their player of the year.

Jason Broome
31 Posted 27/08/2009 at 14:13:26

‘Any Port in a storm.’

We should be looking to take 4th by the throat! Instead we tread water for another summer. “Worth a punt.” “He will do.” “We need bodies.” So does a morgue!

Wasn’t Fellaini… “worth a punt” this time last year? Now he’s “not the required quality” and “lightweight” so we “take a punt” all over again.

Man Utd fans DON’T want to lose Anderson. Some believe that he wasn’t worth the £19 Million that was paid at the time but don’t for 1 second think that he isn’t rated. He’s a better passer and all round player than anyone we have in our squad.

Can you same for Scott Brown? Anderson would provide that spark of creativity that we desperately need… Can you say the same of Scott Brown? He has the ability to dictate play on the grass and not succumb to hoof-ball… Can you say the same for Scott Brown?

He’s good enough to play in the Champions league final and be a lynchpin in their Premier League success, but we’d rather chase a player rated by Portsmouth and Reading!

How could anyone not look good in Scotland? Anyone of our top 15 Premier League sides could give Celtic & Rangers a run for their Championship money. Kenny Miller was the new Dalglish… where is he now? McFadden???

And why all of a sudden is everyone slagging off Neville. He was immense last season… as good as Carsley ever was. Talk about blowing hot and cold. We have Rodwell for Neville’s position anyway and I rate him higher than Brown so why side-step.

The crap start to the season and 2 barren harvests have taught some of us to look down or from side to side. Not me! I’m still looking beyond Arsenal!

Bradley Nolan
32 Posted 27/08/2009 at 16:25:24

http://goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/08/27/1464817/breaking-news-sylvain-distin-signs-for-everton-pending

James Cadwaladr
33 Posted 27/08/2009 at 11:25:03

Stoke have agreed a fee for Roberth Huth. Does you think this pave way for Shawcross to join Everton?

I can't imagine Moyes walking away from talks with Boro knowing that Stoke are in for Huth without an agreement in place to take Shawcross.

IF this is the place in my opinion this would be a great signing at around £5-7m.

Gerry Western
34 Posted 27/08/2009 at 19:35:53

Scott Brown looked a terrific prospect a few seasons ago. At the time I thought he’d make a great signing for us. Had a falling out with Strachen a while back and his form went into reverse. I’d be loath to judge him on last night’s performance. He coped well with the Gooners early in the game but you really have to consider the quality of the players around him. To expect him to dominate the Arsenal single handedly is a tall order.

He’s combative and just might be the sort of player we need assuming he’s not too expensive. Someone mentioned Mc Fadden. Is the suggestion here that if we buy him we’ll most likely be able to sell him on for a huge profit. As I understand it, that’s what we did with Mc Fadden, if so, yet another reason to buy

James Boden
35 Posted 27/08/2009 at 20:11:15

Scott Brown for Everton- No thanks.
And I would say the same to Anderson.

Peter Fearon
36 Posted 27/08/2009 at 10:59:48

I know some will think me mad, but we should sign Michael Ball. He was a great defender before a run of injuries and some bad management decisions set his career back.

He played well for Manchester City when he did play, including taking the captain's armband at one stage. He had a knee operation earlier this year and will be out until mid-season. It irks me that City cut him in the middle of his recovery because his contract was up when the right thing to do was extend his contract month by month so that he could recover and train using their facilities instead of being thrown aside like a used sock.

I believe this great Evertonian who is 29, has three or four very good seasons left in him after he recovers. Obviously he is not an immediate replacement for Lescott, but he can play multiple defensive roles and even if he does no more than be a solid sub, he would be worth signing.

Brendan Fox
37 Posted 27/08/2009 at 16:50:01

I think most will be happy to see another experienced centre back join the squad should Distin's medical go well. However, I still believe the club should be on the lookout for another CB. The reason in my opinion is because Yobo lacks any kind of composure either on the ball, in the air or making a challenge. Am I the only one who thinks he looks kind of clumsy most of the time?

I would like to see Moyes buy/loan a CB who can actually play the ball a bit and pick a pass without having to resort to a hoof. That may have been the reason of the proposed bid for Luisao from Benfica?

Peter Griffin
38 Posted 27/08/2009 at 22:51:43

Peter- I still think we will sign Michael Ball if he makes a full recovery and proves his fitness.

Neil Vaughan
39 Posted 28/08/2009 at 10:38:17

No Brendan you are not alone...I agree entirely...

Yobo makes far to elimentary mistakes (and has done since we signed him) which more often than not end up with goals for the opposition...He was again at fault last night...his mistake ultimately led to the Hibbert sending off.

Everybody too busy looking to blame Lescott v Arsenal when actually Yobo was at fault for at least 3 of the goals

He is also the main culprit of hoofing the ball aimlessly upfront when in possession...(if the ball doesnt actually go straight to the opposition before it gets there)

Totally lacks composure on the ball and panicswhen put under presure... I presonally wish that it was Yobo and not Lescott that had gone to City

....and before you all start defending him by saying he’s loyal....been here for 7yrs...loves the club yada yada yada...dont forget a couple of years ago when he stalled on a new contract so he could weigh up all his options...truth is NOBODY came in for him...so surprise surprise he signed a new contract.

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