The Mail Bag
A Donovan plea?
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Landon Donovan's current status on Facebook....
"P.S.-It was great to see Tim and Lucas. I miss my Everton teammates!"
He still considers our boys his teammates despite being a Galaxy player. Wonderful!
Go get him.
Neal Sutherland, Posted 06/06/2010 at 14:53:48
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I thought he'd be an average impact player from the bench during his short stay at Everton.
I was wrong — he was a very, very good player for us. Direct, good with the ball, intelligent.
Would love to see him at Goodison full time.
I was wrong — he was a very, very good player for us. Direct, good with the ball, intelligent.
Would love to see him at Goodison full time.
I'd love to see Donovan back too, him on the right with Coleman, Bainsey and Pienaar on the left, with Arteta, Fellaini, Rodwell in the middle!!
Class team.
Class team.
Jay, good in prospect, but Pienaar will be gone. Heitinga, Neville and Cahill (being fit) will prevent that from ever happening as Moyes always plays Cahill... and Coleman will be used more frequently along with Hibbert, so Moyes will push Neville into defensive mid.
Awww, forgot about Neviile!! I hope Pienaar stays, and one day we field that team just to see how we get on, maybe swapping Rodwell for Cahill?
We definitely need width but I suspect anyone worth a punt is way beyond our modest means, selling Pienaar will not provide that much cash and likely suspects Donovan and Charlie Insomniac will cost too much.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Lucas Neill leave just as Donovan was signed? So to say he was a team mate of his is a bit odd.
Good shout that, Jay, I just can't see Moyes getting rid of his Neville fixation.
I think Neville would be better off by starting to get his coaching badges, beginning this season.
I think Neville would be better off by starting to get his coaching badges, beginning this season.
Definitely Colin I actually think Neville would make a much better coach than player!
Ben (#7): Close... but no cigar.
They overlapped, but only for one game, both playing against Arsenal at The Emirates.
They overlapped, but only for one game, both playing against Arsenal at The Emirates.
Donovan is an attacking central midfield player not a winger. Yes, he played there for his short-term contract but long term he will have to be played in his best and most effective position.
So we still need a winger then!!!
Brian,
Donovan would play anywhere the manager asked him to and, if he is bought, then I'd argue that it's to fill the void on the right, because the squad is already over-populated in the centre,: Arteta, Timmy, Fella, Osman and the others that can play there... JH, Pip, Peanuts and Rodders. We don't need another squad player for the middle; we need pace on the wing.
We should gamble on this boy, he's making all the right noises and his fee would likely be repaid with merchandise sales. The club needs to show some foresight.
Thanks for that, Michael. Wish you hadn't reminded me of that game at The Emirates though, that late equaliser still hurts me now. Back on topic, I would like to see Donovan back with us but not for more than £4-5 million, as I don't think he is any better than that sort of price range.
Would be nice to see the return of the Don.
"The Don"... I Like!
Methinks that shall henceforth be his nickname.
Methinks that shall henceforth be his nickname.
Q. I hope the powers that be are reading between the lines, what part of of the unspoken...I can't come out and actually say it. but... don't they see.
A. I hope it isn't the money part.
Proverb, One volunteer is worth ten pressed men.
A. I hope it isn't the money part.
Proverb, One volunteer is worth ten pressed men.
I'd add, he's finally matured. Not his ability, but his desire to test himself against the best in the best league. He's basically admitted he didn't care as much as he should have before. Made a nice dollar, got to test himself now and again in Internationals, living in SoCal.
I'm convinced it was Germany did it his last time there. Ownership didn't want him even though he played well when in.
Moyes not only gave him a chance but threw him into the deep end right away and told him to stay there. It's THAT he misses and wants again. Plus the way everyone there (Moyes, teammates, and fans) treated him is what causes him to say he's an Evertonian.
I can't see the money as the major obstacle some think. It's easily as important our top star excels in the strongest, (and most internationally viewed by the way) pro league as it is for MLS to cash in on him. MLS is very aware of this. Not to mention, he did whatever asked to promote MLS year after year. That counts for something.
Plus, as much as I love him and more mature or not, Landon still has some of that "I want what I want when I want it" in him. And he wants to go back to Goodison. All else aside, he knows what all our other guys know. This next season could be really big for EFC. And he wants in.
I'm convinced it was Germany did it his last time there. Ownership didn't want him even though he played well when in.
Moyes not only gave him a chance but threw him into the deep end right away and told him to stay there. It's THAT he misses and wants again. Plus the way everyone there (Moyes, teammates, and fans) treated him is what causes him to say he's an Evertonian.
I can't see the money as the major obstacle some think. It's easily as important our top star excels in the strongest, (and most internationally viewed by the way) pro league as it is for MLS to cash in on him. MLS is very aware of this. Not to mention, he did whatever asked to promote MLS year after year. That counts for something.
Plus, as much as I love him and more mature or not, Landon still has some of that "I want what I want when I want it" in him. And he wants to go back to Goodison. All else aside, he knows what all our other guys know. This next season could be really big for EFC. And he wants in.
It would be awsome to see Landon back but, at 28, I believe you wouldn't want to be spending to much on him. He was what we needed in our team when he was a bit of a spark but everyone has to remember that Donovan is not just a player in America — he is a product, so Galaxy would want much more than many may believe.
Jayden, if/when Pienaar and his agent finally trot off, we need a player to replace him. The fans will expect that. Donovan, even at 28, will give us increased exposure in the USA and bolster our attacking options from midfield and won't cost that much either — an extra £2m or so on top of the Pienaar fee probably.
I'd certainly rather have him in than Ledley or Adam!
I'd certainly rather have him in than Ledley or Adam!
Sports Center (not crappy, American version of Sky Sports news) today had a 5-minute or so segment about Landon's loan spell at Everton. You could tell that he loved being an Everton player. I would be surprised if he wasn't back on Merseyside come August.
As Tim, Lucas and any other Australian will tell you, Michael, there is and will only ever be one "The Don".
If he is free or a loan then fine. I would not spend any money on a transfer... he is 28, we can get far better than him if our management put their minds to it.
Another player who is better in memory than he was on the pitch.
I thought he was good but............ he was benched as soon as Anichebe was fit.
I thought he was good but............ he was benched as soon as Anichebe was fit.
No, Gareth, he was getting Anichebe fit in preparation for Donavan;s departure as Anichebe hadn't played for like a year.
I don't understand all this infatuation with getting Donovan back. He did okay when he was with us, but he never did enough to command what would be a high price to get him.
We have a far better player in Pienaar, maybe the money would be wiser spent paying him the wages he wants.
"Maybe the money would be wiser spent paying him the wages he wants...."
I see your point, but then bang goes any wage structure; which is essential given the current financial climate and the stature of our club.
I see your point, but then bang goes any wage structure; which is essential given the current financial climate and the stature of our club.
Brian, I think what Donovan lacked in silky skills or wing play, he made up for in intelligence. He was, to use a Joe Fagan expression, quick in the ‘ead. Rarely chose the wrong option or ran into blind alleys, something that even the best wide players have a tendency to do. In addition, he tracked back and did his defensive duties, which is also something that’s rare from wingers/wide players; and wide right even isn’t his preferred position.
Personally, I'd love him back because he gave us a different dimension.
Personally, I'd love him back because he gave us a different dimension.
We simply have to get this guy back. Last Tuesday, I was watching a programme on BBC about the World Cup... "The Beautiful Game" I think it was called. It was looking at the game in the US and Landon was the main man, being interviewed, mobbed everywhere he went. He is the star over there and the Marketing potential he carries will be massive!
Oh and he was pretty impressive on the pitch too! Get him signed now, get that number 9 shirt on his back again and watch the shirt sales rocket (well, maybe not the pink one, eh?!)
Charlie (23); Interesting to know where you got your inside knowledge from... All I am going on is that when Anichebe came back Donovan sat on the bench. That's not even up for discussion — it's there in black and white.
Jamie Morgan - I'm with you mate.
I thought the reaction to Donovan's first couple of performances here were way over the top but gradually I had to eat my words and concede that he was just the ticket. The guy can play, whether it's his positon or not, can do more than a job on the right and beyond everything else is clearly a winner.
While the world and his wife are chasing the yen, why not pin our colours to the dollar? Seems to me if you're going to try to catch that wave then the time is now. He's their "Beckham" so what a coup if we can get him permanently?
Save the No 9 shirt for Beckford though....
I thought the reaction to Donovan's first couple of performances here were way over the top but gradually I had to eat my words and concede that he was just the ticket. The guy can play, whether it's his positon or not, can do more than a job on the right and beyond everything else is clearly a winner.
While the world and his wife are chasing the yen, why not pin our colours to the dollar? Seems to me if you're going to try to catch that wave then the time is now. He's their "Beckham" so what a coup if we can get him permanently?
Save the No 9 shirt for Beckford though....
Gareth (28); What's there in Black and White is that, when Donovan was due to fly back to USA, about 2/3 weeks prior (and Anichebe's coincidental return to fitness), Moyes used Donovan more sparingly and played Anichebe for TWO reasons:
1) To get Anichebe match fit ready for Donovan's departure (rather than throwing him in the deep end risking further injury);
2) For Anichebe to develop an understanding with the other players as he will be the replacement for Donovan once he goes back to USA.
You dont need to be Einstein.
1) To get Anichebe match fit ready for Donovan's departure (rather than throwing him in the deep end risking further injury);
2) For Anichebe to develop an understanding with the other players as he will be the replacement for Donovan once he goes back to USA.
You dont need to be Einstein.
I'd really like to see him back as I felt he gave us options, balance and and injection of much needed pace. He is, however, still contracted to LA Galaxy... so perhaps their fans can demand he never plays for them again after a display of such disloyalty.
Wouldn't it be funny if Landon did Cashley again during next Saturdays match!
Charlie, you and David Moyes must be real close to know all that.
Charlie, it just doen't make sense. I thought the idea was to put out the strongest team possible to win a game, so why drop a player to the bench, when he has been playing well, to accommodate a player returning from injury? If Moyes wanted to give Anichebe game time, why didn't he start with him on the bench, and bring him on as a sub?
Maybe Moyes didn't rate Donovan as highly as some do on here.
Pat (20) - I saw that show and by the end was laughing, thinking "How did Nike pull that one off"?
Anyone else see that segment? It was suposed to be about the US in the WC and turned into a several minute advert for EFC hosted by Landon. If he'd started selling #9 jerseys with his name on back, I wouldn't have been surprised.
LD's not the only one in the States wanting him back in Blue. So do Nike AND MLS. I'd consider that when discussing the cost of getting Donovan back to Goodison.
Anyone else see that segment? It was suposed to be about the US in the WC and turned into a several minute advert for EFC hosted by Landon. If he'd started selling #9 jerseys with his name on back, I wouldn't have been surprised.
LD's not the only one in the States wanting him back in Blue. So do Nike AND MLS. I'd consider that when discussing the cost of getting Donovan back to Goodison.
Chad (32) - "so perhaps their fans can demand he never plays for them again after a display of such disloyalty". Perhaps a few fans. Only natural.
Off-setting this is his loyalty all these years as the singular American face of MLS. He's done everything asked by the league to promote it. And, tellingly, he didn't rip the Galaxy front office during those few Mickey Mouse years before Arena was brought in. He could have and he'd have been right.
Really, if there's one American player who's earned a, "Thanks for everything and best of luck at Everton", it's Landon. I don't see much ill-well towards him here in the US once he makes the move.
Off-setting this is his loyalty all these years as the singular American face of MLS. He's done everything asked by the league to promote it. And, tellingly, he didn't rip the Galaxy front office during those few Mickey Mouse years before Arena was brought in. He could have and he'd have been right.
Really, if there's one American player who's earned a, "Thanks for everything and best of luck at Everton", it's Landon. I don't see much ill-well towards him here in the US once he makes the move.
Liam #12 + David #27: I am in full agreement. All these attributes are required of a top central midfield player if he is to dominate a game against top class opposition, which most of the above mentioned do not. So we still need a right winger then!!!
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1 Posted 06/06/2010 at 17:28:51
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