Season 2011-12 Fan Articles
Time for wholesale renewal
By Kieran Fitzgerald :: 23/12/2011
26 Comments (»Last)
Something I've been giving some thought to recently is how this season is shaping up to be a gut wrenching failure. At this stage, I don't think I would be that offended if the club was to write the season off from now and take what I think would be a solid course of action. I honestly don't think that we are bad enough to get relegated. Unless we suddenly become attractive as an investment, or Moyes has a road to Damascus sytle epiphany in his managerial approach, nothing will change between now and the end of the season on either front.
Instead, I think we should just bite the bullet and sell a number of senior players, either in January or the summer, and just make do with where the extra cash and remaining players leave us.
I think we can survive offloading one from Jagielka, Distin and Heitinga. We can always recall Duffy from loan for cover and can stick Rodwell or Neville in there if we need to. Take what ever we can get for Yobo and throw that into the pot.
With their current injury woes, I am very surprised that Man Utd and Arsenal haven't been mentioned as looking at Heitinga. I think that he would bring the experience, talent and bite that both teams are crying out for right now. I think both clubs are desperate enough to pay a decent price for him too and wouldn't be surprised if interest was shown in him in January.
From midfield we can afford to offload Cahill and Bilyaletdinov. Cahill has been a trojan for the club but I do think his best days are behind him. I don't think he is prepared to stop playing for his country to benefit his club career; while this is admirable, it isn't doing his club form any favours. There are enough midfielders, both senior and up-and-coming to fill any gaps.
With Rodwell, who's mostly been played as a midfielder, I'd rather he stayed if we had enough cash coming in from other player sales but, at the same time, I wouldn't begrudge him a move. At his age, and at this stage of his career, I think he is due to make a decision about his future very soon. I think that right now, he would get as many games in Man Utd's midfield or back four as he would with us and I think the same would apply at Chelsea. Again, I think we could get a decent offer for him in the January window.
Up front, I'm ambivalent about Saha. If he stays, fine... if not, I don't know if we would miss him all that much.
That's a sum of cash in and a number of high wages off the books. Some or most of the cash raised would go to appease the banks but I would be happy with that.
Hand what's left to Moyes and tell him to do what he used to do a couple of seasons ago. I think actually having money, and the chance to make something of a fresh start with this squad, might just be the tonic Moyes needs. Bed in the new players between now and the end of the season, hopefully Drenthe on a permanent deal and at least one quality striker, give the youngsters more game time and see where we are come pre-season training in July.
I know to some degree I might be stating the obvious. Also, this type of a plan would require the Board and or Moyes being bold enough to make the decision when seemingly in the grip of complete inertia. But I do think that we have nothing to lose.
Like I said, I don't think we will get relegated this season, and I also think that Moyes does not seem capable of doing more with this current squad than he already is. We can simply limp along as we are, and sink lower and lower into apathy and obscurity, or we can do something that is positive and is seen by the outside world as something that is being done by a club that is proactive and in charge of it's own affairs.
Reader Comments (26)
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James Flynn
2 Posted 23/12/2011 at 14:44:22
2 Posted 23/12/2011 at 14:44:22
Can't agree. Moyes might have the sale of one of those players forced on him by ownership. That could happen.
But if selling isn't forced on him, keep everyone but Bily. He's a wasted roster spot.
But if selling isn't forced on him, keep everyone but Bily. He's a wasted roster spot.
Ian Tunstead
3 Posted 23/12/2011 at 14:45:46
3 Posted 23/12/2011 at 14:45:46
Thats the problem with a lot of people on here. Very short sighted. This isnt football manager either.
Nick Wall
4 Posted 23/12/2011 at 15:04:27
4 Posted 23/12/2011 at 15:04:27
Good lord, haven't we sold enough players already ? The squad's thin enough as it is. I can see Bily leaving us in January, but I wouldn't expect us to sell anyone else in January, and nor should we. The priority's got to be on bringing players in.
Adam Luszniak
5 Posted 23/12/2011 at 15:17:18
5 Posted 23/12/2011 at 15:17:18
err i'd like to see Bily leave us in Jan, but who the hell is gonna bite our hand off for him?
Steve Guy
6 Posted 23/12/2011 at 15:16:03
6 Posted 23/12/2011 at 15:16:03
Kieran, you did a cracking impression of an agent with this article; promoting most of our squad and their talents for sale to Manure or whoever.
Wholesale change mid season would be madness. I don't disagree that there are a few players who, if sold next Summer, we wouldn't miss much based on their current performances, but it would be too disruptive to get rid in January of anymore than we have to and keep Billy BS on the right side of the Bank.
Wholesale change mid season would be madness. I don't disagree that there are a few players who, if sold next Summer, we wouldn't miss much based on their current performances, but it would be too disruptive to get rid in January of anymore than we have to and keep Billy BS on the right side of the Bank.
Ricardo Gimpardsle
7 Posted 23/12/2011 at 15:27:28
7 Posted 23/12/2011 at 15:27:28
In May when they released our accounts we were told we owed nearly 50 million and were losing 5 million a year. So we sold several players for about 15 - 20 million and saved on wages by about 7.5 - 10 million a year. Why then according to the facts do people insist that we are in a worse mess when the evidence points the other way, I know things are not great, but if we were to sell 20 million of players and the wages involved surely we would be almost solvent with substantially lower operating costs due to lower wage bill.
Is this right? Or am I just seeing things too simply?
Is this right? Or am I just seeing things too simply?
Alex Kociuba
8 Posted 23/12/2011 at 15:43:22
8 Posted 23/12/2011 at 15:43:22
Ricardo, you're missing the fact we had a thin, piss weak squad before we made those sales and now we're dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Ricardo Gimpardsle
9 Posted 23/12/2011 at 16:02:24
9 Posted 23/12/2011 at 16:02:24
Alex, I know we have a small squad but if players dont play then it is just a waste. The facts are there but it does not suit the "bashers" and "appologists" to present the facts.
Matt Traynor
10 Posted 23/12/2011 at 16:06:38
10 Posted 23/12/2011 at 16:06:38
"I honestly don't think that we are bad enough to get relegated."
We are. Everyone assumes that the usual good run post-Xmas will see us all right. Newsflash, the squad is smaller and of lower quality than ever, and it's going to bite us in the arse eventually.
"Unless we suddenly become attractive as an investment"
Everton would be a stunning investment for the right buyer at a realistic price. Unfortunately the current custodians won't get realistic until the decision is taken for them. As they've proved time and time again in the past, they lack the foresight and commitment to see the long-term good for the club, over their own desire to turn a profit. If they'd taken opportunities that had been offered before (like KD for instance), they may well have reduced their shareholding, but the residual would be worth far more than what they have now.
"or Moyes has a road to Damascus sytle epiphany in his managerial approach"
Our 'style' hasn't changed in years, just the players on the pitch.
"nothing will change between now and the end of the season on either front."
You got that right.
Merry Blue Xmas to all. Even Kim Jong Bill.
We are. Everyone assumes that the usual good run post-Xmas will see us all right. Newsflash, the squad is smaller and of lower quality than ever, and it's going to bite us in the arse eventually.
"Unless we suddenly become attractive as an investment"
Everton would be a stunning investment for the right buyer at a realistic price. Unfortunately the current custodians won't get realistic until the decision is taken for them. As they've proved time and time again in the past, they lack the foresight and commitment to see the long-term good for the club, over their own desire to turn a profit. If they'd taken opportunities that had been offered before (like KD for instance), they may well have reduced their shareholding, but the residual would be worth far more than what they have now.
"or Moyes has a road to Damascus sytle epiphany in his managerial approach"
Our 'style' hasn't changed in years, just the players on the pitch.
"nothing will change between now and the end of the season on either front."
You got that right.
Merry Blue Xmas to all. Even Kim Jong Bill.
Kieran Fitzgerald
11 Posted 23/12/2011 at 16:34:48
11 Posted 23/12/2011 at 16:34:48
Ian at 3 and Nick at 4, I don't advocate getting rid of the whole squad in January but I do think that at the moment we do need to change things around. If it means doing a bit of transfer business in January then I'm all for it. Sell a couple of the players we don't need and buy in players that we do. Every other club do it. Right now, Everton more than any other club need to do something to shake the despondancy that is hanging around the club's neck like a millstone.
>Steve at 6, I see what you mean with the agent comment. What I meant by it, and should have explained in more detail, is that whether or not we like it, some of our better players are going to be very attractive to other clubs in January for a number of reasons. I just feel that we should be prepared for this and be proactive in how we handle it.
>Steve at 6, I see what you mean with the agent comment. What I meant by it, and should have explained in more detail, is that whether or not we like it, some of our better players are going to be very attractive to other clubs in January for a number of reasons. I just feel that we should be prepared for this and be proactive in how we handle it.
Al Reddish
12 Posted 23/12/2011 at 17:16:32
12 Posted 23/12/2011 at 17:16:32
Kieron, I can see what you are saying is out with the old and lets freshen the place up a bit with cheaper, younger and hungrier players, giving us, the players and the manager a new impetus and awake us from our slumber. However, we will do the first bit, i.e. sell, and then the money will disappear down the arse crack of Billy's jeans.
Colin Wainwright
14 Posted 23/12/2011 at 17:28:28
14 Posted 23/12/2011 at 17:28:28
I hear what you're saying Kieran, but the massive elephant in the room is the thought that, whoever we sell in January, for whatever price, there is a crackin' chance David Moyes will not see a penny beyond the odd loan signing.
Keep the players we've got. Survive. See if we can't get shut of the charlatans running the club during the summer.
Keep the players we've got. Survive. See if we can't get shut of the charlatans running the club during the summer.
Jimmy Sørheim
16 Posted 23/12/2011 at 18:58:23
16 Posted 23/12/2011 at 18:58:23
Well, come to think of it, we have already started that process, remember the summer???
Except Moyes bought no players, why the hell is that?
The stupidest thing to sell 5 players where 2 ofthem where part of the soul of this club, and to not replace them.
To me that process you talk about has already started, but where are the replacements for Arteta and Yakubu???
To sell without replaceing is like a bullet to the head, you pay for it, and boy have we paid the price, the team is utter shit, leftovers for the dog to eat.
Tragic, if we do sell Bily as well do not think you will see that money back in terms of new players brought in, at least not direct replacements, maybe a few new Colemans and a Vellios.
"Houston we are going down."
Except Moyes bought no players, why the hell is that?
The stupidest thing to sell 5 players where 2 ofthem where part of the soul of this club, and to not replace them.
To me that process you talk about has already started, but where are the replacements for Arteta and Yakubu???
To sell without replaceing is like a bullet to the head, you pay for it, and boy have we paid the price, the team is utter shit, leftovers for the dog to eat.
Tragic, if we do sell Bily as well do not think you will see that money back in terms of new players brought in, at least not direct replacements, maybe a few new Colemans and a Vellios.
"Houston we are going down."
Wayne Smyth
17 Posted 23/12/2011 at 19:15:32
17 Posted 23/12/2011 at 19:15:32
I actually completely agree with Kieran.
This season is a complete write off and there are quite a few players who just aren't performing and are costing the club money which we don't have. Get rid for what we can, lower the wage bill, give the chance to younger, hungrier players.
If we need to wait till the summer because the squad is too weak or the buyers are just not there, so be it. But like it or not, the club needs a long term plan for survival and improvement that is in OUR hands, not blindly bumbling along waiting for billy bullshit to sell up. Because we know that isn't going to happen.
Given that we have a number of older players on the books who are costing us a fortune in salary, they will need to be replaced regardless. Neville, Cahill, Saha.
If we can still get a fee for them then we should do it and look for young kids with potential for minimal fee's like Gueye, Vellios and (hopefully)Donnelly to complement our youth players like Barkley and Duffy who both really should be getting some premiership experience too.
If the loss of the experienced players costs us a few premiership positions then so be it, but we need to live within our means, set ourselves up for the future and get rid of some of this shitty debt that "Blue Bill" the greatest Evertonian alive has lumbered the club with.
This season is a complete write off and there are quite a few players who just aren't performing and are costing the club money which we don't have. Get rid for what we can, lower the wage bill, give the chance to younger, hungrier players.
If we need to wait till the summer because the squad is too weak or the buyers are just not there, so be it. But like it or not, the club needs a long term plan for survival and improvement that is in OUR hands, not blindly bumbling along waiting for billy bullshit to sell up. Because we know that isn't going to happen.
Given that we have a number of older players on the books who are costing us a fortune in salary, they will need to be replaced regardless. Neville, Cahill, Saha.
If we can still get a fee for them then we should do it and look for young kids with potential for minimal fee's like Gueye, Vellios and (hopefully)Donnelly to complement our youth players like Barkley and Duffy who both really should be getting some premiership experience too.
If the loss of the experienced players costs us a few premiership positions then so be it, but we need to live within our means, set ourselves up for the future and get rid of some of this shitty debt that "Blue Bill" the greatest Evertonian alive has lumbered the club with.
Simon Atkins
18 Posted 23/12/2011 at 20:40:26
18 Posted 23/12/2011 at 20:40:26
We are a total joke of a club being run by a bunch of muppets. The truth is we are probably only two/three players away from having a fantastic team.
Forgive me for indulging in a bit of Football Manager but can you imagine Donovan here permanently and then add to this a top class striker and right back? We would be going places. Your starting eleven would be:
Howard
Baines Heitinga Jags ???
Drenthe Rodwell Felli Donavan
Cahill
Top class striker
The truth of course it that we are already hearing from Moyes that January is not a good time to sign anyone but rather loan them!!! An utter disgrace and it is time that the current EFC board were held to account.
Forgive me for indulging in a bit of Football Manager but can you imagine Donovan here permanently and then add to this a top class striker and right back? We would be going places. Your starting eleven would be:
Howard
Baines Heitinga Jags ???
Drenthe Rodwell Felli Donavan
Cahill
Top class striker
The truth of course it that we are already hearing from Moyes that January is not a good time to sign anyone but rather loan them!!! An utter disgrace and it is time that the current EFC board were held to account.
Richard Dodd
19 Posted 24/12/2011 at 10:55:44
19 Posted 24/12/2011 at 10:55:44
Were the Board to take this course of action there would really `be trouble in the streets`-and I would be one of the marchers!
It`s a recipe for abject disaster.
It`s a recipe for abject disaster.
Brian Keating
20 Posted 24/12/2011 at 20:47:55
20 Posted 24/12/2011 at 20:47:55
Selling that many players in January would be a huge step towards relegation.
If Bily wants to leave, sell him. No one else should be sold without an immediate replacement sorted, the squad is too small as it is.
I can't see us being relegated, but I don't think we'll finish in the top 10 either. Unless we get a 15-20 goal a season striker, which is not going to happen.
I'm usually fairly optimistic, but the last few matches have got me down. Drenthe and Baines are the only players we have worth watching right now.
If Bily wants to leave, sell him. No one else should be sold without an immediate replacement sorted, the squad is too small as it is.
I can't see us being relegated, but I don't think we'll finish in the top 10 either. Unless we get a 15-20 goal a season striker, which is not going to happen.
I'm usually fairly optimistic, but the last few matches have got me down. Drenthe and Baines are the only players we have worth watching right now.
John Daley
21 Posted 25/12/2011 at 18:09:51
21 Posted 25/12/2011 at 18:09:51
"With their current injury woes, I am very surprised that Man Utd and Arsenal haven't been mentioned as looking at Heitinga."
So that makes two people. You and Heitinga himself.
So that makes two people. You and Heitinga himself.
Ian McDowell
22 Posted 25/12/2011 at 18:26:34
22 Posted 25/12/2011 at 18:26:34
John@ 19 brilliant mate.
Chris Smith
23 Posted 25/12/2011 at 22:04:39
23 Posted 25/12/2011 at 22:04:39
Colin, #13, is right. If we sell players we won't get the money for new ones. This has been shown in the last few years.
Ian McDowell
24 Posted 25/12/2011 at 22:12:29
24 Posted 25/12/2011 at 22:12:29
The problem is with money in football these days say we sold Billy for £6 Million shall we say. That transfer could be paid over 48 months, if he signed a 4 year contract. Say we wanted to sign a replacement for £1.5 million yes we could pay that by instalments but say 500k signing on fee and £500k agents fees.
Look at the structure of the Rooney deal, was that deal really negotiated by a businessman who had Evertons best interests I don't believe so. So you can bet we probably on received a 3/4 million down payment for Arteta.
Look at the structure of the Rooney deal, was that deal really negotiated by a businessman who had Evertons best interests I don't believe so. So you can bet we probably on received a 3/4 million down payment for Arteta.
Roman Sidey
25 Posted 26/12/2011 at 00:31:56
25 Posted 26/12/2011 at 00:31:56
Ricardo, you are right in what you're saying, except that if the accounts said that we owed a bit less than 50mil then, and were losing 5mil annually, then that is only the beginning. 5mil this year inflates every year, and you lose a little more every year due to mortgage expenses and declining profits - this seasons crowds are the lowest in a long time, and will hurt the club even further.
New players, loaness or permanent, could increase the home crowds by 5000 bums for a few weeks, whereas this stale squad is not bringing in the punters.
New players, loaness or permanent, could increase the home crowds by 5000 bums for a few weeks, whereas this stale squad is not bringing in the punters.
Alasdair Mackay
26 Posted 26/12/2011 at 20:13:57
26 Posted 26/12/2011 at 20:13:57
John Daley - comedy genius! And also correct!
Alasdair Mackay
27 Posted 26/12/2011 at 20:17:46
27 Posted 26/12/2011 at 20:17:46
Er ... I would like to see Bily and Heitinga moved on while we can still get money for them.
I trust Moyes to be able to find cheaper replacements to sit on the bench and neither are required in the first team. Established international substitutes is a luxury that Everton simply can't afford. I would much sooner have an excellent first team and a healthy squad of promising youngsters (Barkley, Duffy, Velios, Gueye, McAleny), hard workers (Osman, Hibbert), Premiership first-timers with potential (Beckford last year, Jags a few years ago, Lescott and Cahill before that) and proven Prem/Fallen from grace players with a point to prove (McFadden).
That is the formula that can work for Everton, with the current and on-going financial circumstances!
I trust Moyes to be able to find cheaper replacements to sit on the bench and neither are required in the first team. Established international substitutes is a luxury that Everton simply can't afford. I would much sooner have an excellent first team and a healthy squad of promising youngsters (Barkley, Duffy, Velios, Gueye, McAleny), hard workers (Osman, Hibbert), Premiership first-timers with potential (Beckford last year, Jags a few years ago, Lescott and Cahill before that) and proven Prem/Fallen from grace players with a point to prove (McFadden).
That is the formula that can work for Everton, with the current and on-going financial circumstances!
Martin Hughes
28 Posted 27/12/2011 at 11:12:26
28 Posted 27/12/2011 at 11:12:26
I think were fucked basically on all levels!
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1 Posted 23/12/2011 at 14:38:33
It would be suicide.
What we need is a striker. Defoe on loan would be ideal some one who is warming the bench and is desperate to play in the Euros.