Season 2011-12
The Mail Bag
The Future's now!!!!
21 Comments: Ok, so this has been the most depressing, frustrating and irritating pre-season since... well, since last summer. I, like you all, trawl websites daily ? even hourly at the moment ? and have no reason to be optimistic at all.
However, I am going to be!
It's due to the youngsters... I was on Twitter stalking the Everton lads and was viewing this picture: http://yfrog.com/ke10380995j, my girlfriend saw it and asked if they were the U16s or something? "No, love, they're our back-up after the first eleven." It got me thinking, can these lads help us do something positive next year?
(I know not all of these lads are in the picture...)
- Jose Baxter ? Constantly complemented by his peers on Twitter as the next big thing at Everton. Has been training all summer long with his boxer mate and appears to be motivated to make it this year.
- Ross Barkley ? Cahill has stated that he is the best youngster he has ever played with. Rio Ferdinanad has him tipped to be a star of the future.
- Shane Duffy ? Looks to have the right attitude, in and amongst the first team squad this year. Good back-up.
- Apostollos Vellios ? Looks a big unit who hopefully will be positive and use his physique... unlike Big Vic.
Added to this, Gueye, Coleman and Rodwell (if he gets his game head on) are all a year older and who we know a lot about... and the squad looks much more positive.
We also have James Wallace, Conor McAleny, Shkodran Mustafi, and Adam Forshaw who have all moved up into the first team squad this year and you would hope one or two of these will make it, albeit I know very little of these four.
Looking at all this, plus a first 11 that would finish 4th-6th on ability alone, and we have reason to be optimistic.
Just add Hargreaves on a pay-as-you-play and break the bank for N'Zogbia (I'll put in half if I win Euros on friday) and the majority of fans would have to be happy.
Andrew Fair, Posted 07/07/2011 at 12:22:53
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I'd rather sign no-one (which looks likely anyway).
Seriously, we do have some promising youngsters; however, we can't be relying on them and certainly not all at the same time.
Baxter does look a bit leaner I admit but, I have said before, he will end up being an Osman. Turn it on occasionally but not enough to be loved!
One player I would have thought we could have gone for was Krancjar. When we were losing Pienaar, we surely could have got the Croatian as a swap. But no... we give Peanut away and wait until the summer for Spurs to bang his price up.
In the mini derby at the end of the season, he was the most influential player on the park by some distance, and he ended up getting the Reserve team Player of the Year. Not saying it means anything in the long run, but if he's looking fitter now as well, maybe he might still do something.
I dont want to be anything like Man City, if it means a few years in mid-table until reality comes back into the game, then so be it. I do not want to sell my soul or the soul of the club.
I don't really get much chance to see these young lads play but I don't think it's possible to see if they have what it takes until they break into the first team.
Regarding the current no signing of players, I believe it would be hard to make a good signing at the right price ? even if money was available.
I always want and expect one or two to be brought in to freshen things up in pre-season but, at £20M for average players, I ain't holding my breath.
Giving the kids a chance may well be the only way we see new faces in the team.
If for some bizarre and outlandish twist of fate these big clubs had their monopoly of the lions share of money removed or fines imposed reducing their wealth then Everton would still be so far behind and unable to compete anyway. Don't forget that these days lower league sides spend more than Everton and if the Sky monopoly is broken up then we lose the only significant money the club earns because they don't have to think or act to get it.
I'd be inclined to say the soul of the club has already gone, supporters are voting with their feet and this simply isn't sustainable.
If we tot up those 'few grand' throughout the pre-season season, we could probably raise a deposit for N'Zogbia ? simple!
For those giving Moyes the business, what other EPL manager is even attempting to do what Davey is? It's all about the bucks as we know, but Moyes is finding the way.
Optimism in here is generally seen as pie in the sky. But there's no denying the potential of the youngsters you've referenced. If just one of them combine with Moyes's last year's find (FROM THE FUCKIN 3rd TIER), 15 more points up the Table is in play.
I'm very, and legitimately, optimistic for our next season.
Excellent post.
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1 Posted 07/07/2011 at 15:11:30
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However, I agree in principle and try to remain hopeful that we can bring some of our own players through and at least "tread water" by finishing 8th or higher again this season (and no, I do not define that as success or acceptable, but it is realistic albeit somewhat optimistic).
As others have said, if we're not improving we're falling behind and, as an example, Sunderland have to be considered strong threats to finish in the top 8 this year, despite their own failings, given signings they have made.