I've agreed with a lot of posts earlier about us having too many central players, but his signing would be a shrewd move, with him, Gibson and Fellaini offering a very talented and balanced midfield.

But just in case you wanted to see, here is a link to a pretty decent goal by the lad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=Z_OH6eBi7aY

Next time round he was average at best.

Poor attitude, poor application. Fancy-Dan luxury player who will stand out in (at best) 4-5 games a season.

Let's move on please.

Centre mid is probably one of our stronger positions, but even if he only played as well as he can for a handful of games, he'd still contribute far more than some of the players Moyes plays at centre mid.

If Moyes can get him playing regularly and well then its possible he could be sold on in a year or two for a fat profit having given us a few seasons of quality in the middle....or maybe he'll end up staying longer term. Worth a risk anyhow since he's free, potentially quality and we have no money.

He didn't appear to be a disruptive influence in the dressing room (like Drenthe, sorry Jimmy). It's still debatable whether we'll be able to sign Pienaar, but if we can it won't hurt to have a bit of competition amongst the midfield for creative players - something Moyes hasn't had to deal with in his tenure.

Norwegian newspapers report that Everton have made a 3 million pound bid today for Lillestrøm´s Bjørn Bergmann Sigurdarsson.

Surely not true? Do we have that amount of money when we haven´t sold anyone yet? Something to happen in June? Highly unlikely.

Anyone know much about this Sigurdarsson lad? Seem to recall Jimmy Sorheim saying he was average. But then it is Jimmy....

For that reason we should look to the Bosman market for some creativity. I wouldn't mind seeing him sitting deep alongside Gibson with Fellaini roaming the midfield.

Strong and tenacious and works his socks of, think Straqula with more class.

Might be considered a replacement for Cahill playing in the hole.

Cold water point: Does not score enough in a poor league.

He is loved by the Besiktas fans (not a common thing for a black player in Turkey) and well regarded by the Turkish press.

I would have him back in a heartbeat. Imagine Gibson sitting deeper with a combo of Manny and Felli, interchanging and giving the opposition an absolute headache?! Mouthwatering prospect to be honest. All can attack and defend equally well and I could see this being a formidable trio, with Rodders and Barkers backing them up.

We have relied too heavily on the wing play of Bainsey in the past. The best teams can unlock the opposition centrally as well.

But then he soured everything. He sat with Kenwright on the night before his transfer. Said everything right, declared his love for the club, shook hands on a deal. Then in the morning he signing with a different club.

Sorry but Fernandes showed Everton no respect. He pissed all over this club and, now that he finds himself on the football scrap heap, I can only laugh.

What goes around comes around Manny. You have finally gotten what you deserve.

* Ince, Scharner, Chimbonda,.....I'd pay good money to see him do it again.

I am NOT a defender as such of Ferguson's actions, and if you could read my comments on threads over the years you would see that for your self, however, the comparison with Fernandes is inaccurate for the reasons I have stated.
As for Ferguson's actions "disrespecting" the club? Bollocks. If you ever watched the man play you would see that many of his indiscretions were borne out of frustration with the paucity of service he received, poor refereeing and the likes of Scharner winding him up to breaking point.

I think virtually every one of our players would be off like a shot if they had a suitably large offer elsewhere. Same for our manager and probably the same for any of us who are employed.

Only the few who are fans of the club and for whom playing or working for EFC is truly the pinnacle of a career would end up staying, so I wouldn't read too much into the valencia thing.

Infact do any of us know whether it was him or his agent or indeed benfica looking for a larger fee that was the cause of the u-turn to head to valencia?

Also, with regards to Sigurdarson, Fourth Official on Twitter (who's also usually reliable) reported last night that we had made moves for him and put a bid of £2.5m, a low down-payment with the rest boosted up by future incentives. Again I asked lcab & tht about it and lcab gave it the usual, "loose lips sink ships" and that so we hadn't bid for him, so who knows?

For me personally, Fernandes on a free would be a no-brainer. When he was with us the first time, he showed bags of potential at a young age and then went to Valencia and didn't have the best of times so we took him on loan again and he wasn't fully fit and only showed slight glimpses of his talent but then went to Besiktas and by all accounts has played shit hot. I saw the Stoke vs Besiktas games in the Europa League and he was class in both games, ran the midfield.

I think a central midfield triangle of Felli, Gibson and Fernades as the attacking mid would be class. Let Gibbo carry on being the sitter, the one that protects; Felli can be box-to-box where he's more effective, and let Fernandes loose further up the pitch with not as much defensive responsibilities so that he can be the one to create and find Jelavic's runs with through balls; Fernandes has definitely got that kind of quality in his locker!

As for Sigurdarson, from what I've seen he looks handy: got a bit of pace, skill, can pick a pass and does drop deep and likes to get involved and plays more like a second striker, more withdrawn and he's got plenty of potential to work with and would be a good signing IMO.

If we could possibly sign the likes of Fernandes, Sigurdarson and Pienaar and keep all our best players and only sell fringe players to make up the money to sign these three, and maybe even Tranquillo Barnetta for right wing as he's on a free this summer as well (surely we can compete with the likes of Newcastle, Sunderland & Wigan to sign him?!), then that will've been a very good summer of transfer dealing in my eyes and we would start looking like having at least a team to challenge for Europe, maybe CL next season?!

It's all just speculation and rumours but reliable people on Twitter when it comes to transfer news are giving me hope and making me feel positive about Everton this summer, hopefully we can pull off these deals!

And when we had him the second time round, he'd only been back from a serious knee injury a matter of months and wasn't fit and that's why he played shocking at first but was starting to find his feet towards the end but it was too late.

By all accounts he's matured and come on in leaps and bounds over in Turkey the past 2 or 3 years. He's only 26 I think, at a good age; if he can carry on the way he as been doing in Turkey, then we should seriously consider having him back cos on his day he's class!

To me, this as got Arteta written all over it, someone Moyes can bring in and make a consistent performer out of.

I wouldn't say I condone Ferguson's actions, I do , though, understand them.
And yes, there are players who don't react to a wind up merchant, but we are all different. I prefer the like of Morrisey or Kay, who would wait for their chance....

The annual summer hols close season Manny Fernandes debate - I need beer

Its a yes from me.

"but I was asking ITK's on GOT (lcab & tht)" I think I've spotted 'Grand Old Team' in there, is ITk 'In The Know'? What are you telling us Aidy?!

Also you reiterated what I believe should be the motivating factor in going for him:
Felli, Gibbo and him would be formidable.

I tweet backwards and forwards with LCAB quite alot and he is the last person to cause speculation and gossip. However I asked him about Bainsey and in all honesty, the silence was deffening from him. He is quick to dispel doubts usually and is pretty much on the money where transfers are concerned. This time it's got me a little worried.

People may think he fucked us over which is fair enough but Moyesy didnt hold any grudges and still signed him on loan again after that!. And that time round, about 2 or 3 months before his loan with us, he'd just recovered from a serious knee injury and wasnt fully fit but we needed bodies and knew what he was capable of and took a chance on him which didnt work out.

This time round he's older, more wiser and mature and as been playing well for a number of years in turkey and for free we would be mad not to be interested, regardless of the past. It's the future thats important right now and IMO he'd be a good signing!.

And Mike #918 yes, ITK means In The Know and GOT means Grand Old Team, the website, and people who are signed up to that website or are frequent viewers of it will know who LCAB (little curly alan ball) & THT (the holy trinity) are. They've even got there own website where they share the information they have got on everton's transfer dealings or interest and things

And these are the usually reliable sources for transfer news. On Everton: @lcabbabeh, @theholytrinity8

On anyone else: @Now_Football, @TransferNewsCen, @Agent_ITK, @Fourth_Official, @TransferScoop, @iTransferGossip, @tSTransfers, @FootballSpy, @Transfer_Now.

The first 7 are usually very reliable on Twitter, not so much LCAB & THT, they usually share their info on Grand Old Team or their own website but the others always share stuff on Twitter.

What you see or hear on Sky, the radio or on websites, these lot report it days before em, you hear summat from them and a day or two later, SSN are reporting it as breaking news!

So although I don't think we are looking for a CM we would be foolish to let him just walk away if we could get him!

Jelavic more than anyone should rub his hands at the prospect!

Would that be the Newcastle that are playing in Europe next season? And the Sunderland and Wigan that have been outspending us in the transfer market the last few seasons?

Is he good enough for EFC as the team is now (compared with when he was here previously)? I recall some of his skills but ... is he tough enough? Is he sufficiently hard working to satisfy David Moyes to the point that he gets a regular spot?
COYB

Another affected by the blue family? the Besiktas fans were loving him on his page! Clearly did a great job! Yep.... I'd take him back!

Get real.

If I was not an Evertonian and you put Valencia or Everton in front of me I would have chosen Valencia everyday of the week. Better wages, better team and recent success.

If he is still what he was I would take him back in a second.

I didn't even know Lee was gay.

Second time around he wasn't a scratch as his first stint, didn't really track back to help out at all but as has been said he would make a useful addition to a threadbare squad with no creativity in it right now. Pienaar would be a better bet but do we have the money and how much will Spurs be demanding?

Off the theme, my Rangers mate rang me this morning saying the rumours in Glasgow are that Naismith is signing a four-year deal with Everton and he asked if I had heard anything? I would put that firmly in the rumour shelf right now as the window isn't open and we are potless.

The reasons for this you are assuming and really are not relevant.

Assumptions Paul, any backup for yours? No. Some fair assumptions given the nature of joint ownership and Kia Joorabchian's previous form? Yes

Coincidentally the £12 million that was supposedly "ringfenced" for Fernandes disappeared up the same black hole as the "unexplained" operating expenses, never to be seen again.

Now who do you beleve? A certain compulsive liar... or a man with no history of lying.

http://hereisthecity.com/2012/05/27/midfielder-manuel-fernandes-on-a-free-signing/

Oh my fuckin lord! I was so shattered when we didn't sign him and this clip reminds me why. Now yes its a snap shot but holy shit he is good! We don't have anyone in the team with that skill set. Compare this clip to that Iceland chap and I tell I'd save those funds and offer Manny it in wages!

there are even some Everton moments .. the Man U goal and the piss take against Arsenal to savour!

Aah man..... my summer torment has begun for real!!!!!

He has thanked the Evertonians who have gotten in touch for their support and retweeted some of their comments.

He has said he would like to play for us again (although he has told Besiktas fans that his reason for not allowing his situation to continue is due to not playing CL, I think if Everton went in strongly he would give it definite thought).

I really don't think comments about him 'being a traitor' are valid. He has affection for the Blues and he's shown it publicly, even declaring that his goal for us against Man U was his most memorable.

He can play anywhere across the midfield, besides which I have a feeling that Fella may be mostly playing in the Cahill role behind Jelly next season so Gibson and Fernandes would be a very tidy central midfield pairing.....

Have a feeling manny at Goodison next season is probably a long shot anyway. Always seem to be teams offering more wages than us when it comes to classy free transfers....

I hope that's a joke! If it is I like your sense of humour.

This also shows how stunted we have become as Evertonians to a certain extent; top clubs have good squads, not just good teams. We only have a good team at the moment.

And Ossie would make great back up for the centre. I really don't like seeing Ossie out wide, however if we were to play a fluid 4-2-3-1 (my preferred formation) and IF we were to get Peanuts back permanently (I know, if's and buts again) then our forward line of Peanuts, Manny and Ossie all interchanging would make us a very fluid and attack minded team. Add to that, our two best holding midfielders (Gibson and Fellaini) also supplement attack well then we really could go for teams throats a lot more. I'm pretty sure that Moyes only plays safety-first due to personnel, the more balanced we can get the team, the more inclined I believe he would be to just get at teams and let them worry about us.

I could see him coming in and doing well, he had some beautiful passing, but I think we have enough in the middle and what he'd cost in wages should be saved for wide midfielders.

Who would want the headache of being a manager?!

We have a couple of youngsters who could develop in the middle playing alongside Fellaini and Gibson, who are a strong duo in the middle. Due to the poor state of our finances any pennies whatsoever need to be used on the wings.

The same goes upfront. The best teams have 3 or 4 strikers. We have Jelavic who looks the business, Vellios who isn't ready (but could be good in the futuyre) and Anichebe who is not amazing but can do a job. Unfortuntaley, I find it preferable to sign players in positions where we don't have anyone rather than reinforcing upfront where we have one star and two who can do a job.

It gives me a headache and I'm just watching (and reading) it!

Now saying that I don't think anyone in our midfield offers the complete skill set Manny does, and he is only 26. So for the first time I would be ok a big money club came in for Rodders... As long as it culminated in Manny coming in.... But that is a long shot... Then another thought.. Would we be willing to sell Barkley if it brought in Pienaar, Donovan, Manny and another even... Maybe Cordoza?

Tempting... But now I am playing some serious championship manager.. I did say my summer hell had begun.

I'd take him I'm a heartbeat.

I would have him back in a heart beat.

McFadden, anyone?

He has been in excellent form and would be a cracking piece of business. I hope he isn't stuck out on the wing again by moyes though as that was totally pointless.

Better than Drenthe, without the (supposed) attitude.

There has to be better and less injury prone players out there. I'd rather see our young guys get a shot over him.

Away to Crewe it is then....go ed larrrrrr

As far as I know we had a total of 5 scottish players/coaches last year, not exactly a massive amount, we also had 4 from Eire and 3 from USA.

Weir and Ferguson were given roles (in Ferguson's case a very minor one) for the same reason as Stubbs was, the same reason as Solskjaer at Utd, Ferdinand at Spurs, Bould at Arsenal and literally hundreds of other coaches across the country were - that the manager has worked with them and feels they'd do a good job.

McFadden was a strange one, I don't know why he was signed and I never thought it would be a good thing, but I'm pretty damn sure it's not just because he was scottish.

And you should have another look at the season we finished 4th if you think Ferguson did nothing other than score against Utd. He may not have been an integral part but his impact as a sub was actually a real part of our success that year, and I can think of at least 3 games where he scored the winner.

The only part of your last post I can agree with are your observations regarding Mc Fadden. Neither you nor I can comment with any accuracy on Weir or Ferguson's ability as coaches. For all we know Ferguson may just be working for no fee in order to obtain his coaching badges.