A View From Across the Pond

For a new supporter you make a number of perceptive observations.

I think if we stiffened our midfield, it would give Moyes the confidence to go with two up top, and I feel this would bring out the best in Jelavic.

1) I want a proper centre back partnership, one to attack the ball and one to cover with one a left footer and one a right footer
2) I want a player like Diame,who is said to have a release clause of £3M.
3) I still think Jelavic will come back but I was impressed by Smith from Oldham and we could get him for a couple of mill...

The only thing that I might take issue with (and you even question your own opinion) is your verdict on Jelavic. I think there is a decent striker in there waiting for a change of fortune, confidence and perhaps style of play (Everton's that is).

If you can glean all this from one year's observation of Everton on EPL, you are a naturally insightful football fan. Welcome!

Expect more gracious welcomes from this bunch. Toffeeweb is the place.

Your quote - Is that Herb Brooks' "You don't have enough talent to win on talent"?

And James, yes, I was raised in the Bronx in the 50s and 60s. EPL was but a rumor to me back then, pre televised international games, but I feel fortunate to have seen Pele, Beckenbauer, Carlos Alberto in person with the Cosmos, albeit at the end of their distinguished careers.

When I switched cable companies this time last year, Everton were in good form, so they gave me a lot of the games, and I fell in love with the team — they play like a team, not like a bunch of millionaires thrown together for a year or two. The rich teams remind me too much of the Yankees (trying to buy championships — I know it works, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.)

I'm making a trip to Goodison to see the final home game in May, but hoping that match is preempted by EFC in the Cup final, which I'll be happy to attend instead. COYB!

[The quote is from Mike Westhoff, until recently special teams coach of the Jets]

I think you have identified a few key areas which could be plugged and would make a huge difference. I too hope and believe that Jelavice will come good but even still we need more depth/options up front.

Andy does mention Shane Duffy in every post (I think he has a bit of a "man crush") but on that general point (up coming players) I do think that we have some good guys coming through but we cannot rely on them as first picks yet.

Besides, I also think we should have faith in our youngsters, that is how we got Rooney, Rodwell, Anichebe. That is how we build our future, but don't mention that to Moyes, he might give Barkley a 5-minute run out in the next game, hahaha.

In Moyes we have one of the not-so-good managers on blooding youngsters. Time for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with two League gold medals from Norway during his first two years.

Moyes out, Solskjaer in... let us get a Norwegian manager who knew how to score for Man Utd in here and he can build up our youngsters into something.

He has learned everything he needs from Ferguson, I can see how well he treats his new young players at Molde now, just like he did Wollff Eikrem who is a up and coming International player in midfield.

As you say, we can't use the players we don't have, so maybe Moyes can use the ones he does have, ie Vellios, Duffy, Oviedo, Barkley and Hitzlsperger etc.

Ian, a Sherman tank carrying Gentle Johnny Ramensky couldn't break in to our first team!

As for Duffy, he is slow and gives the ball away a lot; too risky in my eyes to play week-in, week-out .

I grew up on 197th and Decatur Ave., across the railroad tracks from Fordham U. Where you?

Jimmy, Moyes has given plenty of youth a chance. For example you say we should have more faith in our youngster that is how we got Rooney, Rodwell and Anichebe. Correct and It was Moyes who gave those youngsters their chance because they were good enough. When or if the next crop are good enough Moyes will once again give them their chance.

Barkleys time will come, you need to be more patient. When Baines was our 3rd choice LB behind Lescott and Nuno Velente, Moyes said he still saw Baines as being his LB for years to come, which has proven to be true. Moyes has said some good things about Barkley, he will break into the first team sooner rather than later. As for managers from Norway, we saw how good they were at Blackburn and Wolves…

Your points impress this American who admittedly reads these pages as an idiot and learns a ton from the insights of every contributor.

Your points are very well thought out IMO and well taken.

I hope the Everton "bug" has hit you hard. A lifetime of Boston teams and in my "middle" age nothing now compares to the passion I feel for Everton.

I'm thrilled to see another American on board, and a knowledgeable one at that. Welcome friend.

And if CL doesn't come to fruition come May, I agree 100% – time to sell assets and strengthen where we need it.

Good post. TY.

Hopefully we could get 2-4 players out of that and help us push on for next season (manager permitting).

I also agree with the line "they cut the ball in to... Gibson, Osman, Neville?!" and feel a new center-mid should be our priority in the summer (closely followed by a GK).

Top post, I doff my cap to you. Don't let this be your last post.