Belgians feature in behind-closed-doors exercise

I have a hunch that we will start with the game without them, and they will be on the bench, depending on whether the starting eleven are swimming, or if sinking, he may decide to bring them to the rescue. I hope, that is not the case, and obviously, likewise that it is not too late in the game, to have any effect.

As for David Henen, I fail to see what further hold-ups there could be, and I agree they seem to have had him long enough, for things like agreements and paperwork, to have been ironed out, behind the scenes.

There again we all, and I include myself in that, are often too quick to assume it is incompetence at our end, but in reality it could well be the parent club, and, or, agents. (spit)

Do you think perhaps I am going over the top with this result?

I assumed from Sam's comment that I'd missed something.

I can't help you there with that one mate, because it WASN'T on Everton TV.:-)

If Anderlecht have changed the terms of the deal drastically, then Everton can't just accept passively. However, a fast resolution without the player being publicly frustrated would be beneficial to the club (we have, after all, two senior Belgian players at the club), not only the player. Moreover, we should do our business more quietly and clinically, as in the old days (as much as that is possible in the modern world, anyway).

It's clear from Henen's tweets that either he's a bit of a loose cannon or that the club just haven't kept him in the loop sufficiently. The latter is unacceptable, if the case.

Having said all that, I hope we get him.

Besic only cost ٢ million and heÂ’s an established international whoÂ’s just had a decent World Cup. IÂ’d much rather use whatever cash weÂ’ve got to improve the senior squad for this coming season and do everything in our power to win a trophy or get in the top four, then spread the cash around.

How could it be amateur defending, when they are getting a handsome purse? :-)

Something has got to be changed for Saturday mate, it'll be hard enough to score goals without the Belgians, and the prolific Kone, but if we start shipping them at the back.

We're doomed! (John Laurie / Phil Walling)

You are spot-on, mate: Lukaku and Mirallas have to start at the weekend an try and bag us the points within the first hour or so.

As for Henen, we need to get this lad sewn up. ThereÂ’s been so much written about him and all his potential, it would be a crying shame if we were to allow this deal to slip through our hands now.

And thankfully we signed big Rom before this injury to Drogba – I wonder if the demented one is now thinking getting rid of Lukaku wasn’t so wise after all now that his golden child (Drogba) is injured. Sounds serious, too – it’s being reported he’s out for four months.

"Quibbling over ١M ridiculous. He could be fantastic."

Conversely he could be rubbish, and thatÂ’s ١M... ThatÂ’s THREE MILLION POUNDS!!

It is clear that people saying Â’just pay it, no quibbleÂ’ just shows the total absence of experience of fiscal responsibility and appropriate risk profile assessment for many fans. ThatÂ’s real money, not a computer simulation, and if any responsible officer of any company I held shares in did not Â’quibbleÂ’ over sums like that, IÂ’d be calling for his/her head as that is the road to bankruptcy.

Every player is a commodity, with a value and an upper payment limit determined by the market. If one side suddenly decides that the value is twice our valuation, then I for one am more than happy that my club is prepared to walk away from a deal rather than just pay whatever anyone demands.

I still really canÂ’t get my head around the concept of a statement like Â’Quibbling over ١m ... ridiculous.Â’ – Jesus!!!

If the deal falls through, we should teach Anderlecht a lesson by charging them for his month's board.

etc. etc., you know the drill fella.

١ million IS still a lot of money for someone who is going to play in our Under-21s! ١ million could get us Seamus, Cahill, Arteta, Gibson, Pienaar (first time round) for our FIRST TEAM!

This kid could be another Scott Sinclair! If itÂ’s going to be ١ million, IÂ’d expect pitch time with the first team this season. ١ million means he needs to be a lot better than McAleny, Long etc!

Howard
Stones Jagielka Distin Baines
McGeady McCarthy Barry Pienaar
Barkley Naismith

Subs: Robles, Hibbert, Besic, Gibson, Mirallas, Osman, Lukaku

Lukaku on at the 70th minute. Mirallas and Besic in the last 5-10 minutes, if we are leading by a handy margin.

The formation to close out the match could be (4-3-3):

Howard
Stones Jagielka Distin Baines
McCarthy Besic Barry
Mirallas Lukaku Naismith

(McGeady, Pienaar, Barkley subbed)

That is one strong looking bench! (And this is without Kone, Atsu, Oviedo, Coleman, Alcaraz, Garbutt, Duffy, Browning, Long, Another Loan Striker).

I would be okay with a 1-1 draw, but would love a 3-0 result (not going to happen!). This season, we are definitely going to smash someone 6-0..:-) COYB!

You've covered most of the bases with your 'strong bench' but failed to discuss tactics if (God forbid) we go behind.

Surely you (and Bobby) won't keep us waiting until 70 mins to see 'the Belgians', will you?

He may have all the potential in the world and go on to score us a sack full of goals but its just as likely that he'll spend a couple of years out on loan before moving to wolves for 𧺬k.

There's no right answer either way but I'm glad we're taking the time to assess this one.

If Martinez is convinced he will be the next Messi, then I'm sure the deal will be completed – ١ million or not.

As for those worrying about pre-season in general, Lee Carsley writing in the Echo points out that the Everton players may well have had a training session on the morning of the game.

They certainly didn't prepare for the games in the normal way as they will have been 'over-training' to be fully fit for Leicester on Saturday rather than holding back in order to peak for the match at hand, which after all is said and done, did not matter one tiny little bit.