Where Is the Money, Bill?

Then, like you, he said that there's still 4 weeks left of this window?

Neither comment filled me with much hope, especially since it means we are nowhere near prepared, once again.

1 - Martinez wanted to get some players in early and use the rest of pre-season to assess if there was any way to fill other positions within the squad. For example Browning has impressed and looks to have covered one of the two CB berths that needed filling. On the other hand, Kone has been dreadful, so he now thinks he needs a replacement in that area and Pienaar has proved his fitness cannot be replied upon.

2 - Early signings were too good to pass up so we're done early. Cleverley was free and Deulofeu was cheap. He wanted to take care before he spent the big part of his transfer budget.

3 - Timing of Sky payment and wage saving tactics mean big signings are made later in window. This has to be an explanation, quite a lot of business seems to have been going through in this last week, which makes me think this is an issue for a number of teams.

I am hoping for a deal this week and some deadline loans. I also agree with Mourinho for once, the transfer window should end before the season starts as it is disruptive for the teams who don't have endless money.

They let him smash the transfer record for Lukaku just last season. They let him sign an old Gareth Barry to a multi-year contract, while still having to pay his prior club even though his contract was up. They let him come close to breaking our transfer record to sign his former player McCarthy. And they then let him buy another defensive midfielder in Besic. And now they've let him sign yet another defensive midfielder in Cleverley.

They let him pay the wages of Atsu while he was on loan here, but Martinez would never use him. They let him sign his former keeper who, when given a chance, played very well, only for Martinez to drop him after a string of 3 clean sheets. They let him sign McGeady even though Martinez refuses to play with two wingers. And now he's signed Gerard to fill another wing spot, which will be on the bench.

The Board has actually let him spend money. I just don't think he knows what the hell he's doing. Four defensive midfielders, on top of Osman and Barkley. Would you give him money?

How can it be right that the manager can state 1 week before the season starts that we still need 3 players? If Jags pulls up injured this week, we'll have 1 centre half who is 21, and another who is 18. We've done nothing to address the goal scoring problems of last season.

Why is it we always seem to go into seasons under-prepared, either in terms of fitness, or recruitment? If we recruit on deadline day again, those players will have missed a month of the season, FFS!

BK will say RM can spend the Stones money at Christmas but he won't cause it's a tough market so he will get someone in on deadline day as a loaner winger (Pienaar, Donovan, Atsu, McGeady -- you know the routine) then we will be told they'll do the summer business early but then the money will disappear.

Then we will start the cycle again.

It looks to me like they are neither backing him nor sacking him.

Its a bit like death of 1000 cuts and is painful for all supporters.

I am not sure of the majority but certainly a lot of Evertonians thought he should have never been appointed and/or at least sacked after the showing last Xmas when there were no Europa League games to blame.

Martinez does not appear to be as pressurized as he was last season judging by his demeanor so I think it is fair to say the board are prepared to back him for now but they may well have restricted his transfer kitty.

Time will tell but patience appears to be rapidly running out amongst supporters.

I expect Martinez till the end of the season when Moyes will be approached to come back.

I don't for a second believe players will be sold due to the amount of injuries we've got. Never mind selling Stones, we need to sell Gibson, Pienaar, Hibbert and Kone. They should now be classed as expensive liabilities to a club on a stretched budget.

Another season of Martinez will presumably mean a lesser payoff to get rid of Martinez.

With Moyes, he had a safe pair of hands, someone who could spot a player, and his record for buying cheap and selling big was second to no-one. Also Moyes had us finishing in the top 6 on a regular basis so there was more money brought into the club.

I think he has realized that in RM we will struggle to maintain anywhere near the top 6 and could flirt with the wrong end of the table. So he now faces the dilemma, does he let RM blow all this season's transfer budget and, if it goes pear-shaped, he would be forced to sack him. But he would have to attract a new manager and tell him there is no money for transfers till next season.

Bill sacked Michael Dunning who was on £100k a year so he could bring his own yes men in on £400k a year but, four chief execs later, we end up with a glorified accountant who can massage the numbers fine but is out of his depth in other respects.

Joe, Bill would run rings around David Copperfield in terms of making things disappear or appear differently than they are.

We have a really strong young team, we need good players to improve our squad -- they will be working furiously behind the scenes and they will get players in. Chillax.

I still cannot understand why, as a top 5/6 regular we did not go out and headhunt some of Europe's top managers instead of Bill having a brandy with Dave Whelan and agreeing to take Roberto off his hands and pay him for the privilege.

This is the guy who tells us he is "Everton's best saleman" and is "looking 24/7" for the past 15 years. Now, even if both are true, what have we got to show for it? No investment and a relegation manager.

In spite of Roberto's various ego and communication foibles, I do believe he is essentially honest and sincere and extremely capable. Therefore players will come in. Also, in spite of last season, he may well have a lot to offer. So much rests on his relationship with the dressing room.

Relating to this is the Duncan Ferguson testimonial match close out was amazing. Being careful what you wish for, nothing would make me happier than a revival under the talismanic Scot with a rampant Rooney pulling the strings on the field and possibly contributing off it. Don't forget, he is probably wealthy enough to play a partial investment role. One can dream.

In fairness to Martinez, who (I think) fully supported Duncan's match, could still turn the situation around. Massively optimistic I know, but we should find out whether it's 'shit or bust' time within the first 5 games.

It goes to show how vital the manager is to the function and success of the team, and how the success of the club really rests on the shoulder's of 11 young men. Bill Kenwright will have his strategies but he can only exercise so much control over events on the pitch, if at all.

That's probably why he's so quiet at the moment. It makes a good side show to the normal pre-season anticipation, and I'm surprised the media haven't seen a developing story. (Oh, I forgot... it's the Blues we are talking about, not the Reds... Silly me!)

If anyone thinks we had a better chance of securing a result in Kiev with Alcaraz in the team ahead of Distin then they obviously have not witnessed any Everton game in the prior 18 Months.

Like most on here, I would prefer to see a manager with a more clear cut vision of his squad and the transfer market, who would finalise dealings prior to pre-season training. I suppose it's a fluid situation and not even the monied Chelski can finalise their squad before the season starts, for which we should be grateful to Bill and his board.

Gibson, Pienaar, Hibbert and Kone are all on contracts and unlikely to be in demand by a club who would be willing to pay them more or even the same, so we are 'stuck' with them. We cannot just sack players or sell them off in the short term, as suggested by Paul and Tom above.

I also think our accounts will look good when released; they have to do. That for me suggests they really are looking for investment as, showing a profitable company, debt-free, is a much more investable proposition. They have a real opportunity in the next 12 months to move our club forward and I have never resorted to some of the hate delivered on here but for me now, there has to be evidence we are moving forward on and off the pitch in the next 12 months; otherwise I too will become disillusioned.

I really hope I am right and the next 10 days, after players instruct their agents to look elsewhere when they have missed out on selection, mean we can pick up some much-needed talent.

Let's have it right, the last-minute transfer has always been part of the Kenwright regime.

I'm with you, Paul; I just think it is very amateurish the way our squad is always short at the start.

As we all sadly know, the power and kudos that being Chairman is what keeps Blue Bill going. The search for investment and having the best interests of club are second and third to him and his "toy".

I am sure anyone vaguely interested would take one look at the debt, the lack of investment over the years, and the gross amateur way OUR club is run... and no thanks.

We are lumbered with a board happy to bumble along, not investing, employing a mouthpiece who earns a huge six-figure sum and cannot negotiate a replica kit deal that makes a profit for the club. This means we will not attract the "next level" of players to take us into the Champions League on a regular basis.

Instead, we have a squad with some very good young players who in time will move on along with the likes of Gibson, Barry and Kone. God help if Stones and Rom are both injured regularly.

That will see us in the bottom 4 by November and then, when it's too late, BK will sack RM and tell everyone how great a Chairman he is.

Said it before on here and got lambasted -- the buck stops with BK.

Slow starts, poor finishes and a lack of strategy contribute to our perennial standing as being an exclusive member of the also-rans. Top four finishes aside, our Cup runs are generally piss poor and the clock continues to tick in terms of lack of silverware.

The same can be said for the ground, until Kenwright moves on we are unfortunately stuck in a time-warp.

Wouldn't it be better to do the serious business now, get the players in you want and get the season off to a good start. Bit bored of the drawn out drama now!

The best we can hope for this season is that the football gets better, because I'm sure I'm not the only one who is fed up of being bored inside Goodison.

Make of that what you will but the guy's a shrewdy Evertonwise, I promise you!

I would have liked us to set our sights higher but better the devil you know, I suppose.

I can't raise any enthusiasm for the season ahead. But I have renewed my season ticket for the 21st season in a row, fuck knows why.

The club yesterday openly promoting comments from that tosser Rio Ferdinand that Stones should go to Man Utd was a real low point for me and sums up what pitiful people we have in charge and their small-time attitudes.

The real question is... Where is the vision, the plan, the commitment, the ambition, the strategy etc. Both on and off the field.

Do Kenwright, his puppet masters, Green, Earl and however many others, even have a best scenario exit plan... besides the White Knight / Billionaire / Some other fool option??

[Lists usual litany of failure from the sublime KD to the ridiculous lack of lagging on the pipes.]

Then we have the number of times RM has given his version of Maggie's "The Lady is not for turning." Three is it? The happy-clappy total shite sound bites; the Distin cold shoulder; the Baines damning with faint praise; Garbutt's mis-speak / naïve, but seemingly true comments about people not knowing what was going on.

Osman on how 'easy' the training is, the mass resignations of the Physio staff, the Hammies, The Heavy Legs.

Not exactly a spiral of decline yet... but.

On a personal note, we all know that for most of us, times are less than totally affluent. 50% of my extortionate Foxtel bill goes on the sports package, in reality just to watch EFC. Up to now, I've been able to fight the Mrs off on this. I'm starting to think why bother.

Why bother getting up at 4:00am or staying up way way past midnight? I've already started recording stuff to watch on Sunday morning or on Monday evening after work only to hear the result, then read the TW reports and either fast forward all the passing shite, or just plain not bother, make do with Ken Buckley.

They've cut my drug of choice with so much shite that it doesn't do it any more... Beware, Bill... I'm nearly cured.

The defence has incorporated two very promising young defenders in place two old and past-it defenders.

But we are not stronger.

As things stand, he could spend the x amount on second or third choice targets based on how much is in the pot. But if he waits until late in the window, maybe suspecting that Dear Luvvie will sell 1 or 2 of our prized assets, then we have a situation where he can afford to buy the 1st choice targets instead. So it's better off waiting. Just possibly...

As for us not buying early to save on wages, that doesn't make any sense. Premier League final positions are worth close to £1.25M each the higher up you end. So the difference between finishing 10th and 15th is about £6m.

If we signed 3 players at the start of July, paid them £60k a week, their wages would be roughly £1.5M. So getting off to a good start and setting the tone for the season would be better for us financially come the end of the season. The people running the club can't be that stupid not to see this. At least I hope not.

I'm sure players will come in late, just think Fellaini 2008, we came 5th and an FA Cup Final that season.

I'm more concerned with the style of play and lack of excitement in how we play. To read that we didn't have a shot on target against Villarreal until Rooney came on takes me back to last season all over again and suggests more of the same.

I've not planned going to a single match yet. I'll watch the early TV games and see what is occurring. If I see another match like that Spurs last day performance again, I'll not be going till a new Manager comes in. I've never felt this way before.

It's not entertainment, it's torture watching us play!

Just out of curiosity, I wonder what Moyes would do with this squad? He liked small squads, would size be an issue then? I couldn't stand the man towards the end (well, pretty much after the first contract renewal saga, when he had Arteta voicing off about not staying if he didn't get his bumper contract), and rejoiced when Oviedo put him down at OT (yes, I am bitter and petty), but he would surely have Barkley, Lukaku and Deulofeu running at defenses.

Big Sam would depress the hell out of me, especially as we have no height or ability in the air for his set-piece-fests. The bastard would buy Nolan for £8M and give him £90k a week for 4 years!

But, one thing I will give him credit for is the players always seemed fit, and you seldom saw anyone give up in a game.

I seriously doubt under him we'd have ever have signed Deulofeu and Lukaku though. Probably would've sold Barkley as well. To fund another versatile defender/midfielder.

Everton's weak financial status means that we'll do our main business at the end of the window because that's when value is best. We should also recognise that there is no point in throwing money at players who aren't any better than the players we have. It's strange that we insist Everton keeps it's best players yet expect other clubs to sell us their players at realistic prices. Everton's spending reflects their relative income.

The main thing, and one that we're all slowly beginning to accept now, is that we can't spend big money on transfer fees and the pay big wages to attract and keep players because we are a relatively poor club.

It's as though the dozen or so points on offer don't really count towards the end of season total and no regard is taken towards the boost that a good start can provide for both the team and its followers.

'Deadline Day' has indeed taken on an importance out of all proportion to its relevance... but then, SSN racks up its biggest audience of the year so all must be well with the world!

So we may yet get the 3 positions filled on the last day but 2 will probably be loans and the other would in no way be the one RM targeted in June but a 'who is left' sort of signing.

Also, it's Bill's way to put a few kids out on loan to balance the books last minute and he may also sanction a sale or two; this means the squad numbers stay the same. He could well get a centre back in and then go and put Galloway out on loan to balance his books....

Accepting Moyes back, would in my opinion be the same as accepting Kenwright.

This club has been ran into the ground, and it's been time for change for years.

In a nutshell, even though we didn't actively sell Rooney (cough cough) we already had a payment plan ready to minimise the clamour to reinvest the money in one go...

Trevor of course signed an NDA so isn't able to go public on why his time at EFC as CEO was only 6 weeks. Cronies of Bill though were openly telling tales of Bill hitting the roof at the suggestion, and telling him to get out. Of course that doesn't sit well with what subsequently transpired a few weeks later, but hey, at least he's a Blue!

What we as a fan-base are asking for is an acknowledgement by the manager and team that the methods largely employed last season were unsuited to either the players available or the Premier League itself. We do have another 3-4 weeks of the transfer window left and Everton may well splurge the money on some exciting arrivals, depending on results that may well prove enough to allay the fans fears and inject a bit more positivity into the club.

As always we know that the club is unlikely to push the boat out too far and given that even new arrivals Bournemouth have overtaken Everton in their net spend figure for the last five years.

The crux of the matter is that Everton do not generate enough money outside of the TV revenues, they can't in all honestly ask the supporters to pay higher admission prices to Goodison without it having a detrimental effect on the current levels of support, they are unable to attract the type of sponsors who would throw huge wads of cash at the club and in every other area of commercial activity they are limited in ways to generate new income, some would argue that they are already maximising the opportunities available to them.

The 20 years without a trophy has in some ways brought about an awakening of the fan-base and alerted many to the actual position of Everton FC in this new money based league, how we arrived in this position has been well documented but we can't achieve much by concentrating on the blame game -- we have to now look to see how the club is planning to move the club forward but as usual the silence from those in positions of power has been deafening.

If we can't as a club generate income to match those clubs we dream about finishing above in the league, surely it is the manager's and players' responsibility to at least try and entertain us in a controlled style but a style that has us on the edge of the seat from time to time.

New season, new hope but same old problems, same old arguments and as supporters we cannot do anything about it other than withdraw our support or post many posts on sites like TW, most of which, given the club's finances and track record. won't tend to be of the optimistic variety.

Martinez is responsible for the way the team perform, but it is one man and one man only for the despair hopelessness quite a lot of fans are feeling now. There are no prizes for guessing who he is.

You seem like a guy with a good sense of humour and I always like your contributions, very well balanced and well written.

To suggest that we only say nice things on the forum in the face of so many problems within the club doesn't add up. Undoubtedly life might seem a little bit more cheery, and a lot of posts are a bit depressing, but that's where were at with the football club and I'd sooner face the problems head on, than hide from them, and I think most of us would agree on that.

"I'd say that if anybody really wants to know where the money is then they should look at the accounts."

I don't think you've read the numbers in the accounts with all the peddling of the "paid off debt" soundbites you keep posting.

Bringing in a load of foreign names may make headlines but very rarely do they meet expectations. Signing the right players late in the window is better than signing the wrong players early. The trouble is the right players are hard to obtain.

We're poorer than those clubs with higher income, less debt and more assets than us and I believe that we're ranked about 8th in the EPL. It's all info that's available on the internet?

This is not a new thing. When Moyes was manager and over-achieving (in my humble view) there was a large proportion of people wanting him out. When he went the celebrations started but immediately on the appointment of Martinez the negativity began. He had a superb first season which no-one can dispute and we had very little negativity BUT the second anything goes wrong the negativity begins -- are we really that fickle?

Let's wait until the end of August for transfers. I don't want us to be like the other clubs who buy players for overly inflated prices, for them to flop and ship them out in a year.

How many bad signings has Martinez made? Subjective I know but I think he has done pretty well.

What I am encouraged by are the amount of youth / homegrown players on the fringes. I cannot remember a time when that has been the case. We have already had 1 or 2 but never a large crop. He (Martinez) seems to want to keep adding to this crop whilst retaining a good crop of players. I think we have a strong squad who will compete with everyone in the league IF they stay fit.

Unless we sell our soul, we will not be able to compete financially with the top 6 so Martinez is trying to build a solid squad and bring through a 2nd team of youngsters good enough to step up and find some gems in that batch. Anyone remember the Man Utd class of 92?

Personally, I am not that desperate for success that I want to become the next Man City. I would prefer to compete how we do and EARN success. Naïve, I guess but I want to do it the right way.

Optimistic, positive and maybe missing something upstairs here but until we are in the mire this year I am looking forward to a good season. #COYB

Added to that we've had key players regularly being sidelined with hamstring injuries.

Some players have gone (in my opinion rightly so), but that has left us threadbare in central defence, unless the younger players are ready to step up. Added to that for reasons beyond me we've contracted older players who we should be looking to replace with new contracts.

I like many, many others was very abject about our performances last season and we have done nothing to remedy the situation at all so far in my opinion.

That brings me to a number of conclusions:

1. There is no money, or not significant enough to sign the right players -- would not surprise me at all if this is the real reason.

2. The board aren't confident enough in RM -- even so in my opinion they must be aware of the frailties in the team and must know we need new players. Even if they aren't confident in RM they know what players are available and they know who would improve the team.

3. The board think we have a good enough squad...

4. RM has assessed the squad players in the U21s and now knows where he needs to invest -- Rubbish in my opinion if he didn't know this in May, he isn't worth a bean as a manager and although the man drives me up the wall, I think he knew what he wanted probably in February.

I hear rumours today of Charlie Austin signing, it would make my day if he did, but there's been even more speculation than normal this summer.

I personally think we'll get a few loan signings in & that'll be us.

A long and arduous season ahead in my opinion.

Evertons net spending on transfers since 2003 is lower than Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Sunderland, Arsenal, West Ham, Stoke City, Tottenham, West Brom, Leicester City, Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, Norwich City, Queens Park Rangers, Hull City, Fulham and Charlton Athletic.

What makes worse reading is that Evertons net spending on transfers is close to Bolton Wanderers. An average of £2,533,423 a season. That is nearly a third less than West Ham. It is half as much as Hull City, It is a quarter of what Aston Villa have spent. Championship clubs like Queens Park Rangers have averaged £7,379,167 a season.

We are practically a club that is on the level with Chartlon Athletic and Bolton Wanderers when it comes our board investing in players with money other than player sales.

Since Bill Kenwright took charge in 1999, we have not punched above our weight. We have practically been a champion boxer that has been fighting with one arm tied behind his back.