Four Reasons Why Everton Fans Should be Excited

Patrick Gillen 21/06/2016 40comments  |  Jump to last

Let's go back to Saturday, 27 February 2016. League Cup Final weekend. For Everton fans, this meant a weekend without football as the Merseyside derby had been postponed due to Liverpool's involvement in the final against Manchester City. An all-too familiar feeling over the last couple of decades for Evertonians, watching on as close rivals Liverpool made yet another final while Everton's only final appearance since 1995 was a 2009 FA Cup Final defeat against Chelsea.

What made it worse this time was that Everton perhaps should have been there with their neighbours, but Roberto Martinez's side, with the help of some dodgy officiating by Mark Clattenburg, squandered a 3-1 aggregate semi-final lead against Man City after a fine Ross Barkley goal looked to be sending them on their way to Wembley.

Back to the 27th, the date that the news broke that would potentially shift the balance on Merseyside and put Everton back to where they belong. The headline read, "Iranian Billionaire Farhad Moshiri buys 49.9% stake in Everton." A weekend in which Everton's name had been erased from the calendar turned out to be a game changer in the history of the club, with the Mersey Millionaires becoming the Mersey Billionaires and, to make the weekend even sweeter, Liverpool lost the League Cup Final on the Sunday.

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Reason to be excited, Number 1: Farhad Moshiri

Everton's new majority stakeholder, Farhad Moshiri, has acted quietly thus far, leaving Bill Kenwright to pose for the photos and give the soundbites for the media. While some Evertonians have voiced that they would like Moshiri to address the fans, I'm sure that the majority will be more than happy for him to continue making things happen in the background.

So far he has already shown more action than in the previous regime by listening to the Goodison faithful and sacking Roberto Martinez. Kenwright's comments saying "What a manager" after the Chelsea FA Cup Quarterfinal were seen as cringeworthy by a lot of supporters and it makes you wonder whether Martinez, a manager taking Everton down to the wrong end of the table, would still be in charge if not for the investment from Moshiri.

After the sacking of Martinez, Moshiri then identified Southampton manager Ronald Koeman as his number one target. With Frank de Boer, Manuel Pellegrini and even former Everton boss David Moyes interested and unemployed, it would have been easier (and cheaper) to look elsewhere, but Moshiri was adamant on Koeman; with the power of persuasion and deep pockets, he got his man. By taking a Premier League rival's manager, Everton positioned themselves as big hitters again, much to the frustration of Southampton and certain voices in the media, but much to the delight of Everton fans who can sense that the new man in charge of the club is finally removing the unwanted tag of 'plucky underdogs'.

Reason to be excited, Number 2: Ronald Koeman

European Cup Winner, European Championship Winner, Barcelona Legend, Holland Legend, Everton Manager.

Ronald Koeman is, undoubtedly, a big name in football and with Man City, Man Utd, and Liverpool employing Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp respectively, a big name is exactly what Everton needed to compete with the rest of the Northwest. Historically, with Everton being the fourth most successful English team ever domestically, it is important that they do not get left behind any longer and Koeman is the man that the board trust to take the Merseyside club to the next level.

Since being the assistant manager of Barcelona, Koeman's managerial CV includes Vitesse, Ajax, Benfica, PSV, Valencia, AZ Alkmar, Feyenoord, Southampton and now Everton. 9 different clubs in 15 years suggests that Koeman might not be sticking around for too long but it also signals his ambition. If success at Everton comes before loyalty, leading Koeman to move on in a few years then so be it.

Last week, Koeman was introduced to the fans for the first time and his press conference was very encouraging. He remained coy when asked about the circumstances regarding his departure from Southampton and said he only wanted to look forward, which is what the Everton fans will want to hear.

The most encouraging words from Everton's new manager were his statement of intent and his ambition for getting the club back to where it belongs. "It is important to show ambition to win." he said. "Everybody at Everton is ready to take the next step. Everybody knows the history of Everton, it's a big history and it's nice to be a part of that. To win, to play European cup football, to win titles and everybody in the club is ready to take the next step."

This ambition, coupled with the financial backing from Moshiri, spells exciting times ahead for Everton football club.

Reason to be excited, Number 3: New Stadium?

In an interview with the Liverpool Echo, Bill Kenwright's eluded to Farhad Moshiri's plans for the club. He said, "Farhad absolutely has a vision for this football club. It involves the Champions League and a new stadium." This talk of a new stadium comes just weeks after Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson claimed that Everton will have a new stadium "within three years."

It has now been widely reported that Everton are currently considering the prospect of building a new stadium on two sites: Stonebridge Cross in Croxteth or the North Docks area of Liverpool's famed waterfront. For the fans, the North Docks area seems to be the overwhelming popular choice after the heartbreak of missing out on the club's Kings Dock dream collapsed in 2003.

While Evertonians have every reason to be skeptical after so many failed stadium moves, the Toffees now have the financial clout to back up their efforts, giving fans every reason to dream of a stadium on the waterfront. For now, though, Goodison is still standing strong and set for a summer makeover, which may include a statue for Everton's famous holy trinity – Howard Kendall, Colin Harvey and Alan Ball.

Reason to be excited, Number 4: The players

Finally, to the playing field, where Everton will be playing their first game of the season at home to Spurs on 13 August with a potentially new-look playing squad. The team is facing transition, with stalwarts Tim Howard, Steven Pienaar, Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert leaving the club and more expected to follow.

England centre-back John Stones has been linked with a move to Man City while Belgium's Romelu Lukaku seems to be quoted every day with fresh intention to leave to a club playing in the Champions League. But, while Everton have scrambled to try and hold onto their star players in the past, this time it feels different. This time, the club has the money to offer new bumper contracts to star players and this time the manager and owner have a shared vision of the future to attract a higher calibre of player.

Money couldn't buy Chelsea Stones last year and Ronald Koeman will be hoping that he keeps hold of Stones, Lukaku and Barkley while adding real quality to the team this campaign. If rumours are to be believed, then Koeman will have a £100 million 'warchest' to spend on top of any money from player departures. Despite Lukaku overtly seeking pastures new, his agent seems to have had a change of heart, stating that, "EFC don't need money anymore. (Lukaku) wants to play for a club that can win trophies. Something's changed at EFC, there's a new project." This quote from the Belgian's agent aligns with further rumours that Lukaku is set to receive an offer of £140k a week to stay at Everton, where he scored 25 goals last term.

Everton have been recently linked with players such as Nani, Axel Witsel, Wayne Rooney and Kevin Strootman, leaving excitement over the changes that will inevitably happen at Goodison over the summer transfer window. Keeping Stones, Lukaku and Barkley whilst spending £100 million would be a real statement of intent from both Farhad Moshiri and Ronald Koeman.

Either way, it is certainly an exciting time to be an Evertonian.

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Reader Comments (40)

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Brian Williams
1 Posted 21/06/2016 at 22:09:05
Perisic, Janssen, Wijnaldum, Aboubakar...... there's four more.
Mike Allison
2 Posted 21/06/2016 at 22:25:17
Can't tell if you're being sarcastic Brian. Perisic looks good, and a possible solution to the left side issue. Wijnaldum played for Newcastle last season, and the other two are totally unknown quantities in terms of their ability to have an impact in the Premier League.

I might get excited for Perisic or Hamsik, but not many of the others.

Eugene Ruane
3 Posted 21/06/2016 at 22:53:04
"Everton's new majority stakeholder, Farhad Moshiri, has acted quietly thus far, leaving Bill Kenwright to pose for the photos and give the soundbites for the media."

See Tony Soprano and Uncle Junior.

Damian Wilde
4 Posted 21/06/2016 at 00:21:48
Good article, Patrick, and indeed reasons to be excited.

One thing to add to number 4: 'Great youth coming through' eg,Tom Davies.

Dan Davies
5 Posted 22/06/2016 at 00:36:45
Yep ... No. 5 – the possibility of Usmanov taking over and putting the RS back where they belong. COYBB.
Darren Hind
6 Posted 22/06/2016 at 05:30:02
Hope you're wrong, Eugene.

Imagine this place if Kenwright shoots Moshiri? It was bad enough when he tried to take us to Kirkby.

Ian Jones
7 Posted 22/06/2016 at 05:58:13
Interesting article Philip but one point to make re the referee mentioned. I know Clattenburg has history with us but perhaps we should blame Martin Atkinson in this instance!
Matt Traynor
8 Posted 22/06/2016 at 06:43:03
Pretty sure there were people posting on here that even with Moshiri here, Kim Jong Bill wanted to give him another six months. Moshiri correctly pulled rank – we'd have had a queue of players departing and nothing to get excited about coming in.

I like your typo in Point 3 – Bill Kenwright "eluded" to Moshiri's plans for the club? At least I think it's a typo – could be a Freudian dildo...

Mike Gaynes
9 Posted 22/06/2016 at 07:17:10
One note of skepticism, Patrick... I think your comment that Moshiri was "listening to the Goodison faithful and sacking Roberto Martinez" is, to put it politely, speculative at best and more likely sheer fantasy.

A man of Moshiri's means, confidence and obvious presence makes his own decisions. In my opinion he made this one based on his own observations and judgement, not by listening to supporters he barely knows after three months in charge.

I share your excitement, but sorry, that particular bubble needed busting.

Kieran Fitzgerald
10 Posted 22/06/2016 at 07:31:45
In terms of the players, Stones and Lukaku already stayed at the club for a season or two on the strength of what a new manager promised. While both are still young, they have now played enough football to warrant a starting place in any club. Why should they stay just because Koeman has arrived and made promises. In my opinion, Barkley will have to prove himself all over again considering the season he has just had. He may start the new season brilliantly or it may take him three or four months just to get back to where he should be. I wouldn't be putting my house on him just yet.

In terms of a new stadium, it is all still just talk. King's Dock was nailed on. Kirkby, for all our opposition on here, did for a while have the look of a plan that could have happened. I won't hold my breath until I see Bill turning the first sod on Sky Sports News.

While I am genuinely hopeful, I know the last two paragraphs may not look like it, I just can't get carried away just yet. The squad does need work, it will be hard to keep or replace quality like Stones and Lukaku, regardless of what people might think of their attitudes. Players in other positions will need replacing or upgrading. New stadiums are hard work and complex in terms of planning permission, finance and so on. Koeman as a new manager will still need time to get his plan in place. Martinez had the advantage of a Moyes organised team in his first season. Koeman has inherited a mess.

If people are excited right now, good. It is really nice to see after all the doom and gloom of recent seasons. I just have to be one of the cynical grumpy Evertonians we all know and be cautious.

Brian Williams
11 Posted 22/06/2016 at 08:29:01
Mike Allison#2.
Why would that possibly be sarcastic? What you on about?
John Louis Jones
12 Posted 22/06/2016 at 09:34:59
Good Read.

Kieran #10 : Think you are and many of the Fans are being to hard on Barkley. Deli Alli is getting raved about but in a strong Spurs team with a good Manager he only Scored 1 more goal and had less assists last season. The other Night when Woy put the England team out against Slovakia and Ross was left on the bench. It was pointed out all over social media by fans of many clubs even RS fans that Ross had scored more goals and had more assists than the starting 3 in Midfield.

IMO Martinez right royally fucked over the young Lad (sorry for the french) It was like he was told not to shoot, play like Xavi blah blah blah for Martinez's own selfish reasons, so HE could take the credit for producing the English Xavi. Ross is not that type of player. he was played deep midfield , left midfield , left winger, No. 10 , Box to Box all because Martinez was a plum.

Sorry to talk about Barkley on this thread, It is exciting times indeed. Stones is very much like Koeman in his playing days which can only be a good thing, Ross can and will be a top top player hopefully Ron can give him some confidence and let him play his natural game.

Phil Bellis
13 Posted 22/06/2016 at 09:44:08
I had a conversation on Monday with the owner of a City centre pub who is a close friend of our Evertonian mayor. He said the new ground will be in Croxteth, as a dock side stadium would have "insurmountable" access problems.

I don't have a clue about the geography and logistics of the rumoured dock site but, as far as I could tell, he wasn't giving me "in the know" posturing, just telling me what he has been told.

Worrying, but for Everton FC, par for the course; time to back Eugene's "Docky not Crocky" campaign.

Sam Hoare
14 Posted 22/06/2016 at 09:44:27
One player I'd love us to chase is Perisic. He's having a good Euros but have been a fan of his for a while, since we played Wolfsburg I guess.

He's quick, with fantastic technique and decision making. Will score and create goals whilst working hard for the team and would nail down that left wing/left midfield spot for us for the next few years I reckon. Wouldn't be cheap but I think he may be gettable.

Mark Cooper
15 Posted 22/06/2016 at 09:52:44
Eugene #3, more Tony Montana and Widow Twanky?
Kieran Fitzgerald
16 Posted 22/06/2016 at 10:16:56
John Louis, I just don't think Ross has been anywhere near consistent enough to warrant the hype. Yes, he has the talent, yes, Martinez fucked a lot of things up, but he contributed too little in too many games for me to see him as a star player/match winner at the moment.

In terms of Croatian players I have been very impressed with Modric.

Paul English
17 Posted 22/06/2016 at 10:31:45
Asmir Begovic , Axel Witsel, Kevin Strootman, Ivan Perisic, Andri Yarmolenko... The £100 million should cover all that talent, plus a lot of the talent we already have!!!
Brian Harrison
18 Posted 22/06/2016 at 10:35:14
I can't remember so many fans being as excited as this before the season starts. Even Kendall when he arrived from Blackburn didnt create this much positivity. There is no doubt that all of this is down to Farhad Moshiri. He has appointed a top class manager with a proven record, something very few of his predecessors had achieved.

He has already started to do something regarding building a new stadium. Which in time will create new revenue streams. I am sure he will also look at our deal with Kitbag and see if we can extricate ourselves from that as well. His man on the board as also intimated that there are other things planned as well.

So what's not to be excited about? Now I know there will be some who because of our history with these things urge us fans to show some caution. Well just maybe this time everything is going to work out fine and maybe as fans we should start being more optimistic than pessimistic. Yes, I said from day one I didn't want RM and I didn't fall for his bullshit and sadly I was right. This time we have appointed a winner in Koeman no stupid philosophy just a massive desire to win games and be successful and is prepared to play any way that will achieve it.

Damian Wilde
19 Posted 22/06/2016 at 10:39:38
Dan:

"Yep ... No. 5 – the possibility of Usmanov taking over."

Utter pie in the sky. I'm bored of the Usmanov talk, as there is zero evidence to suggest it. What next, Messi to Everton on a free?

Patrick Gillen
20 Posted 22/06/2016 at 10:52:46
#7 Good spot, Ian, I forgot it was Atkinson!
Mark Cooper
21 Posted 22/06/2016 at 11:24:22
Re: Usmanov talk, It may or may not happen, be great if it did but who knows.

Problem is, all this continued talk about it makes us sound desperate and were not desperate any more, let's just be happy for now with the progress were making under Moshiri.

Were Everton, even without money we were still one of the biggest!

Damian Wilde
22 Posted 22/06/2016 at 11:26:49
Good points Mark. We have Moshiri (real), so we don't need to keep discussing the fantasy.
Don Alexander
23 Posted 22/06/2016 at 14:33:42
Eugene and Mark (#3 and #15), I see them more as Scaramanga and Nic-Nack.
Tony Abrahams
24 Posted 22/06/2016 at 15:06:40
Phil 13, insurmountable access problems? Sledgehammers, we need, that should take care of it. If not bullet-proof vests, because sledgehammers would be utterly useless in Crocky, now that Amazon have pulled out.

I'm not disputing this by the way, I'm just praying that the fantasy will become reality, because only with somebody like Usmanov, on board. Do I think we stand a chance of a stadium on the river.

Joe Anderson, is talking practically ofcourse, but he's also come out saying a new stadium could be ready in 3 years.

I'm not sure how much Goodison's face-lift is going to cost, but I'm not sure the club, would be carrying out such a procedure if Anderson's comments were true?

Trevor Lynes
25 Posted 22/06/2016 at 21:03:39
The downside is offering the likes of Gibson a contract extension.He would not be in the squad of any club with ambitions for Europe.

Most of what we still have are not up to top standard ie; Cleverley, McCarthy, Lennon, Kone, Besic, Oviedo etc.

Barkley and Stones are still trying to achieve their top potential (whatever level that may be) Deulofeu and Mirallas are both very inconsistent.Barry is surely in his last season and needs replacing by an attacking midfield player who can pass forwards!!!

As far as I am concerned I will remain optimistic but I am reserving judgement until I see the big signings in place.

Eugene Ruane
26 Posted 22/06/2016 at 21:19:58
Don/Darren/Mark, re Tony and Junior Soprano, I simply meant that (after the death of boss Jackie) Tony allows Junior to think he's making the decisions and has a big say.

However he only allows this as he knows it will be the mouthy old nark (rather than him) who will become a 'lightning rod' for the FBI.

Maybe BK is only (still) there as Moshiri is a quiet feller not given to spouting shite and/or hogging the camera.

The important thing is that when a decision does have to be made, he seems to have the steel to make it.

Imagines..

Moshiri: (sitting with board members at a table on the pavement outside St Lukes, drinking coffee from thimble-sized cups) "The Spanish guy, he might be a friend of Bills but..he's not 'a friend of ours'...understand?"

Thin Russian with white streaks in hair: "I'll take care of it 'F'"

Mark Cooper
27 Posted 22/06/2016 at 21:58:49
Haha, I see it now Eugene.

Don #23, I am now stuck with an image of Nic-Nack dressed as Widow Twanky, staring up at Koeman's plane and shouting "de plane boss, de plane"!

Paul English
28 Posted 22/06/2016 at 22:26:34
According to reports from Turkey... EFC have triggered Snejder's £5.5million release clause....!!!
Damian Wilde
29 Posted 23/06/2016 at 00:10:50
Gibson didn't even make the Ireland squad for the Euros (McGeady did!!!!), but is deemed good enough for us.
Loko Sanchez
30 Posted 22/06/2016 at 01:15:23
I hope Lennon has a good season. Someone said he is not up to standard along with McCarthy... not sure what standards. Both normally play their socks off, great attitude and they want to be at EFC. That's good enuff for me. Let's not let the money the club has blind us to the talents we already have.
Damian Wilde
31 Posted 23/06/2016 at 10:21:00
Lennon & McCarthy especially are 'average'. Hibbo would try his socks off, should we get him back?
Scott Bosworth
33 Posted 23/06/2016 at 17:34:04
Seems to me that all 4 of these reasons are really just sub-bullets to the first one: Moshiri and his gigantic sacks of money.
Barry Lightfoot
34 Posted 23/06/2016 at 19:58:25
Why would Joe Anderson say the dock site has "insurmountable access problems" when it has 2 road tunnels, 1 train tunnel, countless other roads and rails, various ferries, buses, taxis, loads of car parks etc all converging on the city centre. Yet Croxteth has a few roads and no parking but is seen as okay.

Someone please enlighten me because I'm confused.

William Cartwright
35 Posted 24/06/2016 at 07:36:54
Just imagine if RK gets the best out of all the players at the same time and playing as a 4-2-4 team...

New goalie
Coleman (captain)
Stones
Funes Mori
Baines
McCarthy
Besic
Deulofeu
Lukaku
Barkley
Mirallas

Bloody hell! All that, plus Robles, Kenny, Jagielka, Browning, Garbutt, Oviedo, Cleverley, Barry, Ledson, Davies, Dowell, Pennington, Lennon, Niasse, Tarashaj, Gibson, a new No.10, a new stadium, with still a healthy bank account!

COYB.

o

Bob Parrington
36 Posted 24/06/2016 at 11:40:38
Please, No Nanny - oops. no Nani!
Bob Parrington
37 Posted 24/06/2016 at 11:46:24
William #35. I hope we can do much better than that. New goalie with still no protection from a useless (can't handle crosses) defence. Surely we need to take a good look at the central defensive duo! Every team in the league for yonks has known that crosses against Everton are the sucker punch!
Phil Bellis
38 Posted 24/06/2016 at 14:24:34
Barry (34)
I'll try to get more info from my "mole" but perhaps someone more familiar with the "North Docks" would be able to enlighten us
Presume parking, ease of crowd dispersal et al would come into play
I think its a truism that planners invariably cater for cars
William Cartwright
39 Posted 24/06/2016 at 15:55:37
Yes Bob you may be right there. However if you consider central defence options from Stones, Funes Mori, Jagielka, Galloway, Browning (I think he has great promise - a bit like Duffy), Pennington, Holgate, Foulds, and possibly a new bloke, there must be one of the buggers who can head a ball. Perhaps RK will up the coaching techniques with a tennis ball on a rubber string etc.
Keith Glazzard
41 Posted 25/06/2016 at 15:42:30
William @ 35. Some very good players in that line-up, and a good coach should organise them very well.
One thing is missing. Something we haven't had since Mikel went, a playmaker. Someone to put his foot on the ball, look around and play the killer pass. Besic will get better, but he's not there yet. Gibson gets close at times, but he's spent most of his career in the treatment room. Barry does us proud, but again, he doesn't unpick a defence. Jimmy Mac has been known to batter them into sumission, but ...
Who Koeman might be thinking of, we have no idea, but I'll bet it will be on his list. We are already strong everywhere else.
ps - If I were Colin Harvey I'm not sure if I would want to see a statue of myself in my own lifetime. The Trinity are a legend, of course, but put Dixie in with Howard and Bally for the moment - and tell Colin to drive safely!
Julian Wait
42 Posted 27/06/2016 at 22:09:03
5. Our boys didn't play in France

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