Everton sign Baye Oumar Niasse

It was an area of the side that needed to be urgently addressed so I'm glad the club have moved to do so. Hopefully he can make the impact Martinez and Kevin Reeves believe he can.

We could have done with a fullback and a goalkeeper but this will do for now.

It doesn't really matter that we've signed a forward. We cannot defend and we concede two or three goals every game and the clown of a manager won't change his philosophy that seems to be that defending doesn't matter.

We will still continue to lose games and drop down the league as long as Martinez is in charge.

That said, I hope that I am proved wrong and I wish the new fella all the best.

While I agree we have problems defensively, I think they are more down to tactics and coaching etc rather than our defenders not being good enough.

We do however need another forward who can score goals to either support or replace Lukaku.

While it does seem a lot for a relatively unknown let's hope he can do the business.

Done the business in Turkey, Russia and for Senegal and seems to have good close control, pace and goal-scoring knack.

Just a shame we've feck all to play for this year.

I don't think we needed to sign a defender no. I think that we have enough talented defenders already at the club but the way the manager dismisses defending as a basic part of what is needed to be successful means that those defenders are being made to look fools week in week out. I'm actually happy with the defensive talent that we have both first team now and the young players coming through.

I would have loved for us to spend big on a top class keeper but as long as calamity Tim can walk he will remain automatic choice.

He is delusional. We're in more trouble.

Hope he does well and welcome to the club Niasse!

#kissofdeath

Just wondering, now that Bill has shelled out £13m+, does that not contradict, that he's in the process of selling the club?.

Actually sounds like a type of player we need. Evidence of whether it is true will follow.

That aside, let's hope it's a good signing for us and wish our new arrival a long and successful career with us.

Inexcusable.

Doesn't the club realise it's their job to keep Twebbers miserable?!

Must be a short season in Russia or every other player is crap.

This will either be a masterstroke or will cost RM. Hope this works out cos we need something positive right now.

Well ............ I can dream, can't I?

Mark #4, players come and go but we can't stand still.

The new signing is encouraging in that it is always nice to know we are trying to strengthen the squad. Whether he is any good remains to be seen. Here's hoping.

I don't know why as, admittedly I know bugger all about him so I'm guessing I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt.

My expectations are so low at the moment (no further slump will do this season) that anyone above the 'journeyman' type would be a bonus.

The price tag suggests quality so let's welcome the lad and hope he has a long and successful Everton career.

A brace in a two-nil win at Anfield would be a good start.

Cannot believe the negatives on here, we have one hell of a defence with backup, its' the coaching and management that needs sorting.

You can understand one player hitting a poor run, but not an entire backline.

The reports on his work rate and passion are good too ...

Much better than Nais and Kone – so an improvement!

However the style and skill and expansive play is lovely to watch and this is the only way we can make a leap to the top ...

The defence will sort itself out shortly ...

Blimey.

Honestly, all I read on here is the glory of past Everton and how we shouldn't settle for mid table etc., etc., blah, blah, blah. The minute any manager goes out and signs a player with potential to be excellent, you all complain about the money.

If you want to compete, the players cost $. No more looking in bargain bins and yard sales for a rare find to be cheaply had. I am not saying stop looking but FFS it shouldn't be the bulk of the team anymore should it? Set the sights a little higher. Lukaku at £28 million and this player at £18 million are still outside the range of what the Sky Top 4 pay. The fact that Everton have two pricey signings and were chasing a couple of others at the beginning of the season should make you all so giddy that you can't see straight. Instead it is, "I doubt he is worth it, African players don't do well over here, etc., and but really we need this, that, and the other." Must you always be miserable sods on here?

I don't rate RM but jeez, he seems to have done okay with Funes Mori and Lukaku, and Deulofeu, and now this player. Everton don't need 2 or 4 million pound signings for the first team unless they are U-18-21s signed for future use. Everton need players who can make a difference and they cost. Crystal Palace, Stoke, West Ham, Watford, Bournemouth, and Leicester have realized this and most have shattered their old transfer fee records to sign better talent. At least in this I can say Everton ownership is trying to move forward a little.

Now Everton need to push up the table, avoid any sniff of relegation, and move on with or without RM. But this is a good signing people so give him credit for where it is due and BE HAPPY!

Bad news for Kev, though, but he's only got himself to blame. He had runs in the team under Moyes and Martinez and hasn't never worked his socks off for the team like Naisey or even Kone did.

From the rest of us, welcome Niasse. I believe this will be a good bit of business. Irrespective of what else we needed, when Naismith left, there was a massive gap where a second striker – who was not Kone –needed to be.

Fast, energetic and play down the middle or on the left flank. Looking forward to seeing the lad play.

I am happy about this signing for two reasons: Because he looks like a good player going by the video clips.

It might also mean we are going to have 4-4-2 as our preferred starting formation.

Decent level of English too so should fit in quickly.

He is not that thick not to realize that defending is a vital part of the game but has anybody ever thought that his style of play is shit or bust which if all goes well will break that top four glass ceiling which a safer way of playing never would with the players at our disposal.

It is a risky strategy but we won't go down and if it all clicks then you could win the league so can everyone give the man time and have some patients.

Oh we have come a long way, thinking about it!

The monopolies commission or someone should put a stop to it, it should not be allowed to play with tens of thousands of peoples lives like that.

I think Martinez is building a great squad, bloody shame we're so shit a defending.

£13.5M is not cheap so will see how long he takes to adapt.

Still, our main issue is goals conceded so will see how we do going forward.

I wish this young man the best of luck with his EFC career. just what we needed – options up top.
COYBs!!

The price will be judged with hindsight.

In terms of the defence... has anyone noticed that we perform best when Stones does? ie, Chelsea at home...

When Stones doesn't play well, we always have a defensive 'mare!

By the way I am happy that we have signed this lad and wish him well. Ithink he will be good.

Howard

Coleman
Stones
Jagielka / Funes Mori
Baines

Barry
McCarthy

Barkley

Deulofeu
Lukaku
Niasse

Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps!

Good signing to relieve Lukaku's burden.

Why has no-one ever thought of this before? It's genius. We could even have a flapping rag-doll in goal, it wouldn't matter.... Oh, Tim's back, isn't he?

It could be a total waste but I feel much better already.

Wonder if he's any good.

Good to see Carlisle's Dicker got a move after his FA Cup disappointment.

Goodwillie on the move too.

Look forward to when he makes his debut. Naismith has paid for more than half of his fee so that is another reason to wish Steven all the best with his career at Norwich.

I think we need more than this signing to improve the squad but it is a start and the transfer window wasn't great but it is better than some of us thought it would be; let's be grateful for small mercies.

Look at the Swansea game. Lukaku was taken hard and came nowhere... only Deulofeu was doing good but nothing happened with his excellent crossballs.

Yes, we need another goalie. But seriously, Joel Robles, is good enough for Everton to do good if he gets the chance to play.

Most problems in the defence and midfield are not due to that we do not have quality players. The problems are due to bad strategy and bad/no coaching.

BTW, now that Howard is staying, can we rename one goal area "Howard's End" and the other a "Stones free zone"? Sorry, but I couldn't resist.

I also apologize for using "you all" as it is an overgeneralization used over here often. You would not believe the pressure over here on poor Americans when we attempt to converse, even via the internet, with you English and your fancy pants proper language.

Give Martinez, a chance you say. You also say he is not thick, that he knows we have a defensive problem.

He as had nearly three seasons, I'd say that's more than generous or patient, as you ask.

defensive, were absolutely pathetic. So if he isn't thick and he knows about it, why hasn't he addressed it?

When he makes statements like he isn't interested in keeping clean sheets. Well his defensive frailties speaks for itself wouldn't you say?

You say it could be shit or bust his style of play, and who knows if it clicks, we could win the league.

If there was ever a season for us to do well in the Premier League, it was this season. Teams that usually don't give the likes of Everton and our like a luck in. Well they simply haven't been at their best. Hence Leicester at the top. And granted they deserve it. But Chelsea below us come on. Man Utd, in turnmoil. Man City, not unbeatable.

But next season, Man City will have the best manager possible. Man Utd, may have the special one. And Chelsea maybe Man City coach. So they will have all regrouped and spent big. So the likes of this season is not repeated.

And you say give Martinez more time.

Our time was this season, with the best squad in years. But now it's nearly over. So let's hope the same applies to RM.

If we sign a defender who right away replaces Jagielka or Funes Mori or Baines or Coleman (the first choice 4 presently) and pushes him onto the bench... will that be good business??

Our defensive lapses are due to the way we are defending and that's a training issue and not a personnel issue.

On the other hand, we do not have any one to replace Lukaku. Kone, Mirallas, Barkley and even Naismith can play as a second striker but is not capable of leading the line against Premier League oppositions! Imagine, if Lukaku was out for periods like Jagielka, Baines, Coleman have... I would not dare to even.

Rom has played almost every minute of the premier league this season, hence we never felt it this way. Last few games, he was carrying a knock and his goals have dried up. We need to experience moments when Lukaku can come off, so far we haven't created any such moment just because we did not have that familiar face on the bench.

Good or bad, time will tell but a technically required signing IMO. COYB!

Helen you have a point, however this signing is a investment for the future. Martinez's fate lays at his own feet. Sooner or later he will either triumph or be run out of town.

When you see Bobby change his brown shoes to trainers then you can be at the end of a very long line to kick his sorry arse as he scampers out of town.

I don't think we need a central defender. Stones, Mori and Jags are all class. We just need a defensive plan. Its baffling that we are so leaky when we also have excellent defensive mids to choose from too and RM ALWAYS plays two of them in front of the back four.

The goalkeeper is still a terribly weak spot and I can't help but feel that his weakness in controlling the box puts great strain and positional chaos on all the players in front of him. A solid keeper who can defend crosses and command the penalty area would alleviate the panic in front of him. I really like Fabianski.

Apparently not. Stoke bought someone yesterday for £18.5M.

What's not to like?

Come on, Roberto, I'm feeling more positive now than at the start of the transfer window. Attack strengthened further (AND Niasse signed, as well as McGeady going out!). So, don't let us down. Sort that defence; it will only take a few tactical tweaks. Looking forward to going to Stoke Saturday and seeing Niasse.

As for our ball-watching, disorganised defence. ..and yes, they were all ball-watching and not marking their man when Sterling crossed from behind the line. Something definitely needs to be done, especially as our weaknesses have been highlighted time and time again on television. Even the new Swansea manager planned to press high against Stones and co and it worked. Let's hope Jags, Baines and Barry can get us playing with common sense.

With Deulofeu, Barkley and Niasse behind Lukaku, we have genuine pace all throughout the attack. We really should be set up to play counter attacking football. There is no point in having speedsters in your team if you play possession football. It's too slow.

The defence needs to defend and clear their lines. When the opposition have possession we need to be solid, clear the danger and counter with speed. It's worked very well for Leicester.

We have very good defenders who are made to do things which make them nervous and the whole back 5 become jittery. Take away the pressure of them having to pass the ball about in dangerous positions, and allow them to concentrate on what they do best.

If only we could see him up front with Lukaku, Mirallas and Deulofeu on the wings, Barkley behind and Barry or Besic anchoring midfield. Oh and Robles in goal as well!

I can dream.

A top 6 finish is still a possibility by all means, and an FA Cup run is key. That said, relegation is currently closer than Europe.

Every team except the top 4 have been very inconsistent this season, and there lies our chance. Leicester breaking towards the end of the season is not something that would surprise anyone, although they still seem solid.

That would of course demand that we actually start winning games, which by the looks of it could be the real problem. With our current attacking line-up, scoring goals doesn't seem like a problem. The miraculous feat of actually beginning to defend as well would do all the difference in the world.

We have the players to make a run (bar a top goalkeeper), if they can believe it themselves, and if our manager could just be a little pragmatic for once.

Welcome Niasse

Robles

Coleman
Jagielka
Funes Mori
Baines

Besic
Barkley
Lennon
Mirallas

Niasse
Lukaku

That's the most two-sided post I think I've ever read on here.

You have covered every angle so whatever happens this season you can say "I said that".

Definitely you could be a scriptwriter for Martinez, say everything and nothing!

Evan Davis on BBC Newsnight also slipped up and referred to Hilary Benn as "Hilary Big Benn".

There may be a deeper, more-Freudian reason there with Evan Davis.

Bn doesn't mean billions! We paid in beans. They turned the offer down initially (something about chucking in a cow) but they eventually caved after listening to Martinez wax lyrical about how 'magic' those beans were.

I can only go by YouTube but I'm impressed by this lads movement. Watch how he changes direction and looks for space every time an attack is on. In Ross and Gerry we have the talent to find him. I think him buzzing round Rom could be great.

A great signing in my book but I can't help thinking he is a long term replacement for Lukaku. Is it wrong to think that way?

For those dogging Kone, our goal tally says he is/was an important cog in the team; he's no passenger, but obviously father time is not on his side.

What gets my goat above all else, is the way the media treat us, especially the BBC. We are always an afterthought, of no account it seems; those 20 years without a trophy are responsible, I suppose.

We have to find a filthy rich owner that is a risk taker and will really flash serious money in the transfer market and on silly wages – it's the only realistic way to crack that top 4.

They can stick the Europa League where the sun doesn't shine, for me; it cocks up Premier League performances. A cup, maybe... if we get lucky with the draw and within games, plus if officials improve their eyesight!

Of course, new owners may have new ideas but all has gone quiet on that front so 2016-17 may see business as usual but, at last, Bill's Board are backing their manager with hard cash.

The trouble is that ALL clubs will be awash with funds – even little Bournemouth – so the 'running to keep still' mode may well continue. But, at least, Bobby will have every opportunity to prove us doubters wrong about his philosophy!

It is the least we should be doing of course, but at least the potential of spending £10-20mil on a player means that we can compete. Let's buy a goal keeper in the summer, a back up right back, a creative player and a another wide player too, in the act of replacing those inevitability leaving the squad. It is horrible to look at just how good this team can be though, and then to look back at the league table. We should be right up there this season (in a fight for a Champions League place). But then we all know that.

Hopefully an exciting signing will help us kick on. We should be targeting the FA Cup and a top 8 finish. If we do not get those targets, then Martinez must be shown the door. I'm all for patience, but there has been too much of that already.

Now top priority is a top class goalkeeper.

Oh, and a new manager of course.

We won't!

There are always more than one side to things. I do not see a reason to be adamant either way just yet. And unlike some I am not in the habit of rubbing my predictions on others. To be a bit Benitez-y...

1: The season is not over yet.

2: We have a pretty talented Group of players.

3: If we fail to make an impact this season, our most prized assets will want away in the summer.

We can still avoid No 3. How he is going to do that is something of a mystery though.

To provide some more insight into what I really think. I think everything will fall to pieces due to the fact that our manager just is not up for the task. Hope I am wrong.

Niasse will give everything in every game and is very keen to learn but his footwork is poor however he is very fast. At present he will never score a hat trick similar to Naismith's against Chelsea.

I think he could improve dramatically with our 'football school' but that will take time. We may not see the best of this lad for at least 18 months.

In the meantime how does he fit in? Martinez's 'keep possession football' requires intricate footwork and good passing something Kone has not shown and Niasse may not be able to do due to the pace of the game. Stuck on the left wing he would require good crossing ability and Yuriy does not mention any such skill. In the centre along with Rom is the only position for him and hopefully his shooting skill improves.

Kone holds the ball up well, so I'm not sure his footwork is that bad but he doesn't offer enough pace or movement – hopefully this bloke will deliver.

Then maybe the negative people on here may change their minds about signing you.

Go for it lad!

Regarding Citeh, it's a fucking joke. In time, the Prem is going the same way as was the Scottish prem and La Liga.

It's gone from a sport to show business. If I was a Man City fan, I would go to four or five games a season, Would not be bothered going to a home game against Swansea. Joke!

Clubs from the richest league in the world will be richer still next season so there should be no excuses about failing to deliver on all fronts.

Someone who I thought would've been perfect as a left sided attacker/striker only cost Arsenal £15 million Danny Welbeck!

I hope the lad turn's out to be great for us but can't help feel he was well down the list and a bit of a panic buy to appease the fan's after losing Naismith!

And even if he is a panic buy, which seems unlikely, why would it to be to appease the fans? I didn't exactly see a revolt regarding Naismith's sale, and Naismith was back-up anyway, so it isn't like he's gonna weaken the team.

Let's just say that this chap has played as many matches since August as Welbeck has for Arsenal since the previous August and scored three times as many goals.

I see Tim Howard has picked up a knock in training. Any rumour in the truth that Niasse has started to pay back his fee already???

A good signing for the Blues.

For the money expended, I'll be looking for him to hit the ground running and be a standout performer by next season.

Great signing but I've this terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach that Funes Mori was purchased to replace Stones who's gone this summer and...

I think this kid Niasse was purchased as replacement for Lukaku, who's also off this summer.

Also why so much negativity over this guy signing? Truly ridiculous. Get behind the team and give the guy a chance.

Apart from the "baaaah".....

......finally we agree!!!!

Hope this fella is up and running by Saturday and gives Mark Hughes a real headache.

Coyb

Miracles do happen.

Deep down, I hope we keep all our players and build from here, but this is not a time for sentiment, it is a time to win. I don't care who is in our team, as long as they beat the rest.

Possibly they viewed the tape showing his ability to score goals and, as I noticed, saw that most of them were against really amateurish defending and all with his right peg; however, if he can cope with 'park the bus' defending and penalty area wrestling matches now endemic in the PL he could become a real coup, hope springs eternal.

I for one see this as a positive. Onwards and upwards. :)

Some say it's a great signing, some say a waste of money. How can anyone really say either way right now?

Probably the only one one who can speak with any degree of authority is our Tovarisch Yuriy from Moscow above. But no-one knows how a player will truly cut it in the Premier League.

For me, I will reserve judgement until I actually see him play in the flesh, and at least six games in when he is clearly match fit (which could be a long time given our coaching staff).

According to many pundits Jamie Vardy has his limitations – but they don't seem to holding him back.

Pure Roberto cliché that one.

My point was why is he going abroad and paying £13.5 million for unknown quantities from a poor league in January?

Surely there is top talent available in Europe? A player in the mould of Perisic at Wolfsburg!

So far Martinez has done pretty well in the transfer market so I'll save my judgement until I've watched him first hand and he's had a good run out, I'm just sceptical as I've lost faith in the manager!

I'd rather see this guy in that Roberto has faith in and see what he can do opposed to Welbeck.

Never been a Welbeck fan. Not quantifiable, but he just doesn't have that "something", that "spark" in his game. Can't see Welbeck ever getting me off my seat – read barstool in 'Merica.

From the little I've seen and read of this guy, he will fill the Naismith void, but provide the pace and power that Naismith unfortunately lacked, to play that role effectively in our team.

Perhaps also, this represents thinking outside the box from Martinez. He has received a lot of deserved flack this year for poor selections and shoddy tactics but if he is trying something different with this signing, then he should be applauded. Plus, it worked last year with the signing of Lennon – his work rate shamed the others into trying harder (by the players' own admission).

Doesn't even include food and drink!

Let's try to be fair to the lad when he comes on for those 20 minute cameos normally reserved for Mirallas although it seems likely that Kone will still be asked to play a part.

One or two posters have suggested it will be Stones who is stood down tomorrow. That just won't happen as he will be asked to play himself back into form. Or, in other words, learn from his mistakes.

Would you include him with so little acclimatisation, then ?

I guess when we sign someone and these resources seem favourable it's no guarantee of success so I should probably treat them with the same credibility.

But the price seems a lot doesn't it?

Coleman (Browning)
Stones (Jageilka)
Funes Mori (Galloway)
Baines (Garbutt)

Besic (Barry)
Barkley (Banega)
McCarthy (Cleverley)

Deulofeu (Mirallas)
Lukaku (Rooney)
Niasse (Tarashaj)

I would then like to see us sign Rooney (think he has the drive and passion we are missing) and Ever Banega (out of contract in summer, also an Argie like Funes Mori) and a goalie.

I would then get rid of some of the players who are to old or never going to make it to the first team these are, Junior, McAleny, Kone, Pienaar, Osman, McGeady, Gibson, Mattioni, Hibbert, Howard.

That would still leave Oviedo, Lennon, Pennington, Cleverley, Henen, Rodriguez, Holgate.

I think that's some team, mate. I'm unsure whether we'll have Stones and Rom next season though. I'll miss Rom and he'll be hard to replace. As for John Stones I think we have to sell a CB for any bid between £45-50m and for that money I won't lose any sleep about him departing. I will wish him the best of luck. He'll be a future England Captain I'm sure.

RM: I think we need a striker.

Board: Genius, any ideas who?

RM: Well I know these agents in Russia who have headed negotiations for us in the past and we've got some good players from them. They have suggested Baye Oumar Niasse.

Board: The same ones that got us Aiden McGeady? Hope he gets his match fitness up at Sheffield, then he can really show us what he can do.

RM: The very guys! They've got this Senegalese guy, scored a few goals and got a few caps for his country.

Board: Sounds great, how much do you need?

RM: £13.5 million

Board: Great, we'll borrow on next season's TV rights........

Maybe not exactly what happened, but you have to wonder what on earth is going on?

It's not some team though as I've never seen a proper fully functioning team from Martinez. He sends out 11 individuals with the instruction to "express themselves in the moment" or some other bollocks. Then everyone else is looking at Everton to take responsibility when the other team has the ball, i.e. about half the time.

Oh, I forgot to throw Howard in as well. We want the best for Everton – you're not at Wigan now!

COYB BOYS

At the time I thought this would be the time for him to show how ruthless he could be as a manager, but I am afraid he failed the test. He doesn't have the balls to say no and just hopes these players will retire gracefully without him doing what Everton FC pay him to do.

It's what made managers like Fergie winners – no time for sentiment.

Freeing up Hibo and Ossie's wages would have allowed a top class free to come in on 䀁,000 a week without any changes to the books.

Roberto owes no loyalty to any player who hasn't played many games during his management.

Hibo, Ossie, Gibson, Pienaar and possibly Oviedo could all have been shown the door, although Oviedo looks like he was worth keeping despite the vast array of left back talent we own.

My rough calculations point to a saving of around £200k a week and a extra game here and there for Lennon, Mirallas, Besic and a few youngsters or loanees.

Roberto had his chance and did not deliver, instead he made Distin and to some degree Mirallas his scape goats .

That would make him worth about....oh, I don't know....£9m in my book. Looks like we've been done.