Reports: Everton in talks with Martina

A good goal against Arsenal aside, he's not been turning heads. Couldn't get in at Saints and when he took his very limited opportunities he didn't look great.

Quick but not great defensively – just really underwhelming, in fact no, it's just not what we need at all. We have better youth players.

Seriously though, timing is everything. If this lad came in off the back of us landing Rooney, Keane, Sigurdsson etc then we wouldn't bat an eyelid. As a first piece of business in a proclaimed new era its highly underwhelming. Especially when we have a great young player in that position.

He's also a very good player, but he's a centre-back. I'm happy with this, we need a big squad next season, and as Nigel said he's here on a free.

Next season we will need a bigger and competent squad and I see this fella as a squad boost player who is versatile.

Gonna be very interesting to see which so-called top quality players sign and wear the shirt.

I'd sooner give our young defenders a fair go, but this is the problem for young players at a club like ours, there's a lot of pressure on the manager to get the right results so is he brave enough to play them?

To be fair to Koeman, he has played some, mainly though when we had 7th place sown up.

Anyone got links to the Idrissa Gueye, Bolasie and Schneiderlin threads please??

What exactly do those three players have in common in any way with this guy, other than being professional footballers? We signed those players, two of them for very large sums. This guy wasn't even good enough to get on the pitch for a poor Southampton and they've let him walk away for nothing.

But, since you brought those players up, Bolasie didn't really do much before his injury. Gana did a ton of tackling but his passing was generally poor, and the manager was having to substitute him at halfway multiple times in the last weeks of the season. And Schneiderlin was signed from Manchester United for a large fee and is a quality player that most everyone was pleased with.

So again, how in the hell are you comparing them with this guy?

We're not going to get better than Coleman (hence the 5 year contract), and anyone who comes in has to accept that he's only keeping the spot warm until Seamus has recovered.

There aren't going to be a load of quality right backs willing to do that. Why would we look to spend a load of money when we already have a first choice in Seamus and a young kid with potential in Kenny?

This makes sense.

At his age, it is unlikely to improve either.

We have had a series of managers, who have all been revered by many, but have all been guilty of mistakes, so being a proper, professional coach really is no guarantee of being right on anything.

On the flip side, he is a free transfer and Koeman knows what he can do and he is young enough for us to get a transfer fee for him if we need to offload.

Good call on Zabaleta who can also play left-back. To put this move in perspective, at the time I was more excited when we signed Sansom, Phelan, Hottiger, Mattioni.

Don't see the point in this at all. If we expect Seamus back in four or five months then use a U23. If we worry Seamus may never be the same, get a top notch replacement. Why sign a mediocre journeyman?

At this rate, it wouldn't be surprising if the new ground fell through; we may be getting 'free signings' but they won't play for free.

Needed cover for Seamus at last. I'd like to see the academy boys given a chance don't get me wrong but is it really that bad?

Give your head a wobble! Are we really going to sign a star player to replace our future Captain?

I wonder what was going through people's heads when we signed an unknown player for 㿨,000?

Nobody is saying this will cost us a new stadium. I'm the one that brought up the stadium to say that having a shit team in a new stadium means absolutely nothing to me.

This player wasn't good enough to get a game at Southampton, shite Southampton, and was allowed to leave for nothing. If he's not good enough to be a backup there, why in the hell would you ever accept him as a backup here?

Stop accepting mediocrity at this club.

Now? A guy who can't get anywhere near a Southampton squad let alone first 11?! And we're supposedly trying to break into the top 6 with him? Our super scout and Koeman have been in place for a almost a year and they come up with this guy? Are you kidding me?

We have Kenny who is ready to be tried. We have Holgate who can cover as well. Two better options surely? And if we are truly serious about top 4 or 6 why aren't we chasing a right back who is better than Coleman or at least on a par who will give him serious competition?

If this happens, this signing is horrific which ever way I look at it. Even on a free. I'll keep everything crossed it's just paper talk.

Just saying that signing cover for Seamus has absolutely 'fuck all' to do with our new stadium.

Get a grip.

C'mon on then James who are we signing to replace Coleman?

Woe is me! Lol

Goodnight.

I'd hope if he did you'd at least then ask his name!

Plus you're forgetting, it may be cover for Seamus, eventually, but it's likely this lad will play until Seamus is back. Which could be anything up to 6 months. 6 months of watching this guy as our right back. Let that sink in as you head off to bed. Good night fella!

First signing is cover for Coleman which is needed because Holgate is not a right back and it would be foolish to bet the farm on Kenny at this stage. Hopefully Kenny (or another of the kids) will stake a claim to challenge Seamus or be his back up – but if this bloke from Southampton is better than Kenny today then this makes sense in the short term as it strengthens are starting XI for the first half of the season.

No point is blowing big money on a right back that won't get a kick once Seamus is back and which will also entirely block off Kenny. I think the balance is right on this decision.

If you think that a Southampton backup right-back reject us good enough to be our backup right-back, then you have a very low opinion of Everton FC.

How in the hell can you say for one second that we should accept as supporters signing a player who wasn't even good enough to be a reserve right-back at Southampton? Honestly, this mentality makes me sick.

As for Kenny, what I saw of him was promising, but nothing more. Not ready to be first choice. Even if Koeman thought so, there would still need to be a back-up as it's not a given that Coleman will be back for quite some time.

If by August there has been no progress, fair play, we can have a bitch. But how can anyone be disappointed so early?

Puel came to Southampton and signed Pied for the 3rd time, probably giving Martina no chance to impress first. Managers have their favourites.

I assume Koeman sees more in Martina than we do, knows him well, so wants him.

He can also play central defence so also assume there is further cover available there as well. I am all for playing youngsters and like what I have seen from Kenny but building up a solid squad and numbers is also a good thing.

However, we also have Tyias Browning as well for these positions.

This type of signing should be met with outrage from the supporters. Unless of course Everton is to just go on existing as one of the middle-of-the-pack clubs, which it seems is very much the ambition. Get sponsorship and soak up the TV money, try to leverage that into a stadium to put more money in the owner' pockets.

At least Martinez brought garbage players that were actually in his starting 11 and Moyes signed cast offs that played for trophy winning sides. This guy couldn't even get a game for Southampton and was allowed to walk for free. We should all be embarrassed.

"Unless of course Everton is to just go on existing as one of the middle-of-the-pack clubs, which it seems is very much the ambition. Get sponsorship and soak up the TV money, try to leverage that into a stadium to put more money in the owner' pockets."

I want to be completely wrong but you sum up almost exactly what I most fear. There's no hard evidence to support this but nor are there indications to the contrary to my eyes.

I'm not talking a top four finish in the season just passed, nor expecting 𧷤 million spent on players by now. Not expecting the diggers in at Bramley-Moore Dock already.

However, something isn't ringing true.

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For all those who don't want Rooney back, some papers suggest he's off to China, so that will make some on here very happy and lessen their outrage... Of course, it's only a rumour, so if he signs for us and we get Martina... that should make for fun reading.

Let's see who we actually sign and then comment!

As far as the Niasse sale goes, Hull are probably just trying to bring the negotiated price down so they can come in with an ambit claim!?!?!?

Keeps realistic competition in the back-up role alongside Kenny, and provides a good utility defensive option without any risks of egocentricity or wheelbarrow full of wages.

He may also surprise a few people, then again he might not. But a low risk squad filler who Ronald already can see the worth, what's not to agree with?

Let's show some respect for the manager's judgement...

The major shareholder loaned the club enough money to be debt free, interest free. Do you seriously think this is the best way he could have invested 㿼 million?

The total out going in transfers last season was around 㿵 million. A teenager was signed for over ٥ million as a future prospect. Two players were signed for over 㿀 million. Lukaku excepted, the previous highest outlay was 㾻 million, and that was in 2008.

Lukaku has been offered the highest ever wage packet in the clubs history. If rumours are to be believed, the offer to Barkley is a substantial increase on his current deal

This is one potential signing, a covering player. Coleman is still viewed as first choice right back, he has just been given a new long term contract whilst injured. There is a promising youngster in that position too.

Can't you wait until the transfer window is at least officially open before passing judgement? Please don't roll out the "typical Everton" line, seen all this before, Billy Liar stuff. The changes at the club in the past year have been significant. The Premier League performance by the team an obvious improvement.

Good one, Jim! (#67).

To be fair to him, Alcaraz was probably a decent player, but didn't really show it at Everton!

We may see him in a blue shirt next season - playing for Shijiazhuang Ever Bright FC. They have "Ever" in their name and have a foreign player slot left.

This is the safest transfer we will make all window. He costs nothing. He's gonna be on low wages and both Koeman's have worked with him before and think him good enough.

The only question is good enough for what?

Good enough for the first team?
Good enough to mind Coleman's place?
Good enough to cover Holgate or Kenny?
Good enough to be cover for right back and right of a back three?

I thought we need an extra right back. Funds are not bottomless and this is the type of signing I wanted to see. For me, it gives the impression that Coleman will be fine, and that Holgate or Kenny can press their claim.

If Coleman is not fine, then we will make a proper signing for good money in 12 (14?) months time.

I would only panic if this became reality. A one-legged Coleman is better than this guy.

Back-up to Jonjoe Kenny at best.

Exactly. It would make little sense to lash out a large fee on a right-back likely to be no more than back-up later in the season when other positions will have been earmarked as priority long ago.

International, 27 and can cover centre-back too.

i can't see the problem really.

Yeah but my mate knows Billy who works at Kwik-Fit but he was told by a customer who knows Joey who's next-door neighbour cleans windows for the kit man, etc etc.

This is Everton. Never count a deal is done till it's signed on the dotted line and he's on the pitch in the line-up... and, even then, I'd be wary.

Experienced right-back to cover Seamus, on a free transfer.

We've been surprised by people we all thought were pants, and we've been disappointed by superstars who never quite turned it on.

Until he (and the 4 million other transfer 'targets' )is shaking Koeman's hand on the hallowed turf, I wouldn't waste my fingers getting too wound-up about it.

Every word spot on. I can't understand how fast a rumour becomes fact for some people on here, then they blame and attack all concerned for a deal that's not happened yet or even can't happen for a month if true at all.

Judge the club when the window closes. Speculation is only speculation; enjoy it, debate it but don't take it to heart.

I bet you Man Utd (Zlatan) and Bayern (Lewandowski) will beg to differ.

Not saying this guy is comparable, but just because someone comes without a huge fee doesn't mean anything... if in doubt, ask Seamus or even Tim Cahill.

Try again, this time with some logic.

Zabaleta will want more than we just offered Barkley and Coleman will be back during the season so, when you are signing a backup player, which we know this lad will likely be, you have to expect that signing to not exactly be exciting.

If left, players go elsewhere, we miss out, and these threads go into meltdown.

Let's say it is true. A player, free, not huge wages, the coaching staff know him, he has Premier League experience and we can sell him on at a profit.

If it isn't true, so what?

Kenny got MotM from the commentators: "I'm stunned at Kenny's performance, he's been absolutely amazing."

He also got one off the line and, from the first to the last minute, you'd see him getting between the two dead ball lines... first rate. On that form, I don't think he'll look out of place if needed for the first team.

I was very impressed... Dowell some nice through balls too, very precise. Lookman very active and tricky, hit the post twice. Calvert-Lewin put himself about too.

It was actually a very good game to watch, even if I did have to get up at 6am to watch it!

My point is that we must seek to improve, not mend and make do. Ultimately that is false economy, ask Sunderland's fans.

Finally, please do not hold me responsible for the opinions & replies of others. I speak for myself an nobody else. Please, don't read this as a terse or snappy reply; it isn't, I just don't agree is all.

Is this guy good enough to be Number 1? No.
Back up to Holgate (our Number 2 by the way)? Possibly.
Joint 3rd spot with Kenny (who couldn't get a game because a centre-back was playing so well in his position)? Yes.
Do I want to spend £100k a week on a 32-year-old right-back who will sit on the bench from Xmas onwards!? No.

Seriously, get some perspective. Koeman is a fantastic manager who turned us from proper shite last season to actually okay this season. We made Europe, not the top table admittedly... but Europe, That's positive. We climbed the league and were "best of the rest" outside the stupid uber rich. Positive.

If we blew a huge wadge on a right-back sitting on the bench and then had no money for every other position that someone on here thinks we need the latest best player in Europe to fill – THAT would be wrong.

Davison, De Light etc... fantastic players... ALREADY linked to Barca and Bayern. We aren't the first to recognise how good they are!!

Jim (#67) summed it up perfectly. The changes at the club HAVE been significant –not as quick as some might like... but they are happening.

I would much rather we went out and got a Zabaletta or Sagna type of signing. I think it's because I don't see them sitting on the bench, I see us rotating the two because ideally I want Mr Koeman to have us step up and act like a top four team. I want us to take the League Cup seriously, I want us to win that or the FA Cup, or if not then we go out with our heads held high, having fielded a good side and being beaten by the better team on the day.

I hope to see the likes of Holgate, Kenny, Browning et al playing a real part or going out on loan to get game time.

For me, This signing doesn't represent evolution, it doesn't represent us bridging the gap. It doesn't improve the squad overly and so for me it's a waste of money and also an opportunity. I just want us to work towards the maxim associated with the club – he isn't the best, he isn't even best of the rest , or the best of the available. No kids (unless he has kids – I dunno) will have his name emblazoned across their shoulders. "Bagsy being Cuco Martina!" said no child ever when having a kick-about with their mates.

I know the last part may sound frivolous but I'm just trying to get across that I'm disappointed but I will also say, if he does sign, then I wish him well and I will be keen to give him every encouragement to prove me wrong.

Kenny and others will only ever be promising until they turn out for the first team; we don't want him going out on loan. Coleman's injured so it's a perfect chance to draft him in. If he's good enough, he is old enough and experience will come playing for Everton if any youngster is good enough.

I don't see how we can lose with this; trust Ron and Steve and, if he is no good it, won't be a Niasse type disaster.

The way Kenny is playing for England, he will be first choice if he shows well in pre-season.

If we are going to sign free agents, they need to be of a caliber of Zlatan, not this guy.

But... we have some very promising lads coming through at right-back. Jonjoe Kenny deserves game time and a chance like Holgate. We also have Callum Connolly, not to mention Holgate himself. It doesn't make sense.

He deserves that opportunity.

Similarly, Everton do not need to bring in a very young prospect to learn from Coleman. The club already has two other right-backs who are young and being groomed.

This player is not a future Everton long term player to bridge the gap to the top four. He is not supposed to be and should not be judged by that standard of player we want. He is a known quantity deemed to be good enough by the manager to do the short-term job needed and to add depth in case Coleman doesn't recover as quickly as anticipated, or if the young players cannot step up.

Getting the player on a free is good business. There is not a downside to this decision if true.

"He's gash"

Righto. Tell me when you've seen him play.

Oh, that's right, you haven't.

Koeman has.

You're right, I'll bow down to your wisdom. He'll be the signing of the season... *eye roll*

Do you believe we need another player in that position?

If so, let's hear who should replace Seamus in your opinion? Or back him up... enjoy...!

My viewpoint is based on from the very little amount I've seen of him, the viewpoint of 99% Southampton fans and the fact that he has hardly played (hardly got in the squad) for a poor Southampton side.

Now, I've been wrong before and I'll no doubt be wrong in the future, but for my mind we should either trust the young lads we have (Holgate, Kenny, Connolly) until Coleman is back, or go all out and buy someone who will give Coleman serious competition.

Our aim is top 6, pushing to top 4 right? This is the kind of signing we absolutely should not be targeting. Free or not.

If we were still in the Moyes days, then I'd expect this kind of signing. Not now. Not with our ambition.

As for naming someone, I'm not knowledgeable enough to know who we should be targeting, but Walsh is. And Koeman should be. That leads on to the other part of my gripe, being they have been in place almost a year and this is what we are looking at?

I know who ever we sign we won't please everyone, but this? I dunno. Just doesn't make sense, however it's explained to me.

Let's all get incredulous over a media report that, as of yet, has no confirmation. This afternoon, I am going to be pissed off with my wife about an affair she hasn't had yet.

If the signing goes through, then jump up and down in anger.

I for one trust the managers judgement. Over his 3 years in the Premier League he has bettered his teams performance in the league. The current director of football has been credited with identifying the players that helped win the most unlikely Premier League champions. I think they are qualified enough to decide whether a player good enough.

And finally, if the player signs, he is likely to be 3rd choice for his position!!! We have one of the best right backs in the league out injured and a promising young right-back being introduced to the team. We don't need to spend too greatly in this department but do need cover. Some are mentioning Zabaletta, but he wouldn't want to come to Everton to sit on the bench, and we don't need to be paying back-up options first team wages.

And David Barks, forgive me if I am wrong, but weren't you championing Unsworth to be manager? A relatively new coach with one games experience picking the team in a dead rubber end of season encounter? Only sign top quality subs but pick a manager with no top flight pedigree? I think I will defer to the pros.

Walsh was not the one credited with finding those players at Leicester. He was in a different role there. And so far, there isn't really much to show for his time at Everton.

As for your wife, if it was being reported in the local papers that she was having an affair, I'm positive you would be concerned.

What the fuck is going on? Haven't we signed enough young players with promise? It's not looking good at all.

That's not true at all, David. Walsh has repeatedly been credited with 'discovering' Mahrez, Kante, Vardy, and as being the man 'behind the scenes' who assembled a title-winning side at Leicester. He's been only too happy to accept the credit and has cranked out a number of interviews saying how he went about it as well.

Whether he actually deserved such credit is another matter and there's been nary a whisper about how his stellar scouting expertise worked out for Newcastle and Hull, weirdly enough.

"And finally, if the player signs, he is likely to be 3rd choice for his position!!!"

Sooo exactly what would be the point in signing him? This is my point entirely. I'll mention again what I've already said, if we are serious at looking at top 6, pushing top 4, this potential signing is absurd.

I firmly believe we should be looking at one of two options:

i) Letting the young un's fight it out – Kenny who would be my choice right now as he has come on leaps and bounds, followed by Holgate and Connolly as the back up in case of injuries.
or
ii) Sign a quality player (not Zabaleta though) who is not going to be happy just to turn up and get his wage packet from his old pal Koeman but a player who should be pushing Coleman all the way (when he is back).

I really hope it's just paper talk; my gut tells me it's not because of the history around it. I guess that's why I, and many others, are up in arms about this possibly happening.

Anyway, time to put this to bed for now I guess as thankfully it's all gone quiet re him signing. Let's hope it stays that way.

We need cover for Coleman and in defence and this has been well documented on TW with criticism of Jagielka, Williams & Funes Mori & at times experience will be better than youth. We also have the Europa League.

See this as a start; yes, we have money but no club has a bottomless pit of cash – using it wisely on higher priorities is surely a better way forward.

Tottenham have done this for years. Lennon, Walker, Dier, Naughton to name a few. How can you possibly see it as a negative?

Jonjoe Kenny should have been our right back since Seamus broke his leg and, if David Unsworth hasn't been pushing his case, he should have been.

㿞,000 worth of talent on the pitch that day.

I think this was the season they won the Second Division title to kick off the three-season sequence of Second Division Champions, then First Division Champions, and then FA Cup Winners that is still unique.

"Seen the footage"? Dave Abrahams was probably there.

Wonder what the mentality was in regards to rumoured signings back then? ToffeeGram probably went into total meltdown when news broke about the blues being in for that William Ralph bloke:

'� STOP For a fella from the third division STOP Is that how low Everton are setting their sights these days? STOP A striker from Tranmere Rovers sans one teste? STOP It's bloody phonus balonus STOP We should be giving his sort the icy mitt STOP If he scores more than 10 goals this season I'll do the Lindy Hop down Lime Street in my Long Johns STOP Sod it STOP Off to get zozzled''

Ranieri was on Goals on Sunday last weekend and when the subject of Walsh's input came up he was, shall we say, somewhat less than fulsome in his comments. Certainly not effusive.

Maybe trying to support his own legacy, maybe not.

Maybe.

As I mentioned, it's debatable whether Walsh actually merits the credit but he's certainly received his fair share from the media and hasn't exactly shied away from it:

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The flipside of accepting such acclaim is he's now got to pull his finger out while at Everton to prove his 'formula for success' wasn't just a flash in the pan. He's worked at clubs besides Leicester and hasn't come close to leaving a lasting legacy. People lavishing him with praise usually bring up the names Zola and Drogba, and then progress straight to the 2016 title-winning side, but there's a fairly lengthy barren spell in-between.

So far, for me at least, the signings that have been made since his appointment (whether at his or Koeman's behest) have been fairly underwhelming and decidedly unimaginative. I'm certainly not giving up hope that, this summer, after a full season of preparation, he might have something better up his sleeve, but I'm not banking on it either.

Fingers crossed though.

Give the kids who are getting good notices a chance until the first choice is fit enough to prove he still has it and if that is still good enough.

Goalie, attacking midfielder and striker are far more important positions to fill.

By the way, does anyone know precisely which of the players loaned out last season are still on the books and will return to the Everton roster?

We have a plethora of central defensive midfielders so any from; McCarthy, Davies, or Gana could be used; however, I'm not averse to getting this guy in for free on a short contract as cover and don't understand the outrage.

I am less convinced by Coleman's a) defensive ability in the first place, and b) probability to return at full capacity; so, in that regard, I would like us to sign a commanding right-back.

In summary, it is just a free with little risk and is likely to be the least complicated, and so first of many... so am not getting over-excited yet.

Based on today's squad, we have Jagielka, Funes Mori, Williams, Pennington, Holgate, Galloway and one or two U23s who have played at, and could turn out at centre-half if the shit hit the fan.

Galloway has proved so effective that West Brom didn't want him, so, as the argument goes, not good enough for West Brom.

So, why not get a short-term back-up right-back, if indeed that actually happens and isn't newspaper trash talk?

I would rather have Kenny in, any day of the week, before him and if you are going to put in suggestions about 'what if'? ... Then next season I would imagine most of my suggestions will still be here and fit for the start of the season to play centre-half to allow Holgate to move to right-back if needed.

A third-choice Southampton reject I just cannot comprehend.

My "if"s are not "if"s. They are "are"s. Currently, our first-choice right-back and until his injury just about first-choice centre-back "are" injured and there is a good chance neither will be fit for the beginning of next season. At this point, it is far from clear whether Jags will still be there.

If you are suggesting that we really start next season with Galloway or Pennington as first choice centre backs along side Williams I take my hat off to you, but on evidence so far neither are ready. It would also mean our back line would consist of pretty much only youngsters.

Again, I would like to highlight a post I made earlier:

"I for one trust the manager's judgement. Over his 3 years in the Premier League he has bettered his team's performance in the league. The current director of football has been credited with identifying the players that helped win it for the most unlikely Premier League champions. I think they are qualified enough to decide whether a player is good enough."

I stand by this. Should this move go through it will be because the manager and director of football have deemed it worth while. And it's only an if!! It maybe a load of bollocks!

So, if it is only a rumour, it's not worth getting wound up about. If it turns out to materialize, it will be because the well-paid professional with a good recent history has chosen to do so; your comprehension will not be his concern.

Of course we still need extra bodies until Coleman is fit again, which will be around mid-season or more, so the question is whether the likes of Kenny, Holgate and Browning can adequately fill in. Maybe; maybe not... but is this guy any better? Will he be able to do it if those three can't? Personally, not convinced he will be better than those three, but I don't have the information Koeman has...

So basically, before reinforcements we have three youngsters for the position until Coleman comes back. Is that enough? I still think Zabaleta would have fitted the bill nicely, but I guess that ship has sailed...

If we get someone, I think it needs to be someone with experience and well rated, not someone who is only at the same level as the lads pushing for the spot.

Buy a good 'un or use the boys!

Having said that, it may still happen but one has to ask: Is Martina better than what we already have at the club? If Koeman does bring him in, he had better hope he doesn't become another liability in the back four (or three).

Reading some of these posts we'll need a squad of 66 just to cover our first 11 ! Wasting a salary on this guy is just that – a waste

Signing mediocre players... Not fackin negotiable!!!!

Forget letting him go out on loan – this guy is ready now; he reminds me of a cloned Coleman.

Swerve him and play Kenny; if Kenny doesn't make the step up, then Holgate is easily good enough to play until Coleman is fit.

27 years old and not good enough for Southampton means he's not good enough for us. We've only just got shut of the likes of Oviedo and Gibson, we don't need any more average players taking good wages.

BS opinions of a player you have NEVER LAID EYES ON, buttressed by "opinions" of Southampton supporters you have never spoken with. Yep, you two are so full of it you'd need two extra anuses just to get halfway to empty.

I've never seen Martina either, but we all know of someone who has. He has played 18 games (and practiced every day for a full season) for our manager. And if Koeman thinks he's worth a no-risk punt, he's basing that decision on infinitely more knowledge than yours.

And he made eight appearances in a three-month loan spell at Preston NE before returning to us, so it doesn't seem to me that he's been cast aside. Koeman's never had a look at him yet but hasn't sold him, so he may get another chance.

Maybe you only watch Everton matches but I do not. I did watch him play for Southampton. And the views of Southampton supporters are readily available online, with a Google search. But the fact is that hardly anyone could have watched him because he couldn't get a bloody game! He wasn't good enough for them, why in the hell would he be good enough for us!?

That club let him go, after hardly giving him a game. He was a backup at that club, and not judged to be good enough for them. So he is certainly not good enough to be ours. That's not BS.

Koemam isn't some God of infallible wisdom when it comes to judging players. We don't need to get down on our knees and accept anything he does or any player he signs. Stekelenburg was not good enough. Valencia was not good enough. Williams was not good enough. And honestly Bolasie was not good enough. If we were going to sign anybody from Palace it should have been Zaha.

If Everton is to get back among the big boys and actually challenge for anything again, the caliber of signings must be far higher than this type of player. That's how it works. If we are going to sign a right-back from Southampton it should be their starting right-back. The goal is to improve your squad, not just fill the numbers.

Swing it which ever way you want but your sole defence of 'Koeman has seen him play' is quite frankly as absurd as this signing.

Just because Koeman has seen him play we shouldn't question it? Righto. He hardly has an unblemished record.

Didn't Koeman want Sissoko and Kone? Who both have been proven to be shite. And I reckon he is only 50/50 on the signing he did make.

And 99% of Southampton fans on the couple of fan forums I've been looking through do think he's shite. No question. I think it's a great way to find out how decent a player is. Fans generally have a very good idea.

So there you go. That's my opinion. All said without any personal abuse. See it can be done.

Hopefully that's calmed your BS alarm down? Then again ,if you speak it'll probably go off again... dammit ,so close to getting through that reply.

This just seems like more of the same. Call it cover or whatever you want. At some point he may have to play. His record looks awful. Does Koeman know his agent very well?

This coming season will be tough as the Europa League we all know can be a massive drain. Also on fans. Hence poor Sunday atmospheres. Players like Martina who can't make the cut anywhere else are simply a wage loss and frustrating for fans who will see as much ability in a youngster.

I'm not soppy enough to say Koeman knows best because any manager can make an error and I have witnessed Stekelenburg and Ashley Williams all season.

On another note, I will be keeping an interest in where our fixtures fall after playing away in Europe this season. The last Europa League campaign seen us playing away after nearly every away tie in Europe.

I read that exact post here on TW many, many times when we were pursuing Schneiderlin, who had been abandoned by Mourhino. Had played 11 minutes I believe. The club spent 㿄m on him based on one thing -- Koeman's experience with him. And there's an argument to be made that he's been our best player since he arrived.

Obviously Martina ain't Schneiderlin, but it's a no-risk signing. If Martina turns out to be crap and never gets a game, the club loses nothing except his wages, which will be chump change.

Schneiderlin was a very good player that earned a big move to Man Utd. He had played and played well under the prior manager. Then they signed Pogba and Mourinho didn't have a spot for him in his tactics. How you would ever compare that with this guy, who hardly played at Southampton and was allowed to walk away is beyond me.

As for a no-risk signing, in what world does that make sense? You sign a player to be able to play. So, when he gets in the game and is garbage, the way Alcaraz was garbage, suddenly it's a big bloody risk as he hurts the team and costs us points.

And do you and James Watts plan your posts together? Or is it just immaculate timing?

I love how you make the point about the caliber of the players we need to sign, as if it isn't something everyone, including the manager, is blissfully unaware of! Koeman himself has made the point that the squad needs more quality, but unless you haven't noticed top notch players want to play for good teams. AT the beginning of this season Everton were the club that scraped into 11th last season

Judge the manager on his signings at the end of this summer. If you cant see the progress this season at least wait until 10 games have been played in the next to see if he really isn't up to it

But please, please stop banging on how we shouldn't be signing players THAT WE HAVE NOT ACTUALLY SIGNED!!

James Watts, is that 99% from a survey or did you do the percentage calculation yourself? Forums are obviously a true barometer of the stature of a player. All you would have to do is check ToffeeWeb to get and accurate idea of how we feel about Ross.

I recall a number if years ago that I championed Seamus Coleman when he arrived. I got some fierce abuse on here, including being asked if I was related to him. You just never know what a new start can do.

I agree. He hasn't signed so this is kinda pointless right now. The point I made way back in one of my earlier posts.

However, my post before this was purely defending myself against Mike who made things personal very quickly. We have history. Going back to when he falsely accused me of laughing when Bolasie got injured. We obviously don't see eye to eye but that's fine. I'm happy to ignore his posts like he probably is with mine. But when things get personal I will defend myself.

I was pointing out that this guy is garbage. Whatever way you look at it and it's bizarre that it's being defended as a possible signing just because Koeman has seen him play. And I believe my argument back sets out a reasonable stand point. So does David's in my view.

My 99% calculation? Based purely on pretty much every post on said forums laughing at us for taking this guy. If we take this guy. Maybe it's not 99% exactly but check out a couple of forums yourself. It won't be far off.

And I believe fans forums are a decent way to find out if a player is good. Not everyone will agree of course but when the very high majority of fans rate or don't rate the player you will get a good idea no? You mention Ross and TW. That being the perfect example. Some love him. Some don't. That's because he is hit and miss. So overall you can get a feel for what he's like from people who have seen him in the flesh.

And don't forget I have also seen him play. I have also seen his record. Neither are encouraging.

I'm happy to agree to disagree with your good self and Mike. We all believe we are right after all, so no point flogging this dead horse anymore.

We can take it up again if he does indeed sign.

However, this guy is a journeyman 27-year-old so no way can we compare them.

I reckon you play Holgate in matches against the better teams where you need to be defensively solid and then Kenny against teams where you expect to have more of the ball as Jonjoe is superior going forward.

Underwhelmed is not even beginning to describe how I feel about this player, he is awkward on the ball, has a woeful first touch, can't get forward and, in my opinion, wouldn't even make a decent squad player.

We have one of the most exciting right-backs developing in Jonjoe Kenny although I understand the need for a bigger squad for Europe and that it would be unfair to throw him in the deep end. Let's not forget Koeman's own mantra – if he's good enough, he's old enough.

Please don't make this a close season of disappointment again, Ronald, and please please don't go back in for the Tottenham flop Sissoko.

Let's hope this is what happened with Cuco Martina's time at Southampton.

We want to bring Seamus back after christmas. We also want to blood Jonjoe, our next Seamus. So we buy Martina if Jonjoe wobbles.

No good right back wants to understudy Seamus after the holidays. They know the score. Also we don't want Jonjoe to get discouraged by placing too many experienced players in his way.

It's a tricky little conundrum. Holgate isn't a right back and so we need cover. Koeman knows Martina but maybe he doesn't want to play third in line again. Maybe he'll say no to us.

I'll have another cup of tea and stay calm.

Because we need centre-backs more than right-backs. We already have 5 or 6 players can play there.