Squad assessment is top priority for Silva and Brands

I was impressed with the press conference and how they conducted themselves. They seem to know what they are about. So different than three previous Incumbents.

We all know who needs replacing and what the squad needs; they fuck up and I'm afraid that we won't beat the drop again.

Silva needs to be ruthless, he doesn't know any of the players so doesn't owe any loyalty to them. The squad we start the season with will tell us what we will achieve.

The likes of Bolasie, who we massively overpaid for, will be a major problem, what with his age and limited skill on a regular basis.

Not exactly a player that will have Clubs beating the door down to take him off us, even at a reduced fee.

I don't think it's all doom and gloom, as we do have some decent players and with proper coaching, we may even be surprised by the regime. Or am I just being over-optimistic?

The defence is a must sort out, before any forwards.

Now it remains for him to see how they all work within the squad in training, and to see who were possibly used in a wrong position to suit their strength, if that was so.

Hmm, and then those overpaid, under-performing bastards probably want a holiday, just to complicate matters... Ack!!! ;D

The issue is many players in the Move Out, Move On category, we'll struggle to give away...

These two it seems, have a strategy – more than the last few regimes had.

"Hmm, and then those overpaid, under-performing bastards probably want a holiday, just to complicate matters... Ack!!! "

T'was ever thus! 😥

There is something about Marco Silva which makes me think he could be just the manager we have been seeking for so long (or is that just a large dose of hope I am suffering from?).

Get out the bucket and spade; pour a few gins then we will be playing Watford first game of the season before we know it. Oh, and England will have won the World Cup.

But that's not the kind of information they are likely to divulge.

It's a ‘watch this space' situation.

As a non-English speaker by birth, I'd excuse Brands for any nervousness. Silva knows how to do it by now, even if it's broken English, but Brands might very well be worried about sounding all wrong if he chooses the wrong words.

Not that he'll learn much proper Queen's English at Merseyside, but you know what I mean! :D

Absolute nail on the head. Let's hope Billy Bollocks keeps his opinions to himself and lets the real football astute men deal with the ins and outs over the coming months. No room for sentiment in business; unless you want your pants pulled down, eh Bill.

Yes that's a good point and probably why he seemed a little hesitant. Can you imagine how he will sound in one year working at Finch Farm or discussing Rooney's future!

Mr Bill and Mr Fahad, most amusing.

Could be a good partnership. I hope so.

Has Usmanov's yacht arrived in the royal blue Mersey yet?

They think a lot of young Tynan Weah up at Newcastle.

His arl man George and Rafa are saying he's the next Paul Gascoigne.

The fans know who the poor player performers are, so Silva and Brands should quickly analyse last season's games and get rid of the poor performers. When this is done and replacements are brought in, there will be no excuses for the board or the management, for next season.

Let's hope they get it right this time, or will the blame game begin again?

Here's hoping it turns out better this time around.

Why same old BS?

What on earth could they had said in the 5 mins they've been here that could have led you to that conclusion??

I really feel that some people on here (and on this occasion, you) revel in negativity and misery.

It's a new start, let's give them a chance!!!

I don't think the Board ever said they sacked Allardyce for poor performance, the points speak against that anyway! It was the near-total rejection of Allardyce's way of playing by the fans that forced their hand, willingly or unwillingly!

Most fans blame the players as a whole almost equally, since they as a team failed to perform well under 3 different managers, but we all hope Silva & Brands will prune the deadwood that they best can recognize when in place.

And if some previously rotten/dead branch might unexpectedly prosper within a new setup, then I'll slowly get behind that decision... :D

Trimming that squad of deadwood, however, will be no mean feat.

The whole 'legend' tag with Everton players has been ongoing for years... really, how many have we had in the past 40 years? I can think of Dave Watson, Big Nev and one or two others from that era. Certainly not Duncan Ferguson.

What specifically was bullshit? What do you disagree with? What have they done wrong already?

I recognize that view! I've followed EFC since the mid-70s, and I was really chuffed with the then-unknown 15-year-old Wayne Rooney being deliberately brought in as a young teen, and I thoroughly enjoyed his break-through later!

Initially, I almost believed there was substance to the rumors about Moyes telling stuff to the media, but it quickly became clear it was his agent who was muddying the waters to get lots of money from his young, naive asset after his good performance that summer...

He loved the fame and the cash well beyond the point where he could truly have helped Everton as a player! So I won't really miss him if he goes to the US!

He's a Manchester United Legend, and an Everton dream of what could have been only! Not an Everton Legend!

Could have been a Blue God but chose to be a Red Devil.

The problem I see is with such a short window, selling the deadwood for a reasonable price will be difficult and bringing in new players who will have elevated prices will be just as hard.

So, apart from bringing on young players and loan players back, I don't believe we will see more than 2 or 3 new players brought in. Buying and selling players is not easy and I don't believe that the new Manager and Director want to make the same mistakes as previous managers.

The squad needs a total overhaul and the quicker Silva makes his assessments the better.

The trouble may be if he waits until after the World Cup – then any players involved may cost a good deal more and be more sought after by the usual suspects at the top.

After the last World Cup, Everton arguably got stung by the Besic deal and Barkley's career stagnated.

I suspect more will go out than come in and there'll be some surprises.

I'm getting the impression there's been some thought put in to all of this, which makes a pleasant change.

The word 'professional' is sticking out to me like businessmen at work.

Let the revolution begin!

Why worry about a season that hasn't even started? Keep believing that next season will be great. I personally already feel better just saying that.

Moyes was given ample time but very little money so Martinez replaced him and was looked upon as a failure before he started although the team played some good stuff for quite a while.

Koeman looked like the man with decent credentials but soon showed many frailties and now we are here with Silva, a man who was preferred before the Wrigleys-chewer came along to be the stop-gap.

Silva should be given some time to whip this crowd into shape (those players he keeps) along with any new guys he has enough cash available to bring in but there has to be some improvement visible over the first month or two of the new season in order to get us all onside.

How many chances do the ‘deadwood' get before they're shown the door? We have relatively short time to turn things around before next season, and time is of the essence. The ‘deadwood' has be set adrift.

Some have had their chance and blown it. Some others have not been given a fair crack at it, and should be given their chance under new management.

I disagree on Unsie. He has done well with the U23. Plus he seems like a bit of a Yes Man as he seemed to happily follow Martinez, Koeman and Allardyce.

Traditionally, Silva has preferred to start with 4 at the back, but with the option to switch to a 3. That means you need 6 centre backs – immediately this becomes a bigger problem area than we might have thought. Jagielka and Williams are not long for the end of the road at Everton. Keane lacks pace (he could probably play at the centre of a 3) and Funes Mori appears to have 1 foot out of the door. Pennington has had a disappointing season at Leeds, so we can't expect a meteoric rise out of him. There is Lewis Gibson, but he would be looking at sporadic first-team involvement at best for the next couple of seasons.

Realistically, then we need at least 2 centre-backs as well as the more obvious requirements of left-back and centre-forward. We also need a back-up keeper.

Despite all this, I am hearing Carvalho (defensive midfielder), Lozano (winger) and Shaqiri (winger). They are both good players, but the midfield is over-saturated and Lookman couldn't get near the team at winger. I am worried that we have started a rotating door of midfielders and are not focused enough attention on a solid base.

Mawson, Kozra, Shaw. These are the names I want to hear.

Alasdair(#49); You don't see a role for Holgate?

Agree with the general consensus that there should be more going out than in. My pick for the exit door would be: Robles (he's going anyway), Martina, Williams, Besic, Schneiderlin, Mirallas, Bolasie, Sandro, possibly Gana.

Incomings would be a left-back, left-sided centre-back, and a box-to-box midfield Dembele-esque would be nice. We don't want to see the influx of players like last season and watch them play like strangers.

Interesting times ahead.

That's around 𧴜m on 4 players who would all go straight into first team. All are pacy, energetic individuals with their best years ahead of them but all had great seasons last year and played a lot of games.

Not being a fan of Michael Keane I'd like to see the following lineup tried:

Pickford
Coleman Holgate Lascelles Tierney
Gueye Torreira
Siggurdsson
Walcott Tosun Lozano

Bench: Stekelenburg, Keane, Baines, Davies, Baningime, Lookman, Niasse.

I think he will not replace Baines this season and may well stick with the forwards we already have.

With previously working with Niasse, who he may continue to favour, additionally Tosun is going to be a top top striker and much admired; when he gets the right service, he will bang in a load.

He will also look to bring on and developing Calvert-Lewin, Vlasic, Beningime and Lookman, who I think have great talent.

It also depends on how you define 'few players'? Last year we brought in 6 first team players in the Summer window not including Onyekuru. Perhaps 4 is not that many for a new manager and a team that underperformed last year.

Of course it will depend on what opportunities arise and what interest and bids come about for our players but I would be surprised if we don't add 3-4 first team players with 5-7 heading out.

This is the point that feeds my optimism, surely Silva is already 6 months into the job mentally, he doesn't need the bedding in time to assess and appraise the current staff.

He needs to crack on and develop his already established personnel plans,good luck with it.

There's always one on here that insist that anyone who they don't agree with has no right to free opinion, in this "Kase", YOU!

I've had a fair share of misery in my life without a miserable get like you saying I revel in it, how dare you!
You are awarded ponce of the week!

"You are awarded ponce of the week!" Nice of you to forfeit the accolade for one week!

The problem we have is you cant have a massive overall of the playing staff every couple of years and expect to progress. Maybe 3 players in and maybe 5 out.

There is still murmurings of Lookman joining Leipzig. I can well understand why he would be pushing for this move. Our previous manager made it abundantly clear despite the protests from the fans he didn't fancy him, so maybe the lad thinks bollocks to you Everton you didn't want me now I want away. And who wouldn't feel that way given the circumstances. I just hope that Silva can show him he has a big future at Everton and he would never have loaned him out.

Also, the press are reporting that Besiktas are interested in a loan deal for Klassen. My advice would be permanent transfers only, look what's happened with Mirallas sent back home to serve the rest of his 3 years sitting in the stands.

Also remember when Yobo went on loan to Turkey everything agreed after the loan Galatasary would pay Everton x amount. Then, when the loan spell finished, they only wanted to pay half what was originally agreed, there was a settlement but they knew they could hassle as Everton wanted him off the books. So please no loan deals.

Sell all the deadwood or players who don't want to be at this club. Move on the younger lads who are not top 6 quality. Stop buying slow players or players aged over 25. No more ex-charity cases returning for a pension fund. No Ross Barkley's of this world.

If we Stick to this formula, we won't go far wrong when building or dismantling a squad.

What is a ponce these days?

I don't see the need for the huge issue made of a left-sided centre-back. In this day & age, every centre-back should be more than capable with both feet.

Lascelles would be my first incoming and Mawson would be next– if Funes Mori leaves. Both have played in back 3s across all three positions. Plus I think, if needed, Baines could easily slot into the left centre-back of a back three. He has great defensive ability, vision and wouldn't surprise me if he thrived there – by reducing his attacking responsibilities and the need to get up and down the pitch.

I agree with a lot of those incomings.

Lascelles (CB)
Thomas Delaney (CM)
Bertrand (LB)

Would be my first three through the door.

All would go straight into the starting line up - with Bertrand rotating with Baines perfectly, while maintaining stability.

The next two signings would depend on out goings:

If we get rid of the likes of Sandro and possibly Bolasie & Onyekuru (on loan or due to lack of work permit). And then Williams, Funes Mori too.

Lozano (preferable Zaha if we could get him) (Wing)
Mawson

Furthermore - If Schneiderlin goes, we'll have to replace his sitting central defensive mid role.

My starting team would be:

Pickford
Coleman(c) Keane Lascelles Bertrand
Delaney Gueye
Walcott Sigurdsson Lozano
Tosun

Stekelenburg, Mawson, Baines, Davies, Klaassen, Lookman, Calvert-Lewin

With Kenny, Holgate, Jagielka, Schneiderlin, Baningime, Vlasic & Niasse providing strong competition.

(Niasse especially is a great squad asset - such an impact off the bench & when called upon.)

This is a perfect size squad with enough competition, but not too much. Plus any changes to the team will ensure stability & not create instability.

By the way, is anyone else not arsed about the World Cup or is it just me!

I like Jordan Ayew – not sure where he would fit in though.

Lookman must stay. If Silva is the coach Moshiri believes him to be, then he will get Lookman playing as we all he hope he can. Salah will become Salah Who?

The papers are written by fuckwits, for fuckwits. I'll wager there isn't an Evertonian alive today that is surprised in the slightest that our squad needs a sharp cull & overhaul.

Irritatingly terrible reporting as always. They take us, or should I say paint us, as mugs for the most part. We have plenty of players we don't need, just hanging around doing absolutely nothing positive in relation to the first team. I don't mean to be unpleasant towards any of them, since it isn't their fault, but we can happily move on 12 players, maybe buy 4 or 5 new ones and really balance the first team squad out for next season.

Trouble is, selling or moving on 12 players over the summer won't be easy, and neither will buying 4 or 5 of the quality & fit that we need. It seems at least that Brands & Silva (with the backing of Moshiri) have a decent plan in place, or they will have over the coming weeks.

I was very happy to see Brands & Silva do their press conference without Mr Farhad and Mr Bill (sic) anywhere to be seen.

Rooney came to mind. ٣ million
Williams ٢ million (optimist I know)
Mirallas ٠ million
Martina ٢ million
Besic. ٢ million
Jagielka ٟ million
Sandro ٣ million
SchneiderLin 㾻 million
Bolasie ٥ million
Niasse (sorry to say that but we need better) 㾹 miln
Klassen ( Am actually a fan, but there is a lot of dissenters amongst the blues) 㾻 million
Robles free

So there you have about 㿷 million back plus wages... Plus I think we get shut of a few trouble makers which unsettled the side.

Everton need to offload players before buying, says Marcel Brands

“[F]or a coach, it is not workable to start with 38 players in your squad. We have to look for a squad Marco can work with and I think there always has to be space for young players to come to the first team.

“That has to be, let's say, 25-30 players. Now there are 38 and a lot are not young any more. They are players who have arrived. We have to be honest when we take the decision with these players. Do they have prospects here at Everton? Some of the conversations will not be nice but I think Marco must start with a squad that everyone is eager to play for and has prospects to play.”

Not sure how he gets to 38; even if you subtract the likes of Mangala and factor in a number of those who were on loan, I can only count 35 (excluding U23 players) listed on our Squad Page.

On the 38, I imagine he includes Browning. The other two are probably some weird vague amalgam of Connolly, Williams, Grant, Mangala, Henen and Feeney sińce this magic number has been banded around for 12 months with various coming, going, loans. Etc

Makes sense to thin the squad out. Far too many also rand in there, and regrettably some youth players that have not made the step up. At what point does potential become unrealised?

No, it's not just you. I just can't raise any interest, at all.
Perhaps it's a northern thing as the southerners seem quite keen!