Coleman determined to win silverware for Everton

Seems like a very very long time ago now since our last proper big match (2009).

One single Cup Final in 24 years, perhaps not too difficult to see why most fans are sceptical when they hear tripe like this only to be dumped out of cups every year by mighty Millwalls or Southampton's.

Since my Goodison debut at the derby we have shown that we can play some very good football and match or beat almost anyone. Yes there have been blips and consistency is the key but Silva has shown us and the team itself what rewards his football is capable of giving. If Brands has as good as summer this year as he did last year (Digne, Bernard and Richarlison all indisputably good business and I think Mina will come good too) then the future is looking much rosier than the considerable mess that Koeman/Walsh left us in.

Much will depend on what we do in the summer market, I think we have all accepted that.

The signings of Zouma and Gomes should be imperative to keeping the team as close together as possible.

The desperation for a quality striker that scores goals is also a major issue if we are to progress.

We have played some lovely football since February but let's not forget we are still only finishing 8th and we were knocked out of both Cups at the second hurdle.

Promise is there, but it needs to be built upon and this summer more than most will tell us the real ambitions of the likes of Brands and Moshiri.

Do we want a slice of the big time or do we want to keep writing season after season off as one in transition?

At some point transition needs to move into progression.

I don't expect us to be in the big time any day soon. The gulf between us and the top teams both in terms of squad quality and financial resources is still fairly overwhelming. For the next year or two I believe that 5th/6th and a good cup run is the most we can hope for barring something quite remarkable. some would see that as pessimistic but i'd call it realism. Of course I'd always hope for more.

I think we have seen progression this season. We've got more points, scored more goals and clearly play more entertaining football. If we continue that trend then it will not be long before we inevitably move up the table. The cups were disappointing and a shame that the Milwall game came at the height of our vulnerability. I expect better next year. But all in all I feel more cause for genuine Evertonian optimism than I have in quite a while.

I'm not suggesting we would have won either of them, but it's like the lottery, it's difficult to win, but if you don't have a ticket in the first place!

Sam @5 tend to agree with regards to Gomes, as we have played 3 games without him and coped quite well, it is Zouma who will be missed. I am not totally averse to getting Gomes but if it's an auction, approaching silly money, then I think we should be looking at other options.

Giovani Lo Celso perhaps, may cost about the same or a little more but is really impressing at Real Betis and is 2 years younger that Andre Gomes

The only question would be if he's strong enough for the PL. Gomes is tough and has already shown he can handle the English game whereas Lo Celso may take some time to adjust.

We had bad injuries for Moyes's only cup final, and the only time I ever thought we were really good enough to go and win a cup, that manager was either to naive, or just not brave enough?

Best of the rest was the “Mantra of Moyes” and I honestly don't think silverware was even on his agenda that often, although I did think the side that lost to Fiorentina underachieved, possibly because the manager was never under any real pressure to succeed.

Let's see what this summer brings, is my own mantra right now, because we know we can compete with the big boys, but can we do it often enough?

To win competitions you have to have a development plan for both on and off the pitch.

For the first time in years Everton have such a plan, but have to contend with legacy of years of mismanagement.

Hope you are around to see the results. But your time is short. I would advise you to retire from International football.

To win competitions you have to have a development plan for both on and off the pitch.

For the first time in years Everton have such a plan, but have to contend with legacy of years of mismanagement.

Hope you are around to see the results. But your time is short. I would advise you to retire from International football.

Can't remember the last time an Everton manager took the cups seriously. Moyes 2009? Jeez that's 10 years ago!

I am now going to contradict myself from a post I made on another thread, where I said I was happy with Brand keeping his powder dry. However, it's a bit disturbing when the media are saying that Spurs have already agreed a deal for Gomes!

I appreciate its gossip, but it wouldn't be the first time Spurs have done this to us.

If Brands is as good as his reputation I can live with that, but the current silence is deafening.

Why is it that we never seem to make pre-contract deals to prevent a bidding war. I'm sure Barca don't actually care who they sell too, just the highest bidder. Our recent business with them should count for something, but then again it's business and finance that comes first.

Silly old me!!!

I sincerely hope it's not true.

He's resurrected his career with us, when others wouldn't touch him!

I think he's got a conscience that will dictate he stays!!