Two players in on busy transfer deadline day

I'd be surprised to see any more additions today, leaving our midfield desperately threadbare.

Does Duncan Ferguson still have a job at the club? Any news as to why Tim Cahill was allegedly at the offices of Kenwright on Friday?

The club communication to its fans is nothing short of pathetic, I can't be arsed with what the media & its speculation is telling us, I want clarity from the club.

As for players coming to the club, it really is anyone's guess under this board.

I assume that Everton are chasing players Frank has targeted. If Moshiri has any input into the targets, Frank might as well resign now!!

1) Put everything into getting deals done
2) Stop and send blogs to us fans so we don't fret

so far, we've had 3 in (and one pretty much nailed on). Yes, we need more in the middle but after sacking Brands and the Fat Kopite we've had nobody other than Kia to ID them. We all saw how the fans reacted to the latter option when they tried to let him ID the manager.

One more signing after Donny van de Beek will be a very welcomed miracle, but it is what it is at this stage. Core focus now is on giving Lampard everything he needs in the backroom to get us free from the shit we are in.

The worrying thing is the lack of links or viable options.

My guess is El Ghazi, Mykolenko and young Patterson will rarely feature this season. Incredible incompetence really.

I believe that the limit of 2 loan signings only applies to our domestic Leagues (Premier League, Championship etc) and loans can still be done by bringing in players from other Leagues (France, Italy etc).

Barry (18) correct. So we won't be loaning the likes of Loftus-Cheek or Alli, but – FFP permitting – we could have a stab at buying them. The alternative is to loan from abroad. I would have Gueye back in a flash!

I don't know if we are able to loan players from other Leagues, but getting someone in without Prem experience in our precarious position sounds like a recipe for trouble

That said if we could loan Luka Jovic, Id love to see him in a Everton Shirt.

Delle Alli could be great or could be Delph. He's still pretty young so has the time to get back to the top. But does he have the attitude?! I'm not sure. Hope we wouldn't spend more than £10m on him but overspending has been our modus operandi in this window so far.

Get the players in to stay up!

But it doesn’t.

It's not just about FFP (which applies to Europe). It is about the Premier league Profitability & Sustainability rules and they can (and would, being Everton) inflict a points deduction.

If that means we have to loan some Carlo Cicabals for a few months, so be it.

It's been frustrating watching all the players we've been linked with since last summer signing for the Barcodes or, even worse, across the park. But that is our current reality. At least if the North East nouveau riche fail to survive, we know there will be the yard sale to end all yard sales in June.

Meanwhile, I'm going to have a late night with a glass of scotch and Sky Sports News and their ridiculous countdown clock.

Frank will sort him out!! There was a player in there once.

At least with Donny van de Beek coming in, that should mean a 3-man midfield? He cannot be part of a 2-man set-up in a struggling side, surely. Dele Alli will have a point to prove should he come in.

If everyone is fit for the run-in:

Pickford
Patterson - Godfrey - Mina - Mykolenko
Van de Beek - Allan - Doucouré
Gray - Calvert-Lewin - Richarlison

Still leaves us with: Begovic, Keane, Holgate, Branthwaite, Coleman, Kenny, Davies, Gomes, Delph, Gbamin, Townsend, Gordon, Iwobi, El Ghazi, Rondon, Tosun, Dobbin.

Surely that is enough to stay up.

I can’t see Idrissa Gueye coming back as he is living his dream at PSG, I don’t think he’s going to swap it for a relegation scrap with us. That said we desperately need a midfielder to bring what he does. I thought that this type midfield player was the big no1 priority to keep us strong in the battles ahead.

Still seven hours left so you never know there maybe a late surprise.

Boubacar Kamara, Marseille-player, 22 years of age, but has already amassed 146 appearances for their senior side. French U21-player. A loan with an option to buy in the summer?

No thanks, not what we need.

Sam and Keith, I'm with you on Alli. No player in the Prem has made less out of that much talent, but the talent is undeniable. If a guy like Lampard can get this moody kid to actually tap into what he has, he could be a bigger steal than Demarai Gray.

Another plaintive cry carried away on the wind maybe.

I'll add my hopeful voice.

Van de Beek, to long a name for a shirt… I bit like mine.

Okay if these two get us up the league and to a summer transfer window, it will be good business.

I think committing any purchase money for Alli untried (loan) is a bold or overly risky step right now. I hope we don't go panicking back to the Sigurdsson or Klaassen knee-jerk era.

This said – where would the money be coming from?

For me, one of Gana or Jovic on loan (and Holgate out to Brighton for £14M or so) and I'd be happy. Both of them and I'd be ecstatic. None of them, and it's all going to come down to our dynamic young manager and Richie and Calvert-Lewin really stepping up to their best levels.

Surely not?

The kid is only worth £25-30M tops.

Now it doesn't always translate as proved by Lingard going on loan to the Hammers last season who did a great job there. In another perspective, a change in managers can affect whether you are a starter or not.

We have had some disappointments in that department with the likes of Walcott etc.

Gray and Townsend have done well without costing anything and we hope the other new recruits, loans or otherwise prove to be worthwhile.

Dele Alli can score goals and reminds me of Martin Peters who quietly popped up with vital goals during his heyday.

Whether he can regain that early Spurs form is another matter.

As for "Frank will sort him out." Why? Pochettino, Mourinho, Nuno and Conte could not "sort out" Alli but Frank will. Sure.

Best I am hoping for is he gets excited by new surroundings and helps us this year before he gets complacent and becomes just another player we talk about as we wait for his contract to run down.

I am against this one all the way.

Either way your thinking its a great deal isn't it? No cost until next year!

Deli Ali has a lot of talent and sometimes players need a fresh start.

John, we really need that type of midfielder. Here's hoping.

"Alli is the type of player who can get you out of your seat." we've no issues there. The current crop got a bunch of fans to leave their seats against Liverpool.

Are we going to use the Arteta money to nab him?

Anyone got a spare fiver??

Take a look at the table, then take a look at our squad.

Alli is a fucking good footballer, or would you prefer Tom Davies?

Not really sure how you can criticise havinga try with him, he's a great player on his day and we just aren't an attractive proposition for top level players at the moment. He's 25 with plenty of England caps and a point to prove. It might not work but lets give him a chance, I can at least see the logic of it.

Kristian #89, some people's learning curve is slower than others. But yes, he is finally showing signs of having one.

John #90, that's kinda what happens when you add talent. We added Patterson, Mykolenko and El Ghazi for less salary than we were paying Digne alone. Bringing in players like VDB and Alli, you have to pay 'em. Would you rather we'd just stood pat?

Kieran #92, today's two signings would mean we'll likely never see Gomes and Gbamin again.

Still think we’re lacking at centre half unless Branthwaite is given more of a chance under Lampard. I might sound greedy but more options up front would be welcome. Wish we’d gone for Lingard.

City have a better number 6 than Allan and world class defenders. We don't have anyone at the back who can play the ball out which means we rely on long balls. That's not ideal for utilizing VDB and Alli. We need some center backs who can a)get the ball forward to these players so they can show their skills and b)center backs and defenders who don't take it in turn to score own goals.

No we wouldn't Ajay but because we know doesn't mean we have any influence over it so realistically speaking it doesn't matter.

Up front we'd be 3 of DcL, Richy, Grey and Gordon.

Townsend, Iwobi, El Ghazi are just substitutes and squad players. Gomes too I'd imagine.

The issue is how te midfield sets up. 2 (predominantly) attacking midfielders, getting th balance. Lampard must have ideas.

However Alli looks asmart move I he plays to his potential, he's an excellent goalscoring midfielder and we pay substantial fee. If he doesn't, then we don't cough up too much.

Looks like Frank is having a massive influence already.

Anyway, after getting it wrong there, may as well see if the jinx works again = no WAY are we getting Tarkowski, Gana/RLC and Jovic today!!!

Defo an interesting conundrum on where we’d play Alli and DvDB. Thinking a VERY attacking 4-3-3 with Alli converted back to early career position?

Pickford
Patterson Mina Godfrey Mykolenko
DvdB Allan Alli
Gray DCL Richie

Doucoure in for Allan when he’s back, and Gordon and Dobbin getting minutes when the front 3 tire….?

Still feels a bit soft in the middle tho…..time for come home a hero Idrissa….

it's not that there's a transfer fee, it's the possible/speculated size of it that concerns some. Seems now like the deal may be more realistic.

As to "Their pockets" - directly and by varying degrees of indirectly, that's where all the money eventually comes from!

With regards to the front 3, if it's between DCL, Rich, Gray and Gordon then surely on form, the odd man out must be DCL or Rich

Alli’s career has nose-dived in the last two and a half years, in part I believe, owing to Mourinho’s very public put-down regarding the player’s commitment in training. Providing Alli grabs the opportunity to resuscitate his career he could significantly improve our attacking midfield play. If however he has lost his appetite for the game, we are lumbering ourselves with another bench sitter.

I read that Mourhino suggested Alli needed to move away from Spurs to resurrect his career. Sometimes a change is as good as a rest, and lets be honest we have a manager who understands the role of an attacking midfield player better than anyone.

He's been out of form a while and he's obviously not happy at Tottenham. But if that wasn't the case, we wouldn't be anywhere near signing him.

Compare Alli to a somewhat unknown player, coming in from a foreign league and I think this is as safe a bet as we could hope to make. No guarantees, of course, but at least we're getting somebody with proven quality and a proven track record in the Premier League.

At Chelsea Jorginho sat in a three and Kovacic was even preferred as a sitter to Kante because Frank wants a playmaker to start the attacks. Van de Beek and Alli will provide energy either side. The two best players capable of playing forward are Gomes and Davies. I could see Allan and Doucoure being less prominent under this regime.

I think Alli needs to get out of London. This could get him going again. Same for Van de Beek. 2 really good signings, for little cost.

I try to focus on my own finances and just have to worry about managing my own house. Football is a huge business and I am amazed at those fans who try to sort out Everton's debts and finacial problems.For me to even try to give advice in that area would be ridiculous.If I ran Everton we would be out of business before the window closed.

It could reach €35/40m but of course depends on Dele/team performances.

He’s got huge talent so if Frank can get him back to his best in his prime years this has the potential to be a great signing for us. I will be delighted to him in an Everton shirt scoring goals from midfield.

Like all blues I want anyone in the shirt to do well. But I don't think we need another player who hustles and bustles his way through every game with no end product.

That’s a big if, but unlike Iwobi, Alli has real quality and talent.

Those stats certainly don't look encouraging. But, the hope is Dele's stats look more like those from 3 or 4 years ago. Iwobi has never looked like a great player. Dele has.

I guess the question with Ericsson will be one of fitness (heart apart) after six months not playing. The six month deal suggests both parties see it as a bit of a roll of the dice.

The problem with Alli is that he doesn't hustle and bustle. He wanders and sulks.

But as far as end product is concerned, he previously scored 22 goals in one season -- more than Iwobi has scored in his entire LIFE -- and his talent and upside are so far above Iwobi's it's ridiculous.

Even playing crap, he's better than Alex. And if Lampard can get him playing again at his previous level... whoa, baby.

And if he can't... we lose nothing.

So Frank, or whoever is manager, is going to have to make a call after 19 games. Does Dele sit at home playing Fortnite for the duration of his contract, doing a Tosun and refusing to move, or do we play him occasionally at the additional cost of £10m?

There really is no such thing as a free transfer.

I don't think you can really compare us to the RS, they are capable of bringing in whoever they want because of their success lately – why do we keep comparing Everton to either Liverpool or Man City?

Just look at the league and be grateful we're bringing in players. All season, everyone on here has been moaning about our lack of signings. Now we're signing players, you're all moaning about that.

You wouldn't think so judging by some of the posts.

But hey, why try to be positive when it's so much easier to sit and moan and have the players failing before the ink's dry on their contract.

Loads of social media sites have quotes or posts referring to Everton fans, supporters, being toxic.

I find it more and more difficult to defend that description.

Yes, I agree that his relative slump started prior to Mourinho. Sorry, my fault, I find it easy to blame Mourinho for pretty much anything. Even Pochettino talked about helping him return to his best form.

But he's young enough to return to his best if he's still hungry enough. I think he's a provably good player but Iwobi isn't. Fingers crossed.

We need to stop moaning and get behind the manager and players cos this is the last chance saloon.

My point is that we are constantly paying over the odds try to force ourselves up the table. I could compare us to many other teams in the league such as Leicester, Brighton, West Ham and others who constantly spend more wisely.

We need to build a strong base where we can then bring in the odd players to improve the squad instead of just throwing money at the problem, bringing in lots of similar players who will not improve the team but just add to the wage bill and leave us struggling with FFP when a player we really need becomes available.

And the comparison with Iwobi... Well, that's just bloody ridiculous.

Nice feelgood factor about today.

Why would we sign both of them? Can they play together? Did Van de Beek know we were going to get Alli when he signed?

Aside from all that the deal for Alli seems strange to say the least. Favourable too, given we only end up paying decent sums if he starts to look worth it.

Personally, I've always thought he was overrated and stopped looking good without Wanyama and Dembele doing the hard work for him – and Eriksen creating all the space.

But even though that's a fairly bitchy analysis on my part (I hate Spurs), he's still a good player.

He, Van de Beek and El Ghazi can all contribute goals too which suggests a braver approach may be on the cards (finally) after a very insipid, cowardly few months (and 30 years).

Maybe his uncle had a word. I think he kept each of West Ham and Portsmouth up by improving the mood, and bringing Berkovicz and Krancjar in respectively to score goals.

The bench looks stronger now than at the start of the window. And the first team is definitely better. Given that our best performance defensively all season didn't include Digne, this is one of the more positive transfer periods I can remember.

We couldn't offload some of the surplus players because of injuries, or they are just running down their deals. But, if nothing drastic happens between now and bedtime, we must feel we are on the up.

In regards to a front 3, I know Gordon has shown great form and appetite, but he is still learning. The starting 3, for me, would always be Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin and Gray.

The question is: Who plays out right? We need to improve our crossing/service into the box and although Gray has been electric, he doesn't seem to help supply from the left.

Not knocking Gordon at all in this choice, in fact I hope it gives us the time to really cultivate his talent and impact.

Let me guess, his function was texting Graeme Sharp telling him what to tell Moshiri. Anyway, all is well that ends well. I prefer Tim sitting in than Kia.

I'd disagree on Gray supplying from the left. He doesn't whip in aerial balls but he does whip in plenty along the ground that a Lineker, Cottee or last season's version of Calvert-Lewin would tap in. If Calvert-Lewin finds his touch or if someone from midfield (Alli? Van de Beek?) anticipates those balls, we'd have a good supply line.

Both Van de Beek and Alli can supply creativity but they graft too. We now have the central midfield that can control a game, along with holding options such as Allan, Doucouré and Gomes.

Of course, ideally we'd be getting our full backs involved in this, too. Time will tell.

Van de Beek was at his best at Ajax when playing as a box-to-box player. He has good movement, touch and work on and off the ball. He has a bit of guile also so will assist and score.

Dele Alli is a player who has more power, energy and dynamism who will be tasked with driving into the box and getting on the end of things.

You would imagine both will be bought to play in a three though Alli could play off the two strikers should Lampard play with a diamond and no wingers.

That's why I would expect Gomes to play as a quarterback as we will have plenty of athleticism in front of him and Frank always wants that player with vision in his team. I could see Allan not being a Lampard type player and likely to suffer from this managerial change.

We are still getting cast-offs who have failed at their previous teams rather than looking for the next big things. I'm concerned that, should Dele Alli fail (and he does appear to be a head case), we will be left with a(nother) huge earner we cannot get rid of and who we won't even be able to play for fear of triggering further appearance-related payment thresholds.

Best thing might be that he has 20 good games and we flog him at a profit. The issue we have is we are desperate at present so hopefully they might be the thing that keeps us up – we need something!

(But good luck to him with EFC).

I haven't been a huge fan of Lampard really, but I don't think Ferguson is better than him.

I was trawling through the posts on this thread, pleasantly surprised at the positivity of the majority of the comments, and then I came to yours. A typical miserable, negative post from, no doubt, a grey, miserable, negative supporter who would see no light at the end of any tunnel.

I fucken' despair.

But I'm sure your family love you.

All signings are a risk... but for me this is well worth risking. Surely he is coming to reboot his career? He is incredibly talented and, amazingly, only 25.

I get wariness, but I just can't understand the level of negativity. I'm excited by the potential... which is about as much as I can hope for with Everton just now.

A manager that wants him and a crowd that will really appreciate his skill. He'll probably be a bit slow off the mark, fit but not match fit and he'll have a week or so to settle in.

It'll be like 'New life in the Sun', hard work but very rewarding. When he hears the siren, his dreds will go straight. I don't know about his last three managers but the Everton players have let their last six down. Come on, Dele Boy.

I'll bet Van de Beek enjoys it here too, a chance to play first-team football, albeit in a team not as high up in the league as Man Utd, and show what he's got as footballer. At least he won't need Google translate to speak to his team mates, nice fresh breeze blowing off the Mersey clear his lungs of the smell of prawn sandwiches.
Come on Beeky Boy.

Alli also seems to suit a 4-2-3-1 and de Beek a 4-3-3 which complicates things a bit.

The other issue is that neither Allan nor Doucouré are sitting midfielders – although I expect they'll be asked to play that way. Gomes unfortunately is just not very good, and I'm hoping we don't see much of him at all.

I'm kind of expecting a trio of Allan + Van de Beek and Alli and we'll just have to hope it clicks. We can bring Doucoure on for more bite if needs be.

It's a nice problem to have in many respects though – with the squad looking a lot stronger suddenly.

Good enough for them. That Tom Daley's a right diver anyway.

Done and nearly dusted.

If he scores a few goals and, in the process, helps us to a few wins and we stay up, will his fee still be too high?

Alli can play as part of a 3 up front, he can play behind the front man in a 4-2-3-1 also. Lampard will probably also look to develop him to be able to play as a No 8 in a 4-3-3 – will be interesting to see

Van de Beek can play as a No 8 and No 10 in a 4-3-3 and in a 4-2-3-1.

Neither can really play as a No 6, unfortunately. I think Man Utd signed Van de Beek thinking he'd be a Michael Carrick No 5 but found that he was a No 8 or No 10 and, with Fernandes and Pogba, he was unnecessary.

But we should be much better going forward now. We have options where we didn't. Still much to improve.

Hopefully Onyango can progress and fill in that role as No 6.

But last week we were talking about getting Barkley on loan, and we've got 2 midfielders who 2 years ago were in the Champion's League semi-final and rated amongst the best in Europe. And both are only 25/26.

Alli and Van de Beek are better than all of Davies, Delph, Gbamin and Gomes – so what's the issue?

That made me laugh. I'm a realist mate that's all. He's been last for years. He's not someone I think we should be going anywhere near.

No doubt there's a player in there but we've rolled the dice for the last 6/7 years on players hoping they'd discover their form at Everton and wasted £100s of millions.

I'm very positive and far from negative about Lampard because I wanted someone with no links to the club and Donny van de Beek but I'd rather we get someone hungrier than Dele Alli.

Just my opinion, which is what forums are for.

So true.

The sheer tsunami of negativity flowing from the posts of the faceless grey ‘fans' (think of the extras in Michael Jackson's ‘Thriller' video and you'll get the idea) is designed to suck the life out of the average fan. The Devil's Spawn.

Yes.

I've been on the wine.

It's Transfer Deadline Day. It's allowed.

As long as you're not too offended Kenny, maybe my post at @197 will give you an insight into my current frame of mind...

Then there's also Branthwaite and Dobbin pushing in to claim a place. Calvert-Lewin should be much nearer to match fitness, so I think we've got a fair number of options until Doucouré's fit again.

It'll give us a chance not to have to depend on Iwobi, Gomes, Keane, Gbamin, Delph and Holgate and perhaps it'll allow Coleman to have a rest, during the games to come.
Hopefully we'll have a more athletic, attacking squad to put the oppostion under pressure. Not the other way round.

Lampard at Derby played often with a diamond where Huddlestone was the pivot with mount and Johnson either side and Wilson in the hole.

Lampard at Chelsea often had Jorginho sitting with Kante and Kovacic either side. He did play 3-4-3 and 4-2-3-1 also.

But in both sides, he played with that technical footballer spraying the passes and dictating the play. Gomes will likely be a different player with movement and options ahead of him and is easily our most gifted technician. Lampard will have bought these two specifically for areas he feels needs strengthening and therefore his decision not to bring a defensive midfielder means he will adopt the same method as Derby and Chelsea.

Makes him a good fit. We're both desperate to save our Premier League status.

Brian @200,

I agree with you about Gray but he wasn't given a chance at Leicester City and Dele Alli has had plenty. But yeah, I get where you're coming from.

He has his critics and bad image, but that guy can score goals.

Let's hope our signings hit the ground running. Dele Alli is another one who is cup-tied so we will have to wait for the Newcastle game to see most of our incoming players start; still, gives them time to bed in.

They are both good players, will ask questions of the opposition, and pose a goal threat – which is more than can be said for our current central midfielders (barring Doucouré every so often).

Really not sure about Gomes though. If Lampard can get him playing well, then maybe we've got the magician that Ancelotti felt we needed.

Alli was a phenomenal player 2016-18 and then was an ok player for 2 years and then has been a poor player for the last 2 years. Where on that spectrum will Lampard manage to get him to I wonder. For it to go well he will have to show the sort of commitment and application that has been missing for the last couple of years. Alli at his best had Wanyama making the tackles and Eriksen threading the passes; we’ve got no players like that sadly.

I can’t say I feel especially enthused by these moves but I’m definitely curious. We needed some more midfield options and we now have them. Strange that we didn’t two 8/10 players and not a 6 but hopefully Lampard has a plan.

Agree with you about 6, and Van de Beek and Alli can work together as 8/10. Alli was great under Pochettino, but wasn't a Jose type player, he bypassed midfield and played everything forward for Son and Kane. He'll give us a skilful offensive midfielder which we lack.

Ramsey to Rangers – certainly a downward spiral to finish his career, in my opinion.

As far as I can understand it, Dele is being paid for on the drip, now maybe in the contract, we keep him for the first 20 games then we pay the next instalment. But there may be a point in the contract that we hand him back if he doesn't produce the goods.

But by far and away the major task, is steering away from the relegation mire. If Alli and Van de Beek can help us with that, then they'll have been priceless. The same with El Ghazi. Doucouré should be fit for contention in three weeks or so.

It seems to me, that our strengths now, lie in the attacking game. Hope that's how it turns out, put the opposition under pressure, rather than letting them put us under the cosh.

Tony, dead right!

Jim, I’m not sure whether handing him back is an option as I understand it. But it seems a sensible-ish move and we have certainly added a few goals to the team. I’m more worried about the defensive capabilities of this Lampard team to be honest.

Last time our defence was Kenny, Holgate, Mina and Godfrey. I wouldn't like to be a midfielder in front of that defence when we have got the ball.

He can play that diamond he likes as we haven't a Number 11 without James and Sigurrdson. Then he can play with no wingers and Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin up top.

He can play the 4-3-3 with both either side of a sitter.

He can play 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-3 and ask Donny to do a job in a two in the short term.

Under Benitez, we were 4-4-2 and rigid, with players nailed on for define roles. I think these signings will give us a lot more variation. They could transform the team and seem indicative of Lampard's more modern approach to the game.

It is a good deal though, and hopefully he'll blossom again under Frank's tutelege. If he does, we've got a cracking player.

Both you, Sam and you, Henrik have the very same fear as me. Our central defence is poor and has been for years. I looked at our goals for/against for about the last five years... generally poor reading since Martinez first season.

I think our best bet is, not so much trying to get the middfield to do the defence's job for them. A good proportion of the goals scored against us, come from set pieces, or when Keane gets turned like the QE2.

I hope we can get the midfield and forwards to start using their skill to marmalise the opposition defences. I'd rather see us winning 4-3 than get beat by one or two goals given away with depressing regularity.

I liked the look of the young Rangers lad in the U23 match; he certainly can gallop up that wing, so he looks very promising.

Pickford
Kenny
Branthwaite
Mina
Mykolenko
Gordon
Townsend
Allan
Gray
Calvert-Lewin
RIcharlison

There… 4-3-3. That should get us a win on Saturday.

Is this the time to be so bloody negative?

We got another decent young centre-half who came in before Branthwaite got injured, Lewis Gibson. I cannot find him anywhere in either squads, we must have released him, not showing up as out onloan.

What a shame. I wanted to see him in and around the first team.

I agree with you, and I think (hope) he will do, from this summer – with half a season in a more competitive league, and hopefully regular (or atleast more regular) football under his belt. Like you, I think he's got a real chance of pushing for first-team involvement.

Is it Lewis Gibson?

We'll be a much better team to watch and games will be more exciting. Most importantly, the mood of the club has shifted away from the toxic Benitez era. The new manager and signings have sowed some seeds of optimism that could take root.

Brian, I agree, they're both fast, strong and don't stand any messing. Was that lad from Newcastle, Mike?

Anyway, I think Frank will emphasise attacking the opposition and using the midfield runners to get at the ball before we let it get around our penalty area. The difference now is that we have a young, fast midfield and attack, with Allan to be an anchor in front of our defence.

I think Tony @208 has identified our strengths.

Given what we got for what we spent, and in the midst of an absolute madhouse of chaos, I think we did brilliantly.

Do you mean we still have Iwobi?

Well these lads on loan including Ellis Simms (who I have great hopes for, along with Dobbin) will start copming into the first-team squad next season. Once we have lost some of our less-than-useful first-team players.

I just wonder if Carlo had any input to Frank, like "Hey Frank, make sure they get you some midfield players and a sub goalkeeper before you sign up!"

Lewis Gibson is sort of at Sheffield Wednesday. When I say "sort of"... he has played twice for them this season. Started twice, both times got subbed off at half-time. The rest of the time he has not made the bench due to injury.

He came back to Finch Farm in November for training and medical care but, last I heard, Wednesday still hoped to have his services for the second half of the season.

When they are all fit, there is going to be plenty of completion for a starting spot in midfield. (And all over the pitch, actually!)

Y'never know, Donny might want to come here full time next season. Hope so.

All of a sudden, we've fast, athletic young players, all over the pitch...

Over to you, Frank!

Wonderful prose, adding vibrant colour to the dour grey troglodytes.

I'm still struggling to get my head around a good transfer window, and still be £9 million to the good… now that's what I call a decent window.

I miss Everton playing good football. Results are key but being watchable is a big part of it too.

I'm starting to get a good feeling about Frank. Kind of like we're about to have a youngish team and coaching setup that is ready to develop and improve together. Young and bold would feel good.

Hope Alli gets his mojo back but well worth the risk given how the deal was structured. Only negative would be Donny van de Beek if we get him up to speed for Utd, so Alli must come first. Shame they both cup tied.

At last count, when all fit, we have 10 midfielders; add Tosun to that and we are paying out a lot of wages on players that won't even make the bench. Another busy summer offloading coming up.

Our new coach is able to get the best out of him given his position.

My only concern is that he has a complex background and moving to the other side of the country might be a problem.

I've been willing us to buy him for the last 18 months so hope for the best!

Contracts for Delph and Tosun are up in the summer, so that will be at least two outgoings; Sigurdsson's contract is up in the summer as well.

I don't see him being good enough on the ball to have any impact in a midfield trio. So, if Lampard plays a 4-3-3 system, I can see Van de Beek, Doucoure (when fit), and Allan with Calvert-Lewin, Gray and Richarlison up front.

My preference would be 3-5-2 with a back 3 of Godfrey, Mina and Branthwaite. 5 across the middle with either Townsend or Gordon, Doucouré, Allan, Van de Beek and Gray. With Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin up front. In this set-up, I do not see any room for either Patterson or Mykolenko.

At least Lampard has a number of options now and hopefully enough quality to keep us in the Premier League. Here's wishing Frank Lampard all the best because he is certainly going to need it. COYB.

Players aside, I'm hoping against hope (this being Everton) that Frank and Paul Clement and t'other coach selected by Frank can now begin to inject a more dynamic professional ethos right across Finch Farm.

It's long overdue.

Tim Cahill coming on board to also have an apparently major say in player development is very welcome to me.

Maybe, if we're lucky, we'll also soon see Kenwright's influence extending only to providing a modestly paid spot for the club's most avid pigeon-fancier in his new role as the world's best-paid private car park "supervisor", and the club's most accomplished connoisseur of the pre-training sausage and egg barm (x3, "with sauce and chips please!") as the world's best-paid chief taster in a professionally, healthily revolutionised club refectory.

They'd both seize such very comfy opportunities with both hands by the way.

Well, I can dream, can't I?

And is the Moise Kean loan to Juventus on a permanent basis when the loan term ends, albeit that any transfer fee may be delayed?

I was sad when Alli chose Spurs over us; he's here now: Check.

Midfield and fullbacks sorted: Check.

Come out of the window stronger than we went in: Check.

Start feeling more positive about Everton: Check.

What's not to like?

Mind you, I'm noticing much more positive than negative during the last day or two.

Good to see some competition for midfield being brought in. Difficult to actually pick the starting line-up but sure there will be some options for subs.

Pretty good window signings, as per Brian Wilkinson's comments.

This is exactly how Everton's Under-23s should be operating, imo, so I'll wish the kid all the best, and hope he comes back having learned loads about himself, and also, the not always beautiful game!

I'll confess to getting over-excited about him every time I watch him.

It's a good move for him. I guess I'm just chomping at the bit to see him closer to the first team.

It makes sense, so with this and then a pre-season, maybe we see more of him next season in a more settled team and club?

Sorry to be cynical but it's a free transfer as I will be amazed if Alli gets to play even 20 games. Donny van de Beek is a more important opportunity. He may be able to make a difference.

We sign a 25-year-old England international who has just reached his prime years of 25 - 30, for basically nothing for the first 9 months of his contract. Dele is cup-tied so can only play 18 games this season.

If, as is the priority we maintain our premier league status, we will pay £9m at the earliest mid August of next season assuming Dele plays the first 2 games. The deal is structured and clearly a cute way around PL profit & sustainability rules, FFP are Uefa rules and we're not in Europe so don't apply to us.

It's also incentivised, ie, based on performance, number of games played, European qualification, cup wins, Premier League & Champions League wins in the next 2½ seasons. The last two are extremely unlikely but the others achievable so £30M is the max we will pay.

The lad is pure quality on the ball, arrogant which all top players need & has a little bit of an edge to him which we definitely need. Off the ball, his runs into the box are well timed & his heading excellent.

He's a million miles better than anything we have in his position, watch his highlight reel for the evidence or have a look at his latest performance against the Shite, we're he was magnificent. He is genuinely delighted and excited to be joining us, just watch him go.

Things may not work out with Lampard and Co but at least give them a chance before writing them off.

Anyone else excited about the possibility of Ashley Cole joining us? Cashley might be a bit of a nob but his punditry and analysis is usually very good.

Cole was one of the best left-backs of his generation. If only Bainsey, Digne and Mykolenko could stop crosses being whipped in from the right flank.

The only way he doesn't make it to 20 games in 2½ years is if we sell him after 19.

Regards the leaky defence, it is hard to purchase in the January window, but the new coaching team we have brings experience and knowledge.

We will be in the Premier League next season, and yes, the game at Newcastle next week is tough, we may lose but I'm no longer worried.

As above, Lampard has obviously realised that we need to get more goals into the team and make it harder to stop us scoring by nullifying Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and Gray.

Alli especially will be in the Cahill mould of not only scoring goals but giving opposition defences another problem to worry about up-front.

Just please no André Gomes playing as a pivot at the bottom of a diamond midfield 4! He cannot retain the ball under pressure, is too weak and cannot tackle. It would be a disaster waiting to happen.

I don’t see the rush with the younger players Danny, because it’s such a fast and physical game nowadays, that I think most kids need at least a couple of years of playing in the lower leagues, to really help them develop?

Who needs Directors of Football?

He looks like a younger Allen in his winning the ball, an Adrian Heath for getting in those important areas, such a pity we could not get a clause to buy, Have a feeling he is going to light up Goodison and be a huge addition.

If Alli and the others click as well, we could be in for a very strong second half to the season.

Finally we seem to be getting back into harmony, got a Manager, Managing the team and acknowledging the Academy, the Owner sending out a message to the fans, instead of a text, we have the Chairman negotiating deals, everyone seems to be doing what they should be doing instead of being a laughing stock.

Now up to us Fans to get onboard and have everyone together, small Green shoots of recovery, but up to now it is looking more promising, than it has for a long time.