A hard summer – and not just for Everton

It appears both may lack depth in defence and the first picks aren't necessarily top notch (in my opinion) for the type of football you get in the Premier League.

Amorin seems to be dead-set on his approach and may easily run out of time before he's got things the way he needs them to be. Frank will presumably be active in the market. Will he be lazy and just pillage tried and trusted from Brentford (or will Brentford have been able to ‘ring-fence' players from such temptation)?

As if Leeds are going to spend £150M!!

West Ham with Champions League quality players? Not sure on that!

Most of their fans were complaining about the dire football in the first half of the season but things picked up when they bought ex-Spurs player Marcus Edwards in January. This enabled Jaidon Anthony to switch to the left wing as Edwards provided a threat on the right and things improved as they comfortably secured automatic promotion.

As for next season, if Parker stays, I'm expecting them to basically recreate their Dyche-ball era... sit deep, hard to break down and nick something on the break or from a set piece.

They could easily surprise a few next season, or just get battered as they lack any real proven Premier League players. But they certainly won't be playing the suicidal football they served up under Vincent Kompany last time.

Ipswich spent €150M net last season and Burnley spent €100M net the season before. Forest spent €193M net the season before that. With new owners etc Leeds may decide to do something along these lines to give them a chance of staying up. It's not a particularly unusual level of spending now.

At West Ham, I'd have said Bowen, Kudus and Paqueta are all Champions League quality.

Si #1, the Man Utd squad is a mess but they are not short of quality in central defence. Their main problem is the wing backs are not top quality (in a 3-4-3 that relies heavily on wing backs) and their best player, Fernandes, does not fit easily into a 3-4-3.

Spurs have Van der Ven, Romero and Dragusin who are all very good centre-backs if well organised. Their main issue is they overpaid for the average Solanke and need to find a replacement for the aging Son (which might be Odobert or Moore). Frank is well set up there and there should be money to spend too given Champions League qualification.

I think Man Utd will re emerge as Champions League challengers – they won't accept mediocrity and will be ruthless in recruitment and sackings in getting back to the top. Spurs can't be as shite as this season, obvs, but I don't think Frank is a top 6 manager – I can even see a Mike Walker scenario there-remember Nuno at Spurs?

Talking of Nuno – 2nd season will be much harder. He exceeded their low expectations this season but he will be under pressure to make them permanent contenders and I can't see that happening. Same with Newcastle – Champions League football will distract them and I still think Eddie Howe's days there are numbered as they'll be looking for a big name. Don't forget, we outperformed both those teams head to head in our “poor” season.

In summary, I think Man City will regain the title with Arsenal again the bridesmaids. We have a good chance of top eight (depending on recruitment natch) and I can see us competing with Villa and Spurs rather than West Ham and Brighton.

Bournemouth will be interesting – I really like their manager and covet him. I'm surprised Spurs didn't go for him over Frank.

Bottom three will be Brentford (sadly) Burnley and Liverpool.

I'm not really concerned about anyone else. There is always a few surprises that no-one can predict.

Forget the title non-race, although I think that will closer next time out. Forget Forest, although as well as they achieved, it will be interesting to see if they suffer 2nd season syndrome combined with coping with European football.

Last August, who would have suggested Manchester United (14th), West Ham (15th) and Tottenham (17th)?

There will be comings and goings everywhere. Pep has already said he wants to operate with a smaller squad.

In terms of Everton, I think we've sorted most of our goings, although we await to see what happens with Keane and Gana.

There will be incomings as we need depth and quality. How much we have to spend is anyone's guess. TFG and their CEO will determine that. We can only speculate.

So long as we don't lose Gana and Branthwaite, we shouldn't be worried about the seeming perennial relegation fight.
We need to concentrate on finding a quality right-winger for the first eleven and a right-back but even then we have O'Brien in there once Tarkowski is fit again.

I'm not panicking… au Cointreau, I'm looking forward to an exciting season ahead.

All of the other clubs can change their position (for good or bad) by summer spending.

For those who say a cup is a cup well that one, if we won it, would be like very weak tea to me— not worth the bother.

I have chunked up the league by reference to resources etc not as a guide to where they will finish.

West Ham should be muscling in on the Big 8 / champions league contention based on spending / wages - but are run by idiots who appear to have picked up the Moshiri guide to recruitment in Oxfam. They also have Potter who has stolen a living since being flattered by Brighton’s (then) brilliant recruitment strategy.

They could change things over summer if they sort their transfer strategy out but another very poor season wouldn’t be a surprise.

Likewise Brighton unless Hurzeler ups his game markedly (or perhaps more likely is sacked and replaced with someone better).

Mark,@5, you have heard Dyche is to replace Thomas Frank at Brentford.

I would be surprised at that. Brentford seem to be a progressive club, can't see them going for him. More likely an unknown young foreign manager who they've been tracking for years, and no doubt one that Thomas Frank has recommended himself.

Or the other Frank Lampard. Would be a good club for him to get him back into the Premier League.

Dear god, I hope not!

I’ve checked a few other Everton websites, and can’t find a thing, but this is what I’ve just read in a paper that was printed 24 hours ago, and was just wondering if there’s any jobs going on ToffeeWeb, because our latest signings don’t quite seem to be upto speed!

Just to put a bit more information towards my application, it also stated on another page that the LCC, have told the people behind the planned marquee, opposite the new stadium, to stop work immediately.

"I wouldn't want Everton to get into that hookey third European competition"

In our dreams, Dave. What a faff having to go to all them European destinations and maybe bring some silverware home with us. There are so many much younger than us that have never had the experience of traveling abroad with their team.

I would rather bin the Milk Cup. We won't be challenging for the Premier League in the foreseeable future as PSR has seen to that.

Dyche for Frank? If there are legs in that rumour, talk about polar opposites.

Mike Walker, the much revered Potter at Chelsea and now West Ham.

Managers who impressed at well-run provincial clubs only to flop on a bigger stage, with more demanding supporters. It says a lot that Brighton haven't been significantly impacted, if at all, since Potter departed. We might have to get used to that at Everton. It's not going to be all about the man in the dugout. He is responsible for the first team and what happens on the pitch.

If West Ham start floundering, which they well could, he could be one of the first departures. Outside bet and a big shout, but I think if Arteta doesn't deliver this season, it could be his last at Arsenal.

As for Frank at Tottenham. I have a lot of respect for him and would have liked to have seen him at Everton. He might have brought a couple of those very good Brentford players with him. He's taken an understandable gamble, having taken Brentford as far as he can, and has earned his right to compete in the Champions League. Although he needs to be careful. Levy is ruthless.

As for Everton and Moyes. I think his position is consolidated. Depending on what happens in the summer, he is guaranteed next season unless things start going south, because I suspect our owners will show no sentiment and not mess around. You only have to look at AS Roma to see that.

He was parachuted in to steer the ship away from the Championship iceberg and did that very well. Now let's see what he can do over the course of a full season, if he is given the appropriate backing.

I like your bottom 3 prediction Mark. If only!!!

Mark, I too am excited and optimistic. But then I always am and waiting for the Wembley dates for next season to come out!

I wouldn't be a traveller if it was the top competition to be honest but that ‘Amateur Hour' competition is not on my list.

I understand about the younger fans but I've waiting about 70 years to see us win the Milk Bleedin' Cup — so have a care for fans like me!

There are probably parallels to Heritage England raising concerns over the building of the new stadium itself. I understand the compromise was to retain the original dock walls and hydraulic tower.

I understand Health &Safety, but the cynic in me begs the question. What if this was the neighbours? My answer is biased. The council wouldn't question it.

The city region has just been granted £1.6B from central government to improve transport infrastructure. I appreciate their are needs all over the city, but let's see how much they invest in what is going to be an iconic landmark and international sporting arena.

International Rugby League, the Euros and that is just the start. The home of Everton Football Club, preference of choice over Old Leakford and the extended Shoe Box, that has cut Anfield Road off and placed adjacent houses in Stanley Park in near constant darkness. I don't remember any objections to that.

I predicted AS Roma from the onset. It is too obvious, but as always, let's wait and see.

Accrington, Blackburn and the Everton Stadium, possibly Chicago. That's summer sorted.

I think Dyche will be a possibility for Leeds and any club unexpectedly facing the abyss – like potentially West Ham.

Looks like we are hosting NFL, then, but no word about this anywhere. My youngest son is currently working hospitality gigs at the Spurs stadium (doing the Beyonce gigs at the moment) and said the NFL games they have hosted are unbelievably lucrative.

I think we have serious owners and a real chance to increase our revenue streams.

A marquee would only be good for the club if they owned it but it's on private land and is being done independently from the club, which means I'm not so sure that TFG will actually want this to happen in the first place?

Based on how we played later on in the season, I'm super positive over our prospects… but we have some rebuilding to do and will be competing for buys in a really hard market with very little to spend compared to many.

Dave, now you've started me.

Not winning that League Cup bothers me continuously. It has done since my dad told me to "man up" and stop crying in 1977.

My first trip to Wembley. Alan Hansen clearly hand balling it in the penalty box. Waved away. Not everyone's cup of tea, but VAR is giving that all day. I still swear at the tele when I see that footage.

I don't know where the ECWC featured in the pecking order back then. European Cup, UEFA Cup, European Cup Winners Cup. There were traditionally 3 competitions. I suppose with the ECWC, you actually had to win something to get there, unless by default.

We would have qualified for the ECWC for 1986-87 season and the European Cup the following season had we not been banned. But let's not go there.

Me personally, I didn't care, we won a European trophy.

Interestingly, although we all talk about the Rotterdam experience and, of course, Bayern Munchen, I enjoyed the matches against Fortuna Sittard, home and away. I was only young, but got a 6th sense we were going to do it.

I'm probably being bitter and cynical about the neighbours, Tony.

I thought the same thing as you, until I saw this on the official website…

hicago Bears And EitC Come Together For 'Once In A Lifetime' American Football Session

Now I have no idea how much we have for the forthcoming transfer season but that blows our tiny budget out of the water. We need a minimum of 10 purchases to not complete a full squad.

Chelsea have spent vastly previously, as have others, and despite the top clubs being stratospherically in debt, none are bought to task. Why? Clever and right on the margins crooked accounting. But that is another story.

Minnows like Everton and Forest were easy targets. Little to no power or influence. In our case, bust. So, what do we do?

Due to financial rules and our own legacy of financial failings in its various forms, we can't spend vast amounts even if we had it. I think Everton need to compartmentalise. We know right now, we can't spend big. This will be the way for many years to come.

But what we can do is build on a very solid team base in central defence. We have the Premier League's number 1 keeper, three excellent central defenders, the best in the league. We have a mercurial talent in Ndiaye. A work in progress in Charly.

It's the rest of the jigsaw we need to fit together correctly. No trying to hammer square pegs into round holes. Our only way forward is in the market place. Why? Because our academy is a dismal failure (it needs scrapping and a totally new approach).

Because this is a vital income stream for a club like Everton to be able to compete, turning out good players that lower clubs want. Maybe a diamond or two. Massive cash injection.

It's not ideal. I dislike academies. But, if we are going to have one, streamline it and make it excellent. That's a monumental task requiring a radical approach.

As for the market and new players, it is official: Jack Grealish.
Not one approach from any club anywhere in the world! We have yet to find out the fate of Manchester City. This is clearly being delayed until after the dreadful cash-cow Club World Cup.

But you can bet it wont be that severe. Buying Premier League Titles was okay back in the day and I'm sure they won't be stripped… or am I wrong? I hope so.

But they may need to offload players quickly if the regulators grow a set and do the right thing. In which case, loans would suit both them and us.

Apart from that, all Everton have to do is complete the task we have failed to do for decades. That of bringing in decent players to complement the excellent players we already have and that I have mentioned — oh and goalscorers! In midfield and a striker.

We are going to have to fill the bench with academy lads who haven't a hope of getting on. But what's new? It's going to be a long, hard, and probably yet another frustrating window. But TFG appear to recognise the problem and have appointed people in these areas, prior to the window opening properly.

1. It doesn't really matter what the Big 4 (or whatever they are now) do because we won't catch them next season. But we can beat them in a one-off game so let's focus on that.

2. Yes, you are right that we have some really good players who can form the basis of a good team. So that's good. Although I think Arsenal would raise an eyebrow at the suggestion our centre-backs are better than Gabriel and Saliba. A few other clubs are probably more than satisfied with their centre-backs compared to ours also.

3. There is some dodgy dealing going on that's true, but spending and PSR are linked to the huge commercial revenues of the richer clubs – that's why they can and do spend (and why Newcastle for example cannot, even though I expect the Saudis would be happy to).

4. Yes, we all know we need to recruit more effectively. Part of that should be enabled by a stop to the heavy year on year negative investment – which leaves us hundreds of millions adrift of even the likes of Brentford, Bournemouth, Forest and Palace. The bigger our net spend this summer, the easier it will be to (a) keep Branthwaite and (b) add genuine "first team ready" quality.

5. Although a handful of deals have been announced, those are generally either (a) clubs taking up options after loan, as with us and Alcaraz; or (b) pre-agreed deals where the buying club offered a big chunk of cash that no-one else was going to match. The wheeling and dealing has not yet begun.

6. The academy does need a huge overhaul, but again that has suffered from massive under-investment. Our first signing of the Moyes era, John Dodds from Hearts, continues the trend re-commenced under Thelwell of mopping up talent in the age 14 to 18 category, which hopefully bodes well with the likes of Graham, Clarke and Loney. As seen at Chelsea and Man City (who now have the best academies in the country) this can take a while – and you don't see the output for at least 5 years, maybe more like 10.

But more importantly, look on the bright side. Next season we have a new stadium, new owners, no more crippling austerity, and the beginnings of a decent side.

We could struggle a bit this season, just getting our transfer team in place and other clubs negotiating first picks of the available transfer candidates. However, placing Richy, Gordon, and Onana at CL aspiring clubs gives us a chance at finding our niche in this viciously competitive market. Should Moyes again climb above some better funded squads with a decent amount of flair on the pitch, we could become a stepping stone for players who want to get in this market but may be wary of big club pressures.

If you think about it, Moyes fits that role well. He has demonstrated some wisdom in knowing when players are ready and how to set up to highlight their strengths. It may take a couple of windows but I can see us having a core squad that could deal some stars in the future windows without threatening the improved style of play. Then we just need that one player who changes everything and we set our sights higher.