Dan Purdy also set to leave Everton this summer

He's scored as many for Villa in 20 games as he did for Everton in over 60.

Put a player in a better team with better players and you never know.

It might not have been huge, but we made a profit on him, so good business.

I know very little about Purdy, in fact, I hadn't heard of him until today, but another signal of the owners putting their stamp on the club.

Seems better than chasing Gnoto or thumbing the Rothmans guide

He's had some good performances lately, including last Saturday against Chelsea. He works well alongside Gana-Gueye.

Apparently not correct. In the same article quoted about Purdy's departure, Boyland reports that Everton is currently recruiting for a DoF, or rather a Director of Football Operations. The search is being handled by Nolan Partners, the executive search firm that landed Kinnear.

James, he's been with us for 12 years and he was no secret.

Les, Onana was a wise and profitable investment for us -- £17 million.

Ryan, that's a shot skied into Row Z. Garner is quality. Moyes isn't the only one responsible for our reversal of form. Garner's return from injury came at the same time. No coincidence.

He doesn't score, doesn't create much, is weak, slow, and can't take a set piece to save his life.

Hope for Championship Manager players still.

Re Garner, he should definitely not be taking corners, but we have only one guy in the entire squad who knows how to take a proper set piece, and that's McNeil. Another thing we have to fix in the summer.

Interesting point, a lot of coaches, particularly those from the continent, tend to start early. Brighton's head coach is still only 31. Thomas Frank in his early 30s when he entered coaching. Terzic (Dortmund) was of a similar age. And Norbert Klopp was only 34 when he took on his first coaching role.

In terms of scouting, it can start at a young age. I don't confess to be qualified, but through playing, coaching and watching players, you can usually spot them early. That's why I always say our scouts should be out watching, not scouring YouTube clips.

Please remember that what you said there was opinion not fact.

This database thing. I recall the guys who created Football Manager are massive Blues and signed a deal (money or just love of the club?) years ago to provide Everton exclusive access their database.

He was recommended by Walter Smith and myth has it that Villa were about to make a move, so we acted quicker than we planned, which would have seen Walter see that season out. Without looking, that's how I remember it at the time.

I just wish he would have been / could be more adventurous…but a leopard doesn't change its spots, I suppose.

I played it loads of times as Everton – won the lot. 🤣

This might be because with all the technology available nowadays, that a few of these scouts, don’t even have to leave the house to watch the game, whereas it was obviously a lot different twenty years ago.

Although he doesn’t do those things does ?

Both Evertonians too!

Actions speak louder than words, but this fella also seems to be on a par with the Tibetan Monks, which means we are also still waiting to hear his intentions.

I've read about him flying Lukaku and Mouriniho to Rome on his aeroplane, but when it comes to Everton, he must have heard how patient Evertonians can be!

Tony, early days, but communication doesn't seem to be their thing. Hopefully that will change.

If his seat is available Tony, I know thousands who would take it off him.

He needs to connect with the supporters. More than any club, that is crucial at our club.

TFG don't communicate much, full stop. Doubt he'll visit Goodison Park or the new stadium much at all.

As long as he's financing the football club, he can stay away for as long as he likes.

He doesn't have to be at Goodison Park or the new stadium. Just communicate.

I'm going to publicly shame myself here by making a confession. And I will take the flak, but it's related to communication from the club even though it's a personal thing.

Those who know me, know what change happened to me in the latter half of last year. My West Midlands brother and sister-in-law arranged everything for me in terms of funeral and headstone.

Their daughter sadly passed away just over 10 years ago. Although Dudley born and bred, she was a Liverpool supporter.

So, as a gesture of thanks, I contacted Liverpool Football Club. This was difficult for me and uncomfortable. But to their credit, they have provided a framed certificate signed by this season's squad with a personal message. A nice touch — and this was done in days.

Don't worry, being the Catholic I am, I made sure I said my Hail Marys and one Our Father.

Compare that to Everton. I've had many conversations with our PR department. The one that sticks in the mind was to request that John Murray (older brother of Brian Murray, who is a good friend), be led onto the pitch at Goodison. If you remember, Becky Tallentire published an article about John that is still in the archives of ToffeeWeb. Everton's first mascot, who was held aloft by Roy Vernon after winning the league in 1963 and accompanied the team on the lap of honour.

Everton's response was that they have a strict policy on appointing mascots and it wouldn't be possible. I didn't ask for him to be a mascot. They obviously lost the historical context.

We've never really done communication, which may explain our lack of maximising the good Everton message in the national and global media. Only from reading and listening to the wise elders, I believe Harry Catterick didn't like the press, whereas Shankly had them eating out of his hand. At a time when we were more successful than them.

I have fond memories of Purdy climbing a drainpipe in suzzies.

If he doesn't finance the club to the extent that it doesn't really help us move forward, Paul, then I really don't see the point, mate?

The best case scenario in such circumstances would be that TFG are only going to be short-term owners, and are only here to help straighten up the finances of Everton, so they can quickly sell for a profit.

I don't care if he stays away, but surely a detailed statement of why they are here isn't too much to ask for, if you're a loyal and passionate Evertonian?

Not sure what to read into that.

TFG are also not communicating much at all.

Steve, Ryan and Tony, I would not expect to hear or see anything of Dan Friedkin. He just doesn't do that. When he attended the Roma-Juventus fixture four weeks ago, it was his first appearance at a game in almost a year. And to the best of my knowledge he hasn't given a public interview about anything since 2020. This guy is quiet.

Our new CEO Kinnear is a personable and chatty guy, judging by his fairly regular podcast interviews at Leeds, and I assume all communication with the fans about the club's plans will come through him. And since he's not actually on board yet -- he's still officially a Leeds employee -- we likely won't hear anything for quite a while.

Don’t be a thief Liam

Am I able to remove my own seat?

Supporters are not permitted to remove seats from Goodison Park and any incident of seat removal or attempt to remove a seat will be considered criminal damage and reported to Merseyside police. The Club will also reserve the right to remove Season Tickets or ban any supporters found to have removed or attempted to remove a seat(s) from Goodison Park.

Looks like your pozidriv screwdriver is a no goer, Liam.

I would still expect to see him at one of our final two home fixtures, otherwise my biggest and most overall thought, would be that he obviously hasn’t bought Everton, for the glory?

After the pitch invasion, I don't think they'll have anything left to sell.

Sorry Rob, I've just had an image of your wife's face when she sees your new toilet seat!!!

Even if he's publicity-shy, he can still have a great time as a sports owner.

I reckon he will be at the first game.

He doesn't need to be there all the time, but the odd appearance would be good.

To use a phrase from the Army, senior officers used to turn up occasionally and check "the boots fit? is the mail getting through"? Then disappear to let us get on with it.

I doubt it Liam. It's not viable to keep Goodison for the women's, U21s and U18s team. If we did, Goodison as is would have to be demolished and a purpose built single tier 4,000 seater stadium put in its place. Just an opinion. It could also be used for grass roots local football finals.

Incidentally, 39,000 seats at £90 each is over £3.5 million. Just saying like……

I didn't say anything but thought respect if you pull that one off. Both getting into the ground with a saw and explaining his new place of worship to his wife!!

All hail the Texas Capitalists and their profiterring. Boys Pen Bill would have let us have the seats for free with a tear in his eye and Michael Ball singing Z Cars.

I just don't know how he's gonna have fun when he just doesn't want to watch his team play every now and again.

I've just written to the club to ask how much they want for those four vacant seats that remained empty while Everton was in a relegation battle.

He should come and watch us and get an understanding for the most passionate supporters in the land. I don't care what they do and I might be biased, but no other support base compares.

He would understand what it means on the back of one visit and especially an away match.

Ipswich on Saturday and then onto Fulham.

If the planets align, there should be a healthy gathering of blues who grace these pages in Putney.

Given the venue, I was thinking of calling it a meeting of the Blue Cottagers, but apparently that has a very different meaning so I'll swerve that one.

I have no real concern if our new owners are regulars. I would like them to be at Goodison in this final season and expect them to make the effort to visit occasionally to show face. But I won't notice it. Come match day, I'm focussed on what happens on the pitch.

I am usually the upbeat optimistic one, but I can't forgive or forget them abandoning us when our survival was at stake amidst false and unfounded accusations.

I'm big on leadership and that epitomised the lack of it. Fortunately, the supporters took it into their own hands, voices and blue smoke.

It will be the bricks next and, joking apart, as Liam states above, if it helps with the PSR finances then good on them.

Danny, I agree that TFG should attend a game before Goodison closes and would be great to see them at Fulham standing shoulder to shoulder with us. Being Texans, I think they would enjoy the humour and banter! Unfortunately, it's not going to happen though. Maybe the first game at the new stadium?

Odd thing about the scout Jose Fontes -- he was promoted to chief scout at Roma last June... and left the club in September, and not for another job. His LinkedIn bio shows no current employer. Would be interesting to know what was behind that.

Another name put forward in the article is Chris Howarth, who owns data analytics company Insight Sport and may become head of strategy. TFG reportedly want proprietary metrics data.

What you did there was simply replace a baseless sweeping statement with more opinions and zero fact.

Here's an opinion: I think that he is a decent defensive midfielder who has played well in the games that I've watched recently. He helped get Forest promoted and he has been playing with a bad back injury. Give the lad a break.

It sounds like somebody or something that foretells the future.