Everton Banter Archive December 21 2016

 

Use our rumours form to send us everton transfer rumours.

21 Dec 2016 14:25:24
Hi Ed reading some of the tosh below has got me thinking, surely having a new manager new owner and good vibes coming out about the new stadium all Blue fans should be chuffed to bits with what's happened, almost all of the team was inherited from Martinez, he is gone now the backroom staff are gone, and we about to enter the transfer window, we also have new scouting etc etc, i cannot understand some of these posters wanting R K out, it is good times ahead so let's get behind the manager and give him and the board all the encouragement they deserve, i know it is a game of opinions but give them all a chance, i have been a Blue for almost 60yrs and believe me have seen some rough times with my Beloved Blue Team, but will always support them forever, thanks Ed, GuernseyBlue.

Believable21 Unbelievable11

{Ed002's Note - I completely agree.}

21 Dec 2016 15:27:04
Could not agree more GB it seems to me there are two types of supporter on this forum. The we can see the massive positives and understand we need time to fulfill the ambitious project our new owners are undertaking or the we want success this instant brigade. Looking back over the years as i'm not as old as some the late 70's were okay Mid 80's we were at our pomp, early to mid 90's holding our own late 90's early 00's lucky to still be in the PL mid 00's to the takeover treading water punching above our weight at times. Now we can really go places but we need patience and belief, the club is on its way back from mediocrity with what looks like proper investment. Its not going to happen this season maybe not next season but we are heading in the right direction and we will get there. COYB.

Agree9 Disagree8

21 Dec 2016 15:41:01
Hi Sa, its been a roller coaster ride but we will get there, this is the best thing that has happened to our Great Club let's embrace and enjoy what is about to happen, cheers GuernseyBlue.

Agree9 Disagree8

21 Dec 2016 15:41:01
Hi Sa, its been a roller coaster ride but we will get there, this is the best thing that has happened to our Great Club let's embrace and enjoy what is about to happen, cheers GuernseyBlue.

Agree8 Disagree7

21 Dec 2016 16:16:31
Totally agree sa90. Some people just constantly find something to give out about.

Agree8 Disagree7

21 Dec 2016 16:19:26
Good post GB I fully agree.

I know we should not dwell on the past too much, but it is the past that makes us older supporters see the positives in what is happening.

We are in the process of witnessing a revival that many of our younger supporters (35yrs and younger) have only ever been told about and many are impatient about it.

I think because of the passion we exude about what is happening with our club our younger supporters are expecting it to be done instantly. I think impatience is a trait mastered by the younger generation only to be lost once they become wiser. Remember how fast we used to cross the road when we were younger? compared to how much slower we cross it now, yet strangely more under 40's get knocked over by a car than those older.

This is for our younger members who want everything done now The Titanic ( A bloomin great big ship that was supposed to be unsinkable, sank as a result of haste ( It hit a massive ice cube )
Had it not tried to make up time it would never of sunk. So let our beloved club make it's journey in it's own time and not become another titanic.

Agree10 Disagree8

21 Dec 2016 18:09:38
Completely agree Grumpy good post, cheers mate GuernseyBlue.

Agree8 Disagree6

21 Dec 2016 19:28:54
Agree Grumpy. That's some metaphor, the titanic! Spudv came up with a better one though, the microwave generation!

Not sure where I fit into the equation though. I'm 35 but have the mentality and mannerisms of a 70 year old. I do barely remember the good times in the 80's. Sheedy was my hero.

I'm over the moon with the direction the club is going in. I'm very patient also. Not much happens over night in my day to day.

How about, Rome wasn't built in a day!

Agree7 Disagree4

{Ed025's Note - thats because everton supporters were not on the job NBTB.. :)

21 Dec 2016 19:41:09
Nice one NBTB, far better than all those snide comments that seem to appear on here these days, GuernseyBlue.

Agree6 Disagree4

21 Dec 2016 19:57:10
Everton Football Club as a whole is now moving in a direction that all realistic Evertonians should be happy about. Its a direction that we need to move in or we would get left further behind many other clubs.
I for one am looking forward to the future as an Everton fan and I am old enough to remember the mid 80's when we had a great team. I don't know when or if we'll ever reach those heights again but I can't wait to see the blues playing in a new state of the art stadium.
COYB!

Agree7 Disagree4

{Ed025's Note - im with you there joe..

21 Dec 2016 20:08:02
Ditto to that Joe, GuernseyBlue.

Agree7 Disagree3

21 Dec 2016 22:34:42
Good post that GB (about time) . The moaners wanting Ronald out are just knee jerking. We did play well against (it pains me) against a very good side, in terms of effort and pressing. RK will have his targets, it is doubtful we will have as much success than if we had been in the top 6 or 7 but the list (as all walks of life do) will have priorities. The guy is a straight talker and he said at the beginning this would take 2 years and for 6 months he has been managing someone else's Squad. It will come good as GB says.

Agree7 Disagree3

22 Dec 2016 07:03:29
A lot of these negative posters obviously don't remember the late 90's. Now they were dark times. Our team often consisted of the likes of Mitch Ward, Carl Tiler and Claus Thomsen! If you think of the position the club as a whole is in now, we are moving forward and the future is looking bright. On pitch, we will hopefully improve with a few new signings in January!

Agree5 Disagree2

21 Dec 2016 22:49:03
Yea Guernsey, one thing I detest in someone's personality is snide or sneery remarks. That's the 70 year old coming out of me.

No Ed025, they certainly won't. Maybe they will with this new stadium though! There used to be one poster on here who worked on stadium's. Forget his name but he had a picture with, which I presume was, his kid. He was shaved head with sunglasses in pic. Hopefully he gets involved with the building. Keep us informed here. God, I can't think of what his posting name was.

Agree4 Disagree0

{Ed025's Note - he was a good poster as well NBTB but i cant remmber his name either!...im sure someone with a better memory than us old codgers will help us out mate.. :)

22 Dec 2016 09:00:11
Hey

. some simply don't have the ability to recognise/ understand what is happening and prefer to wallow in misery and slate everything. no wonder the other half call us "bitters".

Mart.

Agree0 Disagree0

22 Dec 2016 10:26:14
Sure his name was Paul b.

Agree0 Disagree0

22 Dec 2016 11:05:20
I think it was pb78?

Agree0 Disagree0

22 Dec 2016 12:06:45
Yea coby, think that was his name.

Agree0 Disagree0

22 Dec 2016 13:19:45
It was pb. Worked for a crowd in London who were involved with Wembley or the Olympic stadium.

Agree0 Disagree0

21 Dec 2016 13:28:51
Just read an article regarding Ross. This piece got me thinking about how we can get the best out of RB before he is shipped out.
There are rumours that he likes to party, not sure how true that is but I've seen a few posts on different sites alluding to this. Anyone shed any light on that?
Anyway, RK has been quite hard on the lad since he became boss. There is no doubt that the lad is a talented footballer, he just needs better coaching than he has previously had for him to kick on. It must be hard going from being told (by your previous boss) that the sun shines out of your backside, even when not in form, to a new manager who is prepared to call you out publicly.
Anyway, I've got it in my head that it may be best for the lad to move out of the goldfish bowl of Liverpool city, get him away from having the weight of EFC on his shoulders. What would you all say to loaning him to another prem club for a season, a team where he can get games under his belt without the pressure of his home club fans baying for his blood after one stray pass? For me this is a better proposition than selling him on. At least we will get to see if he can realise his potential or if he is just another that flattered to deceive. Thoughts people?

Believable2 Unbelievable2

21 Dec 2016 15:30:58
Good shout that it worked for Wilshere it may work for Ross.

Agree0 Disagree1

21 Dec 2016 16:18:20
Good thinking spudv. I'd be all for that. Could be the making of him.

Agree0 Disagree0

21 Dec 2016 17:17:55
Has it really worked for Wiltshire? It's simple really get enter players around him. Especially attack minded players. The team we have at the moment don't play with any freedom, and Ross just looks lost. I tell you now if we sell him to Spurs he will flourish in that team, and we will all be gutted.

Agree3 Disagree0

21 Dec 2016 19:04:15
I don't want to sell the lad Woburn, but thee are rumours that we are willing to accept bids for him. I'd rather him leave temporarily if it came to that. But you're right, better players could also make a difference.

Agree1 Disagree0

22 Dec 2016 12:17:52
He has been loaned out before ok a long time ago, but he is not showing the improvements he should be. If Ross goes let's wish him luck and move on.
Time to give up on 90% of this second rate squad, I care about Everton not individual players.

There is sentiment in keeping Barclay because he is local and I do understand that but I want us to stay in the Premier league and not follow Villa who kept good old club suporters like Abonglaore (spelling not sure) .
Our decline looks very similar we need to change this team ASAP.

Agree0 Disagree0

22 Dec 2016 13:23:06
Have to disagree with Woburn. If we sold him and he flourished I wouldn't regret it. He can't do the business for us so I don't see the reason to hold on to him hoping he lives up to his potential or so he doesn't do it with someone else. i'd cash in and give someone else a chance.

Agree0 Disagree0

22 Dec 2016 14:53:56
Obviously if he gets sold then I will wish him well but I think the lad will come good with a combination of decent coaching and game time. Nothing to do with sentiment, on my part anyway, as I believe he will go on to become a top player. He has the attributes, maybe it's just a mental thing. Don't think you can compare us to Villa and the fall they have had. They were a poor side for quite a few years before they dropped, we haven't been pulling up trees but we have been in and around mid table/ Euro places more so than they were. They were also selling players and replacing them with inferior quality but I trust RK and Walsh to bring in new players for a new era.

Agree0 Disagree0

23 Dec 2016 08:23:52
The big issue with Ross is when does Promise become Fulfilment?

Agree0 Disagree0

{Ed025's Note - thats right wakka, we are all desperate for him to do well and the weight of expectation on him is immense, the fact is though that the clock is ticking mate..

21 Dec 2016 11:21:01
Everton u23s in a must win European game at goodison tonight 7pm kick off, if your not busy get down and support the young lads and make your own minds up about who should be getting on the first team bench at least.

Believable1 Unbelievable0

21 Dec 2016 10:57:55
I am in the Koeman out camp if there is one. how can he say we were outstanding in the derby - playing at home we had one header on target. not good enough.

Koeman must have had a say in the recent contract renewals - Barry has a one year extension - the man has a good football brain but his legs are gone hence the reason he picks up so many yellow cards - the wages etc should be used elsewhere.

I also believe Niasse should be given a run - he has played minutes in the first eleven but Koeman says he is free to leave, the man has scored 7 goals this year in our reserves team but is deemed not worthy enough - I don't care what he has done of the field I just want goals for the team.

My last point is about Moshiri - after taking a quick look at the financials I see the 80 mill loan - he has EFC over a barrell now as at any time he can call the loan in - this is what smart business people do - we may be debt free due to this loan but when we have to by players where is the money coming from.

Believable2 Unbelievable6

21 Dec 2016 11:13:54
Blimey give the guy a chance, what a load of old tosh, GuernseyBlue.

Agree2 Disagree2

21 Dec 2016 11:23:13
So let me get this right Intel.

You are unhappy with Koeman.

You are unhappy with the team.

You are unhappy with the contract renewals.

You are unhappy the club has Moshri.

You are unhappy we are now debt free.

I bet you are a right bag of laughs on christmas day.

Agree3 Disagree1

21 Dec 2016 11:26:12
There is certainly a Koeman Out camp. Just one member though. Turn the lights out in the way out.

Agree2 Disagree1

21 Dec 2016 11:27:20
Unfortunately I have to agree with Intel, not about Niassi though.
With any new manager it takes time but there should be signs of progress and with Koeman I see none.

I feel we need a young dynamic manager at this time and British as overseas coaches tend to only be good with teams that are pretty good anyway and have loads of money for players.

We have a very bad team and there is not that much money for players, we are on a downward cycle that is getting worse under this manager.
Martinez destroyed our team we need a special manager to correct this and Koeman is clearly not this man.

Agree1 Disagree3

21 Dec 2016 12:35:54
Hi folks as said before give the guy a chance we have a new manager new owner, and a new stadium in the pipeline it is ridiculous to say RK out, it's already been stated up to eight players need to be moved on in the next two windows, I think Having a new owner is our best Christmas present we have had in years Give It Time, I won't be replying to any more of this rubbish, seasons greetings to you all, Sunday week here we go again Ho, Ho, Ho, GuernseyBlue.

Agree2 Disagree2

21 Dec 2016 12:44:47
prize for biggest load of tosh spouted in 2016 goes to milom for "overseas coaches tend to only be good with teams that are pretty good anyway"

Apparently in a world of 200+ countries and 7 billion+ people, a small island in Europe with.

Agree1 Disagree1

21 Dec 2016 13:15:51
Intel, here's a quick summary of your concerns.
1) The first half, without creating an awful lot, we played pretty well. A blind man could see that the game v Arsenal was a mass improvement on previous fixtures and the first 45 mins of the derby was also a step in the right direction.
2) Barry has been picking up cards throughout his career, sure he is up there with the most yellow's in the premiership era. It's not as if they have all come since he joined us. At the minute, he is better than most in his position at the club. We need his experience in and around the squad. He won't play every game but he has a season in him.
3) Niasse? Even the man who bought him couldn't justify playing him. The rumours are that he is not up to the standard required in this league. Sure, he hasn't been given many opportunities but they must see in training that there is something missing. The lad has been here a year and not kicked on, time to cut our losses regardless of how many he has scored for the U23's. It's not so much what he has done off the field as it is what he hasn't shown on the pitch.
4) Moshiri has been here less than a year. He bought into a club that had lost direction on the pitch under the previous manager, to a certain degree we are still affected by that period. He has changed/ is changing the structure of the club from top to bottom, how long did you think this would take? Ed002 always tells us that we should steer clear of the finances and he is right. You have had a 'quick' look at the finances? Tell me what you understand about running a club financially. We can all look but it doesn't mean we understand. You're right, he is a business man so I expect him to make his 80m worth a lot more when the time comes for him to sell up. But, from what I've heard the man say in interviews, he is here for the long term. He has said there is money to spend so let the window open first and see what happens before second guessing whether we can spend or not.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, when a new manager comes in it is a transitional period. We were unlucky in the summer whereas the euro's hampered RK from assessing what he had inherited. Time is needed, plus a transfer window or two.
Milom, name one young dynamic and British manager. Don't mention Howe either, the man was homesick the last time he moved north. It is too early to dismiss RK so easily. We have seen improvement in the last two games, v Arsenal and then for 45 minutes of the derby. We just need a bit more creativity and to get rid of those who are on the fringes, obviously replacing them with better quality. The future is nowhere as near as bleak as you two make out. Patience boys.

Agree5 Disagree0

21 Dec 2016 13:50:53
Amen spud.

Agree2 Disagree0

21 Dec 2016 15:22:59
Good post spud. I agree with the taking time to change. Apart from a couple of signings, Koeman inherited a team that played a certain way. It takes more than 3 months to remove certain aspects of how a team plays. They will keep lapsing into the Martinez way of playing, but gradually that will go away. We have a window coming up and players will leave and others come in. You can't judge Koeman by using Martinez players. Judge him when he changes the team to his own.

Agree1 Disagree0

22 Dec 2016 00:45:42
Martinez did do our club terrable damage, but the man who is ultimatley responsible for that, is Bill Kenwright. Firstley, a truley dredful appiontment, (but we all make mistakes) the real disgrace, was not haveing the guts to fess-up to the mistake and give him almost 3 years to almost destroy one of the worlds great football clubs.
Give him the time and the money, Koeman will turn it around, but it realey is time for Kenwright to step down.

Agree1 Disagree0

22 Dec 2016 07:10:39
JCW, I don't think that Martinez was a 'terrible appointment' at first. He gave us one fantastic season. Kenwright's mistake was giving him a fat 5 year contract after that one good season. This meant that after an awful season BK was unwilling to let him go due to the cost (let's put into context the fact that we paid the fraud £10m when we sacked him) .

Agree0 Disagree0

22 Dec 2016 09:02:04
The one great season he gave us was with Moyes' team and players with the addition of Lukaku's goals. All his other signings were inferiior players to what we had previously had. The league tables do noy lie!

Agree0 Disagree0

22 Dec 2016 10:27:04
I agree that he deceived us with the good season. If he hadn't been given a bumper contract after the first season then I think he would have been sacked a lot earlier. I don't pine for Moyes the way you do Degsy but it would be interesting to see what Moyes would have done if he had a striker like Lukaku. Probably made him into a 10 goal a season striker by forcing him to work the flanks! But you never know. I think the age of the squad is a massive issue, Koeman certainly has his work cut out for him finding younger players and Walsh has a big task getting value out of the signings.

Agree0 Disagree0

22 Dec 2016 11:26:41
I don't pine for Moyes. but I certainly appreciate that he took over at a very turbid time and left us in a much healthier state that RM managed to ruin in 3 short years. The rebuilding by Koeman is from the bottom up.

Agree0 Disagree0

22 Dec 2016 12:34:29
To be fair I think short term he may have ruined us. It will be interesting to see how many of his young signings such as Holgate and Galloway progress. If we are working on potential alone they could both be our centre half pairing for many years. It will also be interesting to see what becomes of Lukaku and Deulofeu at this club (assuming either of them stick around) .

Another part which we may have to give Martinez credit for could be the changes he implemented at the training/ academy level (although I admit that for all I know all of that may have been scrapped! )

We are certainly in a season of great transition. By the end of next summer, I imagine the only diamond relics of Moyes' reign left in the squad will be Coleman and Baines. A year after that and apart from the youngsters I doubt that any trace of Bobby's cubic zirconia will still be here. Hopefully Koeman's reign will prove more fruitful that both of his predecessors!

Agree0 Disagree0

21 Dec 2016 09:03:29
What does everyone think of the new contract for lukaku? Is he honestly committed or aren't we just making sure we get a good transfer fee

Personally I think hell be gone by the start of august.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

21 Dec 2016 10:20:36
I'd imagine its probably in everyone's interest for him to sign a new one.

Agree0 Disagree0

21 Dec 2016 10:21:32
Regardless if he intends to leave or not.

Agree2 Disagree0

21 Dec 2016 11:24:27
A new contract with him is worth an extra 20 or so million if we sell him.

Agree0 Disagree0

21 Dec 2016 04:42:18
Losing the derby was a blow - especially to such a late, late goal - and suffering the taunts of the darkside fans yet again is an all too familiar and painful experience, BUT we must not lose sight of where we're coming from and what we're aiming for.
It'd be great to defeat them AND to finish above them AND to be immediately challenging for the top six (let alone the top four! ) , BUT our energies should be focussed on catching up as a club (both on and off the field) with ALL of the clubs that have overtaken us in the past 30 years.
For the first time since Sir John Moores, we have an owner in Mr Moshiri who has the personal funds - and clear intention - to deliver a new stadium and improved commercial deals, and a recruitment staff led by a proven talent finder, and a first-team manager who's a winner and was a great player, and an U23/ U18 setup that has promising players with talent and winning mentalities.
Add in the loyal supporters (who have shown their true spirit and voices in the two latest home fixtures) and we might be on the gradual path to where we'd like to be.
It'll be a hard slog to turn around all those years of fear, uncertainty and doubt and to instil a true winning mentality (not arrogance) throughout the club - all while staying true to the ethos of the "people's club" and its crucial role in the community.
Let's make Howard Kendall, Dixie Dean, Alan Ball, Brian Labone and every one of the great Evertonians, past and present. proud of what we are carrying on in their wonderful Royal Blue Schhol of Science tradition.
Nil satis nisi optimum.

Believable4 Unbelievable0

21 Dec 2016 07:26:01
Ditto Sid. Excellent post.

Agree0 Disagree0

21 Dec 2016 07:36:37
That sums up my view on things too Sid. We were left behind. but now it is time for the process of doing things right for the future. That alone is comfort to me after a few years of anguish.

Agree0 Disagree0

21 Dec 2016 10:43:34
Well said, Sid.

Agree0 Disagree0

21 Dec 2016 11:10:12
Thing is Sid, they are not that great and we are only a couple of players short of competing with them.
The difference i found was they are a well drilled well organised side and each player knows there role and as much as it hurts the are a team who look like they have unity on all fronts, something we lack.
Hopefully next season will be the season we see ourselves as a team with the right personell to adapt to the high press style of play the ager wants.

Agree0 Disagree0

21 Dec 2016 04:10:05
Is there anyone of you who regularly watches our U23 team and could therefore offer an informed opinion on which players really look like they could have the potential to make the grade in the Premier League at Everton? Holgate, Davies and Calvert-Lewis look to be in with a real chance, but what about the other less well known youngsters at the club?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

21 Dec 2016 08:51:18
Liam Walsh is a class act, he's small but I think he could replace Barry's long term, I think Dowell could definitely make the squad and if he bulls out a bit has real future, and obviously the lads u mentioned, the goalie as well Hewlett I may have spelt that wrong but he looks very good for a young goalie.

Agree0 Disagree0

21 Dec 2016 04:02:54
It's an academic point, but how would the reported "optional buy back" agreement with Barcelona for Deulofeu affect any proposed transfer to another club?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed025's Note - i have a solution to that....give him back for free..

21 Dec 2016 07:12:18
Ed025: can't we return him under warranty - or has that expired?

Agree0 Disagree0

{Ed025's Note - i dont think we can sid, just like those undies we will probably get this chrismas that dont fit properly he is soiled goods.. :)

21 Dec 2016 07:27:21
Ed025 You really should stop dressing in womens clothes.

Agree0 Disagree0

{Ed025's Note - i cant you know BCT, its the feel of the silk on my moobs that gives me that warm feminine feeling mate.. :)

21 Dec 2016 07:27:47
Ed025: with his speed I was expecting a different kind of skid marks!

Agree0 Disagree0

{Ed025's Note - me too sid, it looks like we are caught between two stools on this one mate.. :)

21 Dec 2016 07:40:11
Ed025: I thought you'd pooh-pooh the idea of keeping Geri. I think that's enough scatalogical humour before breakfast!

Agree0 Disagree0

{Ed025's Note - me too sid..

21 Dec 2016 09:32:31
Did someone mention moobs?

Wife's jealous of mine.

Agree0 Disagree0

21 Dec 2016 04:00:14
Based on their records this season (certainly not ours! ) , I'd be confident of good results against Leicester and Hull - but we're Everton and anything could (and usually does! ) happen.
Still, finishing the first half of the season with two good performances and two good results (hopefully victories) would set us up nicely for a productive transfer window and a positive AGM and a noticeable improvement in the second half of the PL season and in the FA Cup. Heres hoping :-)

Believable1 Unbelievable0

21 Dec 2016 03:52:20
How many of you would not only be willing to see Barkley leave, but also have Rooney back in our front-three (or as a number ten) ?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed025's Note - im indifferent about ross but dont want rooney mate..

21 Dec 2016 06:44:46
I'm indifferent about Rooney but think Barkley is struggling in the current setup. He looks completely shot of any confidence.

Agree0 Disagree0

21 Dec 2016 07:28:50
Rooney still loves this great club but has already stated he would not come back.

Agree0 Disagree0

{Ed025's Note - that suits me fine BCT, i dont want him clogging up a space to fulfill his boyhood fantasies here mate..

21 Dec 2016 09:38:23
Wow I was thinking the exact same thing only last night Cowpat Sid. I wouldn't mind Rooney in addition to Barkley.

What worries me most about Barkley is if his form returns just after we sell him. He needs to grow up and get RM out of his system.

Agree0 Disagree0

21 Dec 2016 03:47:44
Most (if not all! ) of our fans seem to agree that we need a first-choice goalkeeper above Stek and Robles.
The question is do we need to keep both as backup - or just one as primary backup and use an U23/ U18 goalkeeper if ever necessary as the secondary backup?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

21 Dec 2016 07:40:55
As you know, I was not Martinez's biggest fan and was always moaning about his poor signings. However, I do feel Joel was never given a good chance. I don't remember him making many mistakes and certainly do remember him making decent saves. eg one in the Derby just before they scored. He also has age o his side. Stecks is really at the end now. so there is my answer.

Agree1 Disagree0

21 Dec 2016 11:39:32
Still baffles me as to why we didn't go for Joe Hart.
He is a title winning goalkeeper who can be excellent on his day, yes he is prone to the odd mistake but what keeper isnt.
I feel our defence wou thrive with a keeper behind them they can trust and with Hart at least he is vocal.

Agree0 Disagree0

21 Dec 2016 03:16:06
Just looking at the number of aged-over-21 players in our squad, I think we should take note that we currently have registered the maximum of 25 - plus we have 2 others out on loan, another 2 omitted from the squad altogether, and we have 6 youngsters who will become classified as aged-over-21 next Summer.
If, as wished for, we recruit 4 or 5 new aged-over-21 players in January - and surely more next Summer - then up to 20 of our current aged-over-21 players will eventually have to be left out of the full squads that are registered at the end of the transfer windows (either transferred out, or sent on loan, or have their contracts cancelled or not renewed, or just omitted from the first-team squad and possibly consigned to the U23s) .
It's reported that we also want to recruit several players for our U23 squad, but they'll probably be classified as aged-under-21 for a while yet.
Thankfully, several of our current youngsters (Holgate, Davies, Calvert-Lewin, etc. ) will also not become aged-over-21 for another year or more. Transferring or loaning some of our aged-under-21 players doesn't create space in the full squad - although it obviously helps those players' development and gives even younger players chances in our U23/ U18 teams.
Most fans would readily name a whole raft of our older players that should leave, but to move out 20 in two transfer windows - while bringing in 10 new players - is a pretty big turnaround. Anyone care to name the 20 they'd want gone by next Summer?
Even if we assume that the two loanees (McGeady and Garbutt) go, as do the two currently omitted (McAleny and Rodriguez) , and that the six players turning 21 next Summer are, at best, omitted and consigned to the U23s or loaned out, then every incoming new player MUST still be balanced by another current older player leaving the current registered 25-man squad, as NONE of those 10 players referred to above is named in our current aged-over-21 squad and their departures will therefore NOT create space for new players.
Gibson, Kone, Niasse and Oviedo must be the likeliest departures in January, as they're not getting much (if any! ) first-team game-time. This will give us 4 squad spaces for new players.
Others that must be vulnerable - in the Summer, if not January - are Cleverley, Funes Mori, Jagielka, Lennon, Robles, Stekelenburg, and Valencia.
Even Barkley, Deulofeu and Mirallas - players that RK has said he likes - may not in the end be productive enough for RK and therefore moved on.
Besic, Bolasie, Browning and Pennington will surely first get a chance to (re) establish themselves once recovered from long-term injury before their futures are evaluated.
Only Baines, Barry, Coleman, Gana, Lukaku, and Williams look secure in the squad for the time being. McCarthy might still have (want? ) a future here, but that seems somewhat uncertain at the moment.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

21 Dec 2016 07:49:24
There is my Martinez point again. So much dead wood in this squad taking up numbers and salaries that prevent better future signings under the FFP rules. Kone, McGeady, Gibson, Cleverly and Niasse bring little to the squad. Then there are ones which have doubts or age against them so really should be only maybe one or two more seasons. Williams, Baines, Lennon and Jagielka. Then there are those who showed promise but so far have not fullfilled potential. Deulofeu, McCarthy and Mirallas. and maybe Barkley. Then 2 injuries that will need monitoring. Besic and Bolasie. Compare that with the likes of so called top 6 clubs and we have done pretty amazing to achieve what we have this season so far. 4 or 5 seasons ago, we had numerous players being linked with these top 6 clubs. Stupid fees being mentioned. Now there is very little interest in much of our squad. Sad but true.

Agree0 Disagree0

21 Dec 2016 07:50:03
Forgot to include Barry in the older bit too!

Agree0 Disagree0

 
Change Consent