Everton Banter

22 Jan 2025 20:05:09
Talk sport saying we are linked with chumbwaba? That is SImon Jordan all over he pretends he is something and failed as the chairman of CP then has the audacity to tell fans he is right and there wrong. I hate this man with a passion.

22 Jan 2025 20:47:24
He drinks a whiskey Drink
He drinks a vodka drink
He drinks a lager drink
He drinks a cider drink.

We'll be singing when we winning!

Oh Danny boy

😊🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵.

22 Jan 2025 21:42:25
P*ssing the night away!

Pretty much describes what I was up to in the 90’s!

22 Jan 2025 21:57:46
Happier times BBN. Well certainly imo. 👍.

22 Jan 2025 09:01:47
just read a post about youth intake/ 21's so thought i'd post sort of my feeling of EFC issues right now in terms of why maybe it isn't as good as people expect?

it's difficult right now for EFC on youth academy front

they've sold Samuels-Smith to Chelsea in a previous summer (left back) who was supposedly most likely to make that breakthrough next (he went for £5m without playing a game says it all) sold to keep the lights on

they did have an academy ban and playing catch up, so the academy ban is impacting on what now would be the u21's

isaac Price was another who left for Liege for playing time (which EFC struggle to sell, as they don't really have comfort to blood youth players as last 4 years have been fighting for survival)

however, when it comes to investing in the 21's they just haven't had the finance, every last penny has been invested in to the first team and so it should be right now

they've picked Omari Benjamin up on a free for the 21's who looks ok

they believe they had a good summer just gone for the 18's in take though, they signed Graham who is supposedly a *coup* and also picked up Justin Clarke from Wimbledon whose started very well whilst also keeping very highly rated GK and england youth international Douglass Lukjanciks (who was sought after by City and Villa this summer)

couple others signed from other clubs too, so there has been a focus there from the summer.

the 21's as you say maybe not helped the first team much, but it has helped keep EFC afloat financially w/ sales of Cannon/ Simms/ Samuels-Smith and of course Anthony Gordon, but in his case did help the first team

as i say it's difficult, on Dixon he badly needs a loan, he did ok on his debut but he doesn't actually stand out at 21's level like you'd expect him too (unlike Harrison Armstrong who stands out at 18's and 21's level) physicality and size a huge factor

it's a tough old game the youth academy's, if you have a brilliant one normally at 16 City/ Chelsea/ United hoover them up, Emilio Lawrence was one EFC were mad about. he left and joined Manchester City upon signing his professional deal.

but the thing is it's not just an EFC issue, but it's not as if academy players are pouring out of other clubs ears, we have just had one and sold him for £50m and now we have Armstrong in the squad at least. especially under financial uncertainty

so yeah, tough one, they need to be a club that's attractive to players aged 15/ 16 to sign for as they see a pathway.

{Ed025's Note - great information WB, thanks for that mate..

22 Jan 2025 09:42:28
Good post mate.

22 Jan 2025 09:58:41
Quality summary there Wblue2 mate.

Think young Price may be on his way back to these shores mate. West Brom heavily linked.

Martin Sherif is also highly thought of. I know a few of the German hitters were looking at him recently. The only concern with Benjamin and Sherif is that if they were truly going to be anything, they would have at least got a sniff to show what they are about already, especially given our recent/ current goalscoring woes.

Some of the huge teams have teenagers players starting for them now and that is with a plethora of experienced talent to choose from, a luxury we really don't have.

All the below could be considered too young to give chances to. Some may be in and out of the team but at least they are building 1st team experience. I feel this is something we miss a trick with, especially when you consider that we have had 2 keepers on the bench a lot of the time. Even if there is a fear to play the young lads given our precarious position, having them in and around the match-day squad would do brilliant for their progression and mentality.

Senny Mayulu and Ibrahim Mbaye - PSG
Pau Cubarsi and Marc Casado - Barcelona
Mathys Tel - Bayern
Bradley - Liverpool
Mainoo - United
Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly - Arsenal
Lewis - City.

22 Jan 2025 10:22:17
Hi Bluenose,

yeah there's a few i've not mentioned mate, Stan Mills an example of someone they thought could be an option, good 6 months on loan at Oxford last year before an absolutely horrendous knee injury

Ebere coming back from a lengthy injury for the 21's too, after good goal scoring last year for the 18's

in Sherif/ Benjamin cases, it's a shame because EFC have 3/ 4 strikers for one role in the first team, but alos watching them they don't particularly stand out at current level.

Chermiti obviously being 20-ish also

Sherif still only 18, so probably needs a run with the 21's properly with potentially letting Benjamin go and have 6months in league 2 IMO

negative as it sounds mate ideally EFC do just become mid-table fodder for a couple years and are able to throw player sin now and again, especially if they're sort of safe feb-march time like most dull mid-table sides are

even when we used to do the last couple games of the season throwing u21's off the bench it was a nice touch.

agree with what you're saying above, but for example on Bradley he had a loan at Bolton and the rest were already really really highly thought of

the only one really highly thought of at EFC currently are Graham/ Clarke/ Armstrong

i think EFC's weaknesses are in finding the right loans, but they are getting better at this and huge props to James Vaughan on that front.

the next step is finding the right loans for Armstrong/ Dixon/ Benjamin to either improve value, or in the unlikelihood for the latter two, improve first team prospect.

22 Jan 2025 10:31:04
sorry to add on to my latest replies on finding the right loans

good examples - Cannon/ preston Mills/ Oxford Tyrer/ Chesterfield and Blackpool

Bad Examples - all of Reece Welch's loans, very very very highly thought of at EFC a couple years ago, but the loan decisions were absolutely woeful, the latest being in Belgian second div and not playing at all.
Onyango's haven't been great
Dobbins weren't brilliant either and came too late

the u21 league is deceiving, if you're not standing out then you are nowhere near Premier league level, it's why most of the league 2 reserve sides turn them over in the papa johns trophy, because the difference between that and mens first team is next level

i'd rather them be playing league 2/ conference than 21's football if your 19/ 20 IMO, all about playing games 7 getting used to high pressure environments.

22 Jan 2025 11:05:38
BN - sherif and Benjamin could well step up, however there was absolutely no chance that Dyche would have given them a sniff - he sticks with what he knows and it appears he believes age is a better indication of talent than talent itself.

Now Moyes is in charge I imagine we may well see some youngsters given a chance and was good to see Sherif made the bench the other day.

22 Jan 2025 11:12:14
Forgot about young Mills as well mate. Hopefully he bounces back from this injury ok and we have chance to see if he can cut it out on the right flank mate.

I agree mate. It would certainly be nice to have a breather from the season-long slogs we have had to endure in recent seasons.

Yeah, that is a fair point mate. I guess those players weren't the greatest examples as they are coming through at the biggest clubs in the world, so they must be serious talents. I guess I was more meaning that even the biggest clubs utilise their younger players and it is all relative to the levels of the clubs.

I was going to mention Vaughany seems to be doing a decent job since he came in, so good point again mate.

Reece Welch did spring to mind as well. He was very highly thought of wasn't he, training with the 1st team, pre-season tours and then fell off a cliff after the loan at Forest Green.

Yeah spot on mate. Nothing can prepare you for the differences in physicality and intensity of the man's game other than actually playing in them.

Hopefully Moyes can unearth and mould a few gems and save us a decent amount of money on transfers.

Onwards an upwards mate - appreciate the detailed insight.

22 Jan 2025 13:28:24
Many thanks wblue2. I was the one who asked the question, very difficult living in the US to get any news on the academy players so your comments are very welcome, please if you have time and get any further news let us know. It was difficult to know when SD was Manager if we had any good prospects and SD would not play them. Under Moyes I believe that problem will go away. If, for example, Armstrong is good enough Moyes will use him.

22 Jan 2025 15:13:38
no worries BlueMike

it's always a hard measuring stick with the youth, as of writing Harrison Armstrong aside there's none really knocking on the door to be included at first team level

Armstrong in my opinion, especially turning 18 now would benefit greatly from a 6month loan. think be a great experience for him to go get some first team minutes

especially with Tim/ Garner/ McNeil all coming back shortly, he had a very very brief spell with the 21's where he made that look pretty simple as well

as i say when your in trouble i do understand the youth maybe not getting a look in, it's pressure of highest order

hopefully few of the current u18's get some slow progression, supposedly Braiden Graham who i mentioned they see as a coup, has been dipped in and out of first team training just for some experience.

22 Jan 2025 17:05:13
Wblue 2.my god lad . you need your own website. I'll read the rest of your posts as soon as. don't tell me what happens in the end. it's like a Mills and Boon.

22 Jan 2025 19:01:29
Great read, both OP and replies, and an interesting topic to boot 👍🏻
My thoughts are that the standard of the academy football isn't a true reflection of how these players will fair in open age football. Youth players have far too much too soon imo, I don't think any top level clubs get them to clean changing rooms or first team players boots these days. They certainly don't pay them the standard yts wage of 38 quid or so per week!
I'd much rather the system would revert back to how it used to be with the old reserve fixtures, I know that won't happen though. I think a proper reserve league, coupled with sending promising kids on loan to lower league teams, would be better than the current system. Only playing against similar age opposition after Under 18s doesn't do them much good imo.

22 Jan 2025 07:39:09
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Football Pundits Spout Rubbish?

21 Jan 2025 23:24:06
Just reading some of the prev posts. Re armstrong. if you are good enough you are old enough!

What has age got to do with it?

21 Jan 2025 23:53:26
Careful Witty. You are only allowed to support and back certain players mate.

22 Jan 2025 07:41:03
Time to let it go and move on fellas.

22 Jan 2025 11:08:47
I imagine with the change in manager we may now actually see some of the youngsters given a chance.

Dyche was too stuck in his ways to use the youth set up and would rather stick with who he knows than actually pick players on form.

Just look at O’Brian - couldn’t get a look in with Dyche and he’d rather start Keane over him. Moyes plays him and he looks a natural.

21 Jan 2025 21:36:30
Not sure Patterson has been given enough time at RB or RWB. Could see him and Lindstrom with a little time and coaching doing a little of the magic up the right side Moyes had with Baines and Pienaar on the left.

For that matter not sure what all the talk about adding more defenders our priority has to be up top with attacking 9 and 10. I guess we could add a wing and put Ndiaye in the center. Even let Armstrong grow into the 10. With limited funds please focus on the attacking third (and send Harrison back to Leeds) .

21 Jan 2025 22:49:24
Agree.

22 Jan 2025 00:03:11
Limited funds we have play Harrison on the left like he did for Leeds, he'd also make a half decent wing-back. Then prioritise where we really need improving centre-midfield we're crying out for a centre-midfuelder with pace and passing ability. Then send Broja back whatever the cost, or just say no to Chelsea, freeing up our loan space for centre-forward, not forgetting we still have international loan spaces left.

22 Jan 2025 09:18:58
For me, all the better teams have really good attacking full backs who can also defend and comfortable on the ball. I don't see us having those skills in our team. Wingers can be marked out of the game without the support of the fullbacks.

21 Jan 2025 20:00:08
Bit disappointed in Thelwell. He has been around a while and one would expect a few players in the Under 21's to be ready to play for the first team by now. So my expectation is that we recruit young players around 15-16 or younger and that they would be ready by the age of 21 to play for the first team. We had that turd that went to the barcodes (can't remember his name) and we have Armstrong who is still young at 17 I think. You can't count O'Brien or Branthwaite since they were older when recruited. So who in the Under 21's is ready to move up. Thought Dixon might be one but it has gone quite on that front. So has anyone been watching the Under21's? Or am I wrong about this? Just looking for opinions not the usual "you need to take your medication" crap and you know who you are!

21 Jan 2025 21:05:16
Strange one Dixon Mike, thought the guy looked decent when he played. Yes he was a little green but felt would improve given time. And that seems to be the problem right now, we don't give younger players time.
A perfect example was Sunday mate. 3-0 up would have been the perfect time to bring Armstrong on for Dacoure, not because Dacoure was playing badly (not allowed to say that) , but because it would have allowed the lad to play with a bit of freedom and show us what he is about.
Instead we bring Young on, what new could we learn about him, and Keane why?
If we are serious about developing youth then we have to get them involved with the first team. O'Brien was deemed not yet ready, but he looked pretty comfortable to me.

21 Jan 2025 22:29:15
Spot on Brass. I think the problem is that we try and emulate the top sides like Arsenal and Liverpool and don't bring any youth through by giving them game time when the opportunity arises. Oh wait a minute .

21 Jan 2025 22:41:46
Agree BB, I was hoping that Armstrong was brought on against Spurs also. It is a crime that O'Brien has sat on the bench so long.
Still Moyes has only been here for two games. A number of years ago Everton played a friendly in Chicago and I went to see it from Connecticut. We lost the game. On the way home I was surprised to see the entire Everton squad and Moyes waiting for a flight. I went over to Moyes and told him I was born and raised in Liverpool and had been to the game and that I enjoyed it. The first thing he said was "apart from the result"! which told everything about the man. It was only a pre-season friendly but he was not satisfied.
He is going to assess the players and hopefully that will include some of the youngsters. He may not be everyone's dream Manager but you can bet your last pound that he will not tolerate some of the poor play and indiference that we have seen too many times this season.

21 Jan 2025 19:17:58
Just been reading ndiayes comments about Moyes and how he has got what he wants over to the players pretty quick and that they are all on the same page now. i know it's early days and I'm not getting ahead of myself but what was dyche doing for 2 years changing narratives and all the other bollox. i'm just glad that these players showed they can actually play abit when aloud to attack and not be negative all the time. all be it against a poor spurs team but you can only beat who is put in front of you and i thought the lads were brilliant from the dross we have been watching. Hopefully on the up now bring them on💪💪💪💪💪.

21 Jan 2025 19:27:13
I didn’t want Moyes at any cost and have to eat humble pie, but I have to say he has steadied the ship and looks to have the players actually playing for him, I was wrong about him, am so glad I was,

21 Jan 2025 20:16:58
What annoys me more than anything is when we played negative, dyche was always saying he wanted us to play better football, Moyes has played 2 games and we are playing better already, just shows it was dyche and his tactics that have caused all of this, yes it's only 2 games, but it's there in black and white, we may or may not go up or down but the football is a lot better to watch, and guess what we score 3 goals and won, who would of guessed it.

21 Jan 2025 22:31:00
I am going to sit firmly on the fence. Delighted with the result but moyes has had 2 games. If we can win the next 2 then great.

22 Jan 2025 08:23:44
I think SD had his eye firmly fixed on clean sheets, and it caused his downfall, whereas DM has is eyes fixed on gaining the all valuable points, that for me has been the difference. So far so good.

21 Jan 2025 17:47:43
Don’t get me wrong, I know we’re some players light, however do we think with what we’ve got, plus those due back from injury, we can stay out of trouble?

For me, I’d look to take the chance, don’t spend anything more this season, then spend in the summer when the PSR rules change to percentages of turnover.

A risk, but how much of a risk. ?

{Ed025's Note - i would bring one or two in myself Chalkie, not only would it give the manager more options but it will also cover injuries and suspensions mate, plus it would be a boost for the players and supporters imo..

21 Jan 2025 18:15:42
Yep for sure Ed at least a couple in, it would do the Team no end of good, having said that will be chuffed when McNeil, Tim and Garner get back.

21 Jan 2025 18:22:21
Imagine where we’d be if Ndayie picks up an injury? Where’s our creative spark? At least 2 needed, 3 or 4 preferably imo.

{Ed025's Note - I’m in JB..

21 Jan 2025 19:08:02
I agree we won't go down with this squad and that was what has been driving me mad at that previous potato. However the extra points and confidence of getting 2 more in would be priceless. And it'd be great to be safe with a month or so still to go and it'd be amazing to see if we can get close to top 10 (I know I know) . DM has a longer contract than most wanted but he's hear and he's been trusted to be the first manager of the new era so he should be given funds and faith to start his rebuild. A very busy summer ahead due to all the contracts ending and a perfect chance to set the direction and profile of player, young and full of commitment and future profits. I guess that's why the rumours are full of 21 year old who seem rapid and with ok numbers.

21 Jan 2025 21:22:49
We need attacking support. Pace on the wings and with two of our strikers possibly leaving this window for sure we need one or two up top.

Even if we don’t let DCL or Beto go. We need more still. We were better last game but it was spurs who are genuinely useless at the back.

We have the personnel to keep clean sheets as proven. We don’t have anywhere close to it up top.

21 Jan 2025 12:59:06
Villa have signed a new right back. Matty Cash to sort out our right back problems anybody?

21 Jan 2025 16:34:53
I like him, but RB isn't priority for me currently though does need addressing, unfortunately unlike his name we don't have plenty of cash. 🤷.

21 Jan 2025 17:56:44
Bit of competition for Myko, would do him good.

21 Jan 2025 19:26:01
Cash is a RB GB. Not a LB.

21 Jan 2025 23:13:50
Anyone see the benfica left back tonight?! Maybe someone could show mykalenko highlights of the game, something for him to aspire to?!

21 Jan 2025 12:59:04
Out of all the names mentioned on here I reckon Ben Chilwell would be an excellent addition to our Team, bit of competition for Myko.

21 Jan 2025 13:50:14
How much is he on and how fit is he

Far rather have Dewsbury Hall.

21 Jan 2025 14:12:15
Totally disagree GB. Exactly kind of signing we don't want imo, injury prone, total loss of form and on £200k PW.

Hardly the new broom method pal.

21 Jan 2025 14:44:58
Sure he’s on about 250k a week and always injured no thanks.

21 Jan 2025 15:58:04
it would take a month or so to even get him fit, he's not played Premier league or competitive football for 6+ months bar 1 sub appearance in the carabao cup.

21 Jan 2025 16:04:45
There was talk we could take them both with Broja injured and Harrison back to Leeds.

21 Jan 2025 16:23:45
GB mate,

You need stop believing these poor clickbait reports pal, NewsNow no doubt? . We can't take 2 players on loan from same club at the same time. 🤦.

21 Jan 2025 18:23:19
Good player when he was fit. I’d be tempted to look at younger options. Mitchell at Palace?

21 Jan 2025 23:15:27
Mitchell is a top player but i think there are bigger clubs in for him so not a chance.

21 Jan 2025 11:31:55
That's some of the biggest load of cobblers below re Doucoure I think I've ever read on here, it's because of players like him that we are in this mess, he's not the only one, we have several average to below average players in our Team, we want to have a gripe and moan about that than that's what this site is for, and long may it continue, it's not slagging or hating as some say it's pointing our point of view forward, let the debates continue but keep it chilled goodness me.

21 Jan 2025 12:52:31
Spot on GB.

I held my hands up and apologised to Ed, as I did call BR an arrogant fool. Perhaps it was an over reaction but I would sooner be called a fool and consider it less of an insult than having my lifelong support for this club called into question and compared to a Malian/ Frenchman, who is sucking £500k a month out of this club to "play" for us.

21 Jan 2025 13:09:37
Never a truer word spoken mate, free speech and all that eh.

21 Jan 2025 13:14:59
Keep on supporting lads.

21 Jan 2025 14:47:23
Like him or not Doucoure is a moyes player and will most likely start every game now, moyes always had an attacking midfielder who’s strong and good in the air.

Cahill to Fellaini and then souckek at West Ham, if he’s out of contract hopefully he moves on but he’s ok for now we have bigger issues such as full backs and wingers.

21 Jan 2025 14:54:20
I'll be continuing to share my opinions on whether or not a player is of the quality to play for our great club. This is not a personal or hate filled attack - just an observation. We don't have to agree on everything - we also don't have to call eachother names. Hoping for news of our first signing very soon.

{Ed025's Note - thats fine by me JB..

21 Jan 2025 16:05:45
Ditto that JB mate.