12 May 2015 21:48:47
Let's face if the season has been over since we got forty points. The talk of a highest possible finish is more about Martinez putting a positive spin on the season with being top ten and blaming the rest on Europa League. This doesn't wash with me. We had the usual early League Cup exit and had plenty of free FA Cup weekends along the way.
Any manager with Everton at heart would have been blooding a few youngsters these past few weeks to see what they are made of as well as keeping the likes of Besic and Garbutt engaged. There's nothing to be gained by playing Barry every game. Baines hasn't been right since we have had no proper left midfield and Hodgson left him exposed defensively at the World Cup.
Looking to the close season this should be absolutely key to our prospects for next season. This is both in terms of us being fit and prepared with high standard pre season games as much as the signings.
Personally I can't see old Bill entrusting Martinez with a mega budget this time around and can only see three signings at best.
If this is the case and assuming Mirallas stays where do we strengthen?
I cannot therefore see us spending on another keeper.
I am concerned if either Stones or Jags are injured what cover we have as Browning has not had a sniff since early on, nor has Galloway. So for me another more experienced centre back is vital.
In midfield we may get a let off with Cleverley. For me the midfield goals tally is dire. I hope Oviedo, who has been so unlucky comes back fully fit and gets a run, as I genuinely think he could be the answer left midfield. Lennon. I would tell Levy to stick it at any more than �6m but would take Deulofeu in a shot in preference.
Up front we are so exposed without Lukaku. Kone is clearly not the answer. We badly need more fire power but who and at what cost?
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13 May 2015 05:41:14
If we have limited funds I wouldn't be using £10 million on Lennon but would be looking at bringing in Charlie Austin, but not as a reserve for Lukaku but as a support. don't get me wrong Lennon has done well since he came but from a business sense we should pay no more than £6 million.
13 May 2015 09:27:57
Right midfield for me is the priority IF Mirallas stays. We need a top quality right winger that's going to provide ammunition for the forwards and chip in with goals. Lennon is a no go for me. He already looks like he is tapering off and on Saturday it was the more usual Lennon you get. Unless we counter attack he becomes useless.
Mirallas gets the goals but doesn't give any service to the front players but we are stuck with him.
Barkley might benefit if he was deployed as a striker next year and more importantly Lukaku might as well. It would give us more flexibility up front and when needed during a match we could bring him back to the midfield making it easier during a game to change things.
The other thing to do is to move Mirallas up front with Lukaku. He is a terrible winger although he was better last year than this. If we do this we would then need 2 wingers for both left and right.
Whatever we do we need to play two strikers if we are keeping Lukaku as he is useless upfront by himself. I don't get it. He is big and strong but has the aggression of butterfly instead of a bull. The two chances he had at the weekend when one on one he should have ploughed through the goalkeeper to get the ball in the back of the net, instead he pulled(I would use another word) out. But strikers are more expensive than wingers so if we can move either of these two I would work on it during pre-season.
Aside from that we could do with a centre back but I'm not sure we would get an experienced one coming to us to play second fiddle to Jags and Stones so youth maybe the answer.
13 May 2015 13:03:30
Barkley as a striker haha, that's the funniest thing I've heard this week. Also lennon has one bad game and we shouldn't get him? Wow
13 May 2015 14:04:08
Lennon another mcgeady in my view.
Can't get in2 spurs team so how all of a sudden is he deemed good enough to play for Everton
13 May 2015 14:18:19
You obviously don't get out much then Swan or should it be, let out much.
Either way, it's only an opinion and something a little outside of the box.
As for Lennon, remember he's played a lot of games this season not just for us and many in the past, so it's not been one bad game. But if i've got 3 games to go to impress a potential employer I would be pulling up trees. Coleman seemed to get plenty of joy down the right against Sunderland so why couldn't he? Does he need plenty of open space to run into to have a good game?
I am biased though Swan when it comes to Lennon. I don't rate him. I think he is another McGeady when the ink dries on that contract. But hey, heaven forbid I have a difference of opinion to you.
14 May 2015 09:59:31
are you spud? are you spud? are you spudv in disguise!? are you spudv in disguise!?
nah in all seriousness john, because I disagree then I don't get out much? what is it people have a go at me for? oh yeah, saying stuff similar, IRONY! HORRIBLE HORRIBLE IRONY!.
14 May 2015 11:26:40
You don't get out much because the funniest thing you've heard all week is Barkley as a striker. Try watching Mock the Week.
You are the one who instigated the "have a go", so I had a go back.
15 May 2015 09:04:18
mock the week? what on earth is that? oh I remember, that tv show that has a load of unfunny comedians saying random stuff about headlines? yes, tv gold. in all honesty though the week isn't over, sure something will make me chuckle.
15 May 2015 10:58:25
Just keep a look out for one of my posts Swan ;)