Everton Banter Archive April 12 2013

12 Apr 2013 18:08:43
Just a quick question people, out of the following youngsters which of them will make it and become good players and which of them will flop like Rodwell?. Ross Barkley, George Green, John Lundstram, Chris Long, Hallam Hope, Shane Duffy, Jake Bidwell, John Stones, Matthew Kennedy and Tyias Browning.
Just thought I'd get peoples opinions!.

COYB!

To be fair, Rodwell wasn't really a flop, just far too injury-prone. When he was fit, he was a super player to have contracted to the club.

Duffy will follow in Distin's footsteps, Barkley is still developing and Kennedy is one for the future, also I expect Stones to push for a first team place next season.

I think it's a bit harsh to label Rodwell a flop. His form was clearly affected by injuries and, I suspect, personal issues. He was deemed good enough to be transferred in by the reigning champions and that deal brought an eight figure fee into Everton's coffers, which enabled us to bring in Kevin Mirallas. He was also breaking into the England squad and may well become a regular England player in due course. It's just a pity it didn't work out as hoped at Everton. As for the other hopefuls, obviously only time will tell, but it's a massive step-up from U-18 and U-21 to the first team in the premier league. Talent is key, but physical and mental toughness are also vital. That's why IMHO a spell on loan playing regular competitive football for a lower-division team is almost always the best way to see if a young player is really going to make it eventually with us or not. {Ed025's Note - hard to argue with that jonesy....well written..

How old is Rodwell now? there is still plenty of time for him to develop. Look at Peter Reid and his younger days!
Degsypulford

12 Apr 2013 19:58:52
Okay it was a bit harsh to label him a flop but the fact that he went to city didn't really mean much in terms of his quality they had a horrid summer window, they signed Garcia who was only bought because they failed to get De Rossi, and Richard Wright. I do wish Rodwell all the best but he was hyped up to be special but even when he was fully fit IMHO he was a headless chicken, didn't know when to tackle and would jog around the pitch to make himself look busy but it didn't contribute to the team, the use of the word flop was a poor word to describe what I meant, Rodwell was like Gosling and Vaughen, hyped up to be the next big thing but in the end they just don't become anything like there supposed potential which is my fear with Barkley.

COYB!

Great point about Peter Reid.
I'm sure we were in for him a year or so before he joined us - I think we'd agreed a £600K fee, but that deal was scuppered by an injury. When we did eventually sign him at the end of 1982, we only paid £60K - a tenth of the earlier fee! I'm sure his injury record was behind the reduced fee - but what a bargain. He was a key driving force behind our mid-1980s success. Andy Gray, whose own injury record should have scuppered his transfer to us, was another player key to our transformation from mediocrity & failure to winners. Howard Kendall's transfer dealings when he first managed the club in 1981 weren't that great IMHO, but later on he brought in some superb players. DM, many though his qualities are, will have to go some to match HK. Don't forget how much pressure was on the board to sack HK when we were struggling during his first few years - they stuck with him and funded the acquisition of top-quality players - I just wish that today's board would do likewise for DM.

I think all of them except for maybe bidwell and browning (think they top out at championship level) have a shot at being good premier league players, if not then i'm sure they could do a job as a squad player.

in particular i'm excited for george green and john lundstram, I think they are both exceptional midfield players, capable of doing a lot of things.

i have confidence in john stones too, but I hope he stays at right back rather than moving to centreback.

you have forgotten conor mcaleny. he's been a player i've been excited about for a while now. think in a two striker system he can do a really good job. just hope he gets the opportunities.

12 Apr 2013 22:49:28
Not a fan of McAleny he should of ran through on goal against Arsenal instead of going for a spectacular volley, plus doesn't he have a poor goalscoring record for the reserves? And is always injured but you never know, he could slip under the radar and be good but I doubt it.

COYB!

Yeah but at the end of the day champs league has completely distorted the money now and if we do unearth some nuggets they just get bought off us

Fergie and venger and their euro mates stitched up the leagues to favour their clubs and its impossible for anyone without a billionaire to compete now and fergie has even stitched up that route now as well

Very unfair

So united win it 70 or 80 times in next hundred years

V boring

Cheers fergie

12 Apr 2013 16:03:30
I heard that discussions about a takeover collapsed when Everton's negotiating team donned south sea islander costume (grass skirts, floral garlands - the works) and belted out this song from the musical South Pacific: "Happy talk, keep talking happy talk; Talk about things you'd like to do; You got to have a dream, if you don't have a dream; How you going to have a dream come true?"
At that, the potential suitors got up and walked away saying that Everton's takeover is more like "From Here To Eternity" than "South Pacific" and that the Everton board should take their south sea ukuleles and "pluck" off.

Isn't it strange how some people press the "disagree" button for an original post like this one? What's to disagree with?

What the hell, I am going to disagree with all the posts. Just in that sort of mood.
Degsypulford

They most likely don't understand and, in turn, appreciate such an original and 'witty' post such as this.

Does the un-named poster's use of inverted commas around the word witty indicate sarcasm? If so, I'm deeply wounded (not!) by the lack of universal appreciation and admiration for my comedic & literary efforts. I don't know if I'll ever be able to create such masterpieces of English prose - like what I wrote - ever again ;-) {Ed025's Note - you keep it coming sid..some people are devoid of a sense of humour..

No Sid the un-named poster appreciated your efforts and I wasn't intending to come across as sarcastic. Good stuff and keep them coming, they provide something fresh and original.

12 Apr 2013 09:47:48
I see that, despite two attempts at submitting it, my post about the takeover being like a musical hasn't been shown. I don't think it was abusive - perhaps you didn't find it funny (everyone to their own taste I guess) or perhaps you don't like musicals :-) Considering the other posts that do appear on this website, I'm a little surprised that mine didn't pass muster. C'est la vie. {Ed025's Note - it was put on the dodgy page sid, as i was unsure it was you mate..

Thanks for the reply, Ed025. I'll resubmit and see if it gets through this time :-)

12 Apr 2013 17:32:20
Cant find it Sid, re post it mate because need a laugh fella

Degsy

12 Apr 2013 10:31:49
so. 9 points in 8 days anyone?

Leapfrogging Arsenal and Spurs (Spurs will still have 2 games in hand - against City and Chelsea though).

I think it's on you know!