Everton Banter Archive April 20 2015

 

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20 Apr 2015 19:00:23
So martinez is getting the lennon excuses in early as 'we face struggle to keep him' despite us having the option and he obviously wants to join. Bill probably didn't want to keep him and will sell mirallas and mccarthy and tell martinez to make do with mcgeady and maybe another loan if he's lucky, get ossie and barry as the centre mids but give besic game time to raise his price so we can sell him. Martinez is the puppet and kenwright is the one pulling the strings, least we can soon say 'wheres the mccarthy money bill?', typical.

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20 Apr 2015 20:30:07
Reckon its more down to if RM goes on about how much EFC want him, then there is much more of a chance Levy will pump up the price.

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20 Apr 2015 21:03:57
The price is already agreed at 6m though mate, its in the contract. Reckon its bill making way with the money again.

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20 Apr 2015 23:14:14
I don't believe a word that comes out of RM's mouth, every time it opens it seems to spout drivel. This deal will only not take place if either RM decides he doesn't want him (can't really see that considering how he has helped galvanise the team since he arrived) or Levy decides to play games (wouldn't be the first time with him). Swan, bit silly to suggest BK will withhold 6m so we can't buy him. Do you not think we will have any cash to spend in the summer?

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21 Apr 2015 01:02:25
No, unless we sell

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21 Apr 2015 02:55:27
I think you are being slightly pessimistic there Swan, what do you base that on? The board backed RM last season as well as the season before. We will lose a bit of cash from finishing so low in the league but we've had a decent run in the euro and attendances have been good in the prem. I don't think it is as bad as you say mate

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22 Apr 2015 14:29:07
I've not heard anyone confirm there is a £6 mil trigger. It's just paper talk as usual and as we all know 99.9% is a load of rubbish.

If there is then of course we can afford it.

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20 Apr 2015 16:56:32
I'm a bit confused over how I feel about Kevin Mirallas.

I don't like him as a winger. He doesn't cross a lot and doesn't do much tracking back. Crossing is always a secondary thought and a shot is always what he is looking for. It must be really frustrating for the front man.

So, is he a striker. As this is the first time he has got over the 10 goal mark I would suggest no. He also, only seems comfortable when running from deep and that lack of discipline in his positioning means he wouldn't be in them areas strikers usually poach most of their goals.

For me he is playing the Neymar role at Barca. The difference though is that Neymar is more concerned with team rather than himself individually. Don't get me wrong though I like a player that is selfish sometimes and again I think it puts him more in the striker role.

I think if we got someone with more of a winger mindset that will look to get the ball into dangerous areas, Lukaku would score a lot more goals.

To give you a stat, from the left Baines has 8 assists this season with Mirallas on 1 in the league. That puts him below Osman, Pienaar, Coleman and Barry and on par with Mcgeady, Kone, Eto and Atsu.

I like him though because he's exciting to watch but for Lukaku's sake I think we need a more traditional winger.

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{Ed025's Note - im not confused at all john...he is a very talented footballer who is a 22 carat arsehole of a person..

20 Apr 2015 17:33:26
Didnt he have like the 3rd most assists in the league last season before his injury?. Also I don't get the neymar point as he's probably the most selfish player I've ever seen (hes also a 22 caret arsehole) but I agree to an extent, he'd have more goals each season if he avoided injury.

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20 Apr 2015 18:05:08
Forgetting positions, Mirallas has pace, control and a decent shot. Through his career he has averaged a decent tally. I think he was top scorer in the Greek League the season before we signed him? Therefore he is a great player to have within the quad. It s no good having the same format of tactics week in week out because other teams can set up to defend against you if you do. As has happened a bit this season. We need to have some variety. Mirallas is probably our 2nd highest scorer within the squad based on seasons averages. Only Naismith and the fullbacks come close. To lose our 2nd highest scorer would be a blow. I agree that his assists have been poor this season, but remember he was out for long periods and even when fit, RM seems to pick everyone ahead of him then brings him on with 8 minutes to go when we are 2 nil down. All in all, I think we would be foolish to let him go anywhere. Yes his attitude stinks but surely that should be controlled by the manager? This poor attitude has only developed this season.

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21 Apr 2015 18:07:17
It's just a thought about him really but for me the wide areas have been poor this season. Baines and Coleman have had poor spells with Coleman looking like his mind is wandering away from us.

McGeady and Atsu aren't good enough and Pienaar has been sorely missed in what might be his last season with us.

Lennon has come in and done a decent job but I feel a bit for Lukaku in terms of the supply of ammunition.

As for Mirallas attitude, well it's not the first time he's wanted to leave and come out in public about leaving. A few years ago he wanted to leave to get in the CL. Last season and the season before it was opportunities in Spain. So it's no different to what's gone on before.

We will have this with Lukaku all next season IF he stays and we had it all with Fellani as well. Maybe we give the Belgians a miss in future.

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20 Apr 2015 15:38:39
The whole penalty situation is ridiculous, personally, I blame baines, not barkley. The penalty was poor and arrogant and it looked pre-arranged, I don't think baines wants to take them anymore which is silly, he's the best penalty taker in the league in terms of technique, he took a poor one vs man u and missed, so what?. he's 30, experienced and a senior player, he should have the balls to step up and just take it, for me lukaku should be our penalty taker and then baines, rom wasnt on the pitch so baines should be steppung up. You missed one penalty, it doesn't matter, you shouldn't of gave it to barkley, which is stupid anyway, if baines didn't want to take it (he should of anyway) then barry should of, he was a good taker for villa, if that was the merseyside derby, I don't think barkley would of stepped up and shouldn't be allowed near the ball, if lukaku isn't playing, will baines bottle it and pass it to someone else? NO! you're one of our most experienced players and our best penalty taker, you should just take it, its muscle memory, I don't care if you're scared, you should be taking it!. Thankfully it didn't cost us but its unbelievable, he's gave it to mirallas and barkley, both of whom have missed, you should be stepping up regardless of a missed penalty.

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{Ed025's Note - i agree swan..except for the lukaku bit..i dont want him taking them hes awful at it imo mate..

20 Apr 2015 16:53:08
As per my post earlier;
It's often stated that Baines's defensive capabilities are not the best yet his set piece's and penalties, coupled with his assists make him the player he is recognised for, take away the latter and he is not a better left back option than Garbutt!
so if Baines no longer has the confidence then maybe we should play more confident players?

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{Ed025's Note - fair point wakka..

20 Apr 2015 16:57:52
Time for Baines to move on IMO. I would drop him now, make Garbutt #1 and hope that's enough to make him sign. If we get £6m for Baines in the summer and Garbutt extends his contract I'd say its good business all round.

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20 Apr 2015 17:43:25
Meh, he's scored them for us and west brom, in fact, has he missed one bar the cup final europe thing against bayern?. I've been saying that for ages pod, he's finished and his lack of pace now is starting to cost us, he can't attack or defend, garbutt and oviedo are a lot younger, hungrier and faster than baines. They are both better crossers and we will lose garbutt to a rival and he will go on to be one of the best in the league in 2 years and in that time what didvwe lose him for? A 32 year old leighton baines who is costing us week in week out.

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20 Apr 2015 17:46:29
I suspect that many posters believe that whether Garbutt signs a new contract or Baines is moved on or whatever happens regarding transfers, it'll just be a case of rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic as long as RM is the manager.
Besides, goals from corners or set-pieces don't really count in RM's footballing style, so why have players like Baines (who used to good at these) in the side? I wonder if Baines - and others - are allowed to practise their delivery.
Then there's the situation where RM seems to believe it's better to have centre-backs learn how to pass to each other and back to the goalkeeper (being phenomenal and perfect - ha ha!) - then drop players who just want to defend and don't aspire to be another Beckenbauer or suchlike! Developing youngsters is one thing, exploiting the strengths of established players is another, but trying to make experienced professionals do something they're not capable of - or comfortable with - is just plain daft surely?
At least we've been winning recently and got the necessary points - so credit where credit's due on that front to RM and the players - but things clearly aren't right behind the scenes. This summer will be RM's fifth transfer window at Everton - ample time imho for him to have brought in the players he wants and move out those he doesn't. Even allowing to us having a budget lower than at least half a dozen other Premier League clubs, he's had enough time to get a settled squad with players who buy in to his approach and do it on the pitch.
First you lose the players, then you lose the crowd, then the manager loses the media, and then the board lose their nerve (or wake up and smell the coffee according to your point-of-view!), and then the taxi is called.

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20 Apr 2015 17:47:49
Every penalty lukaku has took for us has had my heart in my mouth.every one is so close to being saved.

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20 Apr 2015 22:28:54
Tbf dentie my hearts in my mouth whenever we have a penalty!

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20 Apr 2015 23:07:50
I think this has more to do with the manager than any player. baines has missed two pens in his career, does anyone really believe that his confidence is shot and doesn't fancy taking them any more? Can't believe that for a second. The only thing you can level at him is that he isn't the confrontational type, would you prefer to see him fighting with a team mate to get the ball? He is too professional for that. I understand that fans are fickle but come on people! Yes, he hasn't had the best of seasons but, as I've said here before in previous posts, how many of the squad have had a good season? You can count them on one hand. To want to get rid of him is a bit premature, he deserves another season for the service he has given as well as the way he has played during his time with us. If one bad season means we want players to move on then let's sell the entire first team squad as they have been poor this year

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21 Apr 2015 01:03:37
So 3 poor leghton baines seasons and he deserves another one? What would you do with garbutt then?.

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21 Apr 2015 02:32:53
I don't believe he has had 3 poor seasons. This year I agree with you but, I will say it again, not many of the squad come out with any credit this season at all. Garbutt should be given a chance, no doubt, but what if that doesn't work out? With your way, getting shut of Baines, then we cut our nose off to spite our face. They could both play a part during the season. It's all speculation this though, there is no guarantee that Garbutt is going to sign another deal.

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21 Apr 2015 18:16:55
Baines is still one of the most dangerous left backs in Europe. 8 Assists in the league this season alone.

Overall Garbutt is a long way off and we don't know if he can do this consistently yet. So why get rid of tried and trusted and gamble when we are in a precarious position.

As for penalties who cares who takes them. If Barkley scores he's a hero and there is no debate. For me I cared more about the performance in 90 minutes and he was great as too was Baines.

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22 Apr 2015 00:13:01
Top point BlueJohnUns

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20 Apr 2015 11:30:34
Nice to see we still giving top support I bought a ticket for my first game of the season on Saturday (I've been ill :)) and it was the last seat available in the top balcony 3 weeks before the game I know were are all a bit annoyed by how the season has gone but well done to all those who turn up every week wish I was able to.

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20 Apr 2015 17:53:05
The only things that have been "phenomenal" this season have been the near-capacity home attendances and our fantastic away support. I hope the club doesn't misread these superb displays of loyalty as being a sign that everyone's satisfied with results and performances this season.
Anyone got an explanation?

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20 Apr 2015 09:36:22
Anyone know what the Mirallas celebration was all about!

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20 Apr 2015 10:10:54
he said it about the press talking to much about him and he wants to stay at everton

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20 Apr 2015 10:42:11
Cheers Bretto, wasn't sure who it was aimed at but glad it wasn't the fans!

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19 Apr 2015 23:43:33
Ed, why do we always wait so long before we release our jersies.I remember years ago we finished a season wearing the following seasons jersey, so why do we leave it so late now

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{Ed025's Note - i wish i knew ray..

20 Apr 2015 09:37:19
Seems stupid to me it just delays sales!

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20 Apr 2015 11:40:24
One word. KITBAG!?!

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20 Apr 2015 15:48:41
Nothing to do with Kitbag I'm afraid.

There are a couple of factors. Firstly, designs have to be finalised and agreed by all concerned.

Then, kit makers have to make kits for more than one club not just us plus their own products.

They won't release a kit whilst the season is currently ongoing unless there is something special happening like a move to another maker.

More people will buy kits in the summer due to them being t-shirts and something to wear on their holidays.

People will hold off on buying them now due to players coming and going and the club likes to make a couple of signings as they make more money on the name and numbers than what they do on shirt sales.

If there is a world/Euro or any other cup competition on the go in the summer that will also get priority.

11 years in the sportwear industry helps you find out all manner of useless information.

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{Ed025's Note - good info john..cheers..

20 Apr 2015 20:52:36
The OP is referring I think to the reason why a club like Liverpool will release their kit in May yet we will have to wait until mid July as in seasons past. I've been working with kit makers for many years too and understand the factors that you've stated Blue' but this is about consistency or the lack of it. When we were with Nike we were later releasing our shirt than other clubs using that kit maker. The difference is that we are allowing Kitbag to control our shirt distribution and this is where I firmly lay the blame.

I was recently speaking to a player who was asked to sign thousands of unsold shirts to send overseas to give away for free. He couldn't understand the sheer enormity of the waist. You can't help but think that many of what was wasted could have been sold if we had release the new kit 2 months earlier like other clubs.

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20 Apr 2015 21:36:48
That's exactly what I meant.our home kit will be released in July.2nd jersey in August and third jersey a month later.seems ridiculous.whereas other clubs release theirs mid may and capitalise on sales throughout the summer.i know we don't get money through sales, due to the deal we have with kitbag.when does the deal with kitbag end though

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20 Apr 2015 22:25:01
I think it's 2019, but I could be wrong. And that's taking it that we won't renew. Which can't be discounted as an option. Although it's unlikely we will as we are much stronger financially then we were when we started the deal with kitbag

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21 Apr 2015 18:44:23
Unfortunately, the later you are with signing an agreement with a company the further down the pecking you are as well.

Nike are horrendous with Kits. The company I worked for received kits for the world cup in 2006 3 days before it started whereas Adidas and the others were up to month before.

As for Umbro we have a really good relationship and we were the two big teams in the 90's along with England. Now it's just us we get a bit more priority.

And it seems they read our Banter page as they have announced it will be released in May!

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