Theregulars

Oh, absolutely. Was just saying I wish we'd have been interested - maybe we were but never got far as he knew Arsenal were keen. I reckon Arsenal pounced quickly, and rightly so, great addition to the squad.

Yes, good point. I wonder if we were ever interested.

One point I'd also make is that (while I don't yet know the structure of the deal and what amount is payable depending on things happening), Arsenal got one hell of a deal on Trossard by comparison (if all figures to be believed). I'd have definitely paid the same amount for Trossard.

I suspect we're not adding a midfielder because Shelvey is about to be fit and Howe rates him.

It's also worth remembering, aside from the other clubs interested, that he was given game time by Ancelotti and Rafa (regularly by the latter) as well as being wanted by Howe. That's some endorsement.

I'm not sure I agree - it wasn't going to happen until the piracy issue was sorted with Qatar and the PL agreed to let it through, and there was a significant stretch of time when the Saudis did not want to concede on the piracy issue (as I understand it). Again, I am not saying what he writes is always accurate, nor am I saying that he's a particularly good writer or journalist. I also don't love that he was cosy with Bruce (but you can understand why, with it literally being his job to write about the club, that it would have been smart strategy at the time). However, my point is that a lot of people on the forum dismiss and automatically mock everything he says, even where it's objectively accurate or not particularly negative or even provocative. For what it's worth, I mainly start believing stuff when it's reported by the Athletic - they don't seem to have the same sensationalist / clickbait drive as English papers. I do, however, think the likes of Edwards and Hope can be a useful barometer for direction of travel. I guess what I am trying to say is let's not all just be in an echo chamber, and try to think for ourselves based on the facts as they play out and become available. If we do that, I don't think Edwards is any less accurate or reliable than most others. And, to clarify, I despise the publication he writes for, so don't tend to read anything he writes in detail.

Right - so until that point, the takeover wasn't happening, so what Edwards was writing was accurate contemporaneously.

But that's only on the basis of what other people have said and written, right? Like it or not, he does have some contacts somewhere which give him information which has sometimes been accurate and sometimes hasn't; that's all I'm trying to say. He's no different to any modern sports journalist. I can see the issue of him winding up fans, but to be honest having spent a lot of time interacting with some of our fans here and in person, I can sort of understand how you'd end up winding them up. A significant portion of our fanbase is very binary in its outlook, very myopic and worryingly alarmist.

For a long time the takeover wasn't happening until an unexpected change of mind by the Premier League.

In your opinion, yes. In my opinion, no.

That isn't what he says though. He says he expects Gordon to be the only signing, but you never know because deadline day throws up surprises. The agenda here against Edwards is incredible. Are we all going to concede he was completely correct if we do sign him?

Brilliant.

To me smells of an appointment that has one eye on relegation. I don't think he's as basic as some make out, the job he did with Burnley on those funds was incredible. Their squad was filth for his entire tenure.

Would you want to engage with an organisation which did nothing to help while a bunch of people related to that organisation chased you down a street shouting and threatening you and recorded you going about your private life before releasing it online for general public viewing?

Or just do whatever you want to get the move which you think is right for you...

It doesn’t automatically mean that he’s a “bad character”. It may just mean he recognises that Everton are a fucking disaster zone that look currently destined for relegation and he wants to get away from it now, or that he sees this as a great career opportunity and is willing to act accordingly.

What a strange attitude. Surely it shows that he wants the move and is willing to force it through?

Probably a fairish result on balance - I think a draw would have been not unjust, but a 2-0 would have been just. Ridiculous disallowed goal for us, unlucky one for them. I’ve wondered for a few weeks whether the finishing being off is due to energy levels dropping and I’m now convinced that’s the case, we looked out of gas for 20 mins in the second half and our press wasn’t effective. Longstaff and Willock both need spells out of the side, and it’s now time to bring Isak and ASM into the starting fold. Botman had a poor game for me, as did Burn. Schär was our best player for me. Wilson looks haunted, not sure what’s happened.

Longstaff, man

They can’t allow this to stand

Absolute fluke

This is dismal.

Fuck me man

Poor finishing when required, same with his passing.

Willock needs a spell out of the side in my view