Realistic Summer Targets

[Shearergol]

I can't see Everton sustaining their seasonal form next season, even if they did spend money which btw they have been doing of late, spending more than we have in fact.

 

Done ok for the last couple of seasons haven't they, and can't see them losing many of their players.

[STM]

Na Everton are the most inconsistant club.

 

Don't they yo yo from every year, from a good season to an average one? It will be hard to improve on what they have, without spending massive money (which they dont have), it means taking risks.

 

They won't finish 5th, neither will Pompey.

[Guest Knightrider]

I can see ourselves, Spurs and Man City all having rather better seasons next campaign, which will, along with the continued competition from West Ham, Villa, Blackburn and Portsmouth, make it even harder for Everton to sustain their current seasonal form.

 

Of all the clubs I think ourselves, Villa, Man City and Spurs are the ones to watch. For a club like Everton to kick on further, they really need to qualify for the CL, which they won't. Otherwise they won't be able to compete financially in terms of wages for the better players while struggling to keep their own better players should rivals start sniffing. As history has shown.

 

I also think there isn't much more Moyes can do. They need a stronger squad but one of the reasons for their success is because of the opposite, he has knitted together a small tight squad that is manageable and plays for each other, start messing with that and you run the risk of unbalancing it all. Furthermore how long can he keep extracting high quality consistent performances from his players? They already look fatigued and mentally drained. Add in another Euro campaign next season and higher expectations and I can see it turning sour for them to be honest.

 

For us, providing all goes well in the transfer market, I see no reason why the top 6 shouldn't be our aim and realistically, we'd stand a good chance of achieving that as I'm more than certain KK will bring in high quality players and with the feel good factor only increasing, I can see SJP becoming a fortress again and due to KK's attacking nature, we'll score goals against the lesser teams, which should all amount to a much more healthier season for us, the kind of things that gets you into the top 6 hopefully.

 

 

[STM]

I can see ourselves, Spurs and Man City all having rather better seasons next campaign, which will, along with the continued competition from West Ham, Villa, Blackburn and Portsmouth, make it even harder for Everton to sustain their current seasonal form.

 

Of all the clubs I think ourselves, Villa, Man City and Spurs are the ones to watch. For a club like Everton to kick on further, they really need to qualify for the CL, which they won't. Otherwise they won't be able to compete financially in terms of wages for the better players while struggling to keep their own better players should rivals start sniffing. As history has shown.

 

I also think there isn't much more Moyes can do. They need a stronger squad but one of the reasons for their success is because of the opposite, he has knitted together a small tight squad that is manageable and plays for each other, start messing with that and you run the risk of unbalancing it all. Furthermore how long can he keep extracting high quality consistent performances from his players? They already look fatigued and mentally drained. Add in another Euro campaign next season and higher expectations and I can see it turning sour for them to be honest.

 

For us, providing all goes well in the transfer market, I see no reason why the top 6 shouldn't be our aim and realistically, we'd stand a good chance of achieving that as I'm more than certain KK will bring in high quality players and with the feel good factor only increasing, I can see SJP becoming a fortress again and due to KK's attacking nature, we'll score goals against the lesser teams, which should all amount to a much more healthier season for us, the kind of things that gets you into the top 6 hopefully.

 

 

 

Agree with all of this.

 

Our biggest asset is at home. Even under Bobby we were notoriously bad away from home (better than we are atm though). We just used to win the majority of our home games, i twas this that propelled us into the right end of the table.

 

We should almost be treating our away games as bonuses and concentrating on beating everyone at SJP.

[Guest Knightrider]

What excites me is that we will go away from home to score goals and to win games and while this may lead to a few losses, we'll also win a few. I'd rather have 4 defeats and 4 wins on the road with zero draws than 4 defeats and 4 draws with zero wins. And that's how we'll approach playing away from home. At home, we'll look to win them all, against the good the bad and the ugly. I can see SJP becoming a fortress again, especially if KK can get the kind of players he wants to set the place alight.

[Disco]

Edit.. worth mentioning that..

Yakubu > anything we have up front

Arteta/Cahill > better than our midfield

Lescott > anything we have at the CB position

Howard > our two GKs atm

 

Can add Yobo & possibly Baines & Pienaar to that list n all.

[Mowen]

What excites me is that we will go away from home to score goals and to win games and while this may lead to a few losses, we'll also win a few. I'd rather have 4 defeats and 4 wins on the road with zero draws than 4 defeats and 4 draws with zero wins. And that's how we'll approach playing away from home. At home, we'll look to win them all, against the good the bad and the ugly. I can see SJP becoming a fortress again, especially if KK can get the kind of players he wants to set the place alight.

 

I think most people would rather have 12 points than 4 tbh.

[STM]

What excites me is that we will go away from home to score goals and to win games and while this may lead to a few losses, we'll also win a few. I'd rather have 4 defeats and 4 wins on the road with zero draws than 4 defeats and 4 draws with zero wins. And that's how we'll approach playing away from home. At home, we'll look to win them all, against the good the bad and the ugly. I can see SJP becoming a fortress again, especially if KK can get the kind of players he wants to set the place alight.

 

I think most people would rather have 12 points than 4 tbh.

 

He's really pointing out the difference in attitude between the better sides from the relegation sides. For example, all the sides down in the mix atm would quite happily put a bus in front of their goal and play for the draw. No chance of KK doing this as he more ambitious away from home.

 

Hopefully with some excellent home form we will see our selves up the right end of the table.

[Shearergol]

What excites me is that we will go away from home to score goals and to win games and while this may lead to a few losses, we'll also win a few. I'd rather have 4 defeats and 4 wins on the road with zero draws than 4 defeats and 4 draws with zero wins. And that's how we'll approach playing away from home. At home, we'll look to win them all, against the good the bad and the ugly. I can see SJP becoming a fortress again, especially if KK can get the kind of players he wants to set the place alight.

 

I think most people would rather have 12 points than 4 tbh.

 

 

HTT always feels the need to state the obvious tbh

[Swissmag]

What excites me is that we will go away from home to score goals and to win games and while this may lead to a few losses, we'll also win a few. I'd rather have 4 defeats and 4 wins on the road with zero draws than 4 defeats and 4 draws with zero wins. And that's how we'll approach playing away from home. At home, we'll look to win them all, against the good the bad and the ugly. I can see SJP becoming a fortress again, especially if KK can get the kind of players he wants to set the place alight.

 

I think most people would rather have 12 points than 4 tbh.

 

:-)

[SUPERTOON]

Dont know if already posted

 

 

Anderlecht midfielder Mbark Boussoufa has admitted that Newcastle United interest has pleased him.

 

The 23-year-old attack-minded player, who was at Chelsea youth club from 2001-04, has earned rave reviews for his performances for the Belgian club and for his country Morocco.

 

“I’m flattered by Newcastle’s interest. I spent two years with Chelsea, so I know what English football is all about,” he was quoted as saying in The Daily Star.

 

“I was on the point of breaking into the Chelsea first team before Roman Abramovich arrived. He signed seven star players and the youngsters did not get their chance.

 

“I would not say no to a good offer from England. If Newcastle want me they must first speak to my club and then I’ll gladly listen to what they have to say.”

 

 

[STM]

Dont know if already posted

 

 

Anderlecht midfielder Mbark Boussoufa has admitted that Newcastle United interest has pleased him.

 

The 23-year-old attack-minded player, who was at Chelsea youth club from 2001-04, has earned rave reviews for his performances for the Belgian club and for his country Morocco.

 

Im flattered by Newcastles interest. I spent two years with Chelsea, so I know what English football is all about, he was quoted as saying in The Daily Star.

 

I was on the point of breaking into the Chelsea first team before Roman Abramovich arrived. He signed seven star players and the youngsters did not get their chance.

 

I would not say no to a good offer from England. If Newcastle want me they must first speak to my club and then Ill gladly listen to what they have to say.

 

 

 

Sounds like a transfer plea.

 

Won't pretend like i have any idea on whether he's any good or not. Sounds like one of the youngsters KK was on about more than anything.

[Disco]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=559625&in_page_id=1779

 

[Guest jcricthon]

Edit.. worth mentioning that..

Yakubu > anything we have up front

Arteta/Cahill > better than our midfield

Lescott > anything we have at the CB position

Howard > our two GKs atm

 

Can add Yobo & possibly Baines & Pienaar to that list n all.

 

I'd rather have Owen and Martins than Yak. Yakuba as replacement for The Duke hoewever......

We want to be looking for better than Yobo

Baines hasn't showed much there, granted he has had a few injuries but I wouldn't take him over the ever improving Enrique

[Martin Lol]

I can see ourselves, Spurs and Man City all having rather better seasons next campaign, which will, along with the continued competition from West Ham, Villa, Blackburn and Portsmouth, make it even harder for Everton to sustain their current seasonal form.

 

Of all the clubs I think ourselves, Villa, Man City and Spurs are the ones to watch. For a club like Everton to kick on further, they really need to qualify for the CL, which they won't. Otherwise they won't be able to compete financially in terms of wages for the better players while struggling to keep their own better players should rivals start sniffing. As history has shown.

 

I also think there isn't much more Moyes can do. They need a stronger squad but one of the reasons for their success is because of the opposite, he has knitted together a small tight squad that is manageable and plays for each other, start messing with that and you run the risk of unbalancing it all. Furthermore how long can he keep extracting high quality consistent performances from his players? They already look fatigued and mentally drained. Add in another Euro campaign next season and higher expectations and I can see it turning sour for them to be honest.

 

For us, providing all goes well in the transfer market, I see no reason why the top 6 shouldn't be our aim and realistically, we'd stand a good chance of achieving that as I'm more than certain KK will bring in high quality players and with the feel good factor only increasing, I can see SJP becoming a fortress again and due to KK's attacking nature, we'll score goals against the lesser teams, which should all amount to a much more healthier season for us, the kind of things that gets you into the top 6 hopefully.

 

 

 

I agree that Spurs will do better than this season (which, Carling Cup apart, shouldn't be difficult) but one of the teams to watch along with Newcastle, City and Villa?  I don't think so.  Berbatov is 99% certain to be gone along with a couple of other high profile names and more upheaval will only delay progression.  It obviously depends on who comes in, how they settle and how quickly Ramos can get them all gelled into a decent looking team but right now I'd be guessing 8th-10th, no better than that.

[Taylor Swift]

I can see ourselves, Spurs and Man City all having rather better seasons next campaign, which will, along with the continued competition from West Ham, Villa, Blackburn and Portsmouth, make it even harder for Everton to sustain their current seasonal form.

 

Of all the clubs I think ourselves, Villa, Man City and Spurs are the ones to watch. For a club like Everton to kick on further, they really need to qualify for the CL, which they won't. Otherwise they won't be able to compete financially in terms of wages for the better players while struggling to keep their own better players should rivals start sniffing. As history has shown.

 

I also think there isn't much more Moyes can do. They need a stronger squad but one of the reasons for their success is because of the opposite, he has knitted together a small tight squad that is manageable and plays for each other, start messing with that and you run the risk of unbalancing it all. Furthermore how long can he keep extracting high quality consistent performances from his players? They already look fatigued and mentally drained. Add in another Euro campaign next season and higher expectations and I can see it turning sour for them to be honest.

 

For us, providing all goes well in the transfer market, I see no reason why the top 6 shouldn't be our aim and realistically, we'd stand a good chance of achieving that as I'm more than certain KK will bring in high quality players and with the feel good factor only increasing, I can see SJP becoming a fortress again and due to KK's attacking nature, we'll score goals against the lesser teams, which should all amount to a much more healthier season for us, the kind of things that gets you into the top 6 hopefully.

 

 

 

I agree that Spurs will do better than this season (which, Carling Cup apart, shouldn't be difficult) but one of the teams to watch along with Newcastle, City and Villa?  I don't think so.  Berbatov is 99% certain to be gone along with a couple of other high profile names and more upheaval will only delay progression.  It obviously depends on who comes in, how they settle and how quickly Ramos can get them all gelled into a decent looking team but right now I'd be guessing 8th-10th, no better than that.

 

Berbatov's going? To?

[Martin Lol]

I can see ourselves, Spurs and Man City all having rather better seasons next campaign, which will, along with the continued competition from West Ham, Villa, Blackburn and Portsmouth, make it even harder for Everton to sustain their current seasonal form.

 

Of all the clubs I think ourselves, Villa, Man City and Spurs are the ones to watch. For a club like Everton to kick on further, they really need to qualify for the CL, which they won't. Otherwise they won't be able to compete financially in terms of wages for the better players while struggling to keep their own better players should rivals start sniffing. As history has shown.

 

I also think there isn't much more Moyes can do. They need a stronger squad but one of the reasons for their success is because of the opposite, he has knitted together a small tight squad that is manageable and plays for each other, start messing with that and you run the risk of unbalancing it all. Furthermore how long can he keep extracting high quality consistent performances from his players? They already look fatigued and mentally drained. Add in another Euro campaign next season and higher expectations and I can see it turning sour for them to be honest.

 

For us, providing all goes well in the transfer market, I see no reason why the top 6 shouldn't be our aim and realistically, we'd stand a good chance of achieving that as I'm more than certain KK will bring in high quality players and with the feel good factor only increasing, I can see SJP becoming a fortress again and due to KK's attacking nature, we'll score goals against the lesser teams, which should all amount to a much more healthier season for us, the kind of things that gets you into the top 6 hopefully.

 

 

 

I agree that Spurs will do better than this season (which, Carling Cup apart, shouldn't be difficult) but one of the teams to watch along with Newcastle, City and Villa?  I don't think so.  Berbatov is 99% certain to be gone along with a couple of other high profile names and more upheaval will only delay progression.  It obviously depends on who comes in, how they settle and how quickly Ramos can get them all gelled into a decent looking team but right now I'd be guessing 8th-10th, no better than that.

 

Berbatov's going? To?

 

He's told Levy he wants out and while we can still keep him for another 3 years (1 more + a 2 year option) Levy has told him that we wouldn't stand in his way if the right offer came in.  That's why there's the noises about £40m, we won't get that, but Levy is obviously trying to set the bar high.

 

From the little I've heard, and it is only a little, Inter have mentioned numbers nearest to Levy's bar and Man Utd suggested a player with cash deal with Carrick going in the opposite direction.  Carrick would have been fine, just what we need tbh, but the cash suggested fell a long way short.  What will eventually happen God only knows but I would be amazed to see Berba at WHL next season (apart from playing for the opposition).  Other clubs have enquired but I don't know who.

[Shearergol]

Can't see Carrick going back to Spurs tbh.

[Martin Lol]

Can't see Carrick going back to Spurs tbh.

 

Nor can I tbh.  I know for a fact there was a lot of mutual respect how both sides handled themselves.  Carrick had his head turned by Yanited, said he wouldn't have been leaving for any other club. Levy never spoke about reporting Utd, said he understood and wouldn't stop him if the right offer came in, Carrick was patient and didn't throw a strop when it all went quiet and when the right offer came in the deal was completed inside 2 days. 

 

There is an option for Spurs to re-sign him should Carrick become available but, tbh, Carrick has proved himself at a higher level and he would be looking to stay at that level.  At the time we signed him Spurs were good for Carrick and Carrick was good for Spurs.  A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then.

[fredbob]

Interesting that Carrick seems to be 'available' on some sort of level.

 

Not as impossible as people are making out.

[Luc]

Interesting that Carrick seems to be 'available' on some sort of level.

 

Not as impossible as people are making out.

 

Never impossible but Fergy probably wants 25m anyway. Fuck them.

[fredbob]

Interesting that Carrick seems to be 'available' on some sort of level.

 

Not as impossible as people are making out.

 

Never impossible but Fergy probably wants 25m anyway. f*** them.

 

Bought for £18.6m whats the most you'd pay for him?

 

Not saying he's worth £19m but he hasnt done anything to make his price go down.

[Guest Knightrider]

Fergie wouldn't let Carrick go, no way.

[STM]

If we said to Man Utd "we will give you 15m for either Carrick or Hargreaves" i reckon they would take it like. Just think it would be tempting for fergy to out and sign someone more exciting with that money.

 

Mind you Man Utd have no reason to sell, hardly as if they are short of a few bob.

[Guest Knightrider]

I think like KK, Fergie will be looking to retain his big hitters for next season, adding just one or 2 to his squad, and Carrick for my money is an integral player for them, one he could ill afford to lose. If anything which I've already said before, of the Hargreaves is more likely to be made available.