Fans Comment
Dutch Schaeffer

Wholesale Changes Needed?
10/4/06

We have to accept that Everton will never be able to compete for the Premiership. Unfortunately that is a fact unless a foreign billionaire purchases the club. It's also highly unlikely that a team outside the Big 4 will win a cup. For example the last side outside the 'Big 4' to win the FA Cup was Everton 11 years ago. So we have to accept that a realistic target is for Everton to regularly finish inside the Top 6 and qualify for Europe. A Cup run would be a bonus.

How far away are Everton from that regular Top 6 finish? I would suggest a couple of players away. So where does the team need strengthening?

Goalkeeper
The biggest problem in the Everton side. Martyn is too old; Turner and Ruddy too young; and Dickie Wright is bloody useless. So, yeah, Moyes needs to bring in a goalkeeper.

Right Defence
Tony Hibbert is good enough for us (and possibly England), he's a young player who is always consistent and rarely injured. There is a lack of natural cover in an event of a Hibbert injury but Yobo can cover. Moyes may want to source an averagely priced back-up right back.

Left Defence
Nuno Valente has settled well and should hold down the position for a couple of years. Naysmith and Pistone as cover. No new players required.

Center Defence
I think this all depends on Yobo. If he signs an extension and snubs Arsenal then there's no real need to bring in anyone new. Yobo is a great player, Stubbs and Weir have one last season in them. Ferrari doesn't seem to have proved himself, too injury-prone so Moyes will probably send him back to Italy. A young defender for the future is probably all that's needed. Don't forget Phil Neville can also cover any position in defence.

Right Midfield
Arteta and Osman both look comfortable in this position. Both players are young and I don't really see the point of bringing in anyone new.

Left Midfield
Andy van der Meyde will be like a new player if we can ever get him fit. Kevin Kilbane is good cover. If Moyes has faith in Van der Meyde getting fit then no new players needed.

Center Midfield
Neville is a good player with at least 4 years left in him. Carsley is decent and has another season. Cahill is good enough to be linked with Man Utd and I think we have more to see from Simon Davies. No new players needed.

Strikers
Beattie is Everton's main striker and will be for the foreseeable future. McFadden is finally getting to grips with the Premiership. Big Dunc will sadly retire but there are promising youngsters coming through. Moyes probably does need to strengthen with a striker.

Team 06-07

1. New goalkeeper
2. Tony Hibbert
3. Nuno Valente
4. Alan Stubbs
5. Joey Yobo
6. Phil Neville
7. Mikael Arteta
8. Tim Cahill
9. James Beattie
10. New Striker
11. Andy van der Meyde