A Window of Opportunity Slams Shut

Can Moyes's trusted few guide the Blues to Europe or will the failure to strengthen the squad come back to bite them come May?

Lyndon Lloyd 01/02/2013 111comments  |  Jump to last

Disappointment. That is the overriding feeling that Evertonians were feeling as the clock ticked past last night's 11pm transfer deadline without the arrival of any of the reinforcements that David Moyes's first team needed.

The sole acquisition, that of England U19 prospect, John Stones, continues the manager's focus on the long- as well as the short-term prospects of his team and the departure of Magaye Gueye on loan may not be keenly felt given his lack of impact so far, but there is no question that the majority of supporters will be feeling hugely deflated at seeing the window pass without even one acquisition that would help the club kick on towards a fourth-place finish.

Social media channels and submissions by readers on ToffeeWeb reveal a fair degree of anger and invective from some quarters at a Board which continues its failure to either back Moyes's team-building efforts or realise new investment to the same end. That the biggest positive Blues can draw from the month just gone is that didn't sell any of our best players is fairly damning in itself for a club with Champions League aspirations but, by the same token, we should probably be thankful that the loss of Marouane Fellaini or Leighton Baines never felt likely.

Nevertheless, the prevailing sense is surely that this was a massive missed opportunity. If the draws against Swansea and Southampton showed anything it's that a reliance on a small core of players to carry this team through a gruelling 38 game League season plus untold number of cup games and still finish in the top four, reach Wembley — or both — is going to be a tall order.

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Physical and mental fatigue appeared to manifest themselves in two unimaginative displays that saw the Blues shut out in front of goal for the first time since the last transfer deadline and drew into sharp focus the need to add a couple of key signings to provide quality and diversity of options. Despite frustrating injuries robbing Moyes of Darron Gibson and Kevin Mirallas, Everton still sit in fifth place, a point adrift of a Tottenham Hotspur outfit with vastly superior resources — a magnificent platform from which to mount a challenge for the Champions League with the help of a major addition or two to the first team.

It may not prove to be Everton's last genuine shot at cracking the top four — can we count on Arsenal, Spurs and even Chelsea continuing to slip up despite the talent in their ranks? — but it feels that way, and it's that sense of desperate urgency that is driving much of the irritation and profound frustration being felt by many fans as the transfer window slammed shut last night.

That those afore-mentioned rivals didn't strengthen significantly this past month is a consolation but will be an immaterial one if two or more of them now get their act together and we aren't able to maintain the form that has got us to the impressive position we're currently in.

Though this column has displayed plenty of cynicism towards the current administration over the years, the assertion that the Club concocted the Leroy Fer situation as some elaborate ruse is faintly ridiculous. (The rather suspicious way in which a number of high-profile media outlets almost simultaneously announced the talks with Sevilla regarding Alvaro Negredo, suggesting a co-ordinated briefing, is, perhaps, a different story...) The ambition to add a top-quality midfielder was clearly there and, were it not for some prudence with regard to potential risks seen in the condition of his knee and intransigence on FC Twente's part, the Dutchman would be an Everton player right now.

Despite many people not being able to fathom how the Club could afford Fer, the mathematics of the £8.6m agreed with Joop Munsterman were very simple and manageable: just like the Fellaini transfer from Standard Liege, it involved a partial amount up front followed by staggered payments over the life of the contract. That the hierarchy felt they needed to mitigate the risk of future complications with the player's knee by making a larger proportion of the fee dependent on appearances should be commended, not condemned.

Without further insight, we as supporters can only wonder just how long Moyes's shortlist of potential striking and midfield candidates was after Yann M'Vila, Fer and Negredo had been crossed off and why the club wasn't able to secure so much as a loan acquisition in the final day of the window. That our financial realities dictate that we have to wait until the last minute before attempting to conduct our business, however, still sticks in the craw.

Nevertheless, though the temptation to be despondent is strong, the fact remains that the squad that has kept Everton among the pack chasing the European dream — that despite the manager being deprived of his best eleven for much of the campaign so far — has not been compromised. Granted, the danger posed by fatigue as we drag into the later weeks of the season will increase but at its strongest, its a very good team that is the match of any side on its day.

Essentially, intended or not, the failure to meaningfully add to the squad is a roll of the dice on the fitness of the likes of Gibson and Mirallas and a return to goalscoring form of Nikica Jelavic. Certainly, if the first two are available for the bulk of the remaining 14 games of the League season, the Croatian will stand his best chance of getting back among the goals because the Blues are a markedly better team with the Irish linchpin and the Belgian livewire in the side.

There are no guarantees, though, and with the team still having to visit Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge, White Hart Lane, the Emirates and, yes — seeing as we haven't won there 14 years — Anfield, it's going to be a big challenge for Everton to steal that prized fourth spot. The worst thing would be if were to look back on the month just gone and wonder what might have been if we'd just made a couple of key signings. The ship has sailed, though; time to forge ahead as one with what we have and hope that it's enough.

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Reader Comments (111)

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Christopher Timmins
1 Posted 01/02/2013 at 07:00:15
A lost opportunity, Moyes has used according to the interview after the West Brom game 22 players this season, the fewest number of all in the Premiership. No manager need one or two in for the final push than he did.
Terry Myers
2 Posted 01/02/2013 at 07:07:24
I just can't believe it! What an anti-climax.
Sam Hoare
3 Posted 01/02/2013 at 07:08:28
Horrible feeling that the last few days failure to bring in new bodies will see us end up in 7th when it could so possibly have been 4th, time will tell.
Jim Potter
4 Posted 01/02/2013 at 07:13:32
Dissappointing - yes. Unexpected - no.

We tried to get Fer and were unlucky. Credit to the club finding the 8.5 million. That was a big surprise in itself. The Sevilla player was never going to really happen in the time left and him playing a cup semi that night.

Good luck to the lad Stones - sounds a very good prospect.

We do have a lot of away games at the clubs above or around us - but I don't feel unduly worried. We can do anyone on our day.

COYB.

Gareth Fieldstead
5 Posted 01/02/2013 at 07:05:34
Superb article Lyndon. Huge anti climax, truly expected that he would have had someone lined up. As you pointed out, the next 17/18 games is dependent on Moyes being able to get as many of his first team playing on a regular basis, something he hasn't been able to do all season. Frankly I think 4th place will be a step too far, too many teams around us with more quality in there squads, ditto the FA cup. At the moment we have had decent ties but with the amount of quality left in it's a question of when we draw a top team. My worry is us not even maintaining a top 5 place. No Europe at all would be hard to accept. As for the Fer deal, I am one of those who did think it was all a bit dubious. Everybody was aware he had an injury, which player in his position hasn't? Too suggest it could create huge problems in the near future s just garbage, the lad has returned and is playing the best football in his career. If it does go pear shaped it is the fault of the boards. The consequences don't bare thinking about.
Tony Wright
6 Posted 01/02/2013 at 07:28:22
All above comments have truth to them, but at the end of the day we as EFC and supporters will accept the situation and move on.

I think we will have European football next season one way or another. I am banking on an FA Cup win but also a good enough showing to finish in 4th spot and then choose the Champions League. The board will make money available and it will be up to the Moyesiah to assemble the right players to get through the qualifying stages.

Fer & Negredo would certainly help but there are others out there and a stronger backup keeper is a must . Come on you blues.

Adam Baig
7 Posted 01/02/2013 at 07:54:17
Spot on, Lyndon. This goes to show that - as suspected - last year was the exception rather then the rule. I wonder if Moyes will now use the likes of Velios and Duffy a bit more, or continue to play Jagielka et al out of position.

If I were Victor Anichebe on the other hand, I would see this as a chance to realise the massive potential I have, and to give the Everton fans a reason to love me rather than be continually frustrated with me.

I wonder if this signals the end for Moyes, and dread next season if we do qualify for the Europa league, as I reckon his successor would be left with a squad without Fellaini and Baines being suitably replaced.

Adam Laffoley
8 Posted 01/02/2013 at 08:12:03
Is it a Fer? Is it a Negrado?.....No, it's a fucking Stone!!! What is going on?

Article is written down to a Tee. A wasted opportunity... However, one major factor also is the potential departure of Mr Moyes due to the lack of backing this window. Why couldn't we have started our transfer activity on January 1 instead of the 28? Farcical!

Chris James
9 Posted 01/02/2013 at 08:50:36
Well-balanced article Lyndon and I think you are pretty much spot on.
To be honest I do feel it's an experienced forward that's needed most to offer some competition/alternative for Jelavic because converting chances feels like the biggest problem we've had, but then again I do appreciate that there wasn't necessarily much quality available within our budget (judging by the other moves - if Mario Balotelli is worth £17M then the world truly has gone mad.)


It's a shame Donovan wasn't available this year, a month or two of Landon's enthusiasm, enterprise and skill (plus ability to play wide or up front) could have been a real filip.
That said, I would of course have welcomed Fer, another battler in the midfield who can play a bit would definitely help, I also remain mystified about Ofoe, if he as good enough for a year long loan in the summer why didn't we go back now for 6 months? Bloody FIFA really stictched us up there I think, another example of some poor 'officiating' that went against us. Then again, maybe that's all part of the story, triumphing over adversity and battling against the odds seems to be the Everton way these days.

The final point I would like to make before people put the boot into the board/Moyes too hard is that we have did have a very good summer - bringing in some players who've made a difference (Mirallas and Pienaar especially) and we have at least got one new face here who could add some youthful enthusiasm in a problem position. (With Coleman injured and Neville looking increasingly off the pace, the right back slot needed sorting).

Mike Elbey
11 Posted 01/02/2013 at 09:36:58
I have no real issues with the Fer deal, we were probably operating prudently and when money is tight you cant take a chance on a dodgy knee.

However I do have two issues - 1. why was our business left so late and 2. why where we wasting time on the final day tring to sign Negrado when they wanted about £5m more than we were willing to pay ?

The Negrado saga reeks of propaganda by Kenwright - he will no doubt feed us the standard line of 'we tried hard and just ran out of time', although these words will be uttered through his irritating puppet Elstone - we wont see the self proclaimed best Evertonian in the world anywhere near an interview given our shambolic transfer window.

Moyes has been badly let down by Kenwright in this window. Forget the signing of a promising 18 year old full back, we have effectively added nothing to boost our hopes of a top 4 finish and FA Cup success. Moyes asked fro a bit of ambition in this window and Kenwright and his fellow tossers on the board have shown what ambition they really had. Mind you, why would 2 Spurs supporters want to help our chances of a top 4 finish ? Synical ? Me ? YOU BET !

Trevor Lynes
12 Posted 01/02/2013 at 10:01:36
What I cannot understand and what I find unforgivable is the FACT that Fer was scouted and watched for months so why wasn't the deal/medical etc carried out at the beginning of the transfer window so that alternatives could be pursued earlier.
That is the question I want answering ?

Every player has injuries during his career and most carry on playing until they are 30 plus.
A lot of players end up arthritic and that is the result of injuries sustained throughout their career.
Lots of players including our own play with pain killing injections otherwise we would be far worse off than we are.

The fact is FER is playing regularly in Holland and every player that is costing money has some sort of injury during his career.
Many of our current squad are playing with minor injuries and that go's for every team.
If we are confining our searches to players who are not then we will get no one.

Any former player will tell you the same.

Mike, I agree with your comments apart from the first paragraph.

If DM leaves I do not blame him..He must be as frustrated as any supporter.
Our first eleven when all fit are a match for anyone and that is what makes this board so inept.
They have totally failed their manager and more importantly us fans !!

Everything left until too late and that is unforgivable in my book

Drew O'Neall
13 Posted 01/02/2013 at 10:22:04
Too late with the paper work for Ofoe last time, an issue with the medical for Fer.. Do we really want to sign these players or are these just ridiculous stunts to pull the wool over the eyes of the manager and fans?

I would find the idea ridiculous anywhere but here.

Brian Waring
14 Posted 01/02/2013 at 10:35:32
Fer passed the medical, but the doctor is paid to perform the medical for us and thought he should point out that the lad had had the operation on his knee, it was a minor operation, but the club then tried to use this to take the piss out of Twente and try and screw them.
James Martin
15 Posted 01/02/2013 at 10:44:13
Nothing we can do about it now. If the transfer window had ended and we'd bought a LB/LM for 3 mill, the supposed next rising midfield star of English football, and eblgian winger for 5.5 million we would have all been ecstatic. The reality is that Oviedo, Barkley, and Mirallas have barely played for us this season. Moyes can bolster his squad immediately by integrating the first two. this is nto a injured player will be like a new signing defeatist post, more a call to really make the best use of the squad we have. if Oviedo, Barkley, Vellios just aren't good enough for any first team action whatsoever then fair enough but there's no point constantly having them on the bench. Similarly the club are not getting the best out of Naismith by continuously playing him out of position. Give him a run behind a striker once in a while to ease the burden on others. If Gibson and Mirallas stay fit and Jelavic starts to make an impact we may be able to paper over a disappoitning transfer window.
Nelly Verdonghan
16 Posted 01/02/2013 at 10:50:17
Brian that wouldn't surprise me in the slightest....Kenwrong & his Board of Jokers are just that....JOKERS !!
Derek Thomas
17 Posted 01/02/2013 at 10:47:45
Drew #587, Brian #590, It's easy to shout conspiracy, but if it walks like a duck, has a beak, quacks, has a water tight backside and there is duck sh*t everywhere what are you going to think, or are we shaving too close with Occams Razor.

' They ' do as is said have previous

Mike Elbey
18 Posted 01/02/2013 at 10:54:46
Trevor, my comment regarding the collapse of the Fer deal was obvioulsy based on the integrity of the information released by the club, which thinking about it is probably foolish on my part. Reading Brian's comments (590) makes me stop and think to be honest.

Anyway, I understand what you mean regarding the Fer deal, it all comes down to my issue of us always leaving our dealsongs so bloody late !

Totally agree with you that Kenwright has let Moyes down badly.

What also grinds me is that if we had somehow (?) bought Fer and Negrado Kenwright would have been all over Sky Sports with his big soft grin all over our screens, going on about how great our club is blah blah blah. now none of this has come off we wont see the slimebag.

Andrew Ellams
19 Posted 01/02/2013 at 11:34:00
I don't think there was any intention to buy either player unless the selling clubs were willing to accept nonsense terms.

The biggest we have now is the long term effect all of this will have on our club, in particular Fellaini, Moyes and maybe even Baines and Jagielka.

Brent Stephens
20 Posted 01/02/2013 at 11:34:56
Lyndon, that's an excellent piece IMO. Well balanced. Brings out the rational and our emotions as well.
Brent Stephens
21 Posted 01/02/2013 at 11:39:24
Derek, let's cut to the chase (ouch!) Occam might have identified a simpler explanation than conspiracy?
Kev Johnson
22 Posted 01/02/2013 at 11:01:43
A good piece, Lyndon, and more grown-up than some of the semi-hysterical TW contributions on this subject

As I said on the Transfer Day thread (and Adam @526 hinted at) there are clear positives to keeping the same bunch of players. Team unity, morale, tactical coherence to name but three. I do not for a moment think our existing forwards would have been "delighted with the competition" - no matter what their public statements were - if we had bought a Spanish striker. They would have been thinking "Shit, I'm not going to get a game. The manager obviously thinks I'm dross". I just don't buy the idea that players welcome competition and that it invariably improves them. It can do sometimes, sure, but just as often it can undermine them.

In fact, I don't "buy" the idea of transfer deadline "buys" at all, really. I'm bloody sick of the financial circus football is rapidly becoming. As I said on the other thread, I think fans are being trained to expect clubs to spend big every transfer window as a form of entertainment.

I'll put my Marxist hat on. (Take it out if you like, Lyndon, but it genuinely bears on the subject in hand).... Late capitalism perpetually stimulates desire without ever offering satisfaction. Not happy? Buy this! Still not happy? Buy that! Spend, spend, spend - consume until you drop and work round the clock, borrowing like mad, to fund it. Never mind the things you've already got - in this case, promising young players such as Barkely, Velios and Duffy who might do the job very nicely - what you need is something new... but it'll cost ya!

OK, I have now taken off my hat. COYB!

Paul Thompson
23 Posted 01/02/2013 at 11:49:30
I don't know about late capitalism Kev, but our problem seems to be late bids. If we had money to spend (albeit it limited by the need to drip feed), we should have moved quicker and had a plan b (and c, d etc). It was absolutely clear from yesterday's events that once the Negredo punt fell by the wayside, there were no other options and Moyes left Finch Farm (I hope. to seeth at home). The farrago over Ofoe in the previous window confirms this pattern of going late to the sales. It is clear that we need above all a box to box, powerful midfielder. We;ve now failed twice. It is, as Lyndon says, a massively missed opportunity. I just hope we don't live to regret it.
Kieran Fitzgerald
24 Posted 01/02/2013 at 11:51:18
I am confused about how I feel about this transfer window.

A definite positive is that we lost none of our big players. But then who's to say they won't go in the summer anyway. This was a very quiet window for the big four, the teams who would want to buy our best players.

Another positive for me is that Gueye got shipped out on loan. I am hopeful that this means that Oviedo will get bumped up the queue and will hopefully get more game time.

A negative is the obvious one that we didn't strengthen. When you see some of the quality picked up for a couple of million by other clubs, I am bemused that we have spunked what little cash we have on a player for a position we don't need to strengthen right now.

Over the last couple of weeks I have been more concerned with how we are pulling ahead of our rivals for fifth and sixth, e.g Stoke and Swansea, than I was about pulling ahead of our rivals for fourth, e.g Spurs and Arsenal. My expectations for the season have been lowered, given our lack of quality. As we haven't strengthened, I worry that Moyes and the squad will now lower theirs as well.

As with others as mentioned above, I am hopeful that we stay injury free for the rest of the season.

Trevor Lynes
25 Posted 01/02/2013 at 11:55:44
Kev...your writing a load of gobbledegook that has nothing to do with solving the obvious dilemma.
We are short of players and have used less (despite the injuries) than ANY other club in the league.

Whatever you personally think about the transfer window it was an opportunity to give our club an injection of much needed fresh players.
Almost all the other clubs did something and we did nowt !!
Which is probably as much use as you quoting Marx.

Kev Johnson
26 Posted 01/02/2013 at 12:01:37
Ha-ha! Fair point, Paul. Although isn't that how it often works? The club/player wants to leave it until the last minute to see which is the highest bid. (I would say it's like eBay, but I know nowt about how eBay works!) The later you leave it, the better the chance of a bid being accepted. Of course, if you're Man City you just offer loadsamoney in the first place and there's no problem. (At least not until further down the line when you want to sell someone who you bought for too much money and is now on a ridiculously high salary.) If you've Everton - or most clubs - you have to be more circumspect. But I know what you mean about Plan B, C, etc.
Brent Stephens
27 Posted 01/02/2013 at 12:06:28
Kev, I don't think the marxian analysis is off-topic at all. I do wonder about the reasons for some of the angst about signing / not signing new players. Read marx, learn and inwardly digest? Maybe a step too far.
Kieran Carr
28 Posted 01/02/2013 at 12:36:10
We have an exciting young prospect on loan at Leeds at the moment. The way we have used him it would be like a new signing!!!!!!
James Morgan
29 Posted 01/02/2013 at 12:45:28
Kev Johnson, players might not necessarily like other players coming in to battle for their position as you say, who knows you could be right.
But do you think Marouane Fellaini is thinking "awesome, we can carry on with Phil Neville in midfield" or Baines is thinking "I'm glad we didn't get that Negredo fellow, all my belters getting whipped in to the box with no one to convert them is great."
Bottom line is it gives the team a shot in the arm to see a fresh face, even a loan or two.
Players want to compete, and I'm sure they are much happier knowing a half decent footballer is stepping in to someone's shoes should they get injured, rather than a useless lump like Neville or Naismith.
Jim Hourigan
30 Posted 01/02/2013 at 12:41:05
Excellent piece Lyndon, balanced and analytical. Disappointment is the initial reaction but for me its also about lost opportunities. Opportunities to freshen up and keep players on their toes, opportunities for supporters to get excited, but most of all the opportunity to break the mould and get a Champions league place with a squad that might challenge for more than a single year.

I think the gap between the top and the next tier has reduced dramatically over the last 2/3 years. Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal are not a patch on the teams of 3/4 years ago and quality players are in short supply all over. We have not improved dramatically, yes we played well at the start of the season but the last few games puts that form into perspective. My great fear is that by not strengthening now and showing our intent to push for a top 4 place on a regular basis, we have lost the opportunity to keep players like Baines and Fellaini. Utd and chelsea will come calling - how do we stop them leaving if we cannot give them Chapions league football next year?

Paul Kelly
31 Posted 01/02/2013 at 12:28:21
How many on here really thought we'd actually sign someone? (stone-present company accepted ) I for one didn't.

Its hard to get excited about deadline day knowing full well we are skint.

Certainly didn't entertain the idea we'd pull off the transfer for Negrado once the Fer transfer went to the knackers yard ( sorry, couldn't help myself).

Yeah we needed a couple of signings to bolster the squad but with the Fer deal falling at the final hurdle (sorry again) you just had that feeling it wasn't going to happen. I wasn't the least bit surprised but still a little disappointed, we will be up Shit creak without a paddle if we don't keep everyone fit in maintaining the push for Europe or even top ten if injuries mount up.

Then we will see an exodus of players and staff alike.

Dick Fearon
32 Posted 01/02/2013 at 12:53:53
After previous 'dodgy' failed transfer deals alarm bells began to ring for me when a Twebber posted that Fer had a recurring injury problem.
Did it really require a Finch Farm medical to discover what was common knowledge in Holland.
FC Twente may have been wise to accept Everton's adapted terms because after all this publicity I doubt the lads value would reach the same level.
Brian Waring
33 Posted 01/02/2013 at 13:10:09
At the end of the day it was the club who built up all our hopes, millions here, millions there. I was expecting and would have been happy with a couple of decent loan signings to beef up the squad for the run in.

Brendan McLaughlin
34 Posted 01/02/2013 at 13:17:13
Dick #662
I saw plenty of posts about some sort of impending court case and a few about the fact that Fer had been injured but was back playing since September. When the deal broke down all of the speculation was suggesting that Everton were simply being super-cautious about an injury that was giving them some cause for concern. Fer himself said largely the same thing. Any chance you'd post a link to the suggestion that it's a "recurring injury" & "common knowledge in Holland?"
Nick Waters
35 Posted 01/02/2013 at 13:26:56
There was never any intention to buy Fer, that's why we identified a player with a recent knee injury and then pointed out that we would not buy him because ................he had a recent knee injury
There was never any intention to buy Negredo, that's why we identified a player playing the same night in the biggest game his club have played for a couple of seasons, and then we 'underbid' by about 8 million
There was never any intention to buy/loan Ofoe, that's why we submitted our paperwork deliberately late so as to not have him, and then in the subsequent 5 months did nothing about it to underline the point.

Am I delusional? Am I a conspiracy theorist? In all things non-Everton I am definitely not, so why am I so convinced about what I have posted above?

Tom Bowers
36 Posted 01/02/2013 at 13:24:43
Not much effort going on in this window in my book.
Possible signings should have been on the radar before Xmas instead of a couple of vain last minute negotiations for for overpriced players which they were probably not really serious about anyway otherwise they would have been in much earlier.
No, I think Moyes is happy with what he has to see him through this season and he may be right but it may be touch and go for Champions league.
Brian Waring
37 Posted 01/02/2013 at 13:21:11
Dick, Fer never had a reccuring injury problem. He has had 2 injuries that have kept him out. One was a slight thigh strain, he was back after a week.
The second was his knee injury, which required a minor operation, he was out for 5 weeks with that. Since coming back from that injury, he has played 17 games, scoring 9 goals with 2 assists and has been Twente's top player.

I've said it before, I think this was a genuine attempt to get Fer, but when it came up that he had had this minor operation (You have to remember, Fer DID pass the medical) BK saw it as an excuse to try and fuck Twente over with the money being on the drip, drip.

Brian Waring
38 Posted 01/02/2013 at 13:35:37
Brendan, I think Dick picked it up off here, a lad who lived in Holland supposedly came out with it.
Tim O'Connell
39 Posted 01/02/2013 at 13:16:10
I, like most, was disappointed by the anti-climax of the transfer window end. But now I have had time to rationalise. At the start of the window I was realistic , knowing we have no money, I hoped that we would get a couple of loan sinings to bolster the squad and to keep all our decent players. My perception and expectation changed on the Fer deal announcement. The reality was the Club were going to find a bit of money from next years sky pot to try to get a good quality signing at a reasonable price and therefore not risking too much on the limited amount we had. The Fer outcome was unfortunate but also the reality is there were not quality players available at a sensible price, I have looked at all the ins and outs of the clubs and there are very few that you would even begin to consider we missed on, yet nearly all clubs would say they were looking for a striker and a defensive midfielder. If Fer was worth the 'risk' then I am very surprised that no other club came in and picked him up.
Steavey Buckley
40 Posted 01/02/2013 at 13:36:31
Did Everton take the advice of the club doctor and decided to renogotiate the terms and conditions of his transfer? If they did, they did the right thing.
Kevin Tully
41 Posted 01/02/2013 at 13:39:55
I have just watched Moyes being interviewed on the O.S. Please take a look, you don't need to discuss any further how you think this window went for him.

http://www.evertonfc.com/home/

Have you ever seen him looking more miserable? That is the demeanor of one beaten man.

Now convinced he will walk.

Brian Waring
42 Posted 01/02/2013 at 13:42:23
Steavey, he passed the medical, the doctor just pointed out that he had had surgery on his knee.
Brian Waring
43 Posted 01/02/2013 at 13:44:53
Meant to say, the doctor pointed out that Fer had had recent surgery on his knee.
Tim O'Connell
44 Posted 01/02/2013 at 13:50:29
Unfortunately Kevin Tully I think you are right Moysey looked very down
Adam Baig
45 Posted 01/02/2013 at 13:57:57
Just watched that Kevin. We have seen the titty lip before from Moyes, and it usually precedes a bad run of form. I hope I am wrong, but I don't expect to see much more of the flowing, attacking football we saw at the start of the season with the same group of players. And thats where the real challenge lies - can he motivate them to re-produce what they have already achieved.
Brian Waring
46 Posted 01/02/2013 at 14:05:36
Just watched Moyes's interview. The problem is he always looks a miserable fucker, saying that though, he did look more miserable than normal, if that's possible.

Thing is though, it was only the other day Moyes was on the radio praising BK because he had found him some cash to spend, and how pleased he was with the board for backing him etc.

Brent Stephens
47 Posted 01/02/2013 at 14:11:21
Nick #670 - I think there's somebody following you?
Kev Johnson
48 Posted 01/02/2013 at 14:02:27
Adam - that's his effing job! I don't care if he feels down in the dumps. Work's a drag sometimes, that's life. At least he's being paid a small fortune, unlike the rest of us. He hasn't got any extra players - OK then, he'll have to utilise what he does have. Oviedo, Barkely, Velios and Duffy are resources at his disposal and they now have a chance to stake their claim. It's up to Moyes to make that work.

I can't believe you guys seem to think it's so simple. Just buy a new player and everyone will get a lift and the whole team will play better. It's not that easy. It's bloody difficult to buy a player who will make a real difference, not only in the short term but the long term. Think of the players we've bought in the last ten years. How many have been really good buys? Maybe a third? That's not because Moyes is rubbish but it's because choosing the right player to buy is a really hard thing to do. (Actually, DM is a bit rubbish, but not for that reason.)

Look at QPR. They have spent a bomb on Samba. To replace Onuoha perhaps - who they bought to improve the team and replace someone else, who.... Etc

Ray Roche
49 Posted 01/02/2013 at 14:18:35
Kevin Tully @678

What a miserable get. Moyes, not you. I can only imagine he'd had a Smiths/Leonard Cohen CD compilation on to get over the death of his dog. But because he's just brought in "One For The Future" Stones he may be thinking of staying.

Kev Johsno@696.

Yep. That's his job, and maybe we'll get to see a bit more of the reserves you mention. I rather thought his transfer record was a bit better than 1/3 rd, though. Odemingie was available, apparently.

Nick Entwistle
50 Posted 01/02/2013 at 14:22:52
The negativity on here is high. Either we've been spun tall tales or we missed out, either way its status quo but for a full back from Barnsley.

We could be finishing the weekend in 4th spot so balls to anyone who is perpetuating the belief we're not good enough to compete. Small squad? Yes, and injuries all season have us up there anyway so where's the logic in dismissing our assault on 4th?

And if it were a simple choice between Fer and Negredo coming in or the fitness of Gibson and Mirallas - I'd take the latter. And they're back playing already! How long for? Who knows but if they ended up with season ending injuries tomorrow we'd still be fighting for 4th as fighting is what this team does.


Jay Harris
51 Posted 01/02/2013 at 13:59:38
Erik Dols
a blue based in Holland reported an interview quote from Fer that said he passed his medical no problem and that the miniscus (which the operation was for) had healed 100%.

The stitching up of the wound which because it was so recent had not yet fully healed but was not deemed to be an issue except the doctor felt he had to put that in his report.

However Fer stated that he felt the problem was finance not the injury.

That together with history suggests to me that this was another smoke and mirrors event in an attempt to keep Moyes here and placate the supporters.

As a lot of posters have already said they knew he had an injury so why leave it until 2 days before the dealine to give him his medical and if the injury was a "genuine" concern why not pull out of the deal immediately and go for target B who should have been lined up in any event not some spurious bid for someone that was twice the price we were willing to pay.

What they fail to understand is most supporters accept that we will never have money with Bill in charge and would have settled for a couple of loan signings to help and boost a tiring squad.

Knowing how frustrated most supporters are imagine how Moyes and the players feel.

IMO this will certainly damage morale and divide supporters which seems to be Bills modus operandi i.e. divide and rule.

I for one cannot wait to see the back of Kenwright who in 50 years of watching Everton has to be by far the worst chairman in history with his constant lies and deceipt.

Adam Baig
52 Posted 01/02/2013 at 14:28:10
Of course thats his job, Kevin, thats my point. The players at his disposal have got him to where we are now by playing decent football until about early to mid december.

If he can set them out right and instill some confidence into them, who knows?

Looking like he had just had a pay cut in his interviews hardly sets the tone, does it....

Brendan McLaughlin
53 Posted 01/02/2013 at 14:37:54
Jay #705
Can you post a link to where Fer "stated he felt the problem was finance not the injury"?
Kev Johnson
54 Posted 01/02/2013 at 14:40:38
Sorry, Adam, I misunderstood you. It turns out we agree.

I am neither a Moyes lover or a Moyes hater, but I have always thought his media work was absolutely disgraceful. He has always got a face on him. Talking to the press/tv, is a way of communicating with the fans, but he just doesn't care. There's a lot to be said for Scottish manageres, but they are almost invariably dour in interviews. Lambert, Clarke, Moyes - bloody grim, the lot of them.

Edward Boyd
55 Posted 01/02/2013 at 14:45:16
I don't think we were seriously going to buy Fer and used the injury as an excuse, the same way Notts Forest did with George Boyd. What a ridiculous reason: he did not have 20/20 vision. Since having his operation Fer has played more games than Gibson & Mirallas put together.
Brendan McLaughlin
56 Posted 01/02/2013 at 14:49:35
I can just hear the reaction on Toffeeweb...

Reporter: "David Moyes this transfer window has been disappointing given that you just missed out on your No 1 target, failed with a late bid to strengthen your forward line and only managed to bring in a promising right back?"

Moyes: "Och aye...but that reminds me of a very funny story, back in my playing days......"

Kevin Tully
57 Posted 01/02/2013 at 14:55:46
Kev - now you're going to start off a racist thread to top it all off!!
Brent Stephens
58 Posted 01/02/2013 at 14:54:16
Jay #705 "As a lot of posters have already said they knew he had an injury so why leave it until 2 days before the dealine to give him his medical and if the injury was a "genuine" concern why not pull out of the deal immediately and go for target B who should have been lined up in any event not some spurious bid for someone that was twice the price we were willing to pay."

To use the house purchase analogy yet again, why would you organise a survey on a house as soon as you fancied it? Make a provisional offer, which might take some time to get to an agreement, and then survey. And once the survey shows a problem, then see if you can protect your dosh by getting a price reduction (or in Fer's case, paying part upfront and making the rest provisional on the knee holding up).

Kev Johnson
59 Posted 01/02/2013 at 15:01:32
Well, we've never won anything under a Scottish manager, have we? Not ever. Just saying, like.

Brian Waring
60 Posted 01/02/2013 at 15:08:18
Brent, thats the thing, Fer passed the medical. The operation he had wasn't for major surgery on the knee, it was a minor operation for a tear. You could understand our concerns if he had just come from a broken leg, or had had major surgery.
Patrick Murphy
61 Posted 01/02/2013 at 15:15:35
Moyes had better get the squad upbeat for tomorrow, that's what he's paid for, as for the players they just need to show the attitude they have done in the past 12 months. I'm sure most of us would like help at work and not have to do the work of 2 or 3 people, but it isn't going to happen, we just have to get on with it and without the financial security that these 'millionaires' have.
To throw away 6 months of hard work would be unforgivable, even if the board have let everybody down again.

Brent Stephens
62 Posted 01/02/2013 at 15:42:43
Brian, so what was the medical problem? I confess I don't know and could only guess, which would be pretty pointless.
Ian Hollingworth
63 Posted 01/02/2013 at 15:26:09
The title of Lyndon's excellent piece sums it up for me!!
I hope we do not live to regret this missed opportunity as the Summer could look very miserable for us if we do not make 4th.

What I am struggling with is the apathy, we should be glad noone was sold, at least the board tried to back the manager blah blah blah.

That is bollocks, for months everyone has known that we needed extra bodies with quality to sustain our challenge as we have no strength in depth.

Well for me we have just witnessed a piss poor attempt by our inept board to pull the wool over our eyes again. Guess what though, they have done it as the majority will still clap when his smugness appears on the screens and accept that we are doing well to be a club that finishes 6th or 7th every year. The big question is will Davey Moyes accept that?

If, like a lot on here say we really do not have any money then surely it is time to step aside to let someone else have a go. Oh I forgot he is searching 24x7 and noone is buying football clubs anymore.
Oh and if we really are that skint the the bids for Fer and Negrado really were just taking the piss out of the Manager and us then?

James Morgan
64 Posted 01/02/2013 at 15:42:33
I've just see the Moyes video. Not the demeanour of a man happy with his transfer business!
Who could blame him for walking after putting up with that blundering shit bag for 11 years!
Eugene Ruane
65 Posted 01/02/2013 at 15:53:26
Whether you believe the whole thing was some sort of BK set-up, or take the position that it was just bad luck and we were right not to pay out for a 'crocked player' etc, I think Trevor Lynes (583) asks a great question.

"What I cannot understand and what I find unforgivable is the FACT that Fer was scouted and watched for months, so why wasn't the deal/medical etc carried out at the beginning of the transfer window so that alternatives could be pursued earlier?"

This is (imo) a question that the club/BK/Elstone should be asked (and forced to answer).

Barry Rathbone
66 Posted 01/02/2013 at 15:51:40
I'm only surprised people are surprised.
Opportunists who either can't or won't invest in EFC is the top and bottom of our bi-annual keystone cops transfer policy.
Spending 8 million (or not) is going to change fuck all, look across the park if you want to see serious intent.
Head in the sand stuff this delusion about 4th, we're tinkering with the usual 8th or 7th with a small squad and now Moyes has reverted to his "down tools" gob....well!
Feel sorry for those who get their hopes up cos they can't see what's going on.
Rob Wilkinson
67 Posted 01/02/2013 at 16:53:05
Yesterday was a day that I was really looking forward to, the transfer window was going to kick into life and I was going to spend the day enjoying every minute from my desk in work accompanied by Sky Sports News and TalkSport.

That is what happened but unfortunately the entertaining factor did not raise its head.

The whispers around the club this month were one of excitement as to who we were going to get in but, unlike past windows, these transfers seemed to have some legs. I was made up at the thought that David Moyes had looked at his squad, identified the weakness in central midfield and was being backed by the board to do something about it. He, like the rest of us, could see that the responsibility of being the sole striking option was weighing too heavily on Jelavic's shoulders and he needed a striker of similar quality to push him and share the load.

With these two additions, I could really see us making that 4th spot our own, Arsenal aren't good enough, Chelsea are slipping and Spurs don't look like they are up for the fight. This was our chance to push on and become real contenders, greeting our familiar end of season good form like an old friend.

Even if the money for these two players would have added to the outstanding loan amount, could you have imagined getting to the end of the season, finishing 3rd/4th, getting the additional £20 million for Champions League Qualification and the extra £60 million from the new TV deal and let's face it a good deal of money from Fellaini (I do believe that he will leave in the summer and I for one don't blame him; he deserves to, having left the club in European dreamland, he'd forever be a hero). This would have been Moyes’s biggest test: a settled squad and a huge war chest to establish us as a top 4 team.

I hope that all of the above happens and if it does we won’t have the burden of the added debts but it’s going to be a hell of a lot harder. Let’s get ready for another bumpy ride! COYB.

Phil Walling
68 Posted 01/02/2013 at 16:48:24
Just forget Top Four-the Board and Manager have done so already. Sixth or seventh will pay the bills and trigger the manager`s bonus.WTF wants all that tearing about Europe,anyway?
Colin Wainwright
69 Posted 01/02/2013 at 16:54:59
I know Phil. We need to keep an eye on those hotel bills. Don't want the other operating costs increasing like.
Graham Mockford
70 Posted 01/02/2013 at 16:59:02
Phil

You have knowledge of Moyes bonus scheme then, I'd be really interested to know.
The only people giving up on 4th are you and your fellow pessimists. I think 4/1 is probably a fair price although quite a few bookies will only go 7/2. As it happens transfer window activity has had no noticeable difference on the odds on offer.

Barry Rathbone
71 Posted 01/02/2013 at 17:07:14
Graham, we won't get 4th.
Brent Stephens
72 Posted 01/02/2013 at 17:10:46
Barry (#762) — "Graham we won't get 4th". Well, you can't argue with that analysis!
Tony J Williams
73 Posted 01/02/2013 at 17:09:25
We won't get 4th, it was nice to dream for a little while, but we simply do not have the squad for it. Even a couple of signings yesterday wouldn't have gotten us into 4th.

Fight for 5th and Europe, then onto a dismal season and finishing 13th because all the players are knackered or sold.

God I love being an Evertonian......and I'm an optimistic one!!!!

Jimmy Sørheim
78 Posted 01/02/2013 at 17:54:17
After only getting a young defender in on transfer, do we really stand a chance at getting trough to the group stages of CL if we finish 4th? My gut screams "No way", and I have to say our only real chance of having Champions League football is by finishing 3rd.

Our squad is so thin we can not sustain good form through a whole season, and that should tell people that it is not enough to finish 4th, in order to get some real money you have to qualify for the group stages. Last time we did finish 4th we lost and never got anywhere close to CL and the money it provides.

I think Moyes ultimately has been his worst enemy in not getting quality players in at this time. At least a midfielder and a striker were sorely needed, and if we do make 4th, I think getting players in and getting them ready will be too late.

I do not mean to sound negative, but I just think Moyes has missed his chance by not securing the squad ahead of time. I think we will end up in the Europa League even if we finish 4th.

Will Moyes leave after his contract runs out, I would think that is very likely at this point. With Jelavic being as poor as he is, there is no chance that we will do better then 5th. Liverpool and Arsenal will creep up and one of them will probably overtake us in the end.

Europa League is the best we can hope for, and I think we all need to take that fact in now.
Mike Allison
79 Posted 01/02/2013 at 18:08:10
I don't really get the disappointment. The same thing happened that always happens, we're used to this by now aren't we?

We always need a couple more, especially, in my opinion, Pienaar/Mirallas types. They make the best substitutes, the people who can come on against Swansea or Southampton and have a fresh legs moment against tired defenders that turns one point into three.

But I thought we'd all got used to the way things were, it seems too many sit by their computers waiting for updates and getting annoyed when it doesn't come. This behaviour is irrational, illogical and if, as Lyndon suggests, it leads to frustration and anger, then its possibly harmful.

Bill Gall
80 Posted 01/02/2013 at 18:13:06
I wrote a previous comment that stated that Everton supporters will continue to support the club always, but they would appreciatr that the board would supprt them and the manager..

After the close of the transfer window it seems that this is not going to happen and rather than adding to strengthen the team they weakend it .

Bringing in a young player in for the future and letting a fringe player go is like strengthening your drink by putting more water and less spirits in it. This seemed like one of B.K. smoke and mirror types of management.
Paul Ferry
81 Posted 01/02/2013 at 18:25:48
Nick (704) very easy to toss a word like negativity around. I've read this thread all the way through like you, I assume. The overwhelming emotion and expression on this thread is disappointment not negativity. And an overwhelming proportion of posters feel that way. You are in a minority but no less important for that.

Every single blue I have spoken to today feels deeply disappointed, not negative, deeply disappointed. The overwhelming train of thought in my neck of the woods is why did we leave it so late, what were we doing from Jan-1 on, if we had some cash to splash when did it come on board and if so late in the day why so late in the day, are we not able (like the shite) to spot targets in a timely manner before the window opens and move at a decent pace once it does?

Now, these are also deep concerns expressed over and over again in this thread. They are not negative as you say to castigate and label. It is, in fact, pathetic to call them negative. They are the genuine concerns of disappointed true blues who hoped for something to give needed energy to our excellent drive for top-4, who know that our squad is thin and, just as bad, key players are injury prone.

Ha, I'd rather have Miralles and Gibson back then have bought Fer and the striker called world class as he scored again yesterday. Complete twaddle. I doubt that Miralles and Gibson will play 14 games between them in what is left of this season. I'd rather have two injury prone players back than beef up a thin squad with two class players.

I rest my case.

And choose your words/characterizations more carefully in future and not just to try and tar and feather disappointed true blues.

Oh, by the way, if you want to read some unbelievable shit about the disappointing window from the point of view of bright and cheery blues pop over to the over thread: 'Underwhelmed'.

Chris Owens
82 Posted 01/02/2013 at 19:38:47
Isn’t this the essence of being an Evertonian?
Hopes constantly built up, only to be knocked down again.
I’m nearly 54 and, except for the mid-eighties, I’ve never really known it any other way.
At least when I see a kid wearing an Everton shirt, or I hear someone say they support Everton, I know they’re genuine
Si Cooper
83 Posted 01/02/2013 at 18:21:14
Kev, if DM starts to make use of the three players you mentioned then I agree we have a better chance in the remaining 4 games. However, I am not convinced he will, and I would have liked a player to replace Pip in centre mid for the rest of the season and one to sub regularly for Ossie in the latter stages of games or stand-in for Gibson if he succumbs to injury again.

Have watched the interview on the OS. Don't think he came across as particularly more miffed than usual but if body language works the way it is supposed to then the manager's demeanour during this press conference tells us that he is uncomfortable / defensive with questions about the lack of first-team ready players recruited and Darren Gibson's fitness, but a lot more relaxed about Villa and benching Jelavic.

Oh, and he loves talking about what a trouper Pip is!

Brian Harrison
84 Posted 01/02/2013 at 19:42:44
Paul Ferry

Please, your having a laugh aren't you about why cant we do as the shite in planning transfers. Do you not remember the last transfer window when they sent Carroll out on loan then couldn't get a replacement before the window closed. Rodgers stated 2 weeks before the Summer window closed that he would be mad to let Carroll go out on loan then 2 weeks later proves he is mad by sending him out on loan.

So castigate our manager and board all you like but check your facts before saying we should be more like them.

Mike Gaynes
85 Posted 01/02/2013 at 19:44:52
Sure, it would have been nice to add a player or two, but it's not like our "small squad" is buckling under the strain. As Kev Johnson (696) points out, we have quality players who have gone virtually unused in Oviedo, Barkley, Vellios and Duffy, and I would add Hitz to that list.

And Paul Ferry (793), Nick's use of the word "negativity" may offend your sensitive feelings, but it is absolutely appropriate for your prediction about Mirallas and Gibson not playing 14 more games between them. That is pure negative shit, no other way to describe it. And I'll take that bet.

Ian Allaker
86 Posted 01/02/2013 at 20:12:13
Agree with Brian, the shite are not the team to be looking to. You should chose your words/battles more carefuly in future Paul Ferry, before talking complete bollocks.
Howard Simons
87 Posted 01/02/2013 at 20:20:32
Was the renegotiation of the Fer deal done at the request of our bank. Perhaps because they were surprised to see a club with mounting debts and losses, which will outstrip the new TV deal, offering nearly 9 million pounds for a player with a questionable medical condition.
Simon Bradley
88 Posted 01/02/2013 at 20:24:23
Talking of conspiracy theories, has anyone given consideration to the possibility that there was no-one available, apart from the two we tried for, who Moyes actually wanted and thought would improve us ? None of the 'bigger' signings than Stones yesterday, were anyone we'd actually need (apart from Butland probably). Beckham, Samba, Graham, Monreal, etc. Not exactly a wealth of talent that was snapped up by our rivals with us floundering around. Yes, I'd have loved to have seen a couple of new faces, but January is a notoriously poor time to make signings, despite our success last year, and lets just trust Davey not to have wasted money that he could better spend in the summer. IMIT (even if not all IM we ALL T)
David Greenwood
89 Posted 01/02/2013 at 20:19:42
For me, it's not just fourth place that's up for grabs, third is there for the taking.

I would just love DM to believe in the guys, throw off the shackles and really go for it, and grab third.

Shane Corcoran
90 Posted 01/02/2013 at 20:29:29
If we assume that the Fer deal was genuine then the board were willing to give Moyes, say, about £ 4m to spend (given that the full amount was to be paid in stages.)
So he obviously saw centre midfield as a priority. Surely he had an alternative or two within the same budget that he could have gone for?

If Negredo was genuine (and nobody has officially said it was, then again, why not a second or third choice?

Both of these signings would have been for the here and now. Surely he didn't say "fuck it, if I can't have those two I don't want anyone. Get some young lad for the future."

None of it makes sense to me at all.

Brendan McLaughlin
91 Posted 01/02/2013 at 21:01:57
Shane #819
"Surely he had an alternative"....why? The January transfer window is notoriously limited. Moyes has said as much himself. I think it was a case of Leroy...failed; Negredo...failed; so lets spend a little & bring in this young lad we like the look of.
Chris Leyland
92 Posted 01/02/2013 at 21:06:15
Saying Fer 'passed' his medical isn't actually strictly true is it? I don't think there is a pass mark is there? He 'passed' it in the sense that Everton where still prepared to sign him but he als 'failed' it in the sense that it revealed something of concern that caused the club to try and renegotiate the fee structure.

As for saying 'why didn't we try and sign him earlier in the window?' Well, maybe we did but Twente didn't want to sell him then but were persuaded to do so when out offer reached a certain amount or when they thought they had a chance of getting someone to replace him that they actually wanted?

The final thing is none of us had ever heard of the lad before this week. I'd not read anyone on here clamouring for his signature. No other club seemed to be after him, as far as we know, and no one else bothered to come in with the original fee package we had agreed once we didn't go ahead.

Si Cooper
93 Posted 01/02/2013 at 21:35:47
"I think it was a case of Leroy...failed; Negredo...failed; so lets spend a little & bring in this young lad we like the look of."

Brendan, if the reason we hijacked Wigan's deal for the lad was to put a gloss on an otherwise barren transfer window then those running the club are even more cynical than I would have thought.

If we were genuinely interested in securing the lad why didn't we speak to him first rather than waiting until Wigan had had an offer accepted and then making a move.?

Eugene Ruane
94 Posted 01/02/2013 at 21:33:10
Sorry Chris (825) but as Romeo said to Hamlet in Merchant of Vienna - "I'm not fucking having THAT!"

There is simply not a hint of anything to suggest this ...

"As for saying 'why didn't we try and sign him earlier in the window?' Well, maybe we did but Twente didn't want to sell him then but were persuaded to do so when out offer reached a certain amount or when they thought they had a chance of getting someone to replace him that they actually wanted?"

Keyword - 'maybe'.

So let me get this straight.

We secretly (on or before the 1st of Jan) we put in a bid of around 6m but get turned down.

Although it's an official bid, the press/Sky etc never get hold of it.

Then we secretly put in a bid of 7m but get turned down (again we keep it secret from all media).

Time's moving on but we keep upping the bids while keeping it a complete secret.

Then a couple of days before the deadline (nb: almost a full month later!), we put in a bid of 8.5 which is accepted and details released.

You must think we're all as daft as...well, as BK thinks we are.

Jay Harris
95 Posted 01/02/2013 at 21:50:30
Forgive me for being cynical but The thing that makes the Fer fiasco look like one of Bill's productions is the fact that the club announced he was signed before he had even agreed terms or been for his medical.

The only times if my memory serves me correctly when we've done that before is when we havent ended up signing the player e.g. Manny Fernandes "will be signing in the morning" only for the 12 nillion to disappear up Bill's arse and never be seen again.

Brendan McLaughlin
96 Posted 01/02/2013 at 21:42:42
Si #833
Where did I say we hijacked Wigan's deal to put a gloss on anything? I'm suggesting we were interested but had bigger fish to fry but (whatever the term is when the frying doesn't quite turn out as expected)...Wigan forced our hand and we decided to invest some of our money in a young talented right back.
Si Cooper
97 Posted 01/02/2013 at 21:41:34
"Saying Fer 'passed' his medical isn't actually strictly true is it?" That sort of depends on who you believe Chris. There are statements flying around which appear to show that our negotiators made more of the issue than the bloke who actually included it in his report. Nottingham Forest tried the same thing with someone yesterday and rightly got called for it.

If Fer has a serious problem then why wouldn't Twente make a show of negotiating and ultimately accept a lower amount up front to off-load him? If he breaks down between now and the summer then Twente will get nothing (unless they have been able to insure this supposed crock).

I love the idea that everyone should have been in the market for the lad, otherwise it is a sign he is damaged goods or not really very good. On what basis? It is not as though a shed load of defensive midfielders have been bought and he is the only one left on the shelf. Simply put, there were not enough clubs with money in the market for good midfield prospects for it to have been impossible to find a possible deal.

There are multiple potential targets and none of us expected something other than a loan deal, so why should it be a prerequisite that a player's name have been bandied about the message boards before he can be considered to be good enough to join us?

Si Cooper
98 Posted 01/02/2013 at 22:04:20
Brendan - did you bother to read the second part of my post? If we were really that interested in the lad why would we not have talked to him before Wigan did?

From what you posted it seems that he became a lot more interesting to us because we knew he was available and the other deals had failed to bear fruit, rather than it being necessary to move quickly to secure an asset we were desperate to have.

Patrick Murphy
99 Posted 01/02/2013 at 22:21:39
Eugene was it really Rapid Venice that we beat to win the ECWC?
Brendan McLaughlin
100 Posted 01/02/2013 at 22:16:09
Si #847
Sorry I'm obviously not privy to the same information...you know we didn't show any interest in the lad before Wigan? And again where did I say "he became a lot more interesting etc etc etc." I mean if you want to disagree with yourself feel free but inventing arguments that I haven't made....?
Eugene Ruane
101 Posted 01/02/2013 at 22:40:29
Patrick (853) It was if you're a fan of Tony Hancock.
Si Cooper
102 Posted 01/02/2013 at 22:27:28
Brendan, you don't seem to understand the implications of what you posted. Do you think we would have signed John Stones if we had landed Leroy Fer or anyone else of reasonable profile? I don't and I also don't think he is a player we needed to sign now. I am sure the lad doesn't mind how he ended up here and seems the type to grasp opportunities, but he is not someone we absolutely needed to secure at this point in time.

It was announced mid afternoon that Wigan had had an offer accepted by Barnsley for the lad and he was on his way to sign for them. Hours later (after it became obvious that nothing else would happen) it is announced that we have had a bid accepted and he is en route to Finch Farm. Do you really think we had tabled an offer before Wigan? We could have asked Barnsley to let us know if anyone came in for the lad, but we obviously didn't and had to react to the press announcement.

I picked on your post because you have been vociferous in defending the club hierarchy's actions during this transfer window, and yet your post is like a Freudian slip.

Brendan McLaughlin
103 Posted 01/02/2013 at 22:46:08
Si #861
"Brendan, you don't seem to understand the implications of what you have posted"
...how obnoxiously arrogant is that? Even for some people when you reduce it to "See if I had 3 apples & I gave Andy Crooks 2, how many would.." they will still get it wrong.
You "picked on my post" because I have "been vociferous in defending the clubs hierarchy's actions" Me I just pick on people when they post crap!
Si Cooper
104 Posted 01/02/2013 at 23:09:30
Brendan, I have laid out the sequence of events for you, so why don't you try to explain how what you posted indicates anything other than a rather sorry scramble to save some face, rather than taking me to task for simply pointing out that you have not been consistent if you are really trying to suggest that the club have dealt with this transfer window the best way they could?
Paul Ferry
105 Posted 01/02/2013 at 23:06:37
Don't be pathetic, Brian Harrison (#809). I was referring to the Site in this window and the way they went about signing up Sturridge. Don't put words in my mouth, okay. This thread is about this year; my views were about this year. So don't you tell me to go checking facts either, okay.

The comparison between the way we have conducted ourselves over the last couple of days and the way the Shite handled Sturridge's acquisition have been made by others on this site and on the forum yesterday.

It's the sort of mindset you exude that also seems to be pervasive in the boardroom that leads to the sort of disappointing dross we had to put up with yesterday and people, like you, will rush on here saying "Eh, we're one point off 4th and lost a handful of games, stop castigating the board and the boss, don't try to fix things that don't need fixing."

Well there are things wrong deep down in this club and we saw more of it yesterday. By the way, if you think all is hunky dory, Mr Harrison, take a quick look, a few seconds will do, at the gaffer's demeanour and all round general mood in his interview on the OS.

And, lastly, get your facts right next time you post something, Mr Harrison, and don't put fucking words in the mouths of others, okay?

Ian Glassey
106 Posted 01/02/2013 at 22:29:36
Got to say I agree with Brian Waring over the Fer cock up. I bet the lad hardly misses
a match in the next season, then gets sold for £15mill.
This is the best team we have had since the 80s, two or three new players and it could be as good as the 80s. This was the chance to go for 4th or 3rd place, but it
will be 7th or 8th and FA Cup Q/F. Baines, Felly and Moyes will be gone by next season.
So thanks Billy Bullshit and the rest of the cronies on the board we are a joke...
Brendan McLaughlin
107 Posted 01/02/2013 at 23:15:30
Si #877
So you're just going to ignore the question as to how you know we weren't interested in Stones before Wigan's bid with a load of flannel. And I'm saving face...not being consistent...etc.
Ste Traverse
108 Posted 01/02/2013 at 23:06:47
I do believe our lack of January acquisistions will come back to haunt us in the last quarter of this season. Thanks BK and his cronies.

Ironicly, I heard an irate Spurs fan on Talksport post-11pm last night saying their lack of signings had 'handed 4th place to Everton'.

Brendan McLaughlin
109 Posted 01/02/2013 at 23:41:35
Ste #885
So Spurs fans talk the same amount of shite as (most) of us?
Shane Corcoran
110 Posted 02/02/2013 at 00:00:52
Brendan, considering we brought Hitzlesperger into our midfield I again would assume that there had to be a player within the same price range as Fer somewhere that Moyes would have been interested in.

I suppose it's possible that none of these players were available but I just find it very difficult to believe.

Brendan McLaughlin
111 Posted 02/02/2013 at 00:04:52
Shane #896
Of course its possible....believable is just you or I sticking an opinion on it.
Si Cooper
112 Posted 01/02/2013 at 23:45:03
Brendan - I will explain it again if you want.

It was reported on Sky Sports that Wigan had a bid accepted and the lad was going there for the formalities. This has never been denied or refuted, so I see no reason to doubt it. If we had registered an interest with his agent or Barnsley to the effect that we would like first refusal it wouldn't have got that far.

It was then a couple of hours before it was announced that we had tabled a bid and he was on his way to visit us.

You say Wigan forced our hand. For that to be true you have to assume that he had been identified as a must-have acquisition. The actual sequence of events doesn't support that, unless you think good practice wouldn't include putting a contingency in place to ensure he didn't sign for someone else. What if Norwich had been the ones who had gone in for him and he was half-way there before we realised? Could we have wrested him away from them in the same way?

Do you honestly think that this lad is so special and so key to Everton's future that it was crucial for us to make sure we didn't miss out on signing him up? Or do you think that it is perhaps more likely that the sequence of events was like those outlined in your original post ("Leroy...failed; Negredo...failed; so lets spend a little & bring in this young lad we like the look of") where it is at least implied that he was essentially an after-thought?

Perhaps I should apologise as the re-emergence of Martin Mason has got me on high alert for comments that are used to support one position when close examination and the use of context make them as effective in supporting the opposing view.

Shane Corcoran
113 Posted 02/02/2013 at 00:24:02
I agree Brendan.
Brendan McLaughlin
114 Posted 02/02/2013 at 17:51:47
Si # 899
"Brendan I will explain it again if you want"

Thanks for the offer but don't bother...oops I see you did anyway. I assume you read something in one of my earlier posts where I "implied"that I would ?

Richard Jones
115 Posted 04/02/2013 at 07:51:44
I wonder if the happy clappers will wake up at the end of the season when we've lost Baines, Fellaini and Moyes, I doubt it because the club will feed them some spin which will be gobbled up by them. WE get the board we deserve!!
Derek Thomas
116 Posted 04/02/2013 at 09:52:53
2+2=4...

1st ' 2 ' Fer is a direct replacement for Fellaini.

2nd ' 2 ' Nobody came in for Fellaini ( not for the first, second or third time either...up yours Dad / Agent )

4...deal ' falls through ' there may've even been a consolation prize for us if we could've wracked the price down even more.

QED, we had no real intention unless forced by Fellaini's sale...who say's Moyes is an upright calvanistic dudley do-right, more like Scrooge McDuck.

Many a mickle macs a muckle


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