Moshiri reputed to have clarified Sissoko decision

, 1 September, 323comments  |  Jump to most recent
A note attributed to major Everton shareholder Farhad Moshiri by Sky Sports has attempted to explain the club's last-minute decision not to proceed with a deal for Moussa Sissoko yesterday.

The Toffees looked set to secure the French international in a £30m deal and had reportedly sent a private plane to fly him to Merseyside to complete the transfer but Sissoko is said to have failed to show up.

The midfielder's head had been turned by an eleventh-hour bid from Tottenham Hotspur, joint suitors of Sissoko's for much of transfer deadline day, that matched Everton's and which was immediately accepted by Newcastle United.

It was generally accepted that in offering Sissoko Champions League football, Spurs had proved to be the better choice for the 27-year-old and that Everton's public withdrawal of their interest in the player was an acceptance of that reality.

Sky's Jim White, however, shared a message this morning that he claims was from Moshiri which said that the decision taken by his board of directors was one made out of loyalty to midfielder James McCarthy.

"Sissoko is a great player. But when I bought into Everton, I made it clear I was proud to join a family," the statement, shared via a screenshot of the iPhone Notes app, said. "And we don't turn our backs on our own. Keeping James McCarthy was a priority and ultimately we could not proceed with a deal that would jeopardize his place at Everton. We wish Sissoko the best."

In the absence of any confirmation of the authenticity of the statement, the message is being treated with a mix of scepticism and concern by Everton fans on various social media and online forums, not least because it doesn't appear to make much sense and Moshiri has been famously circumspect in his public utterances since purchasing his 49.9% stake.

McCarthy, who has lost his starting place in Sissoko's position of central midfield to new Blues signing Idrissa Gueye, was the subject of regular speculation regarding his future in the run-up to the transfer deadline but any interest in his services from elsewhere was complicated by a groin injury that may now need surgery to correct.

 

Reader Comments (323)

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Kieran Kinsella
1 Posted 01/09/2016 at 17:51:15
It has to be fake otherwise what is the logic? We won't buy good layers cause it will upset the inferior ones we have? Or we have no real money so we have to sell Jimmy Mac to buy? The "family" thing doesn't hold water either after the Hibbert and Osman exits.
Ian Burns
2 Posted 01/09/2016 at 17:55:25
The curious case of Moussa Sissoko and the iPhone Note
Shane Corcoran
3 Posted 01/09/2016 at 17:59:29
Oh dear. Cringe, cringe, cringe.

I can't believe he allowed Bolasie to arrive with poor ould McGeady's career on the line.

Brent Stephens
4 Posted 01/09/2016 at 18:00:00
As Kieran says, is he saying we won't buy better players than the players we currently have, out of loaylty to existing players?! We have already done so, with Gana ousting McCarthy. So there's a contradiction already.
Kevin Rowlands
5 Posted 01/09/2016 at 18:01:53
Possibly Newcastle wanted McCarthy thrown in on the deal if we were to land Sissoko? Anyways wait till Sissoko has an issue at Spurs and wants to move on then realizes he has to deal with that disgusting little bastard Levy., Oh well, you asked for it, Moussa!
Daniel Lawrence
6 Posted 01/09/2016 at 18:02:45
Sell to buy until we decide not to sell.

So then we cannot buy.

The "new/old" Everton Way.

Tony Waring
7 Posted 01/09/2016 at 18:06:15
A "statement" which makes no kind of sense whatsoever – obviously Sky hasn't the wit to recognise that!

I am inclined to believe that Mr Sissoko didn't actually have the good manners to check in for his special flight and as a result Moshiri/EFC pulled the plug tout de suite! We are better off without him; he only "turns up"when it suits him.

John Jones
8 Posted 01/09/2016 at 18:07:34
It was Jim "deadline day twat" White who said he got the message and did this earlier in the window regarding the "watch this space" stuff.

Strange that Moshiri would use White and memo notes to make a statement rather than say the website of the football club he owns.

Michael Kenrick
9 Posted 01/09/2016 at 18:08:37
Here was me hoping yesterday signalled the end of the utter maddness that has taken hold this summer, with the silliest imaginable silly season in the guise of the increasingly ridiculous transfer window.

But no, another installment, thanks to the idiots at Sky.

Yea, let's believe we started chasing Sissoko, only for Jimmy Mac to get wind, and go crying to Moshiri... ??? Utterly ridiculous nonsense. And why would an incoming message be on someone's iPhone Notes App?

The fabrications seem to have attained a whole new level of crazy this year. Please, make it stop, and let's get back to the football!

[No such luck... it's bloody International Break Time!]

John Jones
10 Posted 01/09/2016 at 18:08:54
My suspicion is that White is getting messages via Kenwright who is attributing these comments to Moshiri as they agree the PR moves, etc.
Don Alexander
11 Posted 01/09/2016 at 18:11:00
If it's on that bastard Murdoch's media – it must be true surely?
Phil Davies
12 Posted 01/09/2016 at 18:11:49
Bit of a conspiracy theory here but... what if Sky Sports is paying clubs to keep transfers back until the last day of the window? No club in there right mind would go into the final day of the window needing a number of new players. The Enner Valencia deal was supposedly started 2 weeks ago yet was only mentioned at a very late stage on TDD.

Sky get a massive number of people all tuning in for one day and therefor advertising prices sky rocket. It also suggests Sky, with the partnership of Premier League teams, can make up statements from clubs that come from nowhere and seem completely different to what clubs have said and done.

Winston Williamson
13 Posted 01/09/2016 at 18:16:51
Has Moshiri left his phone unlocked whilst taking a trip to the WC?

Kenwright has lifted his phone, the snide

James Watts
14 Posted 01/09/2016 at 18:17:40
What ever the story, our transfer policy has been sell to buy again. That has been proven.

I fell into the Mosh takeover hype but he is proving to be just like BK.

I wonder if RK feels as let down as most of us.

Utter garbage and bullshit rules at EFC, still.

Brent Stephens
15 Posted 01/09/2016 at 18:17:46
For what it's worth, I've emailed EFC to ask for a denial about the comments attributed to Moshiri – "watch this space"!

Phil "Bit of a conspiracy theory here but... what if Sky Sports is paying clubs to keep transfers back until the last day of the window?"

A BIT of a conspiracy theory?!

Will Firstbrook
16 Posted 01/09/2016 at 18:23:31
I sense a mischievous kopite behind this one...
Mark Morrissey
18 Posted 01/09/2016 at 18:29:12
I am beginning to suspect that Farhad Moshiri is not quite the demi-god that we all think him to be. I find his flirtations with Jim White (I've had at text from Evertons new shareholder blah blah) rather Kenwrightesque, and last night Jim White quoted him again. What other shareholder, owner, chairman has done that before?

I saw the Sky header last night as we all did and as soon as it became clear that Sissoko had well and truly embarrassed our club it said "Everton have withdrawn their interest" ...oh no we hadn't. He had made us look like amateurs and we bloody well knew it, hence the rushed comment " withdrawn".

My arse we'd withdrawn. We would have been far better saying nothing. Even Paul Merson could see we'd been used and so did all of us. Withdrawn our interest. Nonsense.

The most worrying aspect though is not Farhads bizarre relationship and flirtations with Sky Sports TDD coverage but the misguided decision to go for a player that even I can see is a fair weather player.

Even during the programme they did the stats between Sissoko and McCarthy for last year and McCarthy came out on top. You're not telling me that it was that wanky display of statistics by Sky Sports that made RK, BK, SW and FM suddenly say to each other "Let's hold on a minute, McCarthy is actually better".

Something is amiss. Why were spun a story about Axil Witsel's club demanding £30 mill for his services and then you read yesterday that Witsel is still at Zenit because Juventus would not pay the £17 million being demanded by Zenit? Who signed Niasse? Why is he still with us?

Don't get me wrong here, I am very happy with MOST of what is going on and love the new signings but something is amiss and I'm not sure what it is but something is afoot within our club. Does anyone else feel the same? Some strange goings on.

Tom Magill
19 Posted 01/09/2016 at 18:29:16
You'd think Sky would do the courtesy to our majority shareholder by confirming this bullshit before splashing it all over the place, it's so amateurish.
Brent Stephens
20 Posted 01/09/2016 at 18:29:57
What gives it away, Will, is the part of Moshiri's comment that says "that McCarthy lad is boss, know what I mean, la?"
Mark Melton
21 Posted 01/09/2016 at 18:30:35
Of course, Jim White could just be making it all up. Journalists do that you know.
Jon Withey
22 Posted 01/09/2016 at 18:31:03
All bull surely. And it doesn't really cover us failing to get anybody but Valencia does it?
Chris Fidler
23 Posted 01/09/2016 at 18:34:43
Hmmm, sounds a tad fishy, Mr Moshiri, we should have sorted all our transfer movement a good month earlier, the words déjà vu come to mind...
Will Firstbrook
24 Posted 01/09/2016 at 18:44:18
Cringeworthy or comical? Maybe both. Real or not, it still makes us look utterly ridiculous now that it's making the journo rounds.

While I have very strong doubts Moshiri would do such a rank amateurish thing, I can totally see BK and some of his chucklehead minions thinking this a good idea. Dear me.

Dave Roberts
25 Posted 01/09/2016 at 18:48:24
Everton were about to spend £60m on Brahimi and Sissoko. The fact they didn't arrive is irrelevant. The point is the club were prepared the Stones cash plus this amount. Over £100m quid!

How is that a lack of cash, will or commitment by the club?

John Critchley
26 Posted 01/09/2016 at 18:53:02
Something doesn't add up if that is supposed to be a statement off Moshiri through Jim "talk bollocks" White! Why would he do that? Why not through the official site?

And as for Sissoko! The way I saw it, Spurs put their bid in about 22:07 and the player was confirmed roughly 23:00! Was Sissoko sitting in the Spurs car park?

I find it ridiculous to think we had a plane on stand by, then we can't get in touch with Sissoko at 7pm – why didn't we pull the plug after we couldn't get in touch with him?

Steve Woods
27 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:01:18
Surely Moshiri via the club or the club itself will come out and confirm or deny this particular tweet to Jim Extremely White Teeth or is that being too naive? If it's a denial then surely JEWT would be in some serious bother...
Anthony Hughes
28 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:01:24
But we didn't spend £60 million though did we? That is relevant. Anybody can say "I'm going to spend such and such amount." It's starting to look like the same old talk from Everton.
John Malone
29 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:03:26
I can't believe a billionaire businessman would get involved in a piss poor pathetic attempt at saving face after Sissoko and his agent took the piss out of us on TDD!

On the other hand stranger things have happened and these super rich folks are renowned for spitting their dummy out if they don't get what they want!

I really hope Moshiri has more class and nouse to know better than do something like that but the fact that Sky have gave his name and the club havn't denied it makes me think he did!

For all this time he has kept his powder dry and let his action's do the talking then to put out that bullshit statement makes me worry who we have got pulling the string's now and question is he just another egotistical rich bloke who has lost touch with reality!

We got stitched! Take it on the chin and learn from it, Moshiri!

Colin Glassar
30 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:03:55
This has all the hallmarks of a classic BK hack, probably will the help of Julian Assange and his wiki leakers. This is the type of floral, theatrical, sentimental claptrap that only BPB would come out with. Since when has a serious chairman ever come out with such gushing, corny shit like this?
Denver Daniels
31 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:05:46
You couldn't make it up. Oh, wait ...
Christy Ring
32 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:06:02
I think Mr Moshiri had a sore head this morning, or Jim White.

I'm glad we didn't sign Sissoko, he's not worth £30m,and and he and his agent, a total embarrassment. We don't want anyone with 'no bottle or decency to answer his phone'.

Joe Clitherow
33 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:07:25
Clearly this is rubbish and someone masquerading as Moshiri. Of course he isn't going to deny it either because then he would have to deny all crank statements like this, and the first one he doesn't, is well, it must be true mustn't it? And of course Jim White knows this true and he can generate interest in Sky without reproach.

Anthony (#28), Can you show me where Everton have said they are definitely going to spend such and such an amount please and also where this had a timescale placed on it? See paragraph above for the veracity of that also.

Kevin Tully
34 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:07:26
I can only think Moshiri is sitting in the corner of the Winslow, absolutely bladdered after a marathon sesh.

If not, and it turns out he's decided to start issuing club statements by text to some Sky tit, then I will have to start worrying about our future under his stewardship.

ps: – What happens if Bill sinks his gnashers into your neck while you're asleep?

David Chait
35 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:08:43
The club has enough egg on its face. If this was not Moshiri, they really should disclaim it. If it was him, then it is so out of character from what we have seen so far.
Les Martin
36 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:09:16
Utter rubbish and should be disposed of accordingly.
Brent Stephens
37 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:12:34
Some people seem to believe it, though, Les!
Mike Allison
38 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:15:01
It's a stupid thing to say so I don't believe it. If it turns out to be true then I'm a lot less confident about the new regime than I was.
David Barks
39 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:18:13
It's all over the media. If it wasn't true somebody from the club would have come out and said so. Or does our PR department spend all day and night with their heads in the sand?
Steve Guy
40 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:23:10
Maybe he was pissed?
Will Firstbrook
41 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:27:09
If he wasn't then, Steve, he should be now!
Colin Glassar
42 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:28:32
Has anyone tried to find out if Macca is ok? We should have a whip around and buy the poor soul a box of tissues.
Ciarán McGlone
43 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:29:50
If Moshiri is naive enough to let Kenwright conduct the transfers, then perhaps he's bought into whole Kenwright circus act...

"Leave it with me Farhlad lad, I have a cunning plan to get us out of this smelling of roses"

Curiouser and curiouser.

Jason Wheeler
44 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:33:45
At the end of the day. Same old Everton, no ambition and directors who lie and talk utter bollocks. Only idiots will think our club will ever be one of the big boys.

The only thing getting bigger are their wallets. The RS love taking the piss and we give them so much ammunition it's embarrassing.
Henry Wong
45 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:33:59
Total bollocks. If Moshiri were this dense, he wouldn't be the billionaire with the reputed business acumen.

Probably just Sky trying to milk this ridiculous story further...at this expense of little Everton.

Hope we end up getting the Spuds at home for a cup game, so Barry can give Sissoko a good leg snapping tackle. I'll take the red card just to see the twat get his just desserts.

Dave Roberts
46 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:43:04
I really can't understand all this pessimism and criticism! When I first heard of the possibility of bringing in Sissoko I thought it was a fucking joke. Who wants a player who wouldn't pull his finger out when his club needed him?

Nevertheless, it appears Ronald wanted him but that doesn't mean I (or we) have to be disappointed that he chose a club who will have a few games in the Champions League before bowing out rapidly and because he will be nearer the hotspots of London nightlife! Fuck him, he and Spurs deserve each other!

Porto tried to squeeze a ridiculous amount of extra cash out of the club for Brahimi at the last minute and we would have looked like right idiots to have paid it – and for whom another winger? It appears the lad was very keen on the move, now Porto will be stuck with an unhappy player because they overplayed their hand... and Porto have to sell to survive remember. Tough, they needed to sell him more than we needed him in my view.

Then there's the wringing of hands from some because we didn't go for Bony. Why would we go for Bony? He's been shite at City, he's done nothing to show he's any better right now than our own Kone. A 'proven goalscorer' somebody called him well he's not proven that for a couple of years and with a very good team around him as well.

The club spent about £50Million and were prepared to spend another £60million or so. Just because they never got to be able to spend it is irrelevant in the sense that anybody whinging about it being the same old Everton... having to sell to buy, BK bollocking it all up are spouting nonsense. What would we have thought of BK if he had agreed to pay Porto nearly double the price because they upped it at the last minute?

All the important signings are already in and the improvement in the team is plain to see. There will be more to come in the future when we stop finishing in the bottom half and maybe get into Europe – it takes time.

Some of the comments on here quite honestly sound like kids upset because they didn't get the Christmas presents they believed they deserved.

James Morgan
47 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:48:33
Utter embarrassing bollocks. You don't not sign a player because it might make another player unhappy or displace them in the team. There should be competition for places, plus why single out just McCarthy? Why not Cleverley, Gibson or Besic?

Plus he won't get a great amount of game time if Barry and Gana keep up the good work.

Doesn't make sense. I would have more respect if the club came out and said "We tried to sign numerous targets and in the end they didn't work out for reason A, B, C".

Tony McNulty
48 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:49:00
Jim White has just received a follow-on text:

"Jim, my friend (I speak to you as I speak to no other). We had treated Tony Hibbert and Osman very badly. Family is family and I could not let this happen again. People who do not believe my first text are telling lies, lies, lies!"

[Scrunches mobile phone in hand like The Hood in Thunderbirds]

John Graham
49 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:49:32
Every team looks to buy better players to improve the squad. But unless it is a club playing Champions League or with a very high profile and money like Man Utd or Man City then it is unlikely that we could keep them happy if others come sniffing round.

Players like Sissoko and their agents are in it purely for the money so Spurs will probably get one good season out of him before he starts to look elsewhere. I reckon now an average player costs £10 to 20 million and £60,000 plus per week in wages.

I think even with the extra money we have we are still only looking at one or two marquee players each season so time to get the scouts working hard for January and get the kids up to speed fit or cover the first team squad.

Anthony Jones
50 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:51:42
Brahimi and Sissoko are not what we need. No big loss. I understand going for players with pace and power but we still need some ball players.

Is Koeman trying to be the exact opposite of RM? A balanced side would do for me.

Jay Woods
51 Posted 01/09/2016 at 19:56:33
First we had the rationalisation hamster going into overdrive, now we have this damage limitation ruse (assuming it's not a hoax by our enemy).

What's really cool about it all is that everyone has largely stopped talking about the Witsel, Kone, Gabbiadini and Brahimi failures.

Oliver Molloy
52 Posted 01/09/2016 at 20:00:49
"Sissoko is a great player. But when I bought into Everton, I made it clear I was proud to join a family," the statement, shared via a screenshot of the iPhone Notes app, said. "And we don't turn our backs on our own. Keeping James McCarthy was a priority and ultimately we could not proceed with a deal that would jeopardize his place at Everton. We wish Sissoko the best."

If Moshiri did NOT say this , you would have expected the club would have come out and said so by now... or maybe not actually! It's quite a pathetic thing to say coming from a ruthless billionaire, in my opinion -– James McCarthy really!

The silence is deafening so I guess we can all expect more spin regards a new stadium, or we may arrive in January very shortly.

There is no doubt in my mind that Moshiri is here for the money he will eventually make – this is part of the project.

Barry McNally
53 Posted 01/09/2016 at 20:01:55
I'd love to ram his yellow tie where the sun don't shine.
Colin Grierson
54 Posted 01/09/2016 at 20:03:27
Utter bollocks. Move on.
Eugene Kearney
55 Posted 01/09/2016 at 20:04:10
I'm just happy we didn't spend £30M on Sissoko. Nobody reckons he's worth it.
Richard Lord
56 Posted 01/09/2016 at 20:14:48
This is weird to say the least. If it wasn't from the club then they would have immediately rejected it and would have certainly made Sky revoke the statement or at worst threatened some legal action against Sky for faking this; Sky wouldn't be so stupid, something is not right here...

I am guessing we thought Sissoko was a nailed on cert, and therefore we decided we would flick off McCarthy to someone else. When it all fell through they were left with a pretty unhappy McCarthy who now knows he's not wanted and will no longer perform on the pitch knowing that he's out of the door soon, hence this crazy attempt to resolve things.

I am hoping I am completely wrong, but think about it, if someone went on national television and completely fabricated a story about a message you didn't send then you wouldn't just sit there and be quiet would you...

Ray Jacques
57 Posted 01/09/2016 at 20:18:08
Cannot believe there is a thread about this crap. It's either a RedShite or McCarthy's mum who sent it.

Did I hear somewhere that Jim White is going to be doing a daily TalkSport show or did I imagine it?

Paul Kossoff
58 Posted 01/09/2016 at 20:31:52
Hang on... keeping McCarthy was priority because of loyalty and family values??? Well, why then, Mr Moshiri, did you bid £30 million for a player to replace McCarthy?

Doesn't add up, more likely Sissoko didn't want to join Everton, and you are making excuses.

If Moshiri did say this, then it's not very well thought out.

I don't think Moshiri said it at all – he's too clever for that.

Brent Stephens
60 Posted 01/09/2016 at 20:40:57
Richard (#56),

"If someone went on national television and completely fabricated a story about a message you didn't send then you wouldn't just sit there and be quiet would you..."

Well, maybe you would – see Joe #33 above.

Paul Kossoff
61 Posted 01/09/2016 at 20:41:52
Tony 48, Kiraaannnooo!!!! Ayeeeee!!!😂
Gordon White
62 Posted 01/09/2016 at 20:53:13
Dave # 46 and John #49

Good post's. IMHO, probably representative of the views of the most of us.

For my part, I never did want sissoko. I happened to believe what the Newcastle fans were saying about him, long before this saga.

2 games in the Euros doesn't change anything. I'm afraid like Balotelli, a leopard doesn't change its spots. We dodged a bullet there.

And missing out on Brahimi, Kone, & Co is not all bad. It's a statement for the next transfer window that Everton are not mugs and won't be held to ransom.

Martin Mason
63 Posted 01/09/2016 at 20:56:51
For those who say we don't conclude deals early enough, we paid perhaps £30M for Bolasie, a seemingly ridiculous price for an average player. I hope I'm wrong.
Brian Williams
64 Posted 01/09/2016 at 21:03:12
I cannot believe anyone, even for a split second, considered it legitimate.
Ian Cowhig
65 Posted 01/09/2016 at 21:07:16
The only people who appear to care whether he did or didn't send this message appear to be on this thread. Personally, I don't care either way, it has no relevance.

Sissoko chose Spurs because he has the ambition to play in the Champion League. Sooner, rather than later. We would have questioned that ambition if he had chosen us with the Spurs option on the table.

People talking about deafening silence from the club. I completely understand why just because of this thread. Anything said is dissected in to lots of different meanings, So why bother.

Also. People raising the club spinning stadium to cover an unsuccessful window, should note that the club haven't said we have progressed on stadium plans at all. It's the mayor who is doing that.

Richard Lord
66 Posted 01/09/2016 at 21:07:53
Brent (#60), – I agree that you don't put yourself in a position where you respond to each news item, but what you do is issue a blanket statement, i.e. something like:

"Everton FC would like to state that all official communications made by or on behalf of the club are issued via the website or other official channels only. Any communications outside of these channels are not from the club, and do not represent the club or it's representatives."

Job done...

Guy Hastings
67 Posted 01/09/2016 at 21:14:46
Meanwhile, Natalie Sawyer sobs into her yellow dress,

"Oh, Jim, you talk of loyalty and values while that frizzy haired bitch with as much understanding of football as Danny Murphy and whose name I can't even remember and she probably can't pronounce sits beside you on this of all prime time nights..."

Gordon White
68 Posted 01/09/2016 at 21:15:03
Brent (#60),

Mr Moshiri is demonstrably, a man of action, and of few words. We all know this already. He is a well respected billionaire businessman.

He employs professionals to run his club and to handle publicity and so on. He has assembled and backed his team. Anything to the contrary, at present, is pure conjecture. A man of his standing, and a club of our stature, do not counter every daft claim, lending credence to the rumour mongers and perpetuating nonsense.

There have been some disgraceful comments, elsewhere across different threads on TW about this saviour of ours, based purely on rumour, mainly by the gullible and the naive. The sort of people who use to gather around the village pond and hang witches.

Simon Smith
69 Posted 01/09/2016 at 21:15:12
For what it's worth, I think we dodged a bullet with Sissoko going to Spurs! He's never worth £30 million.
Brent Stephens
70 Posted 01/09/2016 at 21:22:11
Gordon #68 - yes, that's in the spirit of my post.

Richard #66 - fair comment.

Gordon White
71 Posted 01/09/2016 at 21:26:10
Who's Natalie Sawyer by the way?

Going a little off piste here. My missus thinks I'm paranoid about the coverage we get and the way the media treats and talks about Everton. Am I?

Is it just on my telly that they get shown on MoD almost last every time? Is it just me that hears the sarcastic comments virtually throughout the media? Is it just me that notices if there were 4 matches the night before guess who the BBC don't mention?

Does anyone else think the BBC should be renamed LFC supporters club and, until very recently, MotD – "the views of ex-RS and the Arse players"?

Maybe I am.

Richard Lord
72 Posted 01/09/2016 at 21:33:05
Gordon (#68),

See my response #66. It's because people don't know truth from lies that an overarching response needs to be issued. I guarantee there is no top end company out there who care about their brand who would not issue a statement, that's why you have PR departments and media teams.

My current FTSE100 clients literally have dozens of people and specialist software focused solely on trawling 24 hours a day and identifying and responding to any negative and false comment via all media channels, whether it be TV, radio, Twitter, Facebook etc. If we don't have that capability or understanding of modern media then we are out of touch...

That said, the 'if they can swim they are a witch' method does have some appeal, let's throw Jim White in the river!!

Oliver Molloy
73 Posted 01/09/2016 at 21:35:57
Gordon White.

How do you know he is a respected businessman?

I don't think I am naive or gullible, hence my question to you above.

Dean Adams
74 Posted 01/09/2016 at 21:40:50
Richard (#72),

There are not enough hours in the day to respond to all the shit the BBC make up about us, let alone the rest of the media and general public of the western world. :)

Tony McNulty
75 Posted 01/09/2016 at 21:45:06
Paul (61) It would be easier getting hold of the secrets of International Rescue than ever finding out the whole truth of exactly what went on last night.

Anyway, to shift to another cultural icon, we're Evertonians, "we can't handle the truth."

Gordon White
76 Posted 01/09/2016 at 21:49:37
Richard (#72),

Agreed! You take the legs...

Lol!

Andrew Clare
77 Posted 01/09/2016 at 21:51:04
If you don't read the paper, you are uninformed... and if you do, you are misinformed. – Mark Twain.
Paul Hewitt
78 Posted 01/09/2016 at 21:54:28
Moshiri didn't send a text to SSN. Come on, this is all bollocks.
Ciarán McGlone
79 Posted 01/09/2016 at 21:56:33
I cannot believe people think this is irrelevant, or that the club clarifying it would mean they had to respond to every piece of misinformation.

This is the top sports broadcaster in the world, the company who is responsible for the financial circus... broadcasting for 2 weeks comments that were purported to be from Everton's new shareholder... comments which no doubt fuelled the speculation that special signings were about to happen.

Someone somewhere is talking shite. This is not the same as the Daily Star saying we're buying Billy the Fish.

If White has made this up, then let's gut the fucker. However, I think there's a fear that someone at Everton is actually responsible for this crock of shite. I can see no valid reason for not nipping this in the bud.

Richard Lord
80 Posted 01/09/2016 at 21:57:01
Gordon # 76

Haha - with pleasure!

Whilst on the topic of Sky Sports, one positive was Paul Merson, I absolutely love him and his comments. It made me remember his rant about Martinez and Stones last season, watching this makes me laugh every time I see it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o54znZ9RSHw

Nigel Munford
81 Posted 01/09/2016 at 21:58:47
Why would a billionaire send Jim White of all people an iPhone Note? This is made up, has to be.
Soren Moyer
82 Posted 01/09/2016 at 22:00:06
So, it means we won't buy anyone, ever, because it will upset the current players and will fuck up the so called family?
Andrew James
83 Posted 01/09/2016 at 22:05:56
Calm down, everyone. We missed out on wasting money for an unreliable donkey who will become yet another lavish Spurs purchase who is quietly ushered out the door for a loss in 18 months. *

To paraphrase Alan Partridge...

"We don't want you in Blue, Sissoko!"

"Needless to say, we had the last laugh!"

[* See the players bought with the Bale money.]

Andrew Clare
84 Posted 01/09/2016 at 22:07:21
It's utter rubbish.
Joe O'Brien
86 Posted 01/09/2016 at 22:08:43
Exactly, Richard (#66) – the club need to come out and say it's all bullshitand that Moshiri isn't and hasn't texted Jim fucking White and put this crap to bed... and in the process, make Sky look really stupid.

I mean, how did they believe that Moshiri – a sharp billionaire business man – would text that muppet with the message 'Watch this space'???

Gordon White
87 Posted 01/09/2016 at 22:11:57
Hi Oliver (#73).

I have researched him. I've read what others have said about him and his career and about his businesses and so on. I can't claim to know every nuance about the man. But there are things I don't know about members of my own family. And it's probably best that way. Lol!

But it was not based simply on assumption or rumour either, which is why I felt able to make the comment, specifically about him. Of course I could be wrong. Nevertheless, it based on information rather than suspicion.

It's easy to accuse anyone else of virtually anything, and then it seems up to the accused to clear their name, despite the accusations often being groundless. In complete contrast to our justice system.

People then jump on the bandwagon and go beyond adding an opinion to outright accusing, often in a very disrespectful way. There's a saying; If enough mud is thrown, it sticks.

As I said before, it's the reason they used to drown witches. BTW, there was no intention to slight anyone personally. More of a comment on a mindset really.

Gordon White
88 Posted 01/09/2016 at 22:22:57
Richard (#80), very good. Made me laugh too!

Nicholas (# 85), nice one. Did he have a text from Mr Moshiri too?

Joe (#86). Last sentence - spot on mate.

Good night fellow Blues everywhere. I'm going to dream of a top 4 finish and beating the RS 4-0 in the FA Cup Final

COYB.

Paul Hay
89 Posted 01/09/2016 at 22:27:06
I just want to keep it simple.

At £30mill plus wages blah de blah, we would have been throwing dough up the wall. I never wanted him anyway.

Any doubts – and I appreciate the sentiments expressed here, about the management of the entire affair, will be put into perspective in the January window. I think Mr Koeman would have spoken out if he felt the owners had been the plonkers that some seem to feel!

Toon fans were doing cartwheels last night getting the money they did for Sissoko – and I fully agree with their feelings. We have not lost out at all. Keep the faith.

Richard Lord
90 Posted 01/09/2016 at 22:34:40
Final thought as I'm off to bed. Whatever the outcome or truth behind all of this, and whoever we did or didn't sign, I am still one incredibly happy Evertonian because we don't have that idiot Martinez at our club any more!!
Oliver Molloy
91 Posted 01/09/2016 at 22:39:59
Thank you, Gordon; I don't have the same positive vibe about the man as you obviously do.

Time will tell...

Paul Smith
92 Posted 01/09/2016 at 22:49:05
I believe us, Everton, capable of sending such texts. I mean I get enough shit sent to my phone from the club of late, a new reaching out to the supporters and media through a tech platform, so it wouldn't surprise me at all if the PR dept at Goodison were responsible.

Jim White would be taking a big risk with his career to fabricate utter shite and there would be bizarre stories about every 'money man' at every club, wouldn't there?

Jamie Crowley
95 Posted 01/09/2016 at 23:08:53
Jay at 51 -

What's really cool about it all is that everyone has largely stopped talking about the Witsel, Kone, Gabbiadini and Brahimi failures.

You may be (and I'm convinced you are) intelligent enough to actually be capable of level two thinking – one step ahead and all that.

But I see no way whatsoever anyone associated at the top with Everton would have the savvy to actually think ahead to the next chess-piece move.

If they did, I'd actually applaud them.

But they didn't...

Trevor Peers
96 Posted 01/09/2016 at 23:10:03
We should never of got involved with Sissoko, he used Everton to get his move to a Champions League club. That should of been bloody obvious to the hierarchy and the whole embarrassing episode could and should of been avoided.

My main concern is could it effect Koeman's perspective in the future, will he tolerate such a shambles a second time? I doubt it, he will be off like a shot. So hopefully we have learned from last night's debacle. But with bungling Bill still leading transfer negotiations I very much doubt it !

Jamie Crowley
97 Posted 01/09/2016 at 23:15:25
Regarding this text circus, RK's thoughts and frustrations about the transfer window, et al...

If we win the next three (very winnable) games, we'll be sitting on 16 points after six games and most likely top of the table.

I doubt any of us will give supposed texts and RK's overall happiness a second thought.

Soap opera tabloid crap.

Time to focus on the football. Er... after this stupid international break that is.

Laurie Hartley
98 Posted 01/09/2016 at 23:16:41
Nicholas (#85) – was he wearing his white suit with the cloak?
Colin Grierson
99 Posted 01/09/2016 at 23:53:13
Watching the Sissoko saga unfold on TD night was like watching a re-run of Ronald Reagan's assassination attempt. We were RR and Spurs were the bodyguard who hurled himself in front and took the bullet made for RR.

Very noble of them I think. They took a £30m bullet for us! I never knew they cared so much.

Paul Johnson
100 Posted 02/09/2016 at 00:20:52
No denial from EFC or Moshiri tells you everything you need to know.

As gutted as I am to say this, I think the text is genuine and that Moshiri is a fraud. I so hope I'm wrong but that text is an embarrassment to EFC and tells me that far from the slick businessman we thought we'd got, we have another chancer.

We the fans need to let Moshiri know what we think – has anybody got his email address?

Anthony Dwyer
101 Posted 02/09/2016 at 00:47:48
I honestly can't believe Moshiri has said the above, he sounds just like Kenwright, basically a toss pot who thinks football fans are stupid.

There is no logic in anything above, its just plain embarrassing.

Dan Davies
102 Posted 02/09/2016 at 00:54:31
Very strange relationship here. Something unsettling about this if true. If this is real, maybe Mr Moshiri would be better served talking direct to the fans rather than the SSN TDD media circus?

I hope this is bullshit.

William Cartwright
103 Posted 02/09/2016 at 05:23:53
Dan, perhaps Mr Moshiri hasn't talked to the media at all? Have you thought of that? Very interesting feature in the BBC's Premier League Football website gossip page this morning...

As you probably appreciate, the gossip page is broken up into two sections: first the transfer rumors; and second the social media. If my reading habits are anything to go by, then the social media section is the fluffy irrelevant bit...? I read the gossip page transfer section with more interest.

Also, I really do do not trust the otherwise neutral BBC's journaIisic standards when it comes ot Everton FC. I have flagged this up many times on ToffeeWeb, but my rantings have been dismissed as those of a raving 'conspiracy theorist'. So far, dull and boring, but consider this:-

The BBC thought it appropriate to present the, let's say spiteful and thereby negative story... reflecting badly on Everton, and bring it forward from it's social media section into its higher-profile transfer rumors section.

During the transfer window, Everton must be the only club to have emerged with a net negative spent balance? Is that something to be proud or ashamed of – I don't know, I am not judging. However, I do see the BBC's focus on the story as anti-Everton in the extreme by bringing the behavior of Mr Moshiri into the media spotlight.

Consider, a) If he never had the conversation, and b) if it were any other club, would it even be an issue? I doubt it. However, now the lowest spending cub who have possibly a very bright season ahead, are again being presented as not the bee's knees so to speak.

Everton really do need to wise up to their negative marketing position within the football establishment and consider how to use the spin machinery to their advantage, just as the Redshite do with the BBC. Perhaps Mr Moshiri was trying to do this in the latest exchange, if indeed it took place at all?

We should treat the whole crappy issue with a dose of proverbial salt. Now that is how to treat the biased media, especially the slugs in the pillar of the establishment, the reliable and strictly neutral, and therfore trustworthy 'Auntie Beeb'.

Rant over – COYB.

ps: The new stadium would be nice...

Paul Setter
104 Posted 02/09/2016 at 06:39:16
What a load of guff, why would he say that???
Jem Traynor
105 Posted 02/09/2016 at 07:47:26
Oh dear, with no further PR from the club or whomever on the matter we are left to keep asking ourselves questions?

I wonder now if there will be any progress on the Bramley-Moore dock dealings or there'll be more PR from a further third person perspective opinion and NO real fallibility... like watching Angela Lansbury this...

Colin Glassar
106 Posted 02/09/2016 at 08:10:13
And it's going to get a whole lot worse folks. I've just been told that Jim White is going to release a secretly recorded video tonight of an inebriated Moshiri, Kenwright and Elstone singing the Sister Sledge classic, 'We are family' dressed in 1970s' disco garb.

Moshiri and his gang of two out!!!

Joseph Mullarkey
107 Posted 02/09/2016 at 08:20:25
Your messin', right, Colin?
Jack Convery
108 Posted 02/09/2016 at 08:26:44
Something smells rotten in the Kingdom of Everton. Is it possible Bill's become a patsy, to take the fall?

We did not spend any money apart from the Stones dosh – fact.

We were apparently willing to spend around £85m on 3 players but actually didn't – fact.

We left these three deals to the very last hours / minutes of the window – fact.

Niasse, who was given his marching orders, is now in the squad – fact.

Koeman said he wanted 3 to 4 new players to be added to the squad only last week... we have 3: Valencia, the Sheffield Kid, and Niasse – fact.

We, Koeman and Walsh are being taken for mugs... fact?

Paul Smith
110 Posted 02/09/2016 at 08:31:11
Jack Convery – great post!
Jack Convery
111 Posted 02/09/2016 at 08:51:50
And another thing.

EFC have not denied the supposed tweet from FM – fact !!!

You couldn't make it up and, guess what, I didn't – fact !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Colin Glassar
112 Posted 02/09/2016 at 09:17:46
This is the worst faux pas in recent history.
Ray Roche
113 Posted 02/09/2016 at 09:35:36
The fact is, Jack, you're using "fact" far too often.
.
.
.
.
.
Fact!
Brian Williams
114 Posted 02/09/2016 at 09:40:52
I honestly can't believe that some of you have swallowed this and believe a single word of it. Don't be expecting denials or statements either, that's not how some professional grown ups work. Jesus, get a grip some of you.

Social media has become the scourge of the planet. It actually forces people to run round (metaphorically speaking) checking this site and that, Faceboooking, tweeting, and believing everything they hear through these sites or via these sites.

Ooh, hang on... I betta update my Facebook page: "Going for a choco moca latte bingo fuck off, with my bestie!"

Pisses me off how people will believe ANYTHING these days. Shit, gotta go... aliens just landed in the garden... HONEST, it'll be on twitter later.

Mugs!

Brian Williams
115 Posted 02/09/2016 at 09:43:56
And another thing...

Did nobody twig when Wanker White said he'd received a message saying "Watch this space?"

Did it not ring any bells?

Ciarán McGlone
116 Posted 02/09/2016 at 10:01:26
"Don't be expecting denials or statements either, that's not how some professional grown ups work."

That's exactly how professionals and people with money work.

When someone makes you look like a clown you do something about it. Take a trip to the Chancery Court.

I doubt Moshiri sent this, but I also doubt Jim White dreamt it up.

Drew O'Neall
117 Posted 02/09/2016 at 10:21:26
Some kid's laughing his arse off that whatever he sends Jim White goes on screen/on his Twitter feed.

As an aside, the reason Everton publicly pulled out of the deal wasn't to save face as some people have quoted, it was so that rat Sissoko and his agent couldn't leverage 'Everton interest' in wage negotiations with Spurs.

The reality is we would probably have to have sold James McCarthy to fund that deal and it wouldn't have been worth it. If Koeman was overruled by the board then I'm glad.

Anthony Dwyer
118 Posted 02/09/2016 at 10:51:16
I'm almost certain Moshiri has not said the above, but I'm still embarrassed by the lack of effort our club put into putting new players onto the Goodison Park pitch.

Forget TDD, I have said it for weeks, we have been led a merry dance by the club again. Blame Kenwright or Moshiri, blame who ever, the fact remains we are barely balancing the books. We can all see who have left, and who have come in, and it's a balancing act – nothing more, nothing less.

Imo, new owners are supposed to be about investment, and before daft wide-eyed deluded blues tell me about Martinez money, and Koeman money, I don't want to hear it. Watford, Newcastle and half the footballing world sack managers every other season, it's part and parcel.

It's about bodies in the dressing room, quality on the pitch, and Moshiri has done nothing more than Kenwright.

Sky TV etc have paid all Premier League teams a fortune, we had a chance to pick up players who would have improved us, and we failed to capitalize on it.

It's now back over to the mayor to talk up the ground move again which will take 5 years at least, so I guess it's top 10 for the next half decade at best.

Shambles.

Phil Roberts
119 Posted 02/09/2016 at 11:13:11
If Mr Moshiri had half the business sense that I have (and it is clear he has a lot more) then he would have said nothing.

If I had, my tweet/text would have been on the lines of "We knew Spurs would up their bid so by overbidding we forced them to pay more for a player they were going go purchase and so reduced their spending power in the future when a player who will significantly add to our squad, becomes available."

Wayne Dinkelman
120 Posted 02/09/2016 at 11:41:39
"I never went to Everton,” Sissoko told L'Equipe after appearing for France in their 3-1 friendly win over Italy on Thursday night.

“It's funny. I was watching TV, and I saw that a deal had been done with Everton and that I had signed for them. But I was in London, waiting to sign my contract (with Spurs)."

So maybe Moshiri was right.

Nick Page
121 Posted 02/09/2016 at 11:46:52
Brain (115) - lol. As soon as I heard "watch this space", I immediately thought that's one of Billy Bullshitters lines to throw us Evertonians off. Must have pinched Farhad's phone, the sly old tart.

Sissoko stories coming out today that the fucking rat had no intention of leaving that London and was just waiting to sign his contract at Spurs. So someone is telling porky pies! And since nobody could sell Everton better than ex-Chairman Bill, chief transfer negotiator it can't be him. Can it?

Dan Davies
122 Posted 02/09/2016 at 12:17:28
Sissoko reckons he had no intention of signing for Everton and was surprised by Sky reporting he was!

Something's not right here, somebody's telling porkies.

Simon Bates
123 Posted 02/09/2016 at 12:39:11
I cannot, for the life of me, understand why anyone is paying any credence at all to Lie Sports News!.
Ball Street on YouTube were hours ahead of both the BBC and them on Deadline Day.

These supposed tweets seem a lot out of character for a man who, whilst getting on with the huge task of rebuilding us, quite impressively so far, has hardly said a word!!!

Koeman, Walsh, Williams, Gana, Stekelenburg, Bolasie and Valencia, that is a decent window in the cold light of day. Don't forget, this was Moshiri's first ever window as the main man, Walsh's first as DoF, and Koeman's first with them!!!

I fully except this squad to be up and around the European places come January. I fully expect Moshiri has also learnt a lot and if mistakes were made, I seriously doubt these three will allow them to be replicated.

Kim Vivian
125 Posted 02/09/2016 at 12:52:49
I am so glad we didn't get Sissoko. What a total bellend.
Kim Vivian
126 Posted 02/09/2016 at 13:02:33
As a matter of interest what would have happened if Spurs had not upped their bid? Would he have stayed with Newcastle? Gone to Spurs anyway? It's time it was swept under the carpet, all this malarkey.

I was going to say more but it's actually a waste of time even thinking about it anymore. I'm outta here.

James Marshall
127 Posted 02/09/2016 at 13:16:28
Can we close this thread with Kim@125 post please?
Mike Green
128 Posted 02/09/2016 at 13:21:58
Ciaran #116 - not necessarily.

The majority of people with money, power and influence have got more important things to do than get involved in petty stuff like this. You could use the Queen as an example, the majority of celebrities, politicians etc.

Unless the issue is going to seriously harm their image, earnings etc (which this won't with Moshiri), it's of no consequence in the greater scheme of things and getting involved, ultimately, could only make it worse... ie, don't give it any oxygen.

Ian Burns
129 Posted 02/09/2016 at 13:24:14
I am one of those quite happy with the overall transfer window and was putting TDD to bed when I read the following on the BBC Website a short while ago.

As Dan (#122) has indicated above, somebody is telling not so much porkies but downright lies, given there was a Sky reporter outside of Finch Farm confirming the deal was all but done and dusted for Sissoko:

"Transfer deadline day is great, isn't it? According to him, while reports were stating that he'd signed for Everton, new Spurs midfielder Moussa Sissoko was sat laughing at the TV.

“I never went to Everton,” he told L'Equipe.

“It's funny. I was watching TV, and I saw that a deal had been done with Everton and that I had signed for them.

“But I was in London, waiting to sign my contract [with Spurs]."

He duly signed that contract with Tottenham, to transfer from Newcastle for £30m. Presumably he went back home to watch himself signing the contract on TV again afterwards."

Tom Bowers
130 Posted 02/09/2016 at 13:31:42
It's all rumour in my opinion.

Sissoko wanted the better offer, the big lights of London and Euro football. End of story!

Nobody really cares about it so let's move on.

Liam Reilly
131 Posted 02/09/2016 at 13:40:37
Sounds like the whole TDD nonsense was just malicious Agent Spin to have Tottenham increase their offer:

“I never went to Everton,” Sissoko told L'Equipe.
“It's funny. I was watching TV, and I saw that a deal had been done with Everton and that I had signed for them, but I was in London, waiting to sign my contract (at Tottenham)."

So maybe the Moshiri statement does hold water.

Brian Williams
132 Posted 02/09/2016 at 13:45:22
Mike Green. Exactly. Moshiri's not gonna waste his time reacting to that shite.

Does nobody else think it's someone of a RS persuasion taking the chance to embarrass the Blues as payback for all the "new stadium" shite that's been thrown at them?

Again, can't believe anyone can think Moshiri had anything to do with it, or that he"ll give it credence by denying it ffs.

Gary Willock
133 Posted 02/09/2016 at 14:18:16
Could have been a hack. SMS is old school and not very secure. Some little spotty red hacker laughing his nuts off, whilst Mosh can't say anything to contradict without admitting a security breach (which is never good for business). Would explain a LOT!
Matt Traynor
134 Posted 02/09/2016 at 14:42:38
Liam (#131), allegedly when we sold Rooney to Man Utd on Deadline Day in 2004, the Newcastle bid was a phantom bid to smoke out Man Utd - Newcastle knew there was no chance Rooney was going to sign for them. Maybe after 12 years it was pay-back.

Personally I think Evertonians are too juiced on TDD now after so many years of last day disappointment and occasional excitement.

We signed 4 first team players during the summer – that's pretty good by our usual standards. Yes, we may have a zero net spend – no change there – despite the increased broadcast revenue. The price inflation (and no doubt wage and agent fee inflation) is just ridiculous.

Iain Latchford
135 Posted 02/09/2016 at 15:38:35
My friend works at Sky Sports (I often see him mooching about in the background). I was with him last night having a pint and brought this up. He said "Jim White doesn't tweet", and that someone else does the tweeting on his behalf. He also said White is very pally with Bill Kenwright and they are in contact fairly regularly.

My guess would be that BK said this to White, who passed it on. It then got attributed to Moshiri. Purely speculation, but plausible I think.

Robert Elliott
136 Posted 02/09/2016 at 15:54:36
According to the Echo, Farhad Moshiri is a big pal of White's also and they "understand" the quote to be accurate!

Add to that we've apparently taken out our traditional August loan, which seems odd given that our new owner is a billionaire, and things are getting a little bit interesting!

Michael Polley
137 Posted 02/09/2016 at 15:55:49
Forget about Sky Sports and that twat White. They'll just broadcast any old shite without verifying it. I'm surprised they didn't mention we were on the verge of signing a Taliban central defender from Helmand.

Pathetic excuse for a broadcasting company. That's why I never watch it.

David Barks
138 Posted 02/09/2016 at 16:04:00
If it was fake, it would have been refuted. It has not been. That leads to the obvious conclusion that is was real. And that scares the hell out of me, that quote coming from our new owner.

A complete embarrassment, but it does explain the lack of ambition shown this summer. Someone probably thought it would be a good PR move after the Hibbert fallout. What a joke.

Iain Latchford
139 Posted 02/09/2016 at 16:10:07
It's all very peculiar, and why in God's name are we taking out loans?? Now that is worrying!
Mark Tanton
140 Posted 02/09/2016 at 16:16:24
Same old Everton then. Sell to buy, phantom bids and August payday loans.
Mark Tanton
141 Posted 02/09/2016 at 16:23:04
Hang about... McCarthy requires an operation and lengthy period out? Yet we didn't buy Sissoko because we didn't want to put him out?

This stinks, what the Hell is going on?

Joe Clitherow
142 Posted 02/09/2016 at 16:23:05
I wouldn't be worried too much about loans at the moment – if you can get a loan at a lower rate of interest than you get by investing your money, which is entirely possible at the moment, then you invest your money and take out a loan.

But if the statement is actually genuine as per the Echo then I'm incredulous and that is a real worry. Seems very out of character for what we've seen of Moshiri also.

James McCarthy isn't Everton family, he is a player, an employee. Management saying we don't replace players if a better player is available? Still incomprehensible. Perhaps Bill was in his ear after all, but he'd be way off the mark in being in tune with the fanbase – who really ARE the Everton family.

Tony Hill
143 Posted 02/09/2016 at 16:31:41
Regrettable but no good for us can come of dwelling on it now. All we must do is concentrate on getting behind Koeman and the team. Whatever may be going on at Board level, Ronald is a hard-minded and ambitious man who is very well paid and we can already see his effect on the players.

We'll be okay... though I would like to see someone engaged by the club to perform the role that Ian Ross used to do very well – managing our communications and public face.

Ciarán McGlone
144 Posted 02/09/2016 at 16:33:50
This is some light relief from the transfer window..

Down the Rabbit hole.

Iain Latchford
145 Posted 02/09/2016 at 16:33:57
I'll do it Tony.
Tony Hill
146 Posted 02/09/2016 at 16:40:34
That's the spirit Iain.
Steavey Buckley
147 Posted 02/09/2016 at 16:40:48
Whatever the situation was with Sissoko, Everton look lightweight in midfield until McCarthy and Besic return from lengthy injuries.

And nobody should rely upon Gibson if there are injuries and suspension to other midfield players, because he usually gets injured.

Robert Elliott
148 Posted 02/09/2016 at 16:42:26
I can't honestly believe we didn't sign Sissoko for fear of upsetting McCarthy. I would imagine Moshiri was probably raging about being messed about and frustrated that his promised big transfer splash hadn't materialised.

Perhaps there was a concern that McCarthy's confidence, which seems to be fragile at times, might have taken a blow also and they were trying to pick him up.

Whatever the reason, it was naive in the extreme and worrying that a man who's said barely two words to Evertonians since buying into the club is happy to use Jim bloody White as his official spokesman!

Iain Latchford
149 Posted 02/09/2016 at 16:46:02
Exactly Robert. Surely a statement on the website would be more appropriate, not texting some guy on TV.

What is he actually saying?? That Koeman wanted Sissoko but he pulled the plug so McCarthy didn't get the hump? Surely not.

Brent Stephens
150 Posted 02/09/2016 at 16:46:50
We can only guess whether EFC would have refuted this if it is untruth. It might be untrue and they just haven't refuted it. We do not know but can guess.
Brian Harrison
151 Posted 02/09/2016 at 16:59:51
I, like everybody else, have no idea what happened over this transfer, and I doubt it will ever come to light. I haven't heard anything from Koeman over what he thought of the transfer window, but I am sure he won't be slow in telling the appropriate people if he wasn't happy.

I hope the lesson is do your business early in the window and don't leave it till the last day of the window in future.

As for Moshiri texting Jim White with his thoughts, well we hear plenty of our fans moaning that we don't hear anything from the board, and when he does get his message out, he is still criticized.

David Barks
152 Posted 02/09/2016 at 17:05:16
Brian,

The criticism is about the message he sent, not that he sent it. Come on now.

Mark Morrissey
153 Posted 02/09/2016 at 17:10:36
I cannot understand any Evertonian who sees the Jim White comments as pure gossip, the mischievous work of a kopite, or as unimportant and they say, so let's move on.

I suspect we will never know the truth but I personally think it's useful to know what sort of men are running our club because it helps to get a better personal evaluation of what is likely to be going on in the background.

My personal view is that Farhad Moshiri is actually a bit more like Bill Kenwright than I gave him credit for. I think he did personally contact Sky because I think he genuinely wanted to give us some good news.

I think he might be a very shrewd businessman but I think he has shown himself to be more Kenwrightesque in wearing his heart on his sleeve and I don't think that is necessarily a bad human trait. The problem came when it all fell apart around his ears and he didn't think for one minute that he would get so badly used.

I suspect he is more used to getting his own way. Rich people normally get what they want. I think he has learnt a lesson and won't get his fingers burnt so easily again. His or the club's real error in all of this was to spin the McCarthy story to save face. That story is utter shite and Koeman will know that.

That is my opinion and I think if we had a spin doctor at the club we would have come up with a better excuse. Koeman doesn't really want McCarthy or Niasse but he is bigger and better than what has gone on and I truly believe that McCarthy is better than Sissoko and we have dodged the proverbial bullet.

In 3 weeks time we will be sat on top of the league and all this will be forgotten. I hope they have all learnt a lesson and I hope they stop tweeting Sky. We are better than that...

Richard Lord
154 Posted 02/09/2016 at 17:17:29
OH MY GOD!! so it WAS actually TRUE that the message came from Moshiri! I am gobsmacked and truly worried...!!!
Brian Williams
155 Posted 02/09/2016 at 17:21:02
If anyone just stopped for a minute and took note of what the "tweet", "message", "text" or whatever it was actually said, you would realize how fucking ludicrous and nonsensical it is.

An owner (okay majority shareholder) says why we pulled out of buying someone is that someone already at the club that plays in his position would be protected, intimating that if we bought the player, the one already at the club would be leaving (this despite the fact that there was less than half-an-hour of the transfer window left).

Honestly! I don't want to fall out with anyone but if you believe any of it, you HAVE to be a fucking quarter-wit. I say quarter-wit so half-wits won't be offended.

I hope whoever sent it doesn't read ToffeeWeb because they'll be laughing all over again!!

Steve Brown
156 Posted 02/09/2016 at 17:24:52
So our new owner who has spoken to the media once (after the Chelsea cup game), suddenly starts messaging Jim White? Utter bollocks.
Brian Williams
157 Posted 02/09/2016 at 17:27:28
Steve (#156).
Steve, thank fuck, someone with a bit of sense!
Richard Lord
158 Posted 02/09/2016 at 17:29:35
Brian #155 - Everton investor Farhad Moshiri did provide Sissoko explanation to Sky Sports' Jim White

I truly hope the Echo are also wrong, as I am with you that it makes no sense, but if they report it also and it is wrong then the club have to surely say something now!?!

Can't wait for Keoman's next press conference...

Steve Brown
159 Posted 02/09/2016 at 17:31:00
Brian, it is so ludicrous it is almost funny.
Brent Stephens
160 Posted 02/09/2016 at 17:31:02
Brian (#155) – "I don't want to fall out with anyone but if you believe any of it you HAVE to be a fucking quarter-wit. I say quarter-wit so half-wits won't be offended".

I'm not offended!

I actually think your take on this is reasonable. It's hard to believe in this.

Andrew Ellams
161 Posted 02/09/2016 at 17:32:37
If this is true, then I don't see Koeman hanging around long.

But as we obviously didn't worry about McCarthy's feelings when Gana came in... I think we can safely assume it's bollocks.

Paul Conway
163 Posted 02/09/2016 at 17:34:34
The Sissoko deal could have been the 'watch this space' message. That's if there ever was one!
Richard Lord
164 Posted 02/09/2016 at 17:35:59
Here is the first bit of the story copied and pasted from the Liverpool Echo website...

"Everton investor Farhad Moshiri did provide Sissoko explanation to Sky Sports' Jim White"

"Farhad Moshiri's reported explanation of Everton's deadline day business caused confusion among Blues supporters yesterday.

Some fans insisted the comments, which were posted by Sky Sports presenter Jim White on social media, had not come from the Iranian billionaire.

But the ECHO understands the statement WAS given to the high-profile anchorman by Moshiri.

Moshiri has suggested Everton chose not to pursue a deal for Moussa Sissoko because they wanted to ensure James McCarthy 's place at Goodison.

The Blues had a £30million offer for Sissoko accepted by Newcastle United before Wednesday night's transfer window closed only for the France international to eventually sign for Tottenham Hotspur."

Brent Stephens
165 Posted 02/09/2016 at 17:38:43
Thanks, Richard.
Richard Lord
166 Posted 02/09/2016 at 17:41:24
No worries Brent

The scariest bit is the caption next to the photo of them both, which says "Everton majority investor Moshiri counts Sky's White as trusted confidante"

Please, please, please let the club tell us this is all balls..!

Paul Kossoff
167 Posted 02/09/2016 at 17:41:29
I would love to know if Koeman actually wanted Sissoko and Valencia. Did RK actually tell Walsh or whoever handles the transfers that those two were needed for his team? I doubt it.

Wasn't it that we were approached by Newcastle about Sissoko and not the other way round?

Surely Valencia was a cheaper option to paying out another £25+ million for a backup striker?

Brian Williams
168 Posted 02/09/2016 at 17:44:14
Thanks Brent.

Richard (#158).

The Echo will print it because it will sell papers. They can get away with it as they'll claim to have printed it in good faith.

But Richard, read the message, read it again, and then think! Again, how can anyone believe it's true!!!!!

Brent Stephens
169 Posted 02/09/2016 at 17:45:27
Richard "No worries, Brent". Are you an Aussie?

I actually emailed EFC yesterday asking if they wanted to confirm or refute. So far, no answer.

Colin Hughes
170 Posted 02/09/2016 at 17:57:07
I suppose that explains why we didn't try to bring in Bony on loan or any other striker for that matter, Moshiri didn't want to jeopardise Kone's place on the bench.

The jury is still out Mr Moshiri.

Richard Lord
171 Posted 02/09/2016 at 17:59:33
Brian (#168),

Yes agreed, I read the message and it is incredibly odd if true.

One thing though, this message wasn't constructed by someone without intelligence. The grammar and construct of the message is very well considered, even down to the acceptable use of 'And' after the full stop.

Feels like a media person or PR team is involved...

Ciarán McGlone
172 Posted 02/09/2016 at 17:59:37
Ask yourself this...

If this had happened last year, would you have been surprised?

This pantomime could be easily nipped in the bud. It hasn't.

Martin Mason
173 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:02:52
I cannot believe that this triviality has any mileage left. No sensible person would make such a stupid statement and Moshiri hasn't given it any credibility by further commenting on it.
John Jones
174 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:06:15
If this is true then I would have to question how professional and serious Moshiri is. The only thing we have concretly done thus far is get Koeman and even then we have seemingly broken promises made to him. Sorry we have also putting wrapping paper around Goodison.

Moshiri looks suave and we know he is loaded but thus far for me the jury is still out.

Ian Burns
175 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:07:32
Martin (#173) – given the widespread media attention the statement has created, EFC, via their PR department needs to make a statement; if only to clarify matters to the people who should mean the most to the club – ie, the fans, the real EFC family.

Mike Corcoran
176 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:08:07
See Sissoko is laughing at the thought of going to Everton. I'll be laughing when his woeful form resumes and leaves him out of Spurs' match day squad.
Brent Stephens
177 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:09:43
John, we might be disappointed with TDD but you know we've done more than bring in Koeman.
Robert Elliott
178 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:11:23
The club were quick enough to come out and address Joe Anderson's tweets a few days ago, though, Martin.

Now, a story which has gained traction and been accepted as true by a lot of people, including now the local newspaper, is beneath them to comment on?!

Martin Mason
179 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:18:45
The only place this is being discussed on the planet is here. It doesn't even rate as a triviality. Get a life guys, the chances that he said this are zero and who cares? We support a soccer club not a morals appreciation society.

If you all insist on wasting time from your life in even thinking about this what do you propose to do about it if it is true?

This guy is a billionaire, an Iranian who has no concept of the family of a football club, he has a brain so he wouldn't consider not buying a new player to protect a very average Everton player. Why would a man of his stature send a nonsensical tweet to a hack? It has no credibility whatsoever and Moshiri is treating it with the utter contempt it deserves.

All Evertonians should treat this rubbish with the same contempt that he does.

David Barks
180 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:21:31
No Martin,

Sorry, not only here. It's being discussed on Sky, the Mail, the Echo, and many other places.

Ciarán McGlone
181 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:25:21
How exactly is misinformation given credibility by a denial?


Robert Elliott
182 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:29:41
Martin, IF this statement is true, it could lead one to speculate on whether our owner overruled our new manager and DoF to protect the position of a player Koeman clearly regards as dispensable. That would be a big deal and that's what needs addressing.

Also, it would suggest our owner, who has said barely two words to the club's fans since arriving, is happy to use Jim White as a conduit rather than our own media department. It might also suggest he's a bit of a silly boy as well!

I get that you've dismissed it as trivial nonsense, which you're more than entitled to do, but there is a story here and it is of interest to Everton fans and the club shouldn't ignore it and wish it away.

Robert Elliott
183 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:31:05
Absolutely Ciaran. If anything, the opposite is true.
Ian Burns
184 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:32:08
Martin (#179) – under normal circumstances, your view and advice would be correct. However this is so unusual, so seemingly out of step with the perception EFC fans have of Mr Moshiri... and, as David (#180) points out – it is gathering pace even on the BBC (worldwide audience) that some form of statement should be issued by the club.

If not, we can only hope this dies a natural death and a forthcoming statement on the stadium blows away the question marks arising from this curious case of the iPhone Note.

Martin Mason
185 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:32:43
David, I've just looked on Sky Sports, several other credible sports sites and papers that I use and I can't see a whiff of interest in this nonsense. Of course you'll see it in parochial rags like the Echo.

Simon Bates
186 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:33:25
If that's true, Richard, then why is Sissoko himself denying it?

I'm sure if he was at home watching it on Sky Sports like he says, then where has the private jet story come from? I was watching it and they clearly stated we'd agreed his fee and personal terms and he was en route to a medical?

So Sky obviously made that up, as he says he wasn't even aware of our bid.

Someone is lying somewhere, my money's on someone at Sky.

Ciarán McGlone
187 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:35:54
Haha...

Martin, I'm so glad so you are wasting your time coming onto this thread to repeatedly to tell us off for wasting our time over this "triviality".

This "triviality" as you call it – is possibly the stupidest and most nonsensical statement attributed to someone at Everton.

I, for one, am extremely interested in its origins. If White has made it up, then he should be exposed... If some pimply teenager has acquired White's phone number, then let's find out.

The starting point is Moshiri denying he said it.

If this humdrum tittle tattle is beneath your sensibilities, then fair play to you.

Brian Hennessy
188 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:37:10
Moshiri's "comments" now been reported on Irish national media as being a signal of assurances by Everton that McCarthy's future is safe at the club.

Surely, if there was no truth in this, the club would have said something by now.

Bobby Thomas
189 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:40:32
It does read like the kind of bollocks Kenwright would come out with.

He's being brainwashed by Billy Bullshit.

Robert Elliott
190 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:41:04
I suggest you look a bit harder, Martin, because it is there. Even if it was limited to the Echo, that is still a source of information for Everton fans and it is causing comment and concern.

Perhaps Mr Moshiri might consider the thousands of fans who devote a large part of their lives to supporting the club part of the "family" more readily than a player who's been here for three years and apparently wanted out the moment there was a bit of competition for his place.

Ian Smitham
191 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:41:17
I have just read an article by Dominic King in today's Daily Mail. This subject is being discussed there.
Brian Hennessy
192 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:42:10
From RTE Sport:

"Sissoko has claimed he always wanted to sign for Tottenham and a reported move to Goodison Park was never on the agenda.

Speaking in L'Equipe, he said: "I never went to Everton. It's funny. I was watching TV, and I saw that a deal had been done with Everton and that I had signed for them, but I was in London, waiting to sign my contract (with Tottenham).

"It is true that Wednesday was rather quick, and it happened in the last hours, but the bottom line is this is done, I have finalised my transfer to Tottenham.

"I knew this club really wanted me. I trusted my agent to do the job from start to finish."

Paul Smith
193 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:43:55
Oh Lord help us!
David Barks
194 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:55:17
Martin,

The story was broke by Sky, that's where it was reported, FFS.

Immediately followed by the Mail, and the Echo. And as others are pointing out, plenty of other places. Have you used Google before?

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/Everton-didnt-sign-moussa-sissoko-8747563

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/706274/Everton-owner-Farhad-Moshiri-Moussa-Sissoko-Tottenham-transfer-news-gossip

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/moussa-sissoko-Everton-farhad-moshiri-tottenham-latest-statement-a7220186.html

Martin Mason
195 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:55:53
Robert, what shall we do if Moshiri is guilty? Burn our season tickets? Have him prosecuted? Organise protest marches to get him and his tainted money out of the club?

No sane man would guarantee McCarthy a position at the club and I believe Moshiri is sane.

Dave, it isn't on Sky now nor on any other sports outlet with any credibility.

The only way I could believe that Moshiri said this was that he has a very good sense of humour and if so I class it as brilliant especially when he has a thread on TW with people actually finding it of any interest.

Colin Glassar
196 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:57:08
So it's true then? I've got absolutely nothing against McCarthy, in fact I rate him quite highly, and I'm glad he's staying but this type of gushing bullshit is just embarrassing, especially after the way the 'happy family' treated long time servants, Hibbo and Ossie.

I'm both surprised and dismayed by Moshiri. As Phil McNulty said, our transfer dealings towards the end of the window were a shambles and chaotic. Who the hell is in control at Everton?

Brent Stephens
197 Posted 02/09/2016 at 18:59:47
Colin whoa! How do we know it's true?
Ian Burns
199 Posted 02/09/2016 at 19:07:24
Martin, one has to admire your tenacity at defending Mr Moshiri's position (or non-position) in this situation but I think you are missing some very cogent points, which many posters are trying to make.

If Mr Moshiri has made this statement, then it tells us a great deal about his wisdom (or lack of) and it also brings into question what Mr Koeman thinks of this interference – and that also carries a huge amount of concern for EFC fans.

It also calls into question who is telling the truth? Sissoko; Mr Moshiri or Mr White at Sky? If it is Mr White at Sky who is actually not telling the truth, this brings into question his suitability to be a presenter on such a high profile television station.

One thing I agree with you Martin is that statement is so unlikely it cannot possibly be true, can it? – so who is lying?

It needs clarification from the club and if Mr Moshiri did make this statement, it needs some damn good PR to make good an ill-advised iPhone Note.

Robert Elliott
200 Posted 02/09/2016 at 19:12:45
If that makes you feel better, Martin, then fine.

Personally I'd settle for him communicating through the club and not making absurd comments via Jim bloody White but, thinking about it, your thing does sound more fun!

Colin Glassar
201 Posted 02/09/2016 at 19:13:58
Brent, Phil Mcnulty is ITK at Everton and if he says it's true then I believe him over Martin. Why can't Moshiri just park his arse on Everton TV and talk to us, the fans, and not Jim fucking White? Is he the Donald Trump of football?
Brent Stephens
202 Posted 02/09/2016 at 19:14:04
David (#198)???
Peter Morris
203 Posted 02/09/2016 at 19:14:29
As it now appears that indeed Mr Moshiri is the source of the Jim White piece, this looks like his first gaff since becoming involved with us.

Firstly, I think he is ill-advised to talk so casually directly to those sharks at Sky... they care not a jot about EFC – we're not one if their 4; and secondly, and perhaps more importantly, it strikes me that he needs to get to know the club's culture and ethos a bit more deeply before claimed to espouse it.

Yes, we do look after our own, Mr Moshiri – guys like Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert perhaps? Being 'one of our own' goes a bit deeper than just happening to be here, and possibly just passing through. In his public behaviour since falling back a little in the pecking order (and his recent form absolutely merits that by the way), James McCarthy hasn't yet earned the right in my eyes at least to earn the accolade 'one of our own'.

Brian Hennessy
204 Posted 02/09/2016 at 19:16:43
Well at least all our players can now sleep soundly for the remainder of their contracts in the knowledge that they have signed for a "family" and not a football club – and will remain part of our "family" irrespective of performances.

What worries me most is not that Moshiri made the statement, but rather what kind of a lunatic we now have at the helm talking such utter nonsense.

Colin Glassar
205 Posted 02/09/2016 at 19:19:54
Does that now include Niasse, Brian? Last time I heard, he was still chained to the bog in Finch Farm. Welcome to the family Niasse!!
Ian Burns
206 Posted 02/09/2016 at 19:22:39
Lyndon, as a voice of wisdom and one who holds respect of all TW posters – I wonder if you would care to offer an opinion on this debacle?
Robert Elliott
207 Posted 02/09/2016 at 19:23:22
Colin (#201) absolutely right.

In the summer we were told he was so shy of media attention he didn't even attend Koeman's press conference... and now, two months later, he's got a hotline to the biggest gob on Sky Sports! It's like he's been taking acting lessons from Bill!

Martin Mason
208 Posted 02/09/2016 at 19:26:05
So. What shall we do with Moshiri over this betrayal of supporters morality if this triviality is true?

Moshiri has to learn about the club's culture and ethos? No he doesn't, he owns the club and he can do what he wants with it in the knowledge that as long as he is successful he will sell season tickets.

My feeling is that, if this was actually true, Everton would have mounted a massive defensive action. As I see it they have treated it with the contempt it deserves.

Colin Glassar
209 Posted 02/09/2016 at 19:31:45
Robert, he might've decided to run the club via Twitter. Gawd help us.
Brian Hennessy
210 Posted 02/09/2016 at 19:32:46
That's right Colin, Niasse has reportedly been seen emerging from said bog reading a copy of the Echo and whistling:-

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay,
My, oh, my, what a wonderful day,
Plenty of sunshine headin' my way,
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay!

John Wells
211 Posted 02/09/2016 at 19:46:25
http://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/watch-do-your-homework-the-roy-keane-death-stare-returned-with-a-vengeance-this-afternoon-35017071.html

Link with Roy Keane giving a journo the stare on McCarthy questions!! Stands up for us well!

Patrick Murphy
212 Posted 02/09/2016 at 19:58:05
If it had have been Bill rather than Moshiri who made such a cheesy statement, I would have at first cringed and then laughed as that is the sort of thing I expect from a guy steeped in the land of theatre.

But because it is the new 'owner', it does feel very very odd and a tad concerning. Hey ho, we are Evertonians and we are used to this sort of thing, aren't we?

Darren Hind
213 Posted 02/09/2016 at 20:04:27
"Is possibly the stupidest and most nonsensical statement attributed to someone at this Everton."

Well it's without doubt stupid and nonsensical if true, Ciaran, but I haven't even got it in me top five.

Tony Hill
214 Posted 02/09/2016 at 20:08:02
Roll on 12th September and a victory over our friend.

I can't wait to see us in action again because I have absolute confidence that Koeman is going to be more determined than ever and we know the players back him.

Then all this stuff can disappear. Nothing like victories to make everything right.

Raymond Fox
215 Posted 02/09/2016 at 20:19:09
One way or another, it's a monumental public relations cock-up!
Ken Wood
217 Posted 02/09/2016 at 20:29:05
So we are supposed to believe that our new majority shareholder, who has never commented on player dealings in the past, has made this ludicrous remark! Not a chance... and I for one am over the moon that we didn't lay out £30 mil for that fraud! I also believe that McCarthy can do a job with the right guidance.

Brown shoes really did knock the stuffing out of our great club which affected everybody from staff to supporters at a time when we should have been competing. Especially given the league we competed in last year.

Paul Smith
218 Posted 02/09/2016 at 20:30:52
What about this classic:

They're working on a number of deals but Farhad Moshiri, Everton's major shareholder tells me (Jim White) it's an "insane window".

I tweeted at the time there is no way on this earth Farhad would say such a thing. I know fuck all!

Ken Wood
219 Posted 02/09/2016 at 20:34:21
And another thing! Who wouldn't have swapped what we have now for what we had three weeks before the end of last season?

Koeman is building to succeed now, we can bring youngsters on in the interim, BBS lost it completely through stubbornness. We would all have taken the current situation without hesitation.

Ken Wood
220 Posted 02/09/2016 at 20:35:39
I agree, Paul. It's bullocks.
Robert Elliott
221 Posted 02/09/2016 at 20:40:10
I guess I'm most disappointed that, of all the Sky presenters, he chose Jim White! Why couldn't he have got hold of Natalie Sawyer's number FFS?!
Stephen Davies
222 Posted 02/09/2016 at 20:41:50
Why have we taken out another loan?
Paul Kossoff
223 Posted 02/09/2016 at 20:47:53
Stephen 222, you are kidding? Moshiri billionaire, and we are still taking out loans?
John Jones
224 Posted 02/09/2016 at 20:52:07
I agree with some of the above posts, what exactly is the problem with Moshiri at the very least making a statement on the website. This man is soooo interested and loyal toward the Everton "family" that his communication with fans so far has been a paragraph on the official site when he initially bought in, and that summised was "Everything's going to be great, Bill's great, you're all great, etc".

I sincerely hope I am wrong but the last few weeks have opened my eyes somewhat. I don't believe Moshiri is here to turn us into title contenders. He will want steady top 8 finishes whilst he clears the debts and gets a stadium built on the cheap to practically double his money with little to no personal outlay.

Mike Green
225 Posted 02/09/2016 at 20:53:45
What's the problem...?

Don't care if it's true or not, if it's true he's said nothing offensive, illegal or controversial – it might even be true.

If it's not, who gives a shit? I don't. I give more of a shit that people give a shit, that's for sure.

John Jones
226 Posted 02/09/2016 at 20:58:51
Mike, if you're referring to my above post, then lots.

Why should EFC be used as a pawn, fans continually bullshitted, better players sold off amd up for sale again to be sold to god knows who.

Mike Green
227 Posted 02/09/2016 at 21:01:17
No John - saw your post loaded same time as mine and added to avoid confusion, nothing to do with your post.
Oliver Molloy
228 Posted 02/09/2016 at 21:35:51
Moshiri is a billionaire, he's at Everton because football is rolling with money and there is an opportunity to make many more millions to his bank accounts.

He may build a new stadium eventually and even buy a player without selling one first, but he's here for the money – that's my opinion of him already!

Ciarán McGlone
229 Posted 02/09/2016 at 21:38:23
I have to say, this is the most entertaining story from our club in quite some time.

Gossip, drama, intrigue...

It's almost as if it's been scripted by a seasoned thespian. Gordon Clegg would love this shit.

Michael Kenrick
230 Posted 02/09/2016 at 21:39:58
So the Echo tells us it was a genuine message from Moshiri.

I still find it hard to believe that the club were genuinely sucked in to bidding on Sissoko, so perhaps I'm clutching at straws here in still believing that part was nonsense. Could it be possible that Moshiri made this text as a graceful way to extricate the club from an invented bid made up by the agent, that Moshiri never had any intention of following through on?

Everyone seems to accept that we really were in for Sissoko, and that we really bid £30M for him. That's the part of this nonsense that is most worrying for me. I mean, Sissoko comes over as the whole Everton thing being a big joke set up by his agent.

Oliver Molloy
231 Posted 02/09/2016 at 21:55:37
Micheal,

Sissoko and his team are saying stuff to endear themselves to the Spurs fans.

He showed his true colours at Newcastle and even more so when he hadn't got the balls or even the decency to speak to Koeman when he called him a number of times – spineless.

The best outcome for me is when we go to Spurs, we beat them and someone from our team helps Sissoko check out the seats in the fucking home crowd, imagine if it was McCarthy.

Complete arsehole...

Tom Bowers
232 Posted 02/09/2016 at 22:02:31
Before the Euros, people would have scoffed at the idea of signing Sissoko for £10 million – let alone 30million. I don't understand why Everton left it till he last day... or did they?

I for one am glad he didn't come here. We have a gem in Gueye and with some other better attacking options than we have had for a long time.

As I have said often enough, it's not the players you bring in for big money but the players who want to play as a team and respond to the manager's coaching and strategies that get results.

Tony Hill
233 Posted 02/09/2016 at 22:17:43
Everyone else (very much including Sissoko, Jim White, the Sky machine and the condescending commentariat) can fuck off. Someone else said on here recently that we need to circle the wagons and force ourselves back to success. We need to use the way we are routinely patronised and disregarded and turn it all into fuel.

I've felt that sort of shift in mood and support since the start of the season and we must, absolutely must, keep it going and not be put off by any weird nonsense. That, plus what Tom Bowers says in his final paragraph, will see us right.

James Watts
234 Posted 02/09/2016 at 22:21:24
My faith in Moshiri has gone down big time. Not quite down to the level of True Blue Bill, but way down none the less.

This story is bollocks. Invented to get us talking about something that is, quite frankly, pointless. It's covering over the fact that our transfer policy is still sell to buy. Last minute bids for players we weren't going to get? Hmmmm, sounds familiar? Fucking should do. It's what BK has been doing for the last 15 years.

Moshiri isn't interested in getting us back to the top, he's only interested in his bank balance. All we've done is replace the other dickhead shareholders BK brought in and didn't do anything, with another one.

Let's just wait for another stadium update hey? Just before the next window closes, no doubt.

I would love to know how Koeman, Walsh and others feel about 'Project Everton' now. Fucking joke.

Jay Wood
235 Posted 02/09/2016 at 22:27:00
This is a curious one.

At first, you would dismiss it as a total spoof ... the billionaire owner of Everton texting intimately to Jim whiter than White on the inner workings and thinking within the club, when in the main Moshiri has been quiter than Tutankhamun's tomb until now?

Nah! Nonsense!

But then you get the local fawning Echo confirming it but with no clarification from the club.

Very odd.

If true, it's worrying, because it is so nonsensical and shows poor judgement... I mean, cummon! Texting TDD Jim White with this..? Yeah, that works!

If false, 24 hours on, it's way too late to nip it in the bud by making a statement of denial.

Messy either way...

Tony Hill
236 Posted 02/09/2016 at 22:27:43
James, Project Everton is on the pitch now and Koeman will push it through because we are his big stepping stone. His ambition is our strength and he's not going to bottle it.
Dan Davies
237 Posted 02/09/2016 at 22:28:26
None of this makes logical sense. From Sissoko, to SSN to Moshiri. Who to believe? It's bordering on madness!

A big circus by SSN because the actual big business of the window was done before DD? Hey SSN needed a story to entertain the masses tuning in...

Maybe Moshiri fancied having Everton's name in flashing lights attracting attention so helped his 'confidant' out. This whole story has baffled me, what is going on? I'm not happy like.

James Watts
238 Posted 02/09/2016 at 22:35:09
I'm not worried about Koeman, Tony. I think, on the evidence we have seen so far, he is a fantastic manager. He has turned the team around, obvious work still to do, but definitely a million miles ahead of where that Spanish Tit left us.

What I'm worried about is we all fell for the Moshiri takeover. Bill has pulled his best one over us yet. I fell for it, hook, line and fucking sinker. Brilliant again from Bill, but when will we ever learn with this guy?

Michael Kenrick
239 Posted 02/09/2016 at 22:37:00
I agree, that's a possible angle Oliver (#231)... although wouldn't he want them to believe Everton genuinely were in for him? In which case, wouldn't he have said, "Yea, it was a toss up, but finally I chose the Lane." No, he very tellingly (at least for me) laughed at the idea he was signing for Everton, and said, "I trusted my agent to do the job from start to finish." He certainly did a job on EFC, that's for damn sure.

That Daily Mail feature on the subject (Ian, #191) is from arch dickhead Dominic King, who once again fails to hide his fawning love of all things Moyes in taking a bizarre "Everton have changed" spin on the whole thing, and takes a kick at Koeman for bringing in (and supposedly chasing) predominately aging players, rather than all those young, up-and-coming 'profile' players Moyes brought to the club with great sell-on value.

Ciarán McGlone
240 Posted 02/09/2016 at 22:38:41
Is Brian Williams still awake?

I want to hear his latest take on this.

Paul Conway
241 Posted 02/09/2016 at 22:46:14
This is one of the most bizarre affairs I have encountered since almost 50 years of being a Blues Fan.

During the Evening of TDD, I thought that the Sissoko transfer was the 'Watch this space' hint that Moshiri was supposed to have uttered via text, or whatever, to Jim White.

Now it seems that if Moshiri's statement is true, then he (Moshiri) is literally trying to roll us in the flour, or trying to sell sand to the Arabs!

This is a lot to swallow for the hard-nosed toffee. In fact I could handle swallowing Willie Wonka's gobstopper before believing such tosh!

This is embarrassing for Everton Fans, whether it's true or false!

Tony Hill
242 Posted 02/09/2016 at 22:46:23
Yes, the Dominic King article is a masterpiece of illogical tosh. Sissoko's agent has done no job on us save in the most shallow way, Michael. His client is precisely the type of player we do not want, a preening wanker well fitted to Daniel Levy's salon.
Jon Cox
243 Posted 02/09/2016 at 23:02:43
Reading all this shite says one thing to me.

The media is coming from a position of " Divide and rule"

Go back to the first comment and read through. You'll find that everyone's got a divergent view.

That's what "They" want. "They" are getting scared of Everton because "they" don't want us dinning at the top table.

They know that there is something going on that they don't like. That's it... and before all you cleverlys ask Who is "they"?

It's either

London Centrica or,

Port Merion.

Dan Davies
244 Posted 02/09/2016 at 23:06:06
There's more to this that misses the eye ...
Jon Cox
245 Posted 02/09/2016 at 23:30:56
Dan, be seeing you.
Oliver Molloy
246 Posted 02/09/2016 at 23:46:45
Michael,

Sissoko has tried his best to "belittle" Everton. He has already said he wanted to sign for a big club and Spurs were that top club.

Like I said I hope he gets fucking emptied when we meet again.

Dan Egerton
247 Posted 03/09/2016 at 06:28:35
Sounds like Moshiri was doing nothing more than what many of us do on this forum... vent. I choose not to be a hypocrite and rag on him for doing what I and the rest us footy fans do.
Ian Cowhig
248 Posted 03/09/2016 at 07:57:26
Reading Sissoko's comment about he was sat, waiting to sign a contract at Spurs, while Sky was saying Everton were about to do a deal. And he was wondering why they were saying that.

Suggests to me that, as per usual, Sky didn't know what was going on, but that isn't good for the theatre that is TDD.

Moshiri's supposed comment then takes a different slant.

Jim White sends message 'to Moshiri, "must be disappointed not to get Sissoko'.

Summary of Moshiri's comment:
'Newcastle wanted McCarthy as part of the deal, and we wanted to keep him. ' (Koeman had already said so)

So Everton never got to the point of agreeing terms.

Personally happy. Other than a couple of games for France, Sissoko has been distinctly poor. 'He doesn't put effort in' was a comment from a Geordie friend.

McCarthy has not been good the last two seasons. Injuries and style of EFC play have affected that. One thing though is no-one can accuse him of lack of effort. Koeman can take a player who gives effort, and get him playing better. So I expect McCarthy to improve back towards his first season form.

Phil Sammon
249 Posted 03/09/2016 at 08:22:08
McCarthy has been playing below expectations for two years. See also Baines, Coleman, Mirallas, Barkley... I think every player needs 6 months with Koeman before any judgements are made.
Bobby Thomas
250 Posted 03/09/2016 at 09:22:22
McCarthy will ultimately be moved on. He's average and Koeman knows it.

However we need some form of squad and he's depth for the mid, plus he can do a bit of right hand side/right back at a push.

The thinking from Koeman & Walsh generally seems to be to go for players that can get about the pitch and have pace, power and strength, as well as being able to play.

McCarthy will be gone next year. He will never play for a better club than us.

Ciarán McGlone
251 Posted 03/09/2016 at 09:30:44
There's a lot of chatter on Twitter about Everton taking out new loans...

Anybody got anything concrete on this?

Ray Roche
252 Posted 03/09/2016 at 09:36:23
Ciarán, Twitter? Come on son, come back to the real world.
Brian Williams
253 Posted 03/09/2016 at 09:47:07
Ciaran (#240).

My latest take? Same as it was right at the start.

Someone asked me the other day If I had Facebook or Twitter. I said "No, I have a life."

Colin Glassar
254 Posted 03/09/2016 at 09:51:45
I had an early night last night so has Koeman spoken to the media yet about this being the best transfer window of his career and how the club has backed him to the hilt?
Paul Smith
255 Posted 03/09/2016 at 10:02:12
Apparently on the 22nd August Everton took out a loan with Rights & Media funding limited. Contributers to this site where discussing it on Twitter yesterday. There's more evidence on there and it's not hard to find on the Internet, just saying.
David S Kelly
256 Posted 03/09/2016 at 10:03:36
Poor old Osman and Hibbert... Outcasts from "family Everton".
Ciarán McGlone
257 Posted 03/09/2016 at 10:10:00
Setting the merits of Twitter to one side for the moment... (and the oddity of someone taking to an ONLINE forum to suggest that anybody who uses it doesn't have a life), what I actually asked was – Did anybody have anything concrete?

(ps:- Just for clarity and before I get skinned alive by a bunch 'living life to the full', caravaning, scarf-wearing kite enthusiasts... I'm happy to dismiss it as nonsense until said evidence arises.)

Colin Glassar
258 Posted 03/09/2016 at 10:10:25
What's the loan for Paul? Some people seem to be under the impression that Moshiri was going to use his own money to buy players and build a stadium. Fat chance!!!

These guys use other people's money, unless they are Abramovich or Mansour rich, and they don't mind adding on debt if need be.

Ciarán McGlone
259 Posted 03/09/2016 at 10:10:48
Thanks, Paul... I'll have another look.
Steve Brown
260 Posted 03/09/2016 at 10:13:48
My initial take was utter bollocks, and my final point of view is utter bollocks, whatever the Echo says. After all, who did they check with? Their journo chums at Sky?

Even if it is not bollocks, then it could be 1) clarifying the ins and outs of the Sissoko deal, as Ian Cowhig points out. Or a 2) weepy Bill text saying I have just talked to Mosh and here's what he said. Or even 3) Mosh has a moment of insanity. Who cares?

Even if it is 3), are we really saying that this counts for more than investing millions in the club, hiring Koeman, making progress on the new stadium, hiring Steve Walsh or signing five decent players? A bit of balance and perspective please.

If he gets us a new stadium, he can talk or text as much nonsense as he feels like in all honesty.

Steve Brown
261 Posted 03/09/2016 at 10:20:00
If I discovered that Moshiri had invested his own money to fund a stadium, then I would begin to doubt him. What business or businessman does that?

The reason why we may now be able to raise loans to fund a stadium development is because of lender confidence. That's what being owned by a billionaire rather than a theatre impresario without a pot to piss in allows you to do.

Nick Page
262 Posted 03/09/2016 at 10:20:19
Ciaran, it was (the new loan) on Twitter which is a good source of info if you have half a brain and can filter out the noise. It's confirmed at Companies House.

The debate was over what it's for. Most settled on POTENTIAL short term financing needs for stadium. Who knows??

Gordon White
263 Posted 03/09/2016 at 10:22:09
I am still really smarting from the throw away comments Missoko used when referring to Everton. (No its not a spelling error). He had the same lack of respect for the Toon fans.

My heart sank when I heard we had an interest – thank goodness Spurs have him now.

Soon, all of the consternation about a few words from Mr Moshiri will die down. (Nobody is perfect.) Fans will turn their attention to the next talking point, hopefully another solid Everton performance.

Tottenham, however, will still have paid way over the top for an average player that did little to stop the relegation of his team last season. And for whom, the Newcastle fans were delighted to rid themselves of, for such a princley sum.

Gordon White
264 Posted 03/09/2016 at 10:25:58
With the recent cuts to Base rate, there's never been a better time to lend. Nothing unusual about that. Be interesting to know what it's for though.
Paul Smith
265 Posted 03/09/2016 at 10:27:32
Further to Nick Page, to release some cash flow maybe, Colin, no-one really knows.
Brian Harrison
266 Posted 03/09/2016 at 10:27:41
I don't care if he did or didn't send the text, in fact what matters is how does RK feel about his first transfer window since taking charge.

I am sure he will have asked for certain assurances before joining us, and I just hope that he still has the same faith in those assurances.

I know all managers will claim to missing out on players they were after. But if (and I admit, it's a big 'if') the press are to be believed, we were after Perez, Gabbiadini, Sissoko... and for whatever reason none arrived. Maybe it just reflects how far we have slid down the pecking order, and the players didn't fancy coming to a club who have finished in the bottom half of the league for the last 2 seasons.

Ray Roche
268 Posted 03/09/2016 at 10:51:46
Brian, a player will go to almost any club regardless of a "bottom half of the league (finish) for the last 2 seasons" if they're paid enough. But Perez, if offered similar terms to what we offered, would always choose Arsenal with Champions League football, the London effect etc.

Gabbiadini, well, Lord knows what happened there and Brahimi's club, Porto, just pissed us about. The player apparently was disappointed not to have joined us and Witsel is also aware that he dropped a major bollock and is still at Zenit. Serves him right.

Sissoko? tee, hee...

Brian Harrison
269 Posted 03/09/2016 at 11:34:19
Ray

I agree that money is a big consideration, but I do think that they also take into account the clubs position in the league.

But my main point is how did Koeman asses what happened in the transfer window. Did he think we had let him down at not getting his targets, or did he just think circumstances out of our control was the reason for not landing his targets.

I would hope that he thinks it was the latter of the 2 options, as he is crucial to what happens at the club for the next couple of years. Maybe this will be Wenger's last season and I could well see them approaching Koeman if that happens.

Ray Roche
270 Posted 03/09/2016 at 11:42:31
Brian,

I also would hope that option 2 would be his take on things, he did, however, bring in Bolassie, Williams, Gana and Calvert-Lewin so he should appreciate that efforts have been made.

TDD is now just a circus with that tool White as the ring master and the sooner we get things done when the window opens and we can avoid that stupidity the better.

Martin Mason
271 Posted 03/09/2016 at 11:49:35
James@238, what is it you "fell for" over the Moshiri takeover? He paid hard cash for 49.9% of the club shares and is now acting as our financial guarantor to ensure that we can buy players and get cheap finance on the markets.

Only an idiot uses their own money when you can get finance cheaply and have such high cash flow. Even Abramovic expects he will get every penny back that he's sunk into Chelsea.

Even when we were the cheque book champs in the Moores days, he didn't put his own money in.

Brian Williams
272 Posted 03/09/2016 at 13:06:30
Ciaran (#257).

I think there's a huge difference between visiting an Everton website to read and share opinions on a subject close to all our hearts, and going on social media to update the world on my choice of undies for that day.

Joking aside, you know what I mean I'm sure and must admit that 90-odd% of what goes on Facebook and Twitter is utter shite. When did we start to need to know every thought, every movement someone has or makes, someone who means fuck all to us, and most of the time someone we don't even know?

We can argue or disagree about social media forever and a day but if I want to know what one of my friends, family or acquaintances are doing, I'll speak to them. That's on the phone or face-to-face.

What Billy Bollocks, star of "The Only Way is Huyton" is doing is of no interest to me whatsoever. I don't know how old you are, Ciaran, but the next time you have a family do where there's a range of ages, kids to adults, take a look around the table. Chances are that most of the ones under 20-odd years of age spend most of their time on their phones.

Progress? As Jim Royle would say..."Progress? My arse."

Gordon White
273 Posted 03/09/2016 at 13:07:56
Mr Koeman has come from Southampton. He must have been in a similar position there regarding player perceptions. I think he will be frustrated that some of his plans didn't come to fruition. But it won't be a shock! He knows how football operates and strikes me as being a pragmatic person. Everyone was surprised at the figures being quoted in the TW.

I think Koeman will be pleased that the club were willing to back him with some big potential fees and wages.

Before it came out that Sissoko was Spurs-bound there were a number of commentators ridiculing Everton for being prepared to pay such a sum for such a player. It's interesting that those same people saw it very differently when Spurs coughed up, albeit there were a few still questioning it.

Worth remembering that Mr Koeman himself estimated it would take 2 years before the squad would be as he wanted. That gives an indication of his expectations. I think that, within that 2-year period, there will be players that will fill an interim role.

Of course we all, me included, get excited when you mention the word 'billion', together with the names of a smattering of, potentially, top class players. I've been waiting since the mid-eighties for a resurgence in our fortunes. We had a false dawn under Martinez. But right now – well I've never felt more hopeful and excited!! I guess I/we will have to wait a little longer.

Colin Hughes
274 Posted 03/09/2016 at 13:49:00
McCarthy is now facing a lengthy spell on the side lines to have a groin operation. Does that mean we won't be playing any central midfielders as not to jeopardise his position in the side?

Whatever happened to the phrase "No man is bigger than the club"?

Moshiri has either got a lot to learn or is going to make us an even bigger laughing stock than under Kenwright.

Phil Walling
275 Posted 03/09/2016 at 16:37:45
So much then for all those thoughts of a billionaire sticking huge amounts of his own dough into Everton's kitty.

It is gradually emerging that, whilst Moshiri has made Kenwright a very rich man by purchasing his shares, his role here is no more than a guarantor for even more debt to be loaded on the Club.

'The man who mortgaged his house to save Everton' must see every day in dressed as Santa's elf. If it all goes 'tits up', it's nothing to do with him!

On the other hand, with only a handful of shares to my name, that's exactly how I feel, too!

James Watts
276 Posted 03/09/2016 at 21:31:49
With each passing second, minute, hour and day and still nothing official from Everton it shows the complete lack of respect anyone on the board has for us fans.

They really couldn't give a stuff about us or what we think. Everton family?!?! You're fucking kidding me they are part of it.

James Watts
277 Posted 03/09/2016 at 21:58:06
Martin (271). I 'fell' for the notion that we could, for the first time in nearly 30 years, be propelled into the big league genuinely challenging for honours again.

I wasn't expecting it to happen overnight, or even in the first year or two. BUT I was expecting us to make a statement in this window. It's just the statement we did make that has royally pissed me off.

Don't get me wrong, I didn't want Sissoko or a few of the other 'big' names we were linked with. I'm also realistic to know that some of the players we did want didn't want to come here. It's just the manner of the transfer window 'dealings' that have done my head in well before the TDD. I thought with Moshiri on board, the days of scrambling round for something on TDD were well and truly behind us.

I was on here defending Moshiri a month ago, but we only seemed to spend money once Stones was sold. That for me, shows, nothing has changed in the board room. Late big bids on players we didn't get? Come on you have to admit, NOTHING has changed in that aspect. It's still a case of 'well we tried but it didn't work out' bollocks we have had to put up with for a long time.

I dunno, maybe I expected too much. But every time I think of us at the moment, I'm just truly fucked off. I've tried reading the positive posts that have been published on here (some of them made excellent points that I do agree with) but I still can't get my head around how amateurish this window has been handled, especially at the end. And that's not how it should have been. Surely??

If Moshiri hadn't come on board and we were still just under BK, then I would have totally expected what has just happened. But that's not the case.

Tony Hill
278 Posted 03/09/2016 at 22:26:33
Phil and James, I agree with what you say in large part but I am closing my mind to it at this stage because I am hoping that Koeman, full of ambition, will see us through regardless. I am seriously trying to agree (not a difficult task) with Adam McCulloch's analysis in the feature article: we did well over the whole transfer window and the naysayers should calm down. That's the noble view.

Problem is that, if I'm honest, I don't really believe any of it about our Board's bona fides and the idiotic twitter quote from Moshiri (plainly genuine except to those determined to dismiss it) was dispiriting. Again, I want to shut all of that out because it can only benefit our enemies.

No, in Koeman we must trust (for as long he trusts the club), and we must trust in the players' trust in him. Win often enough and we will be fine. Otherwise, the uninspiring details of our Board's conduct – as opposed to its rhetoric – will come under scrutiny.

James Watts
279 Posted 03/09/2016 at 22:35:59
Absolutely Tony (278). I think it's time for me to get the same attitude. After my several rants it's time for me to calm down, hoping beyond hope that it's been a real eye opener for Moshiri and things will change in the future. At this stage it's a blind hope, but it's better than driving myself insane.

Thank god we have Ronnie!

Mike Green
280 Posted 03/09/2016 at 22:55:11
Tony #278 - 'I want to shut all of that out because it can only benefit our enemies' - well said Sir.

It staggers me that there are scores of Blues turning themselves inside out over a tweet and turning on a new owner (and his new Director of Football) after he's delivered what looks like a quality manager, looks to be working on a stadium move which most Blues would give their right arm for and looks to be running the club sensibly.

But then he did tweet about James McCarthy and a bloke none of us seemed to want anyway. Let's fuck him off. What's Peter Risdale up to these days..?

Paul Smith
281 Posted 03/09/2016 at 23:24:56
Echo online tonight suggesting Moshiri is none too happy with TDD shambles and wants answers to why our targets fell away one by one, unwilling to let it happen again in the future.

It's been a reality check for me after 6 months of buzzing with the new dawn and all that. I still believe and will compartmentalise my negativity for another time. Onwards and upwards.

James Watts
282 Posted 03/09/2016 at 23:35:14
Mike (280). Yes, I admit, I have turned on Moshiri. More through disappointment than anything else. If this was still BK in charge, I wouldn't have battered an eyelid. I expected better. Much much better. My arguments above I feel are valid but it's certainly time to move on. As Paul said, it's been a reality check.

Paul (281). I hope that is right. I will firmly be behind him again IF he has learnt his lessons from this shambles. Everyone makes mistakes and it was his first full window, so benefit of the doubt and lets face it, he's no mug. It's now down to him to sort it out. Hopefully starting by relieving Bill of any negotiation power in transfers.

Karl Masters
283 Posted 03/09/2016 at 23:47:37
Don't know what I find more worrying:

The fact we had the THIRD LOWEST net spend in the League at £5m, which does seriously beg the question has anything really changed? Such a low spend suggests Moshiri might just be cynically rinsing the Club.

Or this message, which if true (and it looks like it may well be) suggests he is either a half wit or that BK told him what to say.

All very concerning one way or another. Could this be BIll's biggest act of smoke and mirrors yet or were we simply fucked about by a greedy player and a slimy agent? Is Moshiri what we hoped for Maybe all or none of these.

And all this intrigue on top of the Niasse shambles / plot.

Typical Everton.

Mike Green
284 Posted 03/09/2016 at 23:49:40
And they say football fans are fickle. No shit.
Laurie Hartley
285 Posted 03/09/2016 at 23:52:00
What a schemozzle!

Time to close ranks behind the manager and players and show them we are with them 100%.

Phil Walling
286 Posted 03/09/2016 at 23:54:56
What concerns me more than 'the statement' is that RK and our 'Player Finder General' could ever see the likes of Sisoko and Valencia as any improvement on what we've got already.

And I'd love to know whether it was Moshiri's contacts who were behind the signing of Niasse. It wouldn't surprise me!

Derek Thomas
287 Posted 04/09/2016 at 01:13:03
Maybe part of the reasons Moshiri only took the bare minimum to get effective control, is so he COULD leave Boys Pen Billy and Sunbed Bob in charge... of the so-called day-to-day stuff, the football stuff.

Moshiri thinking 1: Talk to a few footballers – how hard can it be? They've been doing it for a few years now, they must know the basics. They've got all this Sky money to play with. I can't be arsed with pies, catering, tickets and Everton in the fuckin Community. I'll let them sort that stuff and do the transfers. It'll free me up to get on with the new ground stuff... quicker I get that sorted, quicker I can sell this on and get some real money.

Moshiri thinking 2: Jeez, what a fuck up, looks like another thing I'll have to sort out.

Michael Kenrick
288 Posted 04/09/2016 at 05:21:24
The Echo carries a second article on the bizarre message from Moshiri, reaffirming it was 100% genuine and this time providing a little more comment similar to the reaction of concerned fans on here:
Fans were befuddled. Was Moshiri really saying Everton didn't pursue Sissoko because they wanted to protect McCarthy?

The bafflement at such a suggestion was exacerbated by its unusual source.

But it's transpired the quotes are bona fide, 100% accurate. And, admittedly, it wouldn't be the first time Moshiri has turned to White to get a message out to supporters.

This time, however, it has prompted genuine concern among a fanbase slowly accepting the improved backing from Moshiri won't result in the Blues overnight becoming a major player in the transfer market.

If the statement was an attempt to save face after being gazumped by Tottenham over Sissoko, it was soon shot down by the player himself who admitted he was never interested in a move to the Blues in the first place and had made no effort to even leave London.

Perhaps Everton genuinely were concerned about McCarthy's position, given the Irishman had suffered a difficult start to the season and is now facing a groin operation that will keep him sidelined for the foreseeable future.

If that was the case, it would have surely been wiser to stay silent.

Whichever way you look at it, it remains a really strange, utterly bizarre, totally unnecessary message to have sent to the most inappropriate intermediary you could possibly imagine.

Clearly there are a few fans whose response is to simply sweep this under a very thick carpet of silence. But the questions remain unanswered, and won't be so easily brushed aside for some of us.

Jay Woods
289 Posted 04/09/2016 at 08:15:14
Utterly embarrassing, for both Moshiri and the fans.

Moshiri may very well be furious (as per the Mirror's article today) over the transfer window fiasco, but his own credibility is very much on the line now.

Ian Hollingworth
290 Posted 04/09/2016 at 08:33:43
So is this true or not?

If yes, then very embarrassing and I wonder what the posters on here who dismissed it as bollocks think?

If not true, why on earth would Everton FC let Sky get away with it?

True or not for me it raises some concerns over what exactly the new ownership is and the part played by Bill Kenwright.

Only at Everton, sadly.

James McPherson
291 Posted 04/09/2016 at 09:06:54
Karl Masters – on the ground announcement thread this week, you stated that the announcement was happening on the 1st September... guess that's all pie in the sky too?

We had fellow blues choosing their pre-match pub and picking their seats and even designing the ground. Laughable.

Colin Glassar
292 Posted 04/09/2016 at 09:14:28
Now they are trying to cover this up by saying Moshiri is angry with our last-minute scramble to sign players. What a load of codswallop!!

It sounds like Steve Walsh will be held to blame while Chairman Bill and Sideshow Bob (the real culprits) will come out of this smelling of roses.

Farhad, you fucked up big time by trusting these two dickheads with your money. Sack the pair of them and get someone in who is competent, imaginative and proactive. These two fucking dinosaurs represent a failed past so, if you want to improve things, and make us competitive, get rid now.

Ciarán McGlone
293 Posted 04/09/2016 at 09:41:55
Good God...

So the quarterwits were right to be concerned.

If this statement was bona fide, then the previous "watch this space" quip was also genuine.

To dismiss this shambolic pantomime out of hand, is to turn a blind eye to the last 15 years of slight of hand. This all seems strangely familiar.

As I said above, perhaps Moshiri has bought into the Bill Kenwright circus act.. it now seems plausible.

The ringmasters final act.

Tony Hill
294 Posted 04/09/2016 at 09:51:20
In any line of business you cannot have the old guard hovering around when the new boss arrives. It leads inevitably to tension and confusion. The post-match Chelsea interview told us everything we needed to know.

Fresh start please.

James McPherson
295 Posted 04/09/2016 at 09:58:10
Agree, Tony Hill (#294) – good point. This 49.9% never did ring right – Kenwright still very much at the helm. The shambles this week is evidence of that.
Steve Guy
296 Posted 04/09/2016 at 09:59:30
Give them enough rope and they'll hang themselves. I would expect Moshiri to take up his option on the Dear Leader's remaining shares sooner rather than later.
Colin Glassar
297 Posted 04/09/2016 at 10:01:52
If Moshiri is serious about taking us forward, he needs to get rid of these two clowns ASAP.
Laurie Hartley
298 Posted 04/09/2016 at 10:26:42
Let me say I have been one of the more enthusiastic ToffeeWebers regarding Farhad Moshiri becoming our major shareholder. My perception was that he was a hard-headed businessman with heavy duty contacts who would have the drive and smarts to lead us back to (towards) the top of the pile.

I have worked for some pretty shrewd and successful business men in my time. All very different personalities but the best of them had two things in common:-

1). They never got dragged down into the "weeds" of the business.
2). They new when, and when not, to keep quiet.

As far I can see, Moshiri has contravened both of these principles which leaves me very a very disappointed Evertonian.  I thought he was much smarter than that.

What really makes it worse is that the Sky and their darlings really can't stand us and any embarrassment for Everton is like manna from heaven for them. FFS.

Another irritant for me is that the doom mongers and malcontents among our own ranks are feeding off this monumental blunder by our major shareholder. I won't defend the indefensible.

If he was a politician, we could call for a leadership spill but for all intents and purposes he owns the club and I don't think there is anybody with his financial clout waiting in the wings to buy his 49.9% share off him. So what are we to do?

I suppose in the olden days a delegation from ToffeeWeb could have invited him and his executive team down to Finch Farm for a behind-closed-doors "how to keep your mouth shut" lesson.

Then there is the not-so-small matter of Sissoko and his agent taking the mickey out of us.  During my working years, I became very friendly with a terrific bloke – a Senior Manager of a large building supplies company.  Terry was a Glaswegian who had served in the Black Watch.  Terry – God rest him – loved a yarn.  

Once, when we were setting the world to rights and discussing the threat of the drug problem to our kids, he leaned across his desk with his hands clasped together, looked me square in the eye over the top of his specs, and spoke these words to me which I will never forget:

"Laurie – never rule out violence as a solution to your problems." 😎

So you will understand that Oliver Molloy's solution at 231 and 246 appeals to me but I suppose that's over reacting on my part.

Michael, frustrated as I am by all this, as thing stands I can't see what we can do about it other than "brush it aside" or voice our concerns on ToffeWeb – but I am open to suggestions.

Personally, I think our best cause of action is to enthuse our manager and his players with our unswerving vocal support at the match. So, in memory of my friend Terry:

We don't care what the SKY SHITE say
What the fuck do WE care
We only know we are going to have a go
And the boys from EVERTON will be there.

Aaaaah – that feels better.

Up the Blues.

Ian Burns
299 Posted 04/09/2016 at 10:34:36
Michael - 288 - Your last sentence rings so true: "But the questions remain unanswered, and won't be so easily brushed aside for some of us."

On Friday, on this thread, I was asking for the club to make some sort of statement so we could in fact brush this under the carpet once and for all. All we want is clarity and issuing comments through Jim White and the Sunday Mirror is simply not good enough. Silence is not golden – it is deafening!

If Moshiri wants to throw the blame where it belongs, then that's fine but let somebody make some sort of redeeming statement so we can start to worry about Rom scoring against Sunderland and worry about a positive word on the new stadium instead of allowing this nonsense to underpin what was, until TDD, very positive vibes for this new season.

Phil Walling
300 Posted 04/09/2016 at 12:03:00
Perhaps Moshiri's first excursion into football governance at an influential level has seen him take Bill Kenwright as an exemplar of how to behave. "Do it my way, Mosh, and the Everton family will love you for it."

As so many have said on this thread, had the quote been attributed to Old Uncle Bill, it would have been accepted as par for the course. But we don't want 'a nice Uncle Moshy', just a hard headed Boss of the family who gushes money – not tear drops – in every window.

Oh, and not taking us all for a bunch of sops would help his cause a bit as well!

Frank Crewe
301 Posted 04/09/2016 at 13:14:27
We need to make up our minds what we want.

Walsh was brought in to find us top talent at rock bottom prices like he did with Kante and Mahrez at Leicester. If I'm to believe what I'm told, he has done this with Gueye because of the buyout clause he had with Villa. Now hopefully he will find us other players of the similar calibre for low prices.

Now if all we want is big name players at top dollar prices and all the aggravation that it brings, then why bother to bring Walsh in at all?

Richard Dodd
302 Posted 04/09/2016 at 14:15:42
Nobody has indicated that ALL we want is big name players – although Mata would have been very nice – but what we don't want is an 'owner' who makes Everton look stupid and over-sentimental.

Kenwright has treated us like kindergarten pupils. Levy has treated Moshiri with contempt.

Colin Glassar
303 Posted 04/09/2016 at 20:52:26
Not sure it's being shown south of the border but BBC Scotland are showing a series called Scotland's Game about the rise and fall (and a bit of a rise again) of Scottish football.

The way some of the cowboy owners ran their clubs into the ground by not investing, over spending, buying crap players, taking out unpayable loans etc, is scary shit.

When Sky pulled the rug from under their feet then Setanta collapsed Scottish football went into meltdown and after almost 20 years of turmoil it's only now they are slowly recovering.

Now I was seriously disappointed about our lack of activity towards the end of the window but I also realise that the likes of Napoli, Porto and the like we're trying to rip us off. We need to manage these new found riches correctly and not fritter it away.

The Sissoko deal smacked of last-minute desperation and I can imagine Punch and Judy coming to blows after realising that Moshiri might blow a gasket once he realises how shite they really are.

If Moshiri wants to show he's in charge then he should sack Sideshow Bob and then after a few weeks deliver the coup de grace to Chairman Bill. As long as these two are around, we will find it hard to progress.

Jay Woods
304 Posted 04/09/2016 at 21:46:47
I'm just wondering about these "new found riches", Colin. A net spend of something of the order of minus one million has me getting all tinfoil and paranoid. Sure, we looked like we were trying to sign a host of marquee players, but did we actually try for real?

I suppose the question I am asking is this: is Moshiri himself the real deal? Or have we been sold another pup?

You see, I have this problem with the whole shebang. And it's called Bill Kenwright. While that Jurassic relic lingers at the club like some kind of lingering Jurassic thingy, we seem unable to shake off the cycle of big disappointments.

Hence the paranoid Toffeemind, so inured to institutionalised underachievement and let-downs, starts to wonder if the whole Moshiri thing is a facade designed to extend Bill's tenure.

I mean, what do we really know about Moshiri? Has he ever explicitly promised a specified war chest?

And how could a billionaire – as he allegedly is – agree to let Bill carry on controlling the train set? Yes, I know he intends to take complete charge but will it happen?

And how could an astute businessman, as Moshiri ostensibly is, concoct that embarrassingly awful and ultimately unconvincing face-saver over the Sissoko fiasco?

I will tell you all what the net upshot is:

1. Not one penny of Moshiri's money spent on players so far.

2. Jurassic Bill at the helm for another period, at the very least until the end of 2016.

3. Fan anger being channelled by the club (going by today's article in the Mirror) towards neither Bill nor Moshiri, but towards "others" at the club who failed in the transfer window.

In sum, it's just more of the same old same old we have been fed since the day and hour Kenwright took over.

Daniel Lawrence
305 Posted 04/09/2016 at 21:55:30
Jay, I couldn't agree more.

The fact that in pretty much every article written in the press and every statement emanating from within Goodison, there is an unnecessary and irrelevant footnote of praise for Teflon Kenwright.

If Moshiri is all that, at least Elstone would be gone by Christmas.

Colin Glassar
306 Posted 04/09/2016 at 22:00:14
I completely agree with you, Jay. The 'new found riches' I was referring to we're the additional Sky millions and a million or two out of Moshiri's back pocket. Money good old Bill could only dream of having.

Dan Davies
307 Posted 04/09/2016 at 22:14:02
When it comes to future transfer dealings, I think it would be a wise move for Bungling Bill to take a bow and let the curtain fall, finally.

We need a fresh approach to all of this, and Kenwright should do the honourable thing by falling on his sword with the best interests of EFC at heart.

If he doesn't do this graciously, then Moshiri should prise his fingers off one by one otherwise I'm thinking Moshiri could be disappointed again.

It's time for a ' New Everton' and if Kenwright does love us as much as he makes out, it's time to step back and let the professionals get on with it. All the best Bill, nothing personal.

Brent Stephens
308 Posted 04/09/2016 at 22:28:05
Given that we normally poo-poo most of what the media say about possible transfers, I wonder how reliable the various media statements are about what Moshiri has said in, and about, the transfer window?
Andy Finigan
309 Posted 04/09/2016 at 22:47:56
Very well said, Dan, it's time we had more appropriate candidates negotiating the recruitment of footballers to our great club.

Surely Bill must know the world of buying and selling in today's minefield of a market is for very intelligent savy up to date experts.

Love you as a fellow Evertonian Bill, hope this gets back to you, just let the right people in to do the hard work required.

Brian Porter
310 Posted 05/09/2016 at 07:01:24
We are now hearing that Moshiri is angry with Walsh that we missed all our major transfer targets. Maybe if we'd moved earlier on some of those targets we might have more success.

Take Perez for example. Instead of just matching his release clause fee, if Walsh rated him so highly, why didn't we up our bid so his club couldn't say no to us and get the deal done and dusted before Arsenal came sniffing around? Instead, we let the world and his uncle know how we wanted him and how Walsh had been tracking him for ages.

Nothing like giving your secrets away in public eh? I have to say that so far, I'm decidedly underwhelmed by Walsh. He might be great at unearthing unknown talent from the lower leagues but seems unable to handle moves for 'big' players from continental clubs successfully.

Robert Elliott
311 Posted 05/09/2016 at 08:13:10
Brian, wouldn't have mattered if we'd doubled our bid for Perez. Once Arsenal match his release clause, the choice is the player's.

Blaming Walsh seems a little strange to me. From memory, we didn't start signing anyone till Walsh arrived and Idrissa Gueye, widely thought to be our best signing of the window, was apparently his idea.

Smacks of arse covering via a Kenwright-friendly journalist to me.

Phil Walling
312 Posted 05/09/2016 at 09:28:04
From comments made on Walsh's appointment, it seemed that BK was not at all enthusiastic of the introduction of the DoF post, seeing it as a diminution of his own authority.

So until the old boy is removed, I think Walsh can expect a rough ride. What price at him being back with the Foxes by Crimbo?

Frank Crewe
313 Posted 05/09/2016 at 09:55:33
So we have Moshiri, Kenwright, Koeman, Walsh, and uncle Tom Cobley and all. I don't see how it is possible to run a Premier League club by committee.

The fact is the only people deciding what players we should be buying are Koeman and Walsh. Moshiri should sign the cheques and Kenwright should mind his own business.

But the fact still remains that, regardless of who actually decides who does or doesn't get bought, big name continental players will not sign for Everton until we have more to offer them than just big wages. Other clubs can offer big wages and European football as well. That has to be our aim this season. Europa League entry should be our target at the very least. After this is achieved, then we can worry about who does the buying and who doesn't.

Phil Martin
314 Posted 05/09/2016 at 10:52:20
Do people honestly believe Walsh was going to walk through the door with a list of unknown brilliant players nobody else has ever heard of? Seems Arsenal were tracking Perez for as long as he was.

We've got Gana because of Walsh and that could be the bargain of the year. Over time, Walsh will build Everton's scouting network and compile new shortlists of the next new players like Mahrez, Gana etc. This takes time.

Hopefully Moshiri has now seen the amateur hour from Bill and Bob, and will handle things himself next time. I don't care about Sissoko. I do care that we appeared to have spent the whole TDD trying to sign a player who was never going to go.

John Daley
315 Posted 05/09/2016 at 11:05:41
"From comments made on Walsh's appointment, it seemed that BK was not at all enthusiastic of the introduction of the DoF post, seeing it as a diminution of his own authority"

What comments? Can't be these:

"It's great news to welcome Steve to our new era at Everton Football Club. His track record, particularly at Leicester City, is already the stuff of football folklore, and both myself and Farhad, having spent time with Steve, are convinced he is exactly the right fit for our club and our new manager.”

Part of football folklore? Exactly the right fit?

If that's Kenwright when he's inwardly cursing a man, I'd hate to see what he's like when he's taken an immediate shine to someone. Be like the fucking Cable Guy.

Brian Hennessy
316 Posted 05/09/2016 at 11:07:30
I sincerely hope I am wrong but I think we have been too optimistic in our praise for Moshiri so far.

It seems nothing has changed and we are still in a position of having to sell to buy any players of note. To me, the only way Sissoko would have been bought is if we could have found a buyer for McCarthy.

Moshiri did splash the cash to bring in Koeman but I now fear that this was more to assure we stay in the top flight/top half than making a serious bid to turn us into a top 6 club.

The deal clincher will of course be the stadium issue. If he delivers the stadium we want in the docklands location that the majority believe we need, then I think we would all forgive a tight transfer policy for a few years. However, I really do fear we are heading for re-run of previous promises followed by disappointment.

I really do hope I am wrong.

John Daley
317 Posted 05/09/2016 at 11:28:50
"Do people honestly believe Walsh was going to walk through the door with a list of unknown brilliant players nobody else has ever heard of?"

It seems some did.  Others seemingly expected him to be scouring the world personally and picking up previously undiscovered 'rough diamond' prospects all over the place like a street cleaner collecting crap along dog shit crescent.

"Ron? Steve. I've found another one. I'm just pulling the van round back now. Give the word and I'll get the cloth soaked in chloroform."

"Excellent. Who has he played for? What's his story?"

"Let's see. Well, err... what's German for 'In West Berlin, born and raised, on the playground is where I spent most of my days?' "

"Ich war in West Berlin geboren und erzogen. Ich erweilte meine zeit, zum meisten, auf dem spielplatz."

"Exactly. There you go. Get a squad number ready, I'm going in."

Frank Crewe
318 Posted 05/09/2016 at 11:39:13
The real problem here is this "last day" nonsense. There is no other areas of business that tries to do major big money business in one day.

Clubs have three full months to complete their transfer business yet they still appear to prefer this ridiculous TDD circus every transfer window.

What makes it worse is the fact that Premier League clubs are run by experienced business men such as Moshiri who would not do this with their own business dealings yet appear to get caught up in the spending frenzy of the last day of the transfer window.

Until this TDD lunacy stops and clubs start doing their transfer business in a more rational and measured way, there will always be another "Sissoko" situation waiting to happen and clubs will continue to allow themselves to be held over a barrel and given the run-around by players and their agents.

Avoid the rush. Stop nickel-and-diming, trying to save on wages, and get our business done early. Then let other clubs stab each other in the back as much as they want.

Thomas Surgenor
319 Posted 05/09/2016 at 11:44:27
I'm all for the SUSTAINABLE, incremental progress route and I feel that's what we have done. In my opinion, we have to use the current wealth & popularity of the Premier League to invest and prepare for life without Sky money.

Seria A used to be the money league. So it can happen!! I honestly would rather we had something we could sustain than a delicate house of cards relaying on Sky's megabucks.

For me, that means;

Keeping wages respectable
Looking for better sponsors (Chang deal expires this year)
New stadium
Better scouting network
Youth team progress
Growing the brand overseas.

I don't want us to go out and splash £200m of the club's money. Unless Moshiri is donating it out of the goodness of his heart with no caveats of repayment on sale etc, like Abramovich has.

Chris Corn
320 Posted 05/09/2016 at 12:39:47
I think that unless Walsh was personally handling transfer negotiations – which we are led to believe he was not – then how can he be blamed? Sounds like the media trying to get a controversial spin on this because they have nothing else to make up for a few months.
Andrew Clare
321 Posted 05/09/2016 at 12:52:17
To be frank, no-one on here knows what goes on behind the scenes at Everton. Most people with any kind of intelligence know that a large proportion of what is reported by the media is pure speculation.

I do believe that Moshiri wants us to be successful and that is why he has hired a high-calibre manager. Also, I think once the stadium plans are revealed, we will know exactly where we are going.

The transfer window was disappointing but I think we had already made the best signing in the form of Ronald Koeman.

Joe Clitherow
322 Posted 05/09/2016 at 13:03:11
Not picking on you, Frank (#318), but I thought this stuff had been put to bed, yet this type of "get them in early" post still comes out.

I'm sure most clubs would want to do their business early but it takes all parties to agree. The scramble is a logical consequence of having a deadline; a deadline is one of a number of measures attempting to stop richest clubs just buying leagues by getting players in at anytime during the season, possibly from their rivals.

Once you have a TDD, it isn't like a shop where you go in and buy a player for the price advertised. It functions much more like eBay. Some items may have a "Buy It Now" tag which means you can get your players in earlier.

"Buy It Now" often also means you pay a higher price than you may have by making the seller sweat. But where you have a party wanting to get the best price possible, then it goes to the wire, without any choice from the buyer, exactly like eBay where most business is done in the last few minutes to try and get the best possible deal. If you buy something on an auction site, there's not really anything you can do to speed the deal up, except to say you are withdrawing your bid.

In the case of Sissoko, Spurs were playing hardball poker all along and clearly the agent drew out Everton to seal the deal. I would have thought this was patently obvious but we still get people having a go at the club for scrambling round on TDD. Unfairly in my opinion.

Joe Clitherow
323 Posted 05/09/2016 at 13:06:25
Thomas,

Actually Abramovich has not "given" money to Chelsea plc. The terms of the agreement are interest free loans without due date. This is subtly different...

Nicholas Ryan
324 Posted 05/09/2016 at 13:12:13
I'm hearing that we made a bid for Yarmolenko, one hour before the deadline. The bid was ACCEPTED, but there wasn't time to draw up a contract!

If this is true, there are only 2 possible explanations.

1. We were after him all along, but played it a bit too cool and blew it.

2. It was the worst kind of face-saving panic buy.

If the story's true, I'm tending to think it's 2 above ... which is worrying!!!

Thomas Surgenor
325 Posted 05/09/2016 at 13:30:18
Joe (#323), Apologies, my grammar/wording wasn't perhaps the best.

I'm in agreement with you on the Abramovich loans and was suggesting that is not a route I'd like us to take. After all, he will want those loans back at some stage and that could well cripple Chelsea or at least detract future investors.

Moshiri is a business man and will expect a return on any "investment" he makes. Investing £200m in one window may seem like a winner for fans but from a business sense we would forever be in his debt. I would rather he used his business acumen to run us better and have a sustainable incremental growth year on year.

Once again, my biggest fear is what happens to us when the Sky money dries up. For that reason, I am happy we are not paying £200k a week to some £60m signing as we could not sustain that.

Thomas Surgenor
326 Posted 05/09/2016 at 13:35:34
Nicholas #324.

I would doubt that story is true.

1) He doesn't remind me of a player that would fit Koeman's style.

2) The "deadline" is only for agreements in principle and I think clubs then have a further few hours to sort out contracts. I may be a bit naïve but surely most contracts are "templates" whereby the blanks are length, salary, signing on fee, bonuses and clauses.

Didn't we effectively sign Fellaini after the window?

Patrick Murphy
327 Posted 05/09/2016 at 13:46:21
If nothing else, the TDD was a reality check for most of us. Yes, we are apparently richer than we have been in the past, but that only puts us on a par in spending power terms, with the likes of West Ham, Southampton and Stoke and they already have shiny new stadium facilities.

The increased TV money has made it more difficult in the transfer market, not easier, and it will be at least another decade before we join the 'elite' Premier League clubs in terms of spending power – that's if we ever do.

The Club needs to up its off-field activities in terms of attracting improved sponsorship deals and hopefully any new stadium will give the club the opportunity to make even more money.

However, it will take time and plenty of effort from those in power at the club and perhaps the whole sorry affair of TDD will make them sit up and notice how much 'real' work has to be done off the pitch in the next 18 months or so.

If Koeman can get enough good results, that may also help the club in the short-term but, whatever occurs on the pitch, it is incumbent on those in power to lead the club into its bright new dawn by hard graft and taking very difficult decisions. Being a 'family club' won't be enough in the shark-infested waters of a modern day football world.

Frank Crewe
328 Posted 05/09/2016 at 14:21:31
Joe @322,

The TDD is nothing like eBay at all. On eBay, all you are buying is inanimate objects that go to the highest bidder. With football transfers, you are buying people with opinions of their own on where they would like to move to assuming they wish to move at all. We may well be the highest bidder but, if the player doesn't want to sign for us, there is nothing we can do to make them.

Look at the players we were linked with: Mata, Witsel, Sissoko, Brahimi, Kone, etc etc. Outside of Kone, it was quite obvious that none of those players wanted to sign for Everton, no matter how much we bid.

There is more to transfers than bids and wages. Players may have wives, children, their own ambitions regarding their careers. They will only move if these things are satisfied – not just because we offer them a sack of cash.

Now it seems to me if you can't convince a player that it is in his interests to sign at the beginning of the transfer window, then I don't see how leaving it until the last hour of the last day will do it.

Jay Wood
329 Posted 05/09/2016 at 15:14:57
As I said way back @235, this is all very curious and odd.

I originally dismissed it as a total spoof. Surely, it was too absurd to believe that the billionaire owner of Everton would text such intimate thoughts to Jim White and Sky on the inner workings and thinking within the club, when in the main he has been quieter than Tutankhamun's tomb until now.

We have now had two reports in the local Echo – the lastest confirming Moshri's text to White as 100% legit.

Some in this thread wish to brush it aside as trivial. I lean towards the camp that raises – ever so slightly – a concerned eyebrow at the actual content of his text and why on earth Moshri should confide in the person and media that he did.

The first smacks of nonsensical sentimentality, far removed from the realities of the world of top level professional football. Taking his statement to its (il)logical conclusion, you would never sign a player again (better, younger, whatever) than those already on your books for fear of 'upsetting the family'. The further implication is that existing players can play into their dotage, regardless of their performances, without fear of being displaced, to the detriment to the team.

It is, as I say, nonsensical sentimentality many would normally attribute to Kenwright, not the new broom who many were expecting to bring a much-needed hard-nosed business model and professionalism to a club much in need of the same.

The second aspect that concerns me is the indiscretion and naivety of Moshri in sharing such goobledegook with who he did, at the time and day he did... in the death throes of TDD. It was always going to be placed in the public domain and, naturally, mulled over and analysed as it has been.

This is not a rant to express disappointment in the transfer window. I am, in the main, content with who we recruited and, almost as importantly, who we retained.

Rather, this episode is further evidence that, as yet, there is still no major sea-change in some aspects of Everton's business dealings.

Yes, we thankfully replaced a failing manager with a potentially very good manager. We recruited Walsh from the reigning Champions to the new post (for Everton) of DoF. Given the timing of their recruitment in the year of the Euros, I appreciate that this first window for the pair would be a challenging one.

Personally, I largely switch off in the summer months and don't get addicted to the transfer rumour mill. Of course, I follow the news but don't angst over anything until the player is posed for the proverbial 'shirt held aloft' photo. Evidently, many others do. Lyndon and Michael regularly tell us the rumour mill is the single most popular feature on TW.

For me, the nonsense of transfer rumours was best summed up in a single day this summer when, in the morning, it was confidently reported Marko Arnautovic was definitely on his way to us from Stoke. In the resultant 100+ posts thread you had the expected wide range of opinion – great signing to shite waste of money.

By the evening of the SAME DAY, the player had signed an improved contract at Stoke... and the wheel turned once more in a new 100+ post thread... from what a loss to what a shithouse!

Then, in the wake of signing Bolasie, we heard from 3rd parties Moshiri's only other (semi) public statement since joining us in February, that he was 'anxious' to complete more signings.

I was a wee bit bemused by the sycophantic praise he received for what was really a non-statement which, again – if uttered by Kenwright – would have been met with a great deal more cynicism and scorn.

That said, as already stated by others, what has really changed in Everton's mode of transfer business? We sold a talented player (I would rather have retained) for big money which funded ALL our incoming transfers.

Never mind digging deep into his own wallet of considerable wealth, we haven't touched a bean of the Sky mega money all clubs received this summer.

It is now also being reported that Moshiri is unhappy at how the transfer window went and is asking questions. Good! I hope he also reflects on his own utterances and indiscretions, as well as questioning why he entrusted whoever he did to take care of transfer business, because the window did not match the expectations many had been led to expect.

I don't leap to the conclusion that Walsh is at fault, or even responsible for some of the transfer targets (and fees) we were allegedly linked to. Surely, his role is to identify targets and for the suits to take care of the finances and contracts.

Hey! I remain hopeful Moshiri can truly deliver – on retaining our best players, recruiting better players and building us an iconic stadium.

However, the more pragmatic side to me still whispers... what really concrete evidence do we have that Everton's modus operandi has really changed?

Joe Clitherow
330 Posted 05/09/2016 at 17:36:28
Frank

I don't think you understand at all.

You are not *buying* "people" at all, as... err, you can't. You are buying services, which equates to a purchase on eBay or an auction site. For the purpose of purchase, a service (which you incidentally can purchase on eBay) is no different to an "object" as you put it. They are all goods which are traded.

The seller party, on either eBay or any of the parties involved in a football transfer selling player services, can stop purchase or sell to whomever they want (putting aside the specific auction site rules for a moment).

Furthermore, there is a deadline for purchase which makes the analogy hold water, irrespective of whether or not you understand it. The principles of the application in the free market, with a time limit on deals, are identical, and the consequences therefore (last-minute scramble) are the same as well.

The whole point of the scramble is that, once their "needs" as you put it are satisfied (which is an irrelevance as there are no players on the breadline and the fact that the "wive's, children's" needs are satisfied is a complete given), then they hold out for the best terms in case another club/bidder comes in. Unless they specifically want to sign for a particular club, agents will advise players to wait and see whether or not a better offer comes in. Hence the scramble.

The last-minute stuff can only be broken by a purchase club possibly having other options and the player thinking he may not get a better offer and so deals are done ahead of TDD. That's how this stuff works in reality.

Not sure why understanding this is so difficult.

Laurie Hartley
332 Posted 05/09/2016 at 23:20:45
Jay # 329 - that's a good post.

In answer to your question - what really concrete evidence do we have that Everton's modus operandi has really changed?

I would suggest the following:

1). Martinez was sacked and Koeman poached from a competitor
2). Ryantszev has been installed on the board
3). Walsh poached from a competitor and installed as DoF

All very good moves in my opinion – pity he took the shine off them by damaging his credibility with that message to Sky.

Phil Walling
333 Posted 06/09/2016 at 09:23:17
Well said, Jay. I share your views on every point you make although I imagine BK must have given him the sentimental 'family' line.

All a bit disappointing, really!

Brent Stephens
334 Posted 06/09/2016 at 10:41:14
Joe #330 - simply put.

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