No further business on quiet deadline day

I reckon we are balancing the books and recouping what we spent.

I won't be disappointed if we don't sign anyone, it's been a relatively productive window getting Schneiderlin in and Lookman. Getting rid of the fringe players as well is good business, think Kone will be out the door also by tomorrow evening.

He was basically saying we are interested in similar statute players as them. Koeman was being honest as he would want to compete with them if he ever came available.

Schneiderlin and Lookman look like great signings, so although I want some more deals in tomorrow, I'd swallow it if we didn't make any further signings if the right statements come from the club.

If the window slams shut (SSN comment) and Ronny came out and said he wanted players of a quality he couldn't get, didn't feel it was right to rush in signing players who weren't his first choices, and stated young lads like Walsh, Pennington, Sambou and Dowell needed chances and would be given such chances to prove themselves, I'd see this window as a success.

If the lads fail to impress, but were genuinely given a chance then no one can complain as these lads look like a talented bunch, and even if just one of the U23 squad managed to make there way into the first team fold we couldn't complain.

Saying that I've just seen Yarmolenko in Flanagan's.

I am not happy to see us settle for nobody above the age of about 12 arrive by 23h00. I'm not happy that the manager has let the only experienced and relatively proven cover for Baines leave without replacement. I'm not happy that a player most of you have slated, Valencia, is suddenly and it seems conveniently, announced as the "cover" when clearly the manager was himself doing a bit of ranting for significant activity in the current window.

What is wrong with us? We've had months to plan this and get it right. I'm hoping we will do just that tomorrow. We need cover for Rom and no, having listened to most here and elsewhere savage Jags along the lines of "his legs have gone, he can't turn, he can't be run at, he's totally lost it ". I'm right there with you in thinking we still need a top centre back and I'd happily settle now for Adarabioyo as frankly there's a very decent chance he's virtually ready even now at just 19 with limited playing time.

I really do get it. We thrashed the richest club in the world. We won a tough contest away at relegation threatened Palace. In just two games the hugely impressive Davies has gone from potential to the new Alan Ball. If we lose the next two winnable games, badly, and Rom gets injured then that's really the season over, isn't it ? So let's just write off the outside but still achievable chance of European football next year. Let's write of the the chance that several teams above us might see a collapse in form and have a very tough run of fixtures ahead. 6th or even 5th may seem impossible but really, is it? If we maintain the wonderful momentum and confidence oozing thru the squad, if we add a couple more before the deadline it could strongly support an already encouraging upturn. It could, conceivably, play a part in more, quality players arriving in the summer.

Morgan feels like a strong buy. Lookman is hyped already but you sense he's got something. That's it. Good, but we need more and I don't care if common sense and January window prices and availability keep suggesting that's it no more. Just bloody go for it and let's build something now to take into next season and remember it's only six points or so the other way to mid table mediocrity and I thought I'd heard screaming that such a thing wasn't acceptable, but lose the momentum, be unlucky with injuries, and it's a tough gig again.

Still, things may change in the next 22 hours and Mr Moshiri and co may just surprise us. What few digits I have are crossed.

I'm sickened we didn't go in for him. Martinez was meant to be a big fan. Turned out he rated Niasse more highly.

From Koeman himself "We have Valencia, that is enough".

Still I don't think it's all bad as we have Kev, Ademola and Valencia all as a second striker. Trouble is if Rom gets injured or decides to down tools again like last year ... well, we'll see if Valencia is enough as a main striker eh?

Kone has got to go out today - hopefully Moyes comes in again.... think he would actually do well for Sunderland.

Other than that, maybe Dowell going out on loan? I'd be nervous to send him out, cause I REALLY want to win the U23 league! I might leave that for next season – a full season playing every game at a tough level.

Although Besic will be playing for the U23s for most of the rest of the season to get his fitness back - which is a win win situation!

I'm hoping for four or five signings today:

2 First team signings & 3 U23 signings:

CB – Monalas from Roma would be my first choice realistic choice if not L Kone or possibly Keane (would be huge to pull off this window). Realistically Jags will probably leave in the summer, and Williams is ageing, although I think he has been great!

LB - Brady from Norwich, or J Lukaku from Lazio would be my preferred choices.

U23s:

GK: Ramsdale from Sheffield Utd

CB: Adarabioyo from Man City

Attacker: Hirst from Sheffield & possibly Caio Emerson from Brazil.

Edit: I just checked for developments. I should say for purchases, 'cos I forgot about Payet.

Holgate, Browning and Galloway may be giving Koeman enough options right now and he may be better off not spending on defenders for now.

Up front Calvert-Lewin may get a chance.

The way the season has gone and felt, we have time and freedom to try the younger players. Why not for now. There is usually little quality in January and it is normally overpriced. We stepped in and picked up Schneiderlin and Lookman in proper time. Unless there is an absolute steal to be had today, I might not bother.

Best of luck to all those who have left particularly Oviedo, hopefully he can recapture the form he showed before his bad injury. I will always remember his goal at Old Trafford.

I'm thrilled with Lookman's start but you can't seriously consider him just yet. He's surely one for the future.

So we're back to proven talent. Centre back, full backs, wingers, number 10, striker. We need all of them. Actually we probably still need a keeper. Is it likely that, with such a wide range of players required, at least one won't be available?

No, it won't all happen at once. But we might as well get cracking this month.

Quality additions have come in.

At the start of the window I would have said a keeper was the priority but fair play to Robles, he's taken his chance and deserves until the end of the season at the very least.

If no one comes in today I wouldn't be too unhappy. I can understand people saying backup for Rom, but I'd question the attitude and desire of an experienced player who is happy to come in as back up.

We might have a smaller squad numbers wise, but it's better quality than when the window started.

An area of some concern for me is cover for The Predator, but if we had to put effort into just one biggie this window perhaps it should be Keane (though I accept it's an unlikely).

By the summer we could be battling some of the usual Sky League teams for him.

At that rate, Griffiths is worth more than Ronaldo and Messi combined!

Would be a bit disappointed if we finish the day with no new signings after what Koeman has said and what Moshiri has been telling his mate Jim.

Van Dijk was the same when he went to Southampton.

If between now and 23:00 tonight we get 2 more quality players in and ship out Kone and McGeady, then I really would be on Cloud 9! It's really looking positive as far as I am concerned.

I see Leon Bailey has gone to Germany.
Mbaye nyang to Watford.
Missed opportunities?

Next thing we will see Yarmolenko at Huddersfield Town!

If injuries strike and form drops then Moshiri will be seen as tight old bugger and it will have been a disaster. Another few wins and Koeman acclaimed a genius. That's football!

We should always have low expectations of the January window. Contracts generally run till summer so no out of contracts available and no point paying to release from contracts with only 6 months left.

Sissoko!

Even Pochettino is publicly questioning this guys commitment and the stark reality is that he would have become our most EXPENSIVE signing EVER.

Read that again folks. I'd rather see the youngsters brought through than sign these mercenaries.

Plus we all like a deadline day deal don't we!?

Im happy to see that we are getting rid of some players who need moving on. I wish them all the best for the future.

Coyb. :)

May have to wait til the Summer for signings so do not be too downbeat, we have made room for the Financial Fair Play rules, players shipped out to accommodate more incomings, add to that we have Gaye back, Besic on the mend, Bolasie for next season, Lookman and Schneiderlin added.

If we can add now great, if not Summer will be where we start phase 2 on rebuilding. All-in-all, it's been a great window.

Sometimes these transfer windows are worse than going to the Trafford Centre for the January sales.

The MOST significant plus this window is the shedding of players that will not be part of our new standards. I for one think this window has been beyond best expectations, a lot of players have been either moved on or given an opportunity to move on permanently. This is a huge measure of success and bodes well for short to medium term rebuilding.

Onwards & upwards!

In terms of the squad we have at the moment, we are short in a few areas when you look at the injuries we have and the list of players we have allowed to leave the club this month. However, you must also factor in that we have no European football to deal with and we are out of both cups. With only league matches to play and the busy Christmas period behind us, we don't really require a bigger squad than what we have at the moment.

I am more than happy for Koeman to let the young boys from the U23s have an opportunity for the remainder of the season. And not forgetting, we have signed a quality midfielder and a forward who looks as though he could be a real player for us in the future.

I will probably still be watching SSN tonight, but it will be without the usual knot in my stomach.

He is also a better corner taker than anyone we have at the club. Fee being quoted is around 12 Million so not too expensive in today's market.

A time for optimism granted but surely another month – at least – before we can start the handstands!

Look at the actual facts ; We have bought ONE proven Premier League standard player in Schneiderlin.We have bought ONE promising young player who may (or may not) come good.

The rest of the youngsters brought to the club are for the so called future.

We now have Davies and Holgate blooded into the starting side but still un proven over any sort of period.Valencia is no where near good enough to cover for Lukaku.

Apart from Niasse and Gibson so far we have loaned out or sold Oviedo who covered for Baines and Cleverley who covered in midfield.

An injury to Lukaku would be alarming.This kid has scored more than double figures League goals so far and the nearest to him is Coleman with four.Barkley's tally is Three which matches Mirallas and Baines.Barkley has scored just 19 League goals in 134 matches.

I am disappointed with this window and all our investors are doing is getting back the money spent as quickly as possible.

Keane from Burnley?

Hopeful for one more signing, or one first team one, and the young keeper from Sheffield United

Looking like we might be done but don't be surprised if Kenwright springs a cheeky last-minute something...

Surprised we did not throw our hat in for Gabbiadini if rumours about last Summer were true. Guess Lookman has filled that spot and impressed Koeman so far.

Reckon our squad looks a bit thin in places and injuries to Baines and Lukaku in particular would hit us badly. Looks like Koeman has a lot of faith in the U23s given the shipping out of senior bench warmers.

Either that or make a cheeky bid for Shane Long who I think given his age (30) would be good cover for 2-3 years yet, a rapid, hard-working player with a better eye for goal than his stats would suggest, very underrated. I think he is an Everton type of player and would definitely be good cover.

Look at the players brought into the club since Koeman was appointed. Then look at the players who have left since Koeman was appointed.

No denying we have a massively improved squad.And all at a cost to date of just £17.5 million.

He has the quality to add some attacking spark to the first team squad.

GK: Robles, Stekelenburg, Hewlett – we should only sign a player of the level of Hart or Butland.

CB: Williams, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Holgate, Pennington, with Browning and Galloway to return.

I think Keane would be a wise investment at the right price, but I'd like to see promotion from within with Holgate and Browning or someone else promoted to first team duties over the next 18 months.

RWB: Coleman, Lennon, Kenny – as we now play 3-4-3, Lennon is Coleman's backup and I think he can play this role well. I'm glad we kept him.

LWB: Baines, Foulds – can Galloway play LWB long term? I think CB to LB is doable but it might be a stretch to LWB. Foulds looks promising. I've written off Garbutt now.

DM: Barry, Gueye, Schneiderlin, Davies, Besic, McCarthy
- we're overstocked here still as it's 2 from 5.

AM: Mirallas, Barkley, Lookman, Valencia – we are light here. Sure we'd be okay if Bolasie was fit, but he's out for over 12 months, so I wouldn't bank on him again. If he comes back it's a bonus. Why then loan Geri out? I don't think Davies can play off the striker. He's better deeper. What about Dowell? We need a proven AM for me. Also this position within a 3-4-3 is central or in the channel. It's not hugging the touchline or the player is blocking the wingback. This also means we have less options should we go 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2 or 4-5-1, as we no real wide players now.

CF: Lukaku, Kone, Valencia, Calvert-Lewin.– we are surely desperate for a striker. If Lukaku is injured for more than a game we are screwed.

If we sign just one player it needs to be a striker. Even a backup type. We need a body.

As for the summer, I'm happy with minimal incomings and to monitor the development of the younger players.

We will have identified a list of players who will improve the squad not for the next three months but for the next three years. If we can get any of them in today that will be great. If we can't I will be quite happy to wait until the summer when clubs will be more prepared to sell.

Therefore, we need to look at the level just below superstar. I put Lukaku in that category. And Schneiderlin.

Then we need to look at players who are very good, but for some reason or other, not wanted by their clubs: Gareth Barry would be a good example.

The other source is youngsters; home-grown, like Rooney, Barkley, Tom Davies, or foreign, who haven't yet attracted the attention of the megaclubs; e.g. Funes Mori.

So, let's be realistic and pragmatic. We are looking at:

1. The 'not quite' superstars
2. The Misfits
3. The youngsters

If none of them are available, then we should not buy. If you buy in a last-day panic, you pay £13.5m for Niasse, when Andros Townsend goes for £12m [Rafa has just bid £15m to buy him back].

So, let's be patient, let's be realistic, and let's not panic and throw money away.

The likes of Oviedo and Deulofeu could have stayed as squad players but letsbe honest, they haven't really contributed and have not played that much so won't really be missed. Only reason to keep them would have been purely as back up, which wasn't probably fair to the players.

If Kone also goes, that'll be the icing on the cake. With so many moved out, RK has a lot of wiggle room re wages to focus on who he wants in the summer. The squad right now is good enough to finish top 7 if not a bit higher.

Building still to do but we're on a good track.

However, is he in the world class bracket? I would say no. For me world class is the category who you would put up as contenders to get into a team you would argue is the best in the world. Lukaku doesn't come into that argument. He's the level below. And I think this is what Nicholas and others think too.

Some Blues think he's not even that good, because of laziness, poor first touch or whatever. But for me, he's the level below world class. Maybe he can be world class in time, who knows?

Any big deals today will surely be well overpriced. Probably best now to wait till the Summer.

Mauricio Lemos would be a cracker. Don't care how much Van Dijk is, go and get him. Michael Keane will be £30m+. All fit the bill.

A winger, Cristian Pavon, Federico Bernardeschi or anyone with quality.

I think they do all the filming behind closed doors now. If I recall the reason, it is as a result of one of the reporter's being struck on the head with a purple dildo when he was on air. :-)

Fuck off. Just spilt me tea laughing

There must be a Dembele tribe out there somewhere. We should send out a search party to the Black Forest.

I was firmly in the camp that wanted John Stones to stay, but I can't blame Koeman for his sale. Negotiations were going on long before he got here and Stones wanted out so there was no serious option. However, the £47½M Moshiri got for Stones was a wonderful windfall for Koeman and every penny was made available to him.

I have to admit I was not impressed with the first intake. I didn't see much improvement for £50M. I just hope the second intake does the trick and we see our team motor up the table. Morgan Schneiderlin can hopefully leave his Man Utd form behind him and I've got high hopes of young Lookman.

We haven't spent as heavily as we did in the last window and although Koeman recouped the money for Lookman by leading TGT up the garden path, he will still have been backed to the tune of over £70M. That's more than any Everton manager .

I guess we will see what he's made of now...

A great shame that neither Tommy nor Gary could stay longer with the club. Hitler was to blame for one and I always blame the bloke with a stand named after him for the other. If Carter had stood his ground after Heysel as Chairman of the Liverpool Conservative Association, and Everton Football Club, and President of the Football League then Thatcher would not have got away with banning English teams from playing in European competition and Lineker might have stayed. But I know my place and I tip my forelock to the fact that Carter was rewarded with a knighthood a couple of years later.

Well only a few hours to the end of another deadline day and will Steve Walsh find us another 17 year-old Lawton?

I know we can take positives, but overall I feel we needed to add more.

Added to this Ashley Williams to strengthen the defence. Valencia, who has pace to burn, and the exciting Ademola Lookman, and we have done well.

The youth signings of Calvert-Lewin and Anton Donkor, who both look really exciting players with the physicality and the ability to make the first team.
Plus £47½m for John Stones ... additionally Cleverley, Gibson, Oviedo, and possibly Kone and McGeady off the wage bill. Overall, a fantastic turnaround, surely we musn't grumble?

No coincidence that

I've voiced my reservations often enough, but he's the boss whether I like it or not and we have to prey he has what it takes.

Like I say, we are going to find out over the next year or so.

Should be ok if we continue in this form.
3 goals against and 12 goals for in last six matches.
Took Koeman four months or so to look at options then work his best formation to play and choose players to start games.
Having done that work the results are rolling in.
Koemans influence on the team is kicking in
Obvious to see by recent results.
Tightened the defence up without spending big.
While teams who have spent big on defensive recruitments are leaking goals.
Big improvement in the quality of the squad.

Mike #108.

Your right we shouldn't grumble.
But one or two will.

Tony # 109
Very few is the answer to who doesn't feel positive about the way the club is moving.

Darren #110.
Sharpe for me too.
After Andy learned him the centre forwards art he was the business.
We have spunked £17.5 mil to date in Koemans reign.
Chicken feed.

A vast improvement in the squad with the transfer budget virtually untouched.

Plus, I assume that you are referring to a single year when you state that he will have been backed more than any other manager to the tune of £70m given that Martinez spent £102m on players according to Transfermarkt.co.uk, which incidentally puts Koeman's overall outlay at circa £72m thusfar?

We have an U23 side that is topping their league, so surely it makes sense to get rid of the players who are surplus to the manager's needs and let the youngsters come through and take their places.

Koeman has spent peanuts precisely because we fleeced City of £47½m. He's not even made a dent in the £100 million Moshiri was supposedly making available for transfers. There's also the bumper Sky deal and by the end of this window we will have saved a huge sum on the wages of all the ineffectual players we've offloaded this window.

I'm disappointed we haven't brought anyone in today. Personally, I would have offered £10m for Yarmolenko. I guess Lookman's made a big impression on Koeman but we're still short in those positions after Bolasie's injury. Lookman has only replaced Deulofeu. I should imagine that we'll play 3 at the back for the most part of the season so lack of wingers might not be as important.

The saving grace for this window is that we've got rid of the deadwood. I didn't think we'd be able to offload Gibson or Kone to anyone.

Stones was gone before Koeman took charge of a proper game. That money was a windfall and to claim it was part of Koeman's net spend is toe curling.

Dress it up all you want, Koeman has spent £70M in seven months. That would have been well over £100M if Sissoko hadn't stiffed him.

To shift so much dead-wood, and hopefully make some room for a couple more kids from the 23's, to come and join the squad, fills me with a lot more hope, and is surely a much better policy than paying way over the odds for players who are nothing out of the ordinary?

This summer now will be a lot more important, because it's one thing getting rid of mediocre, but Koeman, and Walsh have got to replace ithem with quality.

"He's shit that Latchford, all he ever does, is score goals" !!

If Koeman told Moshiri he wanted Stones in his squad, would he have been sold?

I'm very happy with the business so far. Williams, Gana, Schneiderlin, Lookman. The only player I would question the acquisition of would be Bolasie but that would be for the fee we paid. I doubt the fee will be more than £22m now he's had the injury but even that's on the high side. But that's the market at the end of the day. I do rate the player though.

Sissoko would have been bad business and reeked of panic buy, but it didn't happen.

I had a few doubts around Koeman's faith in youth but he's allayed those fears. Selling all the deadwood this window and waiting for players we really want in the summer and having faith in the U23s as cover in the meantime is very encouraging.

Sharpie wasn't a prolific scorer but by God he was active. When Glen Roeder was asked in the mid 80s who was the most difficult forward. He said it wasn't Rush or any of the poachers, it was Sharpie. He said Graeme constantly took positions in every game that were a living nightmare to defend against. That's probably why so many of Graeme's team-mates became the scorers they were. He had defences in a scramble.

As an aside I always admired Wayne Clarke's attitude and performance when he was with us. Wish we could sign his modern day equivalent tonight!

Best centre-forward in my time? Bob Latchford by a country mile! The only problem with going with Big Bob is that it ignores the superb Alex Young.

The likes of Young and Best played on mudheaps, bone-hard ice rinks, and had to contend with ruthless defenders in an era when you had to virtually kill someone to be sent off. Imagine what they'd be like playing in today's virtually contact-less game played on bowling-green pitches!

Maybe that's fine and dandy but we need a team capable of competing.

The revolution is starting with the youth. And he has realised it. Although our very own Unsy has seen it a long time ago. Hence, the investment in young players, Donkor, Sambou, etc..

IMO, that is the reason for the wholesale clear out, without any apparent replacements. But, the replacements are there, chomping at the bit, at the ready to slip seamlessly into the fray. Let them loose I say, let them looooooooose!

I'm surprised we didn't take the offer for Courtney Duffus. He was made to look quite clumsy when Bassala Sambou came on last night and created and took his goal brilliantly before showing Liam Walsh how to dilly dally home a penalty. This boy looks the business.

How many big teams have bought in anyone? None really. City have Gabriel Jesus and we have Schneiderlin. Speaks volumes.

We have 5½ months of the season... don't panic now. It is a gamble with Lukaku, I agree. Having Belfodil or Gabbiadini Available now but in the enlarged summer market maybe 5/6 choice is more of one though...

Valencia is the only out-and-out striker left at the club.

The guy did not kick a ball for Koeman... at least Moshiri was here when he played for us and actually parted with something for his money.

You may be happy with the windows, but that doesn't change how much Koeman has spent.

Sissoko would have been a desperate move, but it would have happened if Koeman got his way. The fact that he was stiffed was just good fortune. The fact is, he was backed a further £30m and went for a water carrier who didn't want to know.

Like I say. I hope the next intake is better than the first. Schneiderlin is a much better player than Sissoko.

I don't know how much you get for each place in the league these days, I think it's £1.5 million per place.

I think you need to revise your alternative facts. Thatcher had nothing at all to do with "banning English teams from playing in European competition".

Though she may not have raised any protest at it, and neither did her odious Miniature for Sport Colin Moynihan, the ban came from solely from UEFA after the actions of our lovable neighbours at Heysel.

Exactly what you think Sir Phil and the Liverpool Conservative Association could have done about that I have no idea.

I would call him that as well, but there you go...

Thatcher set to demand FA ban on games in Europe.

Now the hard bit will be persuading quality players to join us, whether it's in the next 45 mins or in the summer.

You give off the impression that you want Koeman to fail no matter what.

We've got rid of the deadwood now. We consolidate 7th place and get the announcement for the new stadium, and then we'll be in a much better place to sign the real targets we want in the summer.

Andrew #147

Apparently the Polish lad was a dud Walsh signed for Leicester. He's not at Premier League standard at this time. I think we did well to swerve him.

I was thinking of the young lad who played for Poland. Steve Walsh signed him in the summer before he left Leicester. He played in a pre season friendly against Barca but has never played in the premier league. We were linked with both Poles.

Where on earth do you get that from?

I will take your non answer as a confirmation that if Koeman wanted Stones in his squad he would still be here. Koeman had the final word on the sale.

Williams arrived at Everton one day after Stones left. By your reckoning, Koeman did not buy him?

I don't need links, I remember that. It was a damage limitation by the FA because they knew the UEFA ban was a given.

As I said, Thatcher supported it, but there is no question in my mind that the RS and UEFA banned us from Europe, whatever the political sideshow that surrounded it.

The ban, which was supported by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, was announced by FA chairman Bert Millichip outside 10 Downing Street. Millichip said the ban was a pre-emptive move and that Uefa, European football's governing body, was likely to impose its own sanctions.

You would not hear a peep out of me if people didn't make stupid claims about Koeman's "achievements" since he got here.

He gets credit for everything Moshiri and Unsworth have done and his failings are brushed under the carpet like they didn't happen. Take the magnificent "unbeaten run" we are on... Notice the way that embarrassing defeat against Leicester reserves has be air brushed out.

If Koeman does ever achieve anything here, I will be the first to acknowledge it.

I support Everton, not the managers; it's over 20 years since we had a manager I liked.

I have disagreed often with Darren but I would think that he wants Koeman to succeed as much as any Evertonian. I think you are being unfair. There is a big difference in disagreeing with an appointment and wanting it to fail.

And? Isn't that what I said?

A sideshow to the real ban?

On Gana, I think if Koeman said he didn't want him, we wouldn't have bought him.

Stones was adamant he was leaving; if you didn't know he was going to City before Koeman arrived, you must have been asleep for a month.

Flexibility in the squad now will depend a lot on the talented U23 crop and perhaps Koeman saw enough last night to think he's covered till the Summer.

Strange that Moshiri's millions are still yet to be seen on the pitch after two transfer windows. Lots of people will be expecting a mega Summer!

We need to have a lot of luck with injury's to the likes of Lukaku who is by far our most potent force. Unfortunately he needs to play every game.

We are currently heavily reliant on two or three young players who have shown promise over the few games that they have played. Our midfield is strong and the defenders are doing well at the moment but our aim is to get over 60 points to maintain our position.

Since the signing of Schneiderlin and Lookman our board have worked feverishly to get their money back rather than invest any more. We needed at least four Premier League standard players but we have signed just one. We are trusting the youngsters and I truly hope that it is the right decision.

I cannot help but feel apprehensive though.

Hahaha. Do you genuinely believe the nonsense you post?

The days of letting the likes of Rooney go are, hopefully, at an end. Under the pre-Moshiri regime, it's plausible that Lukaku, for example, in excess of £50M, would have been sold by now. But the likes of him are still here, indicative (imo) of our 'new era'.

Facts always sound nonsense to those who are ignorant of them.

Some of you lot moan when we don't do business early, then moan because we are not panic buying at the last minute, when everyone knows panic buys rarely work out.

See Moyes and Martinez for that one.

This has been a positive and well thought out window, we have strengthened where we needed to for now and the youngsters are coming to fruition.

I'm very happy with way things have gone.

In the past couple of days you have claimed

"Davies was not with Rhino he was with Koeman all season" – even though he played a part in all twelve opening games for Rhino.

You have said "we are unbeaten in six games" even though we lost to Leicester three games ago.

You've claimed "Koeman sold Stones"... sigh.

You've claimed "Koeman is transforming the club" – nothing to do with Moshiri.

You've denied that Koeman played the youngsters days after he declared they were not ready.

Now you are laughing at the suggestion that Walsh was the main reason we signed Gana???

I would have thought somebody who posted so much would have had some knowledge of what happens at the club.

Richard Dodd used to be slaughtered on here for his admiration for Moyes... but he didn't resort to denying facts and making stuff up. If Koeman is half the manager you say he is, why do you feel the need to keep trading facts for shite?

The wealth is a means to an end, the end being improved performance on the pitch. In this respect, it doesn't matter if we spend zilch provided we get better performance on the pitch. The wealth means, primarily, that we don't need to get rid of players who the manager thinks we need. And it looks to me that this is precisely what's happening.

I posted: the ban, which was supported by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, was announced by FA chairman Bert Millichip outside 10 Downing Street. Millichip said the ban was a pre-emptive move. ... showing that Thatcher initiated a pre-emptive sanction on English clubs. Now I hope that concludes this little debate.

You're fibbing again.

Neither was he a hard worker. Don mentions a comment about him attributed to Duncan Mackenzie. I can add another from that same player...

McKenzie once said that you knew when the whistle you'd just heard was the one signalling half-time because Bob would start to move (a bit rich coming from Mckenzie, I know).

It's difficult to compare Latchford and Sharp. Sharp was not a good enough striker to have got near Latchfords strike ratio but by the same token Latchford would have rarely got a place in Kendall's all conquering side given the mobility required from his strikers and their need to defend from the front.

We have a team now of players who have bought into Koeman's system and places in the bench for the young players to come through. I think we have achieved a lot and get the sense that we now have a plan that we will stick to.

Also I think it's been a good window. I did hope for another striker, but I'm happy to see what happens during the summer. :)

Schneiderlin we know is quality and will be a mainstay eventually.

Lookman full of promise, knows what is required as a player already accustomed to English football, has a style similar to Jermain Defoe (if he's even half as successful as Defoe in front of goal we'd be chuffed).

For the summer I really would love to see a move made for Gylfi Siguardsson, real quality midfielder.

I'd also like to see a centre half (Michael Keane?) come in and maybe a bid loan or otherwise for Joe Hart as I still think we lack that commanding voice in the six-yard box.

The two in look like good acquisitions, and the almost procession of players, most on this site, wanted gone and done do so with little fanfare strikes a positive and professional note.

Personally I wanted two more in, a defender and an attacker. I hope that the up-tick in both results and performances didn't persuade the manager and chairman to hold fire on their targets.

We did have an edge in this window, I believe as others didn't want or couldn't spend. I think we could have forced a sale, paying over the odds in the short term but not having to be in a bigger pool of sharks come the summer.

Had we done so, I think people's perception of the club made have begun to alter.

It is now imperative we find a way into Europe this season; should we not I think that sets us back a year.

As always, and previously posted, my referendum is that we qualify for Europe.

All that's left now are the traditional pathetically weak excuses to be trotted out.

We made two decent signings. One experienced midfielder (though in a position where we're reasonably stocked), and an exciting youngster.

I think if you viewed this window without the defeat of Man City, you'd be pretty disappointed.

We signed a 'feel good/community case' in Baxter, two "for the future" U23s, one established player. We got rid of nearly all of the deadwood & sicknotes. We promoted two youngsters for 'free' and have Calvert-Lewin to come back – so make that three.

Yeah, we could've spent up large... if the targets would come... if the price was right... if their clubs would sell.

All-in-all, not too bad... unless we lose to Stoke then obviously it was a total disaster and Koeman Out.

Should Lukaku get a bad injury then it's a disaster. We've cleared out a load of players who most consider deadwood, but that's only good if the kids promoted to the bench in their place play well. The money saved is only good if the money is then reinvested in the summer.

So let's wait and see. Personally I think a striker was essential. I'm glad Kone stayed for that reason. I'd have preferred he left and we got someone better in on loan, but we will see.

Fingers crossed it all pans out and we look back on this window favorably.

• It reduces the wage bill (or in this window probably balances the wage bill to accommodate the new arrivals)

• It makes it easier to manage the squad so team spiri.t is likely to be stronger, it must be hard with so many good pros not really having a role or a future at the club hanging around...

• It gives more opportunities to the remaining squad players, so improves overall morale

• It gives us more opportunities to bring on the U23 players, so more of them are likely to make the step up like Davies and Barkley have done.

Clearing out players under contract is not something that just happens – you need to find a willing buyer (or payer of wages). So I think hats off to the back-office staff for getting this done. It makes the club stronger.

As for bringing in a new striker, I am sure we tried, but no club pulled off the signing of a striker that would have interested us. I think Koeman had cooled on Gabbiadini, and never showed any interest in Berahino. I don't think Snodgrass would have suited us (and is really a winger – not a Lukaku replacement, and although willing is rather limited... and we already have Valencia).

I think Lookman may be the best striker bought over this window, but obviously not a direct Lukaku replacement either.

Obviously not ideal, but I'm not sure bringing in someone like Belfodil or Gabbiadini as cover is really all that preferable, TBH.

Then again, we could use Valencia, or even Mirallas, and I'm sure not signing a forward, would only really come back and haunt us, if we won our next few games, and caught the clubs in front of us.

I think/hope clubs are getting wise, with regards to the ridiculous transfer fees, but I won't be holding my breadth, simply because the window will soon be open again for the summer!

Ultimately, the benefit is financial. It reduces the wage bill...

So ideally... as a supporter of the team, we would want to see some new players to replace those we lost?

Or are people pleased with an improved P&L statement? Which I simply don't get. Until it converts into something on the pitch I'm pretty indifferent about it.

Is the squad good enough? Prior to the City game most would have said no.

The squad players who have left might not have been causing any problem what-so-ever, but I'm not sure they would have been that motivated knowing the manager really didn't fancy them? And maybe what's left behind now at Finch Farm is a squad of players all working harder to try and get into the starting eleven.

None of them made any significant contribution to the first 18, never mind 11.

Why do we need players to replace those who didn't contribute anything?

David @200, couldn't agree more with your post.

I think most Evertonians will be again disappointed with this window that gave us a Man Utd reserve and a kid. These may work out but they are clearly no statement that we have arrived back in the chase for top 4.

Problem I see is, even if we have a good window next summer, it will take awhile to settle in players so maybe you can write off next season too.

Woefully short up front.

Your use of the phrase "alternative facts" (TM Team Trump) suggests to me that you and I would not agree on too much. There are no such thing as "alternative facts"; there are only lies or times when people get the facts wrong.

As Mick Davies points out to you several times, you have patently got your facts wrong; Thatcher did in fact force the buffoon in charge of the FA to ban all English teams from playing in Europe immediately after Heysel and before UEFA did the same.

This is important because younger Evertonians especially need to know their history. Why Carter played a significant role here was due to his positions at the time of Chairman of EFC, Chairman of the Liverpool Conservative Association and President of the Football League. Had his priorities been in the order of the positions just listed the history of our club might/would have been very different.

My own sources at the time were adamant that had the Chairman of the Champion club of England, an influential local Tory grandee and President of the Football League to boot put up even the slightest resistance to a blanket ban, Thatcher would have been happy to have had the FA impose a lengthy ban on the club whose supporters caused the disaster and UEFA would have followed suit.

What happened next?

LFC never apologised for Heysel. The "extra" sanction they received was no more than a slap on the wrists. The buffoon at the FA, Bert Millichip, and Philip Carter were later awarded knighthoods. Sir Phil, as you call him, proved himself to be a very willing and useful foil for the new owner in the fallow years under Kenwright.

They may not have provided much to the 11 but they were competition of sorts. A few got on the pitch, most made up the bench. We'll be down to youngsters if we cop a few injuries... yes, that might be a blessing in disguise but it also may not be. The youngsters weren't making the bench previously right? So Ron didn't rate them more highly than, say, Oviedo, Cleverley or Deulofeu.

Then there's the fact that we should want to see improvement in the first 11. There's certainly room for improvement.

How many windows is it okay to go past before we make some progress? Progress happens progressively.

Firstly, he's not particularly 'injury prone', and secondly, even if he did get injured we've got forward players with the talent and adaptability to take on a striker role. Barkley could, imo, could perform this role. This, plus selecting from Calvert-Lewin, Donkor and Valencia.

And before anyone says that Calvert-Lewin and Donkor are relatively unproven, Unsy has emphasised that anyone in the Under-23s is also fitted for the 1st team.

This window was miles better than most of the ones we witnessed under Martinez and Moyes. Schneiderlin and Gana in the middle will give the whole team a solid and more importantly first class base. The defence will be more confident and the attacking players will also get a boost. Looking forward to seeing more of lookman.

Squad is light up front and at LB for now but we're not in any cups or Europe so only have 16 games to prepare for with basically a whole week to recover in between games. Just need Lukaku and Baines to stay out of trouble for a bit. Valencia should give Lukaku a rest if/when we're leading in games.

Massive chance also to give some of the upcoming youngsters more game time with a lot of the deadwood gone. Never expected us to manage to move out 5 players that weren't really contributing, all in one window. Those five players were costing the club around £200k/ week or £10m a year in wages!

We could get thumped by Stoke, there again we could beat Stoke, why always look on the negative side.

We have got rid of players who had a season ticket in the treatment room, or players not good enough, do you want Koeman to bring players in for the sake of balancing out goings.

He knows who he wants, those clubs made it clear they were not going to sell in January, what can he do, put them in a half-nelson demanding they sell.

For once be positive, the last two seasons we have had what if Lukaku gets injured, well he did for a short while, guess what we did not get relegated.

It's time some Blues looked at the bigger picture, phase one complete, players moved out, phase two in Summer, strengthening with the right players and not panic buys, just be patient, I know we are used to disappointments, but feeling optimistic it is our time again.

Yes, it can go tits up, but it can also go the way we want it to.

As oddball once said in Kelly's heroes, all those negative vibes man, time to be positive Blues, we are heading in the right direction, onwards and upwards.

Since they last picked up a trophy, we have won 3 league titles, two fa cups, a Cup Winners Cup and countless Charity Shields.

The "what if he gets injured" question didn't just pop up the day after the transfer window. It's been asked for quite some time. It's a genuine problem that our second striker is a loanee without much pedigree.

I doubt that the problem was ignored, and I'm sure we were seriously looking at players, but how long will we wait? You could wait forever for the right signing and never get them. At some point you have to sign the player that you can get, don't you? Can we really not get someone better than Valencia?

The remainders have almost half a season to cement their place in a bright Everton future.

We are now loaded in midfield and have many options.

Goal keeper is covered and we have four centre halves.

Up front if Lukaku does get an injury (or banned for knocking someone out), Koeman has Valencia, Calvert-Lewin or as Stan says, even Barkley to lead the line, and Mirallas and Lookman as second strikers.

Full back is the one area we are vulnerable. I suppose Lennon is the cover for Coleman but Oviedo to Sunderland appears to have thrown a spanner in the works in the left back position.

Yes we need a striker but, for older Evertonians tell us, our top striker we had as cover for Bob Latchford.

We got messed around with Gabiodeni, will he be a good signing for Southampton, time will tell.

We brought in Niasse, panic buy yes, so do we bring a striker in to fill a role as cover or a top class striker who is available, I would not write Lookman or Valencia off just yet.

Same happened last window about Sissoko, that turned out to be a blessing.

We need to get the right players in and not just numbers, Summer will be the time Ronnie brings these in, in the meantime, what we have now have got half a season to see if we really do need to buy in those areas.

And please don't come on ToffeeWeb and say we're saving it all for the summer window.

For me, it's very encouraging that we have shifted a fair amount of deadwood and Koeman seems prepared to trust the U23s to plug any gaps that might occur. Isn't this what the majority of us have been demanding for a while? Injuries to key players will always hurt you but it doesn't seem there were a lot of top strikers available who would be prepared to play second fiddle and perhaps Gabiaddini (if we were even interested) wanted to go somewhere where he would be first choice...

All-in-all, I like Koeman's philosophy of having a lean, talented squad with few passengers and giving chances to the talented youth crop when injury or availability demands it.

The rest of the season is a good opportunity to give some more youngsters more experience of first team football, Calvert-Lewin and Lookman for two. We also have a few promising players on loan at the moment, Galloway and Browning for instance.

The big question is: Can we breach the top six next season? Well it's unlikely that we can outspend them, we need to give the youngsters a chance to step up to the plate.

A really big statement, bigger than signing another striker, would be keeping Lukaku. I would be very surprised if Lukaku left. He's got until the end of next season on his existing contract, and I cannot see Koeman and Moshiri letting him go, even if Lukaku wanted to, which (despite claims on TW that he wants out) is itself very doubtful.

For Moshiri, Everton is not a short-term investment, but a long-term 'project' (to use the jargon), and too big to be letting players of the calibre of Lukaku go. The potential fee for Lukaku, perhaps circa £60M, is the very reason he's unlikely to leave, since it reflects the status of this so-called 'project' and the importance of players like him to it. The wealth means we no longer need to sell such players.

I think the lower Premier League teams is where we should have been watching for transfer movement.

It is not going to be an easy season – what's left of it anyway – for Everton.

The rest of the season might or might not be 'easy', and the fact is none of us know. However, I can't see any evidence to say we won't progress satisfactorily, or finish in the top 6, or indeed the top 4.

Top 4 is over optimistic for this season. We will compete for top 4 next season though. And you're right – we have a better squad than them.

For the first time in a while, I feel we are going in the right direction; if we have to wait until Summer, then that's fine... if (and only if) we do not fulfil those promises before the start of the season, then I will be as disappointed as a few on here.

I just hope we get the players early to join the team pre-season, and not after the season has started.

Oviedo and Gibson are shown as 'incoming' on the transfers page, while Deulofeu and Cleverley are missing.

Koeman has a plan and summer should be interesting as a new CB, CF at least to support Rom are priorities in my opinion. Plus if at least half of the 14 sold or on loan don't come back which I think is likely, we need to top up the squad and U23's.

At last the team is showing some guts. A hard earned point tonight and there's plenty to look forward to, over the next month of fixtures. There's loads to play for and who knows what can happen. Summer will soon be here and let's hope we buy early and break any signings in good time.

I reckon Mirallas, narked and a bad cob on, as he should be, for not working hard enough could be a possible mover of his own accord. Talent needs heart and guts and if he did it consistently as Barkley, he'd always play.

Here's to a good weekend for Evertonians.

Yannick Bolasie back in the gym as Everton star continues long road to recovery