Fans Comment
Andrew Gaule

Building the Squad
9 June 2005

I am a lifelong Everton fan.  I now live in Canada.  I have watched Everton's progress on TV this season and have also on occasion supported the club by subscribing to an E-ticket to get programs and listen to Toffee Radio on the internet — a service from EFC that I for one think is a very reasonable value.  I will always value my Everton v Man Utd 'E-program" as I think that this victory more than any other epitomised Everton's season and got us to the Champions League.

As for next season, it is obviously vital that the squad gets reinforcements.  I am as strong an "armchair" fan as anyone but am of the opinion that the Toffees' uneven performance in the latter part of the season was due to our small, valiant, depleted but nevertheless burnt-out squad.  It was an incredible achievement.

We must thank our veterans — Stubbs, Weir, etc... let them leave with dignity and thanks, and proceed to increase the quality of our team while lowering the average age of our squad.  We must also give our departing regards to the likes of Pistone and find a left-back who can distribute the ball with reasonable professionalism.

We should concentrate on building a quality squad, not so much to challenge in the Champions' League, but to improve in the Premier League.

In many respects the difference between this last season and the one before was the difference between 1-0 victories and 0-1 defeats (in other words, "team spirit" "a little bit of luck" and "Fear of Moyes").

I welcome the likes of Forssell, Parker and Davies and look forward to similar buys.  I hope that a deal can be made with young Arteta.  I don't think that Arteta leaving would be a disaster but let's face it — a midfield of Parker, Arteta, Cahill and Davies (with Kilbane, Osman and Carsley as backup) is just a little tasty.  Another couple of defenders and we are set for an interesting year.

Moyes isn't perfect — but his heart is in the right place.  He wants his team to work hard and perform.  More power to him.

I don't care if we get through to the group stages of the Champions' League.  All I really want is for Everton to play attractive, British football next season with flair and determination.  You know what I mean — somewhat of a mix between Real Madrid and Watford(!)

A European finish in the EPL next year with an optimistic view to the next season will do me just fine.

Andrew Gaule

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