Season 2011-12 Fan Articles

The future's not so bleak

By Gareth   Smith  ::  07/08/2011   57 Comments (»Last) I'm still young, still learning and by no means boast the "I know everything" attitude but I read articles on ToffeeWeb everyday and Everton is always full of transfer speculation during the off season and everybody seems to focus on "We have no money", "We need to bring in loan players to strengthen our squad."

Everybody seems to put all their hopes on Saha staying fit, Cahill rescuing us and Arteta finding his once magical form in the middle of the park. I see a lot of negativity towards next season and feel as if (as fans) we have already given up on our team.

I however strongly disagree; I think the squad we currently have is more than capable of competing with and even threatening the "big teams". Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool and Tottenham have all bought their strong skillful and title contending sides... Gone are the days of developing young, creative, technical, direct players.

Barcelona have always developed their own players under a strict style of play and are the epitome of pure class, Arsenal try to copy and Man United have cottoned on to the idea of developing young players. I believe Everton have also done this but have often lacked the confidence to allow our young players to step up.

In my opinion, it's time we started to close the door on the likes of Saha, Cahill and Arteta (no disrespect to these players, they are players I idolize but as football changes so must our club and as the saying goes "every dog has its day.")

This season needs to be about transition from the old school to the diamonds in the ruff.

Consider the defence:? Howard; Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines

A solid, stable and dependable back line capable of stopping an attack from the strongest of teams and players who can also pitch in with the attack, providing height and strength for set plays and overlapping to provide numbers in the attacking third and whipping in crosses.

Consider the midfield:? Coleman, Rodwell, Fellaini, Osman, Bilyaletdinov

A direct, elegant, dynamic, intelligent, and creative midfield five capable of keeping the ball away from pretty much anyone, breaking down attacks before they reach our back four, and when in possession capable of carving big holes in the opposition with passing, movement and one-on-one situations with players capable of taking the ball into the box and having a shot. I hold Bily in high regard and I think he has been poorly used in recent seasons, an absolute quality creative midfielder wasted in a wide position due to the form of Cahill but, in the moments when Bily ventured inside to the middle of the park, he seemed a different player: silky skills, smooth through balls, vision, and a shot that drops jaws.

Consider the forwards:? Beckford

While Saha spends every second week on the physio table and Yakubu goal gets Alzheimer's, Beckford seems to have a lot of pessure on his shoulders and pressure he seemed more than comfortable to carry in the latter part of last season. Pace to burn, confidence, passing ability other strikers lack, the nouse to drop off to receive the ball and a finish to boot.

Not to mention the absolute sparkling quality of some of the other players bursting out of their boots and itching to get on the park at the drop of a hat... all fast, strong, talented, technical, creative players who could do the job just as good as the players mentioned above:? Gueye, Barkley, Baxter, Anichebe, Vellios, Silva, McAleny, Duffy, Bidwell, Mustafi, Craig, Nisala, Forshaw, Garbutt.

The future is not so bleak... we have everything we need already and more. If you ask me, that's a side that could produce a lot of magic this season. We are widely underestimated but we really are a force to be reckoned with, and shouldn't be taken lightly ? we have the potential in our ranks to be contenders.

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