Two Players For Every Position

Robles
Hibbert Distin Alcaraz Oviedo
Gibson Osman
Del Naismith McGeady
Kone

Certainly good enough to get through to the more interesting rounds of the Europa.

One of the good things about Martinez's style is that with relatively little chop and change, 1st team players aren't knackered out as with the 100mph style previous and would be in good enough shape to take part in the latter rounds.

And as much as we all hoped for young talent to eventually make their way in under Moyes, we'll know by start of next season if Garbutt, Duffy etc have a future. Obviously the secret weapon will be our key player.

The biggest question as always is how much sales and Sky money Bill wants to give up.

"According to Spanish newspaper AS, Gerard Deulofeu could continue at Everton next season despite previous claims that he would be returning to Barcelona after the current campaign. The 20 year old attacker has repeatedly said how happy he is on Merseyside and how good the loan to Everton has been for his football career. He's adored by the supporters and, in turn, has praised the Goodison Park faithful to the Spanish media. Martinez is thought of very highly at the Spanish club, his Catalan background doing him favours in this respect. Keeping Deulofeu would be a big boost for Martinez as the Everton manager looks to negate the loss of any of this season's loan stars."

As for the rest of this article, I tend to agree with it, although if we were to receive bids of £15m+ for Baines, i'd say take it, and again, very possible if he goes/plays well in the world cup. Purely for age/Oviedo reasons, not ability, as barring some patchy recent form, Baines is class, but we have been saddled to often with 30 somethings earning massive money with value diminishing, which is where Baines will be in a couple of years. I still think we will be 'trading' for a good few seasons yet, and would much rather lose a Baines, than a Barkley.

That only reinforces how little these people know what is occurring at Goodison under Martinez.

Take out Jagielka, Distin, Mirallas, Pienaar and Gibson last season and we would be totally lost. We would have probably seen Heitinga and Hibbert taking up central defensive duties, Osman moved to left wing, and Fellaini back as a D.M.

Look at the players on that list above, and the fact we are still massively confident should tell you how far we have come this season.

The fact Barry, Lukaku and Deulofeu may be going doesn't bother me at all. We will splash out on a decent striker like Bony (Guess how many he's bagged in a struggling Swansea side?) and Barry will be replaced by the likes of Cleverley. Deulofeu may even stay, but I fully expect McGeady to seamlessly replace his contribution.

Watch out everyone - we'll be even better next season!

As always it also depends on how much money is available for recruitment and history shows it won't be as much as our rivals even clubs such as Villa and Newcastle will probably spend as much or more than we will.

It'll still be touch and go as to whether we can sustain or improve our position in the coming season, but it won't be lacking in excitement that's for sure.

We were battered at Anfield after he went off, the shite tore into us in the certain knowledge that we couldnt hurt them, Sure we scraped a couple of late wins when he was out injured, but Teams like Chelsea and Spurs just sat and restricted us to long range efforts. Just like the shite they knew we couldnt hurt them. If memory serves me right thats when so many of his critics were bemoaning our " injury crisis" . . .short memories these critics have already forgotten those tortuous performances against Stevenage, Cardiff and WBA ( before Lukaku got here )

Lukaku has his faults, what kid doesnt? But his record would already suggest he the best young striker in the game. You do not improve by letting those go.

I've made no secret of the fact that I got on Everton to finish top four before this season started, but I wont be rushing to have the same bet next season. I'd put money on every other team in the top seven being stronger.

IMO its now or never, We must get Champions league football, because we have a lot of players who know they are good enough and will want to prove it.

If Martinez is not up to the task, Every single one of our players will jump at the chance to go and play for a manager who is.

Stronger next season ? I love to think so. . . But I don't think I' ll be troubling the bookies if we fail this time.

The difficulty this summer will be balancing our need with our finances. Lots of people would like us to bring in Lukaku but he would likely cost the entire budget (and possibly then some).

It will be up to Martinez and his team to somehow keep pace with and better the teams around us despite them having two or three times our transfer spend and that will require no little amount of cleverness.

I would say we definitely need a striker, a defensive midfielder and another playmaker.

The central attacking midfield area is a position that needs addressing; Osman has played there many times this season, and has been excellent in some games but inconsistency and looking more like 43 year old than a 33 year old has been a big problem for him. Barkley's form has been a bit hit-and-miss. He's been a joy to watch at times and the talent and potential is there for all to see but his final ball is nowhere near that of a top player yet....it does worry me that, that part of his game will never fully develop - that's the only part of his game which will prevent him from becoming a world class player.

A creative player in the mould of Carzorla is needed to play that killer pass and link up play....Naismith doesn't fit into this catergory either. A new RB will be very welcome as this will surely be Hibbert's last season, but please god no! Naughton is not the answer! We should be looking abroad for a right footed version of Oviedo, with a similar transfer fee.

Can't see us spending £20 million plus on Lukaku and with that atrocious first touch of his, it begs the question: is he really the striker we need? The way we play needs a striker who is comfortable with the ball played to feet. Lukaku is better getting on the end of crosses, we don't really play to his strengths. I hope and expect Barry and Deulofeu to be back next season. And personally, I think we will need 2 strikers, a defensive midfielder, an attacking midfieder, and a new RB. The quality and difference in loan and permanent signings will be dependent on weather we are in the CL or Europa League.

I would argue that £20 million for Lukaku would be a bargain. He is a fantastic goalscorer himself and he creates chances for others both via his passing but also by keeping the defence occupied. However, I would agree with those saying his first touch is poor. But he is a striker and main objective is to score and create goals and he does that. And he will continue doing that for many years. And he is only 20 so may be his first touch will improve.

Buying him would be a safe investment. If he continues his improvement he will be worth £50 million after three years. And we could sell him back to Chelsea!! Or play him in the Champions League.

Bear in mind, strikers don't go cheaply. For around £5 million, you will get Anichebe or Jelavic. £8.5 million, you get Altidore or Van Wolswinkel. £15 million, you get Osvaldo, and £25 million Soldado or Jovetic.

If we want to challenge for Champions League we should go for Lukaku. Somehow, I don't think Chelsea will keep him but, if he is available for £20 million, I could see both Tottenham and Arsenal being very interested. I would therefore consider ourselves very fortunate if we could buy him this summer for £20 million. That should be our main target. (We can then keep Hibbo as right back cover and save a transfer fee.)

We won't spend £20 million on any player.

You may think that by beliitling our club you are bigging up Martinez, but you simply draw attention to the facts. This club has always operated at a higher level than him
Yet you 'd have us believe the club is holding HIM back ?

The stars were nicely aligned for us this season, we didnt just get rid of Moyes, he fucked off to one of the big boys and wrecked them.

With AVB and Pardew doing similar jobs at Newcastle and Spurs, it could be argued (and I'm arguing it ) that top five with this group of players was a gimee for any manager worth his salt.

Not being David Moyes is not enough for me. I want more from this manager.

As for belittling our club are you really happy with the way the club has been run for the past twenty odd years - I know I'm not. But I recognise a good manager when I see one.

a) keep hold of Lukaku, if it needs, spend most of the transfer budget on him and sign him up long term. He's still learning and given his age we wont lose any money. With Kone coming back, we're not in any urgent need of more strikers given we generally play with 1 up front and also have Naismith as a forward. Added to that also probably Traore on loan.

b) Sign Barry up for at least another season if not 2. He can go to the MLS in 2 years time if he wants. The higher TV money must mean we can afford to give him decent wages for a couple of years.

c) I think we should look at AM. Imo Pienaar is done and Osman at 33 isn't far behind. Added to that McGeady looks busy but not much more (yet), Delboy is still learning and young Ross is still developing. If we could sign an experienced (not old) AM with real class, I think we'd see a lot more chances created. Someone like Kagawa, who would presumably be relatively cheap, would be ideal I think - not to mention the fact he's massive in Japan (just need to bin the kitbag deal!).

d) I cannot imagine Gibbo playing for any length of time without suffering further injury so we have to sign a DCM, even if we keep Barry. Gibbo is going to spend at least half a season in sick bay every year so you just cannot plan a season with him in it, sorry to say.

e) last and not least, ideally sign a RB who can also play CB if needed. Distins legs will go at some point (surely!) and we cannot rely on Alcaraz to remain injury free either so CB could be a problem if Distin and Alcaraz are suddenly out. Given the RB will be back up, a young hungry player from the championship or overseas would be ideal here.

Other than that I think we're good to go assuming all 3 current long term injured first teamers are back....above is all obvioulsy assuming we don't lose anyone...

You seem to be confusing 'Everton' and the people who run it. The club itself is a glorious Goliath of world sport. The people who run it are not fit to shine Joe Parkinson's boots.

That bit you wrote about 'stars aligned' was bollocks too. We are 5th because we have our record points total. It's coincided with a crap season for Man Utd, but also a fantastic season for the unmentionables. Don't sell Martinez short.

Incidentally, as pessimistic as you as, I'm inclined to ask why you'd bet on us to do so well this year, despite our useless Spaniard at the helm.

No I 'm not happy with the way our club is run, The chairman is less than useless ..but he isn't resonsible for all those points we surrendered by simply not being equipped to do the basics when defending free kicks.

I hold Kenwright responsible for a lot of things, but it wasnt him who surrendered our advantage over Arsenal by having is kecks removed by that tactical genius Tony
Fucking Pulis.

I'm desperate for CL footy to come to the old lady and if Robbie brings it, I will be delighted with him. but if he doesn't, I will remember an opportunity uneccesarily squandered.

When was the last time that Everton could - mathematically at least - finish as high as second place in the PL era? We may well end up in fifth or even sixth but it has been a hell of a ride - if you put your money on Everton finishing fourth at the start of the season you are a far braver man than I.

Btw, Phil Sammon, I have never said Martinez is a useless Spaniard. They were your words. I think he has done a decent job, but while you're happy to applaud that, I think he could / should do better.

And I have said why.

I want him not to get out witted by Tony Pullis when the chips are down Patrick. He's light years ahead of him and I'm struggling to find an excuse, let alone a reason.

I 've spent half my life being wrong about footy. Lets hope I am this time .

Anyway, gorra go to work

As for the idea that the stars aligned, I think the opposite is true. Any other season we'd be odds on for 4th with 69 points and three games to go. This has been an exceptional season for the number of teams at the top picking up points. We're currently in a battle with the team that was top of the league for the first half of the season.

Look at 4th for the last five years, or even fifteen, and you'll see that this year's fourth place could well be a record, or will be the second or third highest points total ever needed in the era of 4th being Champions League qualification.

Who know what will happen next season. OFM struggled in his second full season and many other managers have suffered the dreaded second season syndrome. But on the other side of the ledger
1. We have introduced an entirely new style and we should get better at it with practice (and we have)
2. We will be able to bring in more Martinez type players year on year and it appears we do have a bit of money to spend in the summer
3. Utd and Spurs will still be re-building next season with brand new managers, whilst Man U may improve it will take a while for them to be the force of old, and I don't see Spurs improving given who runs the club. LFC on the other hand will have European football to contend with (as will we) and may not be so lucky in keeping their strikers injury free.
4. Chelsea, Man City and Arsenal have all gone off the boil since Christmas, this may change, but there has been a definite momentum shift in favour of the Merseyside clubs during 2014.

There is plenty of room for optimism for next season, and for once I am not worried about us losing any key players this time, I just don't think any of them would want to leave.

The striker is the big one, Naismith is the only one we own who has ever really performed for us, Kone unproven and not had any chance to work his way into the team. We do need to keep Lukaku and tie him up fast so he is available for any europa qualifying. Trying to Qualify with only one integrated striker would be madness, as even if we bought in someone different there is no way they would be firing on all cylinders in time.

Evidently a new midfielder is needed, this will have to be done on a budget though. Barry, with Gibson to take some of the strain would be an ideal for me, if we can afford a few quid (and after a striker I am not sure we will have it) maybe Rodwell, always chance of a loan though? I am sure RM would reinvigorate him.

Keep Deulofeu, (he can be your number 10 Denis as well I bet) and Traore. Maybe look at bringing in Ince on a free if the deal is right.

I am also of the opinion that Tony Pulis didn't out manaouevre Martinez; they played to their strengths, we played to ours and simply because we weren't clinical or robust enough they came out on top. Just one of those games, and Pulis's Palace will trip up others who don't take their chances.

Everyone is (rightly) concentrating on the marquee signings and the areas where we are weakest, but that doesn't mean marginal gains can't be achieved elsewhere. I was just musing on whether others agree / disagree that Peanuts is slipping down the order fairly quickly and may move on (to somewhere like the MLS) during the Summer.

I just can not fathom why Martinez has not improved that in him this season.

Lukaku is far from a safe option with a price tag of at least 24 million.

I would try Bony or Benteke because they both seem to fit our style of play much better than Lukaku does.

Also I am shocked at how poor Lukaku is in the air, each long ball duel he seems to lose or mishit.

We need a more fulfilled striker then Lukaku.

PL is the toughest league so Bony or Benteke is my first options.

Rodwell IS A SICK NOTE! Anyone that is stupid enough to buy him desreves
to lose their money.

I actually think we need a central midfielder plus an attacking and 2 strikers.

Right back is not really needed. Hibbert can fill in, and Browning can do a job there.

However I do think we need a better goalkeeper then Robles, if we are to get one then Robles has to be sold though.

Pienaar is past his best and it is high time both he and Osman is outfaced.

After next season I expect both of them to be gone.

Lukaku's probable departure is only one of th e reasons I wont be backing us for top Four next season.

I only mentioned him because I think is contribution is vastly underated by people expecting him to be the finished article at 20. The ironic thing is, many of those who want to claim he has the touch of a lampost, are the very people who want to praise Martinez to the heavens, for signing him in the first place.

I will however bet that during his career, Lukaku will command more in transfer fees than any of our current squad - including Barkley and Stones.

Look David. If you are really optimistic about next year, don't let me put you off, you"ll get decent odds for top four. Lump on. I personally will give that particular bet a very wide birth.

As for the Palace game. Ive just had another look at it, They set up better than we did, They defended better than we did, The passed it better than we did, They attacked with more purpose than we did, They took there chances better than we did, and they wanted it more
than we did, . . Jammy bastards

This year we need to keep everyone we've got and expand the squad slightly to cope with greater demands. Hopefully next year will be about identifying ageing and weaker players and improving the quality.

We don't really want all our senior players to keep playing until they are ready to hang up their boots unless they are integral to the team, and probably only Distin has been indispensible this season.

I don't have a downer on Peanuts and am not campaigning for his transfer, I am just a little surprised that a lot of people still have him in their first choice XI considering his relatvely poor season and the emergence of other creative players. The pertinent question would be has he really been missed since he got injured?

Gibson is not the guy to replace Barry, who sniffs out danger before it arrives. While other players are thinking of closing down, Barry is already half-way there. He does it all the time. This is such an important position. In the recent Champions League semi, Mikel was absolutrly magnificent. Almost playing 3rd centre back at times. Shame the yellow puts him out of the return leg. Gibson likes to be slightly more forward. Reading the game and threading passes.

As for McCarthy. How do you replace fierce perpetual motion?

Neither of these boys are likely to make the rirst team squad, especially with a big-time manager coming in, and I wonder how much they would cost. Two kids with a big future but probably not with United.

Perhaps not this year, but he would be if we were playing twice a week every week.

Like I said before, there are plenty of areas we might improve on the personnel we currently have, but the main point of my OP was that we have work to do to simply have enough quality players at all, before we start focusing on the level of that quality.

We could try to do it all in one go, but I don't think such major upheavals are healthy. One thing Moyes always gave us as an advantage over the likes of Tottenham and Newcastle was a relatively settled squad who knew each other and knew the club. If we find ourselves making 7 or 8 major transfers in one summer there will be a price to pay in this aspect.

My OP says we need six transfers, but that up to four of them could be players who are already here. Who knows, if we get all four current loanees signed on for next season early doors, pick up the right back and DM without much fuss, then we could have time for another move or two without too much unsettling, but given that we're not used to that happening, Pienaar is absolutely good enough to operate within the rotation system we'll need to employ next year. Remember, his position is the one where Martinez makes the most substitutions, so he's likely to play 65/25 minutes at a time, rather than a full 90. If anything, its Osman that I'd be looking to phase out, and the Cleverley rumours have specifically mentioned that this is Martinez's thinking.