Blues beat Bournemouth to Holgate

Hopefully he isn't one of the 3 signings RM was talking about because if it is, it would sum up the window we've had.

I think that you are being a little harsh there, Victor. Garbutt has not had a run of games because he has Baines in front of him and at the minute he is not ready to be a PL left back. He has got a good loan move there and he could contribute to our team in the years to come. You mention Galloway, but he started on Saturday. This is pretty decent saying that he only had minimal league one experience when he joined.

Because the Premier League is so competitive (unlike La Liga there are no easy rides on this league) it is difficult to blood lots of youngsters in the same team. Indeed, it could be argued that the by product of having the most competitive league is that the national team suffers.

Let's face it, we want quality players but are not exactly a star attraction anymore. What we did 20 or 30 years ago has no relevance today, its no easy task to sign the players we may want.
Shaqiri being an example.

Sign him up, Bobby, and while you're at it, buy Lennon, a CB, No 10 and the striker we desperately need.

Perhaps he's better than many of though the chances of him being another John Stones is very slim. He's one in a million.

A previous OP stated we will know after one game, well we do know. Same old slow passing with no idea on defence or set pieces.

I am worried more than ever about the future of this once big club. Is Martinez accountable for new signings?

Holgate is under 6 foot - unless he's still got his growth spurt to come (which is possible given his age), I doubt he could become a top Premier League CB. Maybe a good RB though if he's quick and strong in the tackle.

For what it's worth, Stones only broke into the international youth set up at the age of 18, the same age as Holgate is now. Peter Clarke, on the other hand, represented England at every level. Make of that what you will.

Also, you don't 'fail' a trial. There's actually no evidence that United decided against signing him, it may be that he wasn't prepared accept the terms/prospects he was offered by them. Alternatively, they may have thought he was fantastic, but decided that they would be better doing what most teams do in their position - let him learn his trade somewhere else and then buy him when he's ready for the first team. Saves the hassle of coaching them I suppose.

I honestly cannot believe anybody is unhappy at this signing. I certainly hope it isn't one of 'the three', and of course we need to strengthen the first team, but if the likes of Holgate, Galloway, Garbutt, Dowell, Henen etc can all make it, maybe we'll finally get to the level we all dream of.

West Ham and Southampton have been doing it for years.

Most Prem clubs have top class academies and very good scouting connections.

Spurs tonked our U21s the other day so I wouldnt think that our current crop of youngsters will be winning the league sometime in the future.

Youngsters learn and look up to the stars of today. How many of them have we got for our youngsters to look up to and emulate.

Now for a few signings for the first team please as we are one defensive injury away from disaster.

I'm guessing that with the logic you apply, you also believe that West Ham are closer to winning a major trophy than Arsenal, based on the result at the weekend?

I am just very frustrated about our clubs inactivity at senior level right now.

And I know the London biased media delights in painting us as poor penny pinching "has beens", but we aren't really doing anything to break out of that stereotype.

Come on Roberto, let's aim high. Let's stop whinging, mix up the team a little, change the tactics ( play one CDM, two upfront ), and make our opponents think a little.

COYB ! Let's bring back the Glory Days. Even Kone looks up for it.

In terms of priorities, the last position we need another teenager for is centre back when we have Browning and Galloway both proclaimed as Premier League centre backs of the future by the manager and we also have Pennington who is already Championship standard.

If young Holgate has Stones talent then ok we cant turn such an opportunity down because that would probably make him the best investment opportunity available in the U21s market. Unfortunately, in view of RM's record to-date I cant help thinking this is more a case of good relationship with Barnsley built up since Stones signing plus Barnsley obviously know a good young centre back when they see one plus we desperately need cover in that position equals lets take a punt on Mason Holgate. That is not the sort of lazy approach that other Premier League clubs will fall into these days.

It would however help to cement the RM invention that he is being very brave in bringing through young talent which causes us to finish bottom half. But I suppose thats another issue...

Still won't be the slowest in the squad even at that age though-that's still Barry.

This is an excellent buy and part of the business model that appears to be able to fill the defensive positions with classy youth leaving the powder dry for the attacking creative transfers that we need to make.

Great move RM and now lets have the attacking acquisitions and the left sided 1st team CB.

I would be happy with Geri and Cleverley as well as Lennon - plus Garbutt secured, the Striker and Left CB. (a No 10 will be next year me thinks)

Hennen, Holgate and the preseason seeing a number of players such as Pennington, Galoway, Browning, McAleny come through will be a big step in transforming an aging squad that Moyesey recognised when he left. RM is doing a great job in turning over the shape of this squad.

We just need to secure those couple of difficult signings at the tail end of this transfer window ... Keep The Faith!!!

Liverpool are playing an 18-year-old who they signed in January and this is ahead of two or three experienced players; Gomez looks very good to me, sad to say.

Holgate's meant to be a decent player but is he first team ready or another Henen?

Whilst youngsters have promise and are eager they are susceptible to errors and that is not affordable in the centre of the defence in the Premier League. Everton need an older experience head ready to step in who can be dominant particularly in the air. I would have liked Ron Vlaar but alas he's crocked.

Where are we going? Do Martinez and Kenwright have anything that resembles a plan?

Established players must be running a mile from Mr Martinez. As for beating Bournemouth to a signing, is that what it's come to?

Browning is the answer in the current squad. He looks like a 20M CB in the making. I was impressed with him at Swindon, Leeds and Villa Real friendlies.

Catch 22 with all of this is if we went out and replaced Alcaraz and Distin with say an Evans/Van Dijk/Zapata/Klavan and any other expecting to play 1st team CB's we would block the opportunity for Browning/Pennington/Galoway.

These guys may not be the priority at a given moment, but if good, young talent becomes available, my view would be to seize the chance.

The manager probably has a lot of input later but a formal offer has to be made first for him to start selling his project to the player........before they run!

Who are all these established players running a mile from Martinez? You don't think the £70,000 per week wage on a 5 year deal has anything to do with players (Shaqiri) signing for Stoke? Did you also "miss all the clamour" to sign Afellay, Shay Given and Philipp Wollscheid?

Fuck me, some people really will use any old brush to beat Martinez with at times. You know, there are some things that occasionally happen in football that aren't his fault.

Dont be daft!! Martinez not to blame, whatever next?

No wonder we go on about our 'istory - we have no future!

I know little about the player – though that rarely stops people from commenting, but the point I was making is about the reality of not being able to control when players are available .

If a good young player is available, then, regardless of the first team requirements, I think we should look at moving for him.

As far as this lad goes – one thing you can say about Roberto is he does appear to have a good eye for young and athletic players, so hopefully this lad will be another.

I can see him starting with the U21s, following a loan period next season; he'll then cover Coleman at right back, before perhaps eventually moving to CB in the coming seasons

He was more likely to get 1st team appearances at Bournemouth (Distin won't improve) this season than us. He's obviously considered his longer term development to be better served with us.

(FWIW I still expect Stones to be sold).

Still think we'll get 4 more in. Lennon and Austin permanently and a couple of loans. Lets try and keep the faith. We all love this great Club and at the end of the day we're all more important to it than Martinez, Kenwright, Elstone or Stones for that matter.

Onward Evertonians don't let your hearts be low.....

I believe the Holgate deal will also include a sell-on clause.

In a way, as we're a "small club" in the eyes of the media (and our owners it would appear) then it probably makes us a preferred vehicle for taking these players on, developing them, and selling them to the media darlings of the day.

Personally I think its all a front and he will be sold on deadline day. At no point have we come out and said 'Not for sale at any price'. Plus if he were staying his agent would be swiftly demanding a new contract in light of Chelsea's interest.

For me Browning was our player of pre season games and looked every inch capable of filling Stones's boots should he leave. I would like to see a lot more of Browning this season so every cloud and all that.

Lads, there us a big difference between approaching a "smaller club", asking about a players availability, and then putting in a bid acceptable to both clubs, and the likes of Chelsea leaking stories, offers etc. to the press and then getting their players to come out and welcome Stones to Stamford Bridge, especially after being told that Stones was not for sale. I thought you might have been able to work that out for yourselves.....;-)

The Stones issue is that we want Stones more than we want the amount Chelsea are offering.

I'm not sure what some people expect the club to do, Finch Farm they argue doesn't produce enough first-team players, we only nurture young players to feed to the other richer entities, the players that do come through the ranks such as Barkley aren't good enough for the Premier League etc etc and the rants go on and on.

I'd much rather the management take a punt on a young player for a £1m or so than bring in ageing professionals such as McGeady or Kone I'd also like the management to be a little braver with some of our young strikers by giving them 10 minute cameos here and there. who knows they might thrive in the PL, they certainly couldn't do much worse than some of the seniors have done in the past 12 months.

Everton FC as a club have never fully relied on the transfer market to build a team, it's always been a mix of players who joined the club whilst they were in their youth and buying players who are ready for the first team. Fantasy football may be entertaining on a computer console but in the real world it doesn't work.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2903231/Chelsea-sent-30-players-loan-season-Lewis-Baker-s-switch-Sheffield-Wednesday-making-star-midfielder.html

If correct , then surely it is already terminated as JS signed a contract extension with us to 2019 in August last year :

Link

Buy low, sell high. We seem to be following a very sustainable and profitable business model under Roberto.

I'm also not too bothered by not signing a CB who's "ready to step in". We have Besic who can slot at CB in the event of injury, and I'd be entirely comfortable dropping Garreth back into that position if the need arises.

Save the money to buy a winger. We need a wide man. With Mirallas and DelBoy we are fine, but we seem to push a natural CM out wide when one of them is out of the lineup and it ruins our balance. Wide man please Roberto.

Important to invest in young talent though i'd wish we were bringing in some more flair players. Pity that Andrade loan didn't work out.

Also the fact that he chooses to reinforce the idea that he will be bringing in 3 players in named positions, tells me he DOES have a plan. I can't see how anyone could form a different opinion.

Despite all the naysayers EVERY one of our good players has signed a new contract, to spend more time with RM. Even KM who could have made more money at West Ham.

Also, wtf is up with people slaughtering the "tippy tappy" football. Sure it might not click perfectly at all time and in all matches, but surely you must understand it creates better footballers. Were you all knocking it when we were ripping teams apart 2 seasons ago?
Some may retort with the slow footy of last season, but again all of you I assume are aware of the influence of confidence and momentum.

Any way, I think I just wanted to rant abit myself. So thanks TW and TWer's

Roll on the 12/09 and lets hope we are playing with a semblance of sense and style. If not just get the 3 points regardless and enjoy the post match interviews from both him and RM.

I think Mo is a defensive midfielder. But in an temporary role I think he could slot in at CB. As could Galloway I forgot to mention - he's not a RB.

So I'm not too fussed about getting a CB in the window.

We need another wide man for sure in my humble opinion. That's my top priority - as if anyone is listening at Everton!