McGeady the subject of multiple loan enquiries

I don't see the point in having Hibbert in the squad either - he's been a great servant to our club but is he ever going to play again? Probably not. Pienaar is borderline dead wood too. Get rid and get some fresh blood in to replace them. Oh almost forgot the obligatory "Flappy Tim" mention too!

The jury is still out on Funes Mori for me, and have we signed Deulofeu or not, or do Barca still have him on the end of their string? Whatever, it nearly all reeks of bad management.

Besic seems to me to be his best all-round signing in terms of cost, ability and potential but there's a long way to go with Mo although I really hope he makes it.. always a place in my team for a tackler with "attitude"!

Deulofeu... who knows? Barca still have him on a string.

Kone, Robles, McCarthy (㾼mill? My arse!), Alcaraz, McGeady (and after a lengthy pursuit to sign him, if you recall) are all the mark of Martinez.

Bog standard on a (rare) good day.

Yes, Barcelona still has their finger on the Deulofeu deal, but he's an Everton player now and if they do buy him back, we make a tidy profit on the deal. Robles was signed for next to nothing at a time when we needed a backup keeper and has been very good for us when he's played.

Martinez's signings so far have been very astute. He's brought in players who have mostly been very good for us and generally spent relatively little money to do so. The only player you mentioned that we spent very much money (if any) on is McCarthy who has been excellent for us and is integral to the Martinez system.

Martinez's tactics sometimes drive me up the wall, but his signing record has thus far been the highlight of his tenure at the club.

For what it's worth, even his critics would surely have to admit RM has had more hits than misses in his transfers to date. The only ones so far that clearly haven't worked out are McGeady and Alcaraz.

As for McCarthy's transfer value..... is £13M (I don't think it was £16M as you stated) for a first-teamer who is still only 25 years old really that outlandish a transfer fee these days?

Cleverly, Besic, Funes Mori, Lukaku, Galloway, Barry, Deulofeu have all been good signings – give the guy a break.

Lennon and Robles are fine.

McGeady and Alcaraz... not so much.

Only other game v Blackburn Oster played in, I recall we lost 2-3 with Speed & Ferguson scoring.

Furthermore, as an Irishman who does have an affinity with the Republic of Ireland, I think he is shite. He has always flattered to deceive with no end product. He was the same at Celtic years ago and is still the same. The Irish Billy Elliott!

That doesn't mean I attack those with an alternative viewpoint than my own.

It's definitely the first time I've heard about an agent improving a player's game. I must remember to skip past anything you post in the future, but thanks for the laughs.

His agent may well have told him to buck up, buts that's got diddly squat to do with his performances on the pitch, or how the manager gets the best out of the player.

If you and Don believe that's why Lukaku is playing well this season, then you carry on...

Kevin, you seem mighty confident about that. How do you know? Lukaku is telling is what his agent said had an impact. You are telling us it didn't. Now, who is more likely to know and who are we more likely to believe?

Do you not believe that what somebody says to you might influence your attitude and thus behaviour?

Interesting that Martinez played Gibson yesterday and cup-tied him when he says there's been interest in him.

Anyone who thinks signing Deulofeu with a Barca buy-back clause is part of "bad management" just looses everything from me. You don't buy youngsters from Barca without a buy-back clause.

Quote from a commenter above: " ...and have we signed Deulofeu or not, or do Barca still have him on the end of their string? Whatever, it nearly all reeks of bad management."

This is from Sqwaka: "As such, it's not surprising to see La Masia graduates departing the Camp Nou for pastures new in a bid to find regular first-team action. The Catalan giants are clever though, as they tend to put buy-back clauses into any deal that sees a young talent depart the club."

Read more at this link:

Five talents Barcelona have buy-back clauses for around Europe

Would you give up a five-figure weekly wage because your boss, who hired you, no longer rated you?

If a club could legally cancel a contract you would hear about this happening all the time. The reason you don't is because it's not legal. Plus if a club could "rescind" a contract then the player would be allowed to as well. Of course this never happens. That's why players sit at the end of the bench or go on loan.

Let's take this to it's logical conclusion. If a club can cancel a contract, can any contract in England be cancelled for whatever reason? No. Contracts are contracts.

Whoever heard of a contract that could be cancelled by a party without cause? Silly.

Lukaku spells it out... what does he have to do – draw pictures?

His attitude has altered as a result the arse-kicking he received from his agent; what more evidence do you need than to get it from the horse's mouth?

Before that chat, Lukaku was not making the most of his talents, he could be lazy, selfish and disinterested. Since that chat, he has bordered on world class... yet you desperately try to discredit the reasons he has given... Why?

Perhaps Lukaku is a "hater" and is making it all up.

1. The talent improves and players lose time on the pitch.
2. Players get old or are injury-prone.

This is normal in any sport. Hopefully the club can get as many players as possible on loan or off the books as soon as it can be done.

Lukaku has improved for the same reason every player improves. They are driven, they work hard and do not rest on their laurels and of course talent. For anyone to think it was only because his agent spoke to him that made him great is crazy.

Here are other things Rom has said that has improved his play:

The agent, Roberto Martinez and Lukaku had a meeting pre-season: Sky Football, 28 December 2015:

"He (Rom's agent) has a very good relationship with the manager as well. In pre-season, the manager, Mino and me had a conversation. I had to hear a few things about me in training and what I had to do and from then on it was like unleashing the beast: Go onto the pitch and show us what you can do."

Drogba as Mentor: The Telegraph, 8 December 2015:

"I text him, I phone him whenever I need him. I texted him last week when he was going back to Canada, but whenever I need him I just call him and say: 'I did this ­today, this is going through my mind, how should I do this?' He knows what to say and what not to say and that's what I like about him."

"I saw Didier's determination to win. He was a leader. When the team needed him the most he always delivered, so that is what I aim for and, hopefully, one day I can say I was that type of player.

Rom is actually a very motivated player like all who become great: Daily Post, 6 January 2016:

"I got great because I have determination and discipline. Every single day since I was a kid, I wake up with that. Every training session, I want to improve as a player so I can help my team­mates win."

Michael, The other two (Don and Darren) will have to speak for themselves, but I certainly didn't say his agent speaking to him was the only reason. I'm simply going on what Lukaku said. And interestingly you actually provide the quote...

"In pre-season, the manager, Mino and me had a conversation. I had to hear a few things about me in training and what I had to do and from then on it was like unleashing the beast: Go onto the pitch and show us what you can do."

Talking of poor Martinez buys (or loan deals), what about Atsu? WTF was that all about? For me, the best winger at Everton that I have seen was Dave Thomas. And I don't remember him tracking back much. The worst... hard to say, but was Scot Gemmill a winger? If not, then Ronnie Goodlass. Although there have been numerous duds, in all positions over the years. Far too many to mention. Every club has their duff buy. McGeady is one of Everton's.

But long may Irish players grace Goodison park, and Irish (North & South) supporters embrace Everton FC. The Irish connection to the city of Liverpool and its boroughs is historical and immense. Don't let an ignorant clown on ToffeeWeb say any different. We get that he doesn't rate McGeady.......but to suggest Irish supporters stay away... Incredible.

In that quote, one of things Lukaku said is he had to ... "hear a few thing in training about what I had to do and from then on it was unleashing the beast."

I am pretty sure when you hear things in training about what you have to do, it does not come from the agent.

Yes, Rom gives credit to his agent. He also credits himself, Didier Drogba, the pre-season meeting with his agent and Roberto Martinez. In another article he also credited Samuel Eto'o but I am tired of cutting and pasting. My point being Rom's improvement is no different than any other player with talent who strives to better himself.

I was answering the folks who keep manager bashing when he doesn't deserve it. You know, the folks who say "yeah Martinez bought him but he didn't do anything to make him better." Crap like that.

It's all about the money, unfortunately.

Read the posts. I don't see where anybody says the ONLY reason Lukaku is "great" is because of his agent... in fact I don't see the word ONLY used at all (until you introduced it to create a different argument).

As with any footballer, there will have been a lot of people who will have influenced his career/ development.

The thing is – this is where I decided to post – Kevin and Paul were dismissing the point made about the agents contribution as "hilarious"... what are they mocking Lukaku himself? He is the one who said it

This is not about "manager bashing"; it is about the usual people trying to give Martinez all the credit without having any clue what contribution he has made to Lukaku's progress.

Those who want to mock the suggestion that his agent had a big influence on his attitude are simply ignoring all the evidence – and it's obvious why they are doing it.

I doubt any player is going to give up their contract unless they can get a better one elsewhere – that would be pretty dim. Moyes had Shandy Andy. If Deulofeu goes back to Barca, then we make a profit – so it's much better than a loan and not bad management.

Don says the ONLY reason Lukaku's turnaround came about was because of the agent.: " Rom has only come to the party this season since his agent and not the phenomenal Incredible One (I prefer "incredible" because it literally means "has no credibility", as per his track record to date), allegedly advised him a little while ago to sort himself out on the pitch.." see Don Alexander #20. You see the word only in his quote yes?

As for you:

You give one reason for Lukaku's improvement this season - the agent:Lukaku spells it out... what does he have to do – draw pictures?

"His attitude has altered as a result the arse-kicking he received from his agent; what more evidence do you need than to get it from the horse's mouth?"

You rely in the fact that Lukaku in his own words gave credit to his manager. I think we can all agree that this helped. We agree.

The point of my post is to show Don that yes, according to Rom, the gaffer helped his improvement. Along with other factors. Not the agent "only."

I included you to point out there were more factors than the agent. However, I can see now that you may have been saying the agent did have an effect without excluding any other reason for Rom's improvement as Don did. If that is the case I will say you are right.

He took on board what certain writers on here were saying and changed his whole lazy manner... and, as a result, started enjoying the game. He hasn't looked back since, so take a bow, ToffeeWeb.

There is no doubt Rom has improved massively this year, you look at him now and you have to say, "Is there a better forward in the PL? Maybe Aguero.

But I still object to anyone who says he was lazy; this was just a massive stereotype. Even last season, when he was struggling, he scored 20 goals.

The lad is a model professional, always looking to improve. To think a conversation with his agent is the reason for his improvement is simplistic in the extreme.

This reported move would have been only a couple of weeks into the season. It seems that a lot of fans are substituting not liking McGeady to thinking he's somehow cheating us.

Then he started talking to Romelu, and telling him he had to stop playing like a big girl. It wasn't easy to take, he said, but then the agent started going on about goals, goals, goals, (stop saying yes everyone) and he knew the man was right.

To Lukaku's credit, he trained all summer, even doing the most simplistic of routines of kicking a ball against a wall, to control the rebound. His touch has improved we can't stop saying yes, and even his biggest doubters have got back onside. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the same thing could happen to our manager? But who would get the credit then!

As close as well get for now. Liverpool Echo, 10 Dec., 2015

"Everton were prepared to sell the winger during the summer window but it is believed McGeady turned down moves to Norwich City and Sunderland on transfer deadline day."

Sorry but it's you who is wrong. Don at no stage claims the "ONLY" reason Lukaku is "great" is because his agent kicked his arse.

By talking about "coming to the party", Don is clearly referring to the player's attitude; he does not talk about the guy's pace, ball control, passing ability, goal-scoring record, heading ability, strength. He is talking about one aspect of his game – attitude.

I repeat: You were the one who tried to claim people were claiming the agent was the "only reason Lukaku is great". They weren't, so your argument is moot.

Romelu Lukaku is on a five-year contract and I hope he signs another the way he's come on this season. However, he was one of those quoted last season when in April the players said they'd "played the old Everton way" to get us into mid-table obscurity, away from the threat of relegation that the Incredible One's season-long tippy-tappy bollocks had forced them to eventually confront.

Now we all know that Rom is also a very religious man too and his praise of everyone is in keeping with such a stance. But I think it's fair to ask what has really caused him to transform himself this season, his fourth in the Premier League. He's not stupid and nor is his agent and there's a vast amount of money for them both if they want it.

For what it's worth, had we made any sort of assault on the top of the league, as I believe we should with the players we have, I think he and others would have received significantly increased contracts and the European football they and we all want. That's why I'm angry.

Unfortunately there's one massive reason it's all gone wrong... again, and most of us know what that is, folks.

I think he could do a job for any of them. He could have still have been a useful squad member for us, as an impact sub had we not signed Aaron Lennon.

Too much dead wood at the club: move him, Hibbert and Pienaar asap plus move Osman, Gibson, Howard and possibly Kone on in the same way come the end of the season (if we're lucky, an MLS side may cough up a mil or two for Tim).

I've said it before and I will say it again, this deadwood costs us millions of pounds per season and holds back our youth.

Dave #68

Well I can't say I haven't deserved that one!

40,000 people regularly saw Lukaku put in less than 100% last season.

That isn't stereotyping, it's stating a fact. The fact that Lukaku himself says he has stepped up a gear this season confirms he too has recognised it.

Nice to know you speak for 40,000 people, make it 39,999 as I was there and completely disagree.

I'll let you into a little secret . . it's not the same 40,000 every week.

And no I don't speak for them all, I just know that I didn't see any of them wearing blindfolds so they will have seen the level of commitment his agent felt the need to criticise and the player himself admitted to.

The improved effort and commitment has been universally recognised even by you – it was the first thing you mentioned in your post (#69).

I wonder what you put the improvement down to, if (as you claim) he was already giving everything?

I think you are misquoting me. I said Lukaku has improved massively. I never mentioned effort and commitment.

After all he scored 20 goals last season a feat only bettered twice in the last 29 years so not exactly a disaster.

But he is undoubtedly at a different level this year, but of course that level is now probably the best young striker in Europe and the most consistent striker this year in the PL.

His improvement will be due to a whole host of factors which we can only surmise at.

He has been fully fit. Last season he was returning from injury and I suspect a player who is as big a unit he is needs to be at peak levels.

He has worked hard on his game and this is where the whole lazy bad attitude label just doesn't stick. Would a player who's not naturally committed and a grafter really do that?

He has regained his confidence and there were times last year he looked as though he was lacking self belief. Confidence is a huge part of a sportsman's performance.

The team have played to him more, most specifically Deulofeu.

He's maturing as an individual. Surprisingly enough centre forwards are stil improving at 22.

So no, I don't buy the lazy bad attitude tag but of course some of those berating him only three months ago after the Swansea game are looking pretty stupid now.

Yeah ... of course, that's what happened.

Lukaku telling the world how his improvement came about, clearly isn't enough for you. He's obviously making it up, just to blow your argument to pieces.

No he has worked specifically on some aspects of his game based on feedback he received. So he has worked hard on his control and first touch and has tried to be more aggressive. These traits in his game are definitely obvious to the 40,000.

To me this is the sign of a committed hard working player determined to improve and not someone who is lazy with a bad attitude. Just show me when he, anyone at Everton or his agent have ever said he needs to work harder or his attitude is suspect. You won't be able to of course because they haven't.

They quite rightly may have pointed out areas where he needed to improve and to his credit he has taken it on board and is a better player for it. That's called developing and improving as a footballer. I would suggest it's the players with a bad attitude or those that aren't prepared to work hard don't.

Lukaku – "I had to hear a few things about me in training."

What 'things'? Could it have been 'your first touch needs to improve' or 'you play like a woman'?

Again, show me when anybody says he needs to work harder or has a suspect attitude.

If that does not tell you they thought he wasn't doing enough perhaps I was right the first time.

You do need pictures.

It means he needs to work on an aspect of his game ie in this case be more aggressive which he has done, it doesn't mean he wasn't trying or is lazy.

Let's put it another way...

John you need to be more aware of crosses being allowed to go over you and be better at cutting them out.

Ross you need to cut out those occasional sloppy passes and improve the defensive side of your game

Gerard you really need to make sure you get more crosses into dangerous positions when you have beaten the full back.

All valid criticisms of three very promising players I would suggest. Do they need to work hard at these areas to become better players? Yes. Does it mean they are lazy and have bad attitudes, well maybe in Darren's world.

Let's hope they are as diligent and display the work ethic demonstrated by Rom to improve their game in a similar way.

Shane, absolutely nothing but the usual, you're wrong, no you're wrong arguments that internet forums are famous for is here to stay, I'm afraid to say.

(I secretly love it!)

I wonder if it will ever occur to either of you that if Lukaku was giving everything and not shirking (as Graham claims). His advisers wouldn't have felt the need to tell him he has to give more; they wouldn't have told him he was playing like a girl...

You guys must have real trouble understanding the very basics of the game if you think a player can become more physical without giving more effort.