Preparing the squad for 2017-18

• A first choice goalkeeper – It's likely Robless will leave though as his contract is up.

• A young, reserve right-back to cover Coleman until his hopeful return.

• A left back to take over from Baines who needs to begin taking a step back.

• One or two first choice centre-backs – fully agree. Preferably two unless Holgate is ready?

• Two first choice wide midfielders – the team is full of central midfield players and few wide players.

• A central midfielder who is not afraid to own the game.

• A competitor for first choice forward – Two strikers may be required if Lukaku goes. Imagine being back to playing 4-6-0!

Garbutt I am sure will be sold. I think Jags may be off as well. Depending on how Kenny/Connolly develops over the summer we will need a new right back to cover for Coleman's injury. Holgate cannot fully fill this role.

Hopefully Europa League football will help attract a better class of player this summer.

We also need better quality attacking players, with pace, an eye for a pass and the ability to score 12 goals a season.

I am not sure about the midfield trio of Schneiderlin, Gueye and Davies. They have individual ability but they have yet to demonstrate they can operate effectively as a unit. In that regard, I think we will see more of Barry than perhaps we expect, simply because he makes the others play better.

Between them, Kenny, Holgate, Galloway and Funes Mori might be enough to cover Baines and Coleman.

I think Stekelenburg will stay because he's more likely to be happy to sit on the bench.

One centre-back is needed unless Koeman truly sees Holgate or Pennington as ready, which he may do. He seems to talk only of attacking players when asked about transfers and that may well be all he thinks he needs.

As much as I want exciting new players coming in, I truly hope Koeman allows our young talent to blossom and develop in the first team squad environment.

The Rom and Ross sagas need to be decided asap and then at least we know what our starting point is.

I trust that, come August, I am full of genuine excitement and hope for the coming season rather than the normal 'we should have achieved a lot more during close season' feeling I usually have.

Let's hope Ron and Mr Walsh have an inspired summer. Amen.

First of all – I think we need 3 players in each position. That being, two seniors competing for the starting place & one youngster / veteran as a back up and filler when needed.

So firstly – I think Koeman will keep the majority of the squad for next season.

However, the likes of Kone (already gone), Niasse & Deulofeu (unfortunately) look to be gone.

There's an argument that Funes Mori could be on his way – but he is a good back up option & can play LCB or LB if needed.

Lennon obviously won't be leaving.

McCarthy may try force his way out - but Besic is blue through and through & wont leave unless forced out - which is doubtful as he has the aggression and attitude Koeman likes.

Stekelenburg & Robles would both be gone if I was in charge. Robles had a very decent season, but I don't see him as a #1. I think he is the most likely to make way. With 2 new keepers coming in & Stekelenburg moving to third choice or choosing to leave.

Moving onto in-comings:

It's clear that there is a lot that needs to happen – the signings Koeman makes will tend to be starters or youngsters (not squad fillers).

GK: Butland - as the #1 for Premier League games.

GK: Pickford – as the Cup & European keeper.

LB: Chilwell – offers that pace that Baines doesn't have much of anymore. Plus he will learn a lot off Baines. Also could look at Rodriguez from Wolfsburg.

LB: Sessegnon (if we can get him) – send him back on loan.

LCB: Romagnoli

RCB: Sanchez (from Ajax) – we need two CB's in - one to start & one to push Williams & finally replace him. (Plus more if any of them leave)

RB: Zabaleta – for a year could be a good option.

CDM: Dendonker

CM: Klaasens

CAM: Sigurdsson / Rooney

Winger/CF: Sandro / Onyekuru

ST: Iheanacho – has to be the first one in.

I think Koeman will dig deep to keep Lukaku – which will give us a bigger draw & also let the new striker settle in.

If / When Lukaku leaves – Dolberg has to come in. He has the height & size to be in the prem, and all the attributes one needs.

Squad for 2017-18:

GK: Butland, Pickford, Stekelenburg

LB: Baines, Chilwell, Robinson

LCB: Romagnoli, Funes Mori, Galloway

RCB: Williams, Sanchez, Holgate

RB: Zabaleta, Coleman, Kenny, Connolly, Jones, Browning

LCM: Idrissa, McCarthy, Besic

CDM: Schneiderlin, Dendonker, Baningime

RCM: Klaasens, Davies, Walsh

LAM: Sigurdsson, Mirallas, Calvert-Lewin

RAM: Barkley, Sandro, Bolasie, Lookman

ST: Lukaku, Iheanacho, Sambou

Something genuinely...'new' (or better still, revolutionary).

A philosophy.

Without something really new/fresh (other than a few new faces in, a few old faces out, hope for the best) I don't believe we'll see any real change.

What I've seen in recent seasons is a team I consider... um... not smart (euphemism alert) and too small physically.

There have been SO many games I've watched in recent years where my (mental) one-line summing up would be 'not smart enough, not strong enough.'

That stays the same, we'll stay the same.

The biggest problem I see is the usual falling between two (or four) stools and so we need to prioritise which trophies we want to put most energy into. Personally I think the League Cup should be the easiest to win, with the Premier League maybe the toughest.

We need to be realistic though that we are going through a huge period of change with up to 90% of our team changing over the last few years. I don't think we're anywhere near ready for Champions League football and so I'd much rather try to win a cup than pushing hard for top 4.

I agree with Eugene, you would hope we have a plan for the immediate and the longer term. But lets say Koeman and Walsh have identified the players they would like, say Michael Keane for instance. What chance will we have of signing him if Man Utd also want him?

Koeman worked with Van Dyjk but Chelsea are rumoured along with City and Liverpool to be after him. So this just highlights for me the problem we have, so sometimes in our position you have to go for a lesser player than us fans would want.

I think Walsh and Koeman have a massive job this summer and I really think they will have their work cut out to make the changes we all want.

I think many don't realise how late it's getting for Everton.

How many have already done that and is there any real value in it? How many of us could really assess Tarashaj? (Eric Dols where are you?) Or for that matter some of the U-23s without the reports on ToffeeWeb from those who have seen some games?

I think we need to think about Baines' long term replacement more urgently. Robinson's contract expires this summer, Garbutt is unlikely to be the answer and Galloway is more of a CB in the long term.

We definitely need 2 CBs. Even if Pennington, Galloway and Holgate all make it through over the next 2 seasons; Williams and Jagielka will be done by then and we need 5 to compete for 2/3 jobs.

Agree with the rest of the article - a GK, at least 2 AMs and 2 STRs in addition to replacing any 1st teamers that depart.

So I make it 8 1st team players to find this summer!

Let's give them the chance over this coming close season to both get rid of those they deem unsuitable and bring in those they believe will take us forward. They didn't do too badly over the winter market – perhaps this coming one will see the real changes we all desire?

Fingers crossed.

With the window opening on the 1st July and our first competitive game on 27th July it does not leave much room for manoeuvre. The last five games we played well we didn't turn up did we.

I am bracing myself for 5 new signings, 3 of which will be teenagers and exciting prospects full of potential. The other two direct replacements for the two who will leave this summer.
We will still have Jags (bless him) amongst others and the project will still be ongoing.

I am normally a 'glass half full person' as well.
COYB we are back in Europe

We need to study the successful teams and learn from that in terms of style application and ability.

It won't happen overnight but we seem to be laying the foundations at youth level we need to develop the first team into a successful unit.

Koeman seems to have identified the creativity and goalscoring weakness but we don't seem to get a grip on the lack of determination to get stuck in.

I think we need a nasty bastard midfield general and captain who won't accept second best together with some of the very good suggestions made previously.

Players like Baines, Jagielka, Williams, Mirallas and Barkley have simply sleep-walked through (another) season and cannot be relied upon to offer anything other than token resolve.

Koeman I think, will remain a conservative in every respect but I live in hope.

Robles has another year on his contract.

I tend to agree with Eugene that the organisation itself needs a radical overhaul. How that is to be achieved is less clear.

We need a younger squad: Barry, Baines, Jagielka and Williams have been excellent players, but they are not going to improve. One of these players, perhaps, needs to be kept to add experience, but basically they should be looking to move. It's a shame Moyes left Sunderland, he'd have offered them all contracts.

Koeman will continue to insist on a conservative approach and we will be solid, but real progress to catch the "big six", will be very difficult to achieve. Perhaps we ought to concentrate on the Europa League, though to be honest, I doubt that without Barkley and Lukaku we have the quality to compete at the level of the better teams in that competition.

There are some very optimistic, fantasy football~esque shopping lists in this thread but remember – though we may believe that Moshiri is our fairy godmother, the 2 ugly sisters remain very much front & centre stage re: our transfers and as ever will remain hell bent on preventing Cinders going to the Ball that is the Champions League.

Final thought re: Eugene's post. Re: mindset of the team, one of the changes that must be made is skipper. Jagielka has served the club well but I feel is more hindrance than help . besides he was never a born leader of men. In Jagielka's defence, lots of clubs do not have a natural leader.

The manager has his work cut out without doubt. He is a winner and was a world class footballer, does that mean that he will be our 'special one'? I am not so sure but without doubt he has a strong enough character and is a straight talking no nonsense type.

We need Walsh and Koeman to unearth the new Kante, mahrez etc. We should also look to fill the squad with the U23s and add a few marquee signings like a Goalie, Midfielder and Striker.

Quality over quantity as far as I am concerned and if we are really serious about making the next step whatever that is then players like Barkley and Lukaku who don't see their future with us should be replaced asap – whether they are still here or not.

Of course, they may not tell the truth and I guess whatever their reasons, those lined up to replace them will have similar concerns if they are of similar quality.

My guess is what we shall actually get from this summer's transfer pot will be a mixture of names we've never heard of and average quality former Koeman players – mostly Dutch.

Thus, the chances of breaking through 'the glass ceiling' will rely more on how much 'magic' our man possesses and can impart rather than the star quality he will attract.

Cuca Martina looks like he'll be our first signing on a free transfer. I don't know what he's like but Koeman rates him plus with Seamus out we need more cover at right back because Holgate is a natural centre half. Although I hope Kenny and Connolly are given some games to impress.

Priorities are goalkeeper, left back, younger dominant centre half, 2 or 3 attacking midfielders/wingers, and two strikers.

Every team in the top 6 has a decent 'keeper, better than anything we've had for 30 years. It's got to be one of Pickford, Hart or Schmeichel. If we don't address this position, forget about winning anything. Leicester would not have won the League without Schmeichel, it's that simple.

As far as attracting established top 4 quality such as Mata, forget it. We have to find players who can step up to fill that gap. Over to you, Walsh & Koeman.

None of these players cost a great deal of money, with Heath the most expensive at 𧽴,000; Power and a couple more added to the squad for the last championship win.

So assembling a great squad can be done... makes you think, though, was Howard Kendall a genius or a very lucky manager? I've always felt the latter.

I have to say that I'm surprised that you believe that Howard Kendall was a very lucky manager as opposed to being an astute man who knew exactly what he wanted from his players and how he wanted them to play.

Everton weren't that attractive a proposition when Howard arrived at Goodison and the club didn't have the largest of transfer pots either. In fact, we aren't that different as a club nowadays, given our unwillingness to spend money on huge wages in comparison to the other top clubs in the division.

In fac,t the club was in such a bad position with its own supporters back then that they had to have a sustained media campaign in order to get the fans back into Goodison.

He had just as many big clubs to contend with and, even worse, a rampant team across the park who were machine like in their ability to replenish their squad year on year.

I agree that an element of luck played its part in Howard and Everton FC climbing to the higher echelons of the game but that could be said for most clubs who have a taste of success.

Unluckily for Howard and Everton FC, the momentum he and the players had built up was undermined by circumstances beyond their control. I would love just one season to be similar to those that Howard oversaw in his and the team's pomp, but sadly the game has changed dramatically... but Everton FC hasn't.

Our 74-75 team which missed winning the League by just 3 points had the distinctly average David Lawson and Dai Davies.

I would strongly consider signing Jack Butland, now fully recovered from injury, and on the verge of an England call-up. At 24, he is much more experienced than Pickford and certainly as good as Schmeichel or Hart.

He was astute as you say in his signings, especially those of Peter Reid and Andy Gray, great players and two extra captains on the field. Perhaps his best signing was Colin Harvey as his coach the day after the leaflets were given out during the League Cup tie with, was it Notts County?

Colin and Howard were a great combination and had four great seasons together. The reason I think he was a very lucky manager was he never finished the great job he had started with Everton and never reproduced the same magic anywhere else, although sadly we know the reason for some of the later years, but you make a good defence for Howard.

So it feels like a complete overhaul is required to some degree, but remember the tactics that our dour Dutchman employs stifle any thought of productivity.

We know that is not going to happen, it's just not a modern day phenomenon to do so, it hurts the team too change so much. Spurs and Liverpool are good recent examples.

What I will say is I'd expect 4 very good signings to make the spine better. A GK, a CB and 2 forwards. I think with Europe we are unlikely to see many departures despite the cry for it; a stronger squad, more durable is required.

I actually think we are behind schedule here, I think we've had two very average windows. Only Schneiderlin and Gana merit as good signings.

That's not acceptable, we've had no success in bringing in a forward player in either window. Leaving this window reliant on getting two very good forwards in is a big ask.

The net result is we may still need, not want to, but need to buy Valencia. The lad wasn't a complete washout and provided a template of what player to buy, we just require an upgraded version.

Tough sledding ahead me thinks.

Talk of 7, 8, 9 players would mean buying players no better than we have at inflated prices in the current market. If available we need to buy the best goalkeeper we can afford, a fast left-sided centre-back, a solid DM and a replacement for Lukaku if he goes. The right quality will cost 𧶀m.

I suspect that we won't have that much to spend even with the proceeds of a Lukaku sale. A Barkley sale will add little, there doesn't seem to be a queue.

The new players need to be big, angry, in-your-face leaders on the pitch.

Realistically, I think we'd only want 3-4 new players to be in the starting XI for the first few games of the new season at the very most – a goalkeeper, a centre back and an attacking midfielder probably being the priorities.

But we also need to make the squad deeper due to the Europa league.

Essentially I was trying to imagine and to a small extent recreate the planning that would be going on behind the scenes to upgrade the squad. I imagine they'll be doing this in a much more detailed way, looking at player 'profiles' in more detail – what attributes potential recruits bring, what characters they are and most importantly how achievable they are in terms of acquisition.

That's the part that I think will make or break the summer plans – can we actually recruit the players we need.

I didn't want to discuss specific players we might go after when I wrote this... but I do want to say that I wonder whether the Rooney rumour might be as much to do with this as with bringing in the best available players. He would have something to contribute on the playing side (albeit not necessarily being an automatic first choice), but as much as anything else, it may be a 'statement' purchase. He is undoubtedly a huge name in the game and would give us more profile. Of course, no idea if there's any substance to the rumour but wanted to state my twopennies on it.

And John (#35) - I have generally tried to keep a list of when players are contracted to, so already had that list (I think it's up-to-date). Plus I'm sure we've all done similar exercises thinking through where we might strengthen... I just wrote it down!

No doubt Koeman and Walsh will have set their priorities – for me, left-sided centre-half is a position that has to be fixed this summer and we need two clever midfielders.

I think we have to try to buy smart, we can't bully our way into the "Sneer Club" that easily!

We are, despite qualifying for the Europa League (almost), banded together with the likes of WBA, Stoke, West Ham et al when it comes to attractiveness to potential signings and people who believe differently are fooling themselves.

Yes, we have a new ambitious owner, and hopefully a new stadium on the horizon, however, we are small beer in comparison to the big guns in the division; don't forget those teams have had at least 20 years of investment and commercial deals to steal a march on us – is it unreasonable to believe that it will take at least a quarter of that time to get the club into a better situation financially?

All of that said there is no reason with the right tactics, attitude and stubborness from the manager and the team that we couldn't do a lot better on the pitch in the coming season and beyond. Of all the teams in the top half of the table, Everton have perhaps the most room for improvement.

The manager mustn't be allowed to believe that new signings alone are the answer to Everton's shortcomings, of course there are positions that could be strengthened and if we can afford the right players and persuade them to sign for Everton then fantastic – if we can't there's little point in buying the same types of player that we already possess, unless they have much better attitudes and a greater desire to win football matches.

Manchester United and Arsenal are not that great at the minute, but their strength in depth is the real reason why they both finished ahead of Everton and have been in the hunt for honours albeit mainly in the cup competitions.

A couple of major signings in key positions that will make a difference to the way that Everton perform, a couple of the kids being ready and able to step in when required and a change in mentality of "can we?" into "yes we can!" may do wonders for the team, the supporters and the club – but it has to be about focus and attitude and not about the cheque book alone.

What I will say is that I get the feeling that Evertonian patience is wearing very thin, and the board, manager and players should take notice of that underlying feeling, it's time for them to kick all of their platitudes into touch and take some meaningful action to at least give it a proper go next season.

That is the thing that keeps me hoping, and then crashing... How many of of our old players/reserves do we have to get rid of, to buy new players at even better salaries?

All according to that law-thing...

It was the result of unshackled simplicity in action. 4-4-2: unthinkably primitive, we were told. Fast, confident, precise football played without any sense of inferiority bamboozled the establishment. Leicester haven't repeated it because they became self-conscious.

It can be done, it really can, with hardness of mind and by honouring our club's traditions of bold and entertaining football; also, by releasing ourselves from the deadly restraints of formulaic Premier League defensive wisdom. We have the support, some high quality players and the expressed ambition and we don't have to follow Leicester's particular style. What we lack, above all, is nerve. We do not truly think it is ever possible, and so it isn't.

One of Koeman's worst errors this season, odd in one who was such a ruthless and arrogant player, was to scoff, with his famously professional frankness, at the suggestion that Everton could make top 4 after our very good start. We proceeded then to sink like a stone, and recovered ourselves too late and too lazily.

If the manager didn't believe then, it's no surprise, perhaps, that our already "fragile" team was happy to agree. It's been the same for about 30 years.

Fix the mind first.

So those contracted players at Everton won't be leaving any time soon while the gravy train runs their way. They are content to run down their contracts regardless of them having any chance of actually winning anything.

A year ago we saw Osman and Pienaar leave after their respective contracts ended. Both it seems thought they would get extensions. So what I'm saying is don't expect an exodus of players other than perhaps Barkley and Lukaku and anyone whose contract won't be extended.

I agree we need additional players perhaps 6 or 7. Will the club sanction a bigger squad and can they attract the quality required to get the job done. Top 4 Cups etc.

By buying more mobile forwards and committing to try and win games away from home from the first minute rather than defending and trying to sneak one. We might lose more but we will certainly win more often.

We need players who can play the ball on the floor and also chase lost causes. Lukaku is not this type of player!

Act the same as everyone else and you'll be an also ran.

C'est la vie, as they say in France!

We need to be different and be a chameleon so that we are not predictable or other managers will know how to set up against us!

Now I know many would say go for everything but I don't think we can possibly compete on all fronts and if we do will probably win nothing and fail to qualify for a Champions league spot. Also if we did win the Europa League and qualify for the Champions League we would be in a far better position to sign players. Also the building of the new ground should be well on the way which would show potential signings we are moving forward as a club.

I have to say I don't like the format of the Europa League, the Thursday, Sunday games. I also don't like the fact that the 3rd worst in the Champions League are allowed to enter the Europa League. Having said all that, for me, it's our best chance of seeing Champions League football.

I think we should have a proper attempt at the top 4, which means being out of the Europa League as fast as possible! I'd play the Under-18s and the tea lady in the qualifiers.

Also, I think we should adjust our transfer thinking; it should be one star first-teamer each window, with a few extras. Last time it was Schneiderlin, this time it should be Sigurdsson, and anything else is a bonus!

Anyway, I saw this this afternoon Link and thought 'oh yeah PLEASE let him come here!'

Not for the things (mentioned) that he could no doubt finance, but simply to know he'd occasionally be wandering the same corridors as Kenwright.

“I sense the horrible envy of a loser."

“I live in happiness, unlike you.”

“I spit on you, Alexei Navalny!”

Try slipping a toadying arm around this feller's shoulder and saying "And eh– what a manager!" and he's likely to cut it off and use it to beat the shite out of you.

The only thing that concerns me is that because he is a winner he might still want to wrestle control from Kroenke.

I would much rather he gave his Arsenal shares to his son-in-law, turned his attention to Everton, and jump in with his business partner Moshiri. If he does, nothing will stop us.

I'd like to see us do well in the Europa League as I think it raises our profile and other players will want to come play for us. So what if we struggle a bit in the Premier League next season and don't finish in the top 6. If we play our strongest team in every cup game we should have a good chance of finally winning a trophy.

Re bringing in new players, I have a feeling with our U23s doing so well and Lukaku showing that it is possible to move to another club away from the big guns and get back your confidence, that it will encourage other young talented stars to move to us, even on a short term so that they gain vital Premier League experience, rather than sitting on the subs bench and wasting your life.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4593178/Ex-Barcelona-director-laments-poor-turn-legends.html

...and what do they really expect as their supporters are all "manufactured"!