Everton in the frame for Cunha

So a guy playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world, playing regular Champions League football, is going to give all that up to come and play for Everton?

Absolutely hysterical.😆

7 goals and 8 assists in 54 games, is hardly setting the World alight. The Premier League may be even harder for him to even reproduce that.

However, he would still be better than anyone we have at the moment, but would he be the answer and what would the cost be?

Cunha is very talented but has been patchy in a career with Leipzig, Hertha Berlin and Athletico.

He's definitely a better all-round player than Maupay - although doesn't register more than about 7 goals a season. This is partly because, apart from a breakout season in Swiss football, he's often playing second fiddle (and therefore doesn't play more than about 25 games) and is often playing wide of a central striker. That's because he's not a conventional striker or target man.

He'd be a really good option if Calvert-Lewin was fighting fit. You could see them working well together.

He's not an obvious candidate for our lone striker role though, and not an obvious candidate as a partner for Maupay.

Don't get me wrong – it'd be an exciting signing. But I would have thought that a more conventional target man would help knit the team together better.

Do you get a stiffy belittling your own club, Paul? Or is it just the laughing smiley that gets you hot?

Best league in the world, higher wages, world class stadium 18 months away… one thing saying we might get Mbappe, completely another saying we can't attract a non-current international Atletico reserve player.

Give ye head a wobble.

But he would go to Wolves?

I don't know enough about him. On the scoring record, the Italian and to a lesser degree, the Spanish, leagues are more difficult to prolifically score in given the tactical nature of how they play the game.

Young, 6ft tall and a Brazilian international. The question always has to be is the player better than what we have? Will he improve the squad?

Okay, that's 2 questions. I cheated.

We're not going from Maupay to Messi, but can we make gradual improvements on the stepping stones to where we want to get?

I was reading that the Atletico Madrid fans can't wait to see the back of him?

Gary @4.

The club have been belittling themselves for years.

Yes, spending £600M and building a £500M stadium is “belittling” ourselves isn't it!!

Held back by the tumour that is Kenwright for sure, but still one of the few with the potential to break that Top 4 again one day soon.

One day soon…

Really?

I don't mind being called an idiot, Paul, but I'm with Gary.

Man City and Chelsea would never have dreamed they would be where they are now 27 years ago.

If I don't believe, I give up. I can't give up, I never will.

Paul, I think you’ve got your question mark in the wrong place!

Oh, and by the way, I too agree with Gary.

Danny @10.

The difference is they weren't taken over by a complete idiot.

How anyone can call Bill Kenwright an idiot is beyond me, Paul.

None of us want to admit it, but Paul is unfortunately right (though it must be said that you appear to be taking pleasure from your ruthless assessment, Paul — I'm sure that's not the case however).

We can of course hope for the best in the near and distant future, but it's more hope than expectation.

Tony @ 14.

Kenwright's not an idiot… he's a complete idiot!

KENWRIGHT OUT!

7 goals and 8 assists in 54 games!

I know we are desperate for a striker but I think Tom Cannon would be able to at least match that return. And bring in someone with age and Premier League experience for the rest of the season.

If we can't get a proven goalscorer in this window, we are in great danger of going down.

Duncan @15,

I certainly don't take pleasure. But it seems some people can't take criticism of the club, and that's the problem: we simply ain't ruthless – let's not rock the boat.

Fine... then continue to watch your club die a slow death.

I wish people would stop using Chelsea as an example of a massive turnaround.

They were not where we are now when Abramovich took over. They were already playing Champions League football when he came along. His dosh simply ensured they would continue to do so.

Rob

Idiot is not a word I would use to describe Kenwright.

I'd be more likely to use words like: underhanded, deceitful, slippery, manipulative, unscrupulous....

Don't try this at home, kids, you could be here all day!

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Don't do anything stupid now, Paul. Think of all the good times.

Kenwright Out.

The MO on this is all wrong, it's another 'Last chance saloonist'. That type of player may work at a club where the pressure is off but that's not where we are at. We've had a dozen of them, all failed, all unsellable.

I understand that convincing a proven striker to come (and their club to sell) to us in January is an uphill task, but there must be a hungry young player, with bags of potential, that would sell his Gran for a chance of moving to the Premier League from one of the second-tier nations in Europe somewhere.

At least if it doesn't work out, we can still sell them on.

In our predicament, we need a more target-man type of striker, one who can also score goals. We need a player who can hold the ball up and distribute back to midfield or wide, allowing us possession further forward.

As with the repeated futile attempts of playing Maupay in the role, the same effect could easy happen with Cuhna. Nothing will stick, bullied off the ball, and possession will be continually conceded, allowing opponents to pour forward, swamp our midfield and totally negate our play.

We've got to get away from being permanently under pressure in games, and that means more possession further up the pitch.

This signing is a massive one, the immediate future of the club could depend on it. Whoever they sign, and whatever type of forward it is, they've got to get it right, because any wriggle room has gone.

I think it's if you go back to where they were in the 80s, Darren, and images of Stamford Bridge which looked more like a greyhound racing venue with mostly uncovered terracing and one stand that resembled anything credible for a football stadium. It's the only one that remains from the Old Stamford Bridge.

I agree on when Abramovich took over. But prior to that, until 1989, they had been a yo-yo club. A bit of a West Brom, bouncing between the first and second tier of English football.

But they implemented a plan, made change over time and by the late 90s were becoming a force.

Like Man City, it didn't happen overnight and it was a stepping-stone approach of gradually improving the team, the managers and making them into an attractive investment on and off the pitch.

So in my opinion, they are a good example. As are Manchester City and potentially in future, Newcastle United.

It didn't start with Abramovic, they spent the best part of 15 years paving the way to attract that type of investment.

Darren @19,

Yes, you are correct that Chelsea did play in the Champions League prior to Abramovich taking over and in the previous 6 or 7 seasons finished in the Top 6. That isn't that much different to where we finished under Moyes, and Martinez did get us to 4th.

But Chelsea hadn't won the league since 1954-55, so a lot longer than when we last won it. The difference is Abramovich appointed top managers, which we didn't, and backed them financially, which is what Moshiri did.

But the big difference is in the quality of manager Abramovich employed against the dross in most cases Moshiri employed. They reckon Abramovich pumped about a billion into Chelsea in his 19 years, and so far Moshiri has pumped in over £500 million plus a possible £500 million plus on a new stadium and has spent this in 6 years – not 19 like Abramovich.

So the comparability of where Chelsea were to where Everton were when Moshiri took over is very similar.

Another huge difference is the type of people who Abramovich employed on the non-playing side of the club.

John # 21,

There are lots of forwards across Europe who we could get regardless of our financial position.

I keep citing Mbaye Diagne as an example – the tall Senegalese striker who nearly kept West Brom up a few seasons ago while on loan. The players are always out there.

If Everton are seeking a budding young left-winger, perhaps they should not be looking any further than Evan Rumble of Oshawa Kicks (near Toronto, Canada). His grandfather and his great-uncles were/are all fervent Evertonians. Judge him on the following:

Evan Rumble - 2022 Season Highlights - Oshawa Kicks SC

That's key, Tony. He brought in his people.

He didn't leave it in the hands of a failing regime that had slowly walked backwards for 20+ years.

Brian #24 - Martinez got us to 5th (it should have been 4th, but we gave up against Southampton if I remember correctly), it was under Moyes we finished 4th.

It was also different for Chelsea – big foreign money wasn't really around then. The same for Man City to an extent – prior to their takeover, it had been the same Top 4 for a few years, but with their pulling power, they managed to dent the monopoly (which allowed Spurs in first, then Man City later).

We didn't spend wisely, otherwise we'd be in a decent position now, but with Newcastle, this will likely mean a Top / Big 7, but only 4 can qualify for the Champions League, so does allow a chance (although getting smaller due to FFP) for another Leicester etc to sneak in (although unlikely to win the Premier League).

I think Mr Moshiri said he wanted to break into the "Big 6" in 5 or 6 years, as he reckoned we didn't have much time. He also went for a massive name to go with the other Lancashire "Giants".

Unfortunately, we got a big name but not a top manager. Then we got a host of players who were a mixed bag, to say the least, and we all saw what happened after that. And so it's gone on.

If we can't get a prolific, top-class player, I hope we go for someone of the likes that Robert's mentioned. As, apart from the lads in the younger teams, such as Tom Cannon and Ellis Simms, we haven't got a regular goalscorer in the club – apart from Calvert-Lewin when he's fit. I think we need a creator as well. (Maybe The Creator, the way things are going!)

I know it's supposed to be a massive step up but I watched Tom Cannon last night and he looked good enough to be in the first-team squad. And until he got injured, Ellis Simms was doing really well for Sunderland.

Stating the obvious, if the club is to stay up, we've got to start scoring goals regularly, and be a difficult team to score against at the same time.

We can be a hard team to score against but it's vital we get at least one scorer and someone to create the chances.

Just a personal choice, but that young lad from Blackburn might do well with us. He scored a bagful last season.

David,

Evan Rumble, now there's a name. He'll likely end up in WWE!

Just looked at that lad, he looks a really good player. Taking in the standard and the opposition, he looks well worth a trial.

Relegation would cost the club £ millions so it would make sense to invest now and avoid that scenario happening.
I would break the bank and go all out for Kudus and A N Other (I don't know who) of a similar calibre. We would be okay then.

It's pointless buying a striker who doesn't have a good scoring record. We need a deadly strike force. Teams know that they only have to score against us and the game is won – we just don't have any attacking threat.

Leicester and Spurs are two examples of teams with outstanding attacking players.

Brian

I remember Chelsea fans roaring on Bolton to score against their own team because they knew it would send us down.

I see no similarities between Chelsea and Everton. The two clubs had been traveling on a different trajectory long before Roman arrived. While expectations were rising like a rocket at Stamford Bridge, they were being expertly managed at Goodison Park.

I could strangle Moyes; he had everything but a winner's mentality. His and Kenwright's expectation management is still prevalent at our club today – you only have to listen to Frank's latest offering to know that.

You will know that I agree with you when you speak about crap managers being hired, Only difference being, you think most of our appointments have been bad. I think they all have.

I`m not sure I would want a Roman Abramovich at our club. I wouldn't mind a Mathew Harding suddenly appearing from within our midst though…

Agree with Tony and Rob that a mobile target man is what is required – ironically, Calvert-Lewin from 2 seasons ago basically!

Cunha is a very talented player and one who would improve us, he can play behind the striker or either side too. He could do a job as main striker but we should only be in for him if there is a strong belief Calvert-Lewin will sort his problems out.

Otherwise, back to the drawing board for me. Lots of appropriate candidates but maybe not in January.

Danny,

I love your enthusiasm and dreams of Everton returning to the Top 4 one day. We had our chance and blew it big time on second-rate players and managers; now we are struggling big time and back to having no pot to piss in.

The FFP rules have let the elite build big, then pulled the ladder up on the rest. Nearly every season, you can predict the Top 4, meaning every year they pull further away. With the extra revenue and sponsorship from their Champions League games, the gap widens with every passing season.

I know some will say FFP was set out to avoid another Leeds. For me, all it has done is give the elite so much spending power, while the rest have to juggle to get a fine balance and try and compete for the best of the rest.

The new stadium and sponsorship will certainly benefit Everton in the future, but it is going to take something special to get back among the elite. Chelsea and Man City just got in at the right time, to spend as much as they liked without FFP restrictions.

The best opportunity we had was the European Super League breakaway, that fell flat on its back, and the hope of a reformed Premier League with the likes of Everton, Leeds, Newcastle, West Ham and a few others could have made for a very interesting new competition.

However, it never happened, the elite got away without punishment and are now pulling the strings and getting everything, with the Premier League scared of losing them to another league.

They are getting all the big decisions, the Premier League are turning a blind eye to any wrong doing, but as soon as Everton do anything, they are on them like a ton of bricks. What chance have the rest got against so many biased and corrupt decisions?

Things might change one day, Danny, but it is not just the Top 4 we are competing with; week on week, we are on the wrong side of poor refs or VARs.

Now they are rebranding FFP and bringing something in towards revenue spending; I do not know the full ins and outs, but if you thought FFP favoured the big guys, this will benefit them even more!!!

Anyway, sorry for the doom and gloom; I will continue to hope, one day, we can get back up there, but it is the equivalent of trying to scale Mount Everest with Giant Haystacks strapped to your back, trying to compete at the moment.

Unless the FFP and any other structures are removed, to give a gap in the market to spend, spend, spend, it is going to be a good few years. The new Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock gives us at least some hope; will we grasp it, or make a balls of it – who knows?

One day, Danny, one Day… keep your dreams alive, mate, and pray for a huge slice of good fortune.

On a final note, I would certainly look to promote Tom Cannon to the first-team squad, no harm having another striker on the bench, to give us options. Sadly though, it would not surprise me to see Everton loaning him out in January rather than keeping him for backup.

Darren, got to agree with you there.

Chelsea reached the semi-final of the Champions League before Ambromovic, Mathew Harding made the difference.

Yes, I'd also like an owner like Mathew but it's got to the stage I'd like anyone with a hard approach to business, many millions, and who would tell Kenwright to sling his hook!

Darren @34,

I know you have been rightly critical of all Everton managers in the last 10 years, but I think, given the budget Moyes had, he did a good job and certainly his ability to buy cheap and sell high probably kept this club afloat.

As you know, I was also a huge fan of Carlo but you and I won't agree on that.

I am a little surprised you say you wouldn't have wanted Abramovich at our club, as reading your posts over the years, I thought his ruthlessness in demanding and getting success would be something you would want in any Everton owner.

I know you may have reservations about how he achieved his wealth, but I doubt there are many club owners who would stand up to scrutiny — that includes our present owner, in my opinion.

I think Sir John Moores had that same ruthless streak in demanding success as Abramovich had. I know Sir Phillip Carter was successful as a chairman but he was just like Moshiri was for Usmanov and it was the Moores money that allowed Carter to back Howard Kendall — and he was an employee of Moores.

It's not Roman's ruthless streak I would have reservations about, Brian, and as somebody who would sell his Granny for a trophy, I'm not taking the moral high ground either.

I just don't see any way back for his kind. I just think there will always be a place for the Mathew Hardings of this world.

Moyes had some spectacular successes while wheeling and dealing. He had many good qualities. A winning mentality wasn't one of them though. That's what drove his critics mad.

Surely it should say "We strongly hope, believe and expect without a shadow of doubt whatsoever that Kevin Thelwell and Frank Lampard have made signing attacking reinforcements a top priority for the upcoming transfer window" – because, sadly we have been here before and come away in abject disappointment.

If not, then I must have been looking the other way when these two signed off on the press release that stated this priority, whereas I would expect that – past performance being a strong indicator of future returns when it comes to Everton – no such commitment has been made and the appropriate cautionary Latin phrase du jour would be the translation of "Believe it when I see it".

Which, I am reliably informed by Google, is: "Crede hoc, cum viderem eam".

I'm a little worried about this "stepping stones" talk as isn't this what led to the "deadwood"?

Perhaps a loan with an option until the end of the season might be the best move albeit I know nothing about this player other than the less-than-impressive stats mentioned above.

DOA or Deadwood On Arrival.

I'd rather loan Chris Wood for 6 months: better scoring record, established in the Premier League. But ideally I'd like to get a player in who is actually good.

So, Calamity Bill's turned Goodison Park into the Deadwood Stage!

Kieran,

Chris Wood scored 3 goals for Burnley in his last season, it was Maxwell Cornet that nearly kept them up. Not sure why Toon signed him and don't want us to. He has scored 3 Premier League goals for Newcastle in 31 appearances.

A lot of posters on this site get misty-eyed about history, but I don't want Chris Wood to be added to what is the biggest history of Everton FC "Non-Scoring Strikers".

I'm conflicted over whether to sign a big man to survive this season. It seems like the right strategy given our midfield has no identity and we have a couple or three who can deliver into the box. The wingers largely huff and puff their way to the outside without support without a target in the middle.

Just having the decent holdup would relieve so much of what's wrong up front. Wout the hell? Petkovic? I could be persuaded...

I'll watch his showreel and tell you whether he can play or not.

Back later.

I've just seen the latest footage of the development of the new Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. Fills me with pride as much as it breaks my heart.

Anyway, that's 18 months out. We've got Wolves, Man City, Brighton Southampton and West Ham plus the FA Cup coming up in the next month.

In several weeks, the landscape may look very different.

See you there, Blues. In spirit or in person.

I wasn't aware that Sir John Moores gave Phillip Carter the money to back Howard Kendall, Brian, and was wondering if this was before or after the fans had a whip-round to try and help the club sign Terry Curran?

Newcastle signed Chris Wood tactically, to weaken Burnley when Newcastle were still relegation-threatened.

He's not particularly good butt he offers a focal point for the attack and will help Maupay in a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2.

Whilst he may not score, the team overall would be more likely to score than currently (while Calvert-Lewin is unfit).

We could do worse than get him on loan.

Petkovic is a better footballer but hasn't done well outside of Croatia and, whilst tall, isn't exactly Duncan Ferguson in the air. A loan would be okay but he's not going to score a lot and Wood is a safer option.

Weghorst is on loan at Besiktas from Burnley so very unlikely we could get him in January – and he would be massively overpriced after his brief cameo against Argentina.

Chris Wood makes The Stracq look like Lukaku! He offers little threat and Calvert-Lewin is way better. Lukaku even now is still a good striker but his attitude is lousy. What we need is a wannabe target man with the heart and effort of The Stracq and at least half the finishing of Lukaku.

No point in buying another 7-goals-a-season forward to play off a big man we haven't got most of the time, another Maupay who has done incredibly poorly since arriving and is ill-suited to the team's needs.

Woods does not have the hunger or ability that Cannon or Simms would have and I believe they are a far better option rather than paying a great deal of money for an asset that begins depreciating before the ink is dry.

I think it's funny to see the Barcodes being stuck with the likes of Wood on the wage bill. A bit like when we had Tosun on the books. Let's not help them out by taking him off their hands.

Off topicish but reports Jadon Sancho may be available. But seems like a Dele Alli 2.0.

Ten Haag vaguely explaining he isn't injured but mentally and physically isn't "right" and he isn't sure when or how he will be. He looked really good pre-season but dropped off a cliff lately.

Yes, the lad can play.

Very surprised Man Utd and Chelsea aren't in for him…

Dazza (#19),

Are you the same Dazza who yesterday railed against me, again, on everything I write by saying;

"Don Alexander,

Despite your very regular claims, we don't agree on anything."?

If so I suggest you get your computer checked for hackers because some deluded berk (according to you) has posted above in your name at (#19) saying this;

"Idiot is not a word I would use to describe Kenwright.

I'd be more likely to use words like: underhanded, deceitful, slippery, manipulative, unscrupulous."

That's a slightly watered-down version, now year-in & year-out, of my condemnation of Kenwright.

My concern is that someone having seemingly hacked your computer is today making you look like a total pillock aren't they? And as a fellow Toffee (whose sentiments above on Kenwright I've always agreed with), I don't want you to be unknowingly portrayed in that way by some crazy prat.

All the best!

If I was going to get anybody from Newcastle, it would be Jonjo Shelvey on loan until the end of the season.

Realistically we are not going to get anybody of any real quality in January and if there is one thing that Shelvey can do, it's pass a football forwards. Something none of our current central midfielders are capable of.

Add to that a striker and a proper inside forward and we may just stay up.

Chris Wood on loan would be a decent short-term signing for a forward who makes the ball stick up front. He scored around 1 in 3 at Burnley which is pretty decent.

Other ‘physical' forwards of varying plausibility might be:

Moffi from Lorient,
Schick from Leverkusen,
Thuram from Borussia Mönchengladbach,
Beto from Udinese,
Zirkzee from Bologna,
Brereton Diaz from Blackburn,
Dike from West Brom,
Ajorque from Strasbourg,
Onuachu from Genk, or
Petkovic from Zagreb.

I think it's unlikely we spend much money on such a player who would be sat on the bench should Calvert-Lewinever regain proper fitness… but who knows?

A winger who can retain the ball under pressure whilst also getting a few goals might be just as important. Might Sancho be worth a loan punt? Or Ziyech?

Difficult to know where to start as I'm not convinced any part of Lampard's team is really functioning as it should with the exception of the goalkeeper.

Currently, we are giving up almost the most chances in the Premier League while creating the least. Issues everywhere.

Don Alexander,

You are very clearly desperate to claim we are of the same opinion. That's four attempts now. In my opinion, you have never even had an opinion… not one of your own.

There will not be many on this site who have not read the article Colin Fitzpatrick put up years ago. It was a TW epic.

Despite the fact that the article was penned years ago, you have come back on a daily basis regurgitating Colin's work and passing it off as your own.

The trouble is, you don't seem to have Colin's ability to educate. Plant a thought and leave it there. You post the same thing every day, trying to preach what you laughingly believe to be "your word" to what is already an overwhelmingly converted choir.

I was already aware of much of what Colin wrote; that meant I was already in agreement before I even read his article. That doesn't mean I agree with his echo. Especially when it is so ignorant of just about every aspect of this club.

I understand people getting frustrated that Kenwright still seems to command a modicum of support within the fanbase and I understand why they voice that frustration. There is very clearly a battle for hearts and minds going on here.

Kenwright's supporters can only have their minds changed by intelligent posters making intelligent points. They will never be swayed by the village idiot banging on their door every day to tell them Kenwright is a cunt.

We agree on nothing.

Brereton Diaz for me is the first choice, but along with others Chris Wood can offer us something in attack short term.

Hard to get players in January, I would not write Chris Woods off, worse strikers out there, if that's the one we bring in.

Just seen that Chelsea have signed Ivory Coast striker David Fofana of Molde for £10M. 19 years old and 6ft, with 15 goals and 5 assists in 24 games.

Just highlights how deep the pool of players is.

Someone like the underwhelming Wood on loan plus a speculative signing like this should be possible even if we're skint.

What's wrong with giving Cannon a shot?

So, with Juve getting busted for accounting indiscretions and it causing them to ship out Vlahovic, do we have them in a position owing us €25M? And do they have anyone we could really use short-term?

It would seem like a few veterans and possibly some waiting youngsters would be willing to come here to establish themselves in the Premier League.

Don't be daft, Craig, why would we do that? We never give the kids a shot up front and instead loan them to Championship clubs to score goals for them – let's not mess with our fabulous policy!

I must admit, Robert, that I had not heard of Fofana before so cannot comment on whether I feel we have missed out there. However, this is where we should be shopping for potential gems, Scandinavia, Belgium etc.

Gyorkeres rumours recently resurfaced, might be worth a punt but it's a risk.

I'd not heard of Fofana either, Steve. Or not this one anyway. Fofana, Cisse and Traore must be like West Africa's version of Smith, Jones etc

That's the lad I was thinking of, Brian. Pair him off with Tom Cannon and let them rip.

I hope we could find a midfielder with a brain as well. Maybe Garner can do the job.

If we can find one or both, then we've got a decent chance of keeping the opposition goalie busy.

Brereton Diaz in my opinion is not a No 9, a target man, he plays different positions at Blackburn.

Chris Wood would do a job if we hadn't much money to spend?

I don't think it would matter really, as long as he can score goals. Even better if he could link up with say, Tom Cannon, or if we can bring another forward in. Young and Vernon were both only around 5 ft 10. Vernon was thin as a rake, Young was sublime, on the ground and in the air. They scored around 50 goals between them when we won the league. If you looked at Salah and Mane, not exactly target men but they scored bags full.

Ps, getting off to bed but sure this interesting thread will be ripping along tomorrow.

No matter how appalling Kenwright is, on boxing day we need Frank Lampard to get the best from this squad. Of every manager I ask is this the best we can get for the top money we pay? For so long it has been, no, no no.
Frank really needs to think positive and tell the lads to get right fucking into them; be bold, be brave, give us a buzz, make us proud. Let it start on boxing day, forget the fear, we are better than Wolves.

Chelsea can not be seen as an example with the improvements made when Abramovich took over. They had nearly 10 years of being able to buy all the top world class players with his backing, before the league brought in the FFP rules that restrict most clubs today.

Sam #56, cross Dike off your list for now. Since I touted him here 18 months ago for his spectacular pace and power, he has played in five games. Five. He keeps pulling muscles in those mighty Yeboah-sized thighs.

Not to give up on him, because he's only 22 and could still be the starting #9 for the USA someday, but let's see if he can stay healthy for half a season before sending the Brommies an offer.

So, supposing we get Chris Wood in, or any other striker for that matter, who is going to kick the ball in a forwards direction?

And if somebody does manage to do so, which one of our ''wingers'' is capable of crossing the ball onto the head of Chris Wood in the box?

We need more than just a striker in my opinion.

Jim # 66,

I think we probably do need a target man as a short-term fix. Or at least someone physical enough to hold the ball up, win headers and run in behind.

I very much admire more technical players that would allow us to play a more sophisticated style. That is the type of forward player I was expecting Lampard and Thelwell to bring in over summer but we got Maupay and McNeil.

Both would look more effective with a target man in the side.

Then, over summer, we might hopefully upgrade the team with some genuine talent.

Good post, Robert, and thanks for that input, as it seems it's two thoughts on how to play forwards. If we could get both, it would be brilliant.

I look at the likes of Liverpool when neither Mane or Salah were the type of target men who are primarily great in the air for crosses to come in from wingers.

I look at the recent outstanding goal, that I can remember. That's the interplay at Goodison, between Iwobi and McNeil for McNeil's goal recently. I think if we had more of that type of play, we could use more of our players more effectively. If, a big ‘if’, Tom Cannon was played,he could pair up with Brereton Diaz.

If it was thought that Tom Cannon wasn't ready, I've not really seen much of Wood, but I think that Brereton Diaz would be a very useful player for nicking goals, wherever he was played.

But whatever; my fear is that, if we wait til the Summer for the upgrade, it might well be too late. We have to score more goals.

We bought Rondon as a target man and Tosun to score, and neither worked out well. I think DCL's most prolific period was when Digne was sending in crosses. But that stopped once the other teams had worked that ploy out.

Anyway, even if he stays fit, I don't think DCL is a good supplier of chances to others, nor a good goalscorer, unless it’s from crosses.

I think we need much more interplay between midfield and forwards.

Robert, have you any thoughts on a midfielder who can create openings and join in with the attack, on the style of Madison? Hopefully kidnap him!

What’s your views on Garner in that role along with Iwobi?

Wood (on loan) and Brereton Diaz (on the cheap due to expiring contract) would be really good business, Jim, because it would give us 4 strikers of different styles. So different ways to score goals.

Then look at more modern forwards in summer to allow a more progressive brand of football.

In terms of attacking midfield players, possibly the most obvious one is Kamada of Frankfurt – because his contract is expiring too.

He's a goalscorer with an excellent engine. But we've been linked with him for a while now and I expect he's considering his options and hoping to hold out for Champions League football.

Mike @70, yes, you’d think that whoever is bought in must probably have a decent injury track record given the DCL situation.

Thanks Robert.
If this comes to fruition, I'd feel much happier going into the 2nd half.
If the first two you mention come in, we would have a good chance to increase our goalscoring.
If we got Kamada, or even a similar type of midfielder, it'd be even better.

If you are to believe today's rumours, apparently we are still strongly in the hunt to sign Kudus in January. Kudus and 1 more striker - maybe Chris Wood or one of the Senegalese lads that we have been linked with, should be good enough to see us safely over the line this season.

Good answer to Jim’s question about us finding a creative midfielder Robert, but I think you know as well as everyone else does, that if Lampard doesn’t find a better balance for his three midfielders, it probably doesn’t matter who he plays there?

As I regularly receive reports on the progress of Sheffield United, I was hopeful we might have signed Gibbs-White in the summer as that elusive attacking midfielder. Having gone to Notts Forest, he hasn’t set the Premier League alight so far.

This season I am being told that with 9 goals and 3 assists, the Senegalese, Ndiaye, just back from the World Cup, is a class above, the best player in the Championship. Whether we could afford him, or whether he would set his sights higher than us, are relevant questions which gall me.

We are seeing now (and last season) what a valuable (if sometimes underwhelming) contribution our (disgraced?) Icelandic midfielder was making.

He's not been replaced.

Lukaku, Stones, Barkley, Richarlison and Sigurdsson – all heavily criticised for their weaknesses but certainly undervalued for their strengths. Calvert-Lewin also falls into that category.

I reckon we need at least 3 high-quality new first-teamers to get back to being a consistent Top 10 side. That's either a lot of money or some very astute business (or both)!

Robert #81,

That's fair comment; our best players are often criticised for not being better.

Hardly a great strike record really. The lad Yates is just up the road at Blackpool... I'd rather have him, but Moshiri just loves his foreign players.

Clueless.

I've never seen Yates play, Matthew. He looks like a young Jamie Vardy and has had a similar nomadic, non-league career. You might well be right, that he's worth the gamble.

Personally I don't care where the players are from provided they care, have ability and are prepared to work.

Robert #81, I could not agree more. And I would add Pickford to that list.

In the summer window I was one of the people promoting Brereton Diaz but we brought in Maupay who has been more than disappointing. There is now talk on here which seems to suggest that we might look at a number of potential players to carry us over to the summer as January is a difficult and expensive window.

I repeat. We can't afford that time. We have to start scoring goals as soon as we get on that pitch again on Boxing Day. If we don't we could well be in the Championship by the close of the summer window. No good at all thinking that prospect will go away if we close our ears to make it go away.

We must pin our faith on what Lampard and Thelwell do now if we are to be sure of things.

We have wasted the long summer window and witnessed the results with Calvert-Lewin, not surprising quite a few of us with his injury problems, and we don't want to see further examples of them because it is clear as a pikestaff there isn't anyone currently on the books who can fill his role, so they need to get cracking without any slip-ups.

I agree, Peter, about Calvert-Lewin's unique role but, much though I admire his skills, he's hardly a prolific striker.

We need a striker in addition to Calvert-Lewin and goalscoring midfielders like Sigurdsson. There is virtually zero threat from Onana, Gana, Davies and even Iwobi.

It just shows how we miss Richarlison. He might only have scored 10 goals but how many points might they have gained us? Without an increase in goalscoring potential from several positions, I believe we're doomed. Even Keane, who's not playing now, was a source of occasional goals.

I know it will not happen but just now and again I'd like us to be – falsely – linked to a striker who has a really good goal-to-appearance ratio.

Even if he played in the National League South.

We are so often linked to a "striker" who scores one in six or seven, or sometimes never!

An Everton team that can't score goals. I wonder why.

Gone:

James Rodriguez – 6 goals, 9 assists in 26 games.
Richarlison – 53 goals, 14 assists in 152 games
Sigurdsson – 31 goals, 25 assists in 156 games

Still here but often Injured:

Calvert-Lewin – 59 goals, 18 assists in 197 games.

A total of 149 goals and 66 assists. None of which has been replaced or covered by a decent back-up.

Psst – I won't mention Lukaku.

Shush about "Hamez" as he was here for the payday – stats we would kill for now. A truly world-class player, and we sent him packing.

We're destined for Coventry, Rotherham and Bournemouth as our rivals unless we get a grip and just accept we need whatever to make sure we finish 17th or above until we get to the new stadium.

Chris Wood and more attacking intentions would be better than what we have under Fat Frank now (decent wingers with no one to cross to).

Meanwhile, the same red echo are reporting that Atletico Madrid are ready to sanction a loan move in January for Cunha:

Matheus Cunha's departure from Atletico Madrid in January is likely as the Spanish side consider sanctioning a loan deal, according to 90min.

Everton are one of several Premier League teams who are said to have made contact with the forward, along with Leeds United, Wolves and Aston Villa – the player's representatives have also approached Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool.

According to the report, Atletico are 'desperate' to offload Cunha's wages and could be prepared to sanction a loan move come January – a decision that could benefit Everton.

I agree with all the concern about our ability to score goals and feel that, in addition to having more goal threat up front, we need a goalscoring midfielder too.

Onana obviously isn't that and neither are Iwobi or Tom Davies nor Gana Gueye.

What possessed us to spend so much money on McNeill and Maupay is beyond me as both are not even good enough to warm the bench.

From all I hear and read about Cunha, he is another failed prospect who blows hot for about 6 games and then drops right off.

It seems Atletico are desperate to get him off their books as are their supporters. Cue Bill Kenwright with his never-never plan.

On loan with an option would be a great move. This is the type of move we were good at previously, getting a talented player whose stock had fallen - Pienaar and Arteta being the most successful examples.

Let's hope that the scouts have done their homework, and are bringing in at least a couple of good-value strikers.

Good value can mean many things, but Everton take the learnings from the past and get in some trailers who know where goals are and put the ball in the net.

You drive in the dark with no headlights, and in football, you don't get points if you don't score goals.

The summer transfers haven't added any potency to Everton, and I sense all clubs returning will have made the best of their mid-winter break due to the World Cup, in terms of training and preparations for the transfer window.

Hopefully the Rondon contract money will add to the transfer kitty, but this game is huge for Everton, considering their form prior to the World Cup break.

Everton must be ready to get into Wolves and beat them.

The Best of The Seasons Greeting to TWrs!🍺⚽️🙏🏼🥃

UTFTs!

Tony@98, yes I put a list of decent options on one of these threads and Beto was on it.

As was Thuram, Rob @100. Be great value if we could get him for £8.5 but I doubt it.

Who ???...FFS...a word for our Scouts,head up to Blackpool,it's in the North West of England and sign Jerry Yates,two footed and scores headers too,only 25 and won't even dent Moshiri's wallet.

Then head to little Connah's Quay,it's in North Wales to sign up the best young player I've seen in a decade, attacking Midfielder called Josh Williams...jeez this lad almost single handed won the under 18 U.K tournament for Wales,a brace verses Scotland followed by a hat-trick verses England!!... reminded me of Billy Kenny and a young Rooney!

Why are we so fucking obsessed with foreign so called stars?...28 years without a trophy...try a different approach FFS Blues!

Totally clueless...sigh

Much to your probable disdain, Matthew, I'm seeing numerous rumours linking us to The Netherlands international Noa Lang.

Came through the Feyenoord and eventually Ajax youth systems, played for Ajax and now with Club Brugge.

I'm suspecting inevitable post-World Cup speculation and mischievous journalism or agent play, but it's on quite a few media sources.

Matthew,

You've obviously seen something in them, and it'd be nice to see if our scouts have been to those places; and had set about writing reports and giving verbal in-depth reprts to our DoF and recruitment teams of these lads.

I hope the scouts have and our recruitment teams are scouring the whole country for young players with drive, qualities and skills, for EFC to give them a try out.

Another poster, a Blue from Canada, sent in a 2-minute video of a young Canadian player who not only was miles ahead of anyone else on the pitch, but had had the qualities I mentioned above. Mind you, if our coaches and manager let Haaland go as a kid, then I do worry about who else we let go, or don't even invite.

Jim & Matthew,

For me, there's a handful of places which fairly consistently deliver good players at low cost:

- Championship / lower leagues

- Ligue 1 / France (the stand out conveyor belt of talent in world football)

- Argentina / Brazil

To a lesser extent you can add Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands - then Scandinavia, the Balkans and the MLS.

Matthew, you're right that we neglect the lower leagues here and Jerry Yates may well be a better bet than some more glamorous names we're linked with. Moyes did well building a side like this – but (as Moyes did to often good effect) we do need to tap into foreign markets too.

You are right, Robert, the truth is out there – you just have to look for it.

Our scouting system over the last decade gets a 3/10 from me. It's been lazy, uninspiring and costly. We would've been better off scouring the I-Zingari League than paying a fortune for some of the useless flops we've bought.

As for the likes of Cunha, Kudus etc… forget it. We're broke, unattractive and run by morons and fools. In other words, fucked!!!

Mike,

You could say the same about the entire squad. We have a wage bill in the top 20 of world football.

The wages vs player levels of performance just don't correlate in the entire Moshiri era.

Ian think we just abut make the top 30, behind the mighty Leicester,C palace, W Ham Newcastle and Villa.

So we beat Wolves next Monday. Nick a point at the Etihad. Beat Brighton at Goodison. Surprise many (apparently) by marching into the 4th round of the FA Cup. Beat Southampton at Goodison and take a point at West Ham.

Okay, even by my own standards I'm being optimistic. The World Cup is over, I've had my rants about the running of the club.

But there are very winnable points to be had. By the end of January, we could be in a very different position. I'm not spending time and money to think otherwise.

He signed for Wolves.

Danny 105.

Liked this piece, Danny, ditto.

We just have to put the analytical frenzy out of our minds.
We are all not daft, least of all Frank and the coaching staff.

Importantly the players too. They have under-performed for Frank and us on a few occasions and we haven't taken say 8 points more. Result: pressure on Frank and the players. So we have to think a game at a time. We are better than we think, I am sure, as we have suffered narrow defeats and draws.

So like you, I will be optimistic, we can beat plenty of teams, not get beat, and put in good performances. See who Frank brings in, hope he is given 5 or 6 games to get us climbing up the league, and a Cup run.

Time, money, energy invested for pleasure. Boxing Day.

If he's really signed for Wolves (he hasn't as far as I can determine), two questions:

1) How come Wolves are able to sign him before the transfer window opens?

2) Why can't we be equally proactive, and get players 'signed' before the transfer window opens?

Michael, he may have agreed to sign for Wolves, but can’t actually signed for them until January 1st at the earliest. We could always nip in and steal him from under the noses of Wolves, a bit like Onana, who everyone was saying was signing for West Ham.