The Mail Bag

International Quality

Let's imagine for a minute the whole Everton squad was English.

Who is good enough to be picked for the current England squad announced today for the Euros?

There are only two world class players in the current set-up for me – Hart and Rooney – so I reckon a few of our stars would get the call.
Kevin Tully     Posted 16/05/2012 at 16:24:23   Comments (11)

A case for keeping Yobo

There's been a lot of talk on ToffeeWeb about about whether or not we should sell two or three of our big name players or just the one. There's also been a lot of talk about which of the fringe or older players we should sell. One player who has been dismissed out of hand has been Joseph Yobo.

The idea of keeping Yobo and putting him back in the squad occurred to me when I was thinking about what would happen if we were suddenly to sell two or three of our biggest assets on the pitch. There are a couple of reasons why we all think this might happen. It could be the banks putting the squeeze on for cash over the summer. Players could also look to jump ship if offers start to come in for our better players. This is something that we have been dreading for a while and I would not be surprised to see offers come in for the likes of Baines, Jagielka, Felliani and Jelavic. The club, though unlikely, could decide to take some positive action, maintain control of who we sell and sell to cut the debts and stabilise the club.

For me in particular, if it came down to it, I would be okay to see Baines and Jagielka be sold as I think it is in defence that we have the best cover in depth. It is the one area that I think we could afford to lose players.

The key to this for me would be to hang on to Yobo as a senior player who may not have a huge cash value if we were to try and sell him but who would provide cover at the back – a senior player with a lot of experience. I would go all out to keep Heitinga and Distin, leave Hibbert where he is, keep Yobo as cover, and bump up Duffy and Garbutt.

I think that Duffy has shown himself to be ready for first team games. Garbutt has been earning rave reviews all season, albeit in a lower league and I would not pitch him in straight away. Heitinga would be able to talk Duffy through games. Distin has also shown that he can play at left back. Have Garbutt as his understudy and give him game time over the course of the season. With Gibson as a holding player in front of the back four, this defence would be solid enough. A Moyes led team would also be well drilled defensively and this defensive unit would be well drilled during the summer.

The financial benefits of selling the likes of Baines and Jagielka would mean a reduction in our overall debt, some cash to strengthen in midfield and upfront with the ages of Baines and Jagielka there to cover this.

We would also see Duffy and Garbutt develop into first team players which means that next summer we could look to sell again without depleting the squad too much.

I know that this scenario would depend on where Yobo's head is at. He may not have any interest in coming back into the squad. Also, I have not seen him play over the last couple of seasons so I don't know how much of a liability he would be. I know to a huge extent it would also depend on the club being able to maintain some semblance of control on transfers out during the summer.
Kieran Fitzgerald     Posted 16/05/2012 at 10:30:05   Comments (26)

27 years ago

27 years ago tonight... I was there and am still here. Brian Clough said we were the best team in Europe.

THE best night in the club's history.

Got to go, bit weepy...
Ian Smitham     Posted 15/05/2012 at 23:32:09   Comments (20)

Summer and the Euros

International football and the whole England thing just never quite does it for me! I'll probably tune in to the Euros this summer just to break the boredom.

To be honest, I couldn't give a toss how England get on; I'll only be watching cos it's football and summer sports usually send me to sleep. During the season, international breaks just piss me right off, the papers are full of the same old predictable shite about England's over-hyped elite and what they should be doing to do to the rest of world football just because we invented the game.

This time around, I'm slightly intrigued to see who Woy once of the Weds picks in his squad and whether he has the balls to tell the old guard "Thanks but no thanks". In their prime, Terry, Ferdinand, Lampard and Gerrard have been central to the hopes of the gullable fans at numerous tournaments and managed to achieve what amounts to the square root of fuck all.

Gerrard's even being touted as captain when he can't even manage 2 games in a row for Liverpool. I still don't understand how Terry has the audacity to show his face after the mauling he took at the hands of an ageing Mirislav Kloser during the last debacle versus Germany, Ferdinand's just so obviously past it, and fat Frank is only half as effective as when in his prime.

Do yourself a favour Woy, get shut of the "I wanna be captain" quartet and pick some hungry younger players.

You might still be watching the latter stages in your lounge but if your going to rely on these wankers you definitely will.

Roll on August, COYB
Mark Roberts     Posted 15/05/2012 at 02:15:34   Comments (83)

Gate Receipts and Revenue - Is Elstone Telling the Truth?

Recently, the CEO of Everton has been doing the rounds saying that money is tight and going back to his Blog on the 13 January 2012 Where the Money goes, his own stats say that we are losing £1.5M on reduced gate revenue for the year, well it’s the end of the season and I thought I'd do a little research;

The Accounts and the official site clearly show the following attendances and gate receipts for the last two seasons (09-10 & 10-11);

Season 09-10

19 League Games
Total Attendance: 697,775
Average Attendance: 36,725

7 Cup Games
Total Attendance: 193,414
Average Attendance: 27,631

Season Total Attendance: 891,189
Season Average Attendance: 34,277

Accounts Shown Income: £19,206,000
Income per person per match: £21.55

Season 10-11

19 League Games
Total Attendance: 684,738
Average Attendance: 36,039

3 Cup Games
Total Attendance: 87,253
Average Attendance: 29,084

Season Total Attendance: 771,991
Season Average Attendance: 29,692

Accounts Shown Income: £17,480,000
Income per person per match: £22.64

Then taking the 10-11 season income per person per match, and applying it to this season's attendance, excluding Wembley (as it’s at a neutral venue) suggests the opposite to Mr Elstone’s comments:

Season 11-12

19 League Games
Total Attendance: 631,333
Average Attendance: 33,288

7 Cup Games
Total Attendance: 188,076
Average Attendance: 26,868

Season Total Attendance: 819,409
Season Average Attendance: 31,516

Projected Accounts Income: £18,554,000
Income per person per match: £22.64

If we then include Wembley with a conservative average ticket price of £35 this adds;
1 Wembley Visit 30000 £1,050,000
Total (Inc Wembley) £19,604,000

In fact I’d be disappointed if the accounts are not showing a £2million increase in gate revenue on the season 10-11, thus putting our CEO in a very difficult position on where the money goes.

Don’t get me started on transfers…

Alastair Bates     Posted 14/05/2012 at 13:46:57   Comments (12)

How far away are we?

Since I gave up my season ticket last year, I've had to reign in my opinions this season because I don't feel I can argue with much conviction if I'm only watching 3 minutes of highlights at the end of Match of the Day.

I went yesterday and we played some sublime stuff. We absolutely trampled over Newcastle and instead of those nervous-watching-the-clock-tick-down-while-we-hold-on-for-a-1-0-win moments we're so familiar with under Moyes, I honestly didn't want the game to end.

There's that old sense of deja vu, having finished the season so well again. I'm sure many others feel the same though, if we can hold on to what we've got, buy Pienaar and pick up a handy right winger, surely we could launch an assault on the top 4 next year?!!

I'm interested to hear from some of the regular match goers about where we need to strengthen. Are we really that far away from Arsenal or Tottenham?

As much as I've enjoyed our 2nd half of the season form, I'm still left shitting myself that the manager's and team's hard work will be completely undermined again this summer...

Alan Clarke     Posted 14/05/2012 at 09:09:52   Comments (53)

The Death of the 4-4-2

I spotted this interesting article on the "think football" website.

http://thinkfootball.co.uk/the-decline-of-the-4-4-2/

It's a fairly thoughtful piece on the decline of the 4-4-2 formation, and as a consequence the end of strike partnerships. We still get many toffeewebbers criticising Moyes for being defensive (often correctly) and linking this to his stubborn persistence in using 4-5-1.

The article helps explode this myth. 4-5-1 is not necessarily defensive. It simply is a better formation than 4-4-2 given modern fitness levels and the ability of full backs to play the attacking flanking role. Most teams now use this formation. Moyes was one of the first to adopt it – out of necessity as we only had one striker at the time – take a bow Marcus Bent who set us on the way to Champions League qualification. Things got worse when we signed a second striker – James Beattie – who could not make the transition to the 4-5-1 formation.

I wonder just how much of Everton being the strikers graveyard has to do with this transition from 4-4-2 to 4-5-1? Strikers who can play in a partnership up front are not always able to play the solo role. AJ and Beattie both fall into this category and maybe it just took us a while to work out which strikers can fit in with the new formations.

Other strikers have faded before their time during this tactical transition, eg, Michael Owen.

David Ellis     Posted 14/05/2012 at 04:34:03   Comments (13)

Everton In Europe

No matter what happens today Everton will be in Europe next season. The Everton fans that is.

As you all know I have been taking photographs at every Home Games this season – you can see them on Facebook at The Dark House Blues.
They are great.

I think it is a FANtastic record of how wonderful our support is, how great The Dark House is and that Blue Boys are something special and just how handsome and lovely we all are (well some of us).

The great news is that I have convinced an Art Gallery in Koln, Germany to show several of the photos as an Exhibtion of real football fans — that’s us.

The details are:

Ausstellung der Fotografien von George McKane mit Motiven von Fans des Liverpooler –Fußballklubs FC Everton in der Fußballkneipe
“The Dark House”

Naturfreundehaus Höhenhaus, Honschaftsstraße 330 26. September bis 15. November 2012 –Eröffnung: 26. September, 19.30 Uhr

So, if you would like to get on some of the photos, today is your last chance at The Barlow Arms (Barlows Lane) – known affectionately as The Dark House. See you there.

George McKane     Posted 13/05/2012 at 08:40:11   Comments (4)

That Day!

Just clicked on the "Joy of Six" link to The Guardian which led me to another link back here and I ended up reading how TW members recalled the day we beat Wimbledon to stay up.

Every emotion spilled out. It's an absolute must-read for all Evertonians.

I'm not sure how old the thread is, but the relegation issue crops up again tomorrow, it would be a great time to reopen it.
Dave Wilson     Posted 12/05/2012 at 08:05:57   Comments (42)

Who would you sell to raise transfer funds?

If you believe the tabloids, the usual suspects that play for us will be transfer targets for the wealthy this summer. Without investment from somewhere, David Moyes will be trading to gain funds, hopefully to bring back Pienaar and some much needed quality for right midfield, plus a bit of genuine pace up front.

There are fringe players at EFC picking up a wage for very little in return: Silva, Vellios, Anichebe, McFadden, Gueye and maybe Coleman but I doubt the sale of all these players would generate enough funds to buy Pienaar alone.

So, if someone comes in with a £15m to £20m million bid for say Baines (probably our most wanted player), will it be enough to replace him as well as buy Pienaar and find the right midfielder and striker we need?

I doubt there is anything in the transfer kitty so sell-to-buy will have to be the way this summer! Putting to one side the Bill Kenwright and Moyes Out shouts, which way would my fellow ToffeeWebbers go with this summers "horse trading"?

Mark Roberts     Posted 09/05/2012 at 16:08:13   Comments (89)

Earlybird Season tickets

Why is it getting earlier and earlier every year for fans renewing season tickets?

20 April for the earlybird prices. I am sure it was June last year, while corporate seats get till 13 May. It's as if we are the fans with the ready money available...

I sent two e.mails to the club and got a reply after the second one. This was the reply:

Corporate members are given until the 13th May to renew lounge membership as there is no direct debit option available to them.

Season ticket holders can pay for their season ticket in monthly direct debit instalments, the early bird offer was available to purchase over 5 months, 4 months, 3 months or 2 months.

Although the early bird deadline has passed the option to purchase a season ticket over direct debit is still available, if you would like more information regarding this then please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards.

Blue to Red?

Here's one to worry traditionalists...

Cardiff City – known as the 'Bluebirds' for as long as I can remember – are being pressured by their Malaysian investors to change their home kit to red.

So, folks, if the price of new ownership at Everton was we play in red and perhaps call ourselves 'Liverpool City' and play at 'New Anfield' – is it a price you'd be willing to pay for financial stability and a crack at the Champs League?

My own opinion is, if the day ever comes when an owner dictates changes of this magnitude to our identity and tradition – that'll be the day I retire from active participation in supporting Everton to spend more time in the alehouse developing my alcoholism and game of pool...

Kevin Sparke     Posted 09/05/2012 at 11:15:52   Comments (53)

Get Stracq!

I think Everton should get Denis Stracqualursi if they can afford to this summer. I know the first target should be Steven Pienaar; that’s a given, so save your breath.

  I also know some will say we can’t afford anyone; however, I think if we release some of the players who are running out of contract this year, we should certainly have room on the wage bill.

  I gather Moyes and Round have been trawling the Eredivisie, Bundesliga and classifieds in the Echo to try and find a ‘Number 10’ to compliment Jelavic but having just reviewed the YouTube video of Denis’s best bits from Argentina again...

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOxVS4_8U2I&feature=youtube_gdata_player

  ...I think Denis is just that man.

  Granted he’s not a tricky, Tevez or Silva type but frankly we can’t afford one of those. If you bother your arse to watch the video, you’ll see that at least half of it is Denis receiving the ball in the box and laying it on for his mate to score.

  I know what some people will say — it’s Argentina and it’s a lower standard — but the skills he performs in the video are transferable regardless of opposition.

  Go on... watch it, I dare you.

Denis basically gets the ball, sticks out his arse and wrestles some long-haired Steve Bould to the deck and then puts it on a plate for his mate to slot. I’ve seen Denis in action against Man City and others and he’s done the same thing here. The man’s a brut and with Jelavic alongside he could be the perfect focus of our attacks.

  Furthermore, he’s got the lungs of a Grand National winner and the heart of a lion and he never lets us down. In fact, I think he’s one of the most inspiring players I’ve seen to pull on the shirt in terms of his commitment to the cause.

  I would love to see a throwback Everton team like the one from the 80s chucking crosses in to the box from everywhere for Fellaini, Stracq and Jelavic to fight for – it would be Gray and Sharp all over again... Exciting AND affordable.

Drew O'Neall     Posted 08/05/2012 at 23:50:45   Comments (80)

Well that's that then...

A little over 30 minutes into Liverpool v Chelsea and the reds are three up, one point behind and equal goal difference to us.

There will now only be one conclusion to our season. We'll screw it up somehow and drop below even Fulham. It will be a typical spawny clean sweep of the bragging rights for Liverpool.

To make me more annoyed I just heard Alan (insert insult for fun) Green be completely nonchalant about Liverpool finishing above Everton, and 'its only something Everton fans go on about'. Git.

7th would make me happy for the summer, but I've a feeling we'll be 9th and £1.6m down. Shankly's pact with the Devil continues.

Nick Entwistle     Posted 08/05/2012 at 20:33:55   Comments (156)

The West Ham problem

I spoke to a friend today who is a West Ham season ticket holder. As he lives in Ireland, the trips to London cost him an amount that he can barely afford. He was appalled at the appointment of Allardyce and said today that he'd take good football in the Championship rather than a Premier League struggle with the shite that big Sam serves up.

At Everton, we don't have the perennial West Ham dilemma. We play occasional good football, quite a bit of shite but (and he's done it again) we get survival every year.

Some of the supporters of David Moyes on this site seem to equate good football with Blackpool. They see Swansea as relegation ready to happen. The choice appears to be dirge and safety or football and a flirtation with relegation.

I believe that next season is our chance to solve the West Ham problem. We have shown that Jelavic gives us the option to attack. Moyes has shown that he is capable of sending out an aggressive attacking line up as at Old Trafford. He must not start the season by keeping it tight and nicking a goal.

We are better than Blackpool and we are better than Swansea. At Christmas I thought that I was wrong about Moyes and that the squad were not good enough. Obviously the squad has been strengthened but the players under performing before Christmas have come good. The spring has suggested that our players are good enough. It is my view that the coach isn't. Suspend any contract negotiations and see where we are in November.

Good football and relegation... or shite and safety? Everton do not need to make that choice.

Andy Crooks     Posted 07/05/2012 at 19:03:09   Comments (50)

Why not Everton for Qataris?

The Mail on Sunday reports that "Newcastle and Fulham are to be `scoped out` by intermediaries working for senior members of the Qatari Royal Family as potential takeover targets."

Now I can understand why they would be interested in the Barcodes — fine stadium, pressing for ECL place, and 50,000 disciples — but Fulham is another matter altogether!

About all they have going for them is that they`re in a posh part of London but that`s mitigated by a crap ground and a debt mountain that makes Everton`s look inconsequential.

So if the ruling Al-Thani clan is really really exploring options to expand their football portfolio, why the hell aren`t they looking at Everton as a home for their spare readies?

And don't give me "Kenwright wouldn`t sell"!

Richard Dodd     Posted 07/05/2012 at 09:56:52   Comments (65)

What would you do

Next week is the last game of the season and, depending on results, we will either finish 7th or 9th.

So you are asked to be the interim chairman till a new owner is found. The question is: What decisions do you make? The manager has said he wants to do his transfer business early and he doesn't want to sell any of his first-team squad.

Seeing as the banks won't lend the club any money and the other directors don't intend putting any money into the club, what do you do?

Oh and just to compound your problem, we have Pienaar on loan from Spurs; if you don't sign him, the fans will be in revolt.

So... any ideas how you would deal with the situation?

Brian Harrison     Posted 07/05/2012 at 09:31:39   Comments (37)

Attack! Attack! Attack! Attack! Attack!

Amid all the schadenfreude over that thoroughly enjoyable Liverpool loss at Wembley, it's easy to overlook the fact that Arsenal vs Norwich earlier in the day was one of the most entertaining games I have watched all season.

I don't often get into games Everton aren't playing in but this was two teams absolutely committed to attack and you just couldn't look away. Absorbing, entertaining.... just magic.

When will managers learn that the primary focus should be to entertain the public with attacking play? We go to matches to enjoy the football. We go seeking catharsis. Yes we want our side to win but we also want to see drama and action and spectacle.

I wish I could sit Moyes down in front of that match and force him to watch two sides who wanted nothing more that to score goals and to win. If every team committed to attack like that stadiums would be full every week and the TV audience would double.

Jack Molloy     Posted 05/05/2012 at 19:23:58   Comments (54)

Drenthe: The Rumours

Well, it looks like Royston Drenthe will never pull on an Everton shirt again, and to be honest I am not that arsed.

An absolutely terrible attitude off the pitch but he has given us some great goals and, for the first time for a few seasons, we have seen a player who could actually shoot and had phenomenal pace.

If there is one thing you have to admire Davey for, he does not take any shit. So maybe bringing Drenthe here was not a good decision in hindsight... but maybe at the time he was worth the gamble.

He has been a colourful character this season and given us all something to write about. But rumours have been flying about his behaviour; here are a couple I have heard:

The first thing he had built in his house when he got here was... A DISCO!!

He arrived late for the bus to Wembley, and told Moyes his car had broken down. As the bus drove away, his car was spotted parked around the corner!

Anybody else heard a good one?

Tony Cheek     Posted 05/05/2012 at 07:46:14   Comments (103)

What price a new stadium??

Quite a shock that LFC are writing off the cost of a stadium that never happened as £50 million!

Not one spade entered the earth.

Kind of puts those who claim we can have a new stadium for £150 million in perspective doesn't it?

How much did our Board of Directors write off? About £5 million over 3 years over Kirkby? Maybe they are not THAT useless...

Thomas Lennon     Posted 04/05/2012 at 14:38:48   Comments (30)