Evolution.

[Zatara]

It can be done, look at Deulofeu and Stones as well as the u21 side and below now where we have highly rated players.

I think we should have £30mil+ in the summer as well as money from sales and players wages out of contract.

That buys a Butland and a Inaki Williams type.

To carry on improving any new signings need to be better than whoever they're signed to replace in the first XI. Sounds dead obvious but if we upgrade on Cleverly for example, he then becomes a pretty reliable back up and we get rid of whoever is then behind, gibbo sort of level.
The only trouble is upgrading on our first team now the players need to be Yarmolenko level, and they cost brewsties. Similar if people are mentioning Butland, he's a £20m goalkeeper. I think the worry is how we will fund these, hopefully not off the back of rom and stones.

 

[Lanolin]

It can be done, look at Deulofeu and Stones as well as the u21 side and below now where we have highly rated players.

I think we should have £30mil+ in the summer as well as money from sales and players wages out of contract.

That buys a Butland and a Inaki Williams type.

I think some people are forgetting that it's not going to be easy to attract the likes of Butland if we have another midtable finish. If we're in or around the top 6 and looking like we're really heading in the right direction then it's possible. If we're below/on a par with Stoke then why on earth would he come? We're not going to pay him loads more than Stoke so if we're not finishing above them then what's his incentive to move?

I've always said this when people trot out the frankly ridiculous 'doesn't matter if we finish 6th or 16th' line. It might not matter to you, but theres a reason that the 'best of the rest' players (Lukaku, Mirallas, Baines, Jags, Fellaini etc who weren't wanted by the CL teams) used to come to the 'best of the rest' club. Start sliding down the league and we'll soon find that players see Southampton, Stoke, Palace, West Ham, Leicester etc as a better proposition.

 

[Saint Domingo]

There's two differences between Leicester and Everton; one good and one bad.

Leicester could teach Everton a thing or two about getting their noses in front in a game and never looking back. We've had to come back from behind way too often this season and it's got to be sorted out.

Everton are technically superior to any team in this league at the moment, and if any team wants longevity they need to add the type of flair and style of play we have, whereby all our players are comfortable playing just about anywhere on the pitch and are able to adapt our game within 90 minutes of play. Leicester will falter soon and they need more than the Vardy get out clause to prosper in this league.

I say this without fear of overstatment: Martinez has Everton playing football that we have no right to be playing given the cash spent on the squad in relative terms with other, higher spenders. We are quite literally the best team in the PL on the ball right now, and the best Everton team since 1987.

Based on what? Defensively technically we're all over the show. Howard is technically incompetent so let's not even discuss him. Stones is obviously beyond comparison but Funes Mori is just alright on the ball certainly not anywhere near a Kompany or Koscielny or even an Alderweireld. Our midfield is ok, Deulofeu is magnificent as is Barkley but you know my reservations about the two further behind McCarthy in particular struggles to manipulate the ball, Cleverley was a lot better last night. Kone is just ok. Lukaku again is beyond compare.

Frankly our best attacking play is probably just behind City's best and Arsenal's best. The difference is though that both those sides can balance their defensive aspect with their attacking game which we can't.

The attacking play is great but you have to ask why we are in ninth. Off the ball we are simply nowhere near good enough and to ignore that is just silly. Last night was an exception in that we controlled the game much better but against the likes of Bournemouth we struggled to even get the ball. Same occurred against City, United and Spurs.

 

[davek]

Based on what? Defensively technically we're all over the show. Howard is technically incompetent so let's not even discuss him. Stones is obviously beyond comparison but Funes Mori is just alright on the ball certainly not anywhere near a Kompany or Koscielny or even an Alderweireld. Our midfield is ok, Deulofeu is magnificent as is Barkley but you know my reservations about the two further behind McCarthy in particular struggles to manipulate the ball, Cleverley was a lot better last night. Kone is just ok. Lukaku again is beyond compare.

Frankly our best attacking play is probably just behind City's best and Arsenal's best. The difference is though that both those sides can balance their defensive aspect with their attacking game which we can't.

The attacking play is great but you have to ask why we are in ninth. Off the ball we are simply nowhere near good enough and to ignore that is just silly. Last night was an exception in that we controlled the game much better but against the likes of Bournemouth we struggled to even get the ball. Same occurred against City, United and Spurs.

Defensively the two teams you mention are also ropey. They dont have any excuses for it though - they can attract the best in the world.

Just give your own team a bit of credit will you - they are playing fantastically well. Results are patchy at the moment, but if you think we were ever CL candidates this season you need your head feeling. We are a work in progress...and that progress is moving at a rapid pace.

 

[catcherintherye]

He's a good player, yes. Leicester are having a great season and have a decent team. I just dont think they can be seen in the same light as a football side compared to Everton...which is no disgrace, btw, as no other team can at the moment either.

If you look at Leicester's next 6 though, they could easily lose 5. Us, Liverpool Chelsea, City and Arsenal.

I am not saying they will lose all 6 but if we beat them I would fancy us to have overtaken them by the time that nasty run is over with.

As with all things like that, what happens when you begin to lose is significant. I think the top teams will pay them more attention and respect. Also if you stop Mahrez you go a long way to stopping them.

 

[davek]

If you look at Leicester's next 6 though, they could easily lose 5. Us, Liverpool Chelsea, City and Arsenal.

I am not saying they will lose all 6 but if we beat them I would fancy us to have overtaken them by the time that nasty run is over with.

As with all things like that, what happens when you begin to lose is significant. I think the top teams will pay them more attention and respect. Also if you stop Mahrez you go a long way to stopping them.

They'll lose form quickly. I dont think they'll even be this season's Southampton - falling away slightly but staying top 6 or so.

I wish we were playing them this weekend, tbh. I dont see how they hurt us. Stones will handle Vardy no problem.

 

[Groucho]

I think we're ever so close to being great.

My fear is that having come so close with a team of ace players such as Lukaku, Deulofeu, Stones, Coleman and Barkley etc, that we'll fall just short of 4th and lose them all.

Hopefully it won't be a case of so near but yet so far. We need 4th simply to keep the squad together so we can evolve into the team we so very nearly are.

 

[Saint Domingo]

Defensively the two teams you mention are also ropey. They dont have any excuses for it though - they can attract the best in the world.

Just give your own team a bit of credit will you - they are playing fantastically well. Results are patchy at the moment, but if you think we were ever CL candidates this season you need your head feeling. We are a work in progress...and that progress is moving at a rapid pace.

I just don't see this. You're saying that we're playing some of the technically best football in the league yet also say that thoughts of champions league are preposterous? The two don't mix. The reality is we are a mid table outfit with four world class young players. Occasionally we can turn it on but are weak mindset and inconsistency combined with deep rooted defensive issues have left us in midtable. At the start of the season I expected last season's top 4 with us in a chasing pack. Seeing Chelsea falter though has opened a spot. Do I think Spurs or Liverpool have more talent than us? No. Will they challenge harder for fourth? Probably because both their managers value balanced sides winning at the expense of entertainment.

 

[Carlito]

The lack of quality in the centre of midfield will have to be addressed before this side gets anywhere.

 

[mikewex]

Some people may still believe the story of Adam and Eve but most now accept that ye all evolved from monkeys.

But thats not how....nobody said we were....common ancestor...oh never mind.

Oh yeah, football and stuff.

 

[catcherintherye]

There's two differences between Leicester and Everton; one good and one bad.

Leicester could teach Everton a thing or two about getting their noses in front in a game and never looking back. We've had to come back from behind way too often this season and it's got to be sorted out.

Everton are technically superior to any team in this league at the moment, and if any team wants longevity they need to add the type of flair and style of play we have, whereby all our players are comfortable playing just about anywhere on the pitch and are able to adapt our game within 90 minutes of play. Leicester will falter soon and they need more than the Vardy get out clause to prosper in this league.

I say this without fear of overstatment: Martinez has Everton playing football that we have no right to be playing given the cash spent on the squad in relative terms with other, higher spenders. We are quite literally the best team in the PL on the ball right now, and the best Everton team since 1987.

The other key thing, is Leicester have had easier fixtures (as I've mentioned in the post above). if they come through the next 6 unscathed lets give them some credit.

As for us yes I agree. It was interesting hearing someone on the radio talk about us this morning. They said that Everton players always have lots of options whenever they have the ball and always want it.

Our situation is that we are doing 80% of what we need to do very well. We are essentially missing out on that 20% that you just need to get across the line. The little bit of experience as it were. There is a growing maturity in our players but whether that will be enough to provide the consistency for top 4 I would be doubtful.

As to the main poster we are in a very strong position. The key question is going to be, can Martinez take a number of very talented young footballers and make them into a team of winners. There is no doubt Martinez is able to make a very talented team and improve young players, but taking them to that final step is going to be the key critical question.

What do you reckon mate? It feels like how we did in late 84 under Kendall. We only finished 7th that year but you could see we had enormous potential. Do you think Martinez has it in his locker to do what Kendal did and get a group of early 20's players to be world class players and continue the development he's been shown? Or do you think his speciality is developing teams to the level we are at but we will always be a bit inconsistent?

I don't think we are a long way off. I think we are a Southall and a Gray away. Gray just because he'd give us the 20% I mentioned above, the experience and cleverness to get us over the line.

 

[catcherintherye]

They'll lose form quickly. I dont think they'll even be this season's Southampton - falling away slightly but staying top 6 or so.

I wish we were playing them this weekend, tbh. I dont see how they hurt us. Stones will handle Vardy no problem.

I can't stand that Vardy. I also can't stand the no marks Leicester and their small time attitude to him. Some are seriously trying to make out he is better than Lukaku. It's embarrassing. Michael Rickets MK2 him.

 

[LAToffee]

I just don't see this. You're saying that we're playing some of the technically best football in the league yet also say that thoughts of champions league are preposterous? The two don't mix. The reality is we are a mid table outfit with four world class young players. Occasionally we can turn it on but are weak mindset and inconsistency combined with deep rooted defensive issues have left us in midtable. At the start of the season I expected last season's top 4 with us in a chasing pack. Seeing Chelsea falter though has opened a spot. Do I think Spurs or Liverpool have more talent than us? No. Will they challenge harder for fourth? Probably because both their managers value balanced sides winning at the expense of entertainment.

While this will sound very unfair after the entire team put in such a great shift last night, I find myself agreeing with you. Due to Bobby's attack-minded coaching, some astute purchases, and a willingness to give young players a chance to shine, we are paradoxically in a position where I now look at the squad and think we ought to be doing better in the league. Genuinely believe we are underperforming, getting too many draws. Actually, I'm sure the manager would agree. And we do look weak defensively. My heart was in my mouth every time C.P. got the ball. Missing the captain and trying to blood a new center back alongside a very young LB doesn't help, but we looked no better when Baines came on (maybe it takes a number of games to get up to speed?). Was really disappointed we didn't win last night. A key game and I think that our league position tells us where we are: not quite there. And like others on here, I think the manager is going to find it hard to hang on to key players if we end up 7th without silverware. It's going to be a very interesting number of months. First job. Improve results at home and keep all our players in January.

 

[bluestevon]

The other key thing, is Leicester have had easier fixtures (as I've mentioned in the post above). if they come through the next 6 unscathed lets give them some credit.

As for us yes I agree. It was interesting hearing someone on the radio talk about us this morning. They said that Everton players always have lots of options whenever they have the ball and always want it.

Our situation is that we are doing 80% of what we need to do very well. We are essentially missing out on that 20% that you just need to get across the line. The little bit of experience as it were. There is a growing maturity in our players but whether that will be enough to provide the consistency for top 4 I would be doubtful.

As to the main poster we are in a very strong position. The key question is going to be, can Martinez take a number of very talented young footballers and make them into a team of winners. There is no doubt Martinez is able to make a very talented team and improve young players, but taking them to that final step is going to be the key critical question.

What do you reckon mate? It feels like how we did in late 84 under Kendall. We only finished 7th that year but you could see we had enormous potential. Do you think Martinez has it in his locker to do what Kendal did and get a group of early 20's players to be world class players and continue the development he's been shown? Or do you think his speciality is developing teams to the level we are at but we will always be a bit inconsistent?

I don't think we are a long way off. I think we are a Southall and a Gray away. Gray just because he'd give us the 20% I mentioned above, the experience and cleverness to get us over the line.

Interesting points mate, i think the key to Martinez making the most of the chance is being decisive when needing to change things, both Howard and Barry are in the former at the end of the road and the latter nearing it and the margin for continuing past the point we should with both and how we not only replace but also upgrade over them at their best will make or break this team, that's my honest opinion on it.

It's all fantasy footy stuff like but we are pretty much 4 players from having a squad that could actually challenge for the league in my opinion

a keeper, striker, 'playmaker' and a top deep lying midfielder

 

[Little Ralphy]

Defensively the two teams you mention are also ropey. They dont have any excuses for it though - they can attract the best in the world.

Just give your own team a bit of credit will you - they are playing fantastically well. Results are patchy at the moment, but if you think we were ever CL candidates this season you need your head feeling. We are a work in progress...and that progress is moving at a rapid pace.

The goals against columns tell different stories though.

A work in progress maybe, but Leicester, Palace and West Ham all have 'newer' managers than us, and are further behind in their own development. The difference being that they're playing for points. And if this work in progress doesn't hit the milestones it so rightly should, given the talent available, then it'll be ripped apart and we'll be back to square one.

Everton probably have the strongest bench we've ever had, yet it's not being used.