….aside from joking, he does look the one who can replace Doucoure’s energy.
Found it interesting he sees ‘running at pace in possession’ as one of his main strengths, that would be most welcome.
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….aside from joking, he does look the one who can replace Doucoure’s energy.
Found it interesting he sees ‘running at pace in possession’ as one of his main strengths, that would be most welcome.
Classic Davey big 6 ft, athletic midfielder.
Interesting that none of the new midfield signings has taken the vacant number 8 shirt.
Saving it for the next Alan Ball in January maybe.
Saving it for the next Alan Ball in January maybe.
So a CM by trade and nature, wonder how long until the "stick him at RB" shout?
Ray Purchase
Player Valuation: £8m
dachshund
Player Valuation: £6m
As a German blue I'm obviously very excited about this. As mentionef before, saw him in Cologne on Sunday. Was in the first row so didn't have a good 'tactical view' but close up he just seems to be very athletic, superb on the ball and with a lot of drive. Freiburg were overwhelmed but he stuck out as one of the brighter spots
I watched the game but my eyes got caught stuck on this very odd freaky looking halfbreed in the centre of there team, so sadly Rohl didn't catch my attention..
ZissouBlue
Player Valuation: £8m
I’m made up that we signed another midfielder. It’s been a weak spot on this team for several years. Gana has papered over some cracks for much too long, but we just have to get better on the ball in the middle of the field to control the game. KDH and hopefully Merlin can help bring that.
I know people really wanted a strict holding midfielder, and I agreed, but this is a much more forward thinking move. A midfielder who can play both ways and do a bit of everything is a rarer thing, and Merlin looks like he could potentially be that. A specialist #6 or a like for like Gana understudy would have been the easy move, but this has the potential to be a lot smarter, especially for the cost.
I think we as fans get a bit too caught up in specific positions, and while we don’t want players playing out of position, having complete players with some versatility is much better if you can manage it. We’ll see if Merlin proves to be that, but I really like the look of him from brief highlights!
I know people really wanted a strict holding midfielder, and I agreed, but this is a much more forward thinking move. A midfielder who can play both ways and do a bit of everything is a rarer thing, and Merlin looks like he could potentially be that. A specialist #6 or a like for like Gana understudy would have been the easy move, but this has the potential to be a lot smarter, especially for the cost.
I think we as fans get a bit too caught up in specific positions, and while we don’t want players playing out of position, having complete players with some versatility is much better if you can manage it. We’ll see if Merlin proves to be that, but I really like the look of him from brief highlights!
….i played at Cologne about 1973 or ‘74. Have a feeling it was new stadium but might have that wrong and maybe ahead of a European game against Hertha Berlin. Remember sitting on wooden bench at the side of the pitch watching the main match.
Long time ago but stayed in Cologne and played a few games in the area, happy memories.
PeregrineT
Player Valuation: £40m
Immediately takes Tims spot, and gives us the freedom to play Garner as a fullback if needed. If hes indeed 20m and much better than Tim, money well spent. When Branners comes back our defense should be solid. Our attack looks much better. That really left our midfield to be the area of concern, as we saw in the Leeds match. Hopefully hes as good as he is tall...
rochdaleblue
Player Valuation: £50m
Just hearing the words pace associated with anyone in our team makes a welcome change!
dachshund
Player Valuation: £6m
What do you mean when you say you played there? Would be very interested in hearing!
Cologne is about as mad about football as it gets. The powerful thing is that there's one major club the whole city unites behind which is a rare thing for a city of that size.
The site itself has been used since the 1920s. The second stadium built there was opened in 1975 so that would make sense! The current stadium opened in 2004.
I used to go there as a kid/teenager but always took it for granted back then. Moved to Vienna to study and over the years developed a deeper and deeper connection with the club from afar. Never had the time, the money or both to go back. Sunday was my first time in 13 years and it was an absolute dream come true. Went with one of my best mates who I don't get to see often since we live 900 kilometres apart. A 4:1 win to top it off, couldn't have imagined it going better.
….i’ve got a press cutting upstairs from the German press, including a picture of myself and Tommy Wheeldon (who later signed for Everton). No idea what it says but I’m sure I still have it. I think one of the West German internationals from the ‘66 World Cup Final might have played that night (Overath or Webber but again I might have that wrong).
Tommy never came through at Everton but had a decent career in lower leagues, I think mainly at Torquay before seeing his career out in Canada. Canadian Toffees will know him and his two sons well, I think one is a top flight manager/coach over there and they’re all massive Evertonians.
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