did city weaken or strenghten us this summer?

[Blue Wiz]

Time will tell, but I feel the club let us down with signings this year.
I'm beginning to not trust anything the club tells us these days.

Agree with that. Since we only spent the money we got from £escott on new transfers and nothing else.

Our midfield is strengthened. I can't see Billy turning into another VdM, hopefully we can have two real wings now with Billy on one and Pienaar on another.

Defence... a slight improvement overall if Heitinga come through as a RB.

I rather think the question is who gained most with this transfer? We for getting more players in or ManC for getting a player that will tighten up their defence and be a nuisance on corners?

 

[GrandOldTeam]

In all honesty, it was an absolute shambles of a summer, one which I think will be detrimental to Moyes' Everton longevity.

He stalled on his last contract, once bitten, twice as shy...

 

[Goat]

In all honesty, it was an absolute shambles of a summer, one which I think will be detrimental to Moyes' Everton longevity.

He stalled on his last contract, once bitten, twice as shy...

I sense you arent happy with our Summer dealings Mr GOT.

Its hard to judge, we know what we had with Lescott, he wasnt ALWAYS top drawer, but he was a very good player and he gave us some very good and important goals.

I would say we can only judge the new players sometime in the new year.

I personally think all of them will be class, but I always like to give the new lerds a chance.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

As has been said, it really depends on how the new lads do.

I think Moyes has got more options now, whether those options are good enough or not, we'll have to wait and see. The fact that the players we've got in are versatile will be useful.

The centre of our team still worries me, especially with Arteta injured. I'm hoping that Bilyaletdinov will adapt quickly and our 'creativity' outwide will make up for our lack of quality in the middle of the park.

I'm hoping Jack Rodwell really steps up aswell, but to be fair to him it's a tough ask for a 18 year old who's only been playing centre midfield for 2-3 years.

 

[Gwladys St. Glory]

As has been said, it really depends on how the new lads do.

I think Moyes has got more options now, whether those options are good enough or not, we'll have to wait and see. The fact that the players we've got in are versatile will be useful.

The centre of our team still worries me, especially with Arteta injured. I'm hoping that Bilyaletdinov will adapt quickly and our 'creativity' outwide will make up for our lack of quality in the middle of the park.

I'm hoping Jack Rodwell really steps up aswell, but to be fair to him it's a tough ask for a 18 year old who's only being playing centre midfield for 2-3 years.

This...

 

[Robert Jarvis]

We got 3 players for 1 going, without him going I seriously doubt that we would have signed any of those players. So it has to be a benefit for the club.

But time will tell how much.

 

[Gerard_Francis]

I think we should be strengthened. An improved right side and a few more utility players. Just hope they don’t come knocking for more!

 

[Jondi10]

Unless all of our new signings get injured or just do absolutely horrid, then it strengthened. Even if they're not amazing and just decent players it still strengthens the team. Look at it this way. Our bench has to include young players that for the most part, aside from Gosling (and sometimes Rodwell), can't come into the game and make a big difference. At least with the new signings we'd have players on the bench that can come into the game and bring fresh legs and be decent on the pitch.

 

[Neiler]

Im going to say that Lescott is a massive massive loss - his career may never reach the heights it did with us at City - but for us he was an exceptional player, big loss IMO.

Who knows if Billy can be the final part of our contempory holy trinity with Arteta and Pienaar, its hard to think of a creative 3 in the prem as good except maybe Arshavin, Van Persie and Fabergas IMO - if Arsenal can keep them on the pitch. If Billy can also can give us another creative outlet it will do wonders for our team, our overall play and balance in our team. Something we havnt always had is intellegent players - we now have many all over the pitch with different strenghts and attributes im talking - the Yak, Cahill, Arteta, Rodwell, Fellaini, Pienaar, Jo, Saha. If Billy (and lets not forget about Jo) can add to this it will give us great balance and an extra threat going forward - personally im going to give him time adjust, though im excited.

As i said i think Lescott is a massive loss - im not overly concerned about the rest of the squad though i do see a need for cover for Arteta and another dedicated defensively minded centre midfielder. The defence is a concern for me. Much of our success has been built on a good defensive record, mainly through consistencey, quality an understanding between our centre backs - hopefully Distins expeirence and quality in he PL will act as a solidfying effect in transition with Yobo at least untill Jags is fit in Dec. As for Jonny its a wait and see, havnt seen to much of him, the odd bit i have seen is of a very commited and entusiastic player who enjoys the odd foray in to the attacking half of the feild, he seems prone to the odd yellow, red card so again paitence with him will be key. Im hopefull though, Moyes doesnt usually get it wrong when we are talking in the region of 6-7 mill for transfers. I have a feeling he may not end up at RB as everyone thinks.

We have better, options, outlets and depth. The overall quality of the squad has hopefully improved but i do have concerns over our defence as the new guys settle in and we adjust without Lescott - every team in the PL has made chances against us to easy up untill this point. But i am hopefull.

 

[Dutch Toffee]

Definately think we improved as a squad. Not denying Lescott was a very good player for us, but also extremely confident we can do just as well without him. We got Distin in, who is probably the better defender of them two. It was the goal threat he provided, we'll miss the most. Also Bilyaletdinov for VDM? Surely has to be an improvement, not? The only one, I'm not sure about is Heitinga. Hope to be proven wrong though.

 

[Neiler]

Definately think we improved as a squad. Not denying Lescott was a very good player for us, but also extremely confident we can do just as well without him. We got Distin in, who is probably the better defender of them two. It was the goal threat he provided, we'll miss the most. Also Bilyaletdinov for VDM? Surely has to be an improvement, not? The only one, I'm not sure about is Heitinga. Hope to be proven wrong though.

What is it about him you dont rate mate?

 

[Dutch Toffee]

What is it about him you dont rate mate?

*The defending part of his game. Tbh, we haven't had a CB in Holland, who was good at that, since Jaap Stam. Maybe Dirk Marcellis can become his successor. Seems to have lost his way at PSV a bit this season though.

*His tackling and positonal sense has a lot to be improved on. Hope he already matured in that way at Atletico.

Not all down sides to his game though. Attacking wise he's very good and is a tremendous passer. Also good at long range shooting, driven free kicks and a real good header

 

[Neiler]

*The defending part of his game. Tbh, we haven't had a CB in Holland, who was good at that, since Jaap Stam. Maybe Dirk Marcellis can become his successor. Seems to have lost his way at PSV a bit this season though.

*His tackling and positonal sense has a lot to be improved on. Hope he already matured in that way at Atletico.

Not all down sides to his game though. Attacking wise he's very good and is a tremendous passer. Also good at long range shooting, driven free kicks and a real good header

Cheers mate!

Hmm sounds like he has potential for a holding midfeild role? What do you think mate better full back, CB or midfeilder?

 

[kenada_blue]

Cheers mate!

Hmm sounds like he has potential for a holding midfeild role? What do you think mate better full back, CB or midfeilder?

I said from the off that I wouldnt be surprised with him at defensive mid, Neville dropping to right back.

Centre half seems too full with Jags, Yobo and Distin - with Heitinga providing cover when needed.

As right back, his pace will be a problem.

He may get the DM position to add a bit of steel as well as a good passer of the ball. If that works out then what you have is a rock soild DM who is also comfy on the ball, especiall when Arteta comes back - it will give him more freedom.

 

[Jamo Martinez]

*The defending part of his game. Tbh, we haven't had a CB in Holland, who was good at that, since Jaap Stam. Maybe Dirk Marcellis can become his successor. Seems to have lost his way at PSV a bit this season though.

*His tackling and positonal sense has a lot to be improved on. Hope he already matured in that way at Atletico.

Not all down sides to his game though. Attacking wise he's very good and is a tremendous passer. Also good at long range shooting, driven free kicks and a real good header

From what I've seen of Johnny in Spain, his biggest problem is his concentration level when defending but that can be corrected and as you say he'll give a new dimension to our team with his passing ability from a defensive position. Baines won't feel so much of a freak in that sense