Everton – Grounds for optimism?

[Number_25]

During David Moyes’ tenure at Goodison Park he’s pretty much seen everything. From the last ditch day of the 2003/04 season as we narrowly survived the drop to successfully achieving a 4th place finish in 2005 thus qualifying for the Champions League. But over the last 3 seasons the club has made an unforeseen transition as we prepare ourselves for another season.

Core players such as Yakubu, Mikel Arteta, Joseph Yobo, Steven Pienaar and most lately Jack Rodwell and club hero Tim Cahill have found themselves leaving the Merseyside club as the financial noose around Everton’s neck tightens more and more as the rest of the world seem to be struggle economically.
But there’s a certain optimism around the club at the moment.

They were able to put Manchester United off acquiring Leighton Baines and it looks like no other player will be going out of Goodison Park to ply their trade at a different club as the sale of Jack Rodwell seems to have given the club some sort of financial breathing space.

With this financial breathing space comes transfers, Steven Naismith has joined on a free from the collapse of Glasgow Rangers and Kevin Mirralas’ £6m transfer from greek giants Olympiacos looks pretty much done. Steven Pienaar has rejoined the club he left less than a year ago and David Moyes is probably hoping to sign one or two players before the transfer window ends.

Most people look at Everton as a selling club, but look at it in a different angle. We’ve sold Rodwell for a reported £15m (give or take) – a player who’s only played 4 league games since December 2011 – a player who has been surpassed by Darren Gibson in terms of consistent performances.

Either way you look at it, we’re in a good position – and I’m almost certain that our league position come May will show that.

Nil Satis Nisi Optimum

- Keiron-Teilo O’Shea

Source:- http://www.getrealpremier.com/2012/08/16/everton-grounds-for-optimism/

 

[Summerskin]

I have to say, I feel this so-called "optimism" myself.

But there's something inside me that knows i'll be crying into my beer watching Shinji Kagawa put 6 past us on Monday night.

 

[chicoazul]

Source:- http://www.getrealpremier.com/2012/08/16/everton-grounds-for-optimism/

Nice little thing you put together there mate, well done.

 

[Number_25]

Thanks lid.

 

[Ihaters]

A few bits in there I don't agree with but the overall points are bang on.. A year to be positive I think especially if we buy 1 or 2 more.

 

[ToffeeBlueNose]

I hate this optimism lark it can only lead yo disappointment haha, seriously though I haven't felt this upbeat entering a season in donkeys' years, i really believe our strongest side now is a force to be reckoned with

 

[gcar2009]

Im waiting for the obligatory 'best side in years' thread to rear its head. Maybe us evertonians have learnt from being too optimistic. I am, however, causiously optomistic that we have a more balanced team (right wing permitting, looks like we may have filled this thou) and at least an attack to speak of, compared to saha, vic and strq in recent years.

 

[Groucho]

Nice little piece that. Feel upbeat, personally. From what I've seen, Pienaar and Naismith look good together and we know Baines-Pienaar is a good thing. Add in Jelavic's previous partnering with Naismith, and hopefully getting Fellaini's '20-per-season' Belgian mate, and I agree, it's looking decent.

 

[Mekias]

If we get Mirallas, I'll feel pretty good about our starting XI. The main problem I see is that we're fairly thin with our squad. Who are our subs? Naismith/Osman? (not sure if Moyes wants Naismith starting right away), Anichebe, Gueye, Neville, Coleman, Jagielka (is he our #3 CB?). They've all done decent jobs in the past but I'm not sure I'd want many of them to start. If we get a couple injuries, things can get really bad, really quick.

Is Barkley going to be on the bench this year? I'd love to see that. To me, the kid is clearly better than guys like Anichebe, Gueye, and Coleman.

Edited to add: It feels so weird not having Tim Cahill out there.