Harsh?

[ToxtethBlue]

Completely wrong.

Standard Liege announced in March and April that they rejected bids from Everton for Fellaini.

I agree with Rideout though.

Not my words mate, David Moyes' words:

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"People will say that Fellaini was a last minute thing and he wasn't on the radar and a lot of that is correct. We were after other people; M'bia, we were after two or three people who we couldn't get. But we weren't sitting about doing nothing. We were looking to see who our next targets were. We haven't got a lot of stature in the team. So, our criteria was that we had to get someone who was bigger than what we had.

[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]We have a lot of smaller people in the team, Arteta's, Osman's, Pienaar's, so there were lots of good midfielders about but they didn't meet the criteria. Fellaini was one who we knew could do that and we have watched him. His games against Liverpool were very good and that probably tipped us over. We realised then that instead of having the potential, he was there."[/FONT]​

 

[GrandOldTeam]

Not my words mate, David Moyes' words:

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"People will say that Fellaini was a last minute thing and he wasn't on the radar and a lot of that is correct. We were after other people; M'bia, we were after two or three people who we couldn't get. But we weren't sitting about doing nothing. We were looking to see who our next targets were. We haven't got a lot of stature in the team. So, our criteria was that we had to get someone who was bigger than what we had.

[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]We have a lot of smaller people in the team, Arteta's, Osman's, Pienaar's, so there were lots of good midfielders about but they didn't meet the criteria. Fellaini was one who we knew could do that and we have watched him. His games against Liverpool were very good and that probably tipped us over. We realised then that instead of having the potential, he was there."[/FONT]​

???

Everton put in a bid for him in March 2008, but that was firmly rejected. However, when Everton upped the ante to a reported €15 million, (£12.9M) there was only going to be one answer from Standard, as that sum was equal to 80% of the club’s annual budget.

If you search, you'll find confirmation from Standard Liege dated in March that they rejected bids from Everton. So clearly, we bid for him in March.

If we preferred M'bia or Moutinho - we would have paid £15m for either of them?

 

[GrandOldTeam]

Oh and

“It was a long day but it all proved worthwhile,” said Moyes. “Our interest hasn’t only just materialised, we have been chasing him for two years and keenly watched his development.
“Recent games have shown what he is all about and the hard part has been getting him here. We initially made contact with Standard two weeks ago but then we drew them in the UEFA Cup and that really complicated things.
“It has taken some long, hard negotiations to get him. Standard had made it clear that under no circumstances did they want to sell him. But we were desperate to sign him and it took a real big effort from the board and the chairman to get there.”

 

[ToxtethBlue]

His words, not mine. I didn't say he wasn't on our radar, I said he wasn't number one priority and I think it's quite clear that he wasn't. Unless Moyes is lying?

Managers scout and watch the progress of many potential signings, that's only natural. I'm sure Fellaini was a player Moyes was watching.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

His words, not mine. I didn't say he wasn't on our radar, I said he wasn't number one priority and I think it's quite clear that he wasn't. Unless Moyes is lying?

Managers scout and watch the progress of many potential signings, that's only natural. I'm sure Fellaini was a player Moyes was watching.

His words, not mine saying "Our interest hasn’t only just materialised, we have been chasing him for two years and keenly watched his development. It has taken some long, hard negotiations to get him. Standard had made it clear that under no circumstances did they want to sell him. But we were desperate to sign him"

I think his performance against Liverpool edged him to number one priority at the time to be honest. Moyes wouldn't pay the money otherwise, no chance. £15m would have got Moutinho and certainly would have got M'bia...

He talks about stature;

“We haven’t got a lot of stature in the team. So, our criteria was that we had to get someone who was bigger than what we had. “We have a lot of smaller people in the team, Artetas, Osmans, Pienaars, so there were lots of good midfielders about but they didn’t meet the criteria.
“Fellaini was one who we knew could do that and we have watched him

With that in mind, I don't think he would have signed Moutinho without a player like M'bia as well.

 

[Cal]

He's being realistic really, we do need investment and it would be very tough to break into the "top four" and stay there. David Moyes himself says it every season.

It's been done in the past though, hopefully we'll do it again.

Look.Read.Listen.Lads.

 

[Goat]

Why.Did.You.Use.Lots.Of.Full.Stops.Mate?

 

[Rook]

The thing is even if we do get new investment the other big clubs would just match us 2-1 in dollars. Look at our team now, its way better than the 04-05 club, we have depth and a better starting 11. If we get the investment and now we have an extra 20M for Mutinho then the big clubs would just buy 3 20M players. Even Arsenal is spending money now.

I think Moyes has the right idea. Having players to buy is one thing but its more important to be able to keep the players that you have. Look at Spurs, they have alot more money than we have but keep buying and selling like there is no tomorrow, and no player is really sure what their role on the team is.

 

[Nebbiolo]

The thing is even if we do get new investment the other big clubs would just match us 2-1 in dollars. Look at our team now, its way better than the 04-05 club, we have depth and a better starting 11. If we get the investment and now we have an extra 20M for Mutinho then the big clubs would just buy 3 20M players. Even Arsenal is spending money now.

I think Moyes has the right idea. Having players to buy is one thing but its more important to be able to keep the players that you have. Look at Spurs, they have alot more money than we have but keep buying and selling like there is no tomorrow, and no player is really sure what their role on the team is.

Good post, mate. Obviously we need that investment but like you point out, there is way more involved than just that. It's about maintaining and managing what you already have.

I would add that although everyone clamours for a succession of £15m+ players, the boss has proved that you can get as good as them for bugger all cash. How many other clubs in the PL have brought in players that are now worth double or three times their previous value? Not many, I would think.

I'm not saying we don't need these £15m+ players to move us on, but it's damned satisfying to see Davey make silk purses from sows' ears. Long may it continue.

 

[Nebbiolo]

Why.Did.You.Use.Lots.Of.Full.Stops.Mate?

S.t.o.p. b.e.i.n.g. s.o. c.r.i.t.i.c.a.l, l.i.d.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

It was well documented that we had Pini Zahavi over in Portugal trying to negotiate a deal with Sporting Lisbon for ages, I must have been for half the summer, it certainly felt like that. I think it was quite clear he was Moyes’ number one priority and I doubt we would have signed him for 15 million, the Daily Post said it was closer to 20 million.

As for Stephane Mbia, Rennes made it clear that they weren’t willing to sell. There stance did not change, they rejected bids of both us and Arsenal and gave him the big contract he wanted. There’s no evidence that they would have accepted anything for him, the manager made it clear that he was part of there plans for the season.

"People will say that Fellaini was a last minute thing and he wasn't on the radar and a lot of that is correct. We were after other people; M'bia, we were after two or three people who we couldn't get. But we weren't sitting about doing nothing. We were looking to see who our next targets were.”

That tell me all I need to know to be honest, that’s exactly what he said in the Interview on Everton TV. He wasn’t number one priority and if Moyes had the money Moutinho and Mbia would be here and not Fellaini. Or maybe all three? I couldn’t say but that’s how I see it.

I’m not doubting that Fellaini was a player Moyes was looking at, I’m sure he was but I don’t think he was top priority or his main man. Obviously that’s just my opinion.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

It was well documented that we had Pini Zahavi over in Portugal trying to negotiate a deal with Sporting Lisbon for ages, I must have been for half the summer, it certainly felt like that. I think it was quite clear he was Moyes’ number one priority and I doubt we would have signed him for 15 million, the Daily Post said it was closer to 20 million.

Recent reports say £10m.

We were offering £11m and £12m and with most not upfront.

He has a release clause in his contract for £19m - I think thats were you have £20 million from.

As for Stephane Mbia, Rennes made it clear that they weren’t willing to sell. There stance did not change, they rejected bids of both us and Arsenal and gave him the big contract he wanted. There’s no evidence that they would have accepted anything for him, the manager made it clear that he was part of there plans for the season.

We had our valuation of him which didn't match theirs. If we bid £15m, you honestly think they would have rejected it?

"People will say that Fellaini was a last minute thing and he wasn't on the radar and a lot of that is correct. We were after other people; M'bia, we were after two or three people who we couldn't get. But we weren't sitting about doing nothing. We were looking to see who our next targets were.”

That tell me all I need to know to be honest, that’s exactly what he said in the Interview on Everton TV. He wasn’t number one priority and if Moyes had the money Moutinho and Mbia would be here and not Fellaini. Or maybe all three? I couldn’t say but that’s how I see it.

So you think Mbia would command £15m+ ? :huh:

I’m not doubting that Fellaini was a player Moyes was looking at, I’m sure he was but I don’t think he was top priority or his main man. Obviously that’s just my opinion.

We'll never know. He certainly was preferred over M'bia, otherwise we would have signed M'bia, it really is that simple.

“We haven’t got a lot of stature in the team. So, our criteria was that we had to get someone who was bigger than what we had. “We have a lot of smaller people in the team, Artetas, Osmans, Pienaars, so there were lots of good midfielders about but they didn’t meet the criteria.
“Fellaini was one who we knew could do that and we have watched him

That to me suggests we wouldn't have paid the money quoted for Moutinho?

 

[Nebbiolo]

It was well documented that we had Pini Zahavi over in Portugal trying to negotiate a deal with Sporting Lisbon for ages, I must have been for half the summer, it certainly felt like that. I think it was quite clear he was Moyes’ number one priority and I doubt we would have signed him for 15 million, the Daily Post said it was closer to 20 million.

As for Stephane Mbia, Rennes made it clear that they weren’t willing to sell. There stance did not change, they rejected bids of both us and Arsenal and gave him the big contract he wanted. There’s no evidence that they would have accepted anything for him, the manager made it clear that he was part of there plans for the season.

"People will say that Fellaini was a last minute thing and he wasn't on the radar and a lot of that is correct. We were after other people; M'bia, we were after two or three people who we couldn't get. But we weren't sitting about doing nothing. We were looking to see who our next targets were.”

That tell me all I need to know to be honest, that’s exactly what he said in the Interview on Everton TV. He wasn’t number one priority and if Moyes had the money Moutinho and Mbia would be here and not Fellaini. Or maybe all three? I couldn’t say but that’s how I see it.

I’m not doubting that Fellaini was a player Moyes was looking at, I’m sure he was but I don’t think he was top priority or his main man. Obviously that’s just my opinion.

With M'Bia, I'm pretty sure Moyes was looking at the £8m mark, Tox. No doubt if he'd offered the same sort of money as he did for Fellaini, M'Bia would be with us today. That, at least to me, sounds like Moyes felt Fellaini was the better bet.

 

[Goat]

I agree with toccy. Fellaini was clearly a target, but I think it was always going to be a case of lets watch and see how he progresses. I doubt that we wanted to spend £15m on a 21 year old prospect, when the team was crying out for a playmaker.

We got our pants pulled down by Liege and fair play to them, they screwed us over. Im not saying that Fellaini isnt worth £15m, im just saying we paid a high premium for buying a player on the last day of the window.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

I agree with toccy. Fellaini was clearly a target, but I think it was always going to be a case of lets watch and see how he progresses. I doubt that we wanted to spend £15m on a 21 year old prospect, when the team was crying out for a playmaker.

We got our pants pulled down by Liege and fair play to them, they screwed us over. Im not saying that Fellaini isnt worth £15m, im just saying we paid a high premium for buying a player on the last day of the window.

Disagree. We bid in March and April.

Liege had their price. We would have offered a decent fee and after being rejected, Moyes would have hoped they would reduce their fee and get back.

Clearly, that never happened. Moyes must have thought he was worth the amount we paid.

Dont see how they pulled our pants down :huh: