How will it get better next season? Surely it's downhill from here?

[billycopper]

Let's look at the facts:

- We currently have four players on loan, three of whom will not be joining us permanently, one of which may possibly join us in the summer (Barry).
- Once the season ends we have one striker (Kone), and Naismith who is arguably a striker too.
- Martinez has a little bit of money, perhaps 10m.

So that takes our squad down to paper-thin, once more.

We'll need about five or six players in the summer, but how can we improve with 10m when we desperately need a top striker as one of those players?

Osman will once again, due to a tiny squad, end up starting 25 league games next season.

I feel we've had our chance, and we blew it.

Is Barkley going to become our summer transfer budget? That seems the be the only way Martinez will generate the funds to add to his existing (lol) funds to get a number of players in.

Or are we just a loaning club now?

I think that Barry will sign permanently. I think that we'll go in for Lukaku too, especially if Chelsea get Falcao. I don't think that the parent clubs of Deulofeu and Traore will feel that they've gained the benefit that they were hoping for this season and it wouldn't surprise me if they came back for another loan.

We'll have Kone, Gibson and Alcaraz fully fit and ready to offer competition. Naismith and Oviedo have demonstrated their value and McGeady will settle in. I think that Stones and McAleny will probably push on too. If Barry and Lukaku do sign that frees up another two loan options.

My fear is that other clubs will take greater strides. City will probably improve their defence. Arsenal have broken their financial glass ceiling and could bring in a top-class striker. There are rumours that Chelsea will sign someone like Falcao or Ibrahimovich. United won't make the same mistakes again in the transfer market. Liverpool will improve their squad depth, especially if they're competing in the Champions League. And Spurs could be a different proposition under Van Gaal.

 

[ChicagoToffee]

It's back to the same basics - a lack of available cash to be spent to improve the side. Not just heavy cash for the transfer fees but also some cheddar to cover the wage bills.

Lukaku will not be around next season. D-Foo will not be around next season. Traore doesn't figure in this discussion. Barry should probably not be around next season. He's looks like he's dragging an anchor around the pitch and he's going to be more than Everton want to spend for a squad player.

There'll be no appreciable changes in the defense.

Kone will return from injury - for whatever that's worth. Gibbo will return only to start the clock running until his next season ending injury.

If I'm asked to bet on Bob, I will.

 

[Cadbury13]

How many are expecting we'll be in for Lukaku like? Very much doubt he'd want to sign permanently, even if we could afford him. I can see him at either of the Milan clubs or maybe Napoli next year if he is to leave Chelski.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Take it one season at a time @butters

 

[DanEFC92]

This season hasn't even finished, and next season is getting written off. Brilliant.

 

[Sheedy's Third]

Can´t be bothered what an utter negative speculative and predictable thread .

 

[Groucho]

Admittedly, it is worrying.

No doubt we need to rebuild this summer.

Perhaps that was 50% of the motive for so many loans? Saves a chunk of cash, gives us decent players while Martinez takes a look at what he has here, stock-takes the situation and rebuilds to his liking.

I personally think Barry will stay, and I have a hope that Deulofeu will remain for another year, but fear Lukaku is a gonner.

Traore, still an unknown quantity but a loan nonetheless so we must plan without him, regardless of potential talent/non-talent. Kone remains to be seen in full.

I think we'll all have a little anxiety until the manager makes some permanent signings in the summer to go with the January signing of McGeady.

I've a lot more faith in this manager than the last with regards to positive action on transfers. Don't worry lads, he'll have a plan.

 

[Allezfan]

Perhaps that was 50% of the motive for so many loans? Saves a chunk of cash, gives us decent players while Martinez takes a look at what he has here, stock-takes the situation and rebuilds to his liking.

I personally think Barry will stay, and I have a hope that Deulofeu will remain for another year, but fear Lukaku is a gonner.

Traore, still an unknown quantity but a loan nonetheless so we must plan without him, regardless if potential talent/non-talent. Kone remains to be seen in full.

I think we'll all have a little anxiety until the manager makes some permanent signings in the summer to go with the January signing of McGeady.

I've a lot more faith in this manager than the last with regards to positive action on transfers. Don't worry lads, he'll have a plan.

Fair enough, but I'm not sure why exactly.

This january window wasn't exactly a dream one.

There's a lot of things I think Martinez is better than Moyes at (tactics, motivation, big games, style, youth development etc.) but the jury's still out on his transfers, imo.

 

[Brownie]

It depends if we actually sign anyone really doesn't it, otherwise we'll be facing the same problem every year.

 

[Groucho]

Fair enough, but I'm not sure why exactly.

This january window wasn't exactly a dream one.

There's a lot of things I think Martinez is better than Moyes at (tactics, motivation, big games, style, youth development etc.) but the jury's still out on his transfers, imo.

What I mean, is that I have confidence that he'll actually go after players as opposed to signing some stop gaps on the last minute of deadline day.

Quality I agree, remains to be seen but at least he doesn't to seem to "dither", as it were.

 

[LinekersLegs]

Is this a cunning reverse phychology move @butters to get us to list all the good things that are going to happen next year to cheers us up?

 

[obc]

What I mean, is that I have confidence that he'll actually go after players as opposed to signing some stop gaps on the last minute of deadline day.

Quality I agree, remains to be seen but at least he doesn't to seem to "dither", as it were.

I think given our situation and high asking prices, he didn't blow the kitty in the January window, knowing we can do better in the summer. I think he's thinking long game rather than immediate gratification. He'll be active come summer.

As for the impending loss of loaners, there are more loan fish in the loan sea. He'll continue to use it as a way to augment the roster in a way that is within club's finances.

 

[Groucho]

I think given our situation and high asking prices, he didn't blow the kitty in the January window, knowing we can do better in the summer. I think he's thinking long game rather than immediate gratification. He'll be active come summer.

As for the impending loss of loaners, there are more loan fish in the loan sea. He'll continue to use it as a way to augment the roster in a way that is within club's finances.

I'm inclined to agree, and so are a few others but it's not a unanimously held opinion among blues.

 

[Allezfan]

What I mean, is that I have confidence that he'll actually go after players as opposed to signing some stop gaps on the last minute of deadline day.

Quality I agree, remains to be seen but at least he doesn't to seem to "dither", as it were.

Eh, we signed stop gaps on the last mintue of deadline day in both his windows, like.

I'm far from convinced that doesn't have more to do with our fiances then our manager, if I'm honest.

We'll find out, I guess.

 

[pfim]

We did a fair bit of rebuilding last summer, and will continue to do so this summer. Our back 4 and midfield are solid if we sign Barry. We'll need a striker and perhaps another attacking midfielder. I don't really see the situation as dire.