Brownie
Player Valuation: £70m
Obviously a lot of you will read this anyway, but it's a nice little article so I thought I'd whack it on here. Best thing - Moyes will probably sign someone good. Worst thing - those shocking kits are real.
Toffeeweb - Fan Articles - Day out at Finch Farm
Day out at Finch Farm
By Andrew Steen : 08/04/2009
Finch Farm Day Trip, 7 April 2009
I was fortunate to be invited to tour Finch Farm and Goodison courtesy of Barclays. The day started at 11am at Everton’s Finch Farm Complex. First impressions were that the complex is impressive and the surroundings impressively managed. Sat in the reception was Yakubu who I believe was waiting to see Mick Rathbone and David Moyes.
We were then given the opportunity to watch members of the first team training on one of the first-team pitches. Most players had gone into the gym as we were informed that a few had bumps that needed looking after. James Vaughan and Castillo were practicing shooting at Carlo Nash. After watching first hand the power of JV’s shooting, I would say his surgeon has done a fantastic job. When JV left the pitch he was given the ball to practice some “big kicks”.
On the opposite side of the pitch, Alan Stubbs was training reserve/youth team defenders. It was like watching Jags/Yob/Lescott et al, the drill was just like watching the first team defend from free-kicks/crosses. I was informed that all players are drilled in the Everton way of playing in case they are required. As I glanced behind me, I noticed Andy van der Meyde leaving training to go home, first out of training. All other players were in the gym.
The tour was very impressive but I thought I would highlight a few features of Finch Farm
At a question-and-answer session with David Moyes and Phil Neville, DM mentioned he was shown Finch Farm within one week of joining EFC and at the time is was a vast space. Walter Smith had wanted to redevelop Bellfield because LFC had done a good redevelopment job of their training ground. This was insufficient for DM.
Moyes has a big hand in designing Finch Farm. It is fair to say it his baby. It has his hallmark all over. The way the staff act and dress is professional, DM has an office overlooking the first team pitch and has access to watching all activities taking place at Finch Farm. DM sets the professionalism of the place and all staff work to this level.
A few questions that were asked:
Q: Are we practising penalties ahead of Wembley?
A: We are thinking of the Villa game.
Q: Will you take the Man Utd job if offered?
A: I am a loyal person and I am committed to the Everton job.
Q: Could we have better half-time entertainment? As a suggestion, could you have the academy players taking penalties to give them experience?
A: No, I don’t want the pitch being ruined — and if I permitted it, the commercial dept would probably charge people to take penalties!
Q: Do you know exactly what parts of the squad you want to strengthen?
A: Yes, I have seen some excellent players that are exceptionally talented that I want in my team.
Q: Will you say who they are?
A: No, as it would not be fair to Phil Neville [who was sat next to him — joking to him].
Q: Could we please complete our business at the start of the summer?
A: As you know, in business, you do not always get the money when you need it; if the money comes at the end of the window then that is when you can make your buys. I would always like to buy players, take them to pre-season and let them bond with the squad but this is not always possible.
Q: Are you referring to the sky money?
A: [Jokes] I think we have already spent the Sky money.
Q: Does having the academy in the same complex as the first team help you attract quality young players?
A: Yes, dads are wanting their lads to join Everton now as they know they will have a better chance of succeeding at Everton. They are also impressed that their lads train next to the first team. [Finch Farm is full of photos of the first team players working with the kids]. The problem we face is that less kids are playing football now, we are seeing the pool of quality youngsters shrink, for every one who makes it their are many who don’t. The game v Pompey we had a bench of youngsters and that's what we offer at Everton, chances. Not all will make it though. Take Lucas Jutkeiwicz – He is ok but he will not make it at Everton [I hope he has told him that, I thought to myself].
Q: Did you ask Feliani to get a hair cut?
A: Yes, he then got it braided but now it is back and it looks bigger. We think it is possible for him to hide the football in his hair.
Q: Are you proud that Everton have a low level of bookings?
A: Yes... except for Marouane Fellaini who is collecting bookings.
Q: Can we win the FA cup?
A: Yes without a doubt.
Q: Do you think Mikel and Yakubu will be fit for pre-season?
A: Yes, Mikel is in Spain recovering well, he will be joining the squad at Wembley which they are looking forward to. Yakubu is sat in reception causing chaos, he is recovering well. I anticipate they will both be taking part in pre-season.
Questions to Phil Neville
Q: Have you had a friendly debate with your friends in Manchester following the tackle on Ronaldo?
A: Yes, I won the ball and it was a fair tackle. The Man Utd lads are ashamed of how they reacted, they also realise it cost them the points, Rio’s head went and it affected his game.
Both then stayed for pics and autographs. We then left for Goodison (around 1pm), most players were leaving. Osman was doing radio interviews, Yakubu was still sat in reception waiting watching Sky Sports News.
Then we left for Goodison, dinner in the Dixie Dean suite — very nice; Tour of Goodison — and we were told no pictures. but the players were modelling the new Le Coq strips. I can confirm that the pics that appeared on this site a few weeks ago are correct. Graeme Sharp who led the tour was not impressed with the design. Some nice training gear though. Players who were photographed were, Steven P, Saha, Howard, Cahill, Osman, Fellaini (so I guess they will be hear next season).
Overall it was a fantastic day and I cannot stress how good Finch Farm is. One down side is that it is very windy and does affect the ability of the players to play the ball in the air. This may explain why we are now able to pass the ball! David Moyes wants 300 Conifers to stop the wind. This has been declined by the council who wants the club to apply for planning permission.
Toffeeweb - Fan Articles - Day out at Finch Farm
Day out at Finch Farm
By Andrew Steen : 08/04/2009
Finch Farm Day Trip, 7 April 2009
I was fortunate to be invited to tour Finch Farm and Goodison courtesy of Barclays. The day started at 11am at Everton’s Finch Farm Complex. First impressions were that the complex is impressive and the surroundings impressively managed. Sat in the reception was Yakubu who I believe was waiting to see Mick Rathbone and David Moyes.
We were then given the opportunity to watch members of the first team training on one of the first-team pitches. Most players had gone into the gym as we were informed that a few had bumps that needed looking after. James Vaughan and Castillo were practicing shooting at Carlo Nash. After watching first hand the power of JV’s shooting, I would say his surgeon has done a fantastic job. When JV left the pitch he was given the ball to practice some “big kicks”.
On the opposite side of the pitch, Alan Stubbs was training reserve/youth team defenders. It was like watching Jags/Yob/Lescott et al, the drill was just like watching the first team defend from free-kicks/crosses. I was informed that all players are drilled in the Everton way of playing in case they are required. As I glanced behind me, I noticed Andy van der Meyde leaving training to go home, first out of training. All other players were in the gym.
The tour was very impressive but I thought I would highlight a few features of Finch Farm
- 3 mile running track surrounding the complex for – includes hills purpose built for running over
- First team pitch used the day before matches that is an exact replica of Goodison
- Astroturf pitch which is the same as the pitch Russia used. We walked on it and it felt like turf
- Goakeeper training area
- World Class Gym
- Indoor Pitch
- Multiple Academy pitches
- Various Pro–Zone rooms / physio etc
At a question-and-answer session with David Moyes and Phil Neville, DM mentioned he was shown Finch Farm within one week of joining EFC and at the time is was a vast space. Walter Smith had wanted to redevelop Bellfield because LFC had done a good redevelopment job of their training ground. This was insufficient for DM.
Moyes has a big hand in designing Finch Farm. It is fair to say it his baby. It has his hallmark all over. The way the staff act and dress is professional, DM has an office overlooking the first team pitch and has access to watching all activities taking place at Finch Farm. DM sets the professionalism of the place and all staff work to this level.
A few questions that were asked:
Q: Are we practising penalties ahead of Wembley?
A: We are thinking of the Villa game.
Q: Will you take the Man Utd job if offered?
A: I am a loyal person and I am committed to the Everton job.
Q: Could we have better half-time entertainment? As a suggestion, could you have the academy players taking penalties to give them experience?
A: No, I don’t want the pitch being ruined — and if I permitted it, the commercial dept would probably charge people to take penalties!
Q: Do you know exactly what parts of the squad you want to strengthen?
A: Yes, I have seen some excellent players that are exceptionally talented that I want in my team.
Q: Will you say who they are?
A: No, as it would not be fair to Phil Neville [who was sat next to him — joking to him].
Q: Could we please complete our business at the start of the summer?
A: As you know, in business, you do not always get the money when you need it; if the money comes at the end of the window then that is when you can make your buys. I would always like to buy players, take them to pre-season and let them bond with the squad but this is not always possible.
Q: Are you referring to the sky money?
A: [Jokes] I think we have already spent the Sky money.
Q: Does having the academy in the same complex as the first team help you attract quality young players?
A: Yes, dads are wanting their lads to join Everton now as they know they will have a better chance of succeeding at Everton. They are also impressed that their lads train next to the first team. [Finch Farm is full of photos of the first team players working with the kids]. The problem we face is that less kids are playing football now, we are seeing the pool of quality youngsters shrink, for every one who makes it their are many who don’t. The game v Pompey we had a bench of youngsters and that's what we offer at Everton, chances. Not all will make it though. Take Lucas Jutkeiwicz – He is ok but he will not make it at Everton [I hope he has told him that, I thought to myself].
Q: Did you ask Feliani to get a hair cut?
A: Yes, he then got it braided but now it is back and it looks bigger. We think it is possible for him to hide the football in his hair.
Q: Are you proud that Everton have a low level of bookings?
A: Yes... except for Marouane Fellaini who is collecting bookings.
Q: Can we win the FA cup?
A: Yes without a doubt.
Q: Do you think Mikel and Yakubu will be fit for pre-season?
A: Yes, Mikel is in Spain recovering well, he will be joining the squad at Wembley which they are looking forward to. Yakubu is sat in reception causing chaos, he is recovering well. I anticipate they will both be taking part in pre-season.
Questions to Phil Neville
Q: Have you had a friendly debate with your friends in Manchester following the tackle on Ronaldo?
A: Yes, I won the ball and it was a fair tackle. The Man Utd lads are ashamed of how they reacted, they also realise it cost them the points, Rio’s head went and it affected his game.
Both then stayed for pics and autographs. We then left for Goodison (around 1pm), most players were leaving. Osman was doing radio interviews, Yakubu was still sat in reception waiting watching Sky Sports News.
Then we left for Goodison, dinner in the Dixie Dean suite — very nice; Tour of Goodison — and we were told no pictures. but the players were modelling the new Le Coq strips. I can confirm that the pics that appeared on this site a few weeks ago are correct. Graeme Sharp who led the tour was not impressed with the design. Some nice training gear though. Players who were photographed were, Steven P, Saha, Howard, Cahill, Osman, Fellaini (so I guess they will be hear next season).
Overall it was a fantastic day and I cannot stress how good Finch Farm is. One down side is that it is very windy and does affect the ability of the players to play the ball in the air. This may explain why we are now able to pass the ball! David Moyes wants 300 Conifers to stop the wind. This has been declined by the council who wants the club to apply for planning permission.
