There's a lot of dross around the bottom of the league. I include ourselves in that dross, but I think we have enough to keep us out of trouble as long as whoever the manager is, actually organises and manages the team. I just don't see Palace and Swansea having the necessary strength to keep up, so it's them plus another - I wouldn't be surprised by West Brom or West Ham or Stoke if any of those don't pull their finger out asap.
To be honest, I think everyone from Watford down is eminently overtake-able by the current team managed by Unsworth if he gets the players organised and working hard in games. Is Unsworth the man to do the job though? I don't really feel the magic to be honest - though if he gets a run going you never know.
I would like Silva, as I think he would set us up and get personnel in that could implement a good attacking style of play whilst not compromising the defence. He might be on permanent look out for the next big thing, but if he came off, that next big thing could well be us. If we want to get to the level of interesting the Simeones of this world, I think Silva is the man and that's really the reason why I would go for him - if he ain't the best, he is a stepping stone towards the best compared to most of the other names on the list.
Yes agree, one or two of the new boys may stutter too (although I actually hope they all stay up though as I think theirs and Bournemouth's recovery and Leicester's rise show's decent Championship to mid-Prem sides have a cycle of 3-5 years before they wane). Dyche's proved that at Burnley, too.
Coming up from the Championship with a confident squad of young-ish players who've had 2-3 years together works best - versus clinging on with short-term solutions as the demise of Bolton, Wigan, and Sunderland proves.
Of course, it's then great to have one or two word class buys (Kante, Mahrez) and you can then really do damage.
If I translate that to Everton - there's green shoots in Pickford, Kenny, Holgate, FM, Keane (maybe!)
but another CB and LB is now vital. In midfield, Davies, Lookman, Lennon, Beningame, Vlasic and DCL up front look promising.
What we need is organisation into a pattern of play that suits Sigs, and leadership from Jags, Roo and ideally dear old Seamus and Ross when their available. We're then a solid mid-table outfit again.
A decent striker and more offensive MF could then help us kick-on.
So to your point re: Silva.
I'm really happy DU has this window to prove himself and a run of realistic games against other stop/start teams for us to really judge him. If we don't turn over two out West Ham, Saints and Huddersfield I think I'd be happy for Silva to come in pre-window to see the lads and have a chance to jig things up. If DU does prove himself, let's give him the season and FA Cup... cos you never know : )
COYB