Southall fears Everton FC could drop down the Premier League

[GrandOldTeam]

Neville Southall has warned Everton FC could be forced down the Premier League table by the spending power of their rivals.
Everton FC and Wales Southall, rated one of the best goalkeepers in the world during his 17-year career at Goodison Park, fears his old club will be overtaken unless they can find major investment.
Boss David Moyes has so far failed to make any major additions to the squad that finished fifth last term and runners-up in the FA Cup, apart from extending Brazilian striker Jo’s loan spell for another year.
And he faces the prospect of a battle to keep England defender Joleon Lescott out of the clutches of Manchester City, with the Toffees expecting an improved bid for the 26-year-old after an initial £15million offer was rejected.
Southall said: "Everton did very well last season, although I was a bit disappointed with the (FA Cup) final (performance).
"Now this coming season is going to be a big one. They have to push on.
"But Manchester City are spending tons of money, Spurs look like they will be doing the same and you would expect Aston Villa to keep on spending.
"Now Everton have to find someone to put some money into the club, because if they don’t they could find themselves slipping down to eighth or ninth in the table.
"And that is a frightening prospect for a club like Everton. (Chairman) Bill Kenwright has been saying for a long time that the club needs a billionaire, and you do in this day and age."
Southall, from Llandudno, added: "Now it looks like David Moyes will have to produce a few more miracles on the pitch and hope that the club do find somebody to put a lot of money into Everton.
"It is going to be a really hard job for him. Everton did really well last season and were really consistent, even though they dropped off a bit towards the end of the season.
"Now a bigger squad would help them through and the manager will be able to give players a rest at times.
"I suppose the only good thing is that clubs want to bid for our players now, which hasn’t happened for a while."
Lescott is currently with Everton FC at their training camp in Seattle, ahead of Sunday’s friendly with River Plate in Edmonton, Canada.
Manchester City - away in South Africa - will wait until both clubs have returned from their pre-season tours before launching another bid for the player.
Moyes is believed to want closer to £30million for Lescott, money that would be re-invested into the transfer market.
Everton FC are trying to complete the £6million signing of Swedish international midfielder Rasmus Elms in the next few days.
But there is a clear need for the Merseysiders to spend big to even maintain their current position just outside the top four.

Thanks Nev - add some extra publicity to our apparent inevitable downfall. Hopefully Naughton/Elm etc don't read the Echo while en route to Goodison.

Nearly as bad as when he said "Rooney should leave Everton to further his career" - and when he tipped us for relegation after Rooney left....

 

[Hayee]

Wasn't the same said last season?

 

[Goat]

I agree with what hes saying, but he does love to stick that blade in does our Nev.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

Wasn't the same said last season?

Every season. Villa spent £50m last year - Spurs have spent about a trillion over the past few years.

Villa have weakened this summer. Gareth Barry and Martin Laurson were massive players for them - especially the latter, you only have to look at how they performed when he got injured.

They have brought in an injured Downing - who I rate - but I rate Young and Milner higher - so bit of an odd signing really.

 

[Goat]

I dont fear Villa to be honest. Can see them selling Young you know.

Its City that scares me. If it starts going bad Hughes will be out on his ear and Jose will be in like a shot.

 

[Lao]

Same every year, Spurs spend big with no success, Villa are a bit like us, sell a couple buy a couple.

City will take time to gel (i hope). Sunderland have got cash again, but the dark horses are Portsmouth with the new arab chairman - how much will they spend?

 

[brado_efc]

Tbh, I think the FA should create a new rule or someting, the money City are spending is ridiculous

 

[Hayee]

It won't last. Chelski started off spending tonnes but its gone relatively quiet on that front now

 

[Goat]

To be fair he spent £800m before he got bored, these City owners could spend 3 billion before it even made a dent in their months profit.

 

[bluebloodinmyveins]

Unless we get some investment soon, it is inevitable we will slip down the league. Money talks now in football, without it you just cant compete in the long term.

 

[lordyefc]

Wasn't the same said last season?

I think what nev said isn't too unfair. He's not saying that it's impossible to match last season without much investment, but that it will be more difficult. He says we COULD drop to 8th, and that's true, we could, especially if we go on a bad run of form. There won't be much to pick between City, Everton, Villa, Spurs this season, so some bad luck and you could easily drop a few places.

Some people go for the "sky is falling in unless we buy" line, some even like to tip us as relegation outsiders, which is just silly. But as our playing staff stands, 8th could easily happen.

 

[lordyefc]

To be fair he spent £800m before he got bored, these City owners could spend 3 billion before it even made a dent in their months profit.

The Times today said that City will commit to £1bn of spending this year alone (in terms of transfer fee plus wages over the entire contract, so Robinho commits them to spending £80m or whatever).

That's a lot of money.

 

[Goat]

I read they had built some fancy training camp in Dubai, for when it gets cold and they can nip over and have a warm.

Make no mistake, City will keep trying, they wont rest untill they get what they want, which is a CL place. I cant see the Arabs giving up.

 

[brado_efc]

What does my head in is that why would you pick teams like Man City & Portsmouth to takeover and not a team with great history

 

[Blue Wiz]

Villa have lost in strength and I don't think they will finish as high up unless they find good replacements for those that have left. They have the money to spend, so it's simply down to wait and see if they spend it wisely, if not then they will probably miss out on Europe.

ManC have spent a lot already, and are not showing signs of slowing down either. If Hughes manage to get them into a working team they will be a very strong contender for Europe. If not then they might very well finish 8-10 again while they try and find a coach that can handle the players that's there and get them to work together.

Spurs have a strong team on paper and one of the things that give them an edge this year is the fact that they aren't in Europe. While the rest of us contenders for Europe need to place some focus and energy on travels and matches in Europe, they can focus solely on the league. When they bowed out of Europe the previous season they went like a rocket in the serie and almost reached Europe anyway, despite their awful start.

Of these three, I think Spurs and ManC will be our main rivals for challenging the top4 clubs.. if ManC get good defenders (not Lescott of course).