The Defence.......

[Toffee in Jandals]

We never planned for the inevitable phasing out of Jags/Baines in our big spending in the last few years. Negligence.

I think previous regimes have tried succession planning, but we found out at left-back Garbutt/Galloway weren't good enough when tried (and of course Oviedo's leg break was horrifically unfortunate), and at centre-back players' previous manager's brought in were then shelved by the new manager, i.e. Funes Mori never seemed to be trusted by Koeman.

Negligence to me was not purchasing a top-quality centre-back at a good age (i.e. 23-26) when Stones was sold; much like not signing a top striker when Lukaku went, or the utter debacle that was the Ross Barkley situation last summer. And all three of the above situations happened under Koeman/Steve Walsh's watch. We're just bearing witness now to the utter damage those two numpty's did to the club in their time in charge.

 

[HongKongToffee]

Our central defence options are just so out of touch with the modern game.

The game has moved on in the last 6-7 years,slow ponderous low block defenders are from a bygone age.

Those 2 positions should have been the first signings of the season.

 

[Toffee in Jandals]

..... What gives me hope is that surely, (as bad as Williams had become) we would not have let him go out on loan, with just a 36-year old Jags and Keane as our only fit senor centre-backs, if we didn't have minimum one, or two centre-backs lined up to sign early next week.

 

[diggerdestroyer]

Everton reacts 2 years late again. Tim howard and Distin. Osman and pienaar. Jags and Baines. All very good players whom eveton just had to play 2 years too much

 

[davek]

Its like you wanted Bolasie there.

I would rather have Rico on the left wing than NOT have Jags and Keane in defence.

No need. Keep Lookman and prioritise on LB/CB/FW/CM in that order.

 

[davek]

Richarlison already looks like our best player.

We have money to spend on defenders. We've signed Digne, who will be first choice.

I think we need two new CBs. I think we can get away with one, for now, with Holgate coming in if Silva insists on playing a high line.

Richarlison was an expensive and non-crucial addition in the context of the positions crying out for new players.

If we add a CB and either CM or FW by deadline day then the window would just have made sense...but only just.

 

[Goat]

No need. Keep Lookman and prioritise on LB/CB/FW/CM in that order.

I tend to think LW and LB were as dire need as CB and CM, I do agree that we could do with a Striker, but I would have said the order was LB/CB/LW/CM/ST.

We sadly dont pick the order in which we buy and sell players tho, thats determined by the buying and selling clubs.

For me we are 1 CB away from having a decent window, if we dont get in a CB then the whole thing was a bust, if we get a CB in I will be reasonably happy for a first windows work.

Clearly we need more than a CB, but surely we all knew we wouldnt fix all our problems in 1 transfer window?

 

[chrismpw]

I’m glad the lad has arrived, now we just need two CB’s and a new Peter Reid......

At this point we'd benefit from the current peter Reid.

 

[BlueToff]

Richarlison was an expensive and non-crucial addition in the context of the positions crying out for new players.

If we add a CB and either CM or FW by deadline day then the window would just have made sense...but only just.

Pretty much anything positive we did today going forward went through him.

I think he'll be pretty crucial.

 

[BlueToff]

I tend to think LW and LB were as dire need as CB and CM, I do agree that we could do with a Striker, but I would have said the order was LB/CB/LW/CM/ST.

We sadly dont pick the order in which we buy and sell players tho, thats determined by the buying and selling clubs.

For me we are 1 CB away from having a decent window, if we dont get in a CB then the whole thing was a bust, if we get a CB in I will be reasonably happy for a first windows work.

Clearly we need more than a CB, but surely we all knew we wouldnt fix all our problems in 1 transfer window?

CB and CM will be the targets, I reckon. If we get those both in, then that's the four I expected at the start of the window.

We do need more. But small steps.

 

[davek]

I tend to think LW and LB were as dire need as CB and CM, I do agree that we could do with a Striker, but I would have said the order was LB/CB/LW/CM/ST.

We sadly dont pick the order in which we buy and sell players tho, thats determined by the buying and selling clubs.

For me we are 1 CB away from having a decent window, if we dont get in a CB then the whole thing was a bust, if we get a CB in I will be reasonably happy for a first windows work.

Clearly we need more than a CB, but surely we all knew we wouldnt fix all our problems in 1 transfer window?

The order should be determined by existing resources. LB was most chronic, followed by CB(s), then a toss up between CM and a different type of lead attacker than we have (maybe one off the bench who can give us a direct ball threat). LW for £40M first off the bat was VERY strange business in that context as we have cover in the shape of Lookman.

 

[davek]

Pretty much anything positive we did today going forward went through him.

I think he'll be pretty crucial.

I wonder about end product.

 

[Goat]

The order should be determined by existing resources. LB was most chronic, followed by CB(s), then a toss up between CM and a different type of lead attacker than we have (maybe one off the bench who can give us a direct ball threat). LW for £40M first off the bat was VERY strange business in that context as we have cover in the shape of Lookman.

But even if we ignore the fact that Lookman isnt really a LW and we ignore the rumours of his stinking attitude and sulking to push a move.

Hes not a proven player at all, not even close, hes 90% potential.

I mean I said at the end of last season our needs were :

1 Back up GK
1 starting LB
1 starting CB at least
1 DM/CM
2 Widers
1 ST at the very min

We got a back up GK
We got a starting LB
And we got 1 wider so far

Hence me saying I think its been a decent window.

 

[Somerset Blue]

I wonder about end product.

Have you watched Lookman in royal blue?

 

[degsy]

I’m glad the lad has arrived, now we just need two CB’s and a new Peter Reid......

Would honestly prefer a Paul Bracewell myself.

These sort of posts show where the REAL problem is with the defence.
The game is...as it always was, both won and lost in the mid field.
We have No8s, left sided defensive mid fielders, right sided defensive mid fielders, somebody in ' the Carsley role' etc. etc.
What we don't have is A Mid Field, a whole midfield unit, that plays as one...that won't, i know, turn Keane into a world beater, but it will take the pressure off the back and lessen the mistakes and ensuing panic and lack of confidence.