There is absolutely no doubt..

Cal · April 13, 2009

That if we had Yakubu or Arteta, we'd be in the top 4.

No doubt about it.

I don't want to make excuses but we've had terrible injury problems but those 2 are massive players and alot of people outside of Everton, don't realise that we would be storming into the top 4 had we had those 2.

Next season, if we can get everyone fit and bring in 1 quality players aswell as maybe 1 or 2 decent players for around 15 million, which i think will be possible, then we'll be fighting again.

bluebloodinmyveins · April 13, 2009

I do think we'd be a lot closer if it wasn't for the injuries. Not sure we'd be "storming" into the top four though.

If we manage to keep the squad we have, and add say 3 quality players, then i do think we will be up there challenging again. It may be difficult not to sell, should Mancity come and offer stupid money. Providing they stay up of course :lol:

McBain · April 14, 2009

Yep, they would have added the bits we needed to get those extra points. Miss em already.

TX Bill · April 14, 2009

It would be close for sure.

We've really missed Yakubu. Looking forward to having him back for next season.

bobbyrob · April 14, 2009

They were both in starting teams during the bad run at the start of the season

Bruce Wayne · April 14, 2009

Yakubu probably, although if you look at our record without both men it's actually not bad. Our main problem was at the start of the season, a time when both men were fit, but we had lots of other injuries and our new signings hadn't bedded in.

Neiler · April 14, 2009

Bruce Wayne said:
Yakubu probably, although if you look at our record without both men it's actually not bad. Our main problem was at the start of the season, a time when both men were fit, but we had lots of other injuries and our new signings hadn't bedded in.

We played some teams at the wrong times to Blackburn, Pompey and Hull spring to mind they have been getting beaten consistently for much of the season.

Neiler · April 14, 2009

Neiler said:
We played some teams at the wrong times to Blackburn, Pompey and Hull spring to mind they have been getting beaten consistently for much of the season.

Although our squad is good we still need to add depth and varience to what we have and pray that no one leaves.

Ironicly part of our success and sustainability this season has prorbably been being knocked out of Europe.

To be honest i think the Fellaini deal may hit us hard this summer, if what you are led to beleive is true its close to 15 mill in installments and play related clauses, given the difference in exchange rate to when we signed him if we have to give them something like 6 mill yoyo's its far more expensive then it was this time last year, similarly with other deals with foregin clubs.

Equallly if we are going to be investing in foregin players this may also be the case that they will be far more expensive then this time last year. English clubs transfer budgets are going to take a double hit with a massive premium due to the strength of the Euro in signing players, and the increased cost of paying of installments on existing European players.

Wouldnt be surprised to see a lot of British players joining us this window.

Nebbiolo · April 14, 2009

bluebloodinmyveins said:
I do think we'd be a lot closer if it wasn't for the injuries. Not sure we'd be "storming" into the top four though.

If we manage to keep the squad we have, and add say 3 quality players, then i do think we will be up there challenging again. It may be difficult not to sell, should Mancity come and offer stupid money. Providing they stay up of course

Can't see us having the budget for that. But bringing in one quality signing should make a huge difference. I think we'll finally see Moutinho arrive. Moyes will break the bank for him, and pull in a couple of loans as well.

Seb · April 14, 2009

Think the poor run at the start of the season cost us a top four place to be honest.
We've only lost about three games since the yak got injured and one since Arteta.
Granted with them in the team we may have picked up all three points in the draws with Arsenal, Villa, Newcastle and Blackburn etc.
But you could also say that playing Cahill up front was a blessing in disguise and led to us picking up some extra points in terms of his chasing down defenders and scoring vital goals (Arsenal - Liverpool).
I actually think we played better during the injury crisis than at the start of the year and the results prove that.
Also without injuries I think aresenal would have picked up a few more points this year
Injuries will happen next season, there is also the African nations (Is it every two years?) and the simple fact is that we need a few more quality squad players to be able to break the top four.

TX Tiburon · April 14, 2009

I think we might be closer for sure. But oddly, it has been on defense that we've leaked points. We had Arsenal dead to rights until that last minute RvP shocker.... the first Villa game we gave up sleepy goals in the first and last minutes.... the first few games of the season were poor defensively. All the while the consensus would be that our back four is the deepest part of the squad!

It's difficult to comprehend how we've had such a good run with the patchwork front men and a midfield that has its only real play maker and with MoFro slotting in. Props to the club spirit to DM for getting the max out of this season.

For me we still need more quality and real selection choices in the midfield. Some pace and play making. But doesn't almost every club?

ToxtethBlue · April 14, 2009

Arsenal fans could say the same to be honest, they lost Fabregas, Rosicky and Eduardo for long periods this season. They've also had lots of niggling injuries themselves.

I think we'd comfortably finish ahead of Villa with a fully fit squad, I'm not sure about Arsenal though.