Who do you think might be the surprise package for next season?

[anton66]

Howard, pretty much on the basis he cant possibly have a worse season than the last and that he is, when all's said and done, a solid enough GK.

A very solid poor goalkeeper.

 

[Toffeelover]

I do not think he has been signed yet in answer to the title.

 

[johnnydawg68]

Howard, pretty much on the basis he cant possibly have a worse season than the last and that he is, when all's said and done, a solid enough GK.

Agree. He had a sub par year last year, but he's not playing international footie anymore and there's nothing wrong with him physically. He's proven to be an above average GK over the years, with some flaws but some outstanding traits. I think he can recover his form from two years ago, but to be fair we had a side full of players who weren't as good last year as the year before.

 

[Yorkie]

Stones.

Look like a top defender this season no doubt on that

He's a good bet for POTS 15/16, but not to be a surprise.

The only surprise would be if he didn't do well.

 

[Eggs]

Besic. Think he'll show he's the best DM in the team.

...I'd love him to develop the Barry role but it will take some learning. I think he could be our very own Makelele.

 

[Yorkie]

I hope it could be Coleman. We know he's ace but he wasn't his best last season.
With a couple of different faces (mostly Deulofeu to link with), less fixtures, a change of breakfast cereal and maybe Browning pushing for starts then he could put this last season behind him and be more 13/14 Coleman.

 

[davek]

Agree. He had a sub par year last year, but he's not playing international footie anymore and there's nothing wrong with him physically. He's proven to be an above average GK over the years, with some flaws but some outstanding traits. I think he can recover his form from two years ago, but to be fair we had a side full of players who weren't as good last year as the year before.

I thought he suffered in the transition over from Moyes to Martinez - attitude wise. He sounds like someone who needs to be shown he's valued to get the best out of him, so I expect Martinez's show of faith in him last season (immediately backing him post injury and benching an in-form Robles) will pay dividends.

He'll always make a handful of howlers, but he's been our best GK since Martyn, no question. We could do a lot worse.

 

[Furey1878]

I thought he suffered in the transition over from Moyes to Martinez - attitude wise. He sounds like someone who needs to be shown he's valued to get the best out of him, so I expect Martinez's show of faith in him last season (immediately backing him post injury and benching an in-form Robles) will pay dividends.

He'll always make a handful of howlers, but he's been our best GK since Martyn, no question. We could do a lot worse.

I do hope the upcoming season is his last, though. He's been a good player for us so I'd hate to see a downturn in form spoil how the fans feel about him

Hopefully he'll have a swan-song season and go back to America if we can afford to prioritise a new GK next summer.

 

[davek]

I do hope the upcoming season is his last, though. He's been a good player for us so I'd hate to see a downturn in form spoil how the fans feel about him

Hopefully he'll have a swan-song season and go back to America if we can afford to prioritise a new GK next summer.

I wouldn't be against him leaving right now if we had someone decent lined up. I dont think I'd like to see Robles promoted ahead of him though. Robles has shown he's not a disaster if we have to turn to him, but when we do replace Howard it has to be a keeper of the Begovic class. There's a whole generation of German GKs we should be keeping an eye out for too.

 

[Bluebonic]

Quite surprised how many on here are naming existing established players as potential surmise packages, but I suppose that reflects how many under-performed so spectacularly last season?

 

[mythbuster]

Quite surprised how many on here are naming existing established players as potential surmise packages, but I suppose that reflects how many under-performed so spectacularly last season?

Well yes. Footy is a fickle game. Players are judged on recent form. Don't think anybody would be picking Alcaraz if he was still here. If some of these established players turn it around, great, but you can't take it for granted. Some players just lose it at different points of their career(s) and for a multitude of reasons.

 

[Whistlin' Dixie]

I wouldn't be against him leaving right now if we had someone decent lined up. I dont think I'd like to see Robles promoted ahead of him though. Robles has shown he's not a disaster if we have to turn to him, but when we do replace Howard it has to be a keeper of the Begovic class. There's a whole generation of German GKs we should be keeping an eye out for too.

Quite like that cillesen at ajax, meself.

 

[loooweee]

With respect, mate. I'd rather not take this one further. I just think Barkley's got a big future at Everton and wish fans would cut him some slack.

I'd argue the opposite, mate. People expect him to be flying in for challenges and winning every aerial ball because he's a blue and consequently gets more stick.

I agree with you that being blue does make fans think he should be harder working player but just want to add to why this might be as every time barkley is running with the ball shrugging off players like pinballs commenters alway bang on 'and such a physical presence too'

He does look more energetic with ball than without it is almost as if he was instructed too do so much like Messi was under pep. His height and appreance deceives fans and pundits that he is a powerhouse. He probably is just need more games to help his mentally, consistent position and consistent teammates which he did not very much have last season. His mentality seriously seems to be his weakness

 

[Neiler]

Aron Lennon.

 

[loooweee]

I agree with you that being blue does make fans think he should be harder working player but just want to add to why this might be as every time barkley is running with the ball shrugging off players like pinballs commenters alway bang on 'and such a physical presence too'

He does look more energetic with ball than without it is almost as if he was instructed too do so much like Messi was under pep. His height and appreance deceives fans and pundits that he is a powerhouse. He probably is just need more games to help his mentally, consistent position and consistent teammates which he did not very much have last season. His mentality seriously seems to be his weakness

Really accidently wrote too much, I am genuinely stating the obvious nonsense