Paul McParlan - Recruitment, Recruitment, Recruitment!
Those hoping for significant signings by Everton in this window in order to save them from the drop should not raise their hopes if previous dealings are anything to go by.
Last January Farhad Moshiri sanctioned the arrival, on loan, of Anwar El Ghazi from Aston Villa, who never started a game, while allowing Lucas Digne to leave because 'Rafa' did not like him! Our 'big name' signing was Dele Alli, a player who was so patently unfit that he never lasted a full 90 minutes.
On Tuesday night, Brighton showed the value of data driven recruitment rather than buying footballers touted by agents who have the ear of the club owner. Four years ago, the Seagulls bought a young prospect called Alexis Mac Allister for £7 million from Argentinos Juniors and could sell him for more than £50 million now.
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The 18-year-old Evan Ferguson who tormented Everton’s defence was recruited from Irish club Bohemians for a nominal fee. Spotting footballers with potential at the right age is a skillset sadly lacking at Finch Farm.
Everton are now starting their annual panic driven moves to improve the squad. So far only Ellis Simms has returned on loan from Sunderland. Rumours swirl of trying to add Danny Ings, another ageing striker whose best days are behind him, from Aston Villa on loan. What odds on Andy Carroll, who is available on a free transfer, turning up here on the last day of the window? Everton that!
Tony Scott - More repeats than UK Gold!
For the past 10 years we have hired managers, given them money and at the first sign of panic sacked them. And then we wonder why we are in this situation?
Regardless of whether you back Frank Lampard or not, sacking managers after 11 months each year is not sustainable and you will be relegated eventually. How on earth can a manager turn a club around in one transfer window and in that one window he had to sell his best player?
Admittedly, Lampard has to get results, which he's fully aware of, and the fans are too. Managers need time to transform football clubs - we should know that from the money we've thrown away.
Thomas Frank has had 10 windows. Jurgen Klopp 16 windows. Pep Guardiola 16 windows. Mikel Arteta 7 windows and big investment. I can go on.
Recruitment, scouting, directors of football and managers need time. Look at this squad now.
Seamus Coleman signed by David Moyes. Mason Holgate signed by Roberto Martinez. Michael Keane signed by Ronald Koeman. Yerry Mina signed by Marco Silva. Abdoulaye Doucoure signed by Carlo Ancelotti. Demarai Gray signed by Rafa Benitez. Conor Coady signed by Frank Lampard.
That's seven managers’ worth of players still ingrained in the dressing room. It's rinse and repeat until we give a manager time to change the fabric of the club.
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