Back Moyesy With Hard Cash

Everton fans have been having a go at the club over the last few weeks, & rightly so in most instances. The subjects have been the lack of announcement of what the club intends to do for 100 seasons, (not years by the way) in the top flight. Also the annual 'why can't we buy the new shirt to take on holiday?' moan, & Who's the new sponsor? All these subjects need addressing by the club. In one way, Blue Kipper has taken advantage of the clubs lack of information by providing our own. The new kits, & the 100 seasons have given the fans a giggle. These are all worth a moan, but we know we will get a new kit, there will be something which the club will announce to celebrate the 100 seasons. Will we like them? That's another question. The thing is they will come.

One subject, though is no laughing matter that is the lack of new players. David Moyes starts pre season training on Monday. He has planned out what he wants to do with them over the next 6 weeks with meticulous precision. They include taking his squad to Lyon in France to have a full medical, including tests on their teeth. This French initiative has brought great results. He will then take them for a week in Austria. Here at one of the top sports training venues in Europe, he will work them again. He will work them harder than any other set of Everton players in recent history. He has arranged more friendly matches then ever before. All this work, will have them fit as a fiddle for the opening game against Spurs at Goodison Park on 17th August 2002. Be there!

During the summer Moyesy has been to the World Cup, checking on players first hand. He has admitted enquiring about the availability of 10 players. We all know that the names of Rual, Ronaldo, Hasan Sas, Ferdinand, & Ballack won't be in that 10, because of the financial shackles around the club, & the players would say who are Everton? They may say they saw a flag at the world cup with Everton on, but that's a different issue.

After all he has done during his Summer break The Everton manager said: “It would be nice at this time of the season to bring new players in, but it’s probably unrealistic to expect too many new faces on the opening day of pre-season, that’s for sure.” This must be one of the only times Everton have not got a new player to start pre season training. The only 2 realistic targets are Gary Breen & Mart Poom. Breen may come, but he's 28 , & according to Moyesy is only 'decent'. That leaves Poom.

The biggest talking point this summer has been about the goalkeeping position. Gerrard is crap, & should never play for us again. Simmo is relatively young for a goalie, & could come good over the next few years, but don't hold your breath. The goalie signed by a new Manager is always eagerly awaited. Catterick bought West, Kendall bought Southall. It's no coincidence that they are the 2 most successful managers in Everton's history. We have had an offer of £3.5m turned down by Derby County. This is a 1st division club, who have just lost £15m - the cost of them leaving the Premiership. What would they sell for £5m, £7m, £8m. WHATEVER it is get him. Moyesy has worked his bollocks off since he came here. He wants Poom. He needs backing from the board now.

They will say they are skint. But there are ways & means. Dunford is going on about how great the season ticket sales are going. They may well be record sales. There is money there. Kenwright should get the board together, & say we need £3m or £4m. Tell them to get their hands in their pockets, & give Moyesy the goalie he wants. This could be the watershed signing. Granchester, Gregg, & Kenwright himself are all Millionaires. They should put the money up, or go to someone else who will. Only a couple of seasons ago Blue Bill was going to pay £3m for Lomas out of his own pocket. That never happened.

If you want your new manager to be playing at The Kings Dock in The Premiership, get him the players he wants! (30/06/02)

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