SimonButtle

We are the sixth best team in the country at the moment, yet the current list of names in the betting for the job is just stomach churning imo Roberto Martinez Phil Neville Neil Lennon Alan Stubbs Gus Poyet Malky Mackay I know we didn't qualify for Europe but our departing manager has just gone to one of the biggest clubs in world football, and at the moment all we can attract is 3 championship managers, 2 internals and a loose cannon from a pub league(SPL) Whilst none of us want the guy in charge, fact is, FSW is the type of manager we should be looking at. not these clowns above.

Get rid now before it turns into a Greatest Hits.

The Stubbs talk is just plain crazy imo. There are going to be changes across the board in football this summer ie: retirement of Fergie, sacking of Mancini, possible return of Jose at Chelski and other potential changes and retirements in the offing. Add that on to the refinancing of the TV money it makes for a very exciting season next year for clubs and fans. Surely we should be making the most of this. I know we brought in a rookie before in Moyes, but at that time we could do no worse, that's why it worked. We are in a different place now with a different standard of player and mentality, and we need the right man to go with it. IF the Stubbs thing is true then Kenwright is playing a very dangerous game imo, the BU will have Carlos the Jackal after him if he is not careful.

nah it wasn't that Louis, i will try and find it, PVDH shut your fookin mouth with that talk!!

Extracts from the Bleacher report: Major Needs Using Everton’s familiar formation, the three biggest holes are in attack, central midfield and central defence—basically the spine of the team. Admittedly, this selection is done on the basis that Marouane Fellaini moves on from the Toffees this summer, as many, including the*Daily Mail, expect him to do so. If the Belgian does stay, then central midfield is less of an urgent need, although there is an argument that his sale would benefit the Toffees and allow a new manager additional freedom to work the transfer market. Also Everton’s new manager may prefer him in Leon Osman’s position in this lineup. In terms of guaranteed starters, it’s*unlikely*anyone will come in and dislodge Tim Howard in goal, who has improved after a slightly sloppy start to the season. Everton have two excellent options at full-back in Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman—who must be kept at all costs—and they also have fine depth in reserve. Tony Hibbert and John Stones are at the opposite ends of their careers, but both can perform at right-back while Bryan Oviedo provides a sufficient backup at left-back. Phil Jagielka is captain of the side and a certain starter in defence. Many may consider not describing Sylvain Distin as a guaranteed selection alongside him to be harsh, but the logic behind that will be revealed. Further forward, Darron Gibson and Leon Osman have been solid performers this season, and the Toffees boast strong options out wide in Steven Pienaar and Kevin Mirallas.* Find a Reliable Source of Goals Striker Possible Options: Wilfried Bony (Vitesse Arnhem), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Andreas Cornelius (Copenhagen), Tomer Hemed (Real Mallorca), Roberto Soldado (Valencia), Loic Remy (QPR), Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea). Up front is the club’s major need and primary issue for the new manager to solve. Having initially suggested he could be the solution, Nikica Jelavic has endured a disappointing campaign leading the Toffees’ line, scoring just eight goals in over 40 appearances. Victor Anichebe has been committed in reserve but doesn’t possess the*necessary*assets to be a regular starter at a Champions League-chasing club. Everton’s main glitch here has been an inability to convert dominant passages of play into goals, which has too often seen them hanging onto a slender lead. Compared to every other side in the Premier League’s top seven, the Toffees have managed at least 10 goals fewer than each of those opponents, which highlights their frailty here. Their top scorer is Fellaini, with 11 goals, yet every other top-seven squad has a player on at least 14 league strikes or more. Clearly the priority for Everton’s new manager is to identify that*illusive*predator*the club have been craving for so long. Without one, it’s hard to imagine the Toffees making that leap to the Champions League. Add Some Energy in the Middle Central Midfield Possible Options: Victor Wanyama (Celtic), Leroy Fer (FC Twente), Etienne Capoue (Toulouse),*James McCarthy (Wigan),*Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio) Steven Defour (Porto). Further back, the second position needing attention is central midfield. As mentioned, Marouane Fellaini can be devastating in this berth, should he to stay at the club, but it seems more likely he will move on. He has also been playing further forward, which is another reason why Everton need additional help in the middle, regardless of his future. With the Belgian*upfield, Everton’s core has lost an element of resilience when not in possession. Darron Gibson and Leon Osman have been consistent performers, adding guile and industry on the ball, but they are not a suitable combination in midfield for a Champions League side. Osman has been especially targeted*by opposition attackers, dribbled past 58 times this season, the second highest tally in the Premier League. Both players have the attributes that makes a more physical, energetic presence the suitable fit alongside them. For this reason, Everton ideally need Osman to shuffle forward, as he is on the first slide, with Gibson partnered by this more dynamic, physical option, who can break up play in the style of Fellaini. Recruit an Imposing Centre-Back Central Defence Possible Options: Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord),*Aleksandar Dragovic (Basel), Dejan Lovren (Lyon), Jores Okore (FC Nordsjaelland). Some may legitimately question the early slide that claimed Everton need a solution at centre-back, but defence has undoubtedly been an issue for long periods this season. It has to be remembered the starting lineup needs improving to make the top four as this season’s efforts have fallen short of that target. Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines have been consistent throughout while Seamus Coleman and Sylvain Distin have improved after patchy starts, helping the Toffees to their current run of seven clean sheets in nine. However, before that, Everton went on an unbelievable run of 18 games (in all competitions) without a shutout, stretching from September to January. That agonising period saw the Toffees literally shelling points as a series of late lapses cost them dearly. The goals did not come in periods the team dominated, and the defence were left unable to hold onto one-goal leads, leaving far too many matches drawn. Seven in nine at one stage. Distin has certainly shown his reliability in recent weeks, but, approaching 36, it’s*unlikely*he will be as consistent for a whole season next year. John Heitinga has been the Toffees other option, and the Dutchman has been horribly out of form, far below his standard set last season that saw him named Fans’ Player of the Season. As a whole, the team have struggled with physical front men, with several burly strikers bullying them. Everton have conceded 39 percent of their goals from headers this season, a staggering 11 percent more than any other side, with*Heitinga being particularly fallible in this area.* To be formidable enough for the top four, the Toffees need an imposing presence to partner Jagielka at the back. Distin can provide reliable cover in reserve, while it’s perhaps best Heitinga*seeks a change of scenery. Minor Needs Goalkeeper Possible Options: Alex McCarthy (Reading), Fraser Forster (Celtic), Alex Smithies (Huddersfield). Tim Howard has been far more consistent in recent weeks, with a run of clean sheets, but there was an early stretch of the season when the American was far from his reliable self. While he doesn’t*necessarily*need replacing, he undoubtedly needs better cover from the bench. During that inconsistent spell, there was nobody on the sidelines putting any form of pressure of the American to start. Jan Mucha played in a handful of games and impressed many against Manchester City; however, he’s not of the calibre to compete for a starting place. The Toffees need a younger model, who can eventually develop into a potential starter, to keep Howard on his toes. Attacking Midfield Possible Options: Scott Sinclair (Manchester City), Callum McManaman (Wigan), Junior Hoilett (QPR),*Adem Ljajic (Fiorentina), Christian Atsu (Porto). Finally, while Everton have Kevin Mirallas and Steven Pienaar on the flanks, there is a significant lack of depth behind them.* The Toffees have shown impressive recent form when Osman has partnered these two, interchanging in the three positions behind the striker. To advance and evolve this fluid system, the squad would benefit from another similar attacking player who can be brought in to compete here. It’s certainly not an essential fit, but for Everton to make the Champions League, they will need more variety and more of an X-factor in attack, which Mirallas has begun to provide more frequently. Conclusion With Everton under new direction next season, led by a new manager at the helm, he will have his own views and opinions on the Toffees’ current personnel. If he especially dislikes any current starters, or perhaps sees more worth in their sale, then there could be some rather unpredictable moves this summer. However, if these highlighted areas can be filled with quality, especially the forward berth, then there’s no reason to dismiss this current squad’s Champions League credentials. With a few savvy additions, Everton can certainly prolong their top-four challenge, and, with a bit of luck, potential even make that lucrative leap.

Great first half from us, lets keep going at their back four, we can score more goals in this game.

I saw an article saying Lumsden is going to United with Moyes, he's the only member of the backroom staff Moyes wants apparently.

Just Jimmy Lumsden so far i think.

I hope that's not code for the backroom staff. We seem to be down to Stubbs,Neville,Weir or Martinez at the moment, Im seriously concerned about our future.

He's been a model pro and a very good player over the years, but to say he's world class is pushing it imo. World class is Messi, Ronaldo, Zidane, Romario, Beckham has never got to that level. He made the most of what he had,and chose to specialise in those dead ball situations,for which he probably was the best at his time at that particular skill. A very good player, but not a world class player.

If that's the case then we need a manager of proven stuff to keep the team performing to the high level Moyes had them doing. Thus imo, immediately rules out any of the backroom staff. So i hope Mr Kenwright remembers what he has said. This could be crucial for him, he's not the most popular of chairman despite being a passionate club fan himself. If he makes the right appointment then he would do himself a few favours in the eyes of the supporters id imagine. However we know there is more than a good chance they might chose a cheap option or promote from within, and that will go down like a lead balloon no doubt.

Have a read on that Thomas Tuchel bloke in the other thread Dunc, he sounds as though he maybe quite promising, not sure BK would go for a foreigner though.

Use Everton to get him ready for United then, sounds about right. Hopefully it's a non story anyway.

Why would Moyes pay £12m for a player he seemed reluctant to play in the team when he was manager here?

Highly rated though, Fergie wanted him at OT a year or two ago on the coaching staff, but Freedman wanted to continue in management, not what we need though i do agree.

If we are looking to move on to the next step as a club, maybe we should possibly looking at the Bundesliga for a candidate. Reason being that the German style seems to be the latest phase in the modern game, many of the German teams/managers are used to working with small budgets, so promote and develop youth players. Their style tends to be attacking but hard working which would fit in with the ethos instilled into the players under Moyes.

Only because i don't see a suitable candidate in this country

All this talk of Rafa today has got me thinking. We actually need a manager with those credentials, whilst he may not be suitable, he is the type of manager we need to be looking at imo. We are about to lose our current manager to arguably the biggest team in world football. He has been hand picked because of his qualities and the level he has got Everton FC playing at now. We need to replace a top manager with a top manager, out of the current list linked at the moment i don't really see anyone the more i look. I really think if we have to sacrifice some transfer funds to get the right man then so be it, If we get the right man then he could be here for a while like Moyes, so im not arsed if it costs us, it will be worth it in the long run. A top manager would be able to keep Baines and Fellaini and attract others. Im wondering if we should be looking abroad for a manager, i just don't see any standouts in this country.

Anyone else just hear Rafa on talkshite? i think he's secretly interested, he certainly doesn't rule it out, just says it would be difficult for either party to approach each other.

Lennon is looking favourite at the moment: http://www.oddschecker.com/football/football-specials/everton/next-permanent-manager Solskjaer creeping in there as well now.

haha, yes i am aware Phil is capable of the odd decent pass, but do you reckon he could keep it up for 90 mins Mike? im not so sure. Think we should just wait and see who the manager is first then workout if the players fit

He may not even get in the team under a new man. I highly doubt Martinez is going to put up with his and Hibberts endless hoof balls because neither of them can pass it 6 yards. I'm interested to see if the annual link with Arsenal comes up again. All depends on the new man, a Mackay/Lennon will give us much of he same. Martinez plays a totally different way though.

French journo on the radio last night said it was the first he had heard about this, its bollox IMO

http://www.caughtoffside.com/2013/05/10/johnny-heitinga-set-for-everton-departure/