S-Clarke

The transfer window this summer shows up the failings of Chelsea and Utd more than anything. Both of those clubs had the players on their books, 18 months - 2 years ago. Now they're paying insane money to get them back. Just the mentality of wanting it all now, haven't got time to develop the player etc etc. If they were as clever as Bayern, Real or Barca...they'd insert buy back conditions on the players they let go, so they wouldn't have to negotiate these stupid fees.

Sounds like this is the start of a potential partnership with Rayo too.

What is ambition to you though? It doesn't always equal $$$$$$$. I agree with the post above, we've shown long-term ambition - a lot of it. New training ground, massive emphasis on the backroom setup at the club, finances spent on bespoke ways of doing things, investment in young players and the academy. To me, that is huge long-term ambition. Short-term ambition, i.e WHU and Everton and their £30m striker hunts may get you 1 or 2 exciting seasons, but it can all come crashing down as quickly as it was put up. Showing ambition by being sustainable and planning for the long-term is a much bigger recipe for success. The last two seasons have gone to prove that the club has it spot on behind the scenes, the investment in that area is showing on the playing field. I think I support a very ambitious club and one which lives within it's means.

0.00001/10

They were totally embarrassing themselves post-takeover. Even before Koeman, they belived they could get Jose Mourinho if they tried. They also wanted Simmone, hence a fair few of them being 'underwhelmed' when they appointed Koeman. Their expectations were scewed because they thought they had lots of money, and the media/their club played the stupid 'warchest' card in every article. It's still early days though, we'll see plenty of things happen in August - but in respect of Everton, I don't think they'll be getting the 'superstars' they all expected.

It's kind of a revert back to the MP way of playing, high press, attacking full backs, ball retention. Still reluctant to put too much on this formation yet though, we're only 3 games into the pre-season. It'll evolve I imagine.

Then you're probably supporting the wrong club. To be fair, the investment in the new contracts we're dishing out will protect us a lot more in the future. The sales of players in the last couple of years have been heavily weighted on contract length, they wouldn't sign a new deal and the club couldn't afford to let it run down. It's being made out on here that we aren't even attempting to keep anyone, which is so far from the truth. By letting the likes of Koeman, Mane and co go...we are protecting ourselves financially. They were offered deals to stay, but didn't want to take us up on it. I really cannot see anything to moan about with regards to how the club is run to be honest, there are tons of clubs which are atrociously run out there, with mental head's as owners. Thankfully we're not one of them. We're owned by people who are allowing us to live within our means yet still manage to perform above expectations. I'd say they're doing a pretty incredible job and I'm excited for next season.

Yeah, he was the first loan in our 'linkup' with Walsall. I expect we'll get more guys there soon.

I like Alfie jones, looks like a perfect CB in terms of stature and he's very calm on the ball. You could say the progress of Isgrove, McQueen, Gallagher etc stalled - and they're now at an age where they can't really be seen as promising youngsters anymore.

I'm not frustrated, I'm still not entirely sure what there is to be frustrated about?

I think a few have a chance, but I'd say the likes of Isgrove, McQueen and possibly Gallagher need to start looking elsewhere for regular football.

Does De Boer have a much, much, much better managerial pedigree than Claude? Or is it just because he's a name as he was a top footballer once.

Why do people think we've not replaced Wanyama? We signed Hojberg, he fills Wanyama's space in the team.

Chris alive, the amount of utter tripe that gets posted in the youtube chat.

[h=1]John Stones: Manchester City open talks with Everton over England defender[/h] http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36905593

Everton's transfer plans are going well. Chelsea have made an improved £38m bid for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, according to Sky in Italy. We understand the Serie A club are yet to respond to the latest offer.

I think we can have a small lol @ everton in that case.

I personally don't like the idea to be honest, the JPT (as it was then) was a great opportunity for clubs in 'lesser times' to achieve success and have a great day out. Now it just feels like a devalued reserve cup.

Great backup keeper option. Glad we're going to properly invest in this area.

It's the world of football manager for you. ''Well, on football manager, i click on a player, pay the money and he's signed within a few minutes''

tbf Kone was excellent at Sunderland in their climb from oblivion, he made their defense so much stronger and Gueye isn't bad. But these targets are definitely quite a step down from the likes of Mata, Hart etc who they were supposedly getting.

I've seen quite a few people stamping their feet because we haven't got our chequebook out.

As poor as City's, Everton's, Utds etc then. We will wait out for the players we really want, as we have done with VVD and Toby in recent years. I do get irritated by people who just want us to spend someone elses money. Just like a load of impatient spoiled brats. We're lucky we're run as we are run, bloody lucky. Check out Hull, Newcastle, Cardiff, Leeds (the list goes on). We could have so easily ended up in the hands of nutters, but we should be grateful with the position we're in.

He's pretty much binned his career to be honest. If he'd been decent about things when Spurs were interested, he may well have got his move - or he'd have got his wish the following year after having a decent season. He really isn't good enough to be throwing his toys around though.

Good signing for Stoke that, they've got some good midfield options there now. Would imagine Imbula and Allen will be first choice, tidy pair. (on paper)