05 Aug 2018 14:25:07
Been a while since I've posted anything and usually my posts are of a lighthearted nature, not containing any "insider knowledge", or any great revelations in the way I think we should play/ purchase, or otherwise run the club. First and foremost I am an Everton fan, wanting what's best for the club. I'm old enough to have enjoyed the halcyon days of the 1980's when Liverpool as a city was the powerhouse of English football and Everton F. C. we're contributing to this on almost equal basis to what Liverpool F. C. were. Since then, painful as it is to admit we have become an ever present Premier League member, (some seasons leaving it very late to ensure our membership remained intact) without being anything other than an also ran, mid table team. Liverpool F. C. haven't won the Premier League, EVER, yet look at their trophy haul compared to ours in the intervening years. Incomparable. As I see it we as Everton fans are always in direct competition with our city rivals, whilst at the same time we are hoping for improvement in our league performance/ position every year, whilst yearning for ANY silverware. Where do I think we as fans should be right now--- well, we are a long way away from being Premier League Champions, a long way from top 4, a bit from being certain top 6. I think we are fairly placed in and around 7th-14th.
Where I think the Club has suffered is that although Farhad Moshiri brought investment, (and with it, expectations) the set up within EFC was below par. What I mean by that is the club all of a sudden had the financial clout to display purchase power within the transfer market, (television money exacerbated this problem for all Premier league teams) but whilst having extra financial clout we were totally naive in that we saw a transfer window and attacked it with the current managers desires, some of which were shocking to say the least. Prices paid for average players were ridiculous. Agents held clubs to ransom and loyalty and passion for a club/ badge all but disappeared. What I'm eluding to is this, another new manager, more raiding from prior club, (although Richarlison looks good, preseason) glaring needs not addressed ( central defence) 20 + goals a season striker we need to support this manager for at least 5/ 6 transfer windows, judge him on the tactics he employs week in week out, the support he receives from board/ Brands and when at home create an atmosphere of total support. We need to realise where we are, to achieve where we want to go. I, like all of you love this team, but we need to be patient to add to our illustrious history. Sorry I went on so long.

1.) 05 Aug 2018
05 Aug 2018 14:51:04
We should be finishing 7th or 8th, not 7th-14th. While we're still a way off it, that means our first aim is to challenge for top 6. When we've finished in the top 6 for 2-3 seasons, we can start thinking about the next step. There is a world of difference between top 6 and us right now, and it's difficult to see that gap being bridged. Any of the top 6 can realistically aim for top 4. We can't for the foreseeable future, unless as an anomaly a la Leicester. There is a long term job to do, but I'll be disappointed if we finish lower than 8th this year.

2.) 05 Aug 2018
05 Aug 2018 19:25:53
The way things are going we are certainly going to end up lower than 8th. According to the Eds and other punters on this site, we have to have patience and buy into the long term plan. These are the same Eds and punters that had no patience with Koeman and Alardyce, the same Alardyce incidentally that had us finishing 8th. Just what is your philosophy, that of Martinez? 'Yes we lost 3-2 but we played good football' or winning 1-0 without conceding consistently and 'Yes but we played awful stuff'. Supported this side for the best part of 60 years, seen them all come and seen them all go. I want my Team to win and do the best they can, if that means playing god awful football but winning then yes that is what I want.

{Ed002's Note - I certainly had patience with previous managers. All I have warned is that I am less sure than most about Silva.}

3.) 05 Aug 2018
05 Aug 2018 20:14:48
When you look at the teams above us last season, we’ve no right to expect to finish higher than 7th. In time, with stability and investment and a new stadium, we could break into the top 6th. Patience is key.

4.) 05 Aug 2018
05 Aug 2018 23:04:21
Well said ducks fly agree with you and agree 002 not sure about Silva.