A few days ago we asked fans on the Facebook page Everton Page 1878 to answer some questions about the mighty Blues, all mostly topical to get their current thoughts and feelings. Here is a round-up of what they said:
So, we asked firstly about fans feelings on the signings we have made so far, free agent Tom Cleverley and of course the one and only Gerard Deulofeu. A resounding positive view on this one with one person referring to them as "exciting" and another saying that it's "nice to see some more youth added to the team". The fans were all happy with Cleverley which honestly surprised me as there were a few moans and groans I heard pre-signing. One fan felt that "Cleverley will surprise a lot of people". I couldn't agree more and I really hope he does. Scott from Walton seemed extremely positive about Tom, "he wanted to play for us so he's very likely to give 110% and I've said it before it's all about the strength in depth so for Tom to come in on a free was a no brainier for me and happy to have him at Everton". Another fan felt "we need to be patient with Cleverley. He's clearly got bags of technical ability but is a confidence player. Goodison can be an unforgiving place if performances aren't up to scratch, but I expect us to get behind him. On a free, it's a good deal".
Again the feeling was positive for Mr D, "everyone loves Gerry" was the opinion from John in Liverpool. Scott again sums up the signing perfectly, "Deulofeu has the potential to be great and for him to turn down better offers to be an Everton player shows what we are as a club. He already has a special bond with the fans so I think we will see the best of Geri in our royal blue". Cardiff-based Evertonian Ian is "impressed by Geri as he gives us the X-factor we sadly missed last season". Gary from Ellesmere Port said of the Spanish signing, "Delighted to get Deulofeu back and on a permanent basis, although I think we need to be patient with him. He was effective off the bench during his loan spell when teams were tired and stretched. He now needs to translate that into 90 minute displays. If he does, then we've got a potential matchwinner". Only one person included Mr Henen when giving their views about the new additions, although the signing has not yet been officially announced, and this fan felt there are, "so many positives from him in the under 21's this season so more work with Unsy and he can break into the first team and hopefully he will get a game in a cup if we get a lower league team". However I have seen some speculation about Everton sending David out on loan once we close the deal, so time will tell whether we see him so soon in the royal blue (for the first team anyway).
The second question was about the topic of the 'new ground' and whether it would ever materialise. As was to be expected the answer was a resounding 'no' from all the fans who answered. Mike from New Brighton said he didn't "think that we'll move but will maybe look again at redevelopment of Goodison". Another two fans concurred with Mike about redevelopment with one stating, "we have too much history at that place" but questioned "if Liverpool can rebuild then why not us?" One supporter was concerned that, "given the amount of money coming into the game shortly we'll never have a better opportunity". A fair point I would have thought for the board to be considering. Another question for them from our fans was, "Who's going to pay for it? I'm afraid I can't see anything other than the board making it a hat trick of failed ground move attempts". And finally one blue raised his concerns of what we will do without a new ground, "I can't see us moving anytime soon but until we get a new stadium we won't be getting investment as nobody will want to give the stadium money and transfer money as soon as they join the club so hoping we can get a new stadium sorted soon".
Our third line of enquiry was about the boss Roberto Martinez and whether people still think he is the right man for the job. The group of supporters seemed relatively happy with Bobby saying, "Roberto Martinez is the man that will take us forward". Although some fans raised their concerns, especially around his ability to face reality at times and be honest about the shortfalls of both him and the team. John from Liverpool said, "I would like him to be honest and not talk s***, Evertonians are not soft". Mike picked up on his weakness stating, "Roberto is a confidence manager who struggles when he gets doubted". As Ian from Cardiff says, "I think he learnt a lot last season when the going got tough, I'd like to see that step change this season where he is proactive not reactive" and I could not agree more. Last season was his biggest test, he went from the high of winning the FA Cup with a team he had built up, to a top 5 finish with Everton in his first campaign. We could only expect it was going to be much more difficult last time around, particularly with Europa League. People were generally confident he can turn things around though and one supporter thinks he knows how he can fix it, "Needs to be more flexible when facing different types of opposition, and get back to pressing high up the pitch and having wide players playing out wide to support the full backs. Too narrow last season". Scott from Walton is also confident, "The man got the record points tally so why the hell he was booed at the end of last season was a disgrace in my opinion". With Gary concurring, "Deserves our backing after his debut campaign, and I'm confident he'll get it right next term". Come on Spanish Bob, you can do it!
Question four and we are back on the topic of signings, this time it was about what is still missing still from the signings we have already made to strengthen our beloved Toffees. Half of the respondents felt we need a new goalkeeper, and one fan has even chosen who he would like in the form of Kasper Schmeichel. Daniel from Liverpool felt that, "Tim is doing a fine job don't get me wrong but he is getting no younger so I think we get someone else (and) let Tim show him the ropes". Ian thinks it's not "desperately needed just yet but definitely in the next 12months we have to find a replacement for Tim." There was a full house for a striker, one supporter felt that we should offer Chris Long a bit more game time than just "10 minutes here and there" and another would like to see "Hernandez from United" gracing the pitch of the Old Lady. If I was answering the question I would be looking to see how we are going to cover the hole that Distin left but not all answers included a centre back in their list of signings. One who did, stated, "I would have Scott Dann but not for 15 mill". I am also in the sign Aaron Lennon camp joined by two of our respondents, one of which would like to "offload Mirallas" as part of the deal! I am not entirely sure I believe the nonsense printed in the Daily Mail. The man I met at the Hilton in Liverpool seemed particularly happy with Everton and Martinez, I mean to say, why would he encourage his best friend to join a team that has supposedly 'lied' to him? The other suggestions included a "Right Back to cover Seamus", "another wide player" and from two of our fans "a playmaker", as one them put it "oh for a young Arteta again".
A topic of contention it seems arose from the next question about fans opinions on the Kitbag deal. All of the fans asked were not happy with the deal describing it as, "a disgrace", "sh**e", "a terrible deal" and "very poor". One of my own bug bears is about the accessibility of other clubs kits, you can see this everywhere you go. I know we may not be as well known as some clubs, but even so close to the ground as Ellesmere Port (20.9 miles to be exact) you still see far more of any other team than our own. This fan sums it up nicely, "It's poor when you compare it to commercial deals secured by lesser clubs in our division and also very restrictive.". Both Ian and John both think they know why, "A classic example of the naivety that flows through our club- short term quick fix with no foresight", "it's like the club can't play the long game and they have took the quick money we're losing money hand over fist". Two blues are both concerned about, "how are we meant to develop internationally if the club kit isn't sold in shops world wide!" "For me, the marketing of Everton globally is poor. How have we not taken advantage of the hype surrounding the likes of Howard after the World Cup and Cahill before him?" Well said boys!
Lastly to round up our Q&A with the fans was the question, would you rather a top four finish or a trophy? All of our fans answered a trophy but I particularly liked the one who also asked for a week off after for the hangover! I may need a week off to get over the shock! Although Daniel from Liverpool thinks if we keep hold of the likes of Romelu, Stones, improve Ross and sign Luke Garbutt that we could do both! Another fan more or less concurred with Daniel's thinking, "Trophies bring Europe which in turn will bring better players and therefore we can get into the top 4 so trophies is the most important thing right now." Two of the other views both aligned to the impression from the outside that a trophy can bring, "history in football doesn't record you finished 3rd or 4th, you win a trophy and it lives long in people's memory and club history", "This club should be winning cups. Despite the financial rewards, there is no guarantee CL qualification would turn us into a force. Look at Spurs. Also, a cup win would give the young core of our side that winning mentality we desperately need."
So there you have it. Six questions to six fans, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you who contributed and look forward to some more Q&A sessions in the future! For anyone who would like to be involved in the future, please get in touch.
Footiemadgirl
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