Ashley Williams

[BlueToff]

He's 32 very soon, he's not as athletic as Distin. He isn't what I was expecting under the new era, he's 32, not a very exciting signing, not even sure he's an upgrade on what we have got.

If he was 28 I still wouldn't want him, even though he's a good solid pro, he ain't going to elevate us to the next level. Which is where we were hoping to go.

So what? He's a very good player. He is physically as fit as he ever was and is injury free. His positioning is sound whereas Distin relied on pace to get him out of trouble a lot the time due to his poor positioning.

We could go and spend £40mil on Koulibaly (which we still may depending on Stones) and he could be a flop and suddenly we're left with a load of youngsters, a player struggling to adapt, an injury prone Jags and, as sound as he is, an error-prone Funes.

This move makes sense in every way and is certainly an upgrade on the defenders we have, bar probably Jagielka (who as I said is 34 in two weeks and the injuries are becoming more frequent).

He's a leader at the back and this is what the team needs after 3 years of Martinez. I don't know how you can't see that?

 

[BlueToff]

To save having to answer a load of replies.

I don't think he's an upgrade on what we have, who for me were just critically mismanaged.

this is true mate, but we still can't defend a basic cross due to the Martinez hangover. an organiser at the back is essential.

 

[BlueToff]

I'm not in the least bothered about a resale value in Williams, it's Swansea who have an opportunity to get £10M for a player that will be worth nothing in two years.......

apologies pete, miss-read your post! wasn't meaning to have a go, just a general point that grates my nerves haha

 

[Michaelcoyb]

I dont rate our central defence at all currently.

I think a signing like this is imperative if we are going to have a good season.

What is our CB pairing looking like currently for Spurs?

Holgate/Galloway - Funes Mori

Not bad, but definitely won't have me feeling confident starting a new season.

Just need to get this or something similar done.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

To save having to answer a load of replies.

I don't think he's an upgrade on what we have, who for me were just critically mismanaged.

I make you wrong, as statistically he is better than what we've got - all of them.

That's before you factor in his leadership qualities and the influence he could have in the dressing room as a result of that.

He's just what we need, a solid defender, to shore up a porous back line.

 

[everton2004]

isn't it Evertons money, and isnt the fans a part of Everton? Doesn't the fans put alot of money into Everton by going to the games, buying merchandise etc. ?

Correct, to a point. Essentially (unless they own shares in Everton), fans are "customers" so can express opinions but have no say in how the club is run. Like any other business, customers have the option to take their business elsewhere. So Moshiri can spend the money any way he pleases within the laws of the game.

 

[micknick]

Personally would rather us spend £10m- £14m on Williams than £40m on that Koulibaly who could well be another Sakho/Mangala/Otamendi- over priced one in four centre halves.

Williams will improve our defence and better our results, the 2-3 years we get out of him could help us get to that next bracket in terms of league position and stature.

Clever signing if we get him in my opinion.

 

[peteblue]

apologies pete, miss-read your post! wasn't meaning to have a go, just a general point that grates my nerves haha

No probs. I think he would be a decent addition and, as you say, would help our younger players to develop. Mind you, I'd be happy putting our younger players in now anyway.....Labone was only about 22 when he won his first title.....

 

[BlueToff]

I make you wrong, as statistically he is better than what we've got - all of them.

That's before you factor in his leadership qualities and the influence he could have in the dressing room as a result of that.

He's just what we need, a solid defender, to shore up a porous back line.

spot on, and in the process it means that the pressure won't be on any potential Stones replacement (likely to come from another league it seems - should Stones go of course) to hit the ground running and not make any mistakes as he adapts.

 

[Groucho]

Personally would rather us spend £10m- £14m on Williams than £40m on that Koulibaly who could well be another Sakho/Mangala/Otamendi- over priced one in four centre halves.

Williams will improve our defence and better our results, the 2-3 years we get out of him could help us get to that next bracket in terms of league position and stature.

Clever signing if we get him in my opinion.

That's key for me.

I understand the reservation that some people have about age, however by that same token, we'd never have risked anything on Andy Gray.

 

[toffee66]

A squad needs veterans, mid-career and emerging youth. A squad also needs leaders. Williams has the experience, defence-first qualities and leadership we are lacking, particularly with Jagielka increasingly injury-prone.

If we get 2-3 good years from Williams the combined £20m fee and wages is a drop in the ocean in the current environment. That is obscene but it is just the reality of PL economics.

He'd also be a great mentor for the likes of Galloway, Holgate, Pennington as a more vocal and assertive dressing room presence than Jagielka.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Would've been a good signing but if it is true that they have turned down £10m, then we must swiftly move on.

Plenty of other CB's out there!

 

[AmericanBlue]

Would've been a good signing but if it is true that they have turned down £10m, then we must swiftly move on.

Plenty of other CB's out there!

No.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

No.

Fantastic reply. Cheers for your input.

 

[gonetomorrow]

We are caught up in the financial merry-go-round I'm afraid. They all know we've got money.
I'd bite the bullet and offer £15m for Williams. Get him on board.