2017/18 Kieran Dowell

[Raino85]

What we have with Dowell, Davies, Kenny, Calvert Lewin, Holgate, and Connolly, together with Pickford, who is in a similar situation and knew a couple of them already from u21s, should be fostered and added too. They have have something we have missed for a while now, and that's team work, fight, and a genuine bond.

I'm not saying they are all the finished article, or that all 7 should be in the 1st team from game 1 next year, but they should all be in and around the match day squad, and combined with the experience of Rooney, Walcott, Coleman, Tosun, and Sigurdsson, and maybe a fresh start for Sandro, Vlasic, Keane, Mori, Onyekuru and Klaassen, it starts to have the makings of a squad that a new manager can hopefully cultivate.

I would say we then need to add 4 players to that...
1. An established, vocal centre half who leads by example.
2. A new 1st choice left back.
3. A proper centre midfielder.
4. A new back up Keeper (because I still think they messed up not tying Joel down).

But those 4 positions are about all I'd advise in signing in 1 summer or we'll end up like we did this year again, no balance, no stability, too much change, not enough consistency.

Baines, Jagielka, Williams, Schneiderlin, Mirallas, Bolasie, Niasse (as much as I've enjoyed his resurgence and his exemplary attitude, something I can hardly level at any of the others), Stekelenberg and Martina should all be surplus, and be kept on the fringe of the squad or moved on if the money is right. I could take or leave Gueye. Personally, I'm not overstruck on him, and if someone offered us stupid money, I'd bite their hands off. I think he's massively overrated.

But back to original point. Those younger players who have already bonded the way they have, they should be part of the new nucleus of the squad. Like I said, there's no need to rush them all in at once, but ease them in gently and let the team spirit build from within, something we have sorely missed for a long time.

And from everything i see and read in interviews and on social media, Dowell seems central to that, so we should do everything we can to keep him, and that's not even taking into account the clear ability he has. If he wasn't already with us, we'd be desperate for us to sign him.

Agree with a lot of this mate, especially the 4 signings we need to make, it should be more a case of quality not quantity, the lads you mentioned can be the squad fillers, these young lads will be happy with 20 games a season and pushing the professionals should they miss a couple of games etc.
It would keep the general aura around the squad too, a young 20 year old in hte everton first team squad would be happy with games here and there, do you think a 28 year old man would be?

 

[Kever10]

Agree with a lot of this mate, especially the 4 signings we need to make, it should be more a case of quality not quantity, the lads you mentioned can be the squad fillers, these young lads will be happy with 20 games a season and pushing the professionals should they miss a couple of games etc.
It would keep the general aura around the squad too, a young 20 year old in hte everton first team squad would be happy with games here and there, do you think a 28 year old man would be?

Yes exactly. We are in a fantastic position of having 6 (not including Pickford now as he is obviously destined to be number 1 for some time) good, athletic, loyal players who enjoy being here, and are in no rush to get out, they all get on great and clearly have a rapport, and they need to be made to feel like they are part of things going forward to keep that going. Like you say, a young Evertonian with ability is better bet as a back up desperate for a chance to stake a claim than some average journeyman who is happy playing once in every 10 and picking up his considerably heavier paypacket.

 

[Barnfred 55]

What we have with Dowell, Davies, Kenny, Calvert Lewin, Holgate, and Connolly, together with Pickford, who is in a similar situation and knew a couple of them already from u21s, should be fostered and added too. They have have something we have missed for a while now, and that's team work, fight, and a genuine bond.

I'm not saying they are all the finished article, or that all 7 should be in the 1st team from game 1 next year, but they should all be in and around the match day squad, and combined with the experience of Rooney, Walcott, Coleman, Tosun, and Sigurdsson, and maybe a fresh start for Sandro, Vlasic, Keane, Mori, Onyekuru and Klaassen, it starts to have the makings of a squad that a new manager can hopefully cultivate.

I would say we then need to add 4 players to that...
1. An established, vocal centre half who leads by example.
2. A new 1st choice left back.
3. A proper centre midfielder.
4. A new back up Keeper (because I still think they messed up not tying Joel down).

But those 4 positions are about all I'd advise in signing in 1 summer or we'll end up like we did this year again, no balance, no stability, too much change, not enough consistency.

Baines, Jagielka, Williams, Schneiderlin, Mirallas, Bolasie, Niasse (as much as I've enjoyed his resurgence and his exemplary attitude, something I can hardly level at any of the others), Stekelenberg and Martina should all be surplus, and be kept on the fringe of the squad or moved on if the money is right. I could take or leave Gueye. Personally, I'm not overstruck on him, and if someone offered us stupid money, I'd bite their hands off. I think he's massively overrated.

But back to original point. Those younger players who have already bonded the way they have, they should be part of the new nucleus of the squad. Like I said, there's no need to rush them all in at once, but ease them in gently and let the team spirit build from within, something we have sorely missed for a long time.

And from everything i see and read in interviews and on social media, Dowell seems central to that, so we should do everything we can to keep him, and that's not even taking into account the clear ability he has. If he wasn't already with us, we'd be desperate for us to sign him.

Not sure if it was intentional mate but you missed Lookman off your little list.

I'd also include Beni Baningime. I reckon he's ready for the step up too.

 

[Nymzee]

Not sure if it was intentional mate but you missed Lookman off your little list.

I'd also include Beni Baningime. I reckon he's ready for the step up too.

I’ll be gutted if he’s not introduced more in pre-season/next season. Can see us loaning him out though.

 

[Barnfred 55]

I’ll be gutted if he’s not introduced more in pre-season/next season. Can see us loaning him out though.

I think so too.

TBH I'd play him now with Gana being injured. Plus Davies needs a break anyway.

You just know Schneids will be back in at the weekend though.

 

[Kever10]

Not sure if it was intentional mate but you missed Lookman off your little list.

I'd also include Beni Baningime. I reckon he's ready for the step up too.

Yes, complete accident. Lookman is obviously part of that same group.

Baningime I see as being a step behind the others. Not far behind though, and you are right, I think he should be pushing as well. It's a shame we didn't keep hold of Walsh, I was so looking forward to him coming through.

 

[LocalNative]

He's as good as gone come the Summer.

 

[ToffeeTim]

Not convinced he's mentally strong enough tbh. A common trait in our youngsters.

 

[Barnfred 55]

Yes, complete accident. Lookman is obviously part of that same group.

Baningime I see as being a step behind the others. Not far behind though, and you are right, I think he should be pushing as well. It's a shame we didn't keep hold of Walsh, I was so looking forward to him coming through.

Dont get me started on Walsh. Esoecially with Nymzee being online.

 

[mightymoyes]

Not convinced he's mentally strong enough tbh. A common trait in our youngsters.

Eh? All our youngsters are winners, they've won practically everything all the way up. It's our seniors that are mentally weak

 

[Nymzee]

Dont get me started on Walsh. Esoecially with Nymzee being online.

Bed for you soon as you wake up.

 

[Barnfred 55]

Bed for you soon as you wake up.

Morning mate.

 

[Raino85]

I’ll be gutted if he’s not introduced more in pre-season/next season. Can see us loaning him out though.

Concerning Baningime, it may be a good a thing a loan, the likes of Kenny, Davies, DCL , Holgate, Lookman, Onyekuru, Vlasic and even Dowell are all at an advantage to him as they have all played over 30ish profesional games.
Beni might benefit a season at someone like Forest or Fulham if they dont go up

 

[Raino85]

Not convinced he's mentally strong enough tbh. A common trait in our youngsters.

A goal and assist in the biggest professional game of his career v arsenal.

Won the u18s league, won under 23s league, won u20 world cup, everton debut at 17.................the lads mental strength is nothing to worry about

 

[stannyr]

What we have with Dowell, Davies, Kenny, Calvert Lewin, Holgate, and Connolly, together with Pickford, who is in a similar situation and knew a couple of them already from u21s, should be fostered and added too. They have have something we have missed for a while now, and that's team work, fight, and a genuine bond.

I'm not saying they are all the finished article, or that all 7 should be in the 1st team from game 1 next year, but they should all be in and around the match day squad, and combined with the experience of Rooney, Walcott, Coleman, Tosun, and Sigurdsson, and maybe a fresh start for Sandro, Vlasic, Keane, Mori, Onyekuru and Klaassen, it starts to have the makings of a squad that a new manager can hopefully cultivate.

I would say we then need to add 4 players to that...
1. An established, vocal centre half who leads by example.
2. A new 1st choice left back.
3. A proper centre midfielder.
4. A new back up Keeper (because I still think they messed up not tying Joel down).

But those 4 positions are about all I'd advise in signing in 1 summer or we'll end up like we did this year again, no balance, no stability, too much change, not enough consistency.

Baines, Jagielka, Williams, Schneiderlin, Mirallas, Bolasie, Niasse (as much as I've enjoyed his resurgence and his exemplary attitude, something I can hardly level at any of the others), Stekelenberg and Martina should all be surplus, and be kept on the fringe of the squad or moved on if the money is right. I could take or leave Gueye. Personally, I'm not overstruck on him, and if someone offered us stupid money, I'd bite their hands off. I think he's massively overrated.

But back to original point. Those younger players who have already bonded the way they have, they should be part of the new nucleus of the squad. Like I said, there's no need to rush them all in at once, but ease them in gently and let the team spirit build from within, something we have sorely missed for a long time.

And from everything i see and read in interviews and on social media, Dowell seems central to that, so we should do everything we can to keep him, and that's not even taking into account the clear ability he has. If he wasn't already with us, we'd be desperate for us to sign him.

Agreed, except I'd like another winger and forward too.

End of the day though this ambition and development doesn't stand a chance if Big Sam's still here.