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Kone Signs on 3 Year Deal

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People worrying about him being 29...how old was the yak when we signed him? 25 was the official age but even Moyes questioned Nigerias ability to issue birth certificates and passports!
 
Can imagine we will have been treated to full holding shirt, holding scarf, wearing shirt photo set by 4pm today. Hope fur that matter we get Alcaraz done same time
 
toffee66 said:
There is NO financial irregularity. Elstone (finally!!) gave a reasonably detailed explanation of the cost items in Other Operating Costs at the AGM and there is nothing unusual.

Everton have a revenue problem not a cost problem. A club of our tradition, regularly finishing top 8 in the richest league in the world should generate revenue c. 50% higher than we do using Tottenham as a benchmark of sorts. The reasons why we fall so short are various but largely fall into 3 simple categories:

1. Location, location, location: poor city/poor core fanbase, higher profile neighbours, Manchester rivals...not instantly attractive to "bright lights, big city" international investors, tier A sponsors and casual international fans with £ to spend so you really have to create an alternative image through brand building which takes vision, creativity, time and smart investment

2. 20th century infrastructure in a 21st century economy: old ground/bad views, poor facilities, cramped seating, no mod-cons, underwhelming club shops...bargain basement facilities that we can only sell at (by PL standards given our stature) at bargain basement prices. Arsenal generate 50% of their matchday revenue from 10% of their attendance due to corporate facilities, extensive lounges, executive seating. This is more than we could ever do given #1 but we are still constrained (having thrown away the opportunity of our lifetime's at Kings Dock through the power struggle between Bill and Paul Gregg) but we can, should and must do better. A plan that fans support and will help promote/fund would be a starting place!

3. Commercial Conservatism: We have leadership who know the price of everything and the value of nothing and see risk where others might see opportunity resulting in a collection of commercial deals designed to provide certainty and predictability and which have reduced risk but handcuffed our commercial staff and eliminated growth opportunities e.g. Kitbag, Sodexho and our shirt sponsorship deals

Kenwright and Elstone deserve to be in the firing line but not because of ridiculous and frankly libelous suggestions that they have their hand in the till (they don't). They should be under intense and critical scrutinY because of their complete and utter failure to have a strategy in place to remove/circumvent/mitigate our revenue blockers and build effectively on marketing gold like The People's Club concept as a selling tool beyond our core fanbase and players with popular appeal (Fellaini's physical image, Baines' cool...).

The consequence is that Plan A has been, remains and forever shall be (for as long as they remain) live within our means and hope some mug comes along who'll bankroll us whilst maintaining the leadership status quo. It hasn't happened yet. There is a reason for that...
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Interesting stuff, but could be argued that a lot of bad management can be hidden by excuses. At times some of the stuff in there can sound like a loyal fanbase who don't buy into the flashy side are a nuisance. Plenty of clubs with committed long term support would see this as a great starting point. The media don't do us many favours with their coverage, but even this we could make more of as the team that spoil their smug party. I have seen a little of this attitude in Martinez and it may suit us. The club have to use what they have though. We are not rich but we are stable and that has the advantage of meaning some risks are well worth taking. Being rich without any substance or community is not all its cracked up to be, I am proud of this club for a number of reasons but riches isn't one of them and time and time again its been proven that a loyal fanbase is the most important thing a club can have. It is up to the board to use what they have though. That is their job. And its up to us to take pride in who we are not what we never will be. We can win things as we are, but I would love to see more imagination and less excuses from the club and more faith in the best team we have had for a long time from the fans, especially Baines and Fellaini who are not just stars but as you said a good way of raising our appeal and image.
 
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The best thing about all of this is seeing the Mystic Meg ITK's be continually wrong in their guesswork on when he signs.
 
Christiffa25 said:
Wouldn't it be funny if this was all a big smoke screen to hide a different striker signing! Some sought after youngster we wanted to keep quiet!

I really struggle to see the hold up with kone and alcaraz deals tbh. You would think both should be pretty straight forward.
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Kone was obliged to talk to Newcastle ,by his agent, no doubt,and SSN have just announced(!) he's chosen Everton. Barcodes now after Bent. Alcaraz has been on holiday, and only returned yesterday.
 
I hope Kone does well if he does come here

Let's be honest, unless either Felli or Baines are sold, it'll be discount buys as that's all we can afford on our budget. Money talks and we're practically mute as a result.

I'm more miffed about Alcaraz to be honest (Would much rather see Duffy get his chance)
 
Mikey_Fitzgerald said:
I hope Kone does well if he does come here

Let's be honest, unless either Felli or Baines are sold, it'll be discount buys as that's all we can afford on our budget. Money talks and we're practically mute as a result.

I'm more miffed about Alcaraz to be honest (Would much rather see Duffy get his chance)
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Depends on Heitinga, if he is going ( which I hope he does) we'll need a replacement.
 

Mikey_Fitzgerald said:
I hope Kone does well if he does come here

Let's be honest, unless either Felli or Baines are sold, it'll be discount buys as that's all we can afford on our budget. Money talks and we're practically mute as a result.

I'm more miffed about Alcaraz to be honest (Would much rather see Duffy get his chance)
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Even if Heitinga stays i'd stay still yes to Alcarez. Numbers give you options; for all we know he may go 3 at the back, so he will need cover. Duffy may do enough in pre-season to warrant a start, or he may not. We don't know nothing about him, apart from a couple of run-outs to make that decision.
 
nsno-chris said:
Even if Heitinga stays i'd stay still yes to Alcarez. Numbers give you options; for all we know he may go 3 at the back, so he will need cover. Duffy may do enough in pre-season to warrant a start, or he may not. We don't know nothing about him, apart from a couple of run-outs to make that decision.
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Agree with this mate. A lot of people were trashing the signing of Distin if I remember correctly. I think that bar a few horror moments he's been pretty rock solid for us. Perhaps Alcaraz can bring something that we can't see right now and for a free transfer and I'd imagine not asking for unrealistic fee's/wages why not give him a shot?

I'd love to see Duffy given a chance but I don't wanna throw him in at the deep end and see the lads confidence take a knocking
 

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