what does everton need?

[usnroach]

what do u think everton need to break into the top 4 and get into the champions league. i know it wasnt too long ago we finished 4th, but i wasn't a fan of soccer until w/c 06. since then i havent really found a team to support until recently. but when i look at everton i try and think what does everton need to break into the top 4 again? youth? bigger names? better talent? more money? im not going to pretend i know exactly what they need...i dont wanna say depth because we were probably the most injury stricken team last year throughout the whole team mostly forwards, so bad had to use midfielders as day in and day out forwards i.e. cahill and fellaini. and lost arteta towards the later half of the year. jagielka was out for awhile as well as yakubu and james vaughn. so im not to sure what we need. maybe a new back instead of hibbert? another playmaker comfortable with the ball at his feet? or maybe some more pace on the wings?(however i do like what pienaar brings to the table)

any thoughts curious what other people think.

[HogDaddy]

My shopping list for this off season:

An upgrade at right back. With Jacobsen gone, we really need an upgrade in that spot. I love Hibbert's heart and desire, but he is a limited player offensively and we need someone who can give us on the right side what Baines gives us on the left. Neville has played well at right back, but he is not an offensive threat either.

Midfield depth/upgrade. Our best midfield is Arteta, Cahill, Pineaar, Fellaini. Only 1 of them is a true wide player. We need an additional wide midfielder to improve our starting lineup and add depth. With just Osman, Rodwell and Gosling supplying the depth, we need more midfielders on the roster. If we get the right back I wish for, that adds Neville to the midfield ranks.

In order to break into the top 4, we are likely going to need further investment in the club. We have done well on limited resources so far. Moyes has done a wonderful job with the money he has had available. But the next step is a big one. It will take a lot more money to compete regularly with the Sky 4.

Now that Manchester City is full of cash, they may be able to break into the top 4 before Everton. They have to spend their money intelligently, and put together a team instead of just a collection of high salaries. But if they do that, they could make it the top 5 instead of the top 4, and that makes it even harder to get into the CL, or even the Europa League.

[Matt5656]

What does Everton Need? How about no injuries!!!

[eainterplay]

What does Everton Need? How about no injuries!!!

Amen

With Jo back that shores up the strike force. Outside back quality/depth is the most glaring.

[ForzaAmeen]

1) A quality right-back
2) Midfield playmaker
3) Out-and-out winger

[Angsa]

Maybe better doctors and better shin guards.

Seriously, we might need more depth because to compete also in the Europa League is no joke.

[JERMAIN*DEFOE]

Yeah depth is the biggest issue, I don't think we'd have got to the cup final if we'd have done well again in Europe. Despite Hibbert being my favourite player, he is also our weakest. But, in our strongest eleven he isn't a starter.

Howard
Neville Jagielka Lescott Baines
Osman Arteta Fellaini Pienaar
Cahill
Yakubu

And even that leaves the likes of Yobo, Jo and Saha on the bench. Osman can be as good for us this year as Ireland is for City, so he isn't a weak link.

We just need to keep this lot fit. It doesn't help that Jagielka, Arteta and Yakubu are not going to bit fit for the start of the season, because it might lead us to having a slow start. Remember, Arteta has only just found his way into the middle of our midfield. Once he gets going in there this season he will be in the Spanish squad no doubt.

I don't believe there is really much strengthening to our squad to be done (aside from world class players that we don't have the money for). We need a squad that Moyes can work his magic with and I think this is it. We just need depth, and our best bet to do this long term is through youth, adding guys like Naughton is for sure the right direction.

We certainly don't want to be selling anyone. Everyone in our first team squad has a part to play in keeping us around the 5th, 6th mark. and with any luck... 4th :).

COYB

[JediMindTricks]

1) A quality right-back
2) Midfield playmaker
3) Out-and-out winger

do you think that with another winger, arteta can play more centrally and be your "playmaker"?

[HogDaddy]

do you think that with another winger, arteta can play more centrally and be your "playmaker"?

That is the prevailing opinion. Arteta has been the most influential in matches when he has been in the middle.

[usnroach]

a quality right back would help with things as it would be a better option then hibbert and add depth...if it came down to a out and out winger or a quality right back i would say sign the right back.