Nil Satis Nisi Optimum: Articles

Home NewsForum & ChatThis SiteImage GalleryChants Goodison ParkChang Hunt Everton MerchandiseEFC HistoryThis SeasonLinks

Welcome....

Team Selector

There are 1 active games
The next ones include

30 Aug : 10:01
Portsmouth

The NSNO Poll

Articles

Latest Everton opinion from our columnists...

Where would he go?
Posted by Joe on 24 Aug : 07:31

Victory of the Vanquished
Posted by Joe on 19 Aug : 05:20

Give the lad a chance
Posted by Joe on 07 Aug : 07:58

Story Links

Neville needs ankle operation

Reports are suggesting Everton's sudden urge for obscure, right sided defenders comes as a result of Phil Neville needing an ankle operation.

If accurate, it would be another bitter pill for David Moyes to swallow, with Tony Hibbert also sidelined. It is believed Neville has been playing through the pain barrier since the back end of last season.

Mout deal not dead?

Record.pt, a respected Portuguese newspaper, is claiming that Everton could still go back in with an increased offer for Joao Moutinho, although the chance is "remote.

Everton have apparently had one enquiry ignored but could still go back with an offer of 20m Euros according to the paper.

Riera to snub Blues

Albert Riera is set to snub Everton and move to Liverpool after Espanyol and the Anfield club battled out a new deal which reflects the value of Everton's bid.

The Blues had attempted to hijack Liverpool's bid by offering the Spanish club what they actually want for the player, but he has stuck to his guns in his bid to move to Liverpool.

Being from hundreds of miles away, we can expect, in broken English, a statement saying that Liverpool were his boyhood club once he signs.

Story Links Archive

The NSNO Fans Opinion

We welcome all contributions to this section of the site, and you can submit your own by using our content submission form here.

We have also decided to open up the comments on these articles, to give you, our readers, the chance to interact and discuss the issues raised on these pages. We do, however, ask two things if you are to post comments.

Firstly, no bad language. These articles appear on many different sources and are linked to from many different sites - some of whom do not appreciate foul or abusive language. Secondly, that you make a valid contribution to discussion. Any comments that are deemed to be pointless or unsubstantial, or containing foul language, will be deleted.

Sponsored Links

Articles

NSNO Columnists

	Weather report for the next 9 months;- Sunshine.
Posted by	Written by staveros on 13 Jul : 09:21
Article	With the new season looming large on the horizon it is that time of year again when I’m sure I’m not alone in maybe getting a little ahead of myself in looking forward several months, crystal ball in hand, and assessing Everton’s prospects. Ordinarily I would leave it a little later than this to make appraisals due to the obvious influence that incoming transfers can have on things, both here at Goodison and at other clubs, but this season I don’t feel that is really as important as times gone by. Why?? Well, for a change, I actually feel that our starting position in relation to our competitors is a very strong one. The foundations that our recent ‘success’ has been built on…is a sturdy one. A word I have often used in the past to maybe have a pop at our manager and/or our own players has suddenly turned in their favour, that word being GENUINE. In the past I feel we have maybe achieved some good results which have papered over cracks, which people have bought into and convinced themselves that we were a better side that we actually ever were in reality. I always argued that sustainability would be a big issue whilst that scenario persisted and so it proved at times. Now though, we have seen a change. The change has come off the pitch and on it. Now we actually look(and sound), to me, like a GENUINELY good side. Away from the field David Moyes has been outspoken in his views that major funding would be required to push the club forward or even sustain the good results that had previously been achieved on a limited budget. Whilst this seems obvious to all Evertonians one of the key, underlying, messages this statement sent out was that Moyes is ready. He’s ready to stop making excuses and looking towards the clubs past failing under previous management and he is ready to be judged by his own successes or failures. In demanding the funds that he has now earned the right to be given he is accepting the pressure and responsibility that comes with that. He has decided to ‘step up to the plate’ as the American’s might say. On the field we have seen the benefits of this change in Moyes’ attitude. The addition of Aiyegbeni Yakubu, a player of previous questionable character and work rate, was one ‘Moyes of old’ would, I am sure, have considered out of the question. A record fee and top level wages for a club of our position would have been seen as ‘too big a gamble’ by Mr play-it-safe. A return of 21 goals in his first season though, 15 crucially coming in the league, have proven beyond all doubt that a blend of real quality, combined with that work rate and attitude that Moyes so loves in other departments, is crucial to success. In defence we can now expect to field Tim Howard, Phil Jagielka, Joleon Lescott and Leighton Baines. Can anyone think of 4 of a back 5 from any side outside of the top 4, the big 4, the ‘Sky 4, whichever you prefer…that comes even close to those players?? I can’t and this is where the basis of my confidence comes from. Spurs have a wonderful attack and midfield but their defence is not a patch on ours. Sure they can make additions but would they be any better than those players we already have?? I very much doubt it!! Villa are a well organised, effective, hardworking side but, again, how much would they need to spend to put themselves vastly ahead of us?? Even if they had the money, which they may, the calibre of player it would take to achieve that would be unattainable to them. The recent addition of Steven Sidwell illustrates this. He’s a decent player but are we worried?? Not in the slightest. With the imminent departure of their best player and captain Gareth Barry they will only be weaker if anything, not to forget that former defensive rock Olof Mellberg is now enjoying the delights of Turin following his Bosman move to the ‘Old Lady’ of Italian football. Manchester City have oodles of cash to spend if we are to believe reports but, as with our other competitors, who can they realistically attract that will propel them so far ahead of us?? Jo, a £19m striker from CSKA Moscow?? I doubt it. He may be a good player but will he really be any better than Yakubu and more importantly will he do it straight away?? I would answer ‘likely not’ to both. The biggest thing that City also lack, which both ourselves and Villa have in abundance, is team spirit, consistency, and a stable environment. These alone can be worth some 10 points a season I’d say, both our clubs records of previous years with players of limited ability bear that out. Ronaldinho may be a marketing mans dream, hence the pursuit led by ‘Executive Chairman’ and former Nike employee Garry Cook, but what would he do for morale and team spirit coming in on £200k a week!!?? Maybe fortuitously for City it appears this is an obstacle they won’t have to negotiate in any case after the orthodontically-challenged Brazilian maestro reportedly said ‘thanks, but no thanks’ to the opportunity of entertaining Manchester’s resident Pol Pot, Thaksin Shinawatra(‘Frank’ as the regulars call him – like Sinatra, you get it??). Newcastle I’m not even convinced are worth a mention in this category any more. With a totally imbalanced squad, their only worthwhile central midfield player in jail, and with a frontline who’s age and injury records make Joey Barton look like reliability personified I think we can forget all about them to be honest. A couple of Cheetah’s, a Parrott(not John) and a few more Baboons to join KK and they will be ready for re-branding as “Mike Ashley’s world-famous Black-and-White Circus”. It has a certain ring to it, you have to admit!! Blackburn, another perennial contender under the expert guidance of Mark Hughes, look to be heading one way only…down. With their only midfielder of note, David Bentley, a certainty to leave and in all likelihood star front man Roque Santa Cruz not far behind him it doesn’t auger well. Of course Blackburn can then attack the market armed with the proceeds of these sales but as the success of both those lads shows, Blackburn pick up their players from the bargain basement not Harrods. Can you really see them being any more likely to find the next David Bentley or Roque Santa Cruz for £3m than we are to find the next Tim Cahill for £2m?? They have had a good run of it in recent years but time is up for The Rovers IMO. Bottom half looms and potentially worse. Even if they offer up the big fees, no player worth his salt wants to come to Blackburn anymore. If anything Portsmouth are the one club you would have to be inclined to take more seriously. Harry Redknapp, more than likely due to his “wheeler dealer, dodgy Harry’s Happy Hammers” persona, is a criminally underrated manager doing a world class job on the south coast. Having built a side initially reliant on ‘golden oldies’ such as James, Campbell and Kanu, he now finds himself adding young internationals such as Glen Johnson, Jermaine Defoe and Peter Crouch. Just as we can boast an enviable backline Portsmouth now boast an extremely impressive midfield and attack, a blend of youth and experience with a lovely mix of power, guile and pace. No longer do Portsmouth shop in the bargain basement, now they can sign players who’s individual price tags are approaching the value of ‘dodgy’ Harry’s Sandbanks mansion!!! With the possible arrival of Shaun Wright-Phillips to compliment an already impressive squad they demand to be taken seriously. West Ham could improve too but I reckon their chances of keeping key players fit for a full season are around the same as mine of pulling Jessica Alba…..call me if you’re reading this by the way Jescissa, I don’t think your voicemail is working. All in all though, as we can see, there isn’t really a squad out there, in direct competition with us, that you could say is GENUINELY superior to ours. There are sides with more quality in some areas and much less in others. What we have at Everton though is a lovely balance. We have a defence that is amongst the best, we have a midfield that combines panache and work rate to an increasingly impressive level and we have an attack that guarantees goals. What more could we ask?? Well, of course we can ask more, we always can, and it is my view that David Moyes will deliver us that ‘more’, at least some of it, over the coming weeks. With stadium issues and increasingly inept club management away from the field it is easy to find reasons to be negative. This year though, of all years in recent times, I think we have a whole lot more reasons to be upbeat and optimistic in looking forward to what promises to be another great year for the blues and many more memorable European nights at Goodison Park. Good luck Davey and the boys.
Views	1,259 (998 Unique)
Rating	9.7 - 8 votes

Comments

Posted by ToxtethBlue @ 13 Jul : 11:32

Good post.

I agree about Portsmouth. There getting some good players together and seem to be getting the right blend. Distin and Campbell in defense, Muntari and Diarra in the middle and Crouch and Defoe upfront.

They've definatly got a good core to there team.
Reply to this

Posted by fast lane @ 13 Jul : 12:20

Good article, with some very good points, also refreshing to see that Stav left his 'internet persona' at home. This does sometimes get in the way of the good points he puts across.
Reply to this

Posted by Thom @ 13 Jul : 12:21

Nice article, stav. I'll agree that Portsmouth and Vill are our closest rivals now, as I agree with 99% of the points regarding the other clubs that you mentioned.

As long as they keep spending money on has-beens and underperforming stars then Everton should be able to capitalise.
Reply to this

Posted by Londontoffee @ 13 Jul : 12:55

Well written. Perhaps a tad over optimistic. We have a first team but what happens when the injuries kick in!
Reply to this

Posted by BluForever @ 13 Jul : 17:15

Good read that mate.

I'm surprised to be honest, you seem to have changed into positive man. I agree with pretty much everything there.

I think a good start is vital , we've had one in the last 2 seasons, so the momentum was there and that's helped us massively. The confidence should be there after 5th and 6th though.
Reply to this

Posted by Ben @ 13 Jul : 17:33

Excellent post Staveros. It's not like me to agree with you but I think every part of it is spot on, possibly apart from Man City under Hughes, but it remains to be seen if he can get his ideas in motion early enough to really challenge for 4th place this season.
Reply to this

Posted by Toffeeheaven @ 14 Jul : 04:09

Excellent post that Stav a thoroughly enjoyable read . I totally agree with what you say there, though personally I think Spurs are gonna be the biggest threat to us this season, I know they spent big last year and did naff all, but under Juande Ramos they are a totally different proposition methinks.

Good luck with Jessica by the way

Reply to this

Posted by Blue Heaven @ 14 Jul : 04:28

Great post Stav, I agree with your views on the lack of transfer activity thus far amongst other things. Very funny as well!
Reply to this

Posted by Alastair @ 14 Jul : 14:49

Who are you and what have you done with our Stav?
Reply to this

Posted by Olli @ 16 Jul : 15:30

pure shite lad

only jokin, good read that man
Reply to this

Posted by staveros @ 17 Jul : 15:29

thankyou for the comments everyone, you see I can be normal when I want

Reply to this

You must be logged in to post comments on this site - please either log in or if you are not registered click here to signup

Other News

Bern boss knows nothing

Opening day defeat for kids

SAF backs 'Walk for Rhys'

Ossie happy with kids

One last push