It is now time to switch to a new Money AM football blog as the world cup is now over and we all look to the future.....World cup 2010 is over, Bravo Espana, and Forlan, once again and bring on the new season !.....I never expected the last thread to be such a success...thanks all.... so this new one might go on for years without the need to edit the title...we shall see...

And he makes one very good point, the best team will win the league. What a brilliant deduction LOL!!! You came 7th last season. Already Van God is bemoaning he has a broken team and will be lucky to break into the top four.

Are Everton the third-best team in the League now?
by Geoffrey Caveney | 01/08/2014 Comments (103) jump
With Lukaku signed and hopefully Atsu and/or Guardado on the way, where do Everton honestly rate among the best teams in the Premier League going into the 2014-15 season?

Taking an objective look at the league, we probably have to admit that Manchester City and Chelsea appear to have the strongest sides. But can any other club really claim to rate clearly higher than Everton now?

There is good reason to believe that all Southampton’s horses and all Southampton’s men can’t put the RS together again, after the departure of Suarez. Their attack has lost its…bite.

Nothing that Arsenal and Man Utd have done looks like a dramatic improvement. Van Gaal is even making excuses already, saying how difficult it is to sort out the mess that Moyes left him, how unbalanced his squad are, and so forth.

And are the Spurs even in the discussion anymore?

I think a 3rd place finish is a quite realistic goal for Everton this season.

For the betting types, I notice that for a “Tricast” bet for 1st Chelsea, 2nd Man City, 3rd Everton, one can get odds of 225 to 1 or as much as 400 to 1, and for 1st Man City, 2nd Chelsea, 3rd Everton, 225 to 1 or as much as 500 to 1. A small bet on each of these outcomes might not be a bad wager to make right now!

back Return to Talking Points index : Add your Comments back

Reader Comments
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer


Sam Morrison
1 Posted 01/08/2014 at 16:18:36 Maybe it's because I'm an Evertonian, but it worries me when people start thinking this way. We haven't even played a game yet. I'm as excited as anyone - ok, almost anyone - about the new season, but lets take it one game at a time.
Lyndon Lloyd
2 Posted 01/08/2014 at 16:12:28 Realistically, I don't think we're there yet. Even if we sign Christian Atsu and he proves to be a replacement for Gerard Deulofeu in terms of his contribution, we're only as good a team as we were last season but with the benefit of having a settled Lukaku from the beginning of the season.
For me, we still lack a world-class attacking midfielder to rotate with Barkley, Pienaar and Osman and who can provide Lukaku with the ammunition that was clearly lacking at times last season, particularly against teams that dug in and put men behind the ball.

I'd be surprised if Martinez is done for the transfer window, though, so we may have a clearer answer to your question at the end of the month.

Dean Adams
4 Posted 01/08/2014 at 16:23:09 Optimistic Geoffrey. Excellent to have such courage of your conviction. I wish, I hope for a return to more glorious days for our club. Alas I fear that there is always something around the corner that will cause us pain. It is almost always the same, but good positive thinking is no sin. Believe brothers, it might just be time for the mighty blue mersey to rise from the ashes!!
Kunal Desai
5 Posted 01/08/2014 at 16:25:24 I still think the likes of Chelsea, Man City and Arsenal have strength in depth and the quality to go with it. 4th? perhaps, much will depend on how much further business Man Utd and Spurs do between now and the end of the window and whether Liverpool's signings all gel together from the start.
Dave Lynch
6 Posted 01/08/2014 at 16:32:41 If we finish 3rd at the end of the season then yes. It's a results game and as mentioned we havn't kicked a ball in anger yet.
Chad Schofield
7 Posted 01/08/2014 at 16:27:23 I think Man U will have a resurgence this season, in the same way Liverpool last season without Europe did well. Arsenal and Tottenham have not really changed, but Tottenham may have solidified.
All that said, maybe it's Roberto, but I believe we can be there or there abouts.

Darryl Ritchie
8 Posted 01/08/2014 at 16:23:07 Not quite yet. We're a promising side, which is going to cause a lot of opposition managers to lose sleep before a match, but, I think we're a couple quality players short. There's still time for RM in this transfer window to pull something out of his hat, so you never know.
Consistency is going to be the key. We have to beat teams we're supposed to beat, and surprise a few of the ones we're not. Every one knows what to expect from us now, so we won't be surprising anybody this season. It will be harder just to repeat what happened last season.

Antony Matthews
9 Posted 01/08/2014 at 16:33:43 If OFM, was still in charge our target would have been 40 pts. What a difference in 12 months! A certain ceiling is cracking and we must be prepared to be the first through it.The stadium hopefully will follow and the good times will return. Football swings in roundabouts and our time will come again. IRWT!
Andrew Ellams
10 Posted 01/08/2014 at 16:41:57 We are now a mid table team in a seven-team mini league at the top of the Premier League. Luck will have a lot to do with where we finish and not necessarily our luck. We need to be prepared to go for the jugular when those around struggle with bad form or injuries and fight tooth and nail when things go against us.
Paul Ellam
11 Posted 01/08/2014 at 16:44:44 In terms of being one of the best I honestly believe we are a top 7 side but capable of being a top 4 side.
If we stay consistently good we could do it but it's a lot to ask , there are 6 other sides all wanting to do the same and we can't all be top 3!
Fingers crossed though.



Last blog above puts it in a nutshell gf. Consistancy is the key.

What a load of tripe Chris.

Van Utd will win the league.

Consistancy my god weve won the premiership year after year more than I can remember.

You asked for my opinion, I gave it. But like any other subject or discussion on any thread if it doesn't agree with yours it's tripe. GF your a knob head and have become a bigger gobshite and bore than Fred. Go and fuck yourself! Knock yourself out and take the whole bottle :0)

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh grow up chris shouting your mouth off. Your acting like a holigan. Seems to me your the one whos been on the hard stuff .....yet again.

Big scandal coming with Fifa having to end Quatar's 2022 bid....and they might suspend 2018 pending Ukraine crisis ending...(believe that you will believe anything)...you see the problem is this....world cup coming up just 6 months to go and plaf !... a russian aircraft is downed , no survivors...now the insurance companies for Fifa are not going to be pleased...so Fifa have to decide very soon : do we cancel or no ?....Sepp Blatter is on the brink of resignation.....this is not the first time that world cup venues have been decided with dodgy means...

The first of many, we might be unbalanced but we know how to win....... it was easy Real Madrid amongst them. Alls back to normal, champions for us, 3rd from bottom for Everton.

United claim Champions Cup
Last Updated: August 5 2014, 9:58 BST

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/165/9406902/international-champions-cup-final-manchester-united-beat-liverpool-3-1-in-miami

easy easy easy easy easy easy,

ps, pulling your legs, should be tightest preimership in history.

Fabulous!! great start for your new manager.



Oh but hang on a mo ........ David Moyes won a trophy prior to the start of Premier League last season. Hope your not superstitious gf LOL!!!!

It is Chris, dont think for one minute these were just the normal freindly, Man Utd have banked millions from the trip. Money for winning each match and then money for winning the final.

In fact sources say it covers all revenues lost for not qualifying for Europe.

Everton forward Steven Naismith already has plenty of fans across Liverpool. He's about to get many, many more.

In a classy move, the Scottish international has decided to spend his wages benevolently. He'll be purchasing Everton tickets for distribution in Liverpool for unemployed fans.

He attributed his decision (h/t Metro) to his similar upbringing to those in Liverpool.

I come from Ayrshire in the West of Scotland and spent a lot of my life in Glasgow—a city that, at times, has suffered from high unemployment.

Liverpool has a similar history and I am aware that, through no fault of their own, there are many unemployed in Liverpool trying hard to find a job and may not be able to afford a ticket.

I thought this might be a small gesture to help those in that situation to enjoy a day out at one of our league matches. Hopefully it can bring some joy to many people.

I have asked the Jobcentre Plus if they could give the tickets to different job centres across the city each week and select people who are unemployed through no fault of their own, are trying to find employment and who would enjoy watching a Premier League football match.

Every day I feel very fortunate for the opportunities and lifestyle my job as a footballer has afforded my family and me and also to be in the position where I can help the community in some small way.

It's not the first time Naismith has shown his charitable side. In 2012, he paid for homeless in Liverpool to have Christmas lunch.

[Metro]


Now that is class!

Yep agreed total class, well done that man.

Should be more around like that and not Rooneys who just want to stuff money into their bank accounts.

Im hearing Van God may pick him as captain, I hope not.

Van Persie should be captain.

Cardiff on Sky tonight and Tuesday.

Probably be about 5-5 draw given the massive options we have going forward and the total lack of anyone who can defend besides Marshall in goal.

Might not win the league but can't see any other team coming close to us in the total amount of goals we score and concede which is much more enjoyable to watch than the boring crap we played under Malky.

Blackburn R. Vs Carduffers.. Is this a non-league fixture -):

Best of luck Dil, hoping you draw all your games on the basis that we can both enjoy some banter again next season, after we do our dignified retreat back down again of course.

Draw as predicted but not the goal fest I expected. Looked comfortable when 1-0 up but Whittingham's cock up turned the game. Fair result and Conway who joined them from us in the summer deservedly won man of the match.

That could be the point that clinches promotion come May and with a few more players available for next weeks game my undying optimism remains intact.

Joint 2nd from bottom this late in the season.. your doomed I tell ya doomed.

"That could be the point that clinches promotion come May".. You must be on the pop -):

Draw away win at home , write off 8 points (bad day at the office) and we win the league with 84 points.

See you up there next year , PL I am now a WBA and Burnley fan so good luck to both.

"PL I am now a WBA and Burnley fan so good luck to both.".. Welcome to fan base -):

Rooney Captain gf, all your nightmares have come true. LOL!!!!

Decent choice. Ideally I would have preferred it the other way round, Fletcher as captain and Rooney as vice-captain but happy either way. An in-form Wayne Rooney is as good as any player in the PL so hopefully being awarded the captaincy should get the best out of him. Congrats Wayne.
• Reply•Share ›
Avatar
Xmartinez59 • 34 minutes ago
and Wayne's reaction was: 'There is a captain-related bonus, right?'
1 • Reply•Share ›
Avatar
HotAirConditioning • 34 minutes ago
The Emperor's New Clothes have had a new elasticated arm accessory added.
1 • Reply•Share ›
Avatar
steelwheelsandflattyres • 35 minutes ago
If they are that desperate that they have had to appoint a man with a bad wig as team captain then it seems the Dutch mercenary may be out for most of the season again. I Knew they should have offered £40 million for Ricky Lambert.
1 • Reply•Share ›
Avatar
mike1222 • an hour ago
Rooney captain? How low will this club sink?
3 • Reply•Share ›
Avatar
thelastsatrap • an hour ago
Hahahaha!
4 • Reply•Share ›
Avatar
berrypatel • an hour ago
Not that it matter to a Team heading for league 2 but with the oil glut I predicted some months ago now a reality. http://www.ukcig.info/
• Reply•Share ›
Avatar
powerup berrypatel • an hour ago
Are you broke berry?
• Reply•Share ›
Avatar
powerup • 2 hours ago
Must have been a clause in his contract. I blame Moyes.
1 • Reply•Share ›
Avatar
Christopher Mooney • 2 hours ago
Only reason Rooney is there is United blocked his moves. Let's be honest.

He'd have left years ago, if he could
1 • Reply•Share ›
Avatar
Christopher Mooney • 2 hours ago
What a joke - how many times has Rooney tried to get out of United!?
2 • Reply•Share ›
Avatar
Marago • 2 hours ago
Anyone who watches football after what we saw this summer, deserves to be ripped off and I have no sympathy for those who lose......(Unfortunately someone has to win...)
1 • Reply•Share ›
Avatar
rbags • 2 hours ago
He is the best of a bad bunch. Rewind tens years and Van Gaal would have been spoilt for choice
1 • Reply•Share ›
Avatar
carollie • 2 hours ago
Just because granny lover is captain it does not make him any more committed to Utd. Remember Vidic?? It's all about money. A committed Rooney is absolutely NOT one of the World's best players. It just means he runs about more.
10 • Reply•Share ›
Avatar
slugmandrew • 2 hours ago
Translation: "Wayne Rooney's ego is so big that if I don't make him captain he'll probably throw a hissy fit and have a crap season".
6 • Reply•Share ›
Avatar
Dave • 2 hours ago
"It is a great honour for me to be named captain of this fantastic club.......now can I have some more money". The United Way.
10 • Reply•Share ›
Avatar
yoyoegg • 3 hours ago
Canny, a fan-pleasing puppet as 'captain' without a thought in his head, while van Gaal keeps total control
7 • Reply•Share ›
Avatar
Nobby • 3 hours ago
Smart move to make Fletcher vice captain.
1 • Reply•Share ›
Avatar
carollie Nobby • 2 hours ago
why? he's utter pony
2 • Reply•Share ›
Avatar
Artorius Revisited • 3 hours ago
Surprised he didn't choose RVP but I respect LVG's decision. A committed Rooney remains one of the world's best players.
4 • Reply•Share ›
Avatar
afterglow Artorius Revisited • 2 hours ago
Exactly - like the ball he committed to Row Z from the corner flag at the World Cup.

Pure class.

Less.
12 • Reply•Share ›
Avatar
NiPar Artorius Revisited • 2 hours ago
His only other competition was the injury prone duo of V Persie and Fletcher, so it doesn't surprise me. I just think that the extra responsibility will take an edge off his game which he needs to have to be in his best form.
1 • Reply•Share ›
Avatar
anfield5 Artorius Revisited • 3 hours ago
Rooney is only committed to Rooney.
14 • Reply•Share ›
Avatar
Sparzo • 3 hours ago
Fantastic. Another spot on decision by L. Van Gaal. Rooney will take any opposition by the jugular and shake them until they give in.
Personally I had thought uncle Roy would have made him captain when he got the England job, instead he went for the safe, pass sell by dates. Bland is what we got.
Hopefully he would not be looking at Lampard or Carrick for the England Captaincy.
• Reply•Share ›
Avatar
This comment was deleted.
Avatar
steelwheelsandflattyres coges • 33 minutes ago
Not if it makes my tram late.
• Reply•Share ›
Avatar
coges • 3 hours ago
Not that it matter to a Team heading for league 2 but with the oil glut I predicted some months ago now a reality, it will be interesting to see the Qatars scramble to try and get some money out of their noisy neighbours, City as the price of oil drops below $80.
I wish I was a Liverpool fan-------- "pinch"--------- oh I am am,Goodie ,Goodie Gum drops.
2 • Reply•Share ›
Avatar