The Sunday Times predicts

[Pablo]

To be honest, I think Everton are better than those 3.

Me too. I think some are coming across as a little smug here and might be underestimating Everton a little bit.

[The_weatherman]

To be honest, I think Everton are better than those 3.

I think their first XI is stronger but their squad is very thin is IMO needs freshening up so it wont become stale.

[Mattshark]

I think their first XI is stronger but their squad is very thin is IMO needs freshening up so it wont become stale.

There squad size is definitely an issue, but they also have a much better manager than Bolton and Sunderland, I think Jol will do well with Fulham but it remains to be seen how much catching up his squad has to do as well.

[dww]

To be honest, I think Everton are better than those 3.

I think they are a solid team but without a striker coming in then they will struggle for goals again. I don't think 7th is as laughable as some and I'd agree that none of those other teams suggested seem conclusively to have improved enough for you to be certain of them stepping up.

Below the top 6 the table will be very congested again IMO.

[The_weatherman]

Not sure you can really put Carroll on a par with Silva, Tevez etc.

I have to admit, I did kind of count overlook Tevez, if they keep him and keep everyone happy they have a very potent attacking three in Aguero, Silva and Tevez but I think Suarez, Downing, Carroll and Gerrard can also be pretty devastating. I just don't think there is as much between us as I thought. I think teams will really hate playing against Carroll and Suarez this season.

[The_weatherman]

There squad size is definitely an issue, but they also have a much better manager than Bolton and Sunderland, I think Jol will do well with Fulham but it remains to be seen how much catching up his squad has to do as well.

Of course none of this written stone, this only what I think now, in all likelyhood I will think something else next week.

[PTP]

yup i think everton would have to have perfect season to finish 7th

They'd need a pretty much injury free year, some luck, other teams around them to **** up and maybe from somewhere, they have someone who emerges and has a bit a inspired run of form.

this is their current squad from WIKI

1 GK Ján Mucha
2 DF Tony Hibbert ****e
3 DF Leighton Baines
4 DF Joseph Yobo ****e
5 DF John Heitinga
6 DF Phil Jagielka
7 MF Diniyar Bilyaletdinov
8 FW Louis Saha injury prone
10 MF Mikel Arteta (vice-captain)
15 DF Sylvain Distin
16 FW Jermaine Beckford ****e
17 MF Tim Cahill (vice-captain)
18 DF Phil Neville (captain)
19 FW Magaye Gueye
20 MF Ross Barkley
21 MF Leon Osman
22 FW Yakubu Aiyegbeni
23 DF Séamus Coleman
24 GK Tim Howard
25 MF Marouane Fellaini
26 MF Jack Rodwell
27 FW Apostolos Vellios
28 FW Victor Anichebe ****e
29 FW João Silva
30 DF Shkodran Mustafi
33 MF Adam Forshaw
34 DF Shane Duffy
37 FW Jose Baxter
38 MF James Wallace
40 FW Conor McAleny

I've highlighted what i would call their 1st team squad - 19 players....5 of which are ****e, 1 is very injury prone

[Timmy Testijowels]

To be honest, I think Everton are better than those 3.

The problem with Everton is their lack of signings. You cant go season after season without signing and expect to compete properly. Everything gets a little stagnent. Eventually it will bite you in the arse. They have some good players but theirs no competition for these players and they'll get laxadaisy. Sunderland i think will have a good season. Sessignon will be big for them this year

[PTP]

also whilst i am having a little dig at everton

their first home game of the season...tickets are on general sale for £30



Oh - i'll also add - I reckon they will lose one of either Baines or Jagielka

[Timmy Testijowels]

also whilst i am having a little dig at everton

their first home game of the season...tickets are on general sale for £30

haha hopefully the paint will have of dried on the seats by then. What a crock of ****

[Exiled_red]

Are Everton still needing to sell someone? There were rumours they needed to sell at least one big player to stay afloat, has this turned out not to be the case of have I missed something?

[ronanm]

Are Everton still needing to sell someone? There were rumours they needed to sell at least one big player to stay afloat, has this turned out not to be the case of have I missed something?

I heard something about that too. Wouldn't mind Fellaini (despite that tackle a couple of seasons ago)

[PTP]

i think...they've just about coping but there is no way they will sign anyone without selling and the evertonians i know have been saying stuff like the club were hoping for a £20m bid for Rodwell - £10m was to be spent on three players and £10m into the bank.

[PTP]

I heard something about that too. Wouldn't mind Fellaini (despite that tackle a couple of seasons ago)

first pick would be baines (swap for Insua)

then Jagielka (swap for the Greek)

then fellaini (swap for Poulsen)


we'd be pretty close to being sorted then

[The_weatherman]

Isn't Fellaini very injury prone like Saha, think he supposedly never manages more than three games in a row. Cahill is getting on a bit as well as Neville. But I guess you never know with Moyes.