Monday night Premiership match abandoned --- Liverpool v West Ham United

Due to volcanic ash disrupting flights all across Europe, Liverpool have announced that they have had to reluctantly abandon their home game v West Ham United, which was set for Monday night. The club have calculated that only 1.2% of their current roster of season ticket holders would be able to make it to Britain, for the Monday night game.

NO KIRKBY - Everton FC plan for Kirkby stadium rejected by the Government

Just a fucking mirage.

Everton FC plan for Kirkby stadium rejected by the Government

Everton's hopes of a move to a new ground at Kirkby have been dashed by public inquiry.

The news will be a major setback to Kenwright, who viewed the £400 million project as crucial to the our aim of providing more transfer funds for Moyes and help the side break into the Premier League's so-called "Big Four."

The decision to move to Kirkby, as part of a development involving Tesco, was made after the ballot of supporters, the majority of whom, decided to proceed.

Keep Everton In Our City, a vocal pressure group, warned that by moving to the outskirts of Merseyside, the club risked losing ground to the shyte.

The club have stated many times, that it is not feasible to develop the current Goodison Park ground, primarily because it is locked-in by residential streets.

So, to put it as scientifically and philosophically as I can at hearing this news, "What the fuck is it going to be now?"

Everton transfer rumour: may Defour be with you?

This is an unconfirmed rumour only at this stage...

Steven Defour [21] the Belgian Standard Liège player is rumoured to have signed for Everton. He is highly regarded as a creative play-maker, with outstanding vision

For the 2007–08 season, despite being only 20 years old at the time, the right-sided Belgian international was Standard's captain.

Defour said:

"...in training I've become a better player by working with players like Conceição and Rapaić. They give me advice, but they also listen to me. I've already criticized Conceição. Sérgio accepts my criticism as he realizes I am a good player."

During the 2007–08 season Defour received the Golden Shoe, the official award for most valuable player in the Belgian League, of the year 2007. The form that won him this award would continue as Defour led Standard to the Jupiler League title, for the first time in 25 years.

Lets hope the source is correct!

Transfer latest: Johnny on the spot

Welcome to Johnny Heitinga, we have completed the c.£5m signing of the Dutch international right-back. We have him on a long term deal [5 years I think] for c.£5m [rising to c.£7m depending upon appearances]. He will wear the number 5 shirt. After signing he boarded a plane back to Holland to link up with his International team mates. The deal he is reportedly one which makes make him the highest paid player on the books.

He said,

"The clubs came to an agreement about the transfer, however Atletico didn't want me to leave. I am a first team regular and feel very appreciated by the club."

Heitinga, who has nearly 50 dutch caps ["dutch caps" as in Holland appearances], can play at centre-back and is in possession of the versatility so highly prized at Everton these days.

He becomes the fourth new arrival at Everton over the summer, following the return-loan signing of Jo, the c.£9m arrival of Lokomotiv winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and the c.£5m acquisition of Distin.

Everton CE, Robert Elstone said:
"We are pleased the deal has been completed to get John into Everton. He is a very experienced player having played at both Ajax and Atletico Madrid and I know David Moyes is looking forward to getting him started."

A graduate of Ajax’s academy, Heitinga made his senior debut at 17 and went on to establish himself as a regular for the Amsterdam side, spending five years playing alongside Steven Pienaar before the South African left for Borussia Dortmund.

His career to date:

2001–2008 Ajax
2008–2009 Atletico Madrid

Distin arrives for medical

Sylvain Distin will undergo a medical in the city today ahead of a move to Everton. Photograph: Barry Coombs/EMPICS Sport/PA Photos

We have agreed a deal to sign the defender Sylvain Distin from Portsmouth, subject to a medical taking place this afternoon. It will be our first signing since the £22m [plus potentially some GBP2m more] windfall following the sale of Lescott to Man City

The fee involved has not been officially disclosed, but 31-year-old Distin has agreed a three-year contract. I think it will be around 3 or 4 million quid. As he will be effectively a like-for-like replacement that will leave us with some 18 million 'up.'

Can't argue with it, looks like a good bit of business.

"Bily" from Russia with Love [for Everton] and Distin is next

We have signed Russian midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov from Lokomotiv Moscow for an undisclosed fee.

Christ knows what we’re going to shout from the terraces when that name is first chanted… “Bily” perhaps?

The 24 y.o. has got 28 caps and has come on a 5 year deal.

He said,

"It is a dream to play for a big club like Everton and I know that the Premier League is the best league in the world. I spoke to David Moyes on Monday and he told me he is looking forward to working with me - and I am looking forward to working with him. I am looking forward to playing in the league and in the Europa League and helping Everton to win things. I know Everton has big players and a big history, and I know the club is 131 years old and has good traditions. I know about Everton's players and I know Jo from when he played in the Russian league. I also know that Andrei Kanchelskis played for Everton. Andrei is a hero for all people in Russia so I am very happy to know that he has played for a club like Everton."

“A big club like Everton,” Benitez and Hughes take note.

He is ineligible for the Europa League play-off, second leg with Sigma and is unlikely to be available for Sunday's game against Wigan [h].

He is 6’1” and left-footed player is set to malke his first start at Fulham on 13th September. He is known for his direct running style and leadership skills, which resulted in him being made captain.

He helped Lokomotiv clinch their second Russian league title in his debut season and was rewarded with the league's young player of the year award.

He made his debut for Russia as the age of 20 and played in every game during their run to the Euro 08 semi-final. He played in 10 of Russia's 12 qualifying matches for the tournament, including the two games against England.

When we have full a fitness, first choice squad, its going to perhaps be Pienaar on the right, Bily on the left, Arteta centre with possibly Neville in a holding role. Cahill can then go into his ultra-dangerous forward position with Yakubu. I can see Fellaini and Saha being very regularly interchangeable, with the players in that list.

With Bily secured and Valencia’s Argentinian, Banega all but complete, our focus has now turned to refurbishing our defence. “Just” a Lescott replacement now and we’re sorted. My money would now be on Sylvain Distin. A fee in the region of £5.5m is being negotiated with Portsmouth, whom he left Man City for a couple of years ago.

Deal done: Lescott to Man City for GBP 24m

So said Sky, and they should know. In fact around an hour after this post was published, Man City announced it here.

Go back to this time last year... 24m for Lescott would be laughable, he had a poor start and would have deserved it had he been relegated to the reserves.

Will we be given the money to spend though? Almost certainly not. I reckon the maximum we'd be allowed to spend would be 50% of profit. I think Wolves will claw back 2.5m and that leaves a touch over 10m probably. We are a net seller, not investor, Everton is not in the business of investment, for the present.

If he can stand the thought of leaving Everton, then we can stand up to losing him.

TRANSFERS: one in and another on the way.

Moyes is now looking at Spartak winger Bystrov after acquiring Banega. We have targeted Spartak Moscow winger Vladimir Bystrov after getting the nod on a work permit for Valencia midfielder Ever["ton"] Banega.

There were arses flapping over Banega's application because he has not played in 75 per cent of Argentina's international games over the last two years, winning only three senior caps so far. Our solicitor successfully argued for the permit to be approved during a hearing at the Premier League HQ in laahndan. Banega, who failed to settle in Spain after a £15m transfer from Maradona's old club, Boca Juniors, a couple of years ago, will now move to us on a season-long loan with the option of a permanent deal next year. This is the loan talked about in the "Everton Blog" exclusive a few days ago. Moyes now hopes to finalise a £8.5m+ deal for Bystrov...

Transfer stuff [2 signings this week] including Manchester City's "new money" crassness and that Arsenal match,

I have heard from a good source, the same one who told me about us signing Fellaini a full hour before the news broke, that we are in for some good news this week. Monday or Tuesday, we are to announce two signings. One is a loan but the other is a big money one... the story goes that he is a centre back.

First and foremost about yesterday, Arsenal were amazing and we were equally but oppositely amazing, amazingly shite. The referee [Halsey] was astoundingly awful and should be ashamed of himself too. But, it's only one game and it occurred in the rarefied atmosphere of being the opener, so I'm not going to get hysterical. Good Arsenal blog article here.


Contrary to what Mark Hughes asserts, City have not done things the right way. They have shown the brassy arrogance, so often associated with "new money." Think Richard Pryor in "Superman III," when he turns up to work in a Ferrari. Hitherto I have quite liked Man City as an organisation but I think their Lescott methodology has lost them a lot of decent friends. The Lescott imbroglio has obviously affected the squad and shot our confidence. Prior to yesterday, I was all for him staying, but honestly, if he's going to play like a tw@ and be a liability, then perhaps the "stay" camp need to accept that it may be the wisest move to sell the man at his peak, pocket the £22m and try our damnedest to properly and professionally attract and acquire Steven Taylor [Newcastle] or Matthew Upson [West Ham Utd] - who to me, are the obvious replacement choices [see my "news" above].


Terry Fuckwit [of "Viz" fame]

I was so pissed off yesterday when I got home after the match, that I was tempted for a second or two, to put a Lescott "stay or go" poll up on the site, but it wouldn't be right to do that about a current Everton player, so it won't be happening. For the same reasons, I didn't boo him yesterday at any stage, even though several thousand did, in the early stages of the match.

When it comes right down to it, only Moyes knows what to do for the best about the Lescott situation and all the blogs, terrace shouts and news articles in the world won't sway his expert judgement. I'm sure that his mind has been made up for a while already.

Finally, Pienaar and Fellaini looked ready for a match and up for it, whilst all of the others seemed to be positioned within the darker end of the performance spectrum, lying between "off the boil" [i.e. Yobo] and "plain disinterested" [Lescott].

Footnote.

you know what can what happen to Ferraris if you're not very careful to treat them with the respect they command.

Everton v Arsenal 15-8-09

Everton make an difficult start to the new campaign with one of the toughest matches on the card. Arsenal have mainly suffered big name losses [Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City] in the close season. Like us, they have not made many new acquisitions. They bought Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen who should face a torrid time against the multi-dimensional threats of Cahill and Fellaini. The sensational Andrei Arshavin will return to Goodison after his UEFA cup visit with Zenit St Petersburg last season.



Arsenal have won more opening day ties than any other side in the league [11]. The Gunners have never conceded more than one goal in their opening matches in the past 16 years.

We've all been frustrated by the the failure to bring in a number of targets including Kyle Naughton who went to Spurs. Jo has returned on loan to provide some outrageous hairstyles and aid the attack, he scored 5 goals in his 12 league games last season. There has been news of him suffering an injury...

Moyes told the official website:
"When Jo went over on his ankle, we didn't really think it was that bad and we hope that he is going to be okay for the weekend. He is back running now but is only doing straight line work. He's not twisting and turning yet but we hope to do that kind of work with him in the next couple of days."

At the time of publishing, there is a continuing off-field distraction, we are still resisting the disappointingly ungentlemanly approaches of Man City’s hunt of Lescott.

Remember, we only lost one game last year, we're not at all in the habit of losing at home.

Everton Blog prediction: Everton 2:1 Arsenal