Blues eye Samaras

This is the worst one, so far, this week.

Depressing.

Not good enough. He even struggled to score in Scotland this year.

For fuck sake. Watch this one be true. Although the article carries nothing, so I suspect agent talk.

Is he actually that bad?

Yes he's 29 but as a squad player out of contract with Champions League and World Cup experience??

I was impressed with Samaras the other night for the Greeks he was a leader up front for them.

I can't figure some fans out, they all want us to pay a large sum of money for imports we haven't ever really seen play just because they have a good record in a league in Belgium or some place but when a useful experienced free agent is available we don't want to know.

Samaras isn't great far from it, but he would be a useful addition to what is already a threadbare squad and this is before we have our usual mid-season injury crisis.

One word: No!

Jim.

Yes he is.

Samaras scored in five away games in the Champions League back-to-back for Celtic. He can't be that shit!

We're in the Europa League next season and we need bodies. Samaras for free leaves more cash available for the marquee striker signing we all want.

* or five successive away games - for the pedants out there.

Jon,

Less than 1 in 3 in the Scottish Sunday League.

We should be aiming higher.

Probably plums anyway.

Oh god no!

He was on nearly £936k a year at Celtic and they rated him so highly they offered him a wage cut of over £100k!
What next... giving Alan Biley a shout ?

Jim, he's not that bad.

Samaras's problem is consistency in that he failed to raise his game to play in domestic games in Scotland. In fact, Lennon often held him back to play in the European games in which he generally excelled playing from the left hand side.

Make of that what you want but I think he'd be a good addition for free as he has plenty of top level European and International experience. His wages wouldn't be high either coming from Scotland.

Where are you getting your figures from, Martin?

No thank you. On to the next one.

He was playing in the EPL a couple of seasons ago, can't remember who for though.

Man City.

His goal scoring re goals-to-games was very poor.

Man City, Eric – and the fact you don’t remember probably says it all about the impact he made.

Hell no!

His former manager said that he never knew which of the Samaras twins would turn up the lazy ineffectual player or the difficult to play against one - not good enough for the Premier League and far too sulky for Roberto's tastes I would imagine.

Beware of Greeks bearing gifts. Even if they are free!

I agree Patrick (124): Neil Lennon was on the panel for the Greeks' first game and was asked about Samaras: he more or less said he turned up when he wanted during games and was "an enigma"! Definitely not the type or standard of player we should be looking at.

We have to look away from the Scottish league unless it's for a young up-and-coming player! Naismith and McGeady haven't exactly set the world alight... Yet they were players of the season in a terrible league??

But why are we wasting time?? Put in a £20 million bid for Bony, or are we just waiting for Sky Sports to announce he's away somewhere else?? Man Utd, Man City and Chelsea all in with bids for players today yet we can't do nothing till after the World Cup?? Joke!!

Forget this one as I am sure RM has.

Of just fuck right off!

Got me swearing again.......(in his best Jack Bauer stylee) DAMN ITTTTT!

Proper hair and beard.

If we sign this guy, I give up. I love Jesus, but just don't want him on our team. He's a lazy footballer.

Judging by the usual outgoings rather than signings again at Everton so far then I'd say Samaras is looking like as one of the better options that we are aiming for.

We will no doubt spend a month trying to re-sign that Traore on loan and it won't get finalized until the end of July.

There is no sign at all that we are going to be in the bidding for 'big name' players and those commanding big fees like Wilfried Bony, this despite the money raked in last season.

It will be Traore on loan plus a couple of other free agents or loans.

Don't expect any big signings unless Barkley or Coleman are sacrificed, which wouldn't surprise any of us.

Not for me, can't say he's ever impressed.

Even on a free this seems expensive.

Martin#112, Alan Biley?! That's a throwback from the past. What a hairstyle.

I believe he is otherwise known as the white Anichebe

Just looked up his Premiership scoring record for Man City. 54 apperances.....8 goals.

Nuff said.

Scene in a newspaper office on a slow newsday; two charts one with every registered player the other every club in the world.
Sub editor to office junior "Oi you! give me a number between 1-1000"
Office junior "erm.....387"
Sub editor "Georgios Samaras-other number"
Office junior "125"
Sub editor "Everton..That's you story, sources close to Samaras, believe that are poised to bid for ....what's his name again, Sam Rhys"
Office junior "Samaras boss"
Sub editor "Whatever... OK get typin"

Denis, if you're going to use meaningless stats at least us more recent ones.

He left City 6 years ago so anything he did that long ago is hardly useful if judging him now. However, If you're interested in his time on the pitch the total of his minutes adds up less than 32 games as opposed to the 54 appearances.

Judging him by his tome at City is not logical.

Samaras was much younger and new to the British game back then, I don't think he is a great player but I think he has improved his game since he's got older.

I recall Celtic beating Barcelona two years ago, he wad impressive that night and as I say, Champions League and World Cup experience could help us next season.

We are facing a much tougher season , Martinez's second year in charge where we could face sides who know what our style of play is about and are better equipped to stop us, and three key players down, two massive losses in Barry and Lukaku, couple that with European football commitments.

We could do with as many signings as possible, squad or otherwise.

#time

Jim at 29 he has had enough time to make a name for himself and playing a couple of half decent games in the WC and half a dozen in Europe does not make him a decnt squad player even on a free.

I would much sooner get a young up and coming unknown and let them develop in the squad.

I thought we missed out big time on Lambert at 4 million.

Jay

I thought we missed a trick with Lambert too, although once he knew Liverpool were in for him there was only one place he was going,

I disagree slightly because when we have the academy I often wonder why we have to keep signing these kids such as Vellios, Gueye, Francisco Junior, Scot Spencer to name s few from recent years, if we have our own youth then we should look to blood them in and make only proven player's our signings.

John Stones and Seamus Coleman have been our only successful youngster signings from recent years, Deulofeu was a flitting passing ship in the night and although he did some good things he never really made himself the regular matchwinner that Martinez said he was going to be when he signed a year ago.

Next season I would personally like to see Stones partnering Duffy in defence more often.
There is only so much more you can keep getting from Distin, whilst Jagielka has deteriorated over the last 12 months, let's be honest, with those two at the back we will win sod all in the air again and will be having the same enquiries about conceding so many goals from setpieces once more.

McAleney should be given time on the Europa League as should one or two others.

We do need to be looking at signing proven player's though, we have our own youngsters who can save spending and wasting wages on the likes of Vellios and Gueye again.

Please no, I am Greek and I love Greek players linked to Everton. I loved Vellios played for us but please not Samaras, he is slower than a turtle...not good enough.

Well said Lakavos.

Shane and Jim - you say judging him by his time at City is not logical. I disagree.

Its the only time he's played in the Premiership and he didn't exactly set it on fire then when he was 23, I highly doubt he'll do so now approaching 30. I would argue against using his recent stats at Celtic given he was playing in a one team league (managing to score only 1 in every 3 btw - much much worse than Jelavic in his Rangers days).

The guy has the very odd good game but on the whole is very very average. Lets not let the 'he's on a free' mantra get in the way here - he would not improve the Everton team and we already got 2 'squad' strikers.

Not sure why I'm even bothering, we're (thankfully) not going to sign him anyway.

Not for me. We can do better.

Denis, I wouldn't expect him to set the EPL on fire now either just like I don't expect McGeady or Naismith to.

However, the likes of Samaras may be a useful player to have against lesser European teams and as cover for other players.

Like I said he has CL experience and he's played well at that level.

He prefers to play from the left and adds height to an attack.

He is on a free which unfortunately comes into the equation with Everton transfers whether we like it or not.

I'd welcome him on a free on a two year contract.

Naismith, Kone and Samaras? Champions league here we come! I think it sounds unlikely.

As a bench player maybe but don't think that is even near happening.

Shane - every player playing for Celtic has Champions League 'experience'.

Assuming we sign a proper (main) striker, then along with Kone and Troure, that would give us 3 senior strikers. I would then hope that we would give some game time to some of the reserve strikers if we're playing a no mark side from some 'stan country in the EL.

Again being on 'free' is not really free is it. The player will demand a signing on fee (probably 7 figures as they know the club is not paying a transfer fee) and also get a wage of probably £40k+ a week. For a fourth choice striker, I think that represents pretty poor value.

Agree with Mr Bennings first post. As a squad player id take him. Pretty sure at some point last year he was being heavily linked to Barcelona.

Wouldn't judge him on his Man City stint. From what I remember they used him as a high ball targetman, rather than giving it to his feet for dribbles or hold up which is his strength.As for his Celtic record, Mark Viduka once said he only played to 70 percent of his ability for the bhoys as he couldn't get motivated to play the likes of Motherwell etc 4 times a season.

God no.

No great shakes, but a potential bit-part squad player, if we get a couple of top-notchers.

Remember that the rules have changed since Martinez took over. There are no, repeat no free transfers. You have to add on wages, agent, VAT, depreciation, travel and subsistence for all concerned. Then think of a big number and add it on.

Not like the good old days, when free really meant free......

I'd rather we play Hibbo up front!

Takes a decent penalty!!

Please no.

He was average for Heerenveen. He was shit for Man City (apart from his brace against us). He has been lazy and inconsistent (shit for the majority of the time) in SPL. Celtic fans don't rate him and will be glad to get rid.

Can't believe some people are wanting us to sign him! Where's Lee Trundle these days?

We spent long periods of many games last season under pressure because we had no target man who could play with his back to goal and hold the ball up until support came or run the ball into the corners (to waste time).

This lad has bags of experience and is showing ability at the World Cup, if we can get him for free, snap him up!

This could be a really shrewd move by Roberto, he'd fit right into the way we play, he got vision, calm under pressure and can pass a ball.

"And Toffees boss Roberto Martinez has become the latest boss to be linked with the striker."

Meaning that the lazy journo who wrote the piece in the pub has just "linked the striker with Everton".

No meat in this butty.

In matters sartorial, it is the received wisdom that one should possess, in one's wardrobe, a classic piece of schmutter........a handmade tweed outfit perchance or something timeless in linen. Perhaps a decent pair of Trickers or Church for the feet to offset the above. It is not really clever to have a cupboard full of shell suits and battered trainers is it?

Given Mr M is a natty dresser, I hope this becomes reflected in his squad. How many questionable strikers do we need... Kone, Traore, McGeady, Naismith, Vellios even (yes, I know) McAleny. I am sure these are great guys and deserve to be applauded to the rafters but I would prefer a clearout and have two or three quality strikers to pick from.

I have to agree with fellow posters, that have mentioned inconsistency, lethargic displays and failure to make any real impact on the Prem (albeit 6 years ago).

He may well be available on a 'free' but there are wages and some sort of contract to take into consideration. I would much rather get a younger alternative, who could mature into an asset; they do exist (Seamus Coleman being a prime example).

I note also, that the link with the injury-prone Jack Rodwell has surfaced again; I am firm believer that, apart from his fitness problems, seldom does a player come back better in rejoining his original club!

It is frustrating seeing other rivals getting positive transfer activity, when we seem to be 'inactive' but, like I have said before, I trust Roberto to come up trumps and surprise us all.

Let's just hope we don't have to wait too long before the first good news materialises!

Not for me.

Robert 316, Samaras is not a target man who can play with his back to goal, so I'm not quite sure what you're getting at. I do agree with your assessment that he can run into blind alleys and waste time (and space and money).

Nowhere near good enough for this club! Not even good enough for the Prem, total crap!!

Derek Knox @ 328

His wage demands will be small compared to Lukaku's, no problems there and probably similar to Naismiths (speaking of which, what an improvement over last year. Most thought he was crap and wanted him out, but now?), give him a chance like Naismith.

I too would probably be feeling a bit lethargic having to play in the SPL year in year out.

We can't really fail if Roberto puts him on a 2 year contract. Just watch his movement and team work in the next game, he'd fit right in with us and I think you'd see a much more motivated player if he's mixing it with the big boys in our "££Glamour££" league.

This would be his last chance to earn and win things in the big time, I think he'd take it and love it.

Christopher Wallace,

How can I debate with a person who states facts as absolutes?

Yes of course you're correct (absolutely!).

I normally don't really take any notice of these rumoured signings preferring to wait and see what happens and who we do actually sign.

This one however has had me nearly frothing at the mouth. Might as well resign Bernie Wright as sign this donkey.

The thought of signing him made a tiny bit of sick pop into my mouth unexpectedly. Urgggh . Pass

They get Lallana, we get Samaras. Says it all really.

Why do we always leave it late in the transfer window? It's depressing watching other clubs sign quality players whilst we continually get linked with dross.

The more they spend might mean they're (RS) doing a Spurs and no they'll shortly have a lot of money because they're about to sell something?

Could be used in Europe with his experience and free.

But not premier league standard.

Swansea sign Gomis on a free transfer from Lyon, good player, great goal record, 56/120 games in France, and we are linked with Samaras.........wtf ???

Shane #114

Sunday Post (Scotland), he was on £18k a week and Celtic offered him £2k a week less – albeit that was later denied. But the fact that Celtic have let his contract expire says it all really.

Not good enough for Celtic, but good enough for Everton???

It's almost July and I'm getting that sinking feeling again. Lambert and Lallana to the Shite, Shaw and Herrera to United and we're rumoured to be looking at Samaras?

I know it's probably bollocks but it's still depressing.

Think back to the person that Roberto identified as his main target-Lukaku. He also has stated that nothing will be decided about the striker until after the World Cup.

I think it will only be then that we shall see signings, if that includes Lukaku who knows.

I just hope that Everton give Lukaku a time limit to make a decision and not wait until the last minute to see what happens.

If Lukaku wants to come to Everton, he will have already decided; I for one don't want to pussy-foot about allowing him to see if a "better offer" comes along.

It's never ceased to amaze me how people get the pitchforks out and start frothing at the mouth based on a link which is in all probability, a complete load of bollocks.

How many other players have we been linked with so far? How many signings have we made? Why is this linked player any different?

The transfer window still has over 2 months to run, so plenty of time for Roberto to get the players in that he wants.

As I have stated previously, Everton FC do not re-negotiate their overdraft until July and the Sky money doesn't usually go into the Bank until August so no panic yet! We have until 23:00 on 1st September before the window closes that's another 64 days away or 9 weeks of saving on new players' wages. Put another way, nearly half-a-million pounds for a player on circa £50k pw.

Why do people get so upset about us being linked to a perfectly reasonable player? Just how much cash do you think we have?

If we are linked with a player we couldn't possibly afford everyone pours scorn on the story. Yet if we are linked with anyone we could actually afford because they are cheap/free they're the worst players on the planet and not good enough for us.

Everton are not Manure, Citeh, Chelski. Arse, or the RS. We will not be buying half a dozen £20 million quid players this summer. Almost certainly we won't even be buying one. We will be once again be fishing in the shallow end of the transfer pool on the lookout for tiddlers we can hopefully grow into great white sharks.

We have European football next season, our squad is thin and we need all the bodies we can get. So let's not start pulling players to pieces just because they are cheap/free/loaners.

Frank

Please, no Sharks, mate – look at the problems they can cause for club and country.

Well, if our sharks scored as many goals for us as their shark scored for them, I'd quite happily live with whatever other problems he caused.

We were going to get our transfer business done early this summer. Pre-season training rapidly approaches and who have we signed...

A door slams shut in the wind as the tumbleweed rolls on by, the sound of a distant church bell...

Here we go again with the doom mongers and panic merchants. FFS lads we have NO control over who we're "linked" with. We (the club) DO have control over who we buy though. I suggest you stop getting "depressed" and grow a pair.

I think it's fair to say that Roberto Martinez seems to know what he's doing, on the whole, in the transfer market... so why don't we relax and leave the "depression" until the windows shut and we've bought, or loaned nobody who's any good?

If the Sun's headline tomorrow was "The sky will fall next week", half of you would be rushing out to buy tin-hats. Martinez has stated he's identified his targets. Do you trust him, or not?

At this time of the year, I am glued to the transfer rumour mill. The club across Stanley Park seem to be very busy and seem to be adding quality to an already very good squad.

Since this transfer window opened, Everton have lost loan players and have been linked to Samaras! WTF!

I am an Evertonian, but I feel that the gap between Liverpool and Everton is colossal and widening?

Am I speaking bollocks? If not Why is this? How can we bridge the gap?

Wow, a tall unmobile gangly striker... not what's needed in the modern game, in my opinion – look at the way the top two played last season.

I hope this Samaras rumour is just that: a rumour... because he's hardly one to set the pulse racing, is he?

Reading the thread last night I thought exactly what Brian 489 along with some others are saying.

We are not unfortunately one of the 'money clubs', we won't be dashing out buying a string of £20m+ players, & as Frank says we might not in fact buy any!

What happens if we go out & spend most of our transfer budget on one player, who then get badly crocked in one of the early games?

Roberto's first season will be a very hard act to follow in my opinion & we will have show patience once again.

What a godawful player... We can't be that hard up surely.

I would only sign him, if I was putting together a naff rock tribute band. Garbage.

Next thing you know, we will be signing Jo.

He's no out-and-out goalscorer – far from it – but he does score goals. He links up play nicely and is great in the air. He's a good bench player to bring on with 15 minutes to get/make a goal for the side. Defo not more than 10-a-season link-up striker though. No replacement for Rom.

How about signing Fat Frank as a squad player? Bags of European experience and top pro.

To be honest, I don’t think Liverpool have strengthened: Lambert is not a big club man and Lallana is a one-paced big fish in a small pond... and then of course there is the Suarez issue.

Chris Rudd,

Lambert: long-ball, off-the-bench option.
Lallana: frighteningly overpriced and further demonstration that St Brenda is buying his players based on his Panini sticker book.

Shaw and Herrera – £60mill for the two: one a long-term, wholly unproven media darling investment; the other, good for a couple of years until Henderson fucks off somewhere else.

How about Cambiasso on a free.

Please please please do not sign this useless clown, and that’s me being nice!! If we were to get him and I was a kid at the blues (eg, Hope or Long) I’d be off straight away. Buy a decent striker by all means but never ever buy him.

Brian Williams@489

You say, "Martinez has stated he's identified his targets. Do you trust him, or not?"

It's not whether we trust Roberto or not. The problem is if Roberto has trusted that snake oil salesman who's running the club to give him what should be the biggest transfer kitty in Everton's history. I have mentioned on another thread in a discussion with Jim Knightly that I wouldn't want our entire kitty spent on, say, Lukaku or another single player, but I would like to have seen some definite moves already to secure extra players for what is an already depleted squad with the loss of Barry, Deulofeu and Lukaku.

IF Samaras is the level we're looking at, then God help us.

Ray - agree with your spending policy and approach - i.e. don't blow the lot on one but 3,4,5 maybe. I think Lukaku would cost £27-30m which would be mega-bucks for us. Also, cover for a top 4 push required (not that fussed about Europa as it's the toughest of all the cups to win in terms of the length of the campaign.)

Don't know enough about Samaras to comment.

I have to be honest men, I’m getting very worried with some of the names we are linked with. Sameras (again) is plain shite, Barry is 33 therefore no sell on value what so ever, Kone (one of Roberto’s last signings) is 30, no chance of getting our £6m back.

What’s the score?

LFC linked with Sanchez, Shaquri, Ogiri, bought Lallana, Canne and Lambert!

Again very very worrying.

We need some younger signings with sell-on value. Maybe Rodwell if he can pass a fitness test, Cleverly if cheap enough as he’s English and relatively young, Origi would be a good signing at £6/8m and Tello either on loan or signed.

I only hope we get the funding out club/manager/players and fans all deserve.

PS I would rather aim higher on my signings but let’s be realistic.

Alan Biley.... now that takes me back, didn't he score on his debut? One of HK's not so successful buys.

Ant,

Pointless worrying about who our neighbours have bought and using it for comparison.

They will outspend us this season, they did last season. And they will every season until Uncle Bill leaves the club.

If we sign "Fat Frank", will he cease to be fat?

I'm one of those who would prefer we buy three or four decent players rather than one big name player. We just don't have the depth of squad to justify spending all of our budget on one player. My concern is that we can spend all of the cash on one player, but if the quality isn't around him, you won't ever get the full potential out of him.

Take Lukaku for example, I honestly don't think he would get the service to score the 24 or 25 goals that his price tag would make us expect him to.

The days of looking across the park to use their transfer activity as a barometer for Everton FC have long gone; they have consistently outspent the Blues for decades.

It mystifies me as to why some supporters whine and whinge about Everton FC when it is obvious to all that we don't have the cash available to compete with LFC and the other mega rich clubs in the transfer market or in the amount we can pay in wages. Time to get real and concentrate on supporting Everton FC.

No, No, No... PLEASE NO!!

I’m not sure why people compare our spending with Liverpool’s when they have consistently blown millions on massively overrated players. Of all the players they have brought in over the last 3 to 4 years since Dalglish went on his mad spending spree, I can only think of two who would really improve Everton: Coutinho and Suarez — and I wouldn’t touch Suarez with a bargepole.

And before anybody says Sturridge, wait and watch his fall from grace this season without Dracula putting chances on a plate for him.

I agree with Andrew 659, RS squad, how many from keeper to Gerrard would you take to Everton?

Keeper, maybe, Two full backs? Two centre backs? Two holding midfielders? I don't think so.

I'd rather see Brett Angel making a come back...