Comment: Loan Deals

Last updated : 10 January 2003 By Sean Graham

After the nightmare that was Gay Meadow, Everton boss has went about his business this week in typical fashion. Not one to take things lying down Moysie decides that the squad needs some freshening up after last weeks debacle. So he seeks out some loan arrangements from chairman Bill and opens the door to Goodison to players from all over the globe. This way of thinking has worked this season already at Everton with Joseph Yobo coming on loan then signing a permanent deal with the club so these deals are good for both club and the player.

So far this week we have had Brian McBride, Ibrahim Said, Frank Jurietti all come through the loan door and Ian Turner and possibly Colin Healy making permanent moves to the club within the next week or so. You could say that the club have acted swiftly since being knocked out of the FA Cup and they know that a place in Europe is all that is left for them this season, so they are going hammer and tongs to make sure that the squad is not left short throughout the remainder of the season.

All these new players and the news that Big Dunc is coming back to fitness now must bring a smile to David Moyes and all Evertonians faces as they face another long few months with no Cup matches to look forward to! The players that have came in or are coming in, have been linked with the club for some time now and anyone who was at the preseason tour of Scotland will know all about Ibrahim Said as he played in all three matches for the Toffees in did rather well in my opinion, so I was glad to see him get a chance to come back to pull on the Blue jersey once again. We also had another trialist called Loumboutis who I thought, in agreement with my three friends from Liverpool, Andrew and the two Tommy's, was quite a good player also. I wonder what has happened to him? Maybe Moysie has another ace up his sleeve!

Both Brian McBride and Colin Healy have been linked with the club for some time now and it was no surprise to see Brian join us on loan. We shall have to wait and see if young Colin follows him to Goodison! It is nice to see that the club are looking to give players a chance to impress and also nice to see a mixture of youth and experience that is now coming through the doors of Goodison Park these days, gone are the days of Everton signing over the hill, past it has-beens that are just coming here to pick up their last buck before retirement, the good days are coming back slowly but surely.

I would just like to welcome all the players who are coming to help the European and Everton cause this season it is much appreciated by myself and all Evertonians and of course David Moyes!

Maybe our biggest signing yet has still to come.......the name Wayne Rooney springs to mind!

Other News

Reports up in Scotland suggested that ex-Everton favourite Francis Jeffers could be about to join Glasgow Rangers on loan to the end of the season as he is not a first choice striker at Highbury have been rubbished by Rangers boss Alex McLeish.

St Mirren have offered freed Everton kid Craig Penman a trial. If the 20 year old Falkirk born midfielder impresses the Paisley club may offer him a deal if he impresses during this trial.

Former Everton midfielder Stuart McCall helped his Sheffield United team-mates to a 2-1 win over Liverpool after being a goal down in the 1st leg semi-final of the Worthington Cup .- Just thought that I would cheer you all up by mentioning that result from last night!

Just a thought about the Colin Healy deal and the fact that Everton have no involvement in any Cup competitions till next season, why don't they play Celtic as part of the deal or in a friendly anyway to give some of the new members of the squad time to adjust to playing alongside their new team mates ? Just a thought!

Best of luck to all New Everton players and the rest of the team for Sunday's live ppv match v Spurs!