Tuesday 27 July 2010, 08:39
by Matthew Gamble @efc_mattgamble
The views on this page are taken from the local and national media and do not necessarily reflect the views of Everton.
Magaye Gueye can become Everton's secret weapon in the new season by keeping opposition defenders guessing, says David Moyes.
The 20-year-old Frenchman can operate on the left wing or up front and has already showed flashes of class in pre-season games since completing his £900,000 summer transfer from Stras-bourg.
Gueye scored against Brisbane Roar during the club's tour of Australia, and impressed again during Saturday's 3-0 win over Preston North End at Deepdale.
The French U-21 international has also played for his country in a central midfield role, and Moyes said: "We're not nailing him down in any particular role at present. We're still finding the way we think will be best suited to him."
First team coach Jimmy Lumsden was also excited by Gueye's livewire performance against Moyes' former club. The Scot said: "Gueye's a good talent. He's quick, he's got a great first touch, and I think he's going to be able to play in a few positions.
"It's hard to tell with pre-season games but we're pleased with our fitness - obviously the gaffer is pleased with the passing and the movement, and the goals are a benefit.
"I thought that (Saturday's victory over Preston) was our best performance. I thought we passed the ball very well and then the goals made the difference."
Lumsden also took heart from two well-taken goals from another summer recruit, former Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford.
He said: "Beckford is a goal scorer, he definitely is.
"His movement inside the box is his big asset, and if you can get the ball in the box, I think he'll finish.
"Louis scored a great goal and I thought he played really well.
"His touch and his movement, I thought he was great.
"Beckford's movement in the box - the way he moved forward then he pulled off to get the second goal - that's his big asset."
Meanwhile, Marouane Fellaini is set to return to training this week. Although it is unlikely the Belgian midfielder will be match-fit in time for the opening game of the campaign at Blackburn on August 14, Moyes will welcome him back gratefully.
The 22-year-old missed the final three months of last season after undergoing surgery on a serious ankle injury sustained in the Anfield derby.
"He's probably two or three weeks away from playing," said Moyes.
Elsewhere, Landon Donovan has tipped Jack Rodwell to reinvigorate the English national side after their dismal World Cup campaign. The former Everton loan star said: "I think, along with Wayne Rooney, Jack really is the future of England.
"Following England‘s World Cup campaign, I know the coach is being urged to bring through young blood
"I really believe Jack could rejuvenate this England team.
"I don‘t give out false praise but this young guy really is a future world-beater.
"I am sure he can make the same impact for club and country that Wayne [Rooney] and David [Beckham] have - that‘s really how good he is.'
EVERTON Tigers will be known as Mersey Tigers next season after the football club withdrew their support for the British Basketball League outfit.
It brings to an end the Blues' three-year association with the basketball side who were formerly known as Toxteth Tigers.
Everton heavily reduced the amount of cash they were putting into the Tigers last summer and have now decided to sever all ties.
As a result the BBL Play-Off champions will be relaunched as Mersey Tigers with former chairman Gary Townsend returning to take over as owner and full-time managing director.
Townsend was instrumental in the launch of Everton Tigers as a professional club back in 2007 in his role as chief executive of the Everton Foundation.
He left Goodison and stood down as Tigers chairman in September 2009 after being appointed chief executive of League Two side Notts County.
The 37-year-old worked closely with director of football Sven Goran Eriksson but quit Meadow Lane back in February as the club's financial problems deepened.
Now he's back in Merseyside and relishing the chance to ensure the basketball side build on the progress that's been made in recent years.
"We've had significant support from Everton since the club was launched but now the time has come to start a new, exciting era," Townsend said.
"We maybe losing our association with Everton but this name change opens the club up to the other half of the city. I'm sure the fact we were so closely aligned with the Blues put some off on the red side of the city. But this is a sport for everyone and hopefully being Mersey Tigers will enable us to attract even more supporters.
"I'm confident we can secure the club's financial future by increasing our sponsorship revenues. I'm hoping to announce our new sponsors and partners very soon, and I'd be happy to speak to any other interested parties."
Townsend, who boasts a wealth of experience having worked at Manchester United for seven years and five years at Goodison, has big plans for the future.
"There is so much potential," he added. "We've already had 5,000 fans at the Echo Arena for a game and the club has never had a full-time employee driving things forward off the court.
"This sport is great family entertainment and I've never heard anyone who has come to a game say a bad word about it. The challenge is getting people through the doors.
"I really believe in this and I know what we're capable of achieving.
"It was a real experience working at Notts County, but the well documented promised investment to take the club to the promised land failed to appear.
"I moved back to Liverpool in May and then this great opportunity came up."
Martyn Best has stepped down as Tigers chairman but the director of city PR agency Paver Smith will remain involved, providing publicity and marketing support.
"Having the Everton brand gave the Tigers credibility from day one but they've proved ourselves to be a real force and are ready to go it alone," Best said. "The Tigers have gone from nothing to the second most successful basketball team in the country in three years.
"After Gary left I helped carry the club through last season and it was great to add the BBL Play-Off trophy to the BBL Cup we won the year before.
"It's a massive boost to have Gary back and with his wealth of experience I'm sure the club will go from strength to strength. I wish them well."
Coach Tony Garbelotto will remain at the helm but Townsend faces a hectic few weeks signing up players before the new season starts in early September with none of last year's squad currently under contract.
Townsend said: "There's a lot to sort out but we should have some good news for our fans over the coming weeks.
"We're also building on the community work the club has been doing with players going into local schools. We're hoping to have 30 kids signed up for our academy at Childwall School. I'm looking forward to an exiting future for Mersey Tigers."
COVENTRY have confirmed the signing of Everton striker Lukas Jutkiewicz for an undisclosed fee.
The 21-year-old, who scored 11 goals during a loan spell with Motherwell last season, has agreed a three-year deal at the Ricoh Arena and is manager Aidy Boothroyd's sixth summer signing.
Boss Aidy Boothroyd said: "We are delighted to have Lukas on board and this adds more strength to the squad.
"We wanted to enhance our attacking options and this will certainly do that. He is at the right age too, to grow and develop with Coventry City."
Boothroyd has also confirmed that veteran midfielder Lee Carsley will captain the side this season.
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The views below are submitted by registered users of evertonfc.com and do not necessarily reflect the views of Everton Football Club.
Harry Hesketh
Very promising season coming up and im very happy that we actually can rotate our squad week in week out like for example with one of the best midfields in the prem we have to pick 3 out of Arteta Fellaini Rodwell and Cahill because we will most likely be playing the 4-5-1 again with cahill behind the striker which will be rotated between 2 class strikers in saha and beckford and maybe the yak,, also we have got a really good defence in bainesy jags heitinga and nev ,, bring on the new season COYB !!
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Tuesday 27th Jul 2010 19:54
Agree with Harry?
DAVE HUNTER
Hey Kevin you left the carling cup out, ha ha
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Tuesday 27th Jul 2010 16:33
Agree with DAVE?
Kevin James
Hey johnny you left cahill out. how dare you lol!! I am buzzing about this season aswell. Champions league qualification and an f.a cup. wouldn't that be great!!!
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Tuesday 27th Jul 2010 16:29
Agree with Kevin?
DAVE HUNTER
If anyone else fancies an Everton only fantasy league click on following link and Join premier league fantasy football (it's free) http://fantasy.premierleague.com enter code 58325-82977 to join league NSNO - We have about 82 teams up to now the more the merrier
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Tuesday 27th Jul 2010 16:29
Agree with DAVE?
Colm O' Shea
well fellow evertonians. great reading all the posiitve mgs of support and belief for the coming season. all going well everyone whos been linked with moves will see these mgs and realise goodison is there home for the future not just the present. also best of luck to lee carsley on getting captains armband with coventry a great servent to us when here and always will be held in high regard. COYB!!!!
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Tuesday 27th Jul 2010 15:54
Agree with Colm?
spencer stoyle
yeah agree with others about strong squad,but a couple more additions on the cheap or free"s would add greater competition in the squad,stephen ireland good quality and hardworking a good buy i say,shawcross from stoke looks a good strong centre back,saying all that im a confident toffee this season its been a long time being able too feel positive coming to a new season coyb
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Tuesday 27th Jul 2010 14:43
Agree with spencer?
Harry Hesketh
To be honest, our squad is lookink really really strong this year with an 11 to pick from : Howard Baines Jags Yobo Heitinga Coleman Neville Hibbert Billy Arteta Cahill Rodwell Pienaar Fellaini Osman Anichebe Gueye Yak Beckford Saha Vaughan. With maybe id like to see Ben Arfa, Ireland or Onouha ,, With Donovan on loan in January and were sorted ,, Some silverware this season. COYB. IMWT.
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Tuesday 27th Jul 2010 14:21
Agree with Harry?
Johnny Jones
PS. BECKFORD, RODWELL, BAINES, JAGIELKA, OSMAN. FOR ENGLAND!!!! COYB
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Tuesday 27th Jul 2010 13:25
Agree with Johnny?
Johnny Jones
To be honest, we don't "need" anyone. Look at the squad we have. There is so much quality throughout the team. I am so excited for this season. We can seriously contend for everything this season. My team i would love to see, left to right Howard. Baines Jagielka Hietinga Coleman. Felli(DM) Bily(LM) Arteta(CAM) Pienaar(RM) Saha(SS) Beckford(CF) There are so many dif combinations that Moyesy can put out. Watch out Prem league THIS IS THE BLUE BOYS YEAR. COYB
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Tuesday 27th Jul 2010 13:22
Agree with Johnny?
Dan Nally
I think it's under 21 and trained in England for 3 years that you dont have to register in your 25-man squad, could be wrong though
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Tuesday 27th Jul 2010 13:14
Agree with Dan?