Sweet Success - An Everton Story

Travis' 100th Game In Management Is Most Important



At Goodison Park on Sunday the 18th May, Everton will march out against Reading in what is Joe Travis' 100th game in management. And what a dramatic day it could be.

The Toffees, who saw their unlikely title bid ended this weekend, despite a victory away at Bolton, find themselves just a point away from second placed United, who host league leaders Manchester City on the final day. However, they could also end the season in 5th place, with Liverpool and Chelsea breathing down their necks. Liverpool travel to Swansea and Chelsea to Stoke.

Everton confirm Champions League Football: Everton 4-2 Reading

Everton confirmed a 3rd placed finish today with a convincing 4-2 win over Reading.

The Toffees were 2-0 up within 12 minutes, Youssuf Mulumbu's 9th minute drive doubled by Destro's calm finish. Adam Le Fondre pulled one back before half-time, before Destro poached 2 more, to make it his 3rd hattrick of the season. Pavel Pogrebnyak's 71st minute equaliser was nothing more than a consolation as the Toffees secured Champions League Football, at the group stage, for the first time in their history.

Season Review: Everton 2013/2014

Everton's unlikely title bid faltered in the final stages, possibly due to the sheer amount of games, but that shouldn't put a damper on what was an important breakthrough season for the Toffees.

Two Wembley appearances, a European Adventure and Champions League Football, is a rich reward for a side who have finished above their Merseyside rivals consecutively, and will compete as the only Merseyside team in the Champions League, a feat which they have never accomplished.

A strikeforce blossomed in the the form of 'Jestro'. Mattia Destro enjoyed a superb first season scoring 25 league goals, with Croatian workhorse Jelavic adding another 24 goals. In all competitions the pair scored 71 goals in all competitions, and will be sought after by many clubs in the Summer, along with Adryan, who again built on his growing reputation within the game.

In terms of youth. Ryan Gauld continued his excellent development, whilst Mason Bennett was hampered by injuries. The big arrival was that of Bernard Musta, the german, signed for 1.1 million for Bayern Munchen in the summer, has recorded incredibly progress and looks a big talent.

Next season, The Toffees will have Keisuke Honda at their disposal, and potential financial investment, with champions league football added to the income. Travis will need to lure a goalkeeper, with the aging Tim Howard losing form and Jack Butland seemingly heading for the exit, as well as a right-back, with John Heitinga looking increasingly out of place at full-back.

Great updates mate. Impressive that you almost got the PL. It was pretty nice that you finally got CL qualification. I think that next year will be your year in terms of winning the PL.

2013-03-21 03:27#86254 PaukerJ : Great updates mate. Impressive that you almost got the PL. It was pretty nice that you finally got CL qualification. I think that next year will be your year in terms of winning the PL.

Cheers buddy. I think the sheer number of games got to us. Have just purchased a replacement right back and a new goalkeeper. Hopefully, with Honda that should be enough to consolidate us in the top four.

Butland Exits as Ruddy and Bellusci

Jack Butland finally sealed his exit from Goodison Park today, but was overshadowed by the return of John Ruddy and the capture of Guiseppe Bellusci.

Butland 21, has had a turbulent 2 years at Goodison Park, falling out multiple times with Joe Travis, However he was finally sold today for Stoke for 1.5 million, less than half of wat Travis paid for him 2 years ago.

Replacing Butland is John Ruddy. Ruddy, an Everton graduate, joins from Norwich for 3.6 million, a cut-price fee following Norwich's relegation. At 27, Ruddy, who has 2 caps for England, is seen as the natural successor to the aging Tim Howard.

The second confirmed signing is that of Guiseppe Bellusci, the Italian right back signing from Fiorentina for a fee of 4.2 million. Bellusci was linked to the top Italian and Spanish clubs but the Toffees have pounced early, to lure the 24 year old.

Congrats on getting into the Champions League mate, great season! I've heard great things about Bellsuci from other members, and I hope he can play well for Everton. Keep up the good work and the Title will come!

Travis fearful of losing talent



Joe Travis is fearful that Everton's impressive performance last season could see bigger clubs come in for his top talent, and admits that the Toffees still can't compete with the big clubs.

Strong rumours of Manchester United chasing Mattia Destro have surfaced, and Travis revealed the have been in touch.

"They got in contact, and we told them that whilst no-one is definitively not for sale, it's going to take something substantial to take our best goalscorer."

"I'd expect him to score even more this season, when he's got Keisuke (Honda) as well as Adryan supplying him."

Travis also acknowledged that players still need to be sold in order to bring in the top talent to ensure progression. This signals that Pedro Leon could be the one to head towards the door. The Spaniard cost 8 million a year ago but is attracting jor interest from th continent and Travis believes he could double that investment.

2013-03-22 01:00#86410 The Madridista : Congrats on getting into the Champions League mate, great season! I've heard great things about Bellsuci from other members, and I hope he can play well for Everton. Keep up the good work and the Title will come!

Cheers buddy. I think Champions League Qualification is the maximum until there's some proper investment, because I'm going to have to keep selling to progress.

Howard leaves as Travis chases Ter Stagen
Tim Howard has left for Sevillain a 950k deal, as Joe Travis stated his intention to chase Marc-Andre Ter Stagen from Gladbach.

Howard, a loyal servant to Everton, leaves as Ruddy was widely expected to take over number one duties. However, Travis seems to have turned his attentions to Ter Stagen, with 18 million seeming to be the quoted amount, following the German's transfer request at Borussia Mochengladbach

Get him! Anyways great signing with Ruddy I sold hi, at 15M

Ivanovic shown the exit door

Branislav Ivanovic has left Everton for Celtic.

The Serbian defender, who cost the Toffees 5.5 million last august, leaves for 3 million to the Scottish club. With Bellusci joining and Heitinga being reverted to a centre-back role once again, Ivanovic has seemingly fallen down the pecking order. Ivanovic made 10 league appearances last season and was featured mainly as a squad player, covering for Heitinga, Ryan Shawcross and Phil Jagielka

Supersube Bennett Inspires Toffee Turnaround: Everton 3-2 Arsenal

2 goals in 4 minutes from Mason Bennett inspired a miraculous turnaround at Goodison Park, to give Everton a dream start to the season.

The Toffees had twice trailed through Olivier Giroud headers, eitherside of a Nikica Jelavic penalty. And despite the introduction of Adryan and Darron Gibson, the game seemed to be slipping away from the Blues.

Enter Mason Bennett. His first touch was to control a Kevin Mirallas cross and his second was to expertly fire home on his weaker left foot. This saw Everton pick up the pace, 1 minute later, Ryan Shawcross hit the bar, and 2 after that, Adryan's low pass found Bennett on the edge of the box, who again fired sweetly into the bottom corner to complete the comeback.

Heitinga City Bound

Manchester City have today confirmed the capture of John Heitinga for £12 million from Everton.

Heitinga, 30, was on the bench for Everton's opening day victory over Arsenal. The Dutchman had spent the last 2 seasons at right back, unable to oust Jagielka and Shawcross from the central positions, and following the signings of Mateos and Bellusci, and following Shane Duffy's impressive form in the championship on loan last season, Travis has decided that Heitinga is surplus to requirements.

Everton Land Lampard

Everton today confirmed the free transfer signing of Frank Lampard.

Lampard 36, is Travis' oldest ever signing. The England International has joined on a 12 month contract, with wages being stipulated by appearances and goals. It is thought Lampards base wage is a mere 15k a week, compared to ten times that amount at Chelsea.