Hutton & Jenas set to sign.

[Mr Diggles]

THe response by some on here is ridiculous. Look at it this way, you could be an Everton fan today and staring at a real season of increasing doom and a worry if you have the cash in the club to compete in the league, let alone make a run for a European place.

As someone else put it more eloquently earlier, you have to earn the right to play in this league, and Jenas in midfield will do that. Some of the criticism is unwarranted, espeically as we haven't even seen him play yet! Some perspective please.

[JJ-AV]

Jenas has energy and knows when to get forward.

Against Fulham there were a fair few times when we were on the counter, and Bent would have the ball in the opposition box with little/no support.

Jenas is capable of getting beyond Bent, Ireland is the only midfield player who can do that in our squad at the minute (and for whatever reason isn't in contention).

Those are some positives.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

THe response by some on here is ridiculous. Look at it this way, you could be an Everton fan today and staring at a real season of increasing doom and a worry if you have the cash in the club to compete in the league, let alone make a run for a European place.

As someone else put it more eloquently earlier, you have to earn the right to play in this league, and Jenas in midfield will do that. Some of the criticism is unwarranted, espeically as we haven't even seen him play yet! Some perspective please.

Very good point. Arteta was a massive player for Everton and we now have more options than before this window especially when Nzogbia comes up to strength. Good time to play Everton where i can imagine is full of doom and gloom ...........

[pauliewalnuts]

THe response by some on here is ridiculous. Look at it this way, you could be an Everton fan today and staring at a real season of increasing doom and a worry if you have the cash in the club to compete in the league, let alone make a run for a European place.

As someone else put it more eloquently earlier, you have to earn the right to play in this league, and Jenas in midfield will do that. Some of the criticism is unwarranted, espeically as we haven't even seen him play yet! Some perspective please.

Whilst I agree with the general gist of what you're saying, "could be worse, look at Everton" isn't really much comfort is it, given the extent to which they're fucked.

I'll give Jenas a chance, but it's hardly as if people haven't seen him play before. They're bound to judge him on something. Just like managers do when they sign them.

[Damo70]

I reckon Mcleish will get the defence organized and if Gabby has a good goalscoring season alongside Bent and the manager gets the best out of players like N'Zogbia, Ireland, Jenas, Bannan and Albrighton we can have a good season. Problem is of course that there are too many 'if's' at the moment.

[Concrete John]

I reckon Mcleish will get the defence organized and if Gabby has a good goalscoring season alongside Bent and the manager gets the best out of players like N'Zogbia, Ireland, Jenas, Bannan and Albrighton we can have a good season. Problem is of course that there are too many 'if's' at the moment.

Yes, there are ifs in there, but some aren't very big ifs.  I think he'll get the defence organised and we've already seen sings of that.  I think Gabby will have a good season a weigh in with a few goals.  N'Zogbia I'd say 'expect' to do well.  The rest are genuine ifs, but if he's gets a 50/50 result and two out of Ireland, Albrighton, Bannan and Jenas deliver, then we'll be a lot better than some think!   

[Mr Diggles]

To be honest, I'm feeling quite positive at present after the real recent low of the rumours of McLeish gradually becoming fact over a weekend in the summer. I think the defence looks better, we are less than a year away from getting rid of the absolute toxic waste of contracts remaining from MON's era, and I even think McLeish is starting to grow on me.

The only thing I would really like to see is Bannan starting instead of Heskey, because I'm really hoping that he's going to be the player we hope.

Also, I'm really, really looking forward to the U19's Champions League matches at Villa Park - I think they will be more entertaining and rewarding games than the first team's!

[barrysleftfoot]

  Jenas is better than Petrov, and probably more appropriate for the Prem than Makoun.

  For me , for us to play better , we have to replace Heskey, Petrov, and possibly Gabby.Jenas and Bannan/Ireland can come in for the 1st two.

[Ads]

I’m pleased with these two signings.

I think Hutton is an upgrade on Luke and not just because of the age and wages, but because he’s also a better option going forward. If we end up being too narrorw, too often, as has been the case thus far, then he’ll provide some good width and decent supply.

The back five look very solid.

As for Jenas, I think the response has been baffling. Its been a case of who can gnash their teeth the most. He’s not a world class player, but he is a good one.

I’m pleased with all of McLeish’s business.

[kipeye]

Better than nowt is my view. Hutton is capable and Jenas has shown potential. How much they will contribute is to be seen. I think they will both prove to be reliable and useful additions and will add to our attacking options.
For me the important thing is neither are donkeys in my view and might not push us forward but don't take us backwards.

[Ads]

I know Hutton is an International and i think he'll be okay but he's an international for scotland. read same for collins. it's nothing to be proud of

Playing for your country is not something to be proud of?

[jembob]

I’m pleased with these two signings.

I think Hutton is an upgrade on Luke and not just because of the age and wages, but because he’s also a better option going forward. If we end up being too narrorw, too often, as has been the case thus far, then he’ll provide some good width and decent supply.

The back five look very solid.

As for Jenas, I think the response has been baffling. Its been a case of who can gnash their teeth the most. He’s not a world class player, but he is a good one.

I’m pleased with all of McLeish’s business.

Agreed. Jenas could turn out to be an excellent loan signing and I can't work out the venom towards him considering the lack of options available to the manager.

[Ads]

Jenas has energy and knows when to get forward.

Against Fulham there were a fair few times when we were on the counter, and Bent would have the ball in the opposition box with little/no support.

Jenas is capable of getting beyond Bent, Ireland is the only midfield player who can do that in our squad at the minute (and for whatever reason isn't in contention).

Those are some positives.

He's very mobile, he can pass the ball and he can score, he’s not a lightweight off the ball either. These being qualities that our midfield has possessed only fleetingly (Milner) over the past 20 years. 
.

[Mister E]

, is Jenas an upgrade on Reo-Coker?  I would argue not.

You keep saying it so it must be true.

Eh?!  First time I've mentioned it!

Eh?! - You mentioned it on the second post of this thread, on page 1!

I don't have anything against either player really, I just can't see that either of them are an improvement on players that we've got rid of this summer

And then also implied in on page 8.
But it's really not a big deal: you have your opinion about the merits of both players; I think that - as long as JJ is 'up' for it - he has the passing, tackling and energy to surpass what NRC could offer. But it is all down to whether he has the stomach for it.

[Monty]

My main problem with Jenas is that he'd go into a midfield which would still lack technicality, guile and an ability to do the unexpected. It's a middling, Sidwell-esque signing, and I'm far from convinced that he's better than Makoun, or will help us get the best out of our other better players.