30 Jul 2016 16:46:38
This is a post based on the last 2 seasons, never mind the pre season, though it does highlight some of what i say. There have been players put on very high pedastals for the last 2 Seasons mainly by Martinez but aswell the press too have bulit them up, when there was no basis in doing so, because we have been poor as a team and poor individually too. I will mention those we all want in the team but who have not done it as footballers for the team ethic. Rom n Barkley have been poor with the odd flashes of their potential. Rom has never been a good footballer but has been reasonably clinical though you do feel it flatters him somewhat as he should have scored far more than he has done. Barkley, just too much too soon was said about him and continues to be said about him. The next Gazza, Ballack n so on. He hasn't moved on, great physique, great skills, but when was the last time we saw him take hold of a game and dictate, its just not in his game, his footballing mentality and space awareness are poor. Stones has been wonderful to watch, but allowed to play as he see's fit. that's ok for a while as you should learn by your mistakes, but as Big Nev says, if you don't learn by mistakes n keep making them, then you will always be that way. Our defence last 2 seasons been awful. Miralas, flatters to deceive, but in his defence he hasn't had the games to improve. Mc Carthy, i was a massive fan of, but his attitude last season seemed to have gone, very lazy in his passing, sideways n backwards, and not too comitted either, always injury prone now it seems. Barry again wonderful but his days are numbered, too slow for the team now. Weve needed a decent Keeper for too long, nothing has been done about it, same as right back cover, its ok using the young lads for 2 or 3 games but historically now Coleman (who is struggling with his game too) is injured for long periods every season. Baines what a player he's been, but has never been the same since his injury and Pienaar lost his way, fitness and ultimately his form. Gerri I've never been a fan of, yes great skills and crossing ability, but never a 90min player or starter, however how surprised and delighted i am to see him now, a new role, he has put on so much more bulk in muscle and his attitude is spot on, i'm looking forward to watching him this season so a huge plus point there. Those that have to go are obvious in Kone, Niasse just what the club saw in them God only knows. So it is obvious now not only to us but to Koeman and his team that he has an enormous task in either improving the players or as i believe we need to move on from some and get better in.
30 Jul 2016 17:04:13
Not happening Howie, we stick with what we have.
30 Jul 2016 18:29:27
Jeeezzzz lads brighten up will ya, av never said jeezzz before, ever but that's the exact word needed here, let's have a bit ov positivity ere.
30 Jul 2016 19:09:08
There is a lot of truth in your post Howie. IMHO the majority of the blame is on Martinez. Maybe I'm being biased because I never wanted him at our club. His signings in general I was impressed with. The positives for me in regards to Martinez stops there.
Everything he done after that was abysmal. Be totally different under Koeman. I have no doubt we will be sharper, fitter, better organised, better cohesion and better fight this season under a new manager.
O yea, don't expect us to be as nice either. Martinez was far too nicey nicey. Our whole dynamics will change IMO. I may be wrong but that's how I see it.
{Ed025's Note - i hope your right mate..
30 Jul 2016 19:13:05
Ok, all's well at the Club. We have the best squad since the 80's again, and let's go for Top Four. The experienced players, the youth and the quality players a perfect balance, and a fantastic Manager to mould them into a great team. Get behind them as only Evertonians who travel to watch them can at home too if Poss. As for transfers well, let's just get what we can and add to the squad to cover for injuries n suspensions. There how's that?
{Ed025's Note - it works for me howie mate..
30 Jul 2016 20:02:47
Trouble is it ignores all that id said and that is dangerous philosophy. don't mend what's wrong?! very dangerous.
30 Jul 2016 21:01:20
As much as I accept what you say, I don't think its as bad as you make out.
Lukaku is Lukaku and as bad as you say he is he scored 20 odd goals for us last season, the 1st time since Lineker.
Barkley had his best season for us with both goals qnd assists and it is also difficult when you are the sole source of creating goals.
Stones although error prone will be a great defender under someone who defends like Koeman.
They just my opinion on 3 of the players according to you we should buy a whole new squad and that is highly improbable.
30 Jul 2016 21:54:04
Agree with most of it but Kevin Mirallas is the best footballer Everton have had since Rooney. The mentality to not play him because he either is disobedient or lazy or whatever is ridiculous and arrogant from both Moyes and Martinez, he should be in our current squad 1st name down on the sheet.
I don't know how Lukaku scores the amount he does as he seems technically defficient to me, however regular scorers at this level are gold dust, second name on the sheet. Coleman is class get off his back, 3rd name, Baines has lost a yard but still top half left back easy, 4th name, if Ross was deeper and allowed freedom he would be 5th name, Del Boy as well technically gifted 6 th name, good quality keeper, 7th name. Our problem, very much like the England team/ squad is that after that, there is no shoe ins. You could argue 3 of the ones I've said as well. We have a good squad but they are all much of a muchness, the rest is based on age and pure crappiness (McGeady, Kone, Niasse) so until you have a best XI it's hard to buy players as you don't know who or what is a necessity (goalkeeper aside in our case) so don't expect much until January.
Still think a front 3 of Kev, Rom and DelBoy will cause problems with a midfield of Ross, JMac and Mo (or a new signing for any of those 3) plus a new centre back and we will be a decent side. Predicting a slowish start to the season 7th place come May.
30 Jul 2016 22:10:11
Howie your last comment is a bit confusing. Not sure I follow what your saying?
30 Jul 2016 23:43:20
Quite simple really. Koemans decision, does he try n make those with deficiencies better or move them on and get better players in. In other words whatever he gets on players he uses plus the millions already there on players who are better now.
31 Jul 2016 00:27:07
Emmm interesting view. My own view is players under certain managers show deficiencies that aren't necessarily there. Rather it appears to be there because of the player carrying out instructions of the manager. IMHO that was the case under Martinez.
IMO Martinez had a certain way of playing football. Players had to play that way. He was being ignorant about it IMO and it ultimately led to his sacking IMO.
In other words Martinez didn't play to his players strengths. He had a style to aim at and didn't give enough consideration into the players individual ability or strengths. He played the game the way he thought it should be played rather than playing to his players / teams strength.
Koeman will be different IMO and more shrewd. A proper example is international managers. They have certain players to work with and that's it. No transfers, they have to try and get the best out of the players at their disposal.
That's why I like the likes of Martin O'Neill, who done good with Ireland. Dare I say Moyes. Big Sam I think is another. Totally overachieved at Bolton. That's why I think he'll do well with England.
31 Jul 2016 07:17:42
I think Howie's original post was spot on. It is exactly what I have been trying to say. But maybe he is better at getting it over? When you look at everything he says, it leads to a conclusion that maybe we are not as good as everyone thinks? I know I wind people up and people think I am negative. That's just not true. I just say it as I see. Howie's assessments are pretty accurate in my view and I would add in to his view that with the retiring 3 that we have just lost and the poor signings that Martinez made. Niasse, McGeady and Kone. that takes our 25 man squad down to 19. Add in what I consider average players. Cleverly and Lennon and the squad looks threadbare. Get an injury or 2 or a suspension and you are down to just about a first 11. Oh and what happens if we do sell Lukaku or Stones and all of a sudden are only 11 is not capable of winning a game, Yes I know this sounds negative. but in football management, these things happen. You have to plan for eventualities. Yes we have great kids coming through. probably one of the best lots around (Spurs excepted I would say) , but again I don't think they are in the main ready for first team action. I feel like Howie that there are going to be a lot of upset Blues this season.
31 Jul 2016 07:19:25
I agree too with what you say NBTB, but the defficiencies of our squad will be too much for even Koeman to overcome unless we make a few major signings.
31 Jul 2016 09:35:54
Howie and Degsy you both could be 100% right. I don't agree but I'm not naive enough to think I'm always right.
I guess come the end of the year our argument will become clear. Should have an idea on both how much of an impact Koeman has. And also be able to put better judgement on how good / bad the players are.
31 Jul 2016 10:00:59
NBTB, i guess they are your opinions, hahahaha. i'm cool with that, its all about opinions. Those are just mine based on my observations. Blaming Martinez not enough. Play internationals n they still look deficient.
31 Jul 2016 10:55:25
The best managers throughout history have made average players look fantastic, or at the very least effective. Think Brian Clough, Fergie in his last season (how the hell did he win the league with that team?! ) and to an extent Leicester last season. For me, we have had bad luck in the transfer market. We do need at least 4 players, but I think times like this is where Koeman earns his wage. I trust in Koeman, and hope that he can make the most of whatever squad he has come the start of the season.
31 Jul 2016 12:07:50
I agree Howie some of the blame is on the players. For me most is on Martinez though.