02 Sep 2016 18:21:52
Can we give it a rest now about deadline day it's getting boring now, instead of getting wound up because of one day, stop and and look at what's been done over the last few months we have a stronger team on and off the field and stadium is picking up momentum, this transfer window was always going to be hard to attract the players we want, I'm still looking forward to a great season and hopefully be in position to make us a more attractive club for players.
02 Sep 2016 19:59:51
What's exactly been done over the few months.
02 Sep 2016 20:12:09
Agree let's move on. Now about that stadium.
02 Sep 2016 20:14:03
Good point about over-reacting and I accept I am one of the culprits. Perhaps a more pragmatic view might be that if we progress along the lines that we already have done in the first three games, then come January, we may be a more attractive proposition for any prospective Koeman player targets.
02 Sep 2016 20:53:00
shakey30 are you serious when you say 'What's exactly been done over the last few months? '
02 Sep 2016 21:42:56
Shakey's been having a long sleep by the sounds of it, I wonder if he knows Martinez is no longer manager and we have a new DOF and New billionaire as majority shareholder, there you go shakey I have covered a few basics for you.
03 Sep 2016 00:45:40
On the note of a stronger team. I'd have to say we do have more quality. including Valencia. he made a strong start when he first joined west ham. the lad has ability and RK will get the best from him.
however 4 new first team additions BUT besic out, OsMAN, hibbert, pienaar, stones gone, Galloway on loan, Swiss lad out on loan, garbutt on loan, mcaleny on loan, niasse apparently not worth a punt, mcgeady pretty much useless.
so the only point for me is that we lack a little depth. for me it's not about spending huge bucks. but adding as much quality to squad as possible. was hoping for more BUT FM has made a good start and that's encouraging. COYB.
03 Sep 2016 06:26:15
I disagree about the squad depth. Koeman has said that he wants two players for every position:
GK- Stekelenburg, Robles
RB- Coleman, Holgate
CB- Jagielka, Funes Mori, Williams, Holgate
LB- Baines, Oviedo
CM- Barry, Gueye, McCarthy, Cleverly, Davies
CAM- Barkley
RW- Mirallas, Deulofeu, Lennon
LW- Bolasie, Dowell
ST- Lukaku, Kone, Valencia
I've deliberately excluded Gibson, Besic, Â Browning and Niasse due to a lack of fitness, injury or quality. I've included Davies and Dowell, as Davies is Premiership ready in my opinion, and Dowell doesn't represent a huge risk if required due to the position he plays in.
I've also included Holgate in two sections as he deputises for both positions. It's also worth noting that McCarthy can deputise at RB and Barry has deputised as a CB before. Mori can play LB in an emergency.
All of the wingers in the team can play on either side if necessary, and they can also play in Barkley's CAM role if needed.
With that in mind, I think the only real problem is if Lukaku gets injured for a long period of time.
Ideally, we would ship out Niasse, Kone and Gibson, and buy a back up RB, a new GK and a good ST. But I think we have enough players to make do until January.
03 Sep 2016 07:23:55
Fantastic post Blue Tommy. I'll even add another positive to that. Koeman as said before has a plan a, b, c etc. He will be very able to mix and match different players to different positions as you have highlighted so well there.
That will no doubt benefit the results we get compared to last year when there was just plan a and that was it.
03 Sep 2016 07:59:55
Blue Tommy, or if Lukaku gets moody again and throws his toys out of the pram like happened a couple of seasons ago. That was always my point about the poor quality of signings by Martinez. none of which contributed goals.
03 Sep 2016 09:59:42
Degsy please give it a rest. I never liked Martinez and never wanted him at the club. But I don't think everything he done was bad. You have posted numerous times that we have had a good start to the season. Most would agree a lot if not all of this is down to Koeman.
Here's my real point on the matter, there are plenty of Martinez signings heavily involved in that great start you posted about. Yes a twinkle here and there by Koeman has made a difference with players.
But mainly I would put it down to his management of the same players and change of tactics. Give the players a chance under a different manager. From the games so far the vast majority of the players are the same as last year. Aside from those who Koeman has signed.
The main problem this last 2 years was conceding goals NOT scoring them. We scored plenty of goals in the past 2 seasons. As much as we ever did if not more.
Mirallas looks like a new player, Barry is very much rated by Koeman. As is McCarthy even though the media would have you think he's not wanted and is leaving. Doesn't matter that he played every game so far along with league cup. Yes he was took off in one game for the sacrifice of winning the game. Now heading for surgery. Personally I think he was suffering last season with injury while playing but I cannot be sure or prove it.
Del boy is still playing and Lukaku. Barkley wasn't signed by Martinez but may as well have been. Lennon will be a good back up to have along with Cleverly. That's 7 players signed by Martinez along with Barkley. 8 in total which has 7 midfielders. Not good enough you say? Well its good enough for Koeman.
As I said defense was the problem the last few seasons so I expect Koeman to concentrate on that. I also expect low scoring games this season. Teams I'd imagine will be set up to limit the amount of goals conceded to eradicate the bad habits of non existent defending under Martinez.
Yes Lukaku scored the majority of goals. That was the whole set up under Martinez. Everything was geared towards supplying Lukaku to score goals. That doesn't mean the midfielders can't score. With a change of tactics under Koeman I have no doubt the midfielders you seem to think incapable of scoring will score more this season.
No doubt in my mind between Mirallas, Barkley and Del boy there is at least 30 goals a season there. Throw in Bolasie and Lennon and prob another 10. That would be a fantastic amount of goals from midfield. Which imho is very possible of happening.
I remember you posting about how this season was going to be bad and that we were going to struggle. I along with many other posters were convinced it was going to be good. Since then you have acknowledged the fine start we have had.
Why was I sure things would be much better this season? The same reason I'm convinced that goals will come from midfield. The change of manager. The difference in the team is unbelievable. The last 2 seasons with Southampton as the season went on the better they got and climbed the table.
I have no doubt the influence of Koeman there will also be felt at Everton. After predicting a good season this year and with early signs of that happening I will also predict that it won't be easy. Imo there will be teething problems. Up until Christmas I expect quite a few glitches but after that the lead up to the end of the season will be very good.
Top 8 at least with goals galore from midfield. Just give them a chance Degsy because I think you'll be eating more humble pie again. You had your fill of that after the bright start. Try stay positive and realise Martinez is gone and in the past along with his tactics.
The players don't play for him anymore they play for Koeman.
In Koeman and Walsh I do trust. The good times are here. Its never going to be perfect but it will be the next best thing under this new regime. The future is very bright, why question it? Revel in its existence and enjoy it because god knows we certainly do deserve it.
COYB.
03 Sep 2016 11:38:59
Did you just repeat yourself and basically say "I told you so" Degsy? lol. I can't see Lukaku throwing his toys out of the pram, as he needs to score to either a) try and get us top 4 or b) get his move to a bigger club. He knows our price tag, and knows he needs to live up to it to get what he wants. We all know his goals would be a big miss.
However I agree with NBTB. Top form, playing all season I think Barkley and Mirallas could get up to 15 apiece. We all know Bolasie has a poor goal record. But at Palace he often got the ball in his own half, he will get more chances to score here. There are others who will chip in with a few here and there.
We have shown in the last few games that with Lukaku off form we can grind out results. If we can do that without Rom, imagine how good we will be when he's banging them in again!
03 Sep 2016 14:00:37
Tommy just saw your reply. some good observations. I still think that Upton we need a top draw striker. if Valencia can recoup the initial form he showed at West Ham then great. Tbh. cleverly does not add much for me tbh. rarely beats a man and rarely scores, Davies and do well are kids. good players but a lot to expect but if they step up great. I should point out that I'm optimistic regarding the team and the club. I was just expecting more given the media circus that's ensued since FM and RK came onboard (I get it it's early days etc)