Ronald Koeman discussion

[NilSatisOptimum]

Great post. The likes of schneiderlin, Keane and amavi (but not at 25m) would improve us no doubt and are realistic signings. But to challenge the top 6 at present is going to be so difficult.

The current top six is strong and very capable of messing each up, we have taken points and won against those top six sides and apart from Chelsea competed very well against all of them, it's achievable top six, however, we can't afford to loose or drop points against Watford's and Bournemouths.

 

[mightymoyes]

The current top six is strong and very capable of messing each up, we have taken points and won against those top six sides and apart from Chelsea competed very well against all of them, it's achievable top six, however, we can't afford to loose or drop points against Watford's and Bournemouths.

i dont think spurs are that good, our target should be to finish ahead of them.

 

[kenada_blue]

i dont think spurs are that good, our target should be to finish ahead of them.

Spurs have only lost 2 games so far compared to our 6.

We're nowhere near them.

 

[rochdaleblue]

Spurs have only lost 2 games so far compared to our 6.

We're nowhere near them.

Can't think of any of our players who would get in their starting 11. Possibly Gana, nothing between rom and Kane.

 

[Columbo2]

Too early to compare really with this not being RK's squad. I personally think that several of our "quality" players had smoke blown up their backsides by Martinez so often that they actually believe they are better than their performance this season and are in a state of semi shock when told by RK that they aren't even in the first 11. Clear out some more of the old regime and give RK the January and summer windows and I feel confident, as long as Moshiri backs him, that we will be top 6 minimum in 12 months time.
Pity that Jags may be thrown out with the rest of the dishwater, because, despite some recent iffy performances, he has been a good servant to the Club.

 

[Huyton Layne]

7th is the best realistic place we can get. We're chasing the team that came second and will probably be 10 points clear of us by our next game and a Utd side with Zlatan.
If he gets us 7th with the mess he was left that's a 4 place improvement in his first season and more than I'd settle for. Top half while he cleans the squad out and gets our professional footballers acting and training like professionals again would be satisfactory.

 

[BigDunc'sFod]

7th is the best realistic place we can get. We're chasing the team that came second and will probably be 10 points clear of us by our next game and a Utd side with Zlatan.
If he gets us 7th with the mess he was left that's a 4 place improvement in his first season and more than I'd settle for. Top half while he cleans the squad out and gets our professional footballers acting and training like professionals again would be satisfactory.

Why is this even a thing?

 

[mmmmsnouts]

Why is this even a thing?

Because pathetic as it is that no one else in that side has stepped up to do it, Zlatan is carrying ManU right now.

Still, he can't do this all season, can he? I think Everton's best chance of getting top 6 is if/when he cools off and no one steps up to fill the void. Although we're nearing the point where Mourinho says forget about nice football and just gets dirty results.

 

[Huyton Layne]

Why is this even a thing?

He's shown he can win games with a moment of brilliance regardless of how they play.

 

[Zatara]

Because pathetic as it is that no one else in that side has stepped up to do it, Zlatan is carrying ManU right now.

Still, he can't do this all season, can he? I think Everton's best chance of getting top 6 is if/when he cools off and no one steps up to fill the void. Although we're nearing the point where Mourinho says forget about nice football and just gets dirty results.

wouldnt be shocked if martial left.

 

[4737carlin]

i dont think spurs are that good, our target should be to finish ahead of them.

Spurs are far better then us, all over the pitch and in terms of organisation, no chance of getting ahead of them. They are one of the clubs who i would like us to try and catch upto over the next few seasons but for now no chance.

 

[NilSatisOptimum]

Not far off them in my mind, the main difference is their manager has been in his current position longer than Koamen has been with us. So Spurs have a team of established players brought to reflect their manager ethos and methods. Something only time will allow.
I can see very good progress with the first team and it first really showed against Utd.. Progress in pressing and stamina, these are strongly linked and takes months to get a team to the standard required.

 

[brieverton]

To be honest I don't think players are concerned with our current league position, more our potential for better and how the club sells itself as to what they want to achieve.

We can be 7th now or in January which won't really be here nor there as to our attractiveness IMO. We need to be very competitive on wages and offer compelling reasons for players to want to join. Some of this will be more of a view to the longer-term but all clubs promise jam tomorrow to some extent.

We have plenty of plus points, now more so than recently when it comes to trying to persuade players to sign just as long as we do things properly and keep on message.

We need to pick our battles carefully and I think lessons will have been learned from the summer. I never thought Mata or Koulibaly were feasible last time round and it seems Witsel just didn't want to join Everton. Fair enough but I wouldn't be ruling out other players of similar profile and ability - we have to be ambitious, slick, and professional in all dealings with potential signings and I'm not sure that would have been the case last time round with everyone settling in to new roles.

We have much to offer prospective new signings.

 

[bluestevon]

I didn't realise that at all. Definately makes you think.

Might even get my hopes up for a derby win in the next few years based on that

I guess the narrative between the two clubs is vastly different too - our poor run is mostly ignored, although it was starting to get more attention in the run-up to the Arsenal game. The media must have decided to give Klopp a free pass last season, I don't recall anything being said about a poor/modest/underwhelming start. One of their darlings you see.

It's all about perception, koeman is in his first season, the preseason was not ideal for lots of reasons, won't actually judge him till next season myself, hopefully after Jan we start seeing the shape and style he is aiming for take a bit more hold with the team.

 

[bluestevon]

Bit of a reality check there. Let's face it the RS were poor when he took over but koeman inherited a far worse squad.

Yup they where poor but also had a huge amount of players and thus options for him to try to see which players fitted etc, the one who didn't by and large got shipped out this summer, koeman inherrited a weaker team and weaker squad of players - and has basically been trying and testing them all out, fully expect a clear out of a large size soon.