Ronald Koeman discussion

[davek]

We cant win a trophy, but if we can put a run together then European football is well within reach. The teams above have to play each other as we have to play all of the above teams so there is plenty more twists and turns left yet. If we can add one or two more additions before the end of the month then why cant we make a fist of it.

Really we are marking time until next season starts. Yes, it's important to bed in players and get a method of playing together, but the interest in finishing 6th or 7th or 8th is pretty moot.

 

[davek]

What even are you?

Are you a yank mate?

 

[Connor]

FWIW, he's a very nice man.

 

[davek]

No mate, because ultimately players look at the league as a Gage of where the team is at before joining, yeah I'd rather win the fa cup than come 7th, but I'd rather finish 7th than get a semi and finish bottom half.

I wouldn't take either as a sign of progress.

 

[roydo]

Really we are marking time until next season starts. Yes, it's important to bed in players and get a method of playing together, but the interest in finishing 6th or 7th or 8th is pretty moot.

My interest is seeing a squad develop. Looking ok from here.

We were wetting our pants a few weeks ago about losing Gana to the ACON. Now we are trying to see how he would get his place back.

We were fretting about being a bit meh at the back. Seems pretty ok to me atm.

Perfect? Nah, course not, but hey, we mix it, we snarl, we (are starting to) press and harry, look good going forward, Rom is in good form, Kev too.

The Kids Are Allright.

 

[jrj]

EL football next season will destroy our PL season. We do t want that. Only CL is worth it.

We should be able to assemble a squad that can cope with both. With the amount of promising youngsters we have here or currently out on loan in the championship too, its a good chance to get them game time.

 

[davek]

So would you say if we got Europa League that it's not an achievement?

It would be the worst of all possible outcomes. We need the EL next season like we need another securitisation deal.

 

[ijjysmith]

It would be the worst of all possible outcomes. We need the EL next season like we need another securitisation deal.

Yeah. Way worse that finishing 11th again.

 

[davek]

Why exactly Dave, was I comparing him to him managerial ability wise or was I saying that slating someone cos they where a 'cold fish' was laughable when one of our greatest was exactly that.

Because his attitude will only be tolerable if he actually does something of note. At present were 7th in a 6 team race.

 

[ianefc]

Because his attitude will only be tolerable if he actually does something of note. At present were 7th in a 6 team race.

Where should he have us?

 

[LABlue2]

Really we are marking time until next season starts. Yes, it's important to bed in players and get a method of playing together, but the interest in finishing 6th or 7th or 8th is pretty moot.

Disagree. We need to get as high up the table as possible, in both positions and points. Finishing with 60+ points and beginning to gel as a team will provide self-confidence and hopefully attract transfer targets that believe we can add another 10 points next season and challenge for the CL spots.

Getting nowhere near the top 6 and ending with ~50 points is hugely different.

 

[dublinbluenose]

EL would be a positive next season for two reasons. European football will make attracting talent a modicum easier and give valuable experience to some of the squad. Secondly it will help bridge the gap somewhat in revenues with TV money.

CL would be better obviously but I wouldn't write off EL as a hindrance.

 

[davek]

You still havent responded to me proving this 'inconsistent, streaky' manager talk wrong.
He finished on 63 and 60 points with Saints. An average of 61.5
He is on course to finish on 61 points this season.

How on earth is that streaky and inconsistent?

I dare you to answer as you seemingly fail to do so when proven wrong.

You're making my point for me mate. Those totals will get you nothing but a pat in the head as a best of the rest team, not a CL spot team. The nightmare sequence S'ton had before last Christmas was their downfall. He's a manager who can't avoid a snakes and ladders effect to his season.

 

[davek]

My interest is seeing a squad develop. Looking ok from here.

We were wetting our pants a few weeks ago about losing Gana to the ACON. Now we are trying to see how he would get his place back.

We were fretting about being a bit meh at the back. Seems pretty ok to me atm.

Perfect? Nah, course not, but hey, we mix it, we snarl, we (are starting to) press and harry, look good going forward, Rom is in good form, Kev too.

The Kids Are Allright.

Yeah, and if they keep this up it'll be a good dry run for next season. But that's all it is: a dry run. Everton finish 7th or a place above or below it - so what? It's meaningless.

 

[Darth Toffeeman]

The aim has to be to put in a challenge for the league, something we have not managed since we last won the thing.
That has to be the long term plan of the owners and management team.

As proven last season when we went very close to winning the FA Cup, the league form was poor and that is the barometer. Clubs have had the fairy tale of winning a cup (Portsmouth, Wigan, Birmingham, Boro, Swansea all had a fairytale moment) and even Cardiff have had multiple final appearances, but ultimately the cups tend to be shared out amongst the teams who are either champions or go close.

Our aim has to be to get as near as possible to the league title.
Do that and we will give ourselves every chance of winning cups too.

The overhaul of the squad is just the start.