Install the app
How to install the app on iOS

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

 

Ronald Koeman discussion

Status
Not open for further replies.
Did you miss this from earlier mate? (I hate to quote myself, but it might save time replying to your post up there).



As you can see I dont have the black and white approach to Koeman that you and others believe.

I didn't see that post, which is a fair enough assessment. It's more the other things you've mentioned such as his effect on the Southampton youth system, which IMO is unfair based on how he's been so far with us.

He's definitely failed in the cup competitions so far, but the reasons he's gained a lot of fans is that he's clearly building a great foundation for the club alongside Walsh.
 
Stoke City v Everton (W)
Everton v A.F.C. Bournemouth (W)
Middlesbrough v Everton (D)
Everton v Sunderland (W)
Tottenham Hotspur v Everton (L)
Everton v West Bromwich Albion (W)
Everton v Hull City (W)
Liverpool v Everton (L)
Manchester United v Everton (D)
Everton v Leicester City (W)
Everton v Burnley (W)
West Ham United v Everton (D)
Everton v Chelsea (D or L)
Swansea City v Everton (D)
Everton v Watford (W)
Arsenal v Everton (W)

(This will go horribly wrong)

**The incredibly optimistic prediction
 

I agree that to obtain permanent membership of the exclusive top 4 universe costs an oligarch's ransom, but if we can position ourselves such that when they wobble, and slip-up (they will and do), then we can be there to challenge, without the entry fee.
The anomaly that was last season, where so many of the so called media darling "elite" fell below par, left the way open for a club like Leicester to storm through with a confident consistency that showed the Champion's place was there for the taking - (indeed by anyone who could put together a string of wins). The fact that we ended up 11th in such a season goes to show how utterly rubbish our leadership and player performance was.

This season is different. It's as if things were reset to "normal" mode, with all the usual mob more or less in their expected positions. Even us. I mean, right now, we are stabilized and no longer in free fall. I just don't feel that same sense of doom this season. Not saying RK is totally and solely responsible, many other factors come into the equation, but, which ever way you look at it, this season (even counting the cup failures) is an improvement and RK, love him or hate him, is part of that.

We may not be in any cups (feeling league stabilization took priority there), we may not get above 7th. This season always was going to be an inconsistent mess as the team rebuilds. The point is, there are signs of hope here that we have not seen for a long time. eg. youthful talent breaking in, deadwood "hate that term" getting shipped out, money for transfers, stadium on the horizon and the all important string of wins every team needs to build on. I see more pluses than negatives. Yes, there are still negatives, and it's okay to criticize and question the current regime. Of course we should make demands for trophies and success, but the fact remains that, money wise, we are still a fringe club by comparison to those currently above us. The manager can't do much about that, and therefore has to juggle and struggle a bit, putting square pegs into round holes more so than his richer peers with their massive squads. If, by season's end, RK has made challengers of us instead of chumps, then next season will see Champagne replacing Chang.

Just trying to keep the glass half full (Champagne.. not Chang).
 

It's going to need another large overhaul this summer and some more crafty commercial work before we can confidently breach the top 4 in my opinion. On our best day we can give them a run for their money but currently their squads are stronger and deeper than ours which there's no shame to; we're only 8 months into the project. Given sufficient time and success in the market we will make the next step up I'm sure.

It's all well and good saying "we've got money now we should be in the top 6" but the top 6 already have more money and better squads than us; Hell even West Brom have a load of money now, it's not the only thing that's needed though.
 
One thing that Everton has now are two men that know success inside out in Walsh and Koeman.

It's no coincidence that both were heavily involved in two of the best runs of form in the Premier League last season with Leicester and Southampton.

Let's hope they can replicate that.
 
...seriously, I understand you're elated with the recent turn in form...but form is temporary with these bottlers, and you know it. IF the prospect of actually achieving a CL place came on deck they'd fill their kecks.

Did you consider that countervailing factor?

Attitude reflects leadership.

The senior group of players have never had a winner in charge before.

And the youngsters are fearless.
 
Having caught up with reading (half of) this thread, I can happily say I will enjoy watching us play Champions League football next year.
 

Status
Not open for further replies.

Welcome to GrandOldTeam

Get involved. Registration is simple and free.

Back
Top