The senior players at Everton: do they need to go before we can prosper?

[Bruce Wayne]

We cant know for sure, but the events since the last two years under Martinez to the present (including the trying and dismissing of three managers if Unsworth is thrown in - because I think we saw a lack of fight for him too) is disturbing.

Yes, managers are to blame too, of course they are. But senior players have gone missing way too many times in recent years and the suspicion (shared by outsiders) is that is a conscious decision.

There is a strong sense that something isn't right behind the scenes. We've seen dramatic drop-offs in performance under every manager since Moyes, which shows an alarming level of professionalism. If it happens under one manager then you could perhaps blame the manager, but to happen so consistently suggests the blame rests with the players. They've shown before a tendency to wilt when they get into positions to do something good (and the pressure thus becomes on), so I'm not convinced at all that we have a good culture in the squad. Where that's come from I have no idea.

 

[Goat]

SniderRat and Rooney arent senior players.

 

[CRIMHEAD]

I agree a clear out of the old guard is necessary to an extent, but I don't think that has much to do with Robert Martinez, so I don't understand why you presented that as context. Martinez had two years where he finished in the bottom half and couldn't do better than 47 points. BFS can do better than that, so that's why he got fired. If the older guard was such a problem, he could've moved them out. Beyond that, I'm not sure what Williams or Rooney have to do with Roberto Martinez.

Regardless, I do still agree that moving most of these jokers out the door is essential. Maybe it's attitude, but more importantly, we don't need them to win matches. Baines is fine to stay, Rooney can stay, they can still contribute. But Williams, Jags, Schneiderlin, Mirallas, etc. all gone.

THE REASON to me however, is that a new manager needs to be able to bring in leaders that he knows will support him. That is the best way to break through any sort of old guard destructive attitude. He needs people that he trusts in key roles at the club.

 

[deipnosophist]

Blue Chrimbo wouldn't be the same without Capt Jags and the lads dropping prezzies off about the community. I'd like to see all the older players get long contract extensions (and I'm not averse to offering new contracts to players we've prematurely released....like Hibbo and Ossie).

We are a family based club. The football played on the pitch is of secondary importance to what we do for the needy in the community.

NSNO

 

[Yarrgh]

Wot no Mirallas?

Only obscene wages that no one else would take on are the stumbling blocks to getting rid.

 

[ToffeeTim]

Would keep baines as back up. Maybe Jags as a squad option but nothing more.

The rest. BIN.

 

[davids]

Baines should stay.

The rest, meh.

Coleman??

 

[GrandOldTeam]

Coleman??

Was referring to those named in the poll title mate.

 

[toffee-L]

I would retain Baines and Rooney, they both still perform to solid levels against teams that are worse than us but we need more youthful energy and power at left back and Centre midfield that these two guys can't provide against the Top 6.

I'd fire the rest of them out of a catapult. Except for Ashley Williams, he deserves far worse than that.

 

[Tubey]

Yes, absolutely.

The loser mentality is ingrained. Captain Jagielka embodies it.

 

[Tubey]

To clarify, I've rated Jagielka as a player pretty much since he arrived and in a way even now as a squad player.

But he had no business ever being captain of this club. A goody two shoes who is perfectly fine with second best.

 

[Gladystweet]

Blue Chrimbo wouldn't be the same without Capt Jags and the lads dropping prezzies off about the community. I'd like to see all the older players get long contract extensions (and I'm not averse to offering new contracts to players we've prematurely released....like Hibbo and Ossie).

We are a family based club. The football played on the pitch is of secondary importance to what we do for the needy in the community.

NSNO

Good heavens.

 

[davids]

Was referring to those named in the poll title mate.

Missed that you had me panicking for a minute.Colemans older than Schneiderlin

 

[nsno-chris]

Bin everyone apart from Seamus

 

[Eggs]

..clearly @davek has a bee in his bonnet over certain players.

I think this is simple. We need better footballers, not just to replace the more senior players. The trick is to bring in better than what you have, regardless of the names Dave highlights. Getting rid of those will not make us a fine team, it’s all about who you replace them with.

It’s not about who leaves, it’s absolutely about who comes in.