18 Feb 2021 12:14:42
I have a hand full of straws here for people to clutch at.
We have a chance of top four? well that's gone.
We have a chance of top six? well that's gone.
We can win a cup this season, really?
We have one of the best youth systems in Europe. Where are they?
I believe that as supporters we have all gotten use to mediocrity, and the occasional good performance has us all clinging on to a brighter future. We even accept players who on average play well maybe one out of every four games.
The reality is we are a mid table team at best. We have lost at home to teams we believe we should be beating. But we haven't just lost, we have been played off the park.
We are a long way from being a decent team, and without radical change we will remain that way. It's more than a case of being one or two players short, we are several short.
And remember it's the club who talk about us getting into Europe. Well we are a long way from that.


1.) 18 Feb 2021
18 Feb 2021 13:26:32
So what is the radical change you suggest Brassington?


2.) 18 Feb 2021
18 Feb 2021 14:26:13
Brassingtonblue took the words out my mouth .
Because a few players have 1 or 2 good games doesn't mean they are going to turn out good . No consistency at all

Siggurdson - in consistent and slow
Davies - played 3 good games in his whole everton career
Gomes - in consistent
Holgate - bench at best
Iwobi - maybe give another season
Coleman - past it now to slow
Pickford - complete circus


We will never challenge for Europe
With these players in the team ill get slated for this

We need to buy

right back

Attacking midfielder who is not scared to attack an drive forward and keep the ball at his feet an not pass back to his centre back

Right winger

Gk Who can do the simple stuff stop a shot at goal

Left back cover also

Striker.


3.) 18 Feb 2021
18 Feb 2021 15:04:12
Good post Evo - agree with your recruitment areas but not left back as we’ve got nkounkou for that.

If only could get 2 in I’d want a rightback as Coleman as good a servant to the club he has been he’s not got the legs for it any more.

Desperately need that attacking midfielder that as you say can take a player on and not pass backwards all the time.

Iwobi if could sort his final ball would be a decent right winger.

Olsen could potentially make the Goalkeeper position his.


4.) 18 Feb 2021
18 Feb 2021 15:52:00
Well in answer to your question Gingerdan.
We have to decide whether we want to purchase younger players for the first team, players who will actually play and not just sit on the bench or be loaned out. Or do we buy older players who may have one maybe two seasons left in them for hopefully short term success. These players tend to come with high wage expectations.
Now if we go with the second option why have a scouting network? Because these guys don't need scouting they are already known.
U23's. What is the point of having an U23 team if the players in it are not able to step in to the first team when we have injuries. Don't forget in the past they would have been known as the reserves, and their main role was to be ready to step in when required. If they can't do that then why have them at the club.
We need to stop chopping and changing managers and develop an identity. Develop a team culture that goes beyond the first team and runs through the whole club. A culture that drives winning is everything, and second is nothing. That takes players out of their comfort zone and pushes them to achieve more.
Just a few suggestions to start with.


5.) 18 Feb 2021
18 Feb 2021 16:56:33
Do you not think we’ve started on the road to redeveloping our identity?
Surely the appointment of Carlo and what he’s achieved so far with a relatively mediocre squad is a step in the right direction?

Recruitment has to be a mix of both young and more experienced.
I know we signed a few youngsters branthwaite, nkounkou and Godfrey. We’re well stocked in centre backs so branthwaite gone on loan, nkounkou in squad as back up for Digne and Godfrey has gone straight in to team - surely that’s a good use of them?

Regarding the experienced players - you still need to scout them - as that involves more than just seeing if they play well - got to try and figure out if a right fit for the team etc.

Under 23s is there to see if we have players who can step up. However it’s also there to enable first team players who may be coming back from injury to get up to speed. Also it’s an opportunity for the club to develop players and if not deemed good enough to sell them on.

I agree about the identity though - we don’t seem to have had an identity since the dogs of war team, hopefully Carlo and brands will develop our identity as they continue the rebuild.


6.) 18 Feb 2021
18 Feb 2021 19:31:06
Totally agree on the talk about a lack of identity. Have said on here before we rely too much on players and not enough on a system to win games. That can work if you have a team of world beaters but when you have players who drop in and out of form, that is where the system can save you.

Look at Villa as an example, other than Grealish they have only had a few players come in and out of form all season. But they have a fantastic keeper, and they play a good system that does the rest.

I think recruitment wise, we have started in the right direction. 2 more windows like the summer window and we will be in great shape, provided we can keep hold of players.


7.) 19 Feb 2021
18 Feb 2021 23:26:45
GD I don't want to get into a long monologue on this, but you mention Nkounkou as being cover for Digne. But he hasn't, Godfrey a central defender has been played there. So to use Nkounkou as an example of developing our young players is incorrect.
How often do you think we scouted Rodriguez, I mean the guy wasn't even playing.
How many players have developed through our U23 to the first team exactly.
These are just my views, nobody has to agree with them. I promise it won't hurt my feelings.


8.) 19 Feb 2021
19 Feb 2021 01:19:07
As much as we would all like to see the youngsters come in from the U23's, I don't think we will see too much of it in all honesty. The Premier League 2 is a joke and doesn't really prepare the players for the rigours of first team football, certainly not in the same way that the old reserve fixtures did. I'd rather see a reserve squad that has youngsters that are on the brink of being promoted to the senior squad, mixed in with players coming back from injury or those in need of a game to tick them over.
Only the exceptional talents will make any inroads without a season on loan in the football league, sad as it is.