Ronald Koeman discussion

[scratchnsurf]

The context of this conversation is our ability to close the gap on top 4 by the end of the season. I commented that draws were no good to us, so if we were drawing games with 15/20 mins to go then we should go all out for the win, albeit exposing us to greater risk of defeat.

I believe Davek would like us to have this attitude all the time (in similar match circumstances) and I can understand this argument.

You mean like we did in our last game.

 

[roydo]

The context of this conversation is our ability to close the gap on top 4 by the end of the season. I commented that draws were no good to us, so if we were drawing games with 15/20 mins to go then we should go all out for the win, albeit exposing us to greater risk of defeat.

I believe Davek would like us to have this attitude all the time (in similar match circumstances) and I can understand this argument.

Like at Palace then?

Yeah, me too.

 

[vagant59]

The worst thing that can happen to this team is qualify this season for the EL. I can see the dilemma: finishing 8th and out of the EL places for certain would look like not much progress has been made. Finishing 7th (though a mere one place above) is more saleable as progress because we have all now been spoon fed that 7th represents 'the best of the rest' (not in my view, but that's another debate).

Evertonians should pray that S'ton beat Liverpool tonight and get one of those EL spots, and that a possible route into the EL via the FA Cup goes a similar way. Next season will be carnage in the PL if this lot are playing Thursday/Sunday on a regular basis.

I can see your reasoning Dave but i have a different view of things. Ronald is building a squad of players that are all going to want first team football, the EL would be an ideal oppertunity for our fringe players and our youth to get some valuable experience

 

[B17BLG]

Ceteris paribus regarding those factors, any manager must go all guns blazing if a club like ours wants to nose into those top spots.

In for a penny in for a pound

Alas. It all becomes clear now.

 

[Barnfred 55]

Like at Palace then?

Yeah, me too.

Exactly. Thats the example I gave when he brought Lookman on.

 

[davek]

I think the last few matches have cast a light of that imo. Swallows and summers and all that.

A long standing and well known City fan I met today, when he clocked my EFC hat, said he has never seen an Everton team destroy "new" City like we did.

Now, I dont think we "destroyed" them, despite the scoreline. But the comment from an outsider made me think. Koeman knew how Pep would play it, and set up to; 1. Minimise that threat, and 2. Maximise that approach.

Result. 4 0.

That, imo is a Manager. He Manages without being welded to one theory.

It's early days. All managers settle on formations and styles which they adopt for the vast majority of the time.

 

[hktoffee]

(Again) in there please....

https://www.grandoldteam.com/forum/threads/martinez-new-belgium-head-coach.90386/page-107

So you can't answer? In fact your post #25140 shall move to above link. You are the one who bought up this 21 wins in 38 holy grail not me. I was talking about how shall Koeman uses Moyes came 4th season as the blueprint in setting up tactic and stragegy. A solid defence is always the priority. Your claim of this "have a go" mentality and tactics did not work and results had showcased its shortcoming over the last two seasons. That's why I asked you how many games we had won between 2014-2016 12May @PL in comparsion with your holy grail season. We ought to make right subs at the right time not winning with a men down then bought on attacking subs (aka have a go) to commit Kamalazi style.

 

[Barnfred 55]

You mean like we did in our last game.

Yes. See my response to Khalekan on p1676. Bear in mind the conversation was about the possibility of finishing top 4 this season.

 

[davek]

It's early days. All managers settle on formations and styles which they adopt for the vast majority of the time.

I would assume and hope in the next 6-8 games we have pulled well away from the teams below us, therefore 7th place is the minimum we can achieve, so we would have nothing to lose going for the 3 points in every game we play. Koeman plays to win every game anyway, but not in a cavalier type way, If we can keep up our home form and somehow beat one of RS/Spurs/UTD away (which of course will be difficult) then there is every chance we will be amongst them with a few games remaining.

You have said yourself this season is a 'free pass' (i don't believe there will be pressure from the board to get results this season) so its a win win situation.
To even get us close while offloading 'deadwood' and rebuilding in his first season is good management.

Not sure how you've come to that conclusion. It certainly doesn't strike me as being the case on the overwhelming evidence so far.

 

[davek]

who is the last time to go all out for it and win the league? all successful teams are built on a solid defense with a strong attack. That defend properly and not go all out from the 1st whistle to the last.

Must be kidding mate. Even that hopeless Leicester team last season went for every game. All teams looking to win a title has to go for broke. And if we want a top 4 spot that's what we have to do.

Brakes off and accelerate.

 

[davek]

I can see your reasoning Dave but i have a different view of things. Ronald is building a squad of players that are all going to want first team football, the EL would be an ideal oppertunity for our fringe players and our youth to get some valuable experience

That's acceptable if all the games right through the group stages are played like ARsenal approach LC early rounds and play their youth.

Still, two games in a week is two games to prepare for...no matter who is playing....and it certainly would involve senior players in both matches.

 

[Jebus_lives]

Must be kidding mate. Even that hopeless Leicester team last season went for every game. All teams looking to win a title has to go for broke. And if we want a top 4 spot that's what we have to do.

Brakes off and accelerate.

The hopeless Leicester team that won the league last year...

 

[rochdaleblue]

Must be kidding mate. Even that hopeless Leicester team last season went for every game. All teams looking to win a title has to go for broke. And if we want a top 4 spot that's what we have to do.

Brakes off and accelerate.

That hopeless Leicester team had a solid foundation at the back. Going for broke in games is great, but not if you don't have a stable defensive unit. Our defence will win us as many games as All out attack.

 

[zirc]

I'd take a Mourinho type manager over a Guardiola/Wenger approach. Being tactically inflexible works fine when you've got world class players at nearly every position and can execute a strategy to perfection, but we are not *quite* at that level of quality.

Think Koeman will out to be more of the former than the latter, which I also hope is the case. Ideologically pure football won't work with us.

edit: also anyone who doesn't want us to qualify for EL is mental. If we don't have the squad to cope with Europa then we don't have the squad to cope with CL either. We need to start building that squad ASAP. We also need to raise the stature of the club by any means necessary, and playing in Europe is essential to that. And that's not even mentioning our coefficient...

 

[Jebus_lives]

That hopeless Leicester team had a solid foundation at the back. Going for broke in games is great, but not if you don't have a stable defensive unit. Our defence will win us as many games as All out attack.

It's easier to throw caution to the wind when there is no expectation. It's much greater in stakes to be a team that's expected to win or compete, who then seem reckless when picked apart.