Proud Unsworth looking to end season on a high

, 13 May, 76comments  |  Jump to most recent

David Unsworth has described yesterday as the most difficult he has experienced since returning to Everton but says he and the players will be doing everything they can to end the season on a high this Sunday.

Roberto Martinez's three-year tenure with Everton was brought to an end yesterday following the 3-0 defeat at Sunderland on Wednesday evening, a result that extended the club's recent run to just one win in 10 matches.

Along with his former manager, Joe Royle, Unsworth was appointed at Martinez's suggestion to take charge of the final match of the season against Norwich City on Sunday and he expressed his pride at today's pre-match press conference at Finch Farm.

“I'm very, very proud,” Unsworth said. “It was the proudest moment of my life yesterday when I got the call. At the same time, one of the most difficult days I've had since I came back to the club.

“A good man has lost his job and that's always difficult but that's football management.

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“My relationship with Roberto is outstanding. It is a fantastic personal relationship. He's the one who rubber-stamped me coming back to the club … and when Alan [Stubbs] left to go to Hibs, Roberto was the first one on the phone to offer me the job.

“So I've got nothing but great words to say about him. The way he was with me and the young players, the way he worked with young players in training … he's a top guy.”

Unsworth was asked why he felt things had gone so badly for Everton in recent months and the former Blues defender echoed the former manager's belief that the Blues had found themselves on the wrong side of fine margins.

“I think over the period you've got to win matches and it's been a difficult time for us,” he explained.

“We've got top players. Some our performances that I've seen have been outstanding and the fine margins in football at the very highest level are so small, aren't they?

“Two semi-finals, so close to being in a major final. It's just fine the margins and it's very hard for any manager or any team when those fine margins are taken away from you.”

Asked whether he felt he could be in the frame to replace Martinez and whether he would take it, Unsworth was quck

“Who wouldn't want this job? I have massive aspirations to be a manager and this the only place I want to manage. Whether it comes now or whether it comes somewhere down the line, other people will decide that.

“I'm just very, very proud to be given the opportunity on Sunday.”

Unsworth confirmed that Tim Howard will be given the opportunity promised to him by Martinez to play one final time in front of the home fans and get to say his farewells by starting against the Canaries.

In that vein, he expects the mood to be different at Goodison Park and he admitted that Everton's home ground hasn't been the easiest place to play recently.

“I think the fans will turn out in force and respect the likes of Tim playing,” Unsworth said, “and whatever team we pick I'm sure they'll get behind us.

“We have to give them something to shout about. I said to the players this morning that we owe [the fans] a performance on Sunday and we owe them a win. And the way we're going to try and play will get them up and they can get behind us.

“Myself and Joe, Duncan [Ferguson] and John [Ebbrell] will come together this afternoon and we'll pick a team tomorrow to win the game,” he continued, saying that it would be a selection aimed at winning the match. “We certainly will want a performance so we'll do our homework and do it as professionally as we would always do.”

“We [told the] players this morning — we have to finish on a high, we have to finish with a performance and a win. Evertonians have got to leave Goodson at 5 o' clock on Sunday with a smile on their face and that's really important to us.”

 

Reader Comments (76)

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James Carroll
1 Posted 13/05/2016 at 17:23:54
Class
Anthony Jones
2 Posted 13/05/2016 at 17:26:10
Sounds disturbingly similar to Martinez. I preferred the Giggs approach when Moyes left Utd. Just don't go into it.
Ian Jones
3 Posted 13/05/2016 at 17:28:38
Interesting comments. Especially the ones about the players owing the fans a performance. To be fair to Martinez, they probably owed him a performance too.

Anyway. Looking forward to seeing what team gets picked.

Ajay Gopal
4 Posted 13/05/2016 at 17:28:52
Kind words spoken by Unsy about his former boss - full of class. He has done a good job with the U-21s, so hopefully he will be able to get the team to win the last game and the players to recover whatever pride that remains.
Peter Carpenter
5 Posted 13/05/2016 at 17:30:04
Pitching for the job already?
Alan Bodell
6 Posted 13/05/2016 at 17:32:58
I hope Unnsy plays the young lads Sunday, especially Tom Davies and lets face it the seniors have been woeful for the last 3 months.
Stephen Sullivan
8 Posted 13/05/2016 at 17:38:48
"Most diificult" my arse, he's loving it!
Danny O'Neill
9 Posted 13/05/2016 at 17:43:20
It's been commented that Martinez would actually be great as a Development Coach rather than manager. Does seem to like working with emerging talent and is performance obsessed vice results.
Eugene Ruane
10 Posted 13/05/2016 at 17:55:24
Bit of a shock to be honest.

As has been mentioned pure..class.

I was genuinely expecting something more along the lines..

Interviewer: "David, in charge of the first team for the final game, what are your feelings?"

Unsworth: (looks confused) "How d' yer mean 'feelings' like?"

Interviewer: "Well what are your thoughts?'

Unsworth: (shrugs) "Just...y' know..haven't really got none like"

Interviewer: "It must be a huge honour"

Unsworth: (takes chewy out, sticks it on the end of the mike, lights a Benson) "If you like..not really arsed t' be 'onest"

Interviewer: "But obviously mixed emotions regarding Roberto Martinez"

Unsworth: "Not really"

Interviewer: "Is that something you'd like to expand on?"

Unsworth: "Well he was shite wasn't he, a fuckin' nob-head"

Interviewer: "Will it be a thrill to have Joe Ro..."

Unsworth: (shouts to someone at back of room) "Hey, do we get any tea and fuckin' biscuits!?"

(tut, the modern world - where as long as you don't drop your kecks, pull your arse-cheeks apart and shout 'Ithangyew!', you qualify as having 'class')

Joe Clitherow
11 Posted 13/05/2016 at 18:08:28
As I posted elsewhere that's the first press conference I've understood in 3 years.

To those saying Martinez "got" Everton. Unsy is one of us.

I'm convinced him and Joe will put some pride back for the last game. He has started already

Paul Kennedy
12 Posted 13/05/2016 at 18:08:35
Can we please remove Hughes & Howe from the list? Enough scare tactics...
Brian Williams
13 Posted 13/05/2016 at 18:10:33
Do you have to have a prescription for what you're on Eugene, if not where can I buy some?
Eric Holland
14 Posted 13/05/2016 at 18:18:25
I think he grows his own Brian.
Alan Bodell
15 Posted 13/05/2016 at 18:24:01
Eric, it's safe to do out of the winter so the police helicopters cant detect it.
Maynard Hanna
16 Posted 13/05/2016 at 18:33:25
Yep, our former player, said all the right things. And yes he surprised me. But still very pleased with most of the content in what he had to say. Yet today I also watched an interview featuring Tim Howard in which the keeper made the statement that "the manager had gone due to the failings of the players". WRONG, Tim, Wrong.

The manager went because of his own failings and one major failing was his failure to recogise the need to purchase a top class keeper pre-season 2014-2015. And alarmingly ignored that need still further come pre-season 2015-2016.

Then again come January of this year he paid out 13.5 million for a centre forward whose ability at best is questionable, when more than ever the club needed to get things right. RM has gone and gone because of his own shortcomings and the collective failings of his appointed coaching staff.
John Malone
17 Posted 13/05/2016 at 18:37:07
Big Joe is quality we would have been a great side under his management if the cub would have bought him Tora Andre flo!

I'd happily give Big Joe a shot for a year and wait for the right man than put another joker in charge!

Big Joe the last man to win us a trophy say no more!

Steve Bingham
18 Posted 13/05/2016 at 18:43:48
Rhino is the only one that should be kept on at the club when the new manager arrives in my opinion. Obviously found his perfect vocation with the youngsters and is obviously brilliant at his job .
James Byrne
19 Posted 13/05/2016 at 18:46:47
Looks like the Martinez / Kenwright bullshit has spread right through the club.

If Unsy, Royle or Ferguson are not up to the challenge then do me a favour and do one.

I'm sick of being mediocre in this City and mid table bollocks is not acceptable or good enough; remind me again what it stands for - NSNO????

Chris Wilson
20 Posted 13/05/2016 at 18:55:24
I've watched the training session video a couple of times now. I've never seen a recent practice video with Roberto Martinez to compare, but it was nice to see the players enjoying themselves and to see the massive smiles on Unsy and Royle.

It has to be (forgive me for saying it) an incredible moment for Joe Royle. To be back in a management capacity with Everton again, but also to see two of his "kids" in Ferguson and Unsworth taking the reins of the family business. I'm actually kind of sad that this is only going to be for one match. It would have been very interesting to see what this team could have done over the course of a month with Royle and Unsy at the helm. It could have been better, or it could have been worse, but I do believe the team would have put up more of a fight.

Phil Walling
21 Posted 13/05/2016 at 18:57:56
He's kissing the Chairman's arse because he knows he was against the sacking.

Nothing changes as Kenwright takes Bobby's advice on who is best to hold the fort. Wouldn't be surprised if he didn't ask him to provide a shortlist of likely successors. And the valedictory announcement sounded more like a reason to appoint than a reason to sack.

The sacking was the easy bit. Expect to be disappointed by the appointment !

Patrick Murphy
22 Posted 13/05/2016 at 19:02:20
Phil (21) Is it not possible to have a day off? We only have one game left of the season let's try and enjoy it for once and then we can worry about who has been appointed and why.
Phil Walling
23 Posted 13/05/2016 at 19:07:36
I'm going to leave you and Colin to hold the fort, Patrick and, once the season's over, I'm switching off the Everton button until Kenwright is off the stage and out of the cast.
Patrick Murphy
24 Posted 13/05/2016 at 19:09:45
Phil (23) I hope to see you back on here in early July if not sooner:)
James Byrne
25 Posted 13/05/2016 at 19:11:06
Its time for a major "Step Change" at this club. Too shite for too long. No more excuses!

Get fucking rid of the whole mid table mentality from top to bottom. I'm bored to death with it.

This club needs to start to deliver the goods under this new regime.

Mike Powell
26 Posted 13/05/2016 at 19:17:03
Utter bollocks... he sounds just like the clown we have just got rid of, "wrong side of fine margins" what games was he watching? We were very lucky to get away with not getting 10 put past us in few games.

Martinez has infected our club; I just hope the new Manager has a good clearout.

Richard Farrington
28 Posted 13/05/2016 at 19:22:32
This is all well and good but how is Mrs Unsworth feeling about this latest development?
Colin Glassar
29 Posted 13/05/2016 at 19:24:48
Phil, are you referring to moi? Like you, I want BK out ASAP. His legacy is one of pure crap. Goodison needs a good cleansing both physically and spiritually as his mediocrity permeates every nook and cranny of the club.

Hopefully the fat clown will be enjoying his new found millions on some Cypriot beach by the start of the new season. You never know Phil, you could be neighbours soon.

Chris Morris
30 Posted 13/05/2016 at 19:28:18
Time for the players to deliver on Sunday... They have been woeful as well as been lead woefully.

Also time to say our goodbyes to some good servants and enjoy the speculation in what is a huge summer for whomever our new Manager is as there's a rather large rebuild/reshape of our first team squad required.

Just passion, effort and three points on Sunday please, David.

Jay Wood
31 Posted 13/05/2016 at 19:33:30
Hmmm ... as a long-standing critic of BK, I've declared a self-imposed amnesty on that front for the time being.

Mediocrity may indeed have permeated the club during BK's tenure, but maybe, just maybe, the enlisting of Farhad Moshri could be the catalyst for seismic change for Everton's fortunes.

If that proves the case, a review of BK's parting legacy to Everton may be, just may be, in order.

Bob Cumiskey
32 Posted 13/05/2016 at 19:38:04
James Byrne 25, I agree with your comments entirely. I too am sick of mediocrity and the lack of winning mentality around the place. The one shining light for me is Moshiri. I am convinced that there is no way that he has sunk £80m into the club to accept mediocrity.

However, I wish Unsy and Joe all the best on Sunday but on the final whistle I will be leaving. I have no wish to celebrate nostalgia with former players as they do the lap of honour. The season has been a disaster for EFC and the fans and I am still hurting from our recent results.

No sentimentality from me and once it is over let's focus on finding a true leader with a winning mentality. Can't wait for it all to be over now to be honest.

Jay Harris
33 Posted 13/05/2016 at 19:43:05
Most refreshing Managers press conference we have had in years.

Honest, straight forward and genuine with no bullshit.

Lets hope the players are equally honest on Sunday and give the fans an occasion.

Likewise I hope the fans turn it into a carnival atmosphere to show how pleased we are at the change in manage.

It has been a very disappointing couple of seasons but we are about to begin a new journey - let the team know how Goodison can sound.

Andy Walker
34 Posted 13/05/2016 at 19:44:23
Although I know some of us don't like BK, please let's not forget it was him who found and persuaded Mosh to invest £100's mill in our club, THAT legacy is massive.
Martin Mason
35 Posted 13/05/2016 at 19:50:40
Andy@34, please don't burst anti BK myths like that. If it is what it appears then it was a master stroke in such difficult times. I go for the BK statue outside the ground. What a director.
Martin Mason
36 Posted 13/05/2016 at 19:53:56
Unsy's interview was pure class because he even managed to praise and damn Martinez in equal measures by pointing out that all that matters is results. It would be a massive risk but making him manager just may be a master stroke. If he grows into it then win-win, if he struggles then he is easier to move aside than Mourinho. I would fully support it.
Jay Harris
37 Posted 13/05/2016 at 19:59:00
That thought struck me too Martin when Unsy was going on about big Joe, John Ebbrell and big Dunc all indoctrinated in the Everton tradition.

However I think the Prem has moved on a bit now and foreign coaches seem much better tactically prepared.

Martin Mason
38 Posted 13/05/2016 at 20:31:45
Jay, I'd normally agree with you but Leicester playing 4-2-2 without any star players have possibly busted that.

If we have a surge in performance Sunday it could push the Unsy band wagon forward a bit.

Teddy Bertin
40 Posted 13/05/2016 at 20:47:09
Those having a pop at Rhino : give him a break! Martinez gave him his chance and trusted his opinion on players coming through. Roberto was clearly nothing but good to him, so he's showed a bit of class and instead of sticking the knife in (which a lot of Evertonians would have liked) he told it how it is: Robbie's a lovely guy, who gave me a chance to prove myself, I'd love to jump in his grave but I'm happy to wait and won't slag him off just because the fans hate him.

Fair play Rhino. Future manager in the making but probably needs to leave to cut his teeth properly, unless things change drastically at the club. Which they may. Here's hoping

Alastair Donaldson
41 Posted 13/05/2016 at 20:53:05
TOP PLAYER... deserves a shot at being part of the future. Should get the defence and penalty taking right at least.
RHINOOOOOOOOO
Steve Davies
42 Posted 13/05/2016 at 21:03:18
They should have been in charge before the semi final . A missed opportunity there. Looking forward to going to Goodison on Sunday.

Then Bellow fight next Sunday, happy days are here again

Jim Hardin
43 Posted 13/05/2016 at 21:12:33
Nice of him not to stab RM in the back. However, "fine margins" is Roberto-speak. It worries me as to the level that the dark stain of irrational Bobby-thought has permeated even the training grounds.

I was waiting for him to say, we have scrapped the 4-2-3-1 formation even if it means starting with only 10 players! Also I wanted a statement that he will substitute anyone who passes the ball back to the keeper from more than 12 yards away or who tries to take a penalty kick away from Baines.

Feels good to finally be able to come in off the ledge. I am worried though that the rumor of a sporting director model being considered means Roberto could be submitting his resume. The interview would include RM claiming that in the position he would make sure the manager had adequate funding and support from management to create a phenomenal team.

On second thought, maybe I will stay out on the ledge until things get sorted properly. It is almost summer after all and the weather is tolerable up here.

Peter Carpenter
44 Posted 13/05/2016 at 21:19:56
The last couple of weeks have been the last knockings of the Kenwright era. According to reports he didn't want the sacking yet it happened. The carcass has now been dragged out of the room and we can get ready for a new regime. Strap yourselves in for the ride, it may be fast, unpredictable and scary. We are not used to this kind of thing.

Hope Unsy stays on in a central role whoever takes over. Having seen some under 21 games this season he seems to know what he is doing and we need to progress some of those youngsters, something we haven't been good at in recent years (a bit ironic if we have good young players at the same time as loads of money).

Tell Ferguson to do one, if he wants to be a coach, go and practice somewhere.
De Boer for me, a good record with young players, looking for a new challenge, capable of adapting (I hope). Rafa - yesterday's man. Mourinho - massive ego, hasn't built a team for years just buys them, no interest in young players, totally cocked up at Chelsea - go to United please.

Roll on Sunday - looking forward to a match for the first time in ages and that includes the semi-final.
Damian Wilde
45 Posted 13/05/2016 at 21:37:07
Why are people having a pop at him e.g. " fine lines", etc. Have a think will you ffs. Do you expect him to say "to be honest I thought the sideways passing shite was ridiculous and I'll actually play a left midfielder as that fuckin' clown didn't."

He's being 'polite'. Chances are that is not his view, just didn't want to rock the boat a few days after.

I thought he did well. Manager's job? No chance. Love that Joe is back.

Colin Malone
46 Posted 13/05/2016 at 21:53:41
At Martinez's request. FFS, he could not even get that right. Big Joe all day long for me.
Mike Boardman
47 Posted 13/05/2016 at 21:54:41
Yeah, I agree with a lot of the above. Wish Rhino was more like a certain former captain from a certain other club and got his pops in within minutes of the manager leaving, or bigging up a future manager.

"Oh, Roberto would be exactly what we need" to "I always wanted Brendan" to "actually Rafa was a joke and I honestly told him so, honest, honest" – "Please Jurgen, let me come back, I'm not the big deal over here!!".

It's one game, and hopefully the well paid, professional players will play for him and Joe and we can all celebrate like it was all a bad dream ---- then we get hmmm....
Jon Cox
48 Posted 13/05/2016 at 21:56:21
One thing Eugene (10) hates is putting words in other peoples mouths ;-)
Muj Rasul
49 Posted 13/05/2016 at 22:03:25
Call me deluded and I think it was the right time for Martinez to leave but I think 5 years from now we will look back and see that what he did for our club was more than we think. He made us believe and reminded us of our great history – something we couldn't do for 25 years.

The disappointment was he could not deliver the success we wanted, but he reminded us that the sky was the limit for our club....


I think we may get Mourinho.

Bobby Mallon
50 Posted 13/05/2016 at 22:03:26
Alan Stubbs... give the job to him. Only ex-players have ever won anything with Everton.
Les Netherwood
51 Posted 13/05/2016 at 22:16:58
Andy Walker (#34)

Kenwright had years of promising us he was looking for investment but said he just could not get it. At this time, plenty of clubs in the lower divisions (Blackburn, Reading etc) seemed to be able to find investors.

Kenwright had no intention of sharing the limelight with anyone else. We have as a consequence of this stood still for years and years and years. He has only acted now because of ill health.

Let's get him out now... then watch us move forward at last.

Mark Dunford
52 Posted 13/05/2016 at 22:29:27
Always liked Unsworth. Recall a moment before the 94 Wimbledon game when he looked more determined, committed and saner than the so called older, wiser heads around him. At that point he was probably the youngest player in the team.

And, yes he was the best penalty taker we've had.

Presuming Baines is back on penalty duty!!!

Eugene Ruane
53 Posted 13/05/2016 at 22:33:40
Damian (45) - I agree, don't know why anyone's having a dig at him, he was being polite and answered the way most of us would in his position.

I have no criticism of Unsworth, only of those who think his completely normal, unremarkable response was 'class.'

If I say 'good morning' to the postman and he replies 'morning, lovely day' I don't think 'class'

Jim Wilson
54 Posted 13/05/2016 at 22:38:22
Don't care what our manager says at press conferences. What matters is what happens on the pitch.
Hope the lazy one/ones is/are dropped. Just hundred percenters please, who want to be at our great club, even in this game.
But the sacking should have been done after the Derby 4-0, the first one that is!
Dave Clark
55 Posted 13/05/2016 at 22:49:12
I've just read more of his interview on another site in which he said when the Chairman asked him to take charge, Unsworth said he would have to call Martinez.

If I owned Everton, I promise you I would sack Unsworth on the spot! I'd have basically said told him it has nothing to do with Martinez – you either want to work for Everton or not.

It's comments like that from Unsworth shows just how weak we are as a club and is the underlying reason we are not successful!!! Do you think Ronnie Goodlass would ring Martinez for permission!!! No chance, Ronnie has been as upset as the fans over the state of our club!

Time to get rid of these "toe the line" hangers-on! Whoever called Unsworth's interview as "class" get a life will you!!!

If I owned the club, Sharp, Stuart, Unsworth, Elstone, Kenwright and anyone else who supported Martinez would be booted right out of the door! I liked Unsworth until I read his interview, why don't you leave with the clown if you like him that much!!!

John Grills
56 Posted 13/05/2016 at 22:57:31
Why are people having a go at Unsworth? Too much bile in them?

Of course he is going to be diplomatic and gracious towards the man who gave him his start.

Plus Martinez is gone, get over it! You should be thinking about the future not being more bitter than a barrel of lemons.
Chris Corn
57 Posted 13/05/2016 at 23:04:33
Les 51, when you talk of failed investment then mention the clubs you have, it really undermines your argument.
Jon Cox
58 Posted 13/05/2016 at 23:07:17
Jim guess what?

Everyone's a 100 per center now!

"Funny old game football"

Krid Hall
59 Posted 13/05/2016 at 23:24:19
Just seen clips of Rhino's first training session on Twitter. They look a different unit. High fives and hugs aside, he could've done enough to get a performance out of this shower
Graham Pearce
61 Posted 13/05/2016 at 23:38:16
When he talks about fine margins I'll happily enlighten you. We've just beat Chelsea,we've just secured Moshiri... we're playing West Ham at home 2-0 up, Besic fouled outside the box but we get a pen. We've got 10 men but have played brilliantly, our top scorer who is scoring for fun misses the pen...

Roberto decides to take Lennon off, Niasse on, hopefully in the attempt to stop the surge from the Hammers by having 2 up and giving them more to think about and restrain them. It doesn't work... on the basis that Lukaku's missed penalty is a fine margin which we never recovered from. It spiralled into a complete mess but if we could have just seen that game out...

Andrew James
62 Posted 13/05/2016 at 00:06:39
Rhino was a hero in the mid-90's. Bit worried he's slowly become the weight of a Rhino...

In all seriousness, this should have happened months ago if only to see if Unsworth could manage the side.

Damian Wilde
63 Posted 14/05/2016 at 00:32:37
Agree Eugene, it's a standard/half-decent interview, but hardly 'class'. As for your postman 'nice fella', but not 'class', unless you could class him as 'first class'?
Dan Davies
64 Posted 14/05/2016 at 01:04:04
Once again Mr Unsworth politely towing the PR line of the club. Wake up. Yaaaaawn! Boring...... another yaaaaaawn!

It's time we did our talking on the pitch.

Dan Davies
65 Posted 14/05/2016 at 01:10:14
Another puppet at the begging bowl.

Hey I just had a really good light bulb moment.

Eureka!

Let's start a Toffeweb poll to get Neville Southhall on the board to represent the FANS.

Now that would be interesting. NSNO.

Stephen Sullivan
66 Posted 14/05/2016 at 01:58:05
Some of them think we all fools. They spin politician type crap aimed primarily at boosting their own status and thus maximising their reputation and thus future earning potential..
Sean McCarthy
67 Posted 14/05/2016 at 02:28:50
Dan - big Nev was/is my hero but I'm afraid he's never been the sharpest knife in the drawer!! He can cause an argument in an empty room and I suspect putting him on the board in any capacity would be a recipe for disaster!!

Let him carry on letting off steam on the after dinner circuit.........provided you're not easily shocked by a very generous use of every conceivable expletive in the book!!!!

Roman Sidey
68 Posted 14/05/2016 at 03:07:36
Does anyone remember the story that came out about Adebayor and Bendtner when Ade had to come on to get Arsenal back in the game. He pushed Bendtner out wide and the Dane was very unhappy. What I heard was Adebayor said "The only reason I am on the field is because you're shit."

Now, that could be total lies, but it is a good yarn, and it is similar to what I want the new manager to say to our squad when he arrives at his first training session. A handful of players who think they should be in the Champions League acting so, and X Manager making them run hills shouting "I only got this job because you lads couldn't win games!"

Anto Byrne
69 Posted 14/05/2016 at 04:50:34
It seemed to me that if it was going to go against us it did; fine margins indeed. A missed penalty and a ball well out of play are fine margins. Had we got the rub of the green it could have been so different. But then we just couldn't defend to save our lives.

I don't think Rhino is the long term solution as too close the player's. Norwich are down so its a nothing game but hopefully they will both play for pride and give us a great game and we win 3-0.

Ben Dyke
70 Posted 14/05/2016 at 08:26:30
I think Unsworth did a great job in a very down to earth manner here. He referenced that results are all that matters when you are the coach (tick box that he understands why Bobby had to go), he acknowledged publicly what Bobby personally had done for him (tick box don't be an arse to the guy that's just got the boot), and he showed the right kind of pride and ambition (tick box mention my love for Everton and my desire to manage them one day).
Job done for press interview. Brings back link to better days.
Lose to Norwich he'll forever be linked with this dreadful period under dreadful Bobby "what a deluded psychobabblist manager" Martinez
Graham Pearce
71 Posted 14/05/2016 at 08:44:27
Can anyone tell me how Unsy sets up his U21s? Is he a 4-2-3-1 as well, so that players were used to the system when they progressed to the first team?

I prefer to see 4-4-1-1 with Barkley further forward, closer to Lukaku: however, if it doesn't work, then give Dowell the last 20-30 mins for Barkley and let him play and get some Premier League experience. Same for Davies on for Barry or Besic after 60-70 mins.

Barry and besic holding; two wingers in Mirallas and Lennon. No Cleverley or McCarthy as, to be honest, they're not worth a start at the moment.

Back 4 same as Sunderland only because we haven't got any better options; again, after 60-70 minutes, introduce Connolly or Holgate for one of them.

Let's give lift-off to some of our future stars in a positive environment, Goodison gloom has lifted and we can cheer every good thing these kids do.

Paul Conway
72 Posted 14/05/2016 at 09:00:30
Martinez turned this Club into a sect before he left... and reading Unsworth's comments, looks like the spell is still there.

I have the greatest respect for him as a youth coach and ex-player but I find it difficult to swallow that he wasn't glad to see a pair of clean heels of RM's brown shoes. A brandy and Cuban cigar, or something similar should have been the order of the day.

He was obviously not reading TW these past months. This Club needs to be purged of everything Martinezesque, from players to staff to back-slapping cronies.

Colin Malone
73 Posted 14/05/2016 at 10:24:22
Big Dunc is the first team coach that I presume is still at the club. So why Unsy?
Eivind Nyhus
74 Posted 14/05/2016 at 11:22:15
I don't want to keep ragging on Martinez, but maaaan, what a great presser this was. No bable, no unnecessaraly colorfull language. Just to the point answers.
Damian Wilde
75 Posted 14/05/2016 at 11:55:26
All the lads giving it the "yawn" "club PR exercise" what do you think he should have said?? Be interested to know.
Paul Thompson
76 Posted 14/05/2016 at 12:28:55
Neither class nor cringe. This was a no frills exposition of his own trajectory within the club (which will inevitably praise Martinez) and a blindingly obvious statement of what the team he picks needs to do on Sunday. I would take his 'fine margins' stuff with a pinch of salt. You don't make a critique of the old regime a day after. It will emerge. Unsy has done a very good job with the U21s, but he want be getting his first stat as a manager with us.
Dan Davies
77 Posted 14/05/2016 at 14:03:31
Damian# 75, basically the TRUTH. He should've said Everton have been playing poor, no sorry, really poor for a long time.

He should've said that both the manager and the players were to take the blame but that's the past and now we move on. Next question.

The paragraph above which starts 'Two semi-finals' is Unsworth channelling Martinez bullshit babble. Tell it like it is, man! I suggest Unsworth gets his tongue out of Martinez backside and gets on with the job at hand.

Anyways, I'm not talking about Martinez again. He's history.

Les Netherwood
78 Posted 14/05/2016 at 17:19:12
Chris Corn (#57)

I did not say 'failed investments'... I said 'lack of investment'. The clubs I mentioned all had really good investors and had new stadiums; we had nothing new... and for that matter, still haven't.

We are a long way from being The Merseyside Millionaires as we were often described in the days of Sir John Moores. Maybe now we will get some action towards a new ground of our own.

Damian Wilde
79 Posted 14/05/2016 at 18:28:16
Dan, he's in-charge for one game ffs, what's the point in him blaming everyone? Pointless moaning.
Tony Draper
80 Posted 15/05/2016 at 22:26:33
Bill is not a well man.
Everton are also very unwell.

Take a well earned rest Bill, focus upon your prime concern, please ? Get well, just get well.

Everton, need to likewise, focus upon some serious hard issues, and you know Bill, just like you mate, when we do our circumstances will take a great bloody turn for the better.

I bet that Everton improving will do you the bloody world of good Bill. This club CAN damage a good mans health.......
Sir John......
Harry.......
Howard.......
William Ralph.......

Get well Bill.


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