Blues unfortunate to lose in Dresden

, 29 July, 79comments  |  Jump to most recent
Dynamo Dresden 2 - 1 Everton

John Stones started despite the consensus in the media that he is destined for Manchester City

Everton were beaten for the first time time this pre-season as they went down to the hosts in the Dresden Cup this evening.

Gerard Deulofeu was the standout player for the Blues, scoring a spectacular free kick to level the game late in the first half and missing a handful of other great chances to seal what should have been a routine win.

However, Pascal Testroet's fine 20-yard effort in the second period proved to be the winner.

Ronald Koeman named a similar line-up to the previous two friendlies where the attack is concerned, with Deulofeu and Kevin Mirallas deployed furthest forward and no recognised, out-and-out strikers.

Romelu Lukaku was among the substitutes, however, along with Arouna Kone as both players looked to taste their first pre-season action following time off and minor injury respectively but neither were involved.

More intriguingly, in the context of the growing confidence in the media that he is off to Manchester City, is the fact that John Stones was also included in the team. The England international played the last half an hour at MK Dons on Tuesday but will play from the start this evening.

Elsewhere in the side, young Tom Davies plays and Aaron Lennon also started in a team captained by Leighton Baines, while James McCarthy and Gareth Barry were among the subs after recovering from knocks.

The early sparring yielded few openings as the two teams settled into the exhibition game but there were a couple of flashes of intent from Gerard Deulofeu and Kevin Mirallas in forward areas before the Spaniard had the first real chance.

Deulofeu raced onto a forward pass that wasn't dealt with by a Dresden defender and bore down on the keeper but he couldn't find the small gap inside the near post and he hit the post in the 10th minute.

Mirallas then provided the bench with some concern when he came out of a challenge hobbling but he was able to run the complaint off.

The home side took the lead after 14 minutes, though, when Berko beat the offside trap to collect a dummies through-ball and his low cross was converted by Hauptmann in the centre with a sliding effort.

Deulofeu was in again down the left channel a few minutes later following an excellent ball out by Stekelenburg but the goalkeeper made a good one-handed save as the forward tried to slide it past him.

Stones then powered a header from the resulting corner inches over and Deulofeu charged down the subsequent clearance by the keeper but the ball ricocheted wide.

A quiet spell in the game ensued before Deulofeu was dragged down on the edge of the Dynamo box setting up a direct free kick opportunity that the Spaniard smashed in off the underside of the crossbar.

Muhamed Besic coming on for Davies was the only change at the start of the second half which began in fairly even fashion until Lennon drove forward and saw a shot from 20-off yards deflected wide and Barkley hammered a shot narrowly over.

The Blues continued to carry the greater threat going forward and Deulofeu and Barkley almost combined shortly before the hour mark when the former collected the latter' spass and clipped it back into the centre but Barkley couldn't make up the ground in the middle to connect with it.

Mirallas then dragged a shot across goal after good work by Deulofeu and Besic on the edge of the box and the Spaniard wasted a gilt-edged chance when he skipped past his marker but missed the far post by inches with his finish.

Dresden retook the lead against the run of play, however, with a goal out of nowhere in the 66th minute. Testroet cut inside across the Everton box and curled a shot well beyond the reach of Stekelenburg and in off the far post to make it 2-1.

A couple of further changes by Koeman which saw Stones and Barkley withdrawn in favour of Dowell and Holgate and the young midfielder came close to converting a Coleman cross from the right but could only glance a header wide.

The Blues continued to look vulnerable on the edge of their box, though, and we're grateful to see a 20-yard Stefniak shot flash wide of Stekelenburg's right-hand post.

Once more, Deulofeu almost embarrassed the keeper by closing him down but the Dresden stopper got away with it with a hurried clearance.

With the match ebbing away, Baines was yellow-carded for a late tackle and an awkward fall by Funes Mori had the Argentine in distress but early fears he would need to be stretchered off were proved premature.

Deulofeu twisted his way into another one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper but he went for glory and was foiled when he could only fire into the keeper's chest with three minutes to go.

All in all, another useful pre-season run-out, albeit one that featured some quiet performances from players like Barkley and Mirallas who will be needed to produce the goods in forward areas if Koeman is to get off to a winning start when the real business starts next month.

Everton: Stekelenburg, Coleman, Funes Mori, Stones (Holgate 66'), Baines {c}, Davies (Besic 46'), Gibson, Barkley (Dowell 66'), Lennon, Mirallas, Deulofeu.

Subs not used: Robles, Hewelt, Oviedo, Galloway, Cleverley, McCarthy, Barry, Grant, Koné, Lukaku.


As well as three points for a win, there will be a point awarded for every goal scored in the Dresden Cup, win or lose. All games level after 90 minutes will go immediately to penalties, with three points awarded to the winners of the shootout (goals scored in penalty shootouts will not count towards the final tally).

At the end of the tournament, the team with the most points will be named the winners of the Dresden Cup. If two teams finish level on points, goal difference and then, if necessary, goals scored will be used to determine the champions.

Quotes sourced from



Reader Comments (79)

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Barrie Abbott
1 Posted 29/07/2016 at 18:54:02
Who's this Lukaku on the bench?
Michael Kenrick
2 Posted 29/07/2016 at 18:57:27
The official feed is already up:

Everton Pre-Season live!

With more than half-an-hour till kick-off.

Great to see the imperious John Stones playing for us. I'm one of the 21%-ers hoping against hope that he's staying. And Lukaku on the bench; glad to see him too... even though his lackadaisical style drives me crazy.

Paul Mackie
3 Posted 29/07/2016 at 19:06:09
Just tried to buy the game as I've nothing better to do and am, of course, getting a server error.

Classic Everton.

Edit: Never mind, got it working now.

Brent Stephens
4 Posted 29/07/2016 at 19:09:42
Michael, I've bought this game but am getting no feed. What are you seeing?
Ian Jones
5 Posted 29/07/2016 at 19:14:44
Michael . I am a 21%-ertoo. Looking forward to being a 22%-er and more :) The BBC seemed to change their headline the other day from there are talks underway between the clubs to Guardiola suggesting he is interested in John Stones. Subtle difference but who knows
Colin Glassar
6 Posted 29/07/2016 at 19:19:33
I'm also in that 21% silent majority.
Stan Schofield
7 Posted 29/07/2016 at 19:28:18
And me. What a cracking player.
David Milner
8 Posted 29/07/2016 at 19:28:33
Brent @4

I have got the feed & kickoff is in 5 minutes.

The feed does not usually come on before 5 - 7 minutes before kickoff.

Lev Vellene
9 Posted 29/07/2016 at 19:30:22
I was one of the 20% at the time, now up to 21%! Really hope we can hold onto and mold that talent! Although I will not be crying crocodile tears if we can get £50m for an unfinished defender that really wants to leave...
Brent Stephens
10 Posted 29/07/2016 at 19:30:25
Ta, David. I actually went through Michael's link, successfully fortunately as the link EFC emailed to me is still duff!
Lev Vellene
11 Posted 29/07/2016 at 19:39:20
With these special rules for the tournament, I'm sort of hoping for us to get 4-4 results and then see how our players do with penalty shoot-outs...
Zachary Tanner
13 Posted 29/07/2016 at 19:42:48
Anyone know if this a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 with Geri up top? Very excited to see how Koeman wants to line up this year...
George Li
14 Posted 29/07/2016 at 19:45:30
Dresden scored. :( ... ball-watching by Coleman.
Chris Owens
15 Posted 29/07/2016 at 19:48:23
I can't decide if Stones playing tonight is a good thing. It could indicate that we're trying to hang on to him and force City to increase their offer. On the other hand, if he messes around and gives another goal away ... ?
Simon Rouse
16 Posted 29/07/2016 at 19:52:23
Firstly, hello everyone and this is my first post.

Secondly, if any of you have German satellite, you can watch tonight's game on MDR and they are streaming it on mdr.de.

Gary Reeves
17 Posted 29/07/2016 at 19:53:00
Zachary,

Yeah Geri is playing up top largely on his own, with Mirallas trying to get get up on the left of him. Barkley is spitting and pointing at yellow shirted players running past him.

George Li
18 Posted 29/07/2016 at 19:53:26
Maybe Koeman was getting Stones bedding in with the team and, after a nice outing, he decides then to stay with us.
Kevin Hudson
19 Posted 29/07/2016 at 20:17:28
If, as we're led to believe, Stones is half way out the door, then what on earth are we doing giving the lad a game? Are we doing Man City's pre-season prep for them?

I do hope Griffiths asks that very pertinent question to Koeman after the match.

It also begs the question: Why fly him to Germany in the first place?

Danny Halsall
20 Posted 29/07/2016 at 20:19:26
Can somebody tell me what Barkley is doing. Looks like he doesn't know what day it is. Deulofeu looking fantastic again and really impressed at Mirallas's work rate.
David Milner
21 Posted 29/07/2016 at 20:20:11
Stones looks comfortable on the ball & passing forward but what is Funes Mori doing?

Gibson's worst game so far & Coleman does not look that positive.

Lev Vellene
22 Posted 29/07/2016 at 20:21:21
I'd say we are acting as if Stones is an Everton player. If things happen to make him not-so, then so be it. We're not placing him on a pedestal to keep him out of harms way; still an Everton player until he actually goes, I'd say!
Daniel Lawrence
23 Posted 29/07/2016 at 20:27:25
Yes, very intriguing that we've included one of our only two fit centre-halves in a game!!
David Milner
24 Posted 29/07/2016 at 20:31:02
Daniel @23

Obviously looking at playing a back 4 of Holgate, Pennington, Galloway & Oviedo tomorrow.

Jay Harris
25 Posted 29/07/2016 at 20:31:31
My two favourite players not playing well.

Ross and Seamus not at the races at all.

James Thornhill
26 Posted 29/07/2016 at 20:37:17
With this new work ethic from Deulofeu, he reminds me of a poor man's Griezmann.
Lev Vellene
29 Posted 29/07/2016 at 20:51:05
As Coleman was saying earlier, the team will need some time to get the Martinez-drilled-in behaviour removed from their instinctive thinking.

I think Deulofeu is making a thorough new start of this pre-season, though! May it continue!

Carl Rutherford
30 Posted 29/07/2016 at 21:29:38
Has Barça's option to buy back Deulofeu expired for this summer yet?
Alan Bodell
31 Posted 29/07/2016 at 21:38:41
Pavlov's Dog had an album called 'Pampered Menial' and I fear for us that Ross is just that; he has the ability and physique and all the quotes of what he will do... then what?

Petty poor tonight.

James McPherson
32 Posted 29/07/2016 at 21:40:04
Everything has a feel of déjà vu – this rather woeful pre season recruitment followed by a game we dominate and lose... the kids are nowhere near ready – where are the acquisitions? Where's the push from the top?

Tell you what... let's have a yet another look at a yet another photo shoot showing yet another kit... That'll placate things .

Lev Vellene
33 Posted 29/07/2016 at 21:41:01
Carl (#30), I think they still have the option this season still. Wasn't it two seasons?

Let's just hope he doesn't fit into any pegs within Barca...

And let's hope RK can take him aside and shame him out of his rude behaviour towards our youngsters making a dud pass at times... That was annoying to watch vs MK Dons!!!

Mike Allen
34 Posted 29/07/2016 at 21:46:25
Friendly or not, show some kind of interest!!! Deulofeu and Barkley both players very languid. Barkley has no intelligence to play in that roll, no urgency to close down, pretty much clueless when he hasn't got the ball.

Deulofeu gives up far too easily and makes a token effort. Not having a go cos' lack of form; having a go cos' lack of effort = no football instinct.

Neal Smith
35 Posted 29/07/2016 at 21:46:45
Very poor/tired looking performance tonight. Still a lot of work to do for Koeman and let's hope he gets a few new players in over next couple of weeks.

Barkley was terrible, Deulofeu could and should have had 5 tonight. Never mind, let's move on to tomorrow and hope for a better performance and result.

Tony Hill
36 Posted 29/07/2016 at 21:47:08
Limbering up nicely. Hope Funes Mori is okay. I can feel it in my bones that this is the beginning of something special. The result, of course, is irrelevant.
Carl Rutherford
38 Posted 29/07/2016 at 21:52:51
Lev, they do have the option for 2 seasons but the transfer has to be completed by a certain date or else they then have the same period of time to complete the transfer in the second season for a higher price. I just can't remember when their option for this summer expires!
John Codling
39 Posted 29/07/2016 at 22:00:09
Sick of hearing how good Stones is, he was fucking shite last season. How he was selected to go to the Euros beggars belief, but then again look at the comedian of a manager.

The boy cannot defend, his ability from set pieces is crap, all he's interested in now is money. Remember Rodwell... the grass is not always greener.

Andy Crooks
40 Posted 29/07/2016 at 22:01:24
James (#32), in the past, I have bowed to no-one in my glass half-emptiness.

I bow to you.

Gregory McDaid
41 Posted 29/07/2016 at 22:03:52
Some players need to take a look at themselves. Barkley gives us nothing, kills the team; Lennon & Mirallas didn't have the best of games. We need quality signings or it's not going to be any different from last season.

With all this money and not a signing, apart from goalkeeper, it's time to get things moving because that was poor tonight against a second division German team.

Ciarán McGlone
42 Posted 29/07/2016 at 22:10:40
At this rate we're going to need a replacement for Ross.. I'm afraid he's never going to reach his potential.

The only postive in this match was our new forward... Like Michael Owen, only better with his feet.

Lukaku can do one.

James McPherson
43 Posted 29/07/2016 at 22:12:37
Andy (#40) – crap week... bottle of wine... the outputs are there for all to see.

I hope things are okay that side of the water.

John Keating
44 Posted 29/07/2016 at 22:23:22
Tactics have changed.

Hopefully Ron can rectify the the frailties and personnel we are still short of as the last 2 seasons have shown.

Defensively we are still woeful.

We seriously need a midfield playmaker, a good back up or replacement for Lukaku and someone, anyone who can lead on the pitch!

Terence Tyler
45 Posted 29/07/2016 at 22:26:27
Ronald Koeman: "Set pieces are important, and can win you games" – would you believe...
Steavey Buckley
46 Posted 29/07/2016 at 22:39:05
The same pattern as last season because the Everton defence is not good enough to resist conceding goals. Forget about Baines and Coleman getting forward, defending is the most important job.
Anthony Dwyer
47 Posted 29/07/2016 at 22:39:56
Everton beaten 2-1 by SG Dynamo Dresden.

The Blues have immediately launched an appeal to Uefa to have the result overturned due to the opposition fielding an ineligible player – apparently the gas fitter they had in midfield wasn't Corgi-registered.

Back to this shite off the kopites, only saving grace is their new keeper has broken his hand. 😁

Oliver Molloy
48 Posted 29/07/2016 at 22:42:47
And Stones is going nowhere!
Tony Hill
49 Posted 29/07/2016 at 22:42:56
I continue to worry about Coleman. This is a big year for him. Young Kenny is a serious competitor in my view and I don't expect Koeman to show the same indulgence of established names as Martinez did.
Stephen Coles
50 Posted 29/07/2016 at 22:43:18
Lots of reports saying that Man City have made a final bid of £40m for John Stones! Looks like he might be staying after all. And on to tonight's game, we really need better players if we want to challenge for the top 4.
Dave Lawley
51 Posted 29/07/2016 at 22:51:20
Kenny does have a mature head and is a good ball player; reads the game well too. Am I the only one who thinks he has a serious lack of pace?
Tony Hill
52 Posted 29/07/2016 at 22:56:22
Don't know, Dave, I thought he did very well defensively against Norwich, timing tackles accurately ,and he overlapped nicely for the third goal. I haven't seen a lot of him, though, so you may be right.

I have the same concerns about pace with Pennington who seems to me to lack half a yard, though he is otherwise very promising.

Daniel Joseph
53 Posted 29/07/2016 at 22:59:39
Oh God, he used the word "intensity". What's next... "phenomenal"?

Koeman Out!

:-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

Kieran Kinsella
54 Posted 29/07/2016 at 22:59:57
Not really surprising. Koeman's not a miracle worker. This group sucked ass last year and some of the "better" ones are on the sidelines. I imagine Koeman's doing his due diligence to see what reinforcements he needs.
Dave Lawley
55 Posted 29/07/2016 at 23:06:49
I haven't seen that much of him either, Tony, to be fair. I watched him for the England U19s this summer and he was constantly getting beaten for pace.

Aside from this, though, he seems to have many attributes,. Maybe some more knowledgeable TWers can fill in the blanks for us?

Oliver Molloy
56 Posted 29/07/2016 at 23:09:35
"Man City get tough with Everton "

Who makes this stuff up. Who is it Stones contracted to right now?

Add another £10 million just for good measure.

Colin Williams
57 Posted 29/07/2016 at 23:16:02
Mostly senior players playing tonight and most of them were shite! (Again!) Younger players, like Geri, Tom and Stonsey can feel proud of their performance! A Second Division team controlled the game with the ball.

Yes, we created more chances but again unable to take them. (We played off a one-trick pony all night – just playing to Geri's pace – fuck all else. No-one else could manage fuck-all. All these senior attack-minded players who play central and out wide done fuck-all again!! Like every other game they play... When will we ever learn? Get fecking rid, now!!!

Also, talking about creating chances, thank fuck we had Geri!... With his tremendous workrate, combined with his overall performance, he can feel proud of his game.Yes, he missed some opportunities – but he also created most of them himself! If he keeps knocking on the door, it will happen for him!!

The gaffer needs to rid us of all the fecking deadwood now!! Otherwise we'll be saying the same fecking things in December!

Lev Vellene
58 Posted 29/07/2016 at 23:35:52
All in all, I was not totally unhappy with this result. The lads didn't really play badly, but they lost... I should think this will help RK drive home some points with them!

Looking forward to the match tomorrow, to see how they react after this evening's result. That's all pre-season is about, after all. :)

Steve Barr
59 Posted 30/07/2016 at 00:18:04
Absolute tripe. Poor performance and excuses "this was just a pre-season friendly" miss the point. So-called senior players not interested. Symptomatic of the malaise in the game nowadays.
Paul Ward
60 Posted 30/07/2016 at 04:02:53
Steavey Buckley (#46), You are spot on. Both fullbacks should learn to prioritise defending. Coleman is quite irresponsible at times thinking he is a winger and exposing our right flank when the opposition break out.

How many times last season did we see Barkley running with the ball, head down, losing it and both full backs marooned over the half-way line?

Brian Porter
61 Posted 30/07/2016 at 07:17:19
Who needs Rom when we have a superb ready)made replacement in-house. Del Boy has pace, technique, great ball control and can score goals if given the striking role. His pace could also win us countless penalties as defenders can't catch him as he runs into the box and will bring him down as a last resort. After three years Rom's first touch is still abysmally poor. Let him go chase his CL dream elsewhere and find out if he is the great player he already believes he is. "Forca Gerry"
Sam Hoare
62 Posted 30/07/2016 at 07:52:13
Doesn't seem like enough players have really seized the gauntlet and shone in pre-season so far. Deulofeu aside.

Galloway and Holgate have looked good in patches and will likely start today. Davies has done OK along with Mirallas and Gibson at times but it's been uninspiring mostly.

Will take time to unlearn Martinez' philosophy but would hope to see the players put in a few more individual displays.

Will be interesting to see Barry, Cleverley and McCarthy today given all of them have their places under threat.

Mike Kennedy
63 Posted 30/07/2016 at 07:57:41
I took my son to see Everton at MK Dons. I am still worried about our defending from the midfield back. Deulofeu was exciting but Barkley did not appear at the races, often carrying the ball too far when an early pass was a better option. I am hoping this is early days in the pre-season but the season comes around all too quickly. Keoman has a big job to do.
Andrew Clare
65 Posted 30/07/2016 at 08:44:22
We Evertonians are eternal optimists and as another season approaches with a new rich major shareholder and a new highly regarded manager we are more optimistic than ever.
Unfortunately there is one big problem. Our players are not good enough and unless we sign 4 or 5 high quality players this transfer window I can see another disappointing season on the horizon.
We have too many over-rated players that only perform sporadically.
I'm worried.
Sam Hoare
66 Posted 30/07/2016 at 08:50:05
Slightly contradictory post there Andrew!
Mike Allen
69 Posted 30/07/2016 at 09:15:26
What's with this attitude, "It's only a friendly"? – It's competitive sport, for Christ's sake! Self-pride... there are times when you can't trap a bag of cement well – that's when pride kicks in. You may not want the ball but you can still close down, put in a few extra tackles, not stroll round the pitch, where you can't even be bothered to stretch your legs.

No names on shirts suggests Big Ron is far from certain of his squad so you would think players with any sense of pride would show they deserve a shirt or as it looked last night some are not that bothered.

Paul Conway
70 Posted 30/07/2016 at 09:28:04
I have 100% confidence in Koeman. But, the man is no magician. He is not going to turn average players like Stones, Mirallas, Deulofeu , Besic, McCarthy, Lennon, etc into top four material.

Imho, apart from Stones (over-rated), Lukaku (unreliable), Barkley (still trying to frustratingly realise his potential), we have only Funes Mori and Coleman, who could figure on top clubs' radars. We might have a player or two improving, but not a whole squad!

Imo, we need a complete overhaul and not just tweaked. Most of the average players I mentioned above had barely 60 minutes in them before they were substituted in the past 2 seasons, where they brought us to the dizzy heights of 11th place, 2 seasons on the trot. Wholesale changes are needed.

Alan Bodell
71 Posted 30/07/2016 at 09:37:21
Koeman is no fool, he has seen how we lack in creativity and he has stated that transfers will happen so .over to you big man.
Andrew Clare
72 Posted 30/07/2016 at 09:37:31
You are right Sam.
Maybe I'm confused? Maybe Everton gets you that way?
David Milner
73 Posted 30/07/2016 at 09:42:44
I do hate seeing the words 'senior players' used. Are we talking about over paid/old age players.
I can never see why a player is paid more when he gets over 30 & has injury worries.
Against Dresden only a few shone through:- Deulofeu, Davies, Stones & Stekelenburg.
Coleman & Funes Mori had nightmares, Gibson did not have a good game but remember this is 3 games in a row without injuries.
Another game like this from Coleman & expect to see Holgate start at right back in the league.
Trevor Peers
74 Posted 30/07/2016 at 10:02:13
Underperforming Mirallas and Barkley have been a perennial feature of a poor Everton midfield for many season's now.
They need replacing with quality, quickly, if we are to stand any chance of moving forward.
Replacing them with youngster's is not the answer. Splash the cash RK !
Aidy Dews
75 Posted 30/07/2016 at 10:25:49
I know it's only pre season but last night we came up against a fitter side with more quality than both Barnsley & MK Dons and for me our lack of quality showed.

You could also see that the habits drilled into the players from Martinez are still there and will take some time to iron out. We still kept on playing tippy tappy shite in the wrong areas, players took too much time on the ball, the work rate and concentration was lacking at times and there wasn't enough pressing of the ball high up the pitch.

But this all won't get sorted out over night but what will help to speed that process up is when Koeman gets his players in, players of the quality and work ethic that will fit into the way he wants to play football.

Before Koeman even came in I felt we needed 5 players (GK, CB, CM, LW & ST), 3 of which could walk straight into the side (GK, CM & LW) but looking at the pre season games, going by how Koeman sets up and wants us to go about games, I think we need more!

We definitely need a new No.1. Stekelenburg is decent but not someone I'd like us to rely on all season between the sticks. Think we definitely need a new CB regardless of IF Stones stays or goes. IF he goes then we need 2 imo. We need a new CM pairing, and holding mid and all rounder. A No.10 which we've been crying out for for a few seasons now. A left sided player has we only really have Mirallas down there but he blows too hot and cold. Deulofeu could play there and watching him this pre season, he could play at No.10 aswell and I wouldn't be surprised to see Koeman use him in the same way he used Mane at Southampton, has like a second striker from a more withdrawn starting position either out wide or at No.10 to give us that pace inbehind and be that player who runs beyond the striker from deep, aswell has being a creative outlet. We also need better quality at right wing. Deulofeu has the quality but I don't think he'll be fixed down to just the right hand side by Koeman. And Lennon is a good squad filler but lacks quality in the final third. And we obviously need strikers. IF Lukaku stays, we need 2 imo to compete with him and be able to come in and do the job. Niasse looks to be going and Kone isn't good enough so we need 2 new strikers, unless Koeman thinks 1 is enough and we can get away with using Deulofeu up top on occasions?!

There's gonna be a big few weeks coming up from Koeman and the club with regards to getting players in has if we're serious about getting back in the European mix then we need the required quality to give us that chance!

Let's just see how things pan out hey

Raymond Fox
76 Posted 30/07/2016 at 11:11:43
The reason for the last two League finishes was there for all to see.
Still blaming Martinez?
James Hughes
77 Posted 30/07/2016 at 11:22:56
Well Raymond as he was in charge for the last two finishes it would be reasonable to
William Cartwright
78 Posted 30/07/2016 at 11:23:31
The current situation is what it is. ToffeeWebbers are almost unanimous in their constructive criticisms and observations. I expect Koeman and crew will be on a similar page. There are two issues:-

1st - Patience.
It is reasonable that the management want to fully and fairly assess the current squad from all angles. This is happening.
2nd - Money.
Here Evertonians have been patient over the years such that they get a sense of value and worth of players purchased relative to their cost. Coleman being a case in point. Also the potential performance value of Mr. Walsh should contribute to this philosophy big time.

Do we have a 100m kitty? I believe so. I trust what I ave been told. Will we resolve the stadium issue? Again I believe so, and rust what I have been told. Does that make me stupid or naieve? I don't think so, just trusting in a positive way.

Reading reports about Ashley Williams at 10m, Idrissa Guey at 7m and the door still open for a GK, a No.10, and a left sided mid-fielder, and striker, coupled with the talented youth stream then we will be OK. Splash the cash if you will but seriously, what we need is a sustainable mid / long term plan and that is what is shaping up.

Dave Williams
79 Posted 30/07/2016 at 12:20:20
William # 78 what a sensible and well reasoned post. Ron has to fully assess the squad before deciding on who must go and who to bring in. This can't be done on the training pitch and last night and today should be very useful to him.

Some players never play at full throttle in fried lies. The atmosphere tends to be flat- I used to go to the last friendly at Goodison and a goal was only greeted by a ripple of applause because not even the fans can get motivated. There are exceptions and certainly any youngster given a chance should work his balls off to impress.

I think we all have a good idea of who needs to go and I would imagine Ron and Walsh will kick into action next week. It will take time for Robertos ways to be coached out of the players and a lot more than 3 or 4 weeks on the training pitch when the concentration will have been on getting the players fit again.

I expect an up and down season with maybe the team coming into decent form in time for the FA cup. Ron must be given time- none of us could go into a new job and turn around bad performance of two and a half seasons into a successful business within a few weeks and Ron shouldn't be expected to either.

Be patient!!

Tim Wardrop
80 Posted 30/07/2016 at 12:24:08
Some hilarious comments on here. We lost a friendly. Who cares? If you look back at our history there's not much correlation between how we do in pre season and how we do in the season proper. Let's see what happens against Tottenham...
Mike Allison
81 Posted 30/07/2016 at 13:33:11
Yes Raymond, very much so.
Aidy Dews
82 Posted 30/07/2016 at 15:06:46
Tim, did you watch today's game as well? Even that was poor! Even with new signings, there's work to be done with this team.

We've just played 2 teams with better quality back to back and, regardless of it being preseason or not, we seriously lack quality. Now I know we're finding it hard to get that quality in but it's going to take a while for Koeman to mould us into the team of his making and imo we look well short with only 2 weeks to go before the start of the season.

Now I'm not panicking just yet but there needs to be a big increase in our efforts across the board at the club in the next few weeks to get us fit, get us functioning has a team and to get the required quality in to give us a chance of getting off to a positive start this season imo.

James McPherson
83 Posted 30/07/2016 at 15:10:37
Tim, (80) I have once again renewed my season ticket for next season. Once the club gives me a discount for the first four games, I will then relax about being ready for the season.
Bill Griffiths
84 Posted 30/07/2016 at 15:19:40
I haven't watched games but have followed them on the Live Forum here. Got to say things don't sound too good though I know they will not be as bad as made out on here.

What do most think Koeman's will do on Wednesday & Saturday? Give most of the squad game time as to date, or start with most of those he thinks will be starting against Spurs?

Amit Vithlani
85 Posted 30/07/2016 at 15:42:55
"The reason for the last two League finishes was there for all to see.
Still blaming Martinez?"

Yes.

Good of you to pop up, Raymond, when we've lost in pre-season in our new manager's FOURTH fixture in charge. Never mind that Martinez's last 70 games produces a mediocre win ratio.

Did you consider that this squad was largely assembled by Martinez, and coached into the state of poor fitness currently on show?

Eric Holland
86 Posted 31/07/2016 at 17:05:38
Geri liking his new role, and just heard he will be given the No:7 shirt this week.

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