Koeman bemoans squad fitness as new season looms

Lads, we are in for a long and drawn-out (in my eyes at least) 3 years. We go with the flow though.

The amount of good first halves and terrible second halves at the start of last season showed that. Let's just hope he can turn that around.

No, no excuses from Koeman, that can all be laid at the door of the total excuse of a manager we have paid millions to for the last three seasons, who incidentally inherited one of the fittest squads in the division.

Professional footballer's need to take some responsibility. The training ground doesn't close over the summer. Double training sessions should start as soon as they walk in from their summer holidays.

Need the season starting in three weeks really. Transfers and training not up to the start of a season. Fear Tottenham may kick our arse on Saturday.

The legacy from Bobby Brown shoes runs much deeper than just poor player fitness/conditioning. The squad needs de-Martinizing and this will not be a short process so patience will be required from all Evertonians whilst this happens.

This will also weed out those players not able to get fit enough or good enough for what RK needs for each position.

Hopefully no player is safe from this purge.

COYB

I agree that our squad has been allowed to drift fitness wise but he is being disingenuous. I had major surgery and kidney dialysis in June yet did London Triathlon last weekend. He has not got the core of the squad fit enough in over a month? Not having it. He's making excuses.

He implied Finch Farm was not up to it either. Strange but perhaps I am reading that wrong. Personally I don't think Mr Koeman will be with us much longer than our former manager. But he might give us a trophy...

Even Barry Horne referenced our "slightly higher" ambitions than Swansea as a way to discuss the Williams migration. Barry we like you but if you refer to us as having "slightly" higher aspirations than Swansea you need to be paddled, in public, in the Fan Zone, at 14:20 in unison with the team news. The team news is that it's the same team from last season.

When a new manager comes in it always takes time to implement new tactics, new players, new 'philosophy'...i suppose New Fitness should be no different.

We can't blame him for the lack of signings, clearly that's either down to him needing time to assess his inherited squad, or a failure by our board to back him properly.

But getting the first team ready for action for the start of the season is his job.

I'm not starting a witch hunt, and I'm more than happy with RK being at the helm, but fact remains its his job to get a team ready for this weekend.

My opinion is we will more than likely find the spurs game a very tough one, but luckily we have a decent run of fair fixtures between now and the end of the transfer window.

I think a lot will change by the close of the window, and we will have to just bear with RK and his players.

Roberto's optimism was met by universal approval (almost) on TW as the antidote to OFM's negativity. Now Koeman is praised for his realism..but how quickly will we say this is "negativity"?

Stay grounded chaps. The results will soon start to speak for themselves. We don't need to build up Koeman only to knock him down if/when we get a mid table finish. Let the tabloids do that.

I don't think any team will be 100% fit on Saturday so let's judge it after the game.

If he is still saying it in 3 weeks time though, he deserves a smack round the face with a wet kipper.

I can see Koman resigning after a season trying to appease some fans and having to deal with the bull shit from the board. He needs 11 new players.

Who cares how much it costs it's not your money.

The vast majority of Evertonians were overjoyed at getting Koeman.

Now after a few weeks in the job some people are carping before a ball has been kicked in our first league game.

If you could not see the atrocious way our club has been run these last 3 years and what Koeman inherited then you must be blind.

He has not managed a league game for us yet, so saying he is talking down expectations is foreboding all the negativity you'll throw at him for every less-than-spectacular result we get in the new season.

He merely stated something many of us believed to be the case. I don't believe that Moshiri or level headed fans will fall for the same excuses the past 2 managers threw at us.

Never mind the lack of fitness no manager in the world could expect to turn that around in a few weeks.

And BTW the 5th was a nailed on 4th until the team fell away at the last hurdle as the Martinez experiment started to hit home.

I believe Koeman is telling it like it is, would we want the over optimistic parlance of the previous regime to make a reappearance? His claims about fitness levels we all know are true and to criticize him for not getting them up to scratch in the time he has had is quite ridiculous! If you read what he has said he is pushing them to the limits without it being detrimental to the injury figures. If we suddenly has loads of hamstrings and calf strains then the boards would be awash with people moaning that he is pushing them too hard!!! He has a fitness coach in place and as a top ex-player who worked with other top players and top managers and coaches I feel he knows what he is doing. It is all very well saying they should be fit by now, but if fitness was just a case of running a lot to increase stamina ... then we wouldn't need fitness coaches, would we? The team already looks fitter than it did, therefore we are going in the right direction!

A ball hasn't been kicked in anger yet, give the guy a chance to get his feet under the table, undo the negatives from the last few years, change mentalities, change tactics, introduce his own players and a decent time frame, then we can assess!

I thought I was pessimistic before coming on ToffeeWeb!!!! wow! I realise now that I am indeed a chirpy optimistic happy chappy! Yes rainy days are not to be bemoaned, the skies are a life giving etc etc!

Our last two were a right pair of Charlie's in this regard.

At the point where Ronald was being snared, I felt encouraged that when this stage of our preseason arrived I'd be thinking "Bring the buggers on!". But I don't. Instead, I'm now in thinking "OK, this seems better, but it doesn't feel brilliant", I wanted brilliant.

The realistic part of me is arguing "the ship isn't heading beyond 11 degrees south anymore, we're heading true North again".

And thereby hangs my problem, with me, I didn't actually want "a bit better", I'd become very attracted to the idea of being bloody good, scarily good.

Still, better is ... well better than worse, isn't it ?

And there was me, looking forward to feeling confident and here I am feeling grateful again. I hate feeling fucking grateful !

Apart from the utterly diabolical form shown for the last 10 games of the season, and the appalling fitness levels on display for longer than that, there is the small matter that the squad he inherited contains a number of players who are injury prone (Deulofeu,Jags,Gibson,Besic,Kone)

He makes reference to the fact that he has to be careful not to over do the fitness work to avoid too many injuries.

And as for this shite that his holidays were partly to blame - he was there on the first day of pre season training.

Koeman has his nay sayers on TW and so brickbats will be thrown. Fine. It will make for a good debate through the season.

Me personally, I think the man will need (and deserves time). I don't expect to beat Spurs - not least because our recent record has not been great. So there is no playing down of expectations ahead of Saturday in my book. Just good old fashioned honesty.

Yip, What do people expect him to do given the circumstances? Are we entering an age of instant gratification?

Fitness - not much
Depth - under strength in a few key areas
Academy players - played them a lot preseason; has a fairly good idea of who is who and just what they can do.

Give RK a chance to get settled and get his system in place and working. I don't think you should judge him, based on the preseason. Winning games was not the main focus. The season will be a whole new ballgame. We won't win the league, but we will be better. ( I think 90% of the posters on TW could manage the club better the than the last fella).

Hell, we might win the league but I strongly doubt it. Not this season anyway. Maybe next.

Maarten
Davies/Holgate, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Baines
Barry, Gana
Lennon, Barkley, Mirallas
Deulofeu

Maarten
Davies/Holgate, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Baines
Barry, Gana
Lennon, Barkley, Mirallas
Deulofeu

Those saying that the excuses are already out, well guess you will just moan about anything really. The manager has only just got his feet under the table and already the knives are out. Maybe they would be happy with the gobshite Martinez back? The fact is the club is currently being swept with a huge fuck off broom to get rid of all the bad habits and slovenly attitudes of the previous regime to, whisper it quietly, run the club in a professional, manner.

Tony Draper, the ship is heading north and given time we will be scarily good imo. We won't have to be grateful but this will take a bit of time given the amount of shit he has to clean up. Have faith and I shall discuss it further tomorrow afternoon with your in the main stand in our usual places.

Roll on tomorrow COYB

To be honest, I've haven't been too impressed with his press conferences so far, but it doesn't really matter.

We didn't like Moyes' negative words when we were crap. Martinez's tripe wasn't a problem until we were shit. I don't care what Ronald says, it won't be a problem until we see his results.

Formation wise, our lack of RB cover (why isn't this being addressed) suggests to me a likely back 3 with wing backs. I can't imagine Davies/Holgate playing RB as Spurs have good wide players (Lamela/Chadli) and ofcourse Rose who can overlap. It would be too much pressure on the opening day of the season at home for a youngster whose natural position is not RB. If they do come through it, then it could save a few bob on buying cover.

I would play a back 3, with Baines and Lennon as WBs and a midfield 3 of Barry, Gana and Barks. Geri up top with Mirallas darting into wide areas behind him.

Whilst we lack height, we have pace to burn so it should mean Spurs won't press high up.

Intriguing game.

The 70% was a message to the players, the hard work is only just starting. Be on board or you are out.

They are of course not fit, having had their summer hols, coupled with some extended Euro competitors.

Although why professional athletes cannot go to the gym every day when I can to keep in shape beats me.

Not "entering" but "still enduring", Barry! In that respect, we the fans, wanting instant signings and pre-season friendly wins with a new manager, are a bit like the players who want to move clubs for greater glories?

To me, the changes we know about seem sensible so far, not a spending spree for the sake of it and the tone to me seems to be very different, ie. that the manager is now in charge and players are expected to work for their money. May explain why they are not just buying "names".

Everything is a crisis. Tiny things become a sign of everything being wrong. The Premier League clubs feed the media, the media regurgitate it and rack up the crisis, the Premier League clubs respond to confirm there is a crisis and the fans swallow the frigging lot.

Just maybe we all do play in this game.

"Simpsons Not True Fan Crisis Shock"

Moyes changed that and credit is due, but noticed under Bobby Martinez that intensity had gone. Good to see it has been recognised and addressed. Well done Ronny, this is proof he is good for our beloved blues. COYB.

Anyway, Koeman should be judged on where we finish the season, not how we start it.

Instead of - "you are phenomenal"

They got - "I expect you to be much fitter than you are (and your a bit soft)"

And - "just because you start in the first game I am getting new players in so don't expect to walk into the starting eleven in 4 weeks time - you are going to have to earn a start"

Furthermore - "One of my new players is a real leader and if he thinks your slacking he has my permission to tear into you."

I have watched and listened to Koeman in his interviews and I am looking forward to the coming season.

I am tipping that within a few weeks we will see an Everton team as fit as any team in the premiership that can defend and get the ball forward quickly.

I do disagree with you about the fitness aspect though, because we are talking about a ten month season here.

Whilst it wouldn't do the squad any harm to have your mental toughness, to have the squad flying too early, would only result in us fading away come February.

I'm used to training alone so I'd have got super fit if I was a paid professional but I don't know what Martinez and his staff had them doing or, perhaps, not doing. There might have been subtle changes which ultimately meant they were 20% off everyone else.

It did occur to me this is reverse psychology or he is downplaying us as some have pointed out. We are about to play an extremely fit, high pressing team...who knows?

I live very close to Tottenham and would love a surprise win because I'm sick of being told how much a bigger club they are with their sole top flight title back before The Beatles were topping the charts.

He's also talking about 70% of the fitness level HE believes is necessary to perform in today's top flight - not 70% of what went before.

he also clearly makes the point that you cant suddenly inject a turn around in fitness levels over such a short period without risking injuries - then we'd have something else to hang him with.

Lets give the guy a chance ffs!

Love it - might just focus one or two of them if they have to face a frustrated Dad with his young kids and look them in the eye - after the result instead of before it.

All change !

Plus Lawro & "indie band Blossoms" (no, me neither) both reckon we'll get a draw.

Things are looking up!

He's not going to change that in a few weeks. I suspect we'll see another torturous backs to the wall effort for the last 20 minutes on Saturday; if we're still in the game.

In comparison, Guardiola was just asked about John Stones' fitness. Apparently he's fit and ready.

How did we manage to get only one player fit - and it was the one that we apparently knew was going for some time?

I used to worry about stuff - like my age, my missus running off with a younger bloke. My small(ish) genitals (probably connected with the former worry?) Money worries, skin cancer, hereditary baldness
So I went the doc and he gave me these pills and I'm happy again
Ok my wife left me, I'm bald and skint and have a dodgy mole on my shoulder, and my appendage size no longer matters
But one thing that I'm absolutely not worried about is Everton being shit before the season even starts!
Relax!

Not getting in the required players in weeks ago with time to bed in and get fit, was at best amateurish. But with 'True Blue Bill' still heavily involved it makes perfect sense. "Hey Ronnie lad, I've got an idea. We wait until 4 days before kick off, we sell Stones and then you'll have your war chest *misty eyes, wipe away a tear*. It'll be like the good old days."

I have faith in Ronnie his team but we need to realise what a mess we were left in at the end of last season, that will take time to iron out. We have to be realistic.

One thing I am sure of though, is that Koeman knows how to organise a defence, and Ashley Williams is an excellent defender. Unfortunately, he isn't starting tomorrow.

I read one poster who had typed something along the lines of 'all of the Koeman supporters.' Fuck me, a ball hasn't been kicked in anger yet and some half-wits have taken sides already! Shouldn't every poster on here be a 'Koeman supporter' at this juncture?

ToffewWeb never changes. You can rely on some posters to start off every season moaning before a ball is kicked. Glad I don't drink with any of the miserable bastards!

So you were wildly optimistic before each of Martinez's seasons, presumably having witnessed the steady decline the season before, but you have no confidence and you're hearing alarm bells before a Koeman side even kicks a ball in anger?

Forgive me if I'm not calling the Samaritans based on your judgement and assessment just yet.

Me, I'm mostly still just happy that we've got someone - anyone - other than the complete weapon who has been picking the first team for the past three years.

I suspect we will see a change over the coming weeks, but I'm not sure Lukaku or Deulofeu have got the will to challenge constantly .

He's preparing us for the worst, but I cant blame him, the team we will turn out doesn't inspire me at all after last season, their simply not good enough that's the problem.

This fitness lark is a joke, these guys are getting ludicrous money and they cant take the trouble to attain a certain level of fitness for 4-6 weeks before the action is due to start, talk about pampered.
Also surely Williams can play for 45-60mins cant he If all of them are 70% fit.
General opinion is that we will finish 9th, and that's about right unless we sign some real class.

As far as Koeman is concerned, he strikes me as someone who will be a strict disciplinarian which I like, but he borders on dour, just saying!

And I was just about to begin a sentence with "but", so instead I'll go and apply a spot of "Mr Sheen" to the bases of the one and only subbuteo squad who have "biographies" (handwritten) in the base of their box.

See you tomorrow in the "The Grand Old Lady"!
COYB !

'...it takes time, because we don't want injuries. They need to get used to this training...'

Of course the squad could be got fit, if they did an 8-hours a day, 7-days a week Royal Marines assault course the point Koeman is making, is that if he DID do that, there would be a hospital-full of pulled muscles and tweaked tendons !

EFC opening day matches

"Shouldn't every poster on here be a Koeman supporter at this juncture?"

Well you'rr consistent, Kev, no doubting your love for this club and your desire for success.

I can't love managers; I'm suspicious of them all. I didn't rate Martinez, didn't trust Moyes, and didn't sympathise with Walter... they're not Evertonians, mate – thats us. They are hired hands, paid employees.

Support Everton, love your club (as if you need telling) but offer fuck all to a man who is here because we pay well.

Let him earn your support; too many people gave our last two managers too much love too early. Let's make this one earn it.

Now, we have new moneyed investment, signs of a new stadium in the offing and a new coach who seems to know what the fuck he is doing. We still have the bulk of the squad that many agreed last year could challenge for top four, without the hindrance of a tactically inept and naive coach.

We are selling players that we bought for pennies for mega bucks and buying astutely towards building a new team, to the envy of most footy fans I know (except on here) and I, for one, am excited and looking forward to the next chapter!

We may not win tomorrow, Spurs are a good team, and I predict that some on here will get some kind of perverse pleasure out of that, and I will not be ruining my mood by reading the live comments on here during the game.

We are on the cusp of something good and just because we aren't signing the stellar signings that the RedShite, Man City or Man Utd are, doesn't faze me one bit!

Come On You Blues!