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Koeman 'realistic' about Everton's Premier League chances

Lyndon Lloyd , 19 September, 31comments  |  Jump to most recent
Ronald Koeman is refusing to entertain the notion that his side could do "a Leicester" this season and mount a serious challenge for the title.

With four wins from five to start the season, the Dutchman has not only stabilised Everton after a dreadful sequence of results over the last third of last season under his predecessor, he has prompted talk among the national press regarding the Blues being potential championship contenders.

Koeman insists that such talk is premature and that he doesn't expect the top teams to falter in the same manner in which they did last season when Claudio Ranieri's Foxes romped to the most unlikely Premier League title triumph in history.

Having dismissed talk of Everton even finishing in the Champions League places last week, his sights remain firmly on qualifying for the Europa League.

“I don't think we could [do ‘a Leicester']," the Dutchman told the media at Finch Farm today, "but you never know. Normally not, and what is normal in life is normal in football.

“I'm realistic. If I tell you that we will fight for the title then most people would say, ‘that man is crazy.' Come, on — why do we need to change our minds about our aspirations and our ambition after [taking] 13 points from 15?

“The big teams have many more qualities. If they don't disappoint like last season then it will be impossible [for a team like Everton]."

 

Reader Comments (31)

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Anthony Dwyer
1 Posted 19/09/2016 at 19:01:25
Well in, Ronny. Play it down, keep us out of the limelight as no-one is that interested in us anyways.

Just keep plodding along nicely, it's only 5 games played, not 35!

Paul Conway
2 Posted 19/09/2016 at 19:15:18
Ron, they are all beatable! Just take a look at Man Utd against Watford. Would YOU swap Gana for Pogba??

IMHO after the 5 games that both teams have played Gana is definitely the stand out man.

Lead us on, Ronald Koeman COYB!
Andy Walker
3 Posted 19/09/2016 at 19:19:27
Exactly the tactic Ranieri used last season. Makes the question 'can you win the league' a pointless one, at least until the spring, not that the media will understand that.
Gordon White
4 Posted 19/09/2016 at 19:20:35
Taking it a game at a time. People don't want to tempt fate or put the mockers on things. Good to be optimistic though. The team playing the way they are is the reason there's all this talk, of course.

As Ronald Koeman recently said, we need other members of the team to be weighing in with goals to support Romelu. Possibly Valencia, if he turns out to be anything like our other signings.

Be interested to know what's on the WWL for the January transfer window. If we are still doing reasonably well, come Christmas, that could be the difference between success, (whatever that is), or simply an improved season.

All I know is, at the moment, I feel good. Really good. Looking forward to the Norwich game, whoever plays.

Les Martin
5 Posted 19/09/2016 at 19:43:19
The January window will have a big say on where we finish. We will be around a European spot, but the odd addition could increase the momentum, I am sure the Boss is aware.
Dave Lynch
6 Posted 19/09/2016 at 19:47:48
Realistically we will drop points against the so called big? (Insert number according to media darling favouritism).

Realistically the big? Will drop points against each other, it depends On whether they drop points against lower opposition as well.

I'm rambling I know but it's all in our hands as it is at the start of every season, just that this season our hands have a firmer grip on things.

You never know though?

Marcus Leigh
7 Posted 19/09/2016 at 19:59:59
What wouldn't you give to win an EPL title before the RS? Daydreaming after just five matches I know – but seriously, what wouldn't you give?
Colin Glassar
8 Posted 19/09/2016 at 20:02:38
Andy, do you think he's giving our lads Edam cheese after each win? It worked for Ranieri.
Joe O'Brien
9 Posted 19/09/2016 at 20:11:07
I'm definitely a "glass half-full" guy, but I really don't think it'll be possible solely on how strong Man City look under Pep. I'm really looking forward to meeting them away in 3 games time to see how far we've actually come.

I think chances of top 4 are very realistic and I'd be well happy if we achieved that.

Gordon White
10 Posted 19/09/2016 at 20:14:54
Edam? Tasteless rubber.
Are you sure he wasn't feeding them it after a loss?
Brian Williams
11 Posted 19/09/2016 at 20:38:01
Gordon#4.
WWL?
Anthony Flack
12 Posted 19/09/2016 at 20:47:36
Looking at the table as it stands, I suspect the top 7 will be the same at the end of the year, maybe Leicester will be upset about that. But, after the disastrous state Martinez left us in, that would represent some turnaround. Fingers crossed and all that...
Brent Stephens
13 Posted 19/09/2016 at 21:02:40
Wise words.

Gouda enough for me, Gordon.

Andy Walker
14 Posted 19/09/2016 at 21:29:37
Gotto be a nice Dutch blue Colin.
James Flynn
15 Posted 19/09/2016 at 22:01:26
At least he's aiming higher from the go.

How long did Ranieri keep saying "40 points first?" And when they zoomed past that and got better and better, there were what 5-6 games remaining before he finally stated they were in for the Title?

By the way, loved "The big teams have many more qualities. If they don't disappoint like last season then it will be impossible [for a team like Everton]."

There's the gauntlet thrown down to our boys.

Mike Allison
16 Posted 19/09/2016 at 22:36:37
We could well 'do a Leicester' although it wouldn't quite be the same as we'd be starting from a far more advanced position than them.

The bigger problem though is that 'doing a Leicester' this season will mean coming a distant second to Man City.

Brian Denton
17 Posted 19/09/2016 at 22:48:33
After City pasted us last year at Goodison, I couldn't see them failing to win the League. I was wrong. It's still early days.
Gordon White
18 Posted 19/09/2016 at 23:25:13
Brian (#11);

Walsh's wish-list.

Gordon White
19 Posted 19/09/2016 at 23:27:12
Brentwood #13
That was so cheesy!
Got me in stitches mate.
Nathan Cross
20 Posted 19/09/2016 at 00:05:45
I'm currently in graduate school, studying history, and a line from one of the books I have to read this week reminded me of our current manager and brought a smile to my face. The book is about interactions between English and Dutch colonists and Indians in what's now the northeast US. The paragraph is discussing Indian clothing, and how the males often wore nothing more than a loincloth during the summer:

"English writers delicately described the primary male garment as "Adam's Apron" for "their secret parts." But the Dutch more frankly called it a clootlap, or "balls cover.""

Nicholas Ryan
21 Posted 20/09/2016 at 00:27:21
The only fly in the ointment, is if LFC decide to become Red Leicester ...
Didn't Leicester once have a goalie called Peter Stilton
A Norwegian Red is still much more likely than a Danish Blue

I'd go on, but I think the men in white coats are coming!!

Richard Lyons
22 Posted 20/09/2016 at 06:45:08
I think we'll know more on 15th October... well, self-evidently we'll know more, but that's the first time we play really serious opposition (no apologies to any Spurs fans).

Against City, we'll have to play very Caerphilly...

Kieran Fitzgerald
23 Posted 20/09/2016 at 07:16:52
Or, we could be one loss away from collapsing. I think we need to see how this squad under Koeman reacts to a loss. After two dire morale sapping, confidence destroying seasons under Martinez, it is hard to say what way the squad will react to a loss.

I know the Koeman effect will probably make a big difference but I would rather see the reaction to a loss before I start talking about winning the title.

Mike Green
24 Posted 20/09/2016 at 08:22:55
The big difference for me is there's been a clear change in the training regime under Koeman.

Lukaku scoring from cheddars. No more pretty little Dairylea triangles. Paesanellaing accuracy…

It's whey feta than last gruyere and Saint Agurs well for the future. This curd brie something really gouda. They've ricotta do better than the urda lot. It'll be a right Swiss if they don't…

COYB's.

Teddy Bertin
25 Posted 20/09/2016 at 08:47:32
I'd much rather win the league in 3 years after a gradual build to success than win it this year. If we win the league this year then Koeman will be straight off to Arsenal, when Wenger goes, or an even bigger side.

If he has to work gradually towards it then he'll hopefully fall in love with the club, have more invested and we'll have a better shot of keeping the guy for a bit longer.

Actually, no fuck it. Please win the league this year RK! It's been too long. I beg you! Win anything!

Stan Schofield
26 Posted 20/09/2016 at 08:49:57
Kieran @23: I would say that we've already seen less fragility, in that in two games we went behind and just gone on with it, calmly and methodically. I know that doesn't automatically mean we wouldn't react to a loss, but it's a good sign compared with last season.
Stan Schofield
27 Posted 20/09/2016 at 08:53:38
Teddy @25: The league this year, AND sustained improvement, then the league the year after, and so on. Plus the Champions League of course.
Gordon White
28 Posted 20/09/2016 at 12:17:59
I just love all the cheesy gags. You guys crack me up!!

On a serious note, Kieran (#23), I think we had an inclination of what might happen in the face of adversity when they went behind to Boro. And I have faith in Koeman to handle the situation when it happens.

My main concern is health and fitness, over a season. Particularly, if we are doing well in more than one competition, which is entirely feasible. That's why the January transfer window could be so important.

In the meantime, I've got a gottle of gear ready for tonight. COYB's!

Alan Jones
29 Posted 20/09/2016 at 18:09:41
Love the fact that we are all full on in our desire for success. There is, however, a certain South London club coming to town soon, who normally do quite well and for some reason, might just be fired up. Let's not end up with souffle on our faces!! "COYB " I say! (With a cheesy grin on my face!)
Dan Egerton
30 Posted 27/09/2016 at 10:31:01
These cheese jokes are getting ... crusty.
Trevor Lynes
31 Posted 29/09/2016 at 11:03:42
Why say we are doing a Leicester? That was their first ever title win and we have nine so far.We have won the title more than most of our opponents so it certainly would not be so much of an upset as the Leicester miracle.

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