Niasse hat-trick as U23s beat Reading 6-3

Monday, 17 October, 2016 109comments  |  Jump to most recent

Oumar Niasse scored a first-half hat-trick for Everton Under-23s as they beat Reading 6-3 at Adams Park, the home of Wycombe Wanderers, tonight.

The home side had an early two-goal lead after 15 minutes through Andrija Novakovich but then the Blues started scoring, with Niasse notching three by half-time.

The Senegalese striker headed home Liam Walsh's free kick to make it 2-1 and then tapped home from close range to level the game seven minutes before half-time.

Niasse then put the Blues ahead with a turn and shot from 14 yards to give Everton a 3-2 lead at the break.

More goals followed in the second half from Kieran Dowell, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Walsh capping things off with a brilliant 20-yard strike to complete another fine win for David Unsworth's table-topping team.

Thomas McIntyre scored a late header but it was only a consolation strike for Reading by that stage.

Everton U23s: Hewelt, Kenny, Holgate, Connolly, Jones, Walsh, Davies, Dowell (66' C Duffus), Niasse (56' Robinson), Charsley, Calvert-Lewin (66'Dyson).
Subs not Used: Gray, Yarney.

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Reader Comments (109)

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Jay Wood
1 Posted 17/10/2016 at 20:43:56
Under-23s currently imitating the u-18s 5-2 win over Stoke at the weekend, having gone 2-0 down.

Away to Reading, trailing 2-0 after 15 minutes, a Niasse hat-trick by half time, now leading by 5-2 ... sorry! Make that 6-2 with 12 mins to go.

Potent!

Mike Gaynes
2 Posted 17/10/2016 at 21:11:08
Not bad for a guy with no locker.
Anthony Dwyer
3 Posted 17/10/2016 at 21:18:01
🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈

Is RK going to eat humble pie and give Niasse a chance!

Minik Hansen
4 Posted 17/10/2016 at 21:18:58
Mike Gaynes, good shout... haha!
Jon Withey
5 Posted 17/10/2016 at 21:29:19
He clearly has some value, even if it isn't £14M.
Nigel Munford
6 Posted 17/10/2016 at 21:55:54
He's doing what I think he said he would, work hard. Not sure Koeman's watching though. Well done, the U23s and Rhino.
James Stewart
7 Posted 17/10/2016 at 21:57:56
Unsworth is doing a great job, surely can't be long before he is working with the first team.
Gerry Quinn
8 Posted 17/10/2016 at 22:01:20
Can he track back?
Tony Hill
9 Posted 17/10/2016 at 22:04:51
He's got his head screwed on, Unsworth, and I'm sure he's being viewed as a serious prospect for higher things. Him and Sheedy.
Brian Wilkinson
10 Posted 17/10/2016 at 22:06:23
Niasse turned the match ball down and asked for a locker instead.
Paul Holmes
12 Posted 17/10/2016 at 22:15:18
Maybe the Russian player of the year is not as bad as we first thought. If he keeps scoring plenty of goals against the top U23 sides, then he deserves a chance because, let's face it, apart from Lukaku who else scores any goals for the first team?
Brian Williams
13 Posted 17/10/2016 at 22:17:29
FFS, we should sign him, oh.....
Ernie Baywood
14 Posted 17/10/2016 at 22:22:25
Can we convince a few teams that we've got this hot prospect in our Under-23s that they should take a look at?
Tony McNulty
15 Posted 17/10/2016 at 22:25:15
Did anyone see the game? Any idea how he played? Did he look like he could play or was he up against an ale 'ouse team?
Liam Reilly
16 Posted 17/10/2016 at 22:38:33
Read the report on the OS; seems Liam Walsh had another stormer. Surely he must be knocking on the door of the first team.

Fair dues to Omar; head down and doing all he can to impress the boss. He can only score against what's in front of him and he's doing that consistently.

Don Alexander
17 Posted 17/10/2016 at 22:40:17
If Ronald Koeman does and doesn't know what makes a footballer, I'll eat my proverbial.
Eugene Ruane
18 Posted 17/10/2016 at 22:41:02
Tony, whoever they were, they couldn't have been much more alehouse than 'Premier League giants' Liverpool or Man Utd tonight.

Truly fucking shocking – clueless both of them.

Even my red mates were bored and took our slagging ("very rare you'd actually want to be blind but...") with little resistance.

(I really hope they stick with that nervous keeper, he looks like he gets a case of 'the Hattie Jaques' every time the ball goes into their half.)

Colin Glassar
19 Posted 17/10/2016 at 22:48:26
Eugene, great tweet by Jags tonight. Something along the lines of, "don't understand all the hype surrounding tonight's game. The best teams from Liverpool and Manchester played on Saturday". Nice one, Phil.
Eugene McLoughlin
20 Posted 17/10/2016 at 22:51:04
That match was a pile of shite!
Rob Halligan
21 Posted 17/10/2016 at 22:54:56
First half of the RS game tonight was a great cure for insomnia. Second half only marginally better.
Tom Bowers
22 Posted 17/10/2016 at 23:08:46
Lot of RS sour grapes on the BBC website. I feel so sorry for them. Fancy Manure being so defensive as to upset the chances of RS going top? Get over it you morons.
Tony McNulty
23 Posted 17/10/2016 at 23:18:49
Eugene, I switched it off at half time and decided to watch the first episode of Westworld instead. Didn't get to the end of that either.

Two piles of crap in one night. Still, have cleared some space on the Skybox. Had the second episode of Westworld and it's now gone to "recorded heaven."

Tomorrow night in the McNulty household? It's the potter's wheel ... (you have to be of a certain age).

Eugene McLoughlin
24 Posted 17/10/2016 at 23:27:05
As Colin pointed out, Jag's tweet sums up the match!! As for Westworld Tony... the original film in 1973 is better!
Drew O'Neall
25 Posted 17/10/2016 at 23:31:09
Tony

The Yul Brunner original film is on Sky On Demand if you fancy it.

I watched it again for the first time in about a decade the other night and was surprised to note they seemed to alternate from calling the resort Western World and West World for the duration of the movie as if the final name hadn't been decided at the time of writing the script.

Never meet your heroes or rewatch your boyhood favourite films / TV shows (see The A Team).

I'm going to give Saturn 5 another try though.. Now that was a good bad robot... 'No taction contact'

Ernie Baywood
26 Posted 17/10/2016 at 23:32:08
Enjoy it Tony, one of Patrick Swayze's finest hours.
Eddie Dunn
27 Posted 18/10/2016 at 00:07:47
BBC website called the Liverpool - Man Utd game a "derby"! Lots of coverage on the website... history etc.

Driving to my 6-a-side listening to Radio 5 Live, they were picking the best all-time 11 from both teams. All of the arses picked sides lacking anyone bar Gerard who could win a ball! Shows what a bunch of clueless idiots these two loved-to-death clubs have attracted over the years.

So glad we aren't infected with the same virus! Niasse for our bench!

Victor Jones
29 Posted 18/10/2016 at 00:55:03
Maybe Niasse deserves another chance. Could we all be wrong about him? Could he, against all the odds, actually manage to get a few goals in the Premier League? Naw... he's useless, isn't he? Under 23 has to be maybe League 1 or even League 2 standard. Is that Niasse's true level. I think that it is. But in saying all that, it's interesting that Holgate and Davies played tonight and they are on the fringe of the first team, as are a few other promising youngsters. That looked a very strong under 23 team tonight. OK, I'm confused. Maybe it would be best to try Niasse out one more time in the Premier League. Let's see once and for all if we have a player or not. He's slightly confusing the issue by scoring these goals. We would be calling for Calvert-Lewin to get a call up if he was scoring hat-tricks Let's just see what Niasse can do now that he has sharpened up a wee bit. Then we can either rule him out completely .or all eat humble pie and include him on the first team bench. Surely Koeman has noticed his form..PS what has happened to Pennington?
Mick Davies
30 Posted 18/10/2016 at 00:56:06
Reading U23s... I think Niasse has found his level. I would like to see Liam Walsh elevated to the first team; I'm sure he'd be more effective than Barkley.
Derek Thomas
31 Posted 18/10/2016 at 01:05:21
A) Niasse's not that bad.

B) The U-23s aren't that good.

C) A bit of both.

D) They're both a shocking waste of money.

E) Some parts of 'all of the above'.

Eugene Ruane
32 Posted 18/10/2016 at 01:27:44
Well, I don't think much of some of the films/telly suggested here.

My televisual feast for today – 'Au-pair Girls' kicks off in about 3 mins (1.30 a.m) on cack but wonderful (mainly British) film channel, 'TalkingPictures TV' (freeview – mainly 50s/60s/70s gear).

The synopsis – "1972. Adult Comedy. Director: Val Guest. A detailed investigation of the 70s Au-pairs, leaving no stone unturned and milking every situation. Stars Gabrielle Drake, Johnny Briggs* & Richard O'Sullivan**"

* of Baldwin's Casuals

** of general hog-nosed 1970s unfunniness

Think her brother was sensitive type Nick Drake who died young after making an album that loads of people rave about (but I've never heard coz I only really listen to country).

Nicholas Ryan
33 Posted 18/10/2016 at 01:51:07
Apparently Niasse has auditioned for a part in 'The Hurt Locker'.
Gordon Crawford
34 Posted 18/10/2016 at 02:02:17
Even if Niasse scores a hat-trick every week, I don't see him getting a recall to the first team. Ronald would not want to look stupid by giving him a second chance. After all, he said his football lies away from Everton.

And Don (#17), I know of a football club in Northern Ireland who said that George Best was too small and that he would never make it. Anyone can make a bad call on a player.

Bob Hannigan
35 Posted 18/10/2016 at 02:52:59
I'd love to see him get a break but, by the same token, I do trust Koeman's judgement.
Alan J Thompson
36 Posted 18/10/2016 at 04:56:28
Funny really... but, if another club came in with an offer for Niasse, and he took the move, who would look the bigger man?
Anto Byrne
37 Posted 18/10/2016 at 05:36:15
Niasse was withdrawn on 56 minutes. Had the guy stayed on and scored a couple more, would he be entitled to put his hand up. Early days but I remember when Naismith arrived from Rangers and he struggled big time. Let's see if he can keep on scoring.

Anyone remember Imre Varadi? He knocked them in for fun in the reserves but hardly got a run in the first team.

Peter Howard
38 Posted 18/10/2016 at 06:27:49
Tony (#23),

The Potter's Wheel is shite – watch the cat with the ball of wool – it is much more exciting and it can catch better than the Red Shite 'keeper.

Tony Abrahams
39 Posted 18/10/2016 at 08:29:32
Gordon (#34), Reading what Niasse said, he seems to think that, if he can prove the manager wrong, then Koeman will play him, because he only wants what he thinks is best for the team.
Tim Sharpe
40 Posted 18/10/2016 at 09:05:30
If Koeman came out and said, "You know what, he's surprised me and I'm going to give him a chance to prove me wrong," I think he would gain massive respect.
John Dean
41 Posted 18/10/2016 at 09:10:50
I don't think its a case of Koeman being wrong but more Niasse having a change of attitude.
Jack Convery
42 Posted 18/10/2016 at 09:11:45
We should vote Niasse best forward at U23 level. Maybe a Russian team will come and buy him for £13m without watching him.
Ken Buckley
43 Posted 18/10/2016 at 09:17:56
I am sure Unsy and his staff give detailed reports of all the players under his wing. If his report has Koeman interested, then I am sure he would have another look at him. Maybe Oumar has realized the clout Unsy carries and is giving it a right good go.

Even if he doesn't make our senior squad, it will do his transfer chances no harm. Could Unsy have just polished a diamond? Stranger things have happened.

Ron Sear
44 Posted 18/10/2016 at 09:35:36
The U23s are playing Liverpool on 1pm Sunday at Prenton Park, everybody should go and make up their minds about this lad.
Tony McNulty
45 Posted 18/10/2016 at 10:01:59
Thanks lads. Lots to respond to here.

I come from a generation whose father used to come in from the pub, stare at the TV in the corner, and irrespective of what was being shown, roar, "Any cowboys on?"

So I enjoyed the original Westworld. There was none of that postmodern, 'Are we really robots leading an authentic existence?' crap there. You knew who the baddies were.

Eugene – Some of Nick Drake's guitar tunings were really interesting. (I have been playing guitar a long time.) He used to turn his guitar away from other guitarists so as to hide what he was doing. As for country, there was a spoof of country song titles either on here or in the ESCLA newsletter years ago. The only one I readily remember is: “Bubba shot the juke box, cos a sad song made him cry.”

Peter – you sent me back to YouTube. I found Klopp preparing for a match (see "The Spinning Wheel").

As for Niasse, it looks like he won't get a game even if he stands on his head and blows bubbles out of his backside.

Richard Dodd
46 Posted 18/10/2016 at 10:02:32
Amuses me that on a Blue chatter board so many Evertonians would rather debate RS and MU than discuss the resurgence of Oumar Niasse!

Nearly all these kids look good at this level so, as an over age player (bought for £13½M), he really should be outstanding. Makes him more saleable so what's to complain about!

Sam Hoare
47 Posted 18/10/2016 at 10:07:02
If Niasse keeps scoring and performing well then I think it will reflect badly on Koeman if he does not give him a shot and make him look very stubborn and intractable.

It also sends out completely the wrong message. Hard work should always be rewarded. Any player who does consistently well for the U23s deserves to consequently be considered for the first team. If this does not happen then it becomes extremely hard to motivate and develop the youth playing for those teams.

The U23s are in great form and the cream of the crop should be rewarded with more time with the first team and a spot on the bench if they are really shining.

Fingers crossed that Liam Walsh can keep improving as he's the sort we could use. A gritty, intelligent playmaker able to pass and score but also but the effort and the tackles in.

Michael Penley
48 Posted 18/10/2016 at 10:50:22
For anyone who thinks Niasse has the slightest shred of football talent, here's a clip of his total contributions vs Leicester:

https://streamable.com/dvfj

Brian Porter
49 Posted 18/10/2016 at 11:12:57
I seem to recall, when it was announced we were signing Niasse, that he could appear clumsy and highly unorthodox but that he had the knack of being in the right place at the right time to do what we want from a striker, ie, score goals!

He may not look pretty on the ball, even comical at times, but he never really got a chance to settle in under Martinez. (Would it have mattered if he had?) So maybe the lad has a talent that nobody has as yet identified, except perhaps David Unsworth.

Liam Reilly
50 Posted 18/10/2016 at 11:13:26
Doesn't make good viewing, Michael; but in fairness that was a bad day for the football club and there were few white shirts that could hold their heads high after that performance.

Maybe it is down to a change of attitude from the lad, but he needs to shut up talking to the press and knuckle down and keep scoring. If Rom does get injured, then I don't fancy our other options much.

Brian Harrison
51 Posted 18/10/2016 at 11:45:36
Funny Jose played a similar style to what we employed against City who are a far better side than Liverpool. Their keeper made 2 very good saves just like Stek.

The difference is that Jose pulls off a masterstroke, yet we were lucky, according to the pundits.

Alan McGuffog
52 Posted 18/10/2016 at 11:45:42
Eugene .after years of listening to people bind on about Nick Drake, I bought his album. It wasn't life changing, all a bit drippy sixties. I think Gabrielle was in Crossroads.

Now... as for Townes Van Zant...

Simon Bates
53 Posted 18/10/2016 at 11:47:49
I put this on another thread about the Niasse / Koeman U-turn situation. It really is win-win for our manager, no matter what the outcome!!!

As it stands, should Niasse fail, he says "I told you so"; if Niasse works his socks off, gets back his locker, and in the senior squad, our new boss can turn around and say he knew all along and it was motivational man-management at its best.

There wouldn't be a manager that clever, would there? Not recently at Everton... but this is Ronald Koeman, a level above our recent past – and then some.

Michael Penley
54 Posted 18/10/2016 at 11:50:08
People like to go on about Nick Drake's "Pink Moon" album but I prefer his other albums. Still, he's not bad as far as 60s music goes. I'd take him over most of what the Beatles churned out.
Peter Roberts
55 Posted 18/10/2016 at 12:25:42
Brian,

Must have been my imagination but I'm sure Shearer was giving our defence lots of credit for the defensive performance on Saturday rather than labelling us lucky. Assume the pundits you refer to are on Sky or in the rags.

On Niasse, I hope, if he turns this level of performance in every week, Koeman will be man enough to eat some humble pie and give the guy a chance to prove himself at a higher level.

Brian Harrison
56 Posted 18/10/2016 at 12:40:16
Peter,

Yes, my comments were more about the written press than MotD pundits.

As for Niasse, I think, sadly for him, Koeman has already made his decision known to everyone. But, if he does keep banging in the goals, I am sure Koeman may reconsider. But I am sure he had a long hard look at him before declaring "if he wants to play football his future lies away from Everton".

I would also be interested to hear his thoughts on Kone as, apart from a very brief appearance against Yeovil when he scored 2 goals, we haven't hardly seen him at all.

Phil Walling
57 Posted 18/10/2016 at 13:13:21
'Banging the goals in' at this level never did anything for McAleny and a load of others over the years, did it?

But a hat-trick for Niasse may get him a Harrod's bag to put his kit in!

Sam Hoare
58 Posted 18/10/2016 at 13:26:14
Phil, McAleny didn't score that many at this level. He scored the odd cracker in a team that was doing okay.

Niasse has scored about 5 goals in his last 4 games for an U23 team who are winning their league. Of course the standard is considerably lower but, given our lack of striking options, if he continues this current form for a while, then surely he's got to be at least up for consideration.

Phil Walling
59 Posted 18/10/2016 at 13:35:47
Sam, I never dreamed that anyone would be campaigning to see this donkey considered for the first team squad. If he's that good, why wasn't he snapped up in the recent window?
John Wilson
60 Posted 18/10/2016 at 13:37:13
Remove all prejudices against Niasse, be that any hype or ill-repute. Instead, view this player objectively. Have the posters on here for instance, actually watched Niasse's performances & goals for Locomotiv Moscow?

Said gentlemen simply has immense skill on the ball, notwithstanding his hat-trick for Everton Under-23s. The last game Everton played, three shots were on target when compared to Man City's 18 on target.

We have one striker in the form of Enner Valencia, were Lukaku to be off due to injuries. I do wonder about Everton's corporate decisions. Lukaku needs help, the fact that a challenging team like Man City can impede all efforts by Everton save the aforesaid three indicates there are significant problems. Our defenders and of course our amazing goalie saved us from humiliation.

Sam Hoare
61 Posted 18/10/2016 at 13:49:29
Phil, if he's that bad then why did we spend so much on him?

I'm not desperate to see him in the first team but any player who consistently excels for the 2nd team deserves to be at least considered. Otherwise what sort of message does that send out?

It's ludicrous that anyone should be categorically ruled out. He's only had a handful of decent games so far but if he's training well, working hard and continues to score goals then why on earth would he not be at least considered? Not as though Valencia and Kone are world beaters!

Kevin Gillen
62 Posted 18/10/2016 at 13:59:21
Why do our U18s and U23s always have to give the opposition a two goal start?
Dave Abrahams
63 Posted 18/10/2016 at 14:48:10
John (#60) and Sam (#61) well said, all you are for is that Niasse is given a chance to show what he can do, every player is entitled to that much at least. If there is anyone who has posted negatively, without seeing the lad, have a think about it.
John Wilson
64 Posted 18/10/2016 at 14:54:37
Watching football games for performance does not reveal a whole lot save a subjective view, which leads to unfair prejudice. Instead, look at the stats on Wikipedia for Niasse's childhood in terms of his football career, comparing with stats on Enner Valencia's, and Lukaku's. There is 'seemingly' a hierarchy of the black footballers, at least at Everton, or possibly in the Premier league. 1) Europe (Lukaku in Belgium); 2) South America (Valencia in Equador); 3) Africa (Niasse in Senegal). Third World country footballers versus developed countries, therefore.

Lukaku was basically primed for his football career, starting his youth stage at 6 years of age whereas Niasse started his football career itself at 17, according to Wikipedia. In short, Naisse has not had his youth stage in his football so he cannot be said to be 'nurtured' for the Premier League.

It's a shame as Niasse has height (just under 6 foot), compared to Valencia's rather short 5ft-8in frame, alluding Niasse will be good in the air, as is Lukaku owing to his 6ft-3in inch frame. Niasse scored 144 goals at age 17 for his first team albeit without sufficient nurturing that a youth stage in his footballing certainly would have shaped his career today.

It's discrimination of sorts taking all things into consideration, it's psychology, it's third world cultures Niasse excels at the lower tiers of football but psychology-wise, he is apparently destroyed where his performances are in the Premier League.

Someone obviously didn't do their homework on Niasse.

Sam Hoare
65 Posted 18/10/2016 at 15:07:26
I'd go even further Dave. Even if you HAVE seen the lad play and he was awful. No one can be written off forever and plenty of players endure good and bad patches in their career. There are late bloomers and plenty of foreigners who take time to find their feet and or need some confidence to get the best out of them.

Its more than likely that Niasse is never going to cut it here and maybe he still looks awful in training for all I know but no-one should be written off without the opportunity to redeem themselves if they are playing well and working hard.

Ray Roche
66 Posted 18/10/2016 at 15:56:42
Michael Penley (#54),

Michael, the link to Niasse v Leicester was frightening... to think that someone saw £13½m worth of footballer hidden (very successfully) in that frame! I feel for the lad in many ways, he didn't ask for the move and didn't fix the price tag but his £40k a week or whatever will ease his pain.

Regarding Nick Drake, after reading your post, I YouTubed him and listened to some of his stuff. Not my cup of tea, bit samey if you like and nothing to make it stand out.

It reminds me of being in some smokey, heavily scented student's flat in Catherine Street trying to pull some bird and pretending that this was, no really, the stuff I listen to all the time. Of course, this was late sixties and possibly before Drake found fame.

"Most of what the Beatles churned out." Give your head a wobble, son .

Only my opinion and I accept everyone is entitled etc. (Just before Shami Chakrabati gets a call and I get charged under the laws of entitlement or some other fictitious law!)

Michael Lynch
67 Posted 18/10/2016 at 16:45:13
Fuck Niasse, I mean who cares? But Nick Drake would be first on the team sheet in my Fantasy Music side. Definitely not a leader so he wouldn't get the armband, and his head would probably go down if Lennon (John not Aaron) started giving out to him, but an absolute genius, especially when he was left to his own devices on Pink Moon rather than some of his more over-produced stuff.

Brian Wilkinson
68 Posted 18/10/2016 at 17:23:57
Lukaku stank Wembley out in the FA Cup semi-final. Everyone can have a bad patch. I agree with most posters, forget friendlies etc, if Niasse keeps scoring then what harm can it do giving the lad a game alongside Lukaku.

Valencia, Kone have had game time. Play the lad; if it goes tits up, he will have done no worse than the other strikers alongside or replacing Lukaku in a match.

Supporting strikers are not doing it; we are relying too much on Lukaku's goals, so again. let's give the lad a second chance. If he succeeds, problem solved; if not, then a striker is a must in January.

Mark Morrissey
69 Posted 18/10/2016 at 18:34:33
Perhaps Koeman is being a very shrewd manager and has thought "I know exactly what it takes to get this lad motivated, I'll tell him he's got no chance and I'll wait and see."

Koeman is no mug. We don't know what has gone on. Perhaps he did do something unforgiveable to his wife. Perhaps something was said, perhaps we are all wrong but, if he's good enough, Koeman will play him.

Let's hope he's a good lad, misunderstood, and let's hope he's done nothing wrong and begins a new career under Koeman's tutelage. Let's all hope because it would be a great help at a time when we need someone other than Romelu Lukaku.

Peter Gorman
70 Posted 18/10/2016 at 18:47:46
John Wilson, do you mind clarifying what you are posting? It doesn't seem to make any sense on first reading. Oumar Niasse learnt his football in the same country as Idrissa Gueye, who is absolutely mint. Niasse is also from the same Third World as Samuel Eto'o.

And without wishing to sound shrill, your focus on 'black footballers' seems pretty arbitrary.

Victor Jones, I believe Matty Pennington is still out with a hamstring injury, no date yet for a return.

Andy Meighan
71 Posted 18/10/2016 at 19:00:13
John (#64), can you please tell me what that post was all about because I'm absolutely flummoxed.

Re Niasse, apparently he's got a few more tricks in his locker... Oops!

Andy Crooks
72 Posted 18/10/2016 at 19:06:54
It seems to me to be unfair to destroy a player on the basis of a brief clip of his failings in one game. He may well not be good enough but he has not been given a chance to show otherwise. If David Unsworth sees something in him, then I wouldn't write him off.

I reckon someone with nothing better to do could could have shown similar stuff about Naismith. Niasse did not win a competition to be an Everton player. Someone thought it was a good deal and if it wasn't maybe they could explain.

However, some of the comments on here about this player have been unsubstantiated and unfair.

Ian Bennett
73 Posted 18/10/2016 at 19:07:02
Positives for me, he seems to have a good attitude, and should be match fit.

Fingers crossed some scouts will watch him, and we can go our separate ways recovering some of the outlay. Not quite Nyarko Mark 2 just yet – more a Bakayoko!

Ian Cowhig
74 Posted 18/10/2016 at 19:28:21
For examples of players who were told they weren't good enough, then came back to ram it down the throats of the naysayers. Take one Jamie Vardy.

Managers are paid to make decisions in the here and now. Not have egos that mean they can't change an earlier decision which may have been disproved.

We need to remember that Koeman's comment was prior to close of transfer window. And there was probably great optimism that one maybe two strikers were arriving to bolster the attack.

Lots on here have had a go at the club for signing Niasse based on limited knowledge. But then decide he is crap based upon similarly limited experience. I don't know if he is good or bad. But, at this moment in time, we don't have anyone else other than Lukaku in the 1st team who looks like scoring.

So, while he is our player, and while Dave Unsworth, who we have a lot of respect for, says Niasse was great, why don't we take a chance? We have nothing to lose by doing so.

I remember Forlan got a similar rap at Man Utd. Went to Villarreal, and was fantastic.

Andrew Presly
75 Posted 18/10/2016 at 20:08:01
Loan him out to a Premier League or more likely a Championship club in January, paying whatever wages necessary to facilitate the deal. We'll soon see what we're dealing with if it's not already clear –and I'd suggest it is. He's taking up space in the U23s.
Martin Mason
76 Posted 18/10/2016 at 20:09:51
It seems that the gap between the U23s and the Premier League is massive. A massive forward leap for an up-and-coming youngster to make and impress. For a player as bad as Niasse in the EPL to make it without looking good, it is the unhealthiest aspect of the game at the moment because it means clubs buy rather than develop.
Jay Wood
77 Posted 18/10/2016 at 20:23:12
Gulf of difference between playing for the U-23s and in the PL, but Rhino's post match interview on the official club site once again is fulsome in his praise of Niasse:

"His attitude, application and quality has been first class."

His hat-trick was very tidy. A sly shove on the centre back missed by the referee to allow him free room to head the first; an emphatic finish from a cut back for the second; nice footwork and finish under pressure in the area for the third.

At worst, he is showing some professional club at some level he is not as forlorn as some might presume he is. I don't expect him to revive his career at Everton, or recoup all our monies on him, but he isn't a total write-off either.

Mike Berry
78 Posted 18/10/2016 at 20:30:58
Perhaps he needed time. Either way, we can't appear to offload him. So, if he carries on like this – give him a chance
Chris Gould
79 Posted 18/10/2016 at 21:05:48
Pretty much the same comments that were made the last time he scored, and the time before that. And yet I still read all of them... I need to get a hobby.

If he scores next week, will we have the exact same thread? Yep. Was there any point to my post? Nope.

Jon Cox
80 Posted 17/10/2016 at 21:57:03
I get the impression that a certain player could be getting his mojo back.

Scoring for fun.

I could be right, I could be wrong.

Let's keep Niasse. You never know.

Football and life is a weird pile of shite, we're losing nothing by keeping him... so you never know.

David Donnellan
81 Posted 19/10/2016 at 03:37:32
I have seen him play recently for the U23s and unfortunately, in that particular game, he wasn't up to par.

If he is scoring regularly though & working hard, I would give him a chance to show us what he's really about. Let's face it, it's not that much of a jump from Kone & Valencia.

After what I saw of him though, he doesn't look to have a future as an Everton player, but I would love to be proved wrong.

Nigel Munford
82 Posted 19/10/2016 at 07:12:01
Andrew (#75), he's doing what he should be, scoring goals... how's that taking up a place? What would you prefer him to do? I can't believe your comment.
Andrew Presly
83 Posted 19/10/2016 at 08:11:02
We should be using the U23s to develop young players, not rehabilitate misfits. Those should be loaned out with a view to a sale. Not a novel idea, granted.

Promising kids at the position like Sambou, both Duffus brothers and Henen are people who will be benched to make room for Niasse. It's unhelpful.

Would you play Kone in the U23s as well, Nigel?

Eric Myles
84 Posted 19/10/2016 at 08:22:17
Nigel (#82), I think you're taking Andrew's comment out of context or maybe don't know that Niasse is 26?

So he's certainly taking up a place of an U23 prospect so Andrew's suggestion that he be loaned out to a Championship side makes sense.

Brian Porter
85 Posted 19/10/2016 at 09:45:48
I think those arguing about Niasse taking up a place in the U23s to the detriment of other, younger players, should remember that Niasse doesn't pick the team. David Unsworth does... and if he feels Niasse is currently his best option in that position, he has every right to select him as one of the over-age players he's entitled to include in his team.

Let's not blame Niasse for everything he does. He can only do as he's asked to do by his employer and, at present, Unsworth is his immediate superior and he's simply doing his job. I've never been a fan of the lad but feel he's getting a lot of unfair and unnecessary criticism from all quarters at present.

He's still an Everton player and should be supported no matter what role he's asked to fulfill. Fair do's folks.

Anthony Dwyer
86 Posted 19/10/2016 at 10:22:02
It's strange how this is viewed.

Imo, this situation with Martinez in charge would result in everyone asking for a public hanging of the manager.

I know he bought him, but I mean if he hasn't and the situation was just exactly the same.

Is there a chance Koeman is wrong here!

Alan J Thompson
87 Posted 19/10/2016 at 10:35:54
I have to smile when I see someone advocating that Niasse should be loaned out to another Premier League or Championship side in order to judge his quality. Can our own management not determine how good he is or does he keep confusing the matter by scoring goals and trying his heart out?

I kud doo dat... giss a job, Lah.

Derek Thomas
88 Posted 19/10/2016 at 10:51:02
As has been said before; We hired him on the terms agreed. No doubt him and his missus will be in a nice gaff in leafy Cheshire or some such.

Koeman wanted, but only if he agreed, to shift him off somewhere; Moscow, Turkey, West Bromwich or some other third world hell hole... and people wonder why he said 'stick' instead of 'twist'.

Not only that, he has the nerve to be a nice-ish lad, who works hard and has been scoring in the only game time he's been given... *rolls eyes* – some people, eh?

Eric Myles
89 Posted 19/10/2016 at 11:05:51
Brian (#85), if Niasse was in the first team squad, he wouldn't be available to Unsworth, then he'd have to pick another striker.

Alan (#87), loan him out, not to judge his quality ourselves, but to put him in the shop window and maybe sell him on if our current manager has no use for him.

Alan J Thompson
90 Posted 19/10/2016 at 11:27:48
Ericn(#89); I can't decide if it's too early or too late for that.
Eric Myles
91 Posted 19/10/2016 at 11:39:21
Well Alan, if he's having a good run of form that gets him a loan deal and he impresses there then it can only be good for him can't it.

His career isn't going anywhere in our U23s.

Brian Wilkinson
92 Posted 19/10/2016 at 12:41:11
Bit off track but did anyone see Tim Cahill's goal for his new club last week, maybe 36 but still got it.

Would have loved one last cameo from Tim, wheeled him out for the derby.

Phil Smith
93 Posted 19/10/2016 at 13:40:30
Eugene Ruane (32), Nick Drake released 3 records and they're all brilliant!

I think we're a bit off topic though. All we are saying, is give Niasse a chance.

Nigel Munford
94 Posted 19/10/2016 at 14:47:06
Eric, I thought teams were allowed to play a number of over age players in the U23s, so if that's the case then he needs to play and he is. I don't see he's taking a place he shouldn't have.

Maybe a loan is the next step in his processing into English football. I will say it is taking a long time though.

Les Martin
95 Posted 19/10/2016 at 19:22:51
I think people are warming to him, there may yet be a "Bring Back Niasse" campaign!
Joe Hurst
96 Posted 19/10/2016 at 20:32:11
If he does get another chance in the first team, "Which Will" we get, (in terms of a player – Niasse), when it comes to it? (To explain, the quoted words in that are the name of one of Nick Drake's best songs, with a fantastic guitar part, uniquely tuned as mentioned earlier).

If you only picked one Drake song to try out, I'd suggest this one – it always makes me so sad that he took himself and his considerable talent from us.

Back on the main topic, I know there's something almost a little 'Disney' in the possibility of Niasse turning out to be actually a bit decent after all, but I agree that it shows more than anything else that one of our own legends from my youth – Unsy – is doing some really good stuff.

Benny Snow
97 Posted 19/10/2016 at 23:51:06
You lot need your head examined, he scored 3 goals against Reading u23's not Man City. He could score 10 every game but he ain't getting in the Everton side because he is shite. EPL Vs u23s miles apart.

If RK played him in the EPL kiss goodbye to any chance of off-loading him. Keep him in the u23s banging in the easy goals and someone will take him in January.

Eric Myles
98 Posted 20/10/2016 at 01:27:17
Nigel (#94), we didn't pay a near record fee for an over-age player for the U23 side.

Niasse was bought for the first team; if he's now not required, he should be shipped out – not only to recoup some money, but for the good of his own career.

Eugene Ruane
99 Posted 20/10/2016 at 02:18:49
Suggesting players on long, lucrative contracts can be 'shipped out', is like wearing a t-shirt that says "I really don't understand how football works."

Ffs, it couldn't be simpler – once the contract is agreed and signed, the player decides where he does or doesn't go.

Eric Myles
100 Posted 20/10/2016 at 04:15:05
Eugene, of course the players decide where they will go but clubs regularly tout players they don't want around other clubs and in this case the player has been clearly told he's not wanted.
Lee Brownlie
101 Posted 20/10/2016 at 06:49:22
I reckon Koeman's view on Niasse was hugely tainted by his 'domestic' shenanighans, but might well have been forgiven with a 'Sort yourself out lad' word in his ear if he'd rated him as a real asset for the first team. That Koeman saw the ridiculous clown we ALL saw on the pitch, pre-season, pretty much rubber-stamped his view of the man/ player.

Now doing it for the U-23s maybe means the manager could accept that there is more to Oumar, including possible attitude change. I still don't personally see it as a likely route back into his First Team thinking after such a definite and public exclusion... but ya never know, yeah?

Nigel Munford
102 Posted 20/10/2016 at 07:12:28
I agree that £13.5 million is a lot of money, Eric, but only half our record fee, which would be the £28 million 'we' paid for Lukaku.

What would you rather the club do? Put him on garden leave, on £40,000 per week? At least turning out for the U23s he's making a contribution to the club, and on recent outings a good contribution, after all do the U23s now top their division.

Eric Myles
103 Posted 20/10/2016 at 14:50:55
He's our third most expensive signing, Nigel, and certainly wasn't signed for the U23s squad.

I'd like to see him go out on loan or be permanently transferred if Koeman is adamant he doesn't want him.

Patrick Murphy
104 Posted 20/10/2016 at 15:21:47
In today's press conference, Koeman was asked about the possiblity of Niasse being selected for the first team, his answer was "I don't say never in football but that decision I took, that's not to change. That's between us." and added: "I hope he scores a hat-trick in the Under-23s every week."

Seems like never to me – at least whilst Ron is the manager of Everton FC.

Raymond Fox
105 Posted 20/10/2016 at 22:41:22
The lad's a mystery to be sure. Personally I've not seen enough of Niasse to rate the lad properly. It seemed Martinez and now Koeman were not impressed with what they saw, in training mainly I suppose.

Yet he was Player of the Year in Russia, scores for his country and now plenty for the Under-23s. It doesn't make a lot a lot of sense to me, at least.

Brian Wilkinson
106 Posted 21/10/2016 at 00:12:40
Something has gone on or been said; if he was scoring goals, a manager will not come out with "never".

To me, it's not down to his performance; for whatever reason, this is down to a dispute... the Niassegate scandal.

Mick Davies
107 Posted 21/10/2016 at 03:18:43
Nick Drake did tune his guitar to play very melancholic chords; his music was very sad indeed – which reminded me of Niasse...
Phil Walling
108 Posted 21/10/2016 at 20:26:42
But didn't Martinez tell him publically that he would be one of the all-time greats, possibly the greatest English player in history? Charlton was used as the aspiration in that article. He was probably referring to Bobby in his handful of games for Preston!
Julian Exshaw
109 Posted 21/10/2016 at 21:04:46
Patrick Murphy (#104),

Don't you think Koeman is playing a risky game here? This 100% obstinacy in Niasse's case is hard to fathom in many ways. As fans, we never know what has been said or what is going on behind the scenes but there's something about this I just don't like.

If Koeman changes his mind, he may feel he is losing face but, in my opinion, he would earn more respect. Of Niasse's abilities, I am not yet convinced... purely based on the fact that I have hardly seen him play. I like Koeman and his approach thus far but this whole business with Niasse is strange...

I would also like to know how David Unsworth sees all this. As has been mentioned many times already, the simple fact is we don't have a lot of back-up in terms of strikers and, for this reason alone, Niasse should be considered.

Darryl Ritchie
110 Posted 21/10/2016 at 22:03:53
Who said what to whom behind closed doors? We will probably never know, but whatever it was, it really pissed Koeman off.
John Wilson
111 Posted 05/11/2016 at 11:02:12
I don't know if anyone will still access this forum given it's now rather dated. In any event, I provide the following update:

Peter (at 70); Andy (71), I researched the players and provided my opinion based on the said players. I also researched Gueye who apparently also had an academy training from Senegal's number 1 league, before playing for Lille (the French club) in 2008.


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