Niasse credits fans for his first Everton goal

Friday, 22 September, 2017 57comments  |  Jump to most recent

Oumar Niasse has revealed the role that Everton's supporters have played in his gradual rehabilitation back into the Blues' fold which saw him score his first goal for the club on Wednesday night.

The Senegalese striker came on as a second-half substitute in the League Cup tie against Sunderland and wrapped up a 3-0 win with the final strike of the night, an impressive half-volley after bringing down Tom Davies's cross on his chest.

It opened the latest chapter in Niasse's rollercoaster Everton career which might yet see him become a part of Ronald Koeman's team just weeks after he looked destined to leave Goodison Park for Crystal Palace.

A year ago, Niasse looked as though he was going to wind up being the most expensive flop in Everton's history. He was signed from Lokomotiv Moscow in January last year for £13.5m, a big fee at the time despite the massive inflation that the transfer market has undergone since, but he looked akin to Bambi on ice in his early appearances during Roberto Martinez's tumultuous last few months in charge.

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Quickly written off by incoming manager Ronald Koeman, Niasse was effectively told to find a new club but a number of loan offers, most of them reportedly coming from Turkey, failed to materialise into moves away until he joined Hull City last January.

He scored five goals on loan for the Tigers but they were relegated back to the Championship and they elected not to take up a £10m option to sign Niasse permanently. Former Palace boss Frank de Boer lined up a move for the 27-year-old on transfer deadline day last month but it collapsed, apparently due to the paperwork not being submitted in time.

Perhaps due to his goalscoring feats at Hull — he is the only player on the books at Everton to have both scored at Anfield and come away with a win from Liverpool's home ground — his displays for the Toffees' Under-23s and the fact that Koeman is desperately in search of someone to score goals for the first team, Niasse now has a second chance at Goodison.

He is philosophical about the meandering path he has taken to getting another opportunity to make his time at Everton a success and his refusal to “spit the dummy” over his treatment by Koeman has endeared him to the Blues faithful.

"In life, everything can happen," Niasse is quoted as saying in the Liverpool Echo. "That is what I am saying, always. Sometimes you think everything is going against you but it's just the way that God chooses, the way that God gives to you.

"You have to live with that and be the nicest person you can be, work hard, be a professional and, even if you're under-18, under-23 or with the first team, you have to work hard. That's what I think is the best thing to do.

"The fans made me feel very good, honestly,” he continued in reference to Wednesday night when he replaced Dominic Calvert-Lewin with Everton leading Sunderland 2-0. “They made me feel like the confidence was coming back and I was thinking I want to give back to them because of what they are giving to me.

"They gave me a great feeling when I went to warm up. I said to myself, ‘The only thing I can do is to try to put the ball in the net.' That was a special moment that they gave to me."

“[The goal] was something I was waiting for and I think also they were waiting for that — for me to give them a goal. Like I said, it was a great feeling and very important for me.

"It has made me feel more confident, it has made me feel that my teammates are more confident and also the fans are going to have more confidence in me.”

 

Reader Comments (57)

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Liam Reilly
1 Posted 22/09/2017 at 19:02:59
Cult hero is our Oumar; stick one in the onion bag tomorrow and the place will be rocking.
Daniel A Johnson
2 Posted 22/09/2017 at 19:05:27
Wow his attitude is 100% spot on.

I have a lot of respect for the guy.

Paul Kossoff
3 Posted 22/09/2017 at 19:05:28
You just know that, if Niasse becomes a successful replacement for Lukaku, then Kenwright will take the credit.
Geoff Williams
4 Posted 22/09/2017 at 19:06:10
As a person, he seems to be a very likeable young man and he took his goal on Wednesday with aplomb but I still have reservations about his ability as a Premier League player. It would be great though if he proved so many of us wrong.
Tim James
5 Posted 22/09/2017 at 19:14:19
So pleased for Oumar, hopefully he will now get more game time and demonstrate he is value for money. He has had his doubters but his dignity has never been in question. Agree, cult hero and must never be mentioned in the annual Who's the worst striker we have ever signed? thread – for what it's worth, I would always go for Rod Belfit.
Derek Knox
6 Posted 22/09/2017 at 19:21:31
I really do feel for the lad; he didn't put the price on his head, he didn't ask for the transfer. Having said that, he wasn't to know either that the manager who bought him, would later be sacked.

I also don't think he was ever given the chance to show what he could, or couldn't do. I would love to know why Koeman was so quick to almost ostracise him publicly, when he first came.

Like many have said, the lad's attitude has been brilliant, no dummies spat out, or rattles thrown out of pram, he has just got on with things, and even managed to smile.

He has almost reached cult status, after coming on and scoring in the Carabao Cup game. I will never forget the look on Koeman's Dutch kipper, when he scored, and the fans erupted in support.

Stranger things have happened; he could be a hero for us in weeks to come, provided he is given a chance, even if it's from the bench.

Good on you, Oumar, you get my vote, even if it's only for being treated like you have been, and coming through it all with dignity, and earning the respect of the fans. Pity the management don't see it the same way.

Jamie Evans
7 Posted 22/09/2017 at 19:24:57
Good luck Oumar. We're right behind you mate. As for Koeman's Dutch kipper, I couldn't see that from my seat. I could however see him punch the air with delight when Niasse scored.
Michael Lynch
8 Posted 22/09/2017 at 19:26:52
When they're looking back on their careers, Lukaku and Niasse will both have more money than they could have dreamed of when they started out.

Lukaku will probably have a drawerful of medals too but, of the two, only Niasse has a hope of being welcomed back to a football club as a member of the family. The combination of sitting with the fans at Old Trafford, and banging in a goal on his return from the wilderness are the things we sentimental fools just love.

Sure, Lukaku's career will be the bigger one, but if Niasse bangs in a few more goals in at the Street End, he's the one we'll be talking about in ten years time.

Jamie Evans
9 Posted 22/09/2017 at 19:34:50
Michael @ 8 absolutely spot on. As our song goes... if you know your history.
Jay Harris
10 Posted 22/09/2017 at 19:40:11
You've got to love the lad. He has been through the mill and back and still shows enthusiasm that some of the regulars could do with.

I think he has improved since he first came to us and that is testimony to his hard work and dedication but whether he has enough for the Premier League remains to be seen.

Mike Allen
11 Posted 22/09/2017 at 19:40:25
Just give Niasse credit for his attitude and goal; snide quips about Kenwright is just daft. Niasse not good enough? Quite a few more questionable buys in the squad that have been treated with more respect.

Thanks to Martinez and Koeman, the fans have treated him as a joke since he arrived; now suddenly he is fast becoming a folk hero having said that Koeman didn't look happy talking about him.

Nick Lacey
12 Posted 22/09/2017 at 19:41:03
You're right, Michael. It would be fantastic to see him succeed at the club.
Tony Marsh
13 Posted 22/09/2017 at 19:45:18
I was one of the fans who dismissed Niasse when he first arrived here but the way Koeman has treated him is disgusting. What a shithouse way to treat a fellow professional. Barkley has been given the same treatment. It stinks.

I hope Oumar comes good and in all honesty none of our fans have the right to judge the lad on ability because none of us have ever seen him play while being match fit. .

Koeman is a horrible piece of work and it wouldn't surprise me to see him drop Niasse out of the squad on Saturday because Rooney is back. If he does drop Oumar and we don't get a result, Koeman is toast.

Mick Ord
14 Posted 22/09/2017 at 19:46:47
Now this guy is a positive role model (so far, fingers crossed etc...) What resilience too – all true Blues will wish him well whatever lies in store for him on the field.

It's great to see fans get behind him; all we want is commitment, passion and honesty – everything else is a bonus.

Charles Brewer
16 Posted 22/09/2017 at 19:54:30
Lyndon: "A year ago, Niasse looked as though he was going to wind up being the most expensive flop in Everton's history. He was signed from Lokomotiv Moscow in January last year for £13.5m."

I think there is now some serious competition for that title. One begins with 'K' and the other with 'S', and their signing fees made Niasse's look like change.

Mike Berry
17 Posted 22/09/2017 at 19:56:22
Derek 6* My thoughts exactly. He has real potential to disturb defences and open things up for others.

I hope now "The Lost Niasse Monster" has been released, he continues to wreak havoc on defences, and that we get behind him even if he fluffs a few for time to time.

William Cartwright
18 Posted 22/09/2017 at 20:08:40
You have to admire Oumar's positivity. Also I like the way that it translates onto the pitch!

He has an 'awkward' looking style but he also does two things well that catch my eye; Firstly, he takes up good positions with good timing without seeming to be caught off-side, and secondly, he does seem to hit the target more often than not.

He is in many ways a breath of fresh air and I hope he continues to add flavor to the match-day experience!

Anthony Hawkins
19 Posted 22/09/2017 at 20:23:59
Peter Crouch has/had an awkward style that screamed anti-football and begged how he could be classed as good. He went on to make a good career for himself. Hopefully Niasse can too.
Steve Ferns
20 Posted 22/09/2017 at 20:30:23
Niasse looks like a throwback to a bygone era. Clearly has can finish. He knows where the goal is.

But his flaws were still there for all to see on Wednesday. I would like to see some stats on completed passes by him, because I think it would be 1 out of 4 or 5. His passing and link-up play was woeful. But he can get on the end of stuff, and he can lose his man, and he can go past defenders.

So sure, he's worth a go, Valencia style from the bench, but no, he's no saviour.

Clive Mitchell
21 Posted 22/09/2017 at 20:32:25
The photo at the top of this piece is a gem.
Julian Exshaw
22 Posted 22/09/2017 at 20:35:28
I think the photo says it all really. Delighted for him.
Mark Morrissey
23 Posted 22/09/2017 at 20:35:39
I want him to be a success with us. For that to happen one thing has to happen first. I'm hoping it will be soon. Koeman needs to leave.
John Davies
24 Posted 22/09/2017 at 20:35:51
Don't care what his flaws are (and whatever those flaws are, there was no need for Koeman to publicly trash him). What a smashing, humble lad he is. I hope the Goodison fans stay right behind him and he proves us all wrong. Good luck to you, Oumar.
Lenny Kingman
26 Posted 22/09/2017 at 20:43:54
He will soon go back to the comfort zone of ordinary. Once the hysteria of many for his first, £13 million goal against a useless side has abated.

Gone in January for a huge loss on initial investment.

Peter Mills
27 Posted 22/09/2017 at 20:44:45
Jamie (#7). I have commented on another thread about Ronald Koeman's positive reaction to Niasse's goal, but have had my observation doubted. I am glad you saw it too.

I posted my comment despite all the reservations I have about our manager, who has carried out his job poorly since he has been with us. I have no reason to try and boost or defend him, I was merely making an objective comment based upon what I had seen at the match.

Christy Ring
28 Posted 22/09/2017 at 20:48:39
Niasse has been a breath of fresh air; never complained after being treated disgracefully and totally unprofessionally by Koeman. To see him with the fans, in the away end at Man Utd, was a touch of class.

I was thrilled he got his chance in midweek, and after his cool finish, he deserves a place on the bench tomorrow, especially as only Rooney and Calvert-Lewin have scored more this season!!

John Otway
29 Posted 22/09/2017 at 20:52:31
Lenny Kingman. What a shame to live your life without any sense of romance.
Dermot Byrne
30 Posted 22/09/2017 at 21:00:46
Niasse? Who knows? But many who hate Koeman will use that goal to further their argument. Others will argue Koeman has changed his view playing him and that is good and sign of sense.

The rest of us will be somewhere in the middle and will watch the shouters make their point, take piss taking of their views, and they will take us as shallow fans and ultimately make TW a brave place to be sometimes.

But to those of us who like fun, have some perspective and cannot be arsed or do not know the details of all our history or tactics, stay here. Never leave. Otherwise the place becomes a place for that bald bloke who is next to you and made you wish you hadn't come!

COYB!

Dave Williams
32 Posted 22/09/2017 at 21:12:35
Just enjoy the moment, people – there's been sod all to enjoy this season so far. Maybe there'll be more from him and maybe not but I found it a very uplifting moment and could not be more pleased for him.
Raymond Fox
33 Posted 22/09/2017 at 21:18:08
Good luck to the lad.

He has the knack of putting the ball in the net when given the chance. Not a commodity we have a surplus of.

Dave Abrahams
34 Posted 22/09/2017 at 21:38:13
He took his goal very well, I could name a dozen or more strikers who have played for the Blues who were not as Good as Niasse.

Let's give Koeman his due, he has recalled the lad to the squad, could have kept him out, acknowledged he scored a great goal on Wednesday and repeated today he is in his mind to play tomorrow, saying he had him in mind for the Bournemouth game even before he played against Sunderland.

By the way, Lenny (#26), with the prices the way they are at the moment, if Niasse is transferred in January, he will not go at a great loss; we might even make a profit on him. Then again, if he scores a few more, we might keep him and sell him at a good profit in the future.

Brent Stephens
35 Posted 22/09/2017 at 21:46:28
Dave (#34),

"With the prices the way they are at the moment, if Niasse is transferred in January he will not go at a great loss".

Compared to what we paid, Dave. But then you have to consider what that fee would buy us in a market of highly-inflated transfer fees. We'd need to sell for more than we paid in order to break even perhaps.

Jeff Armstrong
36 Posted 22/09/2017 at 22:02:38
Wonder if his missus thinks he's a smashing, humble, human being... just asking.
Gordon White
37 Posted 22/09/2017 at 22:02:42
Hats off to him. Let's hope he proves Koeman wrong. Just imagine if he starts knocking them in on a regular basis.

Oh to be a fly on the wall when they sit around the table next time.

Tony Abrahams
38 Posted 22/09/2017 at 22:10:56
I'm really impressed with the attitude that has been shown by Niasse, and think he shows a character that has been sadly lacking amongst most Everton players, for a very long time now.

I shook my head when I first saw him, thought he'd come straight off the set of "Mean-Machine" but whenever he plays for Everton now, I'm going to cheer for this fella a little big louder, simply because he has shown such a first class attitude.

His words about hard work should be posted in every academy changing room around the country, because it could have been so easy for him to throw in the towel, considering how wealthy footballers have now become, and for the attitude he's shown, he's definitely earned the respect of everyone. I hope this story continues to run for some time!

Ian Burns
39 Posted 22/09/2017 at 22:42:12
Boy, would I love this lad to put one in the onion bag tomorrow!
Brian Porter
40 Posted 22/09/2017 at 23:38:53
I have certainly changed my opinion of this lad over the last year. The way he has conducted himself has shown a maturity beyond his years and there can be no doubting his commitment and professionalism. I would say Koeman could actually learn a lesson two in those departments from young Oumar.

As for his ability, he's obviously improved since his arrival and from his own words it's plain to see he loves being an Everton footballer. How much does Koeman actually love Everton FC? I suspect not as much as our young, rediscovered striker.

The only way we are ever going to know how good Niasse can be is if he's given regular game time by the manager. He could turn out to be a gem, one of those old fashioned goal poachers with the habit of being in the right place at the right time to bang them in.

Let's be honest, Rom wasn't the most gifted footballer in the world, but was a great goal scorer. We will never know just how much Niasse can contribute if he isn't given the chance to prove himself. In his loan spell with Hull he scored against both Man Utd and Liverpool and how many of our current squad have a pedigree like that?

If he gets the chance to show us what he can do over a period of time with a good run in the team, and subsequently fails the test, Koeman can turn round and say "I told you so." If he doesn't get the chance then we will always be asking ourselves... What if?

Phil Bellis
41 Posted 22/09/2017 at 23:53:24
Thus spake Lenny...
Chad Schofield
42 Posted 23/09/2017 at 01:09:21
I am pleased for him, and I really hope he goes on to do well at Everton, but I also was excited when we signed Bakayoko.

Paul Ferry
43 Posted 23/09/2017 at 04:48:04
Jeff Armstrong (#36), "Wonder if his missus thinks he's a smashing, humble, human being... just asking?"

In this most pathetic of pathetic posts -– hang yer little head in shame ,Armstrong soft lad. The allegation that has never been substantiated fecks me off but so too does the smart-arse 'just asking'. – "Oh, Jeff, [shriek] you're such a wag!"

In addition, the pathetic gender-sound drift of JA – never seen this before – that is nothing more than an opportunistic grab.

Sad. Sick. Embarrassing. Attention-seeking. And also libellous by the way.

More embarrassing than the wits who thought that Oumar's goal was a kick in the teeth for Koeman.

Alexander Murphy
45 Posted 23/09/2017 at 08:15:13
I'm on this lad's side.

I'm not expecting headline-grabbing performances from him. Far from it.

I was thoroughly ashamed with the way that Everton Football Club permitted and therefore condoned his mistreatment. I'm humbled at the way he has stuck to his principles in quiet.

I'm awaiting straight talking, plain speaking Ronald Koeman's admission that neither Oumar Niasse nor any other player merits such petty, infantile bullying.

I'm not holding my breath for Oumar or Ronald I know who I'd rather sit next to at the match.

Neil Pickering
46 Posted 23/09/2017 at 08:32:28
As much as I wish it were true, Niasse never scored at Anfield when Hull beat them, it was at Hull's ground.
Lee Courtliff
47 Posted 23/09/2017 at 09:08:02
I don't know why people doubt this lad's ability at all???

In his spell at Hull, a side who were relegated, he grabbed nearly half a dozen goals including strikes against Man Utd and Liverpool!!

He's clearly got enough ability to compete at this level as many strikers never score against the Big 6!! At worst he's a decent squad player.

His treatment from Koeman was astonishing... I've never seen a manager ostracize a player like that without giving them a fair chance first.

He'll never be one of our greats but for character he's already right up there and that's something we've sorely missed so far this season.

Tony Abrahams
48 Posted 23/09/2017 at 09:09:09
I was thinking that, Neil, but then I thought that maybe Lyndon is a clairvoyant!
John G Davies
49 Posted 23/09/2017 at 09:24:44
If he is, ask him for a winner today,Tony. The Lucy Locket has took a severe beating lately.
James Owen
50 Posted 23/09/2017 at 09:48:16
Watermelon man only scores if he thinks he has some corn on the cob left in his locker after the game.

I would like to see him do well, but he seems a bit naive to me. Koeman wants him out, but he still hangs around like a bad smell. A damn fool.

Gerard Carey
51 Posted 23/09/2017 at 09:50:42
I think its great Niasse has got another chance. This really shows his super attitude.

This time last year, he was practically told to get lost, no locker, no club. Says a lot about the guy, to see that he knuckled down, got a chance with the U23s, than with Hull, and now hopefully back with us.

Okay, his first touch might not be great, but he seems to have a knack of scoring goals. And, as someone mentioned above, what's wrong with a bit of romance back in football.

After all, if he knocks in a few in the next half dozen games, it really will be Roy of the Rovers stuff.

Alan Bodell
52 Posted 23/09/2017 at 10:22:15
He's got me in his corner, what a breath of fresh air and so unlike the prima donna attitude of players strutting around these days.

Everyone else is given time to settle into the Premier League; he wasn't... until now – unless Koeman relents on his refusal to play him when we are begging for anyone who can put it in the net.

Andy Meighan
53 Posted 23/09/2017 at 10:49:08
I was bewildered as well when I seen he had scored at Anfield because it never happened. But like my old mate Marshy said, the way Koeman treated him was nothing short of disgusting and I myself wouldn't be shocked to see him not in the squad today.

Prediction today: 1-0 either way... certainly won't be a 9-goal thriller.

Alan J Thompson
54 Posted 23/09/2017 at 11:16:03
Paul Ferry (#43); Well said , sir.
Terry Underwood
55 Posted 23/09/2017 at 12:04:06
You don't need to be a great and skillful footballer to be a good goalscorer.

How many times did Bob Latchford stumble over the ball? How many mazy runs did Gary Lineker go on? ALL they did was score goals.

If Oumar does nothing but score goals, I, for one will be a happy blue bunny. The lad deserves to make a go of it and I reckon that loan spell at Hull may just have worked the oracle.

COYMB

Geoff Evans
56 Posted 23/09/2017 at 13:04:13
This boys humility and attitude is unbelievable. Super lad. Proud to call him a blue. Hope he gets the chance to prove Koeman wrong.
Colin Glassar
57 Posted 23/09/2017 at 18:47:37
🎵All we were saying, was give Oumar a chance🎵.

I was "following" the game (online) at work when I turned it off only, to my great surprise, to see that Oumar had saved Ronald's bacon. Good on yer, Oumar lad. You are now an honorary Scouser.

Alan J Thompson
58 Posted 23/09/2017 at 18:54:21
By God it makes you feel good.

As someone has just asked me; "When was the last time someone played 45 minutes over two games to become Everton's leading goal scorer?"

Jack Convery
59 Posted 24/09/2017 at 21:01:16
Mirallas needs to take a leaf out of this fellas book. Great attitude. Really refreshing.
Soren Moyer
60 Posted 25/09/2017 at 22:49:44
Sir, I salute you.
Laurie Hartley
61 Posted 26/09/2017 at 08:22:00
Gerard Carey (#51) – "Okay, his first touch might not be great, but he seems to have a knack of scoring goals."

I have heard that before somewhere!!


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