Vlasic keeping the faith

Lyndon Lloyd Monday, 2 October, 2017 20comments | Jump to most recent

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Nikola Vlasic has held his hand up with regard to his involvement in Burnley's goal yesterday but maintains that things will get better for the Blues.

The Croat was handed a start in the defeat at Goodison Park following his impressive contribution off the bench against Apollon Limassol in the Europa League last Thursday.

Vlasic was a revelation against the Cypriots and scored what almost proved to be the winner with a second-half strike but it was he who switched off the allow Steven Ward behind him in the Premier League game against the Clarets to provide the winning assist for Jeff Hendrick.

The 19-year-old wasn't shying away from his mistake and he accepts it's part of the learning process for a young player at a new club.

“It is very disappointing because we started the game very well,” Vlasic told evertontv.

“We had chances, we pushed them into their defensive 60 metres but we made one or two mistakes and conceded a goal.

“In the first half, yes [I was happy with my performance], but the goalâ€¦ I was part of that mistake. I am very sad about that but I gave it my all and I wanted us to score the goal to earn a point. I wanted to win but after 1-0 you need to score two goals.

“I am very disappointed about that. But I believe in this team. I think we are very good players and we have a good manager.

“Sometimes in football, you have luck, sometimes you do not. In the past few games we had many opportunities but did not score and if the opposing team had an opportunity they scored.

“In the future, it will be better.”

Reader Comments (20)

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Damian Nolan
1 Posted 02/10/2017 at 19:44:27

So the newest recruit has the decency to admit to his shortcomings. So whenever you are ready Williams we have an hour or so to spare...

Winston Williamson
2 Posted 02/10/2017 at 19:50:24

Sounds like a decent lad, and looked one of the better of a rotten lot.

We shouldn't really be worried about an odd mistake though. We should be looking at their goal as a consolation as we bang in a few ourselves.

You make your own luck in life.

Tony Hill
3 Posted 02/10/2017 at 20:29:29

You could see the confidence drain from him after his lapse but this player has the right attitude and I take his closing words as a serious promise. He will do very well indeed.

Brian Williams
4 Posted 02/10/2017 at 20:31:39

Nikola you have nothing to apologize for. The one positive in a shitty horrible period. Strong, brave and a willingness to get forward.
Head up lad!

Peter Cummings
5 Posted 02/10/2017 at 21:17:09

It was certainly not his fault Schneiderlin came across the area and completely missed his tackle on Hendrick leaving him to control the the ball at his leisure and score, keep the faith son we all make mistakes, nothing to be ashamed of.

Ian Jones
6 Posted 02/10/2017 at 22:49:22

An interesting comment before the game was the mention of Burnley as a counter-attacking team scoring goals on the break.

However, their goal was a well constructed 24 pass move etc. We must have been surprised at their tactics. We also must have had plenty of chances to get the ball off them before the errors that led to the goal

Phil Davies
7 Posted 03/10/2017 at 01:31:37

I like him; he's come in under the radar but when he's played, he's shown he's got something about him and the right attitude. I can definitely see him getting better with better players around him I just think an overall like of direction within the whole team hasn't helped him.

Alan J Thompson
8 Posted 03/10/2017 at 06:20:31

Who had the bright idea of getting this lad to accept the blame for the goal? Perhaps he might like to ask Schneiderlin to explain how he saw it as he was standing watching it for long enough.

John McGimpsey
9 Posted 03/10/2017 at 06:28:28

I like this kid and his statement until the last line about a good manager !

Kim Vivian
10 Posted 03/10/2017 at 07:59:05

Peter, 5 - That's dead right. Schneid shocking. Completely mistimed his intended tackle and ran straight past the guy. Nikola - keep your head up lad - you're a ray of hope.

And I like that picture at the top. I maintain that Rooney can be very good for the young lads.

Phil Sammon
11 Posted 03/10/2017 at 09:45:22

Kim

Yeah, maybe we could do a caption competition for the image above.

"Have you passed your driving test Nikola? Fancy earning a few quid over the international break?"

Dave Abrahams
12 Posted 03/10/2017 at 12:51:53

Schneiderlin has been poor all season and cocked up again with the mistake versus Burnley. Vlasic owned up right away, not with words but putting his head down after the goal, knew he had played his part in not covering back, an honest lad.

He will learn and get over that mistake., I like him, think he is going to be a very good player for the Blues, providing we can keep him. He will be looked at by the top clubs in the not too distant future. Keep your head up, lad, you have done well up to now.

Dermot Byrne
13 Posted 03/10/2017 at 20:52:06

Wonder who he said this to?

Brent Stephens
14 Posted 03/10/2017 at 20:58:13

19 years old. We haven't signed all duds. Strong. Energetic. Skillful.

Clutching at straws.

Dave O'Connell
15 Posted 03/10/2017 at 21:12:01

It's a pity other players won't apologise for mistakes Williams and Schneiderlin would be giving an all-day conference.

Tony Cheek
16 Posted 04/10/2017 at 03:43:25

You didnt lose us the points Nikola. Ask Gylfi why he missed two sitters in the first half?

Steve Ferns
17 Posted 04/10/2017 at 09:59:34

I think you guys are missing the point here. This is clearly "honest" Ron sending Vlasic out to speak to the press and try to take some of the heat off him. I think it's yet another disgraceful example of his man-management skills.

Vlasic was the bright point early in the game and with a bit of luck, we could have taken the lead. Yes, he made a mistake, and yes he faded from the game as we stopped getting the ball to him; but no, absolutely no way was he responsible for that defeat. Responsibility lies with the man stood on the sidelines, looking down at the ground with his hands in his pockets and clueless about how to fix the problems that he himself has created.

It's blindingly obvious how to fix them, Ronald. Put as much pace and width into your team as you can. That means playing two of Lennon, Vlasic, Lookman or Mirallas. Drop Williams as he is too slow, and even on the rare game he doesn't make a fatal mistake, he's pulling others so deep he affects their game as well. (Schneiderlin is the one suffering most, but also Keane, Baines, and whoever plays right back.)

And Ron, if you really want some breathing space and some support from the terraces, then sit down with Unsworth and work out how many of the kids you can play in the next game, because they will not be any worse than the likes of Martina and Williams.

Will Mabon
18 Posted 04/10/2017 at 18:08:15

Steve, re. your first paragraph. I have to agree, though it may not be Koeman behind it. A player coming into a whole new footballing culture wouldn't dare risk actively offering a statement like that.

Ernie Baywood
19 Posted 06/10/2017 at 14:54:37

I don't agree that Schneiderlin made a mistake or mistimed his challenge. It was exactly what it looked like... a token effort. It's about the norm for him.

Fair play Vlasic for taking his part of it on the chin. He switched off and you don't get that kind of reaction time in the Premier League. Sounds like the sort to at least learn from it.

Jay Harris
20 Posted 06/10/2017 at 15:15:18

Although Schneiderlin was made to look a mug it was Keane who was marking nobody,standing in no mans land, 10 yards off the goalscorer and didnt move a limb.

At least Schneiderlin when he saw the situation made an effort to get there.

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