Unsworth: 'I would love Ross to stay'

I can't remember a manager fall out with so many players: Barkley, Mirallas, Niasse, supposedly Baines too, Lookman probably. And these are the ones that are public.

I don't think he ever wanted to leave and am confident he'll sign a new contract now Koeman has been dispensed with.

I also suspect we'll see a revitalised player when he shakes this mysteriously lengthy ‘hamstring' injury off...

He knows what it's like to leave and then want to come back, just see the Villa debacle all those years ago when he was on the way out of West Ham.

Come on Ross, get it signed!!

Unsy is just the type who'd get the best out of Ross. And, wouldn't it be great to see Kenny, Ross, Rooney, Davies, Baines etc all on the pitch together?

Gonna have to be a big sell from Unsworth and co.

If he signs we have protected our investment, warded off would be suitors and given ourselves another no10! 😂

But how well did Unsworth speak in the interview? Confidence personified, sure the right words but said with the convinction of a fan. Instantly relatable.

You can see the lad wants it.

In other news my phone now recognises ‘Unsworth' in the predictive text section!

We'll never be top dog if we continue to be willing to sell our best players like that! How about 'Not For Sale' as an expression of real ambition?

It'd be like Christmas come early if Ross signs a new deal. We've not been the same team without him (or Rom) and I think he can be the one to get us back up the table where we belong.

As for Ross, what are his options:
- Spurs - gamble he would get a game but seems Pochettino is making the right noises to him.
- Chelsea - would be a sub
- Man Utd - outsiders - would certainly not start him
- Us - Unsworth would built the team around him and play him week in week out. It'd then be down to him, and if he plays well, he'd be a certainty for Russia, if that really is his main focus.

Having said that, I believe if he had the right players around him,and Unsy motivating him,and managing him in the correct manner,there may be a chance that he can fulfill his potential.
I think it is certainly worth taking a chance with him,at this point.
This is a pivotal point in our history, and as an Evertonian,wouldn't it be fantastic if Unsy could turn all this around, get the squad playing as a team, intigrate some of the youngsters,and make Everton a force in the top flight ,once again.

Those of us that want him to stay will have to hope that Koeman hasn't permanently distanced him from Everton.

Maybe he will never be a no10 as he would need to dominate. But on the right of a front 3 he is given the ball and makes things happen, so someone like Davies would dominate. In the short term, he could learn so much off Rooney. Imagine Ross as an outlet for a Rooney pass. Ross could make Calvert-Lewin look like a real number 9 if we can get him back in the side.

I'm not Ross' biggest fan, but I think he's head a shoulders above Sigurdsson and Klassen and could learn a lot from Rooney.

He can still bring that drive from midfield that we have rarely seen this season, and Rhino could just prove to be the type of coach Ross could thrive under.

Koeman was a bully (and if you don't believe this I urge you to find the video interview of Niasse about the way he was treated), and I think Ross also felt bullied by him. No one likes a bully, so why would anyone want to play for a bully?

I'd be happy to see Ross given one more chance to prove he's worth a new contract... if he's up for the fight that is.

Also like to say the notion Ross has no brains is brainless.

He has been respected at every level and even when hes getting stick was still the most creative Englishman.

I have noticed in recent weeks - now United's form has been bumpy - that their fans are coming out and criticising Lukaku. Same old remarks we used to make - lazy, poor first touch, needs lots of chances to score, doesn't get the important goals, wants ball gift wrapped.

Whether or not this is true or reflective of their fan base in general, I don't know. But that was one thing that struck me about Lukaku and Barkley. Barkley had to do everything - draw players to him, beat them, come up with a trick - to then eventually deliver the ball to Lukaku on a plate. Lukaku would either get the ball, score, shin it into touch or shoot off target or he'd not get the ball or move towards it and then shrug at Barkley.

I'd like to see Barkley in a side where a striker makes runs and pulls defenders away so that Barkley has more to aim at or can go through himself to shoot.

Living in South Manchester, I can confirm that some of those criticisms have been made by some Man Utd fans. However, of those that I know most are of the opinion that he's what they needed and made a big difference to them in a positive sense - their big problem last season was failing to beat the lesser teams.

Also, most of them are delighted we took Rooney off their hands - he was too slow, gave the ball away a lot and wasn't fit enough!

By the way, did you see the Rom's assist for Rashford at Huddersfield? I never saw as good a one from Barkley last season - one of the problems with Ross was he spent too much time looking at his feet. I would be very surprised if he becomes a first-choice in a top 6 team.

Imagine how it must feel when the crowd that you feel so much connection to turn on you. Koeman compounded the issue with his overt criticisms. I believe that under the right manager he can be a great player. Chelsea and Spurs wouldn't be trying to sign him if they believed what many on here say about him. I really do hope that he stays.

That being said, Unsworth might very well prove to be the manager who knows how to handle him juuuuuuust right.

Compare that with Gylfi Sigurdsson. Sigurdsson has played for years for bog standard teams in Swansea and Iceland but his performances, goals and threat, for years, have been their leading light. There's no comparison.

Put it another way; if you have to decide on Barkley or Sigurdsson to play well enough to save your child's life you'd be certifiable to choose our perennially promising one against the guy who's done it despite the comparative dross around him.

Much as I would like unsworth to be a success (as indeed I do any Everton manager) it seems to me that a few are championing him as already turning things around? He's an evertoian, great, but as of yet he hasn't actually taken charge of a game at top level bar a meaningless end of season game 18 months ago. I hope it works out, but I am going to give him the same approach as Koeman, bobby and Moyes, judged on performance over a period of time

And I also think we have managed to revise our view of Ross. For all the debate as to the reason behind his desire to leave he still, for me at least, remains a player who has yet to deliver on a consistent basis. I was happy for him to stay and siggy come in as I thought he needed competition for his place in the side. But wasn't fussed if he left as he wanted to go, and I don't think it's ever a good idea to hold on to a player who's had their head turned

Basically, Koemans been sacked and rightly so. But he and bobby before him were given the chance to prove they could turn the situation around before the axe fell. Rhino hasn't done anything yet and in some ways already being heralded as some sort of saviour for saying something (koeman actually said he wanted Barkley to stay, but that they would sell if the player refused to sign), but as of yet has done nothing. Let's keep it real

I also hope, if it doesn't work out for him over the next few games, that he is afforded respect by the fans. It's a big step up, and many assistants have tried to make the move up and not managed to translate their success as a coach working under a manager to being a successful manager in their own right (see Irvine, Kidd, quiros, meulsteen, for a few examples)

But if he really has so much love for Everton, he should sign with the OFM gone now.

The way Unsworth spoke about Barkley was how you communicate that you appreciate a player and want them at the club; simple, obvious, unmistakeable words and delivery. Compare with how Koeman operated.

The guy was a manipulative bullying idiot that thought he could big-stick a team to success, and he thought pushing players around was a way to stamp his authority.

It's been revealing to see his hard-man front and attitude soften in pre- and post- match conferences and interviews this last week or two, because it reveals he was aware of being on dodgy ground, and that he knew to cut it out.

His treatment or opinion of any players here has zero validity. The proof is in the performances and the table.

So, a comment on Unsworth not actually having achieved anything yet is responded to with a rant about the last manager? riiight.

For the record, I don't think RK was a good man manager, just pointing out he did say he wanted Ross to stay. He actually did praise him on occasion too, but went too far in his criticism (public ally at least, I don't disagree with too many things he said about Ross but that's my opinion and others are entitled to theirs)

Now, here's the thing, and my point, Unsy May very well have been more genuine in his desire for Barkley to stay, he may very well turn out to be the manager we need. In fact, this could be a pivotal moment in the clubs history.

BUT, he has yet to actually achieve anything at the top level of the club to warrant his newly found status as saviour. His comments on Barkley are just that, comments. So he loves the club, that is awesome and refreshing. So did Kendall Mk 2and 3.

My quibble is not with the content or passion of what he has said, but in the lauding of these comments as some sort of indication of how things will develop, and also that just because Koeman has gone Barkley has become a better player. To my memory his most consistent spell of form came after being criticised last season.

As for the former manager, we can bang on all day about his flaws, but he has been sacked because of them. But as regards his man management, bobby was always full of praise for his players, earnest and supportive. That panned our well didn't it?

Unless it was it's akin to suggesting we should avoid blonde managers. We had one and he failed; never again.

The bigger picture strongly indicates anything but, and I expanded upon why I think that. I believe what I posted reflects the observed reality. Call it a rant if you will!

I agree, nothing is guaranteed from now onwards, and you won't find me mathematically distilling words into points or projected success. How refreshing though to see a positive outlook, and someone that can sit and talk about his job without scowling at his questioners and grimacing dismissively. Six million a year for Koeman, and he looked like he was sat on a hedgehog in those press conferences.

Positivity may ensure nothing, but negativity almost guarantees failure. I'm surprised Koeman's got as far as he has in management. So, the likelihood of improvement has hopefully risen, as a negative influence has been excised.

All I know is that confidence is a key, with luck and hard work and passion. Who can blame us for looking at what the club has had to put up with for the past year and a half.

I am in the positive expectant camp, and after we beat Chelski (or possibly draw, or even lose) I will look forward to the next game and hope for the best.

If you have a positive outlook then it makes your life a lot better. But hey, it doesn't work for everyone and thankfully we are all different.

Best of luck to you and COYB!

More importantly I'm amazed how many are so quick to say 'yeh, get him to stay'?! Don (48) is bang on for mine AND the biggest issue is we've all be screaming about an unbalanced squad with too many central midfield/attack options, and now we want to add one more to the mix?

The debate surely has to be which one we keep rather than just add yet another in RB?

'Martinez tried to stop all the players being instinctive- look how the defence was asked to play'.
Where did you get that from? Look how the defence was asked to play, please enlighten me on that.
Martinez was accused of all sorts of unsubstantiated stuff, that's a new one on me though.
Martinez brought Ross through into the first team and he had his best spell with us for 18 months.
His form gained him an England call up.

Of course, I agree, confidence is key. And positive messages and language can have an effect. I want whoever manages Everton to be a success.
What baffles me though is how we have elevated both Unsy and Ross to higher levels. In Rhinos case, he has made a couple of good positive statements, which should be expected from an incoming manager be they temporary or otherwise.

I think if our new signings had hit the ground running most of us would admit to still wanting him to be moved on. Hopefully he proves his worth he signs a new deal, otherwise, I still think it would be best to cash in and get that Striker or two that we've missed since Lukaku left.

Barkley can get his team up the pitch then play a simple ball to the likes of Sigurdsson to make the magic happen. With the right coaching he could be a top player, but not a 10.

If Davey Klassen is a Premiership player then I am a porn star! - and I've only got little feet!!

Quality

Ross flourished in Martinez's first year but, as Moyes's influence waned and Roberto's 'philosophy' became dominant, he suddenly stopped running so much at defences and started trying to hold the ball up. His decision-making was then called into question by all and sundry including the crowd to the point where he thought the crowd were booing him at Wembley.

This suggests to me that Kenwright has far too much influence on team matters and expalins a lot about KOemans demeanour this season and the split in the camp.

I just hope Unsy ccan pull it all togesther and resist the long arm of Kenwright.

My view on Barkley has not changed.He is one of the most technically gifted players to come through the academy but id mentally weak and does not put himself about enough to be a MF player.

its nice to see homegrown players do well but if we're ambitious for CL we need better quality players and a ruthless experienced manager who has won things.
I hope Unsy succeeds but I would like to see Kenwrights influence diminish.

Worrying, very worrying, that Bolasie and Coleman are said to be "months" off. Last I heard they were expected back in some way in November. Bolasie, given the manner of his getting injured, worries me especially. Let's keep praying.