efc1111

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3733812/Mason-Holgate-followed-John-Stones-Everton-Barnsley-replace-Manchester-City-s-47-5m-man.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
 
 

See above. I read that a while ago. Not entirely sure why he'd think it was a great move. The biggest irony could be that Hart ends up here

Are we determined to have no team during the ACON so we can call off our fixtures?

http://twitter.com/CaulkinTheTimes/status/762756143059968000

Koeman had this to say after the match:
 
You have to understand that he is 19 years old but he showed confidence and quality. He looks very comfortable and he's a big talent.
 
Sounds like we could have a player on our hands.

This excites me much more than any new signing.
Can't wait to see the real Ross Barkley stand up.

Looks like the football media are waking up to the changes at Everton and showing some interest:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3702725/Meet-Farhad-Moshiri-Iranian-billionaire-shuns-limelight-grand-plans-Everton.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Although Mosh-man will always get the credit for all the work involved in 'moving the club forward', someone who's gone very much under the radar is Alexander Ryazantsev. By all accounts, he's the instigator and negotiator for all these deals. Moshiri is the banker (effectively) and the guy who has the vision, Alex is the orchestrator, he's the one actually doing the deeds.
 
He seems a REAL asset to the board. It makes a bloody change and I LOVE it.
 
You can have the best vision for the future but without the right kind of person to implement it, it'll never get off the ground. This guy has been like a f*cking steam train.
 
Keep going Alex. Keep them heads rolling you scary but beautiful Russian mafia man.

Scroll down. The Koeman article is below.

I disagree... I'd say this is the most 'marquee' and potentially most exciting signing since Andrei Kanchelskis.
 
I'd say Mata has been very good in a transitional United team.

I'd be very happy with Begovic, he's 29 you could say prime years for a keeper and he'll have another three years or so left in the tank at top level
 
If we did sign him I'd like to see Joel loaned out to a Championship side, I still think he has a bright future but he needs time to work on his weaknesses

I don't particularly like Bony anyway but I would be furious if we only got £10M in a swap for Stones. In fact I would be pissed off if we got double that
 
 

A journalist writes about the problems within America's for-profit prison system. He spent four months as a prison guard.
 
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/06/cca-private-prisons-corrections-corporation-inmates-investigation-bauer
 
It's a long one.

30-year-old Cameroon midfielder Eyong Enoh has turned down a new deal at Standard Liege as he eyes a move to the Premier League:
 
http://www.espnfc.com/story/2896061/eyong-enoh-in-premier-league-sights-and-set-to-leave-standard-liege-sources

Saints Fan here again.
 
Well, well done. You've bagged the man that took us to our highest two league finishes in the PL season, so that's not to be sniffed at.
 
You'll notice from our press release that we didn't actually thank RK for his time, and we said our "focus now is to build on our long-term plan, and work with a new management team who share both the club’s and our supporters’ values and ambitions.?"
 
Most Saints fans think it's a veiled jibe that RK somehow didn't fit our values and ambitions, whether that means he was more ambitious than the club in the short term, or that he wasn't ambitious enough, isn't clear. Nor whether or not the values was relevant. Artur Boruc' hilarious tweet which basically said that RK is money grabbing shouldn't be taken lightly (even though he is a total nutcase). I guess that player-manager relations - not just for Boruc we hear - weren't always as happy as club media made out with all this trashy 'outtakes' and 'xmas fun' videos. Anyway.
 
Thought I'd come back amid the flak between EFC and Southampton fans about ambition. Feels a bit bitter, and I think I've never read so many posts with "history" in.
 
Here's the deal, if you are a right thinking Everton fan:
 
We're aware that Everton has a bigger stadium, though we're both still way below the 50 or 60 thousand seaters that the top clubs have. Everton have a great footballing history and while everyone is talking about Southampton "pushing for European places", it's obvious Everton have occupied that title for a lot longer.
 
What frustrates us is that we've really seen a sea-change in the speed at which the club is moving forward in the last 7-8 years. Nicola Cortese came in and brought with him a vision for the club (already there, though) and since then I have felt nothing but year-on-year success, ambition, backroom strengthening and the club being much tighter around it's vision, values, mission statement etc.
 
I feel in the last 5-10 years (or even since the turn of the millenium after we moved to St Marys) that the club is a lot more coherent than it ever has been in what it is aiming to do and how it will carry that out. Let's not forget we've come from League 1 (OK, administration blah blah blah, writing off debts blah blah blah, but you get my point).
 
For Saints fans at the moment it feels like the skys the limit. Forgive us, for a second. Yes you can say we don't have as rich a history - although I think the south-coast footballing history is very strong and has a great heritage. Us and the skates had more time on the pitch together in years gone by, granted, but the rivalry is still rich.
 
We feel that the transfer policy of the last 10 years, significant youth players sold for reasonable profit, getting back into European football, highest ever PL finishes, our brand name/supporter base growing around the world, it's all pointing toward an ambitious, developing club. Yes we're still only an average home stadium capacity, and we've not won that much, but we feel we're on the way up. We've finished above you the last couple seasons and you might see that as a blip ("finishing below Saints is embarrassing") but we don't, maybe we're deluded but I really think the club is on the rise.
 
For RK to go to Everton isn't a big deal, at the end of the day. There's multiple reasons. But why now, that's the question of Saints fans. If there was ever a time in SFC history to stick around, surely this was it? What could possibly have put him off? That's our issue. I feel that Everton being a bigger club who are sleeping, and Saints being a smaller club who are soaring, what's the difference? We're both just as likely to be pushing for Europe next season, the only difference being we've not been doing that as long. But there's never certainty in football. You can't say that the history of Forest or Leeds or even Wednesday (?!) counts for a great deal. At one time they were dead certain to remain well managed (arguably) and solid clubs.
 
For us, the issue is what questions this asks of SFC. With all the momentum and not just hope but proven results of the last 5 years, why would someone leave at the very time the wave is at it's biggest? I guess the question remains now, and what Ronald's leaving has thrown up, is, is this a sign that the wave is about to come crashing down? I.e. are we about to lose our manager (gone) and best players, and eventually turn the corner and find we're running out of ideas and start falling down the league. That's why we're frustrated.
 
So there it is. The ambition and success of the last 5-10 years is the reason we are so optimistic, call us deluded, and the reason we are stunned that RK would go to Everton now of all times.
 
I wish you, and him, the very best and he's a really nice genuine guy (besides the leaving fiasco, whatever went on). We march on...

Hi lads. In peace as a saints supporter.
 
Think you've bagged Koeman, I know you've got mixed feelings but he's a solid choice. I was surprised he'd go to Everton, because he'd been pretty firm about staying and clear about finishing his contract here. My guess is that in the end we never offered him an ambitious, or expensive enough, offer. All the Soton club talk has been about ambition, building a good structure in terms of player development, recruiting, partnerships etc. to push for Europa League every season, but I guess in the end even what we pitched to Koeman wasn't ambitious enough.
 
So that's the good part, I think he'll be more forward thinking than you would guess. I know there's talk of him not taking you to the next level, but I wouldn't be so pessimistic. Bear in mind he's got a lot more to work with at Everton, in terms of transfer money and squad depth/quality, and I guess in the end that's why he's likely to join you.
 
So what do you get with RK?
He's been solid for us, Saints fan alike will tell you that he's got a strong tactical head, he likes to play good, positive attacking football but is also very capable at making us better ogranised, good at defending etc. We noticed a difference between Pochettino and Koeman, Pochettino seemed to just out-attack the other team, constantly pressing and stretching the squad, with attackers high up the pitch and defenders sitting back a little. It was a good tactic, we scored a lot but the defensive drill wasn't there as much. Koeman introduced much better organised defense, it was really under RK that the whole 'defending starts from the front' line began to come out much more strongly. That's why he favours players that are willing to track back and help out. It's no surprise that the good success story of this season has been Shane Long with his workrate at hustling defences and coming back to help defend. Koeman is versatile, if you remember season before last he switched formation when we were having a real lull in the season, I think we actually played Everton in that game (with 5 at the back) and won. He did a similar thing last season, playing back 5 for a few games. He didn't trust our right back, Cedric, at defending, and he didn't trust Cuco Martina, our backup RB, for anything at all really. So he played back 5, Bertrand playing as a centreback, for a while. In other words, he really isn't afraid to change up the system and play players out of position. That can be good, because Bertrand has excelled in that role, it can also be bad, for instance playing Yoshida (CB) at RB for several games where he made heinous mistakes. He definitely favours defensive midfielders, hence why last summer we got in Romeu, Clasie etc. Both are defensive, Romeu arguably moreso although Clasie has a reputation of being a tough little guy. This was in a season that we kept Wanyama, as well. So defensive midfield is a big thing. He really doesn't appreciate small nifty attackers. Juanmi, bought last season, and Ramirez (returning from loan) hardly got a look in. Obviously they just weren't up to the physical standard of the premier league, although it could be argued that he just isn't that keen on this kind of attacker. Mane is pretty strong, even though he goes down easily. So he's defensive minded, but he also likes good play. His standard formation for us has been 4-2-3-1, with a big CF up top. Bear in mind Pelle is a favourite of his, as is long, both are good in the air although Pelle's workrate is at times questionable. Steven Davis, James Ward-Prowse, Mane have also been a key part of the saints set-up this year. Make of that what you will as regards qualities he favours. He left Dusan Tadic on the bench for a lot of the season, even though he has been outstanding season before last and made good showings last year as well. Set pieces are a big point for him. Yoshida, but more prominently as season went on Cuco Martina, replacing Cedric as first choice RB, was an indication that he likes height in the box, and expects the RB to play closer to his own box, rather than out wide, allowing players on the wing, such as Tadic, JWP etc. to track back to the corner flag to be defending crosses.
 
He seems to be a good people manager, and several players have come out to say they enjoy playing under such a well renowned defender of his experience. He speaks several languages, which probably helps. However, don't be mistaken in thinking that all our players were his idea. Pelle, Tadic, Romeu, Van Dijk had already been touted (probably by Paul Mitchell, now at Spurs as head of recruiting) before his arrival. Mind you it's difficult to escape the Dutch nationality/played in Eredivisie links. Now that the rumours of Koeman leaving are starting to snowball, some stuff has come out about maybe his relationship with some players not being 100%, and that certain individuals were going to be happy that he's gone. I don't know how true it is.
 
It's true that we're sad to see him go. He comes across as a real nice bloke. But without wanting to finish on a low, it must be said that I don't want Saints successes over the past two seasons attributed to him (i.e. that you can be tempted to think, "he's taken them to their highest ever league finishes"). We have an excellent club structure, scouting and player development system, and our management (aside from notable high profile fiasco's including this one, Alderwiereld transfer and any-other-SFC-transfer-rumour) seem to be very steady and capable. In other words, he's had good people around him. We seem to find that not an insignificant number of players/managers who come here tend to have a wobble when they leave, or collapse completely. The former is understandable, the latter could be down to the club structure making them appear much more capable than they are. I'll leave that there.
 
Koeman can bring out the best in some of your players, and he'll love having a diverse squad that can provide different playing styles/options. In other words, expect that he'll want to have a fast striker, a big CF, a tricky player like Deulofeu (is that how you spell?), wingers, players who can play as either full back or centre back, etc. He likes to have diversity so that second half he can change it up.
 
Listen, I know these are rumours and you and me both are anxiously waiting any announcement...but good luck, hope this provides some interesting food for thought. Get back to me if you've got any questions - happy to try and answer!

SSN reporting United have no plans to appoint a director of football Mourinho and Woodward will deal with transfers
 
Also said that Emery and Monchi would welcome a move to England to work with each other....
 
If that's true and it's a big if then surely we are the only real option for them over here

If we've got that sort of money, Emery for me. I'm doubtful Simeone would come, I'm not sure he could re-create what he's done at Athletico somewhere he's not played. But might be worth a punt.
 
Tbh I don't really see the hype in Koeman. He's done an ok job at Southampton, but he hasn't really built on what Pochettino did, more trod water. Would he get us top 4? Plus, he doesn't seem overly interested. I want someone with the hunger and drive to make EFC great, not just pick up a big pay check. That's why I never had any interest in Mourinho, same applies to Koeman.

It would just kill any excitement we as fans had for the forthcoming season. Moyes had 10 years here ffs, it's not like he has unfinished business here. He was stale after about 8 years let alone starting his second bloody stint here. We'll be an absolute laughing stock if this happens. My mates who are Utd and Liverpool fans were always taking the piss when I wanted Martinez out saying that the only one we'd replace Martinez with is Moyes. It would be am embarrassing appointment and yet again show the lack of ambition we have.
 
In an analogy terms, imagine going out with a girl for 10 years. You haven't got much money but nevertheless she's a solid girl who never lets you down and you think you've done very well for yourself. Yeah, she might be Scottish and ginger but she's a nice girl. After 9-10 years you and her have reached as far as you can in the relationship so you both end it on friendly terms. There's no ill feeling and you both move on.
 
Meanwhile, you start to look for a new girl and stumble upon this Spanish girl dancing to Jason Derulo in a night club. You get chatting and she promises you that she'll take you places your previous girlfriend never could. You believe her. You start a relationship and it's absolutely mind-blowing for the first year - she's very polite with your parents and friends and very exciting in the bedroom! She actually is taking you to another world. A world you didn't think was possible so you start thinking that your previous Scottish girlfriend was actually not that good and she was in fact holding you back.
 
However, things are not what they seem. The Spanish girl starts coming home late and comes up with excuse after excuse and you get tired of her bullshitting. The sex starts getting boring. Very one dimensional, the same position time after time and you get bored. She's a very stubborn one. It turns nasty. This Spanish girl and you start to drift apart. You didn't sign up for this. She was not the girl she made herself out to be. She could talk but didn't back it up. You end it on a sour note. Bye bye Spanish girl.
 
You win the lottery. It's fantastic. You think to yourself 'right now that I've got money surely all the girls will want a bit of me. I'm a great catch.' You make a list of girls you thought were completely out of your league back in the day. You're confident all of a sudden. This is a new you. However, at the bottom of your list you scribble that Scottish girl you were once with for 10 years. More to be polite than anything else. Unfortunately, a few of the girls on your list start ruling themselves out saying they're committed to their current boyfriend. A Dutch woman seems keen on you. Very keen in fact. So keen her brother has been calling you trying to convince you that she's the one for you. You're not convinced. There's another Spanish girl on the list, but she's a bit older. Is she too old for you? Well she was pretty hot back in the day so maybe she could be a good catch for a few years or so? Again, you're unsure as she's known to be a bit of a gold-digger and has been known to spend money on stupid things. You start crossing names out one by one until you finally reach the bottom of your list and notice the name of your previous Scottish girlfriend. You think for a moment. Then, after some deep thinking, you aggressively cross her name out with a permanent marker and think to yourself 'I'm better than her'. She even disrespected you when she went with her new bloke. He finished with her. She moved to Spain and again found another bloke. As if she could get a tan, she was ginger. It was never going to work. He also finished with her. Then she flew back to the UK and now she wants more of you cause she's heard you've got some money. But you won't be fooled.... I hope.
 
The moral of that story is there's plenty more fish in the sea (I think). There's more girls in the world than the Scottish and Spanish ones you used to be with. Be ambitious. There's some pretty good looking girls out there. Be brave, take a risk. You're a good catch now and the ball's in your court. Don't make a balls up with your decision!!

He hasn't shown passion for playing for us so get good transfer fee for new manager to spend. I onlycwant players who buy into what EFC stands for.

Some people have short memories. We had so much more energy in our play early in the season, and a large part of that was down to him. I'll agree, since he came back he's been average at best but the player that started the season is more than a squad filler in my opinion.

I always supported the club and trusted the board to make the right decision; also played devil's advocate a bit to get some balance on occasion.
 
Am I happy? No. Everton are playing crap and in the wrong half of the league and our manager has failed. That doesn't make me happy at all; I wanted him to kick on from 13/14, didn't everyone?

I really would love to see Unsworth take over someday. He's been doing such great work with the U21s, and he's totally devoted to Everton. Hopefully, whoever comes in as our next manager doesn't push him out.

Hard to say. He was loyal to the Ajax system because that's holy in Amsterdam, and (coming to the club at the age at 14) he believes Ajax should play that way.
That's 4-3-3, and he even experimented with 3-4-3 with one central defender extra to the midfield at ball possession, but i'm sure he won't do that in the PL. Even at Ajax with the current squad that experiment was no succes (like it used to be with more quality). Typically for De Boer was his puzzling with the midfield. He both tried one defending midfielder with two more creative ones as playing with a "10" (as we say at Ajax) behind the strikers, and two more controlling midfielders. In previous years he always played that first option: with a midfield pointing backwards (2 attacking players with one defending behind it). The search for the right defending midfielder (with the changing teams) was always the turnpoint in succes in those seasons. Very difficult position in the way he wanted to play.
I think you can say he's a lot about ball possession, and only the last season he tried more direct play as a plan B. But that's because Ajax had to deal with a lot of defending playing opponents.
Ajax of course also plays with wingers. A lot of supporters were disappointed that De Boer choose many times for wingers on "their wrong side" (left footed on the right side). Not like Ajax used to play. He's very much influenced by Barca in that (and Cruijff as an advisor in his first year).
 
So.. it's interesting if he'll leave that philosophy behind when working for another club. I do believe he does have a huge personal contribution in how he organizes his defenders. Even mediocre ones. He already did as a player.
 
@
chalkpie
I think i answered your question too. And of course the name stands for another genius named Johan.

Why? Just because of the big names? You clearly have no idea how they performed at Ajax.
Stam showed very little tactical intelligence at Jong (Young) Ajax. Constantly selecting players with no future at Ajax (chance of reaching the 1st team) instead of the real talented ones.
Bergkamp is known for being silent. Sure he will have influence on individuals (just like Stam has for defenders), but their value for Ajax has been nothing compared to Frank de Boer.
 
I'd like to describe De Boer as very authentic in huge contrast with all the crazy behaving actors out there. No nonsense, honest, modest, calm and realistic in interviews but very driven and demanding (a true winner) and very normal. There are stories from people who were surprised by seeing him helping his wife out with her (furniture) store in his rare spare time. It must be a funny surpise to see Frank de Boer delivering some stuff at your house.
Although most non Ajax supporters hate Ajax (jealousy i guess), almost no-one dislikes De Boer. Despite or maybe because his indepedent acting. Never saying crazy things in the press, never playing a role. Wearing his frown if not satisfied but not complaining, and despite his sloppy word choice contentwise alway saying the right thing (socially intelligent).
In a very difficult time at Ajax (if you know the club, you know how difficult it can be working there), with the whole club fighting and a lot of negative press, he managed to keep his team out of it all, kept calm and won 4 titles in a row. While many people thought PSV had the better team. Every year building a new team, without complaint and making it work with not the best material (because Ajax did not want to spend big money anymore). That's a big achievement.
Negative point is that many Ajax fans thought the team played too boring (and i agree). But Ajax is known for the very critical and spoiled fans: winning is not enough.
 
If he'll come to Everton, he will bring Orlando Trustfull with him.