He still has a good relationship with Koeman and might come on the idea of being the captain and beginning of a new spine intended to get CL (which Southampton will never get IMO)
Not sure why Robles or Gibson (horrendous injury record? deserve binning off. Why hasn't McCarthy been playing either? He's the definition of a pass sideways merchant but surely he could do a better job than barry?
No mate, he's not fit to lace Barry's boots. Gibson is never fit and when he is, he's bang average at best Robles isn't a No.1. keeper and Stek isn't either - but he's better than Robles, so Stek could be an able No.2
seems fair nough. Stekenburg has done ok recently though? If you were writing a squad for 24 months time would 3/4/5? players currently be on it? who would they be? I mean I have said the same in the summer and we are 2nd. If Klopp sold the lot i wouldn't care bar 2/3 players.
Stek is better than I thought he'd be in fairness, certainly an upgrade on Howard! In terms of the first XI, I'd keep Coleman, Gueye, Bolasie, Lukaku and Williams, the rest can be upgraded for me. We'll find out how good Walsh actually is in the next 8 or 9 months
Some people will have differing opinions. There is a good defender in him, he needs to be defensive and not the expansive player Martinez wanted. But if Koeman doesn't trust him....
Is scouting down to a DoF? Maybe it's just me but I don't think Walsh's record is that good. Bar the one season wonders, Vardy and Mahrez, who else has he found of note? Leicester made some decent signings after he left, particularly Slimani who's been a revelation. Maybe the foxes whole scouting set up is what worked well. Plus your targets when Walsh arrived were a bit iffy.
tbf he's done pretty well for how much the following players cost: Huth Vardy Mahrez Kante Fuchs Albrighton Shinji Okazaki Danny Simpson
There's nobody on that list who you could regard as an unearthed gem which is what people say he does. Cost is another question, does he scout and sort out the fees as well?
when you talk about gem you talking star quality talent or players who are punching above the weight for their costs? In terms of gems that no one has ever heard of, its very hard not even Liverpool manage to do that nowadays. Of this category i would put these players into that: Vardy Mahrez Kante 3 absolute gems is a pretty good going
What is the role of DoF? He is obviously working within a plan the club have. Is that plan driven by Koeman, Walsh, the philosophy of the club or just the direction the new bloke wants to take?
You I know what you are getting at, a Coleman type player. Those three were instrumental in winning the title. A change of rule interpretation has made them less physical at the back and Kante a little softer in the middle. They had a squad that could push for the title, but European football is a new animal to them
the funny thing baout the list is a lot of them were going noplace under nigel pearson and suddenly ranieiri comes in and its massive achievement all at once The thing i think about is how the whole package works. Everton have long standing systems what have identified and recruited well locally and aorund the other leagues etc, they have appointed this guy form leicester and a new manager so how they work together is whats important not what walsh brings on his own. I mean he might have a list of targets from his scoutng for leicester but that is that list and it may be largely irrelevant for a club like everton looking for bigger players than danny simpson. koeman brought tadic and pelle in form his experience but after that spurs took southamptons scout guy and the next thing koeman was buying rubbish... like... Everton will just have to see how they all work together and its about talent not names so we will see if the moshimonster sticks his oar in too.
Vardy's had one good season - is that a gem? Mahrez similarly, he's had a slow start to this season so still can't be classed a gem ... yet.
coleman came form ireland and was good but had a lot to learn at the outset. kante came form italy and tobes explained to me i think walsh never stopped in ranieiri's ear til he bought him. on the other hand mahrez and vardy were on pearson's bench for a good time. I don't necessarily think its from nowhere type players but its recognising talent and then assessing the risk. Theres loads of players in the world and the difference between a prem player and a lad in league 1 performing well could be very little... opportunity for example. who knows.... you have to take the risk and assess with your eyes not a computer and see the talent and trust your scouts can assess character around the squad as they assess a player. I just think koeman has to be less cautious and get things changing rapidly.
Didn't Koeman buy in Mane and Alderwier....alder....Toby......on a deal to sign full time and he screwed them over?
vardy played well in the championship, well enough... but then did shag all for pearson so really he got a great run for ranieiri and scored a good amount of his goals up to christmas etc. however we will see if he does much again. he had the pace after all.... but if leicester are not able now to suply him the same way... well... He is still talented, quick and has a great shot on him. for a 1million player its not half bad Mahrez was up in scotland on loan some place i think or on trial. he was spotted cos walsh was looking at someone else. It was pure luck. however if you look at his record he's not scored much as all either this year but is still really good.
Koeman signed mane, tadic, forester, bertrand, and pelle all in his first summer. (long in juanuary) his second summer he got Clasie, Romeu, Virgil van Dijk and austin (january) Van dijk was really the big success even if saints fans say romeu is ace. In short they loaned alderwerild yes after he didn't get a look in at atletico as well. Paul mitchell left saints after that summer to go to spurs as head of recruitment there... so... saints have not been as good since. Its not all koeman and its not nothing to do with koeman either. its a whole team effort. If koeman and walsh see eye to eye and work well together then the signings should suit koeman. Thats not to say they will find the next mahrez etc but they will be in the shout to compete for them The whole package needs to be right. which... is why i hate the fact LFC "made do" by giving klopp Micheal moneyball edwards.
