[Closed] Soccerball - 2017/18 jumpers for goalposts megathread

Mignolet is not a top class keeper, makes to many mistakes. I don't understand why Danny Ward at Liverpool doesn't get a run out, he was excellent on loan at Aberdeen 2 seasons ago, and then was in the Huddersfield team that got promoted last season (saved some crucial penalties in the play-offs). He also played for Wales the in the first match at the Euros, which they won.

Yet despite all that, he isn't even 2nd choice for Liverpool, which I find bizarre.

Mignolet is not a top class keeper, makes to many mistakes. I don't understand why Danny Ward at Liverpool doesn't get a run out, he was excellent on loan at Aberdeen 2 seasons ago, and then was in the Huddersfield team that got promoted last season (saved some crucial penalties in the play-offs). He also played for Wales the in the first match at the Euros, which they won.

Yet despite all that, he isn't even 2nd choice for Liverpool, which I find bizarre.

We only get to see them quite rarely, but you're not the first to suggest the Ward idea. But the coaches/managers see them day in day out, so it's a reasonable assumption they see something in their choices.... However, i'd happily give Ward a try !

so much more to goalkeeping than making saves. In fact, one of the key jobs is organisation, and making it hard for the other team to create chances - if you have a lot of saves to make then possibly that bit isn't going so well

(makes me wonder with Mignolet currently, I'll admit - can't he organise or are Liverpool incapable of following his and the manager's prompts)

It's (for example) why i was always a big fan of Grobbelaar, and Pat Jennings in earlier times. The number of times they came for crosses and make catches or punches that prevented opportunities developing, but they are rarely noticed. Drop one, and you're buried for it. Prevention rather than cure, etc. So as said, what happens on the training ground is probably far more relevant to why he keeps getting the shirt on a Saturday vs anyone else.... and when managers start leaving goalkeepers out because of only what is seen on matchday, then it's a case of the press picking the team.

If Liverpool don't think Ward is good enough then let him go.

No shock, but that's Koeman sacked by Everton.

I’m not sure I get that. Who are they going to bring in? Some journalists tweeting that they think Moyes is in line for a return! Be good to see someone like Sean Dyche offered the job.
I think Koeman will find himself another job quite soon. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him take over at Leicester.

Left field (literally) suggestion...... Ryan Giggs?

Be good to see someone like Sean Dyche offered the job.

I never really get this logic. Someone like Dyche (there are always other examples - people going to 'big clubs' like Villa or Newcastle when they're in a spot of trouble) - he's built a decent team that works together as a unit, is improving all the time, and could well finish above Everton this year.

I think he'd be mad to jump ship to the toffees and start having to clear up someone else's mess. But it always happens! See also, er, Ronald Koeman 😆

He has done well at Burnley and a club like Everton would be the next step up. A club that could potentially challenge for top 6 and the cups. I’m not sure Everton will offer it to him as they will probably spend even more money getting someone like Mancini or LvG, which is a shame as British managers don’t seem to get offered these jobs now.

I think Mancini is a spent force now, it has all come out what a temperamental prick he really was.

I wonder who was/is in charge of Everton recruitment, was it actually Koeman? While I don't think he has done a good job this season, he did pretty well last year, but it was the transfer window that caused a disaster.

While I don't think he has done a good job this season, he did pretty well last year, but it was the transfer window that caused a disaster.

I don't buy this argument, end of last season Everton were pretty poor also. And even if Everton can't score because of too many No 10s then that still doesn't excuse the vast amount of goals they've shipped since August. As a comparison Palace have only let in one more goal and they've lost 8 out of 9 games!!

Isn’t Steve Walsh (ex Leicester player and scout) the director of football at Everton? So assume he’s the one buying the players.
I think their biggest issue has been blowing the Lukaku money on lots of average players. Bit like Spurs did when they sold Bale.

Isn’t Steve Walsh (ex Leicester player and scout) the director of football at Everton? So assume he’s the one buying the players.

No, there are 2 Steve Walsh's. One the ex-player, the other the 'Scout/headhunter/advisor" who did pretty well for a while at Leicester, buying good players for little money, however, he later bought some players who have not performed well, but he had left by then for Everton.

I think their biggest issue has been blowing the Lukaku money on lots of average players. Bit like Spurs did when they sold Bale

They also bought a decent keeper and young centre half - but have been shipping goals alarmingly. Can't help but think he's lost the dressing room, if we want to indulge in a bit of footy cliches.

I think their biggest issue has been blowing the Lukaku money on lots of average players. Bit like Spurs did when they sold Bale.

If Everton have bought anyone as good as Christian Erikson then they'll have been doing very well indeed. Big myth that the Bale money was badly spent, sure some of it didn't work out but Erikson, Lamella and Chadli are all decent buys. Paulinho didn't work out but is now at Barcelona and okay the other couple were a flop, but then that happens at other clubs also, some players never fit in. Look at Veron at Man U back in the day, great player, big buy but it just never worked out for whatever reason.

It’s no myth, they bought 7 players with that money, (including Paulinho and Soldado) and other than Eriksen and Lamela they have all been shipped out and other than Chadli for a big loss on what they paid.
I reckon the only other person that would consider that money well spent would be AVB 😆

Anyone watching the U17 semi final? Very watchable play from the England youngsters. Out brazilling Brazil. Good recent results from all the youth teams. Is the future bright?

Very! they'll be bought up by Citeh or Chelsea and parked on the bench at £40K a week before you know it 🙂

VERY bright - what do the FA do to players once they make senior level, you don't see passing, pace and movement like this from the senior sides?

Has everyone else let it be known they're available for the Everton managers position? It seems like most people who've ever kicked a ball have already done so. My agent has thrown my CV into the mix 😀

I reckon Everton will end up with a Lincoln City style brotherly dream team of Gary and Phil Neville

The likes of Giggs, Neville, Alladyce etc say that they'd talk to them.
They should get off their arse and apply for the job, not just sit there waiting for one to fall into their lap. Another symptom of the stupidity in football. Who'd employ Giggs as a Premier League manager? He's delusional.

Top trolling by the toffeemen:

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What’s going on with the Everton away strip? It looks like what you’d end up wearing if you’d forgotten your kit for PE and had to wear whatever had been left in the changing rooms

They look like relegation fodder. They’re bloody awful! It looks like the last people who believe they can score are the players. Shambolic!

Great wins for English teams tonight, I obviously watched the ciy match, but well done the spurs.

Got to say, the intensity and pressure of the teams I watched was incredible, it was a great match to watch, but it also reminded me of Armstrong and the pirate slugging out out on the big climbs.

City have real steel and resolve this season - Napoli away must be one of the toughest fixtures out there. Great to see Real get a doing as well. Couple more and Zidane will get the chop.......and they'll be in for [s]Sean Dyche[/s] Poch.

I'm feeling rather happy this morning!

Who'd employ Giggs as a Premier League manager? He's delusional.

Zidane started at Real Madrid for example Dont think Paisley managed anywhere before pool etc

Its fair to say that UK managers have less chances than 30 years ago just like the players

Fantastic performance by Spurs last night.

If they can play like that against Real (again) then could they use it to undo the hoodoo that seems to possess them against the top Premiership sides? If so, then they're serious title contenders

they are serious contenders anyway but the problem is that its a race for second unless City start to stumble

We will get CL but nothing more

Dont think Paisley managed anywhere before pool etc

When he took over at Liverpool, they were a 2nd Division team in decline.

name the last manager to work his way up from the lower leagues to a top job - I cannot name them FWIW

that's quite a good question!

I'm stuck on Martin O'Neill and Sam Allardyce, who both went from non-league to premier league during the 90's. But then they got stuck because their key skills were - arguably - getting a bunch of journeymen organised and playing above their level, which won't win the PL. (er, just ask Leicester, ahem)

Since those two? Anyone?

The 90's is recent, right? We're still young, aren't we? Guys?

name the last manager to work his way up from the lower leagues to a top job

It all depends on whether you think this is a good thing or not, Most if not all chairmen nowadays wouldn't dream of it as fans/shareholders always want a 'name'.

Mourinho would be as close as you'd get, different in that he wasn't a player as such, but worked his way up the coaching route.

I think you mean Shankly there not Paisley.

I think you mean Shankly there not Paisley.

Aye, you're right.

Paisley started in the lower leagues though.

My point was there is no progression route for UK based managers - ones who are successful in lesser leagues can get jobs at the top clubs here and someone like Giggs* - who i assume 30 years ago would have been a manager by now - cannot get a chance

I think you end up with fok at one team - dyche and Howe but as noted the top 6 are not going in for them are they. There is a sort of glass ceiling for Uk based managers.

* not saying he would be any good but he would have had a chance

The other major difference is the money.

The likes of Shearer and players of his time, started earning some big money. Nothing compared to now but still in the region of 7 figures a year. So most are made for life when they retire. Why go through all the shit if you don't need the money? Wayne Rooney apparently took a 50% pay cut to go to Everton and is "only" one £8 million a year.

Previous generations still needed to work when they were "retiring" at 35.

I'm feeling rather happy this morning!

You have to feel for the Spuds, no sooner do they (eventually)start playing like a top team, but the speculation begins on how long they can hold onto their manager! 🙂

Not that I'm bitter of course! 😳

Spurs have two main problems as the manager and the players

1. Can win things elsewhere
2. Will get paid more

only success on the pitch can stop the breakup of the team and even then not in the long run IMHO

Its a real shame that as football now is about who is the richest not whether a coach/manager can build a team to challenge

Giggs has had opportunities, he just considered himself too good for them. Although to be honest hearing him talk he is about as inspirational as an omelette, he may be able to coach, but I don't think anyone in their right mind could see him as a leader.

Brendan Rodgers managed a top 4 team and is now manager of Celtic who while not amazing are a decent team. Paul Clement has done okay as well, although not yet been at a big-ish (top 10) club.

name the last manager to work his way up from the lower leagues to a top job - I cannot name them FWIW

You'd have to add Moyes in. Although it didn't work out for him at Utd he still had the chance.

Redknapp was managing Spurs when they made it to the Champions league and did alright.

Chris Hughton managed lots of mediocre clubs before now too 😀

You have to feel for the Spuds, no sooner do they (eventually)start playing like a top team, but the speculation begins on how long they can hold onto their manager!

This is becoming a real concern now but I think he won't go anywhere else yet as he'll want to finish what he's building at Tottenham. Players nearly always move on at some point and at least Levy has got them tied to contracts so we'll be paid well for them, but a good manager like Poch is a rare find and Levy should give him whatever he wants to get him to stay as long as possible.

I can't see him leaving in the middle of the season, but maybe at the end. It seems something is not quite right with Mourinho at utd (no real surprise), I wouldn't be surprised to see united and Madrid competing for him next summer.

Personally I would be wary of becoming Madrid manager at the moment, sounds like Ronaldo is virtual manager by throwing tantrums and getting what he wants.

Spurs puzzle me tbh. Last season they had a great team and with maybe a couple of players could have beat Chelsea to the title.

Imagine if they had signed Vardy to cover for Kane - worth a few points surely. Maybe not enough to overhaul Chelsea but they would not have been 7 points behind.

Levy must have said something to convince players to sign new contracts and signing Llorente probably would not cut it so maybe some disillusionment in the ranks?

Now Walker has left others will be considering their positions and if a few go then Poch would not be far behind. I think they have missed the opportunity to make the leap to a trophy winning side. I guess they will a nice stadium soon though :D. The power in the capital will remain in the West.