FIVE REASONS EVERTON ARE MARCHING UP THE EPL UNDER RONALD
Five reasons Toffees are marching up the EPL under Ronald
LONDON: There is a strange aroma around Goodison Park these days – one they have hardly sniffed over the past 21 years.
It is the sweet smell of success – and the whiff is definitely getting stronger. And since no-nonsense Ronald Koeman rode into town, one which has grown by the week.
So how is the Dutchman stirring one of the game’s sleeping giants into life again? SunSport takes a look at what has changed . . .
1. DISCIPLINE
KOEMAN’S first act was to haul the squad back to pre-season training three days earlier, starting at 9am instead of 10am. And woe betide anyone arriving late.
He was alarmed the players were nowhere near the fitness levels he demands. Shorter but more intense sessions have soon sorted that.
Also gone are the days when players had responsibility for gym work and recovery.
Under Koeman, it is in a group and the immediate sense of togetherness has soared.
2. PLAYING FOR THE MANAGER
FORMER gaffer Roberto Martinez may have claimed everything was fine and dandy with his relentless optimism but that was far from the truth.
In reality the mood in the dressing room could not have been much darker, with tales that some players literally went months barely exchanging a word with the manager.
Koeman’s approach may have dragged some from easy street but to a man they accept the reasoning, the logic – and the obvious benefits.
3. NEW ARRIVALS
ASHLEY Williams is hardly the same type of centreback as Koeman, who was one of the classiest ball-playing centrebacks in football history.
But his rock-steady influence at the back has been crucial.
Yannick Bolasie has given that sense of the unknown to go with Gerard Deulofeu but the biggest bonus has been the quietest arrival.
Idrissa Gueye’s signing hardly roared on to the back pages but since coming from Aston Villa his influence in the role as one of the holding midfielders has been huge.
Koeman said of the Senegal ace: “He is important in how we like to press, on second balls and in the energy he shows that gives a reaction to the other players.
“It is not a surprise to us how well he is doing because he was always on our list.”
4. KEEPING ROMELU LUKAKU
THE Belgian made no secret of his desire for Champions League football but no serious bidders meant no serious decision to make.
Last season Lukaku hit all his 25 club goals by mid-March and looked a shadow of his earlier self in the last two months.
His last three games for club and country have brought six goals and he looks an unstoppable force once more.
5. A SENSE OF REALISM
KOEMAN is too long in the tooth to get carried away with Everton riding high in second.
As much as winning is vital to breeding confidence, he knows the early fixtures could have been far tougher too.
He said: “Of course it is a good start to the season and totally deserved but OK, maybe we did not have the toughest starts.” — The Sun, London