Niasse: I don't think I deserve Everton situation

Tuesday, 11 October, 2016 143comments  |  Jump to most recent
Oumar Niasse has spoken of his dismay at the manner in which his Premier League dream has soured at Goodison but refuses to "make a drama over it."

The striker arrived on a big-money transfer in February, billed as a goalscoring backup for Romelu Lukaku but, after just 150 minutes of first team action and the cold shoulder from new manager Ronald Koeman, Niasse finds himself training with the Under-23s.

Koeman made it clear that the Senegalese should look for a new club over the summer but a move to Galatasaray fell through while a late loan opportunity back at Lokomotiv Moscow also failed to materialise amid rumours his wife didn't want to return to Russia.

That has left the 26-year-old in limbo, without a squad number or a locker and with just a couple of run-outs for the U23s to his name so far this season.

“It's sad, it's really sad,” Niasse says in The Guardian. “And, to be honest, I think I don't deserve this but what I can do is just keep my head and fight to change things. I'm not going to make a drama over this. I just deal with it. I know it's just one period.

"I couldn't understand how [the manager's] decision could have been made after 45 minutes [of a pre-season friendly] but I just said: ‘OK, thank you.' It's his decision. He's the manager. What can I do?

" I called my agent and he said he would look into the opportunities for me. To be honest, I didn't ask Koeman to explain his reasons. I just thought, even if I asked why, I would never understand. After just 45 minutes, you cannot say to me: ‘You are no good.'”

“He took my shirt number and he told me I wasn't allowed to be in the dressing room for the first team; that I wasn't going to train with them. I had to go with the second team.

“I said: ‘OK, no problem.' When you say you don't need a player, you don't have to see him. I've just kept working in training. Even if I'm training with the Under-23s, I give them the respect.

“Anything can change. Koeman just wants the best for himself and, in two months, if I can be the best for him, he will take me, because he doesn't have any problem with me and I don't have any problem with him. It's football and bigger players than me have had this problem with their coaches."  

Reader Comments (143)

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Stephen Brown
1 Posted 11/10/2016 at 18:53:38
Good interview! Speaks a lot of sense!
Steve Hopkins
2 Posted 11/10/2016 at 18:53:48
The sort of transfer that only Sam Alladyce or a fake sheikh or Sam Alladyce dressed as a fake sheikh could get to the bottom of
Ste Wallace
3 Posted 11/10/2016 at 18:55:57
Feel a bit sorry for the kid but he isn't upto the standard. At least he's still respectful.
Les Martin
4 Posted 11/10/2016 at 19:00:03
Very humble man and appears to get on with whatever fate has thrown at him.
It appears that he is not considered worthy of being at Everton on the talent or lack of it that he has shown so far, however I wish him well when he eventually moves on.
Barry Thompson
5 Posted 11/10/2016 at 19:03:24
It's sad, so sad
It's a sad sad situation
And it's getting more and more absurd
It's sad, so sad
Why can't they talk it over
Always seems to me
'you're picked' seems to be the hardest words.

Kinell, I've just had an idea for a song. Now all I need is the tune.

Karl Masters
6 Posted 11/10/2016 at 19:05:44
There's something very odd about all this.

Even more than how we can pay so much for a player who has looked so bad in the very little we have seen of him, what really puzzles me is how Koeman could make such a damning judgement based on 45 mins on an Austrian hillside kickabout friendly.

Did someone have a quiet word? And why?

There will be the usual people lining up here to say he's rubbish, but ask yourself why we paid £13m for rubbish plus wages and don't use him at all.

I notice he's scored a couple of times for the Under 23s so clearly not a total basket case, so what happened? Ringer sent over from Russia? Off the field activities too unsavoury?

Finally, it's a sobering thought that this year buying Niasse with wages and sacking Martinez and paying up that ridiculous contract has cost EFC around £30m! The same figure that not so long ago would have got our feet in at the Kings Dock has just been squandered for diddly squat in a few short months! Go figure...

Ian McDowell
7 Posted 11/10/2016 at 19:05:47
I agree, he doesn't deserve this situation. What other business other than football would invest over £20 million pounds (transfer fee + wages) with no idea or plan of how we are going to use him over the next few years.
Jonathan Allan
8 Posted 11/10/2016 at 19:10:46
I find it appalling that the club can treat one of its employees that way. To not even give him a locker is disgraceful. I thought his attitude in the interview was extremely dignified. I'm not sure that I can speak soon highly of the actions of the club though.
Trevor Lynes
9 Posted 11/10/2016 at 19:18:49
Koeman is the manager and his decision is for the best of the club as he see's it. Niassie is taking it well and importantly he is still getting paid!!

Lots of players find their level in lower leagues and he is no different. I just hope he gets a decent move soon as it is not his fault that money was wasted.

Ian Williams
10 Posted 11/10/2016 at 19:26:32
I remember during the summer that he was arrested for a disturbance at his wife's house. It all went very quiet after that so no idea if he was prosecuted or not...

Maybe not quite the perfect professional that he is trying to make out. If he was Premier League quality, then we have to ask ourselves why the likes of Hull etc did not pile in to grab a bargain when we were so vocal that he could go????

Paul Holmes
11 Posted 11/10/2016 at 19:34:00
If he's going to be any good,surely he should shine in the U23 team... he was Russian player of the year, ffs!

Can fans who watch the U23 play please keep us posted on the ToffeeWeb of how he looks.

Paul Conway
12 Posted 11/10/2016 at 19:45:12
I have been a strong critic of Niasse, mostly out of frustration for his failing to live up to his price tag, as am sure most Evertonians feel the same.

But, after reading his comments I did feel a bit choked for the human being involved in this fiasco. He certainly didn't intend to come here to fail.

There are two victims in this affair. The player himself who was sought after and the fans who were promised something to save our miserable last season.

Joseph Mullarkey
13 Posted 11/10/2016 at 19:48:48
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
Ian Bennett
14 Posted 11/10/2016 at 19:49:25
Modern day football to encourage him to move off his £50k a week contract.

Let's have it right, he isn't good enough for us. In an ideal world, he'd being playing somewhere else, and we'd recover whatever we can from this disaster.

For every player going on strike, or hawking around his release clause, is another club sticking their player in the stiffs. Not nice, but reality.

Andy Crooks
15 Posted 11/10/2016 at 19:53:14
Like Valencia, it is hard to judge him without a run in the side. It seems to me to be all about personalities, confidence, and a bit of luck.

Some people have decided he is good. Someone at Everton agreed. However, I doubt that anyone on this site with resorting to gossip and rumour really knows. He is on good money, I would imagine, so he's got a nice silver lining to his woes.

Different time, late goal as sub, arm round the shoulder, super confident, what a steal. It all seems so down to fate.

Jimmy Sørheim
16 Posted 11/10/2016 at 19:57:30
This is sad, Oumar Niasse is not up to it and Koeman saw that from last season on videos, and he assesed him to be not good enough.

It is not that difficult to understand: "Move,. bitch, get out the way, get out the way" seems to be clear enough language to me... but, if Niasse cannot understand it, then he should take it up with Koeman, not the media!

Koeman told him "You are off the first team", a clear indication of where he judges him to be as a player. I have no issue with Koeman sending him to U23s based on last season and the friendly he played.

I agree that he should fight to get back in, and that is a fair stance; he either makes it from there or not. He should have went on loan, but the stubborn idiot dug his heels in, so he should shut his mouth about him being treated unfairly.

We are not running a charity here at Everton Football Club any longer, which makes me VERY, VERY happy.

Mike Oates
17 Posted 11/10/2016 at 19:58:45
Not his fault in the least. If some daft men are going to pay £13m for you and give you a Premier League salary, then stick with them until someone betters it, or your contract runs out.

In most businesses, a financial disaster like this would mean a detailed review of what went wrong and who was responsible. If I was Moshiri, I would want to know about this transfer as well as Martinez's £10m pay off. Elstone or Kenwright need to be put on the pedestal and if so incriminate Martinez's naivety.

We are never going to come out of this smiling but it's certainly not Niasse's fault.

Koeman also shouldn't close down his options so quickly.

Terry Hughes
18 Posted 11/10/2016 at 20:10:00
Having just read Niasses comments on the Sky Sports website, I feel a bit sorry for him. Koeman obviously doesn't fancy him one bit but, from what I've seen from Enner Valencia so far this season, he's not much better. If Lukaku gets injured then we're absolutely screwed as every blue knows.

I just can't see why Koeman can't have another look at him and give him chance?

Roger Helm
19 Posted 11/10/2016 at 20:21:39
I agree with the lad – it must be terrible to be earning £50k plus per week for a bit of training and a kick-about with no pressure and no risk of injury.

But if it is football he wants to play, he could always request a transfer and get in the first team in a lower league.

Max Murphy
20 Posted 11/10/2016 at 20:44:49
"...But it ain’t him to blame
He’s only a pawn in their game"
Eugene Ruane
21 Posted 11/10/2016 at 20:59:49
The blame for this fuck-up - all of it - rests with the amateurs 'running' Everton.

The lad didn't buy himself for millions, Everton did.

The lad didn't have himself watched, Everton (apparently) did.

If he's on £50k/60k a week, Everton offered it.

If Everton buy a shit player, Everton's fault.

And imo, anyone pointing their finger at the player might as well be kneeling in the middle of the street screaming..

"Grrrr! Why does he get loads of money and not me?'

Mick Davies
22 Posted 11/10/2016 at 21:03:12
If I was earning £50,000 for a job I wasn't skilled enough to do, and living in a country of my choice, I certainly wouldn't be moaning to the press about it.
Liam Reilly
23 Posted 11/10/2016 at 21:06:03
Strange one this; can't see Koeman backing down even if we lose Lukaku to injury and Kone and Valencia can't steady the ship.

Apparently there's a, errr... 33-year-old striker linked with Boreham Wood. A young whipper snapper called Yakubu.

James Stewart
25 Posted 11/10/2016 at 21:12:42
Not really a lot Koeman can do, Niasse, however committed, is utterly useless. He could have gone in the window and been playing, so I have little sympathy.

We would be better off playing one of the young lads than Niasse.

Phil Parker
26 Posted 11/10/2016 at 21:29:15
Lunatic purchase for our club by our previous manager.

In the real world, for the lack of tactics, fitness and discipline inflicted on the players in his charge, and his all round incompetence as a so-called manager, he would have been dismissed with no recompense. Instead, he relieved our club of £10 million as a payoff, and around £10 million in wages. What a crazy world we are living in.

[That was a song by Joe Brown.]

Mark Morrissey
27 Posted 11/10/2016 at 21:43:51
Now if there's a smile on my face
It's only there trying to fool the Toffees
But when it comes down to fooling Ron
Now honey that's quite a different subject
But don't let my glad expression
Give you the wrong impression
'Cause really I'm sad, Oh I'm sadder than sad
Well I'm hurt and I want you so bad
Like a Toffee I appear to be Blue ooh yeah
John Malone
28 Posted 11/10/2016 at 21:54:32
Great attitude... but so did Stracq!

Good luck but I think there is a reason one of the top guys in world football won't give you the time of day, Niasse!


Eugene Ruane
30 Posted 11/10/2016 at 21:58:09
James (25) - 'He could have gone in the window and been playing so I have little sympathy'

Gone where?

For how much?

When?

Who wanted him?

What were the terms?

(nb: if you want a player out, not the wisest thing to broadcast that after watching him for 45 mins, you want him gone - hardly likely to have teams queuing up).

This 'he could have gone' stuff is the most simplistic bollocks I've heard and just a refusal to point the finger where it should be pointed - at the club.

Ffs what is Niasse supposed to think..

"Move from Russia to Liverpool, get settled in, then get told to fuck off to somewhere unspecified, for a deal that exists only in the head of narked TWers, all within 5 months? Sure, no problem!"

Same thing happened with Gosling, club fuck-up, player gets it in the neck from supporters.

Those who love grabbing a flaming torch and chasing monsters round online should at least make sure they're chasing the right monster.

Ian Hollingworth
31 Posted 11/10/2016 at 22:02:39
Who bought him? Billy Bullshit.

Who advised BK to buy him? From what I saw, he looked useless and Koeman appears to think he is useless also.

Move him on ASAP and, more importantly, I hope we are identifying quality replacements.

Nicholas Ryan
32 Posted 11/10/2016 at 22:05:55
If Niasse was setting the Under-23s on fire, Dave Unsworth would be saying: 'Hey Boss, this guy's got it, after all'

But he isn't, because he hasn't.

[If you see what I mean!]

Ray Roche
33 Posted 11/10/2016 at 22:14:03
Liam Reilly #24


Yakubu? 33? What, dog years?

Ray Robinson
34 Posted 11/10/2016 at 22:15:15
Either a case of money laundering or a transfer fee linked to number of appearances? I have seen Wright, Belfitt, Angel etc in my time and he is, in my opinion, by far the worst.

Ironically, it probably is neither his making nor fault at all. I actually feel sorry for him. The truth of this deal will eventually come out.

Mark Riding
35 Posted 11/10/2016 at 22:19:02
He's shite. And he slaps his bird about. Maybe that has something to do with our manager's position on the player?
Laurie Hartley
36 Posted 11/10/2016 at 22:21:35
Nicholas (#32) - actually Unsworth has given him a big rap recently:

http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/09/20/david-unsworth-praises-Evertons-oumar-niasse/

There is "something" very wrong about all this. If he was a "baddy", the press would have been all over it.

Rob Halligan
37 Posted 11/10/2016 at 22:21:54
Bringing some bad memories back there, Ray.

Not questioning your opinion but, to be fair to Niasse, we haven't really seen enough of him to put him in the same category as them three.

Out of those three, Bernie Wright has to be by far the worst centre forward ever, closely followed by Brett Angell.

Keith Harrison
38 Posted 11/10/2016 at 22:22:19
But apart from that, what have the Senegalese done for us Mark?
Tom Bowers
39 Posted 11/10/2016 at 22:22:36
I don't think any other ''top'' team has ever signed more failures than Everton – especially since the Eighties. The scouting system must be really poor at times.
Ernie Baywood
40 Posted 11/10/2016 at 22:26:06
Tom, do you not think our friends across the park might be more worthy of that title?

Sure, we have Niasse and Kroldrup... But they spent huge on Balotelli and Carroll.

Don Alexander
41 Posted 11/10/2016 at 22:29:28
There's an old adage accepted as truism saying "I think, therefore I am."

To corrupt it (and boy was there ever a better word for what this Niasse situation is about); "It's football, therefore it's bent."

If the Niasse transfer ain't so, only those in the football "industry" (ha-ha, as if!) involved in it can show it to be untrue, but by now anyone with an iota of common sense will not be holding their breath waiting for them, whoever they are, to come clean.

Eugene Ruane
42 Posted 11/10/2016 at 22:32:10
Ian (31) - 'Move him on ASAP'

Really, it's that simple is it?

Phew, here's me thinking that he was on a 4½-year deal and couldn't be 'moved on' anywhere unless he wanted it (which he sensibly only would for a similar deal).

Ray Robinson
43 Posted 11/10/2016 at 22:35:24
Rob, I would normally agree 100% with you– it is far too soon to judge him after so little playing time and of course it is always a matter of opinion. However, what I have seen suggests to me that Niasse is unworthy of the term 'professional footballer'. Not his fault... and yes, just maybe, Bernie Wright was just as bad!
Oliver Molloy
44 Posted 11/10/2016 at 22:50:08
Signing this guy was obviously a very big mistake and has cost EFC a load of money, ultimately the club's at fault not Niasse.

What bothers me is the powers that be at EFC keep making bad judgement calls on this. Everton wanted any club interested in a loan deal to pay most if not all of Niasse's wage – (which is rare these days I believe, unless a top player). The Turkish club (forget the name) apparently were willing to do this provided they could have an option to buy him for £3 million or thereabouts.

There were other interested clubs similar to above, apparently. We tried to use Niasse in signing Bolasie but Pardew was having none of it.

The club have fucked up big time, and they should have just let him go, but oh no not Everton, we will hold on to him and see if a club will come in and we might get a few bob back – like that's going to happen after Koeman basically telling the world of football Niasse's is shite.

If EFC want rid of Niasse, bite the bullet, do a deal with the player to pay off his contract and say bye-bye.

Valencia – who the fuck sanctioned that deal?

Darryl Ritchie
45 Posted 11/10/2016 at 22:52:10
There's more to this than anyone is letting us know. It's been a little bizarre from the beginning, and Koeman's stand on Niasse just makes it weirder.

The sooner we put this behind us (by that, I mean Niasse off the books), the better.

Dan Davies
46 Posted 11/10/2016 at 23:18:56
A lot of people have their knives out over Niasse, he didn't buy himself or set the price. Has he been given a fair chance?

If he ain't good enough, then the fans' anger should be directed at whomever sanctioned the deal to bring him to Goodison Park in the first place.

Still a long way to go to sort the club out...

Jack Convery
47 Posted 11/10/2016 at 00:06:49
In any other line of employment this treatment could be considered harrasment and bullying but not in football. We bought him, we fucked up, not him.

I've said on TW before, the transfer stinks and Niasse looks to be a patsy to me. Will someone at EFC please come out and explain who thought he was a good bet and who decided to pay £13m plus for him? I'm surprised EFC are not making him do the laundry but maybe someone else does that job.

BTW, Mark (#27) – brilliant adaptation of Smokey's finest.

Mark Wilson
49 Posted 12/10/2016 at 01:07:39
The most common sentence used in many places I've seen comment on the whole Niasse situation is "there's something just not right about the whole transfer". It's a reflection on one of the craziest things I've seen in a lifetime of supporting this great club and boy that puts it up there with some seriously crazy stuff!! How have we imagined seeing a series of videos setting out his recent-ish performances in the top Russian league which is good enough to provide a regular stream of competitive if not Barca class teams for the Champions League each year?

Niasse has flopped in 157 minutes of football. He arrived grossly unfit and injured, and was faced with one of the worst managerial performers seen in the Premier League for a long time, a squad in open disarray... something slowly becoming clearer as the months go by since Martinez was sacked. And an utterly poisonous atmosphere from a crowd who wouldn't have given Messi more than two full games to prove himself worthy of the shirt as the team plumbed new depths.

He may actually be a player worth zero not £13.5m, I can't honestly tell. He looks and has been poor, very poor, and frankly yes I'd be concerned if I was Koeman. But this is a club "blessed" with one outstanding forward and a heap of, well, let's be kind and say "mediocre" cover players in out-and-out attacking positions. So surely he was worth a place on the bench v Norwich for instance? The trouble is every second he got on the pitch he was under a microscope where he was being assessed as a player, or a genuine fraud we've somehow been kidded into signing?

I agree with the need for answers from the scouting team. But Martinez made what appears to be a grossly stupid panic buy. At least that's all we mere supporters will ever get to think without some commentary from the club. But to treat the player as he has been, that's just plain petty. Koeman may be miffed that the guy didn't leave the club in August. But why is it Niasse's fault that he didn't want to give up a dream this quickly? So he's punished with childlike behaviour from a club that I thought knows better. There may be more to the story but my sense is we tried to push him out the door for money we obviously didn't think he was worth else why tell the world he's crap?

When Rom is out for a while injured and Kone has exhausted his bank of one in twenty half decent performances and everyone is fed up of saying "Why did we loan in that that guy from West Ham he's utter rubbish" and the new young hope from Sheffield isn't yet ready, who is playing up top?

It all reflects badly on pretty much everyone concerned this sad mess but could there be a fairy story here with the whole thing suddenly clicking and Unsy working a bit of man-management magic? Probably not I guess but I'd quite like it to be so, just to prove that making such a judgement after 157 minutes of football just has to be a flawed approach.

Teddy Bertin
50 Posted 12/10/2016 at 01:11:07
The lad hasn't done anything wrong at all. He had a good season in the Russian league, scored some good goals, looked like an awkward handful and was offered a lot of money to move to a Premier League club.

He was a given a good contract and has made himself available for first team football. He's been denied that so he's made himself available for the U23s and worked hard.

He's more than entitled to claim his wages and fight for his place if he wants to. We know for personal reasons he wants to stay in the area and he has made it clear he wants to play for the club. Calls to ship him off are harsh and unrealistic.

Good luck to the guy. Seems like a nice fella and I hope he proves Koeman wrong.

Laurie Hartley
51 Posted 12/10/2016 at 01:12:33
My link # 36 didn't work – I'll try again

David Unsworth praises Everton's Oumar Niasse

It seems Unsworth has not written him off?

Derek Thomas
52 Posted 12/10/2016 at 01:24:55
Eugene @21; Spot on... and if he is scoring in the U23s – and hitting the bar and having them disallowed... What does that say about the standard there?

Manchester Vs Moscow, £50k per week for 3 or 4 years. Girlfriend likes everything about it, so therefore not in his earhole 24/7... On a general level, what's not to like... Totally not his fault and he seems to be taking it in a decent manner.

We all know what the bigger question(s) are though, Somebody(s) signed off on this. It'll all come out in the end, it might take a few years but it'll surface... it always does.

Paul Kossoff
53 Posted 12/10/2016 at 01:53:46
No, you don't deserve your situation at Everton, 4 year contract on round £60 bloody thousand quid a week, for what? certainly not for playing football.

First thing you have got right Mr Niasse, you don't deserve your situation at all. Bloody damn cheek. But I still say there's something decidedly dodgy about this whole transfer, something that I doubt us Evertonians will ever find out.

Having criticised Niasse, I hope somehow he comes good, but when Koeman openly slate's the player and says he won't play him, surely something's not quite right.

Jonathon Laws
54 Posted 12/10/2016 at 02:38:07
I'm with Eugene (#30) on this one. Personally, I think the propensity to chase these (often false) monsters is a symptom of people using their own life as a benchmark to consider others. I, for one, wouldn't fancy the risk of putting all my eggs in the football basket – even for all the lights. And I couldn't be happier for this lad to have stumbled (somehow) into the echelons. A quite fantastic mistake which, for the sake of the club, let's hope is a rare occurrence.

To offer some perspective, it's not half so controversial as the players who can easily get 1st team football at a top club for silly wages but choose not to because they're not quite as silly as what they have. The millions sunk in the loan hole by Man City and Chelsea, for example, are staggering.

Anto Byrne
55 Posted 12/10/2016 at 03:53:29
Yes, unbearable situation for the lad, at least the £55k a week will help him sleep a bit more soundly. He should have been loaned out for competitive football – not allowed to rot in the reserves.

He may have found some form, surely a Championship team would give him a chance. If he comes good, it's a win-win solution. From what I've seen, he is two-footed, has a bit of pace and ball control, and has an eye for a goal. Just a pity Martinez isn't accountable for this signing...

Christopher Kelly
57 Posted 12/10/2016 at 05:30:35
No time for participation medals. We've been the club that hands out orange slices to our players for far too long. Dignified pro who's getting paid a MINT. He's making his money and will find his legs in the lower divisions, it seems.

Trust me, he'll appreciate this Premiers League contract in a few years. Probably the last big money he'll see. Good attitude (while speaking to the Press), so he'll catch on somewhere and have a nice living. Next.

Paul Ward
58 Posted 12/10/2016 at 07:25:59
Before anybody considers the positions of Niasse or Koeman, we should be looking at the decision Everton made to sign him. Eugene Ruane (#21 & #30) sums it up perfectly.

The problem is, when there is a monumental fuck-up like this, there is never an inquiry or anyone held personally responsible for it. Surely our new owner must suspect what has preceded him at this club and not trust anything Kenwright has been involved with.

Rick Tarleton
59 Posted 12/10/2016 at 07:53:24
Whether he's a good player or not, is unproven. He came from St Petersburg in their close season and didn't hit the ground running, for obvious reasons. New environment, different kind of football, settling his family in etc. His early displays got him few supporters and Martinez basically ditched him. Koeman's done the same, for whatever reason.

However, footballers like everyone else have employment rights and are entitled to be treated as human beings, not pieces of meat, and to be spoken to in detail about the problems and what may be needed.

"The Guardian" interview suggests a pleasant, humble individual and whatever his standard of play is or is not, he deserves some respect from his employers.

Incidentally Alan Shackleton was up there with Bernie Wright and Brett Angell. Bernie really was a winger.

Laurie Hartley
60 Posted 12/10/2016 at 08:04:57
Here is the crux of the matter for me :-

"After just 45 minutes, you cannot say to me: ‘You are no good.'”

I agree.

This raggedy arsed kid from nowhere is going to prove a lot of people wrong when someone finally gives him a fair go.

Steve Pugh
61 Posted 12/10/2016 at 08:16:17
If I was a club wanting to get rid of a player he would be out on loan in a league where he will show his best. The loan club wouldn't have to pay any of his wages as long as he played. If he can perform, somebody will want to buy him.

Nobody is going to look at a 26-year-old playing in an Under-23s league, the scouts there are looking at potential and, by 26, he doesn't have a lot of developing left to do.

It's not only his signing that doesn't make sense... none of this makes sense.

Gareth Clark
62 Posted 12/10/2016 at 08:38:09
I think he deserves a chance...

He is putting the ball in the net for the U23 team, and it looks like he has the right attitude.

I think he at least deserves to be treated a bit better.

Tony Abrahams
63 Posted 12/10/2016 at 09:07:27
Bought just before Everton were sold, for a hell of a lot of money, from a very moody league. Very strange, but when he scores the winner in the Cup Final...
Mark Andrews
64 Posted 12/10/2016 at 09:16:19
I feel a bit sorry for the lad as it's clear he's not Premier League material. He's a symbol of all that was wrong in the chaotic Martinez era. He seems to have a good attitude on him and I hope he gets a club in the next transfer window. We're going to have to take a rather large financial hit on him though, Phenomenal Bobs parting gift?

The question remains, just who scouted him and are they still working for us?

Dave Abrahams
65 Posted 12/10/2016 at 09:28:23
Rick (#59),

I agree with you regards to Bernie Wright, he would have made a great winger on The Empress of France!!!!

Rob Halligan
66 Posted 12/10/2016 at 09:45:43
Remember Robles's really first big game, against Arsenal in the FA Cup quarterfinal? He had an absolute nightmare and most were screaming "never play him again!"

Slowly but surely, however, Robles improved, especially when he had a 3- or 4-match run when he kept clean sheets, with everyone then screaming "keep him in", and there was uproar when he was dropped and Howard returned.

At least Niasse deserves a chance. You never know, there might be a decent player in there somewhere?

Phil Walling
67 Posted 12/10/2016 at 09:59:37
Eugene sums up the situation superbly @21. Trouble is Koeman seems to have signed at least one player who is of the same quality. Fortunately he's a loanee so can be returned.

But with Super Scout to 'run the rule' over all future signings, this manager will have someone to blame!

Erik Dols
68 Posted 12/10/2016 at 10:07:46
A very strange situation indeed. You would think Niasse insulted Koeman or slept with his wife or something like that. Even if Koeman just thinks Niasse is not good enough, it makes no sense.

Koeman must have his reasons to act like he does. My guess, but it's just that, is that Koeman does't believe Niasse has got what it takes mentally to make it at Premier League level. That the club arranged a transfer out that Niasse accepted at first but rejected it later on (maybe indeed his wife doesn't want to move back to Russia). That might have annoyed Big Ron so much he thinks Niasse can rot in the reserves.

Add to that the ridiculous transfer fee we paid for him at a time when the takeover wasn't in place yet, and the story gets even stranger. Perhaps Koeman feels this whole transfer saga is dodgy and he wants nothing to do with it.

Tony Hill
69 Posted 12/10/2016 at 10:26:19
It's a mess, certainly, and my concern is that it can only breed discomfort among (some of) the players and poison the atmosphere. Isn't he close to Gueye? I have no doubt we will shuffle him off somewhere in due course but we do look ridiculous I'm afraid.
Brent Stephens
70 Posted 12/10/2016 at 10:27:09
If he's broken any club rules, apply the normal penalties but don't belittle him by not giving him a locker etc. Could possibly end up being construed as constructive dismissal.
Geoff Williams
71 Posted 12/10/2016 at 10:53:09
I believe that, once Niasse arrived at Finch Farm, Martinez saw that he simply wasn't good enough and used the pretext of Niasse being unfit due to his wrist not to pick him.

Koeman has also seen him in training and also decided he isn't up to it. Personally I would cut our loses by giving him a year's salary and a free transfer. Why have him on the books?

Les Green
72 Posted 12/10/2016 at 11:13:34
He certainly has the attitude of an Everton player.
Anthony Hawkins
73 Posted 12/10/2016 at 12:21:15
What we're not hearing is why Niasse is not being picked or given a team number. He must know why.

As he's still an Everton play and being asked to join in with the U23s means he should be given a locker. That treatment isn't very fair.

Conversely, if he's been told to leave and should have taken the offers which were on the table, it could be construed that he isn't at the club and is only being allowed to train with the U23s as a gesture of goodwill. (that's he's being picked for the U23s is another matter.)

Until the reason for him not being liked or chosen by either Martinez or Koeman is intriguing.

Lewis Montgomery
74 Posted 12/10/2016 at 12:24:59
Wouldn't it be nice if we were older
then we wouldn't have to wait so long.
And wouldn't it be nice to live together
in the kind of world where we belong.

Happy times together we've been spending.
I wish that every kiss was never ending.

Oh wouldn't it be Niasse?

#ideasforsongs

Clive Rogers
75 Posted 12/10/2016 at 12:29:55
Niasse has cost the club £26 million with his fee and 4½-year package on £55 grand per week. He only scored 12 goals in Russia and was obviously not up to it when he arrived as Martinez was very reluctant to play him.

It now looks like he is prepared to sit there and sweat it out for the next four seasons. It is a monstrous cock-up which can only be put down to Kenwright who was completely blind to Martinez's limitations.

Clive Rogers
76 Posted 12/10/2016 at 12:32:49
Anthony #73,

He's not being picked because he is hopeless and nowhere near Premier League standard.

Kevin Tully
77 Posted 12/10/2016 at 12:41:32
Who knows where the fee for this lad ended up? Off-shore somewhere? The timing of it all and the fact he was unfit to play for months reeks of gross incompetence at best, or fraudulent activity at worst.

Where was Sir Greedy's yacht moored when this one went through?

Tony Abrahams
78 Posted 12/10/2016 at 12:50:11
Sailing in the mist, Kevin, or was it amidst?
Brian Furey
79 Posted 12/10/2016 at 13:04:10
A lot are saying Koeman is being very tough on him but the fact remains that the manager who brought him here soon lost interest in playing him quite quickly when he realised how poor he was.

I think a few EPL clubs including Arsenal & Chelsea were interested in him at one stage so we can't just say our touts and OFM got it totally wrong. It sounds to me like when he came to us he completely lost any form that he had in Russia.

It could be a psychological/mental issue but it sounds like a good few clubs were at least watching him so must have rated him to some degree.

Christy Ring
80 Posted 12/10/2016 at 13:19:45
A lot of things wrong with the Niasse situation. To pay £13.5m for a player, who took over 3 months to get fit – when and what did Martinez, and his scouts see in the player? Austin was bought for £4m.

Koeman must have been totally demoralized when he saw him in training, and told him he had no future at the club. I believe Ronald jumped the gun, because it would have been easier to loan out or get rid of Niasse if he had said nothing, as other clubs now know he's a dud.

Eugene Ruane
81 Posted 12/10/2016 at 13:55:27
Clive (#75) – 'Niasse has cost the club £26 million with his fee and 4½-year package on £55 grand per week. He only scored 12 goals in Russia and was obviously not up to it when he arrived as Martinez was very reluctant to play him. It now looks like he is prepared to sit there and sweat it out for the next four seasons. It is a monstrous cock-up which can only be put down to Kenwright who was completely blind to Martinez's limitations.'

Firstly, Niasse has cost the club nothing – Kenwright, Elstone & Martinez are responsible for Everton being £26m light.

Players simply play; some are bought by clubs (and offered £55k a week), others aren't – it's that simple.

Niasse's only (playing) obligation to Everton is to be ready to play when selected – that's it.

I appreciate Koeman doesn't want/rate the player (and personally I don't blame him) but more or less telling him to fuck off to somewhere else (now!) was imo, just dumb.

If Everton FC (who are responsible for the mess) want to get rid of the player, they should be going about things in a much more conciliatory manner.

Anthony (#73) – 'Conversely, if he's been told to leave and should have taken the offers which were on the table.'

What were the offers? Were there actually offers? If there was, were these offers better?

Fact: Once a player has signed a 4½-year deal, he can't be told to leave or take another offer (even if another offer exists).

I might add (re any player), anyone posting simplistic wishful-thinking along the lines 'we should ship him out' or 'get rid' etc, shows an incredible lack of knowledge & understanding as to how the game works.

If it is true (IF!) he is on £55k a week and has another 4 years to go on his contract (that bit is true) why would he leave? To get £11k a week in the Championship? Would you?

Finally.. Mark Riding (#35) – 'He's shite. And he slaps his bird about. Maybe that has something to do with our manager's position on the player?'

If he definitely 'slaps his bird about' and a court were to find this to be the case, this would be grounds for dismissal.

If however you are stating as fact something unproven, you need a fucking good talking to.

Max Murphy
82 Posted 12/10/2016 at 14:10:56
My concern is, I have number (Prisoner 4576) and a locker, but I'm not in the Everton squad.
Anthony Dwyer
83 Posted 12/10/2016 at 14:16:20
I think Niasse is right, he doesn't deserve his harsh treatment.

If he's at the club he should be part of the first team squad, playing for the U23s to keep sharp in case of injury.

Phil Walling
84 Posted 12/10/2016 at 14:27:21
With so much angst in evidence over the poor lad's plight, perhaps someone will launch a fighting fund to raise the £10M or so to pay him off.

We would be failing in our duty as human beings if we made the guy suffer the indignity of carrying his kit around in a Lidl bag without getting a game for 4 more years for a measly 50 grand a week.

So come on, lads, who is first to lob in for the Return Niasse to Novosibirsk, Nizhny Novorod or anywhere?

Tony Abrahams
85 Posted 12/10/2016 at 14:35:32
Maybe he's happy where he is, Phil?
Max Murphy
86 Posted 12/10/2016 at 14:36:05
Phil, the cheque's in the post (Indian Rubber Bank of Malaya).
Clive Rogers
87 Posted 12/10/2016 at 14:37:24
Eugene (#81),

I didn't mean Niasse personally, but buying Niasse has cost the club £26M. He obviously won't go somewhere to drop to £11k a week unless Everton subsidise his wages or offer him a lump sum to go there. Otherwise, he may just sit tight till 2020. What an embarrassing shambles.

Brent Stephens
88 Posted 12/10/2016 at 14:41:56
Phil (#84), the concern that I (and maybe some others) have, is not that Niasse "suffers" if not given a locker (hardly suffering, that! buy one and bring it in for fecks sake; buy a whole row of them and see what they say!) but that it reflects badly on the club, if true. It's either intended to make him look a dick (if so, that's petty; it demeans the club; we're bigger than that, I thought) or a ploy to get him to break his contract (if so, maybe not wise if it could be construed as constructive dismissal - if).

ps: As you suggested we lob in to support him, I guess yours will be the first tenner and you'll be holding the money. Give me your details and I'll send you my tenner... Ah! I see now! You don't catch me that easily.

I can see, though, that with the lad earning a likely pretty penny, sympathy isn't easy to rustle up.

John Daley
89 Posted 12/10/2016 at 15:02:54
"I called my agent and he said he would look into the opportunities for me"

As the transfer deadline loomed ever nearer, Niasse's long time agent redoubled his efforts:

Link

Jamie Barlow
91 Posted 12/10/2016 at 15:16:31
Koeman told him he wasn't in his plans and if he wanted to play football, he should go. He didn't. He decided to stay where the money was.

Poor Niasse.

Kristian Boyce
92 Posted 12/10/2016 at 15:17:42
He supposedly had loan/transfer options during the transfer window and turned them down. I don't feel too sad for him as, if he really wanted to play, he would've jumped at the chance of playing anywhere. He's happy to sit on his weekly pay packet.

Playing well in the U23s makes him look good and hopefully will entice some buyers in January. If they saw him play for the first team, his value would drop even more.

Jay Harris
93 Posted 12/10/2016 at 15:21:09
Rather than him slapping his bird about it would seem to be the other way round.

Allegedly it was her (who lives in Manchester) that told him that he had to stay put and not move out of the area under any circumstances.

I also wonder whether Ian Atkins had a part in this deal which is why he was allowed (encouraged?) to take the Villa job.

Alan J Thompson
94 Posted 12/10/2016 at 15:22:49
If Everton find his presence so disruptive then they need only pay up his contract and ask him not to return. However, that strikes me as only further confusing what seems an already poor situation.

It might be best all round if everyone at the club just kept their heads down and thought about what they are about to say on the matter before having it repeated outside of the training ground.

Eugene Ruane
95 Posted 12/10/2016 at 15:33:11
Jamie (91) - 'Koeman told him he wasn't in his plans and if he wanted to play football, he should go. He didn't. He decided to stay where the money was.'

Really?

That simple eh - wow!

Fine, just give us a list of the firm offers that were on the table for him (and the details) and the list of teams he definitely turned down so we judge for ourselves.

(Unless of course you're just throwing out some fact-free, half-baked, not thought through at all, alehouse lawyer bollocks...)

Nicholas Ryan
96 Posted 12/10/2016 at 15:39:27
Changing the subject slightly. The 10 good reasons for NOT signing Joe Hart, were... err.... erm... oooh.
Alan McGuffog
97 Posted 12/10/2016 at 15:45:32
The locker thing. My Nan lived in Langham Street down by the Blue House. She was a blue and would have let him get changed in her parlour. But they pulled her house down in 1973 and she died 10 years later. So she can't. Let him.
Alan Bodell
98 Posted 12/10/2016 at 16:03:36
Really strange, this one, Player of the Season in Russia... then we pay big money (when we never had it to spare) and that is it?

I saw him against Man Utd U23s last month and he looked fit and ran around but if that is all he has then surely someone must be accountable for his recruitment? Although I don't blame him at all as apparently there were a few other suitors when we got him.

Proper head-scratcher, this one.

Darren Hind
99 Posted 12/10/2016 at 16:15:59
£60k a year, with 4 years left? I didn't know that.

Bobbie's parting gift...

Phil Walling
100 Posted 12/10/2016 at 16:43:12
Alan, I wouldn't be too confused by the Russian Player of the Year thing. My Russian neighbours in Cyprus told me at the time of his signing the award was voted for by followers of an on-line magazine his agent part-promotes and whose subscription list is in low four figures!

I'm not saying the ballot was rigged just that it wasn't worth a barrel of beans.

James Hughes
101 Posted 12/10/2016 at 17:11:45
Nicholas:

10 good reasons for not signing Joe Hart:

1. We didn't ask;
2. Koeman didn't want him;
3. Dandruff wanted to go to Italy – not Scouseland.

The rest you will have to make up yourself as I can't be arsed.

Peter Gorman
102 Posted 12/10/2016 at 17:57:30
“He took my shirt number and he told me I wasn't allowed to be in the dressing room for the first team; that I wasn't going to train with them. I had to go with the second team."

Say what you like about the lad's talent or lack of, that has got to hurt anyone's pride. Feel a tad sorry for young Oumar.

Alan Bodell
103 Posted 12/10/2016 at 18:51:05
Phil (#100), I get that his award in Russia was dodgy but who from our end saw fit to lash out big money before we had Moshiri? Someone had a backhander on that one it seems (allegedly).

Did they see some YouTube of him whilst being lap danced in Moscow? Sherlock Holmes would have a problem with this one.

Ian Robert
104 Posted 12/10/2016 at 19:53:24
It's hard to feel sympathy for players earning such large sums of money... and if the manager tells a player he ain't in his plans, surely that's what a player needs to know?

He can get his overpaid agent to find another club cos players just want to play!!! Or so they keep telling us. I would think the person scouting him is to blame...oh, and the player – for being shit.

Jamie Barlow
105 Posted 12/10/2016 at 20:26:06
It's not really fact-free Eugene.

Koeman told him he should leave and he didn't. I just find it hard to believe that his agent couldn't find him a club if he wanted to go.

Dave Abrahams
106 Posted 12/10/2016 at 20:37:44
Alan (#103) on another site, the scout being blamed for Niasse's signing is former scout Kevin Reeves. I don't know if that is true or not, he has since left the club to join Ian Atkins and Martinez who were around when we signed the lad.

Now that just leaves Billy Boy and our Chief Executive Officer who were involved in the whole sorry mess; like most on here, I'd love to know the whole story.

Eugene Ruane
107 Posted 12/10/2016 at 20:38:09
Ian (104) - Two things.

1) No problem with a managér telling a player 'you're not part of my plans.' Big problem however with the manager letting the press/world know. Why? Because it could make a player think "He's made me look a right twat, so fuck him and fuck Everton, I'm sorted for the next four years." (nb: like Winston Bogarde did at Chelsea).

2) If the player is shit, remember (as I've stated before) he didn't buy himself.

And I repeat, if you want to grab a torch and join a mob of online monster hunters, make sure you're chasing the right monster.

Paul Mackie
108 Posted 12/10/2016 at 20:55:58
Eugene #95 - I'm fairly certain I saw a news article linked on here where Koeman explicitly said that there was a loan deal available but Niasse turned it down.
Eugene Ruane
109 Posted 12/10/2016 at 20:57:46
Jamie (105) - Anything after 'I just find it hard to believe..' is entirely fact free (yeah we know what Koeman said, I'm interested in your guesswork after that)

If you have facts on definite offers that were on the table, let's hear them.

Let's hear what he knocked back before (as you inform us) he decided 'to stay where the money is.'

Otherwise, for me, it's just more venting – more 'fuck him, he's loaded, I'm not.' nonsense.

Everton fucked this up, that's where the bile and anger should be aimed.

Eugene Ruane
110 Posted 12/10/2016 at 21:00:21
Paul (#108) – Well...I'd be curious to know the details.

With who, for how long, what money etc.

Geoff Evans
111 Posted 12/10/2016 at 21:00:58
Respectful and dignified interview, good on the boy. Hope things work out for him.
Tony Abrahams
112 Posted 12/10/2016 at 21:14:45
Made me laugh, that little dance, John. I was wondering if it could be Martin Mason, after he's wound everyone up on ToffeeWeb?
Jamie Barlow
113 Posted 12/10/2016 at 21:14:56
Eugene, I have absolutely nothing.

Like I said, I find it hard to believe. That's all.

Ian Robert
114 Posted 12/10/2016 at 21:19:26
Eugene... the bile and anger appears to be all yours? Like anything and everything at a football club, only the people involved know the truth.

The player is shit... and yes, that is his fault – nobody else's.

Brian Harrison
115 Posted 12/10/2016 at 21:25:57
There is no doubt that Everton made yet another major gaff; when will we ever learn? So now we have a player the manager clearly doesn't want, collecting his money playing for the Under-23 team.

Obviously no other club is as yet prepared to give him a contract, and no doubt if his agent does find him another club, they will probably expect us to stomp up a fair slice of his wages.

I know he didn't sign himself and it looks like, with Reeves and Atkins now gone, they might have had a hand in this transfer. But I can't feel sorry for Niasse – how many have lost their jobs because a new boss comes in? The difference is, he has a contract worth a few million that guarantees him that money were the ordinary Joe Bloggs is lucky to walk away with his P45 and little else.

Ian Robert
116 Posted 12/10/2016 at 21:41:52
Good call, Brian.
Eugene Ruane
117 Posted 12/10/2016 at 21:43:42
Yeah good one, Ian, you got me there.

I say people slagging the player are venting and full of anger; you respond 'no you are.'

Well done, Oscar.

Alan Bodell
119 Posted 12/10/2016 at 21:51:51
Dave (#106), Kevin Reeves, eh? didn't know his name and hopefully won't again but thanks for the heads-up... I wonder how much he trousered out of it (allegedly).
Benny Snow
120 Posted 12/10/2016 at 23:20:39
I doubt Koeman made his mind up in just 30 mins of pre-season. He has watched you in training and your shite, not EPL quality, so it's U23s for the next 4 years or find a new club to prove Koeman wrong. Rhino is going to talk him up cos we want shot of him.

Either way, it's not the lad's fault; I'd love my boss not to let me in the building at work and still get paid!

Bob Parrington
121 Posted 12/10/2016 at 00:11:41
Eugene – I got on to this thread late but I, for one, have just thoroughly enjoyed your (uncommon) common sense and the passion with which you have presented it. Great thing about TW is that opposing views can and will be vented, too.

In regard to Niasse, perhaps Valencia as well, has either of them really been given a chance to show what they can do? I don't know the answer – just asking the question.

Sometimes I wonder, assuming that players talk with players from other clubs, is what kind of message does the (before they've had barely a minute to settle) criticism of new players have on other players that Everton would like to sign? Already the "Glitz" of London seems to be a draw card for some vs the northwest of the country.

Mick Davies
122 Posted 13/10/2016 at 01:06:14
Eugene, who taught you how to stress words with bold type for effect? Very clever that....
Jon Withey
124 Posted 13/10/2016 at 09:33:29
Yep, I don't think you deserve the money you are paid either!

Still, something about this deal stinks to high heaven. Especially via Russia where the money disappears.

Along with Nyarko and Krøldrup, it's difficult to see how you can get it so wrong.

Eugene Ruane
125 Posted 13/10/2016 at 11:41:57
Mick (122) - 'Eugene, who taught you how to stress words with bold type for effect? Very clever that '

No teaching involved Mick, I simply figured out how to utilise an option TW offer – an option available to all and one that serves two purposes.

1) It allows the writer to emphasise words he/she considers worth emphasising.

2) It allows those frustrated because they can't find fault with the content of my posts, to have a lame dig based on style rather than content.

Peter Roberts
126 Posted 13/10/2016 at 11:57:04
Player tries to make people feel sorry for him so he can continue pocketing £50k a week...

Niasse – it's a short career. Go on, sign for a club who will play you.

Eugene Ruane
127 Posted 13/10/2016 at 12:22:28
Peter (126) - 'Player tries to make people feel sorry for him so he can continue pocketing £50k a week...'

Can you explain how people feeling sorry for him affects the terms of his contract?

Fact: If not one person on the entire planet feels sorry for him, he still gets paid £50k (or whatever) a week by Everton for the next 4 years (if he wants).

As for 'go sign for a club who will play you' – name a club (just one!) who will definitely play him.

Mark Whyment
128 Posted 13/10/2016 at 12:37:46
I've read a lot of this thread, but not all, so appologies if this has been covered;

I note that Mr Atkins (formerly our chief scout) has left us and gone to Aston Villa... hardly a step up for him.

Why has he gone? Has anyone any idea if it was because of the Walsh appointment? Or could it be that he has been held accountable for the Niasse signing amongst others?

Tony J Williams
129 Posted 13/10/2016 at 12:57:51
In this Daily Mail piece from last month: Link, a little way down, Koeman states:

'There was some interest in him but not the interest that he liked to have. It is all up to the player whether he doesn't leave, I can't understand it, but that is normal."

Seems that there were offers but probably gash ones.

Can't blame the player for feeling hard done by, but it's hard to sympathise with a man who earns more in a week than I do in over a year.

Seems to be a running theme with Martinez though, touched lucky with Lukaku but we then had the... excuse me... fucking mind-boggling loan of Traore.

He scores first game and then injured, so instead of shipping him back, we keep him on our books to make a brief appearance at the end of the season... and then send him back. We simply don't know if he was good enough or not because he came in in the Russian close season, clearly unfit and into a team that were not playing for its manager.

Everyone seemed to have given up so it is unfair to judge him on his minimal amount of minutes last season and zero minutes this season.

Ah well, we will always have Kone as our back-up.

Jack Cross
130 Posted 13/10/2016 at 13:14:09
Who scouted Niasse? Surely they're the only one with blame at their feet.

Wasn't it some kind of phone-in were viewers/fans voted Niasse as player of the year? That's what I heard.

Koeman has the final say and I think that's completely fair. Koeman is probably the person to give a true assessment of the real Niasse. I mean if the coach can't decide who he wants to play for him, who can?

It's not the first monumental cock-up at Everton and it won't be the last. It sort of follows us from time to time, doesn't it?

Ray Robinson
131 Posted 13/10/2016 at 13:20:56
Peter #126, I suspect that Koeman (and even Martinez before him) realise(d) that Niasse isn't anywhere near the level required to play in the Premier League and that there were few (if any) real interested parties in the transfer window. It really does look like one humungous cock-up by Everton's scouting system.

In 99.9% of cases, I would agree with those who say that he hasn't had sufficient playing time to prove himself – however, in this 0.1% instance I am convinced that he actually is so bad that any manager would embarrass himself by actually picking him. You could pick me in my prime to play for Everton and you wouldn't need even 45 minutes to come to the conclusion that I wasn't good enough. I suspect that training sessions have revealed the true extent to which the club has been duped. There is something altogether negligent or fishy about this transfer. It looks like a complete write-off will be required.

Incidentally, I don't blame Niasse for the predicament. He didn't buy himself.

Clive Rogers
132 Posted 13/10/2016 at 13:35:26
On the positive side, this absolute shambles and the Martinez pay-off debacle will let Moshiri know what a buffoon Kenwright is. If he didn't know already.
Eugene Ruane
133 Posted 13/10/2016 at 13:49:08
Tony (#129) – 'Can't blame the player for feeling hard done by, but it's hard to sympathise with a man who earns more in a week than I do in over a year'

This is not a dig at you but a general observation.

Reading posts on threads like this, it often seems as though there is only a 'this or that' option available.

A 'black or white?' or 'for or against?'

Imo it's something that occurs because some simply dismiss the facts preferring to lash out and vent.

But guess what - you can feel he's been hard done by without having to feel any sympathy for him.

My heart isn't bleeding for Niasse because, as you say he's a very wealthy man.

But (and here's the bit that seems to confuse some) the deal Everton offered him (and the one he accepted) is Everton's responsibility – 100%!

He's on loads of money? We got duped? Koeman doesn't want/rate him? Not his fault.

I don't mean 'not his fault, feel sorry for him', just... not his fault.

Consequently, I feel anyone directing their ire at the player rather than the club, is probably posting to relieve pressure building up in their skull, rather than hoping to enlighten TWers..

Peter Roberts
134 Posted 13/10/2016 at 13:55:23
Eugene... the fact that we gave him a 4½-year contract isn't in dispute – nor is the fact that he can happily pocket it without playing any more games for us.

So our manager has said he had offers but Niasse decided against going because he never fancied them. Well that's what the contract entitles him to do so. Pretty much like the contract given to OFM removed any fear of failure.

Koeman made it abundantly clear to the lad that, if he wants to play football, he needs to leave... the lad clearly wants to earn £50k a week playing in front of a few people for the U23s.

It is quite clear that he is another Per Krøldrup who needs to be moved on.

Peter Roberts
135 Posted 13/10/2016 at 13:59:09
Eugene... Niasse either did have offers from other clubs or Koeman is a liar.

Unless Koeman names the clubs, then I can't help you any further.

John Daley
136 Posted 13/10/2016 at 14:12:30
"Koeman made it abundantly clear to the lad that if he wants to play football he needs to leave... the lad clearly wants to earn £50k a week playing in front of a few people for the U23s."

And his wife probably made it abundantly clear that, unless he wants to spend the forseeable seriously strengthening his fucked wrist, he'd better think twice about upping sticks to some far-off shithole for the first side who had a sniff.

Peter Roberts
137 Posted 13/10/2016 at 14:42:29
His wife who he hit?
Eugene Ruane
138 Posted 13/10/2016 at 15:35:41
Peter Roberts, I'm glad you responded (three times).

Because you are exactly the type of 'black or white - no grey thank you' poster I'm referring to.

In fact, let's see how many times you can ignore reality, just to have a pop at the player.

You 'inform' us..

Koeman made it abundantly clear to the lad that if he wants to play football he needs to leave... the lad clearly wants to earn £50k a week playing in front of a few people for the U23s.

Hmmm, 'clearly' eh... problem is, this takes absolutely no account (ie: conveniently and deliberately ignores) the player and his family. It ignores the fact that 3/4 months earlier, he moved to another club in another country.

It ignores the fact that if (IF!) there were clubs interested, nobody knows who, where or what the deals where.

By the way, if you were on a dead good guaranteed four-year deal and your boss told you he didn't want you, find somewhere else, would you just meekly go? (Clue: would you fuck!)

Then you ludicrously add...

It is quite clear that he is another Per Krøldrup who needs to be moved on.

Quite clear?

Again, making it up as you go along – if Niasse is shite (and there doesn't seem much dispute) he's not likely to be snapped up by a top 7 Serie A side is he?

Nobody really knows what went on with Krøldrup, but as he became a regular for Fiorentina and was there for years, maybe (just... maybe) he wasn't that bad.

Know what the only similarity between the players actually is? Everton FC (who you ignore in favour of slagging the player) fucked up with both deals.

Re 'his wife who he hit?' – as I've stated earlier, that's grounds for dismissal if proven.

If not true/proven, those spreading the rumours are nob-head gossips.

John Daley
139 Posted 13/10/2016 at 15:47:49
"His wife who he hit?"

Good job you put the question mark at the end, otherwise it would have come across as an even bigger ale house rabble rouser comment than it does already.

Every single report of the incident states the same thing: police were called to a disturbance at his house and Niasse was arrested on suspicion of assault. No mention at all of who the alledged victim was. Now, it might well have been his missus but, then again, it might not.

It could have been an unwelcome visitor who turned up uninvited and demanded to take Niasse on in a game of headers and volley's whilst incredulously screaming "How Much?" over and over again, before taking a well deserved nunchuck to the face and being told to fuck right off.

Sure, the club might have rushed out a statement saying they 'condemn any form of abuse' (and you could maybe read into that domestic abuse, if you want to jump to conclusions), but in the same breath, they admitted they weren't actually in possession of any of the facts as the police were still trying to ascertain what went on.

You, like everyone else on here (including myself), haven't got a clue what happened that night, who was involved, whether it was anything more than a mere misunderstanding, a heated argument, or a hand-to-hand fight to the death in Niasse's dining room that had been specially done out to resemble the Thunderdome from Mad Max 3, with the two combatants catapulting through the air, trying to grab makeshift weapons (frying pan, pillow, bog brush, potato peeler, giant dildo, 4-month-old gerbil) cellotaped to the walls and ceiling.

That's before we even get on to the all important fact that he hasn't actually been found guilty of anything at all to date. Apart from looking shite in his few brief appearances in an Everton shirt, that is... (Seemingly a hanging offence to some.)

Brent Stephens
140 Posted 13/10/2016 at 16:01:58
John, collecting another dick for that fan?!
Clive Rogers
141 Posted 13/10/2016 at 18:32:27
Eugene (#138),

Re Krøldrup, I heard some years after that they watched one player thinking it was Krøldrup and so bought the wrong player. Not sure how true this is, but there was something strange.

Kim Vivian
142 Posted 13/10/2016 at 19:38:20
"Welcome all to the fabulous Eugeneweb – laughs and fun for children of all ages..."

Great thread this. Could we be looking at a record for the number of times the word 'Eugene' has been used in a single thread?

Eugene Ruane
143 Posted 13/10/2016 at 19:59:09
Not my fault you were named after two Aussie checkout girls.
Kim Vivian
144 Posted 13/10/2016 at 20:32:13
It's 31 BTW...
Peter Roberts
145 Posted 14/10/2016 at 10:54:29
In short, Niasse has been told he's surpluses to requirements shortly after signing a lucrative contract for a career which has a short shelf-life. He's been told this because he clearly isn't good enough... a bit like the last kid picked in playground games.

Koeman says he rejected options to go elsewhere to "earn" his money. Niasse says he wants to stay and fight for his place despite being made quite aware that he hasn't got a chance. Are we asking for a £13.5m refund? No. Are we telling him we are sacking him? No.

We are actually telling him that, in his chosen privileged career, his current club isn't the right fit for him. That we will find a club where he can play football.

In short, he's exercising his right to live where his Mrs wants him to whilst picking up good dosh for playing with kids desperate to make a good career and earn a quarter of the money he's on. If he's happy to do that, then fine... it's his right – just as it's my right to view him as a mercenary.

Eugene Ruane
146 Posted 14/10/2016 at 12:50:47
Peter (#145) In short, Niasse has been told he's surplus to requirements shortly after signing a lucrative contract for a career which has a short shelf-life. He's been told this because he clearly isn't good enough... a bit like the last kid picked in playground games.

If the career (professional football) has a short shelf-life, presumably it also has a short time for earning shed-loads of money life and all players try to maximise this time (nb: they don't all have agents to maximise their playing time).

Koeman says he rejected options to go elsewhere to "earn" his money.

Unusual this one, Koeman seems to be very forthright, not afraid to speak out, give the facts etc ('tell it like it is' as some prefer) yet strangely gives no details at all of the 'elsewhere' – who, how, how much etc.

Niasse says he wants to stay and fight for his place despite being made quite aware that he hasn't got a chance.

Well his chances are slim certainly, but I seem to remember Henderson at Liverpool being in a similar position not that long ago. Plus I guarantee had Niasse stated "I'm not prepared to stay at this club and fight for my place" you and others would be on here ranting about that.

You continue...

Are we asking for a £13.5m refund? No

No... coz we fucking can't!!!

Are we telling him we are sacking him? No

No... coz we fucking can't!!!

We are actually telling him that, in his chosen privileged career, his current club isn't the right fit for him. That we will find a club where he can play football.

That is 'actually' not true.

How do you get 'we will find a club' out of 'If you want to play, you'll have to find another club''???

You wouldn't be (shock of shocks!) making shite up to suit your agenda would you?

In short, he's exercising his right to live where his Mrs wants him to whilst picking up good dosh for playing with kids desperate to make a good career and earn a quarter of the money he's on. If he's happy to do that, then fine, it's his right – just as it's my right to view him as a mercenary.

You can 'view him' however you want. If you want to ignore the pathetic, amateur behaviour by the club that scouted him, bought him for £13.5m and (apparently) pays him £50k+ a week, and instead focus your anger on the player, up to you. But when I see obvious slanted bollocks dressed up as fact, I will point it out.

Peter Roberts
147 Posted 14/10/2016 at 14:33:07
Where is my anger, Eugene? Am I angry at Niasse? Nope... you seem to think anyone who doesn't get his insistence in staying is some knuckle-headed Neanderthal who can't process the legalities of his move... You seem to be leaning heavily against an open door, lost in all your righteousness...

Have I for one second said that it isn't the club's (Martinez, scouts etc) fault that we are lumbered with a player who isn't up to it? Nope. Indeed, the club needs to investigate how we actually managed to pay this amount for a player who clearly lacks ability.

I have highlighted the fact that the player has been told that he must look to go elsewhere if he wants to play football and that Koeman said such opportunities were made available to him – that is a fact unless Koeman is a liar.

He is entitled to stay and play Under-23 football for the rest of his 4½-year deal. Would I do that? Nope.

Only last week, I watched a program around Joe Cole – the lad could have sat it out earning money at Villa, he moved to Coventry and took a pay cut... he since moved out to Tampa, again to play football. The reason? He wants to play as much football as he can till he can no longer play. I get that... I don't get Niasse.

Brent Stephens
148 Posted 14/10/2016 at 15:01:59
If a company headhunted me, offering a good salary on a 4½-year contract, and I accepted the offer in good faith; and then, soon after joining, I found myself sidelined and belittled in front of more junior colleagues, knowing the company that had belittled me wanted me to move on, then I'd be tempted to play them at their own game and to do the job I was sidelined into, especially if I intrinsically enjoyed it, and especially if my partner wanted to stay in the area, continuing to take the dosh I was entitled to.

Je suis mercenaire.

Eugene Ruane
149 Posted 14/10/2016 at 15:34:26
Exactly, Brent, anyone with a brain would.

Plus why should you alone be labelled a mercenary?

Office wants you so pays you big money, then weeks later they don't want you and they want you gone fast coz they don't want to pay you – how mercenary are they?

Fuck em', you stay there until they pay you off or sort you out with a new office for the same money.

Peter (#147) – Naaar, not doing the murky-the-waters, deflecting semantics thing. I have clearly pointed out what I see as the weaknesses of your posts, I'll leave it for others to decide who is making sense and who isn't. As it's obvious (to me) you'd rather be 'right' than right, I'll make this my last word to you on this thread.

Peter Roberts
150 Posted 14/10/2016 at 20:10:44
Oh Eugene... such a wordsmith as always. Not only that... a humanitarian to boot.

You should copyright your posts.



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