Seasons » 2015-16 » Everton News
No decision on giving Niasse U21s chance


The Senegal striker was signed on 1st February from Lokomotiv Moscow for the third-biggest transfer fee in the Toffees' history but has so far played less than 45 minutes of football spread across half a dozen substitute appearances.
Martinez had put that down to his lack of match fitness following the closure of the Russian league and his initial battles with a wrist problem that apparently required surgery but almost 10 weeks later the 25-year-old is, according to his manager, still only at 50% - 60% of peak condition.
That has raised the prospect of dropping him into David Unsworth's side to build up his fitness and, although Martinez's latest comments suggest that Niasse is struggling to adapt to English football as much as he is to getting back to match readiness.
“Oumar, everyday is a very good day for him in terms of working for longer periods and he's adapting to the level of the British game," the manager told the Liverpool Echo.
“It is too early to see if he needs a game with the under-21s but we will carry on developing his programme as he goes.
“It is important we give him as much as we can because it is not easy to pick up the level with the inactivity he had, with the problem he had with his wrist and, obviously, he is so keen to please and so keen to do things well that sometimes rushes things and sometimes is not the player he is and that's where he needs help.”
The desire to blood Niasse in the Premier League has prolonged Arouna Kone's exile from the first team over the last couple of months but Martinez hints the Ivorian could see more action over the run-in as the manager seeks to arrest a worrying slide in results.
“I think we've got some options,” Martinez said. “Oumar Niasse is still adapting to the competition and probably Arouna Kone has been unfortunate not to have more minutes that he should have.
“But he has been working well and I just feel he is getting ready to help the team again.
“Part of the competition of allowing players to be on the pitch and see where they are. I think Arouna has been a little bit unfortunate he couldn't get more minutes than the ones he has had.”
Reader Comments (72)
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
3 Posted 08/04/2016 at 18:19:21
He is undoubtedly one of the finest players to ever come out of Senegal, and we are blessed to have his unique character within our squad.
I feel that he is now ready to be a key member of our team, further adding to the wonderful chemistry that exists within our squad. He will make an excellent left-back. RM
4 Posted 08/04/2016 at 18:24:00
The lad has been with us 3 full months with a fucking wrist injury, just sell the lad clearly not up to scratch.
5 Posted 08/04/2016 at 18:27:50
6 Posted 08/04/2016 at 18:35:39
7 Posted 08/04/2016 at 18:38:12
8 Posted 08/04/2016 at 18:38:46
Hope it works out for him but if not it's a lot of money wasted.
9 Posted 08/04/2016 at 18:40:56
10 Posted 08/04/2016 at 18:45:56
If he doesn't get a game, then it does raise some questions as to why not.
My guess would be that Roberto is panicking that a public showing for 70/80 minutes would show that 13.5 million has been utterly thrown away.
Have to agree with Patrick, why no youngsters on the bench. Osman is leaving in the summer, what's the point of him sitting on the bench and not Dowell? At least let Dowell see and experience first team football, he will benefit from this.
11 Posted 08/04/2016 at 18:46:36
12 Posted 08/04/2016 at 18:48:38
But then, with Martinez, nothing surprises me.
14 Posted 08/04/2016 at 20:28:07
£13.5 million? Russian player of the year? They're having a larf!!! All in the chemistry Roberto! What a manager!! MARTINEZ OUT!
15 Posted 08/04/2016 at 20:35:03
Something obviously isn't quite right here, I hope he isn't another Lacina Traore. I think we will have to let him have a good summer training camp and see how he goes in the first 6 weeks of the new season. Here's hoping.....
16 Posted 08/04/2016 at 20:37:09
17 Posted 08/04/2016 at 20:38:22
How on earth has it taking so long for him to be fit! A wrist injury does not stop anyone getting fit.
I am 53 now I would of been fit in the time Niasse has had.
Definitely something underlining with this signing.
18 Posted 08/04/2016 at 20:40:54
I will be looking out for more ear grabbing performances from Señor Martinez and I feel we won't have to wait long.
19 Posted 08/04/2016 at 20:47:36
How much utter garbage can one man say is beyond me. I can't take much more. Will someone please please please put this man out of his misery.
20 Posted 08/04/2016 at 20:54:23
21 Posted 08/04/2016 at 20:59:16
22 Posted 08/04/2016 at 21:17:45
23 Posted 08/04/2016 at 21:18:20
However, Morishi won't allow any more panic/speculative signings.
He will pay for proven talent, and genuine talent.
What future Luke Garbutt and the host of defenders Martinez has bought and farmed out.
Why buy defenders when you don't have a defensive strategy or shut up shop when ahead with 5 mins to go?
24 Posted 08/04/2016 at 21:19:40
25 Posted 08/04/2016 at 21:20:19
So based on above Kone has been denied at least 30 minutes playing time, just think if he had we would now be fourth in the league- from the bottom.
Please can this man be carted away before he drives all of us mad.
26 Posted 08/04/2016 at 21:24:33
Disappointed yet again!
27 Posted 08/04/2016 at 21:42:33
Going back to the Official Site after so long has made me think about the way Martinez has changed my relationship with Everton and football. A lot of people have talked about how numb they've become to it all and I couldn't agree more (still remember replacing the TV remote after smashing it to pieces when we lost the 2009 final), this season I found myself chuckling when Howard booted Ayew in slow-mo for the Swansea penalty and was busy cutting my toe nails when United scored on Sunday.
I'm also finding myself watching a lot more of other team's games on TV, particularly Leicester. There was a time when my ridiculously priced Sky Sports package was criminally under used and if Everton lost I never wanted to see or hear about another game for a week otherwise I'd get pissed off and agitated thinking how we'd lost.
Martinez has made me apathetic!!
28 Posted 08/04/2016 at 22:14:45
But one strange thing... he had his wrist strapped up in all of the clips. WTF is going on? Why cant he do same for us?
Feel sorry for the guy as in current climate the pressure will build on him as RM management is again questionable!
29 Posted 08/04/2016 at 22:18:14
30 Posted 08/04/2016 at 22:29:36
31 Posted 08/04/2016 at 22:33:18
32 Posted 08/04/2016 at 23:06:02
33 Posted 08/04/2016 at 23:20:52
The guy said he was raring to go when he signed. And yet Martinez says he isn't fit. If he needs to get fit, then he needs game time. Over to you, Roberto.
34 Posted 08/04/2016 at 23:26:33
35 Posted 08/04/2016 at 23:29:46
We missed out on Payet and Shaquiri through being too late and both were worth first team places. We should have bought Delph when he was available.
It seems that Rodriguez and Niasse were poor buys and I do not see Funes Mori as being worth the money so far.
36 Posted 08/04/2016 at 23:44:33
37 Posted 09/04/2016 at 02:38:30
While there might be some questions about the Russian League, presumably its Player of the Season with a good scoring record can't be some total incompetent, so I don't buy the "we didn't scout him at all and just realized he's awful".
But hardly feels like he's being managed in a way that might give him a chance. Four or five minutes sub appearances, constant discussion about his failing physical condition, and now this.
38 Posted 09/04/2016 at 03:05:46
There's a good chance that he could be going into pre season having played about an hour of football in 7 months.
After layoffs of that length you're never sure whether you get the same player back.
39 Posted 09/04/2016 at 03:50:08
40 Posted 09/04/2016 at 04:36:59
Thanks for the link. I do love Brit humour.
41 Posted 09/04/2016 at 06:05:39
The problem is, Martinez's defensive set up can make even the best defenders in the world look bloody awful. Martinez has also succeeded in making Russia's player of the year look like a poor, hapless teenager trying to break into the U21s. I doubt Niasse expected it to be like this when he signed in January.
42 Posted 09/04/2016 at 06:19:43
Playing him in the U21s between now and the last 3 games would be a good move.
What's happened to Henen and Leandro?
43 Posted 09/04/2016 at 07:21:09
Seems very strange that a he was Player of the Year in Russia and can't get a sniff for more than 5 mins. Something tells me he cacked in Bobby's brown shoes.
44 Posted 09/04/2016 at 08:21:49
45 Posted 09/04/2016 at 09:11:24
If he has to shoehorn Cleverley in somewhere then play him centrally next to Barry to give us more creativity through the middle. Really shouldn't though. Besic would be better in there. Another who needs a run of games. McCarthy could do with a break either way, not happening for him.
Anyway, far too early to write off Niasse.
46 Posted 09/04/2016 at 09:13:41
47 Posted 09/04/2016 at 09:27:42
I said I wouldn't judge this lad until I'd seen him for six games, but I am definitely wavering the longer this farce goes on. Was it 12 mins he got against WHU as his longest run? If he can't do anything at all when he is a sub (and he has done absolutely nothing) then clearly he needs reserve games. I don't understand why there is any dithering about "maybe" at all there?
WTF does “It is too early to see if he needs a game with the Under-21s but we will carry on developing his programme as he goes." mean FFS?
That's the kind of meaningless non-specific drivel David Brent comes out with ("making good progress with the report") whilst he is devising game show formats.
48 Posted 09/04/2016 at 09:35:39
Why on earth did he sell Naismith who would've contributed so much more it is simply baffling !? However, like so many others, I no longer care what comes out this inept managers mouth as it is all complete and utter drivel.
Martinez is totally out of his depth and should be put out of his misery as soon as possible so that we can all move on with renewed hope for the next season.
49 Posted 09/04/2016 at 09:54:32
What a load of pure bollocks from Martinez. Please just get rid of this joke of a manager.
He must think Evertonians are as gullible as our board.
50 Posted 09/04/2016 at 10:08:17
51 Posted 09/04/2016 at 10:10:13
52 Posted 09/04/2016 at 10:26:49
Absolutely shocking that yet another Martinez signing joins with a fanfare and months later is not playing, apparently not fit, despite the player saying he's fit and raring to go.
McGeady, Atsu, Traore and now Niasse. More ammunition to get him out?
54 Posted 09/04/2016 at 10:56:58
I do think there are some serious and deep-seated issues at Finch Farm as regards the fitness regime, and you only have to look at Leicester City to see how important top fitness coaches are.
Niasse may succeed at our club, I sincerely hope so, but right now this just looks like the latest in a series of very odd scenarios:- Eto'o, Traore etc.
55 Posted 09/04/2016 at 11:08:09
I am fascinated to see how this story concludes, will he be spotted or sink to the depths like Martinez?
56 Posted 09/04/2016 at 11:43:23
It is coming on 2 months....
Bizarre.
57 Posted 09/04/2016 at 12:09:01
No club can afford to throw that sort of money at whimsical signings and I can't really believe Roberto signed him on the evidence of YouTube.
Of course, like many managers our man has 'form' as mentioned above. Perhaps all about keeping some agent 'sweet'?
58 Posted 09/04/2016 at 12:41:45
Possibly not the guy's fault himself, but please, no more until he either lines up starting a game, or is quietly allowed to return from whence he came.
59 Posted 09/04/2016 at 12:48:32
We have wasted a lot of money IMO on players like Beckford, Jo, Saha who was bought when past his prime and injury prone, Heitinga, Gibson, Rodriguez and now Niasse. For the money spent on Niasse we could have had a Payet or Delph, each of whom could have come straight into the first team.
Our scouting system seems only capable of bringing in young defenders. I may have to eat my words over Funes Mori but we have for many seasons failed to bring in a decent creative midfielder who can score ten goals a season. Lukaku is our only real goal threat and he looks like leaving us.
How is it that a club like Leicester can find a player like Mahrez? We have never unearthed a gem like him! Leicester have a side of average ability apart from Vardy and Mahrez but by team spirit and hard work they have taken the Premier League by storm.
Teams like West Ham have gone past us in ambition whilst we are still singing about forgotten glories. Our club still has a tremendous following both home and away but the fans are totally frustrated at the club not attempting to live up to their once proud motto.
Moshiri may be the Messiah we have all been waiting for and I sincerely hope that his promise to re-kindle the fire and awaken Everton the sleeping giant comes true!
60 Posted 09/04/2016 at 13:19:15
I have an idea for future scouting. Just look at and listen to Wenger and watch the players he passes over as "inconsistent" and then snap them up (Payet) instead of trying to sign away the ones he actually does fancy. Should be worth a couple of good players in the midfield and in attack.
61 Posted 09/04/2016 at 14:03:12
This is one of the most baffling things that Martinez has ever said. What the hell does he mean, "it's too early" to make a decision? Niasse has been with us since the end of January. If he wasn't fit then then he should have gone straight into the U-21s to get some fitness. Why the hell, when he's been here for three months not being fit is the manager saying it's too early??????
I mean, seriously, what the hell is this idiot doing. How difficult is it to make a decision and why the hell have they been thinking about it for three months and still haven't decided????
This idiot needs to go and go now, please let this nightmare be over.
62 Posted 09/04/2016 at 17:40:59
I think Martinez is saying that Niasse arrived so unfit that he will not risk him playing for the U-21.
The U-21 side are already fit, and putting Niasse there will only exspose
that.
63 Posted 09/04/2016 at 19:25:26
64 Posted 09/04/2016 at 20:15:28
65 Posted 09/04/2016 at 20:44:33
That said, anything is possible with Everton at the moment and he could just as easily sink like a stone.
66 Posted 09/04/2016 at 20:46:15
Seems to me Kenwright is as bigger bullshit merchant as the twat in the brown shoes. The fuckers in power are a disgraceful excuse of management.
67 Posted 09/04/2016 at 21:08:51
And Saha is one of the most complete forwards we ever had. Okay, not always fit, but cost nothing, was on a pay as you play part contract and scored plenty of goals. Some real class goals too, a forward who truly had it all, albeit we got him fairly late in his career, but we got 3 good seasons out of him.
68 Posted 09/04/2016 at 21:19:21
At least our Swiss kid, Tarashaj, is improving as he's not being exposed to RM's bullshit. Add Luke Garbutt to that list too.
Our Under-21s would embarrass Niasse and he'd probably have to hang up his boots if he kicked a ball around with them.
69 Posted 09/04/2016 at 21:54:44
The cameo against Man U reminded me of that lad who duped Southampton into signing him and appeared in one game. I think he was Egyptian.
The latest talk from Martinez is complete waffle. A £13.5 mill signing should be somewhere close to sharpness after several weeks. Over two months since signing and we are still waiting to see a footballer.
70 Posted 09/04/2016 at 21:57:51
71 Posted 09/04/2016 at 22:25:19
72 Posted 10/04/2016 at 11:36:13
73 Posted 11/04/2016 at 00:33:53
Lukaku has been the best forward since Sharp. I always loved Rideout....and Amo and Cahill but they don't score like Lukaku.
74 Posted 11/04/2016 at 02:52:30
75 Posted 11/04/2016 at 08:37:31
How can the manager be considering and us be debating whether, after nearly three months, a £13.5 million signing is fit/good enough to be included in the bleeding Under 21s?
The world of Everton is mad.
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.
2 Posted 08/04/2016 at 18:17:19