I dont think I've ever heard quotes from a player saying the new manager is worst than the previous, or that their training methods arent good? Be pretty career limiting if Keane came out with 'Silva training sessions are terrible'. Keane may well be telling the truth, but its not going to be the most impartial of assessments. And if Besic is in the starting lineup/match day squad it says a lot for our desire to improve on 6-10th.
It’s pretty rare for a player to qualify his claims by juxtaposing it with the implied poorness of the previous regime, like Keane has just done, though..
Keane describes himself as “refreshed” after a summer break, is talking like a man with a point to prove and has, clearly, been impressed by the ideas and methods of Everton's new manager.
He is not alone in being struck by Silva's work so far.
But surprisingly for a coach with a well-earned reputation for wanting to play attacking football, the manager's Austrian training camp has featured a lot of defensive work.
“There are fine details which will change from game to game but we've been working a lot on the defensive side of play because that's the base of any team performance,” Keane told the ECHO.
“More with the ball will come but there has been a focus on defence, defending as a unit which is really good and we've been set things, as defenders, you can go back and look at and analyse your game.
“We have been working a lot as units and as defenders we've all got a good idea of what is expected of us on the pitch.”
“Training has been really good, enjoyable and intense from the first day” he added.
“We've worked really hard which helps lay the foundations for the season and there were probably stages of last season as a team where we weren't fit enough and the manager and his staff are making sure we definitely are this season.
Ask those who have worked with Silva previously, or who are under his guidance now, and they invariably talk about how 'intense' things are.
But that, as Keane explains, is an atmosphere which the players have liked.
“Every little drill you do there are a lot specific movements – getting up to the ball, getting back in," he said.
“It's all really sharp, it might go on for a long time which makes it hard but at this stage is what is needed.
"But everything is really sharp and you never just going half hearted through a bit of a session, everyone is at it all the time and that's the way it should be. It helps you improve your fitness but your quality on the ball as well because you are always training as if you are playing a match.”
Keane says Silva is warm and friendly but has quickly commanded the respect of the players.
He continued: “He's really nice, he seems really approachable, really friendly, as have all his staff, but at the same time he puts his message across on the pitch really well.
“Tactically, it's still early days, but everyone is getting to know their roles and what's expected of them. That will come more the more more games we play in the pre-season and the more we train but, so far, it's been really good.”
Topic: Summer signings (Read 255130 times)
It appears that you have not registered with NSNO | Everton Forum. To register, please click here...