?Don't Know What They Got Till It's Gone?

Jason Broome 09/05/2008 66comments  |  Jump to last

Funny how that song always plays in my mind when I read the shallow, short-sighted ramblings of a minority of Thaksin Shinawatra wannabes whose only tiresome commentary is to bitch and piss their way through an entire season.

When I watch the team I too want to see us playing like Arsenal, but then I wake up and realise that Arsenal didn?t always play like Arsenal. Under George Graham they too were a bit boring. They had to be in order to stabilize the club and manage their way to success.

Now year on year Arsenal replenish that standard by attracting (IMO) the best manager and players in Europe, huge investment and a beautiful stadium to a team whose pedigree is far from where it was before George Graham.

Success breeds success I hear some cry. But that has not always been the case now has it. So in 6 years Moyes has failed to win anything. Colin Harvey, Joe Royal, Walter Smith, Howard Kendall and Mike Walker had 14 combined years and all we had to show for it was an FA cup win against an injury hit Manchester United side after an easy road to the final. Don?t get carried away boys, we weren?t that good!

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Hate to say it but silverware is not the be-all-and-end-all a football club. Winning something might have negative returns. The club might feel that they have done enough. That we have arrived and nothing new need be done. Remember 1995? The FA Cup win taught us nothing. The same failings and administrative problems were still there. The same systems and mechanisms that highlighted our limitations were not targeted and removed. We believed our own hype and landed right back where we started.

After that the club fell even further into debt. We lost hope, we lost direction, we lost respect, we lost our pedigree, we lost our talent, we lost our managers, we lost our kit sponsor, we lost our Merseyside rivalry and we so damn near lost our premiership lives.

Since Moyes we have regained everything that once was lost. He has gutted out and truly managed the club and we now march to the beat of a different drum.

Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Manchester City with all of their money and arrogance look up to us. This season alone David has been linked with all three, as well as Celtic, England and Scotland. He has again won the Times statistical manager of the year, and could easily command a bigger wage, transfer kitty and prestige, so do you really think he needs us? If he indeed stays it will be out of loyalty and love for our club (something rarely found in today?s current climate of players and managers).

On paper we have no right to expect Europe but again we stand at the waters edge. We have no right to 5th place on the money that Moyes receives yearly. We have no right to sign players of Arteta's, Pienaar's and Cahill's quality for a combined £5.5 million (due to lack of funds), and to expect a C Ronaldo, SW Phillips, and Lampard performance. But you know something? for Moyes, they fucking try.

Truth is the fast food/ Mtv generation will have you believe that Football Manager isn?t a game.

So fellows if you want instant gratification you can always switch off the lights and lose 5lbs ?the hard way.? But if chess is your game and you?re patient about our future then you like I will endure hoofball in the present if European qualification attracts the financial investment and the players who will make us consistently play on the ground and eventually challenge the big 4.

The journey isn?t over yet, the graft work is yet in play and once Moyes gets us to where we need to be he will either have to evolve, be removed, or step aside for the good of the club.

Will he, won?t he? We don?t know, I guess we will cross that bridge when we come to it, but for right now? we need him!

Reader Comments

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Jay Harris
1   Posted 10/05/2008 at 04:22:57

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Nice post Jason
the only thing I would point out is that we were never lower than 4th under Harvey and that was considered a disaster after the 80s success.
Rob Nunn
2   Posted 10/05/2008 at 07:31:21

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Brilliant post Jason, like a breath of fresh air around here. At the end of the day management is about working with what you have. DM has done a good job in that repect and produced a decent result. That is a credit to him and his work ethic. If his own future isn?t sorted it would be a crime. Would anyone out there name another manager they would prefer, instead of just berating Moyes?
Gavin Ramejkis
3   Posted 10/05/2008 at 08:03:49

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The majority of gripes about Moyes is his failure to learn lessons and not approach games against certain teams as if we have no right to try to beat them. Do you think Man U, Chelski, Arsenal and the RS are unbeatable? Have every one of these four won every single game this season? So before complaining about valid gripes about not taking on board lessons learnt read the posts first, yes DM has improved us and yes nobody is perfect and EVERYONE will make mistakes but DM has repeated silly game losing mistakes. His team can play the ball on the floor but revert to hoofball too often. I?ve said it before if he is successful he will quite rightly get plaudits he deserves but when he makes obvious mistakes he needs to expect the brickbats that follow.

In terms of the post I wouldn?t say the Spurs match in the 95 FA cup run in was easy, they were a good side yet the only team we conceded a single goal against in that campaign and even that was a dodgy Klinsman dive for a penalty, Joe Royle had his team of underachievers believing they had the right to take the game to anyone.
Jay Wilson
4   Posted 10/05/2008 at 08:52:12

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The article above is a well written, well argued, balanced piece. It doesn?t go over old ground and isn?t overlly critical of any particular brand of supporters.

And anyone that says Moyes can?t win must win games. How about Utd, the Ferguson header? That practically ensured we reached the Champions League.

And no one has mentioned the fact that we beat the Uefa Cup finalists 2-0 in the UEFA cup! Which just goes to show what a lottery wining a cup competition is! It was also a must win game as it meant we qualified for the knock out stages without having to go to Alkmaar and win (which incidently we did! The first team in 30 years to do so!)
Joe Ludden
5   Posted 10/05/2008 at 10:25:38

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I have to agree with Gavin. We are all aware and grateful for the progress Moyes has dragged us through, but if we praise for the positives surely we can gripe at the negatives ? particularily if they are the same old negatives repeated again and again. We had a great Uefa Cup run this year, no doubt about that. 6 wins on the bounce I think it was? I certainly hope the errors of the first leg v Fiorentina are not repeated again next term though.

ps Jay W - we beat Zenit 1-0, and as much as it pains me, that was down to us being at home and them getting a seriously dodgy sending off. We did play for an hour (or more) against 10 men. The Alkmaar result was great too ? but you don?t mention the Bucharest one??

Anyway my point is only that as a support we have a right to criticise as well as praise. Moyes deserves both from time to time.
Richard Harris
6   Posted 10/05/2008 at 10:45:06

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So we may have had an ?easy? passage to our last FA Cup final but surely a third round home tie against Oldham this year was was an easy game? Moyes?s record against lesser teams in the cup canot be excused.

As for George Graham being boring when he turned Arsenal around after a bad period of not winning trophies, firstly he generally got the tactics right (unlike Moyes) and secondly he won trophies. If I recall it was three league titles, one FA Cup, one league Cup and the European Cup Winners Cup. Not bad for a boring manager!
Stan Bentley
7   Posted 10/05/2008 at 11:55:43

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Amazing how many can only see the bright side of Moyes and are prepared to overlook the negatives. OK, he?s done alright but if you do the sums you will see he?s spent plenty and wasted some of it. He?s a dour miserable bugger (a bit like the PM) and his teams reflect that. He?s got us to fifth/sixth for which we must touch our forelock but a bit of excitement wouldn?t go amiss. His present histrionics are purely to get his disciples to put pressure on Kenwright to meet his demands.
If he goes, there?s plenty as good to replace him!
Tim Lloyd
8   Posted 10/05/2008 at 12:20:03

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Moyes is a great Manager. Be aware of that. IF HE IS NOT SIGNED BY KENWRIGHT AND PDQ, then Kenwright must be hounded out of office.

By and large I don’t have anything too specific about our beloved Chairman, just his acute lack of spondulicks and the criminal delay in being so effing slow in getting Davey to put pen to paper.
Peter Bourke
9   Posted 10/05/2008 at 12:32:30

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Whos as good and available Stan??? Give me at least five names as you said there's plenty.
Brian Jenkins
10   Posted 10/05/2008 at 12:37:40

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It amazes me how short peoples memories are. Before Moyes took over we had been in Europe once in 20 years. We are now close to being in Europe 3 out of the last 4 years and people are still slating him. I know lets get rid of him and bring Sam Allardyce or Alan Curbishley or Sammy Lee in.
Stan Bentley
11   Posted 10/05/2008 at 12:45:29

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OK, Peter! How about Mourinho, Sven, Rijkaard, Jol and McLaren for starters?
Peter Bourke
12   Posted 10/05/2008 at 12:50:30

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Independant sources have stated DM is the best pound for pound manager in England. I couldn?t think of one available manager I would rather have than DM, let alone plenty to choose from.
What a larf.
Peter Bourke
13   Posted 10/05/2008 at 12:53:51

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Jol had millions to spend at Spurs and they couldn?t win a raffle, so put a line through him. McClaren hasn?t coached a team to win a game in ages. Sven had triple the budget DM had this year and we flogged them at their home ground and last time I checked they were well below us on the table. That leaves 2 possibles and i'ts only my opinion but I'd rather DM than both Mourinho and Rijkaard.
Brian Noble
14   Posted 10/05/2008 at 13:22:10

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Behave yourself, Stan. You can forget your A list ? Kenwright will be shopping in the basement again and we could expect the likes of Adie Boothroyd, Phil Brown or even Alan Irvine. He?ll suggest it?s Davey?s second coming and all of them would come cheaper than Jol, The Wally, Allardyce and O?Leary who will be mentioned early doors.
Alan Semper
15   Posted 10/05/2008 at 13:34:02

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Christ, Brian, you?re dead on and it scares the shit out of me! I don?t think Kenwright could cope with an established old school manager so it?s got to be one of ?the bright young things?. I feel another ten-year plan coming on!!!!
Rob Newland
16   Posted 10/05/2008 at 14:44:05

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Mourinho?!?! How about Ferguson or Wenger too? Good grief I’d love to spend one single day in the fantasy world you lot live in -- must be wonderful.
Michael Kenrick
17   Posted 10/05/2008 at 14:49:40

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What a stupid comment, Rob Newland. Murinho is out of a job and at least available, the two you mentioned are not. Please contribute sensibly to the discussion or not at all.
David Barks
18   Posted 10/05/2008 at 15:06:01

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How can you have a go at Newland for pointing out how ridiculous it is to suggest that Mourinho would come to Everton??? There is no chance in hell of Mourinho coming here, it would never happen as we don?t have the finances to afford him let alone the players that he would require us to buy. That was sensible Michael, the nonsense was suggesting that we could get Mourinho to replace Moyes.
Darren Robinson-Cooke
19   Posted 10/05/2008 at 15:00:56

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Guys, I'm sorry but you are seriously deluded those of you who think the likes of Rijkaard and Mourinho would ever consider managing the blues, considering we can't find a decent war chest to give our current well deserving manager in the first place. If DM left because he was not being backed financially in the transfer market by the board (heaven forbid) then IF by a miracle (and it would be a BIG one) either of the two managers mentioned were mad enough to come to a club where the board are notorious for haggling for standard players, let alone half decent ones, then one of the first things they would ask for anyway would be at least £30 mil to bring in players to improve the squad... so if they can't give it to DM, then how on earth would any of these guys suddenly have money to throw about?

I'm with Moyes on this one, and yes he has his failings as a manager at times but he has taken us to where we are today and I hope he stays around for at least five more years to continue to push us to the next level, sadly we all know that ain't gonna happen as long as Kenwright and Wyness are on board.........

Danny O'Neill
20   Posted 10/05/2008 at 15:04:10

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Sorry - did I read correctly or did someone suggest McClaren? (after also reading that Moyes is dour & boring & his teams reflect that).
As the article indicates, most of you won?t realise what you had until its gone. Good on you ? I am sure some of the negative undertones and reaction by elements of the supporters are reason for Moyes?s recent reluctance to commit to Everton.

Some of you think after a a few seasons of stability we are on the brink of permanently breaking the top 4 ? not going to happen in modern football guys and besides, I would take 5th place over a season containing a few "cup final" style victories over Utd or Arsenal and a lower table finish any day.

If I was Moyes I would be inclined to walk. How can he win when expectations are unrealistic and what he has done so far is not good enough given the state of club he inherited and resources available?

Get a grip - we?re on the brink of self-destructing and being back to square one.
Darren Robinson-Cooke
21   Posted 10/05/2008 at 15:39:31

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Danny O Neill, I would not say that things were that bad yet mate, but if Moyes does walk away because the board will not back him and his plan to move us forward, then I cannot see things improving regardless who replaces him, be it a world class manager or otherwise.

The facts are simple and plain to see for all; the squad needs adding to with at least a minimum of six players brought in (hopefully at least two of them being big signings) to bolster the size of the squad and add quality to the team, if DM is not supported and then walks away then we will probably have a half decent season next year and then so begins the slide back to mid table mediocrity with some half-wit Yes-man of a manager who will probably fail to work the miracles that DM has with the money he has been given.

We all know that every penny the club has is tied up in the Tescodome project, and that what little that becomes available will not be enough for us to add what is needed to the squad and move on. I hate to say it and be negative but although we need a new stadium at present the lack of funds available could be our undoing and where do we go from there???

Neil Styles
22   Posted 10/05/2008 at 16:33:25

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Wonderful post; this article makes for a nice and welcome change. Rest assured, if Moyes is let go, we will be confining ourselves to the Premier League?s basement in no time at all.
Long live the Moyesiah!!!
Jay Harris
23   Posted 10/05/2008 at 16:32:15

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Darren
I?ll tell you where we go: We get rid of this Dreaming Charlatan of a chairman who got 65% of a club now worth £100 million for about £1 million of his own money and REFUSES to dilute his shareholding to attract investment. Instead of Blue Bill he shouild be known as Black Bill.

We need a demonstration of the order that got Johnson to sell up and nothing less will be enough. We don't need Bill Kenwright and we certainly dont need his cover up buddy Wyness.

It is no coincidence that Moyes and the team have had a poor last couple of months. The players must know something?s up.
John McCabe
24   Posted 10/05/2008 at 16:43:56

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Nice post! One thing though, 95, piss easy? Errm, quarter final, Newcastle; semi-final, Spurs... and Man Utd weren?t injury ravaged. Cantona was banned for kung fu antics. One of my best days as a blue going to Wembley, let's not devalue it too much; I?d happily have another day like that.

Moyes is doing an excellent job though.
Rob Newland
25   Posted 10/05/2008 at 17:15:51

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Michael Kenrick: [[ What a stupid comment, Rob Newland. Murinho is out of a job and at least available, the two you mentioned are not. Please contribute sensibly to the discussion or not at all. ]]

I believe Mourinho to be such a longshot that we?d have as much shot getting him as we would Ferguson or Wenger -- I think most people are "sensible" enough to realize that?s what I was getting out without taking it literally.
Rob Newland
26   Posted 10/05/2008 at 17:20:50

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I?d also like to report an abusive comment but sadly there is no "report abusive comment" present below the post of the person being abusive. Funny that.
Michael Kenrick
27   Posted 10/05/2008 at 17:30:33

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No, Rob, the discussion point was managers who are available. You strayed off-topic with a contribution that was not relevant. End of.
Brian Wison
28   Posted 10/05/2008 at 17:35:04

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This article just repeats the same things every time. "Blah blah" We got Arteta and Cahill for a combined xxx.

Who cares? Move on.
Rob Newland
29   Posted 10/05/2008 at 17:39:34

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Michael - My point is that getting Mourinho is as realistic as getting Ferguson or Wenger. If you disagree with that point then fine, argue your side. There is no need to be abusive and edit my posts. Then again since in just about every thread lately you have repeatedly ignored direct questions which ask you to back up your opinion I wouldn?t expect you to start now. Keep editing and deleting posts and soon enough the whole site will agree with you ... those which are left anyway. Have a nice day my friend.
Neil Pearse
30   Posted 10/05/2008 at 18:23:45

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Jay Harris - how many times does this have to be said? Kenwright diluting or not diluting his current equity holding in Everton FC has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in practical terms to do with getting new investment into the club.

It is extraordinarily unlikely that anybody would take a minority non-controlling equity holding in the club - and then pump in the millions we need. (This is about as likely as Jose Mourinho becoming our new manager this summer.) So dilution has nothing to do with anything.

The only scenario in which Everton gets substantial new investment is if someone else takes over the club - i.e. buys at least the majority, probably all, of Kenwright’s equity holding. That has not happened because no one has wanted to do it enough to go public and make the attempt (as we see happening all the time with other Premiership clubs).

Once more: Kenwright isn’t (yet) stopping anyone buying and investing in us, because no one (yet) has seriously tried.
Simon Maughan
31   Posted 10/05/2008 at 18:46:09

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Michael, I don’t understand your reaction to Rob’s contribution. He was simply injecting a dose of reality into the debate. The hard fact is there is not a manager better than Moyes who would take the hot seat at Goodison.
Stefan Tosev
32   Posted 10/05/2008 at 19:05:43

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Sorry Neil,

"Once more: Kenwright isn?t (yet) stopping anyone buying and investing in us, because no one (yet) has seriously tried."

The revised Planning Statement (Document 18) released by Tesco, reveals that if there were investors who had the financial clout to wholly or partly fund any new or redeveloped stadium for Everton Football Club, then those investors would be turned away by the current board;

6.10 states "the current directors have no intention of selling any of their interests in the Club."

So long 24/7 search and not blocking serious investors.
Jon Ayre
33   Posted 10/05/2008 at 18:53:49

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Gents,

It seems to me that we all need a reality check.

Everton have over achieved this season and may qualify for the Uefa Cup next season by limping in - remember 4th place ? we didn't win it, the others lost it.

Moyes makes the point that significant investment is required to take the team to the next level. The problems associated with Liverpool and Arsenal, may mean a couple of good buys and 4th is realistic.

However, watching the semi against Chelsea and even last week's game v Arsenal, may indicate a need for a significant change in Moyes?s approach. The loss of Cahill has impaired the teams performance overall, but in my humble opinion the futures blue and next season, the futures a dynamic, slightly taller, Moyes inspired team. One that than break in to the Sky TV?s big 4.?

Caution though: see Spurs, Newcastle, Villa and maybe Man City.
Stefan Tosev
34   Posted 10/05/2008 at 19:32:48

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Jon,

Who has overachived?!? If you ask me, we underachived and why should everyone try to underestimate all our achievements? The table doesn't lie; we finished 4th because we won it. Come tomorrow and we will be in Europe for the 3-rd time in the last 4 years.

The other thing that really baffles me is - Are we so successful to refer to Uefa/Carling CUP as the Mickey Mouse Cup; you are right ,someone really needs reality check.
Mark Perry
35   Posted 10/05/2008 at 19:44:53

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I think the point Rob was making was that the "Special One" is being linked to the biggest clubs in Europe with transfer funds in the £50 million + range. We don't have their budgets, we wont be title challangers next season ? hopefully top 4.
Mark Perry
36   Posted 10/05/2008 at 20:05:41

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Point made
Steve Rewth
37   Posted 10/05/2008 at 20:12:22

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What planet are some of you on ffs! Mourinho, Rijkaard serious options for an alternative to DM?? given our finances etc - you know the very same arguments rightly used in discussions about our REAL options for a stadium. You can tell the kids are back on playing fanatsy football chairman.
Alan Kirwin
38   Posted 10/05/2008 at 21:37:05

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Michael Kenrick: What are you on? Enough of this pompous pedantry. The comment you so lambasted was right on the nail.

For the avoidance of doubt (& pedants) Rob Newland was patently referring to the ludicrous fantasy that any manager of that pedigree/demand/earnings capability of Mourinho/Ferguson/Wenger/Rijkard et al will a) not be interested in managing Everton (at this juncture), and b) WAY beyond our budget.

So please, FFS, can we all grow up and keep the debate interesting.
Neil Pearse
39   Posted 10/05/2008 at 22:01:07

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Stefan - sorry mate but your comment completely misses the point. Kenwright can say what he likes about turning away investors (and obviously this piece in the Tesco submission is a piece of legalese to prevent the submission being derailed).

The reality is - THERE HAVEN’T BEEN ANY prospective investors. There hasn’t been anyone for Kenwright to turn away.

Do you think somebody with the odd £100M who seriously wanted to take over one of the top 30 football clubs in Europe would keep quiet about it, be deterred into complete monastic silence by the current owner, and we would have heard nothing whatsoever of it? Like has happened (NOT) at Liverpool, ManU, Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle. Portsmouth, Man City, West Ham etc. etc.?

I know you simply want to stick Kenwright with whatever you can, but staying somewhere in the proximity of the real world really would help sometimes.
Richie Hanlon
40   Posted 10/05/2008 at 22:07:09

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The bleating that never stops on here about the drawbacks and downside of David Moyes? management are ridiculous.

They have all the ignorant audacity of ungrateful and ungracious children carping about their parents inability to satisfy their every whim. Just like bratish children those who take every opportunity to point out every weak area in our manager seem to have no conception of the monumental effort it takes to do as much as what he does already. They seem to think he is expendable. All I can say is God help Everton if he goes because there is no plan B. We can?t afford one.
Michael Kenrick
41   Posted 10/05/2008 at 22:08:50

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Alan, Let?s retrace our steps here

Stan suggested: "If he goes, there?s plenty as good to replace him!"

Peter then asked: "Who?s as good and available Stan??? Give me at least five names as you said there?s plenty."

And Stan replied: "OK, Peter! How about Mourinho, Sven, Rijkaard, Jol and McLaren for starters?"

The question was not whether they would come but whether they were as good as Moyes, and available.

Hardly an interesting discussion really, more like a stupid schoolkid playground one, but not helped in any way by Rob Newland?s typically scornful and derisory post that named two managers who are not even available.
Neil Pearse
42   Posted 10/05/2008 at 22:20:24

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Sorry Michael, but there is no meaningful sense in which Jose Mourinho is "available" to manage Everton.

It is 100% obvious (he has basically said it) that he is waiting for a top ten (minimum) European club with a guaranteed Champions League place and a massive transfer budget.

The only even vaguely possible scenario in which Mourinho would take over at Everton is if we were bought by someone mega rich who granted him an immediate £100M+ to spend. Although I doubt even that. So we can safely conclude that he is not available to manage Everton.

The importance of this is that the relevant Moyes comparisons are therefore (at the top end) with the likes of Allardyce, Jol and McClaren. All of whom have underperformed Moyes in the Premier League.
tommy gibbons
43   Posted 10/05/2008 at 22:08:09

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Great article m8, but being a positive one you should have put it on another site!!
You’ve seen the doomongers rant on that Moyes is shit,Kenwright is shit, Kirkby is shit, the club is shit..What they don’t seem to realise is they have shit for brains!..
We’re about to end up in Europe for the 3rd season out of four (I don’t give a fuk if its the intertoto).. We are better than all but 4 clubs in the division, they’ve all spent millions to catch us up and still can’t do it! The doomongers on here rant on about Spurs, City etc.. they said the same last season..but where are all those clubs..behind us!! Do you know why? because we have a better team and a better manager than them..15 clubs want to be where we are make no mistake about it.. and as for Moyse, he makes mistakes but always comes back stronger..case in point..Bucharest 1st round..next time out last 16...
As for tomorrow..win lose or drawI’ll enjoy myself from 10.30am in town for breakfast to when I roll home later in the evening a little worse for wear..Safe in the knowledge we’ve qualified for Europe, safe with the memories of this past season of all the european trips from Kharkiv to Florence and everywhere inbetween and can I wait for next season..can I fuk..I want to be on those trips again and fuk tonymarsh et al who say the uefa cup is shit.. They obviously never experienced Nuremberg!!
and before they say it..as they surely will.. YES I DO want better, but I’m prepared to wait a little longer and enjoy getting there!!
Steve Rewth
44   Posted 10/05/2008 at 23:40:14

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Lets try again. The way we are it is more likely that we’d have a vacancy because of DM leaving due to meagre transfer funds. So, having been unable to match Moyes’s ambitions which world class managers - even if we could afford them - are going to put their reputations on the line and take over? Serious replies only (hoping the kids have now gone to bed).
Andrew Hicks
45   Posted 11/05/2008 at 01:07:49

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We need Moyes!

IMWT
Bruce Wayne
46   Posted 11/05/2008 at 08:04:51

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I believe Keira Knightley is single, therefore she?s eligible to be my girlfriend. Hurrah.
Matthew Williams
47   Posted 11/05/2008 at 07:57:27

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Mourinho maybe available but Kenwright is struggling to get his salary in transfer funds so anyone who thinks it is a possible is seriusly deluded. If Moyes were to leave Kenwright wont be trying to get Mourinho or Rijkaard, he will he looking at the likes of Allaydyce,McClaran or maybe Mike Newell or knowing Kenwright he would even think about Irvine....and if you think our football is negative sometimes then go and speak to some Boro fans who were so happy when McClaran got the England job,have you forgot how crap England were under him, and if you think Moyes tactics are baffling sometimes you ain?t see nothing yet.

Allardyce is probably one of the most negative and unispiring managers out there, his after match interviews would send an Insomniac to sleep.

I would prefer to keep Moyes than any of those managers, it was just a few months ago we were on a run playing football that you would struggle to get from "the special one" everyone was happy(well I think anyway). but unfortunately injuries, tiredness and loss of form were to blame for us stuttering, does Moyes derserve to go because of this?? Well I think you would have to be harsh to say yes.

Moyes is not perfect but I think he has done a fantastic job and if Kenwright was able to get him £20 -25 million than I think you would see us moving on another stage, if as I expect he is given around £5 million pounds and told to wheel and deal than Moyes will do the best he can and in my opinion that will be better than the other managers available.

Gavin Ramejkis
48   Posted 11/05/2008 at 09:11:11

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Neil Pearse if BK and his board were willing to dilute their shares with a share rights issue then income would be generated by the club without necessairly finding a new owner, it would however make their shares reduce in value as the number of shares available increased. As the recent declaration by Tesco shows, the directors are unwilling to do this hence the "24/7" sounds even more hollow than ever before.
Mike Allison
49   Posted 11/05/2008 at 10:38:56

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Michael Kenrick you are making a fool out of yourself. Rob Newland’s comment was spot on, we’d have absolutely no chance of getting Mourinho to be our manager, none at all. Exactly the same chance as we’d have of getting Ferguson or Wenger. Stan’s list of alternative managers was pathetic, they were all people who wouldn’t come or aren’t good enough, and in some cases both. Rob was making one of the more relevant points on the thread, you seem to have misunderstood it and taken a ridiculously school-masterly tone in chiding him for it. I’m sorry, but even though its your site, you’ve got to let people say what they want to say even if they disagree with you.

We can all accept that there are better managers than David Moyes out there, Mourinho being an example, the problem is there aren’t any who would be interested in managing Everton. Rob simply made this point using the razor sharp tool of sarcasm, he did nothing wrong, so to do the online equivalent of shouting him down and putting ’end of’ is not doing yourself or your credibility much good.
Santosh Benjamin
50   Posted 11/05/2008 at 10:41:54

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Great article, Jason. I have had my periods of doubt during Moyes?s era but I have to say that we are moving in the right direction. We need to strengthen the side... midfield... right back and strikers to say the least and time will tell whether we get the players we all want but until then we need to get behind the team.

I am praying that we can get the win and end the season on a high... but if we do draw and still hold onto 5th, I for one won't complain coz we did better than teams who spent much much more than us.

I read that this maybe Carsley?s last match for us and I for one would like to say thanks to him for all that he has given for us over the years. He may not have been the most skillful of players but he always gave his best for us. I don't think that the FA Cup win of 95 was easy by any means but I also agree that silverware is not everything. I am praying that Moyes stays and signs a new contract.... Let's make the last home game of the season a memorable one... COYB

Peter Clarke
51   Posted 11/05/2008 at 11:25:22

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Louis Van Gaal Would take us to the next level no doubt, and he would come to Goodison. He is quitting AZ this summer, so Blue Bill, if you?re reading this you better go call him up, because we need a manager like him.
Alan Shires
52   Posted 11/05/2008 at 12:58:12

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Moyes can?t lose, can he? The team are now crap but it?s nothing to do with him, it?s Kenwright?s failure to find cash to have unlimited stand-by resources. He wants a big raise and £30M to spend else he?s doing one to Celtic. Only natural, we all say, The Chairman should give him what he wants or quit the club. What a dumb set of fans we have, Moyes is playing us all for fools!
Neil Pearse
53   Posted 11/05/2008 at 14:18:01

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Gavin, you are right of course about a possible share rights issue. But the problem would be: who is going to invest in Everton to get a minority holding with no influence whatsoever? Maybe fans. There is no possible way such a mechanism could raise anything like what is needed (another £30M minimum?) to make a material difference to our ability to compete against the top four.

The blunt truth is that, to generate the additional monies required, we need a rich new owner willing to sink tens of millions of his own money into the club. There is no way around this. And Kenwright is currently doing absolutely nothing, nor could he do anything, to prevent such a prospective new owner coming forward.

Such a new owner would make Kenwright very rich, and it is extremely doubtful that Bill could resist the pressures to sell if such a buyer emerged. But the new buyer has not emerged. And, however much many of you would like all the problems of our club to Kenwright’s fault, given that under his Chairmanship we are now the most admired club outside the top four (Keegan et al), he can scarcely be blamed for someone not wanting to buy our club.
Chris Stone
54   Posted 11/05/2008 at 15:45:13

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Been reading through the posts here, surprised no-one picked up on Jay Harris’ comment that we never finished lower than 4th under Harvey, when I recall 88-89 and 89-90 being something like 8th and 6th finishes? Anyway, I believe this season has been a great success up until going out of the UEFA Cup v Fiorentina, we have played some delightful football and scored more goals/achieved better goal difference than surely any point since the late 80’s. Moyes must take huge credit for bringing real stability to the club. Although I agree it IS certainly frustrating to see ’smaller’ clubs outmuscle us in the transfer market!! Let’s hope Moyes gets £10-15M kitty at least and see if we can string together an even better run next season and try push our way into that top 4 as it can be done if Liverpool falter (04-05 et al). The glass is half-full guys!!
Michael Kidd
55   Posted 11/05/2008 at 17:30:46

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Thinking that Moyes is the right manager for Everton is not the same as saying he is above criticism. I think we can all point to games where he’s got things wrong (in hindsight) but if he leaves for Celtic or wherever, that will only be because the Board has cocked up and it will be a big loss. Realistically, there is nobody adequate who would be in the frame to replace him and why anyone would want to replace him anyway is beyond me. Anyway, well done to Moyes and the team for being the best of the rest. The table doesn’t lie!
Colin Harkness
56   Posted 11/05/2008 at 17:37:16

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What a terrific post.. at last, a none knee kerker..!.
David Moyes has been the salvation of this club. And furthermore, Bill Kenwright had the wisdom to employ him.
All those disapointed with Moyes, should we now go for Sven?..he’s free..an 8-1 drubbing at the Boro should ensure that scenario.
Have patience Blues..Trust in Moyes, Trust in Kenwright, and support the club, even if sometimes they may do some things you may not agree with.
You know something..? they may just know better than you do.
john keller
57   Posted 11/05/2008 at 19:34:56

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Great peice moyesie er sorry Jason
Jay Harris
58   Posted 11/05/2008 at 20:43:19

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Colin Harkness
"Trust in Kenwright"!!!!!!!

Are you joking? Name one thing this man has done to deserve our trust. It didnt take wisdom to employ DM - he was recommended by Walter Smith and according to Kenwright sold himself at interview (which probably means he was available on the cheap).

Anyway lets see if he has "the wisdom" to keep him by backing him in the transfer market.
Andy White
59   Posted 11/05/2008 at 23:58:27

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Can we just take a time-out for 5 minutes?

We just qualified for Europe AGAIN!!

No-one remember the nineties? Being an Everton fan was no fun whatsoeveer. Every season came down to me spending the last few weeks praying for all I was worth (and I?m not even religious)

We had a string of ?successful? and ?passionate? managers and they achieved jack (with the excepiton of Royle who won us a cup and then nearly had us relegated). I?d swap getting into Europe consistently and not worrying about relegation in years for one cup in over 15 years before DM joined us.

We are achieving. Obviously we want to move on, we want to win the league, we want to win the Champions League. But I?d rather be the "People's club" and have built a real team than have some random foreigner come in and give us a bucket of cash so that the fans don?t matter any more and still not win much.

For God?s sake, we should be happy with what we?re achieving, and I am! We should obviously strive to improve but right now I?m buzzing about what we have managed!!
Jay Harris
60   Posted 12/05/2008 at 01:39:23

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Andy, we are all buzzing after the fat lady finally came home to sing today but it's also a time to reflect on what might have been or might be with the enforced changes in the squad.

Manny?s loan period is over
Gravesen and Wessels are going
VDM should be going!!
Carsley is either going or on his last legs

Phil Neville is not the answer at RB nor MF
Arteta, Cahill, Vaughan, and Hibbert may not be the same next season due to their various injuries/operations
And worst of all, although its only paper talk, there is definitely a crack in the Moyes/Kenwright relationship.

We need to act now before we are trumped for the best players and we need to get players together for proper squad preseason preparation.
Jay Harris
61   Posted 12/05/2008 at 01:48:23

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Neil Pearse,
It seems you need to be PR agent for BK. I have constantly disagreed with you about him. In your earlier post you claimed that BK would have to sell out completely then as Gavin pointed out this is not the case he could simply dilute his shareholding to attract investors but has stated on the record that he has no intention of diluting his shareholding.

You, therefore, as a management consultant ought to know that even Father Xmas would not seek investment in a club where the major shareholder has 66% and is unwilling to dilute his shares.

We also disagree on this point: Most rich people prefer to do their business in private unless they are outright publicity seekers.

Dave Whelan even came out today and said he had the chance to buy United in the late 80?s for 10 million and declined. Most of these approaches only come to the media if there is a chance of a takeover but with Bill?s 66% and reluctance to dilute his holding it actually deters investment.

Even his longstanding friend Paul Gregg said the same before they fell out.
Michael Kenrick
62   Posted 12/05/2008 at 06:01:32

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Jay,
Firstly, for the record, as of May 07, Bill Kenwright held 8,754 shares in EFC Co Ltd. ? 25% ... not 66%.

66% is the approximate joint sharholding of the Everton Board of Directors: Kenwright, Woods and Earl. You could argue that, since the board is united behind Bill, his ownership is effectivey 66%, which enables him to weild power... but in reality this is done through the united Board.

You may be right in effect that, for anyone to gain control of EFC, they would need to buyout the full 66% held by the Board. However, if it was an amicable sale, I see no structural reason why Bill could not sell his 25% stake, and the buyer gain control, with the goodwill of the remaining Board members.

The reason this does not happen is liklely two-fold: they don?t want to sell... and thus there are no real prospective buyers. It takes two to tango.

I can?t really blame them for not wanting to sell; I think, if Kirkby goes through, they are effectively sitting on a goldmine. How big a goldmine probably depends on the size of the debt at the time but a nominal club value of £100M would net Bill over £2,000 per share over what he paid for them (BTW, I think he put up around £7½M, not £1M; we haven?t found anyone on here to coroborate your claim that he leveraged the £7½M through teh club?s books). I?m guessing that number would be pro-rated down by the magnitude of the outstanding debt at the time, but he stands to make a tidy sum when (not if) he decides it?s time to move on.

But why would he do so now? If the Tescodome is a real prospect, he has every reason not to sell.
Simon Jones
63   Posted 12/05/2008 at 09:20:30

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Fair point - if I was sat on a potential £25M payday having paid £7.5M for my stake then I would put up with all the whingeing in the world. There is a lot of talk about Bill Kenwright and how he won’t spend his money on the team, but does anyone actually know (rather than having a mate down the pub who’s mum cleans for his auntie) how much liquidity BK has? My guess is he spent most of his spare cash buying his stake. I seem to remember we mortgaged the clubs future ticket sales, so unless we can find another way of borrowing against future income in this cash strapped time then it will be wheel and deal time in the transfer market.

Now this will upset a few of you, but if Arteta went for £12M (I pray he does not)you could get 3 or 4 players for that...
Jay Harris
64   Posted 12/05/2008 at 10:18:59

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Michael
you?re absolutely right but I think Bill?s reluctance to dilute his shareholding has more to do with ego than money.

He has his train set now but I think he was hoping for CL qualification to bankroll spending and we may be disappointed this summer.
Mark Welsh
65   Posted 12/05/2008 at 10:15:49

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Jason, this is the most intelligent and clear-minded post I’ve seen on here for a long time. At last some mature thinking.

It is essential that we keep perspective.

Moyes has utterly transformed this club; the 10 year anniversary of our near-relegation is a sharp testimony to how far our expectations and achievements have come.

It is essential that we demand year on year GRADUAL improvement, rather than quick-fix, instant gratification.

This season has been an awesome one for EFC and I’ve very proud (once more).

Now all our eyes are on next season, we must be realistic - the club needs to begin by replicating the achievements of this season: good quality value for money signings similar to Yakubu, Pienaar and Jagielka, good cup run, excellent showing on the European stage, ’best-of-the-rest’ placing in the league to get Europe again for the third season running.

THEN if we surpass these acheivements in any way such as: getting a truly World Class player, winning a trophy (or at least a Cup Final), or hitting the RS for 4th - then we can properly say the club is moving forward.

We don’t want boom or bust like Man City, Newcastle or Spurs. We want steady consistency and gradual improvement at all levels of the club. You will soon be hearing the expression ’The Big Five’!

Bit by bit we’ll get there. But we need to keep the patience and support intact. This season has seen a lot of ugly attacks on Arteta, Yak, Howard, PN, Cahill, Johnson and Moyes.

These are great days to be an Evertonian. Make the most of them and enjoy them, because we were a long time down.

AND GET MOYES A NEW CONTRACT!!!
Tom Maher
66   Posted 12/05/2008 at 10:42:09

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Besides Moyes contract - The main signing that Everton need before next season is a right hand man for Moyes. Since Irvine went to Preston, Everton have not been as consistent (granted there is never one simple reason - Cahill missing is another). Irvine got Preston playing well enough to move from the relegation zone to mid table in 4 months.
Paul Mousley
67   Posted 12/05/2008 at 12:25:04

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Firstly Moyes has built this team and tasted a good run in European footy which I think he would like to continue with EFC. I think his latest comments about his contract speaks volumes in terms of pushing Kenwright to come up with at least £20 mil. That must be available, no team in the mid table would expect anything less than that figure if they wish to punch above their weight and challenge for regular European footy. Has anyone totted up how much we can spend depending on league position, the money from McFadden etc. My only concern is that Celtic seem to have been mentioned again and Moyes will go where he can get European football. That's what he wants now to raise his profile... he?s proved what he can do with a small budget but, like Mourinho, he wants a big budget ... Why else move? There's very little loyalty if Kenwright does not come up with the goods.
Jay Harris
68   Posted 12/05/2008 at 13:33:22

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A couple of points

Moyes - In an interview yesterday he constantly refused to confirm he would be here after next season just responded by saying "I will be sitting down with the chairman next week he and well see what he has to say."
Following his statement the other day:
?I haven?t actually been offered a new contract and nothing has been mentioned about talks.? Moyes also revealed that he is in the dark about how much he will have to spend in the transfer market.
?It may seem strange to be preparing for another season with just one year on your contract.
?But maybe that is a question for the chairman".

Kenwright - "I?m seething there is a five year contract worth £10 million waiting for David Moyes"

Wyness - "The manager and Chairman have been in talks for 3 months and it is going very well."

Obviously not.

I am led to believe (although it is from an Auntie's Uncle's Niece) that DM presented an A list looking for £40 million and a B list looking for £20 milllion and Bill nearly fell out of his chair. DM then took his bat and ball home and here we are.

I think DM is a very principled man but also likes it in return and reading between the lines, as none of us except maybe DM?s wife, really knows what is going on.

I just know this: We, apparently, had £12 million for Manny "He?ll be signing in the morning" Fernandes last August and we got around £6 million for Faddy less £2.5 million for Peanuts.

We have lost Stubbs, Beattie, Naysmith and probably Gravesen, Carsley, Wessels off the payroll recouping £5 million in fees.

With the Sky windfall and our European adventure this season I would be disappointed if we had less than £30 million to spend and that is IMO why Moyes is P?d off.

But as they say, let's wait and see.
Ian Tunny
69   Posted 12/05/2008 at 13:35:46

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I couldn't agree more with this post, jason. I remeber a couple of seasons ago when chelsea and Arsenal looked to be overtaking Man U. I was listening to a radio phone-in and Man U fans actually wanted rid of Sir Alex Fergusen, i couldn't believe it after every thing he had achieved, and it was as clear as day to me back then that he would turn it round to what he is achieving today.

It's the same with Moyes but obviously to a lesser extent. He has worked wonders so far and i believe will continue to work wonders. Ye,s there will be blips along the way like with Fergie but the potential of this man is massive and to lose him would be as much of a disaster as it would have been had Fergie left Man U when some fans were getting on his back because they wern't having it all thier own way for once.

Mike Foster
70   Posted 12/05/2008 at 12:34:59

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I think all you nice people even contemplating life without Moyes as a good thing should be shipped off to the funny farm.
Imagine being a spurs/man city/west ham/newcastle or boro fan???

God help us all if we ended up with one of their managers. (Ramos exckuded - he hasn’t played with HIS squad yet - but Jol??)

As far as I am concerned - if it’s not broke then don’t try and fix it.

5th with our squad? Is anyone telling me that any other manager plying their trade in THIS league, with the limitations on budget that moyes has had to deal with would have got us there?

If so can some-one please let me have his name?

Be happy for cryong out loud!!! - Every other fan outside the "TOP 4" would love to be in our postion.

Great Article Jason.

Lets just hope Moyes gets a few bob from bill and co - and gets the players he wants.

I for one am loving being an Evertonian right now - I can just see us getting better and better.

Glass is half full here.
Jeff Black
71   Posted 12/05/2008 at 13:54:45

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I don’t think Moyesie is going anywhere. Celtic have been mentioned but that would be this summer (if you’re to believe all the rumours about strachan leaving) and he has already stated that he will definitely be here next season and see out his contract.

I think the only circumstances in which he will leave is if he feels the board are thwarting his ambitions by failing to come close to what he needs to kick on.

He is very very ambitious and extremely talented despite what some goons keep saying about him. But don’t forget, this is everton, one of the biggest clubs in britain. He knows he can do all he wants to achieve with us. He wants to make EFC really big again. I think that’s his ambition. If he can achieve that with the budget constraints he is always under it will be the biggest fuck off achievement of them all and would put him right up there with the greatest of all time.
Chad Schofield
72   Posted 12/05/2008 at 14:02:08

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Great post Jason... and after yesterday’s win it all seems a bit more positive. Shame about the slanging match in the middle of the replies.

Have to agree with JayHarris though, that it’s scary we’re getting contradictions in regards to DM’s contract talks... let’s hope that the title doesn’t actually happen.
Pete Hart
73   Posted 12/05/2008 at 14:12:41

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Totally agree with you Jeff Black. Moyesie is here to stay. If I’m right about him I expect Manny fernandes to be signed this summer. Its almost like he’s been kept under wraps as much as possible to keep other clubs from sniffing him out.
Bill Haynes
74   Posted 12/05/2008 at 14:15:20

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This contract talks thing has been a bit weird this last few days. Don’t know what Moyes is playing at but have a feeling its likely to do with putting pressure on BK to come up with enough and quickly. He seemed to be under the impression he might have to sign some bosmans from what he was saying on Saturday. Now looks as though he’s had some reassurance from the board as yesterday he was "totally relaxed" and in no hurry to sit down with them. Presumably that means the kitty must be reasonable. I agree fernandes is a must sign. And if he can get the price down surely a defo.


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