Column

Moyes the New Trev

For a long time many of us have been hoping that Moyes would turn out to be the new Alex Ferguson. Like Fergie he inherited a giant that had fallen on hard times and like Fergie he reached got through several years without a trophy. Now, granted Fergie had more money and had previously won trophies whereas Moyes never has, but the longer that we go without a trophy the more I think Moyes isn't the messiah we had hoped for.

Some of you may recall the previous Walter Smith era at rangers during which his side won the league every year. Towards the end of his tenure Celtic had Tommy Burns as boss and each year his team got better and better and played some nice football and had some great players. They always seemed on the verge of winning but somehow they never did. The year after Burns left they DID win the championship for the first time in a decade. Tommy it turned out had the ability to put a good team together but lacked the edge to turn them into champions.

Back in the early 90's you may remember Trevor Francis as Sheff Wed boss. He almost won the league in '92. He almost won a cup in '93 when they reached both finals. At Birmingham he almost got them promoted every year but they always lost in the players. In 2001 he even got them to the League Cup Final which they lost to compound their misery after almost being promoted but falling short yet again.

I always liked Trevor and Tommy. They were able to creat pretty good teams on pretty small budgets and almost won some trophies. sadly though for Wednesday fans thsoe almost mean nothing now as they languish in the Championship. Those almosts did nothing for Trev or Tommy career wise either and I am afraid Moyes is heading their way.

One thing about Burns, Moyes, Francis, Gerry Francis, David Pleat and Alan Curbishley is that they have all had issues with players who have big ego's and attitudes and their solution has always been to replace them with nice guys who keep their heads down and stay out of trouble. Maybe their is something to be said for having a Roy Keane, a Duncan Ferguson or a Paul Ince in your team. Having a team of Gary Linekers isn't perhaps the best option. We didn't win anything when we had him funnily enough whereas we did with the less prolific but more spirited Andy Gray.

Moyes has to learn how to deal with problem players other than showing them the exit door. we as a team lack character. i was shocked at Anfield to see the Liverpool players roughing up our lads early on. The Joe Royle team would have given as good as they got but these nice lads seemed to be intimidated and the only fire we saw was Phil Nevilles petulance after he left the field.

I think that the reason we lose cup games is because of this lack of character. It is not enough to give 100%. We lose in cup games to the big 4 and to minnows. Those types of teams have one thing in common ... they give 110%. The big teams know they have to to keep their jobs and the minnows have nothing to lose and a once in a lifetime opportunity to beat a premiership team. We on the other hand play to our usual level and lose against opponents with more character who jump an inch higher, run a yard faster and just refuse to lose.

I am not saying we should sack Moyes. he has done an amazing job with limited resources but I just feel that we are the poor mans Arsenal. A nice team of characterless players who think 100% and playing fair is enough when it is not. Arsenal are the Portugal of the Premierhsip. the nearly men. We are the Poortugal.

Moyes needs to add a leader on the field or add a strong asst manager who will get the wind up people. If he doesn't he can get a job with Trevor Francis and david Pleat as a nearly man who never won a trophy because his character didn't match his football brain.

Reader Comments

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