The Mail Bag

Me and Daphne are going to look upstairs...

A number of those new fangled teenagers in a van catch The Phantom Transfer Bidder.
?Yoinks!? Says their pet dog.

?Lets see who?s really behind the Phantom Transfer Bid for Nikica Jelavić? says the tall strapping one. The mask is removed. Revealed to the world is ?Old Man Bill Kenwright!?

We?re broke, we?re skint. I can?t believe all the Bily £5m plus more is going to this Rangers man, with a similar wages too. Long forgotten bids for Michael Owen and Alan Smith are dredged up from memories past that tried and failed to placate the disgruntled masses.

He could of course sign today. Lovely. Yeah he?s not fast, but he obviously looks a talented all-round striker. A real asset. But that still leaves to mind where the hell is the money coming from?

If this is the case, and the man is introduced to the crowd tomorrow night, who isn?t in the starting XI against Citeh will be considerably more important than who is. Anyone dare think who will be missing?

Maybe its best to get an early night on Tuesday, these things are easier with a cup of coffee in hand and a new dawn ahead of us?

?And I would have gotten away with it too if it wasn?t for you pesky kids!?

Come on your Blues?

Blast from the past

It was more wonky mishit than a blast yet for me it set in train a most wonderful series of events. I have just read that 79-year-old ex-United keeper Harry Gregg will get a testimonial.

In 1966 I was behind the goal at Bolton when Colin Harvey swiped at the ball, it appeared to strike his ankle before slowly bobbling into the net (it seemed to take ages).

The mishit sent Harry the wrong way and, though he made a desperate attempt to recover his ground, that goal sent us to Wembley and a marvelous 3-2 victory over the Owls. I have marvelous though slightly blurred memories of that weekend in London with mates.

Soon after that, England won the World Cup and I was fortunate to see in the flesh some of the best players ever to have graced the world stage.

Then a few short weeks later, on a lovely warm Saturday I saw the opening game of the 1966-67 season. It was the Charity Shield at Goodison between FA Cup winners Everton and League winners Liverpool.

How proud we were when both sets of players came out of the tunnel holding aloft The World Cup, The FA Cup, the Championship Shield and the Charity Shield. Around their necks the players wore the medals they had won. Those who were part of the England squad also wore World Cup medals.

With the sun glinting on all that gold and silver it made for a wonderful emotional scene that will always be remembered by those who were there.

Midst the excitement it would have been easy to forget that cold drizzly day in Bolton when Harvey?s wobbly old kick proved to be the genesis, for me, of our finest hour.

Bless you Colin and bless you Harry; I hope your testimonial is a success.

Dick  Fearon     Posted 30/01/2012 at 11:01:20   Comments (17)

Donovan or a striker?

Just thought of a nice, little hypothetical situation here.

We have been rumoured that we have received 5m in sales for Billy. Hypothetically, if we could have all the money to spend, who would you buy, a 5m striker or Donovan?

I mean, I think 5m is quite a realistic valuation for him. He's the wrong side of the 20s now. But you can see how important he is to us already. At least 3 assists he's done already, and 2 in one game! I dread to think how we are going to be without him.

Or a striker? We can see we are in desperate need of one, but could we get one good enough for 5m?

I would choose Donovan definitely. I think his purchase has made me realise that we have lacked creativity in midfield, as well the need for a new striker. Stracq proved he can score with good service, Anichebe and Cahill are getting into decent form too.

I'm not saying we dont need a striker, of course we do, but I think we should concentrate more on getting Donovan if we can.

I would also like to add that we should definitely buy Drenthe if his wages are not too high. Very inconsistent, but young enough for Moyes to try and groom him to a more mature player. On his day, he is unplayable.

So, striker or Donovan for 5m?
Ben Jones     Posted 29/01/2012 at 14:16:28   Comments (25)

Looking forward to City game

At the Fulham game, and that's the first time in a while this season my young son and I have left the game with a smile on our faces. I thought we showed a lot of passion for the first time in a long time and, if we show the same passion on Tuesday, we could well get a result.

On the cup game, a lot of players stepped up to the mantle and delivered, which is what we need. So come on, Blue Boys, let's have a right go on Tuesday night. COYB!
Michael Summers     Posted 28/01/2012 at 13:48:55   Comments (28)

There is no Moyesiah

I doubt that there are many Evertonians who are standing uncritically by David Moyes, certainly not on this site. Many of us, and the number is growing, want him gone. There are Evertonians who recognize his faults but think he is the safest option.

I believe there is a growing middle ground and I am moving towards it. I want us to get to 42 points. Can Moyes do it? I fear that he can't.There are good debaters on this site who believe that he can and will. What I am convinced of, though, is that the the days of David Moyes are numbered.

I don't believe that we have apologists (I hate the term) v the mob. We have sure... against not so sure. No one on this site is defending the shite we are witnessing; the debate is about why it is happening and it is happening primarily because of Bill Kenwright.

David Moyes in his recent comment is prepared to absolve him of blame. I would ask all the valiant defenders of David Moyes to move towards the middle ground and consider a future without him.
Andy Crooks     Posted 27/01/2012 at 18:09:47   Comments (87)

An Open Letter to Bill Kenwright
A response from Everton.

Below is the response from Everton to my ?Open letter to Bill Kenwright on 13th January 2012.

I have removed the name of the employee who responded as I didn?t think it was fair to publish his name and email address. However, I have made it clear to Everton that I intend posting any and all responses from them as I receive them.

(I don?t want anyone to think that I am publishing confidential correspondence.)

From: xxxxxxxxx(Everton) Sent: 24 January 2012 11:42 To: xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Subject: FW: Please forward this to Bill Kenwright Dear Mr Flavin,

Thank you for your email on January 14. Your passion as true Evertonian comes through loud and clear.

Mr Kenwright is also a true Evertonian who, like you, wants absolutely what is best for the football club. This football club operates on the basis that every penny we receive from each and every source goes back into our football club. Those revenue sources include: ticket sales, commercial deals, TV money.

We know how hard it currently is with the economic conditions our country is currently going through. We know how our seasonticket holders have been so supportive of us in recent times. We know you have a choice as to whether you decide to renew your seasonticket or not. If you decide to do so, you are helping the Club guarantee one source of income which will help us attempt to remain competitive in a league which is increasingly

From: xxxxxxxxx (Everton) Sent: 24 January 2012 12:37 To: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Subject: FW: Please forward this to Bill Kenwright Sorry Mr Flavin, I will continue!

Increasingly?..high-finance league.

We don?t for one second take the support of our 21,000+ seasonticket holders for granted. It is clear that you passionately support the Club you love.

I can assure you that everybody from the Chairman down is doing all we can to provide the manager with funds to strengthen the squad and also find the investor or investors required to take EFC to the next level. We always need to be careful that whoever controls the football club is of the correct calibre ? as we have seen so many football takeovers turn sour.

Fans of clubs such as Portsmouth, Leeds, Birmingham, West Ham, Coventry, Swindon, Preston, Derby, Cardiff, Crystal Palace, Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United can testify to this.

Whatever you decide with regards to your seasonticket renewal for next season, we hope to see you again at Goodison for the rest of this campaign.

Regards, Xxxxxxxxxx

Moyes To Extend His Stay?

As I understand it, the bumper 5-year deal signed by our manager David Moyes in 2008 will expire in approximately 18 months time.

Never before have I seen the Goodison faithful so divided in their view of the man who dragged us from the depths of despair and the threat of relegation, and made us into a respectable side with 7 top 8 finishes in 9 seasons.

Sadly, the fact is that, unless something changes very soon, this current season will be remembered no more fondly than any season in the late 1990s when we were under the guidance of Walter Smith. In fact, if our current goals-per-game ratio is carried through to the end of the season, we would end up with less than 40 goals, which is something that didn?t ever happen under dear old Walter.

This is a massive shame for us who pay our good money to watch us stink the place out week in week out ? and it is a shame for David Moyes who is in danger of going from zero to hero and then back down to zero again during the tail end of his reign at the club.

I will always be grateful to Moyes for turning the fortunes of our club around, and truly believe that as things stand today, he should go down in our history as the man who stopped the rot, and as such should be remembered fondly.

It is also a massive shame that he has had to ?endure? being boss of our club during a period where it has been so poorly managed off the field. The result of this is that we will never know if he could have kicked on and won us a trophy if he had been given the level of financial backing that we have seen at the other top 6 or 7 clubs in the land.

The sad facts are though, that we do not have the money to compete with the big boys in the transfer market, and we are currently playing some of the worst football Goodison Park has ever seen, and now the results just don?t seem to be coming either.

What I?m interested in, is whether anyone out there thinks that Moyes should be given an extension to his contract to keep him at the club beyond 2013?

The majority of the pro-Moyes among us cite a lack of money as the main reason why we can?t play decent football anymore. Well Davey boy is currently ?earning? around £3.5million per year. That is a hell of a lot of money to be draining from a club that can ill afford it.

Even those who still think Moyes is the best (and we can?t possibly do any better because we can?t afford good players), must concede that paying him £3.5m a year to manage our squad is therefore akin to paying Sebastian Vettel millions of pounds to drive my clapped out Mazda in a formula one race. Wouldn?t you do better spending more money on developing a decent car, and paying an up and coming talent to drive it for significantly less money?

The way I see, there are four options open to us at this point in time:

1.Sack Moyes now.
I don?t think we could afford to pay off the remainder of his contract even if his pal BK wanted to get rid. Simply not going to happen.

2. David Moyes resigns.
Who in their right mind would walk out on a job that pays millions and expects very little success in return? Very unlikely to happen although not completely out of the question given his current miserable demeanour.

3. We wait for his current contract to expire, say thank you and goodbye.
Surely the most logical and likely of the options? Hopefully in that time Moyes will have steered us clear of any threat of relegation and can still step aside and have the majority of his career at the club remembered with a modicum of positivity.

4. We extend his contract another 3 ? 5 years
Insanity surely? Can we afford it financially? Do current performances warrant it? I would be very interested to hear someone?s argument for doing this.


So is there anyone out there who could justify committing ourselves to another 5 years, and pay Moyes another £17.5m over that period, for him to continue to coach us to play crap football?

Jamie Sweet     Posted 26/01/2012 at 03:32:09   Comments (54)

Undisclosed...

Just reading the report concerning the sale of Bily to Spartak Moscow, and once again the club has announced a sale for an 'Undisclosed' amount. Given all the financial machinations in football, I am wondering why on earth the governing bodies do not insist that ALL fees be fully disclosed - especialy concerning Agent Fees, Purchase Price and Signing On Fees.

Such a level of transparency would put paid to the sort of public relations issues EFC currently have with the Blue Union, disputing transfer monies etc, and would possibly help in situations such as the Harry Redknapp case currently. For example, does DM receive a slice for this sale? Does he likewise have to pay a slice when he sells a player for less than he bought him?

I think that this level of transparency would improve not only the fans' understanding of what goes on, but also avoid some of the 'under the table' stuff which may go on.
Rupert Sullivan     Posted 25/01/2012 at 16:42:55   Comments (31)

I'm Missing Something

I can't help but think that we're missing something. No, I don't mean a striker that can score a goal or a winger that can cross a ball ? I mean at the very heart of what?s going on at the club.

I tried to ask these questions a couple of years ago but I was accused of being a Kenwright/Moyes apologist. I'm going to try again because something doesn't add up for me.

As I understand it, the intrinsic and extrinsic value of the club are dropping rapidly. We have no capital left to exploit and the value of the playing staff has to be on the wane at least. The current board haven't put a single penny into the club and appear to be unable or unwilling to do so now or in the future.

All of this brings me to the questions that I am really struggling with. First, Where are the buyers? and second, Who is benefitting from the Current Position?

The Buyers

We keep being told, at opportune moments, that there are 3, 4 or 5 buyers waiting to step in (I have to say at this point that "Investment" can mean putting money in OR buying shares so please don't get stressed out when Elstone or Kenwright use the term instead of "Buying The Club") but where are they? Isn't it too simplistic to say that they are scared off by the asking price?

If I was in a position to buy the club tomorrow and, on meeting the board or a broker, was given a ridiculous price, the very next thing I would do is to speak to Sky and tell them exactly that. For all those that are exasperated by fans that aren't screaming for blood, is it not safe to assume that most match-going fans would be up in arms? I think they would if there was clear evidence that the board were blocking a buy-out for the sake of their own personal margin.

Who Is Benefitting?

While the value of the Club is dropping, so is the value of the shares owned by Kenwright, Earl and Woods (Green?). Now, whatever you feel about the Directors, surely you have to agree that they're no mugs, each of them have accumulated substantial personal wealth. I own my own business and trust me it's hard enough to make thousands never mind millions. I genuinely don't understand how they are going to make more money by devaluing the club.

Writing that last piece also brought up another point which is if Kenwright is a lying, blithering buffoon, how does he manage to control the Local and National media?

So there it is I have no answers but something just doesn't make sense. I really don't want another we hate Kenwright, Moyes, Hibbert, Saha, Earl, Green, Neville response but any theories people have might help. There are usually lots of clued up people responding and I would like to be able to have a clear stance.

It's going to be a long hard slog at best but COYB
Gareth Prytherch     Posted 25/01/2012 at 12:02:51   Comments (32)

Punching below our weight

Moyes supporters use net spend to support the idea that he is "punching above his weight" more often than not at Everton. They also like to focus on the board of directors as a smoke-screen for accepting what is happening at team level.

I am not certain but I am pretty sure we have one of the higher salary bills, regardless of the recent fire sale that reportedly appeased the banks. As a proportion of turnover we are still spending >70% on player salaries.

Regardless of whether these players were purchsed on the cheap (more down to effective scouting than Moyes himself), we might expect Moyes to consistently manage to get the most out of his well paid players, and to off-load dead wood.

He doesn't appear to be doing this.

Cahill and Saha should not be starting according to most of the fans I have spoken to. Neville has passed his use by date. The players look disinterested. Worst of all, we have ceased to create a spectacle for almost the entire season (in an entertainment business).

The composition of the squad is, by Moyes' own admission, down to him and him alone. We are right to expect him to manage that squad effectively. I, and many others, do not believe that the squad is being managed effectively, and so we want a change of management, irrespective of the significant issues at board level.

To those of you that think this makes us any less fans of the club, please take your heads out of the sand and stop the moral condescension. It won't change the here and now fact that we are crap to watch, and certainly punching below our weight.
Anthony Jones     Posted 24/01/2012 at 15:18:16   Comments (52)

Current Squad

In view of a number of comments regarding what a new manager would have to work with if David Moyes decided enough was enough, the current squad members and their contracts (based on the information gathered from ToffeeWeb) offer some interesting reading.

Of the current squad of 33 players assigned shirt numbers, the following have contracts that finish by the end of this season:

Hahnemann, Duffy, Distin, Neville, Saha, Drenthe, Cahill, Donovan, Stracqualursi, McFadden, McAleny, Foreshaw, Baxter, Wallace, Bidwell

This will leave us with a playing squad of: Howard, Mucha, Hibbert, Baines, Heitinga, Jagielka, Coleman, Gibson, Bilyaletdinov, Barkley, Osman, Fellaini, Rodwell, Gueye, Vellios, Anichebe, Silva, Yobo, Garbutt

In a sensible world, it would be difficult to see many of the players whose contracts finish the end of this season being offered new contracts (Distin & Duffy being the possible exceptions) and we may even see a few of the longer term contracted players moving on in this window or the next in order to raise much needed funds (hopefully for team building not bank payments).

I do hope that the board and David Moyes do not take the easy way out by offering contract extensions to most of the players out of contract but it is difficult to see what other options they will have.

Whoever is in charge at the start of next season will have a serious problem on their hands.

Steve Vinue     Posted 23/01/2012 at 16:07:17   Comments (22)

It's not all about the money

Last 5 home games against the might of Stoke, Norwich, Swansea, Bolton and Blackburn:

P5 W1 D2 L2 F4 A5

Those who think it's all about money must be right though eh. How could we possibly compete with the astronomical spending power of these Premier League giants in our own back yard?

Ten points dropped from these fixtures, only four goals (one which clearly should not have stood and one fluke from our keeper) from 450 minutes of football and some of the most boring, gutless, turgid displays of football I've ever witnessed, at any level of the game, and some people still think it is purely a matter of money?

God give me strength... Absolute bullshit of the highest order.

When we get beat by the likes of City, Utd, Spurs etc of course money plays a part in it. And by the way, by pointing some portion of the blame at someone other than BK for our recent pathetic displays does not mean I don't acknowledge where the main route of our problem lies.

However, when you witness the utter shite like we have in our last 5 games at Goodison, ATTITUDE has played a far greater role in our abysmal performances than a lack of money ever will.

And this stinking attitude starts with our boring, negative, one dimensional, gutless manager and has now infiltrated our entire squad.

But hey, let's give them an easy ride and hide behind the no money arguement shall we?

By doing so takes all accountability away from the manager and players alike. Until that mind-set changes, I'm afraid that we're going to be stuck with watching some of the worst displays of football any of us have ever witnessed in our lifetimes.

We deserve much much better than this, money or no money.

Jamie Sweet     Posted 23/01/2012 at    Comments (73)

Should Landon sign for Everton?

As a lifelong Evertonian who has seen this great club play during their glory periods in the early/late sixties and of course the mid-eighties, when we were arguably the best team in Europe, I believe Landon Donovan should be wary of signing up for this current Everton team.

Unfortunately, Everton's performances this season have been absolutely terrible and, to be frank, we are in serious danger of being relegated if this current form is not reversed.

The lack of finances is glibly cited as the reason for this, but the squad as it stands now is more than capable of producing much better football than the spectacle that has been served up, week-in & week-out, this season.

I accept that "lack of finances" will surely prevent Everton from seriously competing for titular honours and knockout cup competition wins... but underlying our poor performances is a general apathy and lack-lustre atmosphere which permeates this once great club. This is something that I believe a young, hungry, positive manager could quickly resolve short term.

David Moyes has certainly stagnated after a most promising start, and has been given more than enough time to capture at least one piece of silverware since he took charge. The 3rd-longest- serving manager in the Premier League, I believe,, after Fergy and Wenger.

No, Landon; beware. Coincidentally, we know Fulham play Everton next in the FA Cup and I for one am expecting Fulham to win.

If Landon is to move to the Premier League, he should make sure he picks a team that is on the up. I am sad to say my team is in freefall and needs a stick of dynamite stuck up its proverbial arse to reverse its downward spiral.

I always live in hope though and I will always support the Blues.

Steve Barr     Posted 22/01/2012 at 23:41:43   Comments (26)

Adidas to replace LCS?

So Adidas have been dumped by Liverpool.

We should grab them while they are annoyed so we can have a globally recognized kit supplier that is sold in other outlets other than just restricting sales to Everton stores and the Everton website.

Does anyone know for how much longer are we tied into having Le Coq Sportif as the supplier and is this deal tied in with Kitbag being the sole supplier or could they supply Adidas?

I know shocking matters on the pitch and boardroom are more important but this is an important issue.

Nick Parker     Posted 22/01/2012 at 19:32:42   Comments (22)

Offer to Bill Kenwright

Dear Bill,

I am offering to manage Everton FC free of charge!

If appointed I will make the following changes:

1) Insist that we play attacking football.

2) Train the players to prioritise keeping possession of the ball, and passing, and moving creatively off the ball, spreading across the field, not all bunched together.

3) Ensure that the goalkeeper, when taking a goal kick or simply sending the ball up field, doesn't just kick it aimlessly, high up in the air for anyone of either side to get, but sends it directly to one of our players.

4) Ensure that the goalkeeper does not hold on to the ball but gets it back into play as quickly as possible; unless we are at least one goal up!

5) In defending an attack, to ensure that our players do not continually back off, until they have let the attacker get in sight of the goal and into a shooting position, but that they tackle the advancing player.

6) In defending corners, to ensure we have at least one player up the field, near the half-way line so that, when defenders, or the goalkeeper get the ball and send it upfield, we have someone ready to make a break for their goal.

7) When taking corners, that we never kick it straight to their goalkeeper, or one of their defenders, but that it always reaches one of our players, even if that means directing it quite a way downfield, or taking a short corner.

8) In training, endlessly practice set pieces, especially corners until we can virtually guarantee a substantial percentage of goals from corners.

9) Make substitutions as soon as they are necessary, and not in the last few minutes of the game.

I am confident that, if appointed, and after introducing these changes, with our present squad, and the up-and-coming younger players, we can be challenging for Europe.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Kenrick     Posted 22/01/2012 at 17:08:29   Comments (46)

Shane Duffy

In amidst the terrible showing against Blackburn yesterday, one positive light was Shane Duffy. You would think this kid would be overawed from playing in the EPL, but far from it; he was marvellous.

Winning headers, good marking and tackling, almost scoring himself even. His best moment I thought was heading the ball back to Tim Howard, when how many players were around him. How was cool that for a kid!

I really think he is a great propsect and hope we do not spend the little money we have on a centre back, when Distin should be back soon. We desperately need a striker and some creativity in midfield!

Kudos to Mr Andy Crooks for saying he will become an Everton legend. That performance certainly suggests he could be!

Ben Jones     Posted 22/01/2012 at 15:06:44   Comments (13)

Saha must go!

I was absolutely shocked to see Saha once again included in the starting line-up against Blackburn. Can anybody please tell me what he does to deserve a place in the team???

Right, I thought, lets see what he does in a game. So I wrote down his contributions to the wonderful footballing spectacle on display yesterday. Here we go:

04 mins - bad first touch - loses ball.
12 mins - bad control - loses ball.
13 mins - bad control - loses ball.
15 mins - good defensive clearance from corner.
19 mins - bad first touch - loses ball.
20 mins - bad first touch - loses ball.
28 mins - heads ball on via defender, ball falls to Cahill.
32 mins - fouled from behind, wins free kick. Half way line.
33 mins - great control, lays ball off.
40 mins - touches ball on, loses ball.
43 mins - fouled, wins free kick, left side outside penalty area.
46 mins - Cahill wins ball in penalty area, cannot be arsed to run for it.
54 mins - Subbed.

Now can someone forward this to Moyes before the Fulham game...
Tony  Cheek     Posted 22/01/2012 at 13:43:15   Comments (12)

Even his first name is a joke

I do not understand how Victor Anichebe has survived the numerous embarrassing performances, lengthy absences, obvious petulance and total lack of scoring talent to the point that he starts in preference to Vellios.

Anichebe ? by the way, if he's 23, my bum tastes like chicken - simply should not be playing in the Premier League. He not only snatched wildly at his only chance against Blackburn, his greediness stopped Gibson, who was better positioned, from reaching the ball.

After Moyes told him to play wide in the second half, he appeared to simply refuse to show any pace and when he was taken off you'd think he was on a hat-trick the way he reacted.

In his entire career with Everton, his entire career, his total goals scored add up to less than you would want from a decent striker in a single season. He's not up to this level and we should get what we can for him which will not be much. He's been a nearly man for too long. Maybe Leicester will take him as a partner for that other useless get.

Peter Fearon     Posted 22/01/2012 at 00:57:00   Comments (35)

Resurgent Blackburn held at Goodison Park.

This particular player apologist has had enough. Another woeful effort. What will the excuse be this time?

Blackburn are on a roll and are in a false position. Yeah let's get that one out of the way. We are a poor side who are under-performing.

Of course this has nothing to do with Moyes. He had nothing to do with signing them. He protested vehemently when his best players were sold. He has absolutely nothing to do with the shite that is churned out week after week.

It's all about money and he is absolved of all responsibility. It's the players fault.

He sends them out to attack and be positive and they ignore him. Don't you just feel gutted for him. Who else could take this shit for the pittance he is paid?

Salvage what integrity and reputation you have left and go, Mr Moyes.

Who will take his place?

Anyone... fucking anyone.

Andy Crooks     Posted 21/01/2012 at 16:54:50   Comments (72)

Attack: the best form of defence

When we used to defend corners in the 1970s, Jimmy Husband would stand just this side of the halfway line. The consequences were:

(1) Opposing teams would typically put two defenders on him in case we got a quick break;

(2) When they took their corner, self evidently the opposition would then only be left with eight attacking outfield players to our nine defenders plus goalkeeper;

(3) In principle we were better able to defend corners then through our superior numbers, as opposed to now when all and sundry (apart from their goalkeeper) are in the vicinity of our goal.

Since the Everton of today seem more focused on defence than attack most of the time, using the above method would actually be a more solid defensive ploy (it would also make us potentially a more potent attacking force too, but I would prefer to whisper that idea in case someone cops on and takes fright).

Using this approach today might also give our defenders someone to pass the ball to, instead of the aimless hoof in which many of them seem to specialise.

And by the way, the team Jimmy Husband played in didn?t do too badly.

Tony McNulty     Posted 20/01/2012 at 23:14:38   Comments (19)

Red, White and Blues... Everton USA?

Everton could help solve many financial problems by arranging to play in the American MLS for a couple of seasons (as well as the Prem obviously). We have just enough players for two parallel, interchangeable squads if players out on loan were recalled.

We are paying most of them to do nothing right now. We could arrange to share a stadium and training facilities in the US and one or two selected matches could be at Goodison. The average seasonal revenue of an MLS club is about $13M. I was still working on this idea when I read that Moyes had contemplated a B-team in the lower leagues. I think this would work better.

If the MLS and Premier League agreed, there would be a number of benefits aside from the gate receipts and TV revenue.

1. Young players would develop in a challenging league.
2. It would help internationalize the Everton brand.
3. It would attract additional sponsors.
4. It would boost merchandise sales.
5. It would help pre-season preparations.
6. It could attract investors (buyers)

For those who think we're an efficiently-run club

I'd like to point out to all those who believe we are a well run and well organised club that we're not.

Not only have The Blue Union statistically proved it time and time again but with Kitbag in the Financial Times yesterday stating they are going to re-negotiate deals (yes, you can imagine who will get given a 'take it or leave it" ultimatum first... I'm appalled at just how badly we are doing with LFC announcing a 6-year £25m PER ANNUM deal which could rise to £50m PER ANNUM from this summer!!

This encapsulates for me the failings of The Board and Robert Elstone who's 'biggest ever deal' summounts to roughly 1/6 of the deal for those across the park!! Enough is enough, It's Time For Change.

Liverpool's Sponsorship deal can be found here.

Liverpool FC?s new kit deal with Warrior Sports has the potential to earn the club £300million over the next six years

Under the terms of the agreement struck with American company Warrior Sports, the Reds are guaranteed a Premier League record of £25million per year until 2018 ? a total of £150million.

Shares in home shopping specialist Findel rose 9 per cent on Wednesday after the company reported ?the best Christmas in four years? at its online and catalogue business. But it warned that Kitbag, its sports retail website, would report ?significant? full-year losses.

Are you reading, Mr Elstone?
Paul Jamieson     Posted 20/01/2012 at 18:01:58   Comments (5)

Everton's defensive football a product of David Moyes?

Since David Moyes took over the management of Everton FC in 2002, we have been subjected to absurd and tedius defensive football. Yes, granted, at certain moments of his reign he has been so adventurous and daring to even play a fundamental 4-4-2. However, in recent years, a stale 4-5-1 formation has been enforced, with the motive of packing the midfield with players full of workrate and effort, generating the lack of finesse players and a creative edge to our brand of football.

Many Everton fans have admitted being bored and sometimes even embarrassed by the brand of football we have displayed this season. This was most certaintly the case in the game broadcasted on Sky Sports 1 for all to see, away to West Brom. Yes, we came away with the 3 points that were so desperately needed; however, surely there can only be a certain degree of satisfaction with a result which saw one of, if not, the most dismal football game I've ever witnessed.

Recent weeks have seen the occasional appearance of two strikers deployed upfront in Anichebe and Stracqualursi, but this has only been a result of the recent pressure put on Moyes concerning the poor football being played, and this has reflected on attendances, especially for games at Goodison Park with the lowest turnout since Moyes took over, seen at home to Norwich nearly one month ago. Moyes's excuse or evidence of playing two upfront seems to be with Cahill and Saha, yet we all know that Cahill isn't a natural striker.

It makes me ashamed to say this but, in some cases this season, I would go as far as to say that Everton are the most boring football team to watch in the Premier League. The brand of football Everton fans have had to endure this season is just quite honestly not good enough for a football club to the stature of ours. Keeping the ball doesn't seem to be the issue; it's the cutting edge, the ball through the eye of a needle, and that clinical finish. These are vital aspects of our game that we are severely lacking.

This brand of football is a result of the ethos embarked upon with the squad by David Moyes, of effort and working for each other, which is all very well... However, without flair and natural skill and ability amongst the squad, this does not score the goals which ultimately win football matches ? not keeping the ball and pressing the opposition.

What a nice team

Many years ago, I was at Goodison Park for the visit of Ipswich, I think it might have been a cup match. They were a fine side then and flying high. Our side were struggling and contained Rioch and Kidd, both past their best. I was a bad tempered game and we were aggressive and mouthy. We won 2-0.

Afterwards, Mick Mills described the young McMahon as a very mean player in a very mean team. Times have changed, football has changed, and Everton have changed. Last week, Saha was blatantly fouled and a penalty, a red card, and probably 3 points should have ensued; his response was to lie in the net for a while and then trot back down the pitch.

He should have been fucking outraged, chased the referee down, and told him why. It mightn't have changed that decision but it would have made him look more closely at the next one.

There is a difference between cheating and being aggressive and in the opposition's and referee's face. We don't seem to know what it is. We need less mild indignation and more anger.

I would love us to play like Arsenal (how they could do with more edge, though). I don't want us to dive or deliberately hurt players but at the moment we are the nearest thing in the league to Corinthians. Neville against Ronaldo and the Yak against Liverpool showed that it doesn't take a goal to raise the crowd.

No-one fears Everton or dreads visiting Goodison Park. I'd rather we were hated than damned with condescending faint praise.

Andy Crooks     Posted 19/01/2012 at 09:59:43   Comments (14)

Worst Ever Transfer

Quaking at the rumour of Davey Weir returning to Goodison I began to think about the worst ever transfer deals we've done. Reading a book I saw on the Everton Former Players website ? Everton in the 70s ? I came across Harry Catterick's swap deal of a young David Johnson going to Ipswich in exchange for Rod Belfitt. Not the Cat's finest moment\! My Dad says selling Bobby Collins was worse than that but can anyone come up with any worse, either selling or buying.
Cameron  White     Posted 18/01/2012 at 21:13:42   Comments (174)

Stick with a winning formula!

This season, Everton have been losing too many games, and have never quite found that winning formula that has been there in the past. One of the reasons for this is the constant change of the first eleven squad. The experimenting needs to stop; I think Moyes has enough information now to pick the ones who are in form, and leave the others who are not out.

Vellios, Stracqualursi, and McAleny have been tried and tested on different occasions and have never been played consecutively. Only Saha and Cahill have been given enough chances up front in the hunt for a winning formula. Though Saha and Cahill have failed to score, Vellios on his own has 3 goals thus far, but he has not been included amongst that first eleven for a long time now.

"Never change a winning team" is the saying, and quite rightly so. But David Moyes has not found that winning side yet, and he changes the strikers every other match, it seems.

One constant with teams in good form, like Tottenham for example, is that the midfield and the strikers stay the same in every match, after finding that first victory.(Even the defenders should stay the same.)

After the Wigan game Vellios should have started along with Drenthe, but they have not been afforded the chance to do that. It was only after Drenthe and Vellios came on we looked likely to score, so why not stick with them for 5-10 matches in a row, and then see where that leaves you?

Moyes seems afraid to stick with the same team unless they include the names Tim Cahill and Louis Saha. Why is that? Now is the time to stick with those who have been in form during games, and who have scored goals or made assists; leave the under-performing players such as Saha and Cahill on the bench. The only way we can get to that 40-point mark is by finding and sticking with that winning formula, even if that excludes Cahill and Saha.

David Moyes, It is time for you to be brave and trust those who have performed so far this season. By sticking with out-of-form players, you are setting the team up for failure, and perhaps even relegation.

Jimmy  Sorheim     Posted 16/01/2012 at 14:11:49   Comments (16)

Strikers or poor service?

After the Villa game, a thought struck me. That being ? What is our biggest need on the pitch? The majority will undoubtedly scream 'A Striker', and who would blame them looking at our recent abysmal scoring record. Moyes presumably would say 'centre-half', and there also is logic to this when you look at our injury list and the fact that we had no defenders on the bench for our last game.

But two incidents during the game stayed with me; Cahill's missed goal opportunity and Anichebe's goal. Both came about through defence-splitting passes, something sorely missed in Everton games in recent weeks... months... years...?

Last night, I watched Swansea's terrific win over Arsenal, the winning goal coming from ? yes, you guessed it ? a terrific through-ball. And looking at the 'bigger' sides in the EPL, they always appear to have players with this ability, and the goals inevitably follow. We have been bemoaning our strikers' goal famine of late but is it fair to say that they either must battle to get on the end of a series of long punts, or be expected to create something magical on their own?

But what is the quality of the supply that they receive?

Many have at times justifiably pointed out Big Vic's failings, yet didn't he finish well when the right through-ball arrived into his path? Isn't this what Saha, Stracqualursi and the others also crave?

It is worth noting that the two quality balls played in the Villla game came from the two 'newbies'. So the question is: Do we not have midfielders capable of playing these types of passes? Or is it a coaching/tactics failure?

Mark Fitzgerald     Posted 16/01/2012 at 11:25:41   Comments (53)

Kick it Out

I did not attend last night's (Spurs) game. A mate of mine did and texted me this during the second half:

"Geoff and I left the match early. Not cos we were getting destroyed. It's cos we were sat with the biggest racists I've ever encountered at a football match. Hitler chants, nigger shouts, monkey noises oh and gas chamber noises. Disgusting. Really really sad."

Is this the kind of behaviour that we accept amongst match-going Evertonians? I accept there is a bit of not dobbing in your own fans but this is surely the sort of thing (especially in the current climate) that should be brought to the attention of the club & stewards etc.

I hope that there were a few there last night who were/are prepared to do that.

Colin Huntington     Posted 12/01/2012 at 09:14:40   Comments (65)

Who is really to Blame?

I have been following ToffeeWeb for some time now and would like to ask the following question: Who is really to blame for the state of the club?

My observation is that most contributors are blaming Kenwright and Moyes, perhaps this should be rethought slightly.

Kenwright is only the Chairman of the club, there is a deputy Chairman - Jon Woods - and a board of directors - Robert Earl and Sir Philip Carter CBE - (4 people in total) all of whom will be contributing in some measure to the management of the club. Surely the financial mismanagement is a collective responsibility and not just Kenwright's responsibility? My opinion is that Kenwright and the whole board should be brought to account and replaced not just Kenwright.

As for Moyes, what has been said elsewhere about team selection, tactics, attitude etc I can only agree with, but, he is not responsible for the state of the club that rests with the board. He should go because what happens on the pitch is of his making. (I must add that the players must shoulder a good measure of blame once the game is underway.)

Sorry this is a ramble, but I would just like to see some real logic behind the calls for change.

Please can we blame 'The Board' if the discussion is mismangement of the club and Moyes if it is mismanagement of the team?
Derek Arrowsmith     Posted 12/01/2012 at 02:34:05   Comments (13)

Moyes is unbelievable

So Moyes's post match comment is ''he is satisfied despite the defeat''.

Doesn't that just take the biscuit?

How many times must we need convincing about his negative attitude. If he is satisfied then the players must be also, as to be unsatisfied might show they are against him and that might warrant a fine or a dropping!!

Seriously though, this is just pathetic from a man who not too many seasons ago was held in high esteem by some.

Is there absolutely anything we can look forward to, either this season or next, except maybe his warranted sacking and a big investor coming in?
Tom Bowers     Posted 12/01/2012 at 00:37:28   Comments (102)

EvertonTV run as poorly as the rest of the club

Well it's 00:30 and as usual there are no highlights to be found at EvertonTV.

Every week they tell us there will be highlights from midnight and every week they fail to appear.

It's FOC now so you can't ask for your money back but it's just analogous with the lack of commercial leadership at the club.

This is a multi-million pound business being run like a pub side...
Drew O'Neall     Posted 12/01/2012 at 00:28:50   Comments (8)

Takeover and Kenwright

Until today I've alway's been pro-Kenwright and now it hurts me to admit that he may not have the best interest of Everton at heart. (I say "may" as I hope and pray to be proved wrong).

When Arteta was sold I thought it was good business and with Bill and Dave saying they let him go because he wanted to go enhanced my view on this. However, today the reports that came out with the manager saying everyone knew the banks wanted the money made my blood boil. Mr Kenwright, only six weeks ago, said the Arteta money would be available come January. Now even Dave says he was sold for the bank balance.

In the words of a film agent: SHOW ME THE MONEY!

My question, could whoever the club is sold to be any worse than now? For me my opinion has changed over the ownership and anything would be better than this. I hope this is read by the club and will be overjoyed to be proved wrong.

What's the point?!

I have been a die hard Everton fan for all my life (23 years) and it saddens me to see the problems with Kenwrong but what saddens me more is the problems with tactics!

So far this season, Louis Saha has scored one, Tim Cahill hasn't scored, Bily hasn't scored and they are meant to be attacking players. When they don't produce goals for the team, they are a waste of space.

Cahill cant pass to save his life and he now isn't even winning headers. I have always said to give Billy time but enough is enough, he just isn't good enough for the Premier League, never mind Everton. And Saha doesn't look like he could hit a barn with the ball not to mention a goal.

We have these players on the pitch while Vellios (who has scored more than them all), Gueye and Drenthe on the bench today. Play Vellios up front, Donovan behind him, Gueye on the left and Drenthe on the right if Moyes must play a 4-5-1.

Time for a complete overhaul of the Club, starting with the Chairman, then the manager, then the players who aren't pulling their weight.

Twin thrust: Timid and Inept

Another timid, craven, inept, rollover and play-dead display. Tamworth posed a more credible threat to us than we posed to the Spurs defence.

Their back line barely broke a sweat until Royston Drenthe came on an hour too late to make a significant difference. It was like a light training session for them. So much space! So much time! So little challenge! It is all becoming embarrassing to watch and oh, so predictable.

Of course, this has absolutely nothing to do with the man who trains, picks, directs and manages the team and has done for the last ten years .

Instead, it?s all the fault of a man who for some inexplicable reason, doesn?t want a group of fans to micromanage the sale of the club.
Peter Fearon     Posted 11/01/2012 at 21:37:20   Comments (1)

What would you prefer?

A simple question. Given two choices what would you prefer tonight? A gung ho attacking Everton performance resulting in a heavy defeat or a cautious 1-0 loss?

Tonight, against all my ideals I'll take the narrow defeat. Our situation is, in my view, too perilous to take a hammering. Unlike many others I believe we are not safe from relegation. We simply can't stand a catastrophic blow to morale. Right now I will happily see Moyes grind out 42 points and then take it from there.

For me the Bolton game was a watershed. We are a poor side with a thin squad and I am sad to say it but I'll take anything that we can get. My views on Moyes have been stated a million times but it;s time to be pragmatic. Sneak us something tonight and I'll take dour.
Andy Crooks     Posted 11/01/2012 at 18:49:56   Comments (3)

Is relegation the aim?

This may appear an odd statement, however a number of South Coast Evertonains were talking and a question was raised, is the club aiming for relegation?

The club would benefit from Parachute payments and you would hope that we could bounce straight back.

The club would be a sleeping giant, a cheap buy for an investor. Kenwright would not have Green et al hanging out for a bigger payday.

Something is not right, Kenwright the mug that he is, is even more elusive than ever.

I personally hope this is incorrect and the club are aiming for Europe again; however, something makes me think otherwise.

Chris  Perry     Posted 11/01/2012 at 08:58:44   Comments (19)

Samba anyone?

Given that Jags is gone for a while and Duffy is not deemed ready to start why does Moyes not consider Samba who has been consistently excellent for Blackburn all season despite palying with crap all around him?

Maybe we can offer Heitinga and Neville in part-ex?

If not then why not consider Junior Hoilett?

Dear God we need something more than we have.
Tom Bowers     Posted 10/01/2012 at 17:04:32   Comments (22)

Gung-ho Everton bring Spurs back to earth

?Gung-ho Everton bring Spurs back to earth: Everton 2 - 1 Tottenham Hostpur. 5 Jan 2011."

Wow... how I would love that to be repeated this week; alas, I fear that that spirit has long since left us and now all we expect is the same old boring one-dimensional Moyes dross.

To say most Blues are bored with the non-existent style of play would be an understatement only paralleled by our mistrust and dislike for Bullshit Bill, yet, only 12 months ago, our once adventurous manager had the gumption (balls) to go hell for leather.

Why has he changed so much?

So we lost Pienaar just after to ?'Appy 'Arry?, but for God?s sake we lost a few players, maybe our creative ones... now we seem to have lost our will to live, our pride as well (not the fans, the team).

Surely Moyes can see that he has become a tactical clown? Everyone on the matchday threads knows who, when and where the substitutions will be. If it?s that obvious to us, then any opposition manager must be wetting himself at the ease with which he can plot a style to beat us.

I guess for many of us the only thing we have left is hope, but we can all see that that is in such short supply. Personally I don?t want to go down whimpering like a bitch; I would rather go down fighting as did Blackpool last year.

At least they still have their pride. We have even managed to lose that this season. We will go down if we carry on... maybe not this season but maybe next ? and just how dire will the performances get before the media applaud our demise?

Dean Adams     Posted 09/01/2012 at 18:26:07   Comments (42)

Reduced Prices

Just had a note from Liverpool Chamber of Commerce:

Everton are offering discounted tickets through the Chamber:

£15 for Adults
£7.50 for Juniors

Okay, it is against Blackburn but at least they are trying to put bums on seats... or is it to try to keep the numbers up in case the Banks start getting more concerned because of falling attendances??

Steve Sweeney     Posted 09/01/2012 at 11:37:07   Comments (20)

If Coventry can do it...

Watching the FA Cup highlights shown at the weekend, I noticed that Coventry fans had a protest ? they are bottom of the Championship ? only this wasn't a march, where numbers could be argued about, hidden outside the ground, etc... but a stay away ? the protesters did not enter the ground until after 15 mins.

The only negatives I can see here are for the fans themselves, missing that segment of the game. One might argue it would affect the players... Coventry took the lead within the first 15 mins, so hardly a strong case for this.

As the BU prepares to meet again this month, and no doubt with BK's alleged comments high on the itinerary, I think this kind of protest is the next step needed ? much higher visual impact, much easier to quantify numbers, and might even catch the Coventry bug and score early?!

BTW, for info, I am a match attending supporter who went on the last BU march, and I support Everton and Everton alone ? not the players, the manager, the chairman ? just Everton, and what is best for Everton.

Stewart Littler     Posted 09/01/2012 at 11:02:24   Comments (6)

Can't wait to read this chapter...

If there's one thing that's got me excited over the last few weeks and months (and believe me like most Everton fans it's not the product on the pitch or the Muppets sitting in the EFC boardroom) it's the anticipation to read Moyes's autobiography when it comes out...

I really can't wait to find out what he was feeling and thinking over the last year.

Is he really this loyal to Kenwright?

Has he lost hope because of the lack of funds?

Was he trying to send a message to the board by continually playing players out of position?

Did he lose his passion and drive because he's been told he'll never be SAF's successor at Man U?

Is he biding his time because BK has told him there's an investor with an oil field in East Dagestan who is ready to extend the club a lifeline (or pipeline we?ll take both)?

Some questions we might get the answers to, others might remain a mystery forever; till then I will have these questions which I hope can be answered sooner rather than later:

1. When will Tim Cahill quit International Football?
2. When will Phil Neville quit football period?
3. When will we stop bringing all our players back for corners?
4. When will Louis Saha sign a ?pay as you score? contract? (I guarantee he would have more goals than Yakubu if he was on that type of contract.)
5. When will Rodwell catch an injury break?!?
6. When will Barkley get his chance? And finally
7. When will we get to 40 points? (Because even Tamworth made us look pedestrian?) Apologies for the overload of questions but sometimes they can be more revealing than the answers?

NSNO

ps: I would like to apologize to all the Muppets of the world for comparing them with the EFC board. No one deserves that association?
Mohammed Horoub     Posted 08/01/2012 at 06:23:09   Comments (28)

Shane Duffy

I'm very confused about Moyes's comments that he now needs a new centre back.

Am I right in thinking that Jags is only out for 6 weeks, we have Distin, Heitinga and Neville as cover, plus we have Shane Duffy coming back.

Does Moyes not trust Duffy? If he doesn't think he can cope with a Tamworth strikeforce then why not just release him together with all the other youth defenders we have. What must Moyes's comments do to Duffy's confidence?

I surely hope that Moyes doesn't play a twin defensive midfield again. If we do then a small part of me wants us to lose in order for Moyes to finally walk. However, before I get lambasted, I would never want us to lose a game. Here's to an attacking 4-4-2 all season.

COYB!

Henry Jones     Posted 07/01/2012 at 11:25:30   Comments (36)

Where is the cavalry?

The transfer window has been open almost a week now and there is no sign of reinforcements (Donovan apart) despite assurances by Kenwright and Elstone that funds are available and the "Arteta" money would not go to the banks.

With league places being worth almost a million a place and diminishing attendances estimated to be costing 5 million a year it is surely the time for further investment in the squad.

We appear to be making little progress and with Moyes statements like "we may have to look at the loan market" and "we don't have much if any money to spend on players" it is not what we want to hear.

Certain fans are predicting a doomsday scenario despite reassurances from Doddy that "all is well under Bill and Ben".

I am not quite at that point yet but am very concerned that having let Arteta, Yak and Beckford go and with the sale of Vaughan, Pienaar and Bellefield yielding around 25 million we do not appear to have anybody lined up.

Now I know some will come on here stating the window isn't shut yet but with our desperate needs you would have thought that we would have players lined up as soon as the window opens.

One other question I have which is particularly poignant given Jags' injury is what has happened to Joseph Yobo?

Are we still paying his wages or did we cancel his contract by mutual agreement?

No news on this from the Kremlin!

Jay Harris     Posted 06/01/2012 at 18:04:09   Comments (47)

What if we lose to Tamworth?

Amongst all the discontent, I have at the back of my mind a real "What if" question that nobody seems to be considering. It stems from a real fear at the back of my mind.

I really do think our current crisis could come to a peak this weekend. I really believe we could be on the brink of an FA Cup Third Round cup to Tamworth. If not on Saturday, maybe after a replay.

  I can just see a number of fringe players getting a run-out. Tamworth are up for this. They will make more noise than us off the pitch and will look to play the game of their lives on it. That momentum may mean a Championship quality performance by them. I fear that we may find it tough to match considering our current predicament. 

If we go out, it will be the biggest FA Cup shock in 40 years. It will be our worst cup exit ever.

If it comes to past. What then for Moyes? What then for Everton?  I may be totally wrong and we may get through in a battle or at a canter... But I have a bad feeling about this. 
Neil Smith     Posted 06/01/2012 at 09:29:44   Comments (57)

Cost Cutting

Is it just me, or has anybody else noticed the cost cutting taking place on match days? Food service bays closed in the Top Balcony to save on minimum wages. The now regular event of the escalators being mysteriously ?out of order? to save on electricity ? cynical I know, but probably true. It is a medical fact that it?s healthier to take the stairs, but the club should worry about the player?s fitness rather than mine. Now there?s a subject ? the players fitness. Was there anyone on the pitch against Bolton fit enough to play for our once great club?

So soon after Christmas we still had pantomime dame midfielders. Cries of ?It?s behind you, oh no it?s not; it?s passed you by? were directed at Neville, Heitinga and Cahill (when he came on), as the journeymen of the league?s bottom club played neat effective football in the unplayable conditions. How can professional footballers, men who spend all week practising their skills, studying the next opponents, receiving a plan to win the game from their manager; not have the basic skills to actually play the game.

That was a clueless, statuesque, static performance. It was like watching game of subbuteo football; all that was missing was the metal rod connecting the ?bank of four? across the middle of the pitch.

I know David Moyes is a pragmatic realist; he understands that we need to limp to the safety of 40 points. He obviously believes that the only way to do this with the present squad is to grind out results, and who can argue with that. The problem is that it is mind numbingly boring to watch and is driving the crowds down.

It will be interesting to see how well the team presently wallowing in 15th place in the Blue Square Conference contend with our fearsome four this Saturday.

Ken Jones     Posted 05/01/2012 at 21:48:15   Comments (22)

Stale vibes

Despite the dreadful result last night, I didn't really feel much different after the game to how i did after the game at WBA on Sunday. Although we won on Sunday, the game was so poor to watch that it hardly felt like a win.

Last night's performance was almost identical to Sunday's and to be honest, extremely similar to the vast majority of games this season. The only reason we are as comfortable in terms of being away from the bottom 3 in the league is because our dour approach to games means that they are always low scoring and therefore we are sometimes able to nick a result.

I'm all for 'nicking a result' (we often did this in season 04/05) but i'm sure we weren't as bad as this back then and the drop in attendence surely confirms this. What stikes me at the moment as well is, we have no one in the team who can really get the crowd going (Big Dunc, Tommy Gravesen-style) and this probably contributes a little bit to the poor atmosphere at games.

Anyway on to the management. I've been on Moyes' back a lot this season, but to be fair to him he did what we all seemed to want last night and played 2 up front and I think it just becmae glaringly obvious, if it wasnt already, that we have next to nothing up front. The remaining anoyance i had with him though was that he still persisted with the unbelievably negative combination of Neville and Heitinga as our midfield pair. How can he possibly think this is a good enough midfield partnership? Heitinga cannot run and is a centre back anyway, whilst Neville has seen much better days.

Is getting rid of DM the solution? I think quite possibly that it is. Forget the money situation, forget the ground situation, the manager is paid to pick a team that will try and entertain the fans. At the moment that isn't happening whatsoever anywhere on the pitch. I know some people will argue that he is doing the best he can with what he has but although i don't like making comparisons with other managers/teams, take Paul Lambert at Norwich for example.

Would we take their squad of players over ours? No. Would we take their style of play over ours? Yes. Why? Because their manager attacks teams and gets the crowd buzzing.

I don't think getting rid of Moyes can be called a knee reaction anymore. We've stagnated and gone stale under him and when the fans starting voting with their feet like they have started to, that is when the alarm bells should really start to ring. When was the last time we were involved in what we could class as a really exciting game?

I rest my case. Coyb
Matthew Roache     Posted 05/01/2012 at 15:39:36   Comments (93)

Blue Union to up the ante?

The next march to be organised by the Blue Union cannot come quick enough for me. My understanding is that another meeting is scheduled for later this month and I assume (and hope) that a further date for a protest on Goodison Road is agreed. This means it may be well into February before that march takes place; by which time the transfer window will have shut, we will have had at least one tricky cup tie (hopefully two!) and played Spurs and Villa away and Blackburn, Man City and Chelsea at home.

I feel it?s a fair bet that there will be little activity in the transfer window other than maybe a loan deal for a striker. Given recent performances, I also can?t see much of a points haul from the above fixtures and a potential banana skin in the Cup (although I would like to be proved wrong). In which case the mood amongst supporters can only get worse; with those who have continued to give Kenwright their backing surely seeing that his tenure (and by implication that of David Moyes) is unsustainable, if we are to remain in the Premier League beyond the short term.

The applause Kenwright received at the Villa game rang hollow in my ears at that time. I tried to understand what made supporters react in that way and believe that it was more a reaction to the BU protest before the game, than an actual ?vote? of confidence in Kenwright.

The BU have been consistent in stating that their objective is not to move Moyes on, but to persuade the current Board to step down (or at least to one side) and allow others to sell the Club to those with the ability and desire to invest in both the players and, probably most importantly for the longer term, the stadium and associated infrastructure.

However, I believe that the state of affairs in regard to squad quality, depth and style of play, whilst in part due to financial restrictions, is now much more about our manager and the clear lack of ideas, tactical savvy and enthusiasm being applied by him and his staff to each and every game we play.

I believe that the BU should re-consider it?s objectives at the next meeting. Removal of Kenwright is undoubtedly the longer term solution for the Club to survive and revive itself. In the shorter term, a change of manager and associated approach may do just as much to save us from tipping over into the abyss.

I read on TW and elsewhere how Kenwright and Moyes are joined at the hip and that the former will never force the latter out. However, I equally believe that BK is a survivor and recent years (as far back as the King?s Dock fiasco) have shown he is adept at looking after ?number one?. In a scene reminiscent of Barabbas, I think he would sacrifice Moyes if he thought it would appease the growing anger and frustration amongst the fanbase.

So I would urge the BU to up the ante over the next few months and call for complete top-to-bottom regime change. Whilst creating risk, how could it possibly be worse than what?s happening now?

Steve Guy     Posted 05/01/2012 at 13:28:52   Comments (58)

Match Report. Seat 6 Row W Main Stand

Fucking Shite!!!!

Dave Lynch     Posted 04/01/2012 at 22:51:47   Comments (64)

Team for Bolton (and beyond)

Afternoon chaps, looking forward to the game tonight and hopefully a continuation of our mini-resurgence.

With that in mind, I thought I'd draft the team that I think we should be playing for Bolton.

Howard
Hibbert - Jagielka - Distin - Baines
Donovan - Osman - Neville - Drenthe*
Saha - Anichebe

Subs: *Gueye, Barkley, Heitinga, Cahill, Vellios

I'd stick with Anichebe as he's powerful enough to combat a beefy Bolton defence and give Saha a chance playing up front with less heat on him to work the tricky stuff with Osman, Drenthe, Donovan and Baines also pushing on.

For me Donovan has to play from the start, he's here for 2 months only and is match fit from what we've heard (and always keeps himself in shape). Most importantly he knows where the goal is, has pace and is a never say die winner.

Moving forward I'd move to:

Howard
Hibbert - Jagielka - Distin - Baines
Donovan - Barkley/Osman - Felliani - Drenthe
Saha - Anichebe

Subs: Coleman, Osman, Rodwell, Cahill, Heitinga, Vellios

Then I'd progressively bring in Coleman for Donovan as he's about to head back.

Ultimately though I fear we'll play something more like:

Howard
Hibbert - Jagielka - Distin - Baines
Osman - Heitinga - Neville - Gueye
Cahill
Saha


Chris James     Posted 04/01/2012 at 12:53:25   Comments (38)

Mustafi Gone

Just heard that Shkodran Mustafi is joining Sampdoria on a free transfer.

Is this because:

1. Another player removed from the wage bill to reduce costs as we are strapped for cash?

2. Another young player leaving the club without getting a chance?

I can understand while Donnelly went to Swansea recently.
Declan Burke     Posted 03/01/2012 at 13:36:23   Comments (27)

Control freak

Before I start this is not a criticism of Moyes even though I have never been a big fan of him. I live in Kenya and watch the game on TV every week. Did anyone else notice how Moyes was constantly telling the players what to do during the game yesterday? He shouted at Howard while he was taking a free kick "TC right back" and Howard duly aimed for Cahill who was on the West Brom right back's shoulder. There were other comments and also words of praise that were picked up by the microphone.

Why is this? Does he not coach the players during the week in preparation for games? Has he lost the confidence in his players ability to take on board how he wants them to play.

When I am back in the UK, I watch my boy play U14s and their coach acts in exactly the same way. I think it is down to confidence in the players at his disposal. Is this the case with Moyes or is he simply a Control Freak?
Paul Johnson     Posted 02/01/2012 at 10:40:43   Comments (109)

Iffy decisions

Iffy decisions: (1) Yakubu; 12 goals and counting... bank debt or not Davie, wtf were you thinking? He showed some promise in the Derby then not selected. Was the fall-out that bad, is your pride that big? One of many in an ever increasing list of iffy decisions.... <0P> Iffy decisions: (2) The old favourite of bringing back attackers to mark and defend at corners and free-kicks. So what if SAF and others do it, does it make it right? Mostly attackers don't have a clue about defending and cause more trouble than they are worth... Eh Mr Berbatov??... really paid off for you didn't it, Sir Alex?

Iffy decisions: (3) The ref of the Man Utd ? Blackburn game. In fact all Prem Refs and the Premier League. Have a look at what you are doing....Shirt pulling is a foul and in the box a penalty, you don't wait until the puller falls over and drags the pullee down before blowing up, what were you waiting for? some sort of advantage... Were you waiting to see if Samba could break free?? Pull shirt = foul or penalty, simple.

Trouble is, the list of Long, Medium and Short on- and off-field decisions in this Club is immense.

Rant over, but jeez it does my crust in to see how they are fucking up a good game and a Great Club.
Derek Thomas     Posted 01/01/2012 at 01:48:34   Comments (36)