Moyes wants to be 'in the mix'

, 29 September, 107comments  |  Jump to most recent
While talk of a Title tilt may be fanciful, David Moyes is hoping Everton can remain among the clutch of clubs chasing the "dream spots" this season following his side's good start to the campaign.

Moyes was in full praise of his side following the 3-1 win over Southampton that lifted them over Manchester United in the Premier League table but played down any talk of a title challenge at this early stage of affairs.

"If I had paid to watch that then I would have been pleased. Some of our play in the first half had me clapping and smiling even though we never put it to bed completely," Moyes said after today's game.

Though he initially seemed to suggest in an interview with the BBC that he will always see safety from relegation as his first milestone in any season, Moyes gave his first indication that his team is now good enough to already be beyond merely focusing on beating the drop as a primary goal.

“I don't think Everton managers can really come in these days and say ‘let's avoid relegation',” he added. “That's always the first route for every club. The next part then is whether you can nick a European spot and, if you're very good, maybe you can make the dream spots.

“I want to be in there. I'd like us to be in the mix through the season. I don't think Manchester United or Manchester City will be worried that Everton are near the top of the league at this time of the year — they might be if it comes April and we're still near the top.”

Editorial note: The quotes above differ significantly from those originally carried in this news article as they appear to have been taken out of context by Sportsmole, the original source.

The quotes — together with the editorialising that accompanied them — have been changed to more accurately reflect the manager's point. Many of the ensuing comments were in response to the initial article and may appear out of place as a result.

Quotes or other material sourced from Everton



Reader Comments (107)

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James Morgan
1 Posted 29/09/2012 at 18:26:05
Come on Moyes, not even a crumb of optimism of top 6? I know it's early but jeez.
Mark Tanton
2 Posted 29/09/2012 at 18:26:02
He can say what he likes at the moment, and I won't be criticising him. We're getting it right on the pitch currently (Leeds aside) and he deserves credit for that.

As long as it's working out there, he can keep saying what he's saying - something exciting is happening.

James Dawson
3 Posted 29/09/2012 at 18:23:37
And he's completely right! He'd look an absolute tool if he said "Yeah, we've got a great side, we'll finish top 6 at worst" and then comes in 8th. He's a dour Glaswegian, that's what they do.
Clearly he knows what our squad size and strength is compared to everybody else, and it'd be completely naive to think he, and the players, don't have a clear idea of what they're capable of achieving. He's just playing the game, that's all.
Jamie Barlow
4 Posted 29/09/2012 at 18:35:19
I doubt this is what he says to the players. He's just playing it cool.
Barry Rathbone
5 Posted 29/09/2012 at 18:31:57
His attempts at sagacity revisit traits of his I ignore when we're doing well.

I'm just gonna leave him alone today no matter what he says.

Brent Stephens
6 Posted 29/09/2012 at 18:39:19
Agree, James and Jamie. What he says on TV and what he believes and says in the dressing room are probably two different things. He's not going to shout the odds about a top 4, 5 or 6 finish, for obvious reasons (including thin squad). But he must be thinking, with performance like we've seen this year, esp this season, with new talent blooming, if we can avoid too many injuries, then we should be well up there.
Eugene Ruane
7 Posted 29/09/2012 at 18:31:07
- Agree Mark (884), not bothered what he says to the 'meeja'. Fact is, he's not going to suddenly become Malcolm Allison (tries but fails to get a mental pic of Moyes wearing a sheepie, a Fedora and holding 'a glarse o' shampoo and a lah-dee-dar' - some images are beyond the imagination). The Important thing is results have been good, some of our play fantastic and supporters have something to applaud and admire. The half hour referred to was incredible and had we started that way, we'd have scored six by half time.
Steve Guy
8 Posted 29/09/2012 at 18:45:41
Totally agree with DM. Plenty of teams praised for gung ho approach who pay the price in subsequent relegation. If we could get 40 points sooner rather than later that provides a great platform for the last few months of the season. The Top 3 will sort itself out between Chelsea, City and Utd. The fight for 4th will include Arsenal and Spurs imo. Everton ? I hope so but fear injuries may do for us over the course of the season.
Paul David
9 Posted 29/09/2012 at 18:52:42
Would it kill him to be optimistic though?
Phil Walling
10 Posted 29/09/2012 at 18:56:20
Exactly why the miserable bugger will NEVER win anything ,here or anywhere else!
Eugene Ruane
11 Posted 29/09/2012 at 18:56:59
Paul (895) - possibly.

I have a feeling optimism is the presbyterian's kryptonite.

Phil Walling
12 Posted 29/09/2012 at 18:57:49
PS.......and if I was on the `survival`bonus he`s on from Kenwright,I`d feel the sameway as he does!
Pete Anthony
13 Posted 29/09/2012 at 18:53:52
What's wrong with: 'We have a squad which has shown it can match and beat any team in this league, when we perform with the intensity, passion and attacking fluidity the wonderful Evertonians deserve. Our squad is not the biggest, but we have a chance to win the double to make up for too many years of grinding with fuck all to show for it. By crikey this fantastic will not be tossed away, come on you fucking blue boys'. End quote.
Brent Stephens
14 Posted 29/09/2012 at 19:02:38
Phil, what has what he said in an interview got to do with the results he's going to get (whatever they might be)? I'm sure he'll be much more positive in more private conversation with his players.
Ian Bennett
15 Posted 29/09/2012 at 19:04:14
Playing it down and keeping players feet on the floor is the right approach. We are a good side which has a good work ethic. If the players stop that ethic by having a gobshite manager then we are in trouble.

Carry on Moyes.

James Flynn
16 Posted 29/09/2012 at 18:57:22
Haha Davey, nice try. The cat's ben out of the bag since late January, however.

Appreciate the position you're taking when talking to the media. But the 2 Manchester managers will be doing the same as every opponent's manager will be doing when our this year's team shows up next on the fixture list. Worrying.

Karl Masters
17 Posted 29/09/2012 at 18:59:46

Perhaps it has already been forgotten that only seven days ago Moyes was grinning ear to ear after the Swansea game. Perhaps he feels a bit of complacency set in for the Leeds game and is not going to make the same mistake again.

He has said time and again so far to judge us after ten games. No Manager starts crowing after six matches unless they are stupid.

Martin Mason
18 Posted 29/09/2012 at 19:15:55
He's absolutely spot on. First hurdle is EPL safety and secondly is anything better. Why is this so hard to see?
Paul David
19 Posted 29/09/2012 at 19:12:30
Is he positive in private though? I'm trying to picture Moyes smiling and I cant. He is just a proper miserable bastard
Phil Walling
20 Posted 29/09/2012 at 19:12:23
You are right,of course,Brent.My old man used to say Catterick never had a good word to say about his team-even when they won the bloody league- BUT he always aspired to win it! Moyes only pisses on our aspirations because he`s watching his arse and that juicy bonus!
Andy Walker
21 Posted 29/09/2012 at 19:24:35
There's a lot on naive pepople on this thread.......as well as at TW it seems
Andy Walker
23 Posted 29/09/2012 at 19:26:41
Come on guys do you reallly believe that's what Moyes thinks!
Brent Stephens
24 Posted 29/09/2012 at 19:38:56
Paul David, did you say somebody was a miserable bastard?
Phil Walling
25 Posted 29/09/2012 at 19:41:51
Andy,we`re not discussing what he thinks but what he says!
Andy Walker
26 Posted 29/09/2012 at 19:44:12
Phil, and you think he always says what he thinks to journos!
Brent Stephens
27 Posted 29/09/2012 at 19:44:29
Phil, read the posts and you'll see that we are in fact discussing what he thinks as well as what he said.
Paul David
28 Posted 29/09/2012 at 19:55:52
Err yes why?
Tony J Williams
29 Posted 29/09/2012 at 19:50:56
He's obviously lying and no matter what the mob think that is right etc etc
Phil Walling
30 Posted 29/09/2012 at 19:54:47
I did say earlier that I wished he could inspire us plebs as much as he appears to inspire his players.Having said that he did fuck all to inspire anybody last Tuesday night!
Andy Walker
31 Posted 29/09/2012 at 19:52:58
It's O'level psychology and designed to keep expectations low and pressure off the team. We've seen it many times before with various other teams managers. I'm almost embarrassed to point this out as its so obvious
Drew O'Neall
32 Posted 29/09/2012 at 19:59:24
You get points as the league progresses, the first obtainable landmark is 40pts, I'm glad Everton's manager talks about avoiding relagation at the beginning of the season rather than the end of it.
Brent Stephens
33 Posted 29/09/2012 at 20:03:03
Just thought you sounded a bit miserable, Paul, after today's result and all.
Paul David
34 Posted 29/09/2012 at 20:00:29
Andy

There's a difference between saying something stupid like "we're gunna win the league" and "i'm exciting by our start and as long as the players continue to work hard and carry playing like we have done there's no reason why we can't have a very good season".

Phil Walling
35 Posted 29/09/2012 at 20:07:59
......but it`s good to see that the spirit of the late lamented Doddy lives on in these columns.The daft bugger would be creaming himself if his positivity hadn`t got him barred for life!
Paul David
36 Posted 29/09/2012 at 20:04:46
Brent

Thats probably because I hate Moyes and its hard for me to give him credit so I admit I do look to find the negatives sometimes. Plus I hate Neville and hes soo easy to take the piss out off because he's so shit but if i'm honest i've enjoyed watching this team more than I ever have I think.

Bob Willis
38 Posted 29/09/2012 at 20:10:03
I have a dream!!!

But I also have a nightmare and the nightmare is not something you ever want.
That is, not retaining the PL slot.

The dream, which may yet come true, is that we qualify for Europe - CL even better.

PS today we should have really scored a net full - but still , job done. !!

Andy Walker
39 Posted 29/09/2012 at 20:07:32
Paul, if you have ever dealt with the media you will know that saying stuff like 'I'm excited' and 'we can have a very good season' (that's how it would no doubt be reported) would lead to a nice feature story for the journos to latch onto and create an initial narrative which low and behold would become a media agenda for the future which they can hang subsequent stories, good and bad, on (Moyes said they'd have a great season but look at them now). These journos aren't sitting there with stories coming out of their ears, they're desperate for a story and Moyes would give them a perfect one if he came out with anything like you suggest.
Paul David
40 Posted 29/09/2012 at 20:18:03
Tbh i'm not really that arsed what he says but the man does look like he's never been laid in his life.
Brent Stephens
41 Posted 29/09/2012 at 20:17:47
Paul, nice bit of honesty, mate. Respect.
Andy Walker
42 Posted 29/09/2012 at 20:22:28
cant argue with that Paul!
Dean Adams
44 Posted 29/09/2012 at 20:33:23
Phil Walling 937

You know that something is wrong when the most optimistic fella to ever post on these boards gets banned, but for life? Shit, what did he do to get that?

Brendan McLaughlin
45 Posted 29/09/2012 at 20:31:06
Hmmm....avoiding relegation the first priority?
Seems to me that the Moyes who allegedly changed his approach cos he didn't get the Spurs job, allegedly changed his approach cos this is his last season, allegedly changed his approach cos he went on a road trip to Damascus during the summer....sounds an awful like the David Moyes of last season & the season before that and the season...
Paul Johnson
46 Posted 29/09/2012 at 20:44:32
David White you have got it wrong mate we are playing the best football I have seen for 25 years mate.
Bob Willis
47 Posted 29/09/2012 at 20:13:17
David Paul 936 you may be 'exciting' but - are you excited??
Eric Hardman
48 Posted 29/09/2012 at 20:54:10
On the Premier League Website the quote is shown as follows:
“I don't think Everton managers can really come in these days and say ‘let's avoid relegation',” he added. “That's always the first route for every club. The next part then is whether you can nick a European spot and, if you're very good, maybe you can make the dream spots.

“I want to be in there. I'd like us to be in the mix through the season. I don't think Manchester United or Manchester City will be worried that Everton are near the top of the league at this time of the year - they might be if it comes April and we're still near the top.”

This puts a different slant on it.

John Armstrong
50 Posted 29/09/2012 at 20:50:40
Who gives a shit what he says to the meeja when everyone can see how well we're playing? We're playing fantastic stuff. He's playing down expectations in public, which is entirely sensible, and what he says/thinks in private and to the players I'm sure is a completely different.

He's also said recently that he was really enjoying watching the players play, and I'm sure in his own head he's looking a fair bit beyond 40 points.

Some people just seem to want to latch onto anything to use as a stick to beat Moyes with. The other Glaswegian down the East Lancs isn't known for having a particularly sunny disposition but he hasn't done too badly over the years.

Concentrate on how the team are doing, enjoy the way we're playing and don't worry too much about Moyes's post-match soundbites.

Chris James
51 Posted 29/09/2012 at 20:50:25
Yawn. Are we really still discussing throwaway comments made to a TV reporter by a manager keen not to give anything away?

Three salient points:
1. Everton have in the last 15 or so years genuinely thrived upon an underdog/backs to the wall position (which is why we I think we do better in the second half of seasons when we're under pressure and expectations are lowered), so surely it's completely sensible to try and retain this in an attempt to keep the spotlight off the club and pressure off the players. That being said, it's totally irrelevant anyway because:

2. A 90 second statement made hurriedly to Sky/BBC cameras does not truly encapuslate what Moyes believes or hopes for. He, like most other managers/players (ah how we miss Holloway and McCarthy), fill the time with bland truisms or cliches. What motivation is there to say what you truly believe when a) there are always circumstances beyond your control that mean it could go tits up next week and b)....

3. The players or fellow staff at the club are not driven and affected by what they see on match of the day or read in the papers, they are affected and inspired/demotivated by what is said and done with them in the many hours every single day they spend with the club and the manager in training, tactical discussion and general coaching.

I know there are folk on this site itching for something to whinge about and get their claws into Moyes/Kenwright, etc (they all came out in force after the Leeds defeat), but if you must look on the gloomy side, why not focus on the nervy defending and slow start to the match, or failure to turn our dominance into a cricket score rather than seizing on this irrelevant crumb.

Alternatively, you could just celebrate the fact that even after a hiccup midweek and a slow start our boys shook it all off to deliver another scintilating performance of attacking football, keeping possession brilliantly, carving out chances of all kinds through crosses from both flanks and incisive interplay of passing plus direct dribbling at defenders through the middle and delivered a comfortable win that could easily have been doubled.

Heck you might even want to raise a glass to toast the fact that our top striker has stepped right back into the groove post injury looking sharper than a Sabatier and our new forward signing Mirallas is settling in brilliantly, providing a real attacking threat and combining with Coleman to provide an awesome counterpoint to the Baines-Pienaar axis.

Andy Corrie
52 Posted 29/09/2012 at 21:04:03
3-1, COYB!!!!
Paul Johnson
53 Posted 29/09/2012 at 21:10:35
Chris James give it a rest with the us and them. We are all Evertonians, we just have different points of view.
Dave White
55 Posted 29/09/2012 at 21:09:19
Paul 958 Happy to agree with that mate, I've sat through some truly dire games over the years, games that have made me wish I could support another team.

It's such a good feeling to be watching a team that is playing really attractive football, there's nothing we can't achieve this year and we do not need to be afraid of any other team.

And thanks Eric 960 for posting the full quote.

Anto Meehan
56 Posted 29/09/2012 at 21:19:05
As long as we keep getting reviews like this I'm happy ;-)


Barca-Esque Everton Stomps Southampton

Kevin Garside of The Independent wrote midweek for GiveMeFootball.com that Everton have come to emulate FC Barcelona in their style, successfully rising up to the top-end of the table so early in the season after several years of misery at this stage.

Garside commented on the Blues' newfound formation:

Moyes has Everton organised in a completely different way that puts a premium on possession and invites the players to take responsibility for the ball and, when not in possession, to work like Trojans to retrieve it. This is essentially the Barcelona model in which Xavi, et al, thrive.

While it may be a little bit naive or premature to compare the Liverpool-based club to this generation's greatest football team, it is a credit to Moyes and his ability not only to reform Everton, but also to bring in and rapidly integrate players such as Mirallas, Steven Naismith, Bryan Oviedo and last year's midseason arrivals Jelavic and Gibson.

The money may not be on Everton to finish in the Top Four, considering their lack of funds compared to most of the EPL's top sides, but they should certainly continue to entertain.

John Crawley
57 Posted 29/09/2012 at 21:10:38
Just thought I would share a story I read about Mary Peters and her gold medal win in 1972.

In 1964, aged 25, Mary (now Dame Mary Peters) made it into the Olympic squad to compete in the pentathlon. When she arrived at her room in Tokyo her two roommates were making a noise banging nails into the wall. She asked what they were doing and they told her that they were putting nails in the wall so that they could hang up their gold medals when they won. They gave Mary a nail and told her to put hers in the wall too – but she never did it. That year Mary finished 4th, while her two roommates won gold medals.

In 1968 she made it into the Olympic squad again, when she turned up to her room she still had the nail that the two girls had given her, but once again, she didn’t put the nail in the wall. That year she finished 9th.

In Munich in 1972, aged 33, she managed to make it into the Olympic team once again. This time when she got to her room she hammered the nail into the wall. Guess what happened? She beat the German favourite and won the gold medal setting a new world record. Mary Peters planned her journey to be a World Champion, she knew what she wanted and how to get it. She says “You have to want it badly, you have to be hungry.”

What you say and what you think matter.

Dave White
58 Posted 29/09/2012 at 21:19:32
Paul 966 You're quite right mate, but the intro to this quote is so skewed as to make it utterly pointless. And as Eric 960 says the full quote has a totally different thread to it.

It's a sign of Chris' 964 vitriol how narked shite like this makes most sane supporters, whether they're Moyes lovers or haters.

Chris spot on mate

Eugene Ruane
59 Posted 29/09/2012 at 21:25:08
Mary Peters?

I'd SAY she was gorgeous

(but I THINK she'd have to get a vibrator pissed).

Brent Stephens
60 Posted 29/09/2012 at 21:32:14
Eugene - I'll pay that one! :)
Ryan Holroyd
61 Posted 29/09/2012 at 21:51:30
Paul David

You hate Moyes. A person you've probably never met in your life and a man who turned Everton from perennial relegation candidates to regular European challengers on little money compared to his rivals.

That makes me very sad for you.

Kevin Hudson
62 Posted 29/09/2012 at 22:20:38
ToffeeWeb decides to put up a Moyes 'relegation,' thread...

(Nb: 2nd in the league).

...which generates more comments than the actual match report.

No surprise whatsoever.

John Ford
63 Posted 29/09/2012 at 22:33:48
Kevin, my thoughts too.

Whats more the dig in the introductory paragraph was predictable.

We know who's responsible. Fuckin unbelievable.

Thankfully most blues know enough about how media works to know what Moyes is doing. Its no biggy....except on TW!

Dave White
64 Posted 29/09/2012 at 22:40:56
Sorry if this is a dumb question John but who is responsible?

As I said above this is the most puerile and pointless statement I have seen on this site. It's like fanzine-ing for the braindead!

James Flynn
65 Posted 29/09/2012 at 22:37:28
Eric (960) - Good one. Thanks for posting that.

Barring an injury tsunami, they'll be worried come April.

Dave White
66 Posted 29/09/2012 at 23:06:24
Oooo Howard's had a clanger there
Steve Pugh
67 Posted 29/09/2012 at 23:36:20
If you are going to quote the man at least use the whole quote. After gaining a Euro spot he would like to go for one of the dream positions in the Champions league.

It's not pessimism, it's called laying out your targets so that you can get past them in order.

Brendan McLaughlin
68 Posted 29/09/2012 at 23:36:02
Dave #990
You new to this site? People go missing on here all the time asking questions like that...hope you haven't used your real name? Apparently BlueKipper can offer a safehouse and a new identity.
Dave White
69 Posted 29/09/2012 at 23:47:00
Ha ha! Well, if you don't hear from me again, please get a message to my mum!

Well that was a cracking MotD, put the Leeds debacle to bed, role on Wigan!

Eugene Ruane
70 Posted 29/09/2012 at 23:56:24
Brendan (000), I think bluekipper or 'Home On The Range' as it's sometimes known (ie: 'never is heard a discouraging word') IS the best bet for some of those who use TW.

Kevin Hudson and John Ford let me get this straight - you're complaining about the amount of posts on a thread that...YOU'RE adding posts to!?

Never mind 'Moyes haters' and 'Moysettes' - maybe the biggest group of posters on TW is those posting to moan about other posters moaning.

Derek Thomas
71 Posted 30/09/2012 at 00:15:11
From memory I would hazard that Moyes's 40pts speech comes out wether we are 2nd from bottom or 2nd from top or any here in between.

I think he has a hint of Chic Murray-esque deadpan / understatement about him.

Tim Howard, however, has his goalline positioning for corners all wrong; he is standing too far to the front of his goal, he should be in the back third as it is easier to charge forward than adjust your position backwards. Goalkeeping coach out!!

Liam Morton
72 Posted 30/09/2012 at 00:15:40
Moyes is just setting the first target here, reach 40 points and give it your all from there. Moysie won't be worried in the slightest about a relegation fight, this is just how most managers speak to the media nowadays. He knows this is our best chance in years to finish top 6 (maybe top 4) and he will do his upmost to make sure the players don't get complacent. And good on him as well!

There is nothing new or interesting in his comments, he says these exact words every year...
Brendan McLaughlin
73 Posted 30/09/2012 at 00:36:58
Liam #005
"he says these exact words every year",,,,so he's not changed cos he didn't get the the Spurs job or cos this is his last year & he just said "fuck it"...it's still the same old TACTICS DEVOID DITHERING DAVE that has us sitting proud at the business end of the league. Well I NEVER saw that coming...
Liam Morton
74 Posted 30/09/2012 at 00:55:16
Brendan #006
Someone correctly stated before he says these things whether "we're 2nd top or 2nd bottom." I personally don't care what he tells the media, he won't be saying the same things to the players.

I don't truly understand your comment but we are a changed side this season. We were the worst team to watch in the league last season (at this satge) and now we're the best (yes I'm biased.) Like I said I have no idea what you're getting at but surely you must be happy with our performances?

Albert Perkins
75 Posted 30/09/2012 at 00:21:25
I don't care why Moyes has chosen to go for a more attacking program. Maybe he is trying to get the Man Utd or another job. What's good for him right now is also good for EFC. And me.

He might be on a learning curve as a manager and this is his next step. Moyes might have been starting from the defense and working towards an attacking approach. But those who say he has a loser mentality need to compare his bank balance to theirs. How many of his critics have the drive and skills to do what he has done? You can disagree with him for sure, but in my experience, losers are whiners.

The yogis up the mountain say, 'Be here now'. Right now that's second place and it feels good. They also say it's the journey that matters, not the arrival. I have always enjoyed the journey with Everton, but occasionally it's nice to arrive, especially at the top. So, onward and upward and enjoy the moment.
Lyndon Lloyd
Editorial Team
76 Posted 30/09/2012 at 01:01:18
Just for clarification, I have updated the article with Moyes's substantially more upbeat quotes from the Official Site and removed the editorial bias that was influenced by the first quotes cited on this page.
John Ford
77 Posted 30/09/2012 at 00:59:18
Eugene, no complaints from me re posters, only the original editorial which has been binned.

David W there are twin editors on Tw, who to put it blandly have different approaches. The changes made above illustrate the difference.

Anyway bollocks to all that. Great first half today. Chuffed we kept it together after going down a goal. I was dreading the same ' no way back' scenarios of last season.

Brendan McLaughlin
78 Posted 30/09/2012 at 00:57:36
Sorry Liam #007
I wasn't haven't a pop at you & I'm delighted with our performances. I'm just a little pissed off with some people suggesting that Moyes has changed his approach (for a range of crap reasons) & suggesting this explains why we're doing so well (so far) this season. So I was actually agreeing with you that Moyes isn't saying anything different from previous seasons and going a little bit further by suggesting he's also doing nothing differently on the playing front but we are at last seeing some reward for his labour.
Liam Morton
79 Posted 30/09/2012 at 02:57:30
Ah I get it now, sorry Brendan but apparantly I'm really bad at spotting sarcasm (obviously that's true!) Yes I absolutly agree with you and hopefully he gets a new contract signed ASAP!
James Flynn
80 Posted 30/09/2012 at 03:33:52
Brendan (006) said - "it's still the same old TACTICS DEVOID DITHERING DAVE that has us sitting proud at the business end of the league. Well I NEVER saw that coming..."

No mistaking his intent Peter Barry. The guantlet thrown down. The glove across your face sir!

I'm first in to second you Peter,
Your faithful fervant, from the Fronx, Few Fork,
Flynn.

Ernie Baywood
81 Posted 30/09/2012 at 04:07:51
Just wondering, without wanting to head into BK battles, does a good start and a decent squad all of a sudden make us more likely to be bought?

I mean, these rich foreigners would prefer their playthings to be entertaining?

BK 12/1 to be the next Chairman to leave his post. Value in that?

Derek Thomas
82 Posted 30/09/2012 at 04:59:24
No, even rich foreigners want a named price and some value for money, a price a lot lower than the £150M bandied about would be a start. There's still the investment vs sale proviso to get past.
Dave White
83 Posted 30/09/2012 at 10:37:35
Dear Eds, well done and thanks for having the sincerity to amend this article.

Derek 004 I've been a staunch defender of Howard, but you're quire right. I'm a pub league keeper and even I know you should be 2/3 away from the front post as a starting position on corners. That effort last night was David James at his worse.

I'm sure Howard will know this and it was just a momentary lapse, trouble is that above anything else, taking crosses in the air (or fucking it up) is what affects the confidence of the defence in the keeper.

Gareth Fieldstead
84 Posted 30/09/2012 at 10:43:01
Good win, I think Moyes summed it up well. I didn't want the first half to end and being a spoilt sod I was disapointed they never carried on where they left off in the second.

As for throw away lines to the press, remember Royle with his Dogs of War comment? Despite having players of the calibre of Kanchelskis, Limpar, Stuart and Hinchcliffe, the press couldn't wait to bring that saying up at every opportunity.

I personally won't be getting carried away until the end of December after we have played Arsenal, City, Spurs, Stoke and Chelsea in the space of four weeks. If we are still there or thereabouts after that run of games then I will be having dreams of facing Real Madrid in the semis of the CL!
Kev Johnson
85 Posted 30/09/2012 at 12:01:46
Ref. Gareth's comment about Royle's battling canines, I think we need another nickname for the gentlemen of the press to use whenever we appear on the horizon.

So, after The Dogs of War, what? The Cats of Peace? Plainly not, although a big cat might be kind of cool... The Lions of Light? The Tigers of Technique? The Panthers of Power?

Looking further afield, I think we're now showing a certain verve, a dynamic thrust to our attacks, so The Zebras of Zest would be OK, Or, with our new found creativity, The Aardvarks of Artistry. Ideally, we'd be renowned for playing gorgeous, inspiring football, so I would put forward The Badgers of Beauty. It's definitely got a ring to it.

Brian Denton
86 Posted 30/09/2012 at 13:02:35
Just for the media, you understand, but how about the Iguanas of Invisibility...?
James Martin
87 Posted 30/09/2012 at 12:58:25
Seems as though his original comments without any media spin on them are in fact the opposite of what a lot of people have criticised him for. He says the Manchester clubs won't be worried about us now but would be if we're up there in April (a message to not get carried away now but also a bit of a veiled threat to not ocult us out of being in the top 4 in April).

He also said that Everton managers can no longer get away with just aiming to avoid relegation but that every manager in the league gets to that landmark first, he then included that you then set your sights on the top 6 or maybe even the dream spots. This is a refreshing change from in previous seasons were he has (rightly) predicted that we were only capable of top 7 at best. The thought of Champions League football this season is tentatively crossing his mind.

Somehow Liverpool and Tottenham, despite both being behind us, are challenging for the 4th place (Liverpool still think they're probably challenging for the title) yet we're not? Half of the challenge is the self-recognition that you are challenging, and I think that's slowly beginning to cross Moyes's mind.

Perhaps in private he's actually told this team that they're capable of making it and it is their target, who knows. We're ahead of Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham, let's stay there and admit that we are challenging.
Derek Thomas
88 Posted 30/09/2012 at 13:01:07
I like the Sultans of Swing, but the press will stick with punching above our weight, coz it ain't what they call rock and roll.
Brent Stephens
89 Posted 30/09/2012 at 13:14:09
Kev, a bit of retro? School of Science?
Derek Thomas
90 Posted 30/09/2012 at 13:37:06
Brent#110. Nailed it... someone has probabley copyrighted it, like "The People's Club", or if not, the Board have sold it off / outsourced it and we don't own it any more.
Chris James
91 Posted 30/09/2012 at 13:13:41
Wow, this really is a momentous week.

First off Apple says sorry for it's maps fuck up and now Toffeeweb goes back on an anti-Moyes spun-story to actual present not only a balanced, but actually positive view of the situation. What next? Bankers fessing up to being overpaid? I think I'm going to need a lie down! ;-)

With tongue removed from cheek I would like to echo the sentiments praising the eds for making this change (my money's on Lyndon!) but also underline my position towards the naysayers who I hope will have the same decency to admit they overreacted and maybe post something in praise (although as we all know it's easier to tear down than it is to create!).

As for those who've criticised me for saying we're all Evertonians and therefore on the same side, I'd say that whilst I like the sentiment and would love it to be true, I think in practise that's maybe a bit like saying that Conservatives are all on the same side. (For clarification my approach is that they are all generally awful in their self-centred, short-sighted views, but I do recognise many different ambitions and even diametrically opposed positions amongst them around the best way to enrichen themselves and fuck up the country - little bit of politics there.).

Bringing that back to our beloved royle blue army, I believe that it's inevitable that similar factions and approaches/beliefs can and will exist and potentially even are healthy.
Do I share the overall desire for Everton to do well and win trophies? Absolutely.
Do I agree that Moyes, Kenwright and co are both falliable and have made mistakes along the way? Totally.
Do I believe the best way of supporting the club is to hark onto past glories, be bitter about other clubs success/position/media coverage and seize on every conceivable opportunity to undermine and belittle the management regardless of results/progress? Well on that score I'd have to say it's a no from me.

This isn't to say people can't express views, unlike some I don't generally advocate censorship of opinions I don't agree with (with possible exception of extreme and hateful prejudice on grounds of colour, creed or religion), but equally I believe in my right to ensure a counter-position is presented when I think these views (be they minority or majority) are ill-advised, unfounded or just plain factually wrong.

Anyway, enough politics for now. Right now I'm bloody loving being an Evertonian (it's even helped to take the pain away from my fantasy football failure this week). So let's bring on the Wigan put on another cracking performance a la Swansea and rack up another 3points to keep us in the top tier ahead of the international break.

Chris James
92 Posted 30/09/2012 at 15:04:41
Bugger there's an erroneous 'for' in the 3rd paragraph above.

It should read "As for those who have criticised me 'by' saying we're all Evertonian's..."

Not sure how the 'for' snuck in there, I think initially I may have written something like "criticised me for critising them saying we're all Evertonian's" but decided there was too much criticism in the sentence!

Hopefully now you can dismiss my rantings on behalf of their pure sanctimoniousness, rather than for factual inaccuracy. ;-)

Kev Johnson
93 Posted 30/09/2012 at 15:11:35
Nothing worse than an erroneous "for", Chris. You've really plumbed the depths there. The only way if up for you now.

Eugene Ruane
94 Posted 30/09/2012 at 15:02:12
Chris (117) - all sounds very laudable and grown-up etc but I have a question.

You say..

"Do I agree that Moyes, Kenwright and co are both falliable and have made mistakes along the way? Totally"

Well ok but, re BK - are you including his LIES in these 'mistakes' or simply not acknowledging them?

I ask because imo there is a BIG difference between someone fucking up because they're fallible and someone fucking up while lying through their teeth.

Seems to me that if BK is simply seen as someone getting a hard time for 'making mistakes', his accusers seem harsh and he gets off light.

For the record, BK has lied to E-V-E-R-T-O-N supporters on numerous occasions.

Lies NOT mistakes.

And while I'm here, yes we may all be Evertonians and therefore 'on the same side', but anyone who voted for DK, or slagged KEIOC, or applauded BK last season or let's the club off the hook but gets stuck into the BU at every opportunity, is a very, very, VERY different Evertonian to me.

Thomas Windsor
95 Posted 30/09/2012 at 17:31:54
Go for the league first and then if not first then 2nd if not then go for 3rd and so on...

We have to aim for the top first – that's what all teams should aim for. We have no cup or Europe to worry about so our squad should be big enough to challenge now after 10 years of Moyes in charge.
Chris Leyland
96 Posted 30/09/2012 at 18:21:37
Talking of other clubs talking up ter chances, here's a quote from the DJ-beater in the Times:

He said: "There's not just [Manchester] United and Arsenal now but [Manchester] City, Chelsea and Tottenham. Newcastle are coming as well.

"We were eighth last year. If this season goes well, we get a bit of luck, improve, we have a 50-50 chance of being in the top four. That's being realistic. It's achievable."

Note the one team out of the seven who finished above them last year he leaves out; the club currently sitting 2nd on the league; the club 8 points ahead of his? One of the in-form teams of 2

Philip Quilliam
97 Posted 30/09/2012 at 18:24:45
Eugene, calm down lad. Enjoy the moment. We are talking about football here. You obviously feel deperately dissatisfied with BK and I am sure your points have some merit, but these people come and go. In the years to come you will still be supporting Everton and everyone in authority at the club now will be gone. Whatever you think of the present regime they will not destroy the club and it will survive.

Whilst I share your frustration in the failed KD and ridiculous Kirkby projects, I do not share your analysis that it was some plot to destroy Everton or rob it blind. So I don't feel like a very different Evertonian than you but I am sad that it seems your bitterness may take away the enjoyment of the moment with a team that is producing the best football I have seen in years.

Not yet the peak of 1971 and It may not have the cutting edge of 1961 (Roy Vernon in the box was something to behold) but trust me time passes faster than you think, enjoy the football and leave the politics to those who cannot ever watch football with the passion you have.
Brendan McLaughlin
98 Posted 30/09/2012 at 22:12:43
Fames #026
What age are you? Took me back to primary school with the mob shouting "Fight, fight, fight" Not proud but that little blond bitch with the pigtails & the "cabbage-patch" doll never stood a chance!!
Albert Perkins
99 Posted 30/09/2012 at 23:44:21
I was just thinking about this great game of football and how every team has such a wide variety of fans. Everton, for example, probably have supporters from almost all of the world religions, even the wacky ones like mine. All ages and sexes are represented, as are a wide range of political beliefs. Some are more positive in outlook than others. Some are great humanitarians and some are most likely criminals. Some are famous while others are great working class heroes, like many of us know. We all come together under the banner of EFC.

There are bound to be differences of opinions amongst us Evertonians, and so be it. And some of us express ourselves more emotionally than others, although when we score we are probably all on our feet whether we are in the stands at the Old Lady or at a laptop in Timbuktu.

I was thinking also about those people around the world who suffer oppression, who are hungry or sick, or at war and for whom the Everton games are a bright ray of light in their troubled lives.

Match days have lifted me out of many difficult times and I'm so happy to be a part of this big and beautiful Everton family.

So thank you everyone, even if some of us are a bit of a pain in the arse sometimes.

Eugene Ruane
100 Posted 01/10/2012 at 00:15:44
Philip (165) - Eh?

Not really sure what you mean.

I am perfectly calm and (as I've stated in other posts) am thoroughly enjoying Everton's performances/results right now.

However I'm capable of thinking of more than one subject at a time and simply responded to a what I saw as a weak point in a post on this thread.

Maybe it's YOU that needs to calm down (lad).

Martin Mason
101 Posted 01/10/2012 at 05:09:43
Eugene, you have an affliction which is called being a Bitter Blue. It's a bad complaint that like chronic alcoholism needs you to first recognise that you are a sufferer before you can cleanse yourself of the affliction.

There is a name for the obviously misguided Evertonians who don't think like you and who are not BBs. They are called the majority and a pretty large one at that.

Eugene Ruane
102 Posted 01/10/2012 at 08:46:58
Martin - and your own affliction?

Well, I can't be TOO hard as I appreciate you don't have a choice, but it seems to me (having read much of the pitiful, uninformed noise you post), your affliction is simply..being you.

I mean you actually have to BE..Martin Mason.

You have to go through life with Martin Mason's 'intellect'.

You have to live Martin Mason's life.

You have to wear the kecks Martin Mason chooses and to have to walk about in the haircut Martin Mason decides on.

Destined, no matter what the situation, to always make the dumb call.

To spend you're life, basically existing in one big bubble of wrong.

(I'm filling up here)

But DON'T despair, because I think it's through the idiocy you display on TW, that it will be YOUR name that will live on

- RIPPLE-RIPPLE-RIPPLE-RIPPLE-RIPPLE -

I see the year...2031.

A debate rages on TW.

"He's not a bad player, he should be given another chance" says one poster.

"Bollocks!" replies another (maybe a bitter blue) "He's shite - a total and UTTER...Martin Mason".

(by the way, can't quite see our 2031 league position, but you'll be pleased to know Moyes is still in charge)

Philip Quilliam
103 Posted 01/10/2012 at 09:33:04
Sorry Eugene I have obviously mis interpreted your post. That's the problem sometimes with this method of communicating. By the way if I thought I would still be here in 2031 I'd have a tenner on DM not being in charge.
Paul Andrews
104 Posted 01/10/2012 at 09:48:38
Eugene @235

Cutting remarks there,very apt. :)

Kev Johnson
105 Posted 01/10/2012 at 10:18:18
There are some interesting quotes from DM on the O/S...

“A lot of the games in the past we’ve had to stick in there and nick a goal. Now you expect us to score."

“In some games last season we struggled and I told the players I was bored watching them. I could never say that now – some of the stuff out there was amazing to watch. We’ve a great crowd and you can see we brought them some joy.”

Joy? Yeah, that's what we want from our team - a bit of joy. COYB!

Simon Jones
106 Posted 01/10/2012 at 10:42:15
I'm not really bothered what most of you lot have to say about Moyes. I just think it's fucking boss being an Evertonian at the moment.
Martin Mason
107 Posted 01/10/2012 at 11:13:43
Paul@243

Actually, pretty puerile and about as cutting as the average sponge. A bit like being savaged by a dead lamb.

Eugene Ruane
108 Posted 01/10/2012 at 11:30:14
Martin, what was 'pretty puerile' was your need/desire to shove your dumb oar into something that didn't concern you.

As for being savaged like a dead sheep, well there you have me.

I simply can't match your levels of cutting (ie: 'you're a bitter blue' - genius!)

Andrew Gilbert
109 Posted 01/10/2012 at 17:58:20
Great stuff guys!
Paul Andrews
110 Posted 01/10/2012 at 19:08:43
Martin, I think Eugene had your personality (ahem) pretty much covered really.

I`ll wager your fellow engineers are scrapping each other to work a double shift with you.


That`s just my opinion of course, I can't prove it.

Kev Johnson
112 Posted 04/10/2012 at 16:45:20
Ref. the current Hodgson/Ferdinand PR disaster, does anyone get the same bus as Moyes in the morning? You could ask him what the team for Wigan is!
Stephen Kenny
113 Posted 04/10/2012 at 23:31:55
I think he has got the team playing the football we all want to watch and to expectations keep in their proper perspective. He does what is expected and keeps the players' feet on the ground. Supporters wanting more of the same without raising expectations too much or shouting on the back of the Mirror that we are going to win the league or some such crap.

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