So, Are Things Good or Bad?!

Stephen Parris 03/09/2016 19comments  |  Jump to last

For those that care to have a little read, here are just some of my thoughts regarding the recent goings on at EFC through the playing field of social media.

Why is it that when Farhad Moshiri first joined the club, some were preaching to the many about how things were changing? About how Moshiri meant business and how the club was going to become a force once again. A shrewd businessman, who ran a tight ship and quietly got on with business behind the scenes unlike the all singing and dancing Bill Kenwright. A man who wouldn't take no for an answer and got what he wanted, as shown with the pursuit and capture of Koeman and Walsh.

Everything was looking bright and positive and Evertonians were suddenly filled with new optimism and hope of good things to come. This new wave of fresh air filled our lungs, even to the point that Stones was sold and most accepted it for one reason or another – whether it be for financial fair play reasons or simply because the lad wanted to leave and was time to cash in on a want-away player. New signings then came, good positive signings that most were more than happy with, and on top of that, a good positive start to the season.

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Then, suddenly an air of doubt began to creep in. The transfer window was fast approaching closure and those old wounds were still open that allowed many to be sceptical about what was to come. Koeman stated he wanted another 3 or 4 players. Moshiri stated he was anxious to add more. Yet still those old wounds and doubts of being let down as we had many times before crept it. 'We won't sign anyone', 'We'll mess it up', 'why leave it so late, there's no money', 'sell to buy', 'we've only spent the Stones money, what a shock'. These were some of the Twitter murmurs floating around, while many others remained optimistic and confident with our new found hope, that signings would be made for sure. That we would spend big and people should have a moan if and when we don't spend by the end of the window because Koeman and Moshiri and all our new found wealth with a large war chest, were all pointing towards this plan of action.

But this sense of unease began to sweep across many as the days ticked by with rumour after rumour of our interest in signings but with very little happening. All hopes of a big statement of intent fell solely on transfer deadline day. The split opinion remained but everyone clung to that hope that something magical would happen.

It didn't, and a wave of underwhelming disappointment hit many. This turned into rage for some but mainly disappointment for most, who simply wanted to see a statement of intent that had effectively been promised by Moshiri when he came in and lifted our spirits.

The first impressions of Moshiri were positive and some on social media were feeding us this glorious picture to further enhance that positivity with words of absolute trust in what Moshiri was planning to do for the better.

What followed, was a painful failure to finalise signings that we had been linked with. Many we'd been linked with and failed to sign for whatever reasons they may be. Moshiri then began texting Jim White to everyone's surprise. This tight ship was suddenly feeding information to the outside through questionable channels that left many sceptical about the genuinity of it all. After the overall disappointment of deadline day, then comes a further statement via Jim White that raised worry and fear after it emerged that it was real, when so many dismissed it as nonsense. The statement was seen as daft and pathetic, and unprofessional in its release to the world.

What happens next, is all those assuring everyone of Moshiri's intent, then begin to spread doubt on the regime, the project and the true intentions and power of our new major shareholder. Why would it all fall apart so quickly, somethings not right, all is not how it seems. These are the messages we are left with and now an insane wave of doubt is left among many.

Some have firmly jumped on the bandwagon of all doom and gloom, while some have remained calm and patient to wait and see what unfolds. Most though, are sitting and wondering what on earth is going on, with no idea as to whether things are going in the right direction or not, or if it's all been one big lie with the wool pulled over everyone's eyes. They want someone to come out and tell them it will all be okay!

Nobody can seemingly tell us anything concrete because they don't seem to quite know exactly what's going on themselves, they just have ideas of what they think is happening. That will only come from those in charge at the club who choose to address us as and when they feel appropriate, which certainly isn't via Jim White!

I read a lot of what people say on social media and there are some I look out for keenly because I see them as relatively knowledgable and are fairly trusted in what they say, and I can only hope they are genuine with their info. Many times in this window you could accuse some of those as being wrong at every turn, but perhaps it was simply down to the club failing on so many fronts with transfers that made them all look bad because few things came off as predicted. But I still enjoy reading their thoughts and views regardless. Perhaps it's all educated guesses, who knows!?

I certainly don't, but while I will continue to look out for what is said by those seemingly knowledgable folk, I actually would quite like for one of them to tell me it's all going to be okay, and that the big master plan is still in motion and that things just didn't quite go as planned in these early stages.

There are far too many rumours, thoughts and theories being spread to further cast confusion and doubt. People championing Moshiri's intent, have now dramatically changed their tune and cast doubt over it all. Why? Is it simply because nobody really knows anything and it's all assumptions and guesswork?

For me, perhaps too much is being made of a few mistakes, whether that be comments made via the wrong channels or a lack of further expected signings. I am guilty of this myself, through a sudden surge of doubt and disappointment when I was expecting a little more. Frustrating as it was, there is still plenty to be positive about, despite this air of uncertainty that seems to have spread so quickly.

But I for one have no idea whether things or on the up or are on an uneasy and uncertain platform. Hope is what I'm left with, as I'm sure is the case for many others.

So please, for the sanity of many fans, can somebody – but not Mr Moshiri via Jim White – please tell us it will all be okay!

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Reader Comments (19)

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Stan Schofield
1 Posted 06/09/2016 at 19:41:30
Stephen, some of recent disquiet appears to stem from the reported communication between Moshiri and White that you mention. I have looked at various media reports about this, and cannot find any convincing evidence that Moshiri actually made the statement contained in White's tweet.

I can find only the tweet from White, but nothing direct from Moshiri. In other words, all I can see is a claim by White that Moshiri made the statement, not clear evidence that he actually made the statement. Am I missing something?

Rick Tarleton
2 Posted 06/09/2016 at 19:43:39
As the article is written by a man named Parris, I'll quote: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us."

I think Ross Barkley is a great and rare talent; others on this site think he's a useless tosspot.

I think Lukaku ranks alongside Alan Shackleton as one of the worst centre-forwards I've seen in a blue jersey. Others compare him to Royle, Latchford and Sharp.

I won't mention royalty like Young and Vernon.

Football thrives on opinion and disagreement. But I do wish Moshiri would announce something positive about the stadium and what is going to happen.

David Ellis
3 Posted 07/09/2016 at 04:24:27
Stephen...you're just going to have to wait to see how it pans out. Personally I am horrified by the Moshiri "statement". I am more bothered by this than TDD.

Fortunately on the pitch things seem so much better – and Moshiri needs credit for that for persuading Koeman to join us. He can't be a total ding bat if he sold his vision to Koeman who really didn't need the job and a move to Everton under Kenwright would have been a sideways step.

For me the real litmus test for Moshiri will be sorting out the stadium. But we'll just have to be patient for now.

Daniel Lim
4 Posted 07/09/2016 at 08:18:09
I agree with you David #3.

I was relatively happy with the transfers although feel a bit disappointed with TDD, but the Moshiri's text message was just like a slap on my face.

Derek Thomas
5 Posted 07/09/2016 at 08:44:50
As always with Everton - all a bit Curate's Egg - good in parts.
Andrew Clare
6 Posted 07/09/2016 at 09:06:32
I am pleased with the new manager,the new players and the new stadium talk. I am very disappointed with the way we conducted ourselves during the transfer window, especially if true the Moshiri message to Jim White. It all seemed very amateurish and naive. Embarrassing actually.

I am hoping that we will have an announcement regarding the new stadium soon.

Terry Underwood
7 Posted 07/09/2016 at 12:55:37
In answer to the question, "Are things good or bad?" ...
This is Everton... of course things are good or bad
Winston Williamson
8 Posted 07/09/2016 at 13:23:58
I'm happy we have Koeman.
I'm happy we have Walsh.
I'm happy with our signings this summer.
I'm happy there is talk of a potential ground move.
I'm happy we did not sign Sissoko.

I'm unhappy Kenwright is still involved with EFC.
I'm unhappy EFC is mentioned by a scrote like Jim White on TDD.

Overall: I'm predominately happy, but not completely! Although I have recently read that happiness is a choice, so maybe I choose not to be completely happy.

David Chait
9 Posted 07/09/2016 at 13:46:04
Besides the transfer window shambles, we have to say 'good'. We have Koeman. who appears to making us more resilient; we kept 2 of our 3 diamonds, and might have another in Gueye. We do have an owner with cash, although I question whether he likes a whiskey after that text... but all the right noises are being made. So happy overall.
Tony Abrahams
10 Posted 07/09/2016 at 13:57:02
Going against most people, I'm very happy that we never paid silly money, for too many players, in the most over-inflated transfer window, that there has ever been.

Let's see how things go out on the pitch, and although modern day football has been taken over by mercenaries, I think Koeman would have been an absolute fool to leave Southampton, unless certain promises had been made to him.

Promises made to be broken? I doubt it very much, and feel the only reason people feel this way is because of how the last few days went.

Walsh has only just left Leicester, and the players he might have wanted for them might not necessarily have been the players that were needed for Everton. I'm actually glad he's going to have time to get his feet under the table, as well as getting to know Koeman a bit, before we start going after players that will not only improve us, but actually also want to really play for us.

Jonathan Tasker
11 Posted 07/09/2016 at 14:44:21
It won't be okay. Koeman won't hang around beyond a season.
Ronnie Pearce
12 Posted 07/09/2016 at 16:17:39
Jonathan,

Why would Koeman wait until the end of the season to leave? If he wasn't backed in this first transfer window, he should leave now surely.

Maybe, just maybe, if he is unhappy, he will have a chat to the largest shareholder to see if the "project" is still on track. Perhaps he will ask for Kenwright to be excluded from any player transfer negotiations in future if Bill has been responsible for any cock-ups.

Koeman has indicated that it will be two seasons before he can call the team his own. Shouldn't we expect him to be intelligent enough to approach Moshiri to ensure that the vision he was hired to fulfil has not been sabotaged at the first hurdle?

We don't know how he feels yet; perhaps there will be an indication in the next press conference. Ronald does not give the impression of being a shrinking violet when he needs to express himself.

I believe that, if the team can generate some momentum over the next 5-6 games, the confidence gained could lift everybody's spirits and lead to a decent season.

The manager and coaches need to work on team spirit and restore confidence in those affected by Martinez's bizarre football philosophy. Marquee and "statement of intent" signings can wait until the club starts moving forward. There is some decent talent at the club. Let's see how the season pans out.

Joe Clitherow
13 Posted 07/09/2016 at 16:39:44
It's a million percent better than when we had the clown Martinez in charge and seemingly protected from all criticism by Kenwright.

Rick (#2),

"Worst centre forwards in a blue Jersey"

Seriously? Brett Angell? Jim Pearson?

I get you may not rate him very highly but hyperbole seriously dilutes the impact of your opinion.

Joe Clitherow
14 Posted 07/09/2016 at 16:43:16
Irony is my middle name, by the way...
Phil Johnson
15 Posted 08/09/2016 at 05:05:03
Let's face it. Opinion on whether things are good or bad will as ever be determined by what happens on the pitch in the next few months.

If we win the next few games, the Jim White sexting (sic) gets forgotten. We get praised for astute business and keeping some money back for January.

If we are bottom half by the start of November, then everyone will be claiming it's all a disaster and the mess in the summer is the cause.

Dan Davies
16 Posted 09/09/2016 at 19:08:38
Ask again after Monday's game!
Tony Draper
17 Posted 11/09/2016 at 19:40:17
I've been hoodwinked and bullshitted by the The Everton Football Club Company Limited.

My dad and I had cracking seats in the Main Stand, Row B level with the Street End penalty spot. Dad, me, my cousins and more in the complete section got "fucked off" by Everton. Not a fucking word before the last game of the season. Fuck all in the last programme of the season.

We'd been there for bloody years. The club created some corporate lounge at 5 times the price for those very same seats.

It wasn't the ambition, it was the shithouse way they fucked us off. "People's Club"? Sod off! I never ever once sucked up that bullshit.

Are things good or bad or just the same?

All three. Fans are just "a difficulty", please don't delude yourselves that anyone in power at Everton etc etc Ltd seriously gives a flying shite about you. They never have, they never will. Adopt that stance and you'll cope far better with the punches they throw at you when it suits them.

We may love Everton, but Everton really do not love us.

Terry White
18 Posted 11/09/2016 at 19:49:00
Joe, (#13 and #14), how about Jimmy Glazzard, Peter Harburn, Alan Shackleton and Rod Belfitt? No hyperbole there. I think Jim Pearson was a good footballer and not really a #9 when Latchford was playing.
Pete Cross
19 Posted 11/09/2016 at 20:40:16
Tony 17 how did your season ticket pan out, did you get good seats in the end?

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