ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

The PR War

There have been several misnomers put around this and other message boards that I think are worth further discussion in the light of the recent transfer activity.

Firstly, the idea that EFC is "untruthful" or veiled in secrecy over its transfer secrets. For those who think that Moyes and the Board should be more transparent in their dealings, I think they are failing to grasp the state of today's transfer market. There seems to be no sense in Moyes showing his hand in terms of any funds that he has or potential targets. In the first instance, that would mean ? a la Chelski ? clubs would put up prices when they become aware of Everton's war chest. And secondly, as we discovered with Sissosko, there is little benefit in declaring an interest in a player publicly as it only seems to draw interest from other clubs, again escalating the price.

The second area of criticism regards the quality of the squad. As far as I can see, Moyes is doing everything to address this within a reasonable budget. Last season, he had to replace an ageing centre back combination, an ailing goalkeeper and a strikeforce lacking in pace. In come Lescott ? probably the best value for money transfer of last summer ? joined by Johnson, who also now seems good value, and Howard who has been a revelation. Before Xmas last year, we were lacking quality in midfield, and Fernandes was brought in on loan.

This summer's dealing all seem to make sense and should be commended. Moyes has extracted great value for crap ? Naysmith and Beattie (yes, that was his mistake), and has brought in young, local quality in the shape of Baines and Jagielka. Creativity is still an issue, so Pienaar has arrived in what has widely been heralded as a great bit of business and scouting skills. And now, despite much wailing and moaning after it was widely assumed he wouldnt return, Fernandes seems to be heading back here. The latter two signings, combined with the ball-playing instints of Baines and Jagielka, must ultimately improve the quality of football, which does still leave something to be desired.

All stadium issues aside, EFC has a lot to be optimistic this season with the youngest, most exciting line up for many, many years. We have Arteta, one of the premierships best players, who was bought for only 2 million pounds! An burgeoning array of attacking options and a great, young defence.

For a long time I thought Moyes was the wrong option for a great club like Everton; he seemed too limited and parochial in his ambitions. But now we, as fans, only have to look at how the other Premier League managers talk about Everton and its manager to realise that the people's club are on the verge of regaining some of its lost status. No, we are not winning the Pemier League yet, and no, we are not playing School of Science football quite yet, but the club is on an upward trajectory and all our full-hearted support can only improve this exciting potential.
John Williams, London Posted 14/08/2007 at 13:08:14

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Toffee
1 Posted 14/08/2007 at 16:22:45

HERE FUCKING HERE JOHN!

GREAT STUFF!!

No matter how you look at it, you cant argue that progress has been made under moyes!! SIMPLE!

Tony should read this!!!!

Dan Mckie
2 Posted 14/08/2007 at 16:24:21

Too right John,if we get the names in that we have been linked with recently (Fernandes,Yakubu,Ezquerro) then we will have a potentially great squad on our hands and Moyes,Wyness and Kenwright will deserve a pat on the back!

Dr. Raoul Duke
3 Posted 14/08/2007 at 16:29:47

I think the real test for Moyes will be keeping this group of players together.. hence his support of Kirkby.

Richard Dodd
4 Posted 14/08/2007 at 16:40:25

Precisely what I have been saying for five years plus!

T ony Marsh
5 Posted 14/08/2007 at 16:32:44

Have read it Toffee and yes Moyes is bringing in a better standard of player than he used to do. Beattie,Davies,Advm, spring to mind but isnt that a basic requirement from any manager.
Which big club in the PL doesnt have better players now than they had 4 or 5 years ago?Every one else is improving thier squads not just us.Moyes has steadied the ship recently but is he the manager to push us on to the next rung.Great players are one thing lack of tactical nous is another.No point in adding quality and then telling them to hoof it anywhere is there?Next you will be calling Moyes the Scottish Wenger.

Next you will be saying he is the Scottish Wenger.

tommy gibbons
6 Posted 14/08/2007 at 16:51:52

Eh Marshian!! are you for real?!
your not are you.. your just a figment of our imagination ain’t ya.. I woulda thrown Moyes out myself at the end of last seasn if he hadn’t got us European football, but he did so he deserves another couple of seasons to move us on up.. Just a little aside here, why would you comment on this or any other posting, you ain’t a supporter of Everton Football Club anymore are you?

Peter Laing
7 Posted 14/08/2007 at 16:51:56

Its always interested me the parallel world’s that both Richard Dodd and Tony Marsh exist in when it concerns Everton, opposite ends of the spectrum but unswerving in their assessment and loyalty. Dodd has always come across as a pragmatist, Marsh a reactionist, in recent years I have tended to agree with the sentiments of Tony mainly borne out of frustration at our laboured progress. However in recent weeks I honestly feel that the Club is moving forward, maybe its the optimism that comes with the herald of a new season or is there something more palpable. Whether your for or against Kirkby this is an issue that needs resolving once and for all, we have as stated shifted some real deadwood from the squad in recent weeks and the player’s we have attracted are for the future. I’m probably still somewhere between Dodd and Marsh and hoping the feel good factor continues.

Steve Claringbold
8 Posted 14/08/2007 at 17:03:57

Right then Tony, so reading into what you’re saying, now that Moyes has steadied the ship it’s time for him to go.

So who would you bring in to replace him?

philip mcavoy
9 Posted 14/08/2007 at 17:09:14

Somewhere between dodds and marsh? That’s not really narrowing things down.

Ben Brown
10 Posted 14/08/2007 at 17:11:05

Great post.

The first bit about secrecy in transfers is spot on. There is simply no way to keep the fans informed of what’s going on behind the scenes without giving the game away to rival clubs. Unofficial channels from the club try to stream down information to the fans, hence all the stories of "my mate’s boss" etc. But there is simply too much bullshit to wade through. We really can’t do a lot other than just hope Moyes and the board are getting on with things.

I’ve always said that the main (not only) reason we play shit football is because most of our players are technically rubbish. It’s partly, but nowhere near completely, down to Moyes’s tactical preferences. He’s always struck me as very competitive and determined; there’s no way he will have been happy playing asswipe football, but he realises with the players we have it’s the most likely way to win.

Of course, this approach could all change if/when we sign some more quality players. Pienaar looks good and Jags and Baines are no doubt better than their predecessors in terms of quality. I really think Fernandes is the big one. If Moyes can turn him into a big player and allow him to affect our play in the same way Mikky does, then our whole style could change. But we’re yet to see him in an Everton shirt. Until that happens, for me all this new optimism is premature.

Brian Noble
11 Posted 14/08/2007 at 17:32:24

Good to see that my old antagonist,Richard Dodd is alive and kicking-I thought he’d landed that job in the official Club PR office when he didn’t post after Saturday’s win.Or is ’John Williams’ his new nom de plume?

John Williams
12 Posted 14/08/2007 at 18:04:13

I assure you, John Williams is my real name. If you were going to pick an alias, do you not think you would come up with something more imaginative!?

Karl Jones
13 Posted 14/08/2007 at 18:07:38

Everton are now starting to reap the rewards for keeping faith with, and backing a manager.When DM arrived, he spoke of a five year plan to get us back to competing regularly in europe which he seems to have done despite comparatively little cash spent. Each season, he has gradually increased the quality of the squad without compromising what was already there (Rooney aside). He has always been ready to admit to mistakes (Kroldrup, Davies and Beattie (despite many chances).
Teams such as Newcastle and Man City etc, just act on impulse and suffer for it.It just goes to show what continuity can do with a good manager.

T ony Marsh
14 Posted 14/08/2007 at 18:05:52

Tommy Gibbo I said I wouldnt go to Kirkby to watch the game on principle. I never said I would stop supporting Everton.Why are there so many of you on this site that credit me with things I have never said.I dont mind being pulled over comments I have made<>but please stop making shit up.Next you will be joining Barkys and Marsbar discussing my sex life. Claringbold I have long stopped calling for Moyes to go as its not going to happen.You are another one trying to be clever twisting my words.Anyway Gibbo see you at Reading on Saturday will I?Dont forget to keep your passport safe.We could be in Poland next month.Bet a great fan like you wont miss that on either.

Steve Claringbold
15 Posted 14/08/2007 at 18:27:42

Not twisting your words Tony, you say it yourself.

"Every one else is improving thier squads not just us.Moyes has steadied the ship recently but is he the manager to push us on to the next rung"

If you are questioning whether he is the manager to push us on to the next rung then my question still stands who would you like to see replace him?

T ony Marsh
16 Posted 14/08/2007 at 18:33:10

Ah wind ye neck in Claringbald you will lose your hair the way you keep getting flusttered.

Brian Finnigan
17 Posted 14/08/2007 at 17:47:18

Some minor complaints about the slow rate at which quality football is replacing hoof-ball. The very basis of good football is the ability (as a team) to retain possession. If you accept that notion then;

1. Why buy Lescott and then play him at left back? Stubbs remaining at the centre of the defence causes us to defend too deep and his lack of pace will often result in him having to clear the ball desparately (long, inaccurate passes).

2. Why restrict your options in team selection by choosing one of the poorer passers in the team to be captain?

3. It is early days but the team needs to be more adventurous by selecting no more than one holding midfielder....my choice would be Jagielka or Carsley.

4. Baines will be a great addition but the right full back needs to be more than just a defender....the ability to pass accurately should be part of all the players’ job descriptions. Sadly, Hibbert ruins his good work with his poor use of the ball.

5. If Fernandes signs he should be an ever-present. He is not a luxury player....he is the sort of player who will take the team to a higher level....both in terms of success and entertainment.

6. If, as I suspect, we will be having a lot of 4-5-1 formation games then Johnson should be told to play as a centre forward and stop "running the channels" thereby occupying spaces that midfielders could easily exploit.

7. The Manager needs to make a leap of faith and trust his players more. If, as I believe, the team now contains some good footballers there comes a time when the Manager needs to let them express themselves and not be obsessed with work rate and efficiency.

8. Goal threat is what makes the fans warm to a team. We now have the makings of a good attacking outfit....provided the Manager is less cautious. If we play 4-5-1 then perhaps the following formation would play better possession football and improve our goals for column;

Howard,

A.N.Other, Yobo, Lescott, Baines

Jagielka/Carsley

Arteta, Fernandes, Osman, Pienaar

Johnson

Just some thoughts. What do I know? I thought john Carey was a great Manager. It was his approach to football that convinced me that I had made the right choice in following Everton. Moyes is no Carey but he should try to enjoy the job more and he will if he relaxes the restraints placed upon the players.

Steve Claringbold
18 Posted 14/08/2007 at 18:37:51

The way you avoid the question obviously means you have no answer, in that respect it is safe to assume that Moyes is the best man for the job.

Thanks for clearing that up Tony.

Richard Dodd
19 Posted 14/08/2007 at 18:36:33

Brian,I can assure you that I did post on Saturday but it never saw the light of day.I can only guess that my fulsome praise of Davey and the team did not fit the duty editor’s grudging agenda!

Sam Morrison
20 Posted 14/08/2007 at 19:04:23

Good post John. It’s nice to hear a voice of reason now and again (though I for one aren’t slavering at the mouth over the prospect of Yakubu, who goes in and out of form regularly!). Be prepared however for several replies dissecting your every utterance and bemoaning "sheep like John Williams" - for some, criticising everything EFC do is the default setting.

vin bleu
21 Posted 14/08/2007 at 17:45:06

Good post John. Moyes deserves the credit for his longer term approach to team building. Much better than the panic based, over inflated "scoops" indulged in by the likes of Newcastle and Spurs. At the risk of sounding unfashionable I would also like pass some credit to Bill Kenwright and Keith Wyness for holding their nerve amid a barrage of ill informed criticism.