ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

The Complaints Are the Proof We Are Moving Forward!

We've all said it:

Our midfield is poor, we hoof the long ball, we strangle the life out of games to get a result... All that and more is arguably true, but what I cannot understand is all the people calling for Moyes' head!?!

We are currently lying 9th in the league, our lowest position since August? We have just got through to the group stage of the UEFA cup and we will all be enjoying our first decent crack at European football since the days of Howard's blue and white army.

We have a decent albeit limited squad (limited in numbers) which we are consistently adding to slowly, but surely each year. We are holding on to players of quality such as Arteta, Cahill, Lescott and what's more we have them tied to long contracts. No longer are we a selling club and no longer are all of our decent players clambering at the exits for pastures new. Relegation is a nightmare of the past and even the most pessemistic Evertonian will have to admit that this is no longer a worry for us.

We all have the right to criticise and some criticism even of Moyes is very well founded at times. The truth is, however, on the whole we are looking in good shape. We have suffered injuries to major key players. Cahill, Gravesen, vaughan at a time when we needed them badly. The good news is, they are now almost back to full fitness and it doesn't take a genius to see that massive improvement should follow. All things considering, we've made a pretty ok start to the season.

Yes, it's been rough to watch, but sometimes you have to get by the best you can when certain players are missing. Even a squad the size of Liverpool struggle when they lose Gerrard (their key player).

We missed out on Fernandes for whatever the real reason and that was a blow, but someone else will come along sooner rather than later to fill his boots and to further add to our flourishing team.

I have posted many a time in the mailbag about how poor our midfield has been, how I'm sick of the long ball etc... but at the end of the day I can still see the bigger picture, I can see just how much good Moyes has done and i'm looking forward to the next five years hopefully with him at the helm. Success (and by success I mean Chelsea, Man U type success) isn't going to come overnight unless you've got the Abramovich millions. We haven't and I firmly believe that to take Everton from where we were under Walter to the point of being title contenders realistically should be much much more than a five year process. I believe Moyes is currently half way there and I am more than willing to give him a few more years yet. there may be blips along the way, but we will still be pointing in the right direction!

The mere fact that Evertonians are now complaining that we 'only scraped through to the European group stage' and that, God forbid 'we could be in the bottom half of the table after the next fixture' only goes to strengthen my point that we have improved immensely under DM.

Not too many years ago I remember praising Walter Smith for getting us to the 40 point safety place with a game to spare! Now people are moaning at Moyes because UEFA qualification and a top half placing in the league isn't good enough. This just goes to prove how far he's brought us.
Ian Ankers, Chester Posted 08/10/2007 at 18:49:00

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Comments

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Lyndon Lloyd
Editorial Team
1 Posted 08/10/2007 at 21:29:19

No one of sane mind is questioning the fact that "we have improved immensely under DM," Ian. It’s how we get to the next level now with a team that still can’t get the basics right on a consistent basis — or find any real consistency, for that matter — that is now the central question.

A comparison that is now relevant given the fact that Moyes was given a lot of money to spend at the end of the summer is Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth who has got his team playing some really good attacking stuff. Front to back (particularly at the back, their Achilles heel), I doubt his playing staff is better than ours but they’re dangerous, exciting to watch and know how to move the ball about quickly and effectively.

And I say that having ridiculed someone (hi, Lars!) over on the ToffeeNet list for suggesting that Redknapp was a better manager than Moyes, words that I’m not so confident in defending these days.

If Moyes could add that element to what should be a steady defence and great team spirit, we could make the leap above Spurs and start clutching for the coat-tails of the top four. But it’s going to take a fundamental change in his approach and greater depth in the squad than we currently have.

Ray Robinson
2 Posted 08/10/2007 at 21:45:42

Ian, you’ve got your opinion. I don’t agree. Look at the Spurs game away this season and then look at the recent performances. We’ve gone backwards. Or should I say, we consistently don’t fulfil our potential.

Tony Williams
3 Posted 08/10/2007 at 22:22:36

How very dare you Ian, posting something with a hint of optimism......burn the heretic

Mark Pendleton
4 Posted 09/10/2007 at 00:08:09

I was talking to my Dad about all things Everton earlier this evening. Thing is, all the negative things we could see improving. We also came to the conclusion that after a number of years fearing the drop how good it was to be disappointed that we’re 10th, in all competitions still and have the likes of Cahill, Vaughan, Tommy G and a fully fit AJ to come back. And Pienaar is looking a better player with each game too.

Talk about "hoofball", the last few goals we’ve scored have been from crosses from the goal line.

I’ve still faith in Moyes and still think he’s the best man for the job. And as fans we don’t see what goes on behind the scenes - training, tactics, fitness work, coaching etc. If it was that poor then why are we signing our best players on long term deals now? If Moyes was that clueless Arteta and Cahill i’m sure would have been off.

steve
5 Posted 09/10/2007 at 00:53:03

can anyone tell me is it true abiut this takeover

Lyndon Lloyd
Editorial Team
6 Posted 09/10/2007 at 01:12:55

"Can anyone tell me is it true about this takeover?"

Prevailing wisdom seems to be that it is bollocks. But who really knows?

Nick Xenos
7 Posted 09/10/2007 at 03:26:32

Tony, honestly, are you happy with the quality of football we’re thrashing out this season? It’s funny how Tommy Gravesen was brought in as a ’stop-gap’ by Moyes and now he couldn’t come back quick enough.

John H
8 Posted 09/10/2007 at 09:20:54

Mark Pendleton - we are 6 points (2 defeats) off the relegation zone, for goodness sake! I admire you and your Dad for being optimistic but I would suggest you both lay off the stella during the week.

Rob Thompson
9 Posted 09/10/2007 at 09:45:19

John H - We are also 6 points off (2 wins) from 3rd place so maybe leave the sherry alone and have a pessimism check up. Smile we are in europe for a couple of months at least, enjoy the good times while we have them, next year may be better or worse but enjoy it while you can. Nice Points Mark P and Ian Ankers (good to see the reds getting boo’ed by there own supporters)

Mark Stone
10 Posted 09/10/2007 at 10:19:08

Lyndin I think the problem is we’re still in the maintenence phase - it’s not like we’ve been getting into Europe consistently for 3/4 years - so are we ready to compete with top 4? I don’t think so yet - patience is needed i think

Dave Tootill
11 Posted 09/10/2007 at 10:10:47

I haven’t seen much mention of the weakness at centre back which has crept in again. Fair enough rebuilding to cover Stubbs’ eventual departure, but he had to be brought back, in truth, & then was sorely missed on Sunday. Even Lescott was guilty of not clearing the ball when he could play safe & it led to the second goal 30 seconds later. Moyes seemed to cure Yobo of that a couple of years ago.

Ian Ankers
12 Posted 09/10/2007 at 10:16:16

Kind of the response I expected to be honest. And a lot of the points against what I say I actually agree with. The big dissagreement seems to be ’Is Moyes the man to take us forward’? I believe he is.

Is the glass half empty or half full? 2 deafeats off the relegation zone or 2 wins off the top three?

AM
13 Posted 09/10/2007 at 10:30:56

At last a thread of optimisum!

I simply cannot beleive the Moyes haters!

I think the problem is that you are simply not being realistic. It is an extremely tough job DM took on 5 years ago and so far his progress has been superb.

To all the Moyes haters: What next? What do we do when he goes? Who do we bring in (realisticaly)?

Nick Xenos
14 Posted 09/10/2007 at 11:22:39

I think there will be lots of managers who would like to take us on. It’s not like 5 years ago when we had little quality in our side. Now, we have a host of top quality internationals, a new stadium to move into in the near future, and qualification for the the UEFA Cup. In my opinion, it’s time that Moyes passed the baton on.

Erin Kane
15 Posted 09/10/2007 at 11:58:27

Its coming to something when a uefa cup place (or 6th or 7th) is not deemed satisfactory for this club now. it was not long ago when people settled for a lower half finish and anywhere above tenth place constituted a good season. three top six finishes in the last four years. all under moyes. cant really remember walter or indeed big joe scaling such dizzy heights. And one other thing. Why does everyone associate the munich semi final as evertons greatest game. i can recall off hand at least half a dozen fixtures that were more memorable. Surely winning the damn competition that year was a greater achievement. I suppose one persons madness is anothers common sense.

Tony Williams
16 Posted 09/10/2007 at 12:29:03

Nick, I appreciate your comment but realistically who are these managers to take us forward? I would especially like to know the names of the ones who a) Would want to come and b) The board could afford.

roy mccue
17 Posted 09/10/2007 at 12:36:45

It’s a strange supporters site this - if you support your manager or team to any degree you’re shot down in flames for doing so.
It’s got to be coming the most depressing read of all the Everton pages - doom and gloom in every letter.
As Tony asked who would we get as a new manager and how long would you Moyes haters give him before he’s not good enough to get us into Europe etc.
How long did Fergie take to win owt at Man Utd and didn’t the fans want him out?

Terry " marsbar " Maddock
18 Posted 09/10/2007 at 12:46:01

Erin Kane....simply because B.Munich were considered the best team in europe at the time, the fact we went a goal down..but nobody in the ground even noticed because we knew we were going to win..the best atmosphere ever ....49000 fans and only about 150 of them german..none stop noise from 6:30 to 10:15 the final was an anticlimax...ther best part was the 25 a side game outside with the coppers

Paul Hardy
19 Posted 09/10/2007 at 12:54:00

I agree with Roy - there is doom and gloom in most of the posts and if you dare praise Moyes you get slagged off.
I have looked at this site many times as I really want to read abot Everton and find out the latest but the depressing nature of most of the stuff has just convinced me to stop.
I will not be looking at this site again (except tosee if this gets published!) and I look forward to Everton continuing to progess. Come on you blues.

Andy Ellams
20 Posted 09/10/2007 at 13:03:30

What about Slaven Bilic as Everton manager/coach. We would probably have to wait til next season but he has a side playing attractive and effective football and consistently competing above what the players he has to choose from should be.

Andy Callan
21 Posted 09/10/2007 at 13:18:14

Au contraire mate ? finishing 7th is NOT success; getting in to Europe?s shitty second competition and progressing by some sort of miracle is not success; languishing in mid-table is not success; poor buys and wasting money is not success is it?

Correct me if I am wrong here, but isn?t success based on trophies in the cabinet? How many have we had recently ? NONE.

At least Royale brought us the FA Cup; Moyes will be judged by the trophies we win while he is in charge and nothing else.

The jury is out?? still

Tony Williams
22 Posted 09/10/2007 at 13:24:01

Slaven Billic? We may as well, I think we are still paying his wages aren’t we ;)

Nick Xenos
23 Posted 09/10/2007 at 13:11:28

O’Leary is probably the one that got away. He is doing a fantastic job at Villa. They are well organised, play a fantastic brand of football, and have a good balance of experience and youth. I think that O’Leary’s passion and experience at all levels of the game would of been a great asset to Everton FC. I can’t think of any available managers at the top of my head but I’m sure there are many out there who have a more technical nouse and experience on the big stage than our current manager.

Andy Ellams
24 Posted 09/10/2007 at 13:33:22

Didn’t Villa sack O’Leary a couple of years ago ?

Tony Williams
25 Posted 09/10/2007 at 13:40:36

Aaaaaaand there we have it, the usual response.

"I am sure there are loads of managers out there but none come to mind"

Also I would question your footballing nous if you still think O’Dreary is still at Villa, welcome to the 21st Century mate.

Chad Schofield
26 Posted 09/10/2007 at 13:25:12

Christ Andy Callan, I hope you don’t have kids... what would you do scrunch up their paintings because they haven’t painted The Mono Lisa or boot them out of home if they don’t win everything at sports day?!

Shitty competition it may be in essence, but then surely it’s better to be in it than not. Finishing 7th is considerably better than flailing about at the bottom league and potentially being involved in the poxy "Championship".

I genuinely hope you don’t live your life to that extreme of success or we’ll be reading about you doing something tragic because you yourself aren’t as successful as Richard Branson or Bill Gates. I’m very aware of Nil Satis Nisi Optimum, but seriously mate where would you rather be.

Nick Xenos
27 Posted 09/10/2007 at 13:45:19

Oops, got me O’s mixed up. Mr Martin O’Neill is me man.

Brian Waring
28 Posted 09/10/2007 at 14:11:29

Paul and Roy, it is the same for fans who have a go at Moyes as well you know.As soon as you criticize him you are called every name under the sun.So don’t think it is only the pro-Moyes lads who get slated.