ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

It Feels like Kendall ? 83/84

Am I alone in thinking and feeling that this season is starting to feel like that of the 83-84 campaign?

One big difference is the length of tenure of the manager. However, while Kendall (Mark 1) may have achieved an upward curve in a shorter space of time, his able succesor is now equaling or surpassing what Howard did back then:

From late December through to early March, Kendall's blues swept all and sundry apart from losing to Villa in the second leg of the League cup semi ? what price the "True Ginger Mourinho" exceeding this, plus the bonus of a euro challenge as well?

IMWT, COYB
Simon Temme, Bristol Posted 12/12/2007 at 22:37:49

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Peter Pridgeon
1 Posted 13/12/2007 at 04:55:54

Simon;You are not alone, there’s been a few of us saying shades of 84/85
Lets just see what December brings but I have high hopes for this team

Ged Hines
2 Posted 13/12/2007 at 05:51:10

Definitely not alone, I said exactly the same to a mate a couple of weeks ago, before the Sunderland game.

I can feel it in me bones, COYB....

Brendan George
3 Posted 13/12/2007 at 08:04:15

Well, we started winning trophies after Alan Irvine left the first time around...

Mark Pendleton
4 Posted 13/12/2007 at 08:42:23

Kendall assembled a truly great side, but i think it was easier for any good manager at any good club to do it then (good club being one very well run and typically well supported). Nowadays it normally has to be a good manager at a rich club. By the way, i’m certainly not knocking Kendall’s achievements, far from it, i’m adding more praise on Moyes’ achievements.

David Graves
5 Posted 13/12/2007 at 12:04:49

I agree with Mark. It will be extremely difficult to get amongst the big 4 richest clubs - 3 of whom will prob be in the semi finals with us. But Moyes has done a good job so far this season hasn’t he. His next big test is to work in the transfer window to make sure that loosing 3 of our most influential players during the ANC doesn’t disrupt us too much. We will have to play both semi finals without the 3 wont we!.

Nick Wall
6 Posted 13/12/2007 at 12:15:12

In December 1983 Everton’s form was still quite dismal and Kendall’s job was still on the line. The situation now is different, but I know what you mean. A hard fought win in a cup tie, like the game at Kharkiv, can have a mysterious energising effect. Suddenly, almost imperceptibly, a promising group of players starts to pull together as a team. Every aspect of our performances improves. There is a new fighting spirit, with many games being won or saved in the last ten minutes. And the prospect of possible silverware helps drive the players on to even greater efforts.

Tony Prenton
7 Posted 13/12/2007 at 12:28:40

On the semi-final front David, there is no Man U left (thanks Coventry wasn?t it?) and Chelsea play Liverpool in the quarters. Blackburn may beat the Arse reserves, which leaves Man City and Spurs. So who knows, but, whatever, I am looking forward to it all!

Ged Hines
8 Posted 13/12/2007 at 13:52:42

Good comments boys and I agree with what everyone has said, But being 42 and experiencing the bad times then the great times of the mid 80’s, then the bad and mediocre times again.

I had a gut feeling in 84 and I’ve got it again now. Go with it and support your club... As I said: I feel it in me bones.

Mike Hughes
9 Posted 13/12/2007 at 15:09:34

I have similar expectations. But, as much as I like D.M. you cannot possibly compare him to H.K. - especially in terms of achievements. I wrote a small contribution to Toffeeweb back in late July / early August entitled, "Ten Evertonian wishes for the season". So far it has not won the Pullitzer prize but #1 wish was for some silverware this season - i.e. one of the cups. For me that would be fantastic. That might be the breakthrough like beating Watford in the F.A. Cup Final back in the 80’s.

tony cawson
10 Posted 13/12/2007 at 17:25:15

Having been a fierce anti moyes man in the Tony Marsh mindset,I say forget being careful with budgets,forget the horrors of the imminent ground move,forget the ginger one’s limitations and back him all the way.Spend money,take risks now.I dont want my love for Everton to tread water.Lets go with a bang before our soul is ripped out.Picture Goodison QPR .All over again.Lets take risks,the encore would be worth it,before many of us throw our plectrums into the crowd.out with a bang,i say.In moyes I trust.I think?.