There's a few things here that bother me, Tony, not just your 20-20 hindsight vision!

Firstly, the prospect of finishing in the top 4 didn't really look to be a firm proposition until we jumped into the CL-qualifying places in late January. By that time we were out of the FA Cup ? and was Moyes's decision to rest some key players, in line with your argument here, so that he could keep them fresh not the central reason why were knocked out by Oldham that day? ? and on our way out of the Carling Cup.

If, as was prudent, it was Moyes's belief that the top four was probably beyond his team's resources no matter how few competitions they were involved in and that our club record-breaking run in the Uefa Cup was indicative of a good chance of going all the way to Manchester, then who could argue with his desire to put his energies in there? Or was he supposed to throw the towel in in that competition to concentrate on the League?

It's all very well saying now that we should have chosen which competitions on which to concentrate but I'm confident you would have been the first the lambast Moyes for such a strategy. Indeed, I recall you ripped him a new one for not going all out for victory against Chelsea in the semi-final.

Secondly, our form only really collapsed after we got knocked out by Fiorentina, in my opinion a psychological reaction on the part of the players similar to 2005 after the Villarreal heartbreak and the fiasco in Bucharest. Momentum breeds confidence breeds consistent form, something both the top teams and Everton know all about ? witness the run of results in late 2004 and again before Christmas this season that propelled us into the Champions League places in the first place ? and I honestly don't believe we would have fallen away as badly as we have if we'd stayed in the Uefa Cup a round or two longer.

Yes, Moyes has been found wanting when it comes to pulling his players out of their collective malaise when they've suffered an agonising exit from the stage on which they all want to play: Europe; yes, his decisions are still sometimes baffling ? but they're becoming rarer and rarer ? yes, he remains loyal to certain players who lack the quality we need; and, yes, he is still learning (again, witness the increasing maturity with which they approached games as the Uefa Cup campaign wore on). I still believe, though, that he is the best manager we can hope for and that our biggest obstacle now is lack of real money.

For me, the real opportunity to have a real go at finishing fourth this season was passed up in January when we should have strengthened the team in key areas. This time, however, it seems that it was Robert Earl, who apparently has the final say on sanctioning player purchases at the moment, and not Davey's dithering that stopped us from doing so.

Man Utd thanking Pompey for knocking them out of the FA Cup? Blimey, what are you on!?! It?s not the Uefa Cup that full of crap - it?s you. You moan if we finish below a European place - but then you would moan if we did because we would be playing meaningless games!!!
Try reality Tony - the real world - try beaming down from planet wherever it is you inhabit to join us in the real world. It?s money ? the fact that the so called big 4 have loads more of it than the rest of the Premier League ? gives them quite an advantage over all the other clubs. That?s the main reason we have run out of steam ? we don?t yet have the resources to match Chelsea, Arsenal Man Utd, Liverpool.

Moyes is doing a good job - without the same finances the only way to challenge for a top 4 place is by signing good young players at reasonable fees and developing our own talent. But that takes time ? and we must be patient. We have a long way to go ? but let's not forget how far we have come in the last few years.

We are creating a platform, albeit maybe not as quickly as many would like, but at least now we seem able to hold on to players which is a prerequisite for further building.

In the end we all have to accept that the size and quality of the squad we assemble will ultimately decide our ability to progress in both league and cups.

Dont give up Tony things may not be perfect but the momentum is forward, if not fast forward.

Get real, for goodness sake,can you not see how much progress this club has made in the last 6 years? I am not satisfied at 5th or 6th place I want us to aim higher, but to get there it?s going to take us a bit longer that?s all. ust like Villa ? their main signings are similar in price to ours ? but aren?t in the same league as the spending as the big 4. But look at that kid Agbonlahor ? just like us Villa are looking to develop their own youth system ? and for clubs like us and Villa it will be an important part in trying to break into the top 4.
Patience is what?s needed ? clearly something you haven?t got ? but in the future (say the next 5-10 years) when we are regularly in Europe we shall all be laughing at you.

For your info, the Uefa Cup did a number of positive things for EFC - it raised the profile of the club across Europe (helps to attract players and potentially investors), it definitely improved players who will have learned from their experience, and finally and most importantly to me it was a fuckin brilliant experience for us fans despite the crap in Florence.

Yes, we do need a bigger squad with more quality; yes, we need serious investment and a new stadium but we know all this. Continually whining about the same old things doesn?t help you or anyone.

I have supported the blues through thick and thin all my 53 yrs and I do not want to return to scrapping against relegation. So I will be delighted to finish 5th and go into the poxy Uefa Cup thanks very much. And no I am not happy to settle for mediocrity ? I want to win trophies and get back in the elite ? but the building blocks must be in place first and they are not ... yet. I don?t support Davy Moyes blindly ? I support him because he does great job with what he has.

You are entitled to voice your opinion, Tony, it's just not very bright though is it?