ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Money Talks?

Jason Heng's piece was interesting as it proves in many ways how DM is indeed getting the best out of his players. However, to be outgunned by Sam Allardyce tells another story. But what stood out for me was Arsene Wenger's performance; he doesn't have a dour team and they play some of the most attractive football in the League, they also know how to get through in knockout competitions.

So all those who think that 'The Everton Way' has to be physical and Route One should look at Jason's article and maybe think again. Everton's wage bill is probably one of the lowest in the Premier League and therefore, as the saying goes, if you pays peanuts you get.....
John Partick McFarlane, Lancs Posted 08/07/2007 at 17:12:38

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Joe Green
1 Posted 09/07/2007 at 04:37:26

Yes, interesting analysis, but I beleive transfer fees are less than half the story in these days of individual salaries in the millions per annum.

I bet Arsenal’s wage bill has been greater than Everton’s over same period. Maybe Bolton’s too.

Chelski just signed a bunch of players for "free" e.g. Sidwell, but attract them through paying big salarys. The manager has to balance both transfers and salaries in total budget.

John Holmes
2 Posted 09/07/2007 at 08:01:16

So what are you saying John? Everton play poor quality football because they don’t have Arsene Wenger and Moyes is a far less effective manager or Everton play poor quality football because we don’t pay high enough wages?

What’s also noteworthy is Arsenal may not spend masses of money but they spend significant amounts on largely unproven teenagers, a luxury Everton simply can’t afford to gamble with.

I think the thing that article most emphatically proved was that, for all those moaning about Spurs, Newcastle and West Ham spending millions this summer, don’t believe the hype. What clubs spend has a very weak correlation to what they achieve on the pictch. It’s who you buy and how you use them and not how much you spend that counts.

Richard Dodd
3 Posted 09/07/2007 at 08:46:35

Jason’s piece just goes to prove what I have been saying all along.David Moyes delivers excellent value for money.If you cost in his sales,he’s virtually done in at nil cost.
A veritable genius!

Mick Wrende
4 Posted 09/07/2007 at 14:16:31

Yes Richard but Moyes has won nothing and doesnt look like doing so. So where is the value or genius in that?

Oliver McAdam
5 Posted 09/07/2007 at 15:18:26

He has however imroved are league position by about 11 places. He may not hsve won anything, but winning cups achieves far less money than league placings (500k per place, 11 places - 5.5mil per year on league placings FA cup gets you what, a mil or so?) Also with the desparation to win cups, in last 12 years only 4 teams have won FA cup - Liverpool, Man U, Chelsea and Arsenal with West Ham, Southampton and Millwall, Newcastle, and Boro reaching final. The last team outside the ’big 4’ to win the cup was you know who in 95’. In terms of the league cup, it is worth no money and snce Moyes arrived has been won by Chelsea 2 times, Man U 1, Liverpool 1 Boro 1 (BBurn won in Moyes first season but not included as we were knocked out by time Moyes was appointed). So I think we should concentrate more on the league as that is where long trm improvement of team is important. However I DONT THINK OYES IS A GENIUS, just a very good manager doing a good job.

John Holmes
6 Posted 09/07/2007 at 08:07:10

Really interesting analysis by Jason. Is there any chance you could incorporate net transfer spending? ? ie, taking account of player sales.

Nonetheless, fascinatning to see some confirmation of suspicions that arise in transfer times. Mostly, that the heavy spending of certain clubs (Spurs, Newcastle and latterly West Ham) by no means guarentees them success, a key lesson for all those moaning about our inability to pay £16M for a Darren Bent. What you spend on a player or players is a far less reliable measure of a club's success than how useful the player is to the club and how well they are used.

It's also interesting to note the level of funding that Moyes has received during his tenure. Whilst not exceptional it is certainly not a paltry sum and one that, despite a few blunders, Moyes has utilised to good quantitative effect.

A question remains however about whether, to achieve success, we do need heavier funding. Personally I don't believe we do need excessive more amounts. They may speed up the process, but as many have said before they may slow it down, after all it's tended to be Moyes's biggest signings who have let us down. For the time-being I'm willing to continue with the "build slowly" project. Part of the excitement of the Premier League is in the variation in the teams and if this is one of our distinct features I think it's one that, should it bring success, will make that success the sweeter for granting a feeling we've earned it rather than bought it.

Mick Wrende
7 Posted 09/07/2007 at 17:57:05

I personally would love a good cup run if only for the excitement and because there is always the possibility of beating one of the big four on a single game basis. If we were continually knocked out by one of them then ok but Blackburn and Shrewsbury, dear me!