The Mail Bag
Crisis Club Everton
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When David Moyes was appointed manager of Everton, he stated that he didn't ever want to hear again the word Everton prefixed by "crisis club". He succeeded and that in itself was a fine achievement.
To do this, he applied all the qualities for which he is rightly respected: pragmatism, caution, building of team spirit, bringing out the very best in ordinary players, and gradually improving the quality of the squad. At times we have come close to breaking the top four monopoly but never quite made it. Lack of funds is often given as the main reason for failure to step up. Of course to some extent that is true but not, in my view, totally. Other qualities are needed: flair, tactical subtlety, inspired risk-taking and the ability deal with big egos.
Many supporters are content to avoid a relegation fight and I'm certain that under David Moyes we will never be "crisis club Everton". Sometime, however, glorious failure is better than narrow cautious defeat (the Cup Final).
Last season, I was disappointed when David Moyes signed a new contract. I felt it was time to remove the Moyes safety net and embark on a new adventure for Everton. The huge contract means, though, that DM will be here for as long as he wants to. Eventually, he and Kenwright will go together; until then, we face at best treading water and at worst stagnation.
Andy Crooks, Posted 17/09/2009 at 09:49:54
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Not so sure about your stagnation point either...sure, we’ll never break the top four in the current circumstances - but there’s only so long we can play dour stuff without Moyes stumbling over a workable solution...
I expect to see some good football this season if Arteta, Rodwell/Fellaini, Pienaar and Bily play in a 442 behind Saha and the Yak...
Moyes has brought continued success to the club. Everton now are a confirmed Top 10 side. In fact the last two seasons Everton have finished best of the rest.
You think of all the money Spurs, Villa, Sunderland, West Ham & Newcastle have spent over the last few years and yet its Everton who keep finishing as the best side outside of the Top 4.
Considering the lack of money at Everton its amazing that we keep finishing Best Of The Rest.
Man City have spent over £200 million in an attempt to crack the Top 4. Something Moyes successfully did a few seasons ago.
I understand things are difficult at present but sometimes improvement can move slowly.
We would never get a better manager then Moyes at Everton. It's not like Jose Mourinho is going to want the job considering our lack of funds.
Ideally what Everton need is a manager who can work on a low budget, get the best out of players, spot a bargain in the lower leagues and have a proven record of finishing Top 6 in Premier League. A couple of manager-of-the-year awards wouldn’t hurt either.
Only one man fits that profile.
I too think your suggested formation is the way to go and believe that our football can’t all be as bad as it has been this season.
However, I fear that when we are without our key players, like now, Moyes goes into his ultra defensive mode of "keeping things tight" and trying to nick a goal.
This leads to our hoofball and the sort of dire insipid play we saw in the second half at Craven Cottage.
The idea that Heitinga will be replacing neville is appalling to me. As I think you yourself have pointed out (apologies if i’m wrong), Heitinga is NOT a midfielder by any stretch of the imagination and should play right back. However, it is Moyes’ natural instinct at times like these to cram the team full of as many defenders and defensive players as he can.
I Agree...
As I’ve said many times... Walter Smith got sacked for the same tactics...Moyes just got a bit luckier.
Not only will we play two defensive midfielders which will make our play predictable and dour..it will not help Rodwell’s development...However, Arteta coming back will hopefully avoid this formation being a season long one...
I think we’ll have a good run in Europe and if we get through the group I predict we’ll win the Europa Cup. This year in respect of the league has been written off for me in from the start owing to fact we have made no signings until a few days before window closed — possibly Moyes dithering. Going to States for pre-season hasn’t worked for years now but definitely owing to board failings. In respect of Heitinga, I don’t think anybody knows anything about him so a bit early to be making judgments.
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1 Posted 17/09/2009 at 14:29:18
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