The Mail Bag
Birmingham or Us?
Comments (28)
I just wonder, now the dust has settled, what people's thoughts are.
I understand that one of the most valid criticisms levelled at Moyes's tenure is that we haven't won a cup. Breaking into the Champions League would be a tremendous achievement (that has been attained once) but winning a cup in many ways should be nearer our reach. The likes of Portsmouth and Birmingham have managed it!
But, if you had to choose between our season and Birmingham's, which would you take?
I for one would choose ours. I don't fancy the Championship much.
Sam Hoare, Posted 23/05/2011 at 14:31:56
Comments
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
It's also somewhat hypothetical as the question rather assumes Moyes has it in him to win a cup & all the evidence is to the contrary. He'll keep us safe in the Premier League but we'll never win anything whilst he's manager.
All 3 relegated sides had something that a lot of TW posters say they want:
A) Foreign investment ? West ham anyone?
B) Attractive, attacking football ? Blackpool anyone?
C) Silverwear/ cup success ? Birmingham anyone?
It's not a stupid question at all.
Now I am not the biggest fan of the way we play the game BUT we play to our strengths based on the players we have and the money we have to acquire them. So Blackpool won admirers for the attacking style of football and look what happened to them ? which would people prefer?
Shaun, I might be so bold as to say that's a bit of a stupid response!
My point is, as guessed, to contrast Moyes's and Everton strengths and weaknesess. And, as ever, to provoke some banter...
Getting back would be no easy option ? just look at some of the great teams in the lower divisions, or think about Man City a few years ago! Thinking about it is just dreadful.....!
People ask the question, would you rather be another team that won the League Cup and be relegated or stay in the EPL and end up empty handed, well I know what the hell I'd favor.
Birmingham did well this season, to win the League Cup (for a club of their size, no disrespect), but to ask to be in their shoes and watch as they then get relegated, no, no way would I swap that. First club since Norwich 26 years ago to win a domestic trophy and be relegated from the top flight.
And let's not forget the Carling / League Cup (they change the name of it every damn season it would seem), is a largely trivial piece of silver that is sneered upon by a majority of supporters. I'm well aware that Everton have never won this, apart from a couple of finals eons ago, but there's a part of me that would like to see us win it one day and, by the same token, I'm not all that bothered.
If say, European Cup (for argument's sake) and relegation, maybe we could consider that, but to offer a third-rate rather insignificant piece of trophy, to some people at least, and go down with it, that's a bit of an asinine question.
Everton to remain in the EPL, no honors this season, but It's a damn sight better than an afternoon of Mickey Mouse to put on the shelf and relegation into the twilight world outside of the Premier League. There are a lot of good sides in the Championship, some say it's harder to win than the Premier League itself, and who's to say Everton would jump right back up at the first attempt? It could be a few years before we ever get back to the top flight.
And let's not forget Everton Football Club's record against lower league sides in the FA Cup and League Cup in recent years; if we struggle against lower opposition in one-offs on an almost constant basis, how's it going to read over the course of 47 games with the same calibre of opposition we just can't seem to beat for Toffee? (No pun intentional.)
Foreign investment ? Man Utd 1st; Chelsea 2nd; City 3rd. So yes, I'd take Foreign investment.
Of course its hypothetical and i'm not saying that there is definitely a link between league form and cup form though Andrew Humphrey makes a fair point in saying Birmingham aren't the first team to suffer post cup down-turn.
My question is weighted slightly obviously in saying that although a lot of people are (rightly) critical of Moyes ability to put out a team on a good cup run that he should be commended for our steady and continual rise up the table as an established Premier League team. Which we weren't when he took over.
If you don't think this is worth pointing out then fair enough but I don't think its quite right to say it's a stupid question.
More pertinent was the overhauling of McLeish's dour workmanlike Birmingham by the Wigan minnows who dared to attack to fight for their lives.
Well done, Mr Martinez, for showing it can be done.
At least we've got our history, cause there's not much reason to expect a trophy's around the corner for our lads anytime soon (prove me wrong Davey!).
It wasn't all cos Earl Barrett was cup-tied was it?
Would actually make life easier.
Basically, you could..erm...'buy your paper at the same time as you're buying your ciggies'..um..type stuff.
(nb: cocks for fingers and potentially, you're talking 11 taxis!)
Personally I feel that staying in the Prem is vital to the survival of Everton FC. Considering how hard it is to find money for players now, think what it would be like on Championship money.
Don't see why we can't do both though.
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment to the MailBag, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and MailBag submissions across the site.
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
1 Posted 23/05/2011 at 15:17:40
Report abuse