Season 2011-12 Fan Articles

A Ten-Year Attitude

As the plaudits got louder as the week continued, I spent some time thinking about David Moyes's reaction to reaching the decade-long reign, what has happened both positive and negative during that time and what could possibly happen in the future.

Whilst I respect fellow Evertonians who cherish his reign and hold him in the highest regard, I could not help but feel slightly deflated at the whole situation. For me, David Moyes has done some good things for Everton on a budget that could be seen as similar to juggling sand in an attempt to haul the club out of the pitiful period under Walter Smith and, in the main, he has done that with top-half finishes becoming the norm rather than nerve-destroying relegation battles.

However as the club itself becomes more and more stagnant with a board that cannot take the club forward and a squad value diminishing as each season passes, the more I feel David Moyes and his board are happy to see the club as underdogs in a sport that is heavily dominated by huge transfer fees and incredible salary packages. Any Everton match result that defies the odds against those who invest medium to large amounts of money is seen by many as a moral victory or highlight in a season all without any silverware.

The more this has gone on, the more I personally feel the attitude of David Moyes has left me feeling unsure. During the week, whilst talking about his tenth anniversary, I do not recall a moment where he took the time to acknowledge those who have supported him and his players, not at boardroom level but from the stands. Something which stayed in my mind during the pitiful 3-0 defeat to Liverpool and his shockingly listless post-match interview. As the seasons pass, I feel his attitude stinks even more.

In my humble opinion, David Moyes is far too keen to sing the praises of his board and chairman, whose performance and backing do not reflect the claims made by the current CEO Robert Elestone as "fiercely ambitious" with anything, such as a respectable league finish, seen as 'mission accomplished', along with the hope that can be continued in future seasons without much investment. If such accomplishments can be made, the manager is hailed, the majority is satisfied, and anything beyond that could be seen as a godsend.

I get the impression Moyes at this period in his life is content to go along with the balancing act and with a handsome salary, a defy-the-odds mission at stake and a board who seem all too keen to go along with keeping the fourth most successful club in English football afloat for as long as they can.

The post-match interview after the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool summed up my feelings towards David Moyes: once I was enthusiastic and passionate about the young manager from Preston who showed real freshness and determination before, during and after games. Now I feel I am watching someone who I cannot tolerate anymore.

His attitude during his interview on Sky Sports after the derby defeat was a disgrace in my opinion, an untroubled smile began a series of lifeless speeches that reminded me of a Didier Drogba performance under former Chelsea manager Andres Villas Boas.

Even with the possibility of another trip to Wembley on the horizon, the more I endure the Bill Kenwright - David Moyes era the more I feel disorientated, uncaring and uninterested.

I would love to see Everton successful again, hopefully on a more sustained basis than the 1995-96 period, and with a long-term plan to fight not against the odds but at the very top with a firm determination, plan and without fear. Under the current set-up, I cannot see that ever happening ? which only adds to the ongoing frustration I have with most things surrounding Goodison Park.

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