There are few clubs who would allow Moyes to do what he has done over his contract. The myth that he is holding out for more funds will be exposed when he finds no one else wants him, and gets fuck all to spend after agreeing a new deal.

If we finish fourth it will be a fine achievement, To do so, Moyes will have to get wins where he has been incapable of doing so. If he does it I will happily eat humble pie for some time to come.

This is the greatest job in premier league history, Steven Naismith still gets 5 minutes regardless.

Moyes speaks about himself in the 3rd person which in my opinion is a sackable offence.

Whatever happens to David Moyes, Everton FC will carry on playing games and the supporters will carry on supporting the team.

Tuesday is huge. If we were to win, the club and supporters will believe it's possible.

That's most likely the reason Moyes has held off signing a new contract,he wants assurances he will get the money from the sale of Fellaini and the new Sky money to rebuild a team. And the funds are even more essential if we are to play in Europe.

Also, Hibbert wasn't 'brought through to the first team by Moyes' as he'd already made a dozen first team appearances by then.

It's about ownership investing in the club they own.

Bill now has the perfect excuse. Even if he were to give or loan us 35M to spend (which is the max allowed per year for 3 years), we're not allowed to increase the wage bill beyond a pre-determined ceiling (current wage plus 4M).

The TV money is, for the want of a better phrase, ringfenced and will go against debt. The only way we can increase the wage bill significantly is to markedly improve commercial income or to sell players. My money is ion the latter as the tactic of BK's choosing.

The last opportunity to spend was January, with the basics of the FFP rules already known. We didn't, and then subsequently voted FOR rules that hinder us just about more than any other club.

I've always wanted to believe BK believes he's trying to do his best by the club but this chain of events has ended that. We'll start turning a profit, reduce debt, and forever surrender this opportunity. CL or bust this year - how else do we increase football income with this mob in charge?

On the OP, I still don't think we'll get fourth, but if we did, I'd certainly ease up on the Ginger One.

I respect what he has achieved for the club, as we had become a laughing stock in the nineties and early part of last decade (with the exception of Joe Royle's tenure). Consistently achieving top ten finishes with investment that left us behind most clubs in the premiership has been a great achievement. To be fair to him, I could not imagine he would want to continue working with this board given the shameful lack of support they gave him in the winter transfer window – when strengthening the squad would have given us a real CL chance they went through the farce of the fake bid to sign Negredo on deadline day.

But the job of a football manager is to win trophies and his natural caution on the big occasion has left us short when it mattered. His successor? Michael Laudrup.

1, £3.5 million per year wages

2, £3.5 million per year wages

Given our joke of a january transfer window, for us to finish fourth would be miraculous. I don't think it will happen and sixth is my expected finish, which would be a good showing. Anything higher would be excellent.

Moyes will go in the summer, I agree this is about resources more than league placings. I don't expect any manager coming in to be as consistent as Moyes. I base that on the fact that no one else has his record. That doesn't mean it wont happen, but if BK stays I don't see anyone being given a fighting chance of breaking the glass ceiling , which is really what this is about.

If we don't then it will be all about what other jobs he is offered. If Schalke, Chelsea or Spurs jobs were offered to him then he would be off.

Which club do you think he will go to and what credentials do you think he has would make the club want him?

But it won't come to this, 13 draws, January transfer window non-event, the Spurs result have dealt to that.

Moyes will do what is good for Moyes; all we can do is wait until the announcement.

I've yet to see a proper argument for his leaving.

I know that when he was being interviewed about his future he wasn’t exactly facing George Carman, but what was the point?

I can’t see how this benefitted Everton in any way. For example, he could have risked winding up future opposition with an unguarded remark about, for instance Arsenal or the RS. What could have been the upside?

Strange timing.

MotD conclusion: we are doing awfully well for such a little club and DM is a genius. What a load of rubbish.

Another post said the Arsenal game is a chance to wipe out the Wigan debacle and last year it was the semi rescuing the Anfield debacle – it's an integral part of the season and it's crap.

We absolutely stink the place out in these games and it's reached the point where it's not only accepted, it's EXPECTED — how many posts on the "derby" thread admit they won't watch it?

There is a huge void in Moyes's ability to motivate and rise to the occasion, if his public utterances represent the dressing room address, no wonder every season is exactly the same as the last.

We will never win anything with Moyes — 11 years is empirical evidence enough.

Getting 4th would be a sop, the money comes from reaching the qualifying stages... just an early opportunity for an early debacle given Moyes ability.

But it appears "Challenging for Europe" despite the above is just fine — no it's not.

If by some miracle we did qualify, would Moyes be good enough to take us on a good run in it? And would Billy Liar give him anymore money to buy players? I think not.

God forbid we got into a Coventry/Wimbledon situation in the future as with or without Moyes that 'we are Everton' defiant attitude seems to have largely disappeared.

If you compare the final weeks of the 2004-05 season to the last couple of home games, in 2005 whoever we were playing there was an air of excitement and expectation regardless of the opposition, whereas yesterday after Vic scored the 2nd goal, Gibson was trying to rally the crowd, how things have changed under the present regime

Given that his high (deserved) salary is not uncommon in the EPL or out of sync with our league position and expenditure. I see no firm evidence in support of the “Moyes is greedy” conjecture.

Please if you genuinely have the interests of the club a heart, can you have the decency to build your argument from facts.

It seemed like he was saying something along these lines: "There aren't any reasons for DM to go, and even if there were then they wouldn't count because they wouldn't be proper reasons. Therefore, in the absence of any reasons - having ruled out the reasons that exist because they are not proper reasons (as defined exclusively by me, Nick) - there is no discussion to be had on this subject. End of."

But, of course, he couldn't really have been saying that because that would have been silly, wouldn't it?

It's all on a knife-edge and if we beat Arsenal you will see excitement return. I mean, who can really get excited for QPR?

Barry, you're putting a hell of a lot on two or three games which yes, do prove Moyes needs to improve on the big occasion. But a couple of FA Cup defeats I can take — not challenging for Europe, even top 4 next season, I can't — and Moyes is the reason we do. No one comes close to his record without the money. Money rules how competitive teams are in the league, yet Moyes is the exception to that rule — 11 years is empirical evidence.

According to a recently published table of highest paid managers in Europe David was 12th highest paid manager in European Leagues. So his salary is not that common in the EPL.

What has our "league position and expenditure" got to do with his salary?

Dull football (as if we're Watford or Wimbledon from the 80s) and the odd big game capitulation in my opinion is not enough to argue for his removal.

You can bet he has been informed about numerous takeover bids, players we are going after etc etc.

The Fer transfer alone must have had him pulling his hair out.

Again, you seem to be saying that those of us who have come to dislike DM have no reason to even have a discussion on the subject, which is not only preposterous but also a bit objectionable, being anti-democratic. Feel free to support the current manager, by all means, but please don't attempt to stamp out healthy debate.

There is nothing in my mind, but feel free to debate this, that trumps his ability to keep us competitive in the league and should therefor go.

The football isn't Brazil, but I don't think there are many teams who play more attractive football than us, and not to a degree to have his removal.

A lack of domestic trophy is obvious, but 4 teams without money from 21 cup comps shows what a lottery that is.

A lack of big game balls is a concern, something I'm fully in agreement with, but again not good enough for his removal.

Even added all together it is not enough to remove a guy who without money guarantees a level of competitiveness way above what anyone else can expect.

If you have anything else to add to the list, let's debate. If you want to argue those points are enough, let's debate. Or is it going to be lalalalala...?

Paul #650, so what if he is the 12th highest paid manager in Europe. In terms of pound per point, I would be willing to bet he outperforms probably almost all of the 11 above him. Also look at relative wage bills and squad sizes. Moyes is great value for money.

In no sense can the opinion of a neutral count as a deal breaker. WTF do they know? Well, they know a bit but not much – the same as I know a few things about Spurs of Stoke, given the fact that I'm a football fan. But are you seriously saying, Steven, that if a knowledgeable Spurs/Stoke fan thinks DM is a great manager then that makes him so? I do hope you're not.

Nick and Steven – I truly do not know what you are on about. The debate rages every day on TW and the opinions, reasons, feelings and facts are constantly aired. Yet you both insist there is no debate. Nick – I am simply not going to go over it all again. It would bore me to do so. You have heard the reasons put forward and you have disagreed with them. OK, fine. But, whereas I can see the other point of view (ie, Moyes is doing a good job and should stay), you seem incapable of appreciating the opposing view. Again, if you want to dig your heels in, then you are free to do so – but you are deluding yourself if you think that there has been no "serious" argument on this subject. There has been, and you have either not listened to it, not understood it or you have simply disregarded it. It would serve no purpose to reprise the discussion because you are determined in advance to hear no evil when it comes to Mr Moyes.

Having said all that, I salute you as a fellow Toffeeman. COYB!

And if we were to qualify and play in the play off, again I don't know if its seeded at the draw, but I think we'd draw a hell of a lot easier than the '05 vintage of Villereal.

Hell, we may even get third and go straight through!

You say there's no debate so obviously one isn't going to happen - and that's nothing to do with anyone but yourself.

As Everton supporters it actually makes no sense at all to ask a neutral knowledgeable football supporter – quite simply because they won’t be a knowlegeable Everton supporter! Why would you value more highly the opinion of somebody who doesn’t even follow the club, no matter their level of expertise in terms of football generally? The world of football is very broad, we are focussed on one particular point of interest.

I don’t care that Moyes is “great value for money”, I don’t care whether he is deemed to have underachieved, or indeed overachieved. In my old fashioned view of the game success means winning things, something Moyes has not &, imo will never, achieve. Hence my lack of desire to see the status quo maintained. Not a very ‘modern’ view, I’m sure.

That is hands-down, the best paragraph written on Toffeeweb regarding the esteem of David Moyes. Couldn't have put it better myself. Much like when Henning Wehn said the greatest goal will never be scored in an international friendly, the value of a manager is to his own club and supporters only.

It is embarrassing that we are waiting for his decision. If he re-signs then, though it will be very hard to do, everton will drop down considerably in my priorities in life. It will be a very sad day when that happens but I have had my fill of Moyes. I think he will sign a new contract mainly because he won't get a better deal at this time...

EFC "challenging for Europe" in isolation leaves me cold for a few years post Walter fair enough but 11 years on it just isn't good enough.

As Patrick @640 observes lord help us if this attitude continues and we end up in a relegation scrap.

Watching Stoke and their one dimensional game catching them up it's perhaps not as outlandish as it sounds .... perhaps that's a reason Nick?

More so than the jury being out re David's record in big games. It's an open and shut case.

Let's hope he can get his first win at the Arsenal on Tuesday.

If challenging for Europe isn't good enough for you, then challenging for the title is. How and with whom in charge is that ever going to happen? Unless of course we break top 4 to begin with. Such is the reason to keep Moyes.

What you seem to be imply is that the positions of Everton supporters is divine on this matter. Okay, but if Everton supporters can’t agree (even though over 50% TW poll they support Moyes), then it cannot be divine. In which case the only other group to consult (for an objective opinion) are knowledge neutrals. Of which there appear unanimous praise for what Moyes has achieved at Everton. If you (conveniently) don’t think that counts for anything then that’s fine, but to see it as a meaningless element of the debate is as arrogant as it is near-sighted.

You guys just want change for the sake of change, you have no vision outside of that. You don’t have a clue who would take over, and when people keep pointing out to you that new manager does not equal new investment, you seem to stick your fingers in your ears. Don’t you guys pay attention to our finances and see that reckless decision making could very easily spell the end of our club.

Dinnis #674 said himself he does not care if Moyes is good value for money, or that he does not care that Moyes has overachieved. Great, because if you fail to acknowledge that EFC desperately needs an overachieving manager who is value for money, then what does that say about the quality of your position in this debate?

This reminds me of when people were cheering at the prospect of Graham Taylor taking over from Bobby Robson – because they were bored of Bobby. And we know where that led. It led to a huge hind-sighed appreciation of Bobby Robson. If DM goes, I would confidently predict something similar.

I hope some of the more intelligent anti-Moyes brigade look around and take note of the aptitude of the company they keep.

Henning Wehn? What has a German comedian, albeit a funny one (seriously, a funny German comic... honest) have to do with football?

It's always tease, tease, tease
You're happy when I'm on my knees
One day it's fine and next it's black
So if you want me off your back
Well, come on and let me know
Should I stay or should I go?

Should I stay or should I go now?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go, there will be trouble
And if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know

Using the TW poll you see as an accurate indication of opinion.Do you think the manager is in a healthy position if 47% of fans are against him?

When you say ".....reckless decision making could mean the end of our club"
Can you expand on that please.

Bang on cue Man City, the only monied outfit to have a complex about us, beat Chelsea to reach the final !.. the gods lined up the FA cup for us this year but "Jonah" Moyes snatched defeat from the jaws of victory as per usual.

If "challenging for europe" is all it's about no wonder apathy reigns at Goodison.

If I was David Moyes, I'd stand up to BK and walk, he's not going to get the financial support, whereas at Schalke or Chelsea he will get more money to spend but he won't get the security promised him by Kenwright.

For Moyes the question is: Should he stay and get unlimited support and more security from Bill and a chance to rebuild?Or should he walk to get more financial support, a new challenge, but less security?

I'd choose the latter if I was him. If he wants to prove himself further as a top manager, he should move on.

I actually think it's good to ask neutrals about Everton...because a neutral wont expect us to become the team of 1980's without a pot to piss in... a neutral will look at a club, who has a Championship transfer budget, and improved from near-on relegation fodder, to a top 7 side under Moyes. A neutral won't moan when Moyes plays one striker up front...or alters the team to put two up. A neutral won't moan everytime Moyes makes a defensive move at the end of the match...and pretend no other manager has been successful with defensive tactics in the history of football. A neutral would realise we have one of the best managers in the Premier League, and that we are far more likely to drop away, than improve, under the next manager.

And bullshit a toffeeweb poll, the results of which would change every week. Fans are sensationalist... 4/5 weeks ago, I had to read through a myriad of depressive posts on here, claiming Swansea and West Brom were going to finish above us. And that's no even mentioning the pessimistic bastards who kept bringing up Liverpool.

We are 3 points off Tottenham...who spent who knows how much in the summer, and the European Champions, who spent 100million. I for one, am not giving up on fourth. I don't understand how ANY true fan, would give up, when we r 3 points off fourth spot. We will quite prob fall away...but maybe, we will go to Arsenal and win...and then maybe, we will look at Spurs fixtures (City/Chelski) or Chelsea's (Man City, Liverpool, Manchester United and us) or Spurs' form (1 win in 7 in all comps) or Chelski's stuttering displays, and tired squads, and believe that we do it.

And Paul...im assuming Steven is referring to the fragility of our financial position...and the possibility that a new manager, won't spend as well as Moyes has, but as well as our neighbours across the path. If that happens, we will tail off into mid-table obscurity and beyond.

Managerial change isn't always a disaster.

I think he tipped around 53% in the final TW poll, with the “no votes” (if I remember right) less than 30%. That’s not too bad, but I do appreciate that such a poll is not the be all and end all, I simply used it in my argument as a counter to roman and Dennis mocking me for saying that “knowledgeable neutrals” were a legitimate consideration.

As for my point about reckless decision making, well it’s kind of obvious. Richer clubs can afford to hire and fire different managers, take bigger risks on transfers. We on the other hand have very little margin for error, need I elaboration? The associated point being that “change for the sake of change” is an especially precarious platform for EFC.

I take your point re the precarious financial position the board has the club in. However, I disagree with you that the manager leaving would or could have a detrimental effect on our finances; on the contrary, a new manager in the bracket we could expect to get would not be paid £70k per week. An added bonus would be that there would be no compensation to be paid as David's contract is up.

£70k per week is a drop in ocean compared to the expenses of running a CL qualifying team. That is pocket changes to the likes of Abramovich. If you thinking that getting rid of Moyes to free up £70k, will make a difference, sorry but you are way out of touch.

What we need is manager who can pick out bargains and net transfer gains like Arteta and Lescott. And one who can run a tight ship while we wait and pray for investment... Guess what, that’s exactly what we already have. Want to risk it all on a turn of pitch and toss? You can bet there will be a few who will breath more than a word about their loss.

Ross #742, when Fergie took charge of United from Atkinson, there was no Bosman ruling and no billionaire owners. Footballing inequality is now much more entrenched than was it was then. It’s a world of difference. Look how Dalglish fared in his return, and (painful as it is to say) he was once close to invincible.

Barry, I don't understand your reply, sorry.

Just look at the season when we finished 4th, that was the worst team in PL history to actually finish 4th, that showed that Moyes could get the best out of a very average side. Teams like Sunderland and Stoke have spent considerably more than us in the last few years and they are fighting a relegation battle. Just imagine what Moyes could of achieved if he had a transfer budget like a Stoke or a Sunderland.

Di Canio is a good manager with passion. I would have liked him here, but we had that debate. Never liked O'Neill. (But I know what you mean......)

It's a good job the fans don't run the club, eh!

You need to think a little harder as using your time frame of the last 11 years you have missed the following luminaries that have managed to win a trophy:

Blackburn
Middlesbrough
Birmingham

Let’s pass you a bit of salt:
Do you think if the Führer will have Sunderland knocking on the door of CL qualification, and 3 points adrift of the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, spurs…..etc Maybe, but and if the answer to that is “yes”, would Sunderland supporters be calling for him to be shipped off to Nuremburg? Of course, we as non-Sunderland supporters would be incapable of taking a view in that debate, because knowledgeable neutrals have no value.

Bread and water guys…………

Moyes oozes passion doesn't he? Standing there, rigid for 90 minutes, shouting, "pass it Ossie", "you've got it, Kev", "control it, Vic".... A man and his dog could just clap and say that in a Sunday League match, but Di Canio showed passion for the job which in turn rubs off on the players.

Moyes doesn't do passion; what he is an expert at is dourness and lack of motivational skills, doubled with a lack of charisma. I want a manager here next season like Di Canio, who has complete confidence in his methods and getting results, and shows passion for the club, which he did this afternoon.

Notice Di Canio, a fascist and Sunderland's sponsor, Invest for Africa, or whatever it was, considering Il Duce used Mustard Gas in Ethiopia in 1935 and had an African Empire.

Ironic isn't it?

Thank you for adding to my list. Swansea and Portsmouth were all I could think of while typing my post, still not a long list though. I do now remember Blackburn and Birmingham winning the League Cup. I just can't remember what Middlesbrough won?

Middlesbrough won the League Cup, beating Bolton in the final in 2004.

I never suggested freeing up £70k. You suggested we had little room for error with manager's wages due to our financial position. I pointed out that we would be paying the new manager less than £70k.

I take it you have Moyes as the new Chelsea manager?

He's waltzed into Sunderland's equivalent of Anfield and won 3 nil at the first attempt - how many goes has Moyes had?

Regarding Sunderland fans and their yo yo club status doubtless you are right regarding their appreciation of winning fuck all, choking in big games but being best of the rest. Whether it would last 11 years is quite another matter.

> Standing there, rigid for 90 minutes ...

Moyes? I think you must be watcing the wrong person.

But if running around the technical area when we score a goal is your criterium for choosing a manager, presumably you'll be over the moon when Moyes is replaced by Martin O'Neill.

Steven, I'm going to refrain from pointing out the baltant irony of your enormous post.

Di Canio wins one fucking game and he's the new Mourinho and should be our new manager, get a grip he's a barmpot fascist. I wouldn't have him anywhere near our great club.

I think something which holds EFC back at times is a (sometimes childish) obsession with Liverpool. We look petty to them for it; to be a truly “big club” we should rise above that way of thinking. Overall league position is much more important than a one-off result against Liverpool.

Ross #759, would you chose passion over league position? If so, presumably Neil Warnock and a bunch of other clowns would maybe make your on your short list?

If really you want to strengthen your argument, name who would replace him, and argue logically as to why that person (under the same institutional constraints) they would achieve more than him.

You talk endlessly as if someone else (the fans even!!!) were making this decision. Only one person is making that decision... and it's David Moyes.

At least, that's what we're told.

Please don't twist my words to mean something they don't just to suit your own argument. My comments re Moyes don't mean that I "fail to acknowledge that EFC desperately needs an overachieving manager who is value for money", they mean exactly what I said. A manager who is able to operate within the financial constraints at the club is as obvious a requirement for the job as having the necessary coaching skills, it's a bit of a given - do you really need the obvious stated for you?

Instead of the desperate argument against change of : "You don’t have a clue who would take over" or fabrications such as : "when people keep pointing out to you that new manager does not equal new investment, you seem to stick your fingers in your ears" [yeah - I really thought any new manager would arrive with his own transfer kitty!] - how about providing a legitimate reason for Moyes to stay? All I've read so far seems to indicate a fear of change, seemingly on the basis that this is as good as we can hope for & the alternative is too risky to contemplate. I can't relate to that view. Change does indeed carry risks, but it seems to me that change is necessary if the club intends to strive to be successful.

Do you believe Moyes will actually win something if he stays?
Do you think Moyes is irreplaceable?
What are your hopes for Everton?

You really believe there is absolutely not one manager out there who could not improve on Moyes's record, not one in the whole world of football?

I would be really confident a hell of a lot of managers would have had a win against Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd or Liverpool in 40 plus away games.

Meanwhile, in a separate development (MK @ 801), it turns out that Moyes himself is heading the 'Moyes Out Brigade'! I like to affect an air of suave unshockability, but when I read that I was so taken aback that I dropped a big blancmange all over my silk smoking jacket.

Do you think we will end up with a manager who has a better chance of bridging the gap between the have-nots, beating two of the have-plenties and hitting 4th spot? We have a manager who not only is the only one to have done so - ever, but is close to accomplishing that this season.

A new manager for what? Attempting the same and risking the level of competitiveness guaranteed by Moyes?

If he goes, it will not be because Kenwright thinks he's done a poor job, its because Moyes walks. Then we'll have a new manager and it will be a new dawn and fingers crossed. I just don't know how high Kenwright is looking. Martinez and McClaren probably, but hopefully Bilic and Rjkaard.

Do you think we will end up with a manager who has a better chance of bridging the gap between the have-nots, beating two of the have-plenties and hitting 4th spot? We have a manager who not only is the only one to have done so - ever, but is close to accomplishing that this season.

A new manager for what? Attempting the same and risking the level of competitiveness guaranteed by Moyes?

If he goes, it will not be because Kenwright thinks he's done a poor job, its because Moyes walks. Then we'll have a new manager and it will be a new dawn and fingers crossed. I just don't know how high Kenwright is looking. Martinez and McClaren probably, but hopefully Bilic and Rjkaard.

I've been to the Tyne-Wear derby at both grounds and everything other than the result of that fixture goes out of the window for the days before, the first whistle, the final whistle and the days after.

Sunderland fans will dine out on today's result for years, just as we still bask in the fading light of our 3-0 win against Liverpool in 2006 - and that was at home!

I agree with you about the 'big club' mentality, but if we beat Liverpool at Anfield in May will you be comparing it to their results against Sunderland.....?

And to call Di Canio the Fuhrer is also highly disrespectful, he's Il Duce. History and Geography brush up required. :)

We are in an excellent position but it could have been better, We dropped silly points and it seems reasonable to me for some Evertonians to look on this as a season of missed opportunity.

Not sure how this accident could've happened with such a responsible driver apparently at the wheel.

That leaves Swansea's win of the League Cup this year as something of a Black Swan event. Good for them, and it may be that Laudrup is an excellent manager, but still too early to judge. If Moyes went he would be one I would like us to take on, but I suspect he has his sights on higher peaks (as an ex Real Madrid player).

But the facts are that on any measure Moyes has outperformed clubs with similar financial clout almost every year in the last 11 years. Is there another manager out there that could have achieved that...of course there is. Will we find one to replace Moyes, very very unlikely. No one else has found one in the last 11 years, not one club of similar financial stength has done anything like what Moyes has done with Everton.

If the Moyes out brigade cannot see that then I am not sure what else to say. Passion, ambtion, pride in past achievements, a desire to see football played properly - I have all that too, but I don't need it in my manager, what I need is results and Moyes has delivered given the constraints. We know the contraints are not going to change. We will be very lucky if we get another manager who does so well given these constraints.

As for "do you think we will end up with a manager who will have a better chance of bridging the gap......"
I would settle for a manager who is not scared to attempt to bridge the gap.Knife to a gunfight and all that.

"We are in an excellent position but it could have been better, We dropped silly points"

Maybe fans of Chelsea, Arsenal Spurs and the shite are also thinking that they have dropped silly points this season too. Whilst we have dropped points we have also gained points from other games.

We have 3 points from Man U, 4 from Man City, 4 from Spurs and our only losses to date against the other top seven teams are Man U away and Chelsea at home. I accept this could look worse after we complete the full round of fixture but, equally it could look even better too.

And, Paul Andrews (post 859), the above results could be evidence that we are actually bridging the gap?

My instincts tell me that Billy Boy will give him the Fellaini/Baines/Mirallas proceeds to do as he wants and in five years we'll be having this debate again.

Assuming he gets another 5-year extension in 5 years time, that'll be 28 years without a fucking bean to show for it!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/apr/15/everton-champions-league-phil-jagielka

A friend of mine yesterday gave BK the title of Bluff-a-Load Bill, and then he goes and spoils a good laugh by acting like a Chairman of Everton FC should act, by making a dignified, eloquent and heartfelt speech at Anfield in honour of the lives lost in 1989. I hope he continues to speak in this manner when he next talks to the people who support Everton FC.

I agree Moyes is not unique. But we would need to be more than just avoiding bad luck to replace him with someone as good. We would need to be lucky. We have two options (assuming he wants to stay)

1. He leaves - One in ten chance of getting someone as good, one in 50 chance of getting someone better, 90% chance of getting someone worse (a hell of a lot worse).

2. He stays - 99% chance of the same standard as now (maybe he'll decline go stale a bit, maybe he'll get a bit better, but I would expect no material change).

Risk reward analysis has to bring us all to the second choice.

PS - Do you work for the Treasury?