There are many Moyesists who think that David Moyes has done enough to be considered for a job in the Bundesliga or even La Liga. The media tout him as Fergie's successor but now it seems he may be staying. And how can you trust a man who hasn't won anything in 11 years with the biggest team in the world?

As Fabio Capello once said "You can't trust a learner driver with a Formula One racing car."

This is a direct question to Moyes supporters, particularly those who think that offers are flooding in to the Moyesiah: Who will realistically take Moyes in the summer?

As I can't think of anyone. I think that's why he might be staying.

Ross, it's a redundant question as we have no idea of what other teams chairmans are thinking. The same way asking for Moyes's successors name, as we don't know who Kenwrong will go for or if they will want to take on this shitty job. All expectation and no money to do it.

It's what will happen to the Fella and Baines departures money.

They're not getting paid the going rate, ownership won't pay the wages at that rate, and the new TV contracts will make their transfer value worth more than a year or 2 ago.

My guess, Moyes wants all that transfer money to invest.

P.S. Interest in Jags is gone?

I think it's a good question, Richard — albeit we don't actually know that he is staying.

I just have trouble with the idea that Kenwright has made promises to him that have somehow changed the game to make him stay. He does say with unerring Scottish Presbyterian honesty that "the Board" (ie, Kenwright) has done "everything within their power" to support him. The puzzler for me is that most of his supporters on here have to believe Moyes is actually lying when he says that... which is rather funny when you think about it.

The performance and finishing position of the team would be another possible reason for staying... but that has hardly been stellar since he laid down the Ditherer's Gaunlet of Contract Uncertainty. It really doesn't look like we're going to Europe next season, so that should be reason enough right there for him to be booking the movers for a trip to Schalke (although haven't they just appointed someone new?)

The theory gaining most weight seems to be that no-one else has made him the offer he was perhaps expecting. Which seems at odds with the glorious hype about his fantastically successful years with Everton, and how he needs to be given a real chance at a 'Big' club.

He did say he would go if the fans turn against him (not the exact words, I know). From the posts on here, I would say most people are fixed in their view of him and few have really changed sides (although there were quite a number saying they had after the Wigan game... but the Man City performance probably got most of them right back onside).

No, if he stays, then hearing the rationale from his lips might be interesting... if he is actually honest about it with the peons of the press he clearly despises.

Moyes is many things but he isn't stupid. Where is he going to go with more chance of winning something? Schalke? Give me a break they aren't going to break the stranglehold that BVD and Bayern have on the German league anytime soon. La Liga? Can't see any takers for him there. His best chance of a top side would be in this country so he will bide his time with us til then. Chelsea would be his best bet but whether they would take a chance on him is debatable although I think he would do well there.

Ross - Much better. God on you.

All these theories

How about this?

He'd stay at Everton because he really likes it, and he hasn't been offered a situation he likes better. Simple.

In my opinion, the man likes winning teams, and he's got one. He likes secure situations (an extreme rarity for managers) and he's got one. He likes being well-supported, well-respected and popular, and probably wouldn't give all that up for a job that merely pays more (as Villa probably would have).

I think Doddy asked the wrong question. It's not about what could have persuaded him to stay, but what could have persuaded him to leave.

Not sure he needs the security, Mike - hence his willingness to run down his contract before he signs a new one each time. He could go to, say, Aston Villa - but he'd be back at the start of a similar project, so probably not worth the bother unless he felt he could take that club further than he's got with Everton. Of course, an offer from a club already ahead of us & with a substantial increase in funding - that might be a whole different matter, if it were to happen.

Mike I think you're both right and wrong, right that he has the control of the football club, which is well supported and still (despite what some believe) carries the kudos of a big time club.

He is not a person for change - which is ironic because I believe that to be his biggest flaw - and there is not as much pressure on him to win things here as there would be at one of the six clubs who are bigger than Everton.

He is also not an idiot and will know that his personal rewards at Goodison far outweigh what he could earn at a similar club in the PL. By signing - if he does indeed sign - a new contract.

I also believe that he may feel a little guilty that he has had to play hardball with the board and despite his protestations it has had a detrimental effect on the team this season.

What I don't want to hear if he does sign is that it is a silly one year rolling contract, because if he does have a long-term vision for the club he has to commit himself fully to the project. Maybe he has seen signs with the younger players coming through and that with the utilisation of those youngsters and a bit of money he may be able to finally achieve something tangible in the near future.

What it highlights if he does stay is that BK really does have some remarkable powers of persuasion and DM is a loyal person albeit a well paid one, let's hope that he has had a really good look at the players that he has at his disposal and that he realises that the club can not afford any passengers, if they are not good enough to be in the first team they shouldn't be at the club.

But of course this could all be conjecture and he may still leave in the summer for instance Manchester United are not prone to making announcements until the ink is dry and there is still a possibility that he may be the next manager of them sooner than we might think - but somehow I think it is more likely he will stay. What he has got to prove to his detractors is that he is staying because he wants and believes that he can succeed at Everton and that he is not just extending his stay until something better comes along.

What I would like to see if he does stay is a return to the man who first arrived from PNE, bold and full of hope, who believes that he can and will achieve things. Many people on this site blame the posters for the negativity surrounding Everton FC, but in truth a lot of it has been spawned by the managers pragmatic utterances and the feeling that he believes Everton are a small club unable to compete at the highest level.

He has to rid himself of that philosophy and demeanour , because it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy. If he believes, the players will believe and the fans too will believe.

Despite being at the club for 11 years he has not witnessed too often what the supporters of this club can be like, when they believe that the team are playing with a swagger and are taking playing for the club as seriously as they do.

He might have simply realised that taking home a kings ransom to continue in the most secure job in English football might be a rather silly thing to give up.

Mike Gaynes # 543 Says-
"I think Doddy asked the wrong question. It's not about what could have persuaded him to stay, but what could have persuaded him to leave."

That encapsulates the thinking of the Moyes apologist right there. In their minds he has the 'RIGHT' to stay at Everton as long as he wants until 'something better' turns up for HIM.

Well forget 'something better' for HIM I want 'something better' for EVERTON and its not a guy whose ONLY claim to fame is one 4th place finish in the Prem and a LOSING FA Cup Final and a lot of 'big game bottling' in 11 years - and F*ck all else.

Oh and a leopard does not change its spots Moyes would be the same timid, boring, safety first, all track back, big game bottling, tactically inept Manager with a bigger club or even with more money at Everton he would just have better players to do it with.

Stand by for more classics like "knife to a gunfight" .

Weren't we thinking all of this last time he signed a contract? That it must mean new owners or cash to spend? The reality was that it meant nowt but a big fat pay rise for Moyes. Why would it be different this time around?

Yes, we don't want a negative manager like Moyes we want a positive manager like Laudrup. What was it he said yesterday? You can't beat a team like Chelsea unless all your players are at their best and several of their players don't perform.

I personally think that Moyes will win the league one day because he is very good at setting up a team for the long haul. What he can't do is set up the team for a one off match, hence the reason we don't do well in cups and Derbies.

Managers like Martinez and Redknap are very good at setting up their teams for single games but don't get the consistency of a Moyes

£4 miilion per year.To answer your question Richard

I'm not so sure anything at all has changed here. By that, I mean that I don't think Moyes has decided one way or t'other what he's doing in the summer. But, he also knows that he needs to keep his options open as long as possible, so he has to make noises about building for the future, keeping the improvement going etc. But I don't think he's decided to stay at this point.

What will be interesting to see is just how long Moyes can actually spin this out for. Realisitically, he won't have received any good offers yet, because there aren't any good jobs currently vacant. It will take a few weeks of the close season before the managerial merry-go-round has opened up a job that he might be interested in. For example, if Real Madrid part company with Mourinho (as seems likely), then there is a rumour that AVB might be leaving Spurs for RM (though I find that hard to believe personally!). I think Spurs might consider Moyes more carefully this summer if they are looking for a manager again. If Chelsea fail to attract Mourinho back, and can't land their other top target, then it's not impossible they would chance their arm on Moyes.

But the problem with the above is, like I say, that it will take time for these jobs to become vacant (unless Real announce Mourinho's departure if they fail to rescue the semi-final second-leg tomorrow and it then all starts from there). And I don't think Moyes has that time to play (or he certainly shouldn't). In Kenwright's recent interview, I thought he had a bit of a dig at Moyes when he said (and I'm paraphrasing from memory here) "Hopefully, at the end of the season, we'll get a chance to have those 5 minutes that David keeps alluding to". In other words, it's only going to take 5 minutes to sort out a new contract and the whole situation, but Moyes keeps putting the talk off and claiming he doesn't have time to discuss it.

If Moyes doesn't sign within a week of the season ending, Kenwright has to begin the process for signing a new manager. Everton can't keep waiting for Moyes to decide if he's likely to get a better offer or not. And at the minute, it really feels like Moyes is trying to have his cake and eat it, and that Kenwright is more or less happpy to let him (or perhaps, more to the point, afraid not to let him).

It is an interesting debate, but the bottom line remains the ownership. Moyes with a new board with money might play more expansive football and might be able to bring success to the club. Any manager with Kenwright will have the same problem as now: sell to survive, scrapping around in the bargain basement for transfers to an ever-dwindling squad, and trying to keep a first 11 fit and energetic throughout the season when there are few other players to step in for them.

And also, please don't talk about bigger clubs. Richer yes, more fashionable in the media yes. But bigger, no.

Michael #535, I think the poll you put up about whether readers wanted Moyes to stay, go or undecided showed how football fans are a swinging lot (!) Right after the Wigan game over 50% wanted him to go, then the Man City game and the aftermath saw it swing the other way. If you ran an "approval" rating function throughout the course of the season, I'd be willing to bet it would be up and down like a trainspotters foreskin depending on the preceding result.

I believe Moyes would leave if the "right" offer for him came his way. It hasn't. So expect him to try to get a rolling contract, or one with a fixed compensation package should he leave (to the club if poached, to him if fired).

Sadly for him I don't think compensation is a barrier to his next move.

Nobody has asked him to leave??...yet

Its very simple in my mind. No offers from a more ambitious club. Trouble is that most of the more ambitious clubs play or want to play in Europe, where Moyes has very little experience.

Kenwright won't want to move on as Moyes all but guarantees Premiership survival which is the limit of his ambition and Moyes won't move on till a bigger club comes calling, which may never happen. Therefore we are stuck with Moyes till the end of time.

I suspect Doddy`s take on the situation may not be too far off the mark. I`ve always thought that just like Sir Matt Busby,SAF will have a massive say in who succeeds him and the canny old bugger will want someone he can still exert influence over.And whom he knows isn`t as good as him!

Trouble is,the old man can`t bring himself to `name the day`. Last year we heard he wanted `just one more Premier title`to wipe the smile off his `noisy neighbours`,now he`s said to want to bury all the RS records! It must all be very frustrating for Our Davey.

That`s why I`ve always seen the one year rolling contract as his way of playing both ends against the middle and Kenwright will go for anything his hero asks for.After all,whatever some of us think of him,the Ginger One is what has kept our favourite luvvie in his job all these years,isn`t it?

Right after Newcastle were beaten 6-0 on Saturday, my first reaction was that this was the club for Moyes, and Newcastle are one of th few clubs that would want him, and who might give him money to spend. Any takers?

Phil #578, SAF has absolute control over things at Manchester Utd, and in some quarters is considered to have too much power. Depending on which version of events you believe, he directly led to two of the major shareholders selling up.

This raises 2 factors which may influence whether Moyes would go to Old Trafford if he were to be offered the job (personally I cannot see it, and think it's timed deliberately to slide Guardiola in after 2-3 seasons at Bayern).

1) Manchester Utd will want to change the operating structure of the playing side of the club, and have much more executive control a la Chelsea and Manchester City. AKA interference, I'm not sure Moyes would like that. He certainly isn't used to it, enjoying a similar degree of control at Everton, but without anything like the resources.

2) It'd be a very brave man to step into the void left by SAF. He has a lot of qualities, but "fearless" is not one I would list of our manager.

What are his options, seriously?

Chelsea? Abramovich making the "stability" choice, are you kidding me?

Tottenham? Well, if anyone is getting Rikjaard......

Man City? The owner has never heard of him, more likely to take about 30 other managers.

Arsenal or Man Utd? Taken, till death do they part, and then they will get someone else.

Schalke? The Germans, really? With their financial rules? And someone who will whinge incessantly about the constraints placed on him? Who does not speak German.

La Liga? They would burn the airport down to prevent him landing with his "style" of football.

PSG? They have never heard of him.

Well, that leaves West Ham; I hear Allardyce is holding out too.

Then there is the fact that Everton have mortgaged themselves to the hilt to back him, pay him wages that would make Ruud Gullit green with envy, and would only sack him if he said naughty things about the board trying to figure out a way to do a Cardiff on our strip.

Oh, the difficulties of a day in the Moyesiah's Scottish bamby moccasins... pass the port, Billy.

He hasn't had any better offers as soon as he has he'll be gone - he's been that way since day one.

Despite 11 years he's never become an Evertonian which is half his problem the other half is he's the most uninspirational man on god's green earth.

Moyes is the most fortunate manager in christendom he fell into a situation unparalleled in Premier league history a giant of a club in turmoil with a squad good enough for Prem existence and the incomparable Wayne Rooney on his way. Nothing compares in terms of potential since Shankly took on Liverpool in the old second division - what a different ending that story had!

Moyes will join the O'Leary, Gregory, Curbishley, Coyle, Mcarthy, Mcleish tribe blowhards of mediocrity once held up as managerial prophets all without a progressive thought in their head.

If he waves his white flag yet again at Anfield next week, then that contract that has been sat there for months should be torn up.

Dan,
It is easy to work out.
If they beat us they will finish above us,if they don't they won't.

''No, if he stays, then hearing the rationale from his lips might be interesting... if he is actually honest about it with the peons of the press he clearly despises.''

Yep, and he'd better have a good reason. Id be concerned if he went, but im reasoning that he would surely go unless we have good funds to move things forward. Surely if the financial status quo were maintained - or if there was only a marginal improvement , eg via the additional TV money, he would have to go?

I can see why Moyes is stalling, although I don't like it. He would go down in my estimation if he doesnt carry out his veiled threat to leave. Part of me thinks he's doing the right thing and putting theboard under pressure. As much as im an admirer, he would surely lose credibility if he did an about turn?

Richard....I think you're being far too modest here & missing the REAL reason why the 'Mighty Moyesiah' can't bring himself to leave Goodison.

No... It's not his dithering either.... It's you !

Yes Doddy... really it's you. Now I know to many on here you're nothing more than the 'Freshfield fool' but I think your public devotion to all things
Davey has had an effect & you've melted his dour Scottish heart.

I don't know whether it was the mountain of gushing fan mail or the countless unquestioning posts on ToffeeWeb.
Maybe it's the hundreds of pictures & clippings from the Echo you've stuck on your bedroom wall. Perhaps it's his endless hours of bland nothingness media punditry that you re-run daily.

Whatever the reason Richard, you've had an effect on the man.
So as he sits on his pile of money ( 65K a week makes quiet a pile ) & ponders his future & the growing line of representetives from Europes elite, forming an orderly queue down County Road for his services....Yes I know we can't really see them, but they're there,just like the Emperors new clothes...he won't leave as where else would he find a fan like Doddy !

I am a supporter of Moyes. He has done well with the Championship level resources afforded him by the board and the millstone that is Goodison, Blue Bill's 60's theme park. The football has improved considerably over the years and we have some truly world class players at Goodison, especially Baines.

I think Moyes is trying to prize more support from the board to have one last crack at Champions League football but I can't see it happening. I wonder if it might be better for him to leave with his head held high. Yes, he hasn't won anything but he has turned us around from the laughing stock we were becoming under Walter Smith.

To me, he would be better off resigning and waiting for the next job at an overseas club if he was to really be interested in progressing his footballing career. It is sad that he hasn't quite managed to win a trophy. I wonder if he will be remembered in the same way Gordon Lee was remembered, as an honest and ambitious disciplinarian who didn't quite hit the mark.

I still think Colin Harvey should never have been dismissed, he was the one true blue with the ability to get us to the top and keep us there.

Kevin, and conversely if he does stay after nothing has changed on the ownership/funding front, he will certainly lose face.

Im a fan too, but im working on the assumption that if Moyes is still here next year, that it repsreents a big change in our ability to compete within the market. Dream on!

DM has a secure job because he's made it secure.

If he leaves we need a manager who can operate shrewdly in the transfer market (like DM has), foster a team spirit so that it's a genuine wrench for a top player to leave (like DM has), improve players (like DM has), instil professionalism (like DM has), represent EFC with class (like DM has), make us competitive (like DM has), Make us challenge for Uefa competitions (like DM has), make other teams wary of playing us (like DM has).

Barry Rathbone, Moyes isn't an Evertonian???? Are you on glue?

Marc @600,you`ve made my day! I was beginning to think that my influence on all things Everton was declining,ever since Rossy `gave me my cards`from the Press Office for `making snide remarks about the Chairman`! (all I said was that our wonderful manager would be off if he didn`t get more support!) But obviously,Davey,himself, is still tuning into ToffeeWeb and realises that to many of us he is irraplaceable.

What a good job I came back to this site (my spiritual home)instead of restricting my circulation to the few Evertonians who still people the Freshy!

Your message has,so to speak,given `my pen` renewed strength!

I think John he will stay, there will be one or two signings that interest the fans but nothing structurally will happen at board level and the best we can hope for in 2013/14 will be 6th to 8th place and a good cup run. My point is I don't think it is in Moyes' interest to stay and he will make a mistake by signing a new contract. My reading of the situation at Everton is that Blue Bill, Earl, Woods are all waiting for a big payday. Nothing will change unless they get paid out. Funnily enough I'm thinking of having a season ticket here from my base in Grimsby for the first time in a long while but the uncertainty and lack of trust in the board is telling me to spend a grand elsewhere in sport or on my family. I've gone so many transfer windows under this lot in total despair at their failure to support the team and the management that I'm probably going to pass on it.

"The theory gaining most weight seems to be that no-one else has made him the offer he was perhaps expecting" - Seemingly, only on here Michael.

If I were him, I would say, "Thanks for the memories" and do one. He is never going to receive a decent amount of money to get the players we really need in, neither will this mythical other manager who will have us winning everything due to his "attacking" mentality.

Fellaini is off, possibly Baines, Mirallas is making sounds about leaving already, Jags and Distin are another year older. It's not looking good for whoever is in charge next season.

We have already beaten last season points haul and we still believe that this season is a disappointment, I feel sorry for whoever is gaffer next year, as there are so many fans who expect us to be challenging for 4th or even better again....I wonder why that is?

Perhaps Tony Moyes has persuaded Felli and Baines to give it another year and has also asked BK to cough up the funds he should have provided in January. Moyes will not want to leave Everton without putting something tangible on the table. I keep hearing that DM hates losing and that he wants to be a winner, so maybe he wants one last throw of the dice to become one with Everton.

The downside of that is if he and the team fail we will be going through the same scenario next April - then again we have become used to that with Dave Ja Vu at the helm.

@579 I agree with you there but that won't happen. Pardew and Ashley are drinking buddies hence his 8year contract! No way they can afford to sack him.

According to the German press today Stefan Effenberg is going to be the new coach at Schalke. If this is the case the list of possible new jobs for Moyes gets ever shorter and provides the possible answer to Richard's original question.

What could have persuaded Moyes to stay?

Simple, no one wants a cautious, lack of personality, KITAP1, bottling failure at their club.

I don't think a manager who has won zilch is on anyone's list in the summer. He tried to sell himself, realised that no-one wanted him, so he has decided to stay.

Actually Ross I think there would be plenty of takers, just not the ones some of the people on here think he destined for.

Richard... glad to have given your pen renewed strength, this site wouldn't be the same without your postings.

Who then Andrew? Give me some names.

It's groundhog day for the manager, the supporters and everything surrounding the club really.

As Kevin @611 points out, the transfer windows have become an absolute chore we all dread, twice a year.

While we watch every club around us purchasing players from around the Globe, we spent half a million on a kid from Barnsley.

Moyes has many faults, but a 20 goals a season striker would have seen us in the top 4 this year.

It's not really the manager we should be talking about, is it?

Newcastle and West Ham to name two, Sunderland if the Di Canio thing doesn't work out and Villa too if Lambert's tenure comes to an end.

Football managers tend to find a niche for themselves and I believe Moyes' will be turning clubs around. I wouldn't expect him to ever stay anywhere for 11 years again but there will be plenty of chairmen would love him to bring the top half stability he has brought to Everton

This is £4m a year man Moyesy here Andrew. If he went to the clubs you mentioned he would slide further into the managerial abyss, anyway, they can't afford his undeserved pay packet.
Good ideas, I'd drive him to them tommorrow!

I think that Moysie (and I'm a believer) has painted himself into a bit of a corner.

He's perceived as someone who can, on a comparatively small budget, achieve a great deal. However I wonder how any future prospective employers would fancy their chances with a guy unfamiliar with a very big transfer fund.

Out goes the unearthing of undervalued talent and in comes the big name signings.

I think it was the then chairman of Man U, Martin Edwards, who said of SAF "He's a fantastic manager - but don't let him near the chequebook."

Then we are stuck with him Ross because he ain't going to get £4m a year abroad and he ain't going to a Champions League team in England anytime soon.

Don't bet against Newcatle offering him a fair whack though if they thought they really needed him

What could have persuaded Moyes to stay?

Simple answer really

1. No offers on the table from suitable clubs
2. £4m plus salary
3. A boss that puts no pressure on him
4. Apparent acceptance by the media and wider football world that Everton shouldn't finish higher than 7th or 8th
5. Sadly, No 4 also accepted by the Everton fans (majority).

Ross - where do you get £4m from? I thought it was £2.9m, making him the 16th best paid manager in the world...although not the 16th most successful!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2239727/Top-30-best-paid-football-managers-world--Sir-Alex-Ferguson-England-boss-Roy-Hodgson-Jose-Mourinho-tops-list.html

I think Ross, every team bar Liverpool below us would take Moyes. And as only Chelsea will be replacing their manager in the summer from the teams above he could be approached from them... but I can't see him jacking in 11 years of one club to be under the threat of sack from minute one.

I also think were Pardew given a shove Newcastle, Moyes would have them where we are now by end of season 2. Then have the backing and draw to make a challenge for top 4.

He'd still need to beat two of Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea, City, Utd... and not forgetting the genius who takes over at Goodison who will make the team better just through not being David Moyes of course.

Who knows about Europe? Managers don't often cross borders except to the PL. Rarely do players and managers leave the Prem for whatever reason so it won't be a Moyes thing should no one from abroad come in for him.

Pointing out his salary as a something to hinder his move is wrong. No one would expect a club to offer or he to demand £4m from day one... only those who just throw mud at him from every turn.

You might want... definitely want, him gone but its a little churlish to exclaim who would want him, name me a club etc etc

In fact, I'd be pretty amazed if the bloke up at Newcastle didn't approach Moyes' agent. Pardew's job would be in the balance according to his answer... and that's who we'd end up with!

I could see him going to Celtic at some point.

Ian, it's slightly ironic that those who want him gone are those who only have the belief No 4 is all he's capable of.

Moyes will get a better job soon enough... Check out John's post above...what is incorrect about it? Moyes improves us on a Championship budget...gives us hope when none should, in the financial world of football, exist. We are disappointed not because Moyes has failed...but because he has raised expectations. We have a poor away record...but we have beaten City, United and Spurs at home this season.. so 3 of the 5 teams above us, and are there any other teams in the league who have beaten City and United at home? Similarly, our away record against the big teams, whilst poor, is hardly unique... We have beaten top four teams (City and Spurs...although people like to forget) and bested Chelsea on penalties, and consequently won at the Bridge for the first time in how many years? It may not be enough...but it is not sackable, and no one would be raise any eyebrows if we stated that Sunderland or West Brom hadnt won at specifically selected top four clubs in an extended period. I think we have a problem at Everton...history. Like fans of most historical clubs, we have a belief we should be winning cups, and getting top four football, or thereabouts...when in reality we have the means of a lower middle-table team. If Moyes ever gets an owner who will give him 30-50million a year to send, like Liverpool have had, like Chelsea have had, like City etc etc... and he fails to win cups, and fails to get top four football, and fails to improve our team, then I will be happy to see him replaced. But no established Premier League team has improved so much on so little with such consistency as Everton under David Moyes. We are below the level, in terms of finance, and probaly less in terms of revenue and stadium etc of teams like Newcastle, or Sunderland..but whilst they have been involved in a relegation fight this season, and suffered from managerial uncertainty, we had a very good go at top four, which suffered because of the inability to strength our tiny squad. A time will come when Moyes will go to a Spurs or a Chelsea, and some of us will be happy...I personally will hugely apprehensive, for fear one of the potential replacements, such as the massive inconsistent Martinez, who manages to motivate his team for three months of every season, or God forbid, a Mark Hughes, will come in...and waste the little money we have, and any slim chance of Champions League football. Personally, I think Fellaini will go in the summer for 25million... and I think Moyes should be given the entire amount, any money we raise from transfers, and some of the Fer money which was supposedly there, to add, as the first priorities, at least one striker, a central midfield replacement, and another creative attacking player to our squad. I think we should fight tooth and nail to keep Moyes...because when he goes...I think we will lose one of the league's best managers, and then join the manager merry-go-round which is the plight of most teams in this league.

I think an introduction is in order...

Jim - meet paragraphing. Paragraphing - meet Jim.

I think it's a mixture of everything I.e. he's getting an improved contract, no one else wants him, he's been promised £10m from the Baines-Fellaini money to buy more defenders etc.....

Jim, there was no money in the pot for the Fer transfer, they were expecting another player to leave the club to fund it.

That's why we left it until the 30th of January, so fans would not be asking to spend the money elsewhere, if it fell through because of his 'medical condition.'

Agree with that Kevin. All BK had to do was put him on a EasyJet to John Lennon and job done.

Here is my prediction for the summer (for what it's worth!):

Moyes will stay, Baines will stay, Fellaini will go, Fer will sign for us, Negredo won't.

Kevin...there is no way that was a fictional transfer. No Everton fans expected us, at the end of the window, to agree a big money deal. There was no need to meet expectations...because we had no expectations. But great to see that some Everton fans still believe we would go through a series of negotiations, reach a deal, arrange a medical...purely because Kenwright decided to trick Everton fans, who had no expectations of a big money deal, into believing we were going to sign someone.

Brilliant.

I agree with that prediction Paul.

Paul, I can see that happening too but then I thought we would definitely see Odidje Ofoe come in January so what do I know.

But in all seriousness I think we will see Fellaini and Heitinga go, like for like replacements come in along with a couple of squad type players, maybe a striker if we are lucky.

Albert Dock,
Did Martin Edwards say that before or after he was nicked for putting mirrors under the doors in various ladies toilets ?

Jim #649, obviously Everton intended to sign Fer. However, it appears that whilst a fee was agreed with FC Twente, the payment terms were not agreed. This has led to the speculation that a player was expected to move on (no idea who, if I had to guess, Heitinga) and that when that didn't happen, the medical issue was thrown up to try to get FC Twente to agree to different terms. They didn't, and said all along they wouldn't.

I wouldn't say it's a nap we'd go back for him. There was no mention of Vadis Odija Ofoe after the August window drama.

We do seem to have a lot of last minute dramas regarding incoming transfers Jim.

What are the chances of Jelavic going? Don't forget, Croatia will probably be at the World Cup finals in Brazil, so he'll want to be playing regularly to keep himself in contention. If he pushes for a move it might suit us: we'll get more money if it looks like we want to hold on to him but are reluctantly agreeing to his demands. As things stand, it would be no great loss.

Another possibility: Naismith moves on. In a sense, buying him was a bit like buying Beckford. He cost nothing, DM probably thought: 'We'll give him a go and if it doesn't work out we can sell him on for a profit'. Well, it hasn't worked out, so he should be on his way.

Naismith was the New Vic, a handy scapegoat for all that was wrong with the team. Anichebe upped his game this season, leaving a vacancy which Naismith filled. As Neville is off too, we will need to find another mug to shout at next season. I like Osman, but I fear he is very much next in line!

You're right Jim, I have just made the complete story up to impress you.

Everton FC is the biggest club David Moyes will ever manage.

He won't manage abroad.
The Schalke job,bounced around by many of the usual suspects on here as proof that he is in demand in Europe,has gone.He won't be invited anywhere else.
Spain ?
Don't make me laugh.besides his lack of credentials,imagine a Glasgow Jock managing in Spain. "Que?"

I don't think Moyes ever was leaving until a so-called bigger club came in for him and, apart from 3 or 4 teams in this country, there a none bigger than EFC. It is now quite obvious Moyes isn't the greatest Scottish manager since Jock Stein and no-one else dare touch him.

If you look at David Moyes's wins per game ratio, it's somewhere around 42% which is diabolical. Premier League managers are sacked with 51% win rates.

Moyes is a no-nonsense grafter who has shown us all he has to give. Money to burn wouldn't change him and chairmen at other clubs know they would end up like Everton if they took Moyes on: Hard to beat but not winning many, always there abouts but never quite there. Fans at clubs who demand winners and winning would turn on Dynamo Dave in months.

I am dreading next season if Moyes is still here... Another year of Osman and Naismith; another year of almost, nearly, not quite. If we get our annual pasting over the park on Sunday, let's say a 3- or 4-nil job which I actually fear will happen, should Moyes be forced out? I think he should as we need change to move forward — even if that means going backwards for a while. The least we should all want is entertaining football — and we won't get that with Moyes in charge.

I wouldn't bother Matt, Jim clearly knows more than most about this transfer, he must do the way he is so sure of his own version of events.

I am sure he will tell us who his source is sometime soon.

In honesty Kev, who would buy Naismith? In Scotland Celtic is probably the only option and I can't see that happening with his Rangers connections which surely only leaves the Championship and I'm not sure he's good enough for that level.

With Beckford you had a guy with limited talent at Premier League level but still managed to score double figures without being a first team regular so much easier to sell on.

Can I just say, I love a good "fictional transfer". Tubby Morton's transfer from Melchester Rovers to Blackport sticks in the mind. Who'd have thought he would save a penalty on his debut... against Melchester Rovers! Did Roy Race's concussion - following a heavy challenge from Blackport hard man Dickie Dogsworth - play a part in his piss-poor penalty attempt? Or was he drugged by his own physio, as revenge for winking at his pretty young fiance, Suzy Woo?

All this and more for only seven old pennies. Bargain.

Everton FC is a riddle wrapped up in an enigma surrounded by a mystery. In other words, who knows what goes on at our club?

Kevin...your post clearly implies that the Everton angle on the story was incorrect... what source do I need? my only source is your own stupidity. I'm personally going with the angle that because we agreed a fee for a player we had been linked with for a long time, and arranged a medical etc... that it wasn't a fictional manipulation of fans expectation which never existed in the first place.

But good luck with the conspiracy theories.

Jim, read my post @ #643, then re-read it, then stop making a tit of yourself.

Andrew - Naismith is not as bad as he looks. Beneath the utter rubbishness that we have all witnessed, I would like to think that here is a slightly less awful player struggling to get out. Please note: I do not have a shred of evidence for this assertion!

I mean, he simply cannot be as bad as he looks. I can see him turning out for Hull or, I don't know, Middlesborough. Maybe Huddersfield. We could get a million for him, if we're lucky...

What are you talking about Kevin? I've read your post. Your clearly imply we did not have the funds for the transfer...and therefore that the deal was somekind of smokescreen. It is a conspiracy theory... a suggestion that the board would somehow fictionalise an attempted transfer to manipulate expectation which never existed in the first place. Just because transfers get rejected because of medical issues...doesn't mean the medical reasons don't exist.

I would take anything for Naismith... he still has a reputation, so in theory we could squeeze a million or so from a Championship club, or a Scotish side.

Kev, more likely Melchester or Blackport

Can someone please enlighten Jim, I give up, it must be past his medication time.

Jim,
Our board pull a stunt like that?
Never in a million years,history shows us they are as straight as a dye.

Andrew - ha-ha! Yeah, that is more feasible, to be fair.

Friend was telling me a story on Baines signing autographs at a local car plant for all the bosses when a lad comes up and tells him to "put his pen down and look me in the eye and tell me what you are doing next season as I am about to spend a fortune on season tickets" Baines said he will be at Everton next season looking him in the eye.
Obviously BK will have a say on this but that's Baines words.

I think Baines might stay unless someone comes in and offers 17-20m for him. Felli is almost a cert to go as his dad wants another big slice of his commission. I hope Naismith goes for his sake and ours. He is bloody rubbish!

I would have thought the answer is pretty obvious as to why nothing has been confirmed yet. Either, as already mentioned above, he has not gotten any offers (that we know about anyway) that are better than Everton. Or he has but is waiting for season end to announce it so as not to 'disrupt' the players.

What defines a 'better offer' is another question but given he practically waived his job application in the air for Spurs last year and was not approached, it seems reasonable that no 'bigger' team than Everton in the English League have approached him. I highly doubt Chelsea has given the rumours that the special one is headed back and Ancelotti is taking his place at Real Madrid.

Re Schalke – as mentioned before, I live in Germany and the only time I've read Moyes being linked with Schalke here, in when the German press here have said said that the ENGLISH press was touting Moyes for Schalke. There is nothing from the Schalke/German side at all. Then again, seeing how BVB kept the Goetze transfer quiet till the last minute, Schalke may be successfully doing the same, who knows. However, I think they will not make a decision until they see if they manage CL qualification and that is likely to go down to the wire in Germany. There are about 4-5 clubs in with a shout of the last 4th place, with 3 games left.

Cannot fault Moyes for hedging his bets although as a fan it is fucking annoying and for the club it's not great either as it cannot help planning for summer transfers and pre-season.

Kevin...you need enlightening. There was no need to pull a stunt... we didnt need to make a phantom bid. Not even the most foolhardy Everton fan expected a big signing to come into Everton a few days before the window shut. But choose to believe we wasted time and money negotiating for a transfer we knew would never happen... that Moyes stood by and watched it happen... that the board lead us all on a merry-go-round for the sake of pleasing all us fans for two days. Bizzare.

Jim, here is the part of the post I most want you to concentrate on...ready?

"Jim, there was no money in the pot for the Fer transfer, they were expecting another player to leave the club to fund it."

I am not going to break a confidence and name the player, but I can promise you we would have signed Fer, if the outgoing transfer had been completed.

Now, do you want me to go over this again?

It was Fellaini

Good to see so many theories as to why Davey `has decided to stay home`.It will be interesting to see which of them turns out to be right.I guess as long as he stays,it really matters not.
Picking up on postings re.Naismith,he really has been disappointing and far less threatening than Beckford who I thought was a good man `off the bench`.

So Kevin, what did we pay Fer to keep quiet about this medical lie?

I just hope he goes and takes BK, Elstone, Green,Prentice, O'Keefe, Osman, Heitinga, Naismith and Round with him.

Here I go again with my 2 cents worth!
I believe that the Fer deal was genuine, I really do.
Maybe I am too gullible in believing certain things surrounding our club but I think this transfer was real.
Many other things concerning the club are suspicious but I'm happy to put my belief in that story

I'm not sure he ever wanted to leave but our massive wage bill, for which he is partly responsible, stifled transfer funds and brought his squad building plans to a halt. This probably caused him to review his situation.

The above posts suggest he will stay and if he does it would stupid to moan about it. Far better we get behind the team and concentrate on positives.

Fergie has always stated that the best DM signings are the ones he manages to keep and if he decides to stay, the lads he brought in are more likely to stay with him.

For me, the main positive is the fact that he now knows this squad inside out. Who can do things for him, who can't. Which positions need strengthening in order to put us up a notch. We all have our opinions and dreams. Mine would include a top class centre-forward and a strong athletic replacement for fat, lazy Gibson who couldn't tackle my cat.

I thought it was reported that it was David Moyes who pulled the plug on the Fer transfer. As for the car-plant story about Baines, every player can say they will be here at the start of next season, pity that the window doesn't close until a couple weeks after it starts. Having said that I do think that Baines will stay for much longer.

Ross do you have any cherished memories of the past eleven years?

Patrick,
Re the meeting in the car plant
If Baines is sold Kenwright will need a police escort to the game

Kevin...I don't want to go over this again, but I think you are deluded. We didnt make up a knee injury... Fer hasnt, as Ernie has stated, made any references to any Everton medical lies...and there was no reason for us, to try, however half arsed our attempt may have been, to go for Negredo after Fer fell apart. Was Negredo coming in reliant on someone going too? and who exactly was leaving...please enlighten us. Fellaini? Baines? Heitinga?

And you can promise me we would have signed Fer? who is your source?

I almost find it funny when someone brings up some imaginary source, and an imaginary guarantee, to consolidate an internet supposition. Hilarious in fact.

I don't think Everton will sell Baines. We likely value him at 15-20mil, and I don't believe that any team in this league will pay that for a 28 year old. If he was 23..maybe, but I do not see us agreeing on a valuation with any potential suitors.

I do Patrick, just not enough unfortunately.
3-0 v RS
2009 FA Cup ( didn't win but there we are)
7-1 v Sunderland
3-1v Man U

Worst Memories
Losing to Leeds in League Cup
0-3 Wigan (worst memory in years was having 10 men behind the ball at 0-3)
0-3 at Anfield
0-7 v Arsenal
1-6 v Arsenal
Losing to Oldham in the Cup
Defeat v Shrewsbury in Cup
1-4 v Blackburn
2009 FA Cup Final (Didn't win)

Strange that you didn't include any of the European games Ross, we had a few belters there.

The Larrissa one with the Ossie wonder goal, Yak scoring for fun in European games. Also the Cahill goal to ensure 4th place, the 1-0 Ferguson Man U game etc.

The 7-0 drubbing by Arsenal is not a dreadful memory for me, because we all know that all the players were hung over after celebrating in Baby Blue in the Albert Dock on the Sunday after Arsenal beat Liverpool. Even Carsley, the true professional drove to Liverpool from Birmingham to go on the piss.

This reminds me of the time I was attempting to explain how a dog knew it's name when you called it, to my 4 year old nephew - ultimately you realise it's a fruitless excercise!

Has Naismith really had a fair crack of the whip though?

Every time I've seen him, he's been a latter-half sub, mostly brought on when we are winning, I am guessing with instructions to add some steel and defend a lead (or to settle for draw). I can't remember him being used properly, for a decent period, in his optimum position (e.g. as a foil for Jelavic up top).

I wouldn't read anymore into it until he's given a fair chance (like velios - from what I've seen, he's useful, but hasn't been given much game time).

Re: Moyes staying and reasons for it; we don't know that he is staying, so any possible explanations are just speculation. I know some people on here appear to claim to know Moyes's inner thoughts and workings, so I'll leave it to them to suggest...personally I think its folly.

However he is thought about internally by our own fans, the general football world recognise Moyes as someone that took Preston from being relegation candidates to promotion, and took Everton from relegation candidates to consistently challenging for europe. Both times he has done this without significant funding. Although it is true, he has never won a major trophy. But then again, when you think ALex McLeish won the League Cup with Birmingham, or McLaren with Boro, is winning the odd trophy really indicative of a good manager? I would rather have Moyes than either of them.

I can fully understand those that do not like the percentage style of football, and cautious approach. I am rarely inspired by our performances either. But I believe that Moyes has tuned us to play this way, as it is the most effective for the squad at our disposal. I do not dispute that we could have won at the 'top 4' with more expansive tactics. But I would argue that these tactics will not garner the most points over a season. Wigan is a good example of this, they play some pretty on the eye football. But its a results game, not performances, this (and finances available) is why they sit 27 points behind us in the table.

I firmly believe that Moyes is able to change these tactics, and play much more attacking football if he had the right squad available. But with his limited squad and finances, he often ends up buying economical 'more than one position' players instead of specialists. Moyes knows full well that finishing lower in the league means less money coming into the club, and will impact on his already paltry budget he has to work with when compared with the teams ahead of him. I am not surprised he doesn't 'go for it' and gamble. The difference in prize money between 5th and 17th is close to 9 million pounds, or the equivalent of 3 seasons worth of money based on Moyes average spend.

I really hope he does stay, I would love nothing more than to see Moyes be the guy to guide the club to a trophy as I personally believe he is a great manager. But ultimately without finances, I don't think he can do anything more than he has already done unless our youth system manages to produce some top players in the next few seasons. I firmly believe he has all the hallmarks of a future United Manager in terms of his planning, integrity and eye for creating stars instead of buying them. Not many players leave Goodison without having improved in recent memory. And no doubt when he does go on to win things in future, there will be a chorus of 'SEE?? I told you he could win stuff if he played attacking football. We were right all along..'

Dan, that's a good post but I disagree with your conclusion.

Moyes had a balanced team out at Arsenal then changed it for Sunderland when Ossie was fit - it's a flaw that kills us too often.

Cups, derbies, the sky 4 grounds all evidence of the timidness he can't shake.

It isn't people saying we should be top 4 it's the opportunity of this season - it was there to be had and once again no cigar.

When opportunity beckons he fails; the 7th/8th business does not justify that ad infinitum.

Barry, if that really is the case though why haven't any of the teams currently below us that have won a cup, or away to the 'sky 4' consistently finished above Everton? I have done my best to explain my reasoning on Moyes logic, so it would be interesting to hear your view on why managers that show more 'bottle' than Moyes, simply do not produce anywhere near the same points per game ratio season in, season out.

So the people who presumed he was going to leave hammered Moyes for it.

The same people now assume he's not going to leave and Moyes gets hammered for it.

Talk about an agenda. I hope these same people don't have to make important judgements in their working lives that could have real consequences to others.

No one knows what's in Moyes head or BKs or any other club Chairman's head. But everyone knows this don't thy? Presumptions and assetions based on obvious agendas just inspire pointless narratives like this thread. It is what it is, Moyes has a contract and is perfectly entitled to see it out. If the board want to offer him another one it's up to them, if they don't its up to them. Trying to create anti or pro Moyes arguments based on a normal commercial situation is spinning a predetermined agenda to suit the aims of the usual factions.

Its like a football version of The Thick Of It.

Wicked Whistle (a column in Daily Mirror).

Which Premier League boss doesn't let his lucrative contract get in the way of being extremely penny-wise.

Regularly seen in standard class on trains — often with his own packed lunch.

He was recently spotted in an airport complaining that as his plane had been delayed he was entitled to a free can of coke.

Any guesses which managers it was?

Brilliant evasion Kevin...I expected you to fail to answer any of the points people raised...and I am not disappointed.

But then you probaly have a source's confidence to protect?!

Tell you what Jim, I'll be in the bar of the Hilton, Liverpool, on May 16th, just before we go to the end of season awards. (Approx 5.30 )

If someone explains to you the full story, you buy the drinks before we depart. If you are not satisfied, I will pay for your season ticket ( if you go to the match )

I will leave my number with Michael, and you can call me.

Dan Brierley, I believe it goes back to the start of his tenure.

His inheritance was far better than many state expectations were nil, some money was available existing players were capable of staying in the division and the lottery ticket paid out - Rooney.

From the get go Moyes was on the front foot and with Kenwright he was as secure as Wenger and SAF. Not improving in those circumstances would mean he was a complete duffer, Allardyce did the same at Bolton.

So Moyes position is unique you just can't make comparisons all you can do is question is it is enough for EFC?

Harking back to Walter and comparing ourselves to the likes of Wigan just isn't for me, excusing every failure by kneeling in honour of 7th ish I feel is the ultimate in small mercies.

We can predict the losses and HOW it's going to happen and regretably these games tend to be the most meaningful.

At other clubs the managers get changed be expectation winning the league or avoiding relegation, it's the level of expectation that muddies the Moyes waters.

The easy option of cash isn't there so what should we do? ... accept more of the 11 year experience or try to improve in another way?

It depends on your expectation for our club.

Which are these clubs you talk of Barry? I'd hazard a guess those whose outlay demand trophies... then again not at Arsenal. Not at Spurs.

I don't think anyone cares for 7th and you know that as well. But I'm not sure why you expect Everton to win anything. Hope yes, but expectations being based on what exactly?

I'd think you'd revert to 'giving it a go when it counts' bananas. Would you still at least expect to win things were we under Sam Allardyce and finishing in tenth each season? I'm just trying to gauge to what extent you give Moyes credit.

Jesus, the cult of Kim Jong-Moyes.

A man who threatens to attack but his enemies know his weapons are obselete.

The supreme leader, followed blindly by those who've never known anything else.

If he did leave, Entwistle and Dodd would no doubt be weeping buckets and theatrically chucking themselves on the deck to show their love to the great one

(although Dodd used to rant in favour of Kim Jong-Bill, so could do a u-ee any day now)

Me, don't hate or despise Moyes or think he's 'shit' but I'm sick of looking at him and listening to him and watching his brand of football and I'd take Laudrup in a heartbeat.

Agree completely with Mr Marsh but know the dour presbyterian will be with us next year, simply because I'm not that fucking lucky.

Eugene - On the other hand:

http://www.boxing.com/news/comments/the_100_greatest_fighters_of_all_time_part_ten_10_1

Enjoy.

Nick not sure I get your first para.

Regarding the "7th" comment I disagree I think there's a generation who think it's marvelous. The no money/no glory argument has been repeated so often it's become a tablet of stone.

Pointing out that Prem, CL and european results every week throw up examples that simply don't follow the financial league is met with either hostility, excuses or avoidance.

Moyes does little to lead the way which is ironic because his cup record is the antithesis of the monied theory as we regularly get knocked out by poorer clubs.

The "expect/hope" semantics is a diversion a flim flam to split hairs about anything bar the real question:- "is 11 years without silverware good enough?"

Whoever is in charge my answer is it's not - you can call that entitlement, expectation or whatever you want it's just being an evertonian to me.

Moyes gets credit for doing the stabilising job but the flaws were there early on his preference for utility players and absence of pace and creativity meant we were always predictable. Shackle Arteta and we were done.

Again ironically he killed the lack of investment theory used for years as the defacto excuse for this and the truly horrendous fayre when he traded Bily and Rodwell for Gibson, Mirallas and Jela and we were transformed.

Predictably he didn't capitalise indeed he makes decisions that seem to fuck it up, I trace the seeds of this seasons wobbles to Leeds and his folly over team selection.

He gathers potential but is not the man to bring it out in fact he does the opposite (see arsenal followed by sunderland).

These flaws cost us massively, the stars aligned this season to make both the CL and the FA cup possible - but if you weren't blinded by the Moyes media myth you just knew.

Barry, you're right about the money thing. Look at Man City and what they have spent and how far behind Man Utd and Europe's elite they are. Look at Dortmund, assembled for coppers even less than our team and they have one foot on the Wembley stairs for a Champions League final? How does that work then?

Tony,
It only works when it fits their argument.
Money determines your league position......(but not all the time)

Help me, I`m confused.Which are the clubs who regularly finish way above us with only a `players` budget` similar to our own?

Ross, whilst having your now boring dig at Moyes you stated that no big club would want a manager that had won zilch. Could you please explain why Brenda is being touted as the next Chelsea manager.

Tony Marsh, you let yourself down with the 'I guess Moyes isn't the greatest Scot since Jock Stein' quip. Of course he isn't, Fergie is.

Also got to laugh at all the people who say that Everton are one of the big clubs, but then state that there is nowhere for players to go on to if they are not good enough for us. There are lots of clubs that would love to take our rejects, just look at Huddersfield's strike force.

Finally please stop touting Laudrup as a replacement for the negative Moyes. The man said that you can't beat a team like Chelsea unless they don't turn up. If that isn't defeatist I don't know what is.

I`ll have a go Steve.
Brendan has got as much chance of being the next Chelsea manager as A N other who has been touted for the job....What was his name again ?

Barry, you're right, we haven't won anything for a generation.

I don't know if single results are the argument with financial positions, its the league table that will show you a prerequisite of any success is money.

I'm not going to defend getting knocked out to lower league opposition, but for one off games, but not losing to lesser clubs from the Prem is not something ring-fenced because we're higher in the league.

11 years, even 18 of not winning anything... well we're not going to win the league so that leaves two domestic cup comps and only 4 clubs out of the money have won in 21 competitions in those 11 years...

I'm not sure what you mean regards to Moyes killing the lack of investment theory. In one sense its true, he's thew one manager in the league who shows he can rise above it. No first team purchases in 5 of the last 7 transfer windows don't you know. And when he was given zero net spend in the other two it shows the leaps that can be made.

I don't recall anyone giving a flying duck about the league cup and like many teams rightly or wrongly he played a second 11. Gave squad players a chance and they blew it.

He does gather that potential, but then are we not supposed to lose ever? Spurs were 30 seconds from losing to Wigan... again! Yes we lost to Sunderland... and now they lost 6-1 to Villa...

The CL was possible, still is if you look at the fixtures and the table. He's brought us this close with 15 good players, no strikers and a bench full of kids, Neville's and Naismiths.

You can point to this that and the other, but so can fans of the clubs above us. Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea. Shit happens when you've got 22 men pinging a ball about on a stretch of grass.

Call me a fantasist but after the Fulham match I put a tenner on at 66/1 to reach the top 4.

I think James Stewart has it right. Moyes will bide his time until a CL club, or another with serious pretensions - and the finances to back them - for CL qualification offers him a job. It reminds me of O'Neill at Celtic with his one year contract extensions. I have little doubt that we need him to have any serious hope of cracking into the CL.

But Moyes needs to buy a striker or two, even if they are the most expensive players. That may mean splashing half of the Felli cash (he's gone) on a striker, and hoping Jela wakes up next season, or it may mean the same but also selling Jela and finding a replacement. Look at the RS! They lose Suarez for the derby but still have Sturridge. We have Anichebe, and for all his improvement; he is no 15 goals a season striker let alone 20. You cannot get into the CL without at least one of those.

I pray Moyes and Baines stay, and we make one last push, with a Negredo or similar on board. I would be content to lose Felli if it means £25-30 million on a striker, CM, and young CB. Sell Heitinga for a reserve goalie, and perhaps a near-free Donovan on a 1-2 yr deal. He could be in for the end of the Moyes and his own era, and fingers crossed our own chance of CL football. I would love us to become an English Schalke; talk of more is fantasy until we get some sort of lucky cash cow. There is bugger all sign of such a thing anywhere near L4. We need Moyes to stay! We need a striker, too.

Nick.
Your a fantasist

66/1 I'm taking it. Even saw it as high as 80 elsewhere.

Spurs are wobbling and Chelsea still have Spurs, Utd and a resurgent Villa. If they score two draws and a loss to Utd we can still go into the final game with a chance to beat them.

Of course we have Anfield but 66/1 was a great price. I've had much longer bets come off.

Tony #890, "Look at Dortmund, assembled for coppers even less than our team and they have one foot on the Wembley stairs for a Champions League final? How does that work then? "
look at this thread, posts 13, 19 and 21.
http://www.toffeeWeb.com/season/12-13/comment/fan/24418.html

"highest average attendance in EUROPE".

"17million signing of Marco Reus"

"Dortmund are the second richest club in Germany and the world's 11th richest in terms of revenue"

"Jurgen Klopp's salary being nearly double that of Moyes"

Does that answer your question?

Nick,
all due respect.
The longer bets you say you had come off,you must be a lucky gambler,
it cant be due to gambling skill.You saw 80/1 but took 66/1 ?

Klopp has won more than DM, and he has only been in charge for about 3 years. Moyes has had 11 years of opportunities to win something and cocked up every time. He's had the chances, now hand over to someone else.
Poyet or Martinez in

Sky Sports reported on October 14th 2008

Everton manager David Moyes has signed a new five-year contract at Goodison Park
Moyes has been in talks with the club over an extension for some time but he has finally
put pen to paper on a new deal.
The Scot, who took charge on Merseyside in March 2002, had admitted that the uncertainty
over his future was affecting his side's start to the season.

It must have been backdated to the summer of 2008 otherwise his contract wouldn't be up until October this year. Just a thought.

Neville to play in the last few games, with Naismith up front with Jelavic.

Eirc - 043, Not taking any sides here but your numbers re Dortmund are not right.

a) Klopp does not earn double what Moyes does. In fact he earns Eur 2.1m a year (top in Germany is Heynckes on Eur 5m/year). So actually he earns about half of what Moyes does.

b) Dortmund do have a nearly 80k packed house for most home games but ticket prices are also very low in germany compared to the english and spanish leagues. Average price at dortmund is around Eur 25. (Chelsea is around GBP 50!)

c) Dortmund are financially in a good position now but were close to bankruptcy back in 2005. Through prudent management and an amazingly successful youth and transfer policy in the last few years, they have gotten on their feet again. (Although the way they got out of their situation in 2005 is still a bit of a mystery, dodgy loans etc being touted..)

d) The signing of Rues was expensive but a one off. Most of the current team either came through the youth or were signed for very little. Also the reus transfer fee was completely was earned through prize money and transfer revenue, so self generated An example of their transfer success is signing kagawa for 350k and then selling him to man u 2 years later for 17m! Sahin was sold to madrid for about 20m, goetze will be sold to bayern for 37m in june having come through the youth team. Lewandowski cost them about 4m and now worth about 35m! etc etc

Dortmund in the last 3 years under klopp have been simply amazing. Much as I would like Moyes to go I think its a bit unfair to compare him to a manager who is probably in the top 5 in the world at the minute and is being touted as a potential replacement for mourinho at madrid.....

Only SAF and Wenger could probably be compared to him from the english league..

Paul, I checked the odds checker the next day and the price had risen on another site, even before the Arsenal draw.

I remember my 100/1 shot won the national a few years back. If I was that lucky then my other 100/1 shot wouldn't have been...erm... shot.

Eek! Nick, that's a bad omen. If we don't finish 4th is Moyesie gonna be shot? I think the fella is over-rated but a death sentence is definitely harsh.

Before the season started I bet £40 to win £60 that we would finish 6/7th.
Easy,easy money.Thank you,Davey!

He will probably sign a contract for a year leaving us screwed for next season.

Interested to hear that Moyes is now 3/1 to be next Man Utd manager. Fergie's imminent surgery will have him out of action for at least the few weeks of the new season and he will not be available to oversee the pre-season so I can him keepin his powder dry for a while longer.

In response to the title on this thread. NOT ME.