Contract uncertainty no distraction

Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post , 18 February, 46comments | Jump to most recent

Phil Jagielka insists David Moyes's decision to put contract talks on hold will not prove distracting for Everton's squad as their season reaches its crucial point.

“He has come out in the press and said he will not sign anything until the end of the season, which is fine with us,” said the centre-back.

“We don't have to feel that we have to prove anything. The manager has pretty much brought every single player in, bar one or two, so we are his players.

“Obviously, it will be nice to give him a quick reminder of how good we are by keeping this cup run going and pushing as high as we can up the Premier League.

“We are a very close squad and we get on very well. As much as we go out there to do it for the manager, we do it for each other as well and obviously the fans, too. “There is more than one person there to play for.”

Quotes or other material sourced from Liverpool Daily Post

Reader Comments (46)

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Patrick Murphy
1 Posted 18/02/2013 at 10:15:02

Diplomatic, but a hint of the show must go on mentality too?

Mark Tanton
2 Posted 18/02/2013 at 15:44:09

I can't help thinking that the season is going to be one long slog from here. Tottenham are pulling away from us, and we still have to go there. Liverpool are one win away away from us, and we await our usual Anfield embarrassment.

I think we might end up 7th or 8th - which, considering the points dropped from games we should have won, is nothing short of a disaster.

Tony J Williams
3 Posted 18/02/2013 at 16:48:34

Funny, only one response. If it would have been Jags saying that it was a distraction, it would have been near the 100 post mark by now.

Phil Walling
4 Posted 18/02/2013 at 16:58:11

How many times have players said they don`t give a stuff who`s manager? All that guff about Man Utd players being distressed when SAF announced his retirement was bullshit as verified by a number of his players subsequently.

Patrick Murphy
5 Posted 18/02/2013 at 16:59:47

Having read this quote a few times, I don't think Jags is that impressed by DM's stance, but obviously he can't say that. He at least understands that he plays for the club and not just the manager.

Dominic Bobadilla
6 Posted 18/02/2013 at 17:10:38

Not sure, Patrick: so much can be read into these words. Is he saying that whether there be Moyes or no Moyes, it is the club that matters?

Tony J Williams
7 Posted 18/02/2013 at 17:12:40

" I don't think Jags is that impressed by DM's stance, " - Fucks sake!!!!

Jamie Barlow
8 Posted 18/02/2013 at 17:19:54

I'm with you Patrick. I don't think he likes Moyes.

Judging the tone of his interview, it sounds like he'd like Iain Dowie to come in a get the squad buzzing again.

Sounds like Jags is off to Arsenal in the summer too.

Patrick Murphy
9 Posted 18/02/2013 at 17:34:07

I assume there is an air of sarcasm in your post Jamie and Tony J maybe you can give us your interpretation of Jags remarks.

Trevor Lynes
10 Posted 18/02/2013 at 18:07:56

Another round of Mystic Meg style rubbish.

Matt Traynor
11 Posted 18/02/2013 at 18:16:30

Actually Patrick, I think everyone reads too much into this. As part of the ever-expanding media deals that pay their inflated wages, everyone from the Chairman to the tea lady is now accessible to a reporter and a cameraman.

More often than not these flash interviews are asinine in the extreme and as tedious for the average supporter to read / watch as I'm sure it is for the club rep concerned to respond to.

Moyes gave his position last week. Cue every interview with anyone from Everton being about the Moyes situation.

To be honest, I wish the players would adopt Jamie Barlow's approach in responding to these questions. Glib answers all the way. Sure the media would get pissed off with us, but they probably wouldn't as they patently don't give a toss about us anyway.

Barry Rathbone
12 Posted 18/02/2013 at 18:20:55

Tony J 587, surely if you are alluding to a large ground swell reaction over his contract stance you must realise fans aren't happy.

How some evertonians can defend an everton manager virtually saying "I know I can sign here but I want to see if anything better pops up" is beyond me.

Harold Matthews
13 Posted 18/02/2013 at 18:20:31

Several neutral ex-professionals have given their opinion on this matter and they all say it has to be a distraction.

Paul Andrews
14 Posted 18/02/2013 at 18:44:04

Read the full article.

Jags also says "If we win the cup and he goes, we have won if for ourselves"

A case of "Thanks for all your help, fuck you very much."

Simon Harris
15 Posted 18/02/2013 at 18:36:14

Never mind all this bluster about Moyes' contract; how's Bill's 24/7 search for investment going, anyone heard a peep out of him or his multi-millionaire board members?

Patrick Murphy
16 Posted 18/02/2013 at 18:47:28

Even Graham Poll said that Everton should have had a free-kick in his newspaper column.

Colin Glassar
17 Posted 18/02/2013 at 19:55:30

Simon Harris I'm sure big bill is out there, 24/7, in St. Johns market looking for an investor amongst the fishmongers. Remember, he's a True Blue and used to stand in the boys pen. That's good enough for me and billions of other Evertonians.

ps: I'm still waiting for Bill to tell me to stop watching this space!

Kevin Day
18 Posted 18/02/2013 at 22:24:49

The next few months is just going to be the David Moyes show.
No distraction? My arse!
It already is

Paul Mitchell
19 Posted 18/02/2013 at 22:37:24

I see Di Cannio has resigned from Swindon. Now that would be different seeing him on our touchline.

Kevin Day
20 Posted 18/02/2013 at 23:46:50

I can't see Di-canio dancing to the Kenwright tune can you? P

Dominic Bobadilla
21 Posted 18/02/2013 at 23:52:53

Obviously you cannot sack Moyes, because you would have to pay him compensation. If Bill Kenwright is in a sinister mood, he could appoint
Di Canio as Moyes's co-manager with immediate effect or he could invent
some temporary position and make sure that Di Canio is present at the
next training session, behaving like a baron surveying his fief. An infuriated
Moyes will hand in his resignation within 48 hours.

Andy Crooks
22 Posted 19/02/2013 at 00:45:36

I predict that Newcastle will battle against relegation but survive, Pardew will be sacked and Moyes will replace him with the promise of money to spend. He will take Neville as his assistant and sign Osman and Tim Howard right away. Everton will appoint David Jones as a caretaker and he will have a honeymoon period that will give him the job permanently.

Then, next season we will be in danger of relegation, Jones will be sacked and a dour Scot will be appointed. He will save us from relegation and the cycle will begin again. During that period Bill Kenwright will be in charge and will be admired by the press and many, but a slightly smaller number of Evertonians

Patrick Murphy
23 Posted 19/02/2013 at 00:55:23

How many PL managers have completed the full period of their contract and then left their employers. I have tried in vain to find out, but so far no answers. I bet there are very few if any that have gone into the last 6 months without either renewing or extending their contract.

Big Sam is at the mercy of his club at West Ham, so I wouldn't include his situation.

Patrick Murphy
24 Posted 19/02/2013 at 01:02:55

Andy he won't be allowed to take Phil Neville as he will be player manager and I will win the lottery five weeks in a row and thus be able to afford to buy into the club and then I will become the subject of much name-calling from those TW's who see me as the real barrier to the club achieving world domination.

Dick Fearon
25 Posted 19/02/2013 at 01:13:56

I don't read too much into Jags chatter. Just a few days ago he said Oldham would not bully us as they did the RS. The absolute blind panic in the final 15 mins did not happen then, eh?

Tony Farrell
26 Posted 19/02/2013 at 01:51:33

I cant believe all the crap that's going around about Moyes going to Arsenal, Jags going to so & so, Fellani going there, Baines going here... For gods sake, Blues we're Everton! Whatever happens in the summer, so be it; let's all concentrate on what's happening now.

We've got a good chance of reaching the FA Cup Final, we're still in with a chance of quallifiying for a European spot, so why all the doom & gloom on here? We were seconds away from beating Oldham (I know they're second division) but they put the Shite out. I would like to see the comments after we beat norwhich beat Oldham what will the doom merchants moan about then Get behind the team and support them Your all sounding like that shower across at anal field come on you blues

Kristian Boyce
27 Posted 19/02/2013 at 02:06:26

Wasn't Moyes's present contract a long winded saga 5 years ago, in which the team played poorly the final few month before he signed? Didn't he even admit the uncertainty over it affected the teams form. Its funny that since the new year and contract talk has come up, we've been pretty dire?

I think he'll be gone in the summer, but I believe he'll be the one selecting his successor.

Ernie Baywood
28 Posted 19/02/2013 at 02:19:12

So much negativity around. Is it so unbelievable that...

We beat Liverpool at Anfield
Get to Wembley as a minimum
Finish top 5 minimum

Wouldn't that class as a decent season?

Derek Thomas
30 Posted 19/02/2013 at 06:51:52

Ernie; to quote Mr Meatloaf, 2 outa 3 ain't bad, I'd rather finish 7th than go in the total waste of space that is the Europa Cup. All it's good for is giving the lads a foreign piss up.

Mark Tanton
31 Posted 19/02/2013 at 00:29:25

Ernie do you really think that, ten years into the Moyes era, his Everton side are finally going to win at Anfield? It'll be the usual pathetic display, and I'll have to find a reason not to watch it as usual, to protect the TV from a bricked in screen and the cat from my foot up his arse.

Tom Bowers
32 Posted 19/02/2013 at 08:18:07

It would be nice to finish the season as we started. With Gibbo and Miralles finally getting back to full fitness, Anichebe finding the net somewhat, and the return hopefully of Coleman the Blues may finally get back some of the attacking prowess which went missing over the last few months.
However, it will of course depend on Moyes who has sown some seeds about finishing up his tenure at the end of the season and as he continues to stick rigidly to his game plans the upcoming games may be the usual struggle to get victories instead of draws.
He has still not realised that the midfield still runs out of steam in the second half especially Osman who is always left on and is seen chasing behind opposition players more often than not.
Keeping 5th. spot and beating RS may now be the best we can hope for especially as the top 3 are still in the Cup.

Eugene Ruane
33 Posted 19/02/2013 at 08:16:16

Derek (712) - you say..

"the Europa Cup. All it's good for is giving the lads a foreign piss up".

I don't dispute this for a second, however as my mother used to say 'you're a long time dead'.

I am one of the lucky ones, old enough to have seen Everton win things.

To have seen the most successful Everton side ever.

To have seen us be the best in Britain (by a mile) and possibly the best side in Europe.

But that was all a long time ago and these days, we must take our Everton pleasures where and when we can, so I'll take the Europa all day if there's nothing else on offer (certainly not 7th)

Or to put it another way, I'll take a 'bird in the hand'

For Evertonians who went to Nuremberg, it's a memory they'll cherish until the grave.

For me trips to Lisbon, Florence and Amsterdam are all great memories, despite some cack perfotmances.

Should we qualify, my advice is embrace it, get tickets and book a three day trip (we even booked three days for a pre-season against Anderlecht).

Never under-value a foreign piss-up with the lads.

Blues will still be talking about Nuremburg in 20 years.

But I guarantee you'll never hear "Remember when we were going for CL, but slipped a bit towards the end and we thought we were going to finish 5th, but at the last minute we ended up 7th, which was great coz we avoided europa thereby theoretically giving us a better chance at CL the following season, due to having less fixtures?"

Derek Thomas
34 Posted 19/02/2013 at 09:34:48

Eugene, yeah I know, it's just me in glass half-empty (and tastes like cats piss) mode. I too have seen them all going back to 1960.

I am totally over Moyes (and Kenwright for that matter), KITAP1, Phil Neville.

Knives to gun fights, Phil Neville.

48 no wins at the old Sky 4. Phil Neville.

The whole 11 years of false dawns, raised then dashed expectations, Phil Neville.

No investment, Phil Neville.

Poor substitute use, Phil Neville.

Square pegs in round holes, Phil Neville.

Too many people thinking 5th is actually good, Phil Neville.

Playing not to lose rather than playing to win, Phil Neville.

Running the channels, Phil Neville.

Everybody back for corners (worked well yet again on Sat), Phil Neville.

Sitting back on a one goal lead, Phil Neville.

Oh and Phil Neville.

Eugene Ruane
35 Posted 19/02/2013 at 10:47:27

Derek (735) — I COMPLETELY understand you cynicism and glass half empty mood, but never deny yourself the chance of some lovely foreign beer (in those lovely thin glasses) and a few days 'sightseeing', should the opportunity present itself (which it will if we get 5th).

Looks like we're never going to get any trophies out of Everton/BK/Moyes so we have to grab with both hands anything on offer (get mental picture of you grabbing Phil Neville with both hands).

James Martin
36 Posted 19/02/2013 at 11:09:36

I would love it for your sake Derek if we won the FA cup and Phil was parading it around Wembley giving it the whole 'this has revitalised me for a few more seasons yet'. You could get a poster of him with it on your wall.

James Morgan
37 Posted 19/02/2013 at 11:31:36

Derek, haha spot on. I can't stand seeing him in our Royal Blue. An absolute hindrance to our team, I've always thought he stole a career, that fella. Could you imagine him playing in a side in La Liga vying for top 4? They'd laugh him out of town!

As for the Di Canio shout, I'd give the guy a go if Moyes went, why not? Problem is he thinks the Swindon board are cocks, so working for that scrotum Kenwright would drive him insane, and he's already nuts!

Robbie Shields
38 Posted 19/02/2013 at 09:18:33

Amen Eugene, I went to Nurnburg and Fiorentina away, best trips of my life, especially Nurnburg. I was one of the many thousands in the home stands, incredible scenes.

Some people just don't 'get it'. I'm with you 100%.

And if the mighty blues EVER get to play away at the San Siro, I'll be traveling from Australia to be there.

COYB

Robbie Shields
39 Posted 19/02/2013 at 22:19:12

Derek mate, that wasn't meant as a personal dig at you, I'm with you 99%, just don't give up the 'hope' of seeing us playing great footy week in week out on a shoestring budget, it is possible, with the right man in charge. Then and only then will I stand a chance of going to the San Siro in my lifetime.

Ian Smitham
40 Posted 19/02/2013 at 23:16:24

Eugene, #727, absolutely magnificent attitude, a pleasure to read.

Ian Smitham
41 Posted 19/02/2013 at 23:22:53

Robbie #884, just superb.

Ian Smitham
42 Posted 19/02/2013 at 23:24:15

I was "lucky" enough to go to Rotterdam, whatever anyone says about the money the strain on the squad and all other worthy observations, people like me never ever tire of going on about Rotterdam, the beer, the laughs with their fans, the boat over to Zeebrugge, Hilton services on the way back, and, a football match. Near enough every time I drive up the M6 as I pass Villa park,yes I was at that semi too, I need a drink or the toilet and I have to stop at Hilton,and every time I walk in there it reminds me of the drive home from Rotterdam. Full, full of tired but ecstatic blues.

Eugene and Robbie will have their own memories and the passion is clear in their contributions. No doubt many have many more moments they can share with us.

I say go for it, give every Evertonian the chance to have a trip they will remember for the rest of their lives, get European football, raise the profile of the club, enjoy our being on tele, the chance of some rocking nights at Goodison.

Each and every one of us on here want the best for Everton, and I imagine each want to be there to share in that success and create our own memories, if we aim for the stars (CL) and don't quite get there we could still get to the Europa, though winning a final at Wembley would be even better, and I have seen that too, thanks be to God, or one of Kendall or Big Joe, thanks, Ian

Andy Crooks
43 Posted 19/02/2013 at 23:30:02

Eugene, how can I emphasise spot on. I took a trip to see an Everton reserve eleven play in Sligo. Went to a trades club after and it was the best night ever. That was for a friendly, so what must a proper trophy feel like.

Any one who dismisses the Europa League, the league cup or any cup just doesn't get it. Why do we support Everton? One under rated reason is going somewhere else and coaxing compliments out of foreigners. Where I live foreign counts as five miles away.

Ian Smitham
44 Posted 19/02/2013 at 23:45:19

Andy, just for the sake of completeness, great post, real passion for the blues, and I agree entirely with your sentiments. Top man.

Eugene Ruane
45 Posted 19/02/2013 at 23:45:36

I was at that game too Andy but it was really a home game for me as I was living in Ireland at the time. Also saw us at Bohemians, Bray and even went to Colraine to see us play a Northern Ireland eleven. The weather there was truly fucking miserable and there was a little tension around the place as it was only a couple of days after the 12th of July, but again, no bother and a good time was had by all (I remember making the trip with a blue who was a Jewish Dubliner and we had the honour of taking the Irish Toffees flag). My advice, wherever it is, if you CAN go, as they say at Nike, just do it.

Edward Simpson
46 Posted 20/02/2013 at 01:08:20

It's true that when this happened before the results weren't as good.

It's up to the players to try and their ambition of Europe whether that be Champions League or a realistic target of Europa League. Hopefully they can turn these fairly lackluster performances into what we saw against Man Utd, Villa, Swansea and Fulham earlier on in the season.

And my hopes are that we do get some results against the big away games coming up, it's a hard ask as we have such a poor record against them away but being positive is the best forward, I'm just glad that we have another crack at the FA Cup (even if we have to play a replay). Realistically I think this is one of the best chances to get some silverware under Moyes.

Please don't bottle it on the fields lads!

Derek Thomas
47 Posted 20/02/2013 at 07:53:04

Robbie; I don't give up, In fact living in Brisbane I do GET UP at zero dark 30 to watch games, but sometimes, when we get the 323rd Moyes-esque groundhog day I get pissed off.

Don't get me wrong lads, I do love trophies, I do love foreign travel and I deffo love a piss up so to combine the 3 would be ace...

But; The Europa Cup (It's a dogs breakfast of a competition) — whats that ever done for us.... fast forward.

But apart from the trophy, the travel and the piss. up whats the Europa cup ever done for us?

Or, for that matter, Kenwright, there's the real problem... Oh and Phil Neville.

Needless to say I will be up in the middle of the night watching the up coming thrashing of Norwich.

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