Everton vs West Ham United

He should not be allowed near the dugout on Saturday. Let him come on the pitch after the game to take a bow. I won't stay to watch it but the majority will.

He has had no consideration for Everton re Sunday's game.

The poor, late Gary Speed. What a tragedy was his loss, for so many reasons. He would have made a great Everton manager, a genuinely true Blue who could get a team to play real football (witness the turnaround he had with Wales). Would have been my only choice as manager if he were still alive. Always missed.

What can Moyes bring to the team now? Will he be blooding younger players with an eye to the future, I mean Everton's future not Uniteds.

I'm sort of with you both, although I could never (until he takes up the reins at OT) "hate" Moyes, he definately should not be any part of the staff of Everton FC once he has committed his future to another club. Let him come on after the game, and those of us attending can leave, boo or applaud as we see fit.

I don't care who is in charge on Sunday, it shouldn't be him. This is pure showbiz and absolutely stinks of Boys'penBill.

We should be forever grateful that he left his minimum wage job at Preston, and came and saved Everton F.C. from oblivion - eventually earning £4m a season.

He has left us with all those cups and titles, and should have a guard of honour the full length of the M62, whilst we all throw roses at his feet. All those great days when mullered that Liverpool team are now gone forever.

You ungrateful bastards who think he should not be lauded by 40.000 blues on Sunday ( while he is the middle of a phone call to Rooney's agent ) are just bitter.

Even though he has lied through his teeth about seeing where we are, and costing the club millions in compo, we should all hail the new Utd boss!!!

Utd...Utd... Utd.... I hope you win every trophy available Dave with your new team, take Baines & Fellaini, you signed them after all. You deserve all your success, good luck mate. I will be holding a Utd scarf up in the main stand on Sunday, please wave back.

Everyone will be 'up-for-it' and will be playing for a place in the Manure
team next year.

We may even see Jelavic get a hat-trick and Duffy get a game.

Hope Ossie doesn't get sent off before he convinces the ManU manager that he deserves a contract at the Stadium of Dreams next season.

By the very nature of football his task with his new club will be to work out how best to defeat us (and of course the other 18 clubs in the league.)

If a senior manager of a commercial company announced that he was not renewing his contract but was taking a job with a rival firm in order to assist them in competing I have a feeling that he would be asked to" clear his desk"
immediately.

Kenwright will forget to officially complain about the tapping up.

If Moyes gets a warm welcome at Goodison I will be utterly ashamed of the small time mentality on display. He should be booed.

The game will be a draw or a 1 nil win after defending deep into our own half for the last half a hour, a perfect send off for a manager who's teams have bored me to tears.

Booing him wouldn't acknowledge his single-handed role in turning Walter Smith's Alehouse XI into what it is today. Eleven years of service deserves at least some appreciation.

The manager is honouring his contract. I will have no trouble standing up to give him a clap on Sunday.

On lesser issues, Moyes deserves a nice send off cos he has served us loyally over the years. It's only this season he decided to stab us in the back.

Love the comment "Walter Smith's Alehouse XI" hahaha. Sad but true, Gascoigne has publicly confirmed he was drunk while on the pitch playing for Everton in those days.

The man is a total disaster and if there is a way to fuck something up (see badge design) he'll find it.

I am very surprised however that Moyes is prepared to go through with this farce.

It is imo a very un-Moyes like move.

I would have assumed his view would have been along the lines of "Everton FC still have two games to go, the team needs 100% focus and they don't need any kind of distraction, the most important thing for the club's supporters is not David Moyes, it's Everton Football Club".

Strangely he's decided to provide that distraction.

In all the Fergie stuff that has been broadcast recently, the talk is of his hunger for success.

How winning becomes a habit, how he's single-minded, all about winning etc etc.

It is this 'nasty' attitude that Everton are missing most - the club and it appears, many supporters.

In the last couple of days I've read posts from people who are thinking NOT of West Ham but of how Moyes will be applauded/received.

For me, this is incredibly depressing.

If I was 'big' Sam, I'd certainly be thinking "This might be an easier trip than it appeared this time last week".

Drinks and nibbles in the Alex Young Suite after the game (free for £5 entrance fee)

Let me emphasise that: DOING with the club. I don't see any trophies and there is no legacy or dynasty. It's an unfinished job.

Just remember that the guy you'll be cheering on Saturday thinks he's too good for EFC and has said a lot of nice things about SAF and MU but not even a sideways glance at the people's club.

You couldn't make it up

I can appreciate why some people want the “luvvie” send off, but if I were:

David, I wouldn’t want any part in this potentially embarrassing three-ring circus;
Bill, I would want us to move on;
The FA, I would be raising my eyebrows at the possible conflict of interest.

One, if not the, richest club in the world having managed to sign Moyes and EFC got nothing out of it. Now EFC without any proper money have to find another manager. Either that, or Bill has had a backhander.

Don't ask the Moyesiah about his new job in case it upsets him - aaahhhhhh.

We're a like a tribe of docile, drugged up, drooling idiots, existing to keep the bigger clubs in players, managers, and away game gate reciepts.

We have become an unpaid academy, were anyone can freely have their wicked way with us, we are on a rolling loop on Sky News - I magine this happening to any other club our size, it's truly incredible.

What club isn't an 'academy' for bigger clubs?

John Gee

He has applauded Everton and the fans - what else can he do?

After reading a lot of comments today I have to agree that he shouldn't be in charge or around the team for the last two games, purely because he is put in a ridiculous position with a licence to tap up whoever he wants.

I'm quite happy to see Fellaini go at the right price, but I don't want Baines going anywhere.

It beggars belief; what is up with everyone?

Wish to God I could sneak in; I'd ask him about the prospects of cash to strengthen the ageing Everton squad for next season (I mean, honestly, WTF is he doing on the premises, never mind hosting the presser?)

If you could all ask him 1 (leading) question, what would it be?

I don't blame Moyes one bit for going BTW - but I do think it's the most bizzare thing I have witnessed in football that he is in charge of Everton after being confirmed as the Utd manager.

Forget about dates, he is their new manager as of yesterday.

Is it only me? Or is every other Evertonian on this forum 20 years of age or under?

It doesn't seem that long ago we twatted them 5-0 at Goodison and won the League!!

It is why does it have to be against West Ham on Sunday?

The question we should all be asking is why, as Moyes is now the manager of another team, should an Everton game of some importance, have this completely avoidable distraction attached to it.

It should be ALL about Everton but believe me, Sunday will be be all about Moyes last home game.

Desperate stuff and imo putting the distraction of his 'send off' before the team shows a loser mentality on our part.

(and again, can't believe he's up for it).

I don't care about UTD but theese last two games are of the upmost importance for the furure of our great club. He should though still be welcome to recieve any praise from the home crowd at the end of the match against west ham. As much as he hasnt given a toss about us at the end we should take the moral high ground and give him the praise that he deserves for the assistance he has given our club.

It comes down to the Players, just who and what are they playing for is the question.

Wages? Hmmm, they get those if they sit in the stands, never mind the bench.

Glory aka the shirt/badge...yeah right.

The Fans...see above.

The old Boss, why bother he's toast.

The new Boss...who dat den

Boys pen Bill.

The 'Team', which is themselves, their mates, well we'll see how much of the fabled Moyes instilled Everton team spirit, well we will see.

If I where a gambler and a tipster I would be having a punt on WHU

But lets show a bit of dignity to the office of Everton Manager, no matter what we think of the man. I've never been his biggest fan since about 2006ish. So lets cheer him to the echo ( in public ) for what he has done. Yes by all means get all bitter and twisted ( in private on here for instance ) about what he didn't, or couldn't do.

Whats the point, the season was effectively over on the 1st of Feb with no additions. We will finish 6th more likely than not whatever.

I have a feeling the club may do something extra, people should show restraint. If you don't feel you could applaud such a gesture then don't. Booing would be infantile and embarrassing

I've said elsewhere I thank him for steadying the ship and making nervous last weeks of the season a bad memory
But, he and the team have not moved on from "stabilised" but, apart from a wonderful brief flurry early this season, stagnated
for some time
He inherited an ageing team and leaves us with a more disciplined, much better quality ageing team

On the few occasions the team have been let off the leash, they've played some great stuff

Not Moyes' fault we have only 14 decent players but I've never undestood why he didn't appear to, at least publicly, whine to Bill about the lack of help he received (maybe a fantastic salary mollified him, somewhat)

But, yes, the cult of the Moyesiah ! Ridiculous carry-on

It must be an age thing; if you've never known anything better, well...

So why would Moyes be any different... or maybe it's a case of judging others by your own standards

Moyes will want ANY advantage he can garner when he takes up his new position, if he thinks the tea lady at Finch Farm makes better tea than the current Man U tea lady, he will be persuading her to move over the Hob-Nobs as we speak.

As for Baines..... well, as long as he's giving his best eh?

We used to be a big club you know. Do you think Liverpool would acting in this manner? Then ask yourself why.

I also believe he will not 'tap up' anyone over the next couple of weeks, even if he does then come knocking after July 1 which he's fully entitled to.

Many of you on here clearly don't agree with that sentiment, and that's your opinion, but this is mine and I suspect also that of many who will give him a deservedly warm send off on Sunday.

Remember, we as supporters like to believe we have class and integrity as well compared to many other clubs. Let's prove it.

In my business world, an example...

Our Commmercial Mamager told us he was off to work as MD for a rival company in exactly the same line of work
Lovely fella, good manager

Within 20 mins, all his access to the computer system was removed, his password changed etc

He was quietly reminded that he had signed a confidentialty agreement, handed over the keys to his company car, handed over work-in-progess after briefing us all and went off on "gardening leave"

We had a smashing "do" for him and his family a month later; most staff attended, all very nice

Can you imagine the Shite's boss being appointed by Man Ure with 2 games left then him being left in charge for 2 games with a nice warm send off to follow- A BIG FAT NO!!!

Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for what Moyes has done at Everton but on the other hand not displeased that's he gone. The club is bigger and all that…

What hurts me is that a 4kin Man U manager is still at the helm of our club. He should have had the decency to clear his desk and do one. Money can't be a problem so if he's such the dignified tw@t that everyone makes out that's exactly what he should have done. No class

And as for Kenwright, well words fail me for that luvvy numb nuts – "taken by surprise" – stupid prick

Do you not agrere with any of the views contrary to yours?

Anthony Newell (294) puts it quite plainly

Class and integrity work both ways

But the fact remains that he just shouldn't be there. I'm not bitter, I don't hate him, I wish him well (not luck, not success, just well). But he shouldn't be managing Everton tomorrow.

What's the point? To learn more about Barkley? To test a few tweaks ahead of next year? To try to take us marching into Europe? No, the only point is to hold a farewell party - and that tells me that he is at least as important as Everton Football Club. Which he isn't even remotely. He's a well regarded footnote. Consign him to history.

No blue would even think that. It's more offensive than that said by Barmby, Benitez, Gerrard, anyone. Never heard anything like it.

The voice of sanity, what a relief. Moyes deserves our appreciation and our good wishes; he certainly has mine.

"The question we should all be asking is why, as Moyes is now the manager of another team, should an Everton game of some importance, have this completely avoidable distraction attached to it."

Moyes's contract with United doesn't begin until 1st July. He is still our manager.

Round of applause?
Songs from the stands?
Guard of honour?
Presentation on the pitch?
A round of "For he's a jolly good fellow" followed by "Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye"?

*shudder*

He's misled the fans and, seemingly, the board and chairman. Putting him on gardening leave is a let off, he's traduced our reputation with his actions and should be sacked immediately.

"but I don't like the lack of respect he has shown over that last 3 days. "

Ross, how about the lack of respect you've shown Moyes with your constant deriding of him as a manager and a person?

Maybe we're just admitting we no longer compete with Man Utd.

It doesn't have to be nasty, it's simply the principle. You made your choice David, you'll get an ovation when you return if the fans think you deserve one.

Contractually you are still Evertons manager but professionally, and spiritually lets say, you are not - you are now Man Utds manager, so go sit in their dugout and get used to the view.

I've been a bit polite there - just to be clear, I basically think you're a bit of a tit for that suggestion.

Howard
Coleman Ja... oh who gives a shit.

Just keep the shite below us please.

I actually think the 'circus' on matchday will help the players, and we'll turnover West Ham quite easily.

I won't be at the match, but I would applaud Moyes rather than boo him. He strikes me as a man of integrity who over time has earned our trust that he hasn't been arranging the Manchester United deal for months. If he has, it doesn't fundamentally change my opinion of him. I'm strangely happier that he is moving to a huge club rather than a Tottenham for example.

Based on ToffeeWeb posters, 90% of us should be rejoicing that Moyes is leaving based on the views I read. What worries me is these views aren't shared by the owners of the biggest football club in the world. Given time Moyes will win trophys at Man United.

I've disagreed with a very large proportion of your posts over the recent past; but this one is absolutely spot-on.

Why don't you quit while you're ahead? (ducks and says in a grovelling voice "I didn't really mean that!)

Imagine the last few days had played out pretty much exactly the same as they have, but instead of being announced as the next Manchester United manager Moyes had been announced as the next Liverpool manager.

Would all of those talking about seeing out conracts, 11 years service, showing respect etc etc still be happy for him to be sat in the Everton dugout for the next two games?

If he was going to manage Scotland, or a club outside of the English Leagues I would have no problem with him continuing for the next two games but he's not, he's chosen one of our competitors over us and should therefore be politely and respectfully shown the door.

As for it being a business decision Mark #386, I respect your opinion, it may be right, but personally I cant think of anything more disruptive than having him there on Saturday. If I was a player and he was telling me what to do this weekend and in training I'd tell him to get on his bike - cheeky fucker!

And given time he may well win trophies at Man Utd - but he was given plenty of time to do it and he didnt do it here, so thanks a lot, you did a fine job - and an important one - but you go your way now and we'll go ours, thank you very much.

And if anyone things for a minute this hasnt all be sketched out and agreed betwen Moyes and Man Utd for some time they need their head read too.

Fair play to Man Utd to be honest, they've played a blinder, as I think has Moyes, I bet he cant believe he's pulled it off. Behind closed doors they have done whats good for them in moving Fergie Out one day (Tribute Day) and Moyes In (Coronation Day) the next. Slick as fuck with not a jot of thought about us, and why would they? To Man Utd, and now also Moyes we are the competition after all. And what a easy turn to pull when you're up against Bill "I havent got a plan" Kenwright.

Dire.

Saying he should not be in charge for the 2 games is no reflection on how he has done or how we feel about him or the situation it is simply just not right!

God help us as it appears we will put up with anything that BK and the board throw at us.

I've mentioned it a few times, my other half's dad and brother are Man U fans, both are season ticket holders and her brother is a member of the supporters club, and he said the general consensus amongst fans is that they can't believe he was given the job and are up in arms over the appointment,so Moyes is walking into a bear pit even before he starts.

Nothing to do with that simply being in the top 4 gives them extra money, extra draw, and that the top players in the world know who NOT to sign for. They are literally in another league to everyone else... but they're just better...

How Moyes does is all relative to the competition. If they're on form and lose a title in the way Fergie did last season, they're not going to want him out. I for one think Everton have for so long... or the board... have held Moyes back. He'll be let off the leash and deliver championships and cups. As for Europe... who's to say. Fergie was hardly exceptional despite the two triumphs.

At the moment he is still under contract to Everton and I'm sure he will be doing all he can to win against West Ham and Chelsea. I can't see what he can learn about us that he hasn't already picked up over 11 years! The notion that he should be prevented from taking charge is childish in the extreme!

Spot on

It is all about him but then it always has and will remain so until he leaves.

I don't hope the fans cheer Moyes from the rafters
I don't hope he does well in his new job
I hope Everton beat West Ham that is all that matters.

Get a mention from whom? Moyes? You want him gone but you want him to mention Everton in future at every turn... how bizarre.

Fact is, Moyes doubters never had their lack of belief in him proved and now he's going to Utd its slings and arrows in whatever you can think off. Desperate!

I will also clap that having decided to go - he is going - and I will clap, in anticipation and expectation, that Bill will now play a good hand and find a replacement that can once again put the 'great' into Everton 'The People's Club'

By the way, everyone on here knows Fergie & Moyes used to dine out together regularly, right?

Please tell me that was not a secret when some posters say this wasn't months in the planning.

Paul Mackie: "I hope he gets booed at the final whistle, I really do.He's been a good manager for us but to not give the club time to plan for succession (as, ironically, Man Utd have clearly done) is inexcusable in my book."

What on earth are you talking about? He's given the club an entire summer to prepare. Can you think of ANY examples of a manager giving his club MORE time to plan for his succession? In almost every other case the manager is poached mid-season and the club is faced with the task of looking for a new manager while the games are coming thick and fast. In our case, we have three months to get the right man in place.

And for the rest of you calling for boos, you need to do some growing up. A grown man was offered one of the best jobs in the world and he accepted it. But after doing so, he still had such loyalty to his existing employer that he drove down to Chelsea to scout them ahead of the final game of the season. And to speak with dignity and emotion about the time he has spent managing this great club.

And yes, Sandra #505 a great post.

The next two games will be referred to as the games, you know, against West Ham and Chelsea, the ones where Moyes was Man Utd manager.

Having said that, maybe we could've borrowed RVP for the last two games as part of the deal? I know he's a Man Utd player and all that contractually but he's only standing in, helping his new boss out for a bit....

It's bollocks!

Other outcomes if our players decide to disobey their "interim manager"...

Jelavic refuses to track back. Scores a gmagnificent hat trick instead.

Barkely refuses to play sensibly. Scores goal of the season instead and provides three assists for Jelavic.

Naismith rips up instructions to play deliberately badly in order to make everyone else look good. Plays a blinder and wins MOTM award instead.

Anyone else have any other examples?

Just the usual lap of honour with the squad, then we all go home for the summer.

Brian 320:

That's your opinion; I prefer facts. His contract begins on 1st July.

There's some drivel on here every fucking day. Your post, on the other hand, is a model of sanity and decorum.

Man honours contract and changes jobs on expiry.... next!

(only kidding with 2nd one)

This is football for Christ's sake not the end of the world.

Manure have lost an old man who was very nearly sacked himself four years into his tenure and his success still has tendrils that reach right back to Munich when Manure became a 'massive club' by a tragic default. We have lost a manager who did a very good job in stabilizing the ship but who has too often bored the pants off all of us. I am not totally anti-Moyes but he is the Foinavon of football management....always falls at the final fence, chosen by his predecessor because he is a parsimonious, Presbyterian, humourless Glaswegian like himself........with a 'work ethic' ( I had one of them but nobody paid me £4m a year for it)

The king is dead....long live the king....at least until he is found out!

Everton Football Club is bigger than any of this shit and certainly bigger than the international and spurious grief that met SAF's retirement or the similar grief expressed by some on here about Moyes' departure. I won't boo Moyes if he shows his face on Sunday but neither will I hang around for any special lap of honour. He did a decent job in moving us up the league but he got well paid for it and what has he left us with? No silverware, an ageing team and virtually fuck all coming through from the youth set-up. Whoever the next manager is he will have to fix that, despite one of Moyes' first pronouncements when he arrived being that he would! And he hasn't.

What did Moyes say that excited us all (including Blue Bill) when he first arrived?

Everton is the 'Peoples Club'

That seemed to be important to him...and to us. Now he's gone to a club that has millions of people supporting it all over the world, the vast majority of whom couldn't find Old Trafford on Google Earth! What value now the 'people's club' Davey? Or was that something you though would go down well in that interview 11 years ago?

Move on people. There are better managers out there for our club and Blue Bill has asked us to help him find him.

Right....I nominate Roberts De Matteo. Any seconders?

Also, if Neil Lennon gets the job, could you all petition BK and get me the job instead; I doubt I could do worse and could do with the bunce!

"had they won their away games at Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal Manchester United would have won the league by 6 clear points, as it is they will instead have to settle for 4th and Champions League football..."

Pitiful childish semantics

You should tell the media Carl, newspapers and television stations around the world are mistakenly referring to him as 'The new Manchester United boss"

(nb: as is everyone else who is not trying desperately prop up a piss-weak argument on a forum)

We should thank him and wish him well. It's not difficult.

I really don't have a problem with this in itself - we've had 11 years of commitment and service from a manager who, in my opinion, has brought us stability, respectability and, in a sense, pride, all this in spite of the shoddy running of the club as a whole and the lack of funding throughout that entire period. BUT - I think the actions of the last few days have threatened all of this in terms of how he is remembered by the fans. For a man who speaks of his love for Everton to place the needs of United's shareholders over our club's self-respect, not to mention breaking his own promise to wait until the end of the season, well, its really disappointing and, as others have mentioned, puts us in a ridiculous position of having to deal with having someone else's manager in charge for the next two games. The last home game of the season, instead of being about our club, players and fans, will now be swamped by our loathsome United-biased national press all keen for a photo of Old Trafford's new man.

Thanks for your hard work Davey and all the best in your new job, but I don't half wish you'd had the balls to stand up to United and conduct yourself, as you have done for 11 years, in a manner this club deserves.

And all this thanks for everything bullshit. Thanks for what. What has he won? Yes he saved us from probable relegation but that was 11 years ago. Here we are a decade later playing some of the most boring football our club has ever seen. When was the last time we went into a game as fans,and thought we would batter the opponents..Even when playing lower league teams.

Every other similar thread on TW (ie: Everton V whoever) is about the game.

Who to play, who not to play, what formation, the strength of the opposition etc etc.

This however is ALL about Moyes, now the manager of Manchester United.

It is a distraction we do/did not need and one that DEFINITELY could have been avoided.

The actual game is now a side-show and that is ultimately down to Moyes.

Still, as long as he gets a nice clap.

What really sickens and saddens me though is that there are many who simply seem to think it more important to 'show the country' how 'classy' we are etc blah waffle.

Winning for some now seems to be "Hey did you hear what Hansen said? He said Everton we were pure class"

I could weep.

Fuck him — why should he be in charge, the prick... I was right all along, always was and knew it.

11 years and still no style of play. Unless you count huff and puff. Lets not forget this is the manager who led us to defeats at Shrewsbury,Brentford,Oldham,Tranmere etc. Or the great nights of Benfica and that Romanian team. Never even coming close to beating the red shite at their place. How about the man who helped Rooney want to play away from his boyhood team.

Lets all celebrate average.

I look forward to more motor-racing analogies...

Brian #422 I actually think they will give him time and I don't think he'll need that much. Man Utd are in a strong position and if they somehow managed to get Ronaldo and a midfield enforcer, I don't see any reason why they won't carry winning trophys. At the end of the day, I guess it doesn't matter to us anymore how he does. It will answer the 'can Moyes win a trophy' question though but it is on a plate for him.

Unfortunately all roads lead to money for success in the premier league as it stands.

You would be better putting the fiver on at the bookies 2/1 for league,around 7/1 for CL

Moyes problem will be picking up the points beyond that that will give them the title.

We'll see.

That was the point I was trying to make in my sarcastic question post (502) above
Even the tossers who designed the new "crest" could have seen what the press conference would be about
I bet none of the attendess were any the wiser about the team/preparations for Sunday

Could you imagine what would have happened under Sir John's chairmanship?
Kenwright next, now his umbrella of protection has been removed

I suppose they can't stop us dreaming.

According to David Moyes, today (BBC)
""I've got everything ready for next season and the chairman and everyone knows the route we need to take next season"

I believe that, although the transfer window opens on 1 July, transfers between same association clubs can take place after competitive fixtures end

Just a few questions to those pedants insisting David Moyes is still the Everton manager `til 30 June
Do you expect him to still pursue or continue to identify players he has put forward as incoming to Everton and/or have any say in outgoing transfers?

Thought not

Every sentimental, old woman appearance he's deigned / been forced to give the media this week has smacked of desperation, dishonesty and amateurism. You can almost see him scouting around for an exit route as he wrings his hankie out.

The man should not be running our, or any, football club. We haven't a pot to piss in thanks to his woeful stewardship, and now it's going to well and truly bite him on the arse. The sands of time are running out.

1) Tony Marsh on Everton's start to the season....

"It's the best Everton team I have watched since 1995 so I cannot find any reason to be negative..."

"Here speaks the voice of sanity and truth. We haven't a prayer on Sunday and deep down we all know it. Moyes will shit himself again and I can almost imagine the sight of Phil Neville warming up when we are 3 down."

"As for all you blind mugs out there who think we can do no better than DM and we are lucky to have him, where are all the other clubs waiting to pounce for Dynamo Dave's services? I haven't heard of a single one who wants him apart from us soft twats.

haha, great post

Take SAF for instance: what an arsehole – berating every official, screaming in people's faces (hair dryer treatment) and so on. But he got the results, he was a brilliant manager, both ruthless and shrewd.

It might be the Everton Way – class and integrity with moral virtues and all that – but it does not win trophies.

Self interest; winning at any cost; mediocre is not good enough – these are tenets which should be foremost in our minds... should permeate the club even. But that`s not the Everton Way – probably explains why we invite Moyes and 30,000 Evertonians to celebrate the loss of our manager to a rival club.

You've got Moyes all wrong there. Moyes strikes me as the very stubborn type who won't be pushed around, its his way or the highway. For sure he will listen to advice from Fergie, but I don't think he will be SAF puppet. Moyes's being stubborn and set in his ways is what all the MOB have been moaning about, then now they are saying he's going to be Fergies Puppet.

Now, who will we find who's willing to take over, knowing he won't get any money???

David, have you had a chance to speak with the United squad, and if so, how do Wayne, Robbie, Danny, and Javi feel about never playing on the field together again?

However, he will OF COURSE be SAF's lapdog at Man Utd. SAF has more authority at that club than anyone. If Moyes rubbed him the wrong way he could quite easily tell the fans that he got it wrong and that he appointed the wrong man. That won't happen because Moyes will comply.

I for one applaud him. It will be great to see him batter the Redshite every season from now on.

I bet Man C, Wigan and the FA are really happy that SAF and United have taken all the headlines this week, of course it could all be a coincidence.

Do people that say he could tap up Baines/Fellaini etc and should be put on gardening leaver really think that 2 games makes such a difference? I'm sure he's got their phone numbers regardless.

Gave us 11 good years, not sure why fans want to sour the last few weeks.

Everton Football Club firsts...

Founder members of the Football League

Founder members of the Premier League

First club to be presented with the League Championship Trophy

First Club to present medals for winning the Championship

First Club to stage an FA Cup Final

First Club on Merseyside to win the FA Cup

First Club to win a Championship on two different grounds

First Club to build a purpose built football stadium

First Club to boast all four sides of the stadium with double-decker stands

First Club to boast a triple decker stand at a Football Stadium

First Club to be visited by a reigning Monarch

First Club to issue a weekly matchday programme

First Club to wear shirts numbered 1-11

First Club to employ a Coach / Manager

First Club to have a church in it’s ground

First Club to use football nets

First Club to install Dug-outs

First Club to install under-soil heating

First Club to position floodlighting across stands instead of on Pylons

First Club to win a European Penalty shoot-out

First Club to play officially in Blue and White (1901)

First Club to go on an Overseas football tour

First Club to play 3000 top flight matches

First Club to achieve 5000 points in the League

First Club to achieve 100 years in the Top Flight

First (and only!) Club to have a player score 60 league goals in a season

First English Club to have an England International striker win The Golden Boot at a World Cup (Gary Lineker)

First British Club to stage a World Cup Semi-Final

First club to appear in a live, fully televised football match. The fixture was Arsenal versus Everton in 1936

Everton were the first English club to complete five consecutive years of competing in European competitions – 1962/63-1966/67.

First Club to have a scoreboard half-time/full-time facility

First club to play a match with six officials (Europa League 2009)

First club to be managed by a rival club's manager

It's business. Moyes is still under contract. That's why he is still the manager. I assume that if he were to walk away now then that would complicate things regarding his remaining contract - compensation etc - so he wants to honour it, and I would imagine that the players and staff at the club are on board with that.

I think Moyes has handled things pretty honourably; all the outcry on here about this being on the cards for months, like it's some sort of cloak and dagger betrayal, is speculative at best. And with United being a publicly licensed company it all had to happen quickly and in the public glare. I don't know why it happened precisely now - my guess would be that Ferguson wanted to announce it ahead of the last home game of the season in order to get an official goodbye - but it has forced Moyes' hand, and objectively only the most blinkered Evertonian would think he should turn United down.

On the whole I liked Moyes, but I do think the time was right for him to move on. Perhaps the timing was not perfect in respect of the two remaining fixtures, but I think Moyes is a man who is more than capable of staying professional while fulfilling his term as Everton manager. To me, the voices that are shouting him down are slightly reminiscent of tearful adolescent lovers wailing that they "never loved him anyway" while quietly wishing that his new relationship brings him nothing but suffering. I wish him well (just not too well).

Just think if BK had balls Moyes would have been given his cards in January as soon as he started playing his contract games, and no doubt January was when disrespectful Manchester United first made it known to the Dire One that this season, should they clinch another Prem title, that their LONG PLANNED handover to him, would be put in to motion.

Only a naive and gullible fool thinks that a Stock Market quoted club such as Man Utd could identify, recruit, interview alternatives and draw up a contract in 48 HOURS.

Just think if Dire Davey WAS and 'honourable' 'respectful' 'Everton through and through' man he would have told BK in January that he was off but instead he chose to spew increasingly bizarre excuses why he was waiting to sign.

MOB was a title imposed. Critics of the ex-gaffer didn't necessarily want him gone — although I did.

Whoever takes the hot seat over has zilch to do with the MOB. The ex-MOB also have the right to criticize the next gaffer. Let's not go back to "be careful what you wish for"... it's over, mate. This is post-Moyes; let's hope, fingers crossed tightly, that BK for one day gets it right.

I'm genuinely excited by a new hopefully positive era for the club. But I am slightly surprised by the level of anger directed at Moyes. Not by all of course but by some. The man had his faults but now that he's moving on, I expected some of his detractors to recognize his role in the stability he brought to the club. Not to praise him to the hilt necessarily but at least to let him leave without throwing in some last personal digs.

Anyway, I too hope that BK gets this right and we can have someone who moves us forward.

Given the stability Moyes has given us its surprising how polarised opinion is amongst Evertonians. When I talk to non-Evertonians they just assume that we all must think Moyes is (was) the best thing since sliced bread and are a bit taken aback when I explain its not quite like that.

One thing I believe we have to try and do is put that debate behind us now, and file it under Moyes 2002-2013.

I'm praying Kenwright pulls a rabbit out of the hat and produces an inspiring manager, but also accept he's no magician so is going to struggle.

I also believe we're desperate for some quality football. 'Punching above our weight' in money terms might have given us our respect back but it's not been an enjoyable ride. We need a shot in the arm now, a manager with style and vision, a will to win every single game not be satisfied with not losing and one which will keep us guessing on a Saturday morning as much as the opposition.

MASSIVE decision for us all, I just hope someone's appointed who we'll be excited about and all can truly get behind. This where you earn your corn, Bill, if you want to walk away from this club with a profit, try and get it right?

I believe it's been in the offing for some time, I also believe that nothing concrete happened until very recently.

I'm a cynic when it comes to football but I believe Moyes on this one.

And if I'm wrong, and he's fibbing, and if this was a done deal a few months back he couldn't have announced it - where would that have left us? We've still got plenty of time to replace him but at least we continued on in blissful ignorance trying to achieve a top 4 spot.

The reality is that Bill should have (and hopefully has been) preparing for this eventuality for some time as it wasn't unforeseen that he might leave. He publicly gave us that much information himself.

I find it funny how stupid the likes of Ross look now having banged on daily how crap Moyes is as a manager only for him to walk into one of the biggest managerial posts in the world...laughable.

Moyes will get a great send off tomorrow because he's a decent man who turned our club round and we're a decent set of fans and will show that.

Why not ?

People need to learn the difference between hope and expect.

why is it unrealistic?

I agree with Stu #160
What was the big deal with waiting 9 or 10 days to make the announcement?
That would have been a clean break with Moyes having stated he wanted to wait until the end of season.
But, no, it was all about SAF's ego and desire for a last home game send-off.
And we have to bend over and take it.

Thank you DM but you're the past as far as we are concerned now.
I'm sure you'll be professional.
There'll be no abuse from me and I'll clap if we win.

But there's only one reason I'm going to the match tomorrow.
To see us stuff WHU.
COYB.

Maybe the day of the Fergi announcement, Utd contacted Moyes who next day gave an answer of yes.

The only important thing now, is who will replace him. I only hope that Kenwright gets this one right because it may prove to be a real watershed for us!!

Tim I admit that Vettel does get some favouritism in the team but you are being pedantic and splitting hairs by pretending that the gap between him and Webber is comparable to the financial gap between us and the top 5.

It would have been great to see him help Everton batter that lot a few times.

On the issue of when this all started, I can't believe people can't see it. Moyes said he'd decide by Christmas, he happened to have a talk with SAF, he pushed it out to "after January". In this time, it became quite clear that United would win the league and therefore SAF would retire, so a contract was drawn up and offered. Moyes, the famous ditherer has had this contract on his desk at home ever since and has taken this long to dither some more. He finally decided after we lost to Sunderland to a goal scored by a player we were once linked with, but he dithered some more on signing. The moment the ink dried is when SAF made his announcement.

The West Ham game will be a draw.

Jason said "I will see the day we are champions again" - I think you will because my dad (the most one eyed Evertonian) I ever new told me before he passed from this life "we will be great again"

Dave if you have followed Everton for 60 years you would have, like me, seen three Everton teams that were champions and two FA cup wins.

I am looking FORWARD to the day when Jason, You and I see Everton champions once again.

I too would like to see Di Matteo as our new manager because:

He knows how to play football
Has beaten Barcelona
Would win the dressing room on his first meeting with the players
Has got a bit of mongrel in him
He's Italian

By the way personal but DM should be on garden leave.

By the way, nothing personal, but DM should be on garden leave.

why is it unrealistic?

I think he's going to have some hard bargaining with himself

If you expect things to happen that are statistically unlikely to happen then you will be disappointed more often than not. Set your expectations at a realistic level and your hopes high.

If you enter a GP2 car into a formula one race you wouldn't expect to finish on the podium, but you will hope that it happens.

(for flip's sake did you not read Dean Adams post - 209).

As for Baines and Fellaini going to United?

I think the Everton manager David Moyes might have something to say about that.

"You don't become successful in business by sacrificing your profits to protect your competitors."

I completely agree however I didn't suggest that in my post so maybe you should grow up and get your facts straight.

My point -which was clearly made but you still failed to comprehend - was that ManUtd didn't have to announce SAF's retirement until the season's end. That equated to an extra 9-10 days waiting at the end of a 26 year career. The share price would have been unaffected until that time when they seamlessly could have transitioned in the new man. Damage limitation. No "sacrificing of profits".

I don't know about you Steve - but I've run my own successful business for a few years now. For me, profits matter but not at the expense of business ethics.

If you don't think that matters, don't complain when EFC are victims of on-the-pitch ethical breaches such as Fergie Time, Suarez diving or Gerrard sucking up to the ref.

If that was happening to your business would you not respond.

Howard
Coleman jags Duffy distin
Mirallas fellaini Gibson mcaleny
Barkley
Anichebe

Not much chance of that but would love to see mcaleny get a game. His goal per game ratio for the U21 has been outstanding.

I hope that we do with every fibre in my soul, but until Kenwright goes and we are able to compete on a more even playing field I won't expect it, no matter who the manager is.

Man Utd seem to have operated purely with their own interests at heart. Fergie could quite easily have come out and dismissed speculation about his own future and said he had no plans to retire. He didn't have a problem lying about it in his programme notes so why now come clean?

If he absolutely had to announce his imminent retirement then they could have quite easily delayed the public statement 2 weeks and discreetly informed Moyes of their interest.

But no, United retain this public image of class despite fucking another club over.

I don't think anybody begrudges Moyes his move, but the manner in which it was done has really irked me. Kenwright is as much to blame as anybody. He should have thanked Moyes and told him that it was now inappropriate for him to be around the team. I also would have quite liked him to come out and say that Man Utd's decision to announce it early had cost us our manager for the final two games of the season. I'm one of the few people who doesn't hate BK, but to see him welling up rather than fighting our corner was pretty fucking depressing.

I would bring Baines back for Chelsea.

Score points? That maybe your way of thinking, it is not mine.

I asked a reasonable question. Do you not think there is a manager anywhere in the world who could improve us by 6 points and one position.

There are better managers than Moyes, but realistically I can't see any of them coming to Everton. I hope that they do, but I just can't see it happening.

Phil #275
Completely agree. I don't begrudge DM his move either. But I can't think of a situation as bizarre as the next two games when a manager is on his way to a competitor and remains in charge of the team he's leaving. It raises all sorts of questions (tapping-up etc).

Also, I don't think DM should be contributing to the discussion on his replacement as he's no longer acting in our best interests. For all we know he'll recommend John Barnes or Mark Hughes.

I don't hate BK either - I think he was shell-shocked - although that may reveal a certain lack of acumen / savvy given the manager's situation since January.

Interestingly it's the same on the pitch too.

I agree 100% re our inept chairman and his board.
I simply believe if we had been a little more positive at the right times and turned 3 of our 15 draws into wins we would already be in the league position you both think is unachievable.

But, to switch focus, the RS have breached a few ethical codes in the last season or two and their "stock" has dropped dramatically from a neutral standpoint. They've even fallen from media darlings to the butt of a few talk-show jokes so these things do count. Long may their decline continue.

Trust me, I'll still put a bet on us winning the title next season, and the FA cup.

your deluded -:)

That`s more like it.

2. He should not be involved in the next manager - and our last (sacked) manager told BK who to appoint. Moyes will also do the best for the employers of the last 11 years.

Once Everton has touched you, nothing will be the same - will also apply to David Moyes.

Grow up all of you. Get over it. He has a better job. A chance to prove he can achieve what everyone thinks he can achieve but at the unfashionable global team from an unfashionable city he did not have the money to buy the players who could achieve those heights.

Surely Moyes should demonstrate the integrity that he is lauded for and sit in the stand.

Do you think that if Vettel was in a Caterham he would beat Webber in a Red Bull over a full season?

In any sport ability is only part of the equation, money plays a part. One off results can buck the trend (hence cup upsets) but over a whole season the rich clubs will nearly always win out.

You can use capitals as much as you want but your opinion is just that, an opinion. Whether or not it becomes fact, only time will tell. Unfortunately for you, Ferguson, MUFC, Mancini, and a whole army of current and former players have a different opinion to yours. In fact people who are paid to understand football seem to agree with Doddy.

Similarly, I don't see the problem (indeed it's the right thing to do) to give him a good send off on Sunday. And that is what Goodison will do, despite some of the marginalised ranting on here.

Everton play West Ham at Goodison tomorrow and this thread shows that the game will be a mere side-show to the REAL attraction.

The David Moyes show.

I expect nothing but fuck ups from Kenwright and the only way he could ever shock me is by acting with integrity and/or having some balls.

Moyes however HAS surprised me.

I am genuinely stunned he's prepared to go through with this nonsense as he MUST know that, circumstances being what they are, despite what he might say, he can now NOT be giving his undivided attention to Everton FC.

That for me is a slap in the face and simply a case of him thinking about..him.

I've read all kinds of two-bob 'justifications' (excuses) for why it's fine and/or unavoidable but not one of them holds any water and deep down, I think every Evertonian knows it's just...wrong.

Also, did anyone just see that nob Adrian Childs interviewing Martinez, he asked him for a straight yes/no to the Everton job, he laughed it off, but wouldn't answer.

However once the decision was made about him taking over at Utd, Everton should have made an immediate announcement along the lines of..

'Supporters will have the chance after the West Ham game to show their appreciation to David Moyes and the team. Kevin Sheedy (or whoever) will be taking over first team duties for the West Ham and Chelsea games.

This for me would have been fine.

T

I didn't assert that Moyes was great..Richard Dodd did. Direct your question to him.

I merely pointed out that you deliberately truncated his quote to suit your purpose.

I've got a question for you though: If our new manager reneges on a contract with his current club in order to join us, will you accuse him of deceit & treachery as you did to the man who's seeing out his contractual obligations?

Jeez - that has to be the most moronic utterance yet from you (and that is saying something).

Eugene (425) - I don't often agree with you but at least that's a balanced view and one which a lot of people would side with.

Personally, I think that we (EFC) are big enough to be able to handle the situation - i.e DM being in charge at Goodison tomorrow and for me, the fact that people will show their appreciation of DM, does nothing to detract from their support of the team, the club, the desire for 3 points etc. I think we can do both.

Sorry, Kevin,Morals are for others.

Very true. The irony of our new manager most likely walking away from existing contract/club is not lost on me.

Perhaps there is a lot of emotional anger directed at Moyes leaving because of a feeling of loss.

WHATEVER he did the likes of Ross Edwards and Tim/Peter would castigate him for it.

Phil Roberts (328) "get over it" - get over yourself
Thank you for the lecture - hope there's plenty of room for us dissidents on your naughty step

I'm not the one who's been moralising; Tim Jones & others have accused Moyes of contractual arrogance, lies & disloyalty, with one article bemoaning the fact that the Glaswegian isn't a true Evertonian..

So I think it's a fair question to put to the man who shares a striking literary style to Peter Barry, who, in what I'm sure is an entirely un-related coincidence, hasn't posted in a while..

What I can't accept though and what irritates and really disappoints me is some Evertonians displaying such childish, churlish, small mindedness.

Fair and balanced views, either side of the debate, are fine (without that there wouldn't be much point in posting) and then there are the views of people like Ross Edwards......

This site would be full of the MOB giving vent to the fact that he has undersold/disrespected the badge (whoops, sorry I don't want to start a riot) and us the fans who pay his wages.

Sometimes you just can't win, but hopefully on Sunday we will and at the end of the match one of two things will happen on ToffeeWeb, and he will get hammered for either of them.

1) Moyes waves goodbye with the players
2) Moyes heads down the dugout quicker than Big Dunc used to

Personally I will say thank you and then move on, the most important thing is three points and the right man coming in. David & Bill it's over to you.

Will that be the same group that wanted DM to leave and are now bitching about the fact that he is going to probably the most coveted managerial post in world football?

Strange....

I can't ever recall a manager of a top flight English club remaining in post after it being announced he was moving to a rival club. It's just another embarrassing episode under the leadership of Chairman Bill.

Almost as good as Bob Paisley?

Got his priorities right today, I see

"Moyes, who will leave Everton and take over at Man United at the end of the season, showed his commitment to the cause by following Fergie to the Merseyside racecourse today"

He shouldn't be, but he is.

What I find insulting is idiotic semantics and people throwing themselves into a debate without having a fucking clue how to actually follow it.

You state - "You countered that by using an analogy and I tried to point out that the analogy had its limits i.e. that Saville was technically a P because (we believe) he did those things".

Wrong - dead wrong, 100% wrong, believing is simply believing, having a belief - that's it

Believing 'he did those things' doesn't mean ANYTHING technically (or officially).

I repeat - concentrate and read the posts.

Totally agree with you on that point, it's the nature of the beast, etc..by the way, who would you like to see us tap-up?

Cambridge Dictionary: "Technically: according to an exact understanding of rules, facts, etc".

Sam posted similar.

I can't see a history of him telling porkies, and I've no reason to doubt his honesty.

Putting my possible, (or obvious!) naivety aside, I do think he suspected he would receive this kind of offer some day; but until he did, he would carry on as normal.

There is no way of knowing if Fergie had had a quiet word with him at some point in the last 12 months, but yes...I'm sure it could have happened, and Moyes would bide his time.

Love how Moyes described the developments that were revealed last week as being "a whirlwind". Not sure if all of 2013 so far (and possibly some of 2012) counts as a whirlwind - more like a gentle breeze?

I like things neat and tidy, me.

I know this is pie in the sky stuff but wouldn't it be good to see TV people properly intimidated when interviewing the Everton manager, just like the other Ferguson used to do?

WIGAN & SWANSEA.

Wouldn't know if to laugh or cry if Moyes won away at Chelsea and secured us the delight of Europa league next weekend.

I don't think he's conducted himself particularly well. I think his comment that he was going to stay is appalling. Why didn't he say a few days ago that he was going to stay? Moyes has always put himself before the club - encouraged by a cynical chorus of journalists who have elevated (and promoted!) him far beyond his abilities.

I wish him no harm at Man Utd - but he's going to the most truly horrible and ugly club, in my view.

Don't think it will happen, though. Whatever we do, Spurs are bound to get at least a point out of their last two games.

But to get his first top4 away victory and secure Europe on his final day would send this site into melt down!