David James thought Phil Neville was an absolute prick...

And you Moyes Boys thought I was making it up about the Jock Mafia

The DM also has an article which QUOTES SAF as confirming he made his decision to retire in December 2012.

Mmmmmm wasn't it December 2012 when the Dire Dour One started his Contract EXCUSES games.

Now you are quite at liberty to think that this is just a coincidence and you probably will if you are a Naive and Gullible Moyes apologist.

Tim, Who gives a toss? An article about Phil Neville? Better slate Moyes! He is leaving, who gives a baboons ball bag about how he went?

It was actually a positive article Neville and left David James asking himself a few questions about jumping to conclusions, dignity and professionalism. DM said that for professionalism he has not made a greater signing than Phil Neville.

They say that you don't know what you've had till its gone and in terms of leadership, integrity and professionalism, the loss of DM and PN next season is going to be huge.

Vinny #665, that is true. However Moyes was always going to leave to go to Man U at some point as soon as Taggart decided to pack it in, and barring him completely screwing the Everton job over, he was the manager-in-waiting. So, we've probably done well to have him 11 years!

Phil was indeed a model pro, despite not being the most dynamic player. Sadly for him age caught up with him. A bit of a shame his final act was a defence-splitting pass for Calum McManaman to put Wigan 2-0 up in that quarter final.

David James said? Who gives a fuck what he thinks? And what is the problem with protecting your club at any level against opposition teams?

There is something so epically football about those Neville brothers that you would imagine it only happening in Roy of the Rovers.

Both the complete antithesis of the media depicted modern day footballer, there's no others straight out of playing you'd have take charge of a top flight club.

I'd take Pip over Hughes and Lennon and the other usual bunch. If Pip leaves as well as Moyes it will be such a hole to fill that it may be better leaving him in charge.

From a football perspective, Phil Neville should (imo) have been nowhere near Everton's first team over the past two seasons.

Passing, pace, everything but desire, gone.

However to be fair, he didn't select himself.

And as a feller, I think he's (to use a Partridge-ism) 'top-drawer'.

It would have been very easy for him, after signing a 5 year deal, to have adopted the attitude 'that's me sorted' but he never (as many would have) did.

Instead, he worked his nuts off and put in performances that, though not Ronaldo-esque, were never lacking in effort.

Plus he threw himself into 'the club' completely, getting involved in all aspects of Everton charity and community work.

He sort of became the voice of Everton - gracious, friendly and honest

(a bit like BK but..not a total 100% lying ball-bag)

Simply put, a very hard feller to dislike.

Manager of Everton though?

That appointment I believe would be a victory for wishful-thinking over reality.

Nick Entwistle, just what makes Neville qualified for the job in your opinion? He doesn't even have the necessary badges never mind zero experience does he? Apart from a kick around with the kids neighbours what practical experience does he have? One thing is shouting a pointing at your team mates but it's a different kettle of fish trying to outthink a Mourinho, Wenger or even Malkay McKay. The likes of Neville, big Dunc etc...need to cut their teeth in the lower leagues, not just jump right into a top job with no experience whatsoever.

Colin, as well a attaining his Uefa A and B licences, he's been in with the coaching staff from day one at Goodison and has regularly taken training sessions from the first team downwards - as well as coaching with England U21.

That's the qualifications and practical experience sorted. But whether his pointing about is what's needed comes down to personal opinion.

I unfortunately had the misfortune having dealings with James some years back in a professional capacity.... I confirm quite resoundingly that he (James) actually is one !!

Phil Neville is a model professional; Moyes out!

I'm with Mr Kenrick on this one - PN as manager of Everton doesn't scare me at all, and us certainly a lot more palatable (and realistic) than some of the dross that has been mentioned...

Pip as assistant would be great, to help with the transition between the old regime and the new one. Pip as chief dick-swinger would be a mistake. However, I'd take him over Lennon, Hughes and the like.

Anyway seems to me David James is a prick for spouting of behind a team mates back.

At least Neville is still defending his manager according to the Daily Mail today

Moyes’s appointment by United was last night slammed by former Wales assistant manager Raymond Verheijen.
The Dutchman tweeted: ‘The dinosaur of all dinosaurs get a 6 year (!) contract to manage one of the biggest clubs in the world. Only possible in Jurassic Park. Good luck!’
Everton star Phil Neville responded: ‘u jealous raymond?? who r u coaching pre season raymond Azerbaijan under 11’s?’

Wasn't it earlier this season that PN was interviewed and talked a really good game leading to a few comments on here that, when moving into management, he would be a more attack minded version of Moyes?

We've got quite a good first team right now. We need to keep the team together and not leave the new manager to deal with a bunch of holes to fill. What is Sven doing at the moment? He seems good at keeping players onside. Then with such an obvious temporary appointment we'll be ok for getting DM back when he's sacked after a year.

BTW, Fergie must have known DM was taking over a week before he implemented 'operation upset Rooney'. He's a master at planning ahead, don't yer know.

Raymond who?

This seems a good thread to tell a story I heard many years ago. A feller (a fucking BIG feller) who used to stand close to us in The St End (for years) told us the following tale. He was working for a bailiffs in Liverpool and was sent to the house of a certain footballer who owed £32 grand on his mortgage. The player, though very well-paid, was apparently living a 'spicy' lifestyle that involved big betting and regularly getting 'beaked up'. Anyway, this feller knocks on the door and out comes the player. The bailiff (a mad Evertonian) sees the player and realises immediately that he plays for his least favourite team. When he produces the paperwork and asks for the money, the player starts to get (to use a legal term) 'dead fuckin' eggy' and threats of physical violence are made. The bailiff told us "I wanted knock his tongue stiff and kick a fucking lung out of him right there on his own fucking front garden, but I knew that would be me job so I said fuck-all and went back to me car" (nb: as big as the player was, this feller could have done it no problem). Anyway, the next morning he (the bailiff) turns up at the player's club's training ground. He walks right through the 'security' feller, past the training players and into the office. "Get me the manager" he demands. The club's manager then appears (at the time, a little grey haired feller) and in no uncertain terms, is put in the picture. "Listen and listen good, yesterday I went to legally collect £32 grand from player X. He threatened me with violence and the only reason I didn't kick all his teeth out, was because I'd lose this job. Now you go and get him in here so we can sort this out". Incredibly, the manager leaves the room and appears 10 seconds later with 20 grand. He then goes to a safe in the office they are in, produces a wad and counts out another 12 grand.He is incredibly apologetic and even offers the bailiff 600 nicker 'for his trouble'. The bailiff refuses and tells the manager "Stick that up your arse, I wouldn't touch ANYTHING from this fucking club". He further adds "Tell that big prick he should hope I keep this job, because if I lose it and ever see him afterwards, I'll tear the fucking head off him". The end. We'd seen this feller for years and big as he was, he was fairly quiet and certainly no Tom Pepper.

Good story Eugene.

Here's another... Steven Gerrard walks into a bar...

I'd love it to be Razor Ruddick.

John, I posted it on this thread for a reason.

I'm saying no more.

Someone who didn't like crosses methinks but not because of any religious belief's or lack of them.

Ha, Eugene, that story is top class - you shoulda been on Jackanory! Can imagine all the kids sitting round you - the boos, the hissing and the cheers as you read that one - fuckin' brilliant!

Ha Ha! Okay Eugene. Last nights wine has made me dopier than normal!

John, your reply made my laugh more than the story, I thought you were trying to be funny..... oh dear..... keep off the wine man!

...oh yeah, and I forgot to say, the title of the piece is another example of totally out of context sensationalism.... when what the piece really says is quite the contrary.

Our back room staff where not so quiet at an event on Sunday I heard about our leaving manager, not nicely thought of and this was no no mark speaking either.

Paul (273) - Come on, GOT to be more detail than that.

Eugene, said he never speaks to Sheedy or the big fella and has watched 2 youth games in six years, that's what I got told anyway Not saying who it was though.

Paul
You've just added a new arguement to the MOB's reasons for hating him. An egomaniac, only concerned about himself, he wouldn't want to be criticised or advised by Kevin Sheedy, an Everton legend. He probably thinks he is the bees knees now Fergie picked him, he's been acting like he's God's gift for years.

Sorry lads but he has been seen at more youth games in the last three months than two.

Now if you wish you could put a different spin on it by saying he was spying on behalf of his new employers, maybe that's why he held the meeting with Ryan Giggs yesterday.

Eugene is talking 1960s, the gaffer is Frankly Mr. Shankly, the player, hhhhmmmm
Big Ron Eugene? Wish it was Gremlin though or acne Smith

Derek, I am not talking Under-21s but this comment never came from some nobody mate believe me. It may be false but it seems he was not liked by certain figures.

Reputable source from the club concerned some years ago .......

“Won’t be in for training tomorrow boss.”

“What do you mean you won’t XXXXX be in for training?”

“Modelling.”

“Modelling my XXX if you’re not here I’ll fine you!”

Model takes out cheque book, signs blank cheque throws it in the floor and walks away with the over the shoulder comment

“Fill in what you like.”

With that kind of commitment why would anyone be surprised about bad-mouthing mates?

If you read what lots of players have said about their introduction to the Blues they were taken out by Phil Neville and ANO, usually Cahill or Arteta, and told in no uncertain terms what would be expected. We can’t know but I would credit Neville as being a major ally of Moyes in turning Everton into the sort of club where players like Distin who really look after themselves are the rule rather than the exception.

Neville was and remains an intelligent footballer; I always felt that his presence on the pitch anchored the team, it isn’t just shouting for shouting’s sake. In cricket, Mike Brearley for example, you didn’t need to be a top performer to captain at one time and although the physical demands are wildly different there is something of that which needs to be considered.

Like many on here, I wouldn’t be at all uncomfortable to have Phil Neville in the manager’s chair.

Neville Just sounds like a team mate that you can rely on to me. James sound like the prick to me.

Paul (703) - manager has a Welsh sounding surname, player not an outfield player.

Any none-outfield players mentioned on this thread?

Peter Lee. Don't include me in that, I fancy P Neville as manager. Think he'd do a great job. Lets hope he's given the chance, over that slimy Martineze. Something about him I don't like. Apart from his team letting in 71 goals. and oh yes, nearly forgot RELEGATED. Lets see how long he stays with them, once their down. He's got itchy feet already. When he was asked after there hammering by Arsenal, would he be with them next season he nicely side-tracked the question. Good on camera hey? like I said slimy.

Ah Evans - so the clown in goal

Peter Lee. Accept my apology I misread what you said about Neville. Thought you said you would feel uncomfortable at him being manager and not comfortable with him being manager.