02/06/2026
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(Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
On Saturday, Liverpool sacked Arne Slot.
A year on from the Dutchman leading Liverpool to the Premier League title, becoming only the fifth manager to win the competition in his first season in charge, he was out of the door.
Liverpool finished fifth in 2025-26, losing 12 league matches. They spent huge money on players that have (so far) failed to deliver, and the fanbase had grown uneasy with Slot’s style of play, which is more controlled, measured and pedestrian, when the Premier League is all about pace and ferocity, not to mention Jurgen Klopp’s ‘heavy metal football’, which was such a success at Anfield.
All that being said, it still seemed as though Liverpool’s owners would be sticking to their guns on Slot. He was going to be backed again; stalwarts like Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson were leaving, and it would be up to Slot to oversee the rebuild.
Only, an opportunity presented itself; one that Liverpool seemingly felt just too good to turn down.
Andoni Iraola is a free agent. That has, of course, been known for sometime, but perhaps Liverpool had expected him to be snapped up by now.
However, at the time of Slot’s departure, the only club that had made any significant headway towards appointing the Spaniard was Bayer Leverkusen. Crystal Palace had gone in big, but it always felt like Iraola was holding out for a bigger fish in the Premier League, and he reportedly snubbed AC Milan.
Sometimes, the stars align and one must decide whether to change course, or to stick with the original plan. Liverpool, it seems, have decided to twist.
Don’t worry, this is not a Liverpool feature, but it does feel as though there is a growing sense of frustration within the Everton fanbase that TFG — and the people they have appointed to run the club on a day-to-day basis — aren’t showing the same appetite for change; the same willingness to gamble.
Some Liverpool fans will argue they were only going one way under Slot. Others might point to the fact that 12 months ago, he was the best thing since sliced bread (as our neighbours are, of course, prone to hyperbole).
But the club made a decision. Whether it was part of their plan or not (it seems not, given Xabi Alonso was there as a free agent for so long, yet Liverpool decided to stick with Slot until after the season had ended), they have made their move and a manager that many Evertonians feel would have been a realistic, but bullish, appointment, could now end up in charge of our rivals.
The frustration among the Everton fanbase in the wake of Slot’s sacking has seemed to focus mainly on “ambition”, or a lack of, from the club.
Everton finished the season with a whimper and David Moyes’s decisions backfired. There is a case to be made that an elite club simply would not tolerate that, especially with the likes of Iraola, or Oliver Glasner — fresh from leading Crystal Palace to their third trophy in the space of a year — available. But they won’t be available for long.
The counter-argument is the one Angus Kinnear has already put forward: that Everton value stability. The issue is, when does stability become stagnation?
A bit of perspective: Had Everton taken four more points from their final seven matches, they would have qualified for the Europa League, and none of this talk about Moyes would be happening.
That being said, it doesn’t mean the talk shouldn’t be happening. Questions should be asked, and I stressed last week that Everton need to act with urgency.
While there have been some tentative transfer links to a variety of uninspiring — albeit, probably realistic — targets, the main crux of the issue is that Everton, or namely, TFG, seem content with the radio silence.
Kinnear may well believe he has said what needed to be said. That he has made it clear Everton are not changing course, and that Moyes is the man heading into next season.
That probably is the case, but then it raises questions over the long-term future, given Moyes only has 12 months left to run on his deal.
In the meantime, the vacuum is being filled by Evertonians who want to see decisive action from their club, or at the very least, some open and more frank communication. Admit what went wrong and what they are going to do to try and fix it.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, one of the season’s success stories, said Everton were “miles off it” as he reflected on the woeful end to the campaign in a social media post last week. For that honesty, he received respect and appreciation.
Liverpool’s gamble with Iraola, who seems almost certain to take over at Anfield, may well backfire. It’s worth noting that as frustrating as Everton’s winless run at the end of the season was, Iraola has gone on several longer, worse such runs during his time at Bournemouth.
He has, however, proved he is a highly adaptable manager with a direct, attacking approach that, on paper at least, probably suits a club with elite players and high standards.
And as much as we all hate to see it, Liverpool have shown once again that they do not tolerate it when their high standards aren’t met.
Sometimes, it would be nice for Everton to show that, too.
Read more - The Rumour Mill — Close Season Week 2
Reader Comments (145)
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Dave Abrahams
2 Posted 02/06/2026 at 08:50:44
2 Posted 02/06/2026 at 08:50:44
I think, at the very least, whoever is looking at Everton's interest here in Liverpool should have a good look at this manager's career and then make the decision to keep him for the next 12 months or to let him go, and let the owners know this.
I think even the most moderate and liberal fans would give the nod for him to leave now... although there would be a few with the opposite point of view.
I think even the most moderate and liberal fans would give the nod for him to leave now... although there would be a few with the opposite point of view.
Ged Simpson
3 Posted 02/06/2026 at 09:04:49
3 Posted 02/06/2026 at 09:04:49
"Stability"..Makes me yawn.
The fights with relegation at least got the heart pumping compared with the second half of last season. To attack quickly can result in losing by more than one goal but surely practice makes perfect.
Seems we just practice passing side to side or back to Pickford to roll it to a defender, then receive it back before lumping it upfield. I know we had key injuries like Grealish but we just retired into our shells and hoped to 'nick one" or celebrate a draw.
New owners, new stadium... but a manager with a very old and tired style of selection and play.
New stadium syndrome, safe pair hands etc but how long for? I fear for quite a while yet but 🙏 I am proved wrong by TFG!
The fights with relegation at least got the heart pumping compared with the second half of last season. To attack quickly can result in losing by more than one goal but surely practice makes perfect.
Seems we just practice passing side to side or back to Pickford to roll it to a defender, then receive it back before lumping it upfield. I know we had key injuries like Grealish but we just retired into our shells and hoped to 'nick one" or celebrate a draw.
New owners, new stadium... but a manager with a very old and tired style of selection and play.
New stadium syndrome, safe pair hands etc but how long for? I fear for quite a while yet but 🙏 I am proved wrong by TFG!
Darrel Pugh
4 Posted 02/06/2026 at 09:11:20
4 Posted 02/06/2026 at 09:11:20
I write not in the heat of a bad result, but in the cold clarity of sustained observation — and what I see at Everton Football Club is a slow, institutional surrender to mediocrity.
Under David Moyes, the ambition at Bramley-Moore Dock has been quietly dismantled and replaced with something far less noble: the annual ritual of survival. Avoiding relegation has become the benchmark. Not silverware. Not European football. Not even a top-half finish. Just survival — dressed up in press conference language as though it were a strategic vision.
Moyes delivers his post-match verdicts with the unearned
authority of a man who mistakes longevity for greatness, confusing his own durability with the club's progress. There is an arrogance in that posture — a refusal to be questioned, a disdain for ambition itself — that has come to define the culture at the top.
And then there is Angus Kinnear.
The CEO brings to Everton a particular brand of corporate detachment — the kind cultivated in boardrooms far removed from terraces, pubs, and the lived experience of genuine supporters. His communications read less like messages to a fanbase and more like internal memos at a mid-tier consultancy.
The language is polished but hollow: brand equity, stakeholder engagement, strategic realignment. It is the vocabulary of a man who views football people — the very lifeblood of the institution he stewards — as a demographic to be managed rather than a community to be served. Fans with decades of devotion to Everton find themselves talked at, not with. The condescension, though never explicit, is unmistakable.
What is most troubling is the combination of the two: a manager who has made peace with mediocrity, and a CEO who has made a career of packaging it attractively. Together, they represent a club that no longer dares to dream on behalf of its supporters.
Everton supporters deserve far better than a club that measures success by the absence of failure.
Under David Moyes, the ambition at Bramley-Moore Dock has been quietly dismantled and replaced with something far less noble: the annual ritual of survival. Avoiding relegation has become the benchmark. Not silverware. Not European football. Not even a top-half finish. Just survival — dressed up in press conference language as though it were a strategic vision.
Moyes delivers his post-match verdicts with the unearned
authority of a man who mistakes longevity for greatness, confusing his own durability with the club's progress. There is an arrogance in that posture — a refusal to be questioned, a disdain for ambition itself — that has come to define the culture at the top.
And then there is Angus Kinnear.
The CEO brings to Everton a particular brand of corporate detachment — the kind cultivated in boardrooms far removed from terraces, pubs, and the lived experience of genuine supporters. His communications read less like messages to a fanbase and more like internal memos at a mid-tier consultancy.
The language is polished but hollow: brand equity, stakeholder engagement, strategic realignment. It is the vocabulary of a man who views football people — the very lifeblood of the institution he stewards — as a demographic to be managed rather than a community to be served. Fans with decades of devotion to Everton find themselves talked at, not with. The condescension, though never explicit, is unmistakable.
What is most troubling is the combination of the two: a manager who has made peace with mediocrity, and a CEO who has made a career of packaging it attractively. Together, they represent a club that no longer dares to dream on behalf of its supporters.
Everton supporters deserve far better than a club that measures success by the absence of failure.
Ian Bennett
5 Posted 02/06/2026 at 09:14:01
5 Posted 02/06/2026 at 09:14:01
Even if Everton were on pole position, I'd have little faith we wouldn't get trumped at the last minute for Iraola.
His stock is high, and he will be going into a club with a far better squad, far bigger wage bill and far bigger finances.
The disappointment from some on here fails to grasp that he won't make a decision until all options have been explored for him. He is a professional -- not a fan, so he will do what works for him.
This wasn't a missed opportunity; it was never an opportunity in the beginning. And that goes for Palace as well.
If you wanted an opportunity, then Everton needed to throw a ridiculous amount of money at him, sack Moyes, give him a huge improved wage bill and transfer budget. An outlay of £250M plus across everything.
I just don't see that happening. This is a slow fixer-upper of a club. The casino approach under Moshiri has been tried, and there won't be a rush to going back to it.
His stock is high, and he will be going into a club with a far better squad, far bigger wage bill and far bigger finances.
The disappointment from some on here fails to grasp that he won't make a decision until all options have been explored for him. He is a professional -- not a fan, so he will do what works for him.
This wasn't a missed opportunity; it was never an opportunity in the beginning. And that goes for Palace as well.
If you wanted an opportunity, then Everton needed to throw a ridiculous amount of money at him, sack Moyes, give him a huge improved wage bill and transfer budget. An outlay of £250M plus across everything.
I just don't see that happening. This is a slow fixer-upper of a club. The casino approach under Moshiri has been tried, and there won't be a rush to going back to it.
John Pickles
6 Posted 02/06/2026 at 09:20:04
6 Posted 02/06/2026 at 09:20:04
I am one of the 'fanbase'; you do not speak for me.
We are not an 'Elite' club and haven't been for decades.
We are not an 'Elite' club and haven't been for decades.
Brian Harrison
7 Posted 02/06/2026 at 09:20:55
7 Posted 02/06/2026 at 09:20:55
Something must have happened between Friday and Saturday for the dramatic change of heart by the other lot to sack Slot.
Alonso had been available for a while and most Reds wanted him to replace Slot but he didn't and they let it be known that Slot would be given more time; only last week, they allowed him to bring in an assistant manager, so why do that if you are going to sack him?
Also, Iraola told people weeks ago he was leaving Bournemouth, so if he was their desired choice, why weren't they in negotiations then to hire him?
I have to say I really like his approach and would have loved him here, but he hasn't had the experience of managing a big club and we all saw what happened to Franks at Spurs and Alonso at Real Madrid.
Don't forget, Iraola went a couple of months without winning a game at Bournemouth that wont be acceptable by the other lot.
I was saying to a mate only yesterday: Why aren't we producing good young English coaches? St George's Park was set up decades ago to do just that -- so why has it failed so spectacularly? There is Eddie Howe and hardly anybody else.
Yet you look at the leagues in Spain, Italy, and Germany, and most clubs are managed by managers from their own countries. Even our national side looks more to continental coaches who have had very few English managers over the last 20 years.
Alonso had been available for a while and most Reds wanted him to replace Slot but he didn't and they let it be known that Slot would be given more time; only last week, they allowed him to bring in an assistant manager, so why do that if you are going to sack him?
Also, Iraola told people weeks ago he was leaving Bournemouth, so if he was their desired choice, why weren't they in negotiations then to hire him?
I have to say I really like his approach and would have loved him here, but he hasn't had the experience of managing a big club and we all saw what happened to Franks at Spurs and Alonso at Real Madrid.
Don't forget, Iraola went a couple of months without winning a game at Bournemouth that wont be acceptable by the other lot.
I was saying to a mate only yesterday: Why aren't we producing good young English coaches? St George's Park was set up decades ago to do just that -- so why has it failed so spectacularly? There is Eddie Howe and hardly anybody else.
Yet you look at the leagues in Spain, Italy, and Germany, and most clubs are managed by managers from their own countries. Even our national side looks more to continental coaches who have had very few English managers over the last 20 years.
Jeff Spiers
8 Posted 02/06/2026 at 09:21:45
8 Posted 02/06/2026 at 09:21:45
Liverpool are ruthless. Take no prisoners. We're not.
I say this through 74-year-old gritted teeth!
I say this through 74-year-old gritted teeth!
Darren Hind
9 Posted 02/06/2026 at 09:39:02
9 Posted 02/06/2026 at 09:39:02
Darrel Pugh.
You need to be posting more often on these pages. Excellent post.
You need to be posting more often on these pages. Excellent post.
Phillip Warrington
10 Posted 02/06/2026 at 10:00:31
10 Posted 02/06/2026 at 10:00:31
I don't know why people think Iraola would even consider Everton. If we had made it to Europe, maybe… of which I still blame players more than Moyes.
Moyes is not the one who missed chance after chance and made mistake after mistake which led to most goals scored against us.
Dewsbury-Hall and Ndiaye are great players but they missed a ton of chances in the last 6 games that would have put us in Europe.
Rohl and Alcaraz run around a lot but their end product is crap and our forwards a waste of time. And there lies the problem: whoever they get to take over knows the amount of money it will take to turn this squad into a Top 5 contender is going to be considerable.
It’s probably too much for the owners to even consider, and there's the other problem: how much could Everton spend without braking any rules?
The only two managers I think could change things would be Glasner or Iraola but I can’t see either of them even thinking about Everton, so to me, it’s better to stick with Moyes for another season.
Hopefully we can land a decant striker and right-back and would say we should have another year of stability and free from relegation. Then who knows… maybe we will be seen as a club fighting for Europe and not relegation.
Moyes is not the one who missed chance after chance and made mistake after mistake which led to most goals scored against us.
Dewsbury-Hall and Ndiaye are great players but they missed a ton of chances in the last 6 games that would have put us in Europe.
Rohl and Alcaraz run around a lot but their end product is crap and our forwards a waste of time. And there lies the problem: whoever they get to take over knows the amount of money it will take to turn this squad into a Top 5 contender is going to be considerable.
It’s probably too much for the owners to even consider, and there's the other problem: how much could Everton spend without braking any rules?
The only two managers I think could change things would be Glasner or Iraola but I can’t see either of them even thinking about Everton, so to me, it’s better to stick with Moyes for another season.
Hopefully we can land a decant striker and right-back and would say we should have another year of stability and free from relegation. Then who knows… maybe we will be seen as a club fighting for Europe and not relegation.
Dave Williams
11 Posted 02/06/2026 at 10:02:39
11 Posted 02/06/2026 at 10:02:39
Good posts on here, especially Darrel.
TFG appear to be focused on creating a financial success with the stadium at the forefront. We supporters want to see entertaining football with excitement; making the step up to the supporters' ambitions for the club will be expensive and not without risk.
It's far easier to detach themselves from the fan base and not answer to anyone rather than engage with loyal customers and give them something to get excited about.
I think they will sell one of our better players -- Ndiaye, if he has a good World Cup -- and allow Moyes to use the proceeds.
We might all be pleasantly surprised as it's not clever to reveal your transfer plans or budget for others to see but we need something to grasp to give hope for improvement.
TFG appear to be focused on creating a financial success with the stadium at the forefront. We supporters want to see entertaining football with excitement; making the step up to the supporters' ambitions for the club will be expensive and not without risk.
It's far easier to detach themselves from the fan base and not answer to anyone rather than engage with loyal customers and give them something to get excited about.
I think they will sell one of our better players -- Ndiaye, if he has a good World Cup -- and allow Moyes to use the proceeds.
We might all be pleasantly surprised as it's not clever to reveal your transfer plans or budget for others to see but we need something to grasp to give hope for improvement.
Tony Hughes
12 Posted 02/06/2026 at 10:17:25
12 Posted 02/06/2026 at 10:17:25
The new stadium is like our Ferrari but, in Moyesy, we've put a battered old Austin Allegro engine in to run it.
Paul Hewitt
13 Posted 02/06/2026 at 10:27:54
13 Posted 02/06/2026 at 10:27:54
TFG’s other toy, Roma, are now in the Champions League, they will spend most of their time, money and effort on them.
Moyes will stay; mid-table mediocrity will be good enough.
Moyes will stay; mid-table mediocrity will be good enough.
Jeff Spiers
14 Posted 02/06/2026 at 10:48:39
14 Posted 02/06/2026 at 10:48:39
Paul,
Sad but true.
Sad but true.
Dave Lynch
15 Posted 02/06/2026 at 11:11:30
15 Posted 02/06/2026 at 11:11:30
People are saying we need a massive transfer budget; I don't agree. We have good players, it's how they're coached and set up to play that's the problem.
Yes, we need 4 possible 5 new faces for key positions but we can offset that by unloading average players on big money. It's absolutely heartbreaking what we are enduring at the moment.
Some are saying the Friedkins just want to make money from the stadium but you cannot run a stadium without income and by far the biggest income are the fans who turn up regularly. Alienate them and attendances will drop and reduce the income.
I honestly cannot fathom why they can't see through this charlatan of a manager.
Yes, we need 4 possible 5 new faces for key positions but we can offset that by unloading average players on big money. It's absolutely heartbreaking what we are enduring at the moment.
Some are saying the Friedkins just want to make money from the stadium but you cannot run a stadium without income and by far the biggest income are the fans who turn up regularly. Alienate them and attendances will drop and reduce the income.
I honestly cannot fathom why they can't see through this charlatan of a manager.
Scott Robinson
16 Posted 02/06/2026 at 11:12:56
16 Posted 02/06/2026 at 11:12:56
Every club that has had a revolving managerial door policy has been an unmitigated disaster — Spurs, Chelsea, Man Utd etc...
I'd prefer stability over instability any day.
I'd prefer stability over instability any day.
Paul Hewitt
17 Posted 02/06/2026 at 11:22:54
17 Posted 02/06/2026 at 11:22:54
Scott. That's fine.
But don't expect entertaining football or trophies anytime soon.
But don't expect entertaining football or trophies anytime soon.
Jimmy Carr
18 Posted 02/06/2026 at 11:29:44
18 Posted 02/06/2026 at 11:29:44
That Roma have achieved Champions League qualification is a good thing, a pathway Everton can follow.
TFG have owned Roma for about 6 years, I think, and been at Everton for all of 18 months. Do the maths.
TFG have owned Roma for about 6 years, I think, and been at Everton for all of 18 months. Do the maths.
James Newcombe
19 Posted 02/06/2026 at 11:31:02
19 Posted 02/06/2026 at 11:31:02
We pretty much need a new starting defence, and I think Moyes is the man to build that over a season or two.
Andrew Ellams
20 Posted 02/06/2026 at 11:33:58
20 Posted 02/06/2026 at 11:33:58
Jimmy, I just don't have the faith that's the intended plan.
I think they're here to cream off the Premier League cash to fund the Roma project.
I think they're here to cream off the Premier League cash to fund the Roma project.
Jimmy Carr
21 Posted 02/06/2026 at 11:46:54
21 Posted 02/06/2026 at 11:46:54
Andrew (20), the jury's out.
If we saw £150M spent on the squad this summer, it might be fair to say European football is their target. I think that's a better metric.
If we saw £150M spent on the squad this summer, it might be fair to say European football is their target. I think that's a better metric.
Andrew Ellams
22 Posted 02/06/2026 at 11:55:13
22 Posted 02/06/2026 at 11:55:13
Jimmy, it depends how many players that £150M is stretched across.
For example, 6 playera at £25M each doesn't get you much these days.
For example, 6 playera at £25M each doesn't get you much these days.
Raymond Fox
23 Posted 02/06/2026 at 11:58:37
23 Posted 02/06/2026 at 11:58:37
I'll be surprised if the get rid of Moyes. What scares owners most is relegation. While a fresh face as manager would be good, we have tried as many as I have had hot dinners to no avail before.
As Brian mentioned our players have escaped much of the criticism for the flop in results in our last games. Our priority is better players... problem is, top players' prices have gone through the roof.
Moyes picked the same teams that had got us some good previous results, so who's to blame? The owners will probably see that, with a couple of better extra players and more luck with injuries, we would have qualified for Europe no problem.
It's been an opportunity missed this season, no doubt, and I don't think you can pin the blame entirely on Moyes. I, like many others, would like to see a fresh manager... but I don't see it's happening.
As Brian mentioned our players have escaped much of the criticism for the flop in results in our last games. Our priority is better players... problem is, top players' prices have gone through the roof.
Moyes picked the same teams that had got us some good previous results, so who's to blame? The owners will probably see that, with a couple of better extra players and more luck with injuries, we would have qualified for Europe no problem.
It's been an opportunity missed this season, no doubt, and I don't think you can pin the blame entirely on Moyes. I, like many others, would like to see a fresh manager... but I don't see it's happening.
Christy Ring
24 Posted 02/06/2026 at 12:05:10
24 Posted 02/06/2026 at 12:05:10
If the owners and the CEO turn a blind eye to our performance under Moyes in our last 7 games this season, thats shows what a stubborn and conservative manager Moyes is.
Just considering how he refused to change formation and shape, his total lack of use of the younger players on the bench, and waiting until the final 10 or 15 minutes to change things, instead of trying to win a European place.
We ended up just ahead of Leeds, and when asked could he understand the frustration of our brilliant fans? He replied "No". Is that an ambitious manager?
Just considering how he refused to change formation and shape, his total lack of use of the younger players on the bench, and waiting until the final 10 or 15 minutes to change things, instead of trying to win a European place.
We ended up just ahead of Leeds, and when asked could he understand the frustration of our brilliant fans? He replied "No". Is that an ambitious manager?
Stan Grace
25 Posted 02/06/2026 at 12:07:36
25 Posted 02/06/2026 at 12:07:36
If Roma is the benchmark to measure TFG's footballing success level since they took over in August 2020, then it's worth looking at where Roma finished over the last 10 years.
2025–26: 3rd
2024–25: 6th
2023–24: 6th
2022–23: 6th
2021–22: 6th
2020–21: 7th
2019–20: 5th
2018–19: 6th
2017–18: 3rd
2016–17: 2nd
So it's taken them 6 years to return the club to where they had finished just two years after taking over!
Now, if we compare that to the last 10 years of Aston Villa, whose owners took over in July 2018:
2025-26: 4th
2024-25: 4th
2023-24: 4th
2022-23: 7th
2021-22: 14th
2020-21: 11th
2019-20: 17th
2018-19: 5th (Promoted via Championship play-offs)
2017-18: 4th (Championship)
2016-17: 13th (Championship)
The improvement, while taking a number of years too, has been much more significant. Emery became manager in November 2022, suggesting a change to a successful, quality manager does make a difference.
2025–26: 3rd
2024–25: 6th
2023–24: 6th
2022–23: 6th
2021–22: 6th
2020–21: 7th
2019–20: 5th
2018–19: 6th
2017–18: 3rd
2016–17: 2nd
So it's taken them 6 years to return the club to where they had finished just two years after taking over!
Now, if we compare that to the last 10 years of Aston Villa, whose owners took over in July 2018:
2025-26: 4th
2024-25: 4th
2023-24: 4th
2022-23: 7th
2021-22: 14th
2020-21: 11th
2019-20: 17th
2018-19: 5th (Promoted via Championship play-offs)
2017-18: 4th (Championship)
2016-17: 13th (Championship)
The improvement, while taking a number of years too, has been much more significant. Emery became manager in November 2022, suggesting a change to a successful, quality manager does make a difference.
Tony Abrahams
26 Posted 02/06/2026 at 12:08:15
26 Posted 02/06/2026 at 12:08:15
Under David Moyes, the ambition at Bramley-Moore Dock has been quietly dismantled and replaced with something far less noble.
If anyone spoke for me, then this more than anything is definitely the line I would use, Darrel, mate.
We are not an elite club anymore but, when I look back over the years, I think the moment when I truly realised this was when David Moyes was clapped out of Goodison in 2013, being treated by the fans like he had performed miracles.
For the people who genuinely believed this, then the acceptance of Bill Kenwright was even harder to understand.
And now we have just moved into a stadium fit for kings --playing centre-backs out of position and watching Dour Davie's over-worked small squad playing football the negative way.
If anyone spoke for me, then this more than anything is definitely the line I would use, Darrel, mate.
We are not an elite club anymore but, when I look back over the years, I think the moment when I truly realised this was when David Moyes was clapped out of Goodison in 2013, being treated by the fans like he had performed miracles.
For the people who genuinely believed this, then the acceptance of Bill Kenwright was even harder to understand.
And now we have just moved into a stadium fit for kings --playing centre-backs out of position and watching Dour Davie's over-worked small squad playing football the negative way.
Iain Johnston
27 Posted 02/06/2026 at 12:13:47
27 Posted 02/06/2026 at 12:13:47
During the latter years at the Old Lady, it was once said that we are now EitC, a charity with a football club. I'm wondering if TFG see us as a multi-venue asset with a football club?
As a club, we earned just under £132M last season for finishing 13th, for this season it's around £150M. An extra £18M for standing still. TFG don't need much ambition to achieve a financial windfall.
As a club, we earned just under £132M last season for finishing 13th, for this season it's around £150M. An extra £18M for standing still. TFG don't need much ambition to achieve a financial windfall.
Jim Bennings
28 Posted 02/06/2026 at 12:16:02
28 Posted 02/06/2026 at 12:16:02
Why does anyone seriously think this summer will be any different to last, or the previous?
We are Everton; we are happy with the status quo and the comfort zone of stability and safety. We are slow with transfers, slow with ambitions, slow off the pitch, other clubs are marketing new kits, we'll wait all summer then no doubt fuck it up.
TFG disappoint me. They acted sensibly when they appointed Moyes after replacing Dyche, it was what we needed at that time. But since then, I have serious reservations about what they are going to do with Everton Football Club; I certainly haven't seen nor heard much of ambition.
We are Everton; we are happy with the status quo and the comfort zone of stability and safety. We are slow with transfers, slow with ambitions, slow off the pitch, other clubs are marketing new kits, we'll wait all summer then no doubt fuck it up.
TFG disappoint me. They acted sensibly when they appointed Moyes after replacing Dyche, it was what we needed at that time. But since then, I have serious reservations about what they are going to do with Everton Football Club; I certainly haven't seen nor heard much of ambition.
Andrew Ellams
29 Posted 02/06/2026 at 12:20:29
29 Posted 02/06/2026 at 12:20:29
I fully expect them to spend just enough to keep us ticking over, Jim.
No way will there be any exciting marquee signings.
No way will there be any exciting marquee signings.
Steve Brown
30 Posted 02/06/2026 at 12:33:23
30 Posted 02/06/2026 at 12:33:23
Andrew @ 20, I think the Roma fans are feeling the same about us!
Roma's net spend is €-122.43M in the last 5 years. They have relied heavy on free transfers and loans to manage FFP restrictions, with very low net spend figures. Construction on their new stadium won't start until 2027.
The Premier League is the cash cow of European football, and that is particularly true of a club wth a brand new 52,000 stadium and all the commercial opportunities that opens up. Everton have the opportunty to become a very wealthy club, but this summer's transfer spend will tell us a lot about the extent of TFG's ambition.
The real question is how much they will allow Moyes to spend, given he has 12 months left on his contract and doesn't seen aligned with their long term strategy, ie, focussing on young talent and the Academy?
Roma's net spend is €-122.43M in the last 5 years. They have relied heavy on free transfers and loans to manage FFP restrictions, with very low net spend figures. Construction on their new stadium won't start until 2027.
The Premier League is the cash cow of European football, and that is particularly true of a club wth a brand new 52,000 stadium and all the commercial opportunities that opens up. Everton have the opportunty to become a very wealthy club, but this summer's transfer spend will tell us a lot about the extent of TFG's ambition.
The real question is how much they will allow Moyes to spend, given he has 12 months left on his contract and doesn't seen aligned with their long term strategy, ie, focussing on young talent and the Academy?
Ian Wilkins
31 Posted 02/06/2026 at 12:47:02
31 Posted 02/06/2026 at 12:47:02
Darrel @4, very nicely put.
I agree with you entirely.
I agree with you entirely.
Ryan Holroyd
32 Posted 02/06/2026 at 12:51:37
32 Posted 02/06/2026 at 12:51:37
The owners are happy for Everton to be midtable, not spending their own money.
They got a bargain with us. £300M and probably worth £1B now.
They got a bargain with us. £300M and probably worth £1B now.
Tony Abrahams
33 Posted 02/06/2026 at 13:14:25
33 Posted 02/06/2026 at 13:14:25
Reading this rest of your post makes me sad, Darrel. I am a cradle-to-grave Evertonian, or at least I always thought I would be... but “that something inside so strong” is slowly being replaced by a feeling of anger.
Although that might be the wrong word because it's more a feeling of apathetic boredom that only becomes painful when I look at things a little bit closer, which is something your excellent (sadly) post has made me do.
Keep the faith? I've been keeping the faith for fucking years... but -- without ambition -- we might as well be dead!
Although that might be the wrong word because it's more a feeling of apathetic boredom that only becomes painful when I look at things a little bit closer, which is something your excellent (sadly) post has made me do.
Keep the faith? I've been keeping the faith for fucking years... but -- without ambition -- we might as well be dead!
Kunal Desai
34 Posted 02/06/2026 at 13:55:43
34 Posted 02/06/2026 at 13:55:43
TFG bought the club and saw a commericial opportunity. Rinse its fanbase in the ground on season tickets and explore other sporting opportunities at the venue.
Kinnear is a puppet master to front TFG. I had my doubts when he joined. Why did it take TFG over 6 months to search for a CEO, only to come up with him?
He saw an opportunity to jump at a well-paid job. Why not? He's just an employee. Moyes, one final pay day. All greed, none of the above, similar to past owners and CEOs, have any genuine interest in making this club ambitious again.
Kinnear is a puppet master to front TFG. I had my doubts when he joined. Why did it take TFG over 6 months to search for a CEO, only to come up with him?
He saw an opportunity to jump at a well-paid job. Why not? He's just an employee. Moyes, one final pay day. All greed, none of the above, similar to past owners and CEOs, have any genuine interest in making this club ambitious again.
Michael Connelly
35 Posted 02/06/2026 at 14:12:16
35 Posted 02/06/2026 at 14:12:16
Let's not forget that 'mediocrity' is a big improvement for us relative to the last few seasons, whereas the RS have dropped from Champions to scraping a 5th place finish.
It was much easier watching us on the last day, relative to previous seasons.
The performance of the manager is directly related to the quality of player at his disposal, and we are woefully short at right-back and up-front, and less so, but still short at left-back, holding midfield, and an attacking midfielder without Grealish.
Considering the tools at his disposal, I don't think there is a better fit than Moyes.
Hopefully a few of those tools get an upgrade this summer.
It was much easier watching us on the last day, relative to previous seasons.
The performance of the manager is directly related to the quality of player at his disposal, and we are woefully short at right-back and up-front, and less so, but still short at left-back, holding midfield, and an attacking midfielder without Grealish.
Considering the tools at his disposal, I don't think there is a better fit than Moyes.
Hopefully a few of those tools get an upgrade this summer.
Alan McGuffog
36 Posted 02/06/2026 at 14:12:17
36 Posted 02/06/2026 at 14:12:17
Darrel... one of the most concise posts I've read about the situation at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Well done.
It was rumoured, in the wake of the Southampton - Boro spygate saga, that we'd been spied on in training by an elite European outfit. Seemingly Catalan Dragons.
It was rumoured, in the wake of the Southampton - Boro spygate saga, that we'd been spied on in training by an elite European outfit. Seemingly Catalan Dragons.
Stan Grace
37 Posted 02/06/2026 at 14:20:06
37 Posted 02/06/2026 at 14:20:06
Michael #35,
"The performance of the manager is directly related to the quality of player at his disposal."
So why has Emery done so much better than his predecessor at Villa? And Carrick at Man Utd?
"The performance of the manager is directly related to the quality of player at his disposal."
So why has Emery done so much better than his predecessor at Villa? And Carrick at Man Utd?
Andrew Ellams
38 Posted 02/06/2026 at 14:37:27
38 Posted 02/06/2026 at 14:37:27
Sorry, Michael, but's delusional at best.
Tony Abrahams
39 Posted 02/06/2026 at 14:39:00
39 Posted 02/06/2026 at 14:39:00
If you thought it was easy watching Everton performing very badly at Tottenham, then you are very much part of the problem, Michael @35.
"We haven't got a clue because we don't know what goes on at Finch Farm", is something that is often quoted on these pages, but we can see what happens on matchday though...
How Moyes picked the same tired players at Spurs as he did in the previous two games against Palace and Sunderland was an absolute insult to every single Evertonian, who spent good money making the journey to London.
Moyes should know best because he's the manager, but by playing the same tired players (our energy only improved when he brought Alkaraz, Armstrong and George on, as did the balance when Coleman replaced the central defender at right-back), it looked like he was trying to work it up his old employers at West Ham, who wouldn't give his son a job scouting.
"We haven't got a clue because we don't know what goes on at Finch Farm", is something that is often quoted on these pages, but we can see what happens on matchday though...
How Moyes picked the same tired players at Spurs as he did in the previous two games against Palace and Sunderland was an absolute insult to every single Evertonian, who spent good money making the journey to London.
Moyes should know best because he's the manager, but by playing the same tired players (our energy only improved when he brought Alkaraz, Armstrong and George on, as did the balance when Coleman replaced the central defender at right-back), it looked like he was trying to work it up his old employers at West Ham, who wouldn't give his son a job scouting.
Dave Lynch
40 Posted 02/06/2026 at 14:52:53
40 Posted 02/06/2026 at 14:52:53
The title of the post.
"When Opportunity Knocks".
It knocked a few times in his first tenure and he fucked it up good and proper.
It's knocking now on TFG's door and they won't open it...
For fuck's sake... just get rid of him ASAP!
"When Opportunity Knocks".
It knocked a few times in his first tenure and he fucked it up good and proper.
It's knocking now on TFG's door and they won't open it...
For fuck's sake... just get rid of him ASAP!
Mark Ryan
41 Posted 02/06/2026 at 15:03:48
41 Posted 02/06/2026 at 15:03:48
In your article, you write:
A bit of perspective: Had Everton taken four more points from their final seven matches, they would have qualified for the Europa League, and none of this talk about Moyes would be happening.
It's not our final position that is the problem. The problem is Moyes and the manner in which he treats his squad. The disdain with which he treats me as a supporter.
He could not give a shit about going out of both cups early doors. He does not give a shit about not giving Dibling a fair crack of the whip.
The talk of him staying or leaving should be the only topic of discussion right now because Liverpool have grasped the nettle. Why have they done that?
They have done this to improve. We are settling to keep our old Skoda and they have chopped in their Jaguar for the latest, better model. It might not work out for them but at least they are willing to give it a go. He who dares, Rodney, he who dares...
A bit of perspective: Had Everton taken four more points from their final seven matches, they would have qualified for the Europa League, and none of this talk about Moyes would be happening.
It's not our final position that is the problem. The problem is Moyes and the manner in which he treats his squad. The disdain with which he treats me as a supporter.
He could not give a shit about going out of both cups early doors. He does not give a shit about not giving Dibling a fair crack of the whip.
The talk of him staying or leaving should be the only topic of discussion right now because Liverpool have grasped the nettle. Why have they done that?
They have done this to improve. We are settling to keep our old Skoda and they have chopped in their Jaguar for the latest, better model. It might not work out for them but at least they are willing to give it a go. He who dares, Rodney, he who dares...
Jay Harris
42 Posted 02/06/2026 at 15:12:18
42 Posted 02/06/2026 at 15:12:18
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum died with Sir John Moores and was buried when Kenwright took over.
Every success story starts with a champion whose desire and energy motivate followers. We don't have a champion and even those long-hardened followers are becoming weary.
My young grandson is a red, something I wouldn't have tolerated years ago but something I have resigned myself to now.
At the age of 75, I have had the pinnacle of joyous moments with Everton and some emotionally draining times but the continued slump to mediocrity gives me little hope for the future.
We are no longer one of the elite, having been raped by Kenwright and our expectations brought down a few pegs by Moyes.
The days of KEOIC and True Blues have had their moments only to be replaced by a fans' representative group that are fodder for the hierarchy.
I remain hopeful that, before I die, we will at least return to competitiveness... but alas it may be blind faith with statements like "Happily dissatisfied' from the mouth of the person who should be spouting "Nothing but the best is good enough!"
Please, Everton, surprise or even shock me by taking some decisive action -- the operative word being action.
Every success story starts with a champion whose desire and energy motivate followers. We don't have a champion and even those long-hardened followers are becoming weary.
My young grandson is a red, something I wouldn't have tolerated years ago but something I have resigned myself to now.
At the age of 75, I have had the pinnacle of joyous moments with Everton and some emotionally draining times but the continued slump to mediocrity gives me little hope for the future.
We are no longer one of the elite, having been raped by Kenwright and our expectations brought down a few pegs by Moyes.
The days of KEOIC and True Blues have had their moments only to be replaced by a fans' representative group that are fodder for the hierarchy.
I remain hopeful that, before I die, we will at least return to competitiveness... but alas it may be blind faith with statements like "Happily dissatisfied' from the mouth of the person who should be spouting "Nothing but the best is good enough!"
Please, Everton, surprise or even shock me by taking some decisive action -- the operative word being action.
Sean Mitchell
43 Posted 02/06/2026 at 16:45:38
43 Posted 02/06/2026 at 16:45:38
He will stay and it'll be another season of awful football. Square pegs, etc, etc, etc.
Expect O'Brien at right-back again. Moyes is too cowardly to change anything. The Ireland boss puts him at centre-back. Imagine that. Putting a player in his correct position!
Soucek, Stones, Wan-Bissaka, and the like. Moyes will be in heaven. Nothing to see here. TFG will remain absent and more arsed about favourite child equivalent, Roma.
Everton are just a cash cow that hosts concerts and big sporting events whilst fleecing the long-suffering fans to watch shite.
Expect O'Brien at right-back again. Moyes is too cowardly to change anything. The Ireland boss puts him at centre-back. Imagine that. Putting a player in his correct position!
Soucek, Stones, Wan-Bissaka, and the like. Moyes will be in heaven. Nothing to see here. TFG will remain absent and more arsed about favourite child equivalent, Roma.
Everton are just a cash cow that hosts concerts and big sporting events whilst fleecing the long-suffering fans to watch shite.
Andrew Bentley
44 Posted 02/06/2026 at 17:14:29
44 Posted 02/06/2026 at 17:14:29
Wow, this is a depressing read. Cheer up, gents, and let's not try to predict the future, shall we?
I know that there is no football on right now and no transfer activity, but it always happens later in the window and even more so in a World Cup year.
Why not wait and see what actually happens, shall we -- rather than predicting no decent signings, TFG only interested in Roma, Moyes not going to achieve anything, blah blah blah.
I even saw a comment about someone being happier about being in a relegation battle and that being more exciting than the way this season petered out. We are a fickle bunch -- for years, we've been desperate to finish mid-table and not be in a relegation battle.
I'll judge all this once we are 10 games into the season and we have a view of the team, manager perfomance, results etc. Until then, let's chill.
I know that there is no football on right now and no transfer activity, but it always happens later in the window and even more so in a World Cup year.
Why not wait and see what actually happens, shall we -- rather than predicting no decent signings, TFG only interested in Roma, Moyes not going to achieve anything, blah blah blah.
I even saw a comment about someone being happier about being in a relegation battle and that being more exciting than the way this season petered out. We are a fickle bunch -- for years, we've been desperate to finish mid-table and not be in a relegation battle.
I'll judge all this once we are 10 games into the season and we have a view of the team, manager perfomance, results etc. Until then, let's chill.
Jay Harris
45 Posted 02/06/2026 at 17:25:30
45 Posted 02/06/2026 at 17:25:30
Andrew, you are right... but when you see statements like "Happily dissatisfied" and "we are not ready for Europe" coming out of senior management, it is hard to get hopeful again.
Everton have the monopoly on raising your expectations and then letting you down.
Everton have the monopoly on raising your expectations and then letting you down.
Frank Worrall
46 Posted 02/06/2026 at 17:31:21
46 Posted 02/06/2026 at 17:31:21
Reading the numerous articles written after each match, there are few variations in the general themes that contributors raise.
The manager and his game plan, the quality and fitness levels of the team, the use or misuse of those on the bench, the overall shortage and availability of back-up players, and the apparent disinterest shown by the club's owners being uppermost in this regard.
These are all valid of course, as is the unhappiness displayed by the ever-loyal but increasingly frustrated fans regarding the direction in which the club is heading, and what is being done to keep the wheels from coming off.
The Anfield lot have dispensed with Slot and signed up Iraola, whose major achievements has been to win the Cyprus Supercup and take Bournemouth to 6th place in the Premier League with a brand of attacking football and a "to hell with the consequences" attitude that makes a mockery of Moyes and his inability to take risks, trust youngsters, and explore the lower divisions inside and outside the UK for promising players.
Moyes may be experienced but he is also the victim of a culture and mentality that ended in the late 1960s. Stability is important in today's football climate but so is entertainment and the willingness to throw caution to the winds by grasping opportunities whenever they arise. Iraola and Glasner have that ability; Moyes may have had it once... but no longer.
The manager and his game plan, the quality and fitness levels of the team, the use or misuse of those on the bench, the overall shortage and availability of back-up players, and the apparent disinterest shown by the club's owners being uppermost in this regard.
These are all valid of course, as is the unhappiness displayed by the ever-loyal but increasingly frustrated fans regarding the direction in which the club is heading, and what is being done to keep the wheels from coming off.
The Anfield lot have dispensed with Slot and signed up Iraola, whose major achievements has been to win the Cyprus Supercup and take Bournemouth to 6th place in the Premier League with a brand of attacking football and a "to hell with the consequences" attitude that makes a mockery of Moyes and his inability to take risks, trust youngsters, and explore the lower divisions inside and outside the UK for promising players.
Moyes may be experienced but he is also the victim of a culture and mentality that ended in the late 1960s. Stability is important in today's football climate but so is entertainment and the willingness to throw caution to the winds by grasping opportunities whenever they arise. Iraola and Glasner have that ability; Moyes may have had it once... but no longer.
Stu Gre
47 Posted 02/06/2026 at 17:49:34
47 Posted 02/06/2026 at 17:49:34
I was listening to TalkSport yesterday (sorry), blissfully happy in the knowledge I was unlikely to hear any news about Everton, nothing controversial that would drive me to start thinking about coming out of retirement and get angry about our once joyful team.
But it happened. Dean frigging Saunders. Hit the nail on the head. Something like this.
Liverpool are used to winning and they want winners. That's why they sacked Slot and it might be too much for Iriola. He likened it to Moyes replacing Ferguson. Man Utd want to win. Ferguson wanted to win every game. Moyes, he said, wanted to go out and not lose every game.
That is how we are perceived. Why is Moyes good enough for Everton, but Slot -- a league winner -- not good enough for our neighbours?
Why did Spurs sack Postecoglou -- a cup winner? Ambition. Spurs may well be worse than us in many ways but at least they want to win and be better.
Yeah they might piss it up, but they will come back again and probably be challenging for trophies way sooner than us. They try.
We are nothing. Nobody fears us, but they don't laugh at us either. Nothing.
I don't want to hear how we are stabilising. I'd argue we'd already stabilised by the time Moyes came in. Yeah, Dyche wasn't good enough, but Thelwell and he had already made all the slimlining.
I don't want to hear how we need to be patient with Friedkin. Roma wasn't built in a day etc. Bollox. Friedkin were ruthless at Roma and now look at them.
We deserve ruthless. Why should we be hearing that Moyes is great for us but not good enough for Man Utd? It's nonsense.
As controversial as it might be to say, I miss Moshiri -- not the bit where he almost took us out of existence! But he showed ambition, and but for PSR and a Ukraine war - who knows where he might have taken us eventually.
The Friedkins may well be savvy business people, but fuck their lack of respect. The hard work was already done; they've done the refinancing -- now, give us a little bit of Roma love.
But it happened. Dean frigging Saunders. Hit the nail on the head. Something like this.
Liverpool are used to winning and they want winners. That's why they sacked Slot and it might be too much for Iriola. He likened it to Moyes replacing Ferguson. Man Utd want to win. Ferguson wanted to win every game. Moyes, he said, wanted to go out and not lose every game.
That is how we are perceived. Why is Moyes good enough for Everton, but Slot -- a league winner -- not good enough for our neighbours?
Why did Spurs sack Postecoglou -- a cup winner? Ambition. Spurs may well be worse than us in many ways but at least they want to win and be better.
Yeah they might piss it up, but they will come back again and probably be challenging for trophies way sooner than us. They try.
We are nothing. Nobody fears us, but they don't laugh at us either. Nothing.
I don't want to hear how we are stabilising. I'd argue we'd already stabilised by the time Moyes came in. Yeah, Dyche wasn't good enough, but Thelwell and he had already made all the slimlining.
I don't want to hear how we need to be patient with Friedkin. Roma wasn't built in a day etc. Bollox. Friedkin were ruthless at Roma and now look at them.
We deserve ruthless. Why should we be hearing that Moyes is great for us but not good enough for Man Utd? It's nonsense.
As controversial as it might be to say, I miss Moshiri -- not the bit where he almost took us out of existence! But he showed ambition, and but for PSR and a Ukraine war - who knows where he might have taken us eventually.
The Friedkins may well be savvy business people, but fuck their lack of respect. The hard work was already done; they've done the refinancing -- now, give us a little bit of Roma love.
Mike Gaynes
48 Posted 02/06/2026 at 17:57:03
48 Posted 02/06/2026 at 17:57:03
"Friedkin were ruthless at Roma and now look at them."
It took 6 years, Stu.
It took 6 years, Stu.
Ryan Holroyd
49 Posted 02/06/2026 at 17:58:18
49 Posted 02/06/2026 at 17:58:18
The sooner the owners sell the club the better. Useless they are.
Stu Gre
50 Posted 02/06/2026 at 17:58:50
50 Posted 02/06/2026 at 17:58:50
Ffs Mike, they were still ruthless.
Stu Gre
51 Posted 02/06/2026 at 18:00:40
51 Posted 02/06/2026 at 18:00:40
And showed up
Kevin Molloy
52 Posted 02/06/2026 at 18:07:54
52 Posted 02/06/2026 at 18:07:54
It's taken TFG 6 years to move Roma one place up the table. At that rate of progress, and under their expertise, we can expect the Europa League in about the year 2065.
So let's just sit back and enjoy the ride.
So let's just sit back and enjoy the ride.
Allan Board
53 Posted 02/06/2026 at 18:36:05
53 Posted 02/06/2026 at 18:36:05
So, is the average Everton supporter now so stuck in flux that they keep saying, "I'll give it 10 games next season... Rome wasn't built in a day... be careful for what you wish for... he's stabilised us... better off than with Dyche, etc, etc, etc?
Jeez, the bar at Good Old Everton really is under the bloody pitch now!!
If you want Everton back, stop filling that ground and wait till they ask why. The fans hold the upper hand always -- ask a Kopite.
Jeez, the bar at Good Old Everton really is under the bloody pitch now!!
If you want Everton back, stop filling that ground and wait till they ask why. The fans hold the upper hand always -- ask a Kopite.
John Collins
54 Posted 02/06/2026 at 19:01:30
54 Posted 02/06/2026 at 19:01:30
Some absolute plums being posted comparing Romas ' 6-year journey with ours.
Why the fuck does it have to take the same 6 year period? Is football created in a lab, or on a conveyor belt nowadays?
Why the fuck does it have to take the same 6 year period? Is football created in a lab, or on a conveyor belt nowadays?
Christy Ring
55 Posted 02/06/2026 at 19:24:26
55 Posted 02/06/2026 at 19:24:26
It would be nice to let Moyes go and enjoy the World Cup by terminating his contract now. If TFG are happy to keep him, or replace him, which is unlikely, get our transfer business done early, we know we need two fullbacks, a midfielder, wide man and striker.
We should have a list of players we want to sign. Picking out players who play well in the World Cup doesn't always work out, and their price goes up as well. So we should know who we want now, and have our new squad ready for preseason, not waiting until the last week of the window.
The owners should learn from our mistakes last season: square pegs in round holes don't work.
We should have a list of players we want to sign. Picking out players who play well in the World Cup doesn't always work out, and their price goes up as well. So we should know who we want now, and have our new squad ready for preseason, not waiting until the last week of the window.
The owners should learn from our mistakes last season: square pegs in round holes don't work.
Sean Kelly
56 Posted 02/06/2026 at 19:48:15
56 Posted 02/06/2026 at 19:48:15
Dave Lynch, he might be knocking on TFG's door but they are not in.
They haven't showed up, mate.
They haven't showed up, mate.
Mick O\\\'Malley
57 Posted 02/06/2026 at 19:56:15
57 Posted 02/06/2026 at 19:56:15
Alan @53 and John @54,
Both absolutely spot on.
Both absolutely spot on.
Tony Hughes
58 Posted 02/06/2026 at 20:21:55
58 Posted 02/06/2026 at 20:21:55
Can someone let us know when we've reached maximum stabilisation please?
Bollocks to this, we all know where the squad needs improving, we know where the money needs spending and we know sticking with Moyes is a backward step.
If TFG don't get themselves involved in the football team this summer and show some footballing ambition, then we know where we stand. Big, big summer for the absent Yanks.
Bollocks to this, we all know where the squad needs improving, we know where the money needs spending and we know sticking with Moyes is a backward step.
If TFG don't get themselves involved in the football team this summer and show some footballing ambition, then we know where we stand. Big, big summer for the absent Yanks.
Don Alexander
59 Posted 02/06/2026 at 20:50:16
59 Posted 02/06/2026 at 20:50:16
Emery has a decades long win ratio of 53.7% with numerous clubs from European Champions to Spanish second division, who were champions in his first season as a manager. He's a serial winner, obviously, playing attractive football with improved players.
Moyes has a decades-long win ration of 42.3% with numerous clubs including Manchester United, where after a mere 51 games he was sacked, despite a win ratio of 52.9% for those 51 games, along with his now 67-year-old coach Irvine, because the quality of their football was shite.
In the season just ended, his win ratio was 36.1% for us, a full 10% less than what it was over his 231 games managing West Ham.
Being shite and taking the piss is his and Irvine's norm, obviously.
Moyes has a decades-long win ration of 42.3% with numerous clubs including Manchester United, where after a mere 51 games he was sacked, despite a win ratio of 52.9% for those 51 games, along with his now 67-year-old coach Irvine, because the quality of their football was shite.
In the season just ended, his win ratio was 36.1% for us, a full 10% less than what it was over his 231 games managing West Ham.
Being shite and taking the piss is his and Irvine's norm, obviously.
Andrew Clare
60 Posted 02/06/2026 at 21:01:13
60 Posted 02/06/2026 at 21:01:13
Just sack him please.
Don't wait until the end of November when another season has been wasted -- do it now!
You're either good at a job or you aren't. Moyes ain't good, so get rid.
Don't wait until the end of November when another season has been wasted -- do it now!
You're either good at a job or you aren't. Moyes ain't good, so get rid.
Christy Ring
61 Posted 02/06/2026 at 21:01:16
61 Posted 02/06/2026 at 21:01:16
I'm a bit surprised to see Silva taking over at Benfica.
I know they're a massive club, and huge history, but is there big money in the Portuguese League?
I know they're a massive club, and huge history, but is there big money in the Portuguese League?
Tony Hughes
62 Posted 02/06/2026 at 21:08:40
62 Posted 02/06/2026 at 21:08:40
Probably not, Christy, but there's big money in the Champions League.
Was it a couple of seasons back that Celtic had a decent run and made £38M?
Was it a couple of seasons back that Celtic had a decent run and made £38M?
Michael Connelly
63 Posted 02/06/2026 at 21:32:26
63 Posted 02/06/2026 at 21:32:26
Good post, Andrew(44).
I think Moyes has done at least a reasonable job, given what he has had to work with:
2 players of limited ability up front; no right back; over reliance on Gueye; Grealish injured for half the season; Dibling being so far off the mark; Branthwaite being injured and suffering a recurrence.
More than enough mitigation there, in my view.
I think Moyes has done at least a reasonable job, given what he has had to work with:
2 players of limited ability up front; no right back; over reliance on Gueye; Grealish injured for half the season; Dibling being so far off the mark; Branthwaite being injured and suffering a recurrence.
More than enough mitigation there, in my view.
Tony Abrahams
64 Posted 02/06/2026 at 21:53:16
64 Posted 02/06/2026 at 21:53:16
Some would say that it wasn't what David Moyes had to work with but more what he chose to work without at many different periods throughout the season.
Palace played around 60 games; Everton played 41. When the two sides met very late in the season, it was actually the team who had played the most games that looked a lot fresher towards the end.
If only David Moyes had a bigger squad of better players, instead of young players like Armstrong, Alcaraz and George, who the manager deemed not good enough.
They say a Leopard never changes its spots. I say David Moyes doesn't know how to keep his squad of players hungry, competitive and fresh, and that's why he's got such a terrible record in the domestic cups.
Palace played around 60 games; Everton played 41. When the two sides met very late in the season, it was actually the team who had played the most games that looked a lot fresher towards the end.
If only David Moyes had a bigger squad of better players, instead of young players like Armstrong, Alcaraz and George, who the manager deemed not good enough.
They say a Leopard never changes its spots. I say David Moyes doesn't know how to keep his squad of players hungry, competitive and fresh, and that's why he's got such a terrible record in the domestic cups.
Phillip Warrington
65 Posted 02/06/2026 at 21:59:39
65 Posted 02/06/2026 at 21:59:39
Does anybody know what would happen if both Everton and Roma make European cups, would we or Roma be relegated to the Conference League?
I suppose the good thing is at least the top 8 will be involved in Europe next season which might help us.
I suppose the good thing is at least the top 8 will be involved in Europe next season which might help us.
Michael Kenrick
66 Posted 02/06/2026 at 22:07:49
66 Posted 02/06/2026 at 22:07:49
Phillp,
We went all round the houses on this, and it's all just hypotetical bollucks because fucken Moyes had beaten his small squad of favourites into a pulp and we finished with 3 points out of 21, and in 13th place, out of Europe, while Roma are in the Champions League.
The facts are all that matters.
We went all round the houses on this, and it's all just hypotetical bollucks because fucken Moyes had beaten his small squad of favourites into a pulp and we finished with 3 points out of 21, and in 13th place, out of Europe, while Roma are in the Champions League.
The facts are all that matters.
John Collins
67 Posted 02/06/2026 at 22:09:52
67 Posted 02/06/2026 at 22:09:52
"Does anybody know what would happen if both Everton and Roma make European cups"
Relax Phil.
It won't happen under Moyes.
Relax Phil.
It won't happen under Moyes.
Stu Gre
68 Posted 02/06/2026 at 22:18:48
68 Posted 02/06/2026 at 22:18:48
Some really good posts on here. John #54 - no idea why it takes 6 years. Newcastle 19th when they were taken over, 18 months later finished 4th. They won the the league cup also. OK last season was a struggle, but they also are hampered by unfair psr rules.
Tony 64, your first paragraph is spot on. Let's not forget after we beat Chelsea at the end of March, Moyes had 3 whole weeks before his next game to come up with a strategy to potentially get us in the champions league. His genius strategy, don't change winning team.
It's also the same strategy he uses when we lose and draw.
Tony 64, your first paragraph is spot on. Let's not forget after we beat Chelsea at the end of March, Moyes had 3 whole weeks before his next game to come up with a strategy to potentially get us in the champions league. His genius strategy, don't change winning team.
It's also the same strategy he uses when we lose and draw.
Derek Thomas
69 Posted 02/06/2026 at 22:39:09
69 Posted 02/06/2026 at 22:39:09
Nobody can predict the future or we'd all be cashing up our 7 team accumulators.
All managers, all changes even are a gamble.
But you can look at the trends. Moyeses reign can be divided into 3 X 19 sections - and the trend has been steadily down, with the last 7 ot 8 games dropping off the cliff.
Now many reasons have been put forward and most are valid.
But if Moyes has one of his slow starts...and he has previous form for these, then that Grim Reaper figure could be making late October / pre Halloween appearance.
And by then all we'll have to chose from is 'C' listers...and we've already got 2 of those.
1in the dugout and 1 (or more) on the Board.
Edit; I fear that we'll just saunter on, winning a few losing a few.
While TFG builds up the balance sheet for a highly profitable sell on.
No? well up to now they haven't done anything to convince me that they're here to ride the Ted Lasso / Wrexham Glory Road.
"...There you go Squire."
*turns the price card around from £1.8 Billion to £1.7 Billion.
"Your basic mid range Premier League Club...only 3 owners this century, fully documented service history, big balance sheet, new ground, say no more."
*taps nose.
"Put your own manager in and watch it go...
He who dares, gotta be good for you, lovely jubberly, know what I mean Squire, only £1.7 and I'm cutting me own throat." etc, etc
(Or whatever the Septic equivalent is)
Moyes is Yesterday's Man for Today's stability.
All managers, all changes even are a gamble.
But you can look at the trends. Moyeses reign can be divided into 3 X 19 sections - and the trend has been steadily down, with the last 7 ot 8 games dropping off the cliff.
Now many reasons have been put forward and most are valid.
But if Moyes has one of his slow starts...and he has previous form for these, then that Grim Reaper figure could be making late October / pre Halloween appearance.
And by then all we'll have to chose from is 'C' listers...and we've already got 2 of those.
1in the dugout and 1 (or more) on the Board.
Edit; I fear that we'll just saunter on, winning a few losing a few.
While TFG builds up the balance sheet for a highly profitable sell on.
No? well up to now they haven't done anything to convince me that they're here to ride the Ted Lasso / Wrexham Glory Road.
"...There you go Squire."
*turns the price card around from £1.8 Billion to £1.7 Billion.
"Your basic mid range Premier League Club...only 3 owners this century, fully documented service history, big balance sheet, new ground, say no more."
*taps nose.
"Put your own manager in and watch it go...
He who dares, gotta be good for you, lovely jubberly, know what I mean Squire, only £1.7 and I'm cutting me own throat." etc, etc
(Or whatever the Septic equivalent is)
Moyes is Yesterday's Man for Today's stability.
David West
70 Posted 02/06/2026 at 23:29:17
70 Posted 02/06/2026 at 23:29:17
I kind of feel the Wrexham Ted lasso glory road is the one where they exit at the best point, whereas TFG invested at the higher level for the continued income stream the PL brings.
I don't see them selling for a quick 250m profit, they see the longer gains, which don't necessarily need trophies.
European football would bring massive increases in revenue, from matches, tickets, sponsors, more salt n pepper chicken sold.
Actual trophies? Well that's a whole bigger investment, a whole bigger risk.
Do I see TFG taking that risk ?
Absolutely not.
Their biggest chance is hiring a a manager on the up, who can develop players, build a side on a budget while selling their biggest assets, but still progressing.
Not going for glasner now would be a huge waste.
Araola was never going to.come here, but glasner, maybe.
I just feel we are now just a cog in a big American fuck you wheel, where trophies mean nothing, because trophies cost money, money is an expense, an expense that can be avoided while profits still roll in.
I don't see them selling for a quick 250m profit, they see the longer gains, which don't necessarily need trophies.
European football would bring massive increases in revenue, from matches, tickets, sponsors, more salt n pepper chicken sold.
Actual trophies? Well that's a whole bigger investment, a whole bigger risk.
Do I see TFG taking that risk ?
Absolutely not.
Their biggest chance is hiring a a manager on the up, who can develop players, build a side on a budget while selling their biggest assets, but still progressing.
Not going for glasner now would be a huge waste.
Araola was never going to.come here, but glasner, maybe.
I just feel we are now just a cog in a big American fuck you wheel, where trophies mean nothing, because trophies cost money, money is an expense, an expense that can be avoided while profits still roll in.
Jack Convery
71 Posted 02/06/2026 at 23:44:32
71 Posted 02/06/2026 at 23:44:32
Moyes has managed one of the supposedly Elite clubs here and in Europe = ManU.
Before them is was Preston and us. After them it was Real Sociedad, Sunderland and WHU, twice. For a manger who appears often, to be praised by the Media and pundits for doing a fantastic job, that's not exactly an Elite list of super clubs is it.
He's never to my knowledge, been head hunted, by a Villa, a Chelsea, A Spurs type club here in England nor a Celtic /Rangers in Scotland. (Celtic should ne looking for a replacement for O'Neill, so why has Moyes name never mentioned ?). How about a Leverkusen, Frankfurt, Besiktas, Roma, Lazio, Dortmund or a Benfica. No, never. Why, because he's a loser, a bringer of boring, non progressive football and an attitude of I'm doing you a favour, for which you should be thanking me. My only question is, why has he got a way with it for so long ? I do have one further question. Why is he still here ?
PS : The RSs, Sporting director Richard Hughes appointed Iraola, when he worked at Bournemouth. He had a hand in appointing him to manage the RS.
Before them is was Preston and us. After them it was Real Sociedad, Sunderland and WHU, twice. For a manger who appears often, to be praised by the Media and pundits for doing a fantastic job, that's not exactly an Elite list of super clubs is it.
He's never to my knowledge, been head hunted, by a Villa, a Chelsea, A Spurs type club here in England nor a Celtic /Rangers in Scotland. (Celtic should ne looking for a replacement for O'Neill, so why has Moyes name never mentioned ?). How about a Leverkusen, Frankfurt, Besiktas, Roma, Lazio, Dortmund or a Benfica. No, never. Why, because he's a loser, a bringer of boring, non progressive football and an attitude of I'm doing you a favour, for which you should be thanking me. My only question is, why has he got a way with it for so long ? I do have one further question. Why is he still here ?
PS : The RSs, Sporting director Richard Hughes appointed Iraola, when he worked at Bournemouth. He had a hand in appointing him to manage the RS.
Mark Taylor
72 Posted 02/06/2026 at 23:46:49
72 Posted 02/06/2026 at 23:46:49
This is pretty simple. Fenway are used to success, are willing to spend big, and are ruthlessly ambitious. I think, in fact I'm convinced, they have been talking to Iraola for months but were also prepared to hedge, even if it cost them some money.
We are not and our owners either have no ambition beyond survival or need another year to drum up the money and/or accounts that would allow us to improve a wafer thin squad.
So see you next summer lads
We are not and our owners either have no ambition beyond survival or need another year to drum up the money and/or accounts that would allow us to improve a wafer thin squad.
So see you next summer lads
Stu Gre
73 Posted 02/06/2026 at 23:54:05
73 Posted 02/06/2026 at 23:54:05
Jack, I think David above you answered the question.
Dan Friedkin is our chairman, yet never sets foot in the ground.
Roma is the project, we are simply a nice shiny new ground with potential to generate big profits.
I have nothing against owners making profit, I do object to no strategy that actually involves the team winning.
I hope I am wrong in that assessment.
Dan Friedkin is our chairman, yet never sets foot in the ground.
Roma is the project, we are simply a nice shiny new ground with potential to generate big profits.
I have nothing against owners making profit, I do object to no strategy that actually involves the team winning.
I hope I am wrong in that assessment.
Stu Gre
74 Posted 02/06/2026 at 00:03:14
74 Posted 02/06/2026 at 00:03:14
Also, how does 4 more points from final 7 games qualify us for Europa League? It might have got us into the Conference league I think?
Kenn Crawford
75 Posted 02/06/2026 at 00:04:51
75 Posted 02/06/2026 at 00:04:51
Well that’s another disappointing season out of the way. Same position achieved with one more point than last season. So all you blues that are match day goers can sit back, reset and enjoy your summer. For all use overseas supporters (Australia) for me no more early risings or late nights at last I can sleep in OH wait on I got plenty of sleep during the game watching Everton was like watching paint dry.
Sorry 74 years I have supported my beloved Everton and I have seen us win stuff and seen us be dire but under Moyes it been pathetic no balance no forward thinking just the same old same way. We have missed a golden opportunity to improve. Iriola was a chance Glasner is still. Let us grab the bull by the horns and get him. But no we will have to suffer another season of Moyesocrity.
Enjtyour break guys see wall next season.
Sorry 74 years I have supported my beloved Everton and I have seen us win stuff and seen us be dire but under Moyes it been pathetic no balance no forward thinking just the same old same way. We have missed a golden opportunity to improve. Iriola was a chance Glasner is still. Let us grab the bull by the horns and get him. But no we will have to suffer another season of Moyesocrity.
Enjtyour break guys see wall next season.
Mike Gaynes
76 Posted 02/06/2026 at 01:14:35
76 Posted 02/06/2026 at 01:14:35
Guys, Glasner isn't coming, any more than Iraola ever was. These are ambitious managers who probably had their preferred landing spots picked out when they said their early goodbyes. (And I agree with you Mark #72.)
Glasner didn't check out of Palace and post that heartfelt farewell to their fans yesterday just to move three spots up the table and return to Selhurst Park later this year wearing a different color tie.
He has already interviewed with Milan, but if it's not there, it'll be someplace else. But not us.
Glasner didn't check out of Palace and post that heartfelt farewell to their fans yesterday just to move three spots up the table and return to Selhurst Park later this year wearing a different color tie.
He has already interviewed with Milan, but if it's not there, it'll be someplace else. But not us.
Annika Herbert
77 Posted 03/06/2026 at 01:46:07
77 Posted 03/06/2026 at 01:46:07
Mike @ 76, maybe if our owners showed some ambition then we might have a chance at getting a manager like Glasner.
But, given their lack of involvement with the club, what manager is going to be attracted to Everton? Yes they have put us on a sound financial footing, but us fans want more than that.
No one thought we would get Carlo, but he came.
But, given their lack of involvement with the club, what manager is going to be attracted to Everton? Yes they have put us on a sound financial footing, but us fans want more than that.
No one thought we would get Carlo, but he came.
Don Alexander
78 Posted 03/06/2026 at 01:57:52
78 Posted 03/06/2026 at 01:57:52
Mike, please, with respect, just state what you believe is the model envisioned by your hero Friedkin next season and the three after Moyes' current contract has expired.
Your writings suggest you have insight into the Roma owner's mindset when it comes to lil' ol' Everton's development as serious trophy winning aspirants in lil' ol' England, trophy winning clubs in England rather than Italy bestowing way more wealth to their owner/s.
Or, like swathes of the US electorate, have you too backed a serial chancer intent on exploiting whatever he controls to enhance his own personal fortune and fuck the aspirations of those forever underpinning his "enterprise" by paying hugely to watch dross on the pitch, more often than not?
Your writings suggest you have insight into the Roma owner's mindset when it comes to lil' ol' Everton's development as serious trophy winning aspirants in lil' ol' England, trophy winning clubs in England rather than Italy bestowing way more wealth to their owner/s.
Or, like swathes of the US electorate, have you too backed a serial chancer intent on exploiting whatever he controls to enhance his own personal fortune and fuck the aspirations of those forever underpinning his "enterprise" by paying hugely to watch dross on the pitch, more often than not?
Mike Gaynes
80 Posted 03/06/2026 at 03:33:05
80 Posted 03/06/2026 at 03:33:05
Folks, if you're ever curious as to why I have never acknowledged Don Alexander in 10 years, that post is a perfect example.
As if "with respect" were anything but a sarcastic overture to a snotty, sneering comment that includes a poorly veiled accusation that I'm a Trump supporter, he actually expects a reply.
Not likely.
As if "with respect" were anything but a sarcastic overture to a snotty, sneering comment that includes a poorly veiled accusation that I'm a Trump supporter, he actually expects a reply.
Not likely.
Mike Gaynes
81 Posted 03/06/2026 at 03:59:09
81 Posted 03/06/2026 at 03:59:09
Annika, Carlo coming to Everton was a very $pecific $et of circum$tances enabled by the financial contribution of the not-yet-$anctioned U$manov to make the offer irre$i$table. (I tru$t I'm not being too $ubtle here.) If I recall correctly, Carlo's magic number was £14 million a year.
I'm just assuming Glasner's perspective here, but we're a project just launched 19 months ago, with a newly-cemented management team and still a deeply imperfect squad to work with. Milan has a very recent history of success and several of the world's top 100 players, and they're a hell of a lot closer to making the Champions League than we are.
And besides, involved ownership is not always attractive to a manager -- quite the contrary, if you ask Mou, Conte, Tuchel and Nuno among many others. Glasner himself has had publicly antagonistic relationships with management at Wolfsburg and Eintracht.
I'm just assuming Glasner's perspective here, but we're a project just launched 19 months ago, with a newly-cemented management team and still a deeply imperfect squad to work with. Milan has a very recent history of success and several of the world's top 100 players, and they're a hell of a lot closer to making the Champions League than we are.
And besides, involved ownership is not always attractive to a manager -- quite the contrary, if you ask Mou, Conte, Tuchel and Nuno among many others. Glasner himself has had publicly antagonistic relationships with management at Wolfsburg and Eintracht.
Don Alexander
82 Posted 03/06/2026 at 04:02:53
82 Posted 03/06/2026 at 04:02:53
Mike, I have NEVER accused or inferred you have ever been a Trump supporter - far from it, but they exist in the hundreds of thousands muppet millions in your country.
Your "ten-year" claim of rebuffing me is bizarre. When your wife was trapped in Wuhan for months due to Covid I was explicitly and repeatedly supportive of you both on TW. I've also been explicitly supportive of you re Jewry on TW, for years.
You have chosen to extol Friedkin to every TW reader, always.
All I'm seeking from you is a credible explanation as to what hard evidence, rather than mere hope, underpins your opinion?
Trump fans, unlike you, would just avoid such a question because answering it would expose their blind stupidity in supporting him, so what information underpins your support for Friedkin please?
All the best.
Your "ten-year" claim of rebuffing me is bizarre. When your wife was trapped in Wuhan for months due to Covid I was explicitly and repeatedly supportive of you both on TW. I've also been explicitly supportive of you re Jewry on TW, for years.
You have chosen to extol Friedkin to every TW reader, always.
All I'm seeking from you is a credible explanation as to what hard evidence, rather than mere hope, underpins your opinion?
Trump fans, unlike you, would just avoid such a question because answering it would expose their blind stupidity in supporting him, so what information underpins your support for Friedkin please?
All the best.
Paul Griffiths
83 Posted 03/06/2026 at 04:47:37
83 Posted 03/06/2026 at 04:47:37
Where to start? Such an interesting and lively thread.
Actually, it’s easy.
That was one of the best posts I have read on here for ages Darrel (4).
Conversely, does anyone else roll their eyes – or something worse – when reading sanctimonious codswallop from Mr. Bentley (44) and the like, telling us to ‘cheer up’ and erm ‘chill’? This is hardly helped when the same Mr. Bentley reassures us that ‘transfer activity … always happens later in the window’, when in fact there is no sacred reason why wheeling and dealing cannot happen earlier, even in a World Cup year.
Phillip Warrington (10): Moyes is not the one who missed chance after chance and made mistake after mistake which led to most goals scored against us.
This is perhaps one of the most trite and shallow ‘defences’ of the manager. Yes, needless to say, players miss chances and make mistakes. But to tweak your words if I may PW, Moyes ‘made mistake after mistake’ in picking the same players in the same position game after game after game. To wit, his absolute dereliction of duty over the last seven games of the season in his inexplicable rigidity over selection, setting up, and substitutions. Moyes, Mr. Warrington, cost us a place in Europe, not your easy and convenient swerve to players.
Erm, Mr. Connolly (35): this last season was not ‘a big improvement for us relative to the last few seasons’. Let me remind you. We spent around 160 million on players in the 2025 summer window. In 2025-2026 we finished in the same position as in 2024-2025 – 13th - with one more point, five more goals scored and six more goals conceded. ‘Big improvement’ right?
In 2023-2024 – taking away the deduction – we would have ended up in 12th with seven less goals scored and one more goal conceded than in 2025-2026 and one – one – point less. ‘Big improvement’ right?
Actually, it’s easy.
That was one of the best posts I have read on here for ages Darrel (4).
Conversely, does anyone else roll their eyes – or something worse – when reading sanctimonious codswallop from Mr. Bentley (44) and the like, telling us to ‘cheer up’ and erm ‘chill’? This is hardly helped when the same Mr. Bentley reassures us that ‘transfer activity … always happens later in the window’, when in fact there is no sacred reason why wheeling and dealing cannot happen earlier, even in a World Cup year.
Phillip Warrington (10): Moyes is not the one who missed chance after chance and made mistake after mistake which led to most goals scored against us.
This is perhaps one of the most trite and shallow ‘defences’ of the manager. Yes, needless to say, players miss chances and make mistakes. But to tweak your words if I may PW, Moyes ‘made mistake after mistake’ in picking the same players in the same position game after game after game. To wit, his absolute dereliction of duty over the last seven games of the season in his inexplicable rigidity over selection, setting up, and substitutions. Moyes, Mr. Warrington, cost us a place in Europe, not your easy and convenient swerve to players.
Erm, Mr. Connolly (35): this last season was not ‘a big improvement for us relative to the last few seasons’. Let me remind you. We spent around 160 million on players in the 2025 summer window. In 2025-2026 we finished in the same position as in 2024-2025 – 13th - with one more point, five more goals scored and six more goals conceded. ‘Big improvement’ right?
In 2023-2024 – taking away the deduction – we would have ended up in 12th with seven less goals scored and one more goal conceded than in 2025-2026 and one – one – point less. ‘Big improvement’ right?
Stu Gre
84 Posted 03/06/2026 at 07:06:35
84 Posted 03/06/2026 at 07:06:35
Mike, I personally am more interested in your continued defense of Friedkin with no real context other than "it's only been 18 months".
I get your point on Ancelotti - but Glasner is not Ancelotti by any stretch, so to Annika's point - if Friedkin showed ambition why not Everton?
It's nonsense to say why chose Everton when they only finish just above them - if there was an ambitious project here - who in Glasners position wouldn't want to be the guy that made our stadium rock? We might not be one of the big boys any more but the potential is far greater than Palaces, no disrespect.
After all, Villa attracted Emery and they were 17th when he took over.
Ambition is about intent and doesnt have to be as crude as just about money.
I also agree with your point about owner involvement but actually there is a difference between over involved and support. Friedkin shows neither, maybe that's the problem.
They have put together a very unfanfriendly team. Kinnear says nothing other than the worst soundbite I have ever heard. Its fine to be a silent leader, but your actions have to show true leadership.
At the moment this has all the hallmarks of a Moyes lead business. That is incredibly disappointing for so many of us for so many reasons that I clearly don't need to go into.
Friedkin suck, is the only conclusion I can come to and nothing you have stated Mike gives any indication as to why you appear to think otherwise. I genuinely would love to know.
I said they were ruthless at Roma, you said it took 6 years. Those 2 statements do not relate to each other really, I see ruthlessness as showing intent and ambition - the only conclusion you can get with continued Moyes appointment is that there is no intent to win anything next season at least - so what is the point in fans showing up?
At Roma Friedkin appointed a serial winner in Mourinho - and he duly won something. That showed winning intent. Why not show that at Everton?
The entire Friedkin family treat us like an embarrassing one night stand whilst on a business trip to England before they return home to their wife in Italy. Now they have to pay child support but we aren't allowed to call them, and they certainly won't be visiting again because they really really love their wife.
I get your point on Ancelotti - but Glasner is not Ancelotti by any stretch, so to Annika's point - if Friedkin showed ambition why not Everton?
It's nonsense to say why chose Everton when they only finish just above them - if there was an ambitious project here - who in Glasners position wouldn't want to be the guy that made our stadium rock? We might not be one of the big boys any more but the potential is far greater than Palaces, no disrespect.
After all, Villa attracted Emery and they were 17th when he took over.
Ambition is about intent and doesnt have to be as crude as just about money.
I also agree with your point about owner involvement but actually there is a difference between over involved and support. Friedkin shows neither, maybe that's the problem.
They have put together a very unfanfriendly team. Kinnear says nothing other than the worst soundbite I have ever heard. Its fine to be a silent leader, but your actions have to show true leadership.
At the moment this has all the hallmarks of a Moyes lead business. That is incredibly disappointing for so many of us for so many reasons that I clearly don't need to go into.
Friedkin suck, is the only conclusion I can come to and nothing you have stated Mike gives any indication as to why you appear to think otherwise. I genuinely would love to know.
I said they were ruthless at Roma, you said it took 6 years. Those 2 statements do not relate to each other really, I see ruthlessness as showing intent and ambition - the only conclusion you can get with continued Moyes appointment is that there is no intent to win anything next season at least - so what is the point in fans showing up?
At Roma Friedkin appointed a serial winner in Mourinho - and he duly won something. That showed winning intent. Why not show that at Everton?
The entire Friedkin family treat us like an embarrassing one night stand whilst on a business trip to England before they return home to their wife in Italy. Now they have to pay child support but we aren't allowed to call them, and they certainly won't be visiting again because they really really love their wife.
Sean Herbert
85 Posted 03/06/2026 at 07:17:55
85 Posted 03/06/2026 at 07:17:55
Mike @ 81, I am assuming you are talking about the bonuses allegedly offered to Carlo?
Which in no way explains why Glasner could not be tempted here, as fully explained far better than me, by Stu's post.
At this juncture it's looking increasingly likely that we have a deeply imperfect management team, never mind the squad.
Which in no way explains why Glasner could not be tempted here, as fully explained far better than me, by Stu's post.
At this juncture it's looking increasingly likely that we have a deeply imperfect management team, never mind the squad.
Ajay Gopal
86 Posted 03/06/2026 at 07:19:34
86 Posted 03/06/2026 at 07:19:34
Edit: I had posted this without reading Stu's post (84), and it may come across as repeating what Stu has articulated much better than me,
Mike (76), "Guys, Glasner isn't coming, any more than Iraola ever was." That is a presumptuous statement to make assuming that you know nothing more than the rest of us with respect to Glasner's situation. Yes, if he is not approached, he will not come. But, if the owners do have a 'project' and can present it convincingly to Glasner or any prospective manager, why would they not consider it? Everton presents an intriguing opportunity for any ambitious manager - a sleeping giant, a fantastic new stadium, a loyal fan base with realistic expectations, ever present in the PL, great history, etc - all these factors put together should make a compelling argument for any prospective manager if the owners are willing to do it.
As I have repeatedly mentioned, I would like our owners to be as visionary as the Bournemouth owners were when they ruthlessly replaced the manager who had turned around their season and kept them in the PL - Gary O'Neil - with an unproven new manager in Andoni Iraola who went on to lose his first 6 games! But the rest is history.
And I really don't understand what people mean when they say - 'we need another year of Moyes to stabilise the club'. I would argue that very few clubs enjoy 'stability' in the PL which is the most competitive league in the world. Aren't Liverpool facing a period of instability ? Aren't Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, facing an uncertain future? Stability, in my opinion, is an ephemeral phase and can change instantly with a few bad results, injuries to key players, etc. You got to embrace uncertainty, prepare for it and take necessary actions. I contend that doing nothing and hoping that Moyes will turn things around is more risky than making proactive changes.
Mike (76), "Guys, Glasner isn't coming, any more than Iraola ever was." That is a presumptuous statement to make assuming that you know nothing more than the rest of us with respect to Glasner's situation. Yes, if he is not approached, he will not come. But, if the owners do have a 'project' and can present it convincingly to Glasner or any prospective manager, why would they not consider it? Everton presents an intriguing opportunity for any ambitious manager - a sleeping giant, a fantastic new stadium, a loyal fan base with realistic expectations, ever present in the PL, great history, etc - all these factors put together should make a compelling argument for any prospective manager if the owners are willing to do it.
As I have repeatedly mentioned, I would like our owners to be as visionary as the Bournemouth owners were when they ruthlessly replaced the manager who had turned around their season and kept them in the PL - Gary O'Neil - with an unproven new manager in Andoni Iraola who went on to lose his first 6 games! But the rest is history.
And I really don't understand what people mean when they say - 'we need another year of Moyes to stabilise the club'. I would argue that very few clubs enjoy 'stability' in the PL which is the most competitive league in the world. Aren't Liverpool facing a period of instability ? Aren't Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, facing an uncertain future? Stability, in my opinion, is an ephemeral phase and can change instantly with a few bad results, injuries to key players, etc. You got to embrace uncertainty, prepare for it and take necessary actions. I contend that doing nothing and hoping that Moyes will turn things around is more risky than making proactive changes.
Tony Hughes
87 Posted 03/06/2026 at 07:21:39
87 Posted 03/06/2026 at 07:21:39
Glasner wouldn't come to Everton? Isn't it the responsibility of our absent owners to try and get the absolute best possible manager/coach available for the job?
Paul Griffiths
88 Posted 03/06/2026 at 07:33:44
88 Posted 03/06/2026 at 07:33:44
Stu - 84 - there has been no 'business trip' to England from Texas or Rome. However, Saint Daniel-the-Absent's eldest has been elevated in the Roma set-up since April to meet with the club's coach and executive team to plan transfer strategies. Meetings are ongoing. Nothing of the kind has occurred for our club.
Steve Dowdeswell
89 Posted 03/06/2026 at 07:48:04
89 Posted 03/06/2026 at 07:48:04
Clubs already announcing deals done, agreements reached and intent to sign or keep players. Silence from the corridors of BMD so should we expect a typical transfer season of nothing until we get a couple of overpriced aging (experienced) defenders ir midfielders to steady the ship and provide stability.
I would much rather see us getting some younger talent that is keen to play and develop but who would come to sit on the bench knowing how keen Moyes is to play a youngster...
I would much rather see us getting some younger talent that is keen to play and develop but who would come to sit on the bench knowing how keen Moyes is to play a youngster...
Jimmy Carr
90 Posted 03/06/2026 at 08:11:11
90 Posted 03/06/2026 at 08:11:11
As noted elsewhere so I’m not claiming one iota of originality, but yes, Everton have been bang average for years. Decades in fact. Over the last few years we became dangerously shite, shite enough to countenance relegation. Moyes has restored the equilibrium, bang average again, mid table non-entities. Why did we think moving to a new stadium would make any difference? Or new owners? We’re Everton after all.
I’m not particularly blaming anyone and everyone is to blame.
Let’s see what kind of a shit-show the summer transfer activity turns out to be, otherwise we’re just crying over spilt milk. The season turned out to be bang average.
Same old, same old.
I’m not particularly blaming anyone and everyone is to blame.
Let’s see what kind of a shit-show the summer transfer activity turns out to be, otherwise we’re just crying over spilt milk. The season turned out to be bang average.
Same old, same old.
John Collins
91 Posted 03/06/2026 at 08:12:47
91 Posted 03/06/2026 at 08:12:47
"And besides, involved ownership is not always attractive to a manager"
Whoever our next manager is won't be troubled by that.
I'll say it now.
Not a chance of TFG spending the full amount allowed in this transfer window.
Whoever our next manager is won't be troubled by that.
I'll say it now.
Not a chance of TFG spending the full amount allowed in this transfer window.
Paul Griffiths
92 Posted 03/06/2026 at 08:26:17
92 Posted 03/06/2026 at 08:26:17
Sad to say, but if we take the number of TW posters to be 100 - purely for the sake of convenience - I think that 95 of them, maybe more, are not convinced by TFG and see no full counter arguments with details for why they ought to be.
And, by the way, it is not Mike Gaynes's job to do this. He is not employed by TFG.
And, by the way, it is not Mike Gaynes's job to do this. He is not employed by TFG.
Mick O\\\'Malley
93 Posted 03/06/2026 at 08:28:14
93 Posted 03/06/2026 at 08:28:14
Im pretty sure if we could convince Carlo Ancelotti to come to Everton then we could convince Oliver Glasner to come, what is it with our fans? Aim High, try for the best I'm fed up with just making do, I mean we do pay managers a healthy wage, and as pointed out we've got a fantastic stadium
Dave Abrahams
94 Posted 03/06/2026 at 08:36:19
94 Posted 03/06/2026 at 08:36:19
Jimmy (90) I think quite a lot of that spilt milk was knocked over by the manager a good proportion of the fans no longer want to be the manager of Everton FC.
John Collins
95 Posted 03/06/2026 at 08:36:46
95 Posted 03/06/2026 at 08:36:46
Low expectations have been instilled in the fans, Mick. Some of them are over the moon with year after year stability.
Statements like "I was pleased we were talked about competing for Europe for a wee while" shows how low acceptable standards have dropped for this club.
Statements like "I was pleased we were talked about competing for Europe for a wee while" shows how low acceptable standards have dropped for this club.
Anthony O'Sullivan
96 Posted 03/06/2026 at 08:42:45
96 Posted 03/06/2026 at 08:42:45
Silva has left Fulham. We could keep going back to old managers.
Derek Thomas
97 Posted 03/06/2026 at 08:45:48
97 Posted 03/06/2026 at 08:45:48
Paul @ 92; it's often said: "Deeds! Not words!" -- we haven't had much of the 'words', let alone the deeds.
I've said, no doubt ad nausem, that I think they're here... h aving bought at a knockdown price... for the Big Sell-On. Plenty though seem to think it's an investment for a 'steady return'.
A steady return requires on-field success to promote the merch, sponsorship etc. 10th place TV money on its own only keeps you barely ticking over.
On-field success requires money and -- most importantly -- somebody to spend it wisely and hopefully that same 'somebody' can get a tune out of the decent players thus acquired.
I've said, no doubt ad nausem, that I think they're here... h aving bought at a knockdown price... for the Big Sell-On. Plenty though seem to think it's an investment for a 'steady return'.
A steady return requires on-field success to promote the merch, sponsorship etc. 10th place TV money on its own only keeps you barely ticking over.
On-field success requires money and -- most importantly -- somebody to spend it wisely and hopefully that same 'somebody' can get a tune out of the decent players thus acquired.
Paul Griffiths
98 Posted 03/06/2026 at 09:01:43
98 Posted 03/06/2026 at 09:01:43
Derek - 97 - On field success requires Money and - most importantly - somebody to spend it wisely and hopefully that same 'somebody' can get a tune out of the decent players thus acquired.
You just ruined my summer mate.
You just ruined my summer mate.
Mick O\\\'Malley
99 Posted 03/06/2026 at 09:19:58
99 Posted 03/06/2026 at 09:19:58
John @95 agreed, I'm pissed off with this attitude, we must be one of the only fan bases in this country who've had nothing to celebrate for the last 30 years, no cup wins, a couple of excursions to Europe, every season is just the same thing, mind numbing mediocrity
Andrew Ellams
100 Posted 03/06/2026 at 09:31:43
100 Posted 03/06/2026 at 09:31:43
Anthony, Silva is off to Benfica
Laurie Hartley
101 Posted 03/06/2026 at 09:35:41
101 Posted 03/06/2026 at 09:35:41
Derek # 97 - and yet Bill Foley with a mere $2.6 billion and a stadium that holds 11,000 has got his team Bournemouth into 6th position and turned a profit doing it. Value of Bournemouth now estimated at $630M - 470M. He it bought it for £120M in 2022.
I am no accountant but it seems to me this very astute American businessman is breaking the mould.
I am no accountant but it seems to me this very astute American businessman is breaking the mould.
Andrew Ellams
102 Posted 03/06/2026 at 09:37:39
102 Posted 03/06/2026 at 09:37:39
Laurie, there's always an exception. For every Bournemouth there are the people running Everton, Chelsea, Man Utd and Spurs to name a few.
Jimmy Carr
103 Posted 03/06/2026 at 09:40:26
103 Posted 03/06/2026 at 09:40:26
Dave (94), I think it goes well beyond our manager, who I defended for most of the season and then lost patience with when he kept picking the same team despite the fact that we continued to lose. The fact is we've been utterly average under every manager going back to Joe Royle. Moyes is the problem, TFG are the problem, Kinnear is the problem, etc, etc, etc.
It's Everton who are the problem.
Our decline into an irrelevant, mid-table club who exist to make up the numbers has been going on for decades. The only positive I can take from this season is that TFG have been here for a relatively short period of time and can fairly claim that the club needed a period of stability.They may even have a strategic intention to build us back up over a period of several years through shrewd ownership and financial management. Not that I'm holding my breath. Nor do I expect that to satisfy fans who are impatient for something better.
It's Everton who are the problem.
Our decline into an irrelevant, mid-table club who exist to make up the numbers has been going on for decades. The only positive I can take from this season is that TFG have been here for a relatively short period of time and can fairly claim that the club needed a period of stability.They may even have a strategic intention to build us back up over a period of several years through shrewd ownership and financial management. Not that I'm holding my breath. Nor do I expect that to satisfy fans who are impatient for something better.
Dave Abrahams
104 Posted 03/06/2026 at 10:00:18
104 Posted 03/06/2026 at 10:00:18
Jimmy (103) I can’t disagree with a lot of your post Jimmy but Moyes must be one of the luckiest managers in the game where Everton are concerned with those eleven and a half years first time round and another 18 months up to now, at his very best Jimmy I thought he was no more than an average manager and he has continued to be that same manager throughout his career and earned(?) an enormous amount of money being that average manager— and yes there are more problems besides Moyes to worry about.
Being a Catholic I expect a couple of hundred years knocked off my time in Purgatory, when I snuff it, for being persecuted in this life, by being an Evertonian!
Being a Catholic I expect a couple of hundred years knocked off my time in Purgatory, when I snuff it, for being persecuted in this life, by being an Evertonian!
Jimmy Carr
105 Posted 03/06/2026 at 10:31:39
105 Posted 03/06/2026 at 10:31:39
Dave (104) also hard to disagree with your assessment of Moyes. He was what we needed 18 months ago, but now we need something else if we're going to do anything like actually move forward and progress. The thing is, if he somehow gets us into Europe next season, they might extend his contract!
See you in purgatory.
See you in purgatory.
Brian Harrison
106 Posted 03/06/2026 at 10:38:25
106 Posted 03/06/2026 at 10:38:25
Best time of the year to be a Blue, no games to worry about, not worrying about how we are doing... will we be in a relegation fight again? Just a great 3 months of absolutely no stress... brilliant.
We have Royal Ascot coming up as well as the Derby. For us golf nuts we have the US Open and of course The Open at Birkdale, I am marshalling again this year a real treat.
We have the World Cup and a fortnight away in the sun in Portugal. But then the stress and worry kicks in as we start a new season.
We have Royal Ascot coming up as well as the Derby. For us golf nuts we have the US Open and of course The Open at Birkdale, I am marshalling again this year a real treat.
We have the World Cup and a fortnight away in the sun in Portugal. But then the stress and worry kicks in as we start a new season.
John Collins
107 Posted 03/06/2026 at 10:56:34
107 Posted 03/06/2026 at 10:56:34
The Ginger Minge is obsessed with central midfielders.
We can always play a couple of them out of position, I suppose.
We can always play a couple of them out of position, I suppose.
Phillip Warrington
108 Posted 03/06/2026 at 15:50:26
108 Posted 03/06/2026 at 15:50:26
Paul Griffiths, so your views are the only ones that are real, so you are saying it's Moyes's fault if a player can't pass a ball to a team mate when not under pressure? Or running on towards goal and passes the ball to a defender instead of one our forwards?
Christ, I lost count of how many times our forwards missed chances when they were one-on-one with the keeper and how many defender errors led to goals.
Sure, Moyes has to take some of the blame... but so do the players -- that was the point I was trying to make. Everybody seems to be laying the blame at Moyes while the players get a free pass.
While people like you would rather attack fellow supporters just because you hate Moyes -- and this site allows you to do it.
Christ, I lost count of how many times our forwards missed chances when they were one-on-one with the keeper and how many defender errors led to goals.
Sure, Moyes has to take some of the blame... but so do the players -- that was the point I was trying to make. Everybody seems to be laying the blame at Moyes while the players get a free pass.
While people like you would rather attack fellow supporters just because you hate Moyes -- and this site allows you to do it.
David West
109 Posted 03/06/2026 at 16:23:25
109 Posted 03/06/2026 at 16:23:25
The reason Glasner, Iraola or any other manager is not coming to us is because Moyes isn't going!!! These owners are happy with him!
Let's see how the summer goes; if Moyes gets players in to make a difference, decent money to spend, good wages to pay out.
It's going to show a lot about where the owners want us to be. Another £100M?? It's buttons these days. That would probably have us treading water around 14th - 10th but stable, no fear of relegation.
There's a limited amount that can be spent with SCR. I don't know Everton's figure but I'm sure someone will know it, so wherever we are compared to the limit, will show their intentions.
Let's see how the summer goes; if Moyes gets players in to make a difference, decent money to spend, good wages to pay out.
It's going to show a lot about where the owners want us to be. Another £100M?? It's buttons these days. That would probably have us treading water around 14th - 10th but stable, no fear of relegation.
There's a limited amount that can be spent with SCR. I don't know Everton's figure but I'm sure someone will know it, so wherever we are compared to the limit, will show their intentions.
Don Alexander
110 Posted 03/06/2026 at 22:04:57
110 Posted 03/06/2026 at 22:04:57
Dave (#104),
I would be "happily dissatisfied" with 200 years being knocked off ....... but only if that was the reward for every season since 1995! :)
I would be "happily dissatisfied" with 200 years being knocked off ....... but only if that was the reward for every season since 1995! :)
Mike Gaynes
111 Posted 03/06/2026 at 22:24:50
111 Posted 03/06/2026 at 22:24:50
Stu #84, not sure why my Friedkin posts would be considered defenses. I've researched the guy and speculated as to why he is proceeding as he is, based on that record.
I do have high hopes and expectations of what he will accomplish for Everton. I also have low expectations of the time frame in which it will happen, believing that Friedkin views Everton as a slow-growth project whether the fan base likes it or not.
Those aren't defenses, just predictive opinions. Predicting is fun, it doesn't cost anything, and I'm fine with taking the hits if I'm wrong.
PG #92, I'm no way convinced -- couldn't possibly be in such a short time -- but I'm more optimistic about our long-term prospects than I have been in many years. If that optimism causes people to consider me a shill for Friedkin, so be it.
I do have high hopes and expectations of what he will accomplish for Everton. I also have low expectations of the time frame in which it will happen, believing that Friedkin views Everton as a slow-growth project whether the fan base likes it or not.
Those aren't defenses, just predictive opinions. Predicting is fun, it doesn't cost anything, and I'm fine with taking the hits if I'm wrong.
PG #92, I'm no way convinced -- couldn't possibly be in such a short time -- but I'm more optimistic about our long-term prospects than I have been in many years. If that optimism causes people to consider me a shill for Friedkin, so be it.
Liam Mogan
112 Posted 03/06/2026 at 22:29:37
112 Posted 03/06/2026 at 22:29:37
For those who think stabilisers like Moyes are overrated, they are not.
I had stabilisers on my Grifter when I was a kid and, if I hadn't, I doubt very much that I'd be riding my bike to work everyday, saving the environment and a fortune on petrol at the same time.
I'm all in on stability.
I had stabilisers on my Grifter when I was a kid and, if I hadn't, I doubt very much that I'd be riding my bike to work everyday, saving the environment and a fortune on petrol at the same time.
I'm all in on stability.
Phil Roberts
113 Posted 03/06/2026 at 22:34:20
113 Posted 03/06/2026 at 22:34:20
Mick #99 - yeah we have not even been able to celebrate a promotion or go to Wembley for a play off game - because unlike 86 other clubs in Football we haven't even had a relegation to. . . . . . celebrate?
Perhaps that is what we should do. Get relegated so we can celebrate being promoted.
Perhaps that is what we should do. Get relegated so we can celebrate being promoted.
Brian Denton
114 Posted 03/06/2026 at 23:01:59
114 Posted 03/06/2026 at 23:01:59
because unlike 86 other clubs in Football we haven't even had a relegation to.. . . . . celebrate?
Phil, I would like to know more about this rather silly statistic you keep trotting out. For example, what time frame does it cover? Is there is a source for it, or have you personally looked at the record of all 92 clubs? I'm assuming that you arrive at 86 by starting from the current 92 clubs in the EPL/FL and subtracting the 6 Premier Leage ever-presents. But unless your time-frame is very short, there have been more than 92 clubs to start with. If your time-frame only encompasses the period in which the current 92 have been in the top four divisions, then there will be loads of clubs who haven't been relegated. If your time-frame is the existence of the Football League, then there are NO clubs which have never been relegated.
In short, I suspect this 'statistic' is meaningless drivel which may have sounded good in the pub, but doesn't stand up to scrutiny.
Phil, I would like to know more about this rather silly statistic you keep trotting out. For example, what time frame does it cover? Is there is a source for it, or have you personally looked at the record of all 92 clubs? I'm assuming that you arrive at 86 by starting from the current 92 clubs in the EPL/FL and subtracting the 6 Premier Leage ever-presents. But unless your time-frame is very short, there have been more than 92 clubs to start with. If your time-frame only encompasses the period in which the current 92 have been in the top four divisions, then there will be loads of clubs who haven't been relegated. If your time-frame is the existence of the Football League, then there are NO clubs which have never been relegated.
In short, I suspect this 'statistic' is meaningless drivel which may have sounded good in the pub, but doesn't stand up to scrutiny.
Don Alexander
115 Posted 04/06/2026 at 01:38:27
115 Posted 04/06/2026 at 01:38:27
Mike (#111), I've read your response to Stu Gre (#84, and more than a few others' queries about Friedkin), all addressing your constant, confident endorsement of him as a benefit to Everton, so thanks for being so frank to now admit to us all that your constant, confident endorsement is based on mere hope.
I can empathise with that because having been obviously screwed for decades by Kenwright I expressed on TW my own mere hope that the mysteriously wealthy Moshiri would lead us toward a better place.
Hmm.
I can empathise with that because having been obviously screwed for decades by Kenwright I expressed on TW my own mere hope that the mysteriously wealthy Moshiri would lead us toward a better place.
Hmm.
Paul Griffiths
116 Posted 04/06/2026 at 02:39:33
116 Posted 04/06/2026 at 02:39:33
Philip Warrington (108): ‘Paul Griffiths, so your views are the only ones that are real’.
Question: can you show me a place in my post where I say this? Or, perhaps, is this distortion on your part along the good old let’s embellish and invent to try – try being the operative word – to erm score a point.
Your ‘response’ from ‘ … so you are saying [to] led to goals’ is largely irrelevant and just a stale rehashing of previous. This is what my post was about, you failed to respond to it:
But to tweak your words [that’s you Philip] if I may PW, Moyes ‘made mistake after mistake’ in picking the same players in the same position game after game after game. To wit, his absolute dereliction of duty over the last seven games of the season in his inexplicable rigidity over selection, setting up, and substitutions.
This is absolutely hilarious: ‘While people like you would rather attack fellow supporters just because you hate Moyes -- and this site allows you to do it’.
‘Attack’! ‘Attack’! Hmmm, I think that we could define ‘attack’ roughly along these lines: an unprovoked forceful, aggressive, or hostile action initiated against a person’.
I’m still laughing Philip lad. Can you point to the exact part(s) of my post that you are chucking your blunt arrows at that anywhere meet this definition?
Oh, and while we’re at it Philip, there is nothing – zero – in my post that displays in your tired word or its cousins ‘hatred’ towards Moyes. Can you point to the exact part(s) of my post that you are chucking your blunt arrows at that anywhere meet this definition?
Erm, Philip, I do not ‘hate’ Moyes. You and some others lazily impute this to people because we the fallen unbelievers have the sheer temerity to question Moyes. We need to be interned somewhere dark.
You need to complain to MK and co Philip if you feel you poor thing ‘violated’. Meanwhile, I have a stronger case for false representation of my reasonable and civil post.
Question: can you show me a place in my post where I say this? Or, perhaps, is this distortion on your part along the good old let’s embellish and invent to try – try being the operative word – to erm score a point.
Your ‘response’ from ‘ … so you are saying [to] led to goals’ is largely irrelevant and just a stale rehashing of previous. This is what my post was about, you failed to respond to it:
But to tweak your words [that’s you Philip] if I may PW, Moyes ‘made mistake after mistake’ in picking the same players in the same position game after game after game. To wit, his absolute dereliction of duty over the last seven games of the season in his inexplicable rigidity over selection, setting up, and substitutions.
This is absolutely hilarious: ‘While people like you would rather attack fellow supporters just because you hate Moyes -- and this site allows you to do it’.
‘Attack’! ‘Attack’! Hmmm, I think that we could define ‘attack’ roughly along these lines: an unprovoked forceful, aggressive, or hostile action initiated against a person’.
I’m still laughing Philip lad. Can you point to the exact part(s) of my post that you are chucking your blunt arrows at that anywhere meet this definition?
Oh, and while we’re at it Philip, there is nothing – zero – in my post that displays in your tired word or its cousins ‘hatred’ towards Moyes. Can you point to the exact part(s) of my post that you are chucking your blunt arrows at that anywhere meet this definition?
Erm, Philip, I do not ‘hate’ Moyes. You and some others lazily impute this to people because we the fallen unbelievers have the sheer temerity to question Moyes. We need to be interned somewhere dark.
You need to complain to MK and co Philip if you feel you poor thing ‘violated’. Meanwhile, I have a stronger case for false representation of my reasonable and civil post.
Paul Griffiths
117 Posted 04/06/2026 at 02:50:31
117 Posted 04/06/2026 at 02:50:31
Same bike Liam (112)?
Dale Self
118 Posted 04/06/2026 at 02:59:37
118 Posted 04/06/2026 at 02:59:37
Fuck yeah Liam 112!
I bike to work everyday meself.
I bike to work everyday meself.
Paul Griffiths
119 Posted 04/06/2026 at 03:45:51
119 Posted 04/06/2026 at 03:45:51
I do hope that you have a lovely summer Brian (106) - and it sounds like you will.
But there cannot be '3 months of absolutely no stress' for me when it comes to our club. I'm already fretting and sweating about the next window and, sadly, The World Cup and The Open (I do not like horse racing at all) will not take my mind off the window,
But there cannot be '3 months of absolutely no stress' for me when it comes to our club. I'm already fretting and sweating about the next window and, sadly, The World Cup and The Open (I do not like horse racing at all) will not take my mind off the window,
Tony Abrahams
120 Posted 04/06/2026 at 07:51:23
120 Posted 04/06/2026 at 07:51:23
When you have no control whatsoever, Paul, you have just got to learn to relax, mate. It took me years but I told myself that if I'm going to be sitting through another season watching mediocrity at Bramley-Moore Dock, then I've definitely got to relax in the summer!
Easier said than done sometimes, I know, but I wish the same to every single Evertonian, a long, hot, stress-free, peaceful summer. 💙
Easier said than done sometimes, I know, but I wish the same to every single Evertonian, a long, hot, stress-free, peaceful summer. 💙
Sean Bennett
121 Posted 04/06/2026 at 2026/06/04 : 08:10:22
121 Posted 04/06/2026 at 2026/06/04 : 08:10:22
Does anyone know if the current main shirt sponsors is confirmed? I would have much preferred a long deal with the likes of Toyota or a partnership with Audi (apparently, you have to submit an application with a business plan).
I was really shocked that we didn't chase down main shirt sponsorship with Qatar Airways and the new stadium naming rights with Qatar Airways as the main partner.
Has anyone seen release dates for the new shirts, training wear range, also any offer of naming rights for Finch Farm?
Michael Kenrick
122 Posted 04/06/2026 at 08:12:52
122 Posted 04/06/2026 at 08:12:52
Hi Sean,
Looks from our NewsFeed that CMC Markets were confirmed as the new sponsors back in April:
Everton secure £30M shirt sponsorship deal with CMC Markets
I believe they're pretty much locked in, so your preference may have come too late for serious consideration.
And as for Qatar Airways, it's more than a year since Hill Dickinson got the nod in "one of the biggest naming rights deals in Europe".
Seems they have held back the launch of a new shirt this year until the start of the season. I vaguely recall there was something screwy about last year's launch but the details escape me. Could they have actually learnt a lesson?
Naming rights for Finch Farm seemed to disappear a few years earlier when Uncle Alisher was sanctioned. No one has been daft enough to resurrect that dubious deal... TFG probably don't see any need or advantage, I'm guessing.
Looks from our NewsFeed that CMC Markets were confirmed as the new sponsors back in April:
Everton secure £30M shirt sponsorship deal with CMC Markets
I believe they're pretty much locked in, so your preference may have come too late for serious consideration.
And as for Qatar Airways, it's more than a year since Hill Dickinson got the nod in "one of the biggest naming rights deals in Europe".
Seems they have held back the launch of a new shirt this year until the start of the season. I vaguely recall there was something screwy about last year's launch but the details escape me. Could they have actually learnt a lesson?
Naming rights for Finch Farm seemed to disappear a few years earlier when Uncle Alisher was sanctioned. No one has been daft enough to resurrect that dubious deal... TFG probably don't see any need or advantage, I'm guessing.
Andrew Ellams
123 Posted 04/06/2026 at 08:19:15
123 Posted 04/06/2026 at 08:19:15
A shirt sponsor that was formed by a man sacked by the Tory Party for being too corrupt even for them. It gets better.
Phil Roberts
124 Posted 04/06/2026 at 10:22:52
124 Posted 04/06/2026 at 10:22:52
Brian, there is a statistic which is that, in the last 30 years, we are the only club in the four divisions not to have had something to celebrate, a cup win, a league win, a promotion. It was on here.
So, as we are one of the 6 ever-present in the Premier League over the last 30 years and the other 5, with millions chucked at them, winning trophies, all the other 86 (including Man City) must have been promoted at some stage.
People moaning we haven't celebrated anything since 1995 -- hence, maybe we should get relegated... and then we can when we get promoted.
So, as we are one of the 6 ever-present in the Premier League over the last 30 years and the other 5, with millions chucked at them, winning trophies, all the other 86 (including Man City) must have been promoted at some stage.
People moaning we haven't celebrated anything since 1995 -- hence, maybe we should get relegated... and then we can when we get promoted.
Andrew Ellams
125 Posted 04/06/2026 at 10:56:05
125 Posted 04/06/2026 at 10:56:05
That stat about us being the only club not to win anything in 30 years just shows that we have absolutely zero to celebrate and to be honest it's a bit embarrassing. That's an entire generation with zip.
Most football supporters remember cup victories and promotions as legendary seasons because, apart from a small bunch of teams, they are usually few and far between.
Being one of the only 6 teams not to get relegated in that time is no great boast either considering what 4 of the other 5 have achieved in the same period.
Most football supporters remember cup victories and promotions as legendary seasons because, apart from a small bunch of teams, they are usually few and far between.
Being one of the only 6 teams not to get relegated in that time is no great boast either considering what 4 of the other 5 have achieved in the same period.
Jeff Spiers
126 Posted 04/06/2026 at 11:13:26
126 Posted 04/06/2026 at 11:13:26
Corruption. Been around for millennia.
Greedy fuckin human beings. It will never end. Money talks.
Greedy fuckin human beings. It will never end. Money talks.
Dave Abrahams
127 Posted 04/06/2026 at 13:44:44
127 Posted 04/06/2026 at 13:44:44
Jimmy (105),
I think I'll be going to Purgatory before you so I'll keep you a good speck!
Don (110), you want 6,000 years knocked off your time in Purgatory? You must be a bleedin' serial killer — even Kenwright will get less than that!
I think I'll be going to Purgatory before you so I'll keep you a good speck!
Don (110), you want 6,000 years knocked off your time in Purgatory? You must be a bleedin' serial killer — even Kenwright will get less than that!
Brian Denton
128 Posted 04/06/2026 at 14:52:09
128 Posted 04/06/2026 at 14:52:09
Phil, I will do a spot of investigation re this because I simply don't believe it. Just because it's been published on here doesn't mean it's true.
But to do that, I need firm parameters:
(1) Which season (exactly) are we going back to?
(2) Which 92 clubs? There may well be some who have dropped out of the Football League since the starting season who haven't yet come back. Are they to be included? If so, it's more than 92.
I return to my point that it's a meaningless statistic anyway, of course. The Premier League being impossible to be promoted from, it sets a high bar.
But to do that, I need firm parameters:
(1) Which season (exactly) are we going back to?
(2) Which 92 clubs? There may well be some who have dropped out of the Football League since the starting season who haven't yet come back. Are they to be included? If so, it's more than 92.
I return to my point that it's a meaningless statistic anyway, of course. The Premier League being impossible to be promoted from, it sets a high bar.
Kevin Molloy
129 Posted 04/06/2026 at 15:07:15
129 Posted 04/06/2026 at 15:07:15
If we get promoted, Phil.
Brendan McLaughlin
130 Posted 04/06/2026 at 15:11:26
130 Posted 04/06/2026 at 15:11:26
Brian #128
I kind of remember this.
I could be wrong but it covered the 30-year period following our FA Cup success in 1995 and included only the clubs in the Football League in the 202-25 season.
Pretty sure as well, however, that some ToffeeWebbers at the time identified at least one other club who also had "won" nothing during the period.
World Cup can't start soon enough eh?
BTW I don't think Phil is defending this "statistic".
I kind of remember this.
I could be wrong but it covered the 30-year period following our FA Cup success in 1995 and included only the clubs in the Football League in the 202-25 season.
Pretty sure as well, however, that some ToffeeWebbers at the time identified at least one other club who also had "won" nothing during the period.
World Cup can't start soon enough eh?
BTW I don't think Phil is defending this "statistic".
Dave Lynch
131 Posted 04/06/2026 at 15:38:46
131 Posted 04/06/2026 at 15:38:46
Phil...only club in the "4" divisions... that's bollocks mate.
Paul Griffiths
132 Posted 04/06/2026 at 22:16:32
132 Posted 04/06/2026 at 22:16:32
For what it's worth:
Everton is not the only team in the top four tiers of English football without a recent trophy or promotion, but they share a uniquely dismal record with Oldham Athletic.
A closer look at this football statistic reveals:The Trophy Drought: Everton has not won a major senior trophy since they lifted the FA Cup in 1995.No Promotions: They have been a mainstay in the top flight, having not suffered relegation (and therefore having never earned a promotion back) since 1954.
The Shared Status: Football researchers and statisticians highlight that out of the 92 clubs in the Premier League and English Football League, only Everton and Oldham Athletic have failed to win a single piece of silverware or celebrate a promotion this century.
Since Oldham Athletic has been playing in the National League—the fifth tier, outside the top four league, Everton stands as the only team currently in the top 92 league clubs without a trophy, cup win, or promotion for over three decades.
Reddit
The dust in the Everton's trophy cabinet.
ouch https://x.com/Evershite/status/2046355997363515654
Everton is not the only team in the top four tiers of English football without a recent trophy or promotion, but they share a uniquely dismal record with Oldham Athletic.
A closer look at this football statistic reveals:The Trophy Drought: Everton has not won a major senior trophy since they lifted the FA Cup in 1995.No Promotions: They have been a mainstay in the top flight, having not suffered relegation (and therefore having never earned a promotion back) since 1954.
The Shared Status: Football researchers and statisticians highlight that out of the 92 clubs in the Premier League and English Football League, only Everton and Oldham Athletic have failed to win a single piece of silverware or celebrate a promotion this century.
Since Oldham Athletic has been playing in the National League—the fifth tier, outside the top four league, Everton stands as the only team currently in the top 92 league clubs without a trophy, cup win, or promotion for over three decades.
The dust in the Everton's trophy cabinet.
ouch https://x.com/Evershite/status/2046355997363515654
John Collins
133 Posted 04/06/2026 at 22:29:53
133 Posted 04/06/2026 at 22:29:53
A beige club Paul.
Bland.
Bland.
Phillip Warrington
134 Posted 04/06/2026 at 22:41:25
134 Posted 04/06/2026 at 22:41:25
Paul Griffiths, as I said before you think you are the almighty righteous, your reply to a fan post (This is perhaps one of the most trite and shallow ‘defences' of the manager.)
It was just a view from a fan who has supported Everton for 53 years. I live in a different country so my posts aren't always instant like you guys, but nevertheless just a view, rightly or wrongly, just like yours.
It was just a view from a fan who has supported Everton for 53 years. I live in a different country so my posts aren't always instant like you guys, but nevertheless just a view, rightly or wrongly, just like yours.
Paul Griffiths
135 Posted 04/06/2026 at 23:08:59
135 Posted 04/06/2026 at 23:08:59
More taupe, John?
Dale Self
136 Posted 04/06/2026 at 00:12:52
136 Posted 04/06/2026 at 00:12:52
Time for some beige rage.
Mark Murphy
138 Posted 05/06/2026 at 07:04:25
138 Posted 05/06/2026 at 07:04:25
Given that we can't win a promotion unless we get relegated, that statistic is not as bad as it sounds.
If there's a statistic showing clubs that haven't won a Premier League title, FA Cup or Carabao Cup or a European trophy, we'll be in a much larger grouping.
If there's a statistic showing clubs that haven't won a Premier League title, FA Cup or Carabao Cup or a European trophy, we'll be in a much larger grouping.
Terry Downes
139 Posted 05/06/2026 at 07:15:08
139 Posted 05/06/2026 at 07:15:08
How nice it must be to have a board like Liverpool? Not afraid to act quickly and go get their man.
As much as I dislike the red shyte our board could learn a lot from them once again we're missing the boat while settling for stability?
Who the fuck thought up that line thinking stability is good enough for us feels more like stale to me.
As much as I dislike the red shyte our board could learn a lot from them once again we're missing the boat while settling for stability?
Who the fuck thought up that line thinking stability is good enough for us feels more like stale to me.
Tony Abrahams
140 Posted 05/06/2026 at 07:47:46
140 Posted 05/06/2026 at 07:47:46
The new stadium was supposed to be a catalyst for change...
So we went and appointed a manager who was the master of delivering stability over many boring years.
So we went and appointed a manager who was the master of delivering stability over many boring years.
Steve Brown
141 Posted 05/06/2026 at 08:06:47
141 Posted 05/06/2026 at 08:06:47
Terry, I hate to admit it but the Redshite are decisive, unsentimental, logical and clear-headed.
1) Decisive -- they assessed that the team performance and league position this season was unacceptable and acted.
2) Unsentimental -- they sacked a manager who under-performed and didn't once cite stability as a trade-off for his failure, despite him winning the league the year before.
3) Logical -- they have a football strategy and hired a manager who fits (the same manager who plenty on here dismissed). TFG published a new strategy in December 2024 then hired a manager whose beliefs, decisions and actions are the exact opposite to their plans.
4) Clear-headed -- no "happily dissatisfied" for the Redshite. If it's not good enough, they change it.
The main positives on TFG is that they know how to run a business and they have a commercial mindset. On the football operations side, we need to see how the new appointees for Scouting and Recruitment, Academy, Transfers and Operations work out.
Big summer for TFG. If they bungle a second summer transfer window in succession, then the fans will turn on our invisible, uncommunicative and disconnected owners.
That's the same fans who saw off the previous owner, chairman, board, and a succession of second-rate managers.
1) Decisive -- they assessed that the team performance and league position this season was unacceptable and acted.
2) Unsentimental -- they sacked a manager who under-performed and didn't once cite stability as a trade-off for his failure, despite him winning the league the year before.
3) Logical -- they have a football strategy and hired a manager who fits (the same manager who plenty on here dismissed). TFG published a new strategy in December 2024 then hired a manager whose beliefs, decisions and actions are the exact opposite to their plans.
4) Clear-headed -- no "happily dissatisfied" for the Redshite. If it's not good enough, they change it.
The main positives on TFG is that they know how to run a business and they have a commercial mindset. On the football operations side, we need to see how the new appointees for Scouting and Recruitment, Academy, Transfers and Operations work out.
Big summer for TFG. If they bungle a second summer transfer window in succession, then the fans will turn on our invisible, uncommunicative and disconnected owners.
That's the same fans who saw off the previous owner, chairman, board, and a succession of second-rate managers.
Jimmy Hardacre
142 Posted 05/06/2026 at 14:35:10
142 Posted 05/06/2026 at 14:35:10
It's an old story with Moyes. I have no idea why so-called expert pundits rate him.
Remember, this is the man who would not sign a contract and suddenly got offered the Man Utd job... which was a disaster waiting to happen.
His style will never be acceptable to us. Don't these owners have anyone monitoring social media to see what the real people are saying??
He is just a dinosaur who will not take a single chance, stays safely behind the line... don't upset anyone, keep your head down and finish in mediocrity.
The 2 cup games he lost should have been the end for this fool.
Remember, this is the man who would not sign a contract and suddenly got offered the Man Utd job... which was a disaster waiting to happen.
His style will never be acceptable to us. Don't these owners have anyone monitoring social media to see what the real people are saying??
He is just a dinosaur who will not take a single chance, stays safely behind the line... don't upset anyone, keep your head down and finish in mediocrity.
The 2 cup games he lost should have been the end for this fool.
Brian Denton
143 Posted 05/06/2026 at 17:38:52
143 Posted 05/06/2026 at 17:38:52
Mark 138 - the most reasonable post of the bunch.
Apologies to fellow TWebbers for getting caught up in this crap!
Apologies to fellow TWebbers for getting caught up in this crap!
Brendan McLaughlin
144 Posted 05/06/2026 at 19:41:39
144 Posted 05/06/2026 at 19:41:39
Steve #141
If we see off TFG with the same speed as we saw off Blue Bill... they are probably here for a decade or more then?
If we see off TFG with the same speed as we saw off Blue Bill... they are probably here for a decade or more then?
Paul Griffiths
145 Posted 06/06/2026 at 08:40:58
145 Posted 06/06/2026 at 08:40:58
Or Brian - 143 - the post that showed why you were wrong mate.
Tony Abrahams
146 Posted 06/06/2026 at 08:53:30
146 Posted 06/06/2026 at 08:53:30
Two decades it was for the “Closet Red Bill”, Brendan... but somehow I don't think these current custodians will be in charge of Everton for that long.
Maybe when The Oligarchs get their money back, we might see Big Al sailing up the Mersey?
Stranger things have happened, that's for sure!
Maybe when The Oligarchs get their money back, we might see Big Al sailing up the Mersey?
Stranger things have happened, that's for sure!
Brendan McLaughlin
147 Posted 06/06/2026 at 21:39:21
147 Posted 06/06/2026 at 21:39:21
Yes Tony #146,
I know or to be accurate... you have told me often enough so that I know.
I was just trying to let Steve & the fan revolution down gently.
I know or to be accurate... you have told me often enough so that I know.
I was just trying to let Steve & the fan revolution down gently.
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1 Posted 02/06/2026 at 08:37:10
Hope I'm wrong but keeping Moyes after that horrible style of play last season suggests the owners are happy to protect their interests by mid-table finishes.
I have no expectation whatsoever they will spend the full amount allowed on transfers.