Sunday, November 20, 2011

Blogathon: David Moyes and Everton

Entering the home straight. And a word for Tweetsport who have been massively supportive of this blogathon.

And they've adopted Alzheimer Scotland's quite stunning Football Memories project as their site charity. All their help has been massively appreciated.

A topic suggested by @nroberts88

I venture south of the border and consider Everton.

Everton's title and Cup Winner's Cup winning sides of the mid-1980s are just about the first successful English side I remember.

My brother even had the strip. Fancied himself as bit of a Graeme Sharp I think.

Howard Kendall at his best. Masterminding often successful attempts to win city bragging rights at a time when winning city bragging rights in Liverpool would make you just about the best of the best.

Mighty Everton.

I'm a big fan of Davie Moyes as well. Fact: he was in the Dunfermline team that was beaten in the 1991 League Cup final by Hibs.

His achievement in breaking into England's top four was quite something.

He's had his ups and downs before and since that achievement. But, generally, he's met the challenges, persevered and often thrived.

It seems that every year there will be a stage in the season when someone is asking "what is wrong with Everton?"

And often the answer is "not much."

They continue to produce good young players but sometimes a reliance on youngsters leads to inconsistency and dips.

Decent players, solid manager.

But what's really wrong is that Everton are potless.

Potless with a chairman who seems to know more about Betty's Hotpot than running a football club.

Here's an excerpt from a meeting supporters held with Bill Kenwright:

Mark “Well, surely as Chairman you should be aware what these other operating costs are?”

Bill, “No, absolutely not, and why should I? I can’t break down the accounts for you…”

And why should he be able to?

In Bill Kenwright's defence he seems to recognise the value of Moyes and, as a selling club, the importance of holding on to that managerial asset.

With money, maybe a new stadium and David Moyes in control, Everton could thrive.

But until a new owner appears that won't happen. I wouldn't question Bill Kenwright's passion but he doesn't have the money and he doesn't inspire confidence.

That's why the fans want him out. And it why Everton need to get him out.

Against that backdrop Moyes' loyalty and resilience has been quite exceptional. It makes me admire him all the more.

It's difficult to build a consistently successful team though when you can't hold on to players and don't get the vast sums of money needed to replace them.

Everton have become victims of the English footballing boom.

Their debts might not be as huge as some others and their youth policy continues to flourish.

But they've been left behind in the race for riches and that makes former glories all but impossible to recapture. Modern football has little respect for past achievements.

If you can't afford to compete in the present then you're cast aside.

That, alas, is the fate that's befallen Everton.

Which makes keeping David Moyes both vitally important and trickier.

What could he do with money?

Would he be able to flourish or is his forte dealing with reduced circumstances, accepting his lot and working a series of small miracles with what he's got.

I'd like him to get the chance to test that theory.

And, for old times sake, I'd like him to get that chance with Everton.

Or, failing that, there's always a job going at Hibs.

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