Louis Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 Progress despite adversity It was a statement of the obvious, but it was also notable for what he did not say. He did not moan about the two-match ban that deprived him of his costliest buy in the two games the fans regard as the biggest of the season. Nor did he whinge about the absence of an entire forward line. He did not take the opportunity to suggest his luck was out, or that he needed millions of pounds to bolster his squad in January. Instead, on Monday night, David Moyes simply said: "All clubs get suspensions and all clubs get injuries." It was a matter-of-fact pronouncement, yet in stark contrast to his counterparts' continual complaints. An acceptance of the realities of Everton's situation has brought a show of resourcefulness from their manager. A lack of strikers has not equated to lack of goals. A lack of the suspended Marouane Fellaini has not meant Everton did not pose an aerial threat, as Tim Cahill proved when heading their equaliser in Monday's Merseyside derby. A bench populated by players barely old enough to vote has proved no hindrance, either. In seven games without a specialist striker, Everton have earned five wins and two draws, against Chelsea and Liverpool. It is an endorsement of Moyes' management. While some clubs stockpile strikers, Everton have prospered without them. Indeed, so well have they done without a conventional attack that even with Victor Anichebe available at Anfield on Monday, he was deployed on the right flank instead. Instead, Cahill's prowess as an emergency striker meant he continued as the most advanced player. His previous pairing with Fellaini - two attacking midfielders supported by either two or three others - presented an unusual challenge for defences. Necessity has brought invention, just as it did two seasons ago when Joleon Lescott gravitated from the role of makeshift left-back to the first choice, at the expense of players accustomed to operating there. Indeed, it is testament to Everton's spirit that they have fared best when their resources have been stretched the most. They have displayed both the fitness and resolve to score a series of late goals, even when a shortage of personnel means Moyes is reluctant to make substitutions. Adversity clearly suits them, and being deprived of Yakubu Ayegbeni, Louis Saha and James Vaughan and, at times, Joseph Yobo and Fellaini, has coincided with their ascent on the table. Languishing in 16th place after eight games, they now stand sixth. Moyes recently talked about how the "Big Four" could become a "Big Six". A glance at the standings shows that would incorporate Aston Villa and Everton. A look at the spending league would invoke mention of Manchester City, but it is no coincidence that Everton have outperformed wealthier clubs. Moyes' initial achievement of finding bargains - Cahill (£1.75m) probably represents the best, just ahead of Mikel Arteta (£2.5m) - has been accompanied by his ability to engineer loyalty in his recruits. Cahill and Arteta are among a core of players of a calibre to figure for a club accustomed to Champions League football - albeit probably as squad members rather than automatic choices - but none have publicly hankered for such a move. Yobo, Lescott, Phil Jagielka and Tim Howard seem similarly content to remain at Goodison Park. Progress has come at a moderate price. The entire team fielded at Anfield cost little more than Fernando Torres. While Fellaini's fee is often reported as £15 million, it is believed the initial payment is around half of that. The rest depends upon various clauses. The sales of first James McFadden and then Andrew Johnson show Moyes, on and off the field, is working with limited resources. The work ethic of the sides he sends out, however, mean Everton maintain the bond between player and supporter that many clubs have lost amid delusions of grandeur and continued calls for investment. Despite the global search for the super-rich to bail out big spenders, that should be the reality of football management. If it is meritocratic as well as financially responsible, it should earn him other opportunities. Approaching his seventh anniversary at Goodison Park, Moyes' considerable achievements make him the best qualified manager to take over at one of the elite clubs, especially as Martin O'Neill already has a billionaire benefactor at Villa Park. A trophy would cement that status, though it will take a second result at Anfield inside a week in Sunday's FA Cup tie to preserve Everton's interest in the FA Cup. But where could Moyes go? It is inconceivable Moyes could manage Liverpool. Manchester United and Arsenal benefit from the long-term stability of managers who are averse to alternative offers and retirement. There may be vacancies at Chelsea and Manchester City first, but both seem certain to look abroad, and Merseyside only feels like another country. Clubs in the Champions League - or, in City's case, aiming to be there - often only hire managers with a pedigree in Europe. Which leaves the league's third-longest serving manager at Goodison Park, quietly providing an example to the whingers and whiners of his profession with no strikers and no excuses. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story...mp;&cc=5739 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_webby Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 spot on recognition where it is well and truly due Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shetland Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 (edited) I couldn't agree more great article. Friends of mine who support other clubs often comment on how we've got one of the best managers in the country, in fact the other day a mate of mine (a spurs fan) called Moyes a genius! You only have to look at where we were before he took over to see that he's a major part of our stability in recent years and long may it continue. Thats why I couldn't understand it earlier in the season when some blues were saying 'get rid of Moyes' Edited January 24, 2009 by Blue Oz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evertonblue Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Moyes has been great! Now we have a squad to push for 4th spot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy the blue Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 (edited) I couldn't agree more great article. Friends of mine who support other clubs often comment on how we've got one of the best managers in the country, in fact the other day a mate of mine (a spurs fan) called Moyes a genius! You only have to look at where we were before he took over to see that he's a major part of our stability in recent years and long may it continue. Thats why I couldn't understand it earlier in the season when some blues were saying 'get rid of Moyes' I was one of Moyes's biggest critics throughout the period he was negotiating his new contract, it was criticism he richly deserved IMO. The description 'great manager' is used far to often by fans of this sport. Whilst David Moyes has done a very good job for EFC it is ridiculous to describe him as great because we have not won a thing under his regime. I want this club to show success by way of trophies won not by survival in the Premiership year on year. I get very embarrassed when I look at our record against the big four, we have not beaten Chelsea in 22 attempts yet Burnley managed to go to Stamford Bridge and win in the Carling cup and Phil Browns Hull won at Arsenal. When we go into Europe we seldom last very long, once we come up against a reasonable team, Fiorentina, Standard Liege we get beaten. The entire argument about funding made available to Moyes needs to be considered in relation to all the other teams outside the big four, prior to this season only Villa and Spurs had spent more than us and they have far wealthier backers. Last season Portsmouth won the Cup we managed to get stuffed at home by Oldham, history will not rate EFC finishing in the top six as successful, a cup win would. At the beginning of this season he allowed our team to commence the season totally ill prepared, he had money available but choose to wait until we were out of two competitions before spending it whilst at they same time holding a gun to the clubs head over the terms of his contract. Some will say his was a legitimate tactic I call it gross negligence Before this season I had always supported Moyes through thick and thin, even now I believe him to be a really good manager but I cannot possibly add the term 'great' as our record under his management does not support it. When we win something I will be the first to add he term great manager but at present its usage is undeserved This posting may upset some of you but before having a go at me consider what I have said and the terms in which I have said it. Edited January 25, 2009 by Jimmy the blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebluenose Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 were finally getting the recognition we deserve. about time too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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