FANS COMMENT

Expectations

Today, Alan Pardew has been sacked as manager of West Ham United. One of the best young English managers around, his undoing was having two 'world-class' Argentines foisted upon him. The problem, in my opinion, has been that the lads have found it very difficult to adjust to life in East London but, because of their reputation, Pardew has been forced to include them in the team.

Ok, the Hammers have really missed Dean Ashton, but generally their side is based on an honest, hard-working team ethic, where the sum is greater than the parts — very much like our own Blues. Having 'star' players disrupts that. Personally, I feel that Tevez and Mascherano aren't as great as they're made out to be. What is Tevez's strength? Dribbling? Running with the ball? Heading? Shooting from distance? Poaching goals? I certainly couldn't name something that he's exceptional at.

Anyway, I digress. My point is that Pardew has been doing a perfectly good job for the last three years and has certainly taken West Ham in the right direction. I think that it creates far more upheavel than it resolves sacking the man. I do believe that he could have put it right.

Before the Argies arrived' the Happy Hammers were a strong top-ten side and were fulfilling all expectations. Remember the story of the dog with the bone who saw his reflection in a pond and, in going for that 'imaginary' bone, lost the one that he had into the water? That is what has happened at Upton park.

It relates to Everton because I keep reading fans calling for Moyes's head since we're not hanging off Man United's coat tails in the league. Are those fans blind to the fact that we're a win away from fifth position and only 4 points off third?!!

I really can't believe that there are posts in the ToffeeWeb Mailbag calling for Moyes to be replaced by Alan Pardew or a combination of Joe Royle and Dave Watson. Yes, I thought we let Royle go too soon, but don't go back. Especially to a man who has had his time and, unfortunately, can't hack it in the Championship any more, let alone the Premiership. And I don't remember Dave Watson setting the world of management or coaching alight. Are these people so accustomed to chopping and changing in football that, after a certain period of time, they automatically want a new manager?

Face facts: we're lucky to be considered in the same bracket as Bolton and Tottenham... in fact we're probably more Villa or Wigan. Unless a sheik or a Russian billionaire takes over the club, we're very, very unlikely to finish in the top three. So, finishing around seventh is job done for us.

We need to be like Charlton have been for so many years — keep hold of our manager! Look at them now... and they had another hot, young prospect in charge.

We have one of the most hard-working, conscientious, forward-thinking managers in the game. Did you know that he went abroad to take his Pro coaching license before it was even offered in this country? Ok, so he makes a few bizarre decisions, but we're going to question whatever manager we have. "Opinions are like arseholes...". Try running a kids team and see how many parents disagree with your decisions.

If we can consistently finish in the top ten, maybe win a cup every decade and keep the club on a sound financial footing, then we've done very well. Anything more than that is a bonus. So far, we're doing pretty well and it's exciting that the club is currently investing so much in youth with Osman, Hibbert, Anichebe and Vaughan coming into the first team squad and John-Paul Kissock waiting in the wings.

Hopefully the new academy and a new stadium can really help to propel us up the table and eventually turn us into a regular European contender... somewhere along the lines of Valencia, Stuttgart or Lyon.

Responses:

I totally agree with all what Simon mentions in his well written article "Expectations". It is no use whatsoever all us so called Evertonian's getting on the back of David Moyes. We are in a far better situation than when he took over from Walter Smith whom I also thought did an excellent job considering the circumstances he worked under. I know that Moyes has made the odd clanger in the transfer market (he has made exceptional buy as well) and his tactics deem to be of a mystery sometimes, but I cannot see any other manager coming in at this present time and doing a better job.

I very much doubt we shall be in a situation where we are looking at every fixture thinking we need points here or we shall be relegated... we are slowly on the up and every encouragement should be made to the Everton management until things are different, ie:- looking over our shoulders staring relegation in the face!

Lets get real, we had our time in the 60's when we were know as the Mersey Millionnaires. We were like the Chelsea of today (money no problem) our time will come again, probably not in my lifetime but it will happen. We came good in the 80's; most top teams have a so called "run". Now we would be complaining if we were Newcastle Utd, Spurs or Man City, expectations of their fans will just be as high as ours... it won't be long before we read Roeder out, Joll, Pearce out etc.

As I say it is no use berating Moyes all the time, he is more than doing his best. Let us, the Everton fans, do our best and be patient with him while he put things right... trying to get us into Europe on a regular basis. As Simon mentioned, we cannot expect for much more considering we are no longer the "Mersey Millionnaires". I honestly feel I would rather us carry on the way we are, trying to finish as high up the table as possible without the aid of "foreign" money!! Remember also Everton were the last team to win the FA Cup before Man Ure, The Arse, Chelski and the Pinkies make it their "Annual" tournament! Don't write us off spoiling their party again!!
David Woodhead, Bradford

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