'Moving to the next level'

Some would argue that ?moving to the next level? actually means a sustained period of European competition, namely, in the Uefa Cup. In order to achieve this, successive top six finishes would be required, something that hasn?t been done since the 1980s, when title challenges were more likely than a satisfactory European place.

Another definition of ?moving to the next level? could be drawn from the team?s recent exploits in the Carling Cup. Although the fact that we only defeated Sheffield Wednesday, Luton and West Ham on our way to the semi-final has been focused on since the defeat to Chelsea, reaching this stage of a major cup competition for the first time in over 12 years should not be overlooked. It could therefore be said that winning silverware in the form of a domestic cup would see a move onto another, altogether higher level.

The other, and most demanding view would seem to be that the only acceptable way of ?moving to the next level? is to break into the top four on a consistent basis. Although we achieved this in the 2004-05 season, we finished the following season in a very disappointing 11th place, failing to capitalise on the previous season which had promised so much.

So which of these three views is the correct one? Unfortunately there isn?t a right answer. There will always be dispute when it comes to a question like this, everyone has an opinion and who?s is right will always be open to interpretation.

Since the 2-1 win over Wigan which pushed us into the fourth Champions League spot, the national press and surprisingly even David Moyes himself, has edged towards breaking the top four as the next step for the club to aim for. Although this should be a goal for the future, financial restrictions when compared to Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool should really make this a ridiculous idea. Where the likes of United can go out and spend £60 million on players come the summer, Moyes will be lucky to have £20 million to spend. It is when you look at the difference in spending power, the fact we came fourth a few seasons ago and are even contemplating another fourth place finish this season seems so absurd.

Despite all this, most of us are probably relishing the chance to fight for fourth place, something which is testament to the amazing job Moyes has done and continues to do on what is essentially a shoestring budget when compared to the top four. Realistically we need another two summer?s worth of transfer dealings (without losing any of our top players) to create a side capable of challenging for a top four place on a regular basis. Moyes simply does not have the money to go and buy five world class players come this summer, at best we can hope to secure Fernandes, Pienaar and one other major signing.

There is no doubt that coming fourth or higher is achievable, possibly even this season, but in order for it to happen regularly Moyes needs to buy and sell shrewdly over the next couple of years. Where the top four are capable of buying a new team come every transfer window, Moyes must use the next couple of seasons to add to the current squad to turn it?s fantastic potential into something of substance. Breaking into and continuing to finish in the top four would be a huge step in restoring the club to where it once was but for this moment in time, it remains more of a fantasy than a reality.

I?m sure the hysteria of the recent Carling Cup run has caused many a fan to reminisce about the '95 FA Cup, the demolition of Spurs, Rideout?s header and all that. Being only seven at the time, my memories of the cup run and the final itself are restricted to DVD highlights and stories from my Dad. It was therefore particularly exciting as we progressed through to the Carling Cup semi-final recently, only to be beaten by Chelsea over two legs. Most fans, myself included, would have seen the winning of the cup as an undoubted sign of progress, combined with our generally improved league standings of the last five years.

One frame of mind, different from the fourth place finish one mentioned above, is that the return of silverware to Goodison Park would be the perfect definition of ?moving to the next level?. I completely understand this view but as we saw with Millwall a few seasons ago, a series of generous draws can result in a fairly easy passage to a cup final. Lifting the FA, Carling or even UEFA Cup in the next two seasons would be a fantastic achievement but, despite being a sign of progress, it should not define ?moving to the next level?. If we were however to achieve cup wins or final appearances in two or three consecutive seasons this would, to me at least, be a move onto a new level, a sign of consistency and quality ? something which has been lacking for a long time.

In my opinion, the most accurate view of the three was the first that I mentioned, a sustained period of European competition, more to the point, reaching the Uefa Cup via league placing year in year out. Since Moyes took charge we have narrowly missed out on a Uefa Cup spot, come fourth in the league and had a solid sixth placed finish giving us the European adventure we are currently experiencing this season.

Generally speaking, a top six finish in the Premier Leaguesis normally good enough for a Uefa cup spot. Could we really be disappointed with say three top six finishes and then three decent runs in the Uefa Cup? To me, this would be a definite sign of ?moving to the next level?. It may not suit those who are unhappy with our decline since the late 80s but the fact is, we are in the middle of a rebuilding programme. We seem to be heading in the right direction, looking on track for another European place at the end of this season. A bit of consistency plus regular European football and a chance for Moyes to build the squad to push towards Champions League qualification? Sounds like a plan to me?

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