One taxi or two, Mr. Kenwright?
Subtitle...

7 February 2002

This season will be a historic one.  It signals the time when the country's most patient and understanding supporters finally turn against the club they love.  

The board of Everton FC have finally betrayed those for whom they act as custodians and refused to perform the surgery so blatantly required.  Their failure to replace Walter Smith has ultimately caused a whirlwind which may engulf them all.  

Everton's impending relegation is only part of the story.  The team have played with so little creativity and soul that even the 2,000 or so hardy fans who made the 400 mile trek to Upton Park on a cold Wednesday night in March only stayed to the end to boo.  That they had spent the preceding 90 minutes urging on their blue clad representatives only highlights the fact that they do not blame the players for the turgid display which they had to swallow. 

The problem is ultimately a question of leadership.  The manager and his assistant send out a side which is clueless.  They invariably spend the first 20 or so minutes sorting out marking, positioning etc.  This is surely something which should have been done on the training pitch.  International players make runs which their colleagues do not seem to see.  Frequently, three or more players argue who is to take free-kicks.  At defensive corners, players wander about as if in a daze. 

Smith has alienated and then forced out so many quality players for standing up to him that the rest seem unwilling to take responsibility.  Because the Board do not have the moral fibre to sack the manager, the players see no future in or for the club.  Now the fans are realising this and are very, very angry.  

The FA Cup quarter final at Middlesbrough may see the first concerted display of disaffection.  Nobody would be surprised by a "Smith Out" demonstration which would be escalated and include home games also until either the Board get the idea or resign and other people come in who are not prepared to sit back and let their investment go down the plughole.  

The fans deserve a club, a board and a manager who live up to Everton's motto: Nil satis nisi optimum.  If the present Board do not accept this then they too will be part of history, rather sooner than they anticipated!

Ray Finch

Disclaimer: The expressed views are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position or views of the ToffeeWeb staff themselves.