The best man for the job
Chris Cornell is stunned at the criticism of David Moyes from some quarters
2 December 2003

David Moyes: No other manager we'd rather have

I'll get straight to the point.

I'm shocked and saddened by some Evertonians' views with regard to our manager, David Moyes. Not so long ago, I was reading quasi-sycophantic articles - on this very website, as well as others - complementing Moyes on his humility, resillience, intelligence and energy.

I remember eagerly turning on my radio for the football phone ins, just to hear our blue comrades from up and down the nation speak - voices trembling with excitement and pride - of the re-invigoration of Our Club and of Bill's masterstroke: hiring the most exciting management prospect in years. Did anyone have any advice for David Moyes then?

I recall buying most Sunday papers every week, just so as to relive every column inch, every compliment bestowed upon Our Club by journalists penning with veneration their enthusiasm for our honourable and intelligent manager.

Oh, and that goal against Southampton...the way Radzinski belted it top right corner in the dying seconds...I remember...
But does anyone recall listening to what David Moyes was saying during his usually victorious post match press conferences last season?: "We mustn't get carried away". Did nobody else hear him say "...I am praised today, but I know that eventually things will change and, like every team, we will go through bad patches...". DID NOBODY UNDERSTAND WHAT HE WAS SAYING?

I can't help feeling that some fans are starting to turn against David Moyes. I hear grumblings of dissent from those who claim Duncan Ferguson may have been justified in starting the ubiquitously reported, yet unclear "bust-up of biblical proportions" with Moyes - when only a few weeks ago Big Dunc was being labelled a parasite, a blood sucker draining much needed resources from Our Club.

Now the speculative comment revolves around Moyes losing the dressing room. Surely just gossip and finger pointing - and until a reliable inside source tells us otherwise, we should treat it as such.

And so my disappointment runs deep.

We can be the most passionate, witty and knowledgeable fans, yet we have this innate characteristic of doom-mongering when only a quarter of the way through a season. Yes, like you, I was truly gutted by our display against Bolton on Saturday. Like you, I was incandescent with rage when we were played off the park by Tottenham, Middlesborough, Southampton, Blackburn, et al. Like you, I find myself criticising the wisdom of not using young Osman, or not playing Rooney "in the hole" behind the front two. And yes, I too find myself hurling abuse at Gravesen during the course of entire matches.

But I have also learnt to be patient. I give the benefit of the doubt to the manager, because unlike him, I have never been a professional footballer. I have never managed a club. I haven't studied for every coaching badge under the sun, and I wouldn't have the foggiest if it came to managing sporting millionaires and a kid called Wayne.

So no matter what people say about Moyes, I hope some of you will agree with my final statement: There is no other manager I would rather have, whether the club I love is fighting for premiership survival or fighting for a place in Europe. Let's take a leaf out of Charlton and Wolves fans' book and give our manager all the support and chanting he deserves. If confidence is lacking, this is by far and away the best remedy we can - and should - give him.

PS: Check where Man.Utd finished in 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, during Alex Ferguson's first years as manager. It's a worthwhile exercise in keeping one's spirits up!

Chris Cornell

�2003 ToffeeWeb