Fans Comment
Phil Roberts

Shattering a Dream
21/2/05

Gravedigger: It's hard to see how the club could have held onto him

Firstly, that since Gravesen left we have trod water and the dream of Champions League football that we talked about over the last crumbs of the Christmas Pudding are fading and that a UEFA cup spot may be the crumbs we talk about by the end of May.

Secondly, the club were so money conscious that they would trade in this prized asset now rather than look at the long term and keep Thomas to the end of the season and reap even bigger rewards by the player being fundamental in retaining a place in the top 4.

The one fact missing from all of this “Let’s blame the club/Kenwright/Wyness/Moyes” approach is the player himself.

Firstly, whilst we think we are the greatest club in the world and would play for no other, then much as we hate to admit this, this view is not shared by most of the population who were not chosen to be Evertonians. And amongst the people who are employed to walk onto a football pitch and kick the ball, then in terms of greatest achievement, Real Madrid is about as good as it can get. It is a bit difficult to find an analogy in other business, but if the best company in the world came to you and said they want you to work for them, wouldn’t you want to leave and go to work for that company?

Now that was the situation Thomas Gravesen was in. But he had a problem. He had to wait 6 months while he worked out his notice with his current employers. Now for Thomas, this would not have been so bad, but it became obvious that whilst Real Madrid wanted to employ him, as during the interview he was considered the best candidate for the job, they really could not leave the job open for 6 months. So they told him there was another candidate for the job and he would take it if Thomas didn’t. What a choice? A once in a lifetime chance to work at the best company in the world but he was tied to a contract for 6 months. How would he ever explain that to his grandchildren. Yes I nearly played for Real Madrid but I had a contract with Everton. You can just hear the little treasures in 30 years time saying “Yes Granddad, we believe you. Mum, when is Granddad going back to his home, he is hallucinating again”.

And now put yourself in his position. “Mr Moyes, I would like to achieve a lifetime ambition. I have a once in a lifetime chance to play for Real Madrid. Will you let me leave?” The reply is one of two choices.

The one that was given “Yes Thomas, you can go but we are going to get as much as we can for you”.

The one that was not. “No Thomas we need you. I am sorry, you cannot go and you can find yourself another club in the summer if you decide not to stay here. I am sorry you will never be able to play for what some people think is the greatest club in the world.” And your reaction if this was said to you, your dream shattered, your chance to reach the pinnacle snatched away?

Well mine would be to go on the most massive sulk for the next 5 months. We have people believing that this season I make the total difference between Everton coming 4th and 14th in the table and this is how they treat me. Well I am leaving in the summer so if I can’t have my dream, they can’t have theirs. How else can I show my displeasure. I have nothing to lose. I could always pick up a few niggles that means I can have it easy for a few weeks and pick up the salary. But why should I work my socks off for this crowd?

Did this second scenario not go through the minds of Moyes/Wyness/Kenwright? Of course it did.

Of course Moyes is a great motivator, but there is no way I would have even broken sweat for someone who shatters my dream of a lifetime. Believe it, If he had stayed, Gravesen would only have been half the player he was in the first part of the season.

So please, no more “We couldn’t resist the money”. The truth is “He couldn’t resist Real Madrid” Simple as that, our club played a very bad hand very well.

And please no "we should have tied him in earlier". Do you think they didn't try? So no "they didn't act soon enough and that is why they had a bad hand". Furthermore, how many of you really wanted us to sign a new contract with him after his performances in the 2003-4 season? Anyone of you?

So please no more criticism on this one (Other issues probably!).

Phil  Roberts

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