Fans Comment
Anthony Newell

What Lies Ahead?  Some Analysis Of My Own
27 April 2005

Having been a regular reader of this website for some time, I decided it was time to assert some views of my own.  This is not an essay or thesis by any means but addresses some salient issues.  By the way, Rob Fox, if you are writing your dissertations in work time, fair play to you!

I have to say that, first off, the Birmingham game was a huge disappointment for me.  Whilst my pulse was racing at a level comparable to a boat race rower during the last 20 minutes of the United game, I affirmed in my usual style afterwards that it would be worth nothing if we couldn’t get the three points against Brum at home.

Sure enough, points were lost... bringing back memories of similar wastefulness at home to Charlton and Blackburn.  What we would give for those points now to save us reaching for the valium.  However, an aged Everton punter like myself is not naïve enough to have the medicine cabinet unsuitably stocked at this point in the season.  Thankfully, our lovable red friends managed to implode against Palace whilst the Trotters' point retained some breathing space.  I dare not think what my Saturday night would have felt like if both of these had won!

I have never been one to understand why you would change a winning side and rest players that had produced a fantastic result then bring those same players on later on in the game to try and salvage the situation.  I am not one to question Moyes but I would have thought that giving Wednesday night’s adrenalin-assisted heroes a chance to kick-on for 45 minutes would have been a better policy.

It is my opinion that you should try and win a game from the 1st minute.  The likes of Bent, Ferguson and Watson could have been rested after a full 45-minute shift then replaced by Osman and Beattie as and when.

The game against Brum highlights a number of themes, some of which have been apparent for a while, others more short-lived.  I will address each in turn:

Beattie – Waste of money?

The likes of Alan Green (whom I will return to later) would have you believe that this guy is the biggest white elephant known to mankind.   I tend to file opinions like this in the jealousy / wishful-thinking category.  Morientes has hardly done much better and let’s not forget how long it took to get a decent season out of Barmby at a comparable fee.  I am not suggesting we should be similarly patient but I do believe the lad (God, I feel old saying that) should be given the time he needs.

I have a funny feeling that Beattie may be trying too hard to impress and justify his fee; he needs to relax a bit more.  Fair play to him, though, for getting himself in contention for the Man Utd game after his lay-off.  To be honest, the only thing that rankles with me since he joined (the head-butting incident aside) was to go out on the lash in Brum after the Villa result.  It hardly smacks of high IQ levels.

I am of the firm belief that, given a decent pre-season, new players, and a longer term change of system, we will begin to reap the dividends from our investment.  A suitable and regular strike partner would assist no end and I just can’t get Robbie Keane out of my head.  Pound for pound, I expect a better return from Beattie than Big Dunc — which brings me nicely to the next theme:

Duncan, Contract Renewals – Who / How long?

As the saying goes, what a difference a week can make.  It wasn’t very long back that certain commentators were calling for Dunc to be ousted from Goodison.  I have always maintained a soft spot ever since his Derby debut and the original shirt-swirling heroics against Man Utd.  However, I have not forgotten how much the club has spent on this player’s ‘down time’ and has suffered due to his ill-discipline.  Let’s get some perspective here before clamouring to dish out another year’s gravy.

My view is this: any decision on giving Duncan a further contract should wait until the Summer.  Hopefully he can notch a couple against his old Geordie friends in the meantime.  I trust Moyes to put sentiment aside when making a decision to offer a contract and the terms within it.  If Dunc’s efforts do help us acquire the much coveted fourth place then I would regard this effort as only partially commensurate to the wages already racked up to conduct his investments in Freshfields.

As far as the contracts of other players are concerned, it’s easier to say who you would be willing to let go than who you want to stay.  For me, it’s the end of the line for Pistone.  Although he has defended well on occasions this season (it’s been a long time coming), his ball distribution is woeful and footballing brain the size of a peanut.  There have been times when I thought the guy has been a genuine liability (West Brom away for one).  It’s heartening that Moyes recognises this and hauled him off against Brum.  However, Naysmith is no great shakes either.

The problem we face is that forays into Europe are going to demand a larger squad, which necessitates keeping some players around longer than we would have liked — give Stubbs and Weir another year.  Ultimately, we need quicker and younger replacements.  We would be shooting ourselves in the foot not to retain the services of these two if we needed them whilst bedding in replacements.  Steve Watson should be foregone to keep Arteta, who could be a useful addition if acquired at a fee of £2.5 million, say.  I’ve nothing against Watson, but the Summer is a time to start raising the quality of our personnel.  I also hope Osman does not slip through our hands due to contract wranglings.

Transfers

Who to bring in?  A quality left-back to replace Pistone/Naysmith.  No immediate names spring to mind but if we got Michael Ball back I wouldn’t be too disappointed.  In addition, the centre-back positions need addressing: a partner or two for Yobo.  Further craft, guile and creativity in midfield is an absolute must, whether it be central or on the wings.  An enigmatic distributor of the ball is absolutely essential if we are to break down teams and alleviate ourselves from some of the dour stalemates we have had to endure.  Though Gravesen performed this role for a short time admirably, I am sure Moyes can find alternative replacements out there.

Referring back to improving the overall quality, that standard must also apply to McFadden and Kilbane.  I can’t say I would be cock-a-hoop at the arrival of Simon Davies but somebody in the Rosicky mould would be more the ticket.  Finally, the need for a pacey 20-goal-a-season striker upfront to accompany Beattie is a no-brainer.  Again, nobody immediate springs to mind but I’m sure Moyes already has names on his shopping list.  So, were going to be very busy spending money in the Summer... right?

Investment in the Club / Qualification for Europe

There have been times in the past when I have been sick to my stomach at the lack of funding offered to kick-on after periods of short-term success – the season before last; after the cup in ’95.  This Summer can and must change all this.  I think Kenwright has realised that Moyes is not the type to continue with the role unless his blueprint gets bankrolled.  Speaking of Kenwright, I am glad that he has disappeared into the shadows once more, his Vaughan comments aside.

I can only hope that Blue Bill has been working tirelessly on an alternative investment proposition and has told Fortress from fantasy land to sod off.  Even if they did come back, would we realistically let them buy into our club now on their previous valuation?  I know Bill has a tendency to say things to make you squirm in your seat with embarrassment but I do believe he would not sell us short on this front.  I hope my words do not come back to haunt me...

To lose hold of fourth place now would be a sickener so late on.  Although I settled for Premiership safety following the Arsenal pummelling, I admit it: I am now greedy, though my sensible head says that Uefa qualification represents a magnificent achievement this season.  My greed and desire is not driven by the potential riches offered by the Champions League but the opportunity to ram the following words down a certain person’s throat “Everton, for the Champions League?!  I’m sure the rest of Europe must be quaking in their boots”.

Yes, our lovable red friend Mr Alan Green.  I have no qualms in saying the following to the likes of you: may I remind you that if wasn’t for the shower that you loosely show your allegiance too getting us banned from Europe we would have been making many a European club side quake in their boots.  Your commentary during the Palace and Goodison derby matches was scandalous.  I pray that we get the fourth spot so that you and the other doubters who wrote us off at the beginning of the season have to endure particularly unpleasant tastes in your mouths when you speak or have to write of Everton’s European games next season.

Bring it on, Mr Moyes!

Anthony Newell

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