Fans Comment
Colin Dempsey

All that glitters is not gold
21/01/04

David Moyes: team ethic

Since the last 'window' closed, I have felt quite warm and comfortable in my seat at Goodison.  Just a straightforward match to enjoy, tough tackling, passion and direction — and all the great things that Everton have become well noted for this season.

I have become much more a fan of the team as have the players become... well, more of a team.  The cutting down of individual player chants before the game (one less now, Tommy!) and a rise in the vocal support that follows any significant moment in the game — especially when we have gone a goal down — has been most significant recently.

I am not sure that I realised it until this season, but I think the atmosphere was beginning to go from Goodison.

It is back now — and even our record signing appearing on the pitch didn't raise the roof; it was more of a welcoming to what is Goodison Park — a ground that is alive and hyped from 10 minutes before kick-off and carried into the street after the match.

To me there are no names on shirts anymore; just Everton players.

Much has been written about Gravesen leaving last week; I can understand why that is a problem for some and not for others.  All I can think of is that we won't run around with ten men on Saturday.  There will be eleven, giving their all — of that, I am certain.

What the Gravesen transfer said to me is that we have reached a certain level as a club.  There are clubs with lots of money interested in our players and, if they are willing to pay a certain price, the players will go.  They will then be replaced; the next player who fills the position will enter a great team and will no doubt raise his profile — and have his value increased.  Everton put Gravesen into that 'wanted' position.  They have put Stubbs, Weir, Kilbane, Osman ... all into great bargaining positions.  David Moyes has done that.  The question is — have they the brains to work that out?

Arsenal have made a fortune by bringing in players, increasing their value and then moving them on.  Manchester United spent a fortune but their true value has always lay in Giggs, Beckham, Scholes, the Nevilles...  whether they cashed in or not.  Leeds leapt up the table with Harte, Kewell, Smith, Bowyer and Woodgate; Liverpool have made a fortune on Fowler, Owen and Gerrard.  Every club I believe gets a chance to make their way up the table.  It is just a question of stick or twist.

For the point of argument, we have cashed in on Rooney to the tune of £20million, brought in another England centre-forward who will help on the pitch, and have increased our value as a club by £14 million.  We can cash in on Gravesen and then respond by looking at the variables.

If we can bring in a player who can add value by making the step up (Andy Reid, for argument's sake), we will have done our job.  In a year or two, we will have a new star helping us move forward; then we can cash in on him when an inflated offer is made — or keep him to continue to star.  The key is not to be in a position of weakness and always be compensated.

As long as nobody panics or looks for a quick fix then you can close the gap with rich clubs very quickly.  The real money is not made by a Chairman, it is still made from transfer fees and keeping wages realistic.

I would not give players extensions on inflated wages no matter what they have done this year.  Then they would be simply undoing the good work they have done for the club.

If the Chairman and Board are 'on the level' with the manager (we live in hope!), then there should always be a pot of money.  Everton just need to sign, as Moyes says, 'the best players available'.  I would not run out to buy a replacement midfielder if they are not quality or are over-priced... we could bring in a quality centre-half or centre-forward if they are a better value proposition.  Keep the options open.

If nobody is available, put the £2.5 million and add it to the £14 million left from the other sale, keep doing this and suddenly you can move for the kill when the time is right.  So long as the quality on the pitch hasn't fallen too far, which the loss of one player should never cause, there is the chance to snap up a quality target when the market is at a low.

Everton should look at all times what is best for the club as a whole.  Using the money on transfers to appease the fans is just pure Leeds United.  I would feel satisfied to see money spread across to a Youth Academy..  clear the debts if you are up front about it...  but please publish our transfer (agent) fees from then on and see that the money is not going out of the club unduly.

This season has been a reminder that it is Everton that is important to me, and safeguarding the future at the top level for future generations to enjoy is really all that matters.  Sell, buy... buy or sell, but just don't put us in the hands of dubious characters, on the pitch, during transfers or ones that come from far away lands bearing gifts at Christmas.

All that glitters is not gold.  To win a derby on a cold dark December afternoon is!

Colin Dempsey

Oh dear... some misconceptions there, I fear, Colin.  Firstly, it';s only £10 million, not £20 million.  Man United have only paid £10 million for Rooney.  If they eventually cough up the second tranche (not due until August... but see Glasgow Rangers FC: How to renegotiate a Done Deal: Part 1), then it may become £20 million.

Now... you think there is £14 million left?  Sorry to bust your happy bubble there, but the first £10 million went to pay off some mysterious "additional borrowings" that appeared on the books around last February.  The money for Beattie was probably drawn against the next £10 million...  At best, there may be £6 million left in Davie's coffers... if that.

Hope this helps. — ToffeeWeb Editor

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