Smith did make some good signings though in Dacourt, Materazzi, Carsley and I always thought Tal was a half-decent player but there were also a lot of bad ones like Ginola, Nyarko and Gascoigne to name but a few. I can remember some high-scoring games during his management and there was the exciting emergence of Jeffers and his partnership with Campbell. Richard Dunne was looking like a decent prospect and Hutchinson for me was our most important player, linking up well in midfield with Dacourt, Gemmill and Barmby.
I couldn't understand why Smith refused to offer Hutchinson a new and improved contract and brought in Gascoigne as a replacement. Before you know it we've got a team resembling Dad's Army, the exciting prospect of watching a defender being played as a striker, and a manager refusing to buy or bring through young players. And then there were the television interviews from Bellefield which on grey, rainy days should have come with some kind of guidance warning before being broadcast.
Now flash forward to this pre-season and we have a squad as good as any in the Premier League and better than at least 16 other clubs. We have a team spirit second to no one. The squad has a good blend of youth and world class, experienced players; the players Moyes has brought in this season look like they can play a bit and score goals.
We have two players who could walk into any first team in the Premier League but have stated their love and desire to play for our club; we have two of our best football kits (home and away) since the Puma kits from about eight years ago... and there is no more Kirby bullshit to worry about. Happy days eh?
Moyes has made some mistakes as all managers do but he has assembled a squad of real talent that I suspect will get stronger with his ability to spot a young star in the making. When I look back at those grey old days of Smith, I realise how grateful I am for what Moyes is doing.
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On the Walter Smith issue I thought at the time we would be better off going down. It was depressing and Richard you're right it was 'grey'. He made some terrible mistakes but at the same time he was let down by Collins, Barmby & Ball especially.
This season should be interesting!
First of all, I would make it clear that I would not wish Walter to be back. In my view, he did a fine job with, compared to David Moyes, buttons to spend. He behaved with dignity, he kept a club in utter turmoil in the Premier League and was treated badly.
Secondly, Walter is a winner. Yes, of course it was in Scotland, where, according to many on this site, anyone can succeed. Well, have a look at those who have tried in that pressured environment and failed. Martin O'Neill, for whom I have the utmost respect, would testify to how hard it is to do well in Glasgow.
Also, Walter Smith took a side who wouldn't have been in the top twenty in Britain to the final of the Europa League; he deserves respect from Evertonians.We now have, in your words, the leadership of a superb manager. A manager who I admire but who has won nothing. We have gone, in more than eight years, from a skint club who won nothing to..... er a skint club who have won nothing.
David Moyes has built a good squad and I want success as much as any Evertonian. We can achieve that this year but how about some realism?
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