Season 2011-12 Fan Articles

We must all get behind David Moyes

I have been a long term fan of this site and although I admittedly do not contribute to it too often I check it several times a day for updates and to gauge other fans opinions. It has become apparent over the last few years (however even more so over the last few months and weeks) that there are two clear types of Evertonian on this site. Both want the absolute utmost for their team; however, unfortunately although they are both singing from the same hymn sheet, they are reading opposite sides.

I refer to the fact that there are fans who have witnessed the glory days of the 80s, the marvel of Stevens and Sheedy on the wing, the lionhearted Sharp and Gray up top, and the wondrous Big Nev in goal. They have seen football can be played simply and that players can be acquired for small fees and made into top performers. They cannot understand why we do not go out and take our football to the opposing team. Maybe we will get beat more often than not by a heavy scoreline but maybe we will surprise a few teams in the process.

Then there are those like myself who were either too young to remember the eighties teams or were born too late. We have grown up on the likes of Mike Walker, Howard Kendall Mk III, and Walter Smith. Boring dour football, constant relegation battles and poor players (read Gerrard, Tyler, Barrett, Short, Thomson, Thomas, Gascoigne, Madar, Ginola etc). David Moyes was a breath of fresh air when he first came into the club; his ?People?s Club? anecdotes and ability to constantly perform miracles on a tiny budget were an outstanding achievement.

The problem now falls with the situation we have been sliding towards for the last few years (to those with the foresight to see it) and the culmination of the problems that we now bear witness to. For too long now, a lack of investment in the playing squad has left David Moyes with the unenviable task of performing miracles on a shoestring budget. He has constantly had to sell his best players to placate the banks and then had to replace them with unknowns, those fallen by the wayside at their current clubs and young hopefuls. He has done this job fantastically well, leading us to some very impressive finishes considering the finances and players available at his disposition. However, it was simply a matter of time before what was an unfeasible job became an impossible one.

This season, shorn of Arteta, Pienaar (who left last season I know but his absence has been felt this season), and an out-of-form squad, Moyes has struggled to compete with the rest of the league. I am aware that we have just lost to three big teams, however, I honestly believe that no matter who Moyes would have started, the results would have been the same.

David Moyes has proven time and time again that he is the best man for the very particular job that is Everton Football Club. I honestly do not believe that there is anybody out there who could do a better job in this moment in time. I sympathise with those who say he is defensive and does not attack as much as he should, I am inclined to agree with you. There are times that I wish he would just go for it and see what happens but the league tables over the last few years show that he gets it right more than he gets it wrong.

There is no time now for knee-jerk reactions and for cries of Holloway, Dowie and God know whoever else is out there. Both factions know where the other is coming from; it is up to us to pull together to support the team and the manager, and to really push for the investment that is needed to drag this once great team once more back up the league.

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