Season 2011-12 Fan Articles

Time to change your philosophy, Mr Moyes

It?s highly improbable that a contribution on a website such as this can bring about any significant change to the footballing philosophy of David Moyes. He is his own man, and I have no doubt that his own ego is enough to convince him that he is the best man for the job. It is also my opinion that he is not the kind of person that would take kindly to a mere supporter such as myself questioning his managerial acumen. The financial restrictions under which he has been forced to work within have undoubtedly made the task of creating and then keeping a team that can transmit his philosophy out onto the football field a difficult and somewhat fraught one indeed. However, after 10 years in charge, am I the only person who is still to fathom exactly what philosophy David Moyes follows?

I watched my first game at Goodison park when David Moyes would have been six years old. I have followed Everton home and away and spent more money watching the Blues than I dare to recall. I have seen some good times and more than my share of bad times. I don?t possess any coaching badges or certificates from the FA, I have never attended any sort of FA sponsored advanced tactical courses or participated in any football managers seminars. However, the fact that I have attended more Everton games than David Moyes ? albeit from the terraces and not the dugout ? entities me to offer a personal opinion on why I find watching the current Everton team to be as about as inspiring and entertaining as watching snooker on tv with the sound turned down whilst blindfolded!

I sat through the Stoke game and watched Everton pass the ball neatly in our own half but as soon as we ventured into the opposing half we run out of ideas. We pass the ball out wide, we get closed down... then it comes back to the middle, we get closed down... then it goes back out wide until eventually patience wears thin and a hopeful cross is put into the middle which is dealt with comfortably by a well drilled defence... we then win the ball back after a counter attack of sorts and the whole process is repeated with such monotonous frequency that after-match conversation is limited and discussed ad nauseam .

When Stoke had a corner in the second half (don't forget, we were already one-nil down), we had eleven men back defending; when the ball broke to Coleman, he set off with great pace, racing out of our own half... sadly he was the furthest player forward and he had nobody to pass to and was eventually forced off the ball by three Stoke defenders.

Additionally, whilst we were chasing the game, Moyes took off the one striker on the pitch and replaced him with another. I felt sorry for Vellios, he is only 19, relatively inexperienced, and was expected to battle it out on his own with the likes of experienced hardened defenders such as Huth and Woodgate. Then you get smart-arses on here saying that Vellios is not the answer! Here is a novel idea: when we are chasing the game, why not put on an extra forward, or am I being far too progressive here with my thinking?

If the Stoke game was a one-off and just 'one of those days', then I can accept that. But sadly this type of performance has become the norm and something needs to change before more and more fans get bored with what they are seeing. Our attendances are falling and, whilst I accept that the harsh financial environment we find ourselves in is being reflected by many football clubs, I am convinced that if we were producing an entertaining brand of football that inspired those who are able to turn up to Goodison, then we wouldn?t lose any further fans and we may even attract a few more.

I have alluded that change is needed but please don?t take that as a signal that I am calling for the immediate sacking of David Moyes. In an ideal world, I would love to see Everton return to playing a brand of football that gets me off my feet with David Moyes in charge. We have seen some performances from his teams that have been inspiring so we know that this is possible but why can?t we see it more often? There is a problem here and to every problem there is a solution, it is up to the manager to find the solution and if he fails in this duty over a prolonged period of time then there are only two options available. Either he accepts that his current plan/philosophy is not working and he tries to change it with a radical re-think, or the problem is taken away from him and somebody else is given a go at coming up with a solution.

I have already stated that the financial restrictions he is working with hamper him somewhat, so please don?t throw the Kenwright lack of investment argument to muddy this discussion as this cannot be used as an excuse for Moyes to hide behind. Additionally, those that bring this to his defence are deluding themselves and have allowed themselves to be corrupted by the turbulent wave of negativity that is threatening to engulf Goodison Park emanating from within the club and not those that support the club. This website has been accused of being overtly negative in the past, but this website is basically written by a section of fans that only have the best interest of the club at heart. We may disagree with each other and that is a healthy prerogative. However, I cannot accept the recent totally uninspiring utterances attributed to David Moyes as being helpful at all.

As a fan, I don?t want the manager to tell me that my expectations are too high, I want to go into every season believing that we can win the league. Yes, maybe it is I who is now deluded but, at least if we can?t win the league, I want a manager who at least believes that every game is winnable and sends out his players with the confidence and the tactics that give us a chance of winning. The recent soundbites coming from Moyes reek of defeatism and I don?t like it.

It?s time to change your football philosophy whatever it may be, Mr Moyes, because, sooner rather than later, the fans will grow restless and see through the cleverly disguised excuses that you have started to use all too often. It?s time for you to show some true leadership and return to the principles that you demonstrated when you first took over this football club. Whatever happened to the manager who stated that he wanted fit young players who were proud to represent The People's Club?

I believed in you once, Mr Moyes, you are in a position that thousands of Evertoninas would love to be in. Cut out this negative "I am a realist" crap. Eighth isn?t the best that we can achieve; winning the league is the best that we can achieve ? we only play one game at a time and every game is winnable. We have Tamworth coming to Goodison Park for a game that we all know we should win at a canter. We are all aware that we have outspent Tamworth by millions and our quality should tell. But I bet the Tamworth manager tells his players to go out and have a real go at us, and you know what, sometimes the team who wants it more and shows the desire to win can often overcome the odds. You see it?s all about belief, Mr Moyes.

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