Season 2011-12 Fan Articles

A Brief History of Failed Expectations

By Nick   Entwistle  ::  19/05/2012   57 Comments (»Last) For all those poor starts and dour surrenders, there are the scintillating runs and fantastic nights under floodlights. So, whether a glass half-empty may deny a section of Blues supporters this viewpoint, it is arguable that, since the investment in new players in 2006, the Champions League has been within touching distance each and every season.

The culmination of the three Europa League years, the strongest side from Moyes?s decade in charge, was good enough to promote the hushed whispers of possible success leading into the 2010-11 season ? up to the all-out brazen chest-beating of some with "We?re going to win the league!"

Proving all too literal the old adage, talk paved the way for a stagnating run of four transfer windows without a single first-team purchase. Europe was no longer achieved and, among others, the lynchpins Cahill, Arteta and Saha ? players riding the crest of their careers ? saw their Everton form plummet.

It was in contrast a different time for Everton that built towards their Europa League era. Howard, Lescott and Johnson arrived in 2006 to complete Kenwright?s ?triangle? of signings for a combined £14M: 6th place ensued.

Following up in 2007 with Baines, Yakubu and Jagielka for £21M and 5th, the summer of 2008 saw Pienaar?s loan turn permanent for £2M. Arriving too, and serenaded by the last ticks of the clock, was the eight-figure transfer record of Fellaini, funded by the laughably ridiculous £10M swindle of Johnson to Fulham and the hand rubbing glory of McFadden to Birmingham in the previous window for £5M.

Ending the season once again in 5th and just 9 points from Champions League qualification, excitement for the following season was understandable as the summer?s Lescott debacle at least provided funds for Moyes to sign Bilyaletdinov, Distin, Heitinga... and the short but profitable stay of Lucas Neil.

Yet, throughout these high points, the quality and squad depth provoked continued calls for significant investment, papered over by loan signings, each summer to try and close that gap between Everton and Champions League qualification. This was at a time when every semi-final in the world?s premier club competition seemed to exist entirely for the benefit of the teams finishing directly above Everton in the league.

Despite these calls heading into the summer of 2010, fans in the very least expected the same level of transfer activity. But, over the next four windows only Beckford, Mucha, Gueye and Vellios were to show for a top club with high finishes, big crowds, average wage bill, in by far the richest league in the world. A seemingly perfect opportunity, with Benitez?s virtual relegation of Liverpool from the Champion?s League, to enter into the elite was surrendered meekly ? passed over, to Spurs and City, through fire sales and halted ambition.

The 2009-10 season saw a finish of 8th, again only 9 points behind 4th, but stoically, David Moyes without a signing kept the gap between Everton and a Champions League place to 14 points in 2010-11 and 13 points in the season just past. This is only just down on the previous four seasons when gaps of 9, 9, 11 and 10 points reflected the stability by way of the transfer market.

This season past, January?s deals showed what Moyes can bring to Everton when there is room for manoeuvre in the transfer market. Champions League form has the excitement building once again as fans head into the summer?s window with eyes on who could, even should, be added to compliment the excellent Jelavic, the third tightest defence in the Premier League, and a midfield that finally works.

But bolstered by players in on loan, the Everton of today could not hope for the spending of 2006 and 2007, when expenditure far outstripped player sales. Naysmith, Beattie, Kilbane and Davies providing £10M during these years... Nor are they the Everton of 2009 who could reinvest up to and including the last penny of the massive Lescott fee.

The Everton of today are the same, if not worse, than last year?s vintage: selling off Pienaar, Arteta, Vaughn, Yakubu and Beckford for £17M, and not a penny did the manager see.

For so long, Everton curtailed their potential in reaching the Champions League, the next step up from this ?small time? existence, as significant investment evaded the hands of David Moyes. I know of nothing that will change that this summer. Everton have only two permanent signings from January and their lack of depth is frightening with the latest round of player releases.

Only the residual value from Bilyaletdinov, a goodbye to Saha?s wages, and I?m sure a good deal of fist-banging from Moyes on the desk of Kenwright in January did allow for the reinforcements who in turn re-ignited the hopes the fans now hold for the summer. Yet it is unknown whether the funds are even there to bring back the all important Pienaar on a permanent basis. The £17M has long gone to the banks...

Even Lescott-sized fees in exchange for Everton?s few remaining assets would not guarantee reinvestment on any level. If the ?Baines for £5M? rumours are even half true, the bigger clubs will knowingly come calling with half-empty pockets, while the Everton Board of Directors will be in no position to hold out for full market value.

The window of opportunity in qualifying for the Champions League is wider now and easier than it has been since the inception and dominance of the Sky 4: Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea, Newcastle and Liverpool will be vying for 3rd and 4th next season but, like the Premier League era as a whole, I fear Everton will miss the boat entirely unless Moyes is magically gifted the funds to make a competitive difference.

The Champions League final signals the start of my summer fast from football news and headlines. Yes, I will watch the Euros with all their excitement, but I will stay clear of all rumours and rumblings that greet my eyes or ears... even pub talk.

I will log back on to ToffeeWeb as usual one week before Everton?s opening fixture and immediately look for the new signings. I expect and fear though a repeat of the last two summers, as there is but a simple fact: There Is No Money! And what Everton do make in sales, the banks want.

How people expect the luxury of cherry-picking players which comes with the spending of money is beyond me; yet I will hope, as always, for the glory of Champions League qualification ? but I expect the loan market will undoubtedly have to provide that.

Roll on next season; another Drenthe awaits?

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