Who's driving the Bus?

I wrote this article yesterday evening and left it to read over again this morning (29 January 2020) before submitting. Two things have happened in that time that I'd like to draw attention to:

i) I saw the pictures today of the cowardly and disgraceful attack on Ed Woodward's home. We are Evertonians, not Man Utd thugs, and in advocating action in my article, I am emphatically not meaning violent action against anyone, individually or collectively.

ii) Paul the Esk has submitted another excellent piece and, while there are some overlaps with his article, I have decided to leave mine as it was last night as I don't think there is any verbatim rehash of Paul's words.

Can you comment of the structure of the club on the inside. Not the boardroom and executive level, but the administrators and middle-management. I hear, rumours and hearsay of course, that the club is infused with cliques that prohibit it running smoothly. Also, despite being a private company, it has a lot of flaws of local government with people designing fiefdoms to rule over, that do not actually do anything, and lots of people getting well paid (by everyday standards) to do a job that is not necessary to the running of a football club. I hear the (non-football) staff is bloated and needs streamlining. I hear that if you wish to progress up the chain at Everton (on the non-football side) then you will find it difficult unless you have connections to the key members of these cliques, and anyone questioning whether roles are actually necessary within the club quickly find themselves moved on. I also hear that rules and regulations you would associate with an office (ie shouting at a work colleague would be a disciplinary matter) are creeping into the football side and certain prominent coaches have found themselves being reported for being too aggressive with young players they feel are not pulling their weight.

Care to (carefully) comment?

Financial mis-management of the highest order.

Paul 'The Esk' has been writing about the state the club's finances are in for a couple of years, and is often dubbed 'Mr Misery' for simply telling the truth.

I'm afraid the chickens have well and truly come home to roost.

Meanwhile, 'little Miss Dynamite' is planning the next charity slalom from the roof of the Main Stand...breathtaking developments at senior level.

You couldn't make it up.

Maybe that should be the title for this article, its certainly applies to the Everton board!

This stems from the Moyes era, where the belief was fostered that we were a well-run club that only needed 'money'. Wrong. We were an unambituous club congratulating itself for being vaguely competitive.

Like most good managers, Moshiri cleatly recruits and lets them get on with it. Unfortunately he hasn't recruited very well and is too tolerant of the board he inherited. The most interesting thing he said was recently when he let slip that he was spending more time on EFC than he'd like. I hope that means he knows we need more heavy-duty business presence on the board.

I'm regularly being asked by fans of other clubs for my thoughts on Ancelotti. My reply is always the same. He'll do a great job if the club let's him.

The club must change, unless 'The Everton Way' is nothing more than an unachieving, unambiguous old person's network.

Keep up your good work, Gerard.

Instead we get appointments like Prof DBB, that screams of kenwrights touchy feely sentimentality and misty eyed theatrics.

We need some killer hardnosed people in that boardroom, not bullshitters and story tellers. In all big companies the culture of the workplace is set by those at the top,

I'm sorry but my opinion is that we actually were a well run club that needed money when we had Moyes. What other team finished as high as we did with such low investment? The answer is none.

When we finally got the investment we had no captain to steer the ship, sorry l mean driver to drive the bus.

We go from Martinez to Koeman, and get Walsh in... after that we've been chasing our tail. Different tactics and strategy's and l can only point the finger at Moshiri. We should count our lucky stars he has a big round rich friend. Otherwise we'd be up shits creek. I'm not purposely rolling out cliches but they all seem to fit.

Anyway, it could be worse. We could be Leeds or QPR.

We have seen also seen an excess of injuries l have not known of before covering the last few years. We have to let these younger players mature and they are thankful now showing signs of what they are capable of. We get rid of a few that aren't firing, if we can, get a couple in... anyway we are not as far away as it looked like a few weeks ago.

Oh, and l do like the work we've seen on BMD.

I forgot, we also have Ancelotti now, l think things are looking up.

The clubs spending more than us were Newcastle (who had got into Europe after Pardew's decent season), Aston Villa (who were actually joint level with us and were in full Randy Lerner meltdown mode) and Sunderland (who were sowing the seeds of their own subsequent meltdown).

Everton's wage bill was in line with were they finished. Occasionally clubs overstretched themselves and spent more, and note the three that did all went down with financial issues shortly afterwards. Are you really sure that we were a well run club? It always seemed to me that we were a less badly run club than others.

Just two examples of Kenwright talking, one from a couple of years ago at an Everton AGM, talking about Moshiri “He's the man who keeps giving, whatever I ask him for he provides” Was Kenwright giving or providing any sensible advice in return, doesn't look like it, going by the books.

The second one was more recent, talking about Graeme Sharp on his appointment as ambassador for the club he said as part of the speech “ You can't kid Evertonians” without a trace of irony or modesty, for once in your life Billy you don't know how good you are,You can't kid Evertonians? Speaking for myself, you can't kid some of us that's for sure.

Even “ little miss dynamite” cringed when you called her that, a couple of weeks ago, she nearly blew herself up.

We were once upon a time considered a very well run stable club in the Moyes era.

It only seems to have gone to pot since Moshiri came in and we started firing managers after 1.5 seasons. You cant argue Moshiris investment and the work towards the new stadium.

But a more cohesive pragmatic slow building process on the playing side is what's been needed. If anything you can argue Moshiri has tried to rush things a bit too much. Which is why we have a bloated disjointed squad full of mercenaries. Ancelotti has been handed the keys to a squad mishandled by two previous managers and DOF's.

Since Moshiri took over, we have been ambitious, we have tried and like all the big clubs, we've got plenty wrong. Now we have a proven manager and BMD coming, the club has to snap out of its sleep and function like a truly ambitious, winning business. And I don't think we'll do that with Teary Bill & Miss Dynamite at the helm.

#6 Steve, #10 Paul #12 Daniel - agree totally also.

The question that admittedly I don't have an answer to is how do we turn fan opinion around when many believe we are progressing?

Paul T, when Moshiri, said he was spending too much time on Everton, I was hoping it was a call to his master, telling him he needs more help!

The thing that stood out most was when Gerard says, FFP, should not have just crept up on us, and been a big surprise, although even having all these top people on board, probably wouldn't have made much difference, the way Walsh and Koeman acted, but it will definitely make a difference in the future, and now we have got a genuine world class manager, hopefully we will now see similar changes, with better qualified people being brought in to help, off the pitch as well?

What's the bottom line?

There is only one final authority at the club now, isn't there? What are you advocating that the fan base should do to convince a multibillionare businessman that this organization (on which he wants to spend less time) needs wholesale changes? Write letters? Emails? March around Goodison with banners and chant?

I'm not trying to be disrespectful here -- I genuinely want to know. When I read a sentence like "It's time for us to demand the recruitment of experienced business people..." my first thought is, fine. How?

And what makes Moshiri pay attention to "demands"? As Paul #18 points out, it's not like he's facing an uprising from a unanimously outraged fan base, because "many believe we are progressing."

I look forward to educated responses to an uneducated question.

When there are truly mitigating circumstances for failures out on the pitch, Evertonians are generally more patient than many other similar sized or larger clubs supporters perhaps moreso than can be reasonably expected.

Only certain clubs are able to successfully remove unwanted owners or regimes because the media are willing to aid and abet them because those working in the media also believe that those certain clubs have a god given right to success. We don't have that level of support outside of the club and I'm uncertain that Evertonians in general, are that way inclined, and they certainly don't believe that they have a god given right to win trophies.

Mostly we realise and probably always have realised that it's all about the players in the team at any given time, as it is they, and probably they alone, who will either bring smiles or grimaces to our faces depending upon their levels of performances and results. Which, possibly explains why the players get it in the neck more at Everton, when things are going badly, but are made gods when things are going well.

Evertonians are very able to recognise good players and good teams and Blues also know when a player or a team either isn't good enough or aren't giving of their best for the cause.

Whether, Everton teams are restricted by the perceived failures of the board, management or structure of the club is open to debate - we really don't have enough evidence either way to make a judgement call. That's not to say that mistakes haven't been made of course they have, but is it really down to the unsuitability of those in charge or is it merely due to bad fortune?

Very few people know how any club is run, which employees are worth their salary or whether the board members are of the quality required to push the club forward. As much as Everton is our club, we have very little say in how it is run or who runs it - the only evidence we see and which we can comment on with any confidence, is out there on the pitch.

What I will say, is that Mr Moshiri, stated right at the beginning of his reign that there was a small window of opportunity to propel the club forward, he and the board along with others gambled and failed to make it work - we are now paying the price for that wasted wager - where we are in twelve to eighteen months time will tell us more about the people in charge and whether they are capable or not. We have to hope that they are more than capable, because if they aren't, we could be in a rather larger hole in the future. Like on any bus, we can always get off at any point that suits us, or we can stay on board and try to enjoy the ride.

I had to get new tyres on my car this morning, and as I drove past Goodison, I looked across Stanley Pk, and remembered how we used to sing shitty ground, to the other crowd, and my thoughts instantly went to our saviour.

Our saviour who kidded us with his ring-fenced money, our saviour who tried to take us to Kirkby, (GOD BLESS KEIOC) and then said he was delighted that it was overturned? And our saviour, who has ran Goodison to the ground, robbed Peter to pay Paul, has made a fortune out of the club he never took a penny from, and hangs around like a very bad smell.

It's not Kenwright‘s fault he's still here though, it's Moshiri's, who only wanted to buy Everton, and spend as little time as possible on the project, because he must have felt it was in capable hands, which it was, especially when he brought Koeman and Walsh to the club!

“Incapable” Is more like it, and I agree with Gerard, that the time for change is now.

He may have listened when he got rid of Martinez.

‘What a manager!'

Suffice it to say the sooner he has no part in running the club the better.

Suffice it to say the sooner he has no part in running the club the better.

Unfortunately, there will be many more articles to come, so long as we have the one person who has overseen all the chaos for many years.

Nothing will change while he oversees the club.

I don't think FFP “crept up” I think the board made poorly calculated decisions that backfired. They thought a big spend would bring immediate success and income that would balance the books but it didn't happen. Similar to West Ham where Pelligrini was told “no big signings” but he publicly claimed two or three big ones would make all the difference. Sullivan bought it, Pelligrini was wrong and now Sullivan says relegation could cause financial ruin.

Second point is on the fans. I know a lot of fans of all clubs who are passionate but not concerned with the minutiae. ToffeeWeb as a forum attracts analytical, big picture, dare I say intellectuals or perhaps worriers who want to discuss and analyze everything. I don't think we can convince the other 80 percent who are avid on match days but have little interest in analyzing KPIs. It's like global warming, most people when pressed are alarmed about it but it's a relative few analyzing data, raising alarm bells. Most want to bury their heads in the sand. If things go totally pair shaped eg like Bury then suddenly everyone is on board with the dissent but by that time it's too late.

However, sleaze and downright corruption isn't acceptable at any level of the club and whomever has proof of this needs to gather the evidence and give it to the relevant authorities. Obviously not an easy task for anyone at any level, particularly if they are an employee of the club and rely upon that wage to make ends meet.

I don't expect the club to be much different to many other Premier League clubs, when dealing with agents et al, but I would hope, that having adopted itself as a champion of the ordinary and needy people of the city via it's charitable arm, it tries to do it's best to maintain an acceptable level of behaviour. If it was proven that the club is indeed sleaze ridden and corrupt then Evertonians who may adhere to a higher moral compass will be unable to support it.

That's the trouble with articles such as this, without proof, it's mostly rumour, opinion and second-hand information that fuels suspicion and even if proven untrue those rumours and suspicions could have a detrimental effect upon the club at what is a pivotal time in the club's history.

Short version; Do they finally know wtf, they're doing.

Or will £100M for Richarleson (or less, this is The Ev after all) in the next 6 mths. torpedo us before we've lost sight of the harbour lights.

Keep it coming Gerard, keep hold their feet to the fire, keep asking the awkward questions.

As always, more, many more, questions than answers.

Do you really think the club will listen to what they perceive as a minority of fans that think they know better than them?
It's hard enough to get the "majority" of fans to see through what Kenwright has done to us over the past years, his lies and failings are either ignored or passed off as "He's one of us, he knows what he's doing".

The vast majority of fans Gerard analyse one thing only on a weekly basis and that's the result, they either don't want to know or don't have the time and energy to start analysing the clubs failings.

As for the "success we deserve". Unfortunately we are getting what we deserve, because the vast majority of the fan base do their weekly analysis and then put it to bed until the next game.

Didn't have the qualifications to but there you go. Another inspired move from BK.

Gerard might know what I am referring to. The only reassuring aspect is that Brands is in charge of signings. I know many are dismissive but he's clearing up the mess of Walsh and Koeman that went on two years and was expensive.

Two fantastic parallel articles by both Gerard and Paul demonstrate the need for our DOF to be a hit. If he succeeds, Ancelotti has a fighting chance (something he doesnt have now)

I always make meself a really strong coffee before I sit down and read Gerard's stuff. He has this habit of lifting the carpet and revealing much of stuff which has been swept under it

Put a beggar on horseback and he will ride to hell.

Andy @36. I've heard lots of stories...most from my Dad - a massive blue who sadly passed away last November after a battle with cancer - who had a few friends inside the club (and interestingly one at EiTC). None of them were good. And when you hear these things you can see why we're in such a mess despite the investment from Moshiri (Usmanov).

There is a common denominator in Kenwright, and I believe most stems from him, or under his auspices. Although I don't believe all is doom and gloom, and as David Pearl suggested the immediate future is looking up.

Lastly I would like to endorse what both Steve Ferns and Andy Crooks have advocated regarding the next TW Get Together. In the Spring when Mike Gaynes is coming over (again).

I would thoroughly recommend to all those who have never been to one before, and are geographically able to attend, as they are a great chance to 'air views on Everton' that may not be appropriate on TW. Plus a chance to meet a good group of genuine Evertonians and to be able to put a face to familiar names.

For many fans, this frustration is often directed to the Team in general and to the players on an individual basis. Players often improve with sensible criticism and, as professionals, they should expect it. On many occasions, they will be given constructive and very direct criticism from the coaches.

Personally, I draw the line at uncalled-for verbal abuse laced with anger, vitriol and obscenities. This type of abuse can be the ruination of some younger players who may have never heard venom directed to them. Usually this is because before they turned pro they were stars of their junior teams and received many compliments about their ability.

It is often difficult to keep the most aggressive comments to yourself. I know because I have been guilty. When watching a game on TV, it is easy because I can rant and rave along with my Evertonian sons and nobody hears what I have to say. Except for my wife who long ago realised that I was irrational when it came to Everton. She also blames me for making our kids the same. I try to be different when going to Goodison or even when posting on TW. Hopefully all eleven players in Blue shirts are "Evertonians" and I very rarely abuse fellow Blues.

One final point. Whatever hardshps, I have NEVER regretted being an Everton supporter – even when we give up two stupid goals in the last two minutes of a game. Hard to take but we manage to do such idiocies quite often.

But in the interests of balance, we should remember that in the past two months those in charge of the club have appointed one of the greatest names in football management, and submitted a planning application for a potentially fabulous new stadium.

But overnight Lyndon posted a superb piece:

'Ancelotti - Can the Quiet Leader Bring Order To Everton's Chaos?'

Well worth a read on Moshiri's time at the club and the hope for the future moving forward.

Link

Thanks for your correction. I was probably too lazy to do a check. However it obviously wasn't long enough. I wish it had been 68. No let's use a nice round number and make it 70.