Scout Dan Purdy back at Everton

Who's this Dan Purdy now doing his second stint as Scouting and Operations Director? Obviously couldn't scout a 10-year-old Lionel Messi if thrown in front of him. Smacks of yet another lazy visionless appointment. Wonder who's behind that? – .,as if we don't know.

Not knowing them personally or being privileged to watch every minute and study every detail of their working lives, I find it hard to judge these backroom staff – unless of course you do it simply on results and inferred associations.

Results have been, in the main, utterly abysmal. So that means they're all hopeless.

And as for inferred associations... well Brian, they may indeed have a strong and close personal connection to the Impressiaro Luvvie, how else can we process the knowledge provided here that Finch Farm is rife with nepotism?

But doesn't that all sound just a little too simplistic?

Seems the story here is suggesting "wrongful dismissal" by Benitez and that the current regime are working to redress some of his excesses, perhaps?

But no, let's maintain the witch hunt and getting that ducking stool in working order before the end of May when there might be a rush to more hasty judgements required.

I know what you mean Michael. It's entirely possible that the scouts are excellent but no-one listens to them.

About as Everton as you can get this. Why was Benitez allowed to sack him? What his motive? And why would you rehire him? We'll never know because lack of transparency and poor governance is one thing we excel at.

What a truly sad and sorry state this football club has become under the stewardship of the Big Actor. In 20-odd years, he has managed to turn us into the most average, pointless, soulless, spineless yet self-congratulatory football club in the Premier League. The sodding charity will be the only thing left in a couple of seasons once we've dropped down a few divisions and become insolvent.

The whole Bill Kenwright show must not go on any longer, he needs to be rooted out and shown the door along with the rest of the parasites bleeding the club dry. It's shameful. Just go Bill, leave us alone.

So let me get this straight – we've rehired the man responsible for the abysmal recruitment that has left us with the most talentless and spineless squad in the history of the club? And the only explanation is that it wasn't his fault because nobody listened to him?

For fuck's sake, nothing else has changed at the club so. if he was ignored before. he'll be ignored again.

Alternatively, he was abysmal before but Everton is such an old boys club, that we'd rather rehire the worst scout on the planet than actually act like a professional organisation and bring in someone capable of changing the losing mentality.

If Kevin Thelwell is as astute as some have claimed, he might think it a good idea to explain this one which, on first viewing, beggars belief.

Then again, we are talking about a club that thought it a good idea to sell our only decent left-back and use the cash to buy 2 other full-backs who don't appear worthy of selection.

Who'll be back next? Frannie Jeffers, Jack Rodwell or Oumar Niasse? Answers on a postcard.

Gee whizz, I'd love to get the opinion of a top scout of what we've bought over the last couple of years. And why we are going to go back to the well for failure?

I mean we've 25 players, and I'd keep less than 5 off £600M...

Per Michael K, we never have a complete enough picture to say for sure in any specific issue. However I can say, the club is increasingly doing a fine impression of a soap opera.

I see one click-bait site is adding Tom Gardner into the mix here. Looks like he left last month after becoming Head of Performance Analysis:

"I am responsible for Performance Analysis strategy and delivery with the First Team and Academy at Everton FC. Key duties include:

- Designing, Developing and implementing the Performance Analysis strategy across the club;

- Overseeing all Performance Analysis process to ensure they are as efficient and effective as possible;

- Working closely with First Team Management, Academy Management and Club Directors to meet the strategic aims of the Club."

Looks pretty young, early 30s, but he's been doing it for 7 or 8 years after getting a Masters degree in the subject at Chichester. Now a Consultant at Fifa... so possibly a step up? Or a move into mindless bureaucracy?

Performance analyst at Everton is the easiest job in the world other than a Saudi Arabian snowplough driver.
His Report into each game only needs one 4-letter word pick from:

Shit!

Google Dan Purdy and make your own mind up about his quality, worked with Denise Barrett-Baxendale and rose through the ranks alongside her, he brought the Dutch scout, who got his P45 and comics the same day as Mr Purdy got his.

Purdy is still in his late twenties or early thirties, maybe a very young genius at his job or maybe it's the people he knows who gave him a hand up the ladder. I'm betting nothing has changed in the running of the club since Billy Boy became chairman.

Scouting at this club has been a joke for the last 7 years and now we bring back one of the guys responsible for it?

Just when you think this club can't get anymore incompetent, voila! Let me guess, did we poach him back from Chelsea, Man City or maybe PSG, a man of his great talents must have been in great demand.

'Get me the guy who recommended Iwobi' I hear Abramovich cry. Sheikh Mansour would have swooped to get in the man who had a hand in bringing in Klaassen.

This club doesn't deserve to be in the Championship let alone the Premier League.

I fully expect our scouting department to swoop for Ross Barkley in the summer.

Allen #13,

Probably a good bet. Even though he'll only have 12 months left on his Chelsea contract left by them – and they'd probably give him away to get him off the books – we'll offer them a big fee too.

Allen, I agree.

I think we'll also be linked with:

- Phil Jones
- Lingard
- Elneny
- Rodon
- Tarkowski
- Longstaff
- Pukki

These are are all very underwhelming for a club under the impression it was gunning for top 4.

But we are now a club gunning for top 10 and these players (including Barkley) will improve the squad.

In fairness we will also be linked with younger, less depressing players too - like:

- Gilmour
- Knight
- Brereton-Diaz
- Doyle

A few like this (and foreign based players like them) and a few not very exciting experienced players could actually leave us with quite a good squad if done right.

Better these (assuming they are motivated and up for it) than lacklustre Dele Alli types (although obviously we all hope he will come good).

So this is the timeline:

After ZERO win in five league games, the manager forces out Chief Medic Danny Donachie on 10th November.

After ZERO wins in eight league games, the board gives "full support" to the manager, resulting in the resignation of the Director of Football on 6th December.

The Chief Scout and Scouting and Operations Manager follow him on 10th December ahead of the transfer window opening on 1st January.

After ONE league win in twelve league games, the club sign Mykolenko and Patterson (allegedly without the manager's support) for a combined 30 million between 1st and 4th January.

After ONE win in thirteen league games, the manager is allowed to sell our only experienced left back to the team one place above us on 13th January.

After ONE win in fourteen games, the club finally sack the manager on 18th January.

Who runs football club like this? Answers on a postcard to Farhad Moshiri.

That's a depressing list, Robert, and made even worse when you think we'll probably need to be a Premier League club to land any of them.

I guess we'll be shopping for a goalkeeper too this summer.

Steve

You omitted to add that the other PL clubs are all looking at what Everton does and saying what a well-operated unit we are.

I've been looking at football over the last few weeks and thinking, how have the VARs been allowed to create an illusion? But then I look at Bill Kenwright's Everton tenure and I think exactly the same thing.

Benitez sacked Brands and this Dan Purdy? I'd love to see genuine evidence of this, although I suppose it doesn't have to be true for people to say it.

The lack of transparency and the manner the new DOF was brought in, and now he's bringing back former staff, is raising questions and more questions.

The new UEFA finance guidelines that will kick in over the next few years adds scorn and fuel to the festering mess that has become Everton FC.

Does the board really care? Does the board have a Plan A and a Plan B and a Plan C, for what's looking like a harsh landscape over the next few years for Everton FC to survive, let alone flourish?

If the board had as much care and enthusiasm as the TW forum members, then there may be some genuine prospects of a sustainable future for Everton FC?

Hopefully the weekend break from matches will do us all good, and help focus on the West Ham game.

But the facts of the club's finances, wages, cost reduction, recruitment and naturally the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, does become a permanent grey cloud above Everton FC.

Time for When Skies are Grey to make a comeback! lol.

UTFT!

Paul; the Club never had a plan in the first place. Any problem – or perceived problem – was solved (or not solved) by sacking and replacing people 'down the line'. Money from a source we know not where (although we can guess) was thrown around, a lot of it on the say of Sky Sports experts.

Having made a deal to stay 'in the chair' indefinitely, Kenwright became a mere sideshow as he continued to take the stick for decisions he could not influence. His quitting was never a possibility as he feels the need 'to be around' to pick up the pieces when the shit really hits the fan(s) – be they loyal or otherwise!

I don't think anything needs to be transparent in this world anymore, Paul B, and with regards Bill Kenwright, I often wonder if it's true what they say – that many people would sooner be kidded, rather than admit they've been kidded?

I don't even know why I'm writing this? But probably because I'm still trying to come to terms with how little pride we've got, and it's very hard to take when the biggest charlatan ever associated with Everton Football Club actually talked about giving the fans some good times, even though anyone under 30 wouldn't possibly be able to remember an Everton team winning a cup. (Maybe he wants to pick up the pieces, wow.)

Imagine getting relegated? It would be absolutely fucking horrible, but also such an ironic end for Kenwright, and I wonder how many would cheer when his crying face was shown on the big screens inside Goodison?

But Tony, relegation alone may not be enough to see the end of Uncle Bill. As the only real Evertonian (in his own mind), he may well see it as his duty to stick around. And, if bankruptcy should follow, he could then buy what's left for 3s/6d. He will not desert us.

I'm in a melancholic mood, Derek, and “I did not desert you” always takes me back to “these mist coloured mountains”...

But Bill Kenwright could never be my brother, although the bastard has had me up in arms many-a-time!

Derek, Tony, fair points.

It's the silence no end, from Everton, that's frustrating and is derailing the club, on all fronts, club, football, business sponsorship, EFC, has become Babel.

I love the club till I die and in the next life, but by God, the comparisons for dereliction of duty in British football in recent times, only Leeds under Ridsdale seems to come close, on par to history and EPL status.

But this is the biggest potential disaster in football terms that could happen, if the players don't get some guts very soon, and belief that can last, for the run in of EPL fixtures, this season.

But crash and burn, and start again, I don't know, but it seems, that Everton have failed on an unsurpassed scale these last 6 years, by corporate neglect by the board.

I've said many times, how often does the board speak, meet, greet, Zoom, Teams Call, Daily or weekly?

It seems to me there's no connection but I know very little other than hopefully if Everton do stay up, then a new vision and a professional approach to running the club top down is undertaken.

For that to happen requires significant changes by the key decision makers, and Id say it seems unlikely.

We live in hope but being in the Shit Creek, and at best mid table mediocrity for decades, is not good enough for Everton Football Club.

This re-appointment raises two questions, without actually apportioning any significant connection to Dan Purdy for poor recruitment. The reason being none of us on here know the facts about who had the final say-so for signings during Dan's previous tenure.

Now onto the questions;

i) Did Kevin Thelwell re-appoint Dan Purdy, because he was the best candidate for the role available?

or

ii) Yet again, our appointed DoF has been foisted with this re-appointment by members of the board with or without Mr Thelwell's consultation?

Personally, and with no knowledge whatsoever of the facts, I doubt that Dan Purdy was and is the best candidate available.

Which means that either Thelwell is not as good as previously thought or reported; or more likely, our DoF has yet again been pushed to one side when an important footballing decision is made.

If so, just what is the point of hiring a DoF, and if the board are going to continue to think that they know 'best' regarding footballing matters, then the continuing decline of our club is guaranteed, other than by a miracle or some other sort of divine intervention.

Simon # 26,

Valid points – and essentially the same questions asked about Marcel Brands.

In short … if Brands recommended or approved of the signings made during his tenure, he probably deserved firing. If he didn't, he should have resigned for having signings foisted on him.

Plus ça change – as our recently departed French full-back might have said.

ps: Still waiting for the announcement that Jack Rodwell is “coming home”...

Thanks for the reply Mike.

On another thread, seemingly an age ago now, I commented that I was informed that Brands had about 80% or more of players recruited during his tenure forced upon him.

Other than that, I believe after the derby, when he said "Is it just the players?", that he had decided enough is enough.

When he challenged Moshiri and the board, and he didn't get his way, he resigned.

Without any of us being in the decision making processes, we don't really know.

As for the possible emerging situation regards Thelwell, plus ça change exactly!

Mike, Premier League wages to everyone playing/coaching are so massively in excess of the real world that any individual would be barmy to resign IMO, especially on "a matter of principle" when it comes to vying with our boardroom or Moshiri on, ahem, principle.

Moving on, I assume Purdy received some sort of payoff when he was chucked out, as did Brands and everyone else given the boot. Who authorised this? In Purdy's case, that person is still in the boardroom or Monaco.

What does this tell us regarding our allegedly "fit and proper persons" who own and run our football club? Do any of them want to explain their own personal accountability for the fiasco concerning Purdy (and anything else that may come to their minds) to us mere fans?

Cue silence, as ever.

On other threads, some folk have suggested the removal of Z-Cars as our theme tune. I'd only agree if it was replaced by "You Don't Know What You're Doing"!

Michael, no witch hunt here certainly not from me. Facts are facts, matey, and all I / we ask is for the best people to be appointed and not the usual in-house Everton lazy way.

It's that dirty word again. Professional. Anyway is if was at all masochistic I'd want us to go down to get my pound of emotional flesh but I'm a blue so praying we have enough.

Brian, I understand the concern. You say facts is facts... but what are the facts?

His initial spell with the Toffees lasted more than 7½ years, starting as Performance Analyst Intern and rising to Technical Scout and then Technical Scouting Co-ordinator for the first team. In July 2019, Purdy was promoted to Manager of Scouting and Operations by Brands, and has returned to that position, presumably at the behest of new Director of Football, Kevin Thelwell.

So he was there for the entire duration of the most dreadful scouting and recruitment period imaginable at EFC. A great many of the players Everton bought in during this period turned to absolute shite... therefore Dan Purdy must be absolute shite at his job. Is that the obvious conclusion?

But, as others have said, what if he's actually very good, but no-one listened to him? After all, we've had so many stories that plenty of these players arrived because different managers wanted them, or because Moshiri wanted them, or because certain agents pushed them. Maybe scouting was completely bypassed and ignored?

Yet you say Dan Purdy obviously couldn't scout a 10-year-old Lionel Messi if thrown in front of him. I'm just curious how you are so certain of the exact story of each player's scouting and recruitment path that Dan Purdy was involved with over the last 7½ years for you to be able to judge him in this way – especially when you admit you'd never even heard of him before.

We have a new manager in place who, I would imagine, has to meet these new employees whose roles would directly affect what he wants to do on the pitch.

If these new employees don't come with a good CV, then I assume Frank Lampard would be asking questions or maybe, just maybe that's another reason why Frank's face has been a bit distorted lately as the club's total dysfunctional ways eat into his high intelligence. He will walk out this club if he is being undermined.

It is simple. That shit stain on our club, Bill Kenwright has to be forced out of our club ASAP – otherwise, the failure will continue and we will keep on talking about it. Let's not be distracted by the other issues going on and get those banners out in force for all to see both home and away.

Not everyone dislikes him of course and especially the younger generation who don't understand the off-field issues but this is actually bigger than the on-field problems and there has to be enough supporters to get this message to the board that Kenwright must step down. It would be a massive victory for the club if it happens.

Michael, Point taken. If Purdy wasn't / isn't listened to, all the more reason for a proper root and branch cull to clean this club kicking and screaming into the 21st century. We all know (or should) where to start.

Pete (32) regarding the supporters getting the message through to the board that Kenwright must step down, the board consists of Kenwright, his friend, Denise Barrett-Baxindale, another friend Grant Ingles and Graeme Sharp who was appointed Everton's ambassador 20 years ago by Kenwright.

Sharp has stood down from all his other duties at Everton, whatever they were, to concentrate on being a full-time Everton director. So the Everton board is completely in the hands of Kenwright and crew – you know what means, Pete!!

Part of the deal when Kenwright sold to Moshiri was a legally binding contract that he would continue as chairman. He is immovable, unfortunately.

I have read this week that EFC's board are the third-highest paid in the Premier League. They are cashing in big time.

Dave. I do get that and they are unlikely to vote him out but Bill Kenwright has made this club a very sick club due to his constant ever-present interference and piss-poor leadership.

Appointing Sharpe and Barrett-Baxendale are examples of his ineptitude. The total demise of this club has the marks of his dirty hands all over it. Everton is his pride and joy, whether we are in the Premier League or League Two, he would try to hold on.

How many times have we all felt sick to the stomach after being stuffed by Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, Norwich, Watford, Wigan or Tranmere? The list goes on and on.

How many stories like Kings Dock, Kirkby, Keith Wyness, AGM Bans, Allardyce and Benitez do we have to suffer?

Kenwright has destroyed us as a football institution and it's about time we let him know how we feel about him.

The club is sick, we're all sick of the club so let's make him feel sick too as he deserves it. No need for obscenities but as many banners out as possible in the hope that he finally feels as sick as we do and is forced to leave. He's a loser and, if he remains at the club, then that's how we will stay.

His ultimate goal now is to cut the ribbon for the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock and have a stand named after him. He does not deserve any of this because his meddling at the club is the reason we are looking at relegation again.

Is the fans on ToffeeWeb out on a limb over the chairman or is it now the majority of Everton fans now realise the state of the club and why it's like this?

I wonder if the Goodison screens show Kenwright again, would the happy clappers be out in force with their "He's one of us" bullshit? I get it the younger ones may only see what's in front of them and may not even care what's in the background.

Give Sharpy, Denise, Unsy, Dunc etc a bag for life from Tesco no more jobs for life. "Stand down if you love the Blues" – as the Blue Union once chanted.

Brian, my impression is that on TW most people have read the facts on the site and have had enough of him. At the ground on match days however I get the impression he still has a good degree of support. Probably about 50:50. When I slagged him off recently I even got a “yes but he loves the club” from the guy next to me. Felt like punching him.

Pete (36), I've despised Kenwright for a long time, always looked on him as a complete phoney, but he has friends in the media who defend him non stop, even Everton fans, this season when he was confronted outside Goodison Park after another defeat, jumping in to defend him saying they were picking on an old sick man.

He uses his apparent illness's when the team are down, this time he told the fans, who were well behaved, that we've had “Some good times” yes good to him.

I've even spoke to street wise Bluenoses who tell me “ He's one of us” just amazes me that they can believe that, I've met thousands of Everton fans over the years, genuine fans, never met one like Billy Boy because when I did meet him and tried to have a sensible conversation with him I realised I was talking to an arrogant man who was in love with his own ego, I'd love to see the end of his time with Everton, doubt if I will, but it will be a very happy day for me and thousands like me.

Dave (39) should have ended the above post with: but it will be a very happy day and thousands like me if we do.

I'm taking the individuals out of the debate.

The simple fact is Everton needs change at the top.

We are not realising our potential and have been and are being overtaken by clubs that don't have our potential.

Wake up Mr Moshiri and make change. Stop listening to the old guard who don't know what they are talking about and are out of touch, living in a 1960s to 1980s football world.

Modernise, restructure and progress.

Some of the comments here are bang out of order. The Scouts don't buy the players, they look for potential. There's not a shred of evidence that our scouts have been incompetent

Martin. Ok well where are the potential gold nuggets unearthed. I remember a scout called Geoff Twentyman from the early 70 s who found or recommended neal keegan Clemence and so on for them shower. Ours was I think harry Cooke and we ended up with the Martin murray tiger McLaughlins of this world which shaped our destiny right through the 70s. I know football has changed but eyeing talent early has not.

Martin (42), I also think there is not a scrap of evidence that the scouts are looking in the right places to find the right players.

Danny, 41, it's just not going to happen through choice. Change will only come if Moshiri sells the club. These people don't realise that they are doing a bad job. They have massive egos that don't allow self criticism. Kenwright has a hold over the club and Moshiri that has never been stronger. He is now paying himself and his fellow directors massive salaries that are the third highest in the PL. He is there till he croaks unless Moshiri has to sell.

Martin, 42, ther is abundant evidence that the scouts have not been doing a good job, all the players are shit and the team is fourth from bottom.

There has been a 'stampede' at Goodison by Everton managers to buy success at any price that hasn't worked. That's why Everton are 4th from bottom.

Steavey, the strategy appears to have been to spend big on fairly established players who have already peaked at the top end of average. It is no surprise therefore that we end up with deteriorating squad quality and no sale proceeds to reinvest.

I'm sure the scouts (like most of us on ToffeeWeb) were fully aware of players like Eze, Olise, Bowen in the Championship and all the others abroad etc. Given the huge amount of scouting information in the public domain (let alone proper scouting circles) there aren't really a lot of hidden gems. They're all in plain sight in the French u-19s or the Eredivisie etc.

The issue is with the people sanctioning the deals, the lack of a real strategy, the interference and too many cooks etc.

It's just another example of how badly run we are.

The thing we lack at Everton is continuity
We need a long term plan and stick to it
We luckily managed to keep the Worlds Greatest Evertonian onboard but his underlings have failed him miserably
We need to bin Miss Dynamite asap and get a CEO who commands respect and has a business brain
There's a guy called Hebblethwaite who will be available shortly. He should fit in seamlessly with us

Some great points in the last few posts.

Clive, they are indeed marking their own homework and blindly giving themselves 9 out of 10 consistently. I'd love to see how an independent auditor would mark them.

On scouting, most know my views. As admirable as Everton in the community is, how about Everton in the football community? We are a football club, not a charity. Support, promote and invest in grass roots football. Make it better and then reap the benefits; the return of investment. That would be equally beneficial to the community and Everton Football Club.

For once I don't apologise for repeating myself. The talent is on our doorstep. Go and invest in it, develop it and then benefit from it.

Danny, presently we are a two-edged sword.

The board are predisposed to the Club and EitC whereas the support want the footy to quite rightly take precedence.

A bit pointless telling the world we gave more Heinz Baked Beans to the food banks while we got relegated.

Steve #18,

I looked up your quote on another thread which explains a lot in relation to Everton.

'There is a famous Peter Drucker quote that says that "culture eats strategy for breakfast". This implies that the culture of your company always determines success regardless of how effective your strategy may be. '

I think the Dan Purdy appointment is more cultural than strategic.

Could it be young talented players do not want to play for EFC?