Is Everton's Strategic Review working one year in?

The former are identified by lots of real numbers, alternatives and timetables and concrete measures.

The latter are identified by the similarity to a Harvard Business Review article and the number of times diversity, inclusivity and equity (DIE) and environmental, social and governance (ESG) are mentioned with bonus points for references to modern day slavery and sustainability.

My observation so far is that Everton will have gone fully for the Buzzword Compliant version with a firm commitment to Net Zero (at least in terms of goals scored). Getting rid of Richarlison, not replacing Calvert-Lewin, putting Dobbin and Simms out on loan and buying Maupay, has supported this aim really well.

They are also doing well on the inclusivity front, making sure that players do not discriminate in favour of their colleagues when they pass and that they share the ball with the opposing team as much as they can. They have also included as many idiots on the board as possible, although idiots are not underrepresented in football management or anywhere else.

The club has taken to heart the complaints of Sepp Blatter than modern footballers are effectively slaves, being bound with contracts whereby they sometimes have to play two 90-minute matches in a week, for at least part of the year. That said, Mina, Calvert-Lewin, Davies and a host of others are standing up to this exploitation by lying down on the treatment table whenever possible. As for exploitation, the players are often paid sums that Everton supporters find incredible.

On the governance side, what could be more diverse than a clueless lachrymose luvvie, a stupid cow and a confused Iranian?

The position in the Premier League table indicates they may need to do a bit more work on the sustainability front, although Boxing Day's performance indicates strongly that they are using even less energy than last season, and that they have reduced CO₂ production by not running about and breathing heavily.

We take any old worn-out dross and repurpose it in our midfield. We also take young dross from Manchester United (for a suitably large fee, of course).

There was a picture of her face next to it. It may as well have been her bare arse because the statement was flatulent, corporate bullshit IMHO.

It typifies what EFC is becoming – soulless, lacking identity and out-of-touch with the fan base.

She is taking us for fools – the Liz Truss of the Premier League.

Covering-up the dysfunction and incompetence from top to bottom with “corporate speak” might fool some of the people, some of the time but …… what matters is the output.

How many wins?
How many trophies?
Position in the league.

In fact, the statement read like something some mediocre smart-arse might write to embellish their CV, ready for the next job as the current ship steadily sinks.

At best, we are currently a charity both on and off the pitch (and in the transfer market). At worst, the lunatics are running the asylum – hiding in plain sight.

I fear for us with the likes of these at the wheel. A slow-motion car crash springs to mind. The likes of Barrett-Baxendale won't give a toss. They will be off elsewhere.

Like Liz Truss, I wish she would disappear up her own arsehole.

All IMHO.

Couldn't have put it better. I don't even think that there is a Strategic Plan to review in the first place.

The writer of the above article appears to smell a rat. Listing what has happened, but not being able to pinpoint a recognised Strategic Review. He then resorts to telling us that it exists, because people a Everton say so.

He is now hoping it will surface next year. I am looking forward to reading about his findings.

Original though the article was one of Denise press releases, but on reading, it is the Real McCoy, in Forbes no less. I suspect the Writer is an Evertonian at heart, since his article fits in well on Toffeeweb.

The most obvious outcome should be a noticeable improvement in performances and an indication of a preferred style of play. Both of these are completely absent.

Strategic reviews rarely produce results in the short term.

Happy New Year to all Blues

Denise Barrett-Baxendale doesn't think so; in her words, it covers “short, medium and long-term actions and objectives clearly defined.”

Question is: What are the short-term ones as they clearly aren't visible?

I think if we were just some random organisation, then it's a failing business.

The same people are running the business.

I was probably careless with my wording #8.

Most strategic reviews have short, medium and long term goals. For an organisation the size of Everton FC even short term goals are likely to take 12/24 months to acheive and most will likely be the "low lying fruit"

Indeed DBB has apparently indicated in her programme notes that we have made some progress in acheiving some short term goals in that we have identified new roles and made some appointments.

In terms of changes however that fans will readily identify with which I was adressing in my original post...don't expect rapid progess.

The new manager and DOF were appointed before the strategic review. Indeed, it was apparently the DOF who carried out the review.

Something your severely lacking. Stop embarrassing yourself and us.

Hilarious! I can't believe I used to take you seriously Brendan!

What the fuck are you talking about? Where did I say anything of the sort?

To be honest, given that you hold Jerome in such high regard, I'm pretty relieved you don't value my contributions.

"You never said it anywhere, Brendan, but you never do."

Are we talking about "those three words"?

I posted in jest on another thread that you were beginning to sound like a girlfriend I had broken up with...now I'm beginning to think "Many things said in jest..."

Almost feel the need to say "It's not you, Tony... it's me!"

The Strategic Review was nothing short of embarrassing, imo. Other clubs often ask: What would Everton do? These are words that come out of our phoney chairman's mouth.

They'd have a Strategic Review, and realize that there are 26 vacant positions in the football club? (If I'm being honest, this might be wrong because I stopped reading Denise's report.)

A proper Strategic Review would only have to get rid of one man, and it wouldn't take long to realize then that the club is filled full of nepotism, and at least another 20 posts, would probably need filling right away.

I'm sorry, Brendan, had to bring you into it, Jerome, he talks about carrying on like an ex-girlfriend, and then starts criticizing you, trying to get to me. But don't worry mate, I don't take him seriously!

I have not expressed a single thought good, bad or indifferent regarding the Strategic Review carried out by the club, so I haven't a scooby why you feel the need to keep addressing me on the subject.

No issue with you having a pop but I'd much prefer it if it was for something I actually said!

They looked in the "mirror, mirror on the wall", got told they were doing okay, and were the fairest of them all, then made the slippers fit.

I'll get my coat.

Result tomorrow. 2 - 0 Everton.

"Don't expect rapid progress" isn't a thought?

Although I'm just hoping it's not a figment of our imagination.

Sadly, some fall for it – “transitions”, a word totally meaningless in football terms – is now mentioned on MotD... I'd never heard it ever in football till the World Cup tripe commentary and the statistic posted throughout the games at the Strictly World Cup.

I'd rather hear that they – The Board – spoke to a good mix of articulate young and old Evertonians with real nous. That crew (Kenwright, Moshiri, Barrett-Baxendale) couldn't convince me today is Monday.

Only yesterday, the Spurs fans were singing to Levy to get out of their club; the Man Utd supporters have been very vociferous in wanting the Glaziers to get out of their club.

The problem is that, because especially the Premier League is now so expensive to own, that clubs even with billionaire owners are struggling and we have got to the stage where countries are taking over Premier League clubs.

I think when you have a Saudi club willing to pay Ronaldo 𧵩 million a year shows the game is out of control. Seems that, in a few seasons, only oil-rich countries will own all the top clubs — is that what we really want?

Many such countries have dubious civil rights issues, but it seems that all that matters is who can give us the most money to spend, irrespective of the background of these new owners.

The oil-rich states plus multi-billionaire Americans are now the predominant owners of most of the Premier League clubs. So it won't surprise me if, like the NFL, we start playing Premier League games in these countries.

I suppose the Premier League was set up to help make the richest clubs richer, rather than for the good of the game. The only real beneficiaries of the money in the Premier League and other leagues are the players.

Clubs are paying more and more to players, were at our club over 85% of all our income goes out in player wages. Supporters are just eye candy so matches can be sold by Sky with full or near-full stadiums creating great atmospheres, but we as fans, through no fault of our own, are now playing games at ridiculous times just to suit Sky TV planning.

My favourite definition of a Consultant is "a man who knows a hundred different ways to make love but doesn't know any women".

I'm with Randle P McMurphy and his questioning the doctors.

I have worked on three sides of the fence, as a Group CEO, as a Principle Consultant, and as a fixer... seen it all, been there, bought the tee-shirt... had "consultants" borrow my watch to tell me the time.

I worked (very short) for one of the top consultancies who were basically immoral, to the point I never put them on my CV. And, last but not least, a consultancy who placed fixers at senior levels in the company with one important proviso: they had to do the hard yards inside the company, agree on a plan, set objectives and make them work. Then, and only then, you would be paid. Fail and you get diddly-squat...

That's why I can often see through the double-speak, the bullshit... I know the words, I know the type of people who use them; I know what works and what doesn't (as much as one can). I was taught by the best, hurt by the worst, learnt lessons I'll never forget.

There are some bloody good consultants out there but there are some bloody awful owners who appoint them and never wanted to change in the first place. I have met conmen so good you cannot help but laugh, owners so bad you leave a place in shock. Been threatened, physically, professionally and personally... it's money and – where money is involved – there are liars.

As I said previously, I haven't expressed a single thought – good, bad or indifferent – on the Strategic Review carried out by the club. My comment to the effect that we're unlikely to see rapid progress is neither good, bad nor indifferent.

ps: My opening line was an attempt at humour based on your footballing past – I wasn't being rude. [Don't want to be misinterpreted yet again.]