In a more ideal world, Sean Dyche would have guided Everton to safety this season and left the Club with our thanks for a job well-enough done. The Blues’ new owners, The Friedkin Group, would be able to use the time in between to put together a strategic succession plan for the manager and look to hire a more dynamic, forward-thinking head coach to lead their new era heading into Bramley-Moore Dock.

Nothing about the footballing circumstances at Everton is ideal though or even close to it and it appears from the more in-depth reporting that has followed the termination of Dyche’s contract that in admitting he had reached the end of his personal road where the struggle to win games was concerned, the gruff 53-year-old left TFG little choice but to accelerate his departure.

When it comes to who could conceivably replace him — quickly, painlessly and cheaply to avoid the protracted searches for a new boss that followed the sacking of Rafael Benitez and Frank Lampard — when you consider the Club’s threadbare squad, declining fortunes in front of goal this season and increasingly perilous position in the table, the hierarchy have opted, quite sensibly, for what will hopefully be the steadying influence of David Moyes.

Now is not the time to be experimenting with a young, up-and-coming coach or a patient builder like Graham Potter, and maybe not even one of the options from abroad who may have experience but are unproven in the Premier League.

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Evertonians know all too well that Moyes is not the most exciting of figureheads for your team. That lack of dynamism was reflected a lot of the time in the performances during his tenure, and it was one of the key reasons why West Ham elected not to extend his contract at the end of last season. That despite him having delivered to them their first trophy of the Premier League era.

The length of contract that the Glaswegian has been given has deflated some of the optimism that some fans have felt, first in the wake of Dyche’s exit and, secondly, at the prospect of welcoming back a man who knows the demands of the job at Goodison and is intimately familiar with the Club… even if much has changed in the 12 years since he left.

There again though, TFG had little choice. Moyes was unlikely to accept another short-term deal like the one he initially signed at West Ham in 2017 and you have to consider the message it would send to Everton’s players to install someone at the helm who might well be out the door again in six months’ time.

While the new American owners have wiped away the financial crisis that has gripped the Club for the past couple of years and will be looking to usher in clear leadership and direction off the pitch, when it comes to footballing matters Everton desperately need stability. Moyes, with his wealth of experience can bring just that. Though he had expressed a reluctance to take on another fight against relegation, he is a veteran of such situations, having saved the Toffees once and West Ham twice, while there is debate as to whether he could have kept Sunderland up in 2016-17.

Their Europa Conference League triumph aside, the Hammers may have been largely uninspiring at times under Moyes but there was a familiar blend of silk and steel about the side he oversaw at the London Stadium, with the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paquetà and Jarrod Bowen complimented by Tomas Soucek, Edson Alvarez and the bustling Michail Antonio.

And in four of the last five seasons —including, it should be noted, Carlo Ancelotti’s full season at Goodison — Moyes’s West Ham finished above Everton. It wasn’t as consistent as his decade-plus at Goodison — perhaps it couldn’t have been given how competitive the Premier League has become — but once he had established himself at the London Stadium there was never any danger of them going down.

A big part of the legacy he left at Everton was the defensive solidity that Roberto Martinez inherited and benefited from in his oh-so-nearly first season on charge. Obviously, if there was an element of the Dyche regime you’d want to preserve, it would be the emphasis on keeping things tight and trying to nick one, a mantra that became synonymous with Moyes at Everton during that determined push towards fourth place in 2005.

The key in his second spell will be finding ways to turn a shot-shy, confidence-shredded attacking unit into something capable of creating chances and scoring goals. Dyche ultimately proved incapable of doing so but, as the better all-round coach, there’s more confidence that Moyes can, especially if he and Kevin Thelwell are able to bring in a couple of targeted, effective signings before the transfer deadline.

It’s unlikely Moyes would have been anyone’s first choice to lead Everton into the new stadium and a potentially bright new future on the banks of the Mersey but there is no question that he, more than almost anyone the Club could have hired, will appreciate the enormity of that move to Evertonians.

Whether he has what it takes to lead this beaten-down institution back to greatness might be open to question but, for now, when safety is paramount, he should be the safe pair of hands we need.


Reader Comments (138)

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Derek Knox
1 Posted 11/01/2025 at 08:28:40
I take on board what you are saying Lyndon, but is it ? Just because he had us in relatively boring safety for several seasons doesn't guarantee that there will be an ' auto-reset '. Plus when you look at our current squad in comparison to those 'safe days' there is a stark contrast.

A lot of course, will hinge on how much we are allowed to spend and more importantly who we add, if anyone, to the current group. I am hoping Harrison gets sent back for starters, and Doucoure either has a new lease of life, or is condemned to the bench or beyond. We do have some good players but not enough to meet the demands of the Premiership.

Again, not my choice, but I will grudgingly support him in the hope of survival at the very least. Very rarely do second spells work, for either managers or players, let's hope he can buck that trend, and gladly prove me wrong !

Joseph Edwards
2 Posted 11/01/2025 at 08:28:55
A good summary, I don't think we had any choice but to get rid of Dyche, his rhetoric in pressers was becoming more and more bizarre. When the crowd senses you've lost the dressing room, it's game over, and I feel that's exactly what happened here. The negotiation over hisnseverance, the brutal announcement of Dyches departure, and the sppednof his replacement show that these new owners are ruthless businessmen, and we've needed that for years now. I personally welcome Mosey's return, I think his track record is consistent and let's not forget some of the absolute gems he bought during his first tenure, Arteta, Cahill, Pennard, Barnes, Fellani,The Yak. Let's get behind him, and hopefully, he'll get a decent transfer budget in the summer to work some magic with.

COYB

Nigel Scowen
3 Posted 11/01/2025 at 08:38:58
Great post Lyndon, thanks.

Just one question though, was it just about West Ham not wanting to extend Moyes contract, I heard that Moyes himself wasn’t keen to put pen to paper.

Danny Baily
4 Posted 11/01/2025 at 08:52:08
Sounds like Dyche had as much a role in his departure as TFG did. Moyes is a relic from another era of football and will cut a decisive figure with the fan base, but... He will have the support of Coleman. Rightly or wrongly (the latter, in my opinion), Seamus holds massive influence over this squad. Having him on board and not undermining the manager in any way will make a big difference.

Regardless of this season's outcome (that is, relegation or otherwise), a clear out is needed. No more big characters from yesteryear; it's time to move on.

Howard Don
5 Posted 11/01/2025 at 08:54:20
A sober and accurate analysis Lyndon, unlike some of the hate filled hyperbole doing the rounds. Moyes IS the only realistic option at present and a good one in my opinion, I welcome him back. That said we shouldn’t all run away with the idea that Moyes brings automatic salvation from relegation. This squad is threadbare and with Broja gone has zero firepower for what looks like a very difficult second half of the season. Shrewd signings and re-motivation are needed.
Mike Allison
6 Posted 11/01/2025 at 09:00:20
Someone on another thread suggested Moyes taking over as DOF, overseeing player recruitment, with a more progressive coach running the actual team. I quite like this idea but I see two clear problems.

1. I’m not sure Moyes would want this job and the back seat he’d have to take on a day-to-day basis.

2. A strong DOF develops a clear pathway from youth set-up to first team, something Moyes has never seemed interested in.

I like Carsley as a coach, and with Moyes’ experience to lean on it could work.

Mark Murphy
7 Posted 11/01/2025 at 09:11:01
A very good and accurate article with reasoning that is far better than some of the astounding vitriol I've read on the other thread.

I'm not a Moyes fan either but, with all things considered, plus it's still the early days of the transfer window, it's a pragmatic and obvious appointment. I'd have taken the tea lady over Dyche but also would've loved to have seen a more progressive and younger man. But for the short term at least, this makes sense.

In my honest opinion, we won't go down with Moyes but we were in free fall with Dyche and would have!

Mike Allison
8 Posted 11/01/2025 at 09:11:06
Danny, Moyes signed Coleman but hardly ever picked him. He got his chance when Martinez took over.

Also, there seems to be a lot of narrative about how ‘bad' the squad is. I'm confident that they're a lot better than they've looked so far this season. Whether Moyes is the manager to show that, though, I'm not sure…

Ray Roche
9 Posted 11/01/2025 at 09:25:31
A good balanced and sensible post Lyndon, in the circumstances there was little choice, despite reports that TFG were “talking to” other, unnamed, suitors. I have just read that, when Thelwell broke the news of Dyche’s departure to the players in The Titanic hotel, the atmosphere was ‘lifted’ and no tears were shed. It would appear that the team were glad to see the back of him as much as most of ToffeeWeb.
Like others, I feel that now Moyes is here we must forget the past and get behind him. It’s counterproductive if we don’t. He’ll want success in the same way that we do.
Mike Gaynes
10 Posted 11/01/2025 at 09:27:32
Mike #9, wow, totally not true. Seamus started 29 games in all competitions in Moyes' final season at Everton.

In fact, I think Moyes deserves great credit for Coleman's career, and Seamus has said as much. He had serious fundamental defensive flaws, which is why Moyes played him at right mid in 2011. Moyes coached him on positional awareness and helped him become what he could be.

One thing Moyes can do is teach.

Christos Biziliotis
11 Posted 11/01/2025 at 09:28:08
I agree 100 % Howard Don, Eddie Dunn.Welcome back David Moyes.
John Houghton
12 Posted 11/01/2025 at 09:29:16
Difficult to disagree with any of that, a balanced, logical stance to take at the moment.
Kiern Moran
13 Posted 11/01/2025 at 09:35:32
Signal the training staff, Moyes is back.
David Edwards
14 Posted 11/01/2025 at 09:59:45
A well-balanced post again, Lyndon. No one would honestly have wanted the return of David Moyes, but we have to dodge the potential disaster of relegation this year. We have one of the weakest squads in our history for several reasons, and even someone like Sean Dyche couldn’t get any more out of them, it seemed. We need someone who has the chance to graft at least something from them, and Moyes was probably the only realistic choice at present. A more exciting, forward-thinking manager inheriting this limited squad and allowing a more open, attacking style of play risked things going even worse. This is an emergency and all of us at the club need to focus on supporting the team and management to get to the end of the season with at least three teams lower than us. Then we can reset for the future in our new stadium. The contract length is meaningless - he’ll go when TFG deem he has nothing further to offer. The cost of relegation is huge compared to those extra 2 years of pay. He might even surprise us, this time around. Let’s take a deep breath and brace ourselves for the remaining months of this season - there will be some choppy water to get through in the next few weeks - a few modest wins would be nice, wouldn’t they?
Ted Roberts
15 Posted 11/01/2025 at 10:20:21
We wanted new owners,we got them.We wanted a new manager,we got one.Now let’s get behind the cast and support crew and get this show back on the road to settle our shattered nerves and climb the ladder.COYB?
Jerome Shields
16 Posted 11/01/2025 at 10:41:31
In the cold light of day the TFG had no choice but to let Dyche go.His contract was about to terminate and a step up on relegation survival next season is needed.

Dyche knew he was not going to get a new contract.He though surviving relegation was not able to step up this season.The record is there for all to see.

Moyes will be able to survive this season in the Premiership, as Dyche would have probably done had he been on a new contract. But, next season Moyes may be able to get more out of the attack, which would be a step up on Dyche. It is probable that all those at Everton will fall in behind him.He is their choice, offering comfort in the face of New Owners.

Great Summary of the situation Lyndon.

I am comforted now rather than disappointed.


Brian Harrison
17 Posted 11/01/2025 at 11:02:26
I like the rest of you have had to watch the last 3 managers take us to the brink of relegation, and under Dyche I have seen some of the worst football I have ever seen. I cant believe there was many who believed Dyche would have any chance of avoiding relegation, but on T/W we have all this negativity about appointing someone who has a far better track record at this club than the last 3. I realize some didnt like some of the things he said, but the knife to a gunfight when we played City was exactly right. He himself kept this club afloat financially with his very shrewd signings that were sold for massive profit. He came here when most of the squad were geriatrics and we were in a similar position to now and changed that around.

He got us into the Champions league and got us to a FA Cup final and a semi final on a shoestring, as well as finishing regularly in the top 8. And there are posters on here complaining, rejoice we have a man who will coach this team properly unlike the last man who the players have openly admitted in the last day didnt do much if any coaching at all.

Moyes will know that this is no quick fix and to try and change the total negativity that Dyche brought to this club will take a little time. But on Wednesday against Villa a very good team I will go there with optimism and hope, I had neither of those feelings going to Goodison under Dyche.

Michael Lynch
19 Posted 11/01/2025 at 11:11:42
I thought Lyndon would nail it, and he hasn't disappointed.

This is a measured, intelligent reaction to, and explanation of, the events of the last few days and I commend it to the house.

Jim Wilson
20 Posted 11/01/2025 at 11:12:27
Now Moyes is here I wish him well. We must get behind him.

Does anyone know who Moyes may likely go for in the transfer market? He didn't have much pulling power when he last managed Everton so I hope that has improved.

I am hoping he sticks with the 451 formation which can also go to 433 or 424 with the right personnel. It is all about attacking intent and having the know how for me.

We do need a new manager bounce in his first few games.

Dennis Stevens
21 Posted 11/01/2025 at 12:18:43
Well written, Lyndon. However, my feelings are intensely anti-Moyes & I won't be logicalised away from that position by a sensible & balanced perspective.

Nonetheless, I am open to Moyes convincing me through his forthcoming endeavours. Perhaps he can start by securing a mid table finish - a Cup win wouldn't go amiss either!

Hector Blaukugel
22 Posted 11/01/2025 at 12:27:33
At last a sensible, fair and balanced adult post on this appointment. Some of the shit posts flying around yesterday were just fucking cringe and juvenile at best.

Moshiri is gone, things will hopefully improve, let's just give this a chance, eh, and see how it transpires.

Les Callan
23 Posted 11/01/2025 at 13:35:37
Hector. Were you around during those 11 “ wonderful and successful years “.
Anthony Jones
24 Posted 11/01/2025 at 13:48:01
The only way that this decision could turn out to be reasonable is if Moyes' connections help us to recruit decent players during this window.

If that does not happen, Moyes may very well take us down. He is too similar to Dyche to inspire real change in the way the team plays.

His legacy would be to make us a laughing stock. Agent Moyes completes his mission, and so on.

We needed a motivational speaker and a football coach, not a control freak, old school general manager.

Christy Ring
25 Posted 11/01/2025 at 14:02:46
As Lyndon said it's a safe pair of hands, I'm just wondering who he'll bring in as his backroom staff, which is important also. I'd have preferred if the owners had brought in a young and fresh minded manager like Lee Carsley, would love to see him as no.2 but can't see him accepting that. The owners made a conservative decision, just like Ranieri at Roma.
Stan Grace
26 Posted 11/01/2025 at 14:04:55
A fairly balanced opinion piece, Lyndon. However, can you explain your use of 'at times' in your claim that with Moyes there was a 'lack of dynamism was reflected at times in the performances during his tenure'? In the games over those 11 years I would suggest there was a lack of dynamism most of the time, reflected in 1-0 being a very common winning score and the absolute failure to win the more challenging away games.
Pete Clarke
27 Posted 11/01/2025 at 14:21:50
It’s hard to find words that can possibly express how most of us feel.
We have new owners, new stadium and yet we take a step backwards with this appointment of David Moyes who, at best can maybe bring safety in getting something different out of our piss poor squad.
Premiership stays again takes priority over ambition and we again become the laughing stock of the prem.
Allardyce, Benitez, Dyche and the return of knives to a gunfight. It’s a wonder we still have any fan base let alone the best support in the land.
Raymond Fox
28 Posted 11/01/2025 at 14:26:24
Someone mentioned that Dyche had lost the dressing room, no he hadnt they tried hard enough, they are just not very good with the exception of 4 or 5 of them. Moyes has it all to do with this squad, if we don't sign players.


Michael Lynch
29 Posted 11/01/2025 at 14:46:05
The Echo has made a good point that, with Dyche at the helm and with only six months left on his contract, it was going to be even more difficult than ever to get players to come to Everton - Pholigene being the latest example.

I'm not saying the cream of the crop of young players will be beating down our door now Dyche has gone, but at least they know there is medium term stability, with a manager who has won a European trophy recently, and has experience second to none in the Premier League.

Together with new ownership and a new ground, we're a slightly better proposition than before.

Peter Mills
30 Posted 11/01/2025 at 15:02:24
Once again, Lyndon has untangled a web of mixed feelings.

The manner of Moyes’ leaving, and his disdain for us, stuck in my craw. But the whole business of football in the English Premier League stinks, and is filled with greed. We either have to suspend our critical faculties, or give up on it.

The appointment has been made. It is not necessarily a retrograde step, it might just be a smaller step forward than we wished for. Perhaps now is not the time for a big step, but to hunker down to survive this season, and further stabilise next season.

I hope Moyes can use his experience, good and bad, to help us. And to nurture an up and coming prospective coach over the next couple of years.

Rob Jones
31 Posted 11/01/2025 at 15:10:28
Howard (22), absolutely. Some of the "I'm so angry", "I'm full of hatred" bollocks on here would have bordered on comical if it wasn't so bloody ridiculous. Grown men and women acting like teenagers on a message board.

The only thing Moyes' teams lacked was Lukaku, whom Martinez was intelligent enough to loan and then purchase.

Like many at the time, I was relieved he'd gone. I hoped a more "progressive" manager would unlock the attacking potential of the squad. Forgetting that Moyes had built the squad on pennies (yes, the wage bill was decent, but the net spend was a joke), I thought his successor would do more with what he'd assembled.

Instead, we've stagnated, and are back to where we were in early 2002. The notion that some sexy young manager is going to come in and manage the island of misfit toys of a squad we've assembled to goals and exciting football is pure delusion.

John Crawley
32 Posted 11/01/2025 at 15:14:15
I had to have a chuckle at the comment about not wanting Potter because he's a patient builder, when we've re-appointed Moyes who is 100% a patient builder. We only have to look at his record to show that, he's not someone who builds a team quickly. He couldn't do anything at Man Utd, Sociedad or Sunderland because he wasn't given time. It took him years to stabilise Everton and he took years to develop West Ham to the position where they eventually won a trophy. In addition he's not a big overachiever, you can't look at any club he's managed and state well he took them to new heights. He's a solid, but mediocre manager, who takes an age to get his teams playing well.

Potter turned round Östersund in his very first season and had two successive promotions. He had a decent first season with Swansea. Stabilised Brighton in his very first season. If he'd had any decent strikers in his second season he would have come 5th in the Premier League (look at the Xg table for that season if you don't believe me). Potter wasn't the only one available there were other options but he was the main one with Premier League experience. To pass him and others over for Moyes is completely underwhelming. He may well keep us up but I think it's going to be tight because that's what his record indicates. He's not the person you want to quickly turn a team around. If he does manage to keep us up, what then? He isn't going to be able to build the team up to be regularly challenging for European places within two seasons, where I think Potter would have. It's a poor short term appointment and we've had plenty of them.

Si Cooper
33 Posted 11/01/2025 at 15:17:43
Brian (17), even if it is fair to think ‘knife to a gunfight’ you just don’t ever broadcast it.
‘On a shoestring’ is debatable. Where teams tend to finish is generally most closely associated with the wage bill not the transfer fees (those things can be closely associated but don’t have to be). I believe our wage bill was commensurate with our average finishing spot for the most part. So, good - especially as Everton have proven you can have an enormous wage bill and an under-performing squad - but not as remarkable as it can be made out to be.
Trevor Bailey
34 Posted 11/01/2025 at 15:25:11
Rob@31. Fully agree, it's borderline depressing.Kids eh?
Nigel Scowen
35 Posted 11/01/2025 at 15:27:41
Pete@27

‘ It’s hard to find words that can possibly express how most of us feel.’

It’s not most of us Pete, it’s some.

Dave Lynch
36 Posted 11/01/2025 at 15:49:35
Let's get a few things straight.

It was the way and manner in which he left us, him and his fat faced mate kept schtum about his Utd appointment, even though it was all but common knowledge, if he'd of been honest with the fans there would not be the bad blood there is.

As for qualifying us for the CL...he didn't! We qualified for the CL qualification group, not the CL itself. I have no time for him tbh, he called the fans a disgrace, attempted to take our best players at a bargain price and accused the club of holding back their career's when we wouldn't sell.
Im not arsed whether he does well or not tbh, hes just another dinosaur in a rapidly changing game, he'll be sharpening his knife for that gunfight as we speak.

Raymond Fox
37 Posted 11/01/2025 at 16:10:39
For the situation we are in, Moyes was the obvious choice- at least in my opinion.

Of course some managers are more able than others but its the quality of the players that is the game changer.
Just imagine our team with one of the best midfielders in the Prem. and Salah up front, it wouldn't matter who the manager was.

We keep changing the manager, selling our best players and then buying bang average ones and hope its going to work, I think we have proved it doesn't.

Hector Blaukugel
38 Posted 11/01/2025 at 16:22:56
Les@23, yes mate, I worked there pitch side from 2002. I'd never class those times as wonderful years tbh, but in comparison to what has followed his departure tells it's own story. I'd be happy with some cup runs & mid table for a short while until progressive changes are made, it beats the nerve jangling & utter misery of recent years.
Gaute Lie
39 Posted 11/01/2025 at 17:05:54
Welcome back, David Moyes. Not my first choice, but he did a decent job in his last spell at Everton, imo.
He did get us a lot of good players, and was able to develop players.
But he always played too defensive against better teams.
With the money he had at his disposition I believe he did a very good job.
However, I don't expect him to see out a contract of 2,5 years.
Kevin Molloy
40 Posted 11/01/2025 at 17:08:42
the job spec:
short term; steer us clear of a dangerous relegation dog fight with a pretty dreadful squad low on confidence
medium term, consolidate our position in the league, and build up the squad with some shrewd signings
long term, ability to withdraw gracefully when we appoint 'elite coach'.
previous knowledge of the league and/or club viewed as an advantage.
seriously, is there a better candidate.
Pete Clarke
41 Posted 11/01/2025 at 17:09:21
Nigel. These nobody I know who is blue that is happy about Moyes coming back but there are reds and other football supporters I know who think it’s a good move and that’s in a piss taking manner because they know we are a basket case of a club and are irrelevant in the modern era.
TFG should have had this covered but once again we have to swallow our already battered pride to accept another poor decision by people who, let’s be honest, don’t give a fuck about the supporters.
Moyes may just be a safe pair of hands but he may also not be and we get relegated anyway. He’ll just say that it wasn’t his fault and walk away with his millions.
Would anyone want this dinosaur to bring us back and rebuild the club ??
Absolutely disgusted at this decision.
Joe McMahon
42 Posted 11/01/2025 at 17:16:58
He doesn't need the money, he's made more from being sacked than Dyche! The fact he doesn't need the money, it makes no sense why he wants to come, particularly as he said he didn't want another relegation battle.
Nigel Scowen
43 Posted 11/01/2025 at 17:20:36
Pete@41

The 4 posters above you are in favour of him coming back and I’m pretty sure they are all blues, Pete.

Stan Grace
44 Posted 11/01/2025 at 17:21:03
Gaute Lie,

"With the money he had at his disposition I believe he did a very good job".

Could you explain how an average finish of 8th with an average 7th highest expenditure is doing a very good job?

I'm not asking you to compare him to managers before or since, just to explain why finishing below his level of expenditure is doing a very good job?

Mike Gaynes
45 Posted 11/01/2025 at 17:41:48
Very few of us are happy with this hire -- and yes, Nigel, I'd say it's a strong negative majority based on what's been posted on all threads -- but I'm not convinced TFG blew it. The manager they hoped to keep for the rest of the season walked into a meeting with them and wrecked himself, and they had a credible replacement on board within 36 hours. That's professional work.

Many managers won't take on a troubled project like us at midseason, and we'll never know whether Moyes was TFG's first choice or others were approached. John #32, you state as fact that Potter and others were "passed over" in favor of Moyes but there is no evidence of that.

I don't hold past grudges about Moyes for his behavior when he departed -- I'm just miserable that we've hired a yesterday guy who has mostly failed since he left us. But at least the hire got done, and we're not heading into an important league game in four days' time with the youth coach and the team captain in charge.

I will swallow my disappointment and unhesitatingly get behind the guy, simply because there's no other choice. Getting points on the board is all that matters right now. And the very least we can say is that TFG has hired someone who knows how to do that.

Dennis Stevens
46 Posted 11/01/2025 at 18:06:40
Maybe Moyes MkII will prove to be a revelation, who knows? I always felt that Everton's success was not his priority, building a credible cv to enhance his chances of landing the job he really wanted was where his focus lay, hence the accompanying narrative.

It'd be nice to think that he see's this as a chance to achieve more than he did last time 'round. After rebuilding back to where he'd got us before, of course. However, does he have the mentality to take the next step and actually challenge? I'd love to think it's there & will come to the fore this time - after all, this may well be the biggest job of his remaining career.

Sean Kelly
47 Posted 11/01/2025 at 18:14:15
Can someone please hide the cutlery and hide the buns.

He's on board, so let's support him.

Niall McIlhone
48 Posted 11/01/2025 at 18:24:35
I’m hoping this thread is the last one on the Moyes appointment, Lyndon: I also read the piece Michael put out yesterday. To say we are a somewhat divided fan base on the Moyes issue is putting it lightly?
The turmoil all Everton fans have had to put up with has led to polarisation of opinions and a general skittish feel to relations between those posting responses( that is, those who don’t meet up in The Brick before the game).
Personally, I think Moyes will keep us up, but I don’t think we should expect this group of players to suddenly click in to gear and go on a run of wins. Where the fans do, I think, agree on is we have the base of a good defence, and a decent defensive midfield; what we don’t have is threat on the flanks ( with pace) nor a proven goalscorer. Moyes will, I am sure, already be on the ear of the DoF to acquire at least two players who can be brought in to strengthen in forward areas.
Robin Cannon
49 Posted 11/01/2025 at 18:35:21
"Now is not the time to be experimenting with a young, up-and-coming coach or a patient builder like Graham Potter, and maybe not even one of the options from abroad who may have experience but are unproven in the Premier League."

...apparently it's never the time for us to do this.

We can't hire someone who might be good, in case they might be bad.

Moyes might be fine. He might not. It's still a deeply uninspiring, unambitious, hire. And not inherently less risky than hiring a less known quantity.

Peter Moore
50 Posted 11/01/2025 at 18:36:37
Moyes loved Kenwright, who was never able to support him with a massive budget.
TFG now own us, with massive financial resources, subject to PSR spending constraints.
TFG, plus the new stadium, plus him knowing Everton and our history, made it a very attractive proposition indeed.
Whilst I think he was, far too often, too negative and too respectful of teams above us.
I would rather be hung as a sheep than a lamb.
May he be given the tools to take an AK47 to a gunfight.
Paul Ferry
51 Posted 11/01/2025 at 18:48:52

Nigel, (35), I think that Peter is talking about the difficulty of describing a spectrum of opinions/positions in articulate and succinct ways. I hate to put words into Peter's mouth, but I don't think that he is saying that "most" of us can't stand Moyes.

And now the more important stuff. Pete do you have any idea where Marine's new ground will be?

Liam Mogan
52 Posted 11/01/2025 at 19:11:51
I really wanted a sexy manager
Martin Mason
53 Posted 11/01/2025 at 19:21:32
That Dyche admitted that he had reached the end regarding what he could do with the players at his disposal was quite an admission.

Perhaps Davey will have a real fight on his hands even at his best as it's unlikely that he'll get funds for players who could make a difference. Go for it, Davey, keeping us up after this could be your finest moment. Getting a tune out of this squad would be an incredible but unlikely bonus.

Liam Mogan
55 Posted 11/01/2025 at 19:26:30
I would Paul
Paul Ferry
56 Posted 11/01/2025 at 19:36:52
I have.
Seb Niemand
57 Posted 11/01/2025 at 21:01:58
You just get the feeling he is on borrowed time the moment he walks in the door.
Brendan McLaughlin
58 Posted 11/01/2025 at 21:12:46
Seb #57

Every manager is on borrowed time as soon as they take up the post. If Moyes meets the expectations of the owners, he will remain in post no matter what the fans think. If he doesn't, he'll be off.

No different from any other manager in that respect.

Kevin Prytherch
59 Posted 11/01/2025 at 23:23:14
I don't want Moyes back – mainly because of how he left.

However…

The seasons 04-/05 to 13-14 (admittedly the last season was under Martinez) was the second highest average league placement in the club's history over a 10-year period, bettered only by the '80s.

We finished in the Top 6 five times and in the Top 8 nine times in a 10-year period. All of this with an average net spend of just over £1million per year.

Barring Howard Kendall, David Moyes built the most consistent team we have ever had in our history – better than Harry Catterick.

After the last few years – I'll quite happily take Moyes failure again for the next 30 months.

Nigel Scowen
60 Posted 11/01/2025 at 23:32:05
Kevin @59,

And that is the problem I have with the Moyes doubters: it's not about his performance whilst he was here, it's about his ethics when he left.

Well, we are in Shit Street… so fuck his ethics: needs must, I'm afraid.

Bob Parrington
61 Posted 11/01/2025 at 00:08:11
Much as I choke on these words, I recognise the thoughts of many on ToffeeWeb that David Moyes is one who can steady the ship and bring the playing squad through the rest of the season outside the relegation zone.

I respect that The Friedkin Group, having steadied the financial position, needed to pick a safe pair of hands. Let's get on with it!

Paul Ferry
62 Posted 12/01/2025 at 00:41:06
Bob (61): booooooo, down with that sort of thing, down with realism, booooooo pragmatism is for suckers
Dupont Koo
63 Posted 12/01/2025 at 04:16:44
Moyes is a control-freak "DoF Killer" (Google what he did at West Ham). It is time to start paying attention to an eventual power struggle that he will start against Thelwell and his staff (no evidence shown so far that he welcomes the chance to work with Thelwell).

Fingers crossed that TFG, knowing the critical importance of the "General Manager - Head Coach relationship" (Google what Monchi & Unai Emery achieved together at Sevilla & Villa), is not going to be swayed eventually by Moyes's hunger for power to unwind all the hard work laid down by Thelwell (or his successor as DoF).

Eric Myles
64 Posted 12/01/2025 at 06:16:46
Liam #52,

Cherie Lunghi??

Eric Myles
65 Posted 12/01/2025 at 06:36:17
John #32,

Moyes Mk I saved us from relegation, coming in 2 months before season end and within two seasons took us to 4th.

And you expect any other manager to do better than that!

Andrew Clare
66 Posted 12/01/2025 at 08:07:04
Eric,
The game has changed since then.
Managers are far more sophisticated tactically now. Moyes is from a different era.
I am very disappointed that he has been hired but I will always be behind the team.
It would be interesting to know who advised our new owners to appoint him.
John Houghton
67 Posted 12/01/2025 at 08:27:36
Kevin (59); Nigel (60)

And thats pretty much it, remove the 'emotion' about how he left etc...look at the overall performance level during his first spell - we'd kill for that level of 'failure' in the short term.

Though we obviously can't guarantee it will go well this time, the evidence suggests he's a lower risk appointment than some of the other more 'exciting' names mooted.

We're about to find out.

Bob Parrington
68 Posted 12/01/2025 at 08:57:58
Paul, at least you made me laugh!

Obviously, you feel the same as I do!

Boohoo! 🤣

Bill Fairfield
69 Posted 12/01/2025 at 09:32:02
Hopefully Moyes can lead us out of the darkest days in the club's history, and the most boring football I've ever witnessed in 60 years watching this club.

Best of luck to our new manager. I wish him every success.

Brian Harrison
70 Posted 12/01/2025 at 10:31:09
Many on here are against Moyes coming back because of the way he left, I don't understand that at all, he was applauded all round Goodison on his last game and rightly so. He didnt walk out in the middle of his contract, and anybody who believes that Kenwright didnt know months before is living in cuckoo land. Would anybody turn down one of the biggest clubs in World football.

So mention he didnt win anything with us and thats correct but I have only seen 3 managers in the 70 years I have been watching Everton who have won things. Moyes managed on a shoestring having to look down the back of Kenwrights sofa for money to buy players and what gems he bought. Those players he bought were sold for much gold and kept this club afloat financially. There is also the perception he was a defensive coach, just look at the footballers and attackers he brought to the club. Thats why Man Utd signed him not because he was a defensive coach.

As for achievement's well getting into the Champions league which only Catterick achieved and Kendal couldnt because of the Hysel ban. He got us to the final against Chelsea and also a semi final. Also a consistent league position of around 7th. Apart from Martinez for one season who inherited Moyes team, no other manager has got anywhere near getting us to such heights in the league. Look I don't know if he will keep us up, but if we had left Dyche in charge we were going down. Also whatever happens we will be in better shape as a club when he leaves than what was here when he arrived.

Kevin Edward
71 Posted 12/01/2025 at 11:01:21
Nice one Lyndon.
It’s been exhausting being an Evertonian, and if Moyes can demonstrate a safe pair of hands then it’s all good for me.

2 1/2 years is not a very long time, but it’s a crucial 2 1/2 years for EFC.
So give the man a chance, there’s no need to go overboard with the welcome back to Goodison, just be polite and let him earn back some of the respect from those who have lost it.

I was worried that Dyche was going to get us relegated, at least TFG have acted to try to avoid the catastrophe.

Now it’s all about players on the pitch, the manager can pick them, but they need to step up and get the fans behind them. Moyes will quickly find out whether Dyche was getting the best out of this bunch, or whether he was getting it all wrong and there’s a better team within. We’ll find out too.


Jay Harris
72 Posted 12/01/2025 at 11:17:05
Lyndon first of all my compliments for bringing the subject back to intelligent reasoning.

At this juncture there was no other choice.

Anybody who rallies against this appointment needs to put forward who they would have offered the job to.

I left the “other post” yesterday thoroughly disappointed with the rants of some bitter posters.

The thing we need more than ever right now is to pull together and get to BMD with our premier league status intact and a summer rebuild on the cards.

If nothing else I expect Moyes will take us up a level and we will no longer have to suffer the deluded rhetoric of a dead man walking.

That is something we need to embrace and cherish.

COYB

Eddie Dunn
73 Posted 12/01/2025 at 11:53:44
I honestly think that although there will be those unhappy that a young progressive manager has not been appointed they will mostly realise that this situation had to be addressed in the best way possible.
Moyes is a good solution to our short term problems.
I think he will get a hero's welcome next Wednesday.
Let's hope that the fans can really get behind the guy and his team.
Although Dyche worked hard and we must thanks him for his actions despite the deductions etc, we all know that as professional as he was, he was still a Liverpool fan.
Moyes is definitely a blue and an upgrade on the Kettering Kopite.
Raymond Fox
74 Posted 12/01/2025 at 11:57:33
Moyes who I think is the best choice for our situation, will find it equally hard to get results unless he can bring in a player or two.
Change can work both ways, positive and negative.

There was nothing wrong with our defence under Dyche only 6 teams have conceeded less goals.
We couldn't score though and thats a very big problem, it all comes down to who do you blame.

Its largely the midfields job to create chances and score the odd goal, but what can you say about our forwards, when they got a rare chance they usually fluffed it.

All I can say is good luck to Moyes and ourselves because I think we will need plenty for a change.

Mark Taylor
75 Posted 12/01/2025 at 12:22:41
The two winners here are Dyche, who gets a pay off, reputation unsullied by a relegation on his watch and guaranteed to get another lucrative gig with a struggling EPL club in the not so distant future.

And Moyes, who gets a the decent length contract he craves and probably only we would offer.

I suspect a big loser will be Thelwell who looks on borrowed time. The other big loser with be all those who dreamed of much better under new owners, a new stadium and a debt re-structuring.That would include me and this appointment looks like some very expensive sticking plaster.

Dave Abrahams
76 Posted 12/01/2025 at 12:38:44
Mark (75)Mark I think you are going to far with that “Very expensive sticking plaster” more like a little bit of cello tape!

Mind you Moyes might surprise us.

Winston Williamson
77 Posted 12/01/2025 at 12:53:24
Although the appointment of Moyes is exceedingly underwhelming, I can see the logic behind the decision.

There are a couple of clubs, including Leicester and Man City, facing possible points sanctions. This may relegate them. We should be ok due to the new owners and there being precedent of fresh starts being given in our circumstances.

Moyes is low-key, has a history of building solid foundations and is of an age where he could be moved upstairs into a technical position in the future (if best qualified).

EFC, outside of our fanbase, have fallen into obscurity. My opinion is no decent attacking talent would have seriously considered working under Dyche, given the tactics employed.

What manager/coach options were seriously available and considered? We’ll never really know. For all we know TFG had sounded out options in the run up to Dyche leaving and were told no, or not until next season, or yes but with outrageous demands…

Moyes is here. He should be able to quietly get on with things. The squad is very poor, but in my opinion, not as bad as the league table suggests.

Watching the Peterborough game, we lacked confidence and fluidity. Confidence comes from winning. I don’t see us going down, so it’s a case of building foundations, putting a plan into action and us getting behind the team.

Alan Polak
78 Posted 12/01/2025 at 12:56:25
You say "It’s unlikely David Moyes would have been anyone’s first choice to lead Everton into the new stadium and a potentially bright new future on the banks of the Mersey". You are wrong! I went to Everton's home games when we won the league in 1962/3. The Moyesiah was my first (and only) choice for the job!
Nicholas Ryan
79 Posted 12/01/2025 at 12:56:33
My daughter, who bizarrely is a Red [-it's a long story!] summed it up pretty well. She said: 'Moyes is NOT the manager you want, but he IS the manager you need.'
Mike Price
80 Posted 12/01/2025 at 13:12:18
I checked what the West Ham fans were saying about this on Their fan site and they were, in the main, very respectful of him. They seemed to like him, wish him well, and a fair few were concerned he may well take us above West Ham this season.

On a side note Eric#64 I actually went out with Cherie Lunghi a few times in the late 80’s, thanks for sparking the memories!

Oliver Molloy
81 Posted 12/01/2025 at 13:20:53
@ 4 Danny,
So you wouldn't want Coleman - the club captain and player that Moyes brought to the club to support him !

Are you really serious - what exactly would you want Coleman to do or say ?

Mike Corcoran
82 Posted 12/01/2025 at 13:21:28
Stage 1 – Denial
When we go through a change in manager the first reaction may be one of disbelief or non-reality. It may be common to think that this isn’t happening to Everton and with this kind of thinking we protect ourselves emotionally and psychologically.
Stage 2 – Anger
Once we realize the news that Moyes is the new manager is real and are no longer in denial, we may become emotionally upset and angry. While it is a bitter pill to swallow, we react out of a perception that this is the way it’s going to be and something is very wrong.
Stage 3 – Bargaining
Anger can only last so long until we are emotionally spent by it. Anger tends to consume a lot of valuable energy, so we move towards making bargains with ourselves or with a higher power. By now, we’ve had time to think things through and are willing to compromise.
Stage 4 – Depression
For some, depressive feelings will come early; for others they will evolve once it’s understood that bargaining won’t get you the hotshot manager you want. Depression may also come about due to the negative energy on ToffeeWeb.
Stage 5 – Acceptance
People will experience acceptance in different ways and varying times. Some will accept things as they are early on and others will not accept the new reality until they’ve exhausted these options. Acceptance means that the situation is real and learning to live with it or through it is a must.
Stage 6 – Meaning
This stage may be particularly challenging for people to experience. What meaning can come from Moyes appointment? What good can come out of the current situation? Can Moyes encourage people to reach out to each other and deepen their relationships? Can he re-awaken their spirituality?

Haha

Chris James
83 Posted 12/01/2025 at 15:51:48
A good, balanced riposte to the tedious whingeing we've seen elsewhere (including other posts on TW).

Is Moyes the best manager in the world? Nope. Is he the best option we could reasonably attract at short notice given the current situation with squad, finances and mid-season timing? I think that's a much closer call and could well be yes.

If you add in 'Is he the best manager who can slot straight in and understand the club's constraints and operate within them', then it's emphatic. For my money, he's the best man for the current job (ie, keep us up, restore a stable platform that has us starting to glance upwards rather than anxiously behind... without spending a fortune).

I know it's fashionable in the Musk, Trump,Tory 'alternative facts' world to believe all sorts of demonstrable bullshit, but the reality is that Everton today are not the team that spawned folkloric terrace songs and were captured in grainy photos.

We are still a sizeable club with a devoted fanbase (and a great new stadium), but we have not come close to a real challenging side since the late '80s (which I was lucky enough to be alive and aware to witness) and have been largely abject on the pitch and bankrupt in the boardroom for most of the intervening ~40 years, certainly in the entirety of the modern Premier League post-92 era.

Winning the Premier League is incredibly hard these days, and each season it's usually just two or three with a feasible chance. Instead, the modern Premier League world is all about the top 8 teams who are challenging for European slots and domestic trophies... and the only manager in the last 4 decades to get the club remotely close to these echelons, with any sort of frequency at least, is the man who's now back in the hot seat.

You can of course decry the quality of football that was served up much of the time, and that does matter, but not as much as results. Points get places, get trophies, get cash that you can use to improve your squad. Unless you're at Spurs, there's no prizes for attractive football that loses.

I'd love Everton to play 'School of Science' football, but on balance, I'd much prefer we were winning ugly whilst competing for European football and not worrying about relegation each May. Not saying Moyes guarantees that, but he did it for us before and he also got West Ham into Europe and oversaw their first trophy in the Premier League era.

If we stay up and get a version of The Peoples Club Mk II, with similar results, then the carping may ease off and we should have some reason to be cheerful once again.

If however, he makes no meaningful progress, then he'll be given short shrift by new, less patient, owners and the whingers will get what they want – hopefully someone who'll be able to do better than the last 10-12 chaps who've stood on the Goodison touchline since Moyes left and failed to emulate his results.

Mark Taylor
84 Posted 12/01/2025 at 15:52:55
Dave @76,

Fair point. I think it was the length of contract and the probability of another payoff that looks expensive. But as you might say, he might surprise us.

Geoff Hind
85 Posted 12/01/2025 at 16:08:47
Great summary. If (as I sincerely hope) we are in the Premier League next season, Moyes will then be under pressure to improve results and not be in a relegation battle.

If that does not happen, let's not lose sight of how TFG have operated at Roma. He will be shown the door early in his tenure.

The compensation would not buy us ery much in today's market and they, I'm sure, would be ruthless.

Julian Wait
86 Posted 12/01/2025 at 17:00:37
For all those wanting Potter, go find a Chelsea fan to ask how they feel about him. He was found out there, and I am intrigued to see how he does at West Ham.

One of my best mates is a Chelsea season ticket holder of 40+ years, yes, back in the eighties when they were really awful at times and when the Bridge was an absolute shithole.

A very knowledgeable observer of the game, he was unrelenting in his criticism of Potter when mooted for Everton. Indeed, he's very happy to see Potter at the Happy Hammers.

Regardless of whether Potter works out at West Ham, I'd say it was too much of a risk for Everton to hire him, and as it stands, we were late to the party on Potter anyway.

Tony Abrahams
87 Posted 12/01/2025 at 17:14:51
Interesting, Julian, because I've always had similar thoughts towards Potter, and although I've seen Brentford, playing some decent football, I often think that Thomas Frank is currently no more than an enigma.

I remember playing at West Ham ot long before the lockdown and talking to a West Ham fan who was just as pleased about them getting Moyes as Evertonians were about getting Ancelotti.

I've always been critical about Moyes because of his record in cup competitions, but at least he has finally delivered silverware, and probably because he started taking the cups more seriously.

Moyes often used to flog dead horses, because it was rare for him to have a big squad. Hopefully he can get a tune out of our current squad because we have been playing like dead horses, for 13 months now, except for those seven beautiful days last April

Mal van Schaick
88 Posted 12/01/2025 at 18:45:40
I'm keeping an open mind, even if I don't like his brand of football.

It may be seen as a safe option in order to retain our Premier League status, but thereafter, TFG would want Everton to kick on, improve and challenge for trophies if they are serious about their project. Whether Moyes is the manager to oversee that, only results will tell.

Steve Oshaugh
89 Posted 12/01/2025 at 19:38:50
I do despair at some of our fanbase sometimes.

Moyes is a good, extremely experienced manager who is a significant improvement over Dyche. Moyes has a much better record than any of the apparent alternatives. Potter's success at Brighton appears to mostly be myth. Thomas Frank seems like a good dude but the actual results and football are questionable.

Moyes Mk 1 delivered the best period in recent history... not flawless and frustratingly conservative but still much better than anything we have seen of late. The exit was untidy but not worth the vitriol – he left for a much bigger opportunity and needed to keep it quiet.

He came back for Baines and Fellaini... that seems to be entirely natural to me. It's professional football and he no longer owed us anything... not trying to buy Baines because he used to manage us would be negligent and on par with the entirely pointless exercise of not celebrating scoring against your old club.

For me, it's welcome back, Moyes – I hope you can work some magic

Jack Convery
90 Posted 12/01/2025 at 19:55:10
If Moyes gets a heroes welcome v Villa, I despair, I really do. It's the Chinese year of the snake, that says it all. The snake oil salesman's accomplice is back in town, god help us all.
Colin Glassar
91 Posted 12/01/2025 at 20:04:07
You’re wasting your time, Jack. The devotees think he’s the greatest thing since sliced bread.

I’ll give the man a chance but don’t have much expectations.

Andy Crooks
92 Posted 12/01/2025 at 20:24:42
Steve, at 89, it really isn't necessary to despair of supporters just because they disagree with you.
Tony Abrahams
93 Posted 12/01/2025 at 20:32:38
He couldn’t have got a nicer or warmer exit and the vitriol only came with the total change in his nature that came across as very arrogant and condescending when he came back for Fellaini and Baines.

I was thinking about you before Andy, just a few minutes after I drove down Blackstone St, right up to the magnificent looking Bramley Moore.

I was thinking of offering Stefan and his daughter a couple of tickets, and because I’ve already offered one to Martin, I was wondering if you was going to be getting over to Goodison, before she closes her doors for good?

A ticket awaits Andy, but let us know maté because there’s not that many games left💙

Brendan McLaughlin
94 Posted 12/01/2025 at 20:34:18
Jack #90

I sincerely hope the crowd are chanting Davey Moyes name on 90+ minutes when he hopefully opens his second stint as Everton manager with a victory over Villa.

Jim Wilson
95 Posted 12/01/2025 at 20:45:50
Colin and Jack - I'm no fan of Moyes but I don't think there is any alternative. We have to welcome him back for the sake of the team.

He is definitely not my choice but 'IF' he keeps us up I will be happy.
(And I know that is a big IF because I'm not confident he will).

But I think we should all give him a second chance and the best reception we can. For the team if nothing else!

Brendan McLaughlin
96 Posted 12/01/2025 at 20:53:44
Tony #93

"He couldn’t have got a nicer or warmer exit"

Every now and again I've seen some posters try to suggest that Moyes send off was merely a case of polite applause and I often wondered if that was accurate or merely sour grapes on their part.

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

Colin Glassar
97 Posted 12/01/2025 at 21:11:52
Jim, I have to agree. We have been given no alternative but to get behind him and hope for the best.
Tony Abrahams
98 Posted 12/01/2025 at 21:18:20
I wasn’t at the game Brendan, but remember watching the reception that Moyes was given on match of the day and this just confirmed to me that there are times when I don’t feel like I have got a lot in common, with a lot of my fellow Evertonians.

I much prefer the more knowledgeable and defiant Evertonians, I can still remember from my childhood, throwing cushions at the players, if they never performed!

Liam Mogan
99 Posted 12/01/2025 at 21:31:22
I'm struggling to understand how anyone can get a tune out of these players. They are not very good. Without recruitment that improves the squad, it's going to be a long and dreary few months.

4-5-1 ad nauseum.

Tony Abrahams
100 Posted 12/01/2025 at 21:53:29
Definitely need a couple of signings Liam, otherwise Moyes will probably find it just as difficult as Dyche did.

While very calm, my emotions towards Everton, are on a rollercoaster and even though I’ve had no real desire to read anything but ToffeeWeb, my thoughts are that without any money, Moyes is inheriting a very difficult job.

Nigel Scowen
101 Posted 12/01/2025 at 22:05:37
Tony@100

A bit of pace on both flanks and we are a different team I think Tony.

John Connor
102 Posted 12/01/2025 at 22:33:05
For me this is not an apointment I welcome, but understand the stance of new owners, just hope they have made the right decision, but only time will tell. For me its about the players, the current first 11 are simply not god enough and havent been for years. No goal scorers amongst them which always has to be a worry. DCL nowhere near agreeing a new contract and Beto apparently looking for a return to Italy and I can't think of anyone who will be a new Super Kev to come in and rescue the situation. For survival its all on the players, as both Moyes and Dyche set up not to lose rather than win and there lies the issue, we don't have anyone to take advantage of a breakaway situation. Just hope Moyes has an ace up his sleeve and gets some unknown in to score the goals. I just can't think of anyone who would come. At this stage its about survival and nothing else matters as far as I'm concerned.
Eric Myles
103 Posted 13/01/2025 at 01:40:12
Brian #70, "He didnt walk out in the middle of his contract, and anybody who believes that Kenwright didnt know months before is living in cuckoo land. Would anybody turn down one of the biggest clubs in World football."

I remember at the time Chairman Bill said he knew and that Moyes offered to resign but he refused to accept it.

He honoured his contract (who does that these days? Especially in football) and went to work for a bigger and better company (who WOULDN'T want to do that?).

Mike #80, you should have given her a call and told her to put her CV in, she'd have been a more popular choice!

Steve Oshaugh
104 Posted 13/01/2025 at 01:49:04
Andy you're right... despair is not the right word or sentiment. I am genuinely surprised at how polarising Moyes seems to be though. I don't recall anything he did that would lead to the level of hatred from some folk. It seems like a massive over reaction to me. I'm not leaping for joy by any means by this appointment but the anger seems a bit much
Brendan McLaughlin
105 Posted 13/01/2025 at 07:06:23
Sorry Eric #103

That's simply not true. The bit about Moyes offering to resign is correct but Blue Bill never stated that he knew Moyes was off to United.

It always strikes me as peculiar that apparently although the "dogs in the street" knew, no-one ever thought to post that information on ToffeeWeb at the time.

Kim Vivian
106 Posted 13/01/2025 at 07:31:50
I do not have a problem with the return of DM other than that there may have been a "better" candidate available and I am always a bit dubious about second comings. For the man himself - no problem, and I concur with all the posters condemning some of the vitriol (as opposed to intelligent criticism) aimed at the guy, although he's unlikely to see it on ToffeeWeb.

Moyes to ManU was nailed on for a couple of years as far as I was concerned back then - in fact I tried to put money on it at least 2 years prior. However, his stalking of Baines and Fellaini was pretty low key and unwelcome I agree.

Lets hope he hits the ground running despite the challenge he has with the squad he inherits, but the individuals and the sum of the parts is definitely better than we have had to endure for the last few months.

Good luck DM, I say - you're going to need it. This is one Blue right behind you.

Jerome Shields
107 Posted 13/01/2025 at 07:40:58
Trying to get positives from the Moyes appointment.Even though I find it hard to get out of my mind the two results and a defeat pattern which prevented Everton from kicking off up the table on so many occasions.It was apparent there was a glass ceiling to his achievements. This has been re-enforced by his subsequent career.He also was part of Kenwright &Co and was happy to stay in the Premiership maintaining a self serving regime.

But he was the last Manager of the School of Science and maintained it's methods, though he allowed the parasitefication of it by Bill, who used It as patronage for his self serving regime.It all contributed to need to sell the Club. Though Bill was determined to stay in there, using someone's else's money has he had always had done.

I have always felt that is was the fundamentals of the School of Science that has kept Everton in the Premiership's through the thick and thin of the money and money run done years. Of course heavily laiden down by self serving paracites.I always was confident that Everton would not get relegated.

Being Professional business Managers the TFG group in their due diligence and analysis would have aimed to identified the positive fundamentals of the Club. I am sure they have come across the fundamentals of the School of Science. I have always hoped they would, because I believe with Professional Management were measurement and accountability is applied that the School of Science would come to the fore front and flourish once more.

But I did not expect this approach by the TFG.To bring back Moyes to develop it and refind it. I can only hope that measurement and accountability are fully applied to the system to halt the parasites that still exist within the Everton Structure.They will be glad that Moyes is appointed, but how will they react to a longer in the tooth Moyes whose remit is to apply measurement and accountability?

Brendan McLaughlin
108 Posted 13/01/2025 at 07:48:15
Kim #106,

"in fact I tried to put money on it at least 2 years prior."

What prevented you?

Ernie Baywood
109 Posted 13/01/2025 at 07:48:21
I don't get the idea that he would be disliked for trying to sign players.

He was Man Utd's manager. Trying to secure players that he rated and trusted. Baines would have ended up a superstar with them, by the way. He was one of the best I've seen and so underrated outside of Evertonians.

We look back on some of his signings and think he did very well for the money. Well that means there's a set of supporters somewhere who think he ripped them off.

I'll happily take a scenario where it's Everton who secure the players we need at the price we want to pay. So I can't criticise the flip side of that.

Bill Fairfield
110 Posted 13/01/2025 at 08:10:15
Pace and creativity is needed. I think we'll find a goal scorer within our squad then.
Mark Murphy
111 Posted 13/01/2025 at 08:12:18
This from Andy.

“It really isn't necessary to despair of supporters just because they disagree with you.”

Personally, I'm also, a bit taken aback by the anti-Moyes vitriol since the appointment. A very, very devoted blue I know and respect is livid about the appointment and he wanted Dyche out asap.

My view is that I wanted Dyche out and was counting the minutes. I was frustrated that he wasn't gone as soon as the final whistle blew at Bournemouth and felt elated when I saw the news in the bar at the Baltic hotel when I arrived.

Would I choose Moyes? No, I don't believe in going back, as in HK2 and HK3… But Moyes is a step up from Dyche and I feel much better about Everton now than I did last Wednesday.

UTFT

Jack Convery
112 Posted 13/01/2025 at 08:18:11
Colin @91.

All this reminds me of a Gary Larsson cartoon:

Vampires Everywhere

A guy was screaming at people who were passing by, that "Vampires are here and they are taking over the World". No one was taking any notice of him.

To the side of the cartoon, two guys are carrying a large mirror. Of all the people on the street, the only one who was reflected in it, was the guy warning everyone about the Vampires.

Brilliant cartoon and so prophetic, given the times we live in.

Kim Vivian
113 Posted 13/01/2025 at 08:22:22
Brendan, 108.

I'm not really a betting person but back then I wandered in to a couple of betting shops and they could not find any odds for that so moved on.

Colin Crooks
114 Posted 13/01/2025 at 08:23:26
Ernie,

Moyes won universal support throughout football when he stood firm and rejected Man City's attempt to treat us with utter contempt by just "taking" Joleon Lescott.

And nobody would have been too upset if he had come in for the best left-back in the country if he came back with a fair offer. He didn't. He used his inside knowledge of our deep financial turmoil by trying to impress his new Manc fans looking for a bog-off deal for Fellaini and Baines.

The glass ceiling merchant had turned into Billy Big Bollocks as soon as the boot was on the other foot and he believed he had "made it"!

I think this myth about Evertonians feeling betrayed when he decided to join Man Utd needs to be exploded too. As you can see on these pages, many, many were glad to see the back of him and were not arsed. The others gave him a tremendous send off wishing him all the best.

Nigel Scowen
115 Posted 13/01/2025 at 08:51:01
Mark @111,

Pretty much my view also, Mark. Not the best — but better.

Mike Corcoran
116 Posted 13/01/2025 at 08:58:57
I wonder if we'll see any to and fro with Roma's squad.

Some older players on loan like Al Shaawary? Or their full back Celik?

Steve Shave
117 Posted 13/01/2025 at 09:11:40
I hope so Mike, Abraham would have been ideal with DCL going the other way, good business. Sadly they loaned him out I believe.

I'd love to get Dovbyk but he is one of their most saleable assets. Their superstars are Pelligrini, Soulé and Dybala.

They will want to hold onto them but maybe a player they thought would be a star but hasn't quite worked out, like Le Feé for example. Of maybe Cristante fancies a shot at the PL? Though he is a starter for them.

Andrew Clare
118 Posted 13/01/2025 at 09:17:25
Whichever way we look at it, it's a cop out appointment.

Another dead-loss limited manager that Everton seem to be good at hiring.

We've nearly had the full set: Allardyce, Dyche… and now Moyes.

Ian Jones
119 Posted 13/01/2025 at 09:21:35
I also don't understand some of the comments re David Moyes being appointed Man Utd manager and then coming after some of our players. Perhaps some comments made by journalists and possibly Moyes were not so clever (I can't remember whether he was also publicly saying them), the ones indicating Everton were effectively standing in the career pathways of the players by not allowing them to move or something like that.

I wasn't insulted. Moyes was trying to acquire players he trusted and get the best deal for his new owners and club. It's like him going to West Ham now and offering a fortune to them for players like Bowen. If he's after Bowen, I imagine he'll try to bring the price down instead of going, “Okay, here's £60M.

The only issue I see is staying within PSR as I imagine most clubs will see Everton coming and think “new owners, new money” and the whole merry-go-round starts again.

Just a quick addition re Moyes’s appointment. Yes, it might not seem overly exciting... but as I posted on a different thread, this is a new era, new owners, new manager, new stadium on the way. We’ve got to give everything a chance.

The previous managerial incumbents have mostly had their hands tied behind their backs, and whilst the football has been mostly dire, it's mostly been done under the Moshiri era.

I hope the majority embrace the new era.

Bill Griffiths
120 Posted 13/01/2025 at 09:32:59
I'm with Jim (#95) on this. It's a disgrace that they've brought back Moyes but it's done now so there's not a lot we can do about it.

As things stand, we need to get right behind the team, including the manager, to get ourselves out of the perilous situation we are in.

My initial thoughts were we should make our displeasure known but I realise that it would be totally counter-productive given our situation.

Jimmy Salt
121 Posted 13/01/2025 at 10:17:08
The comments regarding Moyes knowing the club etc are a bit left field for me. This club is nothing like it was when he was here.
Hopefully his relationship with Baines and Coleman can help form a strong leadership team that the players buy into,
Colin Crooks
122 Posted 13/01/2025 at 10:45:43
Ian @119

To be honest mate. I don't understand how you don't understand.

Moyes, using his inside knowledge of our players contracts and desperate financial situation offered 28m quid for Fellaini AND the best left back in England. Even pushover Everton (your club) described the offer as "Insulting and derisory". Moyes very publicly countered that by accusing your club of blocking their chances of enhancing their careers. I very, very, really use the C word but what a CUNT !!!

He was eventually forced to pay 27.5m (a fair price for Fellaini) which basically meant he was offering 0.5 million for Baines.

Baines (to his eternal credit) stayed loyal to Everton and did not agitate for a move. United were forced to look elswhere for a left back. They eventually had to pay 30m for Luke shaw. A player not fit to lace Baines's boots.

Everyone remotely connected to this club had every right to feel deeply insulted by the way he was prepared to put his foot on our heads when he thought we were drowning.

Ernie Baywood
123 Posted 13/01/2025 at 10:56:01
Colin, this is what football clubs do. And staff do what they need to do for their employers.

It would have been unprofessional of Moyes to say "I like those players, but I couldn't do that to Everton" or "I'll make sure they get a few extra quid to help them out".

He tried to screw us because it was his job. None of us will complain if he screws another club and we get a player we want for a good price.

Len Hawkins
124 Posted 13/01/2025 at 10:56:13
Moyes was known for keeping us in the top half of the table we got to one final scored early then shut up shop.
If league position is the be all and end all then it could be argued that Allardyce in one season should have been in the frame, form an orderly queue in a telephone box all those that wanted Allardyce back.
Our American based supporters wouldn't hand in their guns in favour of a knife at a gunfight.
We have gone for supposedly a safe pair of hands what happens if he isn't that safe pair of hands we think he is.
Going back is like a good holiday you have a great time with a good crowd of people and go back the next year the same people aren't there it is peeing down for a fortnight it becomes the worst holiday you have had.
Colin Crooks
125 Posted 13/01/2025 at 11:18:43
Ernie

I can accept that managers leave clubs and will try to take the better players with them. But Moyes did not need to insult our club.

He did not need to use his inside knowledge to "low ball" us to a degree which prompted his former pals to describe his bid as "Insulting and derisory".

And he did not need to try to shame us into letting them go on the cheap by telling the football world we were stunting their careers.

This man seems completely bereft of integrity. He once tried to ingratiate himself into the hearts of the football community by stating everyone in football should take a 20% pay cut. That would have cut a little more ice if he hadnt held the club over a barrel regarding his own contract. Or indeed, took a pay cut himself.

His recent declaration of not being interested in taking on a relegation battle sailed right out of the window as soon as TFG waved the readies.

Please don't draw me any further or get me on a roll Ernie. I have got to get my head into a place where I can really support this fella and recalling his past misdemeanours for the sake of debate is seriously hindering the process.

Ian Jones
126 Posted 13/01/2025 at 11:21:36
Colin, Ok, perhaps I worded my comment badly when I say 'I also don't understand'. Maybe I should have said 'I understand...but don't necessarily agree' That way, I can sit on the fence.

With regards to any further reply, can I refer you to Ernie @ 123. I think his reply is better than anything I could come up with.

Colin, just saw your reply to Ernie and the last paragraph. Made me smile. Hope you get there. It's a tough one, I am not overly impressed with Moyes coming back and trying to put a positive spin on it and mostly failing. As I said to a friend of mine recently when asked who I would like if Dyche was sacked, I rather sarcastically said it might be good to have someone similar to Dyche rather than start on a completely different tangent as that would appeal to Dyche after his recent comment about all businesses should have some succession planning when the media asked about his own position.

Clive Rogers
127 Posted 13/01/2025 at 11:30:32
Colin, 122, I feel the same way. I never wanted him back after they had both way he left. He recently stated that he wouldn’t go to a club fighting relegation, but has come to us for the cash and not love of the club. After he left us he performed badly at United, Sociedad and Sunderland. All three clubs got rid of him within a year. Even though he won a trophy most West Ham fans were tired of his negative tactics and were glad to see him go.
Dave Lynch
128 Posted 13/01/2025 at 11:45:11
If he starts talking us down in his first presser this afternoon I'll lose my shit.
We need positivity not the dour jock persona he usually portrays.
If he metiond knives to gunfights I won't be responsible for my actions
Bill Fairfield
129 Posted 13/01/2025 at 13:10:38
Only thing that matters is an improvement in what goes on between the two sets of goalposts. Looking back in anger is just wasted energy. Here’s to a bright new future,with new ownership, a new stadium, and a new manager. COYB.
Benjamin Dyke
130 Posted 13/01/2025 at 14:47:07
Very pleased with this antidote to Michael's hatchet job which I thought was disgraceful!

Moyes 'rumoured' behaviour in relation to his appointment at Man U doesn't stick to me! It's like expecting Wayne Rooney not to take his chances against us when playing for them...

I may be very angry that he left but I can't hold it against him for doing his best against us once he'd left. And he is a Blue through and through – Moyes is only ever a hired hand!

Benjamin Dyke
131 Posted 13/01/2025 at 14:50:50
Dave since when did what is said at pressers translate to results and performances? We've had plenty of managers that could strike the right tone who nearly got us relegated!
Dave Lynch
132 Posted 13/01/2025 at 16:36:15
What's said at pressers must have an effect upon team morale.

You never hear successful managers talking their team down Ben, they may talk the opposition up but never their own team down.

Ray Roche
133 Posted 13/01/2025 at 16:56:41
Amazing really, half the posters on here are whinging about Moyes being “dour, negative “ etc and their posts have taken negativity to record levels, even for ToffeeWeb!

FFS, he's here, whether you like it or not, so let's get behind him, eh? He wasn't my choice either but, if he does well, then my club, Everton, have done well.

So fuck off with your miserable diatribes and support the club. Am I the only one fed up with the negative shite on here? Christ on a bike….!

Jack Convery
134 Posted 14/01/2025 at 10:30:33
All clubs compliant with PSR rules
published at 10:22 Greenwich Mean Time
10:22 GMT
Breaking
Following Eddie Howe's quotes on profit and sustainability, we are now hearing that all clubs are compliant with the Premier League rules for the period including the 2023-24 accounts.
Brent Stephens
135 Posted 14/01/2025 at 10:58:32
Ray #133 "So fuck off with your miserable diatribes and support the club. Am I the only one fed up with the negative shite on here? Christ on a bike….!"

No, you're not the only one, Ray.

Dave Abrahams
136 Posted 14/01/2025 at 11:04:02
Jack (134), I hope that is the start of good news filtering through the club.
Ray Roche
137 Posted 14/01/2025 at 16:08:58
Brent @135,

Sorry Brent, I was just getting a bit naffed off with the repetitive and constant moaning. One should remember to keep ones temper. 🤦🏼‍♂️

Brent Stephens
138 Posted 14/01/2025 at 16:20:35
Quite restrained I thought, Ray! I share the sentiment.
Rob Halligan
139 Posted 14/01/2025 at 16:23:31
Ray # 133…

I'm totally in agreement with you. FFS, it's not as if TFG will be looking at TW and thinking, “Fuck me look at all the whinging on there, we better change the new manager prompto”.

What's done is done, there's no turning back, so whether you like it or not, you better get used to it! He wasn't my first choice either, but there's no point in crying over spilt milk!


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