Welcome to this week’s Talking the Blues Podcast with George and Andy Costigan. We look back on a momentous week for Everton, the Peterborough game, the management change, the case for Moyes, the stadium tour and a couple of personal reflections. I hope you enjoy it.
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As ever thanks for listening – or reading, the written transcript is available here
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Thanks Paul, George and Andy. Nice to see things moving forward now that TFG have completed the transaction.
I completely agree with Paul’s point of view. All my non-Everton buddies are busting my balls about Moyes, but I couldn’t be happier. Everton’s status, lo these many years since the Heysel tragedy, has been as plucky also -rans . We have neither the catchment nor the prestige now to generate Big 6 size revenues, and therefore we cannot afford Big 6 salaries and transfer fees, as Moshiri has just so deftly proven.
David Moyes allowed us to punch well above our economic weight last time, and it is reasonable to expect he will do so again. In the fullness of time, with a track record of success and consistency, maybe our commercial and broadcasting revenues will increase, allowing us to realistically target a “marquee” manager. But those days are a ways off, and we need to accept our path back to glory passes through pragmatism, and not wishful thinking. David Moyes checks all those boxes, plus he actually gets and knows the culture of Everton FC. As I say, I couldn’t be happier.
Thanks Paul. Totally agree 👍
Paul, I’m so pleased you enjoyed the stadium tour, I’ve always imagined you enjoyed invitations to corporate events at Goodison and had walked the unseen corridors many times. It sounded like you had a very enjoyable and profound experience. I luckily had a tour last year and as you say was spellbound, everyone in the tour unable to stop smiling in wonder and childlike excitement at where they were. Everyone so happy and respectful to just be there. I even saw what must have been Joe Royle’s twin brother who was manning reception on the day… a magical memory.
An interesting conversation you’ve all had re David Moyes. I largely agreed with Andy and George but accept that they and certainly I don’t have your head and clarity of mind from a business and organisation knowledge or any personal knowledge of the man himself.
We have little choice but to all pull together now but I would say that some of your reasons for pro Moyes could also be viewed as reasons against.
As you say when at Everton, he strength was he didn’t just manage, he treated the club like it was his club, his money. his responsibility, his love. All the more incomprehensible then when he moves and tries to impress his new employers by rubbing salt into wounds that only he knew the exact location of. Uncaring of the emotional and attempted financial damage that would cause. That may be business, but you often advocate for the highest standards of authenticity and integrity in our owners and chairmen, not just people who are good at doing others over because it’s good business. Only the best is good enough you could say. We deserved/ deserve better.
If his appointment is seen as an advantage to Everton that other clubs are viewing him as the worst or one of the worse appointments from their competitive perspective, conversely it must be a disadvantage for the club especially at this time of renewal that sections of the fanbase also view his appointment as one of the worst options from their own perspective, a fanbase that essentially has been Everton for the last few years. Not really the inspirational, unifying dynamic force we need now in my opinion.
Whilst very experienced I also don’t think his drive, desire or ability will be as strong as you do. I remember incredible days under his leadership feeling so proud to be an Evertonian, smashing teams on the last day of the seasons to secure fifth places with a team honed from scant resources. Murdering Chelsea and Man Utd at Goodison within a week in 2009.
I also remember not testing RS third choice goalkeeper at Wembley at all in the second half in the FA Cup semi final and again our cousins shouting ‘ten more years’ as Gerrard got a hat trick on Moyes ‘ten year anniversary game.
I simply don’t think the hunger will be in him once the initial buzz of being back wears off to ever get us back to the highs we had. His default glass ceiling attitude will undue, although cliche perhaps, the knives to gunfights, Sunderland relegations inevitably, Liverpool favourites to win at Old Trafford when manager of Man U will come to the fore.
As a new chapter for him as a man it may be a charming, circular, cathartic, redemptive development that is hard to begrudge on a human level, but as a manger i think for him it’s an itch and for the Friedkins a quick fix.
Results will slow, Moyes frosty with media / sections of fanbase/ relations break down/ next… When will we get to finally raise our horizons!!!
Eighteen months if not before it would seem, although I’m REALLY hoping for May as are many blues I know.
Hi fellas, far too much to unpack about Moyes, an alternative approach and what happens now – even on here!
I’m smack between the two main camps. I see Moyes as a stable hand for now but I don’t see him surviving beyond 18 months unless there is a serious change in his approach after 30 yrs as a manager.
I see the need for a steady hand who recruits the way he always has and I’m confident he will recruit well with the odd hick up. All of that whilst the club improves its commercial front, increases finances and gets us on a more competitive footing.
Had this been the end of the season with a secured PL status, I don’t think Moyes gets anywhere near the job. It would have been a Fonseca, Terzic or one of the nextgen managers.
One thing is for sure, Moyes will have done some serious research in the period he’s been away from the job, he will have a list of players. The question, as it was before, is whether he will be able to spend and how much he has and how many players he can recruit. If he gets his targets – we will improve and be safe. If he doesn’t get near his targets, it may be a struggle.
And that test, that challenge, can still go either way. We will have to wait and see.
As fans we can only do what we have always done, support the team first, find some additional patience to allow Moyes a little time and don’t be too quick to jump on his back.
PS. My wife and I got married at GP. We had an unofficial tour of the facilities and it was a crazy experience. At the time, believe it or not, GP was listed as one of the top ten places to get married in Liverpool – which is why my wife chose it and not me. 👀
UTT
Regards
Keith
Thanks Keith. As ever, very fair points made regarding Moyes and the challenges ahead!
I recall you mentioning previously you getting married at GP. Wow, what a place to do so! Your memories of the place must be so special at so many levels 👍
As much as I understand why the new owners have parachuted Moyes in I fail to understand why many fans, including Paul are suddenly waxing lyrical about him. Nil Satis Nisi Optimum. Whenever these fans chastise previous managers like Alardyce, Dyche and Benetiz the cry of the famous motto is heard and the call that their brand of football is nowhere near what Everton fans want is quoted. I agree and never wanted those 3 anywhere near GP. However, is dinosaur Moyes really that much better? Facts; Everton 1st reign – no trophies, Man U – complete fail, Spain – best forgotten. Sunderland- relegated and 2 stints at West Ham – 1 trophy and probably his best performance as a manager, but guess what? The West Ham fans hated his football and wanted him out! Twice!
This is sticking plaster solution and nothing more. I hope to god he’s got it in him because it’s going to take some effort to avoid another relegation scrap before we even look for his usual middle table mediocrity. If we can start competing finacially again, if staying up, the first signing for the next season should be a new manager, younger, fresher and hungrier to get to the top.