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Everton Creative Commons License 2003-05-08 09:00:19 175
"How would we feel, however, if Darren Bent replaces Radzinski, Healy replaces Gravesen, Yobo goes elsewhere, Alexandersson just goes, Pistone suddenly develops homesickness — all because we need to make a continued profit on player sales to balance the ridiculous wage bill? "
hát nem mondom hogy pöfikt az inglisem de ez azt jelenti amire én gondolok???????????
vagy ezt most kérdezi?
én meg azt hittem hogy végre van pézünk...
most mi van, azt hittem hogy sikeres szezonunk volt, el ne sirjam már magam.
A hozzászólás:
Bluenose Creative Commons License 2003-05-06 10:44:37 172
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE

Paul Holmes: uncharacteristic optimism about the current buoyancy is easily mistaken for dark pessimism about the way the Club continues to be run...



HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL



Are relationships now so strained within the Everton Boardroom — due to the failed greed involved in the shambles of Kings Dock — that some resignations in the summer will be inevitable? Unlikely; let's be honest: who would want to take up the chalice in these uncertain financial times? We can search forever for the supposed "truth" surrounding the KD farce, but does it really matter? There have been so many opportunities for the power base at EFC to come forward with the truth over the past two years and yet they have persistently failed to do so. Recent clumsy mainstream media sniping from the chief culprits by way of local journalists is undignified in the extreme. Individually and collectively they should all be held accountable.
Kings Dock Spin

You have to wonder whether, despite Ian Ross`s best efforts, EFC could not ultimately control the "KD spin" in the manner they wished. Perhaps the hype, so well stirred up by unofficial unelected bodies created for vainglorious reasons, did more harm than good. However harmless and genuine the initial intentions were, once highjacked, it was at times both interfering and manipulative.

It was noticeable that those who always doubted the competency of the scheme kept a dignified silence at the death and never sought for the available "told you so" cheap shots despite the inevitable failure. It was therefore very disappointing, and yet highly predictable, to witness some fanatical sections hurling blame and abuse in every direction. Not surprisingly failing to question the point of their own involvement, as ultimately they proved to be no more than an irrelevant distraction and irritant to the local decision makers.

Actions speak louder: in the final analysis, Everton sent over a fax (to the wrong number!), illustrating just how they could raise the necessary funds. A paltry 2-page letter, not containing irrevocable bank guarantees and facts supported and underpinned by a detailed plan compiled by Deloitte and Touche... but the usual intelligence-sapping, transparent, over-complicated drivel we have come to expect.

Certain characters within Everton Football Club must not be allowed to take any credit from the fiasco. Tried hard must do better? Don't you believe it! The only "success" of the emotional fraud performed was that so many fans were misled for so long.

So what did it all achieve?

The facts are quite alarming. EFC never officially applied for grant assistance up to two years after muting the idea. EFC never got anywhere near to raising the money for their share of the development, in fact not one pound was officially committed by anyone to anyone! Not Ł10 million, not Ł165 million, not Ł195 million... zero!

So wherein lies the success? A bright shiny model village? Was that worth the apparent Ł375k that Everton committed in consultancy fees? I've already mailed EFC to see if it can be bought for a fiver... I won't hold my breath. Perhaps it can be auctioned off in a raffle to raise funds for the Youth Academy...

Before trust becomes an issue — and if there truly is a Plan B, then let's see it, now! If there always has been a fall-back position further down the Dock Road requiring little financial input from EFC, then let's see the plans, and soon! It does not have to include inspired New World architecture, retractable roof, stolen artifacts from the former Babylonia, and underground bunkers for Collina to escape the wrath of fans as he rules Rooney's Champions League semi-final winner out [stop it now! – Ed]. Right now, I'd settle for it being: (1) safe, and (2) having decent views.

The Squad

We've been cleverly diverted and seduced over a period of years by a combination of: Kings Dock, Moyes, 100 seasons, Rooney, now 125 years and a poor imitation of a retro kit; sadly, we are that gullible. There are no more rabbits to be pulled from hats; there is no more wriggle room for misdirection. During the summer, the quality of the squad cannot be feasibly diluted by replacing players sold with "Bosmans" or with loan deals. It would be more of an insult to the achievements and ability of David Moyes than to our intelligence.

Correct me if I'm wrong but were we not excited by the arrival of Moyes as we believed he would discover gems from the lower leagues that would flourish under his guidance? So let's hear mention of the likes of: Dean Ashton Trundle, Invincible, Mc Fadden in the summer months. The club does not need to entice us with the latest star to emerge from perhaps the Colombian First Division. The combination of Lie Tie, Rodrigo and Yobo, has not proved to be good business despite the air miles Rodrigo has collected. Due to EFC's shyness on the subject, no-one has a handle on how much would have to be paid to secure their services permanently. Is it truly near Ł7M? Have we really paid Ł1M for Rodrigo's services this season? Let him go...

The club do not need to bolster season ticket sales: we're hooked on Moyes's ability already. What we need to see is a steady rate of churn to loosen us of Unsworth, Pembridge, Ferguson and Campbell etc. and their replacement with emerging talent. He ridded himself quickly of Ginola, Blomqvist, Gazza... God help us if we see a Smicer, Berger or Biscan "cross the park" to simply swell the ranks. The fact that they are settled in the area is their problem; it should not be allowed to potentially become ours.

Last summer, the Club stated that Everton had spent nearly Ł10M on players. In fact, it was a figure closer to just Ł2M. Even Richard Wright's arrival came mainly courtesy of a further payment due for Francis Jeffers. This is the club that stood firm and refused to pay the inflated Ł200k (rather than Ł150k) for Colin Healy, describing it as unreasonable in today's marketplace. Perhaps it is...

European Qualification

Hey, maybe the club should be applauded, but does it send out a worrying message that we cannot spend perhaps an extra Ł50k to ensure UEFA qualification? Could that extra Ł50k have proved to be the difference in gaining 4th spot? The 3rd and 4th spot had never been so open as in this season. It's inevitable that you wonder if another combination in midfield — and purchasing Mc Bride permanently for Ł1M — may have gained us that illusive 4th spot and allowed Rooney's emergence to be engineered a little more carefully. Those tired limbs on display at Chelsea could so easily have become damaged; very risky!

Next season will be absolutely crucial to the immediate future. Our stock and credibility has been raised throughout Europe and will be further heightened by our inclusion in the UEFA Cup. However, before we get too carried away, let's not forget what the UEFA Cup means in monetary sense. Liverpool only derived an extra Ł7M of revenue when they finally won the competition.

Are any of us actually suggesting that the current squad could even get to the stage where we begin to play the "fallout" from the Champions League? The truly big names generally come at the later stages; having said that, the capital of Iceland is always a cool pace to visit in the Autumn months. In fact, anywhere on tour will do when you realise that some more lost pride has been restored.

Transfer Funds

The club has a real opportunity to capitalise on its raised profile. However, the word capitalise is crucial; how much future playing prosperity can be guaranteed without any finance? Finishing 10 places higher should guarantee money for Yobo's transfer (however doubtful). How would we feel, however, if Darren Bent replaces Radzinski, Healy replaces Gravesen, Yobo goes elsewhere, Alexandersson just goes, Pistone suddenly develops homesickness — all because we need to make a continued profit on player sales to balance the ridiculous wage bill?

Oh and as for Yobo... he's not really homesick; he just hasn't known where he has stood for the past season. Why? Because Everton have continually avoided the subject of a permanent transfer throughout the season and refused to give any commitment to his club or agent regarding permanent interest. He does not know where he'll be in the next two months after showing his temporary employers more than enough of his quality. This really is bad form by Everton, who claim the moral high ground again rather than resolving the player's unfortunate situation due more to the fault of his previous agent.

On a positive note, there could be some astute buys out there — notwithstanding those previously mentioned. David Dunn still appears unhappy at Blackburn. Koumas hasn`t settled too well in the Black Country. But, with Everton needing to make an estimated profit on player sales of Ł7M this financial year, it could require alchemy more than good housekeeping — or personal intervention from the board — to ensure future progress. The patching of the squad with temporary signings of Lie Tie, Rodrigo, Yobo and the plugging of Said and McBride is surely not the future. It matters not that lots of clubs may have to react to the marketplace in that way. This is EVERTON and we surely have to identify serious long-term transfer targets.

The Moyes Miracle

David Moyes has performed miracles; he is now so well revered by the media at large, one fears that it it could get awkward for Everton if we have a poor start to next season.

"He has had no financial backing, what could you expect?"
"How could he possibly squeeze any more results out of that squad?…"

It would be naďve in the extreme to believe that Man Utd are not watching closely the performance of David Moyes:

"That Moyes still learning his craft at your place? What an ideal replacement he would make once he's completed his apprenticeship."

It makes you nauseous after you've heard it more than once from the "prawn buttie" brigade at Old Trafford. Would he not begin to question his environment if he genuinely believes he can take us no further? His relationship with our club's "owner" appears solid — but there will be testing times ahead. Just as well marshaled defences have quickly realised that you don't let Rooney run at you, well managed teams will learn enough of Moyes to perhaps put up better showings next season.

Our most prized asset is arguably David Moyes. Let's not forget that, just as Rooney is still learning his craft, so is Moyes. Both are on an incredibly steep learning curve; and both are coping well. Both will add new skills to their armoury to encounter the new problems they encounter next season.

It was comforting to hear Kenwright stating recently on radio that there is no bigger club than Everton. However cynical this Author is of his intentions, you've got to give it to him. He knows how to press the flesh and the buttons at the same time. "Rooney is going nowhere", the same radio station interviewer was also told recently. However, "Everton would raise the money and move to Kings Dock," was also another statement delivered with similar dramatic conviction... oh dear!

The last day

This season has been a revelation, usually when the fixture list comes out for the forthcoming season we all generally fast forward our focus to the end of season fixtures. How ironic that it could have been Everton who decide the destination of the Premiership title, having secured UEFA qualification on the last day of the season. For all the lessons in football Man Utd have given us over recent seasons at Goodison, I'll bet they could have thought of other places they'd rather go to in order to secure the Premiership. It's in sharp contrast to the day when Tony Adams scored the winner for Arsenal to secure their title at Highbury and we were left still not sure of our Premiership status.

Despite my innate pessimism, these are good times; there is a feel good factor at Goodison Park these days. We should not let recent disappointments cloud that. However emotional we feel after a derby day defeat and being outclassed by a squad with a total value of Ł100M such as Chelsea. Refreshed and inspired, everyone connected with the club will attend the first home game next season full of optimism. We can build on finishing sixth; this season will not necessarily prove to be a blip. With Moyes's charm and Rooney's playing magnetism, we have a new momentum at the club. It would be an absolute scandal if it's wasted. With astute purchases and disposals, luck, a good injury record (and perhaps a little financial help from the wealthy on the Board), we could even surprise ourselves.

Polishing the Turd

Although Moyes preferred players are mostly Walter's signings, he could not motivate them; Moyes can. You could understand if, towards the end of Walter's reign, the Board's hands stayed firmly in their pockets, but surely Moyes has shown enough to be rewarded by solid, albeit modest, financial backing? Yes, we know Everton as a club and a company are still struggling financially, but Moyes has to be backed in the transfer market. We do not need to indulge in a Leeds gambling fiasco to ensure further progress.

Our expectations have been raised. Yet, most Evertonians are still level-headed enough to recognise that long-term progress is not assured by one season's performance — although Moyes has provided a terrific platform on which to build. But he must have support. If the only method is for True Blue Holdings to sell some of its equity, then so be it.

Certain Everton Directors are fond of saying that it was only they that were prepared to put their money where their mouth is when they gained control of the club; well, they now have another opportunity to prove it. It could be argued that they owe it to us — given the pathetic collapse of the Kings Dock dream — if only to restore our faith in their governance of the club, which could come under exacting scrutiny if we fail to grasp the opportunities now available to put us back where we truly belong.


Paul Holmes


Last updated: 05 May 2003


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