it's obviously got to be david moyes: he came off a horrible season, lost wayne rooney and thomas gravesen and tomasz radzinski, and only made two signings over the summer, and got everton to fourth with minimal resources and everyone pulling against him.
David Moyes was a no-brainer. This team was sure-fire relegation bait at the beginning of the season, especially with the sales of Rooney then, shortly after the season began, Gravesen. To be headed to Europe instead... that's beyond compare this season.
Rooney was sold right before the start of the season, leaving Moyes with no time to look for a replacement or spend the cash. Graveson was sold to Real Madrid in January, half-way through the season. If Moyes does not win, the voting was rigged. (Both on BS and the actual award.) Everyone thought they would be fighting relegation all season. Instead, Everton have remained 4th all season. From division 1 to the Champions League in three quick seasons while selling the best players. That never happens. David Moyes, easily.
If you were to ask me TODAY, who is a team most likely headed for relegation I would still think Everton. Had he survived mid-table, Moyes would be deserving of recognition; however the fact that he got that team to CL is one of the best managing jobs I've seen. And anyone voting for Rafa is just batshit crazy. This is a PREMIERSHIP poll and he hasn't proven capable of managing in the EPL. If this were CL MOY, he would deserve the votes, but not for this.
Time will tell, but if Southhampton stays up, it's 'arry. But this means that Norwich will need to lose at Fulham and Soton draw with ManU. Southhampton would stay up on Goal Differential, IIANM.
Just a quick reminder to those voting for Rafa Benitez... The reds are overachieving in the Champions League, they're underachieving in the premier league!
A reminder to those who vote for Moyes, Evertons table place isnt because of Moyes it is because of the players, the manager does 10% the players does 90% at least.
NOT EVEN CLOSE - Moyes is the only choice. And - yes, I know the players play the game - but he develops the strategies and puts the players on the field - just like all the other managers do. Nobody has done more with less.
?? Does this mean we don't give an award for manager of the year? Or, since the players contribute the same 90% for every team, that we're voting on the best contribution of 10% to the cause - which brings us back to Moyes?
What if Liverpool had not been a hospital this season? Because of the genius that is Benitez Liverpool were fighting for the 4th spot till the end and with all their injuries this season. Take away the injuries they would have probably been 4th or higher. Im not trying to say what Everton did isn't a good thing. To be realistic, If Liverpool had not been a hospital this season Everton would be a UEFA cup team. Their acomplishment is more connected to the injuries that Liverpool had rather than Everton being some great team (which they arent)
Chelsea dominated, broke records, won the championship and almost go to the CL final. Not only that but Mourinho owned Sir Alex.
There are a million "if" scenarios. The bottom line is that Liverpool were hurt most of the season, and that's part of, but not the entire, reason as to why they are where they are. But it's utterly ridiculous to diminish Everton's accomplishments this season. To say that "their accomplishment is more connected to the injuries that Liverpool had rather than Everton being some great team" is pure rubbish. That team, while perhaps overachieving, is a bunch of nobodys. I'm not saying we're a great team, but we were certainly a better team than Liverpool this year regardless of injuries. They couldn't win games when they needed to, they couldn't make up ground when we slipped up. They were just awful in the league this year.
All the top teams did it by purchasing top players. They were expected to be at the top of the table. Sam Allardyce got his Bolton Wanderers into a UEFA spot on a shoestring. I can't imagine what he could do with a Chelsea budget. The Manager of the Year should be the one who Managed a team to a far better spot than they were expected to be in at season's end. In this regard, it could only be David Moyes or Sam Allardyce.
fine. suppose the table positions were reversed: Liverpool 4th, Everton 5th. guess what, that still makes moyes the clear choice for having so greatly exceeded pre-season expectations, whereas 'pool would only have met theirs.
I am astonished Mourinho is polling so well. He inherited a team that finished second last season after bringing in a half-dozen new players. Chelsea spent truckloads of cash again last summer, and Mourinho watches his team finish first. How is that so huge an accomplishment that he deserves to be honored as Manager of the Year? How is that an accomplishment at all? Thank goodness fans don't pick these awards. Moyes will win the award or I'll eat my hat!
It isn't all about money though. Mourinho is in his first season in a foreign league and has set a new record for points, and is on course to set a record for the least goals ever conceded. I'm sure all the gooners last year would have been calling Wenger manager of the year, when his accomplishments don't touch those of Mourinho.
Why are you even voting in this poll then, as by your reckoning the players do everthing - I like Allardice and think he has done a good job, but if you think he gets it over Moyes, then you have severe dillusions.
You fool, with an open chequebook I could win manager of the year. With a 40 million pound in debt club I dont think many could do what Moyes has done.