What are your thoughts about David Moyes?

Personally, I've always liked him. But with players seeming so unhappy here, it makes me wonder.

 

Moyes is a tough read, especially all the way over here. Is he the motivational genius that got us within touching distance of Europe two years ago or a divisive force with limited man-management skills that got lucky last year?

Conventional wisdom would say the truth lies somewhere in between.

New blood in the squad is an obvious need, but Moyes really hasn't had any cash with which to play. He's done well to bring in the players he has and most of his buys have been intelligent ones, especially Yobo, Martyn and Kilbane.

I certainly have a great deal more faith in Moyes' managing than the supposed efforts of a bunch of aging or disinterested lagabouts. Ferguson, Campbell, Radzinski and others can be replaced, but letting Moyes go would be a huge mistake, in my opinion.

 

When he first came in, he got the team to play well and avoid relegation, which Everton were staring in the face. Then the next season, he got some great, great performances out of a team that no one expected to do anything. This past year has been dissappointing in a lot of ways. And honestly, at this point, I think that no manager could bring this current squad to success. We need players.

 

I think thats the wisest thing we could say right now.

He's obviously a disciplinarian, a typical fiery Scot in the Ferguson mould, which some players (and people in all walks of life really) don't respond well to. I think that with last season being such a dissapointment after the previous campaigns success there was always going to bit a bit of unrest, finger pointing, scapegoats and the like. Perhaps some players didn't take the criticism well, Radzinksi probably being one of them.

Moyes has always tried to protect Wayne from the media, use him sparingly throughout the season etc but now he has shown the world how good he is at the highest level it changes things a bit. He's also almost 19 now, so perhaps Moyes hasn't fully come to terms with this and is still giving him the kid-glove treatment.

Having said that it must be difficult working in the circumstances that Moyes finds himself in. His hands are tied, not only is there no transfer kitty but no way of bringing in out of contract or loan players because of the wages used up by fringe players. The fact that Everton are trying to pay off players contracts speaks volumes.

I think Moyes is wise enough to know his limitations, but he's learning from his mistakes and has all the right qualities to be a very successful manager.

Any criticism I have for Everton is squarely aimed at the board of directors. The club has been badly run for years.

 

Yeah. We need money to cover up the mistakes. Where are all the Eastern European billionaires when you need them?

 

Moysey strikes me as being a pretty honest bloke and has done well in helping bring Rooney through.

You have to ask yourself, if he was gone, who would you choose or realistically get?

I think Everton have to try and cash in on Rooney and balance the books a bit, and tap into some youth.

 

When he was down in Houston, I was very impressed with him. He does very well with the press down here and seems like he was not a real cocky guy. He did a 2 hour coaching clinic Q&A and I was impressed with his knowledge of the game and the way he carried himself.

I feel sorry for this guy because of the hand he has been dealt. Having 13 players dressed to play in the exhibition match against Club America was pathetic. Everton management needs to let him get some kind of depth before the season starts but I am afraid it is too late.

I think this guy is a great manager and would do just as well as Ferguson and Wenger if he was in their positions.

 

I don't think any of the toffee fans' trepidations regarding the upcoming season have to do with Moyes, but more with no players, no money, messed up board, etc. etc., take your pick.