17 Apr 2018 09:37:09
My following of Everton goes back to the early 1960s under Harry Catterick.
He eventually left due to illness, but also because he broke up the 1970 title-winning team too quickly and couldn't successfully mould a new side.
His immediate successors, Billy Bingham and Gordon Lee, both showed promise during the 1970s, but couldn't take us that "extra mile".
Howard Kendall (1st time) struggled to convince for the first few years - indeed, many fans wanted him sacked - before the golden mid-1980s, but even he left (as did many of our top players) , although the European ban was a big part of that.
Colin Harvey was a popular choice to replace HK, but, although a superb coach, he never seemed to be able to step-up to be a manager.
HK (2nd time) was welcomed, but the board's lack of support in the transfer market forced him out.
Mike Walker was flavour-of-the-month when appointed, but it was pretty much a disastrous reign.
Joe Royle eventually got his chance and was building a good team, but he too wasn't backed in the transfer market and so resigned.
HK (3rd time) was a bad period - apparently for him too - and we were firmly entrenched in mediocrity (almost worst! ) and were falling way behind in the Premier League despite being one of its prime instigators.
Walter Smith had no chance once Agent Johnson had screwed-up the club's finances and our squad was severely weakened.
We took a punt on David Moyes and we certainly did improve and do better under him, but we never really challenged the "big" clubs of the time. He chose to move on, but the grass hasn't proved that much greener elsewhere.
Roberto Martinez was another "flavour-of-the-month", but just couldn't resist going down the path of disappointment and he wouldn't (couldn't? ) adapt his approach to the pragmatic realities of PL football.
Ronald Koeman - yet another "great hope" - was another failed experiment, who was clearly using us as a stepping-stone to his dream of managing Barcelona.
Sam Allardyce was brought in to avert relegation - which thankfully he's done this season - but he hasn't shown any inkling of being able to do anything beyond that.
My point is that every appointment could be rationalised (if not widely liked) by fans at the time, but circumstances (some very difficult to foresee, others much more predictable) have led to disappointment (if not downright failure) at the end. Whoever comes to Everton (as manager, DoF, whatever) will be a gamble, but as long as they're truthful (about where we currently really are) AND ambitious (about where we're honestly aiming to go) , then all I can do is hope for the best. I just want to "enjoy" being an Evertonian while the next stage of the journey unfolds.
17 Apr 2018 11:02:08
Brilliant post bobby. Brought back some memories for me
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17 Apr 2018 11:09:07
Ah the old "RK stepping stone" routine.
And didn't we never let him forget it, not for a second.
17 Apr 2018 13:45:27
brilliant post my view is as long as the players give 110% every game the manager will get more time Martinez (was blind to the fact that tip toe football wasn't working and didn't have a plan B and he lost the players which fed into the stands) Koeman is a difficult one as looking back our expections were sky high after spending a lot of money and that went against him too many similar players didn't help and he became distant from the fans and players and that coat him his job then we have Sam where apart from away in the cup at anfield I haven't seen 1 very good performance the games we have won we have been lucky and his tactics are baffling but as I said at the start of we get a manager and his team fights every game 90% of fans will accept that and the bit by bit we look to improve.
17 Apr 2018 15:58:48
Koeman also suffered with injuries had Coleman Mori and Bolasis been fit it may have been a different story. Sam has brought in two good signings in Wallcott and Tosun the kids are looking like they are progressing well but need to have their work load managed properly. I don't buy the we have not got a good squad and need wholesale changes theory what we need is a couple good quality players in their prime that can strengthen the spine of the team and acouple of players down the left to provide competition to who we already have.
17 Apr 2018 22:40:52
Excellent post Bobby. Couldn't agree more.
Sa90 I agree with the Koeman assessment. The injuries and the early fixtures just ruined us at a time we were trying to build a team and confidence. Also, I think we need to clear out a few and have a smaller, closer squad with just a couple of those quality signings you mention.