It’s not often I agree with Sam Allardyce. It is more than likely a result of my personal distaste for the style of football his teams generally play. However prior to his Blackburn’s sides opening game versus Everton, Allardyce’s assessment of a lack of managerial stability in the Premiership echoed loudly, referencing Everton and David Moyes’ relationship, and the mutual benefits it has brought to both parties.
Allardyce has experienced the pitfalls of management himself. Leaving St. James’ Park after only 8 months, he felt he was not given enough time at Newcastle to make the necessary changes required in order for him to create his own definitive imprint upon the club, and offered his sympathies following the departures of Martin O’Neill and Steve Coppell recently, whose relationship with management had broken down leaving them unhappy in their profession.
Shockingly, only four managers have been in the same job for the past 3 years or more (Wenger, Ferguson, Moyes and Pulis), an indictment of the instability that comes with being a Premier League manager. The demand for instant gratification is overwhelming now; there is rarely any manager who is given the opportunity to implement a long-term plan. The demand for success has reached Olympian proportions, and this must be experienced in the present. Consequently many directors lack the patience to give their managers enough time to turn things round if they hit any road bumps.
This is where David Moyes path, who is now in his eight season at Everton, deviates from the normal trend. It has not always been a fairytale story for Moyes. The year prior to Everton’s 2004/05 highly successful campaign, when they achieved qualification for Champions League (though losing out easily to Villarreal in qualification), Everton lingered just above the relegation zone throughout the season finishing 17th. Other managers at other clubs would have faced the chop, but the Goodison Park bigwigs were intelligent enough to use their foresight and not undermine or scrutinise their blatantly talented manager (a talent other chairmen who bow to fan pressure do not themselves possess).
It is as a result of this foresight that they are now reaping the rewards. Moyes has developed a real affinity towards the club, which in some way is rooted from the loyalty given to him by the chairman & co. He is a manager who is held in very high regard (three time LMA manager of the year), and who would no doubt be in much demand by an abundance of clubs, if it wasn’t common knowledge that he has no intention to leave.
At Everton, he has worked wonders with limited resources, and has transformed what could have been considered an average Premier League side into one of the stronger teams in the league, managing to combine organisation and hard work with flair and control, and who, as shown last year, are capable on their day of not only outworking but outclassing the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United.
Realistically, it’s unlikely that they can mount a sustained challenge for the title, however if they are able to avoid as many injury crises as previous seasons then a challenge for Champions League qualification is a real possibility. And given the gulf in financial power between Everton and those who finished above them last year, competing with those teams is testament to the job Moyes has done so far.
I only fear that a lack of strength in depth, particularly up front, could cost them by the end of the season. Jermaine Beckford, though not expensive, is a gamble with little experience at the highest level, and Yakubu could possibly be on his way to West Ham. Louis Saha is a pivotal player to the side. If not for his injury problems, he would probably still be at Man Utd, a man whose talent Alex Ferguson admired greatly. If they could keep Louis Saha fit, then he has the quality required to lead the line, but his constant injury struggles make that unlikely.
So let’s hope Moyes’ reign at Everton is not deemed by other Premier League chairmen as an anomaly. The proof is there (Ferguson, Wenger) that faith and belief in your manager can bring its rewards. Exercising your power to be trigger happy and dispose of your manager does not. I only hope that this year Moyes and Everton are rewarded amply for their hard work.
Written By Darren Doherty
