Midtable is as Midtable Does

Thanks Paul - you have plenty of flesh in the game and give a good account of the current situation.

The manager is part of the problem just as much as he has been part of a solution to more recent seasons - he can grind out a win at times (as we have done) but then let you down badly (a hangover from his first spell as well). He may well look exasperated - but so are most of us - you are not the only one seeking more and indeed I think with a more progressive team set up and selection, we may well have been high.

Summer will tell us a lot about the owners, the recruitment team and whether this manager can finally change his spots - on the latter I am not hopeful. I really want him to do well - as a supporter of similar vintage to you I have invested significant emotional energy into Everton in a lifetime, but I just do not see David Moyes changing at all.

This article really resonates with my feelings just now.
There appear to be options to rejig this squad, at a time when we are in mid table / no mans land.
We may not see what happens in training, and we are not privvy to the thoughts of senior players, but we do do see how the team is set up, managed in game, and the resulting performance.
Post match comments have the massive benefit of hindsight, making us more judgemental, but Pauls suggestion is realistic, practical.
Lets use the rest of this season to measure more existing squad members, lets make the summer window most effective.

Totally agree with what you say Paul but I think we all know that using the rest of the season to change our shape and give some of the younger players a run out is never going to happen, Moyes just isn’t built that way.

We can all see the gaps in the squad and we have to hope that our summer dealings will largely address our shortcomings but it will take time.

I’m expecting Moyes to be in charge next season although unless we are top of the league he’s unlikely to be given a new contract.

Regarding the new stadium bounce, I think that’s gone already.

Where I sit in the lower east stand it’s a lot quieter than my previous spec in the paddock and the much larger number of corporate seats adds to the current atmosphere I think.

Pretty much sums up Everton's current situation Paul. Of course, everyone has their own idea as to how a manager should set his team up, or the player's in the squad he should choose to win a particular game.

The old spectre haunting Moyes has been something of a millstone at those clubs he has managed at, prior to his return ie 'he's just too cautious in his outlook.

The real test will be in the summer, when TFG will release substantial funds to strengthen the team, and hopefully address the glaring weaknesses at full back and up front.

Him and his recruitment team simply can't afford to get things wrong this time around.

Whilst I acknowledge, no new signings can guarantee to turn out successful,we need to avoid signing players who are just distinctly average.

Bournemouth ironically signed Rayan from the Brazilian league for £24m from Vasco De Gama in January, a physically strong midfielder who at 19 looks as if he's been playing in the Premiership for years. He destroyed Mykelenko at the far post on Tuesday night for their equaliser.

People often ask, how do Brighton, Bournemouth, Brentford (Thiago the CF who bullied Tarkowski not long ago and bought for £30m) do it consistently?

Easy, recruitment, recruitment, recruitment.

Much better than most teams in the Premiership.

Time will tell if Moyes can pull off the same trick with a decent transfer budget, if not, I guess next season will be his last.

Paul, thanks for the article. I would question just one point….‘(we are) unlikely to qualify for Europe’. Currently we sit 8th in the table which might well be sufficient to qualify for the UEFA Conference League. Given the inconsistency of the teams below us I still cling to the hope of us holding that position and qualifying for a competition which looks more winnable than either of the domestic cups.

Obviously an improvement in home form will be required and as Moyes has indicated, we will probably need to pull off a victory against one of the top teams. We are overdue one of those. With the two Manchester clubs, the RS and Chelsea still to visit the HIll Dickinson it could be one of those fixtures which finally ignites the new stadium and makes it feel like home.

I really hope you're right, John!

Mid table is as mid table does and mid table is fine by me!

All achieved in just over 12 months, spearheaded by a man who is a brilliant manager, Mr David William Moyes.

Now if this isn’t a vast enough improvement for TFG to realise they already have a manager who is over achieving let alone anything else will be the clubs biggest travesty since the 1985 post Heysel ban.

Next season we will be aiming to qualify for Europe with a top 6 or 7 finish. It’d be counter productive to qualify this season as we’re simply not ready, we have no depth, we need a couple more windows of dare I say excellent recruitment, something we could look to improve seeing as we are over achieving with the bunch of hit and missers we have in the team currently.

I had penned something very similar myself, Paul. I'm so glad I didnt submit it. Yours is much better.

needless to say I agree with just about every word.It's the rigid predictability which is sapping the spirit
As you yourself point out. A lot of your suggestions may not work, but some of them might and I don't see any harm in trying them all...And more.

Whats the worst that can happen ?

The title of the article could have easily said, miserable is what miserable does, because watching Everton, has mostly become a miserable affair, especially when we play in our beautiful new stadium, watching a relic from yesteryear.

Thanks Paul, I too have a very similar view of our season so far. Ok the new stadium is beautiful and for any visitor to the City it's a must place to visit along with the Cathedrals, the Three Graces etc. But on match days, particularly at night it's hard work to get there and hard work to get home.

Overall results have been ok, and our away form far better than expected. But at home we have witnessed some dreadful performances and the Stadium has really rocked as Goodison did even in the darkest of days. On the pitch James Garner has proved to be a real star, Jack Grealish an expensive luxury, but generally good to watch and young Armstrong clearly a potential star for the future. But with players played out of position, a very deep and often very slow defensive back four, a midfield which is often over run and out played and two poor centre forwards the team has been unable to compete for a full 90 minutes.

Some of the above is directly as a result of decisions made by David Moyes. It's a wonder he has not destroyed young Jake OBrien's confidence, why play McNiel on the right hand side, why talk up Rohl's ability to play in a variety of positions but never select him etc, etc. and it's the in ability for the Manager to get the best from his squad that I find most frustrating.

So yes we have done ok this season but the fun and joys from watching the team have been limited. I hope we don't qualify for Europe, we don't have the players to compete for the extra number of games. But I hope we can start next season with some hope and ambition, a top ten finish and some glory in the Cups would be great, and maybe ou smiles will return.

I, too, have never understood why we play the exact same way for pretty much every minute of every game. The 4.2.3.1 formation is extremely popular these days but it doesnt always make for good games to watch.

It seems to be giving a good return away from home, so fine play that way away.

But at home the formation doesnt lend itself to taking the game to opponents or making the most of good possession. Playing two strikers, or at least an advanced midfielder much closer to the striker ( ala Tim Cahill) would allow better link up play and more of a goal threat. Whatever happened to the smaller, faster striker? Would Gary Lineker, Adrian Heath, Tony Cottee or Andrew Johnson even get a game these days?

As many others have intimated, its just so dull these days.

Some blues out there have memories short,
Losing their heads when points can’t be bought.
We’d all love footy, flowing fast, free and bright,
Battering teams, who are up for a fight.

But that’s not fixed in a one season spin,
You don’t just flick a switch and always win.
Poor results hurt yeah, no denying that,
But you can’t polish a turd, and that’s a fact.

Home form’s the code we’ve got to crack,
Missing the Old Lady, but there’s no going back.
Goodison roared, she breathed, she bit,
Now the shine of the Dockland’s losing its zip.

Yeah, maybe the novelty’s wearing thin,
But this is our new home we’re now living in.
Onward we go, blood, sweat and tears,
School of Science is back, lad wait a few years.

This comment is definitely off topic, I know most of us read Evertonia and Toffeeweb, but can anyone tell me what the hell is happening on Toffeeweb.
Virtually impossible to use,and no way to contact them for help via the site itself.

Good article, Paul. There’s a minor trope going around some Evertonians that they like 75% of what Moyes does, but the other 25% frustrates the hell out them. I think that ratio has probably evened out a lot more after our home form. The one thing that sums up my frustration with him is his stubbornness with Aznou. He surely cannot be any worse that Mykolenko. He’s a Bayern graduate and a Morocco international ffs. It’s the same as Dyches’s blanking of O’Brien. I still think European qualification is possible and we should be busting a gut to get there, but he needs to trust the likes of Aznou, Patterson and Röhl for some much-needed energy.

Many long term Evertonians can identify with your thoughts Paul.They know the pattern instinctively after 30 plus years and longer

I thinks Moyes was brought in to stabilise and work his London Stadium success on the Hill Davidson Stadium.He has achieved the former.but is struggling with the latter.

I expect the Summer transfer window to be players with potential( same as the previous Summer) and a few seasoned professional loans.I think the Manager after Moyes will be the next stage Manager and this will be based on TFG's Management and not Moyes legacy, and maybe you will see more of what you desire.

Sometimes I think there is a little bit of a myth regarding goodison.
I've been sat there when its been like a morgue (apart from the boo's) and home results over the last 3 seasons were poor( something like 18 wins in 54 games)
It was fantastic when we were up against it but we've not really had a big crunch game at the dock and as other posters have said our football is so predictable at times (square pegs in round holes don't help) mind you if someone had said in August we'll be 8th in February I'd have taken it
Things will improve utft

Ground Hog Day, every home game, as even allowing for transition, Everton have never fully controlled any half, of any game this season, Forest perhals the best game, and at best every win or draw has been a strong 37-58% at best possession on average.

I think the cycle of regular night games, has impacted the the crowd, the team, a bigger pitch, and I'd say every team embraces the bigger pitch and look fitter than Everton.

So to compound the results, picking out of form, or players out of their best position, makes it worse.

Four steps forward, with fine awsy wins. And failure to take home advantage.

But in modern times, this imho is the worst set of strikers Everton, have paid very good money for, and worse than Angel,and Biley

The net good chances missed in the 6 yard box, these last 3 years brings tesrs to a glass eye.

No excuses, the facts, tell a story.

In context, I loved Mr Magoo, as a kid, and all due respect to our set of forwards, Mr Magoo, would put sone of these chances away.

But its a team effort, and the inertia at the back and transition to midfield and attack, is sapping the efficiency of this squad.

This is not a bad squad but the instinct to make the right pass is oftem missing.

Missing Grealish, I'd say. In view he keeps possession, takes out 2-3 players, but Everton, players, rarely bust a gut to get in the space.
But do the results also tell a story when Grealish plays?

But one player, doesnt make a team.

So weekend off, and United on a Monday night.

Davey Moyes, now is the time to stand and fight to win a home game, versus the EPL form team.

I hope and I'm sure, Everton,will keep the fight going,to the last minute of this season..

To be back in Europe... Its been a long time.
With more games now midweek, than Saturdays, it could be easier to manage than 10 years ago.

But, at least the CB line up is easier, and the FAC break, a chance to recharge, the batteries.

All have a good weekend.

NSNO!

Going from being relegation candidates one season to being midtable the next doesn't automatically mean being world beaters. It doesn't mean that we are still garbage. It simply means that we have improved and made progress. We have new(ish) sensible owners for a change and a steady manager for a change. Steady means steady improvement and progress, nothing more.

Fans are fickle and temperamental. The phrases managing expectations and progression mean nothing to us in the grand scheme of things. We give them lip service but the phrase that really only means anything is instant gratification.

Let Moyes see out his contract then see what coach or manager suits our squad and where we are at. For me, this would mean looking to see if we could go down the Brentford route. Thomas frank was seen as at exceptional coach at Brentford but has just gotten sacked at Spurs. Keith Andrews was part of the coaching staff at Brentford and just stepped up to being head coach. Nothing changed at Brentford, the coaching team remained the same. As a result, they've stayed consistent from last season to this one. So, rather than replacing Moyes and his whole coaching staff, then starting again with a whole new style, just replace the head coach and leave the rest as they are.

Kieran#18

The real issue at Everton isn't just David Moyes, it's the entrenched football apparatus behind him. Moyes is a figurehead, implementing rigid tactics, but the consistent failure to address squad weaknesses, prepare players, and develop talent has persisted under numerous managers. Only the managers have paid the price; the structure remains untouched.

Moyes is the ideal frontman for this system. He guarantees Premier League survival, won't rock the boat, and accepts cup exits and mid-table finishes without demanding change. When he leaves, things will likely decline,not because he's irreplaceable, but because he'll leave the same underperforming apparatus intact for the next manager to inherit.

The hope lies with TFG . Their strategy of signing young players with potential challenges the old guard, exposing the club's failure to develop talent. The next step is clear: TFG must now use its professional management systems to hold the apparatus accountable and begin the real rebuild. Moyes has served his purpose. It's time for Stage One of genuine football development.

Good article that Paul, agree with you on all points, Moyes could get more sceptics on board just by being less pragmatic and predictable and just giving some players a chance , did I not witness Asnou coming off the bench and have a good spell against Sunderland? hasn’t had a look in since, not even in the squad, is he injured? Patterson and Rohl similar treatment after decent performances, Moye’s management style is a bit bizarre at times tbh.

Hi Paul,

A great article that I could have written myself but it would not have been anywhere near as good.

Completely agree that Moyes needs to be more creative with his selections in the Gana, striker, Tarkowski, and I would say left-back positions in what remains of the season so that we might learn things for next season. We will not learn anything new if Moyes stays stubborn.

Armstrong on the wing drives me - and maybe him - nuts.

TFG and Saint Daniel the Absent need to get it right over the summer. The last two windows failed to address some of our most pressing needs. Sadly, Barry was back to his comic best in the last game.

Kieran: 18: 'So, rather than replacing Moyes and his whole coaching staff, then starting again with a whole new style, just replace the head coach and leave the rest as they are'.

That's not how it works Kieran

Jeff A: 20: 'Moyes’s management style is a bit bizarre at times tbh'.

His very public dressing down of Dibling was unprofessional and possibly counter-productive, not least because Moyes said that confidence was one of Tyler's major issues.

Paul F, also his subbing on and then off of Aznou in his very first home game in the freindly vRoma was embarrassing for Moyes but absolutely shocking for the young man on home debut, I don’t think he recovered from that until the cameo v Sunderland, he was good v Roma but to drag him off in a friendly was criminal.

Remember Jeff, Moyes is dead hard and men are men. And then he doubles down on Aznou who has not had a minute on the pitch since that bright Sunderland cameo. He ought to write a book on how to undermine confidence and playing favourites. His kids must be in therapy.

Sorry meant to say not good v Roma.

The OP chimes with me as do most of the responses, with particular nods to Mike (16) and Paul (17).

Only Harry (7) has me befuddled.

Really good article as ever Paul.

Whilst I would love to see some experimentation, and testing of players who are kept on side-line, Moyes stubbornly plods on with more of the same week after week.

I fear that both him and new owners just want to see headlines of "Relegation to Mid-Table Improvement at Everton" at the end of the season.

For new owners it is something to refer to and I fear for Moyes, it may keep him in a job here. Zzzz!

I expect similar next season if that is the case with some good young players having their confidence shot with Moyes blaming them.

Strangely winning the relegation battle was more exciting and the thought of us playing some unknown club at our new ground in a minor Euro competition does not excite me one little bit.

This thread is now a week old but by its questioning nature (as are all the best articles) I thas has shown to be capable of attracting other issues which are germane.
Two such in my view are Everton's inability to build on leads which become ever more precarious as the game progresses; the opposition get desperate and/or more adventurous which makes us edgy &, under Moyes likely to 'shut up shop'.
An equaliser frequently leads to defeat; very little research required there.
Furthermore this feeds into our fan neurosis; hence our enjoyment of games is constantly compromised.
That scenario militates against the 'let blood a youngster' indeed Moyes's go to sub then was a old 'Young'.