Moyes-Doctrine: A tale of two cities... this one's all ours
Everton FC are opening a new store at LiverpoolOne affectionately titled EvertonTwo. In a reverse irony of the commercial decline of Everton Football Club within Liverpool, it marks a fundamental shift in positioning of the club within the public eye. Everton FC now stand toe to toe with the Kopites in a way the supporters have been demanding for years within the heart of our own city and beyond. With a new merchandising setup through Kitbag, Everton can now look to be marketed and pushed in the public eye in a way that has been lacking under JJB Sports, much to the annoyance of the average Everton supporter. For years it seemed, Everton made no progress off the pitch although already we may be seeing positive movement there with new stores and new prescence back where we belong - in the city that's all ours.
The real irony is that it has come at a time that the Kopites are in financial meltdown, with no more money to spend, with a ã43million pre-tax loss (larger than Everton's apparent overall debts). The "genius" that is the Spaniard Rafael Benitez must like his followers - learn how to manage on a budget. Ironic in itself, how will a club founded for profit manage making continuing losses year in year out? Staggnation and decline is inevitable, much to the chargrin of Evertonians - the pendulum is swinging.
This week saw Benitez attempting to reposition the sinking ship as "the heart of the city" in an interview with Radio City - City Sport. Time and again the Spaniard mentioned the Kopites being "the heart of the city" and that the Kopites were prepared "to fight" for their "supporters". In other terms, Benitez was acknowledging just what a mess those in red find themselves. They are "skint". Any players they actually manage to buy this season only pushes them further into debt. A debt which the Kopites are having to look to renegotiate with the banks in a decreasingly worse position. All this pressure will no doubt build further so that Evertonians have many more months to look forward to with the latest taunt to the Kopites - "you're skint".
Meanwhile Everton have decisions to make and decisions to wait on. The stadium debate rolls on although yay or nay - will be decided in the forthcoming months. Either way, on either side of the debate the ultimate goal is to make Everton competitive - something that the lack of a huge "Kopite debt" means is easier for us to achieve. We use the Kopites as an illustration of what can happen to a football team saddled with debts it is unable to service realistically, with a manager who is unable to survive without huge funds and a group of fans who being fickle are the first to jump ship when it starts to sink.
Everton are fundamentally on the brink of overtaking the Norwegians - despite the disparity thanks to Champions League prize money. Why? Moyes has build foundations to build on and which he continues to do, by bringing in and developing youth as a central strategy, by maintaining budgets and by continuing to progress. But equally, not just developing youth for youth's sake, but "usable" youth. Its a challenge for any local to name players beyond a decade ago that were brought through over there and are now Kopite regulars. Whilst Everton has Jack Rodwell, Dan Gosling and more coming through under Moyes are in and around the first eleven, gaining experience, and growing as players. Equally, the disparity thanks to Champions League money is now being closed firstly by the "Kopite debt" and secondly by Everton's on and off pitch performances.
If the Kopites have one season (this season) of dramatic underachievement - such as failure to qualify for the Champions League money, this could lead to the biggest collapse of a football club English football has ever seen, something every Evertonian would love to see.
In parallel, Everton's growth will inevitably continue even if we underperform relative to previous season's with a finish mid-table. Obviously the supporters won't let this happen and will remind the players of their priorities in a way only Evertonians do: NIL SATIS NISI OPTIMUM. Under Moyes we actually look to strengthen on last season, with additional Europa League monies and growth off the field, and the unflinching desire of the club (Everton) that was denied opportunities in the past. The door for Everton is open - all we need to do is jump through it. A number of useful signings for the team along with several players for development will put us where we want to be. Under Moyes the players will perform - because in Moyes we trust. It's up to every Evertonian to support the club at this crucial time.
Expect to hear the cries of dispair over the park in the next few months... All Evertonians need to do is stay focused to what must be done this coming season. Silverware if we can (that last step on last season). Champions League qualification a priority - with all the extra money that means for the club. Player development - to continue as a team. See off our rivals ... to ensure that when the Kopites inevitably fall short... which they will... Everton are in the position to take our rightful place - with dignity. Whilst the Kopites look ready to take their rightful place as well...
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Where can I get a shirt saying the 'bird is blue?'
Why not write an article about Everton instead of Liverpool? Why do we care about them? They don't care about us.
Like Everton 2, Liverpool 1 this article makes us look small time. Embarrassing.
Gwladys Season Ticket Holder.
I don't know any Kopites who aren't obsessed with Everton.
When Dan Gosling put the ball in the net they cared so much they cleared Bullens Road in under 3 minutes.
The boot is now on the other foot, as they don't have the Champions League money to create disparity thanks to Operation Yankee Doodle Oslo ... and them getting the large interest fees.
Benitez's so called FACTS obviously don't match the real world Evertonians operate in.
Bullens Road season ticket holder
Interesting stuff Mark. Thoughtful and well argued as ever. Although all the positives you've listed stand alone in their own right and don't really need comparisons to the other lot across the Park.
We have got to try and stop defining ourselves in relation to them.
I make no apology for loudly promoting the good things Everton FC are doing and the poor management and ineptitude of the Kopites.
We've had it from across the park - for years - and the attempt to kill Everton off particuarly with the differential in finance created by the Champions League (>ã20m a year) is an advantage they no longer have thanks to the debts.
Everton on the other hand thanks to good management (Moyes) are at the brink of success. This point should not be ignored - should be emphasised to the Kopites.
We were here first. We are the oldest club on Merseyside. We are the blues and nothing but the best is good enough.
Despite attempts to knock us down we're still standing. Let no one forget it.
Reid you clueless buffoon, the FACTS speak for themselves. You haven't won a trophy for near on FIFTEEN years. You've won ONE trophy in 23 years.
LFC have won more trophies this decade alone than little everton have in the past 40 years. We've finished above you 22 out of the past 23 seasons, and 37 out of the past 40 seasons. That's over 90% by the way, there is absolutely NO comparison.
The gap is getting bigger year by year, 12 points in 2008, 23 points in 2009, you can come up with as many meaningless soundbites and gushing self praise as you like, those facts speak for themselves.
No wonder you're so bitter, you smalltime little man.
You might be a better side than us!
but pound for pound, considering the money you've spent compared to us, you're not that far ahead of us
We have better management, 'LOCAL' proud fans, passionate hardworking players and in our previous 3 meetings which is what judges where teams are currently at, not what happened forty years ago, you have failed to beat us, so you're not 'that far' ahead.
I don't like stating facts about our past, but you liverpool fans tend to do that alot (you're even bringing a fckin play about Istanbul out, how sad and needy is that?!)
But if we are stating facts...As for us being little. . we are still the all time 5th most successful club in England, which would make the likes of tottenham and aston villa etc absolutely tiny! which they're not.
Honda you are an absolute clown!
No wonder you're so bitter, you smalltime little man.
Your last line Mr Honda,you describing the big old Spanish waiter there?
No wonder you're so bitter, you smalltime little man.
Your last line Mr Honda,you describing the big old Spanish waiter there?
"we are still the all time 5th most successful club in England"
Yes FIFTH!
We are the FIRST!
Spot the difference?
is the europa draw tomorrow going to be televised?
as far as i'm aware its live at 10am Friday on eurosport.
thanks brian.
have just checked eurosport. it is on at 1230 on fri
terry
Does anyone know if there is a seeding system for the europa draw on friday?