2025/26 David Moyes

[Neiler]

Moyes always tended to overperform:

“Year after year, Everton finish above much richer clubs, including, deliciously, their local rivals Liverpool, whom they visit this Sunday. Everton currently stand sixth in the Premier League, one spot above Liverpool. They overachieve largely because of their intelligence. Their success suggests that other clubs aren’t using enough brainpower.

“Normally a club’s wage bill predicts its final league position: the more you spend on players, the better your team will be. Yet Everton, with about the Premier League’s 10th-highest wage bill, have finished eighth or better every year since 2007. That’s overachievement.”

Everton: how the blues made good

Year after year, Everton outperform much richer and starrier football clubs. Simon Kuper went to Goodison Park to find out why

www.ft.com

Ironic in a way mare, at the time all we wanted was a billionaire, then when we got one we stopped using our brains.

 

[JobForTheMoyes]

Ironic in a way mare, at the time all we wanted was a billionaire, then when we got one we stopped using our brains.

Ideally now we have a chance to compete, but while actually being smart about it.

 

[Zatara]

I know - Moyes made him the first team keeper at Sunderland and supposedly recommended him to us. The point is, he signs good young players and develops them into internationals. He also promotes internally if players are good enough. Isn't that exactly the sort of approach a club our size needs?

Allardyce recalled him from loan and put him into the first team.

 

[JobForTheMoyes]

Allardyce recalled him from loan and put him into the first team.

You keep trying to rewrite history. Mannone was the first choice keeper and Pickford became first choice during the 2016-17 season. He made three appearances in Sam’s season, so you must have a pretty weird definition of what being the number one keeper is.

 

[hallamblue]

Ironic in a way mare, at the time all we wanted was a billionaire, then when we got one we stopped using our brains.

That's because we got a billionaire who let Kenwright keep his train set. The only other club wcan think of who made such a Horlicks of things is QPR, who made us look tame!

 

[Bluepablo]

So its the opinion of someone I have never heard of from 9 years ago. Sound Pablo. Keep unearthing every stone.

The correlation between the teams players wage bill & league position is from the book Soccernomics, (further info below).

I also don’t know why I was set upon by Moyes supporters for pointing this out as the only team with a lower wage bill ahead of us is Brentford who I believe are specifically referenced in the book.

Interestingly another research conclusion was that most managers are mediocre. The media and fans alike focus on a manager’s appointment, but the reality is that most of them don’t make much of an impact.

Haven’t read it but have now ordered a copy.

SOCCERNOMICS

Academic analysis has shown that wage spending is highly correlated with a club’s finishing position over time (with a statistical R² of 90%), as first seen in the seminal “Soccernomics” by Simon Kuper and Stefan Szyminski.

Simon Kuper is a renowned soccer writer. He writes for the Financial Times and has won the William Hill prize for sports book of the year.

Stefan Szymanski is a professor of sport management at the University of Michigan & is an expert on the economics of sports. His work encompasses the theoretical analysis of sporting contests, financial analysis of sports (especially football), comparative analysis of sports systems, sports history and the evaluation of public policy and sports.

 

[Bluepablo]

Following on from above In the book Soccernomics by Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski, Brentford FC is cited as a prime example of a "Moneyball" laboratory—a club that uses data and mathematical probability to outmanoeuvre wealthier competitors.

The book highlights several key aspects of the Brentford model:

Owner's Background: The club's transformation began when Matthew Benham, an Oxford physics graduate and professional gambler, took control in 2012. Benham applied the same statistical models he used to beat bookmakers to the management of the football club.

Performance Over Results: A core philosophy mentioned is the focus on Expected Goals (xG) and other underlying performance indicators. The book explains how the club prioritises a player's ability to get into scoring positions over their actual finishing record, as the former is more statistically predictive of future success.

The Academy Decision: Soccernomics discusses the club's unconventional decision in 2016 to close its youth academy. The club determined that academies were often an inefficient investment and instead created a "B Team" to recruit undervalued talent released by other major clubs.

Transfer Efficiency: The book details Brentford's ability to identify young, undervalued players in less-inflated European markets, develop them, and sell them for significant profits—a strategy that funded their rise from the third tier to the Premier League.

Specialised Coaching: Brentford pioneered the use of specialist set-piece coaches, treating dead-ball situations with the same analytical rigour as an NFL playbook to gain a competitive edge.

 

[Kevsleftpeg]

That's because we got a billionaire who let Kenwright keep his train set. The only other club wcan think of who made such a Horlicks of things is QPR, who made us look tame!

So you think Moshiri should have had e even more control of the club and the problem was people got in his way? Regardless of what you think of Bill we over performed for the majority of his tenure.

 

[Zatara]

You keep trying to rewrite history. Mannone was the first choice keeper and Pickford became first choice during the 2016-17 season. He made three appearances in Sam’s season, so you must have a pretty weird definition of what being the number one keeper is.

Do you disagree that Allardyce recalled him and put him straight into the first team?

Because thats a fact.

 

[Nymzee]

Do you disagree that Allardyce recalled him and put him straight into the first team?

Because thats a fact.

He brought him back from Preston to be the bench keeper. He only played one game before the dead rubber at the end of the year.

 

[Melcher]

I know - Moyes made him the first team keeper at Sunderland and supposedly recommended him to us. The point is, he signs good young players and develops them into internationals. He also promotes internally if players are good enough. Isn't that exactly the sort of approach a club our size needs?

You're right about Pickford, I'd totally forgotten Moyes was ever Sunderland manager, let alone that he put Pickford in.

It is exactly the approach we need, I just don't agree that it's something he does often enough. Of course over his whole time here, he's played some young players, I just think his general attitude towards them is one of mistrust and he could play them more/earlier. Like dropping Rohl who'd played brilliantly against Villa for Gana who stank the place out straight after AFCON.

Or not giving Dibling/George many minutes. You'll probably say they have to earn it, which is true to an extent but I'd counter with sometimes you have to chuck someone in and give them proper minutes, not just 10 here or there and also with the first team players, not all the reserves in a league cup second round match. Thing is, we'll never know which one of us is right anyway, and if he gets us into Europe then he should definitely stay for next season.

 

[JobForTheMoyes]

Do you disagree that Allardyce recalled him and put him straight into the first team?

Because thats a fact.

Pickford was the bench keeper. That’s a fact.

 

[hallamblue]

So you think Moshiri should have had e even more control of the club and the problem was people got in his way? Regardless of what you think of Bill we over performed for the majority of his tenure.

No, I think Kenwright should have sold the club lock, stock and barrel to a different party. The only reason he sold to Moshiri is because of his naivety. If you want what's best for your club, you don't sell it to a muppet just so you can keep some power.

 

[McKindrick Blue]

About as interesting as watching dog piss dry off a nettle!

Bravo

 

[Zatara]

Pickford was the bench keeper. That’s a fact.

He was recalled by Allardyce and started the next game in the cup against Arsenal.

Even though they lost 3-1 he then started against Spurs shortly after.

Once again, these are facts.