2025/26 David Moyes

[Lanolin]

We’ve not MASSIVELY upgraded it mate
It’s just better but needs to get MORE better we’ve had one window

Again, we don’t really need to get hung up on exactly which word we’d use to describe how much we improved it. I maintained throughout last season that I thought we had the sort of squad I would expect to finish somewhere around 12-14th and that being sucked into a relegation battle was distinctly possible with the squad we had (and was VERY much in the minority in saying that). I would not have been saying that if we’d had jack grealish instead of Jack Harrison, regardless of any other changes to the squad, so whether you think massive is exactly the right word or not, the point still stands.

 

[windymiller]

Weird one but I dont think it makes much difference.

If we aren't going go invest, we may as well keep him.

If we are going to invest, is he the right man?

8th or 14th this season, and the handful of results that'll change that doesn't tell us anything we dont know about Moyes.

I agree. If TFG are just looking to stay in the premier league and just cream off the additional revenue then Moyes is as good as anyone else. Hopefully, we are looking to do a bit better than that but, as I said earlier, I have no idea if that is what TFG are planning.

 

[windymiller]

To me, one of the weird parts of his time there is how obvious it was that even if Ferguson stayed for another year, their last title team was led by a bunch of very old and/or frequently injured players who they were lucky to keep fit for the entire season. And yet the narrative around him is always "he took over the champions and dragged them down!" when his actual failing there was acting as if that team did not need a complete and immediate rebuild after winning the title.
I gather that he probably didn't want to rock the boat too much coming in, but if you're going to be successful there, that's exactly what you have to do.

Moyes doesn't rock the boat anywhere. He's a company man.

 

[Efcjake]

Fair enough. I suppose what I'm looking for, and it's been a bit of a theme for me today, is some clarity on what the people who are content with the current situation want in the short and medium term. I keep hearing the word "stability" but I struggle to understand what people mean when they say that. I'm pleased that you use the word "progressing" as at least that implies forward movement but from what to what?

Well I'm happy to see us finishing mid table for the length of Moyes contract.

I'd like to see us move on after that and build on the midtable finishes to get regularly into Europe.

I find that fairly reasonable for a club one year removed from being relegation threatened.

The stability bit is simple to me. It's easier to attract the quality players to get you into Europe coming from a position in the midtable than a position flirting with relegation. We saw those challenges last summer transfer window when we got rejected by most of our first choices.

 

[windymiller]

Well I'm happy to see us finishing mid table for the length of Moyes contract.

I'd like to see us move on after that and build on the midtable finishes to get regularly into Europe.

I find that fairly reasonable for a club one year removed from being relegation threatened.

The stability bit is simple to me. It's easier to attract the quality players to get you into Europe coming from a position in the midtable than a position flirting with relegation. We saw those challenges last summer transfer window when we got rejected by most of our first choices.

Fair enough again. I'd prefer us to be looking up a bit more but horses for courses. I also am not sure that what you mean as stability is the same as for others, however.

 

[Saint Domingo]

Stop confusing me with Mike.

I didn't go any harder on Dyche than anyone else who was sick of his turgid footy and attitude. Not to mention that joker had the team in 16th and falling down the league before Moyes turned it all around and showed him up as the fraud he is.

Stop throwing around 100 million as it it's some great figure we spent. Guess what pal? Our spending ranked us 13th in the league as far as most spent.

15 teams in the league spent over 100 million last year.

This is not the stick you all believe it is.

It was the fifth highest net spend in the league.

You can’t turn around and say 100 mill is nothing and then blast a manager who had the 20th net spend in the league for having us higher.

 

[blueboy72]

Please re read what I just said and think about it before responding.

Maybe don’t use the words final day relagation battle then.

 

[Dario Terracotta]

Typical comments today,this season is a great opportunity (due to how poor the league is)to break through the “glass ceiling” but he appears happy with a status quo and to muddle along”we’ll go with what we’ve got”

 

[blueboy72]

Well I'm happy to see us finishing mid table for the length of Moyes contract.

I'd like to see us move on after that and build on the midtable finishes to get regularly into Europe.

I find that fairly reasonable for a club one year removed from being relegation threatened.

The stability bit is simple to me. It's easier to attract the quality players to get you into Europe coming from a position in the midtable than a position flirting with relegation. We saw those challenges last summer transfer window when we got rejected by most of our first choices.

The only trouble is you give Moyes the summer window when he won’t be staying long

 

[PercyPlant]

Maybe don’t use the words final day relagation battle then.

Even with this response I still don’t think you’re getting the point I was making, I’m saying this is the first “early January” where I can guarantee we won’t be in a final day relegation battle. This time in any of the past 5 seasons there’s no way anyone could confidently guarantee it. That’s progression, as pathetic as it sounds.

 

[Bluedyhell]

Fair enough again. I'd prefer us to be looking up a bit more but horses for courses. I also am not sure that what you mean as stability is the same as for others, however.

We will end up in a relegation scrap. Sit back and watch us fall.

 

[blueboy72]

Even with this response I still don’t think you’re getting the point I was making, I’m saying this is the first “early January” where I can guarantee we won’t be in a final day relegation battle. This time in any of the past 5 seasons there’s no way anyone could confidently guarantee it. That’s progression, as pathetic as it sounds.

Well I think Most of us know we were fine last January as the bottom 3, were the worst 3 ever

 

[Efcjake]

Fair enough again. I'd prefer us to be looking up a bit more but horses for courses. I also am not sure that what you mean as stability is the same as for others, however.

Would I prefer another manager with more ambition? Yes, but we got Moyes and I think it was a clear statement of the level of ambition they have for the period of the contract they gave him.

I think he's accomplishing the remit. We haven't thought about relegation all year. We are competitive in the league even if every result hasn't gone our way. We could finish anywhere from 6th-14th depending on how things go. Anywhere near the lower end of that and if be fine to see us move on.

 

[willo30]

This is my least favourite argument on here. Sorry Willo, I'm not meaning to single you out, loads of people are on your side here, I'm just trying to figure out what it means. Can someone please explain to me precisely what stability means over, let's say 1 year, 3 years and 5 years? Would 13th this year, 11th next year, 10th in year 3, back down to 11th in year 4 and then up to 8th for year 5 be stability, for example? And if so, is that really a desirable goal? I feel like "stability" is a word thrown about in this thread in particular without anyone really knowing what it means.

Stability for me is not looking over our shoulder in March/April whether that means we are 12th or 6th whilst the squad is improved and we move to a new stadium. Improvement will be expected as the squad improves that is a given but it needs to be sustained season after season. This is where it went wrong with previous managers after starting well.

I've not been told anything but I think Baines could be getting groomed to take over.

 

[Eggs]

The only trouble is you give Moyes the summer window when he won’t be staying long

….its not like in days of old, Moyes is now a part of the recruitment team, he’s not the recruiter. I’d be surprised if he’s ever heard of the likes of Barry and Aznou but he sanctioned the deals.

The same recruiters being here after he’s gone might as much of a concern.