The Guardian's preview of Everton's 2011/12 season

davek · August 3, 2011

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/aug/03/everton-premier-league-previews

Pretty much on the money, imo.

Summerskin · August 3, 2011

Well researched and written article, I thought.

Look in the comments section, the Avatar of Leon Osman? C'est moi!

Tubey · August 3, 2011

Yep pretty much it.

This in the comment section is a very good observation.

Clubs need a trajectory and a narrative, and Everton's at the moment - as most others have pointed out - is stagnation. Even Spurs aspire to 4th place, while Everton...? Where are they going? What are they doing?

So, what is the point of Everton? An Everton supporting friend of mine talks of:

1. Dissatisfaction at endless 7th place or thereabouts, but knowledge that this will not improve unless things change dramatically (or they go into a tailspin).
2. Holding on to Moyes as the most important ambition (he then talks of needing to get rid of Moyes to cast of the stagnation, but then admits it will lead to decline).
3. Holding on to whichever player is wanted by other clubs - at the moment Baines.

That's it. Then he stares blankly into the middle distance.

So, what are Everton for, beyond being Bolton-Plus?

PS this says as much about the current dismal state of football as Everton's malaise. I have a slight soft spot for them, but wouldn't swap a place in the championship for their position....

orchard · August 3, 2011

That was one of the most negative though Tubey,a lot of nice comments from neutrals there, and warnings about being careful about selling our soul for a quick leg-up.
However,the Stoke (having more $) question does need an answer.
If we man-up for the full season and are tactically astute, and play the right players in the right positions,I think we can get back into Europe this year with no change,and break the financial ceiling we currently have.

chicoazul · August 3, 2011

I find the Bolton Plus comment tittish. We're a lot more than that.

Are we? Oh ffs.

davek · August 3, 2011

Whilst there's what I'd describe as a sizeable 'WSAG tendency' plying their 'juss get behind the kluub lad' bullshit, the owners will have an easy ride. They'll only belt up if the club is dancing on the trapdoor...even then they'll be smug [Poor language removed].

orchard · August 3, 2011

Do we want our club anywhere near the trapdoor to test this hypothesis mate?

davek · August 3, 2011

orchard said:
Do we want our club anywhere near the trapdoor to test this hypothesis mate?

No, absolutely not. And therein lies the dilemma: we cant win anything and we dont want (and wont) reach a very average league's lower reaches. We'll remain in football limbo achieving precisely **** all for at least as long as it takes for someone to stump up the ransom money for the present owners' shares.

Quackerman · August 3, 2011

We here from other fans saying "what is the point of supporting ______ fc because all they do is linger in mid-table of the Premiership?" This question could be applied to Blackburn, Aston Villa, Totenham, Bolton etc etc, but I am getting a feeling that other clubs look at us in the same way. Is 7th place and qualifying for Europe (possibly) sufficient reward for all the hours, money and emotion that we put in to supporting EFC. Football is depressing when you look at in the wider context but we love it for the buzz when the game is actually on-going. I want a vision and some leadership from the club to say this is where we are heading and this is how we are going to achieve it. Please please please.

chicoazul · August 3, 2011

Quackerman said:
Is 7th place and qualifying for Europe (possibly) sufficient reward for all the hours, money and emotion that we put in to supporting EFC.

You're a blue, you don't do it for reward. You do it because its the only thing you know.

RFUS · August 3, 2011

Quackerman said:
We here from other fans saying "what is the point of supporting ______ fc because all they do is linger in mid-table of the Premiership?" This question could be applied to Blackburn, Aston Villa, Totenham, Bolton etc etc, but I am getting a feeling that other clubs look at us in the same way. Is 7th place and qualifying for Europe (possibly) sufficient reward for all the hours, money and emotion that we put in to supporting EFC. Football is depressing when you look at in the wider context but we love it for the buzz when the game is actually on-going. I want a vision and some leadership from the club to say this is where we are heading and this is how we are going to achieve it. Please please please.

Spurs got a champions league run.

Remember that even winning a trophy is a transient pleasure. It's the perpetual optimism that makes being a fan worthwhile. You need to have something to look forward to; some hope you might do something. Lower league teams hope for promotion, lower prem sides hope to survive and we hope to win a trophy and get back into Europe. Being in Europe presents a whole new chance to see great games against different opposition and a new trophy to win.

Will we win something? Unlikely. But it's the chance that makes it worthwhile. And we're mad because our chance of doing anything is dwindling, and we're going to be out of Europe again; something which, despite the near-guaranteed frustrating exit, is something we all enjoy.

orchard · August 3, 2011

davek said:
No, absolutely not. And therein lies the dilemma: we cant win anything and we dont want (and wont) reach a very average league's lower reaches. We'll remain in football limbo achieving precisely **** all for at least as long as it takes for someone to stump up the ransom money for the present owners' shares.

The only way I can think of out of this Catch-22 is for us,the fans,to buy the club,in whole or (larger)part. But whether or not that's feasible is OT,and maybe deserves its own thread,away from the Kenwright one.