DAVID MOYES FEARS EVERTON HAVE STALLED
Boss is 'choking' over Goodison's lack of progress
AN EMOTIONAL David Moyes fears he has taken Everton as far as he can.
He has delivered a grim warning to his board by baring his soul about his long-term future at the club.
The Everton boss says he wants to fight on - but only if he sees evidence that the club can make significant strides on and off the pitch to fulfil his ambitions.
And frustrated Moyes recognises that will never happen unless the club's pursuit of investment is successful.
He said: "The one thing I wanted to do at Everton was somehow make progress every year and take a couple of steps up the table.
"I have a lump in the back of my throat, I am choking, because I am finding it hard to say we are making progress.
"Getting the new training ground was big progress. Our league positions and qualifying for Europe has been progress.
"Getting to a semi-final one year and a cup final the next year and the talk about getting a new stadium, I saw that all as progress.
"But that has come to an end and we are not doing so well in the league. It is the word progress that worries me more than anything. I want to be involved in a football club that makes progress.
"It would be Everton first of all where I want do this. I am ambitious, I want to be in the FA Cup final like last year, and I want to be challenging near the top of the league.
"I want to be going into derby games feeling this is an even chance.
"I want to go to places such as Old Trafford thinking, 'If we are on form, we can beat them'. Last year there were periods when I thought we were more than a match - but at this moment we are not.
"I want to be able to come back to Everton in the future. I don't want fans to say, 'We want rid of him' or 'His time is up'.
"If that is the case, I would say give it to somebody else. All my family go to the games. I don't think there is any hiding going on.
"The rumours will keep coming because people see us as finding it hard to keep spending to keep up with the Jones's.
"I have a great relationship with chairman Bill Kenwright and I have a lot of trust in him.
"Does that mean if I'm not doing well I should say to the chairman, 'Maybe my time is up?' In the same breath I would say to him, 'Come on we need more investment'. I think that is why the chairman has been blatantly honest and said he is trying to get money for the manager and for the football club."
Candidness
Moyes' candidness underlines why he and opposite number Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez went head-to-head on Sunday with far more than three points at stake.
Despite being regarded as their club's greatest managers in two decades, it is their legacy and reputation they are now trying to protect.
None of the previous 180 Merseyside league derbies has been played under such duress on and off the park. Economically fragile, ravaged by a succession of injuries, bereft of new homes and with the future of both managers under daily scrutiny, the Merseyside clubs will meet with their season, their history even, at a junction.
The rejection of Everton's £400million stadium move to Kirkby and revival of the groundshare debate was a reminder of the vulnerability of both sides in an era where billions talk.
While Moyes is concerned, Benitez delivered a more upbeat vision of the future - unshaken by recent setbacks.
He said: "I don't expect the fans to be happy when their team are not winning games.
"Yet I am sure we will finish in the top four - maybe higher than fourth - and when I spoke to the players they told me the same.
"We know we have enough quality in the squad but we know also we need to improve. I have never questioned myself. I have confidence in my ability because since I was 16 years old I knew I would be a manager.
"I have confidence from this and the fact that I have had success everywhere I have been.
"Even when I was sacked from jobs, I never lost my confidence.
"One time a friend told me it would be very hard to make it to the top because I had been sacked. I told him, 'It doesn't matter, I will be a top manager'.
"I know my strengths and my weaknesses. I decided to stay at Liverpool even though I knew the situation was going to be difficult. Why? Because I am a fighter and I will fight from the first day to the last."
Moyes and Benitez have not always seen eye to eye in the past but now they have plenty in common.
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This article has 9 comments
I have supported Everton since 1966. I think Moyes has done a great job stabilising Everton from relegation fodder to challenging for a top 5 finish. This on a relative shoestring. He has developed players and blooded youngsters. However, in all the top finishes every year, we have only played a handful of entertaining football games. Most have been defensive smash and grab one nil victories. It was only last season we seemed to have a free scoring rythm. Now we no longer have a quality defense, we cannot find the net and the team looks mediocre. I would like to see Alan Curbishley as manager. Charlton always played attractive open football, just what the school of science needs.
By Sav.. Posted November 29 2009 at 5:18 PM.
Every Everton fan LOVES David Moyes, at least every Everton Fan I speak to! Last thing he needs to worry about is people wanting him to resign, he's taken what had become a mediocre club with a great past to a Club with a great past and the best foundations for a future we ever dreamed of, Liverpool NEEDS two new grounds, ground share won't work, Anfield and especially Goodison are old antiquated and not fit for purpose in the modern game. If we don't get the nod for a new stadium, Moyes will probably leave Everton, probably for
Man U, maybe City, and who could blame him? his drive and determination and ambition are what make him one of the greatest managers I've ever seen, BUT, the club needs to help him fulfill him ambition, before someone else does. We need to fear him leaving, not Moyes fearing being sacked!
By La Bone.. Posted November 29 2009 at 12:19 PM.
Being a Man Utd fan and therefore impartial(ahem).....may I wish Everton the best of luck in to-days game!
With a couple of ex Reds in vital positions,I hope they both give their best and play vital roles in Everton's victory.
By steve.. Posted November 29 2009 at 10:41 AM.
David Moyes has probably taken Everton as far as he can, due to his lack of ability not that of the club. In recent weeks he has concerned himself with getting Celtic and Rangers into the Premiership when he should be concentrating on where the next win is coming from. Performances against Benfica, Man U and Hull were all woeful. Rodwell on the wing? Words fail me. Time for a change.
By AJ.. Posted November 29 2009 at 10:28 AM.
The biggest mersey derby in years for all the wrong reasons. Two clubs in freefall due to bad luck with injuries and little transfer funds,neither team can afford to draw but this has 0-0 written all over it.
By robert mower.. Posted November 29 2009 at 9:23 AM.
Your in a depression you clown. Fight like everyone else.
If you love the club
if not go to man city, they have arab cash...
Oh like you would not like that job, on the day they draw 1-1.
hughes out moyes in
By smart ass.. Posted November 29 2009 at 7:04 AM.
lets be honest moyes has had more than long enough to win something at everton over 7 years yet he has delivred no silverware and never will unlike benitez who has won things at liverpool this year ok they are haveing a slight blip this year but under rafa have improved every year under him unlike everton who were a big club but since the 80s gone backwards
By tony,kent.. Posted November 29 2009 at 2:39 AM.
Everton to win this Derby 1 0. Saha. We want it. Liverpool just dont have what it takes at this present time.
By PAUL.. Posted November 29 2009 at 1:26 AM.
Benitez must be mad, liverpool will not make it. i hope the two teams cancel each other out, or even better, if everton could beat liverpool it'll be wonderful. then again, if everton loses they may wonder if they'll be playing next season with newcastle et al...
By Thierry.. Posted November 29 2009 at 1:12 AM.