Under-fire Everton manager David Moyes has been backe by former Blues winger Pat Nevin
Everton manager David Moyes
Everton manager David Moyes(Image: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
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Pat Nevin has backed under-fire David Moyes and insists the 63-year-old “is among the pantheon of great Everton managers.
Despite being the most consistent Blues boss of the Premier League era, steering the club to nine top-eight finishes, including fourth in 2004/05 – their highest ever position in the competition – and then taking the team from being one point above the relegation zone when he returned at the midway point of last season to safety with five matches to go, Moyes came in for criticism from many among the Everton fanbase following the 3-1 home defeat to Sunderland on Sunday.
The result, in the Blues’ final home game of their inaugural campaign at Hill Dickinson Stadium saw the Black Cats leapfrog them in the table, the team – without a win from their last six matches – move to a losing record this term and despite having been in the hunt for a European place for most of the run-in, they are now in danger of ending up lower than last year’s 13th place finish.
Nevin, who played 150 games for Everton between 1988-92, scoring 21 goals after signing from Chelsea for £925,000, has known Moyes since the pair were youngsters having both been born in Glasgow in 1963 and he has leapt to the defence of his old pal.
Speaking to Grosvenor Casinos, the former Blues winger said: “Howard Kendall will always have a special place with the fans because of the European trophies.
“For Everton fans, Moyes would have to get one to get up there. Personally, I think he’s saved Everton time and again.
“I would put him up among the pantheon as one of the greatest the club has ever had. Everton still feels like a real football club and people care about it.”
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