The Friedkin Group's recruitment policy proved to be a shambles in the summer transfer window but the veteran manager looks as motivated as he has ever been
Everton manager David Moyes in his technical area
David Moyes has just under a year left to run on his Everton contract(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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Over the last 30 years, Everton’s average finish in the Premier League has been between 10th and 11th. The club’s best finish in that time was a fourth place in the 2004-05 season. It was not the prettiest fourth place. David Moyes’ side won only 18 of their 38 matches, scoring an average of 1.18 goals per game. Their goal difference was minus one.
The total of 45 goals they scored in earning a spot in the third qualifying round of the Champions League - in which they were controversially beaten by Villarreal - was two less than they scored in the Premier League last season. Over the last 30 years, the club’s worst finish was 17th, which they managed to achieve on three occasions.
Over the last 30 years, the club has been a finalist in the FA Cup once, losing to Chelsea despite taking a first-minute lead through Louis Saha in 2009. In that time, they have been FA Cup semi-finalists twice, the last time being in the 2015-16 season. They have been knocked out in the third round 10 times in those three decades.
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Over the last 30 years, the best they have done in the EFL Cup is getting to the last four twice, the second of those also being a decade ago. There have been five European campaigns over the last 30 years, the most ‘successful’ being in 2014-15 when they were knocked out of the round of 16 by Dinamo Kiev, and in 2007-08, when they departed the old UEFA Cup at the same stage, beaten on penalties by Fiorentina.
It is fair to say Everton fans - considering they support one of the grandest football institutions in the land - have not had much to get overly excited about in recent times. Everton’s under-achievement over these past three decades should be shocking.
Thierno Barry celebrates scoring for Everton
Thierno Barry is the only recognised senior striker on Everton's books(Image: Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
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But everyone has become accustomed to it. And everyone has become accustomed to the sort of amateur hour that unfolded on Deadline Day - an amateur hour that has left Everton with one recognised striker.
And as honest and hard-working as he is, to describe Thierno Barry as a recognised striker is pushing it a bit. Overall, Everton have 18 senior outfield players. It was a calamitous window.
But what Everton do have is Moyes, the man who can finish fourth with a negative goal difference. This debacle should strengthen Moyes’ position. If it goes wrong for Everton from this point - and don’t forget, they have made a reasonably encouraging start to the season - the blame will lie squarely with those in charge of transfer business.
And the owners, of course. The Friedkin Group (TFG) cleared a lot of debt and completed the move to the fabulous Hill Dickinson Stadium. They are now looking for new investment, it seems.
Jack Grealish points at a team-mate
Jack Grealish is back for a second spell on loan at Everton(Image: Getty Images)
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They won’t say it but they would probably sell the whole shebang if they could get a nice profit. And judging by this latest window, that would probably be a good thing as far as the fans are concerned.
But if there is one thing TFG should do before they go, it is give Moyes, 63, a new contract. This situation should indeed strengthen his position but you suspect it will also inspire him to redouble his efforts to get Everton challenging for the dizzy heights (fourth) that he took them to in that 2004-05 season.
In his second spell at the club, Moyes looks refreshed, he looks and sounds fantastically enthusiastic, even when customary Everton calamities are going on around him. His contract expires at the end of the season and the owners should offer him a new one as soon as possible.
The Friedkin Group might not be the ones to take Everton forward. But David Moyes most certainly is.