Everton are a stable mid-table team now with pretensions at Europe that might yet prove elusive this season. The question then concerns how the ownership want to proceed this summer
Some say it's the hope that kills you. More often than not it's misplaced optimism hitting reality. We have regressed to the mean.
At the start of the season, I predicted a 10th-place finish, higher if we got ourselves a decent striker. We didn't, so midtable it is. A midtable squad managed by one of the best at getting the best out of half-decent players.
No concerns about a relegation battle, I've never been convinced we would qualify for Europe. I'm not sure we're good enough. I hope I'm proved wrong.
I'm baffled by David Moyes' reluctance to play most of his expensive purchases, curious of his inability to notice players getting visibly tired and less effective. Concerned at his reluctance to switch things around and try something different.
I'd agree that we've made great progress since he took over. Never underestimate the task of replacing nine players in one sumner and making a coherent-ish team from it.
This summer's task is to keep the new stadium, new Everton momentum flowing. We need good recruitment; not just the solid stuff like re-signing Michael Keane, but the men that can make a difference in central midfield, wing back snd striker. Pace, strength and character.
If I was the owner, I'd pat Moyes on the back for a solid, stable job well done. Then I'd ask him why he doesn't trust the players I've forked out for, and whether he will trust the players I'll fork out for this summer.
The question for the owner is, do we buy more players the manager will trust, or do we find a manager who trusts the players we have and the ones we'll buy?
Big decisions for the owner this summer. I'd be disappointed if they weren't at least pondering Andoni Iraola or Oliver Glasner to take things further. Unless of course, they're happy for a few more years of 'stability'.
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