Haters and Apologists (Everton)

I find this very interesting due to the topics I've been related to recently.

First Everton.
As of this writing, I do not know the result of the Spurs game yet, so might have more anger to give after that, but it does not change much of my view on the state of affairs at the club.

• Apologists' most common theme
• We're a small club
• BK has done well in preventing us from bankruptcy
• RM needs time for his tactics to gel and get better players than the crap we have
• Players (particularly Howard) is letting the team down
• We only need the right money so get lost John Moore
• Haters' (not that they hate anyone or anything) common theme
• We have increased TV money, so we should be able to compete
• Where's the money BK?
• RM outspent Moyes already and keeps playing the same failing gameplan and players
• Players might be crap but the boss doesn't drop them
• Any change is better than what it is now

Generally, the true answer is neither, a good mix of the two but not veering into each pole. Yet, irrespective of the attackers or defenders, the screamers seemed to miss the point.

• Fact is we did better than expected during the hard schedule and poorer in the easy schedule
• We are insanely good in short bursts of linkup play
• We defend well for good parts of the game, evident since we're not losing every game by 10-5
• Some players are off form, but for unknown reasons, RM still plays them
• RM has not outgrown his naivety from year 1, which shows a lack in caliber for the position Everton was in when he took over
• Up until recently, RM has not taken responsibility of the failures, which recently changed because he admitted liability in an interview

That last point is good progress in some ways. You want your leader to know how to lead, including owning up to mistakes. We no longer live in feudal times where the leader is always right.

Yet, circumstance is pretty dire. Lose to Spurs and we might be in a death spiral. If Moore refuses to move forward and drive other interested parties forward, we might be seen as a collapsing star. Add that to debts and not owning our own stadium or training ground and we could become a homeless team should we stop winning.

Still, it is merely a winning streak away from being righted. A few wins and things are forgotten?

No, as the haters and apologists fail to come to terms with the middle ground.

To stabilize, we need to win.

To improve, we need to win beautifully.

To attract advertising and investment, we need to win titles.

To win games, we need to defend well.

To win games beautifully, we need to attack well. 

To win titles, we need to be good at both attacking and defending.

It might all seem that simple, but everyone who is arguing are always arguing over one aspect of the game rather than the big picture. They would say they are looking at the big picture, but here's the key that is always missed. TIMING!

The great disappointment that is now is due to the failed run that should have placed us in Top 4. I actually foresaw the banana slip early when RM repeated what I said in how important the last 12 games is. Yes, seeing the timing is sometimes easier than just executing!

Now, the tricky part is, while all seemed lost, all is not lost, yet. Win the next 5 and things can go on as is again. Of course, people will be saying "Are you crazy? You can't even beat Bournemouth." As of today, Leicester couldn't too, so minor slipups can be forgiven if we can get back on track quickly. Well, let's make it simpler. It's the Carling Cup or nothing. 

The lack of proper player rotation. The disarray of the defence during tight games. The lack of ideas when opposition parks the bus. All these can be corrected with fans forgiving you if you shell out a decent run over the next few games and a Cup in return.

But can you do it? RM, can you ignore the haters and not hide behind the apologists (which you absorbed blame for the first time, commnedable, but rather late) and make changes? Or are you just too stubborn to learn how to get out of the vicious cycle that you created?

I love Everton, since I was 10, in a country that doesn't even allow you to like Everton (Try having people sing YNWA despite the national anthem). Now don't screw up the club I love. Show it in the next 5 games that you have the necessary tools to make things right. If you fail, I don't blame you if you can at least put things in place for the next manager to take over. And that might jolly well start with a defensive assistant coach, get some other wins and get us through the Moore's takeover!