I was going to post something about not bashing Moyes anymore. But I found myself a perfect opening to make this post. While everything is going smoothly, the positive mindset of Martinez just comes out in waves! Yes, waves! I'm fairly dreamy myself as a fan, hoping to see Everton win the World Club Cup, but as any fan, handling defeat is always difficult. Yet, as he puts it, focus on the positives and do better. Obviously, we got to make sure we don't get hit by the negatives but we got to leverage the positive and try to outweigh the negatives!
It's also refreshing how he views Barkley despite his young age, choosing him over Ronaldo and Messi? Of course, where he will be is unknown but to all you poachers, lose your limbs for him or just shut up! It's great to see a talent to build a team around, and what's better is to have many talents to build around. Easily, the performance Coleman, Oviedo and McCarthy put up, you can build any EPL team around them, and to have all of them with Barkley? Yes, the team feels invincible right now, no matter the mistakes, no matter the losses!
Anyway, they will have bad days, but bad days like Sunderland are easy to swallow. I feel that what Bobby said about Everton, how you run a club, be close to your fans, its the ideal case of running a company! You treat your customers well, you stay in touch with their needs and you give them what they want! Obviously, monetary concerns are often less visible when running a football club as owners are often such passionate fans as well. Abramavich, as much as he is crazy in his manager choices, practically loves the team and squandering money at Chelsea. Not so sure of Manchester City or United, but you get the point. Besides, if you do it well, you do make lots of money! Follow the passion!
Bobby is equally gracious with his assessment of Moyes' work. Obviously not touching on Moyes' game management, he praised the foundation that Moyes built. There is a weird thought I have. The slave driving style of Moyes, perhaps when unleashed by one of Bobby's caliber, granted lucky that talent is also here, granted the biggest change in momentum in football, not just modern football! OK, I remember the Miracle of Bern but Hungary has a few key problems, like the suspended Puskas. While I have the lingering fear that this is going to be said to be flash in a pan when we get a bad run of results. But taking all that into account, I wonder how we will bounce back after such a run!
Anyway, I do have to spit out what I wanted to say about Moyes and MU in this article, so here goes. Despite taking into account all that Moyes have done for the team, it is impossible to accept his ungracious acts during the summer, from calling us a small club to treating us like beggars with a derisory bid. The fee for Fellaini is pathetic of what he's become last season and the underhanded manner of the transfer, the usual MU talk to unsettle our player and make him submit a transfer request, shall enshrine him in the company of Wu San Gui. Yes, if you don't know who he is, look him up. I think the comparison is apt in the world of football.
But, seeing the torment you've suffered and how helpless MU has become without Rooney and Van Persie, it brings me no satisfaction to see MU lose any more. Sure, I don't want MU to be able to compete with Everton, given how strong they are in recent history, but I like close matches. Put up a fight, fight fair, and even the loser goes away heads held high. It is this that even before hearing Bobby's interview that I have decided on a ceasefire. Not on both sides, since no one is attacking me or Everton, but on me gaining additional pleasure of your failure. And neither will you ever gain pleasure because we have recovered our positive mentality.
Additionally, as part of my sympathy that the man managing my friends' team, January signings will not solve MU's problem:
- Everyone knows MU is desperate and rich, hence will gorge money
- MU players are losing faith, as is the fans, and any player who ever wanted to play for MU will think twice, meaning you'll be paying ridiculous fees and wages
- Suppose you get around the first two problems with money, how are you going to handle FFP?
- You need an upgrade in several area, namely:
- Central Midfield, which you need 2 players, 1 ball winner and 1 play maker
- Some might think Carrick is enough but without someone to ease his workload both on winning and spreading the ball, wait till you get two men on him!
- Forwards, which you need at least 1 target man
- Even with Rooney and Van Persie, they have to work so hard to get forward and get a shot on goal. Class no doubt, but wear and tear will set in easily given their age
- Central Defence or Full Back, someone with speed to cover partially flanks yet control the center
- Basically a replacement of Vidic and Ferdinand to complement the aging Evra and Vidic. I know, I mentioned him twice but you don't get 2 great defenders that easily. Ferdinand is done so your defence will crumble without Vidic
- Wingers, or anyone who can put in decent crosses for at least 45 minutes
- Need I say more? If they don't fear your forwards, why would they commit people to defend your strikers? Therefore, they can press on your wings and midfield buildup. As an alternative, you need to give them more things to worry about.
- If the above list doesn't daunt you, how much of 200M will you have left after this? And did I mention FFP?
- The only break you have is that Moyes does have a good eye for talent, just not great in developing one
Personally, I hate SAF, no doubt a great manager but a cheat in my eyes forever. Having read how he told Lee Sharpe to report and injury and back out of England games, similar to accusations by Paul Ince. He might have completed his last and best heist yet! Stealing the championship (with help from all corners including imploding opponents) and passing the empty chest to Moyes! Yes, at this point, I kind of pity Moyes' circumstance.
Who knows, when Everton loses a few games, MU might be proud again, but I feel the positive nature at the club right now will hoist us right back fighting. Indeed, if Bobby gave us one thing, it is Hope. And yes, it can be a poison, it will be the poison we so wishfully rejoice in. The one thing that might have actually prevented Moyes from achieving greatness with us. It is not what you do to prevent a loss that helps you grow, but how you walk away from one.
