David Moyes - Transfer Triumphs,Trials and Tribulations - part 1
Posted by Ian Marshall's Double in Everton, Transfers | 11 April 2006
Do not hire a man who does your work for money, but him who does it for love of it. Harry David Thoreau
As promised, a review of Moyesy's mixed record on Everton’s behalf in the transfer market.
Again, it is worth pointing out that generally Moyes has done a good job at Everton, having taking over a flabby, ageing and overpaid squad from Walter Smith. His no-nonsense approach has made many friends and rightly so.
To the signings;
Joseph Yobo - Superb when he was signed on loan and then dipped a bit after he was signed on a permanent basis. His displays have ranged from the sublime to the casual. The man we never call Ikpo is prone to the odd clanger, most notably Rooney at Goodison, but just about the only player who could be proud of his displays up to Xmas, and on the whole has proved to be an excellent acquisition, probably explaining Arsenal’s interest. HIT
Li Tie - Looked a bit lightweight at first but had a good season in 2002/3, enjoying a superb run of form in that run of 1-0s, ended only by Shearer's thunderbolt. Looked like part of a strong central midfield with Linderoth for a fleeting period. Seemed to have 'lost it' since then, after a bad injury, and plays most of his footy for China, to add to his 80-odd caps, in strange outposts around the world. Everton also signed countryman Li Weifeng, proving the theory that as soon as you've finished buying a Chinese you want to buy another straight away after. Anyway, he was soon off home. HIT (but now a MISS)
Richard Wright – Another player who had a decent run in 2002/3 but has generally failed to live up to expectations. It started on his debut against Spurs when he chucked one in for Everton nemesis Les Ferdinand and he has generally looked shaky. We were spoilt for many years with the brooding and dominant figure of Big Nev, but physical and verbal presence are crucial for a keeper, our Dickie has neither. Also, he’s about 6 feet tall but looks about 5’9” when he jumps, and that’s with his hands in the air. That’s all to ignore that he’s capable of injuring himself turning the pages of a newspaper. MISS
Nigel Martyn – The antidote to Wright. A brilliant keeper signed about 12 years too late but he’s been outstanding for the Blues. Vulnerable to the odd cross shot, and anything involving Jonathan Stead, but for half a million, a brilliant signing. Just hope he’s got another year left in him. Best keeper since Southall. HIT
James McFadden – Hmmm. Winston Churchill once described Russia as a riddle, wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. Faddy’s a bit like that. Flattered to deceive unless playing against lower division opposition, except that Sunday afternoon against Leeds. Then suddenly we all realised, he’s a forward or nothing. Shows flashes of brilliance, greediness, weakness, strength, naivety, fragility and tenacity, often in the same 5 minutes period. For 1.25 mill, probably not bad. NOT SURE YET
Kevin Kilbane – The much maligned Kilbane. The strangest of Moyesy’s signings at the time, and it seemed like a case of loathe him or hate him for his former club’s fans. But he’s done pretty well. Enourmously frustrating a times, but has also given some excellent displays. May end up playing in the middle later in his career, maybe this will be elsewhere. Looks like a very clever player some of the time, and a very stupid one the rest of the time. Good attitude. What the hell, HIT.
This takes us up to the end of the ill-fated 2003/4 season. A brief summary of the other ‘bodies’ we brought in;
Juliano Rodrigo – Everton’s only ever Brazilian, although we got mighty close with the bubble permed Muller, lasted about 20 minutes.
Espen Baardsen – One nightmare display against Spurs. One of zillions of keepers to play for Everton in recent times, but by far the worst.
Ian Turner – Looked OK against Chelsea, wrongly sent off against Blackburn. Could be made of the right stuff, as opposed to the Wright stuff.
Brian McBride – Made his debut (or as Australians would say, dayboo) against Spurs in the ‘Baardsen game’, chipped in with some handy goals.
Ibrahim Said – Enough said.
Francis Jeffers – Possibly a Kenwright inspired sentimental living proof of the ‘never go back’ adage. Poor and stunk out the gaff with his attitude. A crying shame.
That’s all for now. Next up a look at the wheeler dealing in the summer of 2004 and then the big money we spent on our Champions League ‘campaign’.
Comments
listen bell end he has made some good signings cahill beattie arteta
Yes, thanks bobobo (is that your real name?).
I'm coming onto those next, that's why it's PART ONE - mouth.
IMD
Some people are just determined to see the bad eh?
Spot on appraisal so far. Only thing I would add is that McBride was quite inspired considering his ability to score despite no noticeably great talent.
As for Bobobobobo. Beattie is still in the balance. (sorry that's yet to come) and I really have seen no Moyes bashing here. That's the speciality of certain other sites.
Some good analysis - looking forward to part two. I think this will be more challenging of Moyesy's judgement. Hey, I'll let you write it first. I'm no bobobo.
P.S. Dickie Wright out
Thanks Gents.
Part 2 is defo a tougher brief. It's available from 5pm tonight. I'm worried about Bobobo, he's gone a little quiet - Hopefully he's spending some quality time with Yogigi.
IMD