The usual new season optimism was in short supply at Everton on Saturday.
Never mind the last-minute defeat by Paul Ince’s Blackburn, that was merely salt in the wounds for a club whose preparations for the 2008/09 campaign could barely have been worse.
After recording sixth and fifth-placed finishes in the previous two seasons, Everton’s hopes of continuing that momentum look doomed already when you consider the scant options available to manager David Moyes.
If modern football is a squad game then what hope does Moyes have when he could call on only 10 senior players for the first game of the season?
The Scot had no option but to give a first start to a 17-year-old in central midfield and later introduced a 16-year-old debutant upfront, plucked from a bench filled with untested teenagers.
How could a team in the so-called richest league in the world be so ill-prepared?
The absence of a handful of injured players - plus another away on Olympic duty - has not helped Moyes but the real question is why Everton have not signed a single player during a close season where five first-teamers departed, including defensive midfielder Lee Carsley and England striker Andrew Johnson.
The economic downturn has affected Premier League clubs with spending down notably on last year - even Everton’s neighbours Liverpool have had to sell before they could buy - but Everton’s case is the most extreme.
Unfortunately, the future looks increasingly uncertain for a club who, on limited resources, have gone as close as anyone to threatening the dominance of the ‘big four’ in recent seasons.
Their planned move to a new stadium in Kirkby looks in doubt after the government’s decision to call a public enquiry, owner Bill Kenwright has declared he is willing to sell up to a “billionaire” and Moyes himself is stalling on signing a new contract.
If new signings do not appear soon, the Goodison gloom could well deepen.
PHOTO: Everton coach David Moyes and Blackburn Rovers boss Paul Ince watch their English Premier League soccer match, Aug. 16. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis
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8 comments so far
If Moyes is able to attract the calibre of player he has been after then there’s every chance Everton will contonue their upward trend.
- Posted by Everton CarterYa it can happen if only Everton will continue the upward trend to attract caliber of players..
- Posted by mackanrowAnother reporter talking rubbish, we have been the best team outside the top four the last few years we’v not spent big but we have had more sucsess than all the teams around us who have spent big and have had much bigger squads than us.
As for club being for sale it has been for the last ten years since Bill Kenwright took over he allways said he would sell to the right buyers, remember big Bill is a blue himself and wants the best for the club.
Theres also a hell of a lot of blues who dont want to move kirby.
As a true blue i have every faith in moyes and kenwright thay want let us down.
- Posted by Gareth RoutledgeMoyes has been dithering since the last game of the season,saying he had all the time in the world and that he wouldnt be rushed.Well look where that has got him.
- Posted by simon p fordIf we dont get at least three players in before the transfer window shuts then mid table is the best we can hope for.
[...] Everton has peaked, for now. (Reuters Soccer Blogs) [...]
- Posted by Daily Dose: 08.19.08 | The OffsideWe had the smallest squad last season, we will also have Arteta and Cahill for most of this season, unlike last season. These two alone are great signings. Whats with all the gloom and doom. Everton players, unlike many other prem players actually want to wear their shirt and will fight tooth and nail to ensure they progress. That i can guarantee.
- Posted by Ashley Stevensonwe need to sign 5 are 6 players quick no way is the squad big enough to handle europe premiership and the cups with this squad.mid table at the best if he doesnt sign anyone soon its a joke
- Posted by hudderThe final straw…SWP chooses MC before Everton!
- Posted by malcolmPlayers outside the club don’t want to come…do they know something we don’t, like we’re skint!!!
On loan players make me feel ashamed as a blue…have the courage of your convictions Moyes, buy em!