I was rather hoping this article would have been me reflecting on our closed season, the transfers in and out, and looking ahead to our hopes of a new season of progress, but on the dawn of the new season, with only Pienaar signing for us this summer, it hardly seems appropriate to look ahead to a new season, because, frankly, if we don’t add serious numbers to the current squad, I really don’t want to think much past this weekend.

I would, however, like to point out that things have been worse.  Ten years ago this season we’d just come off a last day relegation battle, our legendary manager was shown the door, and despite promises of huge sums of money and a world class manager, we started the season with Walter Smith, hanging on to our talisman of Duncan Ferguson, who himself was to be off within the year.  So whilst this summer may not have been fantastic, the assurance that Farelly won’t be starting in our midfield is enough to provide some form of relief (bear with me, it’s getting harder to find many positives).

This week, across the Everton forums, an original come witty ‘bring your own boots’ protest has been organised, a light hearted way to show the board and manager we’re not happy about our lack of movement on the transfer front, and, as long as it passes security regulations, it has my backing (I remember having what must have been a particularly lethal bottle top taken off me by stewards – but then again, I also remember a brass band in the Gwladys Street, well it was the closest thing to entertainment in the 90s, pure genius!).

However any protests against the manager and board must remain nothing more than a sideshow, as it is on the field where our support must be focussed.  With a considerable injury list, Everton will be forced to field a group of very talented, hungry, but nervous youngsters, and we must remember that, if we are to kick the season off with a winning start, then, regardless of whether you believe we have been let down by the manager or chairman, it is time to do our job, something which we do better than any other set of fans, and that is to be the best twelfth man in the league.  Two wrongs don’t make a right, and forgetting to back the team in order to aim abuse at the dug out and director’s box will be just that, besides, giving the ‘Guv’nor’ a losing start to his top flight career will be a good little sweetener to kick off the season (insert personal flashbacks of Ferguson flooring Ince if you wish).

Although depleted in the attacking ranks, it is the strong defence which the foundations of the successful progress under Moyes has been built, and thankfully our defence is as strong as ever (cue the news that Howard has fallen out of his loft).  I very much doubt, until Moyes adds to the forward ranks, that it will be pretty, but with our strong defence, we will remain as difficult as ever to beat.  Until, assuming they are in the pipeline, new signings put pen to paper, I’m expecting it to be more Dogs Of War than School Of Science.  I personally think a winning start to the new season is very much on the books, and come August 31st, when the new faces will hopefully be at Finch Farm, we will not have lost any ground on our European competitors.

And for those of you struggling to feel any optimism, I’ll share with you the theory which is keeping me sane. I would personally prefer a couple of players the calibre of Moutinho on August 31st than a hoard of players of Stephen Carr’s quality on July 1st (sorry, that’s the best cause for hope I could come up with).

2 Responses »

1. 1878evertonian on August 16th, 2008 at 12:39 pm:

   another good article SoS

2. Dave Walsh on August 18th, 2008 at 1:03 pm:

   I hope your Optimism is Justified Liam…..!!

   With a Bench of 7 Kids ,without 1 full 1st Team Game between them..

   I ,m not a Happy Bunny…!!! We need 5/ 6/ 7 Players..