The Old Farts Committee Do It Again

Moyesy who was fined five big ones on Wednesday after criticising Referee Alan Wiley is totally bemused why the FA Committee punished him. The panel agreed with Moyesy that the ref made a hash of the decision that he contested, and he is totally at a loss as to why he was then sent off after contesting the shit decision. Confused I am, one thing is for sure though, the old farts at the FA are once again making a laughing stock of themselves. Moyesy don't take this the wrong way, even if it costs you twenty grand and a touchline ban, let the pricks have it, you can afford it.

Moyesy says: "I pleaded guilty in my situation but the panel agreed the referee was wrong and that I shouldn’t have been sent off for the decision but I still got found guilty so there you go. Do I think that the fine was right? I don’t think it was right, no, because I wouldn’t have been sent off but for the decision which the referee made in the box and the board agreed that the referee made a poor decision. But I still get sent off and fined for it so there is something not right. Two wrongs don’t make a right and I think that’s what they tried to do there.

They are a law unto themselves aren’t they? They make their own rules, they bring their own people in on the panels and make their own decisions so it is very difficult. I shouldn’t have been sent off but if they think I am going to sit back and twiddle my thumbs and not be passionate for my team and my supporters then I’m sorry but that’s not going to be me," he added.

I am going to be that. I think there is a lot of respect going on at this moment in time between the players and managers and referees and that is good but I would like to see some more of that from the FA as well. We are finding that their rules are very hard for people in the game to respect." (20/11/08)

North West Manager Of The Year 2008

Moyesy has been named North West manager of the year for 2008. The award is for getting Everton to 5th place last season as well as a semi-final place in the Carling Cup and the memorable UEFA Cup run.

Moyesy says: "It is a great honour and I am pleased to be here. Being a manager, you have to have a thick skin at times, but I am fortunate that the clubs I have been at have given me time and a chance.

I've been at Everton nearly seven years and we have been able to change. We now have much younger players and I am fortunate to have the people I have got." (18/11/08)

Defeat Is Still Hard To Take

After having 3 goals scored against you in the last 10 minutes, defeat is hard to take. Moyesy sympathises with Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola and tells him it doesn't get any easier.

Moyesy says: “It is cruel at times. I’ve been there and I know how sore he will be feeling after that game. But that is what happens when you come into management. It is very difficult to understand how bad you feel on a Saturday night after a bad result. I’m sure he will be feeling that at the moment and understanding that it is not a nice feeling.

”I thought losing might become an easier thing as you got older and you would be able to manage it better. But I have got say that I have found it gets worse. It is the same for Arsene Wenger, Sir Alex Ferguson. If you asked them they would say the defeats are just as sore as when they first started.

“I don’t cope any better. Maybe you try to put on a better face, but inside you are hurting really badly. Managers feel total responsibility. At the end of the game it is managers that have to come and speak to you boys. But the players, certainly at Everton, are a very conscientious and honest bunch who care about themselves, the team and the club." (10/11/08)

Clean Sheets The Key

A bit of luck and a few late goals has helped Everton win the last 2 games, but Moyesy thinks without the defence playing well and keeping clean sheets that would not have happened

Moyesy says: "I think the wins were more to do with the clean sheets. We didn't concede any goals and it's given us a chance to win the game in the last couple of minutes in those games. In other games we've conceded goals, so it didn't give us that opportunity. I think in these games because we've defended better - and maybe had a little bit of luck as well - it's allowed us to take all three points."

Keeping clean sheets is something we've done regularly over the last couple of years and it's been brought to our attention many times that we haven't been able to do it. It's good we've been able to put that away but we probably need to get another four or five in the coming weeks to earn us some more points. I think the team is playing better as a group. There are still bits where individuals can improve but there are signs, and because we're not conceding goals we feel better." (06/11/08)

Run Of Wins For Euro Push

Moyesy thinks a run of wins will get Everton back up the table and maybe into the Euro places.

Moyesy says: “We didn’t start well last season and we knew if we got a result against Bolton then we’d only be one point off the total that we had at this stage last year. We know if we can win again this week then we maybe push on with another good run. We had a fabulous run starting this time last year. We know we’re not too far away and are beginning to get back a little bit of form and confidence. We need to get on another good run. There’s a lot more to come form the players, there’s no doubt about that.”

I’m still looking up but I don’t know how far I’m looking up at the moment, because we need to get a decent number of points before we can start doing that. I’m definitely looking to catch one or two teams above me, but we can only do that by winning games and we haven’t won enough games this season.

I haven’t mentioned the home form because it’s made into a bigger issue than it actually is. We’ve lost to an offside goal in the last minute against Blackburn on the opening day, we drew with Standard Liege, we were poor against Portsmouth and have drawn with Manchester United and Newcastle.

Our form generally over the years at home has been excellent, and the crowd have a lot to do with that because people do not like playing here. We need to start playing a lot better in front of our own fans. We know that Goodison will help us get results but we have to play better than we have been doing. I’ve no doubt by the end of the season we will have won a lot of games at home.” (01/11/08)

Competition At Last

With only Lars Jacobsen still out injured, Moyesy for the first time this season has a fully fit squad to choose from and hopes the competition will be good fro the team.

Moyesy says: “I thought the boys on Saturday played well and I want some competition because I haven’t had much of that this season. It’s good that we have midfield players who can score goals now. But we had a good performance and result against Man United and we’ve won our next game away from home so we’ve had five games away from home, won three and drawn one.

Now we need to transfer that form into results at Goodison and hopefully we will kick on and move up. We are beginning to get more players fit and if some don’t play well, it gives me the chance to change it now.” (30/10/08)

Strikers Must Work For Rewards

Everton strikers are going to work hard and fight for everything and the rewards will come. Both The Yak who has had his critics because of his laid back style and Louie Saha coming back to fitness after a long time out will have to hustle like they did against manure on Saturday.

Moyesy says: “I think they’re going to have to do more of what they did on Saturday. I think hopefully the both of them will have seen that they need to lift their standards because we’ve not got up to the standard where we can roll nice balls into them and play balls in that are easy for them. At the moment we’re kind of saying, ‘No, you’re going to have to fight and scamper with the other eight or nine players in the team.” (28/10/08)

Maybe My Time With Big Money Is Coming

If new owners bring big money in then Moyesy will welcome it, but he still thinks his players are capable of getting some wins and move up the table.

Moyesy says: "Was that a consideration when it came to signing that new contract? Yes, it was. I have to say that. Not all managers in football have money to spend and maybe my time is coming. I'm sure that when Mark Hughes took some of the jobs he's taken he wasn't sure he was going to get money. Maybe Martin O'Neill when he first went in to Aston Villa wasn't sure, but they have money to spend now and they can do it.

I look at Randy Lerner at Aston Villa and I see someone who has come in and gone about his job nicely and let the manager get on with his business and backed him when he wanted him to. They are getting the benefits from a couple of years of steady building.

I don't like using that word, because I think we have achieved and if we achieve then we can do it again. But I do think that with the players we have got we have done unbelievably well and I expect them to do it again this year. We are in a difficult position right now and we're not winning as many games as we'd like, but I do believe there are reasons for that." (20/10/08)

We Can't Defend For 20 Minutes

Moyesy has pinpointed a couple of players who can't handle the present situation.

Moyesy says: "What I'm finding out is that there are one or two who can't handle it as well as I thought they would do. I'm sure they will come out of it but if we get into a situation like this again then there are one or two who we need to be stronger. For two or three years we've been able to defend but right now we can't defend for 45 minutes or 20 minutes in games and that is the disappointing thing at this moment in time." (20/10/08) Full interview on evertontv

Lets Do It The Traditional Way

Now that the manager of the People's Club is settled with a five year contact in his pocket, he says he wants to stay as a traditional manager with no director of football hanging around. He also revealed that he wanted reassurances from the chairman about the future of the club and got them.

Moyesy says: “I look around football just now and I see situations at football clubs that I’d rather not be involved in. I have a lot of trust and faith in the board and the club. I want Everton to be run correctly and properly, and I hope that in the six years we’ve tried to do that.

We’re trying to improve all the time and behind that is the chairman. He sets the guidelines for us all and after that it’s up to me and the team. We’re fortunate in that myself and Bill have a working relationship. In football now, it’s sad that not many managers and chairman can work together.

You look at other clubs with directors of football and head of recruitment, and you wonder ‘is this the future? Is this the way that clubs are going?’ If it is, it’s not the way this club has been run. I’m a football manager, I’ve always had the sole responsibility on how we run the club and the direction the club goes in, and for me that’s important.

Alex Ferguson has a great saying that the manager has to control the football club. I’ve been very fortunate in my time here that, in the main, I can control the football club. You look at lots of other football clubs where the managers aren’t in control. Other people are.”

Where there any proposed changes to the structure at Goodison? No, there was never anything like that. It was more about asking what the scenario would be if and when (someone buys the club). I wanted to understand where the club were. But whoever comes in, I don’t think Bill Kenwright will disappear into thin air, I think he’ll still be a very strong part of the club’s future.

There were many different reasons why the contract took so long. But in the end I get on really well with Bill and I get on really well with the board and we were only trying to do the best for Everton. We got there in the end.” (18/10/08)

Five Years

Well he has finally signed it. David Moyes has put pen to paper keeping him at Everton for the next five years.

Moyesy says: "There have been many different things for different reasons, but we are here now. The big thing for me is that I am at Everton, as far as I am concerned, for another five years.The job is to make us better than we have been. I am really excited and really pleased. I am pleased for everybody - I'm pleased for myself and my family who were desperate to get it signed and secured and it is always what I wanted to do.

Since I took over six years ago, I think there has been an improvement and the job is that I want a similar improvement over the next five years or so. I want the ambition to be greater. I want the expectancy to be higher and I want Everton overall to be higher on the field and off the field, I am determined to try and take it forward."

Blue Bill says: "There have always been two people - myself and David - confident that the long term future of the manager would eventually be secured.

"The signatures of those two people are now on a contract. I am obviously very pleased that the contract, that I've always believed to be the most important contract, is now concluded." (14/10/08)

Its Down To Sir Bobby

So the rumours were true, and Moyesy gave the idea of jumping ship some serious thought, until he heard Sir Bobby Robson speak at a Dinner in the Summer. Sir Bobby referred to his twelve happy years at Ipswich, and Brian Clough's long reign at Forest, and it made Moyesy think what he already knew, in that what an honour it was to be doing the Blues job. Long may you reign Moyesy, so sign your contract, lets move the Blues up the League and get back to the job in hand of world dominance.

Moyesy says: "I went to a dinner in the middle of July for Bobby Robson - it was a tribute evening from the League Managers' Association. Bobby made me think that I still have a job to do. It's a dream and he inspired with me with his words.

Bobby got up to speak about his time in management and said he had been at Ipswich for more than 12 years. Then he mentioned that Brian Clough was with Forest for 13. And it made me think how lucky I was to have been at Everton for six and a half years in a period when managers may get one or two years in a job.

It had been going through my head that to be at one club for six and a half years was a long time, possibly too long. But what Bobby said made me think the opposite - that, in fact, it’s not long enough and I still have a job to do. It’s a dream and he inspired with me with his words.” (12/10/08)

Boom and Bust

Moyesy is backing his Chairman Blue Bill to find the right investor for Everton after the Chairman made it clear he wanted out. With rumours of Indian Billionaires doing the rounds, Moyesy is convinced Bill will get it right, and he also thinks that sooner or later one of the Big clubs will go out of business. Let, it be the shite, let it be the shite, let it be the shite please, please, please.

Moyesy says: "Bill is trying to find someone for this club. He will find the right person. I don't think he'll take anybody just because they might throw around a few bob. We haven't done it boom or bust, we've done it steady over a few years. It might not be a surprise if a big club goes out of business soon. I've got to make sure it's not Everton." (05/10/08)

This Weekend

Moyesy will sign his new contract this weekend. When he does we will know the reasons why there has been a delay.

Moyesy says: “I am here. I will sign a contract with Everton very shortly, maybe before the weekend. Things are with the lawyers.

The board’s ambitions are as high as mine. The one thing that I have had is fantastic backing from Bill Kenwright. Every penny he’s been able to give me, he has done so. I can say that sincerely. I can’t ask for anymore. But Bill has quite openly said that if he can get some backing, then it would be a help. I’m sure he means a help for the team and a help for the club in general.”(04/10/08)

New Side

Expect a few lower league signings in Jan as Moyesy attempts to build a new side.

Moyesy says:“Maybe it is my time to rebuild a new side. I’m looking to rebuild again a side that can win games in Europe again like they did last year. That’s what I have to do.

“But this team is only just beginning. We have had a down but what I need to do is find more to add to it. It might not be at the top end. I might need to go back down the route where I got the likes of Tim Cahill in.”(03/10/08)

I'm Not Quitting

In one week, out of two cups and turned over by the shite, admittedly its not the best time to be a Blue, but Moyesy is no quitter and has no intention of walking out on Everton. His contract is still unsigned and the game of cat and mouse continues on whether he will sign or not. Rumour control is telling us that Moyesy wants some cash assurances from Blue Bill over his future spending power on the team. We are told Moyesy is happy enough with the size and length of his contract which we believe is worth around £2.5 - £3m a year. Not bad work if you can get it!

Moyesy says: "There's no manager who thinks they have an easy ride. That's part of it. But I want to stay. There might be a timescale, something might happen. Who says when you come into football management that every year you're going to have a good year? We have had tough tests - all managers face difficult times, and I have had some. No one has a divine right to win football games. You have to earn the right to do so. Managers can get into situations where it can be hard, and I have had it before. That's your job." (03/10/08)

Lets Have That Kharkiv Spirit

Moyesy is drawing comparisons from last seasons do or die battle in the Ukraine that saw the Blues progress through to the Group Stages of the UEFA Cup. The Blues face Liege on Thursday after a first leg home draw a fortnight ago. Like the Ukraine we will have the backing of thousands of fans in Belgium and with some fight from the boys we can make the Group Stages. COYB FTRS

Moyesy says: "We know it is more difficult but we certainly believe we can get through. We played away in Europe last season and did very well and we're sure we will take that confidence into the game. I think there are comparisons and it may well be. The game in Kharkiv gave us a real boost and we went on to do well in the UEFA Cup. We're hoping for a similar outcome and the same events after as well." (01/10/08)

Moyesy Admits FA Charge

Moyesy has admitted an FA charge of improper conduct over his reaction to the fourth official and ref Alan Wiley in the 2-2 draw at Stoke. He was sent to the stands. Moyesy has requested a personal hearing with the FA disciplinary panel. No date for the hearing has yet been set.

At the time Moyesy says: "I said to the 4th official that it was a penalty kick and he said that I said it a too strongly. I didn’t swear. I don’t swear. I don't regret it. I'm happy to give them respect. If I had got it wrong I would say sorry to him for what I'd done, but I'm hoping that the referee might think about doing it. He gets decisions wrong and because of it he's ended up sending me off. The decision was incorrect that he called and I saw it correct." (29/09/08)

C'mon Fella's Lets Get This Sorted

Another home game and another defeat, and Moyesy is finally admitting that his contract situation is spreading a tadge of uncertainty with the players. In the longest running saga since The Thorn Birds, Moyesy will still not sign his contract and we don't know whether its because of the hard cash for himself or some pledges on his spending power in the future. Throw in the Kirkby issue, and it spells one big mess at the minute, and the quicker everything is sorted out the better. Great, now that's of my chest I'm off for some nosebag.

Moyesy says: "I think possibly my contract situation is spreading uncertainty throughout the club and the players - and it is something that needs to be addressed." (29/09/08)

Not Just Yet Lads

Moyesy even after watching the Blues draw 2-2 tonight in the UEFA Cup against Standard Liege, has had to bat off questions over his unsigned contract. Reports on local BBC Radio were suggesting that Moyesy was about to put pen to paper on a five year £15m deal. Moyesy though is still having none of it, but he is still insisting that the deal will be wrapped up soon.

Moyesy says: "That's not the case (on signing his contract). The contract is with the club at the moment and hopefully we will get something done shortly." (18/08/09)

Euro Clean Sheet Wanted

Moyesy can't wait to get started in Europe again. He is hoping a clean sheet at Goodison will help Everton win the tie over two legs.

Moyesy says: "I think Europe is something we need as a club. Last year we grew into it, the supporters enjoyed it, the players enjoyed it and I think we all had a feeling that we could go all the way. The only disappointing night of that run was the one in Fiorentina but even then we pulled it back spectacularly at Goodison.

The players have been really reliable, we have good defenders but maybe one or two early mistakes have cost us goals and we hope we can get rid of them and get back to the clean sheets. It is good if we win 3-2 but it is also good if we win 1-0, so I am looking to tighten up and certainly in this game not concede any goals." (18/09/08)

Wiley Contacts Moyesy

Alan Wiley has phoned Moyesy. No details have been revealed about the conversation, but Moyesy is happy to give him some respect.

Moyesy says: Alan has phoned me and I think everyone will understand why he has done that. I don't think it will influence things, but all I can do is hope that the people who look at it understand and take into consideration the reason for why I was upset. In fairness to the referee, he has put a call into me. The Respect campaign is really important, but you've got to earn respect and he has earned a great deal of respect from me.”

Contesting it? I am not sure yet, I have not made a decision on that. The FA have to do their job, I have to do my job, I had my opinion at the time. The referee has since contacted me - that conversation will remain private - and that is it. We have a Respect campaign that is really important but you can't just put a big label on it." (17/09/08)

Charged With Improper Conduct

Moyesy has been charged with improper conduct by the FA after he was sent to the stands from the touchline at Stoke. He has until October 2 to respond to the charge. (17/09/08)

Possible Touchline Ban

Moyesy is facing a 3 match touchline ban including, which would include the derby game if the FA charge him. There is no fixed procedure for dealing with sending off managers. Apparently Referee Alan Wiley has said the reason he went back on his penalty decision was because the assistant had put doubt in his mind that the ball was handled inside the area. This won't matter one jot as the FA’s decision will be based purely on Moyesy’s reaction, regardless of the circumstances. The boss of the people's club has already said he never swore. Lets hope common sense prevails. (16/09/08)

Moyesy Expects An Apology From Wiley

Moyesy was sent to the stands at Stoke (Well at least a couple of rows back from the bench just in front of the Stoke fans) when the 4th official contacted the ref, as Moyesy was challenging why the ref had firstly given a penalty when Cort had clearly handled the ball 2 yards inside the penalty area and then changed his mind. When you see the replay again, have a look at the antics of Cort, who feigns injury on his shoulder in a pathetic attempt to deflect the attention away from a clear penalty. Some footballers aay!

Moyesy says: "The referee pointed to the spot and where I was standing he was two yards inside the box. They had got back to 2-2 and we have a chance of getting a penalty kick, which was a penalty kick. He gave it and then changed his mind. I said to the 4th official that it was a penalty kick and he said that I said it a too strongly. I didn’t swear. I don’t swear. I don't regret it. I'm happy to give them respect. If I had got it wrong I would say sorry to him for what I'd done, but I'm hoping that the referee might think about doing it. He gets decisions wrong and because of it he's ended up sending me off. The decision was incorrect that he called and I saw it correct." (15/09/08)

New Deal Imminent

David Moyes has reiterated his intention of signing his long awaited new deal with the Blues. Moyesy put first the arduous task of bringing in new faces to Goodison this Summer before putting pen to paper on his own deal. The Manager seems to be happy with the discussions he is now having with the Blues board, and news will be coming soon on Moyesy's future.

Moyesy says: "I think things are moving along nicely and hopefully we will have some news shortly." (13/09/08)

Delighted

After the low lights of loan deals, undisclosed fee's and 3rd choice keepers in the last week, Moyesy is delighted that he rounded transfer deadline day off with one of his long time targets in Marouane Fellaini. In doing so once again the Blues smashed their transfer record for the fourth Summer going.

Moyesy says: "It was a very long day but it all proved worthwhile. Our interest hasn’t only just materialised - we have been chasing him (Fellaini) for two years and keenly watched his development. Recent games have shown what he is all about and the hard part has been getting him here. We initially made contact with Standard two weeks ago but then we drew them in the Uefa Cup and that really complicated things.

It has taken some long, hard negotiations to get him. Standard had made it clear that under no circumstances did they want to sell him. But we were desperate to sign him and it took a real big effort from the board and the chairman to get there.

We had other targets but this was the one that we wanted. I’m really, really happy. We are all looking forward to seeing him in action. Marouane is someone who will definitely increase to the quality we have,” Moyes added. “In an ideal world, I would have liked to add another of his type but that wasn’t to be. With a bit of time to settle in, I’m sure he will prove to be worth the wait." (02/09/08)

I Don't Know If I Can Get Six Or Seven Players

Moyesy still doesn’t know if it will be possible to bring in the six or seven players he now believes are required before the transfer window closes in a fortnight.

Moyesy says: "We have got injured players to come back, we had some players away in Africa who we knew were going to take a little bit longer to get ready. Tim Cahill isn't back yet, Leon Osman missed a good majority of the pre-season and has only just returned. He only passed a fitness test before the game.

We have got young boys as well so if we picked up an injury or two, we might be in trouble. Joseph Yobo also had extra time off because of his situation in the summer. We have got players at all different levels and all different periods of their preparation. We have really only had four or five players who have done all the work. I said in the summer that I needed to get five players, it could now be up to six or seven. Is getting seven players in possible? I don't know." (18/08/08)

I'm No Quitter

Prior to yesterdays defeat against Blackburn, Moyesy in an extensive interview reminded everyone again that he has a job to finish at the Blues. He has no intention of quitting, and he like all Blues fans in frustrated that no ne faces have signed in at Goodison this season.

Moyesy says: "I’ve never felt like leaving. My biggest responsibility is to the players I’ve got here and to the boys I brought here. I believe they trust me and that I’ll get it right. They expect me to produce players and get players who will help them be in Europe again and that’s what I hope to do. I’m a really loyal person. That’s my style and I’ll back the club every way I can to win games. I’ve started to build something here. I’ve been here six years and I don’t really think it’s that long. I actually think it’s quite a short time.

I don’t think much has changed with the contract situation. I’m a little bit closer on things than I was and we need to see how things go. There are one or two things to be sorted out and once I get them then I’ll have a look at it. But I think that I have a duty to the players and to the club. I feel really loyal to the football club and to the supporters and to everybody here, but more to my players because we have a relationship and I want them to succeed. And if they’re going to succeed then they need me to be the one who will help get them more players.

At the moment I feel like I’m letting them down. I wouldn’t say my contract hinges on getting new players. I wouldn’t put it like that. Obviously I want to see what happens in the coming weeks but I wouldn’t go as black and white as that. This is the smallest squad I’ve had but we knew the situation at the end of the season. We knew the injuries were all going to require surgery and we needed numbers. It’s one of the most frustrating summers I’ve had because we had a great opportunity from where we were to try and kick on. But I understand the reasons why. The next bit is to get on with it and not whinge about it and it’s what I’ve tried to do.

Not every football manager is lucky enough to be gifted with a lot of cash. The market’s harder to buy. There’s not as many players. The best time to probably increase your squad would have been at the end of the season. But we started looking a little bit later than that. But you never know, it might turn out to be one of the most positive summers I’ve had. Not every time you make signings does it work to your advantage. What we have here is stability. We have 12/13 players here who know the workings of the club and know the way we work. We hope that will help us.”

They are reasons I have to keep private. The money’s been there, but the availability of the players hasn’t been there. For many different reasons things have just not fallen in the transfer market for us. We have got to bring in several players and the funds are there to do that, but you have to do your sums. I’m not really blaming anyone. It’s not anyone’s fault. It’s not because we’ve not had money, it’s not because we only want to pick certain levels of players, there have been a combination of factors – and we have been let down several times by people brokering deals. But the fans at Everton have seen some real bad times in the past, but I tell you what, this is possibly as good a time as we’ve had at Everton over the years apart from the really heady days.

We have a good team, an improving team, a relatively stable football club. You only need to look at a lot of the other things going on at the other clubs in the Premier League to realise that Everton are maybe, behind it all, quite stable. Supporters, like me, want to see something on the field to shout about. But I think Everton can fulfil my ambitions because I think Everton are one of the major clubs in this country and have shown that in recent years they are on the verge of coming back. We’ve done it on a far smaller budget than other clubs, so Everton’s a good club in a good position and I do think that they can fulfil my ambitions, but I want see progress and I want that progress to keep going. The club and the chairman have been fantastic in trying to get players. No-one has worked harder than the chairman to get players into the club." (17/08/08)

Discuss on BK Forum

No Hiding Place

Moyesy is getting increasingly frustrated at not signing anybody. Everton are now the only premiership side not to sign any new player.

Moyesy says: “We can’t hide the fact that we need new players at Everton. Everybody knows it, I know it, the players know it – we have to get five or six players in before the season starts. It’s okay getting fit, but you’ve got to be able to play better the moment there’s not enough competition for the players to realise that if they play poorly they won’t be selected.” (31/07/08)

Back In The USA

Everton have arrived in the USA for a weeks training and to play 2 games. He welcomes back more senior members of the squad in The Yak, Peanuts, Vaughany, Joseph Yobo, Tim Howard and surprisinglyTim Cahill believes the 3rd successive visit to America will be the catalyst of another successful season. After impressing in pre-season so far, Jose Baxter, Luca Jutkiewicz, Don Gosling and Jack Rodwell were included in the USA Squad.

Moyesy says: “We’ve tended to be successful when we’ve come back from America. We are comfortable with the surroundings when we’ve been here.

“The players work hard first thing in the morning and in the evening and that gives them a bit of free time in the day. I think they appreciate that little bit of down time and it helps them to get themselves in good shape for the season.”

“We need the experienced players because they were the boys who got us fifth last year. But the young lads have done well in the games and if they keep progressing they may well become squad players as the season progresses.

“We want to continue getting players fit. One or two players have returned now – Tim Howard, Steven Pienaar, Yakubu – so we’re really trying to get as much training into them as we can. It’s good to see them back amongst the boys in training." (28/07/08)

Contract Talks At Last

Blue Bill has at last got Moyesy round the table to bash out the Managers new contract. Moyesy has said all along that it was never a problem and he would sign his new deal up when the time was right. Blue's fans rightly were concerned that the chance of Moyesy jumping ship was always there while he did not have a contract. Well it looks like the talking has started and Moyesy will be at the Blues to finish the job that he started in 2002 for many years to come.

Moyesy says: "We've started talks and we're hoping things will be wrapped up quickly." (14/07/08)

Depleted Squad Fly Out To Switzerland

Moyesy and his Everton squad fly out for a weeks training to Switzerland today minus Anichebe, Howard, Pienaar, Yakubu and Yobo, who are still on holiday. Also Carsley, Fernandes, Gravesen and Wessels will be training with other teams. On top of that the likes of Cahill and Hibbert will still be at Finch Farm recovering from injury. The lack of new signings mean that the game on Saturday against FC Sion will have the likes of Ruddy, Kissock, Irvine and Van de Meyde(yes he's still here) in the squad. With so many players missing coupled with no incoming signings yet, Everton have had to cancel the game against Bury on Saturday. (07/07/08)

No Rest For The Players

With most of the Everton players sunning themselves in the Caribbean, Dubai or Rhyl, Moyesy is frustrated that 5 of his first team squad are still playing football. Tim Howard is playing for USA in World Cup qualifying rounds while 4 players - Big Vic, Joey, Peanuts and the Yak are playing for their African countries for another week or so.

Moyesy says: "We have got five players away on international duty, four with the African nations - it's a different situation with their qualifying, so for them they have a summer of football. It's disappointing that they have to play so much and obviously Tim Howard has friendlies and World Cup qualifiers so those boys don't have the rest they should. I'm sure there are players at others clubs throughout the country who are in similar situations." (10/06/08)