While the growing census on Marco Silva is that things are starting to turn around, there are still some supporters who feel the club should have let the Portuguese leave earlier in the campaign when results took a dip.
Some even believe we would have still found ourselves where we in the league had Sam Allardyce still been in charge, as the one-game England boss managed a 1.42 points per game average with the Toffees last season – the joint best of his club career.
Silva, on the other hand, currently holds a 1.44 points per game average, having won 17 of his 41 Everton games, drawing eight and losing 16.
Under Silva, we have also scored 63 goals but conceded 54, whereas Allardyce’s time at the helm returned 31 goals from 26 games, in which we conceded 32, for a total of ten wins, seven draws and nine defeats.
Those who still laud the Allardyce name on the grounds of league position are right in that the former Bolton, Newcastle and West Ham manager led us from a relegation fight to an eighth-place finish, but it was more so his style of football that saw the 64-year-old make way for Silva – who too looks set to end the season in eighth.
Silva’s brand of football has also led to wins over Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United, whereas Allardyce’s best results were two draws with Liverpool.
Regardless, though, Silva remains a figure who splits opinions on the Grand Old Team forum…
“20 points from the last ten games I think. That’s an excellent return however you look at it.” – Mill (May 7, 11:12)
“Too little too late. People said give him a season, he had a season and got the same position as Allardyce (and even that’s not certain yet). Now people are saying lets give him another season. He could have been sacked earlier on in the year and no doubt next year will be the same. If the money is there ask someone like [Antonio] Conte or [Jose] Mourinho and see what they can do, no more of this “let’s give an up and coming manager a chance” nonsense. We had that with [Roberto] Martinez.” – Havrey0123 (May 7, 11:26)
“Or there is a trajectory of improvement in terms of football AND results. You seem to be fairly anchored in your view? Why do you think the recent form is ‘too little, too late?’ Too late for what?” – Mill (May 7, 11:29)
“The idea of Everton signing up a manager who has actually won an English trophy is as strange as it is exciting.” – Davids (May 7, 11:32)
“Silva [has] managed 15 wins in 38, Allardyce would of managed the same if he had a full season. Too late for Europe, the majority of people here [on the Grand Old Team forum] agreed to seventh being a reasonable position to finish given the players brought in in the summer as a minimum. Cup run, possible break up of the top 6 would have been a bonus.” – Havrey0123 (May 7, 11:34)
“We wouldn’t have beaten Chelsea, Arsenal and Man United if Allardyce had been the manager. Not a chance. And we wouldn’t have played anywhere close to the attacking styled football we’ve played at our best this season. Silva has work to do next season no doubt, but the whole “We would have been no worse off under Allardyce” argument needs to go.” – Mikey_Fitzgerald (May 7, 11:56)
“Think of the calibre of player he [Silva] has brought in. Now compare them to who gravy would have.” – ChrissyJack (May 7, 12:40)
“Solid transitional season for me. Unlucky not to have come seventh, but promising signs for next year. I think Silva has earned another season.” – ChesterBlue (May 7, 12:40)