Writer: Woxie
I’m going to try and write this article from as unbiased a viewpoint as I can. Being a life long Everton supporter this won’t be easy but here goes.
I’m sick to my back teeth of how quickly some supporters nowadays want to see managers sacked. We’ve reached saturation levels now like never before when it comes to everything football thanks to TV, social media, and the internet in general, so I guess people are reminded a lot more of how good,
bad or indifferent their team is doing. We also live in a society now that wants instant gratification with everything. The patience and the actual joy in seeing something been built, grow and gradually improve is not there anymore.
Everton are in a transitional period at the moment, no news there, we’re playing pretty bad at the moment, again no news there but this is a team of players that before the Christmas period looked like they were on to something. The plan seemed to be there. They have lost their way no doubt and both the manager and players have to hold there hands up, which in fairness the manager has accepted his responsibility but what about the players. Seamus Coleman is the only one to come out before about how the players needed to accept their responsibility too but in fairness, we haven’t seen much of that transferred on to the pitch and he is our captain. A role I thought he would thrive in but not the case. We really lack a leader in this team, which is stating the obvious to every supporter but until it’s addressed, we’re weak.
When David Moyes came to Everton he had a great first two seasons but he also had some really poor runs after that, which were never a major issue, no one panicked and he steadied the ship. Since he left no manager has had such loyalty and patience which is a dangerous habit. Roberto got sacked during his bad run in the league even though he had got us to two semi-finals and a good run in Europe, if only we had that now. Koeman finished seventh his first season and was sacked during his first bad run. We’re at it again now and it’s wrong in my opinion.
Let’s talk about the manager and the calls by some for his head which I frankly think is crazy right now. I might be proven wrong and will hold my hand up if so, but I really think the problem is deeper and sacking Marco now will leave it unaddressed.
So let’s address the problem or at least part of it and my opinion of what it is. This is going to be contentious but what the hell, here it is. A worrisome problem right now is THE FANS. Whether they know it or not and this has been backed up by quotes from Nicola Vlasic, the support, or lack thereof, of the home supporters and I emphasize the home supporters because the away support is second to none, they don’t even come in to question.
The players under Allardyce according to Vlasic were afraid and very nervous at home because of the fans. This seems to be the case yet again under Marco Silva. Our home supporters are frigid and only get going when they feel aggrieved by something. They’re supposed to be the twelfth man but in contrast, they do more for the away team by making our players nervous. Part of the reason Ross left was because of this also and yes that might be another contentious one but I said it. We have turned in to the Newcastle fans of old who were never happy no matter how well they were playing or who they had as manager and look what happened to them. They were humbled by numerous relegations and now they are one of the most loyal lot out there who would love to be in our position. Let’s not have to make the same mistake as them and be humble now.
I’m only writing this because I’m annoyed and worried at the current situation between the club and the fans. I’m not trying to pick a fight but I do want to start some much-needed debate. Toffee TV have covered the home support topic recently but I think we have to address the effect it’s having on the team. It’s the elephant in the room so let’s sort it out ourselves before it gets any worse, Please.
With that said and done it may turn out that Marco Silva is not the right man to bring us forward but that decision should be left in the very capable hands of Marcel Brands. His record speaks for itself so let him do his job.
Our job as supporters is to do just that, SUPPORT, so let’s get behind the team and trust that Marcel Brands and hopefully Marco Silva will get us to the promised land, eventually…..
If you can keep your head when all about you,
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
― Rudyard Kipling, If: A Father’s Advice to His Son