Loyalty to David Moyes is a lesson to other clubs

Jan 1 2008 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

IF chairmen across the land are struggling for a New Year resolution, they could do worse than turn to Goodison Park for inspiration.

Because 2008 is the year that football clubs should vow to kick this ludicrous habit of sacking managers after a few bad results.

Everton are proving what can be done if you stick with a manager through bad times – and they’re entering potentially the most exciting year in recent history.

Bill Kenwright is a chairman who does not get too much praise but everybody forgets what a good job he did in refusing to panic in David Moyes’s darker days a few years go.

Kenwright was always a fan of Moyes, he knew he was a good manager and decided to help him and support him rather than turn his back on him.

It shows if you stick with manager and have a long term plan you can make a mockery of the policy of sacking managers willy-nilly.

It’s crazy – if you get a good man you stick with him through thick and thin.

The rewards Everton are reaping now prove that it’s an approach that a lot of clubs should learn from.

And it pretty much guarantees a Happy New Year all round on the blue half of Merseyside.

Moyes has the best squad he’s ever had in terms of quality. He has good professionals, class players, versatile players and youngsters knocking on the door.

The UEFA Cup has been a real breakthrough and getting through their group so early meant everyone could put it to the back of their minds until February and look forward to more than just chasing those European qualifying places at the turn of the year.

And being one two-legged semi-final away from Wembley should also help to attract the right quality of player if Moyes decides to strengthen in January.

It’s all relative, but success breeds success and Everton have a real chance of seeing some in the form of silverware for the first time in a long time.

But one thing I don’t think Everton are ready to do is break into the top four.

Of the 16 teams outside it, I can see them being top of that particular league but I think events of the past few days have proven how difficult it is to infiltrate the elite territory.

When you play better football than a team like Arsenal and still lose 4-1, what more can you do?

Arsene Wenger’s side just stood up to them and scored three long-ball goals, showing how the best sides can adapt their game to any circumstances.

And look at Manchester City. They had the chance to overtake Liverpool in fourth place but even at home, they were happy to take a draw.

City wouldn’t take chances, Everton played well but still lost.

It’s a gulf in class I don’t see closing and in the new year it will be the same old four teams pulling away from the rest again.

Mark Lawrenson was talking to NICK SMITH