Long and winding road

On The Guardian’s website is an entirely feasible portrayl by Andy Hunter of Everton Football Club’s current status. Based on the sale of Arteta on Wednesday and the evidence presented by the club and that indicated by the actions of the club management over the last couple of years, there’s no reason to doubt this synopsis. We’ve consistently sold off our better players, replaced them with inferior versions and reliable completely on the management of David Moyes to plug the gaps. At some point, Moyes will jib it and then what Mr Kenwright?

It’s good that journalists and commentators in the main and national media outlets are now firmly highlighting the malaise at Everton. It’s important because it prevents anyone from within the club arguing anything different or making ham-fisted attempts to discredit local fan groups trying to get answers.

The loan signings are nothing more than squad-filling gambles. The fact that the Argentinian recently failed in his trial at Leicester says it all. Drenthe seems inevitably to become tagged in the same bracket as hundreds of other gifted but flawed Dutch players. There’s no more credit from the bank and I can’t believe Moyes will be given any of the supposed £10m we are due from Arsenal for Arteta in the main because we won’t actually get £10m.

Hunter points out that our already meek attacking options are now reduced to Saha and Anichebe, because the pair are either injured or goal-shy. Fans should therefore expect Cahill to pick up a significant amount of playing time up front as the lone striker. Those supporters who have grown increasingly tired of Moyes’ defensive minded tactics will need to adjust their views I suspect as our survival this season could well depend on the Scotsman’s managerial experience.