David Moyes is restricting Everton – just as much as the lack of cash

I read an article somewhere this morning – ok, it was in the Mirror – that pointed to the lack of Match Of The Day coverage as a symptom of Everton’s decline into viewer apathy.

Apparently, Saturday’s game was billed as the latest chapter of Blackburn’s bid to survive – within which Everton just happened to be playing a supporting role in. In truth, the article was a bit pedantic, but you can’t fail to recognise the greater point to it. Everton aren’t really relevant anymore.

Obviously context is needed, because all that distinguishes Everton from the other 5-10 also-rans in the league is their past. But it’s that past that makes the present so jarring.

It’s not even really that the club has fallen so far, it’s that all the clubs that were traditionally their rivals have passed them by. The Premier League is no longer a level playing field, or at least the separation is even more exaggerated than it ever has been, and Everton of course have their ankles tied together by financial red tape.

That’s the first problem; money and the myriad issues with the ownership. But secondly, the club is now stalling because of David Moyes. Of all the managers in the Premier League, Moyes probably has the easiest ride – he’s protected by the mitigating circumstances of financial doom.

Bad result? We’ve got no money. Good result? Miracle worker. A proper, old-fashioned no-lose situation.

Bill Kenwright is too afraid of what might happen to his club if Moyes ever left Goodison Park, and I can’t understand that. But at some point, there has to be an appreciation for his manager’s failings.

Why does the club always start badly?

Why does the team consistently drop points at home to inferior teams?

There’s a lot of rhetoric about Moyes in the press, and his water-into-wine capabilities – but truthfully, the only thing he’s actually a master of is managing expectation. Watch an interview with him the next time Everton get beaten or drop points, the shoulder-shrugging abdication of responsibility isn’t good enough for a club this size.

There’s talent at Everton too; Cahill, Fellaini, Saha, Rodwell, Baines – why are these players not playing at their best? Because of the manager. There’s no financial reason for players under-performing. The myth around Moyes is that he makes the most of what he has. Really? Should a team containing those types of players be languishing in 14th?

Money this, money that – sure, but he’s gone stale, and he’s taken the club as far as he can with his set of abilities.

Man City to beat Liverpool on Wednesday night – 2.60 with Paddy Power. Sign-up for your £20 welcome bonus.