Tony Cottee is an unashamed fan of David Moyes and having himself played at Everton believes he knows why our manager has found exactly the right club since his Goodison days.
TC was disappointed when he was allowed to leave after his last spell at the club and insists that if allowed to make all the footballing decisions at the Irons we will truly be on our way.
However, he’s stunned by the speed with which the Scot is turning around the club’s fortunes, believes the Champions league remains a possibility but that the Europa Cup is much more likely.
Speaking exclusively to ClaretandHugh he declared: “He gets it – everything about West Ham, notably the fans who are very similar to Toffees supporters.
“I have played for both clubs and they are so alike – the fans are absolutely essential – they are the most important feature and Moysie gets that.”
It’s an easy view to understand with Everton living in the shadow of Liverpool and the big Manchester clubs with a devoted following just as we do in London.
TC added: “They have been similar clubs as far as budgets are concerned and David understands how and where to go for bargain buys
“His signings are remarkable and he will need to find a way of signing Jesse Lingard who has been remarkable whilst I fully expect a move for Blackburn’s Adam Armstromg who is a 5ft 8in front man along with a bigger more physical type.
“He’s a top top manager – you don’t get recommended by Sir Alex to follow you if you aren’t but that was something of a poisoned chalice – how do you follow a legend?
“But now after a spell in the wilderness he is showing what he is all about and is taking the Irons on an astonishing journey.
With him at the helm in total charge of footballing affairs we can finally reach the promised level — everything looks so good to me.”
TC added: “I know he understands everything because when I and other former players go to the training ground he gives us a a terrific welcome because he knows what we meant to the fans.”
I remember Tony Cottee giving Moyes his backing during Moyes’s first spell with the club. Although I thought he was harshly dealt with after saving us from relegation, I was swayed by all the talk of next level and the noises from many supporters who didn’t think he was good enough (lol). Judging him on Man U, Sunderland and Sporting…. was both wrong and foolish on so many levels.
So “Next Level” crashed and burned with that idiot Pellegrini and it was Big on the part of the Chairmen when they dismissed that fool to reach out to the luckily still available Moyes and even BIGGER of Moyes to accept the offer to come back as the media were sure to have a field day (which they did) … and boy did we need him back.
From the moment he came back, I have been singing his praises and I have been convinced from that point that he is the manager that this club has needed for years and years. As a supporter of this club for over 50 years, I have seen most things but Moyes is a rare breed of man and manager in this day and age, and as Cottee said…. He is a Perfect fit for our club and will put in place everything that this club has lacked historically. We used to be proud of our club for having the fewest managers in any existing club’s history (that’s the way it used to be), with that comes stability, if you have a good enough manager capable of leaving a legacy… Step up David Moyes, by the time he has finished his job and retired upstairs, we’ll have a far different club than the club we were used to seeing Pre-Moyes.
If our Chairmen read this site, a statement of intent would be in signing Moysie up to a Long-Term contract with extension clauses because what he has started here, may be the reason we get to keep players like Rice and Soucek at this club whilst finally establishing us as a top-six club.
COYI
Dear David, Ricey, Thomo, Jesse and all the other quality players we have – please sign contract extentions that will keep you with us longterm. That would be the most realistic way of keeping our top players with us. DM will add to the quality without doubt. Why would Ricey go to Manure or Chelski if the hammers finish by qualifying for Europe, and whilst we have Moysey as our manager for several seasons to come. That stability and progress will keep the quality with us. COYI – All the way to Europe and beyond!
I love the guy. I’ve got everything crossed that he signs a long-term contract at the end of the season.
Hopefully, he doesn’t receive any head-turning offers between now and then.
If he did receive an offer from a so-called bigger club, would any fair-minded person blame him for taking a better offer elsewhere, if one were made, particular how he treated in 2018?
It’s hard to blame any manager / player for not refusing a big contract at an established top tier club. However I would be extremely surprised if DM even considered another club. He has stated so many times that he wants to be given time to build something successful and he knows he has the right club that’s been looking for stability since the Redknapp days. DM has graasped the opportunity and is also a footie man 100%. It’s easy to see the guy eats, drinks and sleeps football. Having someone like that manage us is gonna eventually bring us the success we expect. So no matter what happens – DM will not be turned by something ‘bigger’ contract wise as he is here for football rather than picking up a final cheque like Pellegrini. Like you – I hope he signs something by the summer that is longterm, along with Ricey baby and the other top players. If DM signs up, I believe the top notch squad members will do the same – if we achieve a top 6 finish, we will also get a better quality of player…so whilst Burnley overprice their average players, we will only bring in quality that adds cream to a very well layered cake! COYI – Now I’ve mentioned cake I want a while blackforest gateau to myself!