Man Utd's 2013 Charity Shield Winning Coach!

When David Moyes became the Manager of Everton FC, I found his suggestion that the majority of the people you meet on the streets of Liverpool to be Evertonians, just a touch laughable.  As a Liverpool supporter, sure I was not born in the City.  I was in fact born on the Wirral, and mainly grew up in the Borough of Sefton.  Yet my family roots are clearly scouse, and I have spent more than enough time in the City to know Moyes' claims were inaccurate.

Everton are a football club with fine historical achievements, supported by the fact that they have been English Champions more times than Chelsea and Manchester City combined.  When Moyes arrived at Goodison in 2002, the Toffees had spent too many seasons in recent times in the botttom half of the Premier League Table.  The Blues even had two seasons during the previous decade which required results on the final day of the season to go their way, to preserve their Premier League status.  Everton were clearly punching below their weight.

The fact that the Blues only finished twice in the bottom half under 11 years of Moyes' management, is an achievement I certainly admire.  Moyes left Goodison to attempt what many people felt to be the "impossible job" in succeeding Manchester United's most successful ever manager.  That is indeed how it turned out to be with the news this week that the Red Devils had dispensed with Moyes' services after just 10 months.

If we look more closely at what Moyes did at Everton, he became widely regarded as a defensive manager.  His successor Roberto Martinez (like Brendan Rodgers across the park) is seen as part of a new breed of managers.  Whilst there can be no doubt that Martinez has benefited from the solid defensive foundations laid by Moyes, it is also pretty clear that Martinez has also put his own stamp on the Toffees' style during a season which has seen Everton attain their highest ever points total of the Premier League era.

Despite a satisfactory start at Old Trafford by winning silverware in the form of the Charity Shield in August 2013, Moyes was probably not the right man to lead Manchester United.  This is due in part to the defensive mentality many observers would say his teams possess.  Manchester United is a football club who have not only had sustainable periods of success down the years, but who have generally produced teams that have been pleasing to the eye.

People have been debating the decisions Moyes made with regards to the backroom team he inherited from Sir Alex Ferguson.  No doubt people will continue to talk about the significance of such decisions whenever his Old Trafford tenure comes up for discussion.  Other people would defend Moyes on the grounds that with limited financial resources at Everton, it is more realistic to build teams up that are difficult to beat than go out and spend big money on the flair players to play champagne football.  Roberto Martinez may well have torn that argument to shreds!

Moyes has proven himself to be more than a capable manager at both Everton and Preston North End.  I believe he can resurrect his managerial career given time.  But the worst thing he could do in the short term is return to another Premier League managerial post.  He could be best advised to take some time out from the Premier League, and possibly spend time observing coaching methods from around the world.  Should he succumb to the temptation of a quick Premier League return, then I feel he could well be remembered forever as "Man Utd's 2013 Charity Shield winning Coach!"

Red Men certainly not over the line!

This afternoon's victory against Norwich City will no doubt enhance the belief of some Liverpool fans across the globe, that the wait for that 19th league title could be over.  I was certainly expecting a tough match against the Canaries, particularly after the spirit shown by Norwich's fellow strugglers Sunderland during their last two matches against Manchester City and Chelsea, which earned the Black Cats 4 points.

The Reds certainly had to overcome a Norwich side which showed great desire after we raced into a 2-0 lead inside the first eleven minutes.  Simon Mignolet's error for the Canaries' first goal is another reminder of the pressure Liverpool will now face over the next three matches.

Our neighbours Everton have also had a good solid first season under the management of Roberto Martinez.  It would appear that the blues will at least have a mathematical chance of a top four finish going into the final couple of matches.  I would have settled with that for Liverpool at the start of the season, as a sign of solid progresss.  How times have changed!

For now the aim must not go beyond the next match.  We must not get trapped into negative thoughts about how Liverpool can draw next week against Chelsea, and still win the league provided we beat Crystal Palace and Newcastle United.

Brendan Rodgers is a Manager with a positive mentality, unlike two of his recent Anfield predecessors in Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez.  A win next Sunday against Chelsea will see the Londoners eliminated from the title race.  That is the important next step.