There are arguments for and against coming out with statements like that.
For
He might privately think we have a good chance of being in the top half of the table and even Europe but would rather keep everybodys feet on the ground.
Imagine saying at the beginning of the season that Europe is a real prospect and then it all going wrong, he wouldn't hear the last of it, we would all be saying that he was full of hot air and that he's not the manager he thinks he is.
By saying survival is the first hurdle, then he gives the impression that he puts first and foremost Evertons premiership status above anything else, even his own standing amongst us fans, he's more or less saying " i want Everton to remain a premiership club, that is more important than qualifying for europe ", and lets be honest, it is.
We are not the richest club any more, apart from the "Big Four " spurs, villa, and even west ham seem to be ahead of us cash wise ( though who'd be a hammer right now ! ), Moyes' statement might just be his way of putting that fact across.
He's a down to earth Scotsman, not to mention a realistic one as well, be honest, prior to his arrival we were going nowhere fast, that statement of his is no big deal, he's young, he's learning all the time but more importantly he's been a success at Everton and it looks, hopefully, that we could have a succesfull end to this season as well in spite of what he said about survival being the first objective, he's just being guarded about our potential.
At the end of the day, i'd rather have a manager who said his first objective was keeping us in the prem than getting ahead of himself by coming out with
talk about europe before seeing how the season pans out, suspensions, illness and injuries can soon have you standing there with egg on your face, especially with a small squad like ours, he knows that and so wants to avoid that happening.
The most important fact i think about him coming out and talking like that is that even though he knows he has taken our club forward, we are still a long way from being where he wants us to be, and until that day arrives he is going to err on the side of caution.
Against
To some he comes across as pessimistic, they want to hear our manager talking about europe, to give us hope, talk the talk, walk the walk, we all desperatly want Everton to be up there with the best of them and return to the glory days of the 80's, we all want, no need and [Poor language removed] long with every sinew in our body to see our beautiful, glorious, and who have our in-grained love and devotion and who are best [Poor language removed] team in the world, match our dreams and beliefs.
I have no doubt whatsoever that day will come, but until we are in that position, and however much we all want to hear it, Moyes is going to keep his feet on the ground and his mouth shut.
We are lucky to have him as our manager.
COYB
:huh:
