As an Evertonian of 42 years, I have often looked back at managers and other officials at Everton and tried to pinpoint the moment I realised that they had failed and would not make a success of the role they were in.
In my experience, from my perspective, the club usually acts only later than this moment. For example, I "knew" Marcel Brands would not be a success when Everton signed Alex Iwobi. Sure, he's had three decent months, but he has largely been a disastrous waste of money. Arsenal fans are still laughing...
With Roberto, it was the signing of Aiden McGeady. This summed up the recklessness of Martinez: indulging an indisciplined, flaky, flashy luxury player (well, if you shop for luxury in Aldi). As an Irishman, I knew in my bones that this was a fatal error. Roberto's "flash in the pan" made flesh. Still, at that point, Roberto was still in the ascendancy. A 3-0 hammering at Southampton later that year was my moment of confirmation.
With Moyes, it was the cup defeat to Reading when only Man City - who we regularly schooled at the time - remained a real live threat in the competition. Blew his chance.
The Watford hammering under Benitez shook me. For all the controversy of his appointment, he started well, but the wheels came off spectacularly and, given the atmosphere around the club, I felt, deep down, that there was no coming back from that - even if he simply went on to dig his own grave afterwards.
As for Frank, I never rated him. But he earned his shot at proving me wrong at the very end of last season. He oversaw an escape that Houdini would have been proud of - even if, like Harry, he had tied himself in knots first. And his "moment"? Well, despite my scepticism of his abilities, it was only the 3-0 hiding at Bournemouth that completely convinced me that he had passed the point of return. Matter of time now.
Thelwell, for now, hasn't reached that "point". Here's hoping he doesn't.
When did you think "Such and Such" was a busted flush?
Not so much when I realised it was over for these men but certain games which I look back on as portending their ultimate failure.
Moyes…..the Wigan Cup defeat.
We were all on such a high going into the game that day but it was one of the worst home performances ever.
Martinez….circa 42 minures into a game at Spurs in late November 2014.
We had made a solid start in the league and had breezed through the EL group stages securing top place with a game to go after winning at Wolfsburg in the midweek.
Mirallas had fired us into the lead with a spectacular goal and we were looking good.
After about 42 minutes Seamus had the ball level with their area but instead of crossing or otherwise attacking he played the ball back to the hallfway line where it was then played back to Howard who hoofed it out and a Spurs player got the ball, passed it forward, they equalised and they went on to win the game.
We then entered one of the bleakest December runs I can recall and it was all downhill for Bob after that.
Koeman….the day Oumar rescued the points versus Bournemouth.
The look on Koeman’s face and his hunched shoulders as Big Dunc was dancing with joy confirmed all I thought about him.
Sam….N/A as he was only ever a short term fix anyway.
Marco…..the Pickford derby.
Marco had started solidly enough, we were playing stylishly and we went to The Pit in confident mood.
We were the better team and both Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes missed sitters which would have won us the game.
Then Pickord does his act in injury time and the whole club went on a downer for months afterwards with results to match the mood.
Carlo….A great manager but sadly not with us.
Leading 2-0 going into injury time v Barcodes and still not winning was his most notorious failure IMO.
Benitez….he was doomed to failure the day and hour he was inexplicably given the job.
And so to Frank.
I honestly hope he succeeds here. I have taken the guy to my heart,
If he does walk the plank however I will look to the United game in September as the one which broke him.
We went into the game on the back of a good little unbeaten run and got a great start to the game when Iwobi scored a scorcher.
Then, first Gana and tgen Iwobi gave the ball away and the old ghosts came back to haunt us ?
