Royal Blue: Detractors prove Blues are heavy weights

03 November 2012 00:00
WOULD you rather be patronised by a foe or considered a rival worth baiting? That’s the question David Moyes and in turn Evertonians should consider in the light of criticism this season of their style of play; most recently from Brendan Rodgers and Steven Gerrard but also from Alex Ferguson whose 12 league titles during his Old Trafford tenure make his opinion especially relevant aside from the tiresome agenda of domestic sniping. When Fergie grumbled about Everton’s use of Marouane Fellaini during their thrilling triumph at Goodison in August, it followed a curmudgeonly pattern which has developed in recent seasons, notably in April when he declined to give the Blues much credit for their part in that 4-4 thriller at Old Trafford which many claim cost him a 13th championship medal. But nobody should view the change in the Scot’s blue-tinged outlook as a negative. Quite the opposite. His friendship with compatriot David Moyes is no secret and for many seasons when the Red Devils would turn over Everton despite a plucky performance from the Toffees, Ferguson would give them plenty of praise as he departed with three points safely tucked away. It’s no coincidence that has dried up as Everton’s ability to compete has improved. So the occasional bout of sniping by irked opponents shouldn’t rattle anyone at Goodison, even if it’s always likely to get a response when it’s from the other side of Stanley Park, just as siblings are so often the most efficient wind-up merchants. Maybe it’s all relative. The man in the opposition dug-out today Martin Jol reckons his side don’t get enough credit by comparison to Everton. He’s got a point too. While the Cottagers have generally kept pace with the Blues in recent seasons, they tend to get less blessings than Moyes’ men who are actually considered media darlings in some quarters for, ironically, their style of play as much for their oft-quoted tendency to punch above their weight. Maybe Jol’s side will have their day soon enough, but for Everton there’s something right with the world when men like Ferguson and even Roberto Mancini are sniping. Related stories From around the web Related Tags

Source: liverpool_echo