Jim White claims that Everton owner Farhad Moshiri has ignored the critical points about turmoil at the club he has put to him.
The talkSPORT host has a direct contact to the Toffees chairman, and amid scathing criticism of the board from the former club captain Alan Stubbs he said he has tried to use it to question the businessman on what is going on, but has been met with no response.
Everton are currently in the relegation zone in the Premier League after only escaping the drop in the penultimate game last term, while key man Richarlison was sold in the summer and has still not been replaced, leading 17 fan groups to write to Moshiri demanding answers [Sky Sports, 5 January] with a similar outcome.
Speaking via phone on talkSPORT (Friday 6 January, 7.36am) Stubbs said during a passionate criticism of the direction the club is going: “I know you know Mr Moshiri Jim, but I’m speaking from the heart here. As an Everton fan, not as an Everton player, as an Everton fan.”
Decrying the leadership at Goodison Park he said of fan protests: “There’s been an open letter sent to Mr Moshiri that he hasn’t responded to from 17 fan groups who’ve had enough. The time has come, Jim. We need change.”
White responded: “Certainly, the points you’re making Alan, I’ve made the very points to Farhad but he doesn’t get back to me at this time.”
Stonewalled
There was fight to the performance at Old Trafford as Everton were knocked out of the FA Cup on Friday night, but the result was ultimately the same as so many others this season, and indeed last.
The club used to challenge for European football but under Moshiri’s stewardship the turnover of players and managers, and the expense associated with it, has been huge while the club has headed in the wrong direction.
Blame is not in short supply, but the decision-making at the top of the club has been inadequate for a number of years now, completely undermining a willingness to spend by Moshiri and the well-documented love for the club of Bill Kenwright.
Those two characteristics may be laudable, but they are worth nothing if they are not backed up by doing what is in the best interests of Everton.
It is very possible that none of the board would have any answers that would satisfy a frustrated fanbase or journalists like White, but simply ignoring all parties isn’t going to do anything positive.
Barring a major, unforeseen improvement in the running of the club it is hard to see the relationship between the fans and the hierarchy being repaired unless or until they are replaced.
It is certainly true that Moshiri has spent money on the club, in contrast to some owners who only want to take it out, and the investment in infrastructure such as the new stadium could be invaluable, but anything positive is currently wiped out by a sea of negatives.
And with yet another manager now fighting for his job it looks like the cycle is simply continuing in the same manner, so where are the supporters supposed to look for respite?
