Moyes 'lacked imagination' on a 'galling' Sunday
[BBC] [Getty Images] Everton have ended the season in a manner befitting a side that had nothing to play for when, in reality, they had European qualification in the palm of their hand. Sunday's capitulation at the hands of Sunderland was the latest example of how to throw away points to ensure a sour ending to a season that promised much. There was a sense of inevitability of what was to come when the team was released.
It was somewhat surprising that the manager continued with the same back four that had shipped 11 goals in the previous five games. It felt cautious, it lacked imagination and was a large reason why the game trickled away from Everton. They were out-ran, out-fought and presented a distinct lack of self-belief.
It probably highlights how much work there is to do to make the club competitive going into next season. Despite clear signs of progression and an elevated level of quality in some areas, a couple of key injuries and dip in form of a few, has been catastrophic for such a limited squad. The most galling part of Sunday was how much the result impacted the send off for our captain Seamus Coleman.
Swathes of empty seats greeted him as he re-emerged onto the Hill Dickinson pitch post match. Although understandable, it was heart-breaking that so many didn't stick round to give our captain the reception and adulation he deserved. Arguably one of our best players of the Premier League era, he represented us with the utmost professionalism and it is a travesty he never got to climb the famous Wembley steps and lift a trophy for the club.
The hope for the immediate future is that our recruitment team can pull out a few gems like Coleman. His attitude alone is something that desperately needs to be replicated and replaced. Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity