I doubt many have had the career path of Moyes! Just an intriguing coincidence.

Baffling appointment

Anyway, the point is that since Moyes returned to Everton in January, they've been the 9th best team in the PL. In the 10 months prior to Moyes' return they were the 16th best team in the PL.

Points per game in the PL as Everton manager:

Ancelotti - 1.53
Moyes (1st) - 1.50
Koeman - 1.47
Martinez - 1.44
Allardyce - 1.42
𝙈𝙤𝙮𝙚𝙨 (2𝙣𝙙) - 1.41
Silva - 1.28
Dyche - 1.16
Lampard 0.92

Each to their own! I definitely rate Van de Ven and Simons with high ceilings. Not wild about Kudus or Maddison tbh. But it’s certainly up for debate.

I guess the question is how many of those players in the strongest XI make it into a top four side. Kudus, Richarlison, Solanke, Maddison, etc - they’re all very good players. But they’re also distinctly sub-top four players. So Spurs need to be better than the sum of their parts to succeed.

Interesting. I’m definitely torn on Frank right now. But can’t get away from the fact that this squad (even the strongest XI?) just isn’t good enough, regardless of who is in charge.

Which, it should be noted, is better than six of the eight managers that came after Moyes' first stint at Everton. Only Robert Martinez (1.56) and Carlo Ancelotti (1.60) enjoyed better averages in all competitions.

Well then I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on that one.

But we're not really talking about how players adapted. You're the one applying arbitrary restrictions on the timescale for when we can and can't count a players performances in the PL. Do you think people hold Havertz up as an example of Bundesliga players not being good enough for the PL?

💯

five*

Who says it took Havertz give years to adapt? I'm not talking about how many were amazing signings, I'm talking about how many were flops - which is what the "tax" critique is based around.

Yeah, for sure. As much as I love the Bundesliga, a lot of clubs are simply going through the (Gegenpressing) motions, as opposed to trying to seriously trouble bigger teams. It's one of my biggest issues with it right now. Could use a few defensive bastards in the dug outs.

Ah, I'm judging them on their overall PL performances rather than immediate form. Aubameyang had 85 G/As in 143 games for a shit Arsenal side. Havertz has 63 in 152 games. And I think Gvardiol is one of the best defenders in the league. But I guess it's up for debate!

You don’t think Gvardiol, Havertz and Aubayemang have done well in the PL?

But that’s in itself clearly suggests that English clubs are happy to continue going back to the Bundesliga to spend ever-increasing amounts of money. Because it tends to work out well for them on the pitch.

But any concept of Bundesliga players flopping more than players from elsewhere is, as I said, a complete myth.

One that is probably born out of the PL’s clear preference for players from Germany. More money = more attention = more scrutiny.

FWIW I do think there is a step up from the Bundesliga to the Premier League.

English football is far more physical. Referees let defenders away with a lot more. And tactically speaking, more smaller clubs dig in and play for a point. It is undoubtedly harder for attacking players.