Even The Good Times Are Bad

Give us a chance, please.

To paraphrase the old Tremeloes song it seems that in the main football fans are never satisfied.

Whether it be Arsenal & Wenger, Man Utd & van Gaal, Man City & Pellegrini there is always something to have a moan about.

I first started watching Everton when Johnny Carey was the manager I remember the headlines ' Taxi for Carey' when the chairman, Pools magnate John Moores, ran out of patience and sacked Carey, relaying the decision in the back of a London taxi.

Next came Harry Catterick who was constantly criticised for his lack of media charisma and patience and also received more than abuse when he dropped Alex Young and later transferred Alan Ball to Arsenal even though he gave us a more than successful era.

Billy Bingham and Gordon Lee followed in a 'black' period for the club with Liverpool being the dominant force on Merseyside in the main.

Howard Kendall who provided the club with unprecedented success and a team that was recognised as the best in Europe at the time once faced protest leaflets being handed out by fans spelling out their feelings towards the chairman and manager: “Kendall and Carter must go. 26,000 stay-away fans can’t be wrong.”

Mike Walker was appointed from a successful Norwich City in January 1994 but lost his way at Everton though and when the 7th of May 1994 came it was very much a time to panic! Luckily we eventually defeated Wimbledon to secure top-flight status that day, but it was a totally unacceptable situation for Everton to be in.With no wins from the opening 12 matches the following season it proved to be too much for the Board of Directors to tolerate and Walker's short but eventful reign was terminated.

Walter Smith gave us a time to forget playing defenders as forwards and a style that offered little and when Everton finished in the bottom half of the table for three consecutive seasons, the Everton board finally ran out of patience with him and he was sacked in March 2002.

Roberto Martinez came and revitalised the club with an attractive style of football. However some couldn't accept that we had signed the 'Wigan manager' who had brought with him so many Wigan players and could not wait for the chance to get rid. On the 12 May 2016, Martínez was sacked by the club, who were 12th with one game remaining. He had guided them to the semi-finals of both domestic cups that season, but fans had protested against his management and demanded his removal.

We all know the recent tenure of Ronald Koeman who it would seem is to be replaced by 'Big Sam' and already knives are out in some quarters.

However, given the above, surely we should get behind the team on the pitch and give everyone a chance to prove themselves before we act again in haste and repent at our leisure.