In a piece yesterday The Guardian along with several other media outlets was reporting that Everton have sent out a survey to season ticket holders asking them to rate the performance of manager Sam Allardyce.
It’s an interesting idea for Everton to go directly to their most loyal supporters and ask them for feedback on the managers reign. The club is also asking for comments about the wider hierarchy and whether Blues fans think that is ‘fit for purpose’.
You always feel that perhaps this kind of thing is really just an exercise in P.R. but lets hope that at least at some level the club are taking such comments seriously. Maybe they’ll also ask Evertonians who they think should replace him in the summer!?
To be honest I wouldn’t have thought they would really need to send such a survey out regarding Allardyce, given that the reaction of supproters to last weekend’s dire draw at Swansea was fairly clear!
Although those fans don’t represent everyone, nevertheless their response to Everton’s pitiful performance at the Liberty Stadium was certainly not at odds with how supporters have generally received the teams efforts under Allardyce.
Big Sam has had his opportunity and as I’ve said before to be fair he’s done his job , which was to lift the team away from the drop zone and prevent any chance of relegation. Time now to move on.
There are also more reports in the press, this time in the Daily Telegraph, suggesting Everton are one of several clubs very interested in the Norwich City player James Maddison.
We’ve covered this one before but as this rumour keeps resurfacing, there just might be something substantial to it.
Maddison has had a break though season with the Canaries and it seems very likely he will be moving on next season.
Interestingly he is apparently also keen to ensure that wherever he goes he will have a good chance of regular first-team football. And although Manchester City, Tottenham and their north London rivals Arsenal are also linked with him that might just give Everton an edge.
Of course the Blues can’t offer the carrot of Champions or even Europa League football next term, unlike the newly crowned champions or the London clubs.
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But given the meagre attacking resources at Everton, especially in midfield, (an area I think it is crucial to strengthen next season), he would surely have a great chance of nailing down a starting place.
Finally there are more stories circulating that Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw will be considering his future at Old Trafford this summer.
Again we’ve touched on this before and I’ve said I think Shaw would be an option worth thinking about as a replacement long-term for Leighton Baines.
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It’s true he’s had his injury and fitness problems in recent seasons but he remains a very talented player and if Everton can get him and get the best from him, he would be an excellent signing.