It is strange how Stubbs looked less than half the player when he was up at Sunderland and is says a lot about both him and Moyes that they were both able to back track on their respective decisions.
And, it's fair to say, that Everton looked a much stronger team last season once Stubbs was back at centre half.
The Kirkby-born defender said of his desire to stay at his boyhood club: "I'd like to be here next season, but it's entirely down to the manager. I haven't spoken to him yet, and in a couple of weeks' time I'll be a free agent.
He added: "It was obviously disappointing to miss out on playing in Europe last time because I felt I was a big part of the team that year. We achieved something that Everton hadn't done in a long time, and I've been lucky enough to achieve something similar again this season."
Stubbs went on to say: "I'd like to be offered the chance to be here next season, but right now I don't know what's going to happen. I've helped to achieve a European place for the club and it means a lot personally.
Carsley is another player that we really took for granted and I don't think we realised at the time just how much we missed him during the 2005/06 season.
It's no coincidence that our best two Premiership finishes under Moyes, assuming we finish sixth this season, have coincided with Carsley being an almost ever-present in the side.
Although he was at the club during the disasterous 2003/04 season, he was in and out of the side all season.
It now seems ludicrous that Carsley was in talks with Wolves last summer and missed Everton's tour of America as he discussed a deal with the midlands club.
But, the man Madrid (probably) should have signed instead of Gravesen, has said that he wants to stay on at Everton and talks of a move to the midlands are wide of the mark.
Carsley said: "It has never been the case that I have wanted to cut the travelling and go back to the Midlands where my family is, despite what some people seem to think,"
He added: "It is a case of the gaffer and me sitting down to see what he has in mind with my contract ending in the summer. I feel so proud to play for Everton, and this is a massive chance to experience European football now. So to consider walking away from the club is not really in my mind or something I would do lightly."
Carsley went on to say: "But my contract is up and we need to have some talks. I have already had a chat with David Moyes a couple of months ago, and he expressed his desire to keep me at the club. I wanted to make sure we finished the season in the right way, and I am sure we can sort something out. Of course I want to still be here next season. I've played in every game this season, and that has been something I am proud of. I want another crack at it all now. Injury robbed me of European football here last time and I don't want to miss out again."
And, given both players level of performance this season, can anyone really see how we'd be able to replace either of them?