Just over a week since the manager change was made at Everton, but we look more like a team that WILL climb the table than we did under Sean Dyche (SD). Although it’s only 2 games in for David Moyes (DM), imo we’ve seen a massive difference, even though it’s ultimately the same squad of players that have struggled for quite some time, in the way they are set up and attack games.
The game against Aston Villa wasn’t great, but without DM having much time to get his ideas across, it was always going to be a tall order. Villa are a decent team, Unai Emery has put together a good squad and has improved them immensely since taking over. It wasn’t the best game, but we at least looked slightly more dangerous at times, in comparison to sitting behind the ball and letting the opposition have all the possession. We created a few chances and that in itself was a novelty.
Then yesterday against Spurs, in the first half we battered them and should have been out of sight before the break. How many times have we said that this season? Not many, if any if my memory serves me right. Every player put in a shift, some more than others, but there is little we can really criticise as they all played their part. We created more in this game than we did in SD’s last few games combined, which just shows us how lost we were as a team and a club.
Obviously, the last 5 minutes were a bit nervy for us, but I suppose that is to be expected when we have seen a lead evaporate in the final couple of minutes under the last manager. But we held on and secured the points and that’s all we can ask right now.
It looks like Moyes has managed to instill some confidence in the players, they seem to now believe that they can compete with and attack the opposition. This wasn’t really evident under SD, certainly not this season anyway. For a refreshing change, there were a few candidates for MOM. That’s a massive difference to this time last month when a couple might have decent games, but they had to carry 5 or 6 passengers every game.
It might only be early days, and there will be bumps in the road, but we look more like a team than we have in a long time. I’ve been worried that relegation was almost a foregone conclusion before the managerial change, but that has been replaced with a level of optimism. I think we have got the right man to steer us out of the mess that we inflicted upon ourselves and I really hope the players buy into his ideas moving forward. A few additions are needed, a few also need to depart, and we should be fine. Hope springs eternal as they say.
Last thing I wanted to mention is the press conferences and how different they have been so far. It’s chalk and cheese really as SD was always defensive and combative when simple questions were asked. His replies full of clichés, but with DM, from the few he’s done this far, we’ve had a level of honesty for a change. Long may that continue. I had to switch off under SD whenever his face violated my TV.
The future is looking brighter than it has in recent times. It hasn’t been a chore going to the game the last two fixtures for me. I hope the players can keep this up and continue to have a go when they cross the white lines. Have a good day people, we are on the road to recovery! UTFT.
Written by bluepotato January 20 2025 17:14:41
