Everton FC In Focus: He’s Got Red Hair, But We Don’t Care… The Return of David Moyes
‘Cos we don’t know the meaning of losing’… what do you say to that Toffees?
After months of turmoil on the blue half of Merseyside, it’s been a welcome change for fans and players alike to start looking up the table, under returning manager David Moyes. Nicknamed the Moyesiah by fans, it has been nothing short of remarkable what David Moyes has been able to achieve upon his return to the club. Think fish and chips or cheese and crackers, Moyes and Everton just seem to be the perfect partnership.
Since taking over, the Toffee’s have acquired 15 points in the last 7 league games, becoming the second most in-form team in the Prem. Impressive for a team supposedly fighting relegation with players who lacked assertion and confidence under Sean Dyche. Moyes has provided the club with quantifiable output on the pitch, not just goals and tenacity, but the Blues are currently on a 7 game unbeaten streak in the Premier League. The longest unbeaten streak for the club since December 2017, over 7 years ago.
In that time, you could’ve had a child who would now be in Year 2 of Primary School, perhaps even visited a wonder of the world for each year (in this hypothetical Covid-free world). Or, in Everton’s case cycle through 6 managers before landing back on Moyes. It’s been a hell of a few years for Evertonians but with the move to Bramley Moore on the horizon, the new owners and manager, and the money and freedom to do business, it’s looking up for the Toffees.
The key takeaway from Moyes’ first months in charge is optimism. This is demonstrated most clearly by fans attitudes. We’re no longer happy to be getting just one point on the board and there is frustration with not taking three points back from the likes of Brentford. Moyes has made us want to strive for more. Fans have been expressing their satisfaction with Everton under Moyes, looking forward to upcoming games and finding relief in the idea that they can enjoy Goodison for what it is during the latter stages of its final season. Compensation perhaps for the recurring squeaky-bum-time of the past few years!
Check out these incredible Last Ever Derby At Goodison Park photos from Laura Gates – @lauragatesphoto.
View this post on Instagram
Without a doubt, my stand-out player of the month is Beto. With Ndiaye, Calvert-Lewin, McNeil, Iroegbunam, Mangala, and Broja all nursing injuries, Beto really had to step up to the plate. And he’s done just that. From playing infrequently or not at all under Dyche, to 5 goal involvements in the last 5 league games. Not just that, but his hold-up play and confidence on the ball is something to be admired. He has definitely, as have so many others, picked up belief under Moyes.
Other honourable mentions for stand-out players:
Carlos Alcaraz – settling into life as a Toffee so comfortably, easily a fan favourite.
Jake O’Brien – from ‘not being league ready’ under Dyche to solid defensive performances and even a goal against Brentford.
Idrissa Gana Gueye – the man is a machine; no player made more tackles in the Premier League in February than our Idrissa.
James Tarkowski – solid at the back and come on I can’t let the Merseyside leveller go unmentioned!
It is hard to know if all of this change is down to Moyes. Though he is providing a quantifiable output with his players on the pitch, there is something to be said about uprooting the team from its owners. The Friedkin Group took over EFC from Farhad Moshiri back in December 2024. Setting out their main aims of; strengthening the first team, cultivating homegrown talent in the academy, and strategizing for the expansion of the women’s team. Positive news for Toffees everywhere.
Whatever the reason for getting our team back, we’re grateful for it. Long may it continue. We look ahead to Wolves (A) and West Ham (H) before the international break, hoping for more dominant performances to help us continue climbing the ranks. See you then Blues.
Signing off,
Lauren Briscoe
