Everton fans: forget the rotten results and concentrate on Moyes' many positives

Amid the crushing disappointment of two terrible results in their last two home games at Goodison, there have still been some green shoots of encouragement for disaffected Everton fans.

For a start, just look at the bench the Blues boasted against Wolves, which shows the incredible work David Moyes has stealthily been pursuing during his time at the club. 

Even though they couldn't ultimately make a huge difference, Moyes was able to bring on Yakubu, Marouane Fellaini and Jo against the Black Country club. Now, that is £12million Yak, £14million Fellaini, and a Brazilian who cost Manchester City £18million.

It shows the benefits of continuity. Everton now have a certain depth to their squad, because their manager has carefully plotted a course of building from the foundations which is beginning to pay dividends. It's a good job too, because the injuries the club has endured already this season, would have destroyed them in recent years.

But for me, the most significant feature of the game against Wolves, even as the Blues were throwing away two points for the second successive game at Goodison, was the nature of the football the team played, albeit sporadically.

Under Moyes, Everton have always been assumed to be a physical team, one that relies on tough tackling and an 'in your face' attitude that often bullies opponents into submission. But that has always been a wildly inaccurate perception.

The Scottish boss likes his team to play football, to pass the ball and keep possession, but that has often been overlooked because he also wants his team to be uncompromising in first winning the ball and earning the right to play.

Against Wolves, he fielded a midfield based around the delightfully assured technique of youngster Jack Rodwell, supported by Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, who I am convinced will emerge as one of the most technically gifted wingers the Premier League has ever seen.

Leon Osman is another of those stylish, attractive players Moyes encourages, and Tim Cahill has always impressed with his ability on the ball, and his sublime movement off it. 

Strikers such as Louis Saha and Jo have always based their game around skill and movement, and in Steven Pienaar, Everton can possibly boast the most accomplished performer in the Premier League so far this season. Fellaini, for a big fella, is also accomplished technically.

Then there is the injured Mikel Arteta,  When he finally returns from injury, he will add another dimension to the Everton midfield, because there is probably not a better passer of the ball in the whole of English football.

So watch this space. They still don't have a massive squad, but what Everton do have  - after seven years of careful planning, and quite outstanding work in the transfer market - is a talented group of technically impressive players. 

When they do get all their players back from injury, they will be a team to watch, because the Blues will never be a pushover with Phil Neville as captain, and Phil Jagileka, Sylvain Distin and Joseph Yobo in their side.

But with Arteta to pull the strings they will go to another level as the season progresses, and prove they can be a match, in terms of producing quality passing-based football, for any of the big clubs at the top of the table. 

Their early season injury worries have already put paid to any outside hope of challenging the ruling elite for the top four places, but there is still the Europa Cup, and given reasonable luck they will be contenders to win that competition, and further enhance the reputation of English clubs in Europe.



Which classic football manager are you? Take our test

Follow MirrorFootball on Twitter for breaking news, the latest opinions and fun stuff throughout the day

Get the best priced tickets to the best games at Mirror Tickets.

Win two tickets to see Fulham vs Man City with Mirror Football.

Your comments

Related content

Liverpool remain on course to be third among equals
    I'm quite happy with my Mersey derbies having a bit of extra punch
      Brace yourselves Liverpool fans... the takeover silly season is here
        For all Rafa's moaning about money, only a new stadium will allow Liverpool to win the title
          Don't be fooled by Rafa being linked with Juventus, he's a serial flirter with other clubs
            If John Terry is a true leader he will do the right thing for England and resign
              Why no Liverpool fan - or Philipp Degen - will ever question Jamie Carragher's commitment to the cause
                Could the Europa League have an all Merseyside final?
                  Why Juventus interest in Rafa could be great news for Liverpool fans

                    Latest opinions

                    Blog

                    Why I'm backing Liverpool's red men to overcome Arsene's diddy men

                    Betting Blog 22:08 09/02/10

                        I wasn't sure yesterday whether Everybody Hurts was the new song for Haiti or the injury news from A... Read More+

                        Blog

                        Why Motty must be a good bet to break his barren streak, and the Bet of the Day

                        Betting Blog 22:07 09/02/10

                            BBC commentator John Motson has sat through four consecutive goalless draws and the only man who cou... Read More+

                            Blog

                            Is this the longest long-range goal of all-time?

                            Football Banter 15:34 09/02/10

                                David Beckham's scored from his own half. So has ex-Liverpool star Xabi Alonso. In fact, he's done i... Read More+

                                Blog

                                3PM Extra: The best things we've found on the internet today - Tuesday, February 9

                                Football Banter 15:00 09/02/10

                                    Almost hometime, and here we are again with another selection of good stuff we've found on the web..... Read More+

                                    Column

                                    West Ham's players should tell Sullivan and Gold where they can stick their pay cuts

                                    Darren Lewis 14:54 09/02/10

                                        Personally, I’m getting a bit fed up of David Gold and David Sullivan using the media to justify boo... Read More+

                                        Column

                                        Why the Merseyside derby did football no favours

                                        Darren Lewis 14:32 09/02/10

                                            The only things missing from the Battle of Anfield on Saturday were baseball bats and bomber jackets... Read More+

                                            Column

                                            Why Tottenham's players need to show as much ambition as their manager

                                            Darren Lewis 14:28 09/02/10

                                                One win in their last five Premier League games and just three goals since the start of 2010.Tottenh... Read More+

                                                Column

                                                Liverpool remain on course to be third among equals

                                                David Maddock 11:49 09/02/10

                                                    What did we learn from the Merseyside derby, apart from the now obvious fact that it is the most vio... Read More+

                                                    Column

                                                    I'm quite happy with my Mersey derbies having a bit of extra punch

                                                    David Maddock 11:42 09/02/10

                                                        I'm not adverse to a little violence in football, at the right times, as it happens.Let’s face it, t... Read More+

                                                        Blog

                                                        On your marks, get set, go... the race is on for the Premier League finish line - Martin Lipton's big lunchtime read

                                                        Laptop with Martin Lipton 11:19 09/02/10

                                                            The run-in begins now, the fight to the finish, all or nothing at both ends.And while nobody would t... Read More+

                                                            Column

                                                            Brace yourselves Liverpool fans... the takeover silly season is here

                                                            David Maddock 11:18 09/02/10

                                                                Here's a warning to all Liverpool fans... the takeover silly season has started.By that, I mean brac... Read More+

                                                                Column

                                                                Why two wins this week would be the perfect Valentine's gift for fans in love with the Blues

                                                                Birmingham City 10:58 09/02/10

                                                                    So... 37 points in February, is it time to crack out the champagne?Following a fantastic win against... Read More+

                                                                    Who should replace John Terry as England captain?

                                                                    Latest columnists

                                                                    Darren Lewis

                                                                    Darren Lewis Read more from Darren Lewis

                                                                    David Maddock

                                                                    David Maddock Read more from David Maddock

                                                                    Simon Bird

                                                                    Simon Bird Read more from Simon Bird

                                                                    Matt Lawrence

                                                                    Matt Lawrence Read more from Matt Lawrence

                                                                    Stan Collymore

                                                                    Stan Collymore Read more from Stan Collymore

                                                                    Latest blogs

                                                                    Why I'm backing Liverpool's red men to overcome Arsene's diddy men - Betting Blog
                                                                      Why Motty must be a good bet to break his barren streak, and the Bet of the Day - Betting Blog
                                                                        Is this the longest long-range goal of all-time? - Football Banter
                                                                          3PM Extra: The best things we've found on the internet today - Tuesday, February 9 - Football Banter
                                                                            On your marks, get set, go... the race is on for the Premier League finish line - Martin Lipton's big lunchtime read - Laptop with Martin Lipton
                                                                              Why two wins this week would be the perfect Valentine's gift for fans in love with the Blues - Birmingham City
                                                                                Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Tuesday's papers - Football Spy
                                                                                  Arsenal's descent could lead to madness if Fabregas calls it a day - Laptop with Martin Lipton