Everton manager David Moyes is feeling a significant change at the club, but he has noticed an even bigger change among the fans.
A win on the weekend for Everton will take them to 14 points and level with their opposition Tottenham Hotspur.
Moyes will be pleased to have seen his side make an unbeaten start to the season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Birmingham City are looking to replicate Everton’s new stadium in how steep they have been able to build their south stand.
The atmosphere created inside the new stadium is helping to build the optimism around the club, with the European spots in touching distance.
Moyes took over in January when things were very different, and he has admitted that the feeling around Everton is completely transformed now.
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David Moyes has noticed change in the Everton fans
Jack Grealish has hailed the feeling around Everton after making his debut at the new stadium earlier in the season.
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And Moyes also feels as if there is now a new pressure surrounding the club to achieve something really special.
In Friday’s press conference, ahead of the Spurs clash, the 62-year-old manager has admitted to noticing some differences in the pressure around the club.
“It is different. When I came in there was a feeling of anything we can do would be better because if we could stay in the league that would be hugely important,” he told the media.
“I think it’s changed a little bit, I actually think the supporters have changed. I think they’re more optimistic, but I do think it’s part of the manager’s job to do that and raise the expectations.”
The Scot may have played his own part in the raised expectations. After all, Moyes has said Everton are aiming for European qualification this season.
But the difference noticed coming from the way of the supporters just goes to show that Moyes is doing something right on Merseyside.
Everton could make European statement against Tottenham
Three points would make a real impression on the top half of the table for the Blues and provide a statement of intent to the likes of Spurs.
Although Tottenham have made themselves an established European outfit, Everton need to show their strength on Sunday and take three points off the Londoners.
Spurs will likely be without two of their starting defenders at the weekend and arrive into the game following a midweek trip to Monaco.
There are no excuses for Everton not to have a real go at the Lilywhites.
Alan Shearer thinks Everton will beat Spurs, with Grealish returning to the side following his absence against his parent club.
Sunday is a big, big opportunity for Everton to really cement their intent for the season.