placeholder image
Getty Images
David Moyes is dragging Everton up the Premier League table, but did the Toffees boss make a big mistake against Nottingham Forest?
David Moyes is one of the best managers around when it comes to getting the most out of the squad and Everton’s current league position couldn’t be a better testament.
The veteran Toffees boss isn’t perfect though and, even in victory, has made mistakes in recent weeks. What he did get right, was the recruitment in the summer with the acquisitions of Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall providing a spark that has often been missing from hard-working and industrious teams in the manager’s mould.
David Moyes makes tactical mistake against Nottingham Forest
Every player knows their job and, injuries and suspensions aside, Moyes has limited rotation to allow the players to build up relationships and cohesion on the pitch. The best example being his generosity towards Thierno Barry and the 15 league games it took for the towering striker to score his first goal for the club. Other players haven’t quite been afforded the same luxury though with Tyler Dibling in particular rarely being seen by those who were excited about his arrival.
The 19-year old has featured for just 76 minutes in the Premier League this season despite being one of the more heralded signings of the summer. Despite being 2-0 up at half-time, Moyes only gave Dibling four minutes after a third goal was scored instead of introducing the former Southampton winger earlier to add an injection of pace.
He might have a lot to learn, but he is massively undercooked and Moyes should have planned better for the future by giving him more game time. If he is ready and fit enough to be on the bench, he should be playing.
Moyes praises Everton mentality
Moyes has praised the mentality of his squad, but after the recent run of results has set his squad a lofty target, via the club’s official website: “This club should be challenging for Europe or in Europe. But I think people need to give us time and understand how bad it's been in the past few years or how low it's been – that you just can't suddenly turn up and think you’re going to end up with that. I don’t at the moment but I’m going for it and so are the players. Our aim is to try to do that. The players know that.
“But if you lose two games, then I'm looking over my shoulder so we've got to be careful we don't get carried away. We’re not doing that but there was much more about the players' mentality today, it was much better than it was after Man United. I didn't like the way we went into the Newcastle game.
“Today I felt it in the dressing room, they were going into this game confident but a bit more determined, a bit more feeling we've got something we have to do at home here.”
Continue Reading