If anyone expected David Moyes to arrive for his Friday press conference with steam coming out of his ears, they were probably disappointed.
After the way the transfer window ended, the Everton manager would have been entitled to look a little weary.
Instead, Moyes was surprisingly upbeat. He didn’t attempt to dress up what had happened. He admitted he was disappointed Everton had not done more business, acknowledged that some things could have been done better and accepted that he has been left with a small squad.
But there was no moaning and little sense of a manager interested in spending the afternoon picking over Deadline Day.
Moyes ready to move on
The tone was much more about getting on with it. Moyes spoke about players having to “muck in”, opportunities opening up for others and his determination to make Everton a club capable of challenging.
There was also the familiar faith in the supporters. “If ever we needed the supporters, [it’s] at this club,” was his message as attention turned towards Sunday’s game with Manchester United.
That relationship has been particularly noticeable over the past week. When supporters made their feelings clear about the proposed sale of Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest last weekend, Moyes said they “aren’t always wrong”.
He also offered a reminder that “their manager’s an Evertonian”.
There is plenty for Evertonians to be unhappy about after the window and Moyes did not attempt to suggest otherwise.
But his demeanour on Friday was a pleasant surprise. And the distinction between frustration with the club’s transfer business and support for Moyes and his players is already being made by some supporters.
TOFFEE BLUECAST summed up that mood neatly after the press conference, insisting those responsible for the transfer window would not be allowed to forget it, while adding that the manager and players had “nothing to do with that”.
Their conclusion was rather more upbeat: “It sounds like the manager is up for the fight.”
That felt spot on. Moyes didn’t sound like a manager bruised by the previous few days but more like one who had accepted what had happened and was ready to work with what he has.
Time for an inquest … but not before Sunday
There will be another time for questions about how Everton handled the window. This afternoon, though, Moyes appeared determined to make sure the disappointment did not seep into his dressing room.
And judging by that early reaction, plenty of Evertonians are prepared to accept that.
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