The former Blues defender assesses the side's impressive start to the campaign in his weekly ECHO column
Everton manager David Moyes
Everton manager David Moyes
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The first international break of the season provides a good opportunity to reflect on the campaign so far - and it has been a good start for Everton.
I’ve been genuinely impressed with what the side has been able to achieve across the opening weeks, not just in terms of the results they have earned but also in their wider performances and the psychological resilience shown to overcome some of the off-the-pitch challenges they have faced since mid-August.
Several players have caught my eye, too, and while I am not claiming everything is perfect - there is certainly room for improvement - I have taken a lot of satisfaction from what I have seen so far.
For Everton to remain unbeaten is obviously pleasing - even more so given they have been to some places they often struggle at, like Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur.
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That matters because this is a results-based business, but the displays underpinning the run of form have been largely positive and I think David Moyes and the players recognise that.
Have we scored a few late equalisers? Yes. Could we have perhaps snatched a win over Spurs? Yes. But I think we have taken results that we have deserved from the levels we have hit. We have certainly set a marker down for the next run of games.
I have taken encouragement from the growth of individuals, Tyler Dibling among them. I am really pleased Dibling has had some opportunities already and I think he has grabbed them with both hands. His England Under-21s team-mate Tyrique George has also done really well, getting the fans on their feet with his dynamic play. The loss of Iliman Ndiaye was big and there were worries about whether anyone would step up after his sale to Manchester City. I think George has done that.
While the good form makes it tempting to think the break has come at a bad time for Everton - how often have we seen such periods hinder the club’s momentum - I think the timing is actually good for the Blues on this occasion.
I think Everton can emerge from this break stronger than they entered it. Given the way the transfer window ended, the loss of big players and the work being undertaken by several names returning from injury, this unusually long break offers the chance to address a few issues.
There are some players who need a rest - the consequence of a small squad is the over-reliance on players - and some who are returning from injury like Hayden Hackney and Merlin Rohl who will find this period useful. Christian Norgaard should also be getting closer to fitness.
There are still issues to address - of course there are. Have we got a clear game plan right now? I am not sure what our identity is - but hopefully that will start to come. I would like to see some partnerships start to form too, with greater understanding between our full-backs and wingers and also in central midfield, where I think we could protect the ball better.
I have to say I am pleased so far though. And I’m looking forward to seeing how the team approach the next set of games.