Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport via Getty Images
David Moyes has given Everton a decent start to the season, but there is already a question hanging over him: can he turn a team that is difficult to beat into one that wins more regularly?
Everton remain unbeaten in the Premier League, taking 10 points from the first six games. Yet the 2–2 draw at Hull City felt a bit like two points thrown away, as spirited as Hull were. Everton created chances, and took the lead through Thierno Barry with around 15 minutes to go, but couldn’t see out the game.
So an interesting debate is now forming around David Moyes. His supporters see a team that is competitive, but his critics see familiar frustrations returning.
And it’s likely both camps will point to the Hull game as evidence for their argument.
Celtic are eyeing David Moyes with his Everton contract expiring next year… thoughts? 🤔
Everton manager David Moyes
Credit: Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Being hard to beat isn’t enough
Everton have needed stability, and Moyes definitely knows how to organise a team and make it competitive. And after the struggles of recent years, Evertonians have every reason to welcome signs of improvement.
But nobody follows Everton simply to watch them avoid defeat. Surely no fan of any club wants to watch their side do anything other than win.
The problem with drawing too many matches is that decent performances don’t really count for much if the points keep slipping away. Four draws in the opening six league games isn’t disastrous, but Everton can’t afford to make a habit of failing to capitalise. The club are currently fifth, but the league is obviously tight at this stage. Newcastle United are currently 11th but would leapfrog Everton with a win.
Everton’s match stats against Hull included six big chances, but the Toffees came away with only a point. The attacking opportunities were there, but defensive mistakes proved costly.
Everton clearly aren’t incapable of attacking. But the Toffees need to make better use of the chances and be more clinical in the final third.
Is Moyes holding Everton back?
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Position Team Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Diff Points
1 6 6 0 0 16 5 11 18
2 6 5 0 1 10 5 5 15
4 6 2 4 0 12 6 6 10
6 6 3 1 2 15 13 2 10
7 6 2 3 1 8 5 3 9
8 6 2 3 1 8 6 2 9
9 6 2 3 1 7 7 0 9
10 6 3 0 3 9 12 -3 9
Some fans say Moyes is too conservative. During his second spell, they’ve questioned his team selections, his use of young players and tendency to make late substitutions.
There may be something in those complaints, but the evidence probably ought to be stronger than frustration after a draw. Against Hull, Moyes brought on Tyrique George and Tyler Dibling, and Everton created enough opportunities to win. It doesn’t settle whether either should have started, but it does complicate the claim that Moyes is refusing to give youth a chance. That said, perhaps Dibling could have been introduced earlier.
A more interesting question is whether Everton have a clear attacking plan that works consistently. Jack Grealish can carry the ball and create openings, but if attacks repeatedly slow down or become predictable, the team need alternatives.
Moyes does deserve scrutiny, but it should be based on what Everton actually do over a run of games. If the Toffees keep creating chances and dropping points because of poor finishing or defensive errors, the answer may not be to throw caution to the wind. If they regularly struggle to break teams down, the case for a more adventurous approach becomes much stronger.
What are Everton actually aiming for?
Everton aren’t yet in a position where they can be judged as though they have a squad capable of challenging for European football. Moyes has to work with the players available, and rebuilding consistency takes time.
But there’s a difference between being realistic and setting the bar too low. A solid league finish would show progress for a club that have spent too long worrying about problems off the pitch. But it can’t be the ultimate ambition forever.
Most Everton fans want to see a team that can compete for European places, and Moyes himself has spoken about wanting to get the club challenging for Europe more often.
The question is whether his football can really take Everton there. Organised defending and hard work can give a solid basis, but Everton will need enough creativity, goals and consistency to go to the next level.
After six Premier League games played, there’s probably not enough evidence to say Moyes has reached his limit. But it’s fair to say that turning draws into wins must be the next step.
The uncertainty above Moyes
We of course have to talk about the bigger issue hanging over Everton right now. Last week, it was announced that The Friedkin Group are now looking to sell Everton, and it means there is some uncertainty about the long-term direction.
For Moyes, the resources available will help determine what he can achieve. A stronger squad would give him more options, and a change in ownership might eventually bring a different vision for the club. But neither is a given, and neither should be used to excuse every shortcoming on the pitch.
The board will eventually have to decide what they want Everton to become. If the priority is stability, Moyes has a strong case to get a new contract and remain in charge for long-term. But if the ambition is to push towards Europe and get Everton amongst the league’s more competitive sides, the Scot will need to show that his methods can lead to more than just organisation and hard-fought draws.
My verdict: the jury is still out
I wouldn’t say Moyes has taken Everton as far as he can. But I also wouldn’t say the problem is solved, either.
The Hull draw was a reminder that Everton need to be more ruthless in both penalty areas. The Toffees can’t keep doing enough to win matches and then settling for a point.
For now, Moyes has earned credit for making Everton competitive, and there is an argument to say he’s probably the ideal person to be in the hot seat right now, after everything that happened at the end of the summer transfer window and developments with the Friedkins.
But the next test for Moyes is whether he can make the Toffees more effective. If the results improve and the team start turning these performances into victories, his critics will have less to complain about. If the same problems persist, questions about his tactics and long-term suitability will become much harder to bat away.