Since David Moyes returned to Everton at the turn of the year, the fortunes have completely changed.
Everton have gone from a relegation battle under Sean Dyche to sitting 17 points clear of the drop zone in the space of two months.
The Toffees are on a nine-game unbeaten streak as David Moyes has been able to improve a number of underperforming players.
Beto has significantly improved whilst Jake O’Brien has become a key fixture of his side having been on the fringes under Sean Dyche.
Jordan Pickford has also improved one key element of his game which Moyes identified when he first arrived at the club.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
David Moyes told Jordan Pickford to work on his goal kicks
According to Alan Nixon’s Patreon, Moyes told Pickford to work on his goalkicks when he rejoined Everton in January.
The Scotsman had noticed that Pickford was putting too much on his kicks and he’d often angle them out wide.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
Moyes instructed Pickford to take a bit off them and direct them centrally, which is now starting to pay dividends.
The England international is much more accurate and has been able to find the focal point Beto on a much more regular basis.
It was evident against Leicester City last month when Abdoulaye Doucoure scored the quickest goal in Goodison Park history.
Pickford’s straight ball was much more effective than ones sprayed out wide, which was a tactic much more prominent under Dyche.
Pickford says Moyes has been working on patterns of play
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Pickford revealed that Moyes has been working hard on attacking patterns in training.
“We’ve been working hard on how we work the ball and creating chances,” the Everton shot-stopper said.
“You know what Goodison is like, the fans just want to see opportunities and when you’ve not got the ball, working hard without it and I think we’ve shown that in the last few games.”
Moyes has been eager to make Everton a much more progressive side and wants to shift away from Dyche’s pragmatic tactics which have been ingrained in the players.