David Moyes preferred to look at Everton's testing run of fixtures positively
David Moyes preferred to look at Everton's testing run of fixtures positively
We are now entering phase two of the David Moyes Everton takeover. That much felt clear as Finch Farm basked in the warmth of the early summer sunshine and football returned to the agenda after a long international break.
In the absence of games, Moyes has not quite softened to the point where he will say that Everton are safe. But he is willing to accept the Blues may already have done enough to survive and, as a result, is starting to open up on his next stage of priorities.
There was a time when April looked like a month of hell. Conventional wisdom suggested only the trip to Nottingham Forest offered respite in a challenging month against Champions League and title contenders. Now even Forest are in that mix.
Related Articles
David Moyes gives perfect answer to Jarrad Branthwaite transfer question and confirms Everton contract stance
David Moyes shares Iliman Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil injury latest in Everton fitness update
But this is not an Everton side that needs to fear anything anymore. The club is safe, the institution has new-found stability and there is a squad filled with players desperate to stake their claim for a piece of the brighter future on offer down on the banks of the Mersey.
And Moyes wants to exploit that. When I spoke to former Blues player Michael Ball for his ECHO column this week, he said his hope for the rest of the season was that this squad started to take advantage of a freedom that has long eluded them amid the survival scraps of years gone by. This is a time to express themselves and showcase what they can do.
Moyes appears to have taken on a similar mindset.
On Tuesday afternoon he spoke about the upcoming games and the opportunity they represent. That included the derby against Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday. Does he want to break his Anfield curse? "I don't want it, I want to win", he responded.
Of the looming schedule, Moyes said: “I am actually looking forward to it because I think the team has done so well, I am looking forward to seeing how they take the challenge on.
“We are not mathematically safe yet but we won’t go in with as much fear of the outcome at the end… We have to try and win our games but there is a little bit more than that. We are not expected to be winning the games but I think we have a chance in a lot.”
The nine-match unbeaten Premier League run has injected confidence into this club. So to has the progress made by the injured stars, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin now the only key player still facing a prolonged absence.
It may not yet have stretched to a belief Everton will upset the apple cart over the coming weeks.
But Moyes is keen to challenge his players to show him what they can do.