It Was Only a Change of Plan
David Moyes was in the opposition dugout when Everton last won at Old Trafford. Ahead of Monday's latest instalment of what is a big game in more ways than one, let's hope he learned that the Blues won that night in 2013 because they went with the intention of winning
I was born too late to have seen "The Busby Babes". I was aware of them, of course. Some of my earliest football memories are of older family members telling me about the Munich plane crash; the great team Busby was building; Duncan Edwards. Manchester United had an aura about them back then. The hatred of all things Mancunian had yet to manifest itself here in Liverpool. Sure, there was a fierce rivalry between the two cities, but it was healthy and good.
It wasn't long after that tragic accident that football was being beamed into all our living rooms. We could admire each other's teams on Gerald Sinstadt's program on Granada TV which showed highlights from the week before on Friday nights. My goodness, they had some players — United and City. Players like Lee, Charlton, Bell, Summerbee, Law and Best would have priced themselves out of today's market. Reeling off those names kinda brings me to the point of the article.
It was the eve of the 1967/68 season. Busby was bringing his champions to town the next day and I didn't get a minute's sleep. I was dressed and ready to go about half two in the morning. Finally it was time to go, but not before my Arl Fella and my uncles had had a few pints in the Corner House and Mckinleys (Clifton Arms) at the top of Athol street. When we got to the ground I was told I wasn't going in the Boys' Pen. I had a ticket for the Goodison Road. We didn't used to "buzz" back then, but I thought I was going to burst.
The teams came out to thunderous noise. I scanned the United team. It felt like Hollywood had come to town, but I knew — we all knew — that Catterick had assembled his own all-star line up.... We wiped the floor with them. I didn't come down for a fortnight!
Since that day, the games against Man United have always been the first I look for when the fixture list is released (the shite can wait). After years in the wilderness, United finally became the power house the rest of football feared they could be. Like our lovable neighbours, their success has attracted the worst type of supporter: gloating glory-hunters from all over the globe. We've had to listen to them after many a hiding. That's been hard to take and I've come to despise them.
Unfortunately, we all know our wounds have been self-inflicted. While we were managing our own decline they were getting busy. The gap between the two clubs has sometimes been so wide the games between us have looked a complete mis-match. But it wasn't always like this. If you'd have asked anyone leaving Goodison after a Sheedy-inspired Everton had put five past them which was the bigger club of the two, you would have got a very different answer than the one you would get today.
Man United have had us on the ropes since Sky invented football, but they have never been able to knock us out. Unlike them, we stayed in the top flight even during our darkest hours and sprinkled among all those many losses we have been able to stop them in their tracks with a few tremendous blows of our own: the FA Cup Final, Ferguson (Duncan) bringing the house down, Pienaar and Fellaini preventing them winning the league, Jack Rodwell, Oviedo baby... we've never really gone away.
So, we go to Old Trafford. The mutual admiration and respect that once existed between the two clubs has long since given way to an intense dislike of each other. This is a big game in more ways than one.
When Roberto Martinez`s team won there, they won because they went with the intention of winning. They were rewarded for not settling for a draw with a late winner. We know Moyes was looking... Let's hope he was learning.
Reader Responses
Selected thoughts from readers23/11/2025 04:03:11
The manager never learns.
Low block, fullbacks tucked in, wide men deep, two central midfielders parked in front of the centreback and long balls out of defence in the hope the lone striker can chase it and gain possession.
It may work for 40-50 minutes, it never succeeds. But the manager has tried doing the same thing for over 20 years.
23/11/2025 06:53:58
Nice blend of you and your memories Darren and good analysis mate.
RIP and thank you for your part in my youth Gerald Sinstad's Kick Off Match was Sunday afternoon, wasn't it?
Man-Utd ruined my 1977 Christmas and I've never forgotten or forgiven them for that. And 390 days before that day I'd been at OT for the Andy King 3-0 League Cup win when the afters were some of the most violent that I have ever seen.
1995 was sweet and nearly made up for 1985. Everton Valley etc.
It will not happen Darren but I would love, just love, to see Moyes put out this team - Pickford, Garner, Keane, O'Brien, Mylolenko, Iroegbunam, Rohl, if fit, Grealish, Dibling, Alcaraz, Ndiaye.
A high press? Yeah, right.
Moyes would take a draw now and so would many of us.
Not good enough. My XI could coast on Monday. We might also be taken apart. But most of all I want to say that we gave it a good go and the draw flattered Man-Utd.
I won't be there. I wish I was like I used to be. Rob, Brent, Neil, and the other 3,000 are thinking of nothing other than a win.
My mind says 2-2, my heart says 2-6. That's right, ram it up the 'gloating glory-hunters from all over the globe['s]' collective rear end.
I miss Gerard Deulofeu. Lovely photo Lyndon.
23/11/2025 10:14:07
Monday night will tell us a number of things about David Moyes mk2, but most of all it will tell us if David Moyes has a future at Everton. Over dramatic? Well, no. Because we have seen on a number of occasions this season, and markedly again yesterday, that this game of football is about winning. Teams are aggressively challenging the privileged ones and winning. Front foot football. It wasn't long ago that Phil McNulty said that the other lot would win the league hands down, well that was a good prediction wasn't it? But teams are realizing that you cannot sit back, at ANY point in a game and expect to hold out, irrespective if you have England's keeper or our makeshift defence. It's asking too much. Give good teams space and time and they will tear you apart. Give poor teams itt and they will look like Brazil.
We have seen patches of excellent aggressive attacking play, with better finishing we should be secure in the top half of the table. We are more than capable of playing a high line, using a variety of attacking options, we could actually play to our strikers strengths, something we utterly fail to do, (Alcaraz behind Beto) or shuffle the midfield when Gueye goes missing, because Tiny Timy will struggle.
Blah blah, I know, but this game is as much about the attitude of the manager, his selections and tactics. As Darren and Jerome say, the intention of winning is light years away from the prevention of losing.
23/11/2025 10:30:15
For what it's worth I expect a Moyes masterclass in conceding possession and defending deep.
Christine is correct, this will define whether Moyes has got what it takes to take us next level, I fear he hasn't and never has tbf.
Here's hoping I'm wrong but I can't see it tbh.
23/11/2025 10:37:31
The intention of winning has sadly been lost on way too many Evertonians, for way too long now imo.
I loved your article Darren, and I’m glad you mentioned the 5-0, which I’m sure you will remember was four or five days before we went to Old Trafford, and also knocked United out of the league cup.
I keep reading about stability, but my own thoughts are there’s not really that many stand out teams, in the EPL right now, so it’s about time we started demanding the Everton football club, of yesteryear.
23/11/2025 10:51:08
Great article Darren, brought back a lot of great memories of wonderful players. Paul, I think Darren may have been referring to 'Kick-Off' a magazine type programme later taken on by Elton Welsby? I seem to remember that being shown on a Friday. One big memory of Sunday with Gerald Sinstadt was not Everton related (although it was to turn out to be so) but a goal by Sam Allerdyce for Bolton ( cross from Reidy I think.) Superb header which me and mates hopelessly tried to replicate.Great days.
23/11/2025 12:13:44
I loved reading your article Darren. I've been to several games at Goodison when we played them but just once to Old Trafford. I can't ever remember a dull match, but the accumulation of defeats must have taken it's toll on me. Beckham tormenting Rhino, Giggs all over us on the other flank. The hope Manny Fernandes gave us at 2-0 up only to be mauled yet again. And the memory of Rooney taking the piss was one that I tried (but failed) to suppress. Those pent up emotions all came flying out when Rodewell and co smashed them 3-1. I went completely mental when that 3rd goal went in just in front of me in the lower gwladys. My hatred for them has settled down since then, especially as they've been a joke of a club for a fair bit now. Tomorrow night will be a good test and hopefully another entertaining game and of course it would be sweet to get the win.
23/11/2025 12:48:41
I think most of us going into these sort of games hoping that we'll Go For It rather than sit back and hope for the best...bit we seldom do.
I just don't see the point in sitting back in a game where nobody expects you to win and you don't the need points anyway (meaning it's not a 6 pointer in April or anything like that).
A League win at any of the old Sky 4 would be a major boost for all of us, especially the manager who's record there is embarrassing. Whereas a defeat would barely even be mentioned outside of Evertonians, as people expect us to lose anyway.
Just ******* go after them!!
23/11/2025 13:12:56
Let’s hope Moyes goes there with the intention of at least trying to win the game, sadly I fear it will just be the usual defensive display with the hope of trying to nick one, it’s just in his DNA and it will be no different tomorrow night, maybe the players will surprise us and go for it, despite having Moyes in the dugout.
Good article btw Darren, I think when we mauled them 5-0 that Autumn afternoon a lot of us came away from Goodison starting to believe that we could win the league that season.
23/11/2025 13:38:17
The manager has won 1 of his 78 league games away to Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.
He has to see his traditonal tactics don’t work.
23/11/2025 18:01:24
Steve, there are damning statistics and then there is 1 in 78… I’m not sure damning is strong enough! The law of averages is so stretched here that you’d think it HAS to change for him and us at some point. Please let that be tomorrow. It’s a huge opportunity to keep pace with the clutch of clubs behind Arsenal and the top 2 or 3.
23/11/2025 18:53:54
Everton's spinelessness in games against the so-called 'elite' is one of the most depressing things about our time in the Premier League, and is one of the reasons fans of other clubs just dismiss Everton as irrelevant also-rans. FFS Everton have a proper go at them. If we get beat after a good scrap, if we are heroic failures, we'll forgive you. But none of the caution. Support the loan striker, because they need it, they are bloody useless, whether it's Beto or Barry.
23/11/2025 19:35:14
You're right Edward. there was definitely a Friday (6-30?) evening Kick Off preview show with Gerry in the hot seat. He always brings a smile to my face. A big part of my growing up.
Completely agree Lee, what is the point of sitting back from the kick off in a game like this? Erm, Spurs today at Arsenal.
Amorim already knows how Moyes will set us up tomorrow. Wouldn't it be lovely if we surprised him. But I fear that the 1-in-78 does not have that in his DNA?
Five at the back?
23/11/2025 20:27:05
Great atticle Darren, and a very fair assessment of how Evertons standing has changed other the decades.
A few stand out wins, and success at Old Trafford a few times, as well, in thexdays of Latchford, King, the epic Bob The Pole, inspired win too.
I alsoremember going to a mid week game when we beat them at Old Trafford 4-2, I think it was the Super Cup.
Sheedy was real class, and very reliable, but how times and fortunes of both clubs have changed. Hopefully Evertons fortunes, will gradually improve and consistency and success on the park will follow.
I hope Everton turn up and believe they can beat United, and take their chances.
Hopefully Everton, can find the goals tomorrow, and lets see.
Win the 3 points and over take the RS!
23/11/2025 20:48:11
That’s a good article, Darren. I agree with the sentiments, remembering all those occasions.
I was at all the games you mention, and those referred to by Paul(#3) and Antony(#6). The first game I can recall attending at Goodison was beating them 4-0 in the Charity Shield at the start of the 63-64 season, and I was also lucky enough to watch us beat them at Burnden Park in the FA Cup semifinal in 1966.
I even had my scarf stolen from around my neck leaving Old Trafford after Joe Royle had scored a late winner in an FA Cup quarter final, to have it retrieved by an instantly-formed posse of jubilant but menacing men in blue and white scarves.
So, I have always respected Manchester Utd, but never felt intimidated by them. I doubt that can be said of David Moyes.
The title of your piece, “It was only a change of plan”, is a line from “Harvest” by Neil Young, I’m sure it was intentional by you. You will know that the next line is “Dream up, dream up, let me fill your cup, with the promise of a man”.
That’s the kind of man we need.
24/11/2025 07:14:32
Peter
Did she wake you up to tell you that ?
Well spotted my friend.
24/11/2025 07:25:42
I have given the prematch presser a miss. I don't want to be sick.
24/11/2025 08:38:09
Regarding 'Kick Off' there was also presenter Elton Welsby. I remember hearing malicious rumours that Elton had been having an affair with Kevin Keegan and this was the reason Keegan had moved to SV Hamburg. Turned out Elton was a blue and Keegan obviously wouldn't have been his type.
24/11/2025 09:34:05
The 15 year old me remembers being at Old Trafford when we hammered them 3-0 in the league cup, dodging all manner of coins, cans, urine etc. raining down from the upper scoreboard end.
24/11/2025 10:39:50
Love the article Darren. I suspect i’m a touch younger than you and Peter, but only just. That first game of the season in 67/68 lives very strongly in my memory. Not least that the game is available on YouTube/ Safari if you go searching. We won 3.1 and I have two distinct memories. One was Alan Ball, who was superb that day, nicking the ball away from a ( unusually) dithering George Best and striding away with it, plus, of course, the wonderful third goal from Alex Young with two wonderful shimmies and rocket into the corner past Stephny. I also remember going to the first game of the season at OT the next year when we dominated the then European champions and Charlton and Best scored two wonderful goals and we eventually lost 2.1. Other than that game I do seem to remember we spent about five seasons regularly beating United home and away. Oh for that to change. Agree with lots of comments on another thread. If Cunha not fit and we keep Mbeumo quiet this game is definitely one we can win - with the right intent🤞🏻
24/11/2025 11:33:34
I'm not sure there is much for DM to learn at the feet of Roberto Martinez Darren other than he has a penchant for brown shoes. What I learnt during his ill starred tenure was that after the first six heady months, it was oversimplistic to posit that all Moyes's teams needed to do was change their mentality and then we would rise to our proper position. In fact, in 'trying to win' we eventually lost our discipline, and dropped eight places to reestablish ourselves in lower mid table. the reason we didn't win much at Old Trafford was cos they had a brilliant team, and we were operating with a zero net spend. it was nothing to do with 'mentality' in my view. Every year Moyes would have to fend off these accusations when eg Hull city got a spawny win at one of the top four. 'Look! Even Hull can win there!'. of course Hull would be relegated by season end, and that game would rightly be seen for the fluke that it was.
I remember Martinez going toe to toe with Liverpool at Anfield on more than one occasion and getting murdered four nil (which could have been ten), I am keen to avoid that sort of hammering, and if that means safety first at such venues that's fine with me.
24/11/2025 12:14:50
Kevin#23
Martinez hadn't a clue regarding defence. He just tried to maintain possession in defence.Everton did not have the players up to that standard of play, when pressed.
24/11/2025 12:24:18
One thing Moyes could learn at the feet of Roberto Martinez is how to win at Old Trafford.
24/11/2025 12:53:21
Every good team, should have to a degree, a safety first attitude imo Kevin, especially when you haven’t got the best players, because it is surely the most sensible attitude to adopt, under those circumstances.
I just think that sometimes it’s about having that real inner belief, and this is were I believe our manager, falls short.
His best results away from home came against Manchester City, under Mancini, when it looked like Moyes, maybe never liked the city manager, and therefore never paid him or his team, too much respect?
That’s how I see it, I might be seeing it wrong, but when I was listening to Everton playing at the Etihad, the other week on the radio, I suddenly thought to myself, the crowd seems quiet, Everton don’t seem to be in any trouble, maybe this is the day we can finally win away from home, against one of the best teams?
My very next thought was genuinely, does our manager, also possess this same type of thought?
My positive thoughts shouldn’t have become so negative, so quickly, but they did for a reason, and a couple of minutes later City, scored their first goal.
Hopefully Moyes, goes and gets us playing sensibly and everyone is celebrating a well deserved or even a “lucky” victory at 10PM tonight.
24/11/2025 13:11:00
Don't think any fan wants to go toe-to-toe with any top 6 club away from home.
What we do want to see though is a more nuanced approach than the one that has led to 1 in 78 away wins. Theres abject failure and then there is that stat.
At least have a plan to take 3 points. If it doesn't work, so what? Nothing else you've done has worked, Davey.
The continual adoption of the same low block plan smacks of both ego and lack of imagination on the managers part. Its why Ive always struggled to warm to the man.
24/11/2025 14:11:19
A nice read that, Darren. I can’t see any reason why we don’t go there looking for a win. We’ve got some good players and with determination and a decent game plan there’s no reason we can’t get the 3 points. Man U aren’t anything special.
24/11/2025 15:54:18
Tony
there is a caution to him, it's undeniable. It's his achilles heel. But I find it depressing that everyone immediately swims to this weak point, and attacks him on it. Some of the games people are referring to were over 20 years ago. And our form since he took over our relegation haunted club from an objective observer would be considered excellent. People are beginning to compare him unfavourably to Sean Dyche, it's absurd.
Complaints about a low block, we have Michael Keane and Tarks are we really advocating for a high line? He's manifestly doing his best for the club, and that includes not going for quick wins with players who would make him look good. He knew when he bought Dibling and Barry that it would take minimum 18 months before he'd get any real benefit from it, but he's all about the team and what's best for the club (unlike some managers I could mention). I think we just need to lighten up on him a bit, give him a bit of (well earned) grace.
24/11/2025 17:23:41
Apart from the RS, there is no other team I'd want to beat more than Man United. I think it's the fact that their fans are everywhere. They tend to be glory hunters. Self-entitled. I grew up in Wigan and every fan were either Man United or RS "fans". The only times I ever want them to win is when they play the RS or if we are in another relegation dogfight and they're playing a team around us.
The Martinez win was memorable but prior to that was it Beardsley and Mo Johnson? Let's face it, we've done terribly there. We should have beaten them when Dunc put us 2-0 up and cupped his ear to the fans but threw it away.
I don't get the animosity to Moyes and Dyche, for that matter. I wish we were more gung ho but it's horses for courses. I think Dyche did a good job keeping us in the Premier League despite very difficult circumstances, especially with the points deduction. Moyes has done well, on the whole. The odd mistake and safety-first team selection but I think we are a decent striker and right back away from having the nucleus of a good side. We were never going to turn into a great team in one transfer window.
24/11/2025 17:31:49
Not going for quick wins with players that would make him look good?
He’s all about the team and what’s best for the club?
If he thought those players you mentioned could give him some wins, then I’m absolutely certain they would be in the team on a regular basis Kevin, but what really bothers me about our manager, is that he simply doesn’t use enough players, in a sport, that has now become a squad game.
It’s not an easy job, but for any manager who’s Achilles Heel, is being over cautious, how could it be?
24/11/2025 17:42:15
Moyes inability to see that RS were there for the taking in sept proved to me that Moyes never changes.
It was clear to anyone with eyes that their star was failing fast. (As virtually every team who has played them since have proved) Yet we went there and practically gave them the points. Wasn't it supposed to be the players who asked him to change things at ht and go more on the front foot. Nearly got us a point.
Imo Moyes plays the name and not the team. With the players hes had over the years, his record away to these clubs is shameful and indicative of a limited manager.
24/11/2025 19:02:00
An outstanding article; thank you Darren.
I am acquiring a great respect for the quality of the articles contributed to our 'new' site.
Surely the basic elements of footballing strategy are to play to your own strengths, & identity and exploit weaknesses in the opposition.
When these two key factors come together then surely decent results follow.
With K O less than hour away I wonder if Davey thoughts bear resemblance to mine.
24/11/2025 22:02:36
We did it!!!!!
What a shift from the boys that was.
24/11/2025 22:22:07
One up for Moyes, with a red card event I have never scene before.
24/11/2025 22:22:07
One up for Moyes, with a red card event I have never scene before.
24/11/2025 22:47:09
THAT'S how I want to see Everton play! Hats off to every single one but in particular David Moyes! He has it in him, well done blues, outstanding!
24/11/2025 22:48:40
Great win tonight, I think Moyes might have read Darren’s article, because we got amongst them from the start, they couldn’t get out of their own half for the first 10 minutes, Gueye and Keane’s brain fart should been yellow’s each, but maybe it caused the win in a perverse sort of way, great performance from all who contributed including David Moyes.
24/11/2025 22:53:24
He has definitely read the title Jeff!
A change of plan and a night to remember. Up the fuckin blues!
24/11/2025 22:54:03
Congratulations to every Everton member of staff and fan who was at Old Trafford tonight.
That was magnificent.
24/11/2025 22:57:17
If someone said before the game that two Everton players would have a fight with each other, with one getting a red card, nobody on this earth would have named Gueye and Keane to be the two players involved, not even one of them and A.N Other, but both together was incomprehensible.
24/11/2025 23:03:57
Tony, let’s hope Moyes learns a lot from tonight, he’s got maybe 4 or 5 years left as a top league manager, start going for it Davey, lift off the shackles, you might win another cup, and be appreciated by a lot more Evertonians.
24/11/2025 23:35:59
Brilliant by thex Everton, squad and fans.
In my time ip there, its the very best win at Old Trafford in modern times.
Crazy events, but what great character and belief shown by the squad. For me Pickford, and Keane, and KDH, JG, Jimmy G,Illie. and T Barry, were superb at leading the team,in the minutes of need. But Everton generally out thought and out played United,by a long way.
Im getting on, but that for me is the best Everton performance, at O T, and against very bad odds against Everton, in the last 55 years. Outstanding, adaption, improvising and overcpming the odds, and beating United.
I hope this is a real turning point for Evertons fortunes.
Made up tonight.. is an understatement.
24/11/2025 00:00:46
That's the way to do it Moysey!
So impressive: (1) how we started the game on the front foot and pushing up the field (2) how we regrouped and rallied after that slap and down to ten continued to look the better team in the first half, and (3) after a nail-biting twenty minutes or so where we sat back far too deeply in the second half we raised our levels again in the last fifteen minutes
It was a performance to relish and watch again. Kudos to Dave Moyes who got it right, even with the what some thought were delayed subs. Kudos to Jack G for his masterful display of how to draw fouls at key moments and more generally wind up the opposition.
When I think of Everton now I think of Jordan Pickford, the best English keeper by a country mile. He clearly gets and loves the club and has a wonderful relationship with our fans. I think the moment when I really came to see Jordan as a top keeper and person was that video with young Harry that made me proud that he was our keeper.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66QFNSaDyCc&list=PL_ePlDccwsfB77VftbrkS02H47xzhEaU0
Jordan was my MOM today and he also did Tarkowski's job for him after Gana's rush of blood. But there were also 3,000 MOM's in the stands and a few more potentially on the pitch.
But well done everybody. I've always been a proud Evertonian, but isn't it great when the team makes us this proud!
24/11/2025 00:22:32
Peter Mills @ 40
congratulations to all fellow Blues on this site also.
it was a night of which Dreams are made of.. without wanting to sound too wishy washy.
As for the Gana/Keane incident:
On first viewing, I thought that Gana was angry about the almost cool nonchalant pass that he played to Keane, who had an instant brain fart and failed to clear it.
But, on reviewing it again, I thought that the ball didn’t come as close to Keane, as Gana thought it had had and therefore the opponent had a free shot.
What was borne from the incident was nothing short of amazing.
As, Keane more than atoned for it, with a monumental display of defensive nous throughout the game.
Keane has to be applauded, not only for the way he played tonight, but his performance this season has shown a renaissance, nothing short of a miracle, compared to last Season.
That said, he always has a howler in his locker.. as long as he keeps it there, we should be fine.
25/11/2025 00:48:37
What a great night and thanks Darren for the article.
A quite remarkable victory in the most unpropitious circumstances I can recall. Sometimes I think we all make a little too much of the manager’s role when performances and results are the outcome of the collective and individual effort and talent of players. We won last night because the team as a whole was galvanised, Dewsbury-Hall scored a great goal and Pickford made four great saves. In the crucial moments they were simply better than their opponents.
25/11/2025 00:48:42
Great night.
Well done Evertonians, and especually those, who went to Old Trafford.
"Whats Our Name?"
25/11/2025 02:00:52
Amorim: "Fighting is not a bad thing, Fighting doesn't mean that they don't like each other. Fighting is that you lose the ball and I will fight you because we will suffer a goal. I hope my players, when they lose the ball, fight each other".
25/11/2025 05:13:15
I want to apologise first to my teammate Michael Keane. I take full responsibility for my reaction. I also apologise to my teammates, the staff, the fans and the club. What happened does not reflect who I am or the values I stand for. Emotions can run high, but nothing justifies such behaviour. I’ll make sure it never happens again. UTT 💙💙💙
The Daily Mail calls this a 'grovelling apology'.
25/11/2025 06:45:41
What a memorable night. The Fans were magnificent. The players responded.
John 46
I think you're right. We do often make too much of the role of the manager and the players deserve all the praise coming their way.
BUT!!! It was Moyes under the spotlight. It was his record at the grounds of the sky 4 that we were hammering. I feel he was under more pressure than any of the players. Having wrote this article. I feel it would be churlish in the extreme if I didnt come back and doff my cap to him. He gets 10/10 from me for last night John.
I told Andy Crooks that I hoped, rather than believed, that he would have learned something from our last victory at Old Trafford and while one result doesnt completely eliminate my doubts. Under "unpropitious" circumstances - Yes I had to google it. The man threw a gorrila sized monkey of his back last night. That wouldnt have done him any harm at all
25/11/2025 07:19:11
I think the sending off resulted in a charged half time talk, that could not have been negative in any way or all hell would have broken loss.Hence the second half performance.
'It was only a change of plan.'
25/11/2025 09:41:35
Well I called that wrong...well done Moyes, brilliant result and display.
I thought Kean was immense
27/11/2025 22:49:58
Hope this victory quietens rhise who want to drop KDH for ALCARAZ.
Moyes has been pushing for a high block for at least the last few games which has worked and KDH is essential to that. Still need to work on Jack being more positive with possession rather than attracting frees. Very important later when trying to kill game but must look for more direct routes to goal and even shoot sometime.
There is the making of a team there but not yet getting the best from them.
28/11/2025 14:12:39
I couldn’t fault the way the manager used his subs, the other night Neil, but I will never stop moaning until he starts trying to make his team stronger, sharper, fitter and more focused and I believe the best way of doing this, is by trying to integrate more of his squad players onto the pitch, for longer periods, when players out of his starting eleven, might not be playing as well as they can.
It’s a squad game now, it’s a squad game now. If you want to be successful, then once again, it’s a squad game now!
01/12/2025 07:31:34
Christine#32
Whilst all of what you say is correct to some extent. The Manager has to bear responsibility for gaping holes between the midfield and the backline, and a walk through midfield.
Newcastle showed how to do it with a compact unit defending and going forward, but their successful implementation was because of team management inadequacies that they identified ( watching one video, the Spurs game)and they worked all week on those areas.
Moyes and Finch Farm had a rest after his second win in 75 matches against Man United, Liverpool and Arsenal and Chelsea.In the first minute Newcastle found that Everton had not even kept up their defending set price training. What a boast that would have been coached using the Spurs video all week.
Teams with bad players play better than Everton did against Newcastle.Everton were just poorly managed on all counts.
No wonder Moyes cowed down in the dugout he hadn't done a bat all week.
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23/11/2025 03:18:27
Darren your article is the crux of the problem regarding Moyes's management.His defensive reactive formation against the traditional big Six.As you suggest a more proactive formation would be the right tactic.But I believe the fundamental problem is Phycological Moyes has a inferiority complex regarding the traditional big six and abysmal stats to prove it.
To prove the point I cite the most recent Anfield fixture. Many of us realised that Slot in the previous season with one change to Klopp's starting eleven had won the Premiership by default.The acknowledgement of the fite, was like a damp sqid, He spent a fortune over the Summer, but still cracks were starting to appear in performances prior to the Anfield fixture.Moyes post match press conference was in praise of the opposition and made me want to throw up.
He then like against Leeds set up Everton as a defensive reactive unit( the polar opposite of what you suggest, Darren) and allowed the opposition play with disastrous results.In the last 10 minutes of the game he changed the Everton formation to a reactive formation with a more attacking bent.They looked like they were on the ropes and lucky to survive.
That ten minutes was taken on board by subsequent teams and they have been hammered since.Lastly by Sean Dyche ( I wonder where he came from?)
Basically my view is that Davey needs to grow a pair.The only alleged comments so far from Moyes have been about ANCO concerns.God give me strength.