Improved Everton form down to player realization, says Moyes after impressive run of results as well as performances.
Improved Everton performances in the Premier League are a result of the player finally knowing their potential and talent, said the Scot.
When Moyes reviewed the fixture list upon his return to the club, he acknowledged that he did not anticipate scoring many points from an April calendar that included games against Liverpool, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Manchester City, and Chelsea. At the beginning of the month, Everton’s opponents were in the top five in the league. However, before they meet Pep Guardiola’s team at Goodison Park on Saturday, opinions of Moyes and his team have changed as a result of a close loss at Liverpool, a draw with Arsenal, and a win against Forest.
“A lot of them are beginning to say: ‘We can play at this level,’” said Moyes. “That’s why I said a few weeks ago that it will be interesting to see how they deal with this challenge and how they are going to perform against the top teams. Ultimately you have to try and give them games. We might be able to beat some of the other teams in the league but we have to see if we can challenge the top teams and I think some of them are standing up and doing really well.”
Since Moyes took over for Sean Dyche in January, only four teams have amassed more points than Everton: Liverpool, Crystal Palace, Arsenal, and City. After three victories in 19 league games, Everton was one point above the relegation zone and fifth from bottom when Dyche was fired. Moyes acknowledges that the turnaround will have an impact on the players’ careers. This summer, the contracts of 13 team members, including loanees, expire, and Moyes will have a significant influence over bids for renewals.
“The players have shown a brilliant attitude to it,” he said. “None of them have knocked off. And nor should they. They’ve been down in the doldrums for the first six months of the season and now they are getting a taste of enjoying the feeling of winning. They are like: ‘I’m getting applauded by supporters, people are shouting my name because I’m chasing and I’m doing all the jobs.’
“That’s a much better feeling to a player than the other side of it. Hopefully they are realising it makes a big difference. It’s making a big difference to me in the decisions we’re going to make about them in the coming weeks and months.”