What a difference a week makes

Evertonians have gone from severe depression to something approaching rapture in the last week and rightly so, says David Martin.

A good performance against Fulham was then followed by some superb work from Moyes, finally backed even if just a little by his board in the transfer window.  Of course the whacking big cherry on the cake was a superb victory against Manchester City which ranks as one of the best in Moyes time at the helm.

I have refrained from expressing my thoughts regarding the last week or so largely because the adrenaline has been flowing far too much for me to get any sense typed (although some would say this is often the case).  However, now that the endorphins have settled a tiny bit, it’s as good a time as any to assess our squad, it’s potential and it’s future.

Our first eleven right now has gone from horrendously predictable to possibly as good a side as we have seen since 09 thanks to the miracles worked by David Moyes.  The midfield for the next month is nothing short of the stuff dreams are made of on paper with possibilities of all sorts of combinations.  Donovan and Drenthe on the wings with Pienaar and Fellaini in the middle?  Drenthe as an impact sub with Pienaar and Baines getting back into the groove of their glorious Bainaar bromance?  The creativity and goal threat throughout that midfield has increased tenfold and with Osman, Rodwell, Barkley and Coleman still to return it looks once again, to be the strongest area of our team.

However, just to put a dampener on affairs a tad, three of those players are loans or not permanent signings.  Donovan in particular only has a short time left with us and he has again been pivotal in the turnaround in our play and form.  I really hope he leaves in impression on Drenthe in particular in terms of how you be creative and direct but still put in a team performance.  I desperately hope this is not the last time we see him in blue as he has arguably been even better and more important to us this time round.

Gibson is a player who has divided fans from the outset but I see real potential for him to be a success at Everton and if nothing else he already understands the need to fight for the team.  He is capable of putting a tackle in and a forward pass and his goal against City, whether you consider it fortunate or not will do his confidence wonders.  He may well turn out to be another gem and anyone who puts pressure on Rodwell to perform is welcome in my opinion.

Defensively we seem to have shored up a little of late and I think that is largely down to the form and leadership of Johnny Heitinga who is woefully underrated by many.  Once again the minute he gets a long stint at centre back, we look more secure as a result and Howard clearly has convinced in him giving him the ball persistently.  Many rightly point to Tony Hibbert‘s performance against City which out of position was exceptional, and also Duffy’s consistency when called upon.  However,  it is often the case that it is Heitinga that steadies the ship and I hope Moyes doesn’t once again feel the need to replace him or play him in midfield the minute Jagielka and/or Distin are fit.

It is perhaps up front were the greatest improvements to our squad have been made and although some of that has been the epic workrate of Denis Stracqualarsi, a player who has transformed fan opinion by sheer will and bloody mindedness, Saha‘s transfer is likely even more pivotal than this or even the signing of Jelavic.  Saha has been quite frankly, awful all season and while he might do well with less pressure and appearances at Tottenham, his time to shine at Everton was well and truly up.  Moyes being unable to play him and having to rely on player like Strac and Vellios has unsurprisingly, led to an instant upturn in results and these things are not coincidental.  Jelavic looks much more capable of playing a lone striker role and it is also no surprise that having a striker that stays up front is doing wonders for Tim Cahill.

Despite the fact we have a number of loans in our team the future looks much brighter at the moment at least for this season.  Talks of qualifying for Europe while not impossible, are a little optimistic for me but hopefully this puts paid to all the insane talk of relegation.  The summer is certainly going to be an interesting one and our next season will require some of these loans to be tied down and more players brought in.  However, watching Everton isn’t as bleak a prospect as it was and I for one am reveling it.  Hang on, those endorphins kicking in again, Come on you Blues!