Source: Daily_Mail
Moyes done good: How Everton bet on a casino night out - and won
The previous Monday night had been painful. A listless 1-0 defeat at Wigan[LNB]drew an expression from the manager that could turn milk sour. [LNB]What followed was described by one protected source as 'the longest day of my life'. A six-hour inquest dissected all that was wrong with the limp performance and left no stone unturned. [LNB]At Everton[LNB]such attention to detail has become expected. David Moyes would not have it any other way. [LNB] Moyes boys: Everton's boss with Leighton Baines and Leon Osman[LNB]But, back in November, Moyes had serious concerns over his side'sstate of mind. 'If we're not careful we'll do well to avoid relegation.Top 10 would be an achievement,' he said. [LNB]Three days later, still bristling, Moyes conspired with chairmanBill Kenwright to break from routine and let the players travel totheir match at Tottenham by train before a Friday night out atwell-known Mayfair casino Les Ambassadeurs. [LNB]Nothing untoward, just team bonding. Laughs, a spin at roulette anda few hands of blackjack. The shuffle of the pack worked. The next day,Everton won 1-0 and rediscovered the dogged form they have become notedfor.[LNB] Everton's Saha savouring chance to take on 'just amazing' United in semi-final[LNB]VIDEO: Cahill takes a dive (but this time it's the Everton star's little boy)[LNB]EVERTON FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB][LNB] Midfielder Leon Osman said: 'We went out for a meal and it was achance, in a way, for everyone to get close again. 'A change of sceneryand change of tack helps you refocus on what you have to do and whatyou're brought together as a squad to do. It was obviously the rightthing for the manager because we played really well.' [LNB]It was the turning point in a campaign that has arguably beenMoyes's toughest in what will be six years as Goodison boss come thisSaturday.[LNB] Injuries to key players, suspensions and a lack of new faces hadforced him to blood a handful of earnest teenagers who were barely outof school. [LNB]Heads up: Saha scores the winner against Boro[LNB][LNB]Devoid of resources, he was saddled with criticism by sections ofhis own fans as he delayed signing a new contract. And that hurt. [LNB]After all, Moyes has pitched cashstrapped Everton back into the 'BigFour' reckoning after one of the darkest periods of the club'sillustrious history. [LNB]And little did those dissenters realise when he did sign his£60,000- a-week deal that he celebrated by taking a seat in the standsat Warrington that night to watch the reserves beat Liverpool 3-2. [LNB]Everton has consumed Moyes but in return the club get everything he has. [LNB]'It's 24/7,' he said. 'You expect that if you want success. It'sobsessive but it's my hobby as well. I may play a bit of golf in thesummer, spend time with the family but football is everything. I wasbrought up to work hard and when you look in the mirror you want to beable to say you have done your best. [LNB]'I wasn't even sure I would get a coaching job when I started out so I want to make the most of it now.' [LNB]There is an intensity in the 45- year-old Glaswegian which skipperPhil Neville believes draws comparisons with Sir Alex Ferguson. Thosewho step out of line may concur. Visitors to Everton's new £14milliontraining ground at Finch Farm were even deterred until grass and trimhedges had replaced the bare muddy entrance. For him, first impressionsof Everton have to be right. [LNB]The music of Smooth FM on his car stereo may calm him ahead of his8am arrival, but 10 or 11-hour days at the Halewood complex are thenorm. Training sessions are intense and, importantly, varied. [LNB]'He always listens to the players,' said one senior pro. 'You haveto give him credit. He's always trying to make it interesting andplayers appreciate that. It keeps you fresh. Everyone feels a part ofit here. There are no superstars, no cliques. We are a genuine group,all in it together and for each other.' [LNB]In the days of millionaire prima donnas that is not an easyenvironment to create, but Moyes has never been afraid to recognise theneed to tailor his own methods.[LNB] Louis Saha will vouch for that. On his surprise arrival in thesummer, Saha confided he was 'overwhelmed' by the welcome he received. [LNB] You're the man: Saha celebrates with team-mates Tim Cahill and Leon Osman[LNB][LNB]He was put at ease, told he was under no pressure and that thepriority was to make sure, after an injury-strewn spell at ManchesterUnited, that he was happy in mind and body. While his appearances arestill few, his goals have been vital and Moyes believes there is more to come. [LNB]'You have to assess yourself and those around you constantly,' saidMoyes. 'I did things years ago that would make me cringe now. I'mevolving as much as the players. When people say the team are areflection of me then, yes, maybe they are. I'm delighted with that,very proud because they have a work ethic and spirit that's difficultto match. [LNB]'I'll readily admit that earlier in my management career I mademistakes. Even though I've been in it a few years I would never think Iknew it all. You have to keep looking for new ideas, keep looking atthe lower leagues and keep talking to experienced people. I may eventake something I've been reading and see if that can apply to asituation. If it's worked for someone else it can work for you.' [LNB]His ideals are certainly fitting for the Everton motto 'Nothing butthe best is good enough'. Indeed, finishing sixth and as FA Cupsemi-finalists does not constitute success in his eyes. [LNB]'We can't go slapping ourselves on the back for what we haveachieved by March,' he said. 'We can't be happy with finishing sixth,nor with just a semi-final. That's not in my nature. I'm in it to winit. And I want to compete for the highest place in the Premier League. [LNB]'Is it realistic for Everton to dream of a title? Realistically, notwithout major investment. But we will carry on trying to make thosedreams reality.'[LNB] Everton's Saha savouring chance to take on 'just amazing' United in semi-final[LNB]VIDEO: Cahill takes a dive (but this time it's the Everton star's little boy)[LNB]EVERTON FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB] [LNB] [LNB]
