Royal Blue: Answer to mystery of Everton FC’s slow start could be a failure to think short-term

DAVID MOYES would need a masters degree in behavioural psychology to completely understand why his players have not hit the ground running this season.Not just him either. Most of the first team squad - a bunch of honest, hard-working, focused, professionals - share his bemusement.Because avoiding this precise malaise was the over-riding focus of a freshened-up and successful pre-season.Moyes, renowned for his meticulous approach, was so determined to avoid a slow start he tore up the usual summer plan. Eschewing the favoured option of visiting a major US city and playing their local MLS side before a mini-tournament, in favour of a long-haul trip to Australia far earlier in the schedule than usual, was the first change.The emphasis Down Under was on building up a cutting edge in fitness, while playing some fairly competitive games. On that basis it was a success.The promotion of the Everton brand was another important factor for club officials, but make no mistake Moyes was thinking only of beating Blackburn on the opening day.The Blues returned to step up their preparations with some more demanding friendlies, culminating with Steve McLaren's Wolfsburg.So what could they have done differently? It wasn't working with the old way, and something had to change. Moyes emphasised the importance of a quick start by reminding journalists at Finch Farm that the last time the Blues managed one, they finished fourth.In many ways, the manager got what he wanted this summer (barring £30m for a striker which is so unlikely in the short-term it is almost a redundant issue).Almost all his key players were fit and ready, and he managed to tie up a key band of personnel on new, lucrative deals to deny circling sharks and ensure they could concentrate on a significant season for their current employers.

Source: Liverpool_Echo