Mr Consistency

It goes without saying that Everton are now considered by many in the media, including pundits, journalists and other commentator,s as a team who appear to be upwardly mobile. Many factors have undoubtedly contributed to the progress made in recent years from a Club seen as perennial relegation strugglers to one that is seen as Uefa Cup or top-six finishers.

In looking at the factors that have brought this stability it would be churlish to overlook the stewardship of David Moyes, this would include his man-management skills and his ability to bond a tight-knit squad and team spirit. It would appear that David Moyes is held in high esteem by his players as a mentor and by the custodians of the Club, who have given him a 6-year tenure in an industry that has become as volatile as the City when it comes to demanding success.

Money has been available to David Moyes in recent years and the Club has been bolstered by the committment of established stars such as Yobo, Cahill and Arteta in securing their long-term futures in the face of speculation and rumour-mongering. The positive vibe around the Club has also created expectancy on the terraces, around the fanbase, and (in the multimedia age of internet) on websites, chatrooms and forums.

Some would also argue rightly or wrongly that Moyes has assembled a side in recent years that is the most gifted and technically able since the glorious team of the mid-80s. Key personnel have been recruited that bode well, now and for the future; ageing legs have been replaced by youth with hunger and potential. Yakubu's acquisition, although raising eyebrows due to the transfer fee, sets a benchmark as to where the Club intends to be.

David Prentice, in this article in the Echoafter the defeat to Man United, summed up Everton's current position: a gulf still remains between the 'top four' but Everton have breached their perceived armoury with performances and victories in recent seasons to suggest that a more sustained challenge is not inconceivable.

This scenario brings me onto the gist of this post, the issue of consistency that is evidently still missing. It seems that when an opportunity presents itself to gauge our progress and in fact shows signs that we are able to kick on to the next level, we invariably seem to blow it. Many teams in and around us have strengthened; to me it's no suprise that the likes of Blackburn are able to demonstrate the same resilience required to frustrate the likes of Chelsea, and indeed ourselves at home. Awe-inspiring performances seem to be few and far between ? two or three a season ? when you think "Wow, why can't we play like that every week?"

From a personal perspective, I can see that the green shoots of recovery have undoubtedly grown; however, I remain to be convinced and honestly feel that we are still some way short of eventually blossoming. The key to being upwardly mobile is consistency, the task for Moyes and his charges is to demonstrate that coherence, retention of form, solidity and firmness become the currency around Goodison as the season unfolds.

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