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Can Everton crack the top four?

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After another comfortable win for Everton, do the Toffees have what it takes to make it into the top four? The convenient answer would be no, and the kind of snobbery that would rule David Moyes out of a big job would say that Everton do not have what it takes to finish in the hugely competitive European places. However, this could be the perfect season to challenge this view.

Firstly, with the top four itself is less assured than it once was, the previously dominating Liverpool could struggle this season to finish in any European places. Everton have long been in the shadow of their Merseyside rivals, yet their decline means this is their opportunity to step into the spotlight. Also, there is definitely uncertainty around Tottenham since Andre Villas-Boas has taken charge as manager.

Secondly, consistency is a big factor. Everton are generally regarded as late finishers, starting poorly and ending the season on a high. Yet their start to this campaign has been remarkable, with impressive away wins at Aston Villa and Swansea, a comfortable 3-1 win today against struggling Southampton and they were left understandably aggrieved to only get a point at home to Newcastle. Newcastle themselves may struggle to replicate their impressive finish last season.

Also the team has to be admired. For a club known for having uncertainty in the boardroom under Bill Kenwright, a total lack of finances and pessimism around signings, this has totally turned around in the last few transfer windows. The signing of Marouane Fellaini, despite his £15 million price tag, he has been unplayable this season. Plus the acquisition of the likes of Nikica Jelavic, Darron Gibson, Kevin Mirallas plus the re-signing of Steven Pienaar has given David Moyes a huge gulf of class and experience; a strong starting eleven and an equally satisfactory amount of talent at his disposal on the bench, with the likes of Victor Anichibe finding his form this season.

There is a sense of efficiency about the club and so much of that has to go to the manager. They have adequate, if not exceptional players in every position, from the back to the front and they can easily adapt their style for each game, if not into a game. Last week they comfortably disposed of Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium and despite Swansea’s current dip in form, the side that is known to be hard to get the ball of were outclassed in every way. Moyes clearly doing his homework on how to deal with the South Wales outfit.

With ten years in charge, there has been no mass upheavals, no shake ups with new managers in and out, no mass exodus of players leaving, David Moyes has brought stability to Everton and while it is a tall order for such a level headed manager, he has taken them to European places before and on this form, you have to say they are contenders to finish there again.
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