Tony Pulis believes David Moyes will "steady the ship" at Everton despite the club being up for sale and the manager working with a squad of just 18 outfield players.
On October 9, owners The Friedkin Group announced the Blues were up for sale, less than 22 months after completing their takeover of the club. The Houston-based company faced severe criticism over the summer transfer window, which left Moyes with only 18 outfield players, including solitary options in the striker, right-back and left-back positions.
Unbeaten Run Ended by Chelsea
Despite the constraints, the 63-year-old oversaw an eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions before Everton suffered a first defeat of the season, losing 2-0 at home to Chelsea last Saturday. The Blues now travel to Arsenal this Saturday, a fixture in which they haven't tasted victory in front of fans for over 30 years.
Speaking courtesy of CasinoHawks, Pulis, who led Stoke City into the Premier League and also managed Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion in the competition, said: "It's a difficult situation at Everton. They've spent a hell of a lot of money on the new stadium, I haven't been there, but they tell me it's absolutely fantastic. With that money going into the stadium, obviously there's a shortage in other areas."
Pulis Urges Patience
Pulis referenced Bill Shankly's days, quoting: "You can have the best stadium, the softest seats, and if the team loses then you'll have no one sitting on those seats. You can have a football ground at the back of a coal mine with just terraces and supporters getting absolutely soaked week in, week out, but it will be full if the team is winning."
He added: "I think the balance of the two is so, so important, but David Moyes will steady the ship. He's a good manager. Obviously, he's a true Everton supporter and look what he's done at the football club first time round and now this time."
"But the supporters again have to be a little bit patient with the situation. It's a great club, great football club, and fingers crossed they get a couple of wins and get up and running."
Moyes' Teams Difficult to Play Against
Pulis concluded: "David's teams are always very, very difficult to play against. They're well organised, he gets them well set up, well-motivated, and you need to be there because the players expect you to run around and have a go. So yeah, it's a difficult situation for him, but it's not a situation that he can't handle and flourish from."
