Moyes-Doctrine: How Moyes will adapt to missing "The King" - Mikel Arteta

Everton have got the ball down and played some real football. But with some pace upfront we can also look for the direct balls occasionally. We need that variation to make us unpredictable. If we stay static in our style of play the opposition will figure us out and we'll go the way of Villa.

Although we've lost Arteta - Everton in terms of style of play, and versatility are in better shape than Villa are. Why? Because we have other players who can come in and can switch the ball round, from wing to wing to give us width. Players who can run at defences and have interchanges into the box. We just need that creative spark someone willing to take the game by the scruff of the neck, which we already have in Osman and Pienaar (and Van Der Meyde). We also have that in the two youngsters Rodwell and Gosling, which at 17 and 19 respectively, boads well for the future and is a testament to the school of science. Newcastle understood this and tried the roughing up tactics. Our players also must be prepared to fight for each other. If I'd have been on the pitch last Sunday, after the Anichebe-lunge - I'd have told the Newcastle coach "any more of that and we'll be seeing your lads after the match". I don't doubt if Tim Cahill had been playing something to that effect might have been said as Tim looks after the rest of the lads by taking up alot of attention.
The two footed lunge on Anichebe was cyncial. It was on purpose and followed Ryan Taylor's challenge then "afters" (apparent stamp) on Rodwell a little earlier in the game. Some of this was similar to what Hull tried at Goodison weeks before.

So the good news is Moyes can reorganise some of the midfield which he couldn't do on Sunday in the game. With Osman moving into the middle if needed and Pienaar back and with the whole team looking to switch the play, with pace and purpose, use the wings and make runs into the box, with aggression - Everton can continue uninterupted.

With Arteta out we still can get down the wings and get crosses in to the box for Cahill, Felli, Jo and Saha... We need the strikers to start getting in the box which they weren't looking to do enough against Newcastle. Jo needs to show us the fight - to go with the talent.

West Brom should be an interesting view on how Moyes' doctrine has changed to adapt to missing The King. Hopefully Mikel's got his feet up in Spain watching his mates and staying focused on returning in the new season. Evertonians can't wait for the return of the King.