What to expect from David Moyes: Tactics, play style, formation

Following the dismissal of Sean Dyche, Everton have acted quickly to appoint former Toffees manager David Moyes as his replacement, and we've looked at what the Scotsman can bring to Goodison Park upon his return.

David Moyes achievements and trophies

Retiring as a professional footballer in 1998, David Moyes was prepared to step into management instantly, taking his coaching badges at the age of just 22.

Moyes' transition into management was almost effortless, winning the Football League Second Division with Preston North End in the 1999/2000 season to earn promotion to Division One.

Moyes' success at Preston meant it was only a matter of time before he was going to get a bigger move, and this happened in 2002.

Moyes joined Everton on 14th March 2002, defeating Fulham 2-1 at Goodison Park just two days after joining.

While Moyes' time at Everton wasn't rewarded with any silverware, he gave Everton fans their football club back, reaching the FA Cup final in 2009, the closest they have come to a trophy since 1995.

In 2013, fellow Scotsman Sir Alex Ferguson identified Moyes as the man to succeed him at Manchester United. While it is rare that a departing manager chooses their successor, Ferguson's legacy at Old Trafford meant it was near impossible to disregard his word.

While Moyes would win the FA Community Shield in 2013, his time at the Red Devils would be cut short, sacked in April 2014 following a 2-0 loss to his former club Everton.

Moyes would complete short stints at Real Sociedad and Sunderland, but was unable to establish himself as the man for either job.

The Scottish manager would go on to take a six-month deal with West Ham in 2017, in a bid to keep the East London side in the Premier League. He would fulfil the club's ambition, but his contract would not be extended.

The Irons would, however, come calling for help again as soon as December 2019. He would take the job on an 18-month contract with a view to staying at the club beyond that.

18 months turned into the best part of five years for the Scotsman, guiding West Ham to their first trophy since 1981. This was just his second major trophy in his managerial career, 23 years on from winning the Football League Second Division with Preston.

David Moyes formation, tactics and philosophy

One of David Moyes' many strengths in management is his ability to adapt depending on the squad he has available to him.

His time at Manchester United may have been hindered by the fact that he was entering a club where the fan base expected free-flowing football, where their side would constantly be on the front foot.

By no means is this a criticism of Moyes, but this wasn't always the case during his tenure at Old Trafford.

First and foremost, Moyes likes to establish a solid defensive shape, where his team are able to transition from defence to attack seamlessly, either seeking a midfield runner to drive the ball forward or a long pass to escape danger.

His two longest stints in management, at Everton and West Ham, reflect Moyes' versatile approach. For the Toffees, he opted for a back four setup, primarily playing with four across the midfield and a more advanced midfielder to support the centre forward.

When defending, his team would be compact and the advanced midfielder, more often than not, would support the two central midfielders to make it five across the middle, including wide players.

When transitioning or sustaining attacks, his wide players would provide width, while those operating in more central areas would aim to fill the gaps and flood the box.

Moyes would opt for the same 4-4-1-1/4-2-3-1 formation at West Ham for the majority of his time in London, including the UEFA Conference League final, but he was not scared to experiment with a three at the back setup.

Often, Moyes' 5-4-1 setup would mean that his side could superbly defend their box whilst maintaining the ability to move forward with the ball.

Aaron Cresswell was often key to Moyes' operations at West Ham, playing on the left of a back three when defending, but providing width when his side have the ball, allowing the left wing-back to pick up a more advanced role and the left winger to provide more support centrally for the striker.

Who will play under David Moyes?

Expect the likes of Jordan Pickford, Jarrad Branthwaite and Dwight McNeil to maintain key roles in Moyes' XI, having been integral to Dyche's setup in the first half of the season.

Branthwaite's physical and technical attributes may fit in well within Moyes' approach, with the central defender capable both in and out of possession.

McNeil's versatility could prove useful for Moyes, and it will be interesting to see if the manager decides to deploy him off the left, where he may prove a more direct threat, or off the right, where he may be forced into more central areas due to being heavily left footed.

A player who could thrive in Moyes' setup is Iliman Ndiaye. The Senegalese international, like McNeil, can play anywhere across the front line, though could be expected to play behind the striker, standing out as the most technical member of the squad.

A player who hasn't had the most plain sailing Everton career is Nathan Patterson. The right-back could be granted an opportunity to shine under fellow Scotsman Moyes, having recently returned to fitness.

Possible strongest Everton starting XI under Moyes (4-4-1-1): Pickford, Patterson, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, McNeil, Mangala, Gueye, Lindstrom, Ndiaye, Calvert-Lewin.