Everton show there'll be life after Rooney

Aug 31 2004 By Mark Lawrenson, Daily Post

WHEN David Moyes looked at the fixture list, I bet he will have shuddered at the thought of a difficult home game against West Brom followed by a trip to Manchester United.

As it turned out though, this weekend has been a Godsend to the Everton manager and after getting four points from the two games, it's happy days.

Given all that is going on at Everton with the board-room situation and Wayne Rooney's proposed transfer to United, it would have been hard for the players to keep focused on the job.

However they have had no option but to do that because they will have been preparing for West Brom last week and then been in on Sunday ahead of the United match.

In difficult times as a footballer, there is nothing better that just getting on with things. Had Moyes and his players had a week or so to think about what a mess the club is apparently in, it could have had a negative effect.

Instead Leon Osman played well and attracted some positive publicity on Saturday and then all 14 players who took to the pitch followed his example at Old Trafford.

You could see the way Everton were set up at the start that they wanted to smother United in midfield and the players in that area like Lee Carsley, Steve Watson and Tim Cahill on his debut all played their role to perfection, while Marcus Bent was an enthusiastic runner up front.

Even though they were pushed back by United, I think Everton coped with it tremendously well.

The team spirit, effort and commitment shone through in both matches and Everton got their just rewards.

I remember a few weeks ago I was worried that Moyes was creating a siege mentality so early in the season. You have to say that it has worked wonderfully well so far, the Arsenal game apart.

It is no wonder his name has been linked with the Newcastle vacancy now Sir Bobby Robson has gone because he is an impressive manager and a real talent, but I would not expect him to go. However with

Rooney likely to say goodbye before the transfer deadline, the race is now on to bring in reinforcements with some of the money from the boy wonder before midnight tonight.

If James Beattie is one of those players, then I think that would be a great move.

He is a proven Premiership performer and a goalscorer.

He is not a prima donna either and will fit in with Moyes's work ethic survival plan for Everton.

With the football over, everyone is now looking to see what happens with Rooney and it could be all over by the time the players report back for training

later this week. After such a prolonged period of uncertainty and speculation, I think Moyes will welcome some certainty, even if it is the loss of such a talented player.

At least he will finally know where he stands.

Saying that, wouldn't it be ironic if Rooney's move did not come off in time? Given how some of the supporters have totally turned against him after his comments at the weekend, the thought of Rooney being booed running out at Goodison Park for Everton is not as far-fetched as it seems.