ROYSTON DRENTHE returned to the Everton FC starting line up on Saturday because Landon Donovan was ill and Steven Pienaar cup-tied.
But Blues boss David Moyes believes that Pienaar’s return can help, not hinder Drenthe.
The on-loan winger scored after only 49 seconds, crossed the corner which led to a second goal for Denis Stracqualursi six minutes later and was a constant threat to the Championship side.
Afterwards Moyes explained: “I think Steven Pienaar’s return will help him. He’s seen somebody come back who everybody really wants and will make it more difficult for him to get in the side. And Roy really needs to step up to that level as often as he can.
“Coming into the Premier League is never easy for people to settle. And there’s a few things Roy needs to do better. There’s one or two things off the pitch where he has to look after himself, and because of that he has to show me how much he wants it as well – and the other players, because they want him in the sort of form he is today because when he’s like that he’s a real threat.
“When he came the crowd really took to him. And there’s always something with Roy that we think he could get us a goal at the right time.
“He’s done well coming off the bench and having an impact on the game.
“In a lot of the games he’s started he’s not had as big an impact. But he had an impact today.”
With Donovan waving farewell to the Goodison crowd following another successful loan spell and Pienaar unable to play in any subsequent FA Cup ties this season, Drenthe was desperate to make an impression.
He worked hard throughout and Moyes added: “I think he’s learning, he’s adapting. There is another side to the game over here.
“You have to do the work on the defensive side and he is getting better. He’s beginning to understand it a little bit better.
“But really and truthfully what you want is to get him the ball as often as you can out wide, near the front line and hope that he creates or scores a goal. That’s why you have him and that’s why we brought him. We’ve found we can use Royston better in the home games.
“He’s the sort of player the fans like. If you’re a supporter he’s the sort of player you think ‘good, I’m going to see a dribbler, I’m going to see somebody who takes people on.’ In years gone by that’s what people used to enjoy, players who try to beat people.”
Drenthe also has explosive pace over short distances, but Moyes wasn’t certain that the little Dutchman could lay claim to being the quickest player at Goodison.
“He’s very sharp, very quick. Is he the quickest? Well Leighton Baines is really quick and Sylvain Distin is very quick, and Phil Jagielka is very fast as well, but he would be up there over a short distance.
“He draws a lot of fouls because when you’re doing things at top speed the slightest touch can knock you over. But he’s a powerful little boy. He really is.
“I think he’s seen a little bit more of what we desire. He’s probably looked at a couple of games here and said he can see what’s required.
“He’s never going to be the biggest on defence, that’s not his thing.
“But there’s always a chance he can make things happen in attack and that’s why you bring him in.
“You hope he’s creative and he does something in attack which gets you a goal.”
Moyes also believes that the player may benefit from being in an environment where he is appreciated.
During his time at Real Madrid, Drenthe once famously asked not to be considered for three successive matches after criticism from the home supporters.
But he was quickly accepted by the Everton fans and Moyes added: “He could need a bit of confidence, a bit of loving really.
“He’s still a young boy really, trying to find his way after some big moves.
“Sometimes you’re put in there and you’re expected to swim and you’re actually drowning because you need help round about you.”
Out of contract at the end of the season, more performances like Saturday’s could see Drenthe offered a more permanent home.
