Video summary
David Moyes addresses the significance of cup competitions during the season, acknowledging that while winning trophies is a universal desire for any manager, maintaining a Premier League status takes precedence over cup success. He reflects on his previous experience at Preston North End, where he guided the team through the lower leagues to reach the playoffs before ultimately losing in the final to Bolton Wanderers under Sam Allardyce. That journey served as a crucial grounding period for him, offering valuable lessons that he now applies to his current role with Everton, particularly given the challenge of returning to face his former club at Preston.
Moyes emphasizes the importance of building a strong squad capable of competing at the highest level, noting that several players on his roster are already performing at first-team standards. He mentions specific talents like Taylor Dibble, Keane, and Jake, suggesting that the team has enough depth to handle rotation if necessary, though his primary focus remains on securing results rather than experimenting with lineups for cup matches. His approach is pragmatic, aiming to get games played and won while ensuring the squad is prepared for the rigors of the Premier League campaign.
Reflecting on his time at Preston, Moyes highlights the profound influence of Sir Tom Finney, a legendary figure who remains a pillar of the city's football culture. He recalls how Finney would visit him before matches with a cup of tea to offer encouragement and share wisdom, instilling a positive mindset that helped shape his coaching philosophy. Moyes particularly admires Finney's ability to outthink defenders during games, describing how he would anticipate tackles and find solutions to any defensive pressure without being bothered by the physicality of the sport.
Ultimately, Moyes views his stint at Preston as an invaluable learning experience that prepared him for future challenges in management. He advises young coaches to start their careers in environments where they can earn their stripes through the league system rather than jumping straight into high-pressure situations where they might struggle initially. The supportive atmosphere at Preston, driven by figures like Brian Gray and Derek Shaw, allowed him to develop his skills while being mentored by a true icon of English football, lessons he carries forward as he continues to build his legacy in the Premier League.
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Pretty straightforward question, David.
Just how important are the cups to you
this season?
>> Well, I just said, I think it's a
question every journalist asks every
manager.
And in some ways, I think I think it was
journalists dead stupid. Do you think
none of the managers want to win the
cups?
Of course, we all want to win the cups.
So, the answer to yes, then cups are
hugely important. Uh would it be more
important than staying in the Premier
League?
If I asked you that question, is winning
a cup more important than staying in the
Premier League?
>> Uh no.
>> What would your answer be?
>> I'd say staying in the Premier League
for a minute.
>> So, there you go.
You've half answered it.
So, but of course, we want to do well in
the cup. Who I can't think of any
manager who wouldn't want to run a good
run in the cup.
>> With that in mind, would you see it as
an opportunity for squad rotation, or
would you more likely just play the
>> It's a good question, you know.
We done it last year. We didn't win it.
We lose.
But the first game was Mansfield. We've
got a much, much tougher game at
Preston. Preston will will be a good
side, and
obviously, it's me going back to where I
started as well.
So,
but we've also got a lot of players who
are who are looking as if they're
playing Taylor Dibble's played better,
you know. Keane and big Jake are around
as well. So, we've got
We've got quite a few players who could
easily be very highly classed as first
team players.
So, uh
I I've not I've not even thought about
it. I was more keen in just getting this
game played and over.
Oh.
>> I just wonder what you thought your most
important
learning experience was while you were
manager at Preston. I mean, what what
was that grounding
like for you to
>> Yeah. Good question for for
uh
Uh Preston was I was it was Preston was
a brilliant job for me.
It really was, and I I've got a lot of
thanks to to the the chairman there, and
the the people behind Brian Gray, Derek
Shaw, the people behind it
were incredibly supportive.
And uh
like we went through the leagues in
their league, only lost in the the
playoff final to Big Sam's Bolton
uh to get in the Premier League.
So, it was a brilliant experience for
me.
And uh
I would I would be recommending all the
young And I know there's loads of young
coaches in there.
You know, you you're better going in
earning your stripes and trying to find
a way through the leagues than going to
somewhere going in where it's difficult
at the start. I was really fortunate
that I had been
a player there, an assistant manager
there, assistant coach as well.
And when I got the job, it I I had a
little bit of knowledge of the club,
maybe what the players needed.
And uh
it was it was a great learning
experience, brilliant brilliant club to
go to.
And I'm just saying this, Joey, just for
references.
Thing about Preston North End was Sir
Tom Finney was Sir Tom Finney was the
was the sort of the
the pillar in still is.
And he was he used to come in
come in with a cup of tea with me on a
Friday before a game and talk in the
early days.
And he was legendary and still is. So,
so he was he's really the pillar of uh
of our city, Preston.
>> Is there anything he said to you that
you've carried through you?
>> Do you know that he was he was
incredibly positive and you know, I
could have said it at the time, you
know, "Tomorrow I'm playing 4-4-2." And
he'd have said, "Yeah."
But the biggest things I used to ask him
about was
you know, he was renowned for beating
players. Remember asking him saying,
"How does he He says, "Well, they'd over
cover one side, I'd just take him on the
other side, you know." And Now, we're
talking about it was him and uh
I don't know who he was up there.
Stanley Matthews, who were probably
competing all the time to be the the
sort of the best players at the time, I
think, in in the UK.
And uh he says, "Ah, they'd be trying to
kick me and I would just know right to
tackle him." He It It as if none of it
bothered him. He had an answer to
whatever the defenders were going to do
against him.
And he was great that way. And obviously
I probably have to say I probably didn't
see him play
a few clips, but I probably didn't see
him play. I was too young.
But uh
but he was a he was a great man and uh
and for Preston, he's he's a big thing
for Preston. Yeah.
Right. See you later.