By Shaun Orange

Everton manager David Moyes has been given an excellent boost going into their FA Cup final clash against Chelsea scheduled to take place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 30^th May.

The Toffees manager was awarded the League Managers' Association's (LMA) manager of the Year award. An award sponsored by Barclays is Moyes’ third time to scoop this accolade, the first in 2003 followed by the next in 2005.

The 46 year old Scotsman, who has shown a significant amount of resilience in his tenure with the club and has played an instrumental role in Everton’s success since his arrival at Goodison Park in 2002, and deserves the acknowledgment for his efforts. 

His residence at the club has not been one without difficulties, but through all the tough times, Moyes still managed to show optimism and is one who has utilized whatever resources he had at his disposal to the best of his ability.

However, Everton for a long time now have not exhibited any consistency and this has being a draw back for the club which has so much potential to do better.

Since Moyes’s arrival at the club, where they were treading in the danger zone of relegation, with no time to waste, he steered the Toffees to 7^th place in the Premier League standings from 15^th.

In their 2003-04 campaign they stumbled to 17^th. The following season they gained a considerable amount of ground when they secured 4^th position but as you would expect, in the 2005-06 season they fell to 11^th. For their efforts in the 2006-07 season they finished 6^th then 5^th in 2007-08.

Inconsistency is clearly evident even though this season saw them match last season’s finish in 5^th. Moyes will probably look to this as an improvement but the underlining question is whether they will not drop come next season.

Notwithstanding, their ability to put on some captivating showings whether it be in the Premier League, Carling Cup or the FA Cup to go in and win games, their potential is much higher than what they deliver.

Despite the fact that Everton do not have as much financial backing as some of the other pinnacle clubs, there are a fair amount of talented aces at the club and there still remains some spark in the Goodison Park side.       

Regarded as one of the biggest clubs in England, Everton have won the support of a considerably large amount of fans, who through thick and thin stand by them. 

While Moyes together with his counterparts work side by side to uplift the status of the club, it is good that a deserved Moyes is getting some recognition.

While his men are in line for an important challenge this weekend in their FA Cup final, Moyes would have had his spirits lifted, going into their encounter.

A tough one considering the strength of the Blues’ squad, but one which they will be aiming to seal.