David Moyes’ first taste of Spanish football as a Coach proved to be rather bland, as his new Real Sociedad side played out a scoreless draw with fellow strugglers Deportivo de La Coruna. Still, there were some positives for the Scotsman to take away from the dulling affair.
With the eyes of the football world fixed on A Coruna and Moyes’ return to management, the match, in truth, was unwatchable and largely forgettable. The main action happened on the touchline, with Victor Fernandez’s assistant launching a seemingly unprovoked and angry tirade at the Sociedad boss and his bench.
But could we expect any more from a Moyes side? Given the way his previous sides played, La Real were unlikely to be an explosive, attacking side, at least not in the first match. It was important that Moyes didn’t lose his first game, and the 51-year-old, known for his pragmatism, made sure that wasn’t the case.
Take a gander at the League table and you’ll find very little between the two sides. Both now sit on 10 points, split by goal difference. It was hardly likely to be a landslide victory for either side.
Sociedad were a bit boring – but boring may be exactly what they need at this moment of time. If you don’t concede, you don’t lose and results breed confidence, something the Basque team clearly lack. Defensive solidarity is near assured under Moyes and that came in the form of a first clean sheet of the season. They also had the seventh worst defensive record in La Liga last season, and have a negative goal difference this time around.
Moyes was given the gift of time with his new side to implement his philosophy over the international break. It is likely his first thought was to stem the flow of goals at the wrong end of the pitch. A defensive outlook may be the only option for the astute tactician, with the squad looking bereft of any attacking threat. After loss of Antoine Griezmann, and Icelandic striker Alfred Finnbogason yet to find his feet in Spain, goals are far from abundant.
The only attacking gem still at Moyes’ disposal is Mexican winger Carlos Vela. Sociedad’s top scorer for the past three years, Vela has hit only two goals this term. Interesting enough, the 25-year-old was able to match his tally for the whole season in one game for Mexico, scoring twice against the Netherlands. In the right system on the right day, Vela can be unstoppable, and it is Moyes’ job is to coax the best out of his primary source of goals.
Moyes’ home debut against Elche on Friday will be an opportune time to bag his first win, with tough fixtures against Villarreal and a Basque derby against Athletic Bilbao to come. With memories of La Real’s incredible comeback in the 2012-13 season still fresh in the mind, many will believe Sociedad can turn their season around. And while this brand of football may not excite the Anoeta faithful, few will care it they start to push up the table.
As Moyes’ Spanish improves, his tactics gel and the team begins to believe in his philosophy results should improve. But he needs to adapt to the Spanish game quickly for the sake of his career and La Real’s season.
