As full time sounded as the Estadio Anoeta on January 4 a delirious roar erupted among the fervent fans in San Sebastian. Coach David Moyes had achieved the unthinkable by defeating Barcelona 1-0 after an impressive display by his players.
The win was much needed. It propelled La Real up to 13th, but importantly put them five points clear of the relegation zone, with the bottom half of the table becoming very congested. Defeating La Blaugrana gave fans hope their club would use the win to spur them on and assure their La Liga status for another year – then use the summer to reassert themselves.
However, just like after defeating Real Madrid 4-2 in late August, they have flattered to deceive. Since that famous win last month they have stagnated, winning just one of their last four League games, a 1-0 triumph against Eibar in a Basque derby.
Moreover, being held to a draw at Granada, who were in the relegation zone at the time, along with losing 1-0 at home to Rayo Vallecano, have curtailed La Real’s hopes of progressing up the table. Residing in 14th and just four points above the drop zone, it shows how little progress has been made after beating the Catalans.
It was their last League game that worsened Moyes’ problems. Losing 4-1 to Real Madrid, who gained their revenge after their defeat in San Sebastian, is no disgrace but losing top scorer Carlos Vela for a month with a knee ligament injury is a huge blow.
The team’s inconsistent run during January can be attributed to a loss of concentration at important moments. La Real threw away two points against Granada by conceding a late equaliser via a penalty in the 79th minute. In addition, their 1-0 home defeat against Rayo came about due to conceding on the 81st minute.
Conceding vital goals during the latter stages of a game is unlike a David Moyes side. At Everton, where he made his reputation in the Premier League, the Scotsman prided himself on a solid back four based on a good work ethic, organisation and, importantly, keeping their concentration during the latter stages of a game, when the result was still in the balance.
To make things worse is the club’s woes in the transfer market. Moyes had identified a few targets for sporting director Loren Juarros to sign on loan, such as Joel Campbell and Etienne Capoue, but failure to acquire any player -mwhether on loan or permanently – left Moyes disappointed. What didn’t help was the Spanish transfer deadline for bringing in players coming two days before the rest of the main domestic league in Europe.
It means Moyes has to achieve survival with the squad he took on when becoming Coach in November but without their top scorer for a month. Real Socidead’s next two League games are vital – home to 10th-place Celta Vigo, just two points ahead of La Real, and away to Almeria, who are 16th, three points behind and crucially beat Getafe 1-0 last week.
Taking at least one win from those two games would alleviate the pressure on the club, especially as the following League fixture is home to Champions League hopefuls Sevilla. Fail to win both games and Moyes will be sucked into a torturous relegation battle.
