Everton midfielder Leon Osman has revealed how David Moyes’s team-talk ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Wigan in 2013 failed to inspire them in the game.
In the midfielder’s new autobiography, commented in the Liverpool Daily Echo, the 33-year-old explained how Wigan Athletic beat Everton easily with three goals in four minutes.
Wigan, then managed by Roberto Martinez, went on to win the trophy by beating Man City in the final, and Osman has revealed how Moyes’ team-talk weighed heavy on he and his team-mates going in to the game.
“I was 31 and felt this was the opportunity. It had slipped through our fingers. I spoke to players after the game and asked what they remembered from the gaffer’s pre-match speech. Everyone recalled the same message: ‘This is our day so don’t choke. Whatever you do, don’t choke. Listen, don’t choke’.
“Because he was saying it, it felt like it was ours to lose rather than ours to win. City were the only other top team left in the cup and we had a good record against them. They wouldn’t have worried us.”
Replaced by Martinez at Goodison Park, Moyes left for Manchester United and the midfielder has revealed how the Spanish coach made an immediate impact on the squad.
“As we walked off Roberto Martinez waited and shook everyone’s hand. I said: ‘Well done, Roberto. Good luck. I hope you win it.’
“A bit later, I had a conversation with Bainesy in the showers after the Wigan cup tie in which he said: ‘Do you know what, I wouldn’t mind if Martinez was our next manager.’
“I responded: ‘He looks alright like. He out-foxed us today and he’s got a bit of class about him.’ Bainesy agreed and that was the last we spoke about it.
“Little did we know it wouldn’t be too long before I’d be seeing him again.”