Moyes

By The Nark End
February 5 2010

David Moyes wins manager of the month award for january

David Moyes has been named the Barclays Premier League manager of the month for January.

The Everton boss received his award at Finch Farm on Friday after steering his side to three wins and a draw in the league last month.

The Toffees are now one of the top three sides in the league on current form.

In January they beat Wigan, Sunderland and Manchester City without conceding a goal, while Moyes was also unfortunate to see his side leave Arsenal with just a point.

Everton's exploits saw them move up to ninth place in the table ahead of Saturday's Merseyside derby at Anfield.

Moyes, who last won the award in February 2009, said: "I would like to thank Barclays and the Premier League for this award but it is for the players really because they have done really well throughout the month of January."

The accolade comes on the eve of Moyes' 600th game as a manager. The Scot is preparing to take his Everton side across Stanley Park on Saturday with the Blues unbeaten in nine games in the league.

David Moyes says it is an honour to clock up the 600th game of his managerial career at the Merseyside derby - but admits he won't enjoy the occasion until after the match.

The Blues boss arrives at the milestone as he is handed the manager of the month award for January

"I don't know if you actually go into a game and say ‘I am going to enjoy this', sit back and look around because in my mind I am working, I am concentrating," Moyes said.

"You are trying to get the best out your team and make decisions that are right in the game.

"But maybe in time when I look back at the end of my career I will say it was great to be managing in those games and I feel very honoured to have the chance to do it."

Moyes is keen to credit the support he has had from the boardroom during his time with the Blues and his former side Preston.

The Everton boss is the third longest serving manager in the Premier League, behind Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.

And Moyes believes chairmen elsewhere are often too quick to change the coaching staff in the top flight.

"I am really fortunate I got someone at Preston who gave me a chance to be a manager and had faith in me," he recalled.

"Then Bill Kenwright had the faith in me to give me the job at Everton so I hope they would think their decisions have been the right ones - but for me it still feels like the first game.

"I am still nervous, still keen to do well and want a good Saturday night rather than a bad one!"