Phelan states that Moyes has ‘done wonders’ since his return to Merseyside and is the right coach to take the club forward.

He said: “David Moyes is a manager. He’s not a PlayStation manager, he’s an actual manager.

“He goes out there and he knows what the club is about, what the fans are about and what the community is about. He understands the methodology and the terminology of the football club.

“From the tea lady, to those who do the washing and the ironing, he understands everything about that club.

“He had a big black mark against him when he left Everton to go to Manchester United, but he’s won a trophy at West Ham where he was absolutely fantastic and has now gone back and done wonders.

“He’s a proper, proper old-school manager and the modern-day player has got to get used to him, because he’s a winner. He wants to win.”

Moyes has certainly steadied the ship after years of instability and a managerial merry-go-round.

A strong end to last season and a competitive start to this one may have raised expectations a little prematurely.

The past few weeks have been a reality check. There’s still...