John Heitinga's slump in form might have broken some players but now he's back, says David Moyes
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DAVID Moyes admits that most players would have been broken by the run of disastrous form which gripped John Heitinga earlier this season.
The Netherlands international defender has been responsible for costing Everton more than his fair share of goals, and at one point his post-match Twitter apologies to fans almost became standard.
But the 29-year-old maintained his self-belief in the face of intense scrutiny and has responded with two top-drawer performances as the Blues kept consecutive clean sheets for the first time in this unusually defensively fragile season.
"If it was anyone else it would have broken them," admits Moyes as he prepares his men for Sunday's crunch visit to White Hart Lane.
"John has that Dutch mentality, that's got him through it. He's been at the top level at different clubs, and so he always had the self confidence that he would be back and put it right.
"John is mentally very strong. Also really experienced which sometimes goes unnoticed.
"He's played World Cup finals against all the top players and takes it all in stride, whatever level he is asked to play.
"That mental single mindedness about himself has brought him through because he was in bad periods at different times in the season."
Moyes revealed how a painful knee condition combined with a difficulty to accept being out of the team on occasions caused Heitinga's form to unravel.
"He always wants to play but when he wasn't doing so well he recognised he didn't have a great case to say he should be in.
"After coming back in a way he had to do it again, prove himself again and he did well against City and again last week. He's back on an even keel again.
"He has to keep himself in a level of condition working with his knee and doing the right training.
"He's worked in a way which has helped more than maybe in that period. He just has to make sure the way he plays he maximises his talent to best of his ability."
Moyes accepts he has been disappointed with his side's inability to maintain their usually high defensive standards this term, with only six cleans sheets recorded in the league so far - the same amount as QPR, and less than Norwich and Sunderland.
"We've not done as well in that department as in the past so it was important to get a couple on the bounce," says the Scot.
"We had Jags out a while, Seamus Coleman too, so we've been having to juggle things. Plus Tim Howard's injury. Fortunately Leighton Baines and Sylvain Distin have been consistent in the main."
Crowned manager of the month for March after three straight wins at Goodison Park, Moyes' team must maintain their winning form if they are to retain any chance of sneaking into a Champions League berth.
With trips to Arsenal and Chelsea still to come, Moyes knows it is not going to be easy.
However, a win at Spurs would reduce the gap on their hosts to just three points, with their task made significantly easier by the almost certain absence of Gareth Bale, who was carried off with an ankle injury towards the end of last night's Europa League encounter with FC Basle.
"We are moving to Plan B," says Moyes.
"It is unfortunate. We don't want good players to be out because they are what makes the Premier League so special.
"But when you are the opposing manager against arguably the best player in the league at this moment in time, it is not a bad thing to have him out."
Bale's injury is a reminder of the increased demands European football can bring.
It is where Moyes wants to manage though. And a plan is already formulating in his mind about how to deal with it.
"You hear me keep talking about how much I want to be back in Europe all the time," he said.
"Europe does take its toll in league fixtures.
"But it can galvanise your club as well.
"Tottenham have had some unbelievable results in Europe and some great nights. Think about their games against Inter Milan.
"Unfortunately Tottenham have lost a couple of players to injury. But that can happen to anyone."