FOR A LONG time it seemed as if Jan Mucha’s Everton career was likely to be defined by the howler which contributed to the club’s Carling Cup exit in October 2011.
Making a rare appearance in place of Tim Howard that night the Slovakian allowed Salomon Kalou’s first-half strike to slip through his gloves, and thus contributed to his side’s exit from the competition.
The giant Slovak cut a forlorn figure afterwards, presumably suspecting further first team opportunities would be few and far between.
Afterwards Sylvain Distin told the ECHO nobody would be blaming Mucha, but some supporters were quick to contradict any dressing-room attempts to generate solidarity.
“I will point the finger of blame at Jan Mucha, the second goal was nearly as bad as the first,” wrote Gibbo.
“If your keeper threw one into his own net in Sunday league you'd rip the p**s out of him, never mind at this level.”
Ray1878 was equally unforgiving. His verdict?
“Everyone knows Mucha is a liability so blame Moyes.”
The irritation was blunt but perhaps understandable.
Few expected to see much of Big Jan again. But short of alternatives (apart from the aging Marcus Hahnemann) David Moyes actually persisted with the former Legia Warsaw stopper when it came to league cup ties, and while never guilty of such a basic blooper again Mucha’s name was still greeted with a wince and a sharp exhalation of breath by many.
Now Moyes must rely on him again – and at a pivotal time. Tim Howard’s misfortune has given the former Slovakian international a chance to write a different epilogue to his Everton career.
To do it he will require patience and support.
Mucha had a competent return to action against Reading last weekend, with a few minor errors which probably owed more to a lack of big-game practise than lack of ability.
There are likely to be nervy moments ahead as he adjusts to life in the first-team spotlight for the coming weeks. Goodison is a tight and atmospheric ground when catcalls from the stands can easily reach the ears of those on the pitch.
It makes sense to go easy on the quiet man of Finch Farm, who may yet be about to re-write his previously dismal entry in the royal blue record books.
