Everton boss David Moyes is quietly confident that his team can defy the odds to secure a place in the Champions League, and insists they hold an important psychological advantage over their bitter rivals Liverpool.
Before the start of this season, hardly anyone would have favoured Everton over Liverpool in the increasingly cutthroat battle to qualify for Europe's elite club competition, but a couple of games past the halfway mark already and it is the blue half of Merseyside who find themselves in the inside lane.
“There is certainly less pressure on us than on Liverpool now, because we are not expected to make the Champions League," reasoned Moyes. "When people talk of the top four they do not mention Everton but I would back my team against any of our rivals.
“For us to finish fourth would be outstanding, but I do not see any point talking about it until there is a month to go and we are still in a strong position.”
Everton's hard-earned draw against resurgent Tottenham combined with Liverpool's shock defeat to West Ham meant that Moyes' side will go into round 25 still in fourth while their neighbours, who are yet to win in the league in 2008, languish in seventh.
“I did not know Liverpool had lost until after the game, maybe people will think I should be overjoyed," he added.
"Of course it helps us when they lose, but I do not want to get too carried away with the current situation. Come the end of the season we will see how things are.”
Before the start of this season, hardly anyone would have favoured Everton over Liverpool in the increasingly cutthroat battle to qualify for Europe's elite club competition, but a couple of games past the halfway mark already and it is the blue half of Merseyside who find themselves in the inside lane.
“There is certainly less pressure on us than on Liverpool now, because we are not expected to make the Champions League," reasoned Moyes. "When people talk of the top four they do not mention Everton but I would back my team against any of our rivals.
“For us to finish fourth would be outstanding, but I do not see any point talking about it until there is a month to go and we are still in a strong position.”
Everton's hard-earned draw against resurgent Tottenham combined with Liverpool's shock defeat to West Ham meant that Moyes' side will go into round 25 still in fourth while their neighbours, who are yet to win in the league in 2008, languish in seventh.
“I did not know Liverpool had lost until after the game, maybe people will think I should be overjoyed," he added.
"Of course it helps us when they lose, but I do not want to get too carried away with the current situation. Come the end of the season we will see how things are.”
No comments:
Post a Comment