show no mercy against Newcastle

By: 21 | February 22nd, 2009

Sunderland did the Toffees a great favour against Arsenal yesterday holding them to a nil draw and with a perfect opportunity, Everton must show no mercy today against Newcastle at St James’ Park. With a victory the Toffees would only be two points behind the London side in fifth position.

However David Moyes will once again have his work cut out for him as Steven Pienaar, Marouane Fellaini and Leon Osman are out with injury along with Timmy Cahill and Tony Hibbert who are suspended. Louis Saha could possibly return but after a great debut Jô will definitely figure.

Speaking of the first meeting of the year David Moyes said:

“Both clubs (Everton and Newcastle) were in a bit of turmoil at the time and we were disappointed at the time that we had drawn the game. But that’s where we probably were at the time. We hadn’t quite clicked and I think that not long after that we started to pull ourselves together and we’ve moved on in recent months.

We’ve come a long way in improving our form and our play. At the start of the season we were poor – mainly because of the injuries in the squad, but then also a lack of form from two or three of our better players, who are right back in form now and doing well. We’re a completely different side to what we were at the start of the season.

“Newcastle have always spent and supported their managers and tried to build a side, but in truth, the lack of stability at Newcastle has probably cost them over the years. I use Everton as an example where the board have kept things steady, the group of players have been consistent – fundamentally we try to keep the core of the Club correct.

“I don’t think chopping and changing is the right way to do it for the long-term for any football club.”

“We hope Joe Kinnear’s well and recovers from his illness. It’s hard to tell (how Hughton and Calderwood will fare), they had a good win at West Brom last week. That’s given them a good week or so training since then and I’m sure they will feel good about themselves. But we’ve played well, we know we’re going to a good football club with a great stadium and I’m confident we can get a result.

“It’s a good place to go and play your football but also a hard place. We want to go there and get three points because we want to hang on to the shirt tails of the teams that are above us if we can. We’re in six now and we want to try and finish fifth at the worst. In the final third of the season hopefully we can do that.”

Time for the Toffees to make their move as a win today will put a Europa League spot in play.