From football365.com
MOYES - WE`VE MISSED AJ
Posted 31/10/08 15:49
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Everton 4/6,
Draw 5/2,
Fulham 9/2 David Moyes admits Everton have missed Andy Johnson's talents this season - but does not care if the Fulham striker kisses the badge on his shirt on Saturday.
Johnson is back at Goodison Park for the first time since his acrimonious departure from Everton in the summer.
His desire to return south for family reasons ended with a £10million move to Craven Cottage, but only after a pre-season row when he walked out of Deepdale before a friendly with Preston.
Johnson, who has been told by Fulham boss Roy Hodgson not to kiss the badge on his shirt if he scores in front of his former fans, finally opened his account for the Cottagers in the midweek 2-0 win over Wigan.
And
Moyes, who witnessed the contentious badge-kissing incident involving Wayne Rooney last weekend, said: "I hear that Andy has been told not to kiss the badge, but I don't think he is that sort of player anyway, it is not something he would do.
"AJ had probably the best period of his career so far at Everton, and he will be thinking about that. But does it really matter how he celebrates?
"Whether we can stop people celebrating goals I don't know. You used to just put your hands above your head and run away, but things have changed. People read too much into things like that."
Moyes added: "Andy did a terrific job for us, I would always have him in my side. I enjoyed having him in my team and he was good for us.
"The period he had here, when he looks back at the end of his career, he will maybe see as one of the high points.
"He has been missed. He gave us something that is hard to get, but he's gone now and we have all moved on.
"I am pleased he has got his 100th goal now, as long as he doesn't score against us I will be happy.
"But it makes no difference to me whether players kiss the badge or not. Andy did well here, and players do what they do to celebrate, there's nothing wrong with it.
"How to stop him is something else. He is a difficult player to contain on form."
Moyes is more concerned with guiding Everton out of their slump and ensuring they finally manage their first home league win of the campaign.
He added: "Our form generally over the years at home has been excellent, and the crowd have a lot to do with that because people do not like playing here.
"We need to get back to that level, but we also need to start playing a lot better in front of our own fans, too.
"I'm certainly happier now about our form after this last week. It was a great point against Manchester United and then a solid win at Bolton.
"Now we want to win at home for the first time this season, hopefully this is a new start for us. Things have been much better.
"We are getting a few players back fit and ready, generally the squad is fitter and more ready than at the beginning of the season."
Everton will give late fitness tests to midfielders Tim Cahill and Leon Osman.
Osman has a bruised leg while Cahill is struggling with a foot injury. They are definitely without full-back Nuno Valente, who has a knee injury.
