Everton boss David Moyes has warned Newcastle his side are a much-improved outfit from one they faced at Goodison Park in October.
The Magpies came from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against the Toffees, a result which, at the time, piled further misery on Moyes' misfiring Blues.
In letting slip a two-goal lead, given to them courtesy of efforts from Mikel Arteta and Marouane Fellaini, the Blues extended a worrying winless streak at home to five games.
Since then a complete reverse in fortunes has seen Everton rocket to sixth in the Premier League and book a place in the FA Cup quarter finals.
And while happy to admit his side were slow off the mark, Moyes believes his side are performing to their true potential ahead of Sunday’s trip to St James’ Park.
"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," recalled Moyes at his pre-match press conference. "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."
Having occupied his role at Goodison since March 2002, Moyes has never hidden his gratitude at being given time to turn Everton into perennial challengers for Europe.
Newcastle have had six different managers in that time, something the Blues boss feels may have hindered their progress.
"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," he said. "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."
Joe Kinnear, the current incumbant of the St James' Park hotseat, will be absent from the dugout on Sunday after undergoing triple heart bypass surgery last Friday.
The 62-year-old is set to be discharged from hospital this weekend and Moyes joined those wishing the former Wimbledon boss a speed recovery.
With Kinnear expected to miss at least eight weeks, Chris Hughton and Colin Calderwood will take temporary charge of the Magpies.
"We hope Joe Kinnear’s well and recovers from his illness," said Moyes. "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."
. lets not forget we still haven't put together an amazing run in the league at the moment, but i look forward to seeing his words materialize.
