David Moyes has refused to accept that Everton have lost the battle for fourth spot in the Barclays Premier League to Liverpool as he revealed more “quality” players will be brought in for next season’s campaign.
Having seen his side suffer a Merseyside derby defeat last weekend, Moyes’ side faces relegated Derby on Sunday hoping to keep up with Liverpool in the race for the final qualifying place for the Champions League.
Everton have been hit by injuries to Andrew Johnson, Tim Cahill and James Vaughan over recent weeks, and the lack of resources has contributed to their current record of one point from three games.
Their dip in form has allowed Liverpool to take a five-point lead over Everton in the battle for fourth, and a superior goal difference that is virtually worth another point to the Anfield men.
That has left Moyes looking to the future for Everton, who should at the least be able to hang onto fifth spot and a UEFA Cup spot.
“I would say that maybe we don’t need more players, just more players with quality,” Moyes said.
“We sold James McFadden and then picked up some serious injuries to Cahill and Vaughan. That takes it’s toll.
“But I am happy with the numbers here, just that one or two have not worked or offered enough to the squad, that has effected things. We have always been looking to add to the numbers, but mainly to the quality.
“We lost the Merseyside derby last week, which gave Liverpool a five-point lead on us, so we must now make sure that we do not let the teams behind us close the gap on us.
“We are not out of the race for fourth, but it is much more difficult now. But we are still there and will keep trying to make it.
“We have six (games) left and four of those at home. We must make sure we win the home games and that will give us a very decent end to the season. We have a good opportunity to certainly get fifth, for sure.”
With the latest broken foot ruling Tim Cahill out for the season, there now is a clear chance for on-loan Manuel Fernandes to prove he is worthy of a permanent move.
With Thomas Gravesen unlikely to be offered an extension to his loan deal, Moyes is looking at potential strengthening to his midfield and undoubtedly wants a greater input from Fernandes.
He said: “Fernandes has not made as much of an impact as we had hoped. But he will maybe get his chance in the coming weeks to show what he can do.”
Everton have been warm-weather training in Marbella this week as Moyes seeks to recharge the batteries. And it has not gone unnoticed that Zenit St Petersburg are on the brink of reaching the UEFA Cup semi-finals having lost to Everton in the group stages.
Moyes said: “We would like to have still been in the UEFA Cup ourselves this week, but Zenit are still there even though we have beaten them.
“I always felt that they were one of the strongest teams in the competition, and I would be very surprised if they didn’t reach the final now.”
Moyes expects to have Andrew Johnson back from a groin injury while Victor Anichebe has recovered from illness to be in the squad against Derby.
He continued: “The players have been away and we would normally like to do something like this during the season. We have been in the UEFA Cup and we would have preferred to still be in it this week, rather than in Spain.
“So with six games left in the Premier League we took the chance of a break so that everyone is ready for the final push.
“The weather was good and we got some excellent work in. Now we are ready for the challenge.
“This stage of the season is not difficult if you are in a strong position like we are, down at the bottom in the relegation fight is difficult.
He added: “I have been in the position Derby are in as a player, and it’s not nice.
“But maybe it is a relief for their manager Paul Jewell and their players that relegation has finally happened, it’s over and done with and they are now preparing for a season in the Championship.
“Paul will be deciding what players he keeps on to be part of what he is doing next season, he will be looking very closely at them.
“They may well relax without the same pressure. But good professionals are always under pressure in every Premier League game, you always want to do well.
“You are always scrutinised at the top and bottom. So you cannot go into games being anything but fully committed.”
