Everton boss David Moyes believes there is still work to do as the start of the Premier League season nears
David Moyes during Everton's pre-season friendly match with Roma at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
David Moyes during Everton's pre-season friendly match with Roma at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
David Moyes said the challenge for Everton is to build a squad befitting of the club’s stunning new ground after a first outing in front of supporters at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Blues boss was blown away by the occasion on Saturday when his team faced Roma in front of a sold-out arena on the Liverpool waterfront.
It represents a major step forward for the club, he acknowledged, but said it needed to be backed up by more work for Everton to take full advantage.
Speaking after the Blues' pre-season ended in a 1-0 defeat, he said: “It's a brilliant football ground. It's a great stadium and hopefully gets to see some really good players and some good teams.”
The rebuild started this summer has already seen five signings secured for Moyes.
Only back-up goalkeeper Mark Travers failed to make it onto the pitch against Roma. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Everton’s latest addition, stood out during his first hour in Royal Blue.
More work needs to be done to build a squad that can make the progress the Blues hope to achieve, a point Moyes was not shy in making just a week before the start of the Premier League season.
He added: “This club has been so desperate for this situation to arise, to get a new stadium.
“I think it is a wonderful viewing stadium and it is a step up from Goodison, for sure. There are some brilliant stadiums in the world now but this is a real positive step.
“Hopefully we can make the positive steps as we go along as well.
“We have built something - obviously there are still a few bits that need to get done behind the scenes here, but it is no different to the team.
“We need to build a team - and build the bits behind the team as well.”
Everton will host Brighton & Hove Albion later this month in the first competitive game at Hill Dickinson.
Moyes said he will speak to his players in the coming days to learn how they felt about their first proper matchday since leaving Goodison Park.
He said: “It's going to take getting used to it, things like travel, how we get here and times that everybody starts to get used to.
“Everyone will take time to adapt to it completely. I've not asked the players how they felt on the field, what they felt around the ground.
“Maybe during the week, I'll find out anything that came from that.”
The Blues kick off their Premier League campaign away to newly promoted Leeds United on Monday, August 18,