David Moyes has been speaking about Everton's qualification chances as they return to action at Brentford
David Moyes speaks to the media ahead of Everton's match at Brentford, which could be crucial to realising their European ambitions
David Moyes speaks to the media ahead of Everton's match at Brentford, which could be crucial to realising their European ambitions
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David Moyes believes his players possess a “steely determination” as he aims to get Everton back into European football for the first time in nine years.
And the Blues boss has explained why he has decided to speak openly about his ambitions for the season.
Eighth-placed Everton travel to seventh-placed Brentford today with both clubs just three points off the final Champions League qualification spot with seven matches to play.
Having personally been in similar scenarios many times previously, asked if he thinks his side fancy it, Moyes said: “I don’t really know. We’ve been in this position a couple of times this season already, where we’ve been in quite a lofty position and maybe could we win the big game to go somewhere and we’ve not done it.
“But I get the feeling there’s a wee bit of steely determination at the moment about it. If I’m honest, I think we’ve been playing well in the games and that’s a bigger help because that brings momentum, we hope we can keep it going and carry on.
“There was a period where we were sort of up and down a bit around December and January. I think at the moment we’re playing well, I hope we can carry it on.
“It’s a long way to get over the line yet. We’ve got seven games and need to take a decent amount of points to try and keep away others.
“There will be other teams who are playing each other like we are as well. We’ve got quite a difficult run in I would say, but every time I look at other teams’ fixtures, they look difficult as well.
“I think the way the Premier League has been, I don’t think there are many games where you could turn up and say: ‘That one’s a gimme’. I think we’re going to have to do really well in the final bit and we’ll find out a bit more about them to see if they’re capable of taking that step up.”
In terms of whether it would now be a disappointment if Everton didn’t qualify for Europe, Moyes added: “I think that’s what I’m worried about. That’s why I’m pushing because you decide what you want to give out to the media and to your supporters.
“Over my time, I’ve been keeping it low key, but I thought: ‘No, I’m going to change it and talk about us making it’. Will it be disappointing if we don’t make it? I’m sure we would be in some ways but we might also have a feeling that we’re not ready yet, it’s maybe not the right time.
“But I think if we get there, I think we’ll be all singing and dancing. I think the thought of Hill Dickinson Stadium having European football for the team and the nights it would bring, I saw what it did for West Ham and their support.
“The amount of people who were coming to European games was huge. They were huge numbers and it helped the club financially and gave us all a great boost.
“I think if people had said that with a new manager coming in (at Brentford) after Thomas Frank, you’d have said ‘wow’. Also, the position Everton were in last year and recently, you’d probably go ‘wow’. as well.
“I think both clubs are in a good position but they beat us at our place and we’re going to have to do a big job to make sure we get a result down there. It’s never an easy place to go and play.
“I think in the first half of the season they did really well at home. We’re going to have to go there and make sure we’re tough to play against.”