Cheltenham V Everton at Abbey Business Stadium : Match Preview

06 January 2013 13:31
Cheltenham V Everton - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Cup humiliation makes Moyes wary

Manager David Moyes will use the memory of his first ignominious FA Cup experience with Everton as motivation for the trip to Cheltenham.

The Scot had been in charge at Goodison Park for 10 months when he took his side to Shrewsbury in the third round and saw former Toffees' defender Kevin Ratcliffe, in charge of a side 80 places below in the lower reaches of the then third division, get the better of him.

Moyes has never forgotten that result - or a home defeat to League One Oldham four years ago - and it always seems to spring to mind when Everton get drawn against lower league opposition around this time of year.

Everton have already come unstuck this season against lower-placed opposition when Leeds beat them in the Capital One Cup.

"I am more wary of what happened against Shrewsbury 10 years ago," said Moyes ahead of the trip to the npower League Two side.

"We went out then so it's happened to us in the past. We have to make sure it doesn't happen - although we were trying to do that then as well.

"There are no guarantees in football, you have to go and earn the right to win the games.

"You like to play at home but when you see some of the real mouth-watering ties which have come out - some all-Premier League clashes - I wouldn't say we've been lucky but at least we have lower opposition.

"It has not always been the easiest thing in the past, we have lost at places like Shrewsbury and we lost at home to Oldham so we're well aware how difficult it will be, no matter who you draw.

"You would expect Premier League players to have the extra quality but is their attitude right, are they prepared for what is to come?

"The lower opposition tend to get themselves a little bit higher and more ready for it as it gives them a chance to showcase themselves and you have to be ready for that."

Moyes will try to freshen up his side for the tie. Left-back Leighton Baines could be in line for a rest as Bryan Oviedo may be given a run out while midfielders Thomas Hitzlsperger and Ross Barkley may come into contention for a start.

Forward Kevin Mirallas and defender Seamus Coleman (both hamstring) are still sidelined, as are Tony Hibbert (calf) and Darron Gibson (thigh).

Cheltenham boss Mark Yates says his side have to believe they can be giantkillers and insists they are not there just to enjoy the third-round experience.

The Robins have one of the best home records in their division and Yates is not content with thoughts of a few good memories and some positive exposure for the club.

"We won't be going out there saying 'let's just enjoy it and let's take a 2-0 defeat' and be happy with that," he said.

"We will go out there having planned and prepared properly and make sure the players do all they can to make sure we give ourselves a chance.

"It is only 11 v 11 and yes, they are Premier League players, but you never know.

"After 60 minutes if we are 3-0 down we might not believe quite so much but right at this moment in time we have to believe we can do something.

"The cup has got a tradition of shocks, so why not? We want to cause a shock and we know that is a big task. But we know we have the capabilities to do it."

Yates knows that the majority of Monday night's television audience will never have seen his team in action and he gave an insight into what the watching thousands can expect to see at Whaddon Road.

"We try to play but we aren't Barcelona," he said.

"Our centre-halves don't split and the full-backs don't start on the halfway line but we like to think we work hard, with some strong competitive characters, and that we pass the ball.

"It is no fluke that we do have some decent footballing performances, we aren't Holland of the 1970s or the Barcelona of now."

One player who will not be involved against Moyes' men is striker Chris Zebroski, a summer signing from Bristol Rovers, who left the club on Friday after an agreement was reached to cancel his contract. The 26-year-old scored six times in 22 starts.

Former West Brom and Birmingham man Darren Carter, a midfielder who has lined up against Everton on a regular basis, is the club's only injury worry.

Source: PA