Fellaini needs to copy Messi - Moyes
Everton boss David Moyes has advised Marouane Fellaini to take a leaf out of Lionel Messi's book when it comes to being on the receiving end of rough-house tactics from opponents.
Toffees midfielder Fellaini was left with a bleeding knee on Saturday by a tackle from Norwich's Bradley Johnson, with no action being taken by referee Lee Mason.
The Belgium international subsequently took retribution by barging Johnson over, which resulted in a free-kick and a stern talking-to.
Earlier this season, Fellaini was handed a three-game ban by the Football Association after headbutting Stoke's Ryan Shawcross as the pair jostled for position - something he issued an apology for but also said he felt he had not been given any protection from the match officials.
Moyes said: "You trust them (officials) and expect them to go about their job the same for everybody. But if you look at him (Fellaini), you know he has to take as many challenges as anybody.
"He will give as many out, but I don't think he gets protected as well as what there is when he is challenging somebody. It is frustrating, but I've got to say he has got good at it.
"I keep saying to him 'look at Lionel Messi' - he gets kicked every week.
"Everybody wants to kick him (Messi) because it is the only way to stop him, but all he ever does is sort of smile, get up and get on with it, and then does it again. So I have told him (Fellaini) he has to copy that.
"I don't think he'll ever be as good as that, but certainly in his temperament, he should try to be similar to Lionel Messi, who looks as if he just gets on and accepts that people have to try to stop him some way."
Moyes was speaking ahead of the FA Cup fifth-round replay against npower League One Oldham at Goodison Park, in which his team will be looking to contain the threat of 6ft 6in striker Matt Smith.
Smith netted a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser for the Latics to ensure the original tie finished 2-2 on February 16, having scored twice in the previous round as Liverpool suffered a shock 3-2 defeat at Boundary Park.
"That type of centre-forward was probably more prevalent in my day - we had one of them every week," Moyes, a former centre-back, said.
"I think it is less and less so the case now in the Premier League, so that is what makes it a little bit more unusual.
"I don't think there are quite as many teams using a big man the way Oldham do. But it is part of football and there is no right or wrong way to play.
"The job is to win, and whatever way you choose to do it, as long as it is within the rules, that is okay."
Everton striker Victor Anichebe remains an injury doubt.
Anichebe had to come off at half-time in the original tie having suffered a knock, and missed Saturday's 2-1 Barclays Premier League defeat at Norwich.
Oldham caretaker manager Tony Philliskirk will assess the fitness of James Tarkowski, James Wesolowski and Carl Winchester.
Centre-back Tarkowski was substituted as a precaution due to a tight hamstring during the closing stages of Saturday's 1-0 npower League One win over Portsmouth and was due to return to training on Monday alongside midfield duo Wesolowski (hamstring) and Winchester (ankle).
Experienced defender Cliff Byrne overcame a groin complaint to take a place on the bench against Pompey and is expected to be involved once more.
Left-sided midfielders Cristian Montano (thigh) and Youssouf M'Changama (knee) remain on the sidelines, while playmaker Jose Baxter is set to return to Goodison Park in opposition for the first time.
Philliskirk knows Moyes will leave no stone unturned in trying to derail the npower League One side's remarkable FA Cup run.
It was not for the lack of trying that Moyes' men failed to put away their opponents at the first time of asking and Philliskirk was made fully aware of the Scot's meticulous approach before they locked horns at Boundary Park.
"I spoke to David for 15 minutes before the game and he'd personally come to our game against MK Dons," he said. "He'd watched the DVDs of every round we'd played in previously so I think he'd done his homework.
"And he got what he thought he was going to get, which was a very tough game. David gave us the utmost respect and I'm sure he will in the replay."
Source: PA
