Everton FC

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• Manager:David Moyes

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Howard targets Euro boost

02 Oct 2008 - 09:10:55

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Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has called on his team-mates to stand up and be counted as they face a defining moment in a season that has so far struggled to ignite.

The Toffees take on Standard Liege in the UEFA Cup on Thursday evening with the scores from the first round first leg tie at Goodison Park two weeks ago level at 2-2.

David Moyes' side has got off to a shaky start in the Premier League and are already out of the Carling Cup, but the American keeper believes an upturn in fortunes is just around the corner if the players remain upbeat.

"It would be awful to be out of two competitions so early on in the season," he admitted.

"There is no question that last season one of the things that kept us going was being involved in Europe.

"We have to put a lot of things right - we are under no illusions.

"We can't just snap our fingers and be out of it, but it's really important we now stand up and be counted.

"We want to have as many games as we can this season. Nobody wants these real long weeks where all we are doing is training and there are no games to get excited by.

"It's so good for us when games keep coming quickly - you saw that last year."