Source: Team_Talk
Moyes eyes repeat win over United
Everton boss David Moyes believes repeating last season's victory over Manchester United could kickstart his side's campaign.[LNB] The Merseysiders began the new Premier League term with high expectations but have collected just one point from their opening three games.[LNB]Moyes is convinced his side should be challenging at the top end of the table and is looking for a lift on Saturday as United visit Goodison Park, where they were beaten 3-1 in February.[LNB]Moyes said: "It would give us all that belief that we can mix it with the top sides.[LNB]"We feel if we play well we can be a match for any side, and that includes Manchester United.[LNB]"We went into the season with high hopes, rightly so, we had played so well.[LNB]"At the end of last season we lost two out of 24 and we had a pretty good pre-season.[LNB]"I could come out and say we want to avoid relegation and let's see where we go from there.[LNB]"I probably come out with that statement every year but I didn't this year.[LNB]"I said we had a good team and probably our best squad.[LNB]"I stand by that but we have not shown it in results so far."[LNB]Moyes is at a loss to explain his side's disappointing start, which has included defeats at Blackburn and Aston Villa.[LNB]Last season the Toffees, hampered by injuries, collected just 15 points from their opening 14 games and Moyes is anxious to avoid a repeat.[LNB]The Scot said: "We have tried changing the pre-season, we have tried changing all things to try to find a reason.[LNB]"I have heard people saying David Moyes has no excuses now he has no injuries but I never made any excuses last year.[LNB]"All we have done is try to do the best we can, do the right things.[LNB]"We have not started the season very well. It is something every year I try to address but I have not found a magic solution at this time.[LNB]"It has been frustrating but our football hasn't been too bad. We have merited more but not taken it."[LNB]A Carling Cup thrashing of Huddersfield aside, Everton have struggled for goals this season, scoring just once in their three league games.[LNB]With Louis Saha out for three weeks with a calf injury, that places extra pressure on summer signing Jermaine Beckford.[LNB]The former Leeds striker is still to open his top-flight account but Moyes does not want to overburden the 26-year-old, even though he is almost certain to start against United.[LNB]Beckford, however, does have happy memories of playing Sir Alex Ferguson's side having scored the goal for Leeds which knocked them out of the FA Cup in January. Moyes said: "To come from League One and start scoring goals in the Premier League, it is a big ask - but I have got no doubts he will.[LNB]"He should be given the same time, the same opportunities (as others), but it can take a little bit of time to establish yourself."[LNB]One player Moyes will be without for the time being is highly-rated midfielder Jack Rodwell.[LNB]The 19-year-old has been ruled out for up to three months with an ankle injury sustained in the Villa defeat.[LNB]Rodwell had started that game after being on the bench for the previous two but Moyes expects him to come back strong.[LNB]He said: "He's got lots of time on his hands, he'll come through.[LNB]"It's just disappointing we have lost such a good player.[LNB]"I was ready to play him as often as we could, he is maturing all the time now.[LNB]"There is a lot of competition for places, especially in central midfield, but he would play his games.[LNB]"I could see Jack coming into it more in the second half of the season."[LNB]The football news this week has been dominated by headlines concerning the private life of Wayne Rooney, United's superstar former Everton striker.[LNB]Everton defender Phil Jagielka has said Rooney should probably expect a rough reception on his latest return to Goodison but Moyes did not want to discuss the issue.[LNB]Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Moyes said: "I think if you are a good football journalist you don't ask those kind of questions.[LNB]"If you are a gossip journalist you ask me those questions.[LNB]"I am interested in talking about the game and that's what I'll do."
