No regrets for Moyes over derby line-up

16 March 2012 14:17

Everton manager David Moyes insisted he had no regrets on Friday following his decision to field a weakened team in the Merseyside derby defeat to Liverpool.

Moyes made six changes to his starting line-up for Tuesday's 3-0 defeat at Anfield as the Toffees looked ahead to this weekend's FA Cup quarter-final against Sunderland.

However Moyes shrugged off suggestions that the defeat at Liverpool -- which ended a nine-match unbeaten run -- could impact his team's momentum heading into Saturday's clash with the Black Cats.

"It has been an important week. It was always going to be tough and that has proved to be the case," Moyes said.

"We have got a lot of players here and a good squad when they are fit.

"We chose to use them and give a few of them a game. We want them all to be fit and ready for the run-in, and obviously for the game tomorrow."

"We have now moved on and are looking forward to the Sunderland game. It is a big game for us."

Everton will start as marginal favourites against Sunderland, who have never won at Goodison during Moyes' 10 years in charge of the club.

However Moyes was adamant that history will be irrelevant as his team prepares to face a Sunderland team revived by new manager Martin O'Neill and with a place in the last four of the FA Cup at stake.

"You don't think about that (records) -- you take the game," Moyes said. "I think there are very few managers who think that way. You might look at it just as an aside but it is of no importance.

"We have got to try to beat a Sunderland team who are a team very much in form. It is a tough tie for us but I am sure he (O'Neill) knows it is a tough tie for them.

Source: AFP