Toffees boss aiming to put boot in

03 April 2010 09:35
Everton manager David Moyes has urged his side to be ruthless and show no sympathy when they face West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday.[LNB] Moyes admits his side can ill afford to drop points to the relegation strugglers in their late charge for a European place.[LNB]Everton have lost just two of their last 18 Premier League games but their momentum was slowed as Wolves held them to a goalless draw last week.[LNB]They now host a Hammers side in disarray after six successive defeats, speculation over manager Gianfranco Zola's future and other off-field turmoil.[LNB]Moyes wants his men to take full advantage.[LNB]The Scot said: "They will be wounded, they will feel the defeats they have had have been tough on them.[LNB]"But we have to show no sympathy for them and get on with our job. I'm sure that is what they would expect from us.[LNB]"I am really focusing on how well we have been playing.[LNB]"Our work has been good but what we missed last week was the finishing and cutting edge.[LNB]"I think we have to go and win the game if we have got any hopes of being near the top, or certainly trying to pip the teams above us.[LNB]"I don't think there are many points we can drop now in the run-in.[LNB]"If you are playing West Ham at home, you have to think that is one of the games you have to win."[LNB]Despite his team's form, Moyes still remains reluctant to predict a higher-placed finish than the eighth position they occupied ahead of this weekend's games.[LNB]After collecting just 15 points from their opening 14 games, Everton were 16th at the end of November and have been playing catch-up ever since.[LNB]With just six games remaining, Moyes fears their injury-ravaged start will just prove too damaging come the final analysis.[LNB]He added: "We will try to do it but it is a long shot. We have been picking up points and are getting closer but at this moment in time we are just a bit behind.[LNB]"We need to hope things go for us and we need to keep doing our job."[LNB]Everton are again likely to be without Mikel Arteta due to a groin injury and Joseph Yobo and Victor Anichebe are both doubtful with knocks.[LNB]Dan Gosling was this week ruled out for up to nine months with cruciate ligament damage after a collision with Wolves goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann.

Source: Team_Talk