Moyes eyes repeat win over United

Moyes eyes repeat win over United

Published Sep. 10, 2010 3:16 p.m. ET

The Merseysiders began the new Premier League term with high expectations but have collected just one point from their opening three games. 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. Moyes said: "It would give us all that belief that we can mix it with the top sides. "We feel if we play well we can be a match for any side, and that includes Manchester United. "We went into the season with high hopes, rightly so, we had played so well. "At the end of last season we lost two out of 24 and we had a pretty good pre-season. "I could come out and say we want to avoid relegation and let's see where we go from there. "I probably come out with that statement every year but I didn't this year. "I said we had a good team and probably our best squad. "I stand by that but we have not shown it in results so far." Moyes is at a loss to explain his side's disappointing start, which has included defeats at Blackburn and Aston Villa. Last season the Toffees, hampered by injuries, collected just 15 points from their opening 14 games and Moyes is anxious to avoid a repeat. The Scot said: "We have tried changing the pre-season, we have tried changing all things to try to find a reason. "I have heard people saying David Moyes has no excuses now he has no injuries but I never made any excuses last year. "All we have done is try to do the best we can, do the right things. "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. "It has been frustrating but our football hasn't been too bad. We have merited more but not taken it." A Carling Cup thrashing of Huddersfield aside, Everton have struggled for goals this season, scoring just once in their three league games. With Louis Saha out for three weeks with a calf injury, that places extra pressure on summer signing Jermaine Beckford. 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. 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. "He should be given the same time, the same opportunities (as others), but it can take a little bit of time to establish yourself." One player Moyes will be without for the time being is highly-rated midfielder Jack Rodwell. The 19-year-old has been ruled out for up to three months with an ankle injury sustained in the Villa defeat. Rodwell had started that game after being on the bench for the previous two but Moyes expects him to come back strong. He said: "He's got lots of time on his hands, he'll come through. "It's just disappointing we have lost such a good player. "I was ready to play him as often as we could, he is maturing all the time now. "There is a lot of competition for places, especially in central midfield, but he would play his games. "I could see Jack coming into it more in the second half of the season." The football news this week has been dominated by headlines concerning the private life of Wayne Rooney, United's superstar former Everton striker. 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. 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. "If you are a gossip journalist you ask me those questions. "I am interested in talking about the game and that's what I'll do."

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