Moyes urges fans to be realistic

Moyes urges fans to be realistic

Published May. 21, 2011 3:15 p.m. ET

But the Scot has warned fans not to get carried away with thoughts of toppling the country's top clubs. For a second year in succession, the Toffees have finished the season strongly and left people wondering what might have been had they started brightly or had money to spend. Everton, who look set to end the Premier League campaign in seventh, have spent little in the last three transfer windows due to a lack of funds. Moyes said: "The media will speculate about players, most of them probably miles off the mark. "What that does to the supporters is lead them in a wrong direction. "I have always said, unless you hear it from me, don't believe it. "My job is always to give supporters the best team I possibly can. "I will try to do that with what we have available. I will try to make sure I get them the best team we can. "But let's not be kidded. Next season is going to be incredibly difficult with what is going on. "For Evertonians to be expecting us to do any more than seventh then I think they would need to tell me the reasons why they think we should be higher than where they are just now." Moyes' summer plans suggest a commitment to the Goodison Park cause despite repeated speculation linking him with wealthier clubs. The former Preston manager has often spoken of the difficulties of trying to compete on relatively meagre resources but has rarely complained about the situation. "I will have a chat with the chairman next week some time and we will try to work out what we are going to do," he said. "We have identified players for the last three, four, five years that we have never been able to do for different reasons. "But we will see what happens, there are no rules to it. We will try to be ready for the start of next year. "We do have a good team. If we can get the players playing we have a good side and with the right people joining them we could compete again with the teams at the top." Everton bring their campaign to a close as they host second-placed Chelsea in their final game tomorrow. With the visitors all but mathematically assured of second place there is little resting on the contest. Moyes hopes it will not be the last time he faces opposite number Carlo Ancelotti, whose future has been uncertain since Chelsea were knocked out of the Champions League and lost their Premier League crown. "He has done a great job at Chelsea, got them a double last year and has finished second this year," Moyes said. "There is no guarantee (of trophies), no matter what you spend. I hope Carlo is about a bit longer." Everton midfielder Tim Cahill is doubtful due to his troublesome foot injury and may be given the chance to start a much-needed break early. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov will definitely be missing after his sending-off at West Brom last week. Looking forward to his summer recess, Moyes said: "I hope we can have a really good summer and we can try to have a freshness when we come back at the start of pre-season. "I am going to have a break. "I work hard throughout the year, watching games, taking training, doing all the work. "It is important I actually get to that position where, when I do come back, I am starting to look at the team and formulate a side for next season."

ADVERTISEMENT
share