Moyes geared for Magpies test
Everton manager David Moyes said he could not wait for another Monday night contest under the Goodison Park floodlights as he side prepares for a tussle with Newcastle United. Kick-off at 9pm (CAT, GMT +2) live on SS HD3, SS3 and live streaming right here.
Everton have yet to play at home on the traditional Saturday so far this season but having won both their midweek fixtures, Moyes said he was happy to continue that trend, especially as it gave a chance for the Blues’ jet-setting internationals a chance to recover.
“I'm looking forward to Monday,” he told evertontv. “I think everybody is.
“At this time of the year with so many international breaks, you sometimes find it hard to get a bit of rhythm and a steady programme, but it's the same for everyone and we have to put up with it.
“We've had people flying back from all over the place so at the moment, it's not that easy to have everyone in, but certainly with the game on Monday, it gives us plenty of time.
“We hope it's the same as the last Monday night game we had. If we get the same support that the fans offered us against Manchester United, it will make a big difference.
“It's a strong crowd at Goodison, as it would be at St James' Park. I think a lot of the home supports are right behind their team in the Premier League.
“The fans want to be involved in making sure their club get the best chance with the atmosphere they produce at their home ground.”
The Blues, though, face a side who will be challenging them for those top six spots and a place in Europe, with the Magpies surprising many last season when securing their involvement in this year’s Europa League.
Moyes admits it’s going to be a tough night. “Newcastle have very much the same side they had last season when they were great,” he said. “I think a lot of people thought they would fade away but they didn't, they kept going all year. Alan Pardew and Newcastle did a really good job and deservedly find themselves in Europe this year.
“They’ve brought in a few - Vurnon Anita and a few others have come into the squad. They had a good team last year, so it might have been hard to better that. With Cheik Tiote, Yohan Cabaye, Hatem Ben Arfa they’ve got a group of players who are very talented and to improve on that would be very difficult and probably very costly as well.”
The visit of Newcastle gives the Toffees the opportunity to return to winning ways after a 2-0 defeat at the Hawthorns in their previous fixture. However, Moyes is optimistic the Blues' early season form can continue on Monday. “I was disappointed with the result at West Brom,” he said.
“I thought we could do better than we did, but I can't be disappointed with the way the players have started the season. They've performed the way we hoped they would.”
