David Moyes: Everton side must start feeding Yakubu more

Mar 21 2008

DAVID MOYES today urged his side’s creative talents to ‘Feed the Yak’ and get Everton’s push for the Champions League back on course.

The Blues slipped to their first Premier League defeat of 2008 last Sunday at Fulham and perhaps the most disappointing aspect of their display was the fact they never really tested home goalkeeper Kasey Keller.

Ironically, though, Ayegbeni Yakubu’s tireless front running performance was the main plus point for Everton and Moyes, in particular, was pleased with the Nigerian international’s efforts.

Yakubu, however, has not scored since his double against Portsmouth four games ago and Moyes wants that barren spell to end when West Ham arrive at Goodison Park tomorrow evening, to keep the pressure on fourth-placed Liverpool.

“Yak did well against Fulham and has been a big part of what we have achieved here this season and, in the main, his overall play has been really good, as has his workrate. He’s been getting better and better,” said Moyes.

“But what we want from him now is to see his goal tally start ticking over again, just like it was a few weeks ago.

“We know he has got terrific finishing ability and we have got to give him the opportunities to show that.”

Yakubu only needs two more goals in the remaining eight games to become the first Everton striker since Peter Beardsley in 1992 to score 20 in a season and it is likely that he will plough a lone furrow against the Hammers tomorrow.

Andrew Johnson’s groin strain will prevent his inclusion, while James Vaughan has only just come back to Finch Farm following a knee operation in Colorado but Victor Anichebe should figure after shaking off a hip problem.

Tim Cahill remains a major doubt but Manuel Fernandes – absent since he hobbled off with a groin strain 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute in the 2-0 win at Manchester City last month – is fit again and in contention for a place on the bench.

Jack Rodwell, meanwhile, may also be included in the squad and Moyes has been delighted by the way the 17-year-old, who signed his first professional contract earlier this week, has developed lately.

“Jack is a young player with a lot of potential,” said Moyes. “He has been in and around the squad recently partly because we have been down on numbers but mainly because he deserves to be.

“We want to keep his progress moving along and the contract reflected what we think of him.

“A lot depends on how some of the injured players are tomorrow but, yes, he could be in the squad for West Ham.”