Tim Howard: Everton haven't given up the race for fourth

Apr 4 2008

TIM HOWARD believes Everton are ready to “stand up and be counted” as he refused to thrown the towel in on Champions League qualification.

The Goodison outfit entertain relegated Derby County on Sunday having returned refreshed yesterday from their four-day warm-weather training camp in Spain.

A run of just one point from their last three games has slipped Everton five points behind Liverpool in the race for fourth place.

David Moyes’s side have also seen Portsmouth close up to within four points of fifth place, which at present is the only UEFA Cup berth available through league placing.

Despite the indifferent form, Howard is confident that with six games to play – four of which are at Goodison – Everton can still overhaul their neighbours.

And the goalkeeper reckons manager Moyes will not allow his players to mope over their recent setbacks as they steel themselves for the

Premier League run-in.

“There’s a European place still to secure whether it’s UEFA Cup or Champions League and we’re going for Champions League, everyone knows that,” said Howard.

“But it’s a tough season and we’ll see where the chips fall.

“The manager has too much pride and too much ambition to let his team wallow in any pity.

“We’re going to pick ourselves up, be men, stand up and be counted and try and get a result against Derby.

“Liverpool have still got some tough games to come, as have we, so we’ll see what happens.

“We’ll keep fighting until we’re mathematically out of it and even beyond that if needed.”

Howard added: “We’re definitely looking forward to trying to qualify for Europe.

“We have our sights above us but we’re also aware of the teams below us.

“I think we’re in a good position at the moment but that only counts if we take our next couple of games and get back on a roll.

“If you look at Fiorentina, Fulham, West Ham and the derby and it’s been a little bit of a lull for us which we’re not used to because we’ve played really well this season and put together some really good runs.

“The main thing is to get back to that, performing well and putting in good performances at that level, creating chances, scoring goals, and hopefully we can get a run.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea are to pay for their fans to travel to the rearranged game at Everton after failing to get the match switched from Thursday, April 17.

The game, which was originally scheduled for Saturday, April 19, was controversially moved so that Sky could screen it live, a decision that outraged Chelsea as their game against Wigan Athletic was already rescheduled for the Monday of that week.

And the Stamford Bridge side will use their expected £400,000 fee to take their 3,000 supporters to Goodison and also to pay for their match tickets.

A club statement said yesterday: “Chelsea FC has continued to make very strong representations for the date of the Everton away game to be changed.

“This now seems unlikely. Under these circumstances Chelsea FC believes it would be inappropriate to profit from the television fee for this match.”