Everton FC manager David Moyes confident despite River Plate defeat

Jul 27 2009 Liverpool Daily Post

David Moyes, Everton FC manager

DAVID MOYES has taken heart that Everton’s preparations for the new campaign are moving in the right direction – as he promised not to ask too much of his players too soon.

Everton were beaten 1-0 by River Plate here in the early hours of yesterday morning and looked a little laboured in patches after an intense week of training in Seattle.

But it still took a quite outstanding goal from the mercurial Ariel Ortega to see them off and Moyes was pleased with the attitude and commitment of the players he selected.

If there was a worry to emerge from the game, it was based on the fact that Everton’s squad is looking slightly threadbare and they do not have lots of options on the bench.

That means Moyes is having to ask those who put the bodies on the line last year to get Everton to the FA Cup final to keep going to the well.

With that in mind – and the big date against Arsenal not far away – Moyes has promised to keep his squad as fresh as possible for the start of the season.

“The group that played (against River Plate) basically played all last season and they are well versed in what we do and how we play.

“What we are definitely missing is the other boys who are injured. The likes of Jags and Yak and Mikel will make a difference and give us alternatives that we don’t have.

“Because of that, I just don’t want it to become a drain on the other players and have them doing to much but, in the main, they have done a good job. The pitch was very poor but overall, I’m not unhappy.”

Not for the first time, Everton started a tour across the Pond with a defeat but, compared to the shambles of 12 months ago, this was a walk in the park.