“We are not in a great position but we are certainly not feeling sorry for ourselves. It is a long season and we just need to get a few more points on the board and we will climb a good way up the table.
“There is certainly no feeling of panic at the moment. No-one likes being in this position and we would certainly like to be higher. We just need one win to kick-start it all.”
Howard has another reason to ensure victory this evening. Having helped the United States once again reach the World Cup finals, the goalkeeper will discover his country’s opponents in South Africa when the draw takes place in Cape Town on Friday.
“From my point of view, I would like to have a good win behind me so I can sit back and enjoy it in a good frame of mind and see who we get,” says the goalkeeper.
“Hopefully, we will get a good draw and that will give me an extra lift.”
Athens has already played a significant role in Everton’s history. The club’s only previous competitive visit to Greece came in the 1970-71 season when, after a 1-1 draw at Goodison in the first leg, Panathinaikos held out for a goalless scoreline to progress in the European Cup.
While the Greeks went on to reach the final where they were beaten by Ajax at Wembley, just days later Everton lost their FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool to mark the beginning of the end of their era of success under Harry Catterick.
Tim Cahill will be hoping to end a barren run of 11 games without a goal since netting the winner in Borisov more than two months ago.
And the Australian says: “Goals will always come if I get my chances. I was unlucky not to score against Liverpool. I know if I get chances I will always score.
“Obviously I love to score goals but if the ball doesn’t go into the back of the net I have to work hard to improve.”
PROBABLE TEAMS.
AEK ATHENS (4-2-3-1): Saja; Araujo, Majstorovic, Gentzoglou, Karabelas; Kafes, Makos; Hersi, Scocco, Manduca; Blanco.
EVERTON (4-2-3-1): Howard; Gosling, Hibbert, Duffy, Baines; Rodwell, Fellaini; Pienaar, Cahill, Bilyaletdinov; Saha.
