DAVID MOYES will step up his search for a new striker this week in the wake of Saturday’s 2-2 home draw with West Ham United.
The Goodison manager was indebted to a stoppage time equaliser from Marouane Fellaini as his side fought back to claim a point against the Premier League’s bottom club.
Moyes bemoaned Everton’s lack of firepower and admitted he’s desperate to boost his squad before the transfer window shuts. However, a lack of cash means the manager is restricted to signing someone on loan until the end of the season.
Having failed in a bid to land Monaco forward Dieumerci Mbokani, Moyes could now target Hoffenheim striker Demba Ba.
“We are lacking a bit of creativity or a player who can score you a goal out of nothing,” Moyes said.
“I would like a forward and I’ve been saying that for a while. I’ll try but it will be in the loan market.”
Everton came to life against West Ham after Fellaini was pushed up front midway through the second-half, but Moyes has ruled out playing the Belgian there on a regular basics.
“I thought Fellaini going up-front changed the game,” he said.
“We had someone to play off and it gave us a chance. We were a bigger threat with him up there but I don’t really want to play him there.
“Last season he played more advanced for us and he plays behind a striker for Belgium but I see him as a top central midfield player. But he’s a threat wherever he plays because he’s a good player.”
Added Moyes: “After impressive victories over Tottenham and Scunthorpe followed by a hard-fought draw at Anfield, Moyes admitted Saturday represented a backward step for his side.
Diniyar Bilyaletdinov came off the bench to cancel out Jonathan Spector’s opener but Frederic Piquionne nodded West Ham back in front.
The French striker’s celebrations with the away fans earned him a second booking and Fellaini’s late strike ensured Everton made their extra man count.
It left Moyes’ side in 13th place and only five points clear of the relegation zone.We didn’t get up to the heights needed to win the game and after some good results we have dropped down today.”
“We weren’t up to the pitch of it in the first half but I thought we got better and I have to give them credit for coming back.
