Everton boss David Moyes eyeing home comforts
EVERTON manager David Moyes is confident that his improving side will be able to turn Goodison Park into a fortress again for the remainder of this season.
Only the Champions League qualifying 'big four' triumphed against Moyes's side on their own turf last term but Everton started this season badly at Goodison Park, losing their first three Premier League matches and failing to record a win in all competitions until their seventh match at home.
However, with Everton now unbeaten in their last three home matches and having broken their duck at Goodison Park with a 1-0 victory over Fulham, Moyes believes that his side have now turned the corner.
He said: "I have got confidence that we will get back on the winning track at Goodison.
"We have got to get the crowd behind us a bit more than we have been.
"If you look at our home form over the past few years I think you'll see that it's very good.
"I don't believe there's a particular problem and by the end of the season I'm confident that our overall record at Goodison Park will be a good one."
Everton have also been struggling to get supporters through the turnstiles at Goodison Park this season with the last home game against Fulham attracting a mere 31,278 - the lowest Premier League attendance at the ground since Moyes's arrival over six-and-a-half years ago.
Even the visit of Manchester United
attracted just 36,069 - almost a thousand less than last season's average attendance - while the derby visit of Liverpool failed to sell out.
Tomorrow's visit of Middlesbrough is another fixture which has been moved to accommodate satellite television and given an early kick-off (1.30pm) and Moyes believes this could be a significant factor in declining gates.
He said: "I think some of the games we have had have been early kick-offs, so that hasn't helped.
"The players need that backing from the supporters.
"I have been to a couple of games in the past week and I've looked around and you can see that people aren't coming to them at the moment.
"I think people are looking and saying it is difficult. When games are on television, it's maybe having an impact."
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Everton's recent revival has seen them climb to within just three points of a Champions League spot but Moyes acknowledges that with little to choose between most of the division fluctuations can be wild in either direction.
He said: "The way the Premier League is at the moment I'm a bit non-committal as to where we can stay in the table.
"I'd like try and stay under the radar and pick up points. There's not a lot between a lot of the sides."
Middlesbrough are also one of the Premier League's form sides having embarked on a four-match unbeaten run since their 5-0 home defeat to Chelsea and Moyes has admired their recent displays.
He said: "I'm impressed with Gareth Southgate. He's come through a difficult time and made them a good side. They look good going forward and getting a result like they did at Aston Villa last week is no mean feat."
Moyes expects to have both Ayegbeni Yakubu and Steven Pienaar back from injury for tomorrow's game after the pair missed the 3-1 victory at West Ham United.
Record £15m signing Marouane Fellaini is also available again after being suspended for the trip to Upton Park after picking up five bookings.
Meanwhile Everton target Vagner Love claims David Moyes is keen to sign him, but has set his sights on a dream move to Real Madrid.
The Brazilian star is eager to leave Russia, where he tops the goalscoring charts with 17, and is currently considering his options. He claims the Goodison Park side have made contact over a possible transfer but is holding out hope for a move to the Bernabeu, which he believes would improve his international prospects.
"Until now the only concrete offer I have received came from Everton in England," he said. "There wasn't any contact (with Real Madrid) but it would be wonderful. Every player's dream is to represent Real Madrid."
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