Moyes moving on from Latics loss

Posted Saturday, March 16, 2013 by PA

David Moyes has denied last weekend's shattering defeat by Wigan will play any part in whether or not he signs a new contract at Everton.

The Scot celebrated 11 years in charge at Goodison Park on Thursday but it has been one of the more difficult weeks of his tenure following the 3-0 home loss to the Latics in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Moyes' contract runs out at the end of the campaign and earlier this season he indicated the Toffees' fortunes in the remaining games would play a big part in his decision.

With Everton out of the cup and facing a real battle to qualify for Europe, the speculation has grown that Moyes may opt for pastures new.

But the 49-year-old said: "It doesn't alter anything. The decision at the end of the season will be made by me and the players and how well we all do together, how high we finish in the league. It's never changed.

"I want the players to do well. You can see the way they've spoken this week, they're saying they're ambitious to finish as high up as they can, qualify for Europe if they can - well that's the same as the manager and that's what we're going to try to work towards."

A visit from reigning Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City has the potential for another difficult day for Moyes but Everton's record against Roberto Mancini's side is impressive.

In seven previous games between the two managers, Mancini has picked up only four points, and none at Goodison Park.

Moyes referred to the protracted and fractious transfer saga that ended with defender Joleon Lescott moving from Everton to City in 2009 as a motivating factor for the Toffees and is desperately hoping their good run will continue.

He said: "We always found a little gripe with the Joleon Lescott thing a long time back.

"It wasn't too long ago there were quite a lot of similarities between the clubs. Obviously Manchester City are Premier League champions and have done brilliantly with the way they've moved their club forward, so you have to admire them for that.

"I don't think there's any reason (for the good record) but long may it continue and I hope it's the same this weekend."

Everton will again be without goalkeeper Tim Howard and defender Phil Jagielka

Howard broke two bones in his back in the FA Cup fifth-round replay at Oldham last month and Jan Mucha will continue to deputise, while Jagielka is recovering from surgery to repair a cut to his ankle.

Moyes will assess a couple of other players who picked up knocks against Wigan while full-back Tony Hibbert (calf) may not play again this season.

Meanwhile, opposite number Mancini believes his side can reignite the title race by cutting Manchester United's Barclays Premier League lead before next month's derby.

The Italian has refused to concede defeat despite the champions falling 12 points behind United a month ago and being given no opportunity by their rivals to reduce the deficit since.

City are relying on favours from elsewhere but Mancini is determined to pounce on any United slip-ups in the two rounds of fixtures before the sides meet at Old Trafford on April 8.

Mancini said: "The next two or three games will be crucial.

"If they lose a point in the next two games - maybe.

"After the two games, we have the derby. But it all depends on us. When you are behind you should win every game.

"We hope we can play a derby with nine, seven points, maybe 10. Less than 12 would be better.

"From the derby to the end of the season, they have three or four difficult games."

The champions are again without captain Vincent Kompany and striker Sergio Aguero

Defender Kompany, who has missed the last seven games, continues to be troubled by calf issues while Aguero is in Argentina for treatment on the knee problem that has already sidelined him for two matches.

Right-backs Micah Richards and Maicon (both knee) and midfielder Jack Rodwell (hamstring) remain sidelined.