Moyes Ponders Team Selection

Blues boss weighing up options ahead of cup tie at Cheltenham.

David Moyes says Everton will pay Cheltenham Town the utmost respect when the two clubs meet in the FA Cup on Monday evening.

The Blues are bidding to reach Wembley for a fourth time in as many years and start their journey with a testing third round tie at Whaddon Road.

At his pre-match press conference, Moyes was tight-lipped on whether he would be fielding his strongest possible team against the Robins, stating that he would ‘have a look’ before deciding on his starting line-up.

However, he stressed that any players which take to the field have to be ready to match Cheltenham’s endeavour and enthusiasm.

Moyes said: “We want to go as far as we can in the FA Cup and we will be doing everything we can to get through. We will not underestimate Cheltenham and we will have to go there and do a really good job if we want to get into the next round.

“It’s the next game and that’s always our next priority. We have to go into the game and try and win it and then move on from there.

“Cheltenham have done very well at home and they are a decent side. I watched them against Hereford in the replay and they are going well in their division. They have got a wee bit of confidence because they are playing well in their league.

"Our players have to play - that's what they're here for. Otherwise, they'll be thrust into the really big games and people have to be ready. We'll have a look at it and see what we plan to do in terms of selection."

Everton overcame Tamworth at the same stage last season and, indeed, edged past League Two Macclesfield Town en route to reaching the FA Cup final in 2009.

Under Moyes’ guidance, the Blues have also dispatched Plymouth Argyle, Carlisle United and Scunthorpe United in previous third rounds of the competition.

The Toffees boss is confident that Cheltenham can be added to that list, although he was also quick to stress that upsets can occur if ties aren’t approached in the correct manner.

“We have seen both sides of it. I can go back to ties we have lost in the early rounds of the FA Cup, so we know what it’s like and how difficult it can be,” added the Scot.

“It’s not always been the easiest thing in the past – we have lost at Shrewsbury and Oldham – so we are well aware how difficult it will be.

“You would like to play at home but when you see some of the real mouth-watering ties – there are some all-Premier League matches – at least we have got a tie where we are playing lower league opposition. 

“They have a little bit of an advantage because they are at home but I would hope that our experience and the players we have got can overcome it, albeit it’s never going to be easy.

“I always remember when I was at Preston and we played Arsenal in the cup. We went 2-0 up and although we eventually lost 4-2, Arsenal were the league champions. It [shocks] can happen and we have got to be mindful of that.”