"We've Bid For Quite A Few Right Backs" | Everton V Crystal Palace | David Moyes' Preview

Few cameras a day, isn't it? >> There is, yeah. It's a busy one today. >> Not half. >> Good afternoon Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to our Premier League press conference to preview our game against Crystal Palace this weekend. We'll start off with Alan from Sky. >> David, here we go again. I think I make it what, 28 years as a manager? >> Goodness, you make me sound old, Alan. You know. >> I can beat you on that one. >> [laughter] >> Are you Are you ready for this one? >> Personally, I'm ready. I I think I'm always ready. It's a privilege always to be a manager of of any club in the Premier League, but more so for me. My longest period has been with Everton. It was great last year. We had a terrific year last year after after sort of taking over. So, uh here we go again. >> Both yourself and the CEO talked about the transfer window this week. Angus Kinnear said that he was confident of a right back coming in before the window closed. Do you share that confidence? >> Well, I think there might be five or six managers before me who has tried to bring a right back as well. So, I'm not the only one. It sounds strange. It sounds as if you would find right backs ten a penny, but uh that isn't the case when you when you're looking. Look, we've identified quite a few right backs we like. We've bid for quite a few we like. So, we're we're right in there. So, we're working to try and get one. >> Is it a position which really really needs to be filled this >> Uh well, I think we've got other people who are doing quite well. Cuco Martina has done well for us there. Other people have filled in. You know, we've still got Craig Dawson. We've got Mason Holgate who's done well in pre-season playing there at different times. Jimmy Gardner played really well at right back for us. So, uh it's not as if we've not got anybody to do the job, but it's certainly a position we're missing because from our squad compared to last year, we're a player down just Seamus on his own. You know, that that takes our numbers down. So, we're we're still a little bit down on numbers. So, we've got certainly got room to to bring in a new right back. >> I guess having to move those players from their what you would think is their natural position is leaves you at a bit more of a disadvantage, doesn't it? >> It does, but maybe those players moving from that position to that position are doing a better job than the ones we think we could buy. So, we're we're trying to we're trying to do the right thing. Uh we're limited to then on funds in some places. So, we're looking at levels of players and we're trying to see if if they're going to be better than what we already have in the building. >> What are you expecting in the next few weeks and looking towards the 1st of September? >> Uh I think it will be it will be a difficult opening because we don't have Kristoffer Nordfeldt yet. Jimmy Gardner's obviously returning from from a hernia operation. Uh Timur Abib is had a had a a sort of an adductor strain which uh he won't make it tomorrow. Uh So, I've just got to hope that we we have enough to get through at the moment with with what we've got. >> I I I actually meant what you're expecting in the transfer window until September. >> Oh, the >> It's great injury update, though. >> No. No. Well, you know, we've not got we've not got huge injuries, but we've got a couple which would be really important to us and uh would would give us a little bit of different options if we have them. >> And the CEO also said this week that one of the reasons he came to the club was the challenge of getting back out to Everton to where it needs to be. Um you know, it's easier said than done, I think that. But what how big a job is it to do that, you know? >> Well, I'm desperate because I've got an idea of what it looked like when Everton were were a decent side. I'm not saying we were as good as Howard Kendall's teams or the great teams he had and the players, but we've had decent teams in the past, teams which have been in and around Europe, teams that have been getting to cup finals. So, we've we've had that in the past. So, we wanted Well, I certainly want to get back to that. And I've got an idea what it looks like. I've got a knowledge from my experience in the Premier League and the games I've had about what it looks like and what's required to get there. So, let's hope we can do it again. >> Um you've made Tarkowski the captain. Did he have many contenders to that position? >> No, not really. I feel that Tarky's been the one who Tarky was the captain really all last year. Seamus was a was a great captain on and off the field and for long periods last year it was off the field and and he didn't have to do a great job, not just in in my time here, but in the time of you know, when when it was difficult. It wasn't that long ago when it was difficult times. So, we mustn't forget that. But, Tarky's the one who's taking it on. He'll have to play well. He's got competition at center half. So, but at the moment well, he's on the pitch Tarky will be captain. >> Um Crystal Palace good one in the first game of the season, of course. They've had a number of changes, the manager, players as well. What are you expecting from them this weekend? >> Well, from what we've seen so far, the manager done a brilliant job at Lens and played a very similar system to Oliver Glasner. Obviously, I think they've they've tweaked a few things, but obviously very similar and I think that's probably why he was such an attraction to to bring to Crystal Palace. Um I think we've got a lot of new managers coming in. But, we've had I've seen lots and lots of new managers coming to the Premier League over the years. Some brilliant managers, great managers. Uh it's a difficult league to work in. Uh I've got no doubt there'll be some do a great job and there'll be some who, you know, find it really difficult. So, we don't know. We'll find out. But, good luck to all the new managers. I hope they all they all try and do well, but certainly when it's not against Everton. >> Thanks, I'll go to Stuart at Premier League Productions. >> Hi David, you mentioned managers there. I think there are nine clubs starting the season with new managers in the Premier League including Palace obviously, but because of that could it actually be quite open in the league to start with whilst they all settle down? >> Well, the way managers are getting changed so quickly, I'm not sure it will because I think that you know the teams are quite quite often in place already at the clubs. And the managers are sort of coming and going and and and making do with what they have or or having to work with with the players they have. So, uh but I think it's interesting. I I think the Premier League has brought uh Mourinho, Klopp you know, you name it. I could go on and on. Carlo Ancelotti so many great managers to the Premier League over over years and years. So, I've got no doubt within this group of nine new ones there'll be two or three who really come out. I didn't mention Pep which I certainly should have done. Uh so, you never know where the new young managers come from, you know, how they evolve. We've seen quite a few come and go recently as well. But, uh the Premier League's where they all want to come to. So, good luck and you know, it's a challenge. >> And of new players, um Brennan Johnson, if he if he's involved, might he feel as though >> [clears throat] >> um he's almost got a bit of a point to prove against Palace after such a short spell there? >> Yeah, he may he may well do. Uh I don't know personally if that's his thinking or or how he feels about it. But, you could also say the same about Dwight, you know, Dwight's just left here and he's he's going to play for Palace probably or good chance of playing. So, uh we don't know that. I think that obviously the both players have swapped clubs. It's never an easy thing coming back to your new club or playing against your new club as quickly as what it is. But they'll both be glad probably when the game gets out of the way and and they can move on after this one. >> And Hayden Hackney was was class in the Championship last year. From what you've seen in the early days, do you think he'll be able to settle in quite quickly into the Premier League which is obviously different? >> I hope so. But my history would have been that the boys who come from the Championship have taken a bit of time to get in the side and work through it. Uh from Joey Anderton and Phil Jagielka and Tim Cahill's and all the other ones. Some of them have gone right in the team and done well and others took took time to become the those Premier League players. And and to be fair, a lot of them went on to become full England internationals. So that's what I hope for Hayden. I hope that we can develop Hayden in a way where he goes on to to get to that level. But uh I just don't want people expecting too much too soon from him. And uh I don't want to put too much pressure on him. I want him to be given the same opportunities and the chances as those boys did back then where they they took a bit to develop, watched watched the football for a wee bit from the sidelines before they they really broke into the team. >> And from your experience, what is the importance of a good start? A real sort of tone setter, if you like, right at the start of the >> Well, I think it's hugely important if you can get off to I mean like last year we started the season with with no no great ambition that we we could really get to Europe. After the first three or four games, we I was in here talking and saying we've got a chance of being a European team. But really it was out with our reach uh at the start of the season. But by the time we got to those three or four games I'm saying, well, we might as well talk the positive story because uh we done it. We we we ran it really really close last year. >> Thanks, Stuart. We'll go to Julia at Radio Merseyside. >> Hi, David. >> How you doing? >> When you mentioned um that you'd bid for some right backs that you do like, are they pending bids? Have they been accepted, rejected? >> all >> They've all gone by the wayside for different reasons. So, yeah. >> What are those reasons? Can you say? >> Well, well, some have been injuries. Some have been we No, they've not accepted it. Uh some have been, you know, the the fees have been a bit too We've We've bid lower than what they the clubs want for them. So, that's been That's been the main reasons. >> What is it about this right back position that continues to be a problem to find to find someone that's suitable for what you want to >> do? Well, I could ask the question back to to everybody else the same question. You know, I look at so many of the clubs in football at the moment, you know, I look at uh Man City, for example, they've changed the midfield player into a right back. You know, quite often uh Arsenal have played center halves at right back. So, I think it's not just a problem here. I think there is a little bit of >> [panting] >> uh shortness of real top quality and levels which maybe we you would want. So, of course, we can go and buy a right back. But we're trying to buy one which we think is better than what we've got. And we want that one to be somebody who we think could could help us get better, improve. But yes, of course, we could go and buy a right back. There's There's hundreds of them we could do. >> Hayden Hackney, you've just mentioned there. Is he ready then for Premier League football? And what does he have to do then? Cuz it it sounds as though he might not be quite ready for that step up. >> Uh he might be. He might be, but the fact of the matter is is uh if you're expecting him to buy it come from the Championship and be suddenly a Premier League outstanding player, then that might be not quite ready. I think he's got the attributes to to go on and do that. But as I said just previously I I'm looking to bring him on, develop him like we've done with the others. If he's ahead of that, then he'll be in the team sooner. Like Tim Cahill came in with right into the team right away when he came from Millwall. But there was others like Bainsy and Joleon and probably Jagielka who had to wait their time before they they got themselves into the side. So uh let's see, let's hope that he he develops very quickly. >> Um the CEO said he understood frustrations at the end of last season that that Europe was missed out on. And it he said that the Friedkin Group, the owners, had described it they felt it was a failure cuz they want to see Everton win. I just wanted to know summer conversations you have with the CEO, with the ownership, how you have felt about assessing it and and your views on that. >> Uh well, I was hugely disappointed I didn't make it. I've got to say it was a for me it was a it took me a long time took me a long time of the summer to even over it. I'm just getting over it really because I I mean, to be in Europe makes a big difference. It means that much more money coming into the club. It means a better chance to sign a different level of player. Uh you can also try and keep a bigger squad working because you have regular more regular games. So for me there was a lot of reasons why I wanted it to happen. Uh I'm surprised they were disappointed because of uh I don't think anybody set out There was never ever at any time anybody said to me, "David, you have to make Europe or you have to be in and around the the top end." I think everybody wanted to make sure that we moved into the new stadium safe not having too difficult a season. And uh we certainly done that last year. >> And with that then, what's your viewpoint for this season? What do you think's achievable or does some of that still depend on the transfer window? >> Uh well, look, I've been in it long enough. I'm experienced enough to know what it what it looks like and what you really need to get to become a a team challenging for Europe. And I still think we would need to buy more if we want to become one of those teams. >> And do you expect expect more in the door? >> Uh yeah, I do. I do. Uh, I expect more. Whether it will happen is a different thing, but I do expect more. >> And just finally from me, just on the fans, um, Palace last season, um, you know, going 1-0 down and and Hill Dickinson Stadium started to feel quite like Goodison on that game. It was became a bit of a cauldron. Um, I think the fans felt, you know, the players were being wronged, you were being wronged. And and I just wondered as well, you know, the 1878s have played a great role as well that first season. And I know the club is supporting them by, you know, helping raise funds on a match day. I think it's buying a beer in the first 45 minutes and the money goes to them. So, just on that, what's your message ahead of a second season at Hill Dickinson to the fans and the 1878s? >> Well, let me answer the last bit. I think it was to see, uh, fantastic the support as we'd be back in the support we're trying to get and and anything they they helped to the new goes a long way. So, uh, great from the supporters. I think this year we've had one year of sort of coming in. You know, we've maybe not had the wallpaper up and the the the paintings up all everything we wanted to the Hill Dickinson, but we're now beginning to make it feel like home. Our record away from home last year was really really good. But our record at home wasn't as good as I'd like it to be. Could have been because of the new the start the first year in the new stadium. Could have been other teams coming in the the big anticipation. Could have been just a different environment, uh, getting away from Goodison. So, we need to turn that into somewhere where we take more points this year than we did last year. That would be something. But I don't want to take away the the the points we got away from home last year because it gave the away supporters loads and loads to enjoy. Tra- The travel was worth it. But, uh, so, as opposed to the away support and the home support, uh, Evertonians have always been good. So, uh, we need it as much as ever. >> Thank you. Good luck. >> Thanks, Julia. Any further questions in the open section, Paddy? Good to see you. >> Hi, David. How do you feel Nathan Broadhead has done at right back? I know he's spent a of time there in pre-season. So, I just wondered what your thoughts of his performances were and whether he could do that role this season if he needs to. >> I think he I think he can play several roles for us, which I think he's shown in any who's watched us recently. He's probably We've We've tried it. We've tried a few things in pre-season with different players and tried a couple of different things in games to see how it It's went. I think anybody who's watched Melin in pre-season will say he's done really well. And this is a boy who we we we brought on loan last year and and it was already permanent anyway. So, it was already done last year. It was just that it had to be a loan for the first part of it. So, we we're uh I think he can step in and I think I think you know he's done he's done well and goes back to the thing about we're we're crying out for a right back all the time, you know, maybe maybe we could find one within our own place like other clubs have had to do. They've had to find I used uh It's Nunes at right back, I think it uh at using Nunes at Man City as an example who Man City had to do when they they lost the likes of Kyle Walker, etc. Those players. And Rico Lewis who was playing there, but they they thought Nunes Nunes would be a would be a better option. So, uh yeah. >> You mentioned the injuries that to Tim and and a few others in midfield in particular. How big a role can Harrison Armstrong play as a younger player in the squad this season? >> Well, Harrison's Harrison is is now been propelled into becoming a a first team player. Probably much faster than even I expected. But, I have to say his performances have warranted it in many ways. I think when you're a 19-year-old and if you think that your 19-year-old is going to be good enough to play 36 Premier League games and cup games and all that, well, there's very few 19-year-olds who would be doing that. So, we he has to be brought along, played, talked out at the right time, moved at No. So, we'll have to do that, but I have to say he's a he's an athletic fit young boy. And uh I think he stepped up especially the start of most seasons. I think that he did really good start when he went to Preston last year and whatnot. So, he started well for us in in in the pre-season games. So, we're pleased and uh uh he's given us more to think about. >> Thanks, Paddy. Any further questions in the open side?