Jamie Carragher a big fan of what David Moyes has said on Everton aspirations
Jamie Carragher has welcomed David Moyes’ comments that Everton are aiming for a European finish this season.
Everton are ninth in the Premier League ahead of Sunday’s fixtures, three points adrift of seventh-placed Brentford.
Finishing seventh last season was enough for a Europa Conference League spot, which could well be the case once again this season.
While managers – especially those at Everton in the past – are quick to play down expectations, Moyes has made no secret that he wants to get the Toffees back into Europe.
What did David Moyes say about Everton’s European aspirations?
Everton lost to Bournemouth at Hill Dickinson Stadium last time out to slightly dent their top-six hopes for the season.
Speaking prior to that game, Moyes said: “I think Everton should be kicking around those places, I really do. All the years they were not were wasted years. Everton should be attempting to be [in Europe].
“We might not be good enough to be it, we might be short, people might write something [later in the season] because I was talking about it but I have been trying to make Everton more positive.
“But at the moment, the position we are in, we have to keep thinking we can challenge the top. I am trying to drive that through and want the players to hear it. That’s the plan.”
Speaking generally about the battle for European places prior to Sunday’s matches, with a lot of mid-table teams in action, Carragher welcomed those comments.
“Moyes to be fair to him has been banging the drum about European football,” Carragher said live on Sky Sports, hailing the Scotsman for not shying away from it as others have done.
As Moyes himself pointed out, he does leave himself open to criticism should Everton finish well short of the target he has now set.
The alternative, though, is that Moyes uses the same ‘our first target is to get to 40 points’ mantra, which simply becomes tiresome.
How many points will Everton need to reach Europe?
If seventh place is indeed once again enough for a Europa Conference League spot, Moyes’ target is very much attainable.
Brentford’s loss to Brighton on Saturday has left the door wide open ahead of Everton’s clash with Manchester United on Monday.
Nottingham Forest finished seventh with 65 points last season, while Newcastle finished in that same position with 60 points the season prior.
In 2022-23, meanwhile, Aston Villa were seventh on 61 points.
Given the manner of this campaign, with teams lacking consistency, it seems just below the 60-point mark should be enough.
Everton would therefore need around 20-or-so more points from their 12 remaining matches, which is roughly seven wins.
With Man United, Newcastle United, Arsenal and Chelsea to face in four of the next five – a home match with Burnley being the other in that sequence – that may be easier said than done.
But all Moyes can do is take it one game at a time, starting with that showdown with Manchester United on Monday.
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