David Moyes: We will book our ticket to Europe
Published 00:00 05/05/08 By By John Cross
David Moyes last night insisted Everton will not lose their nerve in the battle for European football next season.
Everton boss Moyes watched in despair as Nicklas Bendtner's late winner denied them the point they needed to clinch fifth place and a UEFA Cup spot ahead of Aston Villa.
But Moyes still believes they will wrap it up against Newcastle next Sunday.
Moyes said: "I thought we were unfortunate. I 'm disappointed we didn't get the point we need to secure UEFA Cup football. We did enough to get it.
"We have to try and do it again. We enjoyed it so much this year. Let's hope we can do it.
"Three points ahead with a game to go is a position I'm happy to be in. I'm confident the players can do it. I've got no worries about their attitude next week. For long periods we got closer to the top four this season. But the clubs above us are used to the last couple of furlongs and we found it tough.
"But saying that we qualified for the Champions League with 61 points a couple years ago and we've got 62 now. Maybe the Premier League has got better.
"Whatever happens next week we already have more points than we ever have before in the Premier League. I think the teams at the top are really strong. That battle just underneath the top four teams has been tough."
Moyes also defended his tactic of just using Andy Johnson as a lone striker and insisted they did not deserve to lose.
Moyes added: "If you go bolder against them it gives them room to play in. You have to decide whether to restrict their possession or not."
