Everton boss David Moyes hopes his team will soon become the only reason people are talking about his football club. The club's inability to spend big money on players over the past year and their recently-published accounts have led to speculation about the club's financial position.
-
That is not an issue Moyes wants to dwell on and he believes his players can change perceptions if they build momentum in the closing months of the season. The long-serving Scot said: "It is about changing the perception of the club from the way it is getting perceived at the moment.
"Because the club's accounts came out, there was a lot of bad news. "I always thought the team could make a difference. If we win games, move up the league, hopefully we can get people talking about the football more than anything else to do with the club.
"It was always going to be something which if the team does well it can cover a lot of things at the football club. At this present time I don't think the team has done well enough this year."
The Toffees have spent most of an inconsistent season in the bottom half of the table. Notable wins over Manchester City in December and Tottenham in January were false dawns but the penalty shootout success at Stamford Bridge could yet prove the turning point.
Moyes said: "Tuesday is a night we need the fans right behind the team and supporting us the way they did at Chelsea. That was probably the best we've been able to give them this season, but you always hope the best is still to come.
"Let's hope it is in this game and future games as well. "But it's the FA Cup - you never know what is going to happen. Throughout the years there have always been results you don't expect.
"We have to make sure this is one where we do expect to get Everton through. But I think Brian McDermott has done a great job down there with his team. He has steadied Reading and it wasn't too long ago they were a Premier League team, so we have got to be mindful of that."
Moyes has a number of injury concerns for the tie but striker Louis Saha should be in contention after walking away unscathed from a car crash on Sunday night. The Frenchman lost control of his Ferrari 458 in Wilmslow, Cheshire, and collided with a fence.
Referring to the player's past problems with various injuries, Moyes joked: "Incredibly, he has no injuries from it!"
The only issue for Saha is whether he is still troubled by the hamstring injury which hindered his return to action after two games out against Sunderland on Saturday. Midfielder Marouane Fellaini is a major doubt with an ankle problem while Tim Cahill, Jermaine Beckford and Victor Anichebe will also face fitness checks.
Moyes said: "We have got a few injuries and we are going to be short of one or two come the game, but I'll keep it to myself for now."
Royals boss McDermott has promised to send his npower Championship side out to attack at Goodison Park.
He said: "It's a great game, it's exactly what we want.
"We are trying to get into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the second year in a row and are playing against a team steeped in history with a great manager and good players.
"We are looking forward to having a real go and trying to get through. But we'll only enjoy it if we win and get through. Getting results is the only way to enjoy a game."
Central to the Royals' chances is Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long. He will be partnered by Noel Hunt in an attacking formation but it is at the other end where McDermott's preparations have been hit.
Goalkeeper Adam Federici is out with a knee injury while captain Ivar Ingimarsson is set to miss out with a groin problem.
Alex Pearce remains sidelined with his thigh strain, so former Blackburn man Zurab Khizanishvili is set to start.
Right-back Andy Griffin missed out at the weekend with an Achilles injury, meaning Shaun Cummings will deputise once more. A makeshift back four and goalkeeper is not ideal for the underdogs, but McDermott is keen to attack from the off and give his travelling fans a night to remember.
He said: "I want it to be a great game and I want to make sure we do the best for our fans. We'll have good travelling support and it's important that they have a good night."
Source: DSG
Source: DSG