David Moyes and Ronald Koeman share their thoughts on the big talking points from Saturday’s Premier League clash at Goodison Park.
The Sunderland boss reviewed the encounter, assessed Jordan Pickford’s return and looked at the road ahead, with the Dutchman optimistic when asked about the Toffees’ chances of securing European football.
Moyes’ overall analysis: “I thought there were bits in the second half that gave us a wee bit of hope. The players have given a lot, they’ve run as hard as they can but what we are lacking is quality in different areas and that can let you down, whether it’s passing, crossing, finishing, defending. We are just lacking a little bit at important times.”
Koeman’s overall analysis: “It's three points, and another clean sheet. I was really pleased by the first 45 minutes, but not by the second 45. I think we dropped the tempo in the second half, and played more backwards than forwards. It was an important goal for Idrissa. During the whole week we worked on finishing because we need more goals from our midfielders. It was a nice attack and a good finish.”
Moyes on team selection: “Jason was ill. It was a problem because he was in the team we picked on Friday and we’d worked on it. But, on Saturday morning, he didn’t feel well so we had to make a change. I felt Jordan made a couple of really important saves for us. A little bit rusty maybe, but, overall, I felt he did very well.”
Koeman on Lukaku: “One of Romelu’s big qualities is scoring goals. He is strong and fast and one of the best in finishing. He can improve by his runs to give options to the midfielders so we can push up and don’t have to play the ball back to the goalkeeper. For Romelu, there is a long way to go in the battle to be the Premier League’s top scorer.”
Moyes on Defoe: “We know if we can get the ball to Jermain [Defoe] he will get a shot away or an opportunity. We are not getting him enough service but it is because we are not getting enough good ball further up the pitch. We are scrapping to get that. I need those players, and we paid big money for a lot of them, we need them all to stand up and show what they can do.”
Koeman on the hunt for European football: “The worst situation for a football player is you play for nothing. We want the highest position but I like to play for something. Above us is still a gap but it is never ending, when it is five or six points it is still possible to reach them. But the first team behind us is West Brom (four points back) and we get West Brom at home in two weeks.”
Moyes on the road ahead: “I believe that we’ll get on a good run somewhere along the line. I don’t think it’s too late. We’ve got a tough run – the next game is Manchester City so I’m not kidding myself. We’re in a couple of games where we just have to stick with it but I think Sunderland have been in a lower state than this and come from behind. I still believe there’s a run. I still think we can win three or four games somewhere – and we are going to have to do that in the run-in.”
