Moyes: Fixtures to blame for Everton slump

David Moyes believes Everton’s poor run of results has more to do with the club’s opposition than the form of his players.

Everton have lost their last three matches in the English Premier League, and a fourth defeat in succession would represent their worst sequence of results since 2005.

But those defeats have come against powerhouses Manchester City and Chelsea, as well as a derby loss to resurgent local rivals Liverpool.

And manager Moyes feels his side were always likely to struggle against such lofty opponents.

“It has been a difficult run and we’re still in it,” Moyes said.

“I think there has been some bits of it ok and some bits not.”

“I think if you played Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea, it wouldn’t make any difference where ever you are. It’s a tough set of three games.”

Everton are away to Fulham on Sunday, and there will be a new face in the squad as the Merseyside outfit seek to turn around their slump.

Scotland international James McFadden has rejoined the club, signing a short-term deal after being released by Birmingham City in the off-season.

Signed from Scottish Premier League club Motherwell in 2003, McFadden made over 100 league appearances for Everton, before joining Birmingham for five million pounds in 2008.

Injuries have hampered McFadden in recent seasons, but Moyes is willing to allow the 28-year-old attacking midfielder an opportunity to prove his worth.

“I think we bought him from Motherwell for 1.5 million pounds and sold him for five million pounds, so we’ve done good business out of him,” Moyes said.

“We’ve brought him back and he is here for the season.”

“If he does well, we will have no problem in re-signing him. If he doesn’t, we will thank him for coming in to help us out.”

“It is a deal that I think helps both parties and it will help James try and get back to where he was.”

Scotsman Moyes also had his say on the growing debate surrounding the availability of British players for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

It remains to be seen if the Welsh, Northern Irish and Scottish Football Associations will allow their players to be selected for a British football team, due to concerns about losing FIFA’s permission to field separate teams.

“I think it could be a problem,” Moyes said in reference to picking players from outside England.

“I think before any of the other home nations went into it, I think they would need to be given assurances that it wouldn’t affect their own rights in any other competition and how FIFA would see them.”