We must not write off Germans, warns Toffees boss Moyes

DAVID MOYES has told his Everton players to give Nurnberg the respect “any German team deserves” — even though tonight’s UEFA Cup opponents have endured a catastrophic start to the season.

Hans Meyer’s side, winners of the German Cup last year, crashed out of the competition last week and also slid into the Bundesliga relegation zone with nine points from the first 12 matches. Yet Moyes believes his team will be in for a “tough challenge”.

“The German national team or club sides tend to do very well in the competitions so we have to give any German team the respect it deserves. Nurnberg will be very excited to start their campaign. It will be a hard task,” said Moyes.

Everton are on a four-game winning streak going into the match. After comprehensively beating Larissa 3-1 in their group-stage opener, Moyes urged his players not to let their concentration slip.

“The focus is to win the game. We would like to get the points and hopefully get through in the group if we can. But we know it is tough. It’s hard to say how the game and the group will go.”

Moyes will be without Andy Johnson (ankle), who agreed to a new contract earlier this week, and James Vaughan (thigh). Alan Stubbs will also be unavailable after picking up a hamstring injury in the 3-1 win over Birmingham last weekend, while Leighton Baines is facing a fitness race due to ankle problems.

Meanwhile, Moyes has set his sights on the fifth straight win.

“We´ve started to score a few goals and I hope that will continue,” said Moyes. “I can see signs of us playing much better and getting a much better balance.”