Frozen pipes catch Moyes cold

EVERTON manager David Moyes has revealed the postponement of yesterday’s clash against Birmingham caught him by surprise.

The Scot admits he had no idea sub-zero temperatures had caused major problems at Goodison Park until he was told the game was off. Everton were forced to call off the Barclays Premier League fixture due to several miles of frozen water pipes at the ground on Sunday morning.

“We knew nothing about it until 10.30am on the day of the game. I had no inclination there was even the remotest chance the game could be off. If there was I would have spoken to (Birmingham manager) Alex McLeish. I know him and I feel more for them that they had to travel up, away from their families on Christmas Day.

“They came and put their kit out in the morning then found out the game was off. But it happens. People will tell you they have had frozen and burst pipes in their homes. It is not nice when it happens and it is no different for a football club. People wouldn’t have had toilet facilities for three hours, no hot drinks. It would have been very difficult to put a game on under those circumstances.”

The lack of action brought frustration for the players but Moyes hopes the break can work to their advantage.

Instead of playing, the Toffees held an extra training session to prepare for tomorrow’s trip to West Ham. They also got the opportunity to watch the Hammers in action on television in the early St Stephen’s Day kick-off.

“We came in and trained and watched the games, thinking we should have been playing. You miss it when it is like that, we would rather have played. It’s hard for the players. They had prepared, trained Christmas Day and worked hard. But obviously the two games in three days was going to be hard for any squad and it gives one or two players a little more time and we are now hoping to build on the result at Man City at West Ham.”

Moyes is anxious to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window but stressed he can only afford loans.

“I’d like to bring in players on loan, I’d like a centre forward if possible. But anybody who sees any speculation linking me with anybody who is going to cost money might as well throw that aside. It can’t be true, we don’t have any cash.”