BRING IT ON!!!

Jags fired up ahead of Eufa showdown
By Daniel Gregory 11/03/08

Blues centre back Phil Jagielka has stated his belief that Everton can overcome Fiorentina and progress into the last 8 of the Eufa Cup, but only if the side can transfer their league form into the competition.

David Moyes' side need to win by three clear goals to go through without the need of penalties at Goodison on Wednesday, but belief and confidence certainly aren't lacking at Goodison at the moment.

Jags said: “We know we need to take our league form and clean sheets into the tie on Wednesday and hopefully create enough chances to get through.

“The boys were a bit downbeat after the performance in Florence and it was probably one of the most disappointing nights I have had since being here. But thankfully we bounced back at Sunderland and hopefully that will kick start us for the game on Wednesday night.

“We’ve only had three or four defeats in the last 30 odd games so if you look at it that way we shouldn’t be too harsh on ourselves, but it was such a big occasion for us to play so average and hopefully that won’t be the case on Wednesday night.

“Of course we can get through. 90 minutes is a long time in football, but we would prefer to have been a little bit easier, maybe 1-0 or even 0-0, but as it is we know the task ahead of us, we need to keep a clean sheet, get a couple of goals and see where it goes from there.”

Boss David Moyes has also said he expects the Everton faithful to get behind his side and help the team through what will be a tough ask against a strong Italian side.

Moyes was unhappy at the treatment of the travelling Evertonians for the first leg in Florence, and has stated his belief that the mis-treatment of the die-hard fans will backfire on La Viola come kick off.

Moyes said:"I think in all the games that we’ve been in in Europe, the supporters have been terrific. I think in the main they’ve been treated very well.

"I was disappointed, but maybe that’s Italian football now, the way they treat away supporters - they pen them in a fence in the corner.

"To be fair it’s hardly worth paying the money if that’s what you’re going to be put in and maybe that’s why we’re seeing so many empty stadiums for the big teams in Italy at the moment, maybe the way they’re looking after the supporters isn’t enough. And I thought that our supporters were treated quite shabbily and hopefully that will give them something to shout about.

"That is a motivation for us because the supporters are part of our team - we stand together.

"If our supporters play the same role as the supporters of Fiorentina did then that will be great, because they influenced lots of things in the game and they played a big part so I think that the people of Goodison know what I’m talking about and they don’t need me to remind them."