Moyes not taking any chances March 22 2008
Everton boss David Moyes insists he will not be fooled by the three successive 4-0 defeats suffered by West Ham earlier this month.
Moyes' side face the Irons at Goodison Park on Saturday evening in a crucial match in their race with Liverpool for UEFA Champions League qualification.
And having beaten the east Londoners twice already this season in the Carling Cup and December's league clash at Upton Park, Toffees fans would be forgiven thinking their team should beat Alan Curbishley's troops in this one.
But Moyes claimed that what happened to the Hammers in the thrashings against Chelsea, the Reds and Spurs could have happened to anybody.
The Scot said: "I am not under-estimating West Ham, because of those three 4-0 defeats. They walked into three very hard games inside a week with Chelsea, Liverpool and then Spurs.
"It could have happened to anybody. West Ham hit one or two in-form teams at the wrong time, so we will not be taking anything for granted, we know it will be a hard game.
"We had to play really well down at West Ham earlier in the season for those two victories. They have been improving, considering they almost went down last season.
"Now they are in the top half of the table, so that is good progress for Alan Curbishley."
The Merseysiders could well be without Tim Cahill and Andrew Johnson with hip and groin injuries respectively, but should have Victor Anichebe and Manuel Fernandes back in contention.
And Moyes knows Everton must win to keep the pressure on their city rivals in the race for fourth, with the Anfield men not playing until Sunday's tough trip to Manchester United.
Moyes added: "We have given the lads a few days off this week, they have deserved it after their efforts so far this season.
"We had lost only one of nine league games until last weekend at Fulham. We did not quite reach the right standards at Craven Cottage, that was all.
"It is all mentally draining. Physically we have been able to pick ourselves up when we have had a lot of games, but sometimes it is tough mentally."