Moyes' cup comments prompt fan questions

[BBC] After Everton's CEO Angus Kinnear told me exclusively last week that the club's owners called last season "a failure " eyebrows were raised when David Moyes angrily insisted staying up in the Premier League is the more important aim. The Friedkin Group were left unhappy when the first full season at Hill Dickinson Stadium ended without a trophy and no European qualification. I was told "appropriate pressure" was put on this summer as the American consortium bought Everton Football Club to win but flash forward just seven days and quotes have emerged from the manager that almost feel defeatist with just one game played. Ahead of tonight's League Cup game at Preston David Moyes was asked how important the cups are to him this season and his answer has left fans irritated. "Of course we all want to win the cups," he explained. "Yes the cups are hugely important, would it be more important than staying in the Premier League? I'll ask you the question: Is winning a cup more important than staying in the Premier League? What would your answer be?" The tone of the Toffees boss has left some questioning if he is on the same page as the owners and the CEO. Last season there was frustration at the third round exits in both the League Cup and FA Cup with tactics fiercely criticised. Jordan Pickford was rested for the League Cup which saw supporters angered after seeing Newcastle end their trophy drought in the tournament the season before. Evertonians deserve a cup run. For too long they have dragged their team over the line time and time again. They were the glue holding an increasingly fractured club together as PSR charges hit, points were deducted, favourite players sold and the club's hierarchy disappeared. When The Friedkin Group took over at the end of 2024 it signalled much-needed stability and an end to the financial chaos that had become synonymous with the Toffees. They oversaw the move to a new stadium and have assured fans they are winners. The manager talking down the chance to hunt for a trophy for the first time in 31 years isn't the team talk supporters want to hear in the build up to a potential cup run. It now leads to questions around whether Moyes can be the man the owners are able trust to return Everton to a side that can fight it out for silverware and it has heaped even more pressure on tonight's trip to Deepdale. Listen to Total Sport Merseyside from 18:00 on weeknights and find details here of live Everton match commentaries on BBC Radio Merseyside Explore Everton content on BBC Sounds