Forget fourth spot

Barry Horne told Sky Sports News that Everton must now focus on fifth spot and a Uefa Cup place.

Barry Horne believes fifth place is the best Everton can hope for following their Merseyside derby defeat. A solitary strike from Fernando Torres condemened David Moyes' side to a 1-0 reverse that leaves them languishing five points behind their rivals in the race for the Champions League. There are still six games to go, but former Toffees skipper Horne says it will need a minor miracle if they are to overhaul Liverpool and break into the top for again - and even warned against missing out on fifth. "It would be a remarkable achievement if they were to snatch fourth place," he told Sky Sports News. "I agree with what Peter Reid said after the game, that they would do well to finish in fifth. Portsmouth are on a bit of a march and Everton are clearly struggling for confidence, since the Fiorentina game really. "They're short of strikers and attacking midfielders and I think the job now is for David Moyes to consolidate fifth place and make sure the club's in Europe next year." Horne says the fact that Phil Jagielka ended the derby defeat playing as an emergency striker sums up Everton's problems. With Tim Cahill, Andy Johnson, James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe all injured, Yakubu is the only fit frontman and Moyes' men have found the net just twice in the last four Premier League games. It is a problem that Horne expects the Scot to try and solve in the summer. "The ideal time to strengthen is at the end of a good season," he said. "If you finish fifth you've had a very good season - with one or two disappointments along the way, Sunday being one of them of course.

Progress

"If you qualify for Europe you're in a good position to strengthen the squad and make progress. David Moyes has always said that and Everton fans appreciate that. "To come to the last third of the season and to be challenging for fourth spot having just run Chelsea very, very close in a domestic semi-final and to have qualified for the last stages of the Uefa Cup, I think that represents progress. It's a good, solid season and something to build on next year." First though, Horne wants the Everton board to reward Moyes with a new contract. He believes that is the first step towards building on the excellent work he has put in since joining from Preston six years ago. "He's done a fantastic job," he said. "Look at the quality in the squad, the average age of them, the attendances at the ground and where we've finished. "With the exception of one year, they've got better and better, they've been in the top half of the table and we are no longer fighting relegation, they are competing in Europe, competing for a Champions League place: all that represents great progress."