The Toffees have made an inauspicious start to the season, notably losing all three of their Barclays Premier League matches in front of their own fans at Goodison Park.

Last Wednesday they were dumped out of the Carling Cup at the first hurdle by Blackburn, and now a week later they face an early exit from the UEFA Cup.

In the background lurks Moyes' unresolved contract situation, which captain Phil Neville maintains is not a distraction to the players, but is a needless side issue all the same.

Should Everton be eliminated from the UEFA Cup tomorrow night at the hands of Standard Liege, that is likely to add to the growing unease currently being experienced in the blue half of Merseyside.

The Belgian champions are favourites to progress after a 2-2 first-round, first-leg draw at Goodison Park a fortnight ago.

First-half goals from Ayegbeni Yakubu and Segundo Castillo rescued Everton that night after Standard had twice taken the lead.

Yet whilst Moyes appreciates all may not be rosy on the pitch this season, he knows a win his side are more than capable of tomorrow is all that is required to turn the tide.

"We know a draw for them will suffice and that we have to win the game by a goal - some way or other we have to do that," insisted Moyes.

"But we also know how quickly things can change. That's what this game can do for you, and that's what we're hoping will happen.

"We hope we're only 90 minutes away from good times again. That's the plan."

Everton find themselves in a similar situation to a year ago when they were surprisingly held in the first leg of their first-round tie at home by Ukrainian side Metalist Kharkiv.

A 3-2 win on the road followed to see them into the group phase, but Moyes knows Standard are a cut above in comparison.

"There are a few similarities this season compared to last season, especially with the first game at Goodison being a draw," added Moyes.

"A lot of people thought we might get through against Kharkiv, who were a really good team.

"But Standard have shown they are a real quality side with their performances, so it will be a difficult challenge.

"We always knew it was going to be tough anyway after watching them almost put Liverpool out of the Champions League.

"We know we've given ourselves a hard task, but we were very good away from home last year. We will use that as motivation for the players, that they can do it again.

"This competition is really important for us and we want to stay in it. It was good for us last year when we talked highly of it, so I'm not going to talk it down now.

"I enjoyed it, I think the players enjoyed it, and we would really like to get through again."

Everton won four successive away games in Europe last season prior to a defeat at Fiorentina in the last 16 when they eventually went out on penalties.

Reaching that stage seems far away now, in particular with the side shipping two goals per game this season.

"That's so unlike us. We need to tighten up, and we're trying to do that," asserted Moyes.

"Clearly if I knew what the problem was I'd be stopping it. I think it comes down to a lack of confidence and individual errors.

"But they're good players and I'm sure they'll improve."

Midfielder Steven Pienaar was included in a 21-man squad now he has recovered from a broken toe, along with striker Victor Anichebe who has not played since the first leg when he sustained a knee injury.