Cahill calls for fans' backing

Cahill: Has called on the fans to get behind Everton during a difficult period for the club

Tim Cahill is determined to prove Everton are not stagnating after urging the supporters to throw their weight behind the club.

Everton's well-documented financial problems have led to concerns over David Moyes' ability to create a squad with the depth to challenge at the top end of the Premier League table.

Saturday's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa was preceded by a peaceful protest by several hundred supporters frustrated at a lack of investment under chairman Bill Kenwright.

Yet lifelong fan Kenwright, who has often said he will sell the club if a suitable buyer emerges, remains popular with many other supporters and was applauded during the game when he appeared on the big screen.

Cahill found the atmosphere inside the stadium inspirational and feels the club will progress if everyone is fighting for the cause.

Fight for the cause

The 31-year-old said: "I think for us as players we want to try to show the fans that this isn't a club in stagnation. We need them to back us to the hilt. We know they do.

"The club are trying to balance the books and make sure we are here for years to come.

"We can understand their frustration, but the biggest thing for us is we want to make sure they feel this is still a strong squad.

"As an Evertonian, whether it is good times or bad times, you have got to roll with it.

"The protest when you look at it now was probably something that shouldn't have happened. But I know deep down they appreciate the chairman. They just feel there must be a change because they see every other club spending a lot of money."
Tim Cahill Quotes of the week

"The protest when you look at it now was probably something that shouldn't have happened. But I know deep down they appreciate the chairman. They just feel there must be a change because they see every other club spending a lot of money.

"But he loves this club and loves the players. He has looked after us and treated us like his children, the manager the same.

"All we can do is fight for him and fight for the cause and make sure the fans know this is what we have to deal with."

Reality

The Toffees sold Mikel Arteta, Jermaine Beckford and Yakubu on deadline day to raise funds and Cahill understands the need for the club to balance the books.

Cahill said: "It is difficult for everyone but the reality is this is football, this is what we live in.

"If we had a couple of hundred million like they do across the park it would be a different story, but it is not.

"It is hard, Mikky was one of my closest friends and someone I admire a lot, but the whole scenario was right for everyone.

"Mikky might go on to play for his national team and he is going to play in the Champions League, which is something he wanted. It is also good for the club. He is off the books and raised a lot of money.

"We never want to lose a player like that that has given so much to the club but we want to make sure this club is alive for years to come."