Frustrated Moyes seeks 'ugly win' against Redknapp's entertainers

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David Moyes claims Everton's performances remain good despite their bad results – but would happily see the situation reversed. Moyes' inconsistent side have slipped back since an encouraging win at Manchester City on 20 December, drawing at struggling West Ham and losing to Stoke.

Everton have laboured for little reward all season and have won just four of their 20 Premier League games. Moyes said: "We're anxious. I think the crowd are anxious. They're not happy with the way we are playing, which is totally understandable.

"I'm not that unhappy with the style or the way we are trying to play. If anyone said that I would have to question it. But we are not winning. A lot of teams are not playing well but winning. In a lot of games I'm seeing the best team isn't always winning. I think we're playing not bad, but not winning. We have to change that round – maybe get back to not playing well but winning. If we do that then maybe things would change."

Everton face a tough test tonight as they host a buoyant Tottenham, a side not only challenging for Champions League football again, but even starting to be viewed as dark horses for the title itself. Harry Redknapp's team are enjoying a fine season and their attacking style has won many admirers. In recent years Spurs have been bracketed with Everton in a cluster of clubs chasing the traditional big four, but Moyes accepts a gap has now opened up.

The Scot said: "They're having a great season and are probably getting more coverage than any other team in the Premier League at the moment, and rightly so. At the start of the season I thought there were a few teams who could have a good go at winning the Premier League and I think Tottenham have shown that.

"It is something which has been coming. The club has continually invested in players. I think you would expect them to come through. We have been competing with them over a few years, finishing fifth or sixth, but I think Tottenham have always had that financial clout that comes from being a big club in London.

"They have got a massive squad. Look at the spending they have put into the club over the last few years. They're probably as big spenders as most clubs, including Chelsea. Not as big as Man City, obviously, but up there with the best."

Spurs are hoping to recruit again in this month's transfer window and have made clear their desire to bring in former England captain David Beckham on loan.

Moyes has no money to spend but has long since accepted the situation. He is looking for loan signings and was linked with Beckham himself last month but that interest came to nothing and he feels it may even be difficult now to complete any temporary deals.

"We are not in the market to buy players, we might be in the market to loan," said Moyes. "We would like to strengthen but 90 per cent of managers don't have a lot of cash to deal with, especially in the period we are in just now.

"It is part of the job, to work with the players we have got and try to get the best out of them. I think over the years we have tended to do that."

Moyes' top priority is to find a reliable goalscorer following Tim Cahill's departure for the Asian Cup. The iAustralia midfielder has hit nine goals this season, three times as many as forwards Ayegbeni Yakubu, Louis Saha and Jermaine Beckford combined. He is expected to line up for Australia in their opening match, against India on 10 January.

Moyes added: "[Nine goals] is a great return for a deep-lying forward or attacking midfielder. He's really been the only one that has contributed with a serious goal tally. We've had people like Bainesy [Leighton Baines] getting a couple of goals which is not bad but, in truth, we have not had any of the other main people stepping up to the mark. We have got to get some of other players in the team to."

Everton are without England defender Phil Jagielka, who struggled through his return from a thigh strain in the New Year's Day defeat to Stoke. The Netherlands international Johnny Heitinga could take his place if he passes a fitness test on his knee but otherwise Tony Hibbert will deputise. Seamus Coleman is a doubt after a blow to the ribs.