Respect goes two ways says Moyes and at the moment the FA is failing us

The Everton manager has found himself at odds with officialdom in recent seasons over various issues, and has viewed the treatment of fellow clubs by the ruling body this term with disappointment.

The FA's campaign for greater respect from players to referees has been highlighted this week by the uproar over Chelsea and England defender Ashley Cole's petulance towards top official Mike Riley in the 4-4 draw at Tottenham.

Cole turned his back on Riley and persistently refused to turn to face the official before he was booked for a wild challenge on Spurs defender Alan Hutton.

Moyes, speaking ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League home clash with West Ham, believes the issue of greater respect in the game is a two-way street.

He said: "It is important that we do all respect referees. But I have said many times that I see many incidents when I do not feel the FA have respect for clubs and the situations that arise.

"Now they seem to want us to stand up and help them, well, it goes both ways.

"Clubs have made decisions (to appeal red cards) and been confronted with being told they are frivolous. Almost being told, 'sorry, we do not respect you so don't bother coming to us and asking'.

"There are many times we have asked for decisions, and me personally, for the referee to maybe turn around and say he has got something wrong and made a mistake. But they won't do that.

"So it seems it is okay to blame the players, while we have been asking as coaches and managers for things to improve. We know they want us to give them respect, well they have to give us respect back also."

He added: "It seems that Mike Riley was trying to persuade Ashley Cole to turn around and was not reacting. In that case you have to praise the referee because he probably saved Cole from getting into a situation that could escalate."

Everton, who have had poor disciplinary records in the past, have improved their image dramatically in recent seasons.

Moyes said: "Our own discipline is something we have worked to improve on. It is good that we have reduced the amount of cards. It is good that we are being seen as a club that is trying to do things right.

"We have tried to do something about it, we have told the players we don't want to see diving and we want them to just get on with things. Hopefully referees have seen that.

"But we do complain, and you should be able to do that if you don't think things are right.

"There is no doubt things have gone against us, maybe that's why we don't get any penalties. But complaining does not really change things, you have to get on with it."

He added: "I feel players and referees do get on well, the relationship is very good. We understand what referees are doing, and they understand the players.

"But we have been disappointed with some of the standards this season, but correcting that has to come from the top.

"There is a team of referees this season who have not done as well as they should have done. But there is tremendous scrutiny on them nowadays, things are looked at from different angles.

"But they have to make instant decisions, which can be very hard. But it is not an easy job and I do feel for them at times.

"There are appropriate ways to react, but this game is passionate. To say that you must take every decision and walk away and accept it, that is not the football I played.

"You do have to contest things. If you think you are right, why should you have to say otherwise and that you are wrong?"

Moyes will almost certainly be without striker Andrew Johnson against West Ham with the groin injury that forced him off at Fulham last weekend.

But Victor Anichebe's hip injury has improved and he could well be in the squad. Midfielder Tim Cahill (hip) remains a major doubt, but Manuel Fernandes has shaken off a groin problem and could figure.

Thomas Gravesen has a knee injury that will keep him out, while defender Jack Rodwell, 17, is likely to be in the squad after signing his first professional contract this week.

Moyes has given his players time off this week in the wake of the defeat at Fulham last weekend, which ended Everton's unbeaten league run of 2008.

And Everton must beat the Hammers to keep the pressure on Liverpool in the race for fourth spot.

Moyes said: "It is only a chance to close the gap if we win our match.

"What we must make sure is that the clubs below us cannot catch us, we have to consolidate our position and then build on it. Because fifth place is a tremendous achievement for us."