Everton Banter

10 Jan 2026 23:40:50
As a final note, dry January/Everton are putting a lot of pressure on walking past the Pub.

{Ed025's Note - and the local church DMS.. :)

10 Jan 2026 22:39:26
We came back to 1-1 and looked okay, we have all said it before but our second Team would have been okay with a striker, it got so ridiculous at Beto's clumsiness people were actually laughing, I kid you not.

The most incredulous thing though was the penalties in all my years and I expect a huge proportion of us older ones I have never seen such stupidity, I wouldn't have patted those two's backs.

10 Jan 2026 21:13:48
Aznou made Moyes look a right t*** today. Full-blooded challenges, desire and endeavour from the first minute.

Imagine having your schooling at the likes of Barcelona and Munich and then seeing Mykolenko get picked ahead of you for months on end, without even a sniff of a game, even off the bench.

Congratulations to him for backing up his social media post on the pitch.

I don't know what you have to do to get a chance either mate. Well played today young man.

10 Jan 2026 21:51:54
played left wing, technically good, won a lucky penalty (that ref was giving us nothing) had two easier shouts. Did well a bit headless at times. Who did he run straight to for a hug when the pen was given? If you want him to replace anyone put him out wide instead of McNeil or Dibling.

For context Armstrong (played well) 81 percent accuracy 38 passes, Mykolenko 82 percent 39 passes. Both 100 percent tackles won. Our RB had a good game but worse stats.

10 Jan 2026 22:16:54
These pass stats mean nothing. Half the time it’s a short pass sideways or backwards. As for a 100% tackles just how many was that. I could make one tackle win it then do nothing but would have 100% tackle success🤷‍♂️.

10 Jan 2026 22:17:11
Just nice to see somebody with a bit of bite tbh Dms. He also helps cover the LB well (naturally) , certainly much more than McNeil does. That lad offers absolutely nothing. Every single time, he checks back on to his left foot and puts a sh**e ball in, that more often than not gets blocked.

Armstrong played well again today but was out on his feet in the 2nd half. Really does show the difference between the Championship and the PL, as he has played a lot of football this season.

Was more speaking on the entire season regarding Aznou/Mykolenko, as opposed to todays game.

10 Jan 2026 22:21:10
I was at the Roma pre-season friendly when Aznou came on for the injured Mykolenco. He looked like a rabbit in headlights - terrified and way out of his depth. I’m really pleased he did well today but let’s see him in a Premier League game for a full 90 minutes.

Moyes has said he has the technical ability but has lacked the physicality. I really hope he makes it but he’s never really played first team football and so has a steep learning curve.

10 Jan 2026 22:58:22
If I had just put Armstrong up there BMD you would have said brilliant but adding Mykolenko facts in there, it becomes irrelevant.

10 Jan 2026 23:00:09
Exactly Pojo, the lad had a right go and you can see the talent.

{Ed025's Note - he done well but lets not go overboard here DMS, it was a cameo performance over a number of minutes and that is miles away from a full game mate, im not trying to piss on his chips or anything but its a fact, he is one for development but will have to be introduced gradually imo, give him a half when we are either winning comfortably or getting beaten out of sight i would say and take it from there, well thats what i think..

10 Jan 2026 23:14:59
Never take pre-season into account personally. Get world beaters that then don't play a minute and get lads that are unfit and need to get up to speed.

Certainly looked physically capable to me today. Went full throttle into Mukiele and won the ball no questions asked like prime Hibbo.

He played very well in his half a season for Valladolid and you don't come through at La Masia and Munich if you can't play a bit.

10 Jan 2026 23:33:24
That's what pojo and I were saying ED.

{Ed025's Note - then we are on the same page DMS, we all want what is best for the club but without being experts...even though we think we are at times, COYB..

10 Jan 2026 21:01:16
What would people prefer to happen?

Keep our powder dry this window and get to the end of the season in a moderate position in the table, shake Moyes' hand and get somebody else in with a full "war chest" .

Get some players in this window to try and finish as high as possible and potential squeak into the Europa Conference league?

{Ed025's Note - option 1 for me BN, this season is gone now and if we do sack Moyes the new incumbent will be saddled with players he may not want, plus we are not equipped for Europe next season even if we do buy a couple of players mate..

10 Jan 2026 21:53:32
I couldn't have put that better myself Ed. I think it is true that finishing in Europe will make us a more appealing proposition for players but I think Europe would hinder us too much at this stage.

Any thoughts on a manager Ed?

{Ed025's Note - i would actually like Eddie Howe BN, an Evertonian and a good man manager who plays a nice brand of football, could well be lined up to be the next England manager so the prospects of getting him seem slim mate..

10 Jan 2026 21:57:42
Would not sack Moyes at season end (we will finish top 10) but not going to get anyone in Jan so keep our funds for summer window. Wouldn't buy Grealish £50 mill either, rather go younger for less - Aznou? . The lad did a little bit of Ndiaye today.

10 Jan 2026 22:18:08
Ditto Ed, let’s not keep following the same pattern and hope for a different result.

10 Jan 2026 23:17:47
I agree Ed, Howe is a very good manager. I have close friends who worked for him at Bournemouth and now Newcastle and he isn't very well-liked. By all accounts he is extremely arrogant and up his own jacksie but I guess if he wins football matches .

{Ed025's Note - i thought he was very amiable BN but i cant doubt your info mate, i suppose you have to have a bit of steel in this business but he does come across very well in the press, who would your choice be?..

10 Jan 2026 20:49:34
That right back Holm who we are linked with is missing for his team's game today and reason is unknown. Might be worth keeping an eye on.

10 Jan 2026 22:35:09
Need stability we can’t go on changing managers, Baines can learn a lot from Moyes over the next few years, maybe a seamless transition, given time and money we saw what Moyes did for West Ham and look where they are now and where we are and where we were before Moyes. I know it’s not been great the last couple of games but injuries, AFCON and suspensions have stripped us bare. Fortunately the upside has let us see Armstrong and now Aznou as real options . Don’t know what’s up with Dibbling, he looked amazing when he played against us for Southampton it’s like he’s lost all confidence, in fairness saw some flashes of his talent today but unfortunately we were chasing the game and he lost the ball and the groan around the ground was loud.

When the opportunity presents itself he needs taking out of the firing line and to come on when we’re comfortably winning and he can express himself. On a final note credit to Beto and Barry for stepping up to take a penalty but for future reference next time don’t let them anywhere near a penalty,
Next time hopefully we’ll have Ndyai, KDH, Keane, Grealish and Garner to take them.

10 Jan 2026 23:38:11
Bit harsh but I credit them with nothing, to me it looked like they had both rehearsed taking the piss.

10 Jan 2026 20:46:51
Thank the lord we’re out of that Mickey Mouse cup. I see what Dave’s doing, we can now push for Europe without distraction!

10 Jan 2026 21:35:09
I don’t know if he’s that devious, but our battered and thin squad will have less to worry about. Now play the kids Dave!

10 Jan 2026 20:09:33
Keep Armstrong send Dibling/McNeil to Preston.

10 Jan 2026 19:57:07
Just got back from playing golf, spoilt the round by looking at my phone every five minutes. Did shoot an 83 which is several years lower than my age.
Just watched a replay of the penalty kicks, all I can say is how did we recruit two players as center-forwards who can't even score from the penalty spot. It's not that the goalie made spectacular saves, I could have saved those shots. Neither should ever play for Everton again.
Evidently Aznou played well when he came on, we have been told repeatedly that he is not ready blah, blah, blah. Also we have to keep Armstrong, not let him go back to Preston.


Moyes will last until the end of the season, he has steadied the ship, for now. However if it was my money I would not give him a penny to spend this January. It would be a waste of money to either recruit rubbish or someone who will sit on the bench.
Get a new Manager in the summer and let him bring in his own recruiting staff, don't ask me who, I am not earning the big bucks to make such a decision but we need to change something otherwise it will be more years of mediocracy and I don't have that much time or patience left.

{Ed025's Note - nor me Mike, great round though mate..kudos..

10 Jan 2026 20:13:42
Agree Mike we can’t just keep employing managers to keep us up. The whole system has to change. And if people are correct in saying we won’t go down then keep any transfer money we have, don’t waste it on more average players.

10 Jan 2026 20:39:27
Blue Mike - agree - can’t be trusted with money - club like ours cannot have so many misses in the transfer and loan dept and not addressing full back situation criminal.
Plus we are bloody boring to watch and can’t score.
Give Moyes some sort of role as think he is Everton through and through - just nowhere near the recruitment / playing squads though.

10 Jan 2026 22:36:56
Moyes Everton through and through? So why did he go to Manchester? get rid end of season.

10 Jan 2026 19:40:03
Who is to blame for our 3 most resent performances?
1, senior players are, in part responcable.
2 The manager bares some responsibility. poor selections, substitution, and tactics .
3 But I feel those who have really let us down, are this all singing, all dancing recruitment team .
This present crisis was very foreseeable, the afcons, were a known problem, and given our very thin squad all it would take is a few injuries, or suspensions and we would be in the desperate situation that we now face.


On the 1st of Jan there should have been deals ready to go, be it loans or signings, decutions should have been had and agreed for when the window opened not halfway through the mouth.
We where told this team where experts, and just an aside, would love to know which one of this "brilliant team thought £42m for Dibling was such a great idea.

10 Jan 2026 20:17:41
Perhaps their plan is to keep any transfer money for next season, given that we look like we are safe from relegation. Their is nothing to play for now so keep the cash for the next manager to choose his own players.

10 Jan 2026 20:33:54
The problem is that this "brilliant" recruiting team and Moyes are not on the same wavelength. One seems to be keen on recruiting young and unproven players (in this league) and a Manager who would rather play the likes of O'Neil.


Paying 42M for Dibling was obviously a mistake, given our situation and the timing, but who knows how good or bad he will be in a few years time. What I do know is if he is worth 42M for his potential, then Armstrong is worth a lot more.

10 Jan 2026 19:39:16
I watched a strange amount of Southampton last year, and without fail, Dibling was the standout player - so much so that i thought he was nailed on to go to Liverpool or United for about 80m at the end of the season.

I was So excited when we were linked with him, and gutted when the bids were rejected, and if I had to pick between him and Grealish, I would have picked him all day.

He was quick, direct, could hold off any player and dribble like Ndiaye. I have no idea what has happened to him.

I think he has been mostly dreadful, but I genuinely think it's on Moyes (as I think most things are) . He is forced to do so much defensively that he is never actually in space, and the way his game time was handled early on makes me think he's terrified of making a mistake, in case he gets dropped for it - but ironically, the nerviness is making him play absolutely awfully.

He looks like he can't dribble, he slows the game down every time he gets it and his passing is wayward. I look at Barry and I wonder how anyone greenlit that deal, but I look at Dibling and I don't see the player I saw last year. One thing is for certain, though, we won't get Anything out of him while Moyes continues to use him as he is, and Moyes won't give him any other role to play while he's playing as badly as he is.

I think he may be another Lookman, who we cut our losses on in a year and then in 3 years he's moving to Spurs or Chelsea for 70m because he's fulfilled his potential elsewhere under a manager who doesn't absolutely destroy his confidence each week.

10 Jan 2026 20:08:15
Oh he can dribble but in circles. Patterson ran forward at one point and this young man decided to pass the ball to the space where Patterson was not but a sunderland player was running to, cue panic and lucky escape.

10 Jan 2026 20:20:21
Fair comment Alex, have to say I felt the same when I watched the lad.

10 Jan 2026 20:36:03
Dibling is crap, if we have the guts to admit we made error of judgment, and cut our losses, we might recover 10m, if we're luckey.

10 Jan 2026 20:52:19
How has Moyes destroyed his confidence. He was nailed on to go nowhere - Liverpool etc! didn't come in for him nor any of the 'big' Clubs. The reason! at that fee, they would want him to step up, almost at once. I believe Moyes thought (scout reports) that to, so pushed for him at £40 odd mill, then along came Grealish and KDH so Moyes thought he could nurse Dibling along.

Watched him at BMD a few now, he dribbles round in circles, flashes of attack minded but few and far between. Today he was hopeless, even McNeil (awful) was better on the right, how damning is that. Those around me were of the same opinion.

{Ed025's Note - i would take 40p now..

10 Jan 2026 22:21:48
Strange because last week you thought the lad had a bright future?

10 Jan 2026 18:12:21
Can’t see any other way of improvement other than bringing in new players, we are around 3 or 4 points off top 6 spot, do we stick or twist either finish midtable or as our manager has said fight for a place in Europe to do that we need all our top players back plus a few additions.

10 Jan 2026 18:24:35
We need a new manager mate, like it or not.

10 Jan 2026 18:38:15
We agree to disagree mate, I want our manager to have a good chance of taking Everton back up to where us old farts keep dreaming of where we used to be in the 80s and before, if after a decent chance he doesn’t then we move on to another, tough times at Everton, I do not want to ever go through what previous managers have done we need stability this is a transition will take a bit of tim with AFCOM and injuries plus new faces.

10 Jan 2026 18:59:36
I agree with Guernsey. At the start of the season expectation from most people was that we would finish somewhere around mid- table, and I think that’s where we’ll end up. We’ve been without our best players for a while - Branthwaite, Dewsbury-Hall and Ndiaye and when they are back we will improve. We have a very limited squad in both quality and quantity and we need another clear-out and upgrade at the end of the season.

Recent performances have been poor but the last few games have shown that Dibbling and Rohl, who many supporters have been shouting for, are just not good enough. There is no way Moyes will be sacked, nor should he be - we need some continuity for the next 12/18 months.

10 Jan 2026 18:59:41
Who is this new Manager wanted?

10 Jan 2026 19:02:42
I get what your saying mate but if it was my money I wouldn't like to be handing it over to whoever is doing the buying at the moment.

10 Jan 2026 19:26:54
I would be happy to give him time if it wasn't so obvious that he'll never change. He has always been stubborn, but now he's been left behind by the sport and has absolutely no interest in catching up. If you take a step back and look at the 20 managers in the league, you could make a very compelling case that he is dead last when it comes to tactics, motivation and adapting.

Keeping him is delaying the inevitable.

10 Jan 2026 19:39:51
Your right there mate they need to do better.

10 Jan 2026 21:05:47
When Branthwaite is back who do you drop? He won't drop Tarkowski! O'Brien? Keane? O'Brien is a CB and a good one but I can see Moyes playing him RB.

{Ed025's Note - it will be JO, JT, JB and Myko, Leopards do not change their spots mate..