Everton banter 6

29 Jan 2026 19:45:42
Took to long Brooke Norton off the Inter.

29 Jan 2026 19:12:57
Harwood-Bellis rumoured. I would take him all day tbf. Keane 33 now, been at the club just shy of a decade and it was a very poor decade. Time to move on from that. Same with Beto, Mykolenko, McNeil etc. Replace them with better players like KDH, Ndiaye, Grealish.

I doubt HWB would come cheap unless it is a loan with an obligation. I would rather us get a RB with an engine and pace to give us options to play a back 3. We saw what having a strong bench did the other night. Granted we brought KDH and JB on who are usually starters but if we are bringing the likes of Armstrong, Rohl, Tim, Gana, O'Brien, Mykolenko and Patterson onto the pitch and not having to start with them all, we go up a level.

RB with Aznou on the left, because he has the pace to get up and down. He would be surrounded by good players, JB covering his backside, Ndiaye in front of him, with Jimmy and Gueye on his inside. I wouldn't for one second want to take Garner out of the middle but if we signed a RB we wouldn't really need to, however, if we wanted to mix things up in games he can easily slot in there as a RWB too, playing with KDH ahead of him and O'Brien behind him.

29 Jan 2026 20:54:40
The wingbacks worked a treat against villa. I'd definitely try Anzou in place of Myko because of his pace and willingness to get forward. But every man and his dog knows it'll be 4231 again.

29 Jan 2026 15:59:54
We don’t want European football, our playing squad is to small, look at how other teams have struggled.
Players won’t want to come to us if we aren’t in Europe, our best players will leave for European football. Moan, moan, moan.
Look it’s simple get into Europe that in itself generates income and raises the clubs profile. As for we might struggle playing in Europe and the Premiership. Well we are not exactly pulling up trees right now are we?
People saying we have made progression if we finish 10th and they would be happy with that.

Bollocks, the league this season is bloody awful and we haven’t progressed others have got worse. So if Mr Moyes would just get his head out of his arse and change our home tactics then yes we could qualify for European, and yes it would be the best thing for the club. Oh and it’s supporters.

29 Jan 2026 16:53:27
Agree need us to get into European comps, otherwise we just become a mid table team that actually doesn't go anywhere. We have the stadium, we have the support, now we just need the team to improve to get to that level.

29 Jan 2026 16:54:38
The whole thing is about winning games. The more you win the higher up the league you finish. So getting into Europe is a product of what we expect from our club. We NEED Europe if only to show that we are improving and doing our best. And the closer to Europe we are the further from relegation we are, and after the last few seasons those are feelings I can happily do without.

So three points on the weekend please.

29 Jan 2026 17:05:23
Is anyone saying they don’t want European football? In my eyes, we’ve progressed, and have some talented footballers at the club with a bright future. Each to their own.

29 Jan 2026 17:44:56
Brown shoes got us in Europe, small Squad. Next season flying banners to get him out.

29 Jan 2026 18:48:24
JB plenty on here have said we are not ready for European football as apparently we are yet another work in progress.
And your point is dms?

{Ed025's Note - getting into Europe opens a lot of doors for us..

29 Jan 2026 18:49:47
Spot on there DMS. Although I do think the solidity he inherited from DM eroded after the first season and the 2nd was chalk and cheese. Not too dissimilar to the Dutch fella across the park.

29 Jan 2026 19:00:00
Have heard a few people mention the Prem is a poor league this year. I'm not saying it isn't, but we have 5 teams finished in the top 8 of champions league. Must be some poor European teams in general, if this is the case.

29 Jan 2026 19:15:02
Tell BMD that.

29 Jan 2026 19:16:16
Nobody has said we are not ready.

29 Jan 2026 19:49:56
Not a poor league more a very competitive league, teams down the bottom quite able to beat the top sides.

29 Jan 2026 19:57:13
So don’t qualify for European because we might lose our manager. Mmm let me think about that.

29 Jan 2026 20:19:24
There's only 1 way to find out if we're ready for Europe, qualify. What does that even mean, ready for Europe? Many clubs from Europe have much smaller squads than ours, with players that wouldn't get near our squad and these teams seem to be 'ready' for European competitions.

I think we have improved BMD because some of the players we brought in are an improvement on what we had last season. I agree that the premier league isn't as strong at the top as it is most seasons. So why can't we push on up the league.

Moyes definitely needs to do something with our home form because we look poor at home. Branthwaite will make a big difference because of his passing and technical ability. Hopefully we can push on now with a few players back and when we improve on our full backs, I think our play will improve massively.

{Ed025's Note - as i say Joe it opens doors, we will attract better players, hopefully a stronger squad and thats without the commercial side of things and a higher profile of the club, i have a feeling that we may just miss out myself but there is certainly no harm in trying mate..

29 Jan 2026 21:08:43
It feels like some of the frustration is coming from the assumption that we’ll do no business in the next few days, and then miss a good opportunity to qualify for Europe. Qualifying should always be the goal, although it did not seem at all likely at the start of the season.

I’d be disappointed if we didn’t strengthen at all. One or two might just give us the boost we need.

29 Jan 2026 15:00:45
I see it’s just been announced that the Premier league is very likely to clinch 5th place Chanpions league qualification this year for the 2nd year running. dare we dream? We’re only 4 points off 5th place currently, or mayb we’re just not ready squad wise for CL just yet…either way, it’s a good motivation for all the teams right now to try to finish the season strongly as the points this year are very close at the top.

29 Jan 2026 14:10:29
Cheeky bid for Mateta surely? Then drop Beto off at the highest bidder.

29 Jan 2026 14:57:42
Can't see us spending that money in the winter window JB.

Do you like him? He is a bit of a conundrum. I remember him coming in from Mainz and he got about 8 goals in his first 3 seasons and then caught fire. Seems to have dropped off again lately and has changed his tune about Palace who stuck with him, now wanting to go an play European football.

Not sure 40m on a 29 year old who may have had his day in the sun suits us right now.

If Duran does want to come back to the PL, a loan deal for a 23 year old who has already shown he can cut it in the league is a better option for me. Big and powerful like Mateta but seems to have more pace about him and the ability to produce something out of nothing.

Can't believe Palace are paying close to 50m for Larsen.

29 Jan 2026 15:00:00
I presume this is a joke . Has 1 premier league goal this season and costing £50 million .
Madness.

{Ed025's Note - im with you ST..

29 Jan 2026 16:56:26
It’s utter madness! He’s been pants so far this season.

29 Jan 2026 17:03:35
If you’d asked me 6 months ago I’d have said yes, but I think it speaks volumes that no one’s jumped on him being available, he’s missed some sitters in the last few months.

29 Jan 2026 18:24:46
Unclench guys, it was a simple question. There are worse strikers out there. We have 2 for starters.

29 Jan 2026 19:17:10
There's a bloke at Leeds.

29 Jan 2026 11:52:09
I'm truly grateful that the TFG have put us on a better financial footing.
However, their choice to back their Italian club in the transfer market, rather than us, does give me great concerns over the whole concept of multi club ownership.
A place in European football is very possible, or it would have been had the club been givern the opertunity to strengthen a number of key areas.


It would have allowed us to attract good player in the summer, increased our profile, and further improved our financial situation, but TFG have focussed on their Italian club. This is a bad sign of things to come.

29 Jan 2026 12:07:51
So you think Moyes has asked them for certain players and they have said no? We all know what dithering dave is like.

29 Jan 2026 12:35:19
It’s not an either or situation.

29 Jan 2026 12:44:57
They have been at Roma a few years and have built sold foundations. It is also highly more likely that they make the CL in Serie A than we do in the PL.

They are probably aware that our squad is small and limited (to be polite) , so any European football will create a whole host of issues. You only have to look at Palace and Forest this year, the latter's squad being massive compared to ours. Newcastle also suffered when they made it to the promise land, as did Villa.

Before we kicked a ball this season, I had more or less written it off. I do get though that being so close to CL or European positions in general does frustrate, because with a couple of decent additions we could finish comfortably in Europe (freak scenarios aside) . I would love to have gone and got a couple of full-backs at least but it is what it is. Hopefully we get some luck on the injury front now and manage to keep the nucleus of our first team fit and healthy and we are still likely to finish in Europe anyway if that happens, given the way the league has panned out this year. The only issue with that is, it would mean a lot of recruitment in the summer and if that is their plan and they fail to deliver on that, then of course they should be called out for it.

29 Jan 2026 13:01:50
Given our positions in the last 3 seasons I’d say where in no need of overspending on players this window, nor do I believe the dream of Europe next season is something we need right now, as mentioned where in need of a couple of positions filling with better quality but also better covering players.


I get the frustration but where heading the right way just not immediately enough it seams.

29 Jan 2026 13:29:24
We need to stop playing the victim. Roma and Everton two completely different columns on the sheet.

29 Jan 2026 13:41:37
Have they knocked back requests from Moyes about signing players? It's not an either/or situation either. each club has different needs and different financial restrictions to comply with (and of course different financial performance over last few years that factors into that) . It's utter nonsense to suggest that they're choosing to spend their own cash on Roma instead of on Everton.

29 Jan 2026 11:02:58
The best bit of transfer news if true is that Harry Maguire is set on achieving a new contract at man u when his contract runs out this summer don't want him anywhere near Everton football club unless he is part of man u management team next season ?.

29 Jan 2026 07:39:05
{Ed's Note - thefutureisoldgold3 has posted a new article entitled, Planning for the Championship: Wolves' Financial Rebuild

28 Jan 2026 23:29:27
So a few days left in the window, realistically we could do with 4, both full backs, another winger due to Grealish being out probably for the rest of the campaign but at this moment i would settle for two, a right back (priority) and a another recognised striker who can hit the ground running, Norton Cuffy would do me at right back, great stats and fast and mobile and bundles of energy so can compliment Ndiaye with inner and outer overlaps, then on the other side i would be tempted to give Aznou a run of games either as left back or left forward that's if we can’t cover that position this window, we are stocked in midfield defensively and offensively, as for a striker maybe release Beto and get in Duran as we can’t just rely on Barry for the remainder of the season even though he is starting to adjust to the premier league. I would still love to get Harry Wilson if we can but see that as maybe a summer recruit.

I genuinely think if we can get 2/3 this window then we can seriously stake a claim for one of the European slots and I mean it’s so tight everything’s possible from 4th to 8th/9th if we can add reinforcements this window, i will emphasise again why should we settle for 10th etc when we have the best opportunity to go a lot further. We have owners who know their rubbish on how to build a football club and progress so if we finish in them luxurious positions TFG will only strengthen again to allow the two game European and premier fixtures every week, let’s bloody grasp the bull by the horns.

{Ed025's Note - i agree Col, but i cant see it happening mate..

29 Jan 2026 08:25:18
Not so much RB but a RWB or RW with an engine and a striker (would need for Beto off the wages) .

29 Jan 2026 09:29:44
Unfortunately I agree with Ed, I don't see much happening.

Maybe a last minute loan if we're lucky.

29 Jan 2026 10:38:17
Not even a sniff at the moment. I can't see anything happening.

29 Jan 2026 11:01:51
Yeh you’re probably right guys which is crap really, just a few reinforcements and we can make it happen this season, why wait until next season? This is our best chance now.

I think we only used two loans in the summer so I think we have 1 domestic and one overseas loan left I think. These maybe the two slots we use and keep our cash safe, i'm hoping not though. Come on Harry Wilson get in a blue shirt lad.

28 Jan 2026 20:13:42
I am gutted that any Evertonian would be happy with top ten. I am certainly not, I will be happy only if we are top five. Don't give me any crap about how well we are doing compared with previous years and how we are building for the future.

30 years of mediocracy and no trophies and you are happy with top ten, give me a break. I am realistic enough to realize that we will probably be top ten but it certainly does not make me happy.

28 Jan 2026 20:48:47
If we don’t get the two or three in this window that we need and we wait till the summer I think a top ten place realistic, we get the recruits now and we will Finnish higher yet I’m sure, so stick or twist I want them in now myself mate,1985 was soooooo long ago Mike.

28 Jan 2026 21:23:51
I think most fans would have taken 10th at the start of the season, as a stepping stone towards finishing higher the season after. For so long it felt like no progress was being made both on and off the pitch. Plenty of room for improvement, but I still think we’re on the right track.

28 Jan 2026 21:23:59
Yes mate I was lucky enough to be at Wembley in 1995 and I was a young 55, now I am an old fart 86 next month and no trophy since.
At least I have had the experience of seeing us win the league and been at two Wembley wins, I feel sorry for the younger generation.


I admire your optimism GB, I just hope I can live long enough to see us get back to where we belong, top five and at least having a chance to win a cup.
Not sure about the seating arrangement in heaven, for my penance I may be forced to watch the other lot!

28 Jan 2026 22:51:40
I no what your saying blue mike, now we are in this position we should be trying to improve and looks like we are going to settle for what we have, but I do think we have enough, if Barry keeps scoring to secure Europe with everyone fit.

28 Jan 2026 23:19:57
I hope so Bluepasty. If we can get most of the injured back and we play like we did in the second half against Leeds we should win enough games. We just have to play like that the entire game and stop this sitting back routine in the first half. Moyes said something along the lines that we played badly in the first half but he didn't understand why! Surprising that thousands of supporters understand why but the manager does not.

The tactics have to change and Ndiaye, Garner, Dewsbury-Hall, Branthwaite and Grealish (when fit) are the players to do it. Also stop Pickford from booting the ball up the field every time he gets hold of it.

{Ed025's Note - absolutely Mike..

29 Jan 2026 10:05:23
Thousands of supporters 'think' they know. What it looks like to us and how the Manager/coaching staff see it may be different. There is one individual though that our judgement may finally be on the same page about and if it isn't, I for one will question my sanity.

29 Jan 2026 13:42:35
I understand where you are coming from BM, but the old Everton that you grew up watching is a different animal to the one we see today. Just in recent history, specifically the FM era, we have been mismanaged to the brink of no return. The constant flirting with relegation has seen our stock fall considerably. Attracting the right players of the right quality has become harder due to players wanting European football. I think DM himself alluded to this in the summer, we tried to get certain players in but they were reluctant to join a club that was perceived to be in this constant dog fight.

The idea that fans are happy for a top ten finish is double edged for me. Am I happy that we don't look like we have to wait until the last game or two to secure our premier league status? Yes, mainly because I'm sick of us being in that position, waiting until the death to see if we avoid the trap door once again. Am I happy finishing in the top ten every year? No, I want us to push on and begin to challenge that 'top 6' and bring success to the club which has been starved of trophies for far too long.

I know you, and some other fans, don't like to hear it but it is an undeniable truth. We are a year down the road into our latest transitional period and, unfortunately, that takes time. If we finish this season in the top 10 then that does represent progress from the last couple of seasons, maybe the last 10 years.

A top 10 finish could help us get better quality players in during the summer window which, in turn, will strengthen our assault on the European places and the perceived premier league hierarchy. But, realistically, any position from 10 to the top is an improvement on last season and the one before. I'm not ecstatic about it but i can see that we are heading in the right direction after so many false dawns.

No club has the divine right to expect to be in the mix of all the available trophies, the team has to work hard for these accolades and you need a squad of both quality and depth. Despite the lofty position, from what we've previously endured, we do not have enough quality nor the depth to constantly challenge at the top end. That can only be achieved with shrewd purchases in the market and with competition for places within the squad.

I want us to improve both full back positions, get in another forward and now, since it looks like Jack's race is ran, possibly another winger. I doubt that will happen this window though so we have to wait until the summer. The main thing is that the new owners seem sensible in their approach and won't be jeopardising our future unlike our previous owner.

29 Jan 2026 16:15:00
The best post on here 'ever' bluepotato, you put this to bed with panache my friend.
may I add progress is progress full stop.

''false dawns'' is 100% correct.

28 Jan 2026 17:17:28
Not a rumour sorry, just a comment on Dicky Hills atmosphere when it goes quiet. Travelled to many games (Turkey, Argentina, Egypt, Croatia) the pre match and during the game is so intimidating it borders on frightening. In Egypt the fans stayed up all night partying after a Derby win for example (60,000) on the streets of Cairo.


My suggestion is a core ULTRA type section of the ground, with the 1878s flags / banners. Either the all girl Everton calypso band or our own drummers setting the tempo for the crowd/ team when quiet If you’ve been to River Plate or even Palace you’ll get it. Pre match fan plaza, light displays, sirens, bangs, flame displays etc. any views please.

{Ed025's Note - i think or hope we are more sophisticated than that Bally but i could see how it would work mate, myself i would sooner us get the crowd up by playing attractive attacking football..

28 Jan 2026 18:25:41
You are absolutely right Ed025 mate. I have been at Goodison when the attendance was 78,000 and the atmosphere was electric only because we were playing attractive attacking football. Dave Hickson scored the winner with blood pouring down his face from a cut on his forehead.

If we had played at that game like we did in the first half verses Leeds the place would have been like a mausoleum.

{Ed025's Note - yeah mike i think our supporters are as good as anything out there mate, but we have to give them something to sing and shout about, i have been in some great atmospheres with Everton, not only Goodison but away days, Wembley and of course Rotterdam and we are as loud and supportive as anyone..

28 Jan 2026 18:53:52
Thought the atmosphere in the last 20 mins was polar opposite to the first half… understandably.

28 Jan 2026 19:09:04
Everton 1 A. N. Other 0. will do me. Determination, effort, first thought ball forward when we have the ball, when they have it, get it back.

{Ed025's Note - that works as well DMS..

28 Jan 2026 20:03:33
Sounds good dms, the only problem is that we only seem to do that at home when the A. N. Other scores. Then we have to score at least two to win.

28 Jan 2026 20:17:10
I think they're interesting suggestions, but to be honest, I think the only solution is the football, as it's definitely the problem.

I don't think any amount of singing or fireworks or flags can illicit any level of enthusiasm or excitement out of a crowd as they're forced to watch us concede 80% possession against Sunderland, and go our 10th home game in a row where we barely enter their third.

It may be controversial, but i don't actually think the atmosphere at the Hilly Dick is even any worse than it was at Goodison. It's more sterile, as there is less character to the stadium, but it's actually arguably less toxic.

A close friend, and long term season ticket holder referred to Goodison as 'A cauldron of hate' for the last few years ?.

29 Jan 2026 10:11:31
All the years I have been going it has changed. I know I am a KOS but the younger ones seem more tribal and short fused. My Grandson not an Everton supporter (no not the other lot either) and when beer loosens tongue speaks about organising fights - yes he has been told, clip round ear -.