Everton banter 8

28 May 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 38 - Quick Round Up

29 May 2026 03:56:24
If we want to progress, Moyes has to go. He will never change his style or his philosophy on certain players.
We have a fairly talented squad, but you'd never know that because Moyes refused to use players.


He is a marginally better version of Dyche or Big Sam. He has seen us through the transition from Goodison & now is the time for a new more forward looking coaching team.

UTFT NSNO. ? ? ?

27 May 2026 23:21:15
3rd trophy in 2 years for Crystal Palace, have to feel sorry for them, having to put up with winning things when they could have stability instead.

28 May 2026 07:27:38
Leicester won something the league, where are they now?

28 May 2026 10:35:51
Yeah, I'm sure Leicester are so sad they won the league 10 years ago, they must wish it never happened.

28 May 2026 12:42:02
Never seen Everton lift a cup at 30 years old, I'd take Leicester's last 10 years over it, genuinely would.

Prem, FA Cup, Community Shield and a UCL campaign. Have never seen any of those.

Are we close to doing so? Is the stability worth it?

The only thing I can ever say is 'not been relegated' - who cares anymore.

Lower league fans seem to be happy enough, and most have won something even if it's only promotion. We play the worst brand of football you'll find anywhere, what's the point if we get no results and it provides zero entertainment.

28 May 2026 14:42:14
Can't argue with that, PB. I am old enough to have watched this great club from the 60s onwards. I have two sons around your age, and, apart from the Chelsea final, they have had nothing to cheer about. These days, supporters celebrate not being in a relegation scrap. How far we have fallen.

27 May 2026 21:23:55
That Andy Gordon lad off to Barcelona from the Toon for £69m. We should have a look at him, really complete hard working player.

28 May 2026 04:53:48
Don't feel anything for them, but it does show the strength of the Prem, whether Arsenal beat PSG or not. If only we could sing.

27 May 2026 19:44:13
Not saying I’m a fan of relegated players as general rule, but with West Ham down, do you think it’s possible we get some on loan for a season? Like a “see if we come back up straight away while you stay in the Premier League until then” type situation. Ideally meaning either Summerville, Bowen or someone? Saves us money and allows West Ham to keep the player for if they come back up.

Or do you think they’ll only want to cash in while they can as Bowen is not getting any younger and Summerville will likely have suitors long term?

As for Burnley, Esteve has been linked. Personally I’m not a fan. I think he’s a Premier League quality centre back, but not good enough for a team who wants to push for Europe.



For Wolves, Mane is very talented but Moyes probably wouldn’t buy him as he’s not old enough to be someone’s granddad yet.

If we are going to do business with Chelsea or United again like we have in the past, would anyone turn their nose up at Acheampong on loan? I think he’s exceptionally talented and versatile. For United, Aiden Heaven?

I’m just spitballing names here but surely these are the types of players we should be looking at as opposed to the likes of Ben White, Kieran Tripper and Tomas Soucek.

27 May 2026 20:21:27
I really hope we are not interested in any of those 3, Swan.
White is a centre half playing at right back.
Kieran Trippier must be near the age of Seamus Coleman.
And Soucek is a cheap version of Fellaini.



The others you've mentioned, I don't know much about other than Bowen and Somerville. And I think both those would definitely improve our squad and starting 11.

27 May 2026 20:48:41
Professional footballers these days tend not to believe in loyalty, therefore I doubt any of them will want to go out on loan. I would imagine their agents got to work the minute the final whistle went.

27 May 2026 22:36:46
Can't see United letting Heaven go, he is highly thought of there, and will get more game time with the added European games.

Acheampong is a good shout though, Swan, although Alonso has a brain, so will probably utilise him.

27 May 2026 16:11:40
If your main concern is a new striker, but not full backs, a centre back and a defensive midfielder, then I have no idea what you're watching.

Beto is fine, he's not Lukaku, but he gets goals, he is definitely less of a worry than number 16, O'Brien and an aging Gana.

I'd rather go into the next season with Beto and Barry as opposed to that fraud at left back or a centre back at right back.

27 May 2026 16:48:28
My worry for this window, Swan, is not a new striker but old familiar Moyes. Of course we would benefit from a new striker as Barry should never play for us again. What baffled me is that he refused to play the only fit recognised right back we have in Patterson, and move the best fit centre back we have in O'Brien back into the middle.

I'm hoping that this transfer window doesn't continue as it's started.

I'm also baffled as to why Mykolenko was even retained, never mind given a 3 year extension; he simply hasn't improved during his time with us. You are, of course, correct about Gana.

We are all aware of the failings of this current side, so I'm hoping that Moyes, if he is retained, will act upon them; otherwise, next season will be as abject as this one. My other concern is that we may lose some of our young talent.

27 May 2026 17:15:35
Been saying this for several months now. What under 25 year old player would join us after this last 12 months farce. We have already between 5 and 7 players already who should have been given minutes since Christmas. But, no, they are deemed not Premier League ready or Moyes has an issue with them. Graham called up for international duty today, but not good enough for us. Armstrong, highly thought of in the Championship, but wasted here, the list goes on and on. Anzjou, George, Dibbing, Patterson.

Half of Moyes favourites are not fit to wear the shirt, let alone Premier League ready, couple that with square pegs round hole syndrome, and we are heading only one way next season unless things change drastically. Other teams and managers give youth a chance and benefit. Why the f*** can't we. Hate to say it, but if Moyes stays and rumours of geriatric incomers are true we will be in Spurs territory next season. Great stadium but in the Championship.

27 May 2026 17:30:24
There's no way we will go with Beto and Barry next season.

27 May 2026 17:52:04
We've needed a striker since Lukau Swan mate.

27 May 2026 17:53:37
I'm not saying we will go with Beto and Barry.

I'm saying if we did, that's better than having that pub team left back we have starting.

27 May 2026 18:22:07
No, mate, we need a forward (again) .

27 May 2026 18:48:02
My view is that we do need a centre forward, but main priority is a rb to free up O Brien to move to central defence. Could have played Patterson rb at latter end of season to give O Brien chance to settle into role properly.


Be interesting how we proceed, given that we need lb as well. Recruitment team will need to get cracking as decent full backs are at a premium.

27 May 2026 19:36:22
So you'd rather have Mykolenko start every game than Beto?

27 May 2026 19:46:57
There are quite a few positions that need immediate attention, that is blatantly obvious. I haven't seen many say that up top is our most pressing position to improve over all other positions, so not sure what you're referring to with your opening post, Swan?

Both full back positions need immediate attention. We need another CB or two. A DM to replace Gana would also be a priority. And then, yes, the two up front need getting rid of asap. Barry, we don't really need to say anything there, as it is a common theme in this forum, nearly getting as many posts as the manager! But to say Beto is worth keeping is ridiculous.

The lad is not good enough for this league, he misses more than he scores and is very erratic. It's comical that some say 'yes, but he tries and works hard and has a great attitude', so what? He spends 90 minutes punching himself after yet another wasted opportunity. I'm surprised he doesn't come off the pitch with lumps on his head. Look at the derby, he almost hit the corner flag when it was easier to hit the target! Is that going to get us higher up the league? Not at all. If you can't see that the forward line needs attention, then I don't know what you've been watching yourself.

27 May 2026 19:59:15
Got more goals than Salah, Gakpo and Woltemade in way less minutes.

As a backup he's absolutely fine. Started half our league games and got 9 goals with no penalties.

I'm not saying we do not need a forward, I'm saying that it isn't even close to a priority. Outside of the goalkeeper and wingers, it's the position we need improvement on least.

27 May 2026 20:00:53
Getting rid is probably harder than we think. Beto could possibly get a move back to Italy, but who in their right mind is gonna pay for Barry?? Villarreal are laughing their heads off. Getting £27 million for him. I reckon 1 of the chuckle brothers will leave, and we will bid for Delap, get turned down by him, and probably sign Vardy last minute or something like that.

????? And can I say I don't rate Delap either. Typical Moyes signing, physical but can't score.

27 May 2026 20:21:24
You must have played in some Pub Team, Swan! In my travels, very fortunate to have been on the same pitch as visiting teams on their annual jollies. Seen these 'pub team' players up close but tackled air. I believe No16 has just signed till 2029.

27 May 2026 20:31:46
You have a point, Ron, about Delap. As far as I recall, he had one good season at Ipswich and that is it. Can't see he would offer us any more than Beto does.

27 May 2026 20:53:28
If we carry on with our tactic of just lumping it up the pitch, then it won't matter who the striker is.

27 May 2026 22:43:39
He might have scored more goals than those you mention, but that doesn't mean too much. The lad just isn't good enough, and the old shout of 'but he works hard and has a great attitude' is ridiculous (in general, not saying you said that) , as you need ability to go with that too. Most fans want to see us attack the euro places, but he can't take us there.

Get a bit of cash back before his contract runs down, soften the blow of shelling out 26m for him in the first place.

Not too sure who would buy him, Ron, but I think we should at least try to offload him in the summer. Has to be a lot better out there than either of those two, if not, then football is doomed!

27 May 2026 22:47:13
I would also like a 10 because KDH certainly isn't one. He even said as much himself. Nowhere near slick enough for that position for me. His passing, particularly his through balls, is diabolical. His strengths could be better utilised elsewhere.

28 May 2026 01:42:03
We have a no 10 with Alcaraz for me, but doesn't get the minutes to show it.

28 May 2026 14:46:51
BN, you're right, the lad has always said he likes to play a deeper role, but Moyes, in his wisdom, decided differently.

27 May 2026 16:11:25
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 38 - Quick Round Up

27 May 2026 09:41:14
In truth the poster in here and this absolutely stellar article by John has summed it up completely. I can only add: watching Moyes manage our beloved Everton is like watching the epic movie Titanic and expecting the ocean liner not to sink. You know it's as inevitable as Moyes taking the club backwards, regardless of any decent start to a league campaign.

He is just too pragmatic: what we have we hold. I have often said to my mate who is a Geordie and a long suffering Newcastle United supporter that not wanting to lose is not the same as going out to win the game. Moyes quite simply does not have a winners mentality.

27 May 2026 16:07:17
What really summed Moyes up for me was in 2012 in the semi final against that lot. They had Brad Jones in goal, Glen Johnson, Jay Spearing, an aging Carragher, and Stewart Downing all starting.



We went 1-0 after 25 minutes and barely threatened them again, we sat back for 65 minutes and eventually got what we deserved.

He doesn't have a killer's instinct and he's terrified of success.

27 May 2026 20:55:27
Final against Chelsea got the early goal, then hardly crossed the halfway line again.

27 May 2026 07:50:10
19 days till the transfer window opens, looking forward to that will be intriguing a lot to be done in and out.

27 May 2026 08:34:18
I'll be honest, GB, I'm getting fed up of the constant slurry of garbage that comes from media about our transfers. Every old player will be linked. Every Spurs target will be linked, and every Championship half decent player will be linked. And none of them will be anywhere near the truth.
It's getting very boring but fortunately there's the WC to distract me.

27 May 2026 15:25:21
What gets me is, we brought in a new team to find players and the same names are mentioned. Either it's lazy journalism or lazy scouting, hoping for some fresh, pacey players that can play and improve, no one over 30, please.

27 May 2026 16:09:14
Can't see much happening until late on as always with dithering Dave.

Reality is, we need a few players in before the World Cup starts and we cannot be having old men looking for a last payday come in.

Soon as one of them pops in, like Soucek or White, it will kill any excitement for the season off right away.

27 May 2026 18:53:40
Not sure that many will go, GB. Patterson, Alcaraz (who has been treated terribly by Moyes) and maybe Gana. If he gets rid of the likes of Dibling or Armstrong, then I'm done with the man.

27 May 2026 20:24:20
New team brought in, but very often you hear/read get quotes of recommended by scouts. Have the scouts?

27 May 2026 07:48:31
Always blue this is your most recent post
Brutal truth, is that the TFG, are quite satisfied with a mid-table finish, and that being so we are set for another season of the same, Moyes, to bring in a handful of over 30s, get knocked out of both domestic cup competition, early, then finish 9th and present it as a good step forward.


I'm not mystic meg, but I think my predictions are on the money.

You are on the money. The only bit I disagree with about next season's league performance is the position that we will finish in.

In no way are we finishing as high as ninth with Davey safety first. Let's hang onto this point. Moyes, as I have stated countless times, not wanting to lose and wanting to win football matches are leagues apart. Punishment intended, Moyes is we must not lose at all costs rather than chancing his arm and going after the win. Therein lies the problem: he will never take any club forward and if you stand still especially in this league of ours you inevitably Go backwards in Moyes we don't trust IMWDT

27 May 2026 08:41:00
There were a few times that we pushed for a win, but I honestly think that was the players and not a coached tactic, because we got picked off and lost the game.
I think Moyes has a desire to win. I just don't think his coaching this modern game can achieve it to a degree that gets us any higher than mid table mediocrity.


So yeah, safety first and then strike a narrative that we should be celebrating it due to our poor squad (that he signed) .

27 May 2026 09:05:53
It's hard to win games in this league at best of times, but having two s**** forwards, no decent RB, and a questionable LB, what do you expect? Plenty of games we have been put under pressure because our forwards have fluffed their chances. That brings the inevitable pressure on the defence. Moyes is far from perfect, but let's not forget we have players in this squad that are Championship level at best.

The recruitment team have their work cut out, but it's about time they address the glaring issues that have plagued us for a good few seasons. This window is the most important we've had for a while.

27 May 2026 09:53:21
We may have two poor forwards. One was signed by Moyes and one wasn't. Beto at least tries and has the right attitude. Barry, whose signing was sanctioned by Moyes after Moyes having told him that he would do well in the Premier League, is quite frankly not only the worst striker I have seen at our club, but the worst striker I have seen at any Premier League club. To say that he's bad would be bigging him up, and his attitude absolutely stinks.

He also persisted in his 70th minute Barry for Beto substitution even when Beto was playing well and causing the opposition problems. Obviously, when Barry came on, he was, well, bad. So the bulk of our striking issues has been of Moyes own making. That in itself should be a sackable offence and I wouldn't trust him with our transfer kitty.

27 May 2026 09:56:19
I completely agree, BP, but the recruitment team have proven time and again that they cannot attract players that improve us. It's time we held them accountable for such a poor job for such a long time.

27 May 2026 10:31:10
SB, it doesn't really matter who signed them. They are both not good enough and need shipping out this summer. Working hard, having the right attitude and trying your best is the basic requirement of any player, none of those should give you any sort of pass if you haven't got the ability to go with it. The bottom line is that those two have cost us points this season and will continue to do so if they are kept beyond this summer.

Totally agree, TA, but I'm trying to keep the faith and give them the benefit of the doubt since it is practically a new setup.

They need to deliver big this summer, mate, otherwise we will be left with more mediocre players joining the club. Fingers crossed they get it right for once.

I've said it before. I get that some of you hate Moyes, but let's be realistic. We haven't had a decent striker since Rom, how many years ago? DM hasn't been here that long, has he? Blame him for the things he does or doesn't do, but let's not be so biased and blinkered as to blame him for things we've craved for many years.

27 May 2026 11:49:35
Hit the nail on the head there bp, I will judge him after a couple of windows mate.

27 May 2026 12:45:11
I fully agree that both need to go. My point is that Moyes has said on numerous occasions that he has the final say on who comes and goes. If a player is recommended to him, and he doesn't rate them, then they don't come as simple as that. Barry said when he joined that it was Moyes who called him and persuaded him to come. I'd seen a few Villarreal games, and it was apparent to me that he was absolutely crap and I couldn't believe it when he was linked with us, especially when we could have had Franculino Dju for £15m.

Moyes has never been the best judge when signing strikers, and this one is down to him. I fear that we may only get rid of one, and if that is the case then the one to go has to be Barry.
Having had such a calamitous end to the campaign, I also fear that we may be scraping the bottom of the barrel. I gather that we were in for Lukaku in January, and there still might be a chance due to his links with TFG. I'd still like Dju, but his price will have doubled now.
It will be interesting to see how this one pans out.

27 May 2026 18:55:20
How do we know TFG are happy with mid table?

27 May 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - MK Scouser has posted a new article entitled, Slot, Reijnen and a Summer of Big Calls