Around about Christmas, it finally seemed as though it had clicked for Thierno Barry. A striker who had not managed to have a shot on target in a Premier League game until early December had been given patience by most fans and time in the team to develop.
Sure, he had his doubters, but at 22, just turning 23, Barry was always going to take a little while to fully adapt to his new club, in a new league, in a new country.
And after scoring his first Everton goal on December 6, when he put the Toffees 2-0 up against Nottingham Forest, he looked as though he would prove the doubters wrong.
Another goal against Nottingham Forest followed to close out 2025, before Barry scored against Brentford, Aston Villa (a lovely, dinked finish over a sprawling Emiliano Martinez) and Leeds United in January.
Yet by the end of February, Barry had been moved back to the bench. There was nothing wrong with this, really.
His performances, as would be expected for a young player, had dipped a tad, and Beto — who had snatched a last-gasp leveller against Brighton at the end of January — was ready for a run.
Beto went into the January window at risk. Everton would almost certainly have sold the 28-year-old had they been able to get an adequate striker in. They wanted Tammy Abraham, but the former Chelsea forward preferred a return to Aston Villa.
Yet by the end of February, the starting striker position was Beto’s to lose. Barry squandered two golden chances in what could prove to be an extremely costly home loss to Bournemouth on February 10.
He was then largely ineffective against Manchester United almost two weeks later, and a tough trip to St. James’ Park saw David Moyes plump for Beto. Since then, Beto has not looked back.
He scored in that game and generally ran Newcastle’s defence ragged, though it’s worth noting it was Barry who came on to grab Everton’s late winner.
A decent showing against Burnley followed for Beto, and then came the Arsenal match — an event which may well be looked back on as the turning point in Barry’s fledgling Everton career.
Beto started but Barry was brought on in the second half with the game tied at 0-0. Through no fault of Barry’s, Everton lost 2-0, but in the aftermath, the Frenchman naively took to social media to seemingly complain about his friends and family being attacked in the away end.
I wrote a piece on this a few weeks ago and don’t want to go into any more detail on it, but the gist of that feature was that Barry — whether he feels wronged or not — must now get his head down and look to build bridges. He was jeered by some Everton fans against Chelsea, and that has clearly not helped.
However, ultimately, his last few performances have instead suggested this is a young man who is simply not ready to shoulder such maturity.
Beto is far from perfect, but he has scored four goals in his last three games. He has missed chances — a woeful finish when one-on-one with Liverpool’s goalkeeper stands out — but his overall performances have been excellent.
The effort and workrate to stretch defences, hassle centre-backs and generally just cause havoc has been excellent to see. That is Beto at his best; that is what he has to offer. When he does those basics, the goals tend to come.
He has now netted eight league goals this season and you would not bet against him getting into double figures for the campaign.
In fact, such was Beto’s level in the derby on Sunday, that one could point to the moment he had to go off with an apparent head injury as the stage that the game actually swung in Liverpool’s favour.
Beto had given Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk a tough time. Sure, it was all blood and thunder, and plenty of heart, but Liverpool’s centre-backs knew they were in a battle.
It was a stark contrast to the reverse fixture back in September, when a lacklustre Beto showed no such desire or fight and was replaced at half-time, with Barry coming on and offering Everton a platform from which to build.
This time was a complete flip of the script.
When Beto went off, Barry came on. There weren’t any jeers this time, but this was a performance definitely worthy of criticism. Barry won two of four aerial duels and made three accurate passes. That was his ‘impact’.
Of course, that is not all on him. The service has to be there. But Barry’s movement was lackadaisical. He was not prepared for the fight — it almost looked like he would rather have been anywhere else.
At one point, Dwight McNeil got in down the left and dinked a decent cross to the vacant back post. Barry was in the box, and was unmarked, yet did not make a run to either post, instead electing to hang back.
There is just something missing from his game — and I’m not sure it will ever really come if it has not already.
I do not think Barry is a lazy player, but this recent string of showings is not helping his case. A positive impact in the derby would have helped get fans back on side. Sure, you don’t have to score, but put yourself about, cram 90 minutes of effort into a 25-minute cameo.
Instead, Barry offered nothing. Everton could not build up and Liverpool began to take a measure of control. Beto had prevented that for most of the game, even if his performance had tailed off towards the end of the first half, too.
Everton will need to buy a striker this summer. A good one. One who is ready for the rigours of the Premier League and who has the quality to boot.
But they also, potentially, have a decision to make between the two current options.
Barry is clearly seen as a long-term project, but right now, it would be fair to question whether he is really showing he wants to be an Everton player beyond the end of this season.
Beto, on the other hand, clearly does want to be an Everton player. He has made that extremely clear from the moment he joined in 2023 — the issue for him has always been his quality; it has never been a question of attitude or application.
But Beto’s contract runs out at the end of next season. Everton need to make a call: Either sell him, or offer him a new deal.
Barry has time on his side and years to develop, but if he is not showing desire, he is not going to improve and I can’t escape the feeling that he just doesn’t really “get” what it means to play for a club of Everton’s stature and in front of a fanbase that demands certain non-negotiables.
It has been an unexpected flip of the ideas of how this campaign may play out for both of these players, and while Beto is proving himself as indispensable for the run-in, Barry now needs to make the most of any chances to redeem himself.
Reader Comments (94)
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2 Posted 22/04/2026 at 14:50:02
Such a pity that he made such an absolute dog's breakfast of that chance on Sunday when he was put clean through with only the goalie to beat and somehow contrived to spoon the ball off towards the corner flag — I think it actually went out for a throw-in!
But it's back to the perennial issue of trying to find a proper centre-forward. We all know how poorly a load of the much hyped strikers bought by Premier League clubs last summer fared this season.
Still, we have £110M worth of talent sitting on their arses during every game, thanks to Moyes's wise pragmatism. It really makes you question: just what is the point?
3 Posted 22/04/2026 at 15:06:34
Beto isn't a world beater, but he is finding the net more as time has gone on.
4 Posted 22/04/2026 at 15:15:42
The guy at Brentford would have been ideal.
5 Posted 22/04/2026 at 15:15:49
I don't mind Beto, he is a tryer and has looked pretty good in the last few games.
But Barry, on the other hand, is awful, and I hope we don't go for Delap -- he is no better than what we have.
6 Posted 22/04/2026 at 16:42:12
Nobody wanted Kean around anymore because of his attitude, but he did great when we loaned him to PSG, which gave us a very nice profit when we sold him to Juventus (where he flopped). It took Lookman 4 years after leaving Everton before he learned how to work like a professional, and now he's a star.
I believe we made correct decisions on both. But sometimes when a youngster fails to launch, he's worth sticking with. And sometimes not. Barry is better than either Lookman or Kean at the same stage, and it's hard to say he's less mature. It wouldn't surprise me if the club gives him another year to grow up before giving up on him.
7 Posted 22/04/2026 at 16:50:32
I can't see there being a queue to take him off our hands...
8 Posted 22/04/2026 at 17:26:24
Could I see him being successful elsewhere if he left? Yes, I could. The Lookman and Kean point is valid.
My one doubt on him is the lack of serious pace. Both those always had pace.
9 Posted 22/04/2026 at 17:50:51
I think he will return back to France where his physicality won't be such an issue.
With regards to picking a striker, I suggest you read Big Dunc's biography, without blowing his own trumpet he could certainly tell you which strikers and players not to buy.
Everton should let him have a look at any potential striker before we invest again as Barry just won't cut it, he is just not made for the Premier League.
Beto will definitely be here next season as he has no problems with the physical side and he will improve and have too. The fans love him and he always puts in a shift.
10 Posted 22/04/2026 at 18:02:41
I see a player who, for his size, isn't a particulary good header of the ball, lacks pace, possesses an awful first touch, lacks good positioning and decision making, and has no aggression or desire in his game.
Apart from that, he's fine! :)
11 Posted 22/04/2026 at 19:18:39
Well, Mike, in what game did you see that? No comparison with Lookman. At least he looked like a footballer.
12 Posted 22/04/2026 at 19:20:06
Go for Troy Parrot in the summer and keep Beto as a backup striker. Look for a young third-choice Striker like Braiden Graham from the Under-21s or be brave and look at the lower leagues and go for Dom Ballard at Orient!
13 Posted 22/04/2026 at 19:21:52
14 Posted 22/04/2026 at 19:22:53
15 Posted 22/04/2026 at 19:49:56
I'm not a fan either but I seem to remember a couple of games when he looked like he was beginning to come good when he won all his aerial duels?
I think he's just unhappy in England and will play better for a club in Spain or France where he'll be happier.
16 Posted 22/04/2026 at 19:55:20
I'd rather see a young lad from the U21s get a game -- at least they'd put some effort in.
I just don't understand why Moyes persists with him but more than happy to listen to a decent explanation.
17 Posted 22/04/2026 at 20:19:34
Woltemade
Delap
Evan Ferguson
Hojlund
Jackson
Tel
Lookman, Kean, Garner, prove that players can grow with their age. Kevin Campbell another, bright prospect at Arsenal that grew later with experience and know how.
18 Posted 22/04/2026 at 20:53:02
He works hard and looks like he wants to try. I wouldn't be upset if we sold him and got or money back or if he stayed as the back up.
Barry, on the other hand, I'm done with. There was one moment in the derby that summed Barry up.
Their right back was being pressed, he passed to the centre-back, Barry was 2 feet behind him and I expected him to rush in to close him down and put them under pressure in their own corner, maybe force an error.
But Barry jogged backwards!! Away from the ball towards the keeper!! Leaving the defender to take all the time he needed to clear it up the pitch and put us under pressure.
That was the moment I gave up on him.
19 Posted 22/04/2026 at 21:01:43
Beto more than likely will be out for Saturday, concussion protocol, so I'm guessing Moyes will start Barry; we'll see if he shows the desire, and have a bit of pride in the jersey. I'd keep Beto, he shows what the club means to him.
20 Posted 22/04/2026 at 21:05:21
Despite some questionable moments, with that miss on Sunday, going up there, as wtf.
His goals record in minutes terms is better than 1 in 2 games.
21 Posted 22/04/2026 at 21:23:47
I'm not at all sure I'm one of those that thinks Barry has talent.
I haven't seen any ability to control a football, any ability to run with the ball, read the game, hold the ball up, be clever and win fouls, work hard... I've seen no evidence he can hit a ball with real power and accuracy, a la Lukaku, Saha etc etc.
Add to the fact he plays the game like he couldn't care less and just doesn't appear to get what it means to play as an Everton centre-forward.
Beto, for all his deficiencies and his untidy play, at least wants desperately to succeed here, you can see it in his play and his passion is there on display. Frankly, he's more of a goal threat than Barry by a long chalk.
22 Posted 22/04/2026 at 21:32:57
He came under scrutiny for putting them and our fans in a situation where no one came out looking good... but the one who came out the worst was Barry himself: first for being a dickhead giving Arsenal supporting mates tickets in with our fans; then throwing his own supporters under a bus and this giving us a bad name for his own bizarre decision.
His reaction to that situation has been very disappointing, and Sunday when he was subbed on to run at a tiring RS defence, he could have really driven home his ambition to make things right. He should have been busting a gut to show us he wants it, he wants to play for us, but I didn't see anything whatsoever to tell me he's got the fire in the belly that will be required to succeed here.
23 Posted 22/04/2026 at 21:40:35
Get rid, he's scored enough goals for there to be interest, we'll lose £8-10M, it'll be worth it to get him out the door and free up a space for someone who wants to be here.
On a related subject, I'm so pleased with Beto. He's now scoring regularly in the Premier League. The Brentford boss made a very perceptive comment that he gets good chances in most games, something Maupay wasn't able to manage from one season to the next. There's a player in there.
24 Posted 22/04/2026 at 21:41:38
Worst buy ever at our club. And we have seen some bad ones. I hope to never see him wear our shirt again.
25 Posted 22/04/2026 at 22:03:20
It will be interesting to see what other clubs are in for him.
26 Posted 22/04/2026 at 22:52:46
27 Posted 22/04/2026 at 23:43:42
Beto has a better attitude and is slightly more effective so does get a modicum of respect, but he is certainly, very definitely, not loved by our support base!
We should sell both for whatever we can get and start again. Any money lost, we've more than made up for with the Ndiaye purchase.
28 Posted 22/04/2026 at 00:06:55
29 Posted 23/04/2026 at 02:50:33
It ultimately comes down to the individual and their strengths and attributes (or lack of) and their age and ability to develop and grow.
Barry is 24 in October. He is not a teenager with years to develop. He is, in fact, on the cusp of or in the outer limits of middle age for a striker. Kean and Lookman were both 19 when they joined us. They might not have succeeded in their stint with us but they were even then blessed with more potential than their older counterpart.
Listen, Barry might still develop but it will not be with us. He is too scarred by what sems to be by some distance the majority opinion and by his crass Arsenal at worst fucking dumb at best naive behaviour and response. I don't even think it is worth talking about him and some imagined 'future', because their simply ain't one.
Meanwhile, older Beto somewhere near the height of his powers cannot be relied on and is nowhere near to being the #9 that we so desperately need. Desperately. I admire his commitment and effort but it is not enough. 'Trier' is nowhere near enough for me. It's actually not a complement but a consolation.
I’m no much missed Sam Hoare, needless to say. But there are decently priced strikers in the 19-30 age-range, most of whom, I believe, would be happy to join us. Not the top-tier, but I don’t think that we can shop there and we need to be realistic.
I’m thinking of the likes of:
Samu Aghehowa: Porto (but bad ACL injury 2 months ago)
Troy Parrot: AZ
Endrick: Lyon/Real-M
Georges Mikautadze: Villarreal
Jonathan Burkardt: Eintracht Frankfurt (contracted 2030)
Cucho Hernandez: Real Betis
There are a few in the PL with that experience we need who we might consider:
Evanilson
Mateta
Yoane Wissa
Eli Kroupi
Solanke
Haji Wright (about to join the PL)
See what Man-U do with Sesko
Not going to happen: Watkins, if only …
And, another matter: some Championship talent worth considering, I think:
Gustavo Hamer
Amadou Mbengue
Hayden Hackney
Kudus (if Spurs go down)
Gray (if Spurs go down)
30 Posted 23/04/2026 at 06:47:30
Lol, it was an exception to the rule in truth.
Look at Tom Davies’s first ever Everton goal being something that you'd expect only Andres Iniesta to perform, then wonder why he never even remotely replicated anything like it?
I once recall Ibrahima Bakayoko scoring a wonder free kick at Bristol City in the Cup, but it didn't make him Pele.
31 Posted 23/04/2026 at 07:30:08
That was a great goal tho.
32 Posted 23/04/2026 at 08:17:19
33 Posted 23/04/2026 at 08:38:46
The good news is; The mindless aimless hoof which has been a feature of Mr Brightsides teams for over two decades, seems to have been all but eradicated. We have heard several interviews with players suggesting they are discussing the service required among themselves. They have clearly worked out how futile the big hoof in the general direction of an isolated forward actually is. There can be no question as to whether Beto is better when he is not playing the performing seal. It may take him a couple of strides to get into top gear, but when he does, he is fast and very powerful. A handful who will get you 15 goals if used properly.
Leeds are now closer to us than we are to the CL qualification touted so enthusiastically by some on here. They didnt just sign a goal scorer. They signed a goal scorer who can play too...... For nothing.
Proof that the forwards are actually out there. Or are they in here ?.
34 Posted 23/04/2026 at 08:57:29
He’d come in for my favourite, Duncan.
I think, with hindsight, Gordon Lee is unfairly maligned but that was unforgivable in my young eyes.
35 Posted 23/04/2026 at 09:04:09
But that isn't the case. Have a little tot up of failed strikers at Chelsea.:-
Shevchenko
Lukuku
Sutton
Morata
Kerman
Torres
Mutu
Pato
Falcao
Havertz
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Felix
Higuin
Jackson
Delap
Crespo
Weah
Pizarro
More creativity, better players around them, more time in possession. And the return, absolute dog shit.
36 Posted 23/04/2026 at 09:46:18
Moyes might not have been the only manager who had problems with strikers...
But he might be the only one who won nothing worthwhile with them!
37 Posted 23/04/2026 at 09:48:52
I am sure if he had played for us when Peter Reid was playing, Reidy would have had him round the throat on the training pitch, telling him that he wasn't prepared to run his bollocks off while Barry strutted round not trying an inch.
I hope he is sold as soon as the window opens. He behaves like a spoilt child and again was first down the tunnel at the final whistle. His attitude is awful and I hope that young Braiden Graham is on the bench instead of him for the remaining games.
The one thing Evertonians or any fan wants is 100% effort as a bare minimum and he doesn't even give us that. I have never booed an Everton player or team and never will... but I can understand why some of our fans did boo him.
38 Posted 23/04/2026 at 11:11:50
I think this conversation has achieved it's conclusion with yet another cracking statement. Enjoy him, Mike, he's a baller. ⛹️ 😂
39 Posted 23/04/2026 at 11:30:19
Looking at his few appearances, and he was shocking the other night, he's an average striker who also has a discipline problem on the field.
40 Posted 23/04/2026 at 11:33:05
I wanted Calvert-Lewin to stay but he priced himself out, especially with his injury record. As you say he went to Leeds for free, but on less money than he would have earned at Everton.
Also, Beto has scored more goals from open play than Calvert-Lewin this season, and in far less playing time.
DCLs hold up play when he had support was second to none, but how many sitters did he miss in an Everton shirt?
41 Posted 23/04/2026 at 11:38:33
He won't be the last young player to head there for a long contract and stunt his development.
42 Posted 23/04/2026 at 11:50:27
I thought DCL, had to leave Everton, last summer but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t have been a lot more confident if he had been leading the line against Liverpool, last Sunday.
He’s playing for a progressive team who look like they are playing to Dominic’s strengths and reaping the rewards because of it, so it’ll be interesting watching the FA Cup semifinal on Sunday, to see if Leeds can get to the cup final.
I hope they do because the one thing about Leeds United this season, is that alongside Sunderland, they don’t lie down to anyone and they have been having a proper go at teams.
43 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:06:59
I'm not sure who else there is out there for us to take a punt on.
44 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:19:31
45 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:21:21
His attitude is a real problem, I remember when he was substituted after scoring his first goal, Gana had to chase after him and tell him to acknowledge the fans.
Maybe we should bring big Dunc back to toughen him up. If he doesn't improve after a full pre-season, he should be loaned out, in the hope it will at least raise his sell on value.
I thought he gave the tickets to his friends at Arsenal, I had not heard that they where Gooners
46 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:22:13
Now in hindsight I'd probably have preferred to keep DCL and not spend the money on Barry, I'd have rather we kept that same situation for another season (this) until we could have signed a proper striker.
But it's all irrelevant now.
What we need this summer is to sign at least one better striker than we currently have on our books.
It won't be a world beater but if he's able to control a ball, run with the ball, look lovely, work hard to a good level and score 10-15 goals, then there is already the improvement on this season.
47 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:29:29
48 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:29:30
49 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:29:30
50 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:29:30
51 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:29:30
52 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:29:31
53 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:29:31
54 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:31:11
Geoff
DCL didnt price himself out. He simply decided a long time ago that he was leaving. Despite all the nonsense we read about him dissing the club and bitching about money. He never once opened his mouth. he simply waited out his contract and left. If he did go for less money (and nobody knows that either) then that would be an indication of how much he wanted to leave. That, as far as I'm concerned was down to the way a section of our fan base treated him and his family.
I have no doubt whatsoever that if the manager knew what to do with him and persuaded him to stay, we would be right in the mix for a CL slot right now. Too many fans wanted him gone. They got their wish and now we are 30m worse off and we have Barry instead.
BTW its just plain untrue to say Beto has more goals from open play than DCL (no matter how much it makes Sean kearns.....err "lol"
Beto would have more goals if he had scored 3 from the spot too.....But we all saw what happened when he took one. Would anybody really want him to take our penalties ?
55 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:41:10
56 Posted 23/04/2026 at 13:17:18
57 Posted 23/04/2026 at 13:17:42
58 Posted 23/04/2026 at 13:43:51
59 Posted 23/04/2026 at 13:46:26
Nothing to do with him thinking he was going to absolutely coin it as a free agent, by ripping off the club that got him his start. That thirty million that we should have got as a fee when we sold him, that just sadly disappeared. It was nothing to do with Dom playing down his contract so he could effectively stuff that in his back pocket, after being paid top dollar for five years to mostly sit on the treatment table.
No, not at all.
And him sacking his agent, that was nothing to do with money. Perish the thought.
60 Posted 23/04/2026 at 14:09:59
Everton were never in that bracket, with a number being journeymen, injury crocks, or players past their best.
61 Posted 23/04/2026 at 14:22:55
62 Posted 23/04/2026 at 14:26:40
"7th with Beto"
I can only admire your confidence.
63 Posted 23/04/2026 at 14:48:35
I always think about Tom Davies, who looked like a fine young prospect until Everton started going through manager after manager, all wanting to play a little bit different, and suddenly the kid was getting pushed from pillar to post, and his career completely nosedived.
I have watched a lot of Everton playing under Moyes and, if I'm being honest, I don't want to watch Everton playing under Moyes for much longer.
I can still remember the chant at Old Trafford, when Martinez finally broke our duck there…
"Stuck with Moyes, Man Utd,
Playing football the negative way!"
That might not be entirely true, but I think you might know what I mean, Ian. Rigid and safe, tried and tested. Stay in your lane and just keep things ticking along because surely people can see nobody could do a better job than David.
64 Posted 23/04/2026 at 15:02:34
You think he ripped off the club?
You forgot to mention we only paid £1.5M for him, the club lost nothing with the many years he played here, and the goal against Palace was worth a lot more than £30M.
65 Posted 23/04/2026 at 15:02:43
”Dom destroyed the Man Utd centre backs“.
Have you been listening to Trump as well as Mike?
66 Posted 23/04/2026 at 15:25:35
Saha was a top level striker, but unfortunately his ability was blunted by injury. He was good technical player, but there was a reason united got rid.
Andy Johnson was very good at falling over, and once Wegner had whistle blowed on it, his game was blunted.
Beckford, Straqlurci, Jelavic, Bent, Radzinski, Naismith, Anichibe were all journeymen strikers.
Beattie was a flop. Good enough for Southampton, but was never going to do anything for a better club.
Ferguson, Campbell past their best.
67 Posted 23/04/2026 at 15:39:00
That purple patch when he signed was huge... though he was under Martinez, I think.
68 Posted 23/04/2026 at 15:41:44
69 Posted 23/04/2026 at 16:01:13
Nice of him to pop one in the onion bag for us once every couple of months, wasn't it?
Yes, he unquestionably ripped us off. And at a time when we were teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.
70 Posted 23/04/2026 at 16:21:37
I could spend all day telling you what you clearly don't know, but you have already made that clear with your foolish guesswork and assumptions. So let me tell you what you do know:
You know that a section of our fans booed Calvert-Lewin off when he had to retire with a broken face.
You know that his Mrs received online dog's abuse from so-called Evertonians.
You know he took a ridiculous proportion of abuse on websites such as this -- asked the editor.
You know that many fans couldn't control their anger when he did bit of modelling.
You know the goal against Palace went a very long way towards this club avoiding oblivion. So you know he owes this club nothing.
You also know he didn't at any stage express a wish to stay throughout his last 12 months. So you also know he didn't deceive anybody by leaving -- anybody with any sense that is.
You know that he was going to be a multi, multi millionaire (more than he is ever likely to able spend) whether he stayed here or not..
Try to stick with what you know rather than speculate about stuff you clearly know nothing about.
BTW, one more thing you know. You know that, despite his much spoken about injuries, he is a vastly superior footballer and scores more goals than both of the players we spent £60M on to replace him.
If there's anything you want to dispute. Take it up with the official records.
It's easy to see why the people who hounded him out of this club now want to speak about stuff they know nothing about. The facts must make for very uncomfortable reading.
71 Posted 23/04/2026 at 17:11:06
But Dom had other ideas, at some point he thought to himself, "Why don't I get that transfer fee, and keep it for myself? All I need to do is be hard-faced enough to run down my contract. I've dressed up as a schoolgirl, so that's not gonna be a problem. And then it's another thirty big ones for yours truly. Result!"
I'm not saying that's illegal, or he belongs in gaol, but it does make him a gobshite in my book.
72 Posted 23/04/2026 at 17:17:37
That's how contracts work when they come to an end.
73 Posted 23/04/2026 at 17:22:37
And we have no legal redress if they shaft us, but we are perfectly entitled to level the accusation at them that they are money grabbing gobshites.
And he must have hatched his money grabbing plan during the time when we were teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. That £30M might have been the straw that broke the camel's back if the Friedkins hadn't come in.
Certainly not having that money to reinvest in a forward would have been disastrous whilst we were slogging it out under Dyche.
74 Posted 23/04/2026 at 17:45:02
75 Posted 23/04/2026 at 18:01:38
76 Posted 23/04/2026 at 18:13:55
"The goal against Palace was worth a lot more than £30M."
I'm not sure that's strictly true. The romantic memory is that our 3-2 win over Crystal Palace kept us up that year (2021-22), and therefore, obviously, the winning goal...
But look at the final table. We had 36 points going into that game, which was all we needed because Burnley went down in 18th place on 35 points.
77 Posted 23/04/2026 at 18:25:15
21 goals under Moyes, is the most the Yak scored in one season in England. More than Boro & more than Portsmouth.
You did ask...
78 Posted 23/04/2026 at 18:26:03
You've been forced to accept that Calvert-Lewin and his family had to endure shameful abuse. You have been forced to accept that the official records (not to mention the naked eye) prove he is a better player than the two we spent £60M on. Now you have been forced to accept that your argument doesnt have a legal leg to stand on. That really is a compelling argument you've put together there.
The fact that we were spending £170M on players as he left should offer a little bit of an insight as to how ridiculous your claim is that he almost bankrupted the club. The fact that you think any club would spend £30M on a player with his injury record demonstrates you don't know what you are talking about. We'd have been lucky to get £5M.
Your bleating is pathetic. You want to give dog's abuse to the guy who "dressed up as a schoolgirl" then scream the house down when he shows you no loyalty and gives you the finger.
I don't blame Barry for being here. I blame people like you and Moyes. Every time he mis-controls a ball should serve as a constant reminder of that to you.
79 Posted 23/04/2026 at 18:38:02
Just the one?
80 Posted 23/04/2026 at 18:38:56
Nobody knows (or wanted to find out) how things would have panned out if we had given Burnley hope going into the last game.
The goal was celebrated for months afterwards. Not for nothing.
81 Posted 23/04/2026 at 18:39:11
That's it in a nutshell really.
82 Posted 23/04/2026 at 18:41:42
83 Posted 23/04/2026 at 18:41:56
Disgraceful then, disgraceful now.
84 Posted 23/04/2026 at 18:44:42
85 Posted 23/04/2026 at 18:46:36
I checked the next batch, Beckford, Jelavic, Anichebe and Stracqualursi never scored a higher amount in top-flight English football, than under Moyes 😉.
86 Posted 23/04/2026 at 19:10:45
87 Posted 23/04/2026 at 19:13:05
88 Posted 23/04/2026 at 19:14:34
89 Posted 23/04/2026 at 19:30:35
90 Posted 23/04/2026 at 19:35:45
his critics me howl. They insist he was a sitter missing flop, then claim that despite the fact that he was permanently crocked. We would have gotten 30m for him.
Genius
91 Posted 23/04/2026 at 19:40:26
92 Posted 24/04/2026 at 12:30:02
93 Posted 24/04/2026 at 12:54:35
94 Posted 26/04/2026 at 16:51:28
I never want to see Barry again in the blue shirt (or the away or third, or a bib).
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1 Posted 22/04/2026 at 14:38:49
Could be nice to have a striker that doesn't need replacing after 60 or 70 minutes.