An even more testing runout for the unproductive Blues

Never seen him before the Accrington Stanley game. Looked good.

McNeil's dead balls and crosses not special.

Seems a decent workout.

Good on the eye.

Missed Calvert-Lewin.

Maybe a new rule from the yanks that wages only start in proper games, then Everton will play proper football. Who's next?

Blackburn were back in preseason 2 weeks earlier.

Slow in possession, no movement. That looked very shoddy.
It's time to start building this squad.

Blackburn came 7th in the Championship last season so they aren't ‘easy' opposition. Is it Todd Cantwell playing for them? Wasn't he getting rave reviews a few seasons back?

A relatively long way to go to be ready for the new season start but a few class additions to boost the level of competition for starting places and things could change radically.

Patterson was a decent threat going forwards but, as he was advanced, McNeil hardly seemed involved. With O'Brien playing a deeper lying right-back role, Dwight came into things more. Getting the blend and strategy right could be the biggest issue.

I don't think McNeil is good enough or quick enough to be a regular either, unfortunately, he's too pedestrian.

I'm eager to see what Barry brings to the side, he's going to need to hit the ground running, however, as we hardly have an abundance of options.

We need signings, that's clear and we need them soon.

Pace is paramount, I'm not even sure the signing of a Jack Grealish is really what we need either.

We need quicker full-backs, especially at left-back, and we need more energetic movement on and off the ball.

Let's hope for better in The States!

Available for loan if players come in?

I think he got ideas above his station when the going was good at Norwich.

We always start slow. It's high time we just don't have to improve but improve as fast as possible.

Some good points: I thought Patterson looked bright, and Armstrong made two De Bruyne-like passes in the second half. The final good point is the world and his mother know we need pace on the right side. And with TFG announcing there's £150M, there really is no excuse.

Fellows
Doak
Mcatee

Pull yer fucking finger out and sign these lads!!!

The concern for me is the slow build-up pass style, which is boring. There wasn't an end product.

I really hope attacking flair is added, we cannot have another low-scoring season.

I thought Patterson was poor defensively, his concentration is his biggest problem, he wandered into the centre and left their player totally free behind him for their goal.

We definitely need to bring in a full-back in my opinion.

The two youngsters need to be in the first team squad and Armstrong must be a starter.

Always impressed with O'Brien and would put him at right-back if Tarkowski is fit. Sadly, Patterson isn't good enough.

One thing that we can assume from their purchase of both Roma and Everton is that they know how to drive the price down, so maybe this is what is happening now as we wait for the very important influx of new players?

That's an uncorroborated rumor from Miguel Delaney of The Independent.

Attacking backs tend to be dodgy defensively. For example a right back who is allegedly the best right-back in the world, who now speaks beautiful Spanish, is shite defensively, and I could reel off a dozen attacking backs all with the same weakness.

Personally, I'd rather see full-backs in the Trent or Potter mould etc, than Mykolenko.

I'm not saying Patterson is anywhere near the quality of the previously mentioned full-backs, but we haven't seen Patterson given an extended run to give an opinion of whether he's up to it.

Up The Fucking Transfers!

Patterson is simply not good enough defensively, offensively or any other -ely you want to name.

Flogging a dead horse.

If he's the answer, we're asking the wrong question.

Halfway through the 2nd half with no commentary, if you didn't know who was who, you would think the guys in yellow were the Premier League outfit. Not that Rovers were that special – just faster, fitter and up for the game. To say that the only positive was Travers says it all.

Not surprisingly with the same 10 outfielders starting it was like watching last season before Moyes came along. Only problem is that Moyes is already here.

There are several positions that we desperately need improving and the most glaring is finding someone who can get hold of the game in midfield and make things happen. Neither Gana nor Charly is that player. No width – I even thought we missed Harrison! Says it all!

So we go to Trump-land with the same faces plus Barry! He'd better be fucking good or we are going to be as shit as the previously mentioned clown.

There must be something not right with the books which is stopping us spending money despite TFG being here for 6 months and promising to get Everton functioning like a Premier League club.

Time to show us you are a better bet than the previously mentioned clown who owned the club.

Maximus 19 oz... do you drink, smoke, cook or just stroke it?

Once Blackburn dropped back, we worked through routine possession alright; players seemed to know where the supports and outlets were. The lack of full intention made a frustrating watch. Another decent chance in the 24th minute, so I'm thinking they are running through the motions without much concern for the outcome

On Patterson, he often makes plays that teammates don't understand. Several stray passes, and an early dribble out our box into the middle froze the support and he did not have the awareness of danger that competent fullbacks must have. Wingback at best, but his skill on the ball suggests not in the Premier League.

Brendan, Ha! I haven't made it a full ritual but I do drink it, there is some smoking involved, and yes I occasionally stroke it, the can.

* Beto only played half a season, and in the first half a season there wasn't really a Number 9 that had a good goal-scoring run.

* Now there's Beto and potentially Barry to try something new throughout the new season.

* In the season Leicester City won the league, the best players who got sold on were mainly Kante and Mahrez; with Vardy another but he wouldn't leave. This was followed by solid performers in other positions.

* This Everton team in the second half of last season also had some good players. A few good players carried the team, like Pickford, Branthwaite, Ndiaye, Gana, and Beto later.

* Leicester City, on the first day of the season they won the league, didn't have a group of players wanted by the Top 4. Definitely not saying buying an excellent right forward puts Everton in the challenge for the league group like Leicester. But, having a few top players carrying the team makes a difference (Cole Palmer and Salah as examples).

I'm hoping Moyes doesn't bring in two decent right forwards but one excellent right forward who is willing to come. Which might mean an average bench warmer for the second right forward, if needed, which the bench might not, as McNeil can play there as back-up.

Another reason why we should pay a bit more for just one excellent right forward in my opinion is because Salah bailed out the RS many times in average games with a moment of brilliance. Mahrez was fantastic for Leicester City and Man City. Saka does it for Arsenal. Vini Jnr for Real. Yamal for Barca. The modern game keeps proving teams with goal scoring wide forwards who cut inside do more damage than a winger who mainly goes outside to float one into the box.

I'm hoping the recruitment team make a big spend on a goal-scoring right forward and a very decent central midfielder to alternate with G&G, as two Number 9s are in place that can offer a decent goal threat all season. This would mean the team takes a few steps closer to where everyone wants it to be.

And having a top right foward might attract decent loans to come to challenge from the bench. Anyway, looking forward to seeing how this pans out!

Sorry but Alcaraz should be that player. A lad hoping to make it big in the Premier League or with Argentina should be running the show against Blackburn. If you want a team that will compete, then players need to step up – whether it's Alcaraz, Gana, Garner, McNeil…

Most of these require him to be further up the field – not dropping back to collect the ball and starting the attack.

Could Armstrong do that? A lot to ask an 18-year-old! But where is Moyes going to find a player for less than £20M?

That play alone is key. Beto finds a favorable matchup and their defence must commit a second player. Charly and Ndiaye are hungry enough to bag a few goals.

Oh hell, Illy should have scored in the 55th minute. For the second match, I'm not unnerved by what I see up through 60 minutes. And that was decent stuff building to McNeil's layoff to O'Brien in the 63rd minute. That stuff was not happening before. These players are improving within this system but the small squad limits their efforts.

Hopefully he will realise we need new and much better players, and the areas they are needed.

Not sure that's his job.

We currently have a depleted squad from one that has struggled for the last 4 seasons, with no sign of imminent reinforcements. Come on, TFG, get your finger out and don't let us get embarrassed in the USA.

I thought Patterson actually did okay going forward, but he is poor defensively, and I don't see him improving; a new quality right-back is a must.

Dwight McNeil was poor, dead balls were very poor, a contributing squad player.

Alcaraz was not on it today, but I think it was rustiness, you can see his attention and intention; I think he will come good this season.

The young guys second half showed well, notably Armstrong. He has to be more involved now.

Our new keeper showed a decent level of composure and made some good saves.

O'Brien struck the best shot of the game, albeit into the side netting, all round composed and on his game already.

Jarrard is warming up nicely.

Gana is a good watch, Garner not quite so.

Mykolenko did okay, his game has developed a bit under Moyes, not a revelation like O'Brien, but a decent squad player.

Ndiaye is always a first pick.

Beto is an enigma, keeps everyone guessing, but usefully he rattles defenders, don't expect anything new from him. But maybe that's what Barry is about...
Hoping we are more alert, mobile and goal-minded in the US of A.

At least 3 quality new faces required, and 3 more loans to give depth, soon please.

My prediction — and my predictions are usually wrong — is that Harrison Armstrong earns the starting job in central midfield over Garner and becomes the revelation we need him to be, and that our two big signings are, of course, right-wing and right-back, who along with a couple of shrewd loan signings, shoot us to a top-half finish this season.

We need signings and that will happen, it will lift the team. Sooner the better though the quality of players we are in for have possibilities above us. I trust that Moyes et al will get it right.

One day, I hope to be an outfit that a) looks convincing pre-season and b) an attractive enough proposition for quality players to feel confident to choose us over others. At the moment, that isn't the reality and we need to amend expectations accordingly.

Let's not get carried away, but he looks a genuine prospect.

I like Garner and Gana but neither create enough or score enough. In this league, you need at least one central midfielder contributing 8, 9, 10 goals to be successful. Will Armstrong offer more? Got to be worth a go!

Obviously the old problem of actually scoring goals is the big issue. Not sure if it's fair to expect Barry to be the answer to that straight away.

Anyway. Still a few weeks before I need to get too bothered about Everton.

I like Garner very much but, before signing him to a longer-term contract, I'd want to see him stay healthy. His having had three back injuries before age 24 causes me... concern.

It's the very same fate as engulfs all clubs bar the Top 6-ish every season, for decades – unless new, corrupt money buys one of the Top 6, of course – then those in charge tell them, "Just do as you wish!"

Accrington Stanley and Blackurn Rovers aside, our remaining few pre-season games are designed by our current owners to generate a smidgeon of income for themselves (beyond their desperate clawing from us of CCTV coverage fees for the two games played in the heart of Lancashire) and their shareholders of course (who really matter of course, obviously). If a glimmer of hope to the What-Are-They-Called, fans? — arrives as a welcome result or two, so much the better!

In the meantime, the Top 6 sell the toenail clippings of their elite for way more than these turgid pre-season games produce for us, and others.

An absolute howler from Pope for Celtic's 2nd. They won 4-0.

Could Kubo or Hutchinson be that player? Or are there unknown gems out there – the next Mahrez or Salah?

I also agree that 2 or 3 key players can make a huge difference. I contend that Everton have been unlucky in not having that one talismanic player – Salah, Lampard, Rooney – who becomes the focal point of the team, in recent times.

But, being the optimist that I always am, maybe that player is just round the corner, waiting to burst onto the scene. Now, is that player Branthwaite, Ndiaye, Alcaraz, Armstrong, Chermiti… or someone else?

The Moyesiah will be kicked into touch by the Yanks if he gets off to his usual slow start. So fingers crossed the new stadium will inspire the fans to get behind the team and roar them into a great start...

That's it – continuity and hopefully progress on data usage. I expect one midfielder, but on a delayed payment transfer or even a loan. But Alcaraz may be put to the fore.

Interesting that youth has been given a chance to see if there is any potential. I wonder who is being put in the shop window? Barry will be on the bench for a while.

We still look a bit rusty. Either that or we were only going through the motions. Nothing to get excited or concerned about, although listening to some reactions (not just on here), you'd think we'd just lost an FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool by not showing up in the second half (been there too!!!).

For the goal, maybe O'Brien could have done more to block or show the player and ball out or away from goal. It seemed half-hearted. I was initially critical of Patterson but, in fairness, he had to leave his man, the eventual scorer, to cover the player O'Brien had left, so had to go to the ball. As a defender, if you're closest to the ball, you go to it.

I thought Travers looked assured. I know he caused a divide in opinions, but I wouldn't have an issue with him covering for Pickford if needed. Great save from a dangerous free kick.

Patterson. I understand what a lot say about him not being good enough for where we want to be; I've said it myself despite having been patient with him. It doesn't take away the need for a right-back, but I wouldn't be surprised if Moyes keeps him.

I actually felt for Beto. He was making good runs, but too few players were looking up and turning inside or going backwards. It felt like a drawback to the life of the isolated Everton striker of late.

Chermiti again showed glimpses. Again, another one that I know a few will dispute, but I'd retain him.

I'll comment on the young players who came on, as we know what to expect from the rest.

Isaac Heath looked okay. Maybe not as effective as against Accrington, but this was stronger opposition (finished 7th in the Championship). Justin Clarke is a box of tricks with pace. He can be a real handful. He is probably still a bit raw and if I'm being eagle-eyed critical, he needs to work on his positional awareness when play breaks down to the opposition. He can learn that. I don't think Metcalfe was on long enough to give an opinion.

I'll save the best until last. Harrison Armstrong. I don't want to get carried away about the West Derby 18-year-old, but he impresses every time he plays. Calm on the ball, makes space for himself, spots a forward pass, and then follows up rather than sit back and watch. Beto would have benefited with him on the pitch.

He may not be a regular starter, but he can definitely feature. For those who were calling for him to go on loan, fair enough and it's an opinion. But for me, it's a No. I've seen enough to believe he can contribute.

Work to do. Build fitness and match sharpness and new signings. Sounds simple, but it's pretty obvious.

The aim is to get improvement on what already exists and then to prudently upgrade the team with the resulting improvement in generated funds and club-generated young players. Moyes will take this so far till near the end of his contract and then another manager, hopefully a Maresca-type manager, will continue to build a young team to take it further.

This is the model now used by American private equity firms in the sports sector, with great success. TFG know exactly what they are doing. The template is even identifiable in this game.

TFG employed Moyes for the period of his contract. They will not be even thinking of sacking him as he was their right choice and fit.

Barry is their main signing and Alcaraz is Doucoure's replacement. Other players brought in will be to add depth, loans (even Harrison) and young players to build for the future. Younger players and other players will play pre-season to be assessed for improvement and put in the shop window. Big signings are for the birds.

Mark @55 & Mike @56. There are a few scenarios that could play out.

1. Moyes gets the backing, shapes his own team and does well. He sees his current contract out.

2. Moyes gets the backing, shapes his own team and it goes horribly wrong. Gone by Christmas.

3. Moyes gets the backing, shapes his own team and is doing okay, but suddenly a better manager becomes available.

That's how I see it. We've seen how these owners operate at Roma. They don't mess around.

I hope we don't start the season with the one-paced McNeil playing on the right because, like Harrison, it just doesn't work.

And young Armstrong has got to be given his head over Garner who offers nothing defensively or offensively — surely Moyes can see that… but these managers have their favourites and stick with them.

At least 5 players needed asap or this threadbare squad will continue to struggle. Time for the recruitment team to get their finger out, we keep hearing names like Luiz, McAtee, Grealish etc, but be fair — none of them are coming here. It's just paying lip service to us.

I'm actually looking forward to this season.

Armstrong was the exception. The boy can play. Great vision, quick thinking and rarely misplaces a pass. He must start against Leeds. Almost twice Armstrong's age, Gueye showed why he too is indispensable.

Sadly elsewhere on the park, all our usual frailties were evident. Patterson was at fault for their goal but, that aside I thought he had a reasonable game, regularly raiding down the right and producing some dangerous crosses into the box. In fact, O'Brien – when shuffled to right-back to replace Patterson for Keane's introduction – was guilty of being turned inside out by their winger at the bye line, almost costing us a goal.

McNeil was dreadful all match and should've been substituted much earlier. Beto was... Beto; enough said! Ndiaye showed some tricky touches, with no end product. The rest of them were largely anonymous. I wouldve liked Iroegbunam to have been given some game time. Hes looked a decent player on the limited occasions Ive seen him. Evidently Moyes dosent share my appraisal of him. The kids who made cameo appearances looked bright and eager. Certainly faring no worse than regular first teamers.

A special mention for Travers in goal making his debut. Some sloppy handling and careless distribution, but he made two outstanding saves to keep us in the game and save our blushes even further.

New recruits are desperately needed, Mr Moyes. You have a lot of work ahead of you, David, to ensure that the Hill Dickinson Stadium does not become the relegation zone that Goodison has been for so long.

There is no “unless” clause when you make a bet!

I suppose you can't really expect much improvement from essentially the same set of players, under the same inherently conservative manager, who have shown repeatedly that they cannot perform at a high enough level to take Everton forward.

There were signs with Alcaraz last season that, rather than elevating the rest of the team to his obvious higher levels of skill and accomplishment, he would instead be brought down to their level —and that was what showed all too painfully yesterday. I was really pleased we signed him, hoping he would get even better... not manifestly worse!

And Idrissa Gana Gueye, great though he is a defensive midfielder, still can't shoot for toffee... drives me mad that he tries it on every game, with an exceedingly high failure rate.

Conversely, Harrison Armstrong provides some hope in this regard, and it was of course too much to expect that Moyes would start him in both games… somehow, I don't expect to see too much of him going forward as he's bound to have been doing something wrong and not obeying instructions.

Expectations, eh? Maybe Steve Shave is right: we shouldn't really have any.

But wait just a dargone minute there... what was it Sir John Moores once said on that subject?

These top professionals should have innate and inalienable skills that are fundamental in terms of how they pass a ball, and in McNeil's case, how he kicks the ball from the corner arc.

I'm not convinced a lack of full fitness excuses such lapses.

We desperately need players. With only Barry and Tarkowski to come in, we are seriously short. There will be injuries and suspensions, etc, and the squad is simply not big enough.

He has to use these friendlies to stake a claim for his involvement with the first team next season.

Nice for Armstrong to impress, though.

I don't agree that pre-season doesn't matter. Yes, it's building fitness, of course it is, but it's also laying foundations for style of play, embedding new players.

Our squad is desperately short currently.

Is this the quote you are referring to from Sir John Moores?

“Everton expects success. We've a very good crowd and our crowd are very loyal. But, of course, they pay money and they expect to see us do well. If we don't do well then something should be done about it and something will be done about it,”

I have no time for those who try to dumb down our expectations, to be honest.

A word of advice: our pre-season games are usually bad so I wouldn't read too much into them. The boys will be alright on the night.

We passed the ball okay at times, but like Michael says, I also believe that, only when we introduce some better players, will the decent players that we already have begin to really improve.

Let's see what this transfer window brings, is what most sensible observers of Everton have been saying since the season ended in May. I just hope patience isn't beginning to wear thin.

Armstrong is such a talent but will Moyes trust in him to be a starter? I'm not sure. Really hope he doesn't spend all season sat on our bench.

The profile of that competition is quite high over there among Premier League fans, and it would be a great way to build momentum going into the new season.

Blackburn in July? I wouldn't read too much into it.

We get linked with virtually everyone, yet have signed only a second-string goalie and a moderate youngster who's shown promise in Spain, but yet to prove himself in the Premier League. Hardly inspiring up to now.

This is the crucial period for new players to be bought and integrated into the team in pre-season matches, in order to 'hit the ground running' in the first Premier League match against Leeds Utd.

The last thing we need is last-minute signings stumbling into the new season, struggling to find their feet with new teammates. By then, we could be giving everyone else a headstart.

Or is it the usual 'wait and see'? Which roughly translates as, 'depends how much we can get for Beto' and any other deadwood that is still fit to burn!

Hopefully we'll be bedding in Barry along with a few others – the likes of Hutchinson, Kubo, McAtee – even Soucek and Coufal – to give us a sense of how the squad for the coming season might shape up.

At this stage, it really is all about recruitment.

A professional should be able to do that. Sad.

I'm still of the thinking that we're holding out for quality rather than quantity but that'll start looking shaky if nothing happens by the end of the week.

A creative player who always wants the ball and is good enough to control and find a forward running team mate 8 out of 10 times. Other than the elusive ball player, we need pace desperately in a runner who looks to play forward, create or score themselves.

It's likely to be £30M to £40M each but that's the price for quality. We are not making early moves for the best of the out-of-contract players and don't have the stature to lure the likes of Rashford or Elanga etc.

Sad but true. I'm already looking forward to 2027-28!

Ndiaye and Gana only returned to Finch Farm a couple of days ago and will gradually build their fitness during the tournament in America.

I am sure the club will be working hard to add a couple of additions before the start of the season, but it needs to be more quality rather than just numbers to bolster the squad.

Wolves - sold Cunha and Ait Nouri - their best players by some distance. Bought Strand-Larsen (on loan there last season anyway) and two potentially excited but very inexperienced new wing-forwards in Arias and Lopez. At present they look a lot weaker than last season.

Fulham - no major sales or purchases. Look about the same as last year therefore.

Brentford - sold Mbeumo and Flekken - and bought Kayode (on loan anyway), Milambo and Kellerher. At present they look weaker than last season - and have a rookie in charge to replace Frank.

Bournemouth - sold Huijsen and Kerkez - two of their best players. And let go of Kepa on loan. LB replacement for Kerkez is Truffert - who just isn't as good (Kerkez is excellent). Petrovic replaces Kepa. No replacement yet for Huijsen and no other reinforcements. At present they look weaker than last season.

Forest - sold Elanga, Danilo and look in danger of selling Gibbs-White (or being left with an unhappy player). Bought Igor Jesus (whom we and loads of others were linked with - but no-one else). At present they look weaker than last season.

Palace - Mitchell has left for free and been replaced with Croatian Sosa. No other meaningful business but they are at risk of losing Eze. At present they look a little weaker than last season.

West Ham - Kudus has gone and they have only one striker in injury plagued Fullkrug. Their expensively assembled squad is starting to look light and patchy. new signing Diouf (LW / LWB / LB) could become excellent but he's very raw. Big signing Todibo was there last season anyway. At present they look weaker than last season and have the disadvantage of hopeless Potter as manager.

Brighton - lost Joao Pedro - and bought in 6 new players without looking any stronger on paper. They must be holding out a lot of hope for new Greek teenage strikers Tzimas and Kostoulas. Despite a lot of business, they look no stronger than last season and still have the underwhelming Hurzeler in charge.

For the first time in a long time, we could realistically finish above all of these teams.

In every way possible.

I hope we don't blow this opportunity. We now have rich owners with a bit of acumen as opposed to the previous set-up… and we have a fantastic new stadium thanks to the previous set-up. This is a wonderful chance; let's go for it.

But the point I'm making is - we look a lot weaker than all of them – at the moment – with our minuscule squad.

But, like I said, I still have faith we're getting reinforcements soon. At the moment…

Wouldn't you agree at the moment we have the weakest squad in the Premier League and it's debatable where we will finish if the squad isn't seriously strengthened?

Each club plainly has a lot of work to do.

At the moment, West Ham, Brentford and Wolves should be very worried about relegation.

We'd be in the Championship if they had got their way.

If this was 1 September, I'd be fed up… but we will have 3 or 4 new first team squad players by then. Possibly more, who knows.

Do you doubt that?

It's crap. Trying to convince me that Beto is a good striker, that O'Brien is okay as a full-back, that Keane is a good squad player, that Gana can shoot, that Alcaraz is a winger, or anyone else we have is... This squad makes McNeil look good.

Seriously, my toys are not only out the pram, so is the bloody bottle. We are seriously short of quality having disposed of a significant amount of deadwood. We are now left with what's left… and kids.

True, Barry is yet to appear, but we are well short in every department of the quality needed to shake off the tremors of relegation. I have absolutely no idea who is making the transfer calls or what the strategy is. Are we waiting to do loan deals and freebies at the last minute? Half the team that played against Blackburn are not good enough… yet are sure-fire, nailed-on first team 11.

We all knew we needed a clearout on top of the end-of-contracts and loans… at the very least, we needed at least 6 recruits of a higher quality than what we have.

We may have one but he is an unknown to us yet. Alcaraz has only been given a 2-year contract... it all feels very lacklustre, very David Moyes.

Of course we don't know the kitty — maybe the chest is empty but we have less than a month to go...

Stateside for a couple of weeks and precious little time for a number of new recruits to hit the ground running.

We have waited nearly 20 years to move home, as many for new owners, we have endured selling off the best we had... it's time to get off the pot.

I said we had the weakest squad, Robert, not the worst, and you saying we have the smallest squad equates, to me, as having the weakest squad.

No, I have no doubt we will have signed and loaned at least six new players in the next few weeks but it depends on the quality of those players as to how much we have been strengthened.

The only thing that changed is that these highly-tuned machines are more prone to injury, so everyone's more careful with game time at this stage.

The hard summer of recruitment we've been talking about for months isn't going to get easier because we're here. We proved eight years ago that good recruitment requires patience.

My recollection of Moyes's first spell was at the start of the season, the players often looked leggy, almost over-trained, then looked much fitter as the season went on. It'll be interesting to see how that goes.

It's like the reverse of the joke what attracted you (Debbie McGhee) to the millionaire Paul Daniels.

Don't get me wrong, I'm desperate to see what our squad looks like for the coming season – but we could still have players like Gallagher, McAtee, Wesley and Hutchinson to add. All of these are courted by other clubs and selling clubs will be haggling hard on price. Hence it's not quick.

But if things don't work out, I want Angus out.

Personally, I don't share a lot of the doom and gloom on here. Moyes knows where the weak links are in the squad and will strengthen the team in the coming weeks. The players aren't even match fit yet!

I would love if the links to Luiz are true, he would definitely be an upgrade.

Will TFG really back him… or will it be another Kenwright “Keep us in the Premier League” business plan?

Now I don't know if it's true, but come on TFG, find the players and get them in.

We are seriously lacking top quality leadership on the pitch as evidenced by the two friendlies.

I was concerned at how easily they got past and through our press multiple times. You can't blame Patterson for their goal. They lacerated our right flank and he had to look to cover the first free player in the box.

I thought Jimmy Garner was anonymous for the first half but he did get much more involved second half. I was disappointed not to see Tim Iroegbunam. I've only seen highlights from the Accrington game but he seemed to show the most athleticism in the middle of the park.

Couldn't tell if he was poor or decent overall though so I don't know whether he was benched all game yesterday to keep him healthy for the US trip or because he's bottom of the pile.

We certainly need to get a pacy right winger in.

I think we were all hoping to have a bit more in depth before the tour to The States but still time yet to get players in.

The one consolation of having a poor start to pre-season is Kinnear being at the Blackburn game, that may now speed up the urgency of bringing players in.

Although I don't get too carried away with pre-season results, that was what I would call our starting 11 less Pickford.

Different scenarios but TFG walked away from both Roma and Everton before returning to purchase both clubs. The only way this is going to work when purchasing players is if no bigger or better clubs are interested in signing that said player.

Ruthless businessmen, successful businessmen, but owning sports teams is totally different, especially if you want to really compete to win.

Benfica is definitely going to be an easier first step into European football for him - and gives him a shot at trophies and Champions League football straightaway.

I think he would have found life at Everton really hard and perhaps not shone as a result. Plenty more fish in the sea.

They may be clickbait. Who knows these days but it did seem to be true as they said Everton have been locked in talks for weeks and were on the brink of landing him when Benfica moved in because of the new low price.

My own view is that I'm sure both the manager and his players would have liked a few of our new signings on the plane to America, to help give them some quality time for them all to get to know each other.

It could still happen, but the longer it goes without many new additions, the more chance it looks like we will be starting the season with the team that finished last season.

Maybe it's time to put the iPad away, and try and forget about Everton for a couple of weeks.

I mean me, not you, Jay, because I've just read you're going to be watching one of our pre-season games in America!

Have a great time, Jay, and if it was down to me, then I'd definitely pick Chicago over Atlanta!

Anyway, never been to Atlanta and looking forward to it. I think Danny will be there too. It would be good to meet up if you fancy it.

Well said Kevin #96