Why there’s no need to panic despite a slow start to the summer

Some folks here are well into "where are the signings?" mode, but I'm actually pleased to see the club showing patience and not rushing into signings we might regret later just to fill out the ranks.

Of course there's match fitness and tactical awareness that come with playing a full pre-season together but it was always going to be a tough ask to get everyone in before the start of pre-season friendlies and it's something that most teams haven't achieved yet.

The nature of the market now dictates that more is done towards the end of the window than the beginning, our first match is against Leeds who are in a similar position in terms of players waiting to see who else comes in for them.

I'm not worried for the first time in years.

I am not disputing your statement, for one cotton-picking minute, as I know you are well connected and do diligent research, as opposed to some purveyors of detritus we see on these pages.

Who are these key members? It seems very lackadaisical, as we have so many areas to address in the transfer market that to leave it to either the last minute, or down to Moyes himself.

The manager has many tasks to perform to get ready for the new season as it is. I can't believe if we are to be a serious contender in the forthcoming season, that this has been allowed to happen!

But a few preseason injuries, plus the fact we're not negotiating from a position of strength with so many needs, and my fear is that we're forced into panic buys in the coming weeks and month as the season nears.

Things could get scary very quickly in that situation.

The point I'm trying to make, probably very badly, is that all contributors to this site have known for at least 2 years where the deficiencies in the squad are.

My question is therefore, why are we not, as a club, identifying potential replacements that fit the age, talent and price profile before the season ends?

That way, we could have a portfolio of possible targets to pursue with all the relevant financial and fitness details prepared beforehand and ready to go as soon as the window opens?

This would seem to indicate due diligence and preparation to me, but there is very little evidence of it happening at Everton.

As for a measured and cautious approach from our new owners, how can that be when Roma and Everton are said to be in competition for the same player?

Competition can only force up the price. So our savvy owners are in effect bidding against themselves and their own interests. Crazy economics.

My reasoning is it's better to have players to start the friendly part of the season, to get fit and gel with the rest of the team.

For me, this is more important for those not aligned to a club as they are unlikely to be as fit.

Hopefully Everton have bolstered the squad a little bit before we go to America and play against three other Premier League teams in 8 days.

This might put unnecessary demands on a squad that seems very limited in numbers, so early into our pre-season.

I agree with your last paragraph entirely.

The amount of duffers, lousy and useless players this club has regularly signed could be scribed into a collection of encyclopedias and fill a small shelf in the Smithsonian.

I was not expecting much in the way of balancing the transfers in with a mass exodus out. But I was expecting more than one (Charly was here already) by now.

The new owners have had more than sufficient time in gauging this particular problem (out of the many others we don't know about).

I hoped they would hit the transfer window with a hammer and smash a few in especially as they are needed and Moyes had this function bolted to his role at his insistence

However. I am not surprised. I am sad the club is as it always has been with transfers since way before the millennium. But it remains to me as No Shocks shock.

Only surmising based on lack of activity, Ryan.

They weren't shy in publicising their pursuit of Barry, were they? Ran in the media for weeks.

Maybe the clubs they want to buy players from need to get replacements in first!

This is why transfers happen towards the end of the window.

Do you honestly believe the club ‘publicised their interest in Barry….'?

As long as we've got a couple more in by the US tour, that's what's important. As we've just seen with the Club World Cup, the conditions will be relentless and unforgiving.

I'm not concerned about Accrington and Blackburn. We'll likely see a second string and a few young players feature.

There will be players lined up. Discussions are probably ongoing as we debate.

The club publicising our pursuit of Barry. There was no announcement from Everton until after he signed and was paraded for the cameras. Prior to that, it was media guesswork, X and other Social Media.

It's how football transfers should be handled.

I am really hoping that Harrison Armstrong comes good and that Tarkowski has regained full fitness.

Other than that, we have to pray that we don't get any injuries in these friendlies and that the powers that be will surprise us with some quality additions at full-back, midfield and up front.

The order is getting taller as the days go by and legitimate targets are signing for other clubs.

I remain one of the impatient ones who is used to getting things done.

- target players, agents and selling clubs will be weighing up options

- many transfers are contingent on one player moving which is like being in a chain in a house purchase

That is why it all comes together at the 11th hour. True positions are revealed after the game of brinkmanship and the deals all go through.

I expect / hope we will get a new RB, RW and midfielder at least.

Or

There’s nobody lined-up and we’re in for a rollercoaster of a ride (again).

I would say judge in 7 weeks, not today.

I get that it's important to integrate players before the season starts, but equally we don't want to be settling for third of fourth options and if it takes a little longer to bring in our first and second choice targets then so be it.

There is probably lots going on behind the scenes but like the Barry deal I expect the club to be negotiating and possibly waiting on other club transfers to get over the line (domino effect)

Nothing to worry about. If we're short going into Leeds game then questions will be raised.

American owners, commercials and an opportunity to spread the Everton word.

If you go on the official website, there are a lot of activities planned, with Moyes, current players and former players meeting with US supporters clubs. There is also a 2-hour sight seeing cruise on Lake Michigan exclusively for Evertonians.

As well as matches against competitive opposition, it's a commercial and marketing activity.

The promotional appearances for the fans in New York, Chicago (the cruise and the supporter's party at Jamie Lenard's pub on the North Side sound great!) and Atlanta are part of that exposure.

(Edit: Danny #24, great minds thinking alike.)

Obviously it makes little sense from a competitive standpoint, but congrats to you and your boy that you're going. Also my condolences that it's a rush-hour 5:30 kickoff at Soldier Field. Just eat before the game and get there early. Both the heat and the traffic will likely be a bit... unpleasant.

Nick Cox (Technical Director) is still employed at Manchester United at least into August, and James Smith (Director of Scouting and Recruitment) remains in his job at Manchester City until September 1.

I wouldn't call it lackadaisical... Kinnear got the executives he wanted, and considers them worth waiting for.

But in the meantime, it's just Kinnear, Moyes and Hammond bringing in new recruits like Barry and making important signings like Jarrad and Gana. Can't be easy but I'd say they're doing well so far.

And I like the philosophy in signing execs and players -- be patient and wait for the good ones. Don't just rush in and settle for less to fill the empty places.

Fortunately I can get there early and stay with my sister in Chicago, maybe even take the train down there early so it’s not too stressful arriving in time. Then buy my kid the overpriced and stale hot dog/pretzel and me the one overpriced beer to get me through the match(es).

Now I have to see about this lake cruise. Feels a bit too touristy, but maybe worth it to party with fellow Blues. Not often you get to hang on a boat with fellow Evertonians!

Details are on the club website.

Don’t panic! Don’t panic!

But I urge you to forget the crap food at Soldier Field. Take your boy out for deep dish pizza (I suggest Lou Malnati's or Giordano's, both legendary with multiple locations) before the game and just buy bottled water when you get there.

Get in there, Bobby, make 'em have it! I'm sick of posters telling us on here:

“I expect/hope we will sign a new x, y or z"
“There will be players lined up."
“Discussions are probably going on behind the scenes."
“There is nothing to worry about yet."
“We don't want to jump in too early and buy a load of duffers
“Most action doesn't take place until the end of the transfer window anyway."
“Don't worry, be happy — we are making progress as a club."
Blah, Blah, Blah etc, etc.

Doesn't hack it for me. Whatever people say on here, other clubs are making moves at home and abroad and our efforts are either non-existent or inadequate.

How many times over the last few seasons have we been scrambling around for leftover loanees at the 11th hour?
It's high time we became more prepared for the transfer window and more pro-active in the market!

Tick, tock, tick, tock!!

As ever, we can only judge by the end of the window and these things take time but lots of other clubs have already made multiple moves on good, affordable players. We've known the situation for a long time and ideally would have had some concrete moves lined up at the start of the summer.

Rushing has its drawbacks, of course, but so does leaving things too late. Let's hope they find the right balance (and the right winger!).

The reality may be rather underwhelming. UTFT.

Maybe the fact that the CF position is very costly made that the priority. Somehow those decisions will drive the decisions on the cheaper positions.

But I worry that it's because they do not see RW, CM and RB as priorities because Moyes has faith in McNeil, Garner and O'Brien to fill those spots. Personally I think that could prove costly this season.

All supposition of course but interesting to muse upon.

All players have agents who, at the first expression of interest, will look to sound out alternatives. That in itself extends the process.

Of course, if you are offering Sky 6-sized salaries that very few can compete with – plus European football – deals can be completed quickly.

Of course Moyes invented O'Brien as right-back and he did very well in that position. However, he is not a natural fit and will never become an offensive right back like Moyes would like it to be.

So I would be very surprised if Moyes did not have a plan for that position.

Most supporters would agree with your positional priorities and the danger of not filling them adequately. I agree with you that we have known the situation for a long time and ideally should have had concrete moves in the pipeline as soon as the window opened.

We desperately need a new right-back and pacy right-winger.
If Moyes thinks we can get by with the three you mention without quality in depth cover in these positions, we really do have problems.

Maybe he does have plans and all will be well, but it is very frustrating for supporters who can identify what needs to be done and yet see so little movement.

I think I need a holiday or a drink, or maybe a holiday and a drink!

Personally I'd have gone into the summer saying we need new starters at RW, RB and CM. They should encompass our biggest expenditures and ideally be in by the end of July at the latest.

But I appreciate it's complex thing buying players and rebuilding squads. Lets see how we look when the window closes.

It is clear that the new owners are not the ones to make hasty decisions. We will have to learn to be patient.

However, let's say the top targets are:

- right back: Wesley

- right wing: Bakayoko

- centre mid: Onyedika

All three are heavily courted by clubs across Europe (and possibly Saudi too). To buy them all might cost about £75m to £90m. That might be more in total than we can afford. So we might get two of the three or only one or possibly even none - and then have to figure out Plan B options too.

So we're probably having to juggle a handful of "Plan B" players too like:

- RB: Walker-Peters, Coufal and maybe Tchatchoua who we were after last summer.

- RW: Hutchison, Doak, Kubo, Weah and Fellows

- CM: O'Riley, Gallagher, Dewsbury-Hall and Hackney

There's probably combinations of these players we would and wouldn't want. And possibly some Plan C players who could make it all happen as late loan options etc

There are still some scenarios where we do really well out of this window - given how few of our genuine targets have actually moved (and how little business many of our rivals have done).

We haggled on alcaraz, haggled on Barry, and walked away from tete. In total we've probably saved £5m plus in cashflow.

A lot more care being taken.

None of us do.

We just need to see how it plays out.

Then we can have a great big moan on 2 September when the window shuts and boo the players we’ve bought in then ! (Joking)

It's bloody brilliant BUT if anyone tells you a deep-dish pizza is a thing to be cherished, think again.

Check Tripadvisor out for a full review by many diverse people, and then go to a full-ish eatery nearby with more than a deep-dish sloppy expensive pizza on its menu accompanied by expensive drinks. Chicago has great food, great people and great soul - but their much-fabled pizza is a myth from the most famous outlets, and I've been to more than a few of them.

Local is best!