Transfer Deadline Day: Röhl signs on loan; Armstrong leaves on loan

We really need a right-back, or even two?

I can just imagine the shock announcement that Branthwaite, Pickford and Ndiaye have been sold to Liverpool.

Cut to a scene of Friedkin unmasked, Scooby Doo style, to find it's the supposedly dead Kenwright all along, announcing how he has just saved the club from PSR.

With football, now being a squad game, we definitely need at least a couple more players in if we are to make ourselves more competitive, and after watching us playing some very good attacking football, (albeit against one of the weaker teams) then a good attacking right back, and a strong defensive midfielder, would be at the top of my wish list🤞

In addition to hoping maybe Barry will fulfil his promise, I'd suggest we may also have a more than handy option in Ndiaye, then Dibling can come in at RF. Not a bad attack then.

A RB is mandatory. I'd then like to see a better option at LB and ideally some LCB cover. Ake would fit perfectly and it seems he is somewaht out of favour at City and might be open to a move. He could even at a push play DM while Gana is away at Afcon. Pull that off and we would have had a very decent window.

The way the side is structured atm, with a lot of attacking players in midfield we really need some specialised defenders. I'm with Dave A earlier in the thread - without a couple of defensive additions we will struggle against quality teams.

Even a poor Wolves side exposed this on the rare occasions they got at our back 4.

1. Moyes is happy with Patterson and O’Brien.

2. Our prime RB targets did not want to come to Everton (Tete, Walker-Peters, etc).

What a joke of a process if they do.

As for forwards, do we not have a young Braiden Graham in our midst. Handy back up?

I watched the second half of the Liverpool b Arsenal game yesterday and was thinking that although he ended up being the match winner, I think if you put Grealish and kept swapping him with N’Diaye, up against the lad who played right back, then he might not be able to cope defensively?

Was hoping for news on Juanlu Sanchez whose predicted move to Napoli has stalled or evaporated. He is comfortable in many roles as well as RB, may still happen though no noises coming in that direction.

Although it has been good thus far, we still need more quality options, still hopeful of a surprise or two. Why is it left to the vinegar stroke to get some deals over the line ? Every chance that something doesn't quite run to plan and time has run out.

Meaning, we've spent quite a few quid and brought in some real quality, including a player I never thought I'd see in an Everton shirt, but to not sign a RB when we clearly have money to spend is ridiculous. You could understand it if we were skint, maybe, but to have the funds and overlook this glaring weakness is just bizarre.

Mykolenko is more than serviceable as a good, defensive left back and is now supported by a very promising young left back.

Left back is a long way from being a priority in my opinion

Derek, I hope Röhl doesn’t turn out to be a Swiss Roll. I’ll get me coat

Btw, he’s a defensive MF player.

He now looks most likely to get brain flatulence at the back these days, not Keane. Him and Tarkowski.

But, yes, an attack-minded right-back is very much preferred.

Please buy a full back that can cover RB and LB.

Edouard of Crystal Palace on the move, may be worth a punt.

4 Goalkeepers.
3 Left-backs.
2 Right-backs.
9 Midfield players.
But they also have 6 centre-backs.

It could well be they are parting with Ake or Akanji ?

For me, Ake would fill our problems because he could play anywhere across the back four, maybe even defensive midfield.

Yes, the young German ladoo needs time on the field before we make judgement on him. Mykolenko is a different kettle of fish — some think he is okay for now, some like me, don't rate him.

But according to one fan, he is the best left-back in the Premier League, so take your pick from that!

Don't know much about the lad. Could he play defensive midfield? Not a lot of attacking contributions in his stats.

I think Moyes wanted Premier League experience from latest recruits, the failure to land Soucek obviously forced him to change plan.

I always think loans are a bit of a conundrum. Plenty of lads go out, do well, get a taste for playing every week, and then fancy a move elsewhere. Which means we could end up missing out on some players we’ve actually developed ourselves..having said that, don't ask for recent examples!

I will go as far as to say he will be better value than what the dark side paid for his fellow countryman. Fingers crossed for this one.

O'Brien is not a natural full back, he's too tall and lanky to be nippy enough, we are short of a decent right-back.

Branthwaite is getting injured too often for my liking so we do need extra cover there.

I think we are okay elsewhere, although left-back could be a problem.

A tall, versatile and technically gifted midfielder, Röhl has also played at left-back. His playing style and physical stature has earned him comparisons to Leon Goretzka.

Röhl is a defensive midfielder, for the last time! He can play the #10 role as well.

Artic Roll was a family favourite, Derek. Roll on!

Hope we get a right-back!! Needed one for years! Geertuida going to Sunderland who would be a good option for us.

Graham played in the Irish League at 15 years of age' "Only the Irish League?" you might say, but they take no prisoners in any top league.

The lad missed a penalty for the U21s last week but is a natural born poacher and with more chances being provided at the moment, this lad will snap some of them up. He has trained with first team since last season.

Chermiti looks like he's off to Rangers; is Moyes brave enough to play Graham at least off the bench?

Röhl would take his place and increase the competition for starting places which is now strong everywhere except for the full-backs.

All good, so long as we don't sign the Old Crone from the Holy Grail film!

Maybe we could sign the Knights who say Ni for a new back line?

Get him in and sign TikTok as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kigeMFHjJTc

Andrew # 21, it may never happen but why would shifting Armstrong to RB negate his best attributes? He’s a good passer, long and short, has a good engine and tackles well. Essentially the skill set of many good full backs - often the position on the pitch with most space and time to be a creative outlet. Kimmich and Rico Lewis are examples in addition to Lewis-Skelly and Alexander-Arnold. We are returning to big club status after all - so hopefully we don’t just expect a full back to be there to stop crosses as per Tony Hibbert.

Coleman and Barkley

Antonee Robinson also had successful loans and would probably have played 150 games for us if we weren't stupid enough to sell him.

He would be a good buy.

Armstrong to Preston. 🙁

We have to remember Harrison is still young and should come back from this even better.

I agree it's not the most obvious move but I'm guessing the scouting/analytics team have seen something to work with, he definitely has some helpful qualities to play in a double pivot.

Handy from a location point-of-view and they need reinforcements.

Ten Hag sacked.

Can Röhl play full back?

Ake (CB)
Röhl (CMF)
Fisher (RB)

Are our targets today, by some accounts

Forwards I'm not too bothered about now as I think we have goals in the attacking midfielders and will create more chances for Beto.

Feel sorry for Chermiti going to Rangers, it's a madhouse as Charlton Heston once said in a great film from the past.

Wasn't Artic Roll the one from Sayers with a piece of tangerine in the cream? I seem to remember my brother and me fighting over who got to get the piece.

Sounds like a stupid question but I'm sure I've read on these pages about not being able to sign two players on loan from the same club.

Any deal would require him lowering wages significantly which may make it tricky.

That could free up Garner in some games in a right-back pool of O'Brien, Coleman and Garner, and also giving some tactical flexibility.

O'Brien and Garner are probably as different as right-back types as you can imagine. So maybe Moyes prefers this flexibility instead of bringing in a right-back who is not better than what we already got.

I'd nip in and try and get Juanlu from them now and offer Patterson as a makeweight.

Even if Patterson is staying, we desperately need a full-back, because he's not the answer.

He's just too cumbersome to be our No 2. You could see it in the Wolves game.

What happened to those links?

Obviously I'd still love us to sign quality first-choice players in both positions, but I do think there's already options, especially if Coleman can put some minutes in.

In respect of dozens of Everton Academy graduates, loaning out has been the kiss of death!

He can play anywhere across the midfield. I would say he's more of a box-to-box midfielder rather than a traditional No 6, but with his stature being over 6ft, I don't see why he couldn't do that role too.

I reckon he's a really good signing.

He can cover CB, LB and defensive midfield so just what we need if it happens.

Should see Armstrong leave for regular matches. I'd probably send him back to Derby as he's already settled there.

GK Pickford, Travers, King
RB O'Brien, Garner, Coleman, Patterson
RCB Tarkowski, Keane, O'Brien,
LCB Branthwaite, Keane, O'Brien, Mykolenko
LB Mykolenko, Aznou, Garner
DM Gana, Ireogbunam, Garner
CM Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish, Ndiaye, Alcaraz
WM Grealish, McNeil, Dibling, Ndiaye
CF Beto, Barry

And in Röhl (oh great, another one needing a special character. At least Alt+148 is more common than ø which was Alt+155) seems we have someone who can play an number of roles.

Just hope we have better memories of him that the other 4 Germans we have had on the books. Steffan Wessels - lost both games, Thomas Hitzleberger who was 30 already, played 4 games on a short term contract, signed an extension and then never played another game before being released and then retiring from football, and Mustafi (less said the better although most Arsenal fans were unimpressed by him) who never played.

We also hope for a bright future for Coby Ebere.

I would like to see Ake come to Everton. I think he can play across the backline and improve us.

Or just switch to a German keyboard. The ö is on the colon/semi colon key.

Chermiti gone for £10M.

Armstrong gone to PNE.

Why can't we have Röhl on loan?

As far as I'm aware we can have 2 foreign and 2 home loans and Grealish is the only player we currently have on loan. Am I missing something?

I'm guessing you meant him, not Rhol. We can't take Ake on loan cos you can't take two players on loan from the same club.

I'm shocked that we don't seem to be going for a striker with Chermiti going out of the club.

He is a class player and one we should have been looking at.

Elliot is a good player but would have soon taken the mantle from Maupay as the resident bell end at the club.

We need to be bigger than that. Good players should be looked at regardless of where they are at.

He's a good young talent. But he's gone to Villa so that's the end of that.

Still no right-back on the horizon.

Constant calls from some on here for him to come to us were the worst of TW's out-of-date armchair scouting. The man is a has-been knobhead. We should be nobody's retirement fund, least of all his.

– signed from Non-league two seasons ago and only just starting to look like he believes he's good enough to be playing in the Championship; reckon it'll be another couple of season before he'd be ready for the Prem, tbh,

– still looks about 14, extremely lightweight, will be bullied at the back post in the Prem,

– shares the RB gig with Jack Stacey (ex-Bournemouth), Fisher usually plays the more defensive role as Stacey is better going forwards,

– although generally a good defender, he does have the odd massive rick in him (see Kung-Foo challenge at Portsmouth a few weeks ago).

He's a "no" from me, it's way too soon for him.

Will Rohl get played out of position (CD) until Branthwaite is fit and then just be a “utility player”?

Rohl, career stats:
PL G Assts
Central Midfield 44 2 3
Attacking Midfield 20 1 3
Right Midfield 18 1 4
Second Striker 15 - 3
Right Winger 5 2 -
Defensive Midfield 5 - -
Left Winger 4 - -
Left Midfield 4 1 -
Centre-Forward 2 - -

As regards Fisher, I am confident we can spread our Net wider ! :-)

A right back to push it to a 9/10

Career Stats:
PL Goals Assts.
Centre-Back 136 6 6
Left-Back 35 2 5
Def Midfld 22 - -
Left Midfield 1 - -

Polish International - 35 caps - left footed. Age 25.

Plenty more live haddock out there ? :-)

Jake @ 153, No I didn't go to that, did he plaice it, fluke it off his sole or his eel, or skate past the defence ? :-)

First of all, I think there should be some deterrent from players breaking their contracts Willy nilly. But he’s not the first, is he? Adebayor, Arnautovic, Odemwinge come to mind. Not forgetting our own rat, Gordon, refusing to train. Didn’t Radzinski and Collins do the same?

Until there is some legal ramifications, players will continue to do whatever the hell they feel like doing.

I went to see him play for Canada against Wales after the season finished and got to speak with him. I asked him about the rumours of him leaving and he said it wasn’t true and that he was blue through and through. Next thing was he’d fucked off to Fulham.

At least his career nose-dived after that, the square-headed prick.

We don’t need 3 centre forwards when we only play with one.

January is 4 month’s away so can look between now and then for our European charge.

Shame not to have got a right back in.

Barry and Beto will be rotated around. NDiaye and Grealish can play behind in the 10.

It's been a good window. Your not getting all the positions filled in one window and we were never getting an out and out goalscorer in Isak or similar.

If Patterson isn't good enough, belive me, Armstrong is miles away. Comparing him to Lewis Skelly, or Arnold is as far away as comparing him to Messi.

* Poetic licence adopted there !

not being a downer, but I messaged my mates with something similar. It has gone mad! A 40 million player is considered a bargain these days!

Hey Ho.

LB is also a problem. Myko is a decent back up, no more. Jimmy G is even less suited to LB. And the new lad at Bayern might turn out good but he hasn't looked even remotely ready yet and Moyes seems to also think so (wonder if he wasn't really involved in that one).

I'm a lot more relaxed about the striker position, given we don't have the funds to buy anything better than we have and now we have a bit more depth elsewhere, there is always Ndiaye who I think would do a really good job there. He's a more natural goalscorer than anyone else we have.

Armstrong is certainly more physical than Patterson

(They all had Rohls-Royce Merlin engines)

It seems odd, to say the least, that the spend is a record high, whereas going back over the last couple(?) of windows, the spend was practically zero.

Our business in just this one window looks solid in terms of the quality, albeit as others say, there is still a lot to be done. Probably in the next window.

Obviously we have to sign somebody but maybe this is a position where we have identified multiple viable targets and we know their clubs needs to sell/offload, so we are playing them off against each other, while keeping our powder very dry on publicity. Private jets/helicopters on standby to bring them for a medical.

This is what I decided in a brief but intense moment of optimism.

Merlin, Hawk, there's a theme to all of this.

But even so, tick tock, tick tock

We've got two strikers left at the club now, one is unproven to this league.

Seems to be a huge risk

What is wrong with the signing of Barry?
What evidence is there that he misses chances as has been alluded to ?

,LB is also a problem. Myko is a decent back up, no more. Jimmy G is even less suited to LB. And the new lad at Bayern might turn out good but he hasn't looked even remotely ready yet and Moyes seems to also think so (wonder if he wasn't really involved in that one)’

Why do people say he’s not ready ? Based on what ?

Please could someone answer my two questions?

And to those writing off O'Brien as a right back, I would point out that our record with him in that position is 7 wins, 6 draws, 5 losses. That's 27 points from 18 games. Not bad.

Mike #227, he does, and that's more than twice as frequently as DCL.

You've got to Rohl with it
And after all, you're my Dewsbury-Hall

Waste of time.

I mean only an idiot would do that wouldn’t they?

A lot of highly paid players with diminishing returns are off the books - replaced by cheaper, better and younger alternatives in most cases.

2 back-up keepers in, Alcaraz, Aznou, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish, Barry, Dibling and possibly a man named Merlin all through the door. The midfield has been transformed the beyond recognition. Creative, entertaining and competitive, as well as interchangeably flexible; what is not to like here folks? That's maybe 9 players in - in 1 window!

We now have competition - players have to up their game to even get a run from the subs bench now. I see the criticism of Beto - 2 goals in 3 games already and a really good return since Moyes come in - that is his primary job - to score. Barry - how can anyone pass a judgement on him after such a limited time is beyond me - maybe I am not that insightful.

Chermiti looks to have gone, but we also have Ndiaye and Alcaraz who I am sure can provide very decent 3rd striker cover. Was a little disappointed to see Harrison go out on loan, but that also seems a practical move given the strength and depth in midfield - as a fit Iroegbunam is almost like a new signing too! Oh, and Brathwaite will be back soon too me thinks.

When was the last time the squad looked this rosy - and a new stadium to boot.

Because he looked very, very raw in the friendlies and then Moyes picked Garner to play out of position at LB, which is not exactly a ringing endorsement or suggesting someone is EPL ready.

I think he was due to start in the EFL cup, so we (and Moyes) might have got a better insight, but I believe he was injured in the warm up.

Hopefully he is ready to step up to content as first choice LB but on the evidence above, it is far from certain.

And I think o he only played in part of two friendly matches?

In one of them he was injured. So you’re suggesting he plays when he was injured?

We’ve definitely improved markedly as a squad - and have real depth / quality in in some positions - albeit no depth and / or quality in others.

Maybe Patterson and or Dixon will be given a chance?

"Ours at present is still Goodison"

The financial benefit of the new stadium kicks in immediately... we don't have to wait a year.

Maybe that was to make up for not having a right-back able to overlap with pace.

Neither of us know whether he was brought in as a first choice or aspiring first choice- and we do need an upgrade on Myko in my opinion.

No I'm not suggesting he plays when he is injured. I believe he picked up an injury in the Mansfield warm up. But I'm not aware of him being injured for the previous game and Garner was picked ahead of him

I'm not at all writing him off, if is he oven ready as a back up LB or even first choice, then we have enough cover there for the moment. He did look very raw in the time he was on the field but he also comes with a big reputation. Whether that is one for the future or the here and now is what we don't know.

That is pretty obvious I would have thought

He was injured against Roma Mark. This was confirmed by Moyes.

So couldn't play v Leeds or Brighton. Where Garner played.

He was then re injured before Mansfield in the cup so couldn't play then.

And Juanlu Sanchez stated Napoli or nothing, so he got nothing and Patterson stays.

Yet another season without a proper RB seems crazy to me, especially with inverted wingers.

Kendall; “ Are you fit”?
Snodin;”Yes boss”
Kendall “Great”! Opens a bottle of Champagne …..that was it!

I wasn't aware he was injured for the Leeds game. However whether Moyes would have picked him had he been fit is moot. Here is what he has had to say about him:

David Moyes tells Adam Aznou his plans for him at Everton this season

And some quotes from that:

Moyes spoke very candidly to reporters about the signing of Aznou and did stress that he may not be heavily involved initially.

“This boy's a young boy, maybe not quite ready yet,” the Scotsman admitted.

Might need just a little bit to get himself built up and ready for the Premier League.

“So we won't be putting him under any pressure and we won't be giving any guarantees to the supporters that he's going to be seen right away.

Whether first choice or back up, they have to be ready to play in case the other player is injured (which has already happened) and Moyes himself is clearly doubtful that he is ready. Hence my point about signing a ready to go LB, if only on loan- and ideally one who could double up as a LCB, like Ake for example.

What's the weather like as me and the missus are flying out there tomorrow, staying in Mijas for ten nights.

Not even seen who is at Finch Farm for Sky...

How long does it take to travel about 230 miles?

The weather is beautiful. 29 just now. 34 last evening. Warm breeze from Africa, so a bit blowy.

They take ages because they check everything, including blood tests which take time to get results. It's not the '80s anymore.

"Andy, the medics say your knees are knackered. What do you say?"

"Whatever you want of me, I'll be able to do it."

"Good enough for me."

Moyes wouldn't know a striker even if it kicked in the head. Then again, being Everton, the striker would fall over and be out for the season!

And if there's anything at all to the Fort speculation, I'm over the moon. I saw that kid play the full 90 for Barca in a huge win at Valladolid three months ago, and I was so envious that they could find a kid that fast at 18 and just plug him into the lineup for a big game. And now lightning might strike in the next 30 minutes. Trust me, the kid is fun to watch.

But I'm beginning to doubt again.

"Fans of Everton, hear me. We have a new right-back — and here he…

[Voice from behind the curtain:] "He's not coming!!"

Thanks to Eric and Ernie for that one.

Perhaps he can be converted to CDM and has certainly played deeper for Germany at U21s but primarily he’s played as a 10 or an 8 till now.

Fingers crossed on Fort but getting late for it.

This kids had about 5 managers and not one of them have rated him.

In other news, if you’ve played RB and are under 35, take your boots to the match ‘just in case’….

(I played LB so I’m less hopeful but will buy some fluorescent Adidas Predators and take them along. You never know.)

Is it today that the rest of the back room staff from Leeds move in?

Everton deffo stronger.

Soon to be 24. He needs to go.

Arsenal for me aren't and weren't really serious contenders, they always lack the Aristotle to see it out when it matters.

City have weakened their team going forward in the last few years whilst that lot have made it stronger and stronger.

Can only see one destination again sadly for the title, probably another mundane run-in come Spring.

:)

It will be interesting to see who is added to the free agents over the coming days.

Sky have the same transfer stories all day, so boring, didn't even go near Finch Farm.

The umlout ö means Röhl is pronounced Rerl. Rehrl if you're posh German!

https://www.ToffeeWeb.com/season/22-23/news/42650.html

Jake doesn't win us a lot of games, but he doesn't cost us any either. And if we have to wait until January for another shot at a right back, it isn't gonna keep me up nights.

Ian #347, best line of the day.

Oh, wait, that's been used before, eh?

The transfer window is a mixed bag of players but we needed a couple more defenders in, they might still come— so it could have been better and some will say it could have been worse.

Proof of the pudding is yet to come —results will tell us a lot more as will injuries and suspensions or the lack of them.

As for Röhl, I think his kid is the real deal. He’s a quick, strong, skilful, box-to-box player. He will surprise a lot of people.

Along with Hayden Hackney he was the outstanding player in the last euros for me.

Would have been a great signing with the Chermiti fee, but it would have be strange and caused come confusion having two players with the same name.

I'm surprised that Palace let it get to this point with Guehi. Didn't Newcastle offer £65m in Jan?? Bet they wish they'd have taken the money now.

Actually he didn't did he.

Chermiti going bodes well for the Rohl transfer cash-wise.

Let's just hope he's the Rohl deal.

Now we can't call him Rohls Royce or anything.

You've ruined Christmas.

Chill, Rob. Remember Fellaini? I was up till about 3am before it became official.

Everyone says they want the business done early, and to avoid the deadline day desperation, but deep down they love a bit of deadline day fun.

Talk of 10 to 12 signings and addressing every underwhelming position in the team was never realistic.

This window has been a step change for us compared to the last few seasons. We're on the right track for the first time in a long time.

Does it mean Röhl will be incoming.

He was in Liverpool today; he will be unveiled in the next 2 days most probably.

Another very useful addition, plays in a strong competitive league and comes with some high regard and looks quite physically strong too.

A good window overall. Would have been nice to got them in for the US tour - but least after 5 years we are moving forward.

Heard a big push for the cups this year. Up the blues.

That's more than the GDP of a lot of countries.

Three? I assume you are counting Jake O'Brien? Great though he's been, he ain't a RB. Coleman and Patto just ain't enough in my view.

And though Keane has been solid so far, it still makes me nervous having him and Tark at CB because we have played against a top attack yet.

So the window has been excellent in many ways, and the footie should be way more entertaining to watch, but defence is well dodgy.

In terms of the window – not really bothered who signs who and how much for, apart from who we sign and if they make us stronger on the field. This window has been pretty good overall in my view – progress!

I predicted we wouldn't plug all our gaps in this window, but we damn near did. Thoroughly impressed with our recruitment team.

We had one of the best defences in the league last year, I think we'll soon tighten that back up whilst being stronger in attack.

Yes, there is room for improvement. No, we don't have over £400M to do it all in 1 window. We all knew change and progress would be incremental, it's natural to want more but realism says to me that we're in a good place. We don't have European football so we've a lot fewer games than many, fingers crossed we keep up our wining form!

Of course we didn't perhaps get everything we need, but like a kid at Christmas, you don't do you?

It's a building process and for one window we surely have to be pretty happy with how it's turned out. Yeah a right back would have been nice, but O'Brien fills a gap and Seamus might yet play a part.

It's a far cry from watching Dycheball, let's just remember that!

Haven't kept up with ToffeeWeb as much as usual - what's happened to Danny O'Neill??

True O'Brien can play there, albeit far from naturally and with minimal attacking threat, but if he is now our first choice there, the problem goes onto the CB's where with 3, we are very, very light.

We have to hope that given a chance, Patterson is not as bad as everyone thinks. I gather (and this may be wrong) that his move to Sevilla fell through not because they couldn't agree a deal, but because we wouldn't allow the move until we had signed a replacement. And since we didn't, he stays.

And that s just off the top of my head for the Premier league

There is
Kellen Fisher Norwich 20m ?
Henry Fort ?
Maitland-Niles?

Now some are questionable but would have helped to fill the squad out and in many cases improved it.

I just don't understand Everton's aloofness to the RB position.

Plus a good 80% are not even right backs

not exactly injured often.

If we’d signed a RB then I’d have classed this window a 10/10 with only really LB options looking poor (although hoping Aznou will come good and appear at some point!)

We always say it will take a few windows to shape a team and this one we were really short due to the amount of players contracts ending. Looking where we’ve finished credit is due to the club and the recruitment team. Now we just need to add 1-2 players each window to build on the base that they have created and it could be exciting times moving forwards for us blues!!!

James Justin would have been settling. Kenny Tete would have been settling. Lamptey, Aarons, Reguilon would have been settling or worse.

Sign quality players who move the needle or wait until the next window. We have time.

You about ready to hold up your hand?

Although I suppose when you think about it, if Rome only needed a right back then, in theory, it could’ve been.

Complicated stuff.

Paul, I've never heard you play the trumpet even once. As Ryan says...

Our defence might have taken one step back but our midfield and attack seem three steps forward.

Nil satis nisi optimistic?

Not been this excited since Carlo’s days.

Good times comin with lots of promising young players wearing the royal blue.

Cant want for the villa game.

Well technically, even excluding, Garner and O’Brien who have played there as well, Coleman, Patterson and Roman Dixon are all specialist right-backs.

So if Seamus gets access to the fountain of youth and the other two suddenly develop into top class players we are laughin’!

Blots on the copy book - missing an obvious hole at right back, Coleman has maybe a season left in his legs. He's picking up more knocks than before, and while his heart and head will still run through walls for us, his leg may not let him. Patterson failed to impress in the brief gaps between injuries.

Selling Chermiti - Only 2 fit strikers? A red card or injury away from a big problem.

Now comes Moshiri's mate and that creep Simon Jordan...

I think I'll go back to bed.

But I'll be watching the two Yorkies like a hawk from now on.

Moving on and a reality check.

Twelve months ago, we were in a mess; how many players out of contract etc? Move on to the present day and looking at Everton business with regards to new signings and you would have said fantasy!

What we have done is miraculous. Here we now are with an exciting squad, so to any gripers out there, I just despair as to what else you expected?

Everton business in the transfer market has been the most frugal and clever, you could see the magic of that at Wolves.
9/10 for changing things around.

Our friends across the park set a good example in this regard. They decided they wanted St Virgil and were prepared to wait. This window, they clearly wanted Marc Guehi – didn't gat him… but will probably get him next summer without paying a fee.

Will they put in the hard yards in defence though, that's my fear along with us looking a couple players short at the back; if we get injuries there, we are going to be seriously short.

I think it's going to be swings and roundabouts, score more and concede more and as long as we have a positive goal difference we should do okay.

So, no from me.

With the current squad we are much more on the front foot and therefore liable to breakaways similar to Wolves which is why we need a pacier RB than Jake and need Jarred back asap.

Other than that it has been a better than expected window although if we had been quicker off the mark we wouldn't have dropped 3 points to Leeds.

I recently listed out on another thread the 30 most obvious RB options for under £20m and I expect Moyes would have been perfectly happy with a large proportion of them. One went to Forest - Savona from Juventus. He will play second fiddle there to Aina probably.

The idea that Moyes didn’t like the available RB options just won’t be correct. If we had the budget, we’d have bought. We prioritised other areas.

Replaced players who left or loan was up and for me brought a better group of players in, will take 3 to 4 windows before we have the final pieces of the jigsaw in place but certainly a good start of buisness.

Up the Toffees.