Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall describes “game of two halves” against Leeds United

You can see how he could have been confused only playing the one half himself but he probably nailed it with not playing silky football..

Then he was playing very well and impressing everyone. He came back for the second half the other night and helped to change the game, along with Branthwaite. Keep it up, lad!

Get the full-back and flanks sorted and see us fly!

He's been here for about 6 months, which is definitely long enough for him to work us out. It's been a very long time since I've heard an Everton player give such a simplistic view of what really works for us Evertonians.

I've talked about the footballer and you've explained how Dewsbury-Hall sees the crowd and what they've got to do as footballers to get the crowd going.

You'd think the manager would know all about that, wouldn't you?

That's the beginnings of a very promising side for me. Add a couple of marauding full-backs and, if Dibling, Armstrong, Aznou, Rohl and Barry develop as we hope, we could be on to something.

Aggressive and organised, close the spaces, play on the front foot whenever the opportunity arises, engage the crowd, and hopefully reap the rewards that this vital bit of extra energy should bring.

We definitely have a mid-table squad that does not seem to be added to in this transfer window, unless something happens at midnight on 31 January, it is just trying to keep them fit and motivated.

It was a good comeback against Leeds but I still think Moyes underestimated Leeds and did not prepare the team against the team they played against in the first half, when Everton players looked like spectators.

He deserved the praise for the comeback in the second half but games are for 90 minutes, not 45, and I think 2 points were thrown away and you do not get second chances in the Premier League.

We play better without the ball.

There's not much point in sitting back then.

The January transfer window for the Premier League is scheduled to close on Monday, 2 February 2026, at 19:00 GMT (7:00 pm).

Still, I don't think it will make any difference... it seems the heads -up Moyes and Kinnear gave us was honest: nothing ain't happening... nada, zilch.

Leeds had that much space, it looked like they were playing on an Aussie Rule’s pitch, whereas the week before at Villa Pk, I thought our biggest asset was that we plugged the gaps all over the park, and out of possession we were very compact.

I love to see the type of performance we produced against Villa, I love nothing more than watching a team making it really difficult for the opposition, and going forward, this is how I’d really like to see us perform on a regular basis.

That said, I agree with you (and others) who are bemused, just as our Moyesiah (ahem!) was, at the contrast between our game against Villa and the trough we descended into against the far less quality Leeds.

Who's responsibility it is to recognise this and do something about it whilst the first desperate half moves into its final half hour is still a mystery to everyone in the club, from the manager and throughout the team.

Not good at all, not professional, and not the mindset of winners in even routine matches.

I do think we miss Goodison but we started of well enough at Hill Dickinson so I can’t put it down to that.

Apart from Grealish we started the same team against Leeds as we did against Villa. Both teams came at us which, according to the general consensus, suits us down to the ground. So it wasn’t team selection.

Was it how Moyes set them up and instructed them to play? Maybe but I don’t think so.

Could it be that we haven’t got a recognised leader on the pitch. A player that gees the rest of them up. Who is the top dog in this group of players?

So do you think the manager got it wrong with his selection and player instructions?

I would still like to know who the top dog is in this group of players. I think that is a question worth asking.

Id posted previously that it looked like a huge turnover in managers will come in the summer, and this is another. Clubs wanting improvement, or managers ready to move on for something better.

Villa

Fulham

Forest

United

Spurs

West Ham

Liverpool

Chelsea

Palace

Bournemouth

Newcastle

The list of no changes is probably an easier one to call. Arsenal, everton, city, Brentford, sunderland, Brighton, leeds, wolves, and Burnley.

Some will hope Moyes is replaced, but against a lot of competition fir little talent, stability will be key for a good next season.

Also if Moyes wants somebody to play nearer Barry then maybe look for somebody with a scoring record rather than reposition the youngest player in the side (squad?) but again this might have been because Gana plays further back so Armstrong drew the short straw unless Moyes think he has more pace than most.

I'm not sure what you mean by "Top Dog" but I've always liked a Peter Reid type who had the ability to hold the ball while players around him repositioned themselves and Armstrong has looked like he might have some of that ability but Tarkowski seems to have persuaded the rest that only he should confront the Ref. Mind you, how long can it be before O'Brien and Branthwaite make those positions their own.

As they say down your way, Laurie, "No wuckins"

The Gueye or Rohl decision is a tougher call but I did think Rhol played really well against Villa. My view is that he can develop into a top.player but for that he needs more game time.

By the top dog I mean the leader - not necessarily the captain or the oldest. The player with the strength of personality that the other players look to take control when the chips are down.

At the moment no-one stands out for me but I caught a glimpse of Garner giving instructions during the Villa game by pointing an index finger to each temple and then out to either side of him. Maybe he is becoming that player. I think Branthwaite has it in him also. At 24 and 23 I think that augurs well for the future.

Moyes has more choices in midfield now so it will be interesting to see his starting line up for Brighton. Avaguday..

Two of our most important players who I wouldn't rush back into starting just yet.

Would be interesting to see Dibling starting in a central position but won't happen this week.

Our average possession at home this season is 47.7% compared to 39% away, but our defence sits too deep which stretches the team. It is easier for the opposition to play through us. We are allowing opponents into more dangerous shooting positions.

We might have more possession, take more shots and concede fewer attempts at home, but I think playing more compact away suits the players better. We can break and be more direct in our attacks.

Hopefully, having Branthwaite back in defence will enable us to play a higher defensive line at home.

Gutted.