11/05/2026
71comments | Jump to last
-sm.jpg)
(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Another game goes by, another point on the board, and one could argue Everton ended matchday 36 of their Premier League campaign in a better position than they started it.
They are now 2 points off Brentford, rather than 3. They are still level with Chelsea and there is still a shot at a Top 8 finish, which will be enough for European qualification if Manchester City do what is expected of them at Wembley on Saturday.
But realistically, Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park represents another opportunity missed in a season that increasingly looks like it’s going to be defined by a failure to take big chances when they came: From the players, the manager... and the club as a whole.
I am not referring here just to the missed chances by Everton’s attackers during their recent games. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye were both guilty of fluffing their lines on Sunday.
No, this is about an inability, a failing of mentality, for this squad, this manager and this leadership to grasp a huge chance with both hands in the run-in. They needed to be ruthless at both ends of the pitch, and they needed to be ruthless off it when they had the chance. They haven’t been.
I am one for perspective. At the start of the season, had you told Evertonians that the team would be in a European tussle until the very end of the campaign, then the vast majority, I’m sure, would have been very happy indeed.
We should not forget that. We should be happy with the progress made this season, while also acknowledging it could have, and probably should have, been better. It is fair to say the overall campaign doesn’t have to be a disappointment, but the ending is looking likely to be extremely underwhelming.
David Moyes takes his share of the blame. A failure to go for the jugular from the off against a poor West Ham team proved costly in that game a couple of weeks ago. That wasn’t the case against Crystal Palace, Everton started well and at multiple instances should have gone further ahead, but there is also the fallback mentality of this team to go into their shell when leading, and an inability to control matches.
You then look to your key players to stand up, and frankly, they haven’t done enough of that in recent weeks. Particularly the two in the centre of defence.
Moyes should have changed it up by now. The fact that he hasn’t boils down to his stubbornness and how he tends to trust more experienced players. Had it been a younger centre-back who had allowed Erling Haaland to waltz through straight from kick-off last week, there is little chance they would be in the team again for the next game. Michael Keane and James Tarkowski, on the other hand, seem immune from being dropped.
That’s another topic altogether, and one I will touch on in another piece, but it also then links back to Everton’s failure to be opportunistic in January.
Everton, in my opinion, made their strategy clear as a club when they elected not to spend in January. By keeping their powder dry, they made it evident they were prioritising sticking to their plan, and not trying to push the boat out in search of European qualification.
If the existing squad, with the loan addition of Tyrique George (only after Jack Grealish’s season-ending injury, of course) could scrape into the continental competition, then great, but if not, at least the club did not stretch themselves too thin.
Fair enough, Everton stuck to their plan. But now, it is increasingly hard not to look back at that window and think those of us who were calling it a mistake have been proved right. Everton needed more but the opportunity was there. And it just so happens that 6th place in the final Premier League table could end up resulting in Champions League qualification.
None of that is to let Moyes off the hook, or the players, either. They still got themselves into a fantastic position and, to be honest, they look like they’ve bottled it.
But the club’s leadership must be willing to be more ruthless and clinical. They must be more opportunistic. Progress in football is not linear. Nobody was expecting a huge spend in January, but the options were there to improve the squad in key areas, and they chose not to.
Keeping the powder dry is all well and good, but there is now a summer coming up which features a 6-week World Cup, which is bound to complicate matters.
That off-pitch opportunity missed has now been transferred to the field, where star players are quite literally passing up golden chances. Even without playing particularly well on Sunday, Everton could have won it, and in the three games before then, there’s a good argument to say they’d done enough to warrant four extra points. What a difference they would have made.
But the biggest difference the club as a whole can now make for next season is to learn that you have to instil the right mentality in order to really grasp opportunities. You cannot be passive. You cannot wait for everything to be perfect. You have to make it happen.
Barring a minor miracle, it looks like everyone will look back at this season now as a missed opportunity, and Everton only have themselves to blame.
Reader Comments (71)
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()
John Collins
2 Posted 11/05/2026 at 16:16:35
2 Posted 11/05/2026 at 16:16:35
I would rephrase that to "Evertons no interest in the opportunity "
Bill Hawker
3 Posted 11/05/2026 at 17:08:13
3 Posted 11/05/2026 at 17:08:13
It would be easier to take these opportunities with a good attacking right back and left back, thereby moving O'Brien and Branthwaite to the center of our leaky defense.
Mike Gaynes
4 Posted 11/05/2026 at 17:25:14
4 Posted 11/05/2026 at 17:25:14
"Fair enough, Everton stuck to their plan. But now, it is increasingly hard not to look back at that window and think those of us who were calling it a mistake have been proved right."
Fair enough indeed. But aside from the fact that we're not quite out of Europe yet (I still believe two wins will get us into the Conference League), I would point out two factors you overlook, Patric.
One is that there were very few players available in January that could have helped us, and they were all quite expensive. We certainly weren't going to outbid City for Semenyo. Should we have spent £35m on Brennan Johnson? Palace did and he's been a complete bust. Conor Gallagher? Tammy Abraham? Strand Larsen? Hah. I'd argue the only deal we missed out on was Rayan at £25m, and Beto has outscored him 7 to 5 since he signed.
The other is that recent history is kind to clubs that make a plan and stick to it (Bournemouth, Brighton, Brentford), and we don't know the outcome of the Friedkin plan because it hasn't been deployed yet. Let's see who we're able to sign in the summer with all that dry powder. And let's see how the club progresses next season.
Leave open the possibility that we'll look back at this decision and say management got it right.
Fair enough indeed. But aside from the fact that we're not quite out of Europe yet (I still believe two wins will get us into the Conference League), I would point out two factors you overlook, Patric.
One is that there were very few players available in January that could have helped us, and they were all quite expensive. We certainly weren't going to outbid City for Semenyo. Should we have spent £35m on Brennan Johnson? Palace did and he's been a complete bust. Conor Gallagher? Tammy Abraham? Strand Larsen? Hah. I'd argue the only deal we missed out on was Rayan at £25m, and Beto has outscored him 7 to 5 since he signed.
The other is that recent history is kind to clubs that make a plan and stick to it (Bournemouth, Brighton, Brentford), and we don't know the outcome of the Friedkin plan because it hasn't been deployed yet. Let's see who we're able to sign in the summer with all that dry powder. And let's see how the club progresses next season.
Leave open the possibility that we'll look back at this decision and say management got it right.
Annika Herbert
5 Posted 11/05/2026 at 19:57:53
5 Posted 11/05/2026 at 19:57:53
Mike @ 4, your continued defence of the TFG is laudable, but flawed slightly
It could well be that keeping our powder dry was the correct move. But the signing of a right back, at the very least, should have been prioritized in my opinion.
Difficult maybe, but certainly not impossible. Because it's certainly going to be difficult to sign players with a world cup due shortly.
I would like to think we will make any signings early to give them a full pre season, but I very much doubt that will happen.
If we are left scrambling to get players in at the end of the window, as is our want, then I fear keeping the powder dry will prove a big mistake.
It's going to be in interesting summer.
It could well be that keeping our powder dry was the correct move. But the signing of a right back, at the very least, should have been prioritized in my opinion.
Difficult maybe, but certainly not impossible. Because it's certainly going to be difficult to sign players with a world cup due shortly.
I would like to think we will make any signings early to give them a full pre season, but I very much doubt that will happen.
If we are left scrambling to get players in at the end of the window, as is our want, then I fear keeping the powder dry will prove a big mistake.
It's going to be in interesting summer.
Mike Gaynes
6 Posted 11/05/2026 at 20:23:14
6 Posted 11/05/2026 at 20:23:14
Annika #5, two minor corrections.
One, no defense of TFG, just pointing out some facts -- one of which is we have no idea what they could have legally spent in January.
And two, there was not to my knowledge a single quality right back available to buy in the January window. The only right back transaction involving a PL team was Bournemouth loaning out their Yank failure Araujo to Celtic. Should we have tried to hijack that one?
You can't buy when nobody's selling. The shelves were bare in the winter. They will be fully stocked in summer. We'll see what happens then.
And I must say I don't see the problem with transactions during the WC. Plenty of good players out there who won't be in it. My favorite remains Summerville, who won't be called up by our old pal Koeman. Think Hammers will want to wait until after the WC to listen to offers? I don't.
One, no defense of TFG, just pointing out some facts -- one of which is we have no idea what they could have legally spent in January.
And two, there was not to my knowledge a single quality right back available to buy in the January window. The only right back transaction involving a PL team was Bournemouth loaning out their Yank failure Araujo to Celtic. Should we have tried to hijack that one?
You can't buy when nobody's selling. The shelves were bare in the winter. They will be fully stocked in summer. We'll see what happens then.
And I must say I don't see the problem with transactions during the WC. Plenty of good players out there who won't be in it. My favorite remains Summerville, who won't be called up by our old pal Koeman. Think Hammers will want to wait until after the WC to listen to offers? I don't.
Tony Abrahams
7 Posted 11/05/2026 at 20:51:34
7 Posted 11/05/2026 at 20:51:34
We have no idea what they could have legally spent in January, (is pointing out some facts) so leave open the possibility that we’ll look back at this decision (not to spend any money) and say that the management got it right! Funny Mike!!
Annika Herbert
8 Posted 11/05/2026 at 22:27:55
8 Posted 11/05/2026 at 22:27:55
Mike @ 6, there is no such thing as can't buy because no one is selling. Make an offer that can't be refused and you will get who you want.
I have no idea who we could have bought either, but then, same as you, I am not an Everton scout.
If we have targets in mind already, as stated by the Moyesiah, then those targets must have already been scouted.
Because I certainly don't believe that any targets we have, haven't already been scouted. If that's the case, that's extremely lax on Everton's part.
I do get what you say about not knowing how much we could possibly have spent, that would depend on how far TFG would be prepared to go to improve the team. Within stipulated legal parameters of course.
I have no idea who we could have bought either, but then, same as you, I am not an Everton scout.
If we have targets in mind already, as stated by the Moyesiah, then those targets must have already been scouted.
Because I certainly don't believe that any targets we have, haven't already been scouted. If that's the case, that's extremely lax on Everton's part.
I do get what you say about not knowing how much we could possibly have spent, that would depend on how far TFG would be prepared to go to improve the team. Within stipulated legal parameters of course.
John Collins
9 Posted 11/05/2026 at 22:35:13
9 Posted 11/05/2026 at 22:35:13
Some facts -- one of which is we have no idea what they could have legally spent in January.
We have a good idea of what they did spend Mike.
There will be one or two players in world football you don't know about.
We have a good idea of what they did spend Mike.
There will be one or two players in world football you don't know about.
Mike Gaynes
10 Posted 11/05/2026 at 22:57:30
10 Posted 11/05/2026 at 22:57:30
Annika #8, make them an offer they can't refuse? Are you advocating that TFG should have overspent for a right-back? Isn't overspending what everybody's complaining about with Dibling?
We did have a right-back target in mind, but Botafogo reportedly declined our interest in Vitinha and TFG declined to overspend with an offer they couldn't refuse.
John #9, I am the farthest thing from an expert on world football. I draw my conclusion that top right-backs were unavailable in January from the fact that only one right-back was bought/sold anywhere across Europe's top 5 leagues in that window -- Villarreal purchasing USA's Alex Freeman for £3M.
We did have a right-back target in mind, but Botafogo reportedly declined our interest in Vitinha and TFG declined to overspend with an offer they couldn't refuse.
John #9, I am the farthest thing from an expert on world football. I draw my conclusion that top right-backs were unavailable in January from the fact that only one right-back was bought/sold anywhere across Europe's top 5 leagues in that window -- Villarreal purchasing USA's Alex Freeman for £3M.
Stu Gre
11 Posted 11/05/2026 at 23:26:21
11 Posted 11/05/2026 at 23:26:21
Not totally sure why we are talking about buying a right-back in January -- the mistake was made way back in the summer.
At one point from recollection we seemed to have signed Kyle Walker (like him or not he'd have made a difference) but he chose Burnley, which would suggest to me we didn't try hard, unless I missed something.
At one point from recollection we seemed to have signed Kyle Walker (like him or not he'd have made a difference) but he chose Burnley, which would suggest to me we didn't try hard, unless I missed something.
John Collins
12 Posted 11/05/2026 at 23:36:38
12 Posted 11/05/2026 at 23:36:38
Looking from the opposite viewpoint, Mike, that left more available.
I consider Patterson to be a poor defender, there are most definitely improvements on him available.
I consider Patterson to be a poor defender, there are most definitely improvements on him available.
Phillip Warrington
13 Posted 12/05/2026 at 07:06:31
13 Posted 12/05/2026 at 07:06:31
I suppose you would also have to say no half-decent player would come to Everton at the start of Moyes's second stint in charge due to the previous 5 years and no chance of European football.
There were quite a few players who said No to Everton, but I think he has shown the footballing community, with a few good players and a great new stadium, that Everton FC can now challenge for European football.
There were quite a few players who said No to Everton, but I think he has shown the footballing community, with a few good players and a great new stadium, that Everton FC can now challenge for European football.
Eric Myles
14 Posted 12/05/2026 at 07:31:57
14 Posted 12/05/2026 at 07:31:57
Mike G, it had better be a whole lot of dry powder that TFG have stored up (unlike Guy Fawkes) since we now need three defenders and a striker at least, and a winger wouldn't go amiss.
Makes you wonder if that £40M payday TFG paid themselves couldn't have helped find someone available.
Makes you wonder if that £40M payday TFG paid themselves couldn't have helped find someone available.
Steve Brown
15 Posted 12/05/2026 at 07:59:14
15 Posted 12/05/2026 at 07:59:14
Given our 2024-25 net loss was £8.6M, I am guessing there was headroom on the 2025-26 Profit & Loss Account until TFG extracted £44M as a dividend payment in December.
Perhaps TFG don't want us to make Europe this season, although the manager obviously does. It will enable them to spend 85% of football-related revenue and net profit or loss from player sales rather than the 70% Uefa will permit.
Plus, if you qualify for the Conference League, we will need to bolster squad numbers, which means volume over quality when it comes to recruitment.
Perhaps TFG don't want us to make Europe this season, although the manager obviously does. It will enable them to spend 85% of football-related revenue and net profit or loss from player sales rather than the 70% Uefa will permit.
Plus, if you qualify for the Conference League, we will need to bolster squad numbers, which means volume over quality when it comes to recruitment.
Andy Meighan
16 Posted 12/05/2026 at 08:15:45
16 Posted 12/05/2026 at 08:15:45
I think everyone on here knew not getting a right back last summer was catastrophic.
Once Tete knocked us back it was as if Moyes and his team thought, leave it then we'll play Obrien there, because I can't remember being linked with anyone else.
The thing that is killing us and will continue to, is the massive loss of Branthwaite, because playing Keane and Tarkowski there is folly, many on here and plenty of others have pointed this out, but Moyes being Moyes will continue with them in the last 2 games.
Surely there's nothing ventured nothing gained by either playing Rohl or Garner at rb, and moving Obrien alongside Tarkowski or Keane, but not a prayer it's going to happen.
An ideal window would start with 2 new full-backs a centre-back, a flying wide man and at least 1 striker.
But hey, we can all manage Everton from the comfort of our armchairs or up in the South Sand, can't we?!
Once Tete knocked us back it was as if Moyes and his team thought, leave it then we'll play Obrien there, because I can't remember being linked with anyone else.
The thing that is killing us and will continue to, is the massive loss of Branthwaite, because playing Keane and Tarkowski there is folly, many on here and plenty of others have pointed this out, but Moyes being Moyes will continue with them in the last 2 games.
Surely there's nothing ventured nothing gained by either playing Rohl or Garner at rb, and moving Obrien alongside Tarkowski or Keane, but not a prayer it's going to happen.
An ideal window would start with 2 new full-backs a centre-back, a flying wide man and at least 1 striker.
But hey, we can all manage Everton from the comfort of our armchairs or up in the South Sand, can't we?!
Mark Ryan
17 Posted 12/05/2026 at 09:09:21
17 Posted 12/05/2026 at 09:09:21
Moyes will buy Stones, put O'Brien to right-back, there's nothing surer.
Within 5 games, Stones will be injured, O'Brien will be played at centre-back, and we won't have a proper right-back for the rest of the season. We'll be out of both cups before the quarters and we'll miss out on Europe.
That's the new 2026-27 season under Moyes and TFG, nailed on.
Within 5 games, Stones will be injured, O'Brien will be played at centre-back, and we won't have a proper right-back for the rest of the season. We'll be out of both cups before the quarters and we'll miss out on Europe.
That's the new 2026-27 season under Moyes and TFG, nailed on.
Patric Ridge
18 Posted 12/05/2026 at 09:26:46
18 Posted 12/05/2026 at 09:26:46
Mike #4, that's fair enough, but I don't think it's right that the committee (Moyes included) felt that there wasn't a right-back in the big wide world of football available without hugely overpaying, that could have come in and made an impact, for example.
This isn't excusing Moyes. I know, for example, Everton could have pulled the trigger on Harry Wilson in January but would have had to go to a much higher fee for a player with 6 months left on his deal. Everton had a benchmark and they stuck to it, so fair play there.
My main point is then that has to all be taken into account. I have no issue at all with not taking a huge gamble, to be clear, but then as a fanbase we have to accept that Europe was always going to be more of a bonus than a (club) target.
If it was the club's desperate want to get into Europe, they should have invested in January too (or more heavily last summer) and demanded that of the manager. I don't think they did.
I think Moyes and the players have talked up Europe because Moyes especially wants to paint the picture of higher standards, and it is probably a selfish tactic on his part too to get people talking about Everton in the European contention again (and therefore, it looks good on him).
This isn't excusing Moyes. I know, for example, Everton could have pulled the trigger on Harry Wilson in January but would have had to go to a much higher fee for a player with 6 months left on his deal. Everton had a benchmark and they stuck to it, so fair play there.
My main point is then that has to all be taken into account. I have no issue at all with not taking a huge gamble, to be clear, but then as a fanbase we have to accept that Europe was always going to be more of a bonus than a (club) target.
If it was the club's desperate want to get into Europe, they should have invested in January too (or more heavily last summer) and demanded that of the manager. I don't think they did.
I think Moyes and the players have talked up Europe because Moyes especially wants to paint the picture of higher standards, and it is probably a selfish tactic on his part too to get people talking about Everton in the European contention again (and therefore, it looks good on him).
Terry Downes
19 Posted 12/05/2026 at 09:29:32
19 Posted 12/05/2026 at 09:29:32
Moyes will as before only take us so far... possibly up to 7th with no cup runs to speak off?
He's an overly cautious manager with no idea of being proactive with subs, always reactive. In the last game, everyone could see we needed fresh legs.
George on to run at a tiring defence should've been before they equalised; bringing Alcaraz on for 2 mins... what the fuck is that about? Looks like he's taking the piss out of the lad!
We don't want to get into the same thought process as before, thinking Moyes is the only one who can manage this club. The squad is good enough to get into Europe or we wouldn't be challenging for it... but extra-cautious Moyes does hold us back at times when we should be going all guns for it.
Finally, O'Brien at full-back while Patterson sits on his arse when he has hardly done anything wrong when he has played beggars belief! We are defending so deep with Tarkowski and Keane, it is foolish beyond words but won't change because it's the Moyes way.
We're going nowhere quick -- as before under this man's leadership!
He's an overly cautious manager with no idea of being proactive with subs, always reactive. In the last game, everyone could see we needed fresh legs.
George on to run at a tiring defence should've been before they equalised; bringing Alcaraz on for 2 mins... what the fuck is that about? Looks like he's taking the piss out of the lad!
We don't want to get into the same thought process as before, thinking Moyes is the only one who can manage this club. The squad is good enough to get into Europe or we wouldn't be challenging for it... but extra-cautious Moyes does hold us back at times when we should be going all guns for it.
Finally, O'Brien at full-back while Patterson sits on his arse when he has hardly done anything wrong when he has played beggars belief! We are defending so deep with Tarkowski and Keane, it is foolish beyond words but won't change because it's the Moyes way.
We're going nowhere quick -- as before under this man's leadership!
Paul Griffiths
20 Posted 12/05/2026 at 09:47:17
20 Posted 12/05/2026 at 09:47:17
Come on MG, there are right-backs everywhere. That Millwall right back looked terrific despite losing.
TFG failed to get us a right-back in summer and winter. That was appalling. If they get one this summer, it's lucky third time, Mike. Hardly brilliant.
Why didn't we make a move for cut-price Justin, for instance? Cheap but better than anything we had.
Our recruitment since TFG took over is 4/10. Perhaps 3/10. \ Daniel the Absent prefers Rome to Liverpool.
TFG failed to get us a right-back in summer and winter. That was appalling. If they get one this summer, it's lucky third time, Mike. Hardly brilliant.
Why didn't we make a move for cut-price Justin, for instance? Cheap but better than anything we had.
Our recruitment since TFG took over is 4/10. Perhaps 3/10. \ Daniel the Absent prefers Rome to Liverpool.
Ian Wilkins
21 Posted 12/05/2026 at 11:31:13
21 Posted 12/05/2026 at 11:31:13
I think January was a missed opportunity.
We knew we had Afacon absences; we knew we had injuries; we knew we were heavily depleted; we could all see the Premier League was condensed and this season might well offer a European place opportunity.
January would have been a time to strengthen the squad, beyond last-minute Tyrique George. Poor time to do business, players not available..? Everything's difficult if you convince yourself it is. Try hard enough then you succeed.
Summer is right time for next rebuild step…?
We have a World Cup making it harder to do business. This season represented a European opportunity. Apparently it's difficult to recruit good players if you're not in Europe. This was a chance to knock over that hurdle.
I'm not talking about a massive investment.
I'm talking about modest strengthening where we were short.
I think we missed the boat in January through a lack of ambition. A little foresight then and we'd have the extra points for Europa League and we'd look more attractive to potential suitors this Summer.
We knew we had Afacon absences; we knew we had injuries; we knew we were heavily depleted; we could all see the Premier League was condensed and this season might well offer a European place opportunity.
January would have been a time to strengthen the squad, beyond last-minute Tyrique George. Poor time to do business, players not available..? Everything's difficult if you convince yourself it is. Try hard enough then you succeed.
Summer is right time for next rebuild step…?
We have a World Cup making it harder to do business. This season represented a European opportunity. Apparently it's difficult to recruit good players if you're not in Europe. This was a chance to knock over that hurdle.
I'm not talking about a massive investment.
I'm talking about modest strengthening where we were short.
I think we missed the boat in January through a lack of ambition. A little foresight then and we'd have the extra points for Europa League and we'd look more attractive to potential suitors this Summer.
John Collins
22 Posted 12/05/2026 at 11:36:51
22 Posted 12/05/2026 at 11:36:51
Me too, Ian.
My early excitement at the takeover is waining. Not sure I trust the owners tbh.
My early excitement at the takeover is waining. Not sure I trust the owners tbh.
Steve Brown
23 Posted 12/05/2026 at 11:45:00
23 Posted 12/05/2026 at 11:45:00
Paul G,
You would think right-backs were rarer than than the White Rhino in Java. Every club has them, and the reality is as you say. It was incompetence not to sign a right-back in the summer and borderline criminal that we didn't sign one in January.
Ian,
In contrast, Roma signed 5 players in January, including four forwards; we were left wth Beto and Barry. I don't have great sympathy for Moyes as you know, but they really left him high and dry wth the lack of reinforcements.
Do TFG want European football next season? Not sure they do, for the reasons listed in @ 15.
You would think right-backs were rarer than than the White Rhino in Java. Every club has them, and the reality is as you say. It was incompetence not to sign a right-back in the summer and borderline criminal that we didn't sign one in January.
Ian,
In contrast, Roma signed 5 players in January, including four forwards; we were left wth Beto and Barry. I don't have great sympathy for Moyes as you know, but they really left him high and dry wth the lack of reinforcements.
Do TFG want European football next season? Not sure they do, for the reasons listed in @ 15.
Tony Abrahams
24 Posted 12/05/2026 at 12:02:39
24 Posted 12/05/2026 at 12:02:39
Paul @20, are you talking about Ryan Leonard? He's getting on. The first thing I did when I first saw him playing was to check his age because he his a very good one-on-one defender.
He's not great with the ball, which is surprising because I'm sure I have read that he used to be a central midfielder, unless it was the other lad, who went off near the end called Craema?
If it's Craema, I'm sure he used to be a central defender, like Jake O'Brien, but I haven't really seen him playing much, although I have recently seen his name mentioned with Everton.
He's not great with the ball, which is surprising because I'm sure I have read that he used to be a central midfielder, unless it was the other lad, who went off near the end called Craema?
If it's Craema, I'm sure he used to be a central defender, like Jake O'Brien, but I haven't really seen him playing much, although I have recently seen his name mentioned with Everton.
Terry Farrell
25 Posted 12/05/2026 at 14:53:12
25 Posted 12/05/2026 at 14:53:12
Terry D spot on Jake OB has pace to burn and when Jared is out he has to play next to Tarks as 1st choice. Sick of hearing negative comments on Patterson play him and see. So far hes done well overall and is confident on the ball. Our March up the league coincided with Jared's return to the team and our lack of points since to Michael Keanes despite his best efforts. Moyes use of substitutions is always too little too late and he very rarely used 5 for any significant period. Thats exactly what modern managers do. When there team struggles they change it completely with 5 fresh legs and fo for it. It won't always work but I prefer this to seeing a player like Gueye dead on his feet and suffering cramp having to track a speed merchant.
Mike Gaynes
26 Posted 12/05/2026 at 15:34:26
26 Posted 12/05/2026 at 15:34:26
Guys, if you check my post at #6 again, you'll note my reference to a quality right back. Quality being the key word.
We need an electric right back, a classy defender who can also rip forward in attack and really change the game. Andy, we were strongly connected with Juanlu Sanchez, and I was so juiced -- THAT's what we need. Brands had Dumfries all lined up five years ago, and Rafa shot down the deal. He'd have changed the direction of the club. We need that level of quality.
I read names like Tete and Justin here and I just cringe, because to me they scream "average". Neither is even a top 10 RB in the league. Neither creates anything in attack (notwithstanding Justin's fine goal against us). One assist between them this season. One.
For this club to return to the heights, we should never again settle for average players. Got too many of those already. Gap-fillers like Kenny Tete are never going to put us in the Champions League. We should be spending on sports cars, not sedans.
Nobody asked me, but I think Moyes should have stuck with Garner at right back. Yes, we'd have lost a bit in midfield, but only a bit, because I think events have shown that Tim/Merlin/Harrison could have done the job well. And having Jake in the middle, especially after Jarrad went down, would have been massive. Too late now for Moyes to correct that mistake.
Terry #19, you've inadvertently made the Patterson situation clear. If the best thing you can say is that "he has hardly done anything wrong when he has played", it's not a compliment, it's an indictment. Over the last two seasons, Patterson has been healthy enough to be in the squad 58 times. He has started 6 games. 6. There's a reason for that, and for the fact that his last three managers have all decided they'd rather have him on the bench than the pitch. Whatever the problem is, Lampard and Dyche and Moyes all saw it, and none of them wanted him out there unless there was absolutely nobody else available. The kid couldn't beat out 60-year-old Ashley Young, okay?
We need an electric right back, a classy defender who can also rip forward in attack and really change the game. Andy, we were strongly connected with Juanlu Sanchez, and I was so juiced -- THAT's what we need. Brands had Dumfries all lined up five years ago, and Rafa shot down the deal. He'd have changed the direction of the club. We need that level of quality.
I read names like Tete and Justin here and I just cringe, because to me they scream "average". Neither is even a top 10 RB in the league. Neither creates anything in attack (notwithstanding Justin's fine goal against us). One assist between them this season. One.
For this club to return to the heights, we should never again settle for average players. Got too many of those already. Gap-fillers like Kenny Tete are never going to put us in the Champions League. We should be spending on sports cars, not sedans.
Nobody asked me, but I think Moyes should have stuck with Garner at right back. Yes, we'd have lost a bit in midfield, but only a bit, because I think events have shown that Tim/Merlin/Harrison could have done the job well. And having Jake in the middle, especially after Jarrad went down, would have been massive. Too late now for Moyes to correct that mistake.
Terry #19, you've inadvertently made the Patterson situation clear. If the best thing you can say is that "he has hardly done anything wrong when he has played", it's not a compliment, it's an indictment. Over the last two seasons, Patterson has been healthy enough to be in the squad 58 times. He has started 6 games. 6. There's a reason for that, and for the fact that his last three managers have all decided they'd rather have him on the bench than the pitch. Whatever the problem is, Lampard and Dyche and Moyes all saw it, and none of them wanted him out there unless there was absolutely nobody else available. The kid couldn't beat out 60-year-old Ashley Young, okay?
John Collins
27 Posted 12/05/2026 at 15:47:09
27 Posted 12/05/2026 at 15:47:09
Mike,
We've got the 20th-ranked full back in our squad (My rankings).
We can't go from Patterson to Hakimi in one go. There will be many right backs out there who would definitely be an improvement on Patterson.
We've got the 20th-ranked full back in our squad (My rankings).
We can't go from Patterson to Hakimi in one go. There will be many right backs out there who would definitely be an improvement on Patterson.
Mike Gaynes
28 Posted 12/05/2026 at 16:11:24
28 Posted 12/05/2026 at 16:11:24
Totally agree, John, but we should at least be reaching for potential greatness. FourFourTwo recently ranked Dumfries as the #4 right back in the world. Sports Illustrated has him #5. And he was ours for the signing in 2021. Terms agreed and everything. Rafa blew up the deal because he preferred... that's right... Nathan Patterson.
There are right backs out there with Dumfries's potential (maybe Juanlu?). We should be pursuing them, not veteran plug-and-plays pushing 30. Like Tete and Justin.
There are right backs out there with Dumfries's potential (maybe Juanlu?). We should be pursuing them, not veteran plug-and-plays pushing 30. Like Tete and Justin.
John Collins
29 Posted 12/05/2026 at 16:37:56
29 Posted 12/05/2026 at 16:37:56
The Rafa/Milan connection Mike 😁
Tony Abrahams
30 Posted 12/05/2026 at 17:13:31
30 Posted 12/05/2026 at 17:13:31
Rafa shot down the deal? Who did he sign instead that summer? Andros Townsend, Demari Gray, and then Solomon Rondon, all for a combined total of around £2/2.5 million.
If Dumfries was genuinely there for the taking, how come when the manager said he didn't want him, we never used the money to sign a few players elsewhere?
Benitez was out the club a few weeks after Patterson signed. Brands had already left but I'm sure we had been getting linked with Patterson for over 12 months when we signed him in a deal that was sorted by our chairman.
There is no way that Dumfries was coming to Everton once he had a chance to go to Italy. When you look back at the appointment of Benitez.
How the club operated during the next 6 months, with the signings of Mykolenko, Patterson and Dele Alli, then how we got through that period still playing top flight football is a fucking miracle, I'll say.
If Dumfries was genuinely there for the taking, how come when the manager said he didn't want him, we never used the money to sign a few players elsewhere?
Benitez was out the club a few weeks after Patterson signed. Brands had already left but I'm sure we had been getting linked with Patterson for over 12 months when we signed him in a deal that was sorted by our chairman.
There is no way that Dumfries was coming to Everton once he had a chance to go to Italy. When you look back at the appointment of Benitez.
How the club operated during the next 6 months, with the signings of Mykolenko, Patterson and Dele Alli, then how we got through that period still playing top flight football is a fucking miracle, I'll say.
Tony Abrahams
31 Posted 12/05/2026 at 17:17:30
31 Posted 12/05/2026 at 17:17:30
How does Patterson rate so highly, John?
Because I'm sure he has only started three league games this season -- and Everton didn't lose any of them!
Because I'm sure he has only started three league games this season -- and Everton didn't lose any of them!
John Collins
32 Posted 12/05/2026 at 17:51:07
32 Posted 12/05/2026 at 17:51:07
He's hopeless, Tony.
His concentration levels are lower than Keane's. Not aggressive enough, his crosses hit the first man every time.
His concentration levels are lower than Keane's. Not aggressive enough, his crosses hit the first man every time.
Tony Abrahams
33 Posted 12/05/2026 at 18:41:01
33 Posted 12/05/2026 at 18:41:01
The only player who hasn't been on the losing side when he's started for Everton this season is hopeless.
Give us a few more like this!
Give us a few more like this!
John Collins
34 Posted 12/05/2026 at 19:44:08
34 Posted 12/05/2026 at 19:44:08
Hes double hopeless.
Christy Ring
35 Posted 12/05/2026 at 20:07:20
35 Posted 12/05/2026 at 20:07:20
We picked up 3 points from 15 points in our last five games, and Moyes has been too conservative and too stubborn to make changes.
Would the results have been any worse playing Patterson at full-back, O'Brien in the centre, and giving Armstrong a chance, even against Palace?
Dewsbury-Hall and Iroegbunam were running on empty against a midfield that had played 3 days earlier?
Would the results have been any worse playing Patterson at full-back, O'Brien in the centre, and giving Armstrong a chance, even against Palace?
Dewsbury-Hall and Iroegbunam were running on empty against a midfield that had played 3 days earlier?
Steve Brown
36 Posted 12/05/2026 at 21:38:19
36 Posted 12/05/2026 at 21:38:19
One of the great mysteries - who proposed the signing of Mykolenko and Patterson, and who authorised the deals?
We know who authorised the sale of Digne: Benitez.
Patterson is a better footballer than Mykolenko, although it is like comparing Earl Barrett to Terry Phelan.
We know who authorised the sale of Digne: Benitez.
Patterson is a better footballer than Mykolenko, although it is like comparing Earl Barrett to Terry Phelan.
Annika Herbert
37 Posted 12/05/2026 at 00:23:47
37 Posted 12/05/2026 at 00:23:47
I don't think because you read that there were hardly any right-backs transferred during the January window, Mike, that confirms that there were no right-backs available.
I think if we had tried at all, we could have found a suitable player. But the Moyesiah was quite content to soldier on with playing a centre-back out of position.
I think if we had tried at all, we could have found a suitable player. But the Moyesiah was quite content to soldier on with playing a centre-back out of position.
Paul Griffiths
38 Posted 12/05/2026 at 00:25:11
38 Posted 12/05/2026 at 00:25:11
I did mean Ryan Leonard Tony (24). And, needless to say, you are right. He was born in 1992 which, however, does make him the perfect age for Moyes.
But he did play well on Monday.
I remember your ties to Millwall, Tony, and I hope that the lad is doing well (and you and the 'arl fella too).
But he did play well on Monday.
I remember your ties to Millwall, Tony, and I hope that the lad is doing well (and you and the 'arl fella too).
Paul Griffiths
39 Posted 12/05/2026 at 00:31:02
39 Posted 12/05/2026 at 00:31:02
I'm more of a Justin fan than you Mike G. In fact, he was excellent at Spurs on Monday in my opinion. Justin would be better than anything that we currently have.
And, while I might not be as warm about Patterson as good old Tony A, I would have given him more starts, remembering that we have done well this season with him in from the start. I think that it is good for the wide fella in front of him with him there rather than the less pacey and forward-looking our man Jake.
And, while I might not be as warm about Patterson as good old Tony A, I would have given him more starts, remembering that we have done well this season with him in from the start. I think that it is good for the wide fella in front of him with him there rather than the less pacey and forward-looking our man Jake.
Eric Myles
40 Posted 12/05/2026 at 00:47:20
40 Posted 12/05/2026 at 00:47:20
Steve #36, wasn't that the time Brands was our DoF?
Mike Gaynes
42 Posted 13/05/2026 at 03:05:46
42 Posted 13/05/2026 at 03:05:46
Paul #39, yep, he played very well. It may turn out that Leeds gambling on him from Leicester last summer has worked out. What little I remember about our interest in him was that he'd had two major knee surgeries and a torn Achilles. So I wasn't sorry that we backed away, any more than I was when Tete turned us down.
Re Patterson, I have no idea why all his managers sour on him. But Lampard, Dyche and Moyes have all played him, watched him, and benched him. When he lost his place due to injury, they didn't bring him back when he recovered. And even when healthy, he has sat and watched not only Seamus but Ben Godfrey, Ashley Young and now two out-of-position players in O'Brien and Garner. Wish I knew what the problem was, but there definitely is one.
Re Patterson, I have no idea why all his managers sour on him. But Lampard, Dyche and Moyes have all played him, watched him, and benched him. When he lost his place due to injury, they didn't bring him back when he recovered. And even when healthy, he has sat and watched not only Seamus but Ben Godfrey, Ashley Young and now two out-of-position players in O'Brien and Garner. Wish I knew what the problem was, but there definitely is one.
Brendan McLaughlin
43 Posted 13/05/2026 at 05:41:16
43 Posted 13/05/2026 at 05:41:16
Steve #36,
I'm not sure there's any mystery involved... both players were Benitiz signings.
I'm not sure there's any mystery involved... both players were Benitiz signings.
Jim Bennings
44 Posted 13/05/2026 at 06:10:52
44 Posted 13/05/2026 at 06:10:52
Some centre-backs do okay at full-back; Jake sadly isn't one of them.
Think back to Joleon Lescott: he was a marauding juggernaut of pace and power throughout that 2007-08 season and somehow managed to keep Leighton Baines out for over 12 months, justifiably so.
I look at O'Brien and he just doesn't have the overall mobility for that role. It's a trial run that worked okay when Moyes first arrived but it should have ended last May.
Think back to Joleon Lescott: he was a marauding juggernaut of pace and power throughout that 2007-08 season and somehow managed to keep Leighton Baines out for over 12 months, justifiably so.
I look at O'Brien and he just doesn't have the overall mobility for that role. It's a trial run that worked okay when Moyes first arrived but it should have ended last May.
Mark Steers
45 Posted 13/05/2026 at 07:13:18
45 Posted 13/05/2026 at 07:13:18
The right-back situation is all down to Coleman -- he should've been sent packing 5 years ago, simple.
Moyes picks O'Brien, week-in & week-out, when he has two fit right-backs on the bench.
Everton are paying Patterson and Coleman £80 grand a week between them -- for nothing! Gross mismanagement -- you can"t hide that... it's not O'Brien's fault.
Moyes picks O'Brien, week-in & week-out, when he has two fit right-backs on the bench.
Everton are paying Patterson and Coleman £80 grand a week between them -- for nothing! Gross mismanagement -- you can"t hide that... it's not O'Brien's fault.
Terry Farrell
46 Posted 13/05/2026 at 07:35:45
46 Posted 13/05/2026 at 07:35:45
Mike G your comments are valid and of course I want a top quality RB with pace. My comment was about picking the best starting 11 that he has available at this point in time. I disagree with your observations on Garner at RB. Undoubtedly he has performed well there but we lose so much when he is not centre mid that the other players you mentioned cant replace.
Mike Gaynes
47 Posted 13/05/2026 at 07:43:31
47 Posted 13/05/2026 at 07:43:31
We'll agree to disagree on that, Terry. I think Tim has generally done a fine job except for the yellow cards, and Merlin has shown significant potential. Neither is on Garner's level, of course, but I think we gain more defensively when O'Brien is in his natural position than we lose when Garner is not. Tarkowski and Keane have had such a rough time the past several months that benching one to be replaced by Jake would have been more than justified.
Like you, I can't wait until this issue is off the table because we have a top right-back. Or two.
Like you, I can't wait until this issue is off the table because we have a top right-back. Or two.
Ian Bennett
49 Posted 13/05/2026 at 07:47:05
49 Posted 13/05/2026 at 07:47:05
They were linked with Emil Holm, who went to Juventus on loan in January. It hasn't worked out for him there, and at 6ft- 4in, I suspect he is very similar to O'Brien in characteristics, although I've never seen him.
Was it worth outbidding Juventus, was the lad keener on Merseyside over Turin? I doubt it.
Norton Cuffy was the other link. And he is being watched by multiple clubs.
There are obviously multiple right-backs out there. But there are also several clubs looking for a new right-back, either as first choice or they have Champions League football, and are looking for a second-choice right-back that can offer competition.
So Everton are not therefore automatically going to pick up their target, even if the valuation is met.
That doesn't provide a pass to the club, as the situation is a shit show, and can't carry on since Coleman's leg break.
I think Garner would be a bigger miss from midfield, than what you gain from him at right-back, with O'Brien shuffled across. Terry is spot on there. The lad has won an England place from his performances in midfield, where he has outshone Gibbs White, Anderson, Wharton and Rogers in direct games, so moving him backwards loses that midfield quality.
It is obvious that neither Keane, Tarkowski nor Mykolenko are good enough and, despite Darren saying that there are options, there clearly aren't. His refusal to state his current back 4 highlights the constraint that Moyes is working under.
Was it worth outbidding Juventus, was the lad keener on Merseyside over Turin? I doubt it.
Norton Cuffy was the other link. And he is being watched by multiple clubs.
There are obviously multiple right-backs out there. But there are also several clubs looking for a new right-back, either as first choice or they have Champions League football, and are looking for a second-choice right-back that can offer competition.
So Everton are not therefore automatically going to pick up their target, even if the valuation is met.
That doesn't provide a pass to the club, as the situation is a shit show, and can't carry on since Coleman's leg break.
I think Garner would be a bigger miss from midfield, than what you gain from him at right-back, with O'Brien shuffled across. Terry is spot on there. The lad has won an England place from his performances in midfield, where he has outshone Gibbs White, Anderson, Wharton and Rogers in direct games, so moving him backwards loses that midfield quality.
It is obvious that neither Keane, Tarkowski nor Mykolenko are good enough and, despite Darren saying that there are options, there clearly aren't. His refusal to state his current back 4 highlights the constraint that Moyes is working under.
Terry Farrell
50 Posted 13/05/2026 at 07:52:08
50 Posted 13/05/2026 at 07:52:08
I am a big fan of Merlin and Tim also, Mike, but Tim is best alongside Garner and Merlin is best further forward or wide. His inexperience shows on the edge of our own box.
Where we fully agree is Tarkowski and Keane are way too slow. In too many games at Hill Dickinson, we have been ripped apart through the back because of lack of pace. Brentford, Spurs, etc.
Where we fully agree is Tarkowski and Keane are way too slow. In too many games at Hill Dickinson, we have been ripped apart through the back because of lack of pace. Brentford, Spurs, etc.
Tony Abrahams
51 Posted 13/05/2026 at 07:53:32
51 Posted 13/05/2026 at 07:53:32
I think Patterson's biggest problem is that he hasn't played enough senior football. He was doing okay under Lampard, until he got injured, but he his never going to get picked on a regular basis under managers like Dyche and Moyes, because they are defensively minded coaches, and I don't think Patterson is very good in this department.
A product of the academy system, they concentrate a lot more on what kids can do with the ball, rather than without the ball, and then, when they get into senior football, suddenly they have got to be able to do both.
He's very comfortable with the ball at his feet, which is why I'd have played him against certain opposition, and you could see the difference in Dibling when he had a natural full-back playing behind him (only one game admittedly) but the manager, picks his team and doesn't want to play Patterson, so the kid has got to leave.
Everyone is good, Paul, thanks mate, and the lad is still a Millwall player, but let's see what happens in the summer🤞
A product of the academy system, they concentrate a lot more on what kids can do with the ball, rather than without the ball, and then, when they get into senior football, suddenly they have got to be able to do both.
He's very comfortable with the ball at his feet, which is why I'd have played him against certain opposition, and you could see the difference in Dibling when he had a natural full-back playing behind him (only one game admittedly) but the manager, picks his team and doesn't want to play Patterson, so the kid has got to leave.
Everyone is good, Paul, thanks mate, and the lad is still a Millwall player, but let's see what happens in the summer🤞
Darren Hind
52 Posted 13/05/2026 at 08:03:45
52 Posted 13/05/2026 at 08:03:45
Keane makes a couple of mistakes on Sunday and "He's been doing it all season" -- Total bollocks of course.
Jake O'Brien gets my vote for Player of the Season. He may be a fish out of water, but he has really applied himself and just got on with it. If everybody else applied themselves as Jake does, we would be in a Champions League position.
A blind man can see he is not a natural right-back, but any criticism of that should be directed at the clown who keeps putting him there while rigor mortis sets in on his captain.
Jake O'Brien gets my vote for Player of the Season. He may be a fish out of water, but he has really applied himself and just got on with it. If everybody else applied themselves as Jake does, we would be in a Champions League position.
A blind man can see he is not a natural right-back, but any criticism of that should be directed at the clown who keeps putting him there while rigor mortis sets in on his captain.
Mike Gaynes
53 Posted 13/05/2026 at 08:04:08
53 Posted 13/05/2026 at 08:04:08
Terry, for sure. The Branthwaite injury situation has been devastating to this club all season. Only Pickford is more irreplaceable.
Incidentally, Paddy Boyland of The Athletic posted an article tonight speculating on whether Iroegbunam might become the league's next great ballwinner. It's a balanced assessment:
'Iroegbunam ranks top of all central and defensive midfielders in Europe's top five leagues for his ‘true' tackle win rate (69.3 per cent) which assesses tackles attempted, tackles lost and fouls committed to get a measure of how successful a player is at winning back possession from challenges.
Iroegbunam stands out most when striding forward with the ball or using his pace to track runners and recover possession.
But, in other areas, questions remain. He is not quite as positionally adept as Gueye, often relying on his speed to bail him out. His passing and decision-making can be hit and miss. He has a tendency to try and dribble out of situations, losing possession in dangerous areas, as he did before Jeremy Doku's first goal in the 3-3 draw with City, or to run down blind alleys.
Iroegbunam is among the five per cent of Premier League players who are dispossessed the most times per 90 minutes and has a dribble success rate of 39 per cent (which puts him in the bottom 25 percentile). The one time he strode forward and struck at goal against Palace last weekend, his shot ended up near the corner flag. Both he and Garner struggled to stem the tide, as Palace pushed forward in the second half.
Everton have conceded an expected goals (xG) figure of 1.59 with him on the pitch, versus 1.33 with Gueye and 1.52 with Garner, although this may be because he is often on the pitch when games become stretched, or when his side are defending leads.
As a pure ball winner, there are few better than Iroegbunam. Should he take strides in other areas, he would almost certainly cement a regular place at Everton or elsewhere. The belief among some who have followed his career closely is that he has what it takes to make that step up, but that he will need regular playing time to do so.'
At last check, Tim also led the league in yellow cards per 90 minutes. He does have a tendency to get caught on the wrong side of his man and have to lunge in to catch up. But I think he is rapidly improving in this area.
Incidentally, Paddy Boyland of The Athletic posted an article tonight speculating on whether Iroegbunam might become the league's next great ballwinner. It's a balanced assessment:
'Iroegbunam ranks top of all central and defensive midfielders in Europe's top five leagues for his ‘true' tackle win rate (69.3 per cent) which assesses tackles attempted, tackles lost and fouls committed to get a measure of how successful a player is at winning back possession from challenges.
Iroegbunam stands out most when striding forward with the ball or using his pace to track runners and recover possession.
But, in other areas, questions remain. He is not quite as positionally adept as Gueye, often relying on his speed to bail him out. His passing and decision-making can be hit and miss. He has a tendency to try and dribble out of situations, losing possession in dangerous areas, as he did before Jeremy Doku's first goal in the 3-3 draw with City, or to run down blind alleys.
Iroegbunam is among the five per cent of Premier League players who are dispossessed the most times per 90 minutes and has a dribble success rate of 39 per cent (which puts him in the bottom 25 percentile). The one time he strode forward and struck at goal against Palace last weekend, his shot ended up near the corner flag. Both he and Garner struggled to stem the tide, as Palace pushed forward in the second half.
Everton have conceded an expected goals (xG) figure of 1.59 with him on the pitch, versus 1.33 with Gueye and 1.52 with Garner, although this may be because he is often on the pitch when games become stretched, or when his side are defending leads.
As a pure ball winner, there are few better than Iroegbunam. Should he take strides in other areas, he would almost certainly cement a regular place at Everton or elsewhere. The belief among some who have followed his career closely is that he has what it takes to make that step up, but that he will need regular playing time to do so.'
At last check, Tim also led the league in yellow cards per 90 minutes. He does have a tendency to get caught on the wrong side of his man and have to lunge in to catch up. But I think he is rapidly improving in this area.
Terry Farrell
54 Posted 13/05/2026 at 08:05:52
54 Posted 13/05/2026 at 08:05:52
Darren totally agree re Jake. Not ripping Keane apart at all he just isn't quick and neither is Tarks so together we are weak on the counter.
Darren Hind
55 Posted 13/05/2026 at 08:08:43
55 Posted 13/05/2026 at 08:08:43
Really impressive "stats" Mike.
Did you know that Sam Allardyce has a 100% win ratio as England manager?
Did you know that Sam Allardyce has a 100% win ratio as England manager?
John Collins
56 Posted 13/05/2026 at 08:12:58
56 Posted 13/05/2026 at 08:12:58
A monster in the making, Tim.
How much are The Athletic getting paid to inform us he needs regular playing time to develop?
How much are The Athletic getting paid to inform us he needs regular playing time to develop?
Darren Hind
57 Posted 13/05/2026 at 08:19:43
57 Posted 13/05/2026 at 08:19:43
49
Please stop with the apologetic gibberish. I named 15 options available to Moyes. Your claim that there are none open to him simply exposes your knowledge of the game -- as if it needed exposing.
Also, I have told you I will no longer entertain any of your idiotic questions.
Please stop with the apologetic gibberish. I named 15 options available to Moyes. Your claim that there are none open to him simply exposes your knowledge of the game -- as if it needed exposing.
Also, I have told you I will no longer entertain any of your idiotic questions.
Ian Bennett
58 Posted 13/05/2026 at 09:59:35
58 Posted 13/05/2026 at 09:59:35
No Darren, you gave Mike a list of options during the season, that mainly mentioned Branthwaite, opening the cheque book, or options that had no more certainty than what we have currently.
You haven't nailed your colours to the mast on the current situation, but happy to nail Moyes on the current situation he finds himself in. You do it every time.
You and I have both agreed that O'Brien has done a decent job at right-back.
You still seem to rate Keane, and seem to have learnt nothing over the last 10 years on that player.
I agree with you that Tarkowski is done, and I am sure you prefer Garner in midfield.
You've never stated if you'd play Patterson. You've pussy footed around it, with your usual gibberish.
You've put forward Rohl, but none of us, including you, has seen him in that position.
The best back 4 is:
O'Brien right-back
O'Brien centre-back
Branthwaite centre-back
Branthwaite left-back
I think there's a fucking problem with that, mind... and probably why Moyes doesn't play it. Even with your blind spot, you can see it.
So in the interim, we have to include the 3 clueless wonders, whether we like it or not.
You haven't nailed your colours to the mast on the current situation, but happy to nail Moyes on the current situation he finds himself in. You do it every time.
You and I have both agreed that O'Brien has done a decent job at right-back.
You still seem to rate Keane, and seem to have learnt nothing over the last 10 years on that player.
I agree with you that Tarkowski is done, and I am sure you prefer Garner in midfield.
You've never stated if you'd play Patterson. You've pussy footed around it, with your usual gibberish.
You've put forward Rohl, but none of us, including you, has seen him in that position.
The best back 4 is:
O'Brien right-back
O'Brien centre-back
Branthwaite centre-back
Branthwaite left-back
I think there's a fucking problem with that, mind... and probably why Moyes doesn't play it. Even with your blind spot, you can see it.
So in the interim, we have to include the 3 clueless wonders, whether we like it or not.
Brian Harrison
59 Posted 13/05/2026 at 10:21:08
59 Posted 13/05/2026 at 10:21:08
The season is almost over so hopefully those in charge of buying players buy players who are ready to walk into the first team.
With it being a World Cup year, it creates further problems as, if you leave it till after the World Cup to buy players, if they have done well, their prices will have increased considerably.
Last year, Moyes said that they missed out on a lot of their targets because we couldn't offer them European football, and that's probably going to be the case this year.
I think everybody has said that we probably need to play O'Brien and Branthwaite together and let's hope that Branthwaite can play most games next season -- something he hasn't managed for the last couple of seasons.
We also need a striker and at least a wide player with a good goalscoring record. Pleased to see us being linked with Bowen, maybe with the connection with Moyes we might have a chance.
With it being a World Cup year, it creates further problems as, if you leave it till after the World Cup to buy players, if they have done well, their prices will have increased considerably.
Last year, Moyes said that they missed out on a lot of their targets because we couldn't offer them European football, and that's probably going to be the case this year.
I think everybody has said that we probably need to play O'Brien and Branthwaite together and let's hope that Branthwaite can play most games next season -- something he hasn't managed for the last couple of seasons.
We also need a striker and at least a wide player with a good goalscoring record. Pleased to see us being linked with Bowen, maybe with the connection with Moyes we might have a chance.
Dave Abrahams
60 Posted 13/05/2026 at 11:27:45
60 Posted 13/05/2026 at 11:27:45
Ian (58),
Yes, there are definitely problems with that back four. I think the two biggest problems would be when O'Brien plays in either of those positions.
He has proved that he can't play as a right-back to more than enough fans and he hasn't established himself sufficiently to show that he can be a success as a centre back to any degree, not for me anyway.
I just see a different version of Keane.
Yes, there are definitely problems with that back four. I think the two biggest problems would be when O'Brien plays in either of those positions.
He has proved that he can't play as a right-back to more than enough fans and he hasn't established himself sufficiently to show that he can be a success as a centre back to any degree, not for me anyway.
I just see a different version of Keane.
Tony Abrahams
61 Posted 13/05/2026 at 11:54:21
61 Posted 13/05/2026 at 11:54:21
O'Brien definitely gets away with a lot more because he his playing out of position. His effort to stop the cross for the second equaliser the other day was very poor, almost lethargic.
I'm sure if Nathan Patterson had been playing instead, that this would have been noticed by a lot more people.
Any central midfielder who is in the top 5% for losing possession by being dispossessed has definitely got a hell of a lot of work to do if he is going to succeed.
I'm sure if Nathan Patterson had been playing instead, that this would have been noticed by a lot more people.
Any central midfielder who is in the top 5% for losing possession by being dispossessed has definitely got a hell of a lot of work to do if he is going to succeed.
Ian Bennett
62 Posted 13/05/2026 at 12:14:56
62 Posted 13/05/2026 at 12:14:56
Dave, yeah, I've said before he isn't top class, and it is slim pickings.
I know Mike Gaynes rated him, and told me about his illness that he lives with, which I didn't know about tbh.
He isn't my type of defender. He reminds me more of a Richard Dunne type. That is physically strong, but won't be a technical type than can bring the ball out of the back and would be destroyed by a more fleet of foot footballer, that would tie him in knots.
If you want more technical football, you need more technical players to deliver it. And that probably isn't Jake O'Brien, and it definitely isn't Tarkowski, Keane or Mykolenko.
I know Mike Gaynes rated him, and told me about his illness that he lives with, which I didn't know about tbh.
He isn't my type of defender. He reminds me more of a Richard Dunne type. That is physically strong, but won't be a technical type than can bring the ball out of the back and would be destroyed by a more fleet of foot footballer, that would tie him in knots.
If you want more technical football, you need more technical players to deliver it. And that probably isn't Jake O'Brien, and it definitely isn't Tarkowski, Keane or Mykolenko.
Steve Brown
63 Posted 13/05/2026 at 12:36:50
63 Posted 13/05/2026 at 12:36:50
Our current best back four (and team):
Pickford
Patterson O'Brien Keane Mykolenko
Garner Dewsbury-Hall
Ndiaye Röhl George
Beto
Pickford
Patterson O'Brien Keane Mykolenko
Garner Dewsbury-Hall
Ndiaye Röhl George
Beto
Darren Hind
64 Posted 13/05/2026 at 14:12:11
64 Posted 13/05/2026 at 14:12:11
In our squad there are two left backs, There is four center halves and we have two right backs.
Now we know one of our center backs is injured and we know one of our right backs is finished, but that is somewhat negated by the fact that we have two midfield players who can play right back. We'll leave aside the fact that Moyes is responsible for the full back who was finished two years ago still being part of the squad. We'll also leave aside the fact that when our injured center half was fit. Moyes thought it was a good idea to play him at left back.
The irrefutable fact is, Moyes has had and still has, dozens and dozens of permutations open to him but he still persists in the a back four which is letting the team down on an almost hourly basis.
I can hear Deadly Dave's Dull Disciple's from here - "You cant play Garner there". "you cant play Patterson Anywhere "... "Aznou isn't an option"..."keane isn't good enough". You cant drop Tarkowski. Well they are wrong. The manager can do all of that
Aznou has let nobody down. Neither has Garner at rightback, Nor Patterson and if we have learned anything about Keane, its that, on the few occasions Tarkowski hasnt been available (last three games of last season and Emirates this) He has proven to be a far better player without him.
Here's the thing; Moyes's disciples have no say in this. They have no business screaming "There are no options" simply because they don't like them. or cant see them. The rest of us know better.
Changes can be made. Attempts to stop this defensive circus can be made. Experiments looking for improvement can be made. You just need a manager with the balls to try it. Not one who sticks with his favourites come what may.
It's not just Moyes's disciples who have no say in it. His critics don't either. Asking them to name their back four is an exercise in inane, inconsequential, banality. This is on the manager. He's the only one who gets to choose.
The choices Moyes is making are not fucking working! The fact that it has cost us a Champions League place is testimony to that.
People hammering away at tired broken players for not performing whilst glorifying the twat who keeps picking them make me howl.
Now we know one of our center backs is injured and we know one of our right backs is finished, but that is somewhat negated by the fact that we have two midfield players who can play right back. We'll leave aside the fact that Moyes is responsible for the full back who was finished two years ago still being part of the squad. We'll also leave aside the fact that when our injured center half was fit. Moyes thought it was a good idea to play him at left back.
The irrefutable fact is, Moyes has had and still has, dozens and dozens of permutations open to him but he still persists in the a back four which is letting the team down on an almost hourly basis.
I can hear Deadly Dave's Dull Disciple's from here - "You cant play Garner there". "you cant play Patterson Anywhere "... "Aznou isn't an option"..."keane isn't good enough". You cant drop Tarkowski. Well they are wrong. The manager can do all of that
Aznou has let nobody down. Neither has Garner at rightback, Nor Patterson and if we have learned anything about Keane, its that, on the few occasions Tarkowski hasnt been available (last three games of last season and Emirates this) He has proven to be a far better player without him.
Here's the thing; Moyes's disciples have no say in this. They have no business screaming "There are no options" simply because they don't like them. or cant see them. The rest of us know better.
Changes can be made. Attempts to stop this defensive circus can be made. Experiments looking for improvement can be made. You just need a manager with the balls to try it. Not one who sticks with his favourites come what may.
It's not just Moyes's disciples who have no say in it. His critics don't either. Asking them to name their back four is an exercise in inane, inconsequential, banality. This is on the manager. He's the only one who gets to choose.
The choices Moyes is making are not fucking working! The fact that it has cost us a Champions League place is testimony to that.
People hammering away at tired broken players for not performing whilst glorifying the twat who keeps picking them make me howl.
Kevin Molloy
65 Posted 13/05/2026 at 14:29:34
65 Posted 13/05/2026 at 14:29:34
"The choices Moyes is making are not fucking working! The fact that it has cost us a Champions League place is testimony to that."
Cost us a what, Darren? Did you say Champions League?? Lil' ol' Everton???
In just over a year from a team heading for the knackers yard? Wowzers, you banked that improvement so fast, the Moyesiah's head must be spinning. But now it's time to get him out. That was some turnaround.
Cost us a what, Darren? Did you say Champions League?? Lil' ol' Everton???
In just over a year from a team heading for the knackers yard? Wowzers, you banked that improvement so fast, the Moyesiah's head must be spinning. But now it's time to get him out. That was some turnaround.
Darren Hind
66 Posted 13/05/2026 at 15:37:02
66 Posted 13/05/2026 at 15:37:02
We have players capable of finishing Top 6 and qualifying for the Champions League.
We just need to get rid of the twat who is hindering them.
We just need to get rid of the twat who is hindering them.
John Collins
67 Posted 13/05/2026 at 15:57:28
67 Posted 13/05/2026 at 15:57:28
We have, Darren.
We may have qualified for the Champions League if he tried to win a few more games. We'll never know; he didn't try.
We may have qualified for the Champions League if he tried to win a few more games. We'll never know; he didn't try.
Ian Bennett
68 Posted 13/05/2026 at 16:02:02
68 Posted 13/05/2026 at 16:02:02
Patterson O’Brien Keane Aznou.
All that fuss for that?
Fucking hell, it is a good job you only post my mate. With that defence like that, we'd be rinsed more than Liver Launderettes.
Champions league with that? Think someone's had a liquid lunch.
All that fuss for that?
Fucking hell, it is a good job you only post my mate. With that defence like that, we'd be rinsed more than Liver Launderettes.
Champions league with that? Think someone's had a liquid lunch.
Grant Rorrison
69 Posted 13/05/2026 at 16:07:11
69 Posted 13/05/2026 at 16:07:11
Yeah, it's going to be very disappointing that, for the first time in god knows how long, we're not going to be playing Champions League football next season.
Fucking Moyes costing us that one.
Fucking Moyes costing us that one.
John Collins
70 Posted 13/05/2026 at 16:21:29
70 Posted 13/05/2026 at 16:21:29
"The rest of them were crap so it's okay that Moyes is crap."
Strange logic…
Strange logic…
Grant Rorrison
74 Posted 13/05/2026 at 17:00:34
74 Posted 13/05/2026 at 17:00:34
Whoever plays at the back, mistakes will still happen. People will still get done and goals will still be scored.
Do you honestly believe all our problems would be over simply by swapping out one bloke for another?
We had Branthwaite at the back against Brentford, in the first game of our current bad run of results. We still let in 2.
Do you honestly believe all our problems would be over simply by swapping out one bloke for another?
We had Branthwaite at the back against Brentford, in the first game of our current bad run of results. We still let in 2.
Michael Kenrick
Editorial Team
79 Posted 13/05/2026 at 21:24:25
Editorial Team
79 Posted 13/05/2026 at 21:24:25
Sorry, guys, but you've hogged this thread for long enough with your back four babble.
Inane, inconsequential, banality ain't the half of it. Move on to something else... anything else, please!
Inane, inconsequential, banality ain't the half of it. Move on to something else... anything else, please!
Tony Abrahams
80 Posted 13/05/2026 at 21:40:00
80 Posted 13/05/2026 at 21:40:00
I’ve just been looking at the premier league form table and noticed that Everton, have taken 3 points out of 18 points, at the business end of the table, when it usually matters the most.
If we could have taken 13 points out of the last 18 points, like Brighton, we would have been sixth and level on points, with both Liverpool and Villa, and if we had taken 14 points like Bournemouth, we would have now been sitting in 4th place.
So near and yet so far, but isn’t it great being stable, whilst not having to worry about relegation.
If we could have taken 13 points out of the last 18 points, like Brighton, we would have been sixth and level on points, with both Liverpool and Villa, and if we had taken 14 points like Bournemouth, we would have now been sitting in 4th place.
So near and yet so far, but isn’t it great being stable, whilst not having to worry about relegation.
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.
How to get rid of these ads and support TW
© ToffeeWeb
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
1 Posted 11/05/2026 at 16:05:06
On this basis, we are not getting value for money, we are not getting it in goals, results, entertainment... and certainly not trophies (that also goes for the raft of predecessors btw)...
"It's not his fault he's paid that much!" l hear the disciples shout, and you're right -- you only get what you ask for, but the higher ups at this club need to have a serious look at a C+ manager at best who earns an A with distinction salary... winner's money.
The orchestrated cup exits alone were reprehensible and for me were sackable offences. We're being short changed by Mr Malfeasance, you're not the clever cloggs you think you are... Maybe he's started to believe Shearer's bullshit!!