The NSNO Everton Forums

brap2 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 16, 2025 9:31 pm We're surely currently exceeding expectations?

Yeah.

In terms of general control of matches and chances created/allowed, we’re mediocre at best.

Our current league position is manna from heaven.

The squad still needs a total overhaul at the fullback and deep midfield positions at minimum.

I’m not sure we’re going to accomplish anything while the likes of Grealish and KDH are peaking but there’s a nice set of young understudies to take over.

Branthwaite/O’Brien as a future CB pairing. Armstrong in the middle and maybe Röhl or Iroegbunam if they develop. Dibling as a potential future Grealish-type. Barry rounding out into a complete forward.

We have no good reason to push the throttle right now. There’s too much to be done with the squad. I’m happy being clear of the relegation battle, playing some decent, watchable stuff, and letting things come together slowly.

brap2 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 16, 2025 9:31 pm We're surely currently exceeding expectations?

Probably. Think we have a weird squad make up in that some are well short and others are very very good. With our problems we'd have to be delighted with a top half finish. I do also think wherever we finished it will be a bit of a missed opportunity given how poor we are in certain positions and how making them positions better surely wouldn't have been that hard

brap2 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 16, 2025 9:31 pm We're surely currently exceeding expectations?

In spite of our striking options not because of them.

We are exceeding expectations at the moment yes but it’s such an unusual season that a couple of good loans and a savvy purchase could push us into European football next season

Or more likely we waste money, revert to the mean and finish ~where we should 14-12th, but leave ourselves in a worse position for the summer.

Statistically jan signings have little to do with final points tally's according to el pivote on toffee TV last year anyway.

I can think of a few January signings down the years that improved us jelavic Donovan etc

If we signed Toney and Mainoo on loan and moved Garner to RB then I think we'd have a very good chance of top 7-8.

I just don't think we'd get those players and to move the needle we need to wait until the summer... Worth trying for these players but definitely no point going for broke in the hope of possibly sneaking in to a European spot.

I'm not even convinced tbh getting in Europe does is any favours... We'd have to prioritise quantity over quality in our transfers and I'd rather we built slower and more methodically for longer term gain.

I want it all. I want it all.
And I want it now.

Moyes has repeatedly called out both Barry and Beto and even last week told us he is looking at Europe and advised him that he can't go another 6 games without a goal. He lasted an anonymous 65 mins before Moyes hauled him off again. He knows this season probably offers us the best opportunity for a long time to over achieve and pulling in a few players on loan might just make a difference. If we eventually miss Europe we probably finish a few places higher than we would have done, which makes any outlay cost neutral.

For the sake of a few extra players on the wage bill for 5 months it might be worth it.

Would just be replacing the number at the top with a different number

Is Barry getting little service because unfortunately the way we set up isn't helping him or are the players not finding him because the runs he is making (or not) aren't giving them any decent/incisive passing options or do his team mates just not fancy him enough to look for him early. Probably a bit of all three.

Barry apparently touched the ball 11 times and lost it 6 of them 11. I've no clue what his potential is but hes currently a million miles away

Yeah he was terrible against Chelsea, didn't compete physically with their CBs which was a big problem in his first few appearances, and as with those too his pressing was none existent. Add to that he just left his man for their first and lazily pointed to Alcaraz to track instead even though he was miles away and you've got yourself a really stinking the place out kinda performance.

Wouldn't be at all surprised to see Beto start against Arsenal and Moyes would be fully justified if he did.

I think you just continue to play Barry through this. Beto is gone whether January or this summer.

Barry will need to cope better with the physicality but he has those tools. Give him the chance to develop, might end up with a proper striker if we do.

I can somewhat understand the thought that Europe is within reach but Im a bit doubtful. If you feel that is within reach I can see bringing in a striker in January.

Maybe we have a better idea of that possibility after the next 5 matches.

Not bothered by Europe at the moment, not sure we could finance a squad to compete next season even if we did, certainly not to the point of winning anything and remaining in the league at the same time.