The never ending fan patience will be needed.

The assessment that Dewesbury Hall is below the bracket of Foden & Palmer is totally honest, whilst you could add a couple more over the top in Eze & Rogers, never mind the class of player like Bellingham.

That highlights the task in hand for any manager of everton when playing a top side.

Dewesbury Hall is probably our best footballer in terms of ability, fitness, and professionalism. Branthwaite & Pickford fall into the mix, but plenty dont. Garner is an efficient user of the ball, but a game winner is probably an exception rather than a rule.

So where does it leave Everton? It leaves us desperately hoping that the young players can kick on into that bracket of Dewesbury Hall, and that we can keep the better players at the club (not sold, not injured, not declining with age).

That feels challenging as id expect Branthwaite to move on.

The hope that Everton could fast track the process by competiting more aggressively in the transfer market, was brutally exposed last summer.

He also ‘bounced’ one of their centre backs in a chase for the ball (another thing left out of the rubbish MotD coverage of the game, which just analysed what we ‘got away with’).

He still doesn’t always look totally coordinated but he certainly seems to be learning how to use his strength effectively, which is key to being effective in the Prem.

At the game on Friday I thought we did actually start quite well and Coventry were not in it at all for the first 20 minutes, reduced to hopeful long balls. Problem was we started to get really sloppy and Coventry’s confidence grew and grew as we simply squandered possession time after time. It took them scoring to seemingly get the players to find their focus again.

I’ve seen some remarks against Armstrong’s performance but I thought where he led the way was always looking to turn and exploit any space he had been gifted whenever he was receiving the ball. It didn’t always pay off but it kept Coventry ‘honest’.

In comparison, I thought our biggest let down for an hour was James Garner who just seemed to be coasting and not trying anything technically demanding at all when in possession. Yes, he had defensive duties but he also needs to ignite some of the offensive stuff otherwise the opposition can just double up on those players who are carrying all the creative workload.

Obviously we want Everton players to feel they can get international recognition here, and Picks, Branthwaite, Garner et al show that is true, BUT not a fan of how heads have been turned in the past. To be fair KDH is probably beyond that, having done the Chelsea thing already.
There’s also the injury risk we can do without. We’ll need the players fresh for the next few games epecially.

Trouble is I’m not sure I’ve got 19 yrs left in me to wait

Certainly his positioning is much improved but also such things as his pass to KDH to set up his goal. Seems also to starting to direct his headers better and looks a little more stable. More to come from the lad, I think.

His positioning is much improved and that’s half the job of a decent CF. UTT.

Betcha they’ll be in for Fabregas in this next three weeks Dave.

The irony is Dave, that Spurs player who got his Achilles raked by that dirty Leeds get had every right to complain but got less than some of these frauds that roll over at the slightest touch.

You didn’t see the reaction when McCallister reacted to the Arsenal player savagely butting him Dave?

I’m trying to imagine someone carrying on like that in The Sunday League in the 80s and 90s.

I’m the same Dave.

It’s embarrassing now.

They’ve no shame.

That roll over and over and over again by the Villa player Manambi(?) in the United game must be the most embarrassing one ever, deserved a yellow card or a nomination for best actor award.

The way this league is looking this year, huge opportunity to get us in Europe.

Yes we know the squad is thin and we are bound to have some injuries & suspensions, but even a couple of loans in January could give us a few more options & cover.

Come back from 2 down three times in a couple of weeks now.

Definitely fighting for the manager, just not good enough.

It’s a funny old game

United fight back and could have got a last second winner if Mount had looked and shown the tinniest bit of composure.

It’s a fight back that keeps the United manager in the job for another three weeks because of the break.

Villa looking to embarrass Man Utd… Ross Barkley on now with them leading 4-2.

I think you will be very well informed about our young players if you read Grandoldteam, —Benjamin can look great at times not so much at other times but he has pace, we got him from Aresenal a couple of seasons ago and has been absent sometimes then coming back – not sure when his contract is up. Finney looks promising as does Brookes, Loney and Tamen it’s how they progress that counts like Carrington who was well regarded at Man. City before he had a bad injury that altered his future, he is getting a chance at Everton to see if that potential comes through now and gets him a contract at Everton.

So you can have all the skill in the world but you also need that little bit of luck that will ensure your future.

On a good run and another shite international snooze fest halts it.

Fuckin hate them.

More from Grand Old Team:

Davies and the subs made a big difference when they came on. A decent second half after a tame start.

Nothing specifically new for me. Graham was average first half, improved a lot the second; it’s hard to call Harry Brookes at 16: composed, strong on the ball, nothing spectacular yet but, as a comparison, it was after Christmas before Armstrong made his U21start.

Olayiwola is a different, far more direct player than both of them. Our two full backs are decent at this level, nothing as yet saying they’ll play higher up but plenty of potential there. Matos was showing his versatility, another who’s suffered from injury but continues to improve a bit at a time.

Done us a favour. Banned to play us.

Brighton have no fear for any team,they just go for it.Brilliant to watch.

In the bottom 7 of the third tier,along with Brentford and Bournemouth 19 years ago.

Amazing transitions.

Can`t be done without money though😀

Brighton playing with a swagger.

Igor Thiago red card for a physical reaction… a bit harsh really. Michael Oliver had shown both players yellows, but VAR just had to stick their oar in.

Nuts… since that strike, Brighton should have had 2 more goals.

Just an exquisite strike from Diego Gomez for Brighton, struck so cleanly… how do they do it?

Moyes simply has better players than Dyche also he knows 50 plus thousand in the stadium helps your team when they get on the front foot.

For me Dyche done an amazing job for Everton fc.

I will always fight his corner no money stadium getting built points deductions and he saved my club from certain relegation after the position Lampard left him in .dont want to mention the other one.

UTFT

How has James Garner been picked in the England squad ahead of Dewsbury-Hall? Garner started the season unfit and has struggled to influence games.

But then, what the hell did Alexander-Arnold do to get selected? He has been watching Dumfries and Valverde take his spot at right-back all season at Real Madrid.

Moyes hasn’t stuck to that honesty though has he? Dewsbury Hall has had two poor spells at least and played every time, could be the small squad yet there is plenty of midfielders to be given some game time. When he’s good in his good spells like now he absolutely deserves to play but at other times he could be substituted at least, by the way the last three games have been played against two poor teams and that should be taken into account.

Barry has some great strengths. His movement is excellent, getting into space for chances, he is tall and athletic and a real handful to mark. He is strong in the air and really has a go.

He is young and has a developmental attitude, extra training and finishing practice etc.

13 goal involvements in 13 games is a great start. This can’t be maintained through the season. So when the lull comes, let’s not get on his back.

I read an interview he did about leaving Chelsea and joining Everton, he said some suggested he had taken a step down joining us but he said even he didnt realize how big a club Everton are. He said he spoke to Moyes before signing and Moyes said you play well and I will pick you if you dont I will leave you out, KDH said he liked the honesty. He went on to say that Moyes has been brilliant with him and has helped him improve as a player. We obviously dont know what is being said to who at Finch Farm on a daily basis, but listening to snippets from players can sometimes give us a greater insight into what goes on at the club and the feelings of the players.

Our football has definitely improved over the last few weeks, my Son even commented how much easier on the eye we are under Moyes than we ever watched under Dyche, Lampard or Benitez and my Son is not a fan of Moyes. Obviously putting a string of wins together helps confidence and were for the last few seasons if we went behind we would struggle to win the game, that was even more the case away from home, but now even when we go behind I still believe we can get back into games. Before anyone thinks I think the problems have been solved they havent, we still need to remember we need to play with a high intensity to get results and Friday was a perfect example, first half just strolled about once Coventry scored our intensity went up 20% and they showed what a decent side we are. Our central midfield options are stronger than they have been for a long time and we started with 2 wingers who are just 20 and still learning the game. Our back for looks pretty solid.

It may well be contrary Andrew but we need to look forward ,not back.

He is currently better than one goal every two games.

It would be very difficult for him to maintain that over a full season imo,he is still a very raw player.

If he gets 15 that would be a fantastic return for a young player learning his trade.

I know this may be contrary to many people’s views but I think Barry is thriving because he knows that he is going to be on the pitch for the best part of a game. He doesn’t have that feeling that any minute now he is going to be subbed for Beto.

He is our one and only striker and it’s working well for him.

The same goes for a lot of the younger players they need to be persevered with and they will come good. Dibling is a good example. His confidence is growing the more he plays. George is another. Defenders hate playing against tricky wingers.

Seems like we’ve just gotten football back from the last round of fixtures, and here comes another international break.

Fan boredom, player fatigue and the risk of injuries. All for very little of any consequence.

Moyesterbator 🤣. Brilliant.

Paul Griffiths 28 minutes ago,

Fair enough Paul, as it’s Sunday I’ll take that back— I thought Michael was incredible when he came on for those few minutes on Friday night it’s a pity Tuchel wasn’t there to see him!

At some point there will be injuries and suspensions.

The limited squad players we have all need game time. They will all be called upon. We don’t use our full squad. properly.

The last couple of league wins have propelled us up the table, same as the previous couple dropped us down it. It’s a very tight league.

Pete I think Moyes and his toolbox, managerial nouse, is much more threadbare than his squad!

A less number of misplaced passes than KDH — Colin Harvey hardly scored any goals but worked his socks off as part of that midfield, James Garner does more than enough to please me and he’s still getting back to peak fitness— keep,watching KDH and you’ll find he lacks consistency over a long period of time during the season, Garners football brain outweighs KDH’s for me. As for other clubs coming in for him let’s see- Chelsea bought him for £35M and s old him to us for £28M whilecthere was a reputedly £80M offer for Garner during the last transfer window in this admittedly mad transfer business.

Morning Ian,

The question was had 3 under 21 players ever started in a league game under Moyes.

Portsmouth 2008-only 2 started.

Eric,

Dont be like that.😀

The formation we spoke about the reason for you getting your Ao dai in a twist?

You can teach positioning if a player wants to learn, you cant teach pace Mick.

For me they’ve made a decision he isnt a central midfielder. I think the game is too quick for him to retain possession. And why he is being converted out wide.

Leighton Baines positioning was still suspect in the early days, so either get on board with Rohl or watch the incrediblly sloppy AMN.

For me its no contest. AMN is riddled with mistakes, and that was the case at Lyon. He is cover at best, the 2026 Cucu Martina.

Setting the team up to survive against Coventry!

LOL.

Moyes will have sent them out to start on the front foot and play with intensity. They didn’t follow his instructions as they did in the two games against Newcastle.

Naughty Dave on Keane mate.

Nah definitely not a right back as far as im concerned, he gets caught out of position to much for me, i want to see him in midfield where he was bought for

Paul agreed, absolutely no way on this planet is he better than those 2

‘It would be very difficult for many of the players to perform from the first minute to the 90th minute week in and week out without showing a level of fatigue that would be apparent as a game wore on’

Perhaps one of the most inane comments I have ever read on these pages.

Lads, lads, go easy in the first half, we only have a thin squad lads and it would be better to save yourselves for the second half. Repeat to yourselves: first half go easy, second half step it up.

I’m still chuckling.

Mr. Amb has established himself as our chief moyesterbator in a short stretch of time.

KDH is not ‘better than Palmer and Foden’. Sorry, that’s just blue-tinted silly.