End of Term Report and Future Needs

Moyes has done a remarkable job but his is a short contract and we really don't want survival to be our target.

Did you leave Dwight McNeil out of your team and squad intentionally? Also, do we have to pay for Beto this summer, or is his fee spread over a number of years?

I have never heard of most of the players mentioned so a bit of an education for me!

Neil, Dwight McNeil should be on subs bench. Was rushing end of the article a bit. Though if a promoted team offered £20m+ for him I’d be tempted. I believe Beto fee is spread out.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/8497549123703534

Says it all really, for the past decades too.

Right back, Omar el hiali, KWP
CM, Habib Diarra, Angel Gomez
RW, Chukwueze, Roony Bardghji
FW Manfred Ugalde, Delap

Like your call of diouf for LB

Dream window, vanderson diarra cherki, delap, as I said I can dream

Top point/post Neil. But, with respect, you need to commit yourself and follow through on what you clearly want to say, You're thinking along the same lines as me mate, that Sam makes most of these names up. What happened to one of last year's top right-flank Hoare picks: Dario Glomoskyriatz from Olympusus? What became of Hodsini Multainmoshuvus,, the FC Treiton right-back, who Hoare kept plugging till the cows come home? Good luck trying to find Multainmoshuvus through Google or the Treiton home page.

It's probably safer that Sam is rating the squad this year and people should fact check all those names he gives in throwaway lists.

That said, I think Sam's rating are spot on.

James Garner (C/D): I might have been tempted to give him a D. After a first-rate comeback game he flatters to deceive. Good at running. One goal in 74 games FFS. Four assists FFS. Nowhere near the tackle/interception value that Gana brings. Cross accuracy 22%; Shot accuracy 29%. We will not get where we ought to be with players like Garns and similarly

Dwight McNeil (C): Our midfield goal return rate is so poor. Hopefully - and the signs are there - Alcaraz (C: agree) might help our here if TFG don't fuck up his purchase.Dwights has seven goals in his last 56 appearances for us (7 in 134 appearances for Burnley). 15 assists in 76 games (7.5 a season) is good. His crosses can be shite or sublime; his set pieces can be shite or sublime. Lacks speed.

Tim Iroegbunam (D/E): it makes me smile when a few on here talk of Timmy as a top player in the making who has already shown the appropriate signs. Of what? 30 PL appearances (23 off the bench to be fair), zero goals. We have seen nowhere near enough of him to decide whether he is good or poor and he might be either.

Beto (C): Somewhat jaw-dropping that you seem happy Sam to have Betters who you rate as "C" to start next season. What's the tally? Eleven goals, sixty appearances (36 as sub to be fair). Never been a striker with a high hit-rate. His five or six one-on-one pitiful fluffs after his goals drained up (put the ball in front of him to run onto and he will score) are not that far behind the number of goals. I thought he did well at The Skunks but another howler missed that would have made us safe and was it two headers where he rose well and did not get the ball on target - learn to head the ball down lad, it might sometimes help: google Derek Mountfield goals.

That all said, I am deeply impressed that Beethoven's 9th is his music of choice in the car on the way to Finch Farm.

What do these four fellas have in common? None of them are good enough at this moment in my view to take us up to where we would like to be.

Another one who posts something that has obviously taken a lot of detailed research.

Like Neil, I have no idea who most of those players are that you put forward as options.

I don't agree with all of your ratings, but that's all down to opinions, which I respect.

Rather than go through the individual ratings you opine, as I'll do that myself once I come down from this emotional season, if I was to rate the team overall?

Half-term report. F (for fail) minus. You need to sort yourself out girl, or you're heading for scrap heap

Second half. C minus. Recovered well enough to pass the GCSE. Let that be a warning and show you what hard work can do. Now go and do better.

Harsh? Maybe. But it depends on expectations. We didn't live up to our motto over the course of the season.

There were times before and just after Christmas when I was leaving Goodison and other stadiums feeling numb, struggling to comprehend what I had just witnessed.

Like you, we've lived through the good times and the dreadful 90s, with Joe Royle's brief spike a welcome relief.

But I don't think I've felt as low as I did earlier this season until the change was made. And then it got better. The players were playing with more freedom and the supporters got their mojo back.

Completely agree Danny. Worst I've ever felt. In the 90's I just knew we would stay up, that we would get through it. Mind you, I was younger, Dyche drained me of all I had - Everton energy, emotion, hope. I came to hate him, With Benitez I was frozen numb. Dyche I now see was worse and longer. The three hard boiled eggs will always be a blot on our club mate. Thank God is can only get better for our kids and teenagers.

It was the most demoralising stuff I've ever seen. No goals and game over once the opposition scored. Some thought we could limp through till end of the season. Losing to Southampton twice, they were braver man than I.

I am going to pick up on Andy's comment. Moyes buys well, and will buy players that will have a value to the next managers. I can't recall him buying a lot of 30 year olds in his time for big money, and certainly the next managers will inherit a good position.

He does need to buy some proven quality within the team mind. It's all well signing good players for the future, but they need to see good players around them now to have any hope of retaining them, to avoid being assst stripped later. That doesn't need to be 30 year olds - but it does need good players that make us win games in the here and now.

Building the league positions and perception of everton, is just as important as building the squad in my view. It also gives him the tools to do the job. Fan exoectation is increased, and so he will need players that can support that demand for the majority.

We all talk about winning a cup and end the embarrassing drought. He needs to build a squad that has a chance of winning those games. It's what 6 games to win the fa cup?

It's just a shame that football is so different these days.

As you have indicated... players don't get the opportunity to get extended runs in teams to show what they can do and constant management changes with different tactical challenges doesn't help.

Interestingly my top picks last time were: Iliman Ndiaye, Wilfried Gnonto, Ferdi Kadioglu and Jake O'Brien. All players who had been heavily linked with us. Ndiaye and O'Brien turned out ok. Kadioglu went to Brighton and got a bad injury. Gnonto hasn't kicked on hugely but helped Leeds get promoted and is still very young.

Glad you agree mostly with my ratings. I think I would be content to see Beto start next season for us but maybe not the following season. Long term he's probably not good enough but short term he's a pretty good fit for what Moyes wants. He misses some glaring one on ones for sure but then most strikers do. Our public pursuit of Delap probably suggests that Moyes feels the same way you do and wants a new starting striker. I reckon if Beto played all next season he'd bag 10-15 goals and that would do for me, I'd expect a similar return from Delap.

David@6, I try to watch clips on most of the players I've suggested but not extensively. Mostly I read online scouting reports from people whose opinions I trust and cross reference with stats I can find from fbref and whoscored. The lists are not in any order.

Grealish is clickbait yes. Would have prohibitively large wages and probably want European football. I guess you never know for sure but would seem very unlikely to me.

That's fair Sam. I think Delap would. score more and contribute more maybe not by a mile. But wherever we look Sam we need need new recruits. I honestly feel that right-back and striker x2 or x1 are top priorities.

Anyway, don't stop please. You and Robert and comparisons between are so valuable. That was a top round of recommendations this time last year. Warm wishes for the writing. Let us know more about the new footy project when everything you have to balance allows.

I mostly agree on your ratings though would give Tarks a B, his solidity and consistency over the years makes me think he has earned that.

I love the speculation as I know you and a few others do and spend way too much time watching videos and researching players...dreaming that one day we can compete again.

My wish list is unrealistic in the sense that many will be after these players, especially the ones available for free. I would like Wesley at RB (though he is going to be expensive) failing that Walker-Peters (free) if its to be the latter then a really promising youngster to push him by the end of the season.

At RM i'd like Fellows (£15m) unless Doak can be got for similar money and the £30M bandied around is just clickbait, I also like Nuamah but as you say, its a risk after an ACL injury. I'd also go for Poku at Peterborough who I have watched alot of videos on, maybe could get him for £4M and could be a diamond in the rough. I do think we need two wingers.

Charlie boy for £15M obviously, legend in waiting there and a no brainer. I have touted Delap all season so I don't feel a need to go over it again, he will be the no 9 we have waited for, I would keep Beto too and agree with Paul Ferry that he could get 15 goals next season, i'd be made up for him.

Angel Gomes (free) and Davies or Mitchell at Lb (free), someone like John Ruddy as back up GK (free).

So that is: £30m Delap, £15m Fellows, £4m Poku, £15m Charlie and Wesley for £20M. Gomes, Ruddy and Davies all on free's. That is a speculated transfer outlay of £84m but of course there would be signing on fees, agents fees etc. So that is my £100m budget wishlist. To save we could go all out for Walker-Peters and save £20m of that.

We will be saving a shit ton in wages once the likes of DCL, Doucs and Holgate et al leave. I would keep Keane and Gana, 2 year contracts for both if that is what it takes to retain Gana.

Pure conjecture and fun of course, I know this speculation can get up some people's noses. Some job Moyes has this summer, what I don't want to see are his old type of signings, seasoned pro's who aren't going to raise the pulse like Soucek, I have a fear he will go for Coufal who is not good enough unless we are selling Patterson and then he is an able deputy to a much better RB like Wesley or Walker-Peters.

Agree Steve. That was the one question I had.

Fantastic OP from Sam.

My only disagreement with you is that centre-back isn't the #7 priority. If Keane leaves, it's #1. I firmly believe Tarkowski will not be ready for the start of the season, and maybe not until late fall, so veteran backups for Jake and Jarrad are desperately needed.

Re Beto, the goal return for minutes played you mentioned is one every 196 minutes over the past four seasons -- every 186 minutes since Moyes promoted him -- and plus he has missed only 15 games with injury or illness over that period. Solid.

(By comparison, the numbers for Calvert-Lewin over that span are one every 376, and 83 missed.)

And I have come to agree with you on Iroegbunam. I think he's going to be a fine player, but his defensive instincts are a worry and you may be right that he needs to be farther up the pitch.

Thanks Steve@17, that’s a good list. I forgot Fellowes from my list for some reason. Seems a likely Moyes buy though he reminds me more of Ndiaye, tricky rather than explosive and think I was hoping for some real pace on the right wing (like Doak if not overpriced). Poku had a great season, rare for players to jump up two divisions but maybe worth a cheap punt. Wesley looks a quality right back. Delap I have mixed feelings on, not quite so sold as others but has some great qualities and opportunity to improve. Alcaraz is only £12m so there’s £3m saved already!

It would help the cause enormously to announce a few signings early in the window.

Lots of names in there to think about. Hopefully when the window closes we have sorted out the right flank and added pace, quality and depth to a squad that needs some surgery.

CONGRATULATIONS.

https://youtu.be/uNPEeT1NFDI?si=W_dRJZhrVnAA02Wz

Andrew, yes. Though not sure they've released an official trailer yet.

Robert @21, yes, seems a while since we've had a fully functioning right flank!

Mike@19, I guess I see Branthwaite and O'Brien as two very proficient starters so not sure if it's #1 priority for me but Keane leaving and Tarkowski's injury does make it an important position to reinforce.

I trust you won't let your work on Rivals & William The Conqueror stop you exposing the John Simm character (clearly a wrong un') in the next series of Grace?

Admittedly I don't know anything about most of them but I am pretty sure that he would make big difference to our forward play.

Second pick would be Dan Neill but that is a pipe dream now Sunderland have been promoted.

Currently, we are well short of that number and I would have thought a number of quick fixes together with a number of key signings will be needed. Okay, this is all very obvious, but it will involve a lot of negotiations, and some outlay to secure the key players.

I am hopeful that this will all be achieved before the squad head off to the States. We have so few first team starters that last-minute additions will be too much of a risk and leave me feeling nervous.

Newcastle to buy Guehi and Mbueno? How can we compete with that? And there are several clubs in their situation too. We are going to be limited in potential by what we can spend, especially as we need to buy more players than all but the promoted clubs.

What hope do they have, what hope do we have in reality?

Guehi cost palace £18M and Mbuemo was only £6M. Players who have made an impact in the Premier League tend to be overpriced, which is why I'm slightly wary of throwing the sink at Delap (though the release clause makes him £10M cheaper than he'd otherwise be).

Harold, standing on a knoll watching Normans in the distance. Calls to a captain "Bring me your best archer. Show me what you can do."

1st arrow - Shot into a tree.
2nd arrow - Struck and out of sight.
3rd arrow- Strikes a horse in the backside.

Harold, "He's useless. Keep clear of him he'll put some buggers eye out."

I expect our squad quality will be about 11th to 14th by the close of the window.

But we can start an effective building process and should aim for European places and cup trophies. Whether we get there will come down to the recruitment team over performing in the market – and Moyes over performing across the season

Nuamah a good shout but I reckon he'd cost a bit more. I would love his clubmate Cherki.

Personally, I think the best (or most promising) striker that we can persuade to join and someone on the right to supply him is where most of our efforts and money should go.

A competent right back next, with the rest, mainly, free transfers and loans (ideally, with an option to buy).

Though apparently the poor bloke with an eyeful in the Bayeux Tapestry is not Harold after all!

He could play striker or No 10 or possibly even out wide as he beats players regularly. 17goals and 3 assists in 33 appearances this season.

Three of my grandparents do and the 4th is Welsh.

To be honest just thinking about recruitment gives me a headache,
whoever is tasked with the job at the club has my sympathy.

Apart from what I would term an important top match and our own games, I can't sit through a full game so my opinion on most players is not worth much.

I think there is a tendency to underestimate your own players because you watch all their time on the field whereas often your seeing highlights of other clubs' players.

You can have the best eye in the world for players ability, but the hard part is you then have to agree terms and get them to sign on the dotted line.

Sorry to beat an old viewpoint, but for those who bet, Forest were odds on for relegation. They almost secured Champions League and are playing in Europe next season.

If you believe, it can happen.

I'm going into pre-season and next season with my usual spirits and expectations for our club.

I've seen enough in the stands to know the supporters believe as much as I do.

Everton the Gear

A Top 10 finish for me is the minimum. New stadium and settling in are a challenge, but I do back Moyes to win the home games he should, and take points on the road. 29 points in half a season puts us above Bournemouth by simply doubling up. Even more odd is we lost the same number of games as Champions League Newcastle, despite Dyche's terrible contribution for 2024-25.

I accept we are losing some players, but most of what is going delivered nothing on the pitch in terms of results, vs the impact you'd expect from some decent signings.

I remember Brentford were also considered relegation meat when they came up, and nobody had Bournemouth doing much this season, and look at 'em. So please keep reminding my pessimistic self that a rapid turnaround can happen.

Where we will be is a very small squad of what is getting to be pretty high-quality players and very little depth to manage injuries and to rest players. The very fluid defensive way that we play now is amazing and exactly how a small squad is able to play… but is it sustainable? Could we become one-trick ponies after being a three- ring circus?

They remind me just now of the Leeds Utd side in the '60s that established itself by playing defensive football which blossomed eventually.

“Our player of the season for 3 out 4 seasons, except when we were in the Premier League when we were shite. Good attacking midfielder. Fast!”

“Quality player on his day but I'm surprised you're in for him to be honest – not sure he's got the physique to be a top Premier League player. He might look good in a good team.”

When questioned about his stamina, my spies said “Likes a kebab and a beer, I believe!”

Come on, Sam – that's the level of detail we need!

Many thanks for taking the time to write such a thoroughly researched article.

Looking forward to watching “King and Conqueror”. A drama series on this hugely important period of our history is long overdue.

The armies met at a small town called Battle.

If Chelsea steal Delap, then that might pave the way for the Strasbourg lad Emegha, 6ft-5in and very pacey, looks very good. Third option for me would be the lad from Nice you mentioned.

If he's successful, he's in pole position to have his contract extended — so he'll be building for his future at the club.

I doubt very much he will follow the traditional DoF / Head Coach model - and that may not be a bad thing given where we are now as a club.

The only way Moyes goes is if results, and to a lesser extent the play, go south. Rebuilds take time, he's 61 - maybe in 4-5 years he'll be at a stage where he's ready to hand over and step back or "move upstairs".

He certainly isn't doing it for the money at this stage.

Moyes will have an influence on the types of player he wants and he knows which areas we need. That will be for the next season or two, building foundations.

But I think, and don't claim to know, we will see the DoF/Director of Sport/Recruitment Team (whatever we're calling this week), will start to have more and more influence.

Like I say, no knowledge, just a hunch.

The manager/head coach probably won't have near complete control as Moyes has tended to operate, especially during his first spell with us.

This is not Moyes bashing by the way. He will be with us for possibly the next two seasons. Maybe longer if he is successful. But I think, and again, I don't know, the owners will have an eye on longer-term future.

They, and their appointed executive board will be calling most of the shots in my opinion, advised by Moyes with his input. He can get on with getting the best out of the first team squad, whoever that is comprised of.

I hope that when we get to Wembley, he get's to bring a trophy home to Everton. Then, as well as rescuing us this season, his job is done.

Not hard, but its been diminishing levels for too long.

Sam 55 - I watched a fair bit of Sunderland at the tail end of the season. I wanted to see what the hype was around Rigg.

Cirken, Neill, Hume, Rigg looked to me as if you'll need a fair bit of patience. They might be out of reach come next summer, but equally not sure they're ready to go in the first 10, 20, 40 games. I am also not sure we can wait that long with our squad depth, it could be a tricky start for them.

I really liked Jobe Bellingham. Casual, but the Premier league is letting one go if he's off to Germany. Good physique, good on the ball and a bit of edge. Feel sorry he"s carrying the name a bit, as hes good player without that comparison always put on him.

All gone quiet on Juanlu Sanchez from Sevilla. 21 year right back/winger, 6ft 1. 4 goals, 4 assists in a stronger, more technical league. Sevilla are skint and out of Europe, so could be gettable.

Juanlu Sanchez is definitely more dynamic and could be an interesting choice if Moyes wants someone to carry the ball more and get forward. He's actually played more games at Amc (6) than RB (4) this season so would probably be risky as a full back aqcuisition but an interesting versatile squad player if available on the cheap.

For us, the combination of right back and right winger is going to need a fair amount of thought.

I am not a huge Mykolenko fan, but I can see that he will continue in that position for some time. That allows a good attacking right back to play for us - and the ability to drop Obrien back into right back if you're being over run.

That leaves the need for a two footed right winger that can go both ways, and that has pace and intelligence No easy task, but if Brentford and Bournemouth can sign mbeumo and semenyo for buttons, it gives hope that they can be found with effort.

There's lots of great options out there. I still like the look of Givairo Read as stated above to be that dynamic overlapping/underlapping option but can imagine Moyes going for someone a little more tried and tested. He loves a Championship player which is why I can see Trai Hume appealing. I'd love someone like Daniel Munoz exploding up that right flank with hard working pacey right winger to dovetail with. Curious that we don't seem to have been linked with many right wingers yet, with the exception of Ben Doak who I like but would not spend more than 15-20m on with his injury history.

There scouting has done a great job. Just looked and see Dougie Freedman is now in Saudi. He will be a big miss to Palace.