Michael Kenrick 22/09/2025 32comments  |  Jump to last

Lots of noise today that Everton's manager, David Moyes, who has left millions of pounds of new talent on the bench while his players tire, will ring the changes tomorrow night, and may even spring a huge surprise in the shape of a senior debut for 15-year-old Jonathan Nsangou.

On Tuesday night, Everton take on woeful Wolves, who languish in an unenviable bottom place after five consecutive defeats in the first five rounds of Premier League fun and games. That should give Everton a boost, revisiting the site of their solitary away win so far this season… but it also screams "Banana Skin" to many an Evertonian who has sadly seen it all too often before. 

Convention has established that the Carabao Cup is an opportunity for managers like Moyes to rotate his squad and bring in the fringe players he's been largely ignoring so far this season as they languish on the substitutes bench, making up the numbers.

Players like Tyler Dibling, who Everton seemed to spend most of the summer pursuing, arguing with Southampton over just how manay tens of millions should be handed over to have him sign for the club,  only for Moyes to virtually ignore him, his 8-minute 'cameo' at the end of the Anfield derby showing exactly how much he has suffered from not getting match play. 

Making full use of his five subs allowed is not something David Moyes has indulged in very often during his second spell as Everton manager. Which kind of negates the concept of building a full squad under the 25-man limit that applies to all Premier League clubs, and utilising the resources available during games to freshen things up., change tactics, or just waste time. 

Well, that's unfair; he's good at making pointless substitutions towards the end of games, with the apparent main purpose of 'running the clock down'. And he did play a moderately strong team against mighty Mansfield Town, that was just about sufficient to get the job done in the end. 

But the idea that he will make seven or eight changes to the Premier League line-up, as some clickbait sites are suggesting, seems far-fetched and runs counter to what James Tarkowski has revealed ahead of Tuesday's game.  He said: “There’s definitely an emphasis on us doing well in the cups this season and, after winning the first round, we want to go again.

“I think we’ve all seen Crystal Palace and Newcastle last year, teams outside the Big Six, have won a domestic trophy, so there’s no reason why we can’t go and do it.

“As I said, there’s an emphasis on it as a club and as a team to go and win a trophy and go as far as we can in the competition, so the group is definitely ready to go.

“Every season there’s always an emphasis on the cup but I think it’s definitely been mentioned between the group of the players and staff that we want to go and win something.

“We’ve got a good squad now, a bigger squad probably than we’ve had in previous seasons of high-quality players and lads who need some minutes as well.

“I’m sure it will be a strong team going out on Tuesday night looking to win, hopefully progress to the next round and get as far as we can in the competition.”

It remains to be seen whether Jonathan Nsangou will be part of the squad after having trained with the first team, but he's only just been given his debut for the Under-21s, where he came on as a substitute at Middlesbrough. But he does seem to be highly rated, and looking at previous development pathways, the only way he will become a superstar is if he gets an early debut and is given enough time to make the most of it. 

 

Reader Comments (32)

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Ian Bennett
1 Posted 22/09/2025 at 13:54:04
I think he will choose a strong line up to face Wolves in the League Cup.

It's not the easiest of draws, but with so many teams in European competition, it offers a great route for us.

Nicolas Piñon
2 Posted 22/09/2025 at 14:18:14
Tell Tarkowski we wont win any trophy unless his manager gets some guts.

Nicolas Piñon
3 Posted 22/09/2025 at 15:11:05
And a striker in the front line
Ashley Krotosky
4 Posted 22/09/2025 at 15:25:22
Two thoughts that may dissipate some of the cloud of pessimism that inevitably emerged from our seemingly inevitable annual letdown at Anfield:

• It may be a bit easier to pick up points as the European competitions start to take an attritional hold on the 'weaker' English teams still competing in Europe.

• As the RS have demonstrated in previous years (though this no longer applies to them), a team can still score freely without having a prolific No 9.

Hopefully not clutching at straws.

Andy Crooks
5 Posted 22/09/2025 at 15:47:50
I think the term "woeful Wolves" is tempting fate a little.
Ian Jones
6 Posted 22/09/2025 at 15:55:31
Ooh, another topic to discuss. :)
Dave Abrahams
7 Posted 22/09/2025 at 15:57:05
As we are short of strikers who can smell opportunities to score, put Braiden Graham on the bench and we might put away some of those missed chances if he finishes on the field.

Maybe give Davie a rest for this game — he's 62 now so needs a break now and again, let Baines take over for this game and he might give Graham a chance ... if it comes off, leave Baines in charge for the rest of the League Cup run!

Only thinking of Davie's health and the break might do him good, not to mention some of us fans.

Jim Bennings
8 Posted 22/09/2025 at 16:04:13
This should be a win — let's not mess about.

We are crying out for a trophy, if we are throwing games to the team at the bottom of the Premier League and will probably be prioritizing league survival, then we don't deserve success.

We need to approach this the same way we did the league game last month, stamp authority on the game nice and early and get a professional job done.

Kevin Molloy
9 Posted 22/09/2025 at 16:13:18
In view of Wolves' current form, I'm wondering whether we should field the girls tomorrow to allow the first team a proper break before Potter turns up.

That West Ham game has "banana skin" written all over it.

Robert Tressell
10 Posted 22/09/2025 at 16:37:12
These cup games are the most important games we play this season.

Strongest team needed.

Brian Harrison
11 Posted 22/09/2025 at 16:41:46
It's always the big question: Do you rest some of the first teamers and leave them fresh for a must-win against West Ham? Or do you play them and risk injuries?

Dibling, McNeil and Alcaraz should be good enough to come in and do a job at Wolves, and in the case of McNeil and Alcaraz, if they aren't good enough, we need to move them on in January.

Certainly our reserve keeper doesn'tt fill me with optimism so I wouldn't start with him.

Kieran Kinsella
12 Posted 22/09/2025 at 16:59:58
Braiden Graham's chance has gone realistically. He turns 18 in little over a month. If he doesn't play immediately, then it's obvious he will be off to Stockport or somewhere soon enough.

There may be time for Jonathan Nsangou to turn things around as he is 15 but is he really good?

Edward Rogers
13 Posted 22/09/2025 at 17:03:17
Sorry for going off topic, Guys, but where has Danny O'Neill gone? I don't know him personally but I miss his contributions on TW ( not to mention his unique brand of positivity).

Has he been banned a la Mr Ferry? Has he had a spat with another ToffeeWebber?
From his previous posts, I realise the last year or so has been tough and if he has taken a "Sabbatical" I'm sure we all wish him well.

Come back soon, Danny, it's not the same without you.

Robert Tressell
14 Posted 22/09/2025 at 17:19:43
Braiden Graham has an encouraging record at U21 level (7 in 15) and definite quality / talent but this is a standard lower than some non-league football.

Also, with 2 in 4 this season, his record doesn't stand out at this level. The top scorers so far are all 16 and 17 and none are close to debuts for their present clubs.

The idea of giving these players 5 minutes at the end of games seems to have fallen out of fashion. Players genuinely on the up are loaned out to give them experience of better quality football.

Since Barry also needs minutes, there's a strong logic to that -- although I recognise many really hate the loan system.

Phil (Kelsall) Roberts
15 Posted 22/09/2025 at 17:40:09
I saw Braiden Graham score for the U21s against Tamworth the other night. Nicely taken goal.

But my fear is he is too small for the Premier League. He is only 5'-9" and cannot be an "on his own" striker and needs to play off someone bigger. Until Everton start to play 2 up front (4-4-2?) then he is not going to feature.

As an impact sub in the last 10-15 minutes when chasing the game, maybe. But even then, would Premier League defenders just muscle him out of the way?

Paul O'Neill
16 Posted 22/09/2025 at 17:43:12
I remain convinced Everton will batter Real Madrid 10-0 in the Champion’s League final before they win the League bleedin’ Cup.

Some sort of travellers’ curse was invoked by the Football League when Everton were snooty about it in its early years and didn’t enter, and so now all of its three weird handles will forever be destined to be beyond Everton’s grasp.

I could just be being a spot over dramatic here, admittedly.

Mike Doyle
17 Posted 22/09/2025 at 17:47:37
Edward #12. I was thinking the same.

Then again, I was looking at one of Ken Buckley's “From my seat” articles from 2016. There has certainly been a turnover in the TW posters.

Robert Tressell
18 Posted 22/09/2025 at 18:05:04
I would have thought Braiden Graham is at least as tall as the likes of Aguero, Jota and Jesus amongst others.

Plenty of good more modestly sized strikers out there. If they've got the ability they'll be fine

Dave Abrahams
19 Posted 22/09/2025 at 18:12:57
Kieran (11), writing the kid off, he's only been here just over 12 months! Give him a chance, for God's sake!

Robert (13), I take your point but he's playing in a team that isn't very good and with a coach who doesn't inspire any confidence in his ability after a long time here.

Phil (14), I could name you plenty of very good goalscorers who were as small or smaller than Braiden and he could play in a forward line of just footballers and no Beto or Barry, although I certainly haven't written off Barry after being here for 5 minutes!

I think Danny will be back — I certainly hope so... but didn't he mention he was going somewhere round about now?

Phil (Kelsall) Roberts
20 Posted 22/09/2025 at 18:31:01
I would suggest that those of similar stature to Braiden have played in a two up front.
We are set up with a 4 -2 (Holding) -1 (#10) -2 (wide) -1 (up front). We would need to ditch #10 and make the wide players drop deeper to make it happen.

Not a criticism of Braiden but, for the team style we play, he will not be suited.

Nicolas Piñon
21 Posted 22/09/2025 at 18:50:18
Kind of off topic
Anyone knows if through Everton TV the live match is available?
Clive Rogers
22 Posted 22/09/2025 at 18:54:50
Lineker was 5'-10”.
Mihir Ambardekar
23 Posted 22/09/2025 at 19:17:57
I am worried about this fixture. Wolves haven't won a game yet and would be up for this fixture.

We have had a decent start but haven't been convincing. I am worried about us not doing enough in the final third. Strikers are not firing.

Hope we win but I'm worried.

Robert Tressell
24 Posted 22/09/2025 at 19:26:54
Alvarez, Jesus, Nketiah and Endrick, all same as or smaller than Graham, and each plays as a lone striker in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation. Graham also has 2 cm on Aguero who managed very well spearheading a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 on his own.

Pretty much no-one plays 4-4-2 anymore. Inter played Martinez (1 cm shorter than Graham) in a double act with Dzeko and then Thuram but that was in a 3-5-2. Very few striker double acts in world football.

It was an education for me when Eto'o was here -- 5cm taller than Graham in fairness -- because he didn't need any physicality particularly. He could hold the ball up because he had brilliant technique. Miles better at it than Lukaku...

If Graham has talent, he should relish playing up front ahead of Grealish, Ndiaye and Dibling. If he needs a big man alongside him in a 4-4-2 etc, it will mean his technique isn't at the right level for the Premier League.

Peter Moore
25 Posted 22/09/2025 at 19:52:36
Andy (4) I felt exactly the same when I read that. Maybe it shall be printed and put on the wall of the home changies at Molyneux.

We were hanging on to our narrow 3-2 win a few weeks ago.
We aren't quite the Rolls-Royce of a team we would like to be, are we?

Stand off them like the first half at Anfield and that is a recipe for disaster. This won't be as easy as the headline blurb suggests.

UTFT though. COYB.

Jeff Armstrong
26 Posted 22/09/2025 at 20:06:24
This competition is set up for the Sky 6 to win, bye in 2nd round, weighted draw in this round, can't play another European team etc, all drawn against the minnows that are left in etc.

I think Newcastle actually beat the odds last season, although can't be arsed checking they're early European involvement last season.

The most rigged competition in this country.

Christy Ring
27 Posted 22/09/2025 at 20:34:31
I'd definitely have Braiden Graham on the bench; Andrew Johnson was 5'-7".

I'd start Barry, he needs to get up to speed with the physicality in the Premier League, he has a good touch, but didn't win one header on Saturday.

Also, I hope Rohl is fit to start, and play Dibling on the right with Ndiaye having injury issues over the last couple of games.

I'm having problems submitting comments on ToffeeWeb at the moment, not working properly?

Mike Doyle
28 Posted 22/09/2025 at 20:44:48
As I recall, being small didnt hold back either Maradonna or Messi.

From a historic Everton perspective, neither Adrian Heath nor Peter Beardsley were giants.

Jimmy Greaves was 5'-8”. Mo Salah is 5'-9”. Just saying.

Ian Wilkins
29 Posted 22/09/2025 at 20:46:32
Surely game time for Barry, Alcaraz, Dibling, Röhl, change at one full back at least, maybe Travers in goal.

Too many changes? Weakened team? No point having a squad if you don't play them, the likes of Dibling, Röhl, Barry definitely need game time.

Ian Bennett
30 Posted 22/09/2025 at 20:52:14
Nash

Coleman
Mykolenko
Keane
Tarkowski > Branthwaite

Garner > Iroegbunam
Armstrong > Röhl
Alcaraz

McNeil
Barry
Grealish > Dibling

I'd think something like that, but may be less change.

Michael Kenrick
Editorial Team
31 Posted 22/09/2025 at 21:46:00
May be less change, I suspect, Ian.

Harrison Armstrong is out on loan at Preston.

And Carlo Nash has been gone for nye on 14 years!

Ian Bennett
32 Posted 22/09/2025 at 21:53:59
Oh Christ, meant Travers.

The replacements are just vs Mansfield starting 11.

Hope Dibling, Rohl, Branthwaite, Barry get some minutes.

Anyone it is on sky sports + for uk viewers.

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