No permanent place for Harrison in Everton's future

Not the calibre of player that we should be relying on to be the catalyst for our propulsion.

We need the type of players who would be envied by other Supporters. We need quality on the field and on the bench.

Just to say that (for years) he annoyed the shit out of Leeds fans who were glad to see him go. I couldn't abide his little mini-dribbles nowhere, the endless underhit, overhit crosses and in ultimately no end product. His stats are bad but we knew all this at Elland Road.

Did anyone at Everton really watch him before he signed? He can't finish either. One game at Old Trafford, Leeds had a rare chance... the goal gaping, no-one near — he missed. How, I will never know!

And now, after the incident with his mum, there's no way back at Leeds. Nice lad, tries hard, looks terrific. But who needs a player who tries hard and runs a lot?

Where will he end up? Mad salary!

I find it remarkable that we actually gave him a 2nd season, as his first was underwhelming, but nothing Dyche did surprised me.

As you say, Michael, despite playing most games this season, he hasn't a goal or assist to his name, and the same can be said of Lindstrom: no assists, no goals. Given that neither of our wide players have contributed in scoring, it's a marvel that Moyes has us scoring on a regular basis.

I am sure, if Moyes keeps Ndiaye wide, then he will certainly go for at least another wide player, and preferably one who scores and assists.

I know many will say that both Harrison and Lindstrom certainly work hard, and there is no argument with that… but primarily, their job is to score and assist.

I find it even more remarkable that someone gave him £90k a week, 4-year contract.

It's up there with Michael Keane getting an extension.

Those agents must have wet themselves after pulling off that type of heist.

Interesting times ahead. Watching Harrison in the Brentford game, he gave his all chasing down opposition players, but he is a bit of an enigma, in that, for all his effort, he doesn't appear to create many chances.

He may be worth retaining as a squad player, perhaps on a cheaper contract, but as others say, if we want to be challenging for a better league position progressing in cup competitions, it may be better to look elsewhere.

We need pace in the wide areas — which neither Harrison nor Lindstrom possesses. Two new wingers required in the summer.

Perhaps we retain Lindstrom as a squad player on loan for another season, but he's certainly not a starter.

Not too sure about our links to Tom Fellows either.

We need some serious pace and he doesn't have any; pace should be a prerequisite for any wide players we buy in the future.

I feel a bit of empathy with him, as he was mostly employed on the right, rather than his preferred left.

But, there's no point being sentimental. He hasn't performed consistently and we have to be thinking where we want to be, not where we are and most definitely not where we've been these past few seasons.

Show ambition, Everton. Be bold in the transfer market and for God's sake, get business done early, so the new players can settle in and enjoy a full pre-season. Not leaving it until 23:59 pm on transfer deadline day and then chucking them into the mix.

He was employed on our right because McNeil was teacher's pet on the left. The difference is that, despite a lack of pace, McNeil bagged some goals and provided assists.

Harrison works hard and is a good guy to bring on to protect a lead, defending high up, but he rarely gets to the bye line to cross and, when chances have come his way, he has blazed them high.

I wouldn't keep him – there simply have to be better options out there. Lindstrom is much younger, and might come good.

Lindstrom lacks pace too, Eddie, although that isn't the be-all and end-all.

McNeil, who I like, has been injured for some time now, so that could have been an opportunity. But the preference has rightfully been to play Ndiaye there, although I'd like to see him behind the forward. It's a rotational game now, so footballers will get moved around the pitch as needs must, especially in a threadbare squad.

If and when everyone is fit, it has to be Ndiaye, Alcaraz and another as the three behind the striker. Probably interchangeable thoughout the game.

He has done a job on the right but he struggled with it; he is all left foot so he just ended up cutting inside and moving the ball back into a congested part of the pitch.

He suited Sean Dyche's tactical set-up, where it was more important to cover wide positions defensively. But, even since he switched to the left, he has not really contributed massively in attack. Wide men need pace, or dribbling skills like Ndiaye; Jack has neither.

Technically, he is not top level and on £90k a week, I am not sure how anyone could claim he represents value.

I applaud his workrate and am not going to dig him out on here as I hate watching the whipping boys get rinsed week in, week out.

Not for me, we should thank both him and Lindstrom for their service and look for better players. I like Fellows and think we should go for him, I would like to see Nuamah as well or a players of equal pace and potential.

We have McNeil coming back and him and Illiman could form an interesting partnership where they are interchangeable between left wing and the no 10 position. Don't forget Charlie too, a loan signing we MUST make permanent. One of us.

So if we go with the above suggestions then we would have Beto plus another new striker with 3 behind, Moyes could do alot with that for not a huge outlay.

I want to see us go in for Lennon Miller of Motherwell too, only 17 and one for the future but we need to think about that if Gana only gets a one year extension.

I keep wondering if anyone is seriously in for DCL? He could sign a pre-contract with someone abroad now but hasn't which makes me think he will stay in the PL.

I did an article last summer asking whether fans thought we should re-sign or not. Since I am biased and don't really rate him at all, I was surprised how balanced it was - probably about 50 / 50.

However, I can see why we re-signed him: we were skint and there was no transfer fee (albeit wages), high work-rate, defensive discipline, fairly versatile etc. With Plan A presumably being that Lindstrom would take over the right-wing role once he had acclimatised. Which is broadly how it has ended up playing out.

I can't see why we would even consider signing him this summer though. He's contracted to Leeds for another 3 years so would cost £10M(+) and command a fairly high wage too.

As an aside, I can't see why we would take up the £18.5M option to buy on Lindstrom either. So far, he reminds me a bit of Bilyaletdinov – decent technical skills etc but lacks the intensity for the Premier League.

We probably need two fresh faces in the wing-forward positions – with Fellows and Nuamah being the most strongly linked. The change in DoF might change things – but the real game changer will be the size of our transfer kitty.

Based on activity in the past summer and winter windows, wing-forwards from the Championship and relegated Premier League clubs cost between about £20M to £30M. Ndiaye at £16M was an incredible bargain – and will be difficult to repeat in terms of low cost and value.

There are one or two free transfers looming – with the most interesting being the exceptionally talented 19-year-old Roony Bardghji of FC Copenhagen. There will also be other loans available. Hopefully we look much improved in this area next season, as it is the position from which goals are scored and created in modern 3-4-3 / 4-3-3 formations.

Lindstrom isn't a winger Robert.

But would he get into an improved Everton squad? It's a lot to spend on a player who could be backup. But, as we've seen, depth of squad is important as suspensions and injuries kick in.

I'm still amazed you get to watch all of these players. I think I'm bad. You put me to shame.

No argument from me but what actually consists of an assist these days, Brian H?

I know what the stats say (or I think I do!) but that pass that Lindstrom put through for Beto on goal against United (when Doucoure scored) was possibly the best pass I've witnessed from an Everton player this season and is one of the reasons I still love watching football.

Perfectly weighted so Beto didn't have to break stride, I'm sure there's a player in Lindstrom, but I don't believe it's playing out wide.

Harrison is a good solid professional who was beginning to lose his way because Dyche only believed in him helping out his fullback defensively and this wasn't reciprocated when it came to him getting help off his fullback whenever Everton attacked.

I don't think I've seen a player crowded out more than Jack Harrison who was given a thankless task.

Lindstrom is perfectly capable of being a left or right-sided wing forward in a 4-3-3 or 3-4-3 and has played a lot of football in that position, Danny.

These are only starting positions after all and don't require players to run up and down the line like modern-day versions of Wilcox and Ripley.

What he lacks to make this work is a dynamic full-back running on the outside of him – so that he can be more of a playmaker in a front 3 (as Christian Eriksen often was for Spurs for example). So he's been disadvantaged by our problems at RB which O'Brien has done well with but hasn't solved. Whatever the case though, he doesn't yet appear to have what it takes as a Premier League player and may be better suited to a different league.

Noting that he has 1 assist this season, delivering a cross for one of McNeil's goals against Palace early season. Not enough of course but just a little correction.

Hard work is not enough. The sort of player who substitutes quality and skill with effort. The opposite of Deli Ali or James Rodriguez, bundles of skill, short on graft.

If we evaluate performance on effectiveness, as a forward its pretty much 3 out of 10, defensively 5 at best.

Increasingly we have to improve the quality of the squad. That also means O'Neil should go as well... interesting days ahead.

No thanks, we definitely need an upgrade on Harrison, as wingers go, he doesn't take players on, or provide enough crosses, and can't understand how his wages are so high.

You are putting the cat amongst the pidgins with that McNeil shout, Christine!

I don't mind him but just like I feel about Lindstrom, I don't think Dwight McNeil, offers enough threat playing on the outside, but I think he can contribute by moving inside like Robert suggests, with his example using Lindstrom above?

We have got a few players who quite a few of us feel would do better once they move inside, but at least we are hopefully going to be getting an intriguing summer, so let's hope we sign the right players.

Christine @ 18, I agree with you.

McNeil has decent technical skills, but he is slow, one-footed and struggles to turn in tight spaces. Watching him play as a number ten under Dyche while Ndiaye was pinned out wide was hard work. Moyes made a immediate change getting Ndiaye to come inside as a false winger and it has had a big effect.

I would see McNeil as a reasonable sub if we can strengthen the squad this summer, but at £20M transfer fee I am not sure that represents value.

Lindstrom would contribute better behind the main striker than McNeil did when he switched inside. He did very well as a second striker for Eintracht Frankfurt.

I don't believe he lacks the physicality or intensity to prosper in the Premier League – he has improved a lot in this respect as the season has progressed. He has been working his backside off covering the whole right side himself, as O'Brien tends to step into a three when we attack.

Christine (18),

I'm sure they are out there – the ones with skill sets and workrate. The problem is, either we never find them, or, if we do, we can't afford them.

It's funny some players can go their whole careers not being played in their correct position; did Leon Osman ever get that privilege?

I think we as fans are in a uniquely poor position to judge on the effectiveness of players, we just see the top of the iceberg. We are not privy to where the player should be standing as required by the system he is playing in.

A footballer could look completely anonymous from a fan viewpoint, but be delighting his manager cos he is positionally faultless. Alternatively, you can (and this is just my suspicion) have players like Tim who look impressive, but may have the manager tearing their hair out cos of where they are standing on the pitch.

Since Dyche left and David Moyes has had us playing differently, we have seen Beto and young O'Brien prosper, and I have enjoyed the improved performances from Harrison and Lindstrom.

So, given we need a lot of new players at this stage, I think it's too early to discount any of the existing squad. It's likely that we will have a limited budget so ultimately, new purchases will be dependent on what we can afford.

I go cold when I read the names of Dele Alli and Rodriguez hopefully those days are long gone. We need a good dose of realism, and although it's still early days, our most recent form has been very good.

Tony 15), I understand you raving over that pass Tony but one great pass in twenty odd games doesn’t mean he is worth keeping on, I could give you at least six very poor misses from six good passes that Lindstrom has missed this season to go along with all the poor play he has produced and never completed one full game.

Its all very well shouting 'get rid' but you then have to find better.
He's been played in the wrong position for most of his time here, is he a star the answer is probably no.

Yes, we now have a completely different owner and management set up, but our history of buying players shows that it is no walk in the park.
Plus a decent amount of them cost a lot of money, I doubt if our new owners will be quite as ready as Moshiri was to put their hands in their pockets.

We have to move on from players being only hardworking with no output in terms of goals, assists and shots. Both Harrison and Lindstrom have failed this season.

We are almost safe now and have positive momentum. Next season both these players should be nowhere near this squad, If we have to hit the ground running.

I will always appreciate Harrison for the magical memory from my last trip to Goodison, that brilliant volley against Bournemouth. And he served his role with heart and effort. But the truth is he was never good enough. Wishing him nothing but the best.

Christine #18, there is a massive difference between Harrison and McNeil and it's in attack. The latter is a cracking finisher. He scores some great goals. And he passes with purpose and intelligence. Where he plays on the pitch will be Moyes' problem to solve, but despite his obvious pace problem, he's definitely good enough in my view.

Tony #15, agreed, there is definitely a player in Lindstrom, but he belongs in the middle, not out on the wing. And I don't know that he'll get a chance there with Ndiaye and Charly around.

Harrison should go but I suspect there will not be the massive change in the squad; nor do I think there should be. Moyes, and, frankly, I never thought it possible, is getting a tune out of these players. There are enough games to go for players to lose the "get rid", tag.

Patterson and Lindstrom are two. Chermiti also might get a chance. Beto has taken his chance and, if Calvert-Lewin was to stay, we would have enough up front to consolidate.

Should Branthwaite stay, we really need only a couple of new players to keep moving up. The new stadium is going to be a monumental change and I would suggest that, for one season at least, we keep the on field changes to what is necessary to strive for mid-table and a cup run.

Not for me, agree he is a workhorse, but also a carthorse when it comes to goals or assists. I think we need a pretty good clear out if PSR and budget/availability of players allows. Probably clickbait, but hoping there is no mileage in Moyes wanted to offer an extension to Doucoure.

We want/need young players alongside a few old heads. I would give Gana and extension, or if we could get Mangala at the right price. We have to avoid too many new faces at one go as it takes to time to gel and acclimatise to game plan/team-mates etc. Keeping Branthwaite too has to be a priority.

We will definitely need 1) a right winger/midfielder 2) a advanced midfielder if we don’t play Ndiaye or Lindstrom there 3) a central midfielder as I think Doucoure will go (salary too high) and Mangala won’t return (due to his injury) 4) a centre back to replace Keane as back-up 5) right-back 6) left-back 7) back-up keeper. 7 players.

And that assume we retain Gueye, and sign Alcaraz, Broja and Lindstrom. Otherwise, it could be upwards of 10 players.

DCL, Keane, Harrison, Begovic and Young are certs to leave, probably Doucoure unless he takes a major salary cut.

Broja hasn’t done enough, maybe Lindstrom will leave though I would take a chance. Mangala didn’t have a purchase clause plus his injury will be longer term.

Coleman’s playing days are probably over due to recurring injuries.

Steve, that's probably about what we need over two seasons. I will be astonished, though,if there are more than four new faces. Actually, there could be the opposite of a new stadium bounce; I'd settle for improvement from Mykolenko, Lindstrom and Patterson and three astute new signings.

He’s in the mold of Jack Rodwell and Cleverly: a fit, industrious guy who’s no exactly a Jack of all trades but certainly is a master of none. You can’t really explain what he brings to the team but has an inflated profile like the aforementioned because some people think he’s handsome.

DK, in terms of bedding in a bunch of new players, I think a lot would depend on when in the window they arrived. With a veteran manager and sufficent time, it shouldn't be too much of a challenge to integrate even eight or ten players, but that means landing them for July training camp. If they sign at the end of August, then yeah, you've got a problem.

On similar lines, Steve, I expect we'll retain a core group of Pickford, Virginia (or other bit part goalkeeper), Tarkowski, O'Brien, Mykolenko, Garner, Gueye, Iroegbunam, McNeil, Alcaraz, Ndiaye and Beto.

That's only 12 players – and 13 if Branthwaite stays.

I suspect Moyes and the new DoF will sign about 6 to 8 for the first team squad and hope they can manage with about 18 to 20 players – relying on the versatility of players like McNeil and O'Brien. I don't think we'll be able to sign more than that even if we sell Branthwaite.

As you say, some of the signings might not actually be new faces – although I suspect most will.

We might also give a few chances to someone like Braiden Graham and maybe others.

I suspect Armstrong, Chermiti and Dixon will all be out on loan though, because they're ready for (and need) games to develop, not 5 or 10 mins here or there.

Kevin @23, I remember this when I was at Forest, and Clough used to play the Scottish midfielder, Brian Rice, on the left.

The fans hated him and used to use the term Ricists, and I don't think the player himself enjoyed playing on the wing because he had no pace but he kept getting picked and Forest at the time were quite a successful team.

I heard it was because he took up some great positions and this enabled the very powerful Stuart Pearce, to constantly bomb on and create so many chances for the team, but not many people watching Forest had any real time for Rice.

On a different note, Dele Alli on the Como bench today.

Kevin @23

Good point, Ossie was never quick enough for the wing but got played there a lot. He was always more of a No 10 for me which made it crazy that Moyes played him in the defensive midfield role like when we were dismantled by Wigan in the FA Cup.

Harrison does seem to play better when Garner is in the middle as per the decent run we had under Dyche last season. But I suspect he's not going to be used by Moyes.

Like it or not, there is very little to chose from with either Harrison or McNeil, the latter's only distinguishing validation being his ability to cut inside and shoot. But it is as rare as hens teeth and nearly all opposition teams cover him to prevent it.

Like Harrison, he is one-footed without any pace to beat a man out wide. With Charly and Ndiaye, we now have better options in the centre. Both are servants of Sean Dyche's methodology and frankly if we are to improve as a team, they both go.

Christine #40, there's more difference than that. McNeil was our leading scorer two seasons ago. He had seven goal involvements in 13 games this season, still leads us in assists after being out for 3 months.

Yeah, slow and one-footed but the man makes goals, and he can shoot the ball. He's levels of quality above Harrison.

I agree Mike. Don't think there will be complete overhaul this summer and if we keep one, it would be McNeil all day.

It's a squad game and he'd be an asset until we can hopefully improve every position over the next few years.

Christine @ 40, in all fairness to McNeil, allowing too that he has been injured, he has never experienced playing under Moyes.

The effect he has had on many under performers (with Dyche) is quite remarkable. So I would like to see what difference there is when he comes back in.

Id be keeping McNeil all day long he has got way more abilty than the two mentioned

Feel a bit sorry for Harrison who was probably a victim of Dyche's pragmatic needs more than anyone. In his 3 full season in the PL for Leeds he managed 8,8 and 5 goals with a similar number of assists. That's pretty good for a player in relegation battles.

I reckon Harrison has one of the best touches in our squad and if he played a full season on the left under Moyes would probably end up with a decent number of goals and assists. But he's no Ndiaye.

If he was available as a squad player for a few million (and lower wages) I'd take him but I Imagine he'll be first choice for Leeds if they get promoted. Certainly he's always given his all in difficult circumstances.

Lindstrom I think is capable of more and though I wouldn't pay anywhere near £22m for him I'd be tempted to give him another season on loan (maybe with a £15m purchase option) to see what he could with a better squad and overlapping full back.

Ultimately there are a lot of positions to fill this summer and only so much money to go around so we will have to make some compromises.

Thanks for the correction, Jarmo @17.

Strange that the BBC doesn't give him credit for the assist, despite their report describing "McNeil controlling Jack Harrison's cross before volleying in from the angle."

Brings into question who makes these decisions. The BBC seems to be the worst for just dropping whoever contributed on the slightest pretext.

My definition of an assist would be the last Everton player to touch the ball or cause the play that sees the ball going to the guy who scores. That way, even if a defender gets the last touch, an Everton player still gets credit for their contribution.

And indeed, looking back on my stats for the Palace game, I did give the assist to Jack Harrison.

I like players that give their all and Harrison certainly falls into that category. He always puts in a shift defensively.

Unfortunately he doesn’t have the pace or strength over the first five yards to get past defenders so I think he will go back to Leeds. I am guessing Moyes will want to replace him with a big pacey wide man.

Before Illiman turned up McNeil was our only bit of inspiration and he's not even in the same league as Harrison who chases and never tackles. McNeil should stay and gets in before Charley when he's back for me. He's a much better passer of the ball and can feed Ndaiye with Garner. Charley will get his chance as McNeill can go misting for too long sometimes. Competition is good.

With money still probably tight freeing up loan spaces for Moyes and the new DoF ( if indeed we go with that model given Moyes opinions) to try before you buy is essential.

All the loanees (who arent injured) will have had 6mths to show their worth.

Hard decisions to be made and some on the receiving
end won't be happy.

Still, 90 grand a week is a decent pillow to cry into - nothing personal, thems the breaks.

Derek #49

You must have been a wonderful person

Has anyone seen that goal scorer at Las Palmas?

I think his name is Ramirez… yes, Sandro Ramirez!

There is a lot of discussion about Harrison, Lindstrøm and McNeil, but seriously, are these the type of players who are going to bring us forward?

McNeil has one foot to rely on and was bought because we had limited resources. The other two are loanees who were brought in during a period that I would like to forget.

No disrespect to all three, but these are players of limited quality. There are better players out there. The dynamics have changed in the last few months and we have been waiting years for this.

The gods are now in our camp... ask Beto and O'Brien! We now have got to be ruthless in our quest for long overdue success.

We have eaten our stale bread; now it's time to expect what is emblazoned on the crest that I had sewn onto my blazer by my Mum as a 13-year-old, way back in 1970…

Nil Satiis Nisi Optimum!

Thanks, Andrew.

Tony, yes, what a brilliant example! "Cloughie knows best" is not a bad rule of thumb.

Harrison being played out of position did not suit him. He is not worth the wages he is on, giving away too much possession.

Typically there is a way to get players playing to something like an effective version of their best. You've got to remember just how good these guys had to be to get to this level. Many times it simply doesn't happen because what they need doesn't align with what is best for the team. So they struggle individually because a team isn't going to change to play to their strengths.

With Harrison, though, I'm just not convinced. He's been asked to be a hard-working defensive winger for much of his time at Everton and I suspect that role really maximises his qualities. Yet I think we've all witnessed how limited he is at even that role. I don't think I've ever seen a player lose the ball in more positions where it didn't look possible. He just has a knack for not coming away with the ball even when he's favourite.

If Everton were to say "Okay, Jack, you're now going to be freed up to run at the full-back" I think we'd all expect very little out of him.

That feels pretty harsh because I find him a pretty likeable character. He's never hidden, he's never shirked and he's generally worked his socks off for the team. He's definitely contributed. But he's just not good enough. And I can't see any system that he would be good enough for in this league.

Derek #49,

I'm pretty sure Harrison never, ever cries into his pillow. His wife is a Costa Rican swimsuit model and former Miss Asia Pacific International.

Paul #52, McNeil wasn't bought out of limited resources or desperation. Lampard really wanted him. Personally, I thought £20M was insane for a player with zero goals zero assists the previous season, but he has turned out to be quality.

Trevor #51, yep, Sandro actually scored in their shocking win at Barcelona a few months ago. He's even wearing their captain's armband these days. Who'da thunk it?

To be fair to Harrison and Lindstrom, they have been playing in front of some less-than-average full-backs in their time here with very little support up front.

That has only improved since Moues got here and a handful of games is not enough to judge them on.

Let's see what they can do when we get the likes of Ndiaye fit again.

Let's be honest in an ideal world we'd have a whole new front line with the exception of Ndiaye.

But like many I don't think there will be wholesalers changes and loads of signings.

Calvert-Lewin will go for nothing but at least the wage will be freed up.

Broja will go back to Chelsea.

It's up for doubt whether Beto will remain, perhaps for half a season as a substitute striker, depending on us signing a new first choice which in all honesty and truth, we do most definitely need to.

I can see us maybe loaning out Chermiti to get him some football because this season has been an absolute loss for him due to injury.

Harrison will go back to Leeds and probably end up in the MLS within the next 2 years – it wouldn't shock me.

I do think with Lindstrom there is a player there that would have been a level up now if he'd worked under David Moyes all season but unfortunately Dyche stagnated him and strangled him from July to January and we are now playing catch-up to see if we can get more from him in what's left.

Jim # 58,

There will have to be quite a lot of signings in summer (or at least re-signings) because we only have 12 senior players left after the 5 loan signings and out of contract group that includes Virginia, Begovic, Keane, Young, Coleman, Gueye, Doucoure, and Calvert-Lewin.
.

Jim @58,

I'd be pretty shocked to see Beto leave this summer and could well see him as starting striker next season; partly because he's doing a very good job currently and partly because goal scorers are so expensive.

With wingers and full-backs likely the priority, I'd not be surprised to see a cheaper striker bought in as back-up to Beto or a younger player who could develop; perhaps Chermiti is already.

Also possible we could try and get Broja or another striker on loan but I'd be surprised to see us spend £25M+ on a striker which is usually at least what's needed for a goalscorer ready to hit ground running.

Out with the old, in with the new.

Harrison works hard but has no football brain. He won't be missed.

Agree Robert @ 36 and 59.

Everyone would agree we need to improve the quality of player available, and the size of the squad is inadequate already.

We have 13 permanent contract and loan agreements ending on 30th June. Looking at the list, I would only expect to see new contract offers for Gueye and Virginia (or Begovic), and we might attempt to sign Alcaraz.

That means Calvert-Lewin, Mangala, Harrison, Broja, Doucoure, Keane, Begovic (or Virginia), Young, Coleman and Lindstrom all departing – 10 players. I would consider Lindstrom but I know there are mixed views on him.

And, of course, most of the ground-work will need to be done by a DoF who also leaves in the summer.

Harrison came because of his clause allowing him to go on loan if Leeds were relegated. They seem in a good place to be back so that clause is now invalidated. Another loan would not be an option. As for purchase, I suspect there are better options. Loan was £4.5M per year so helped with PSR.

Now he is back fit, I would like Moyes to try Patterson there. He has pace and it would be interesting to see if he could be a Seamus Mk II, albeit at a much higher price than £60,000.

When you look at the squad and see all we have going into 2025-26 season is:

Pickford
Patterson, O'Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko
McNeil, Garner, Iroegbunam
Ndiaye, Beto, Chermiti

Then we have a team but a few contracts are needed as well as a few new faces, or existing ones signed up, either again or permanently.

For anyone thinking we are likely to buy a striker in the summer who will immediately displace Beto is likely to be disappointed. Lot's of speculation about the budget size but whatever it is it's unlikely it will be able to cover all of those squad positions needed, so blowing £40M on Delap is not happening.

We will need some loans and free's, if a striker comes in he will either be someone relatively cheap who might come good (ala Igamane et al) or on loan, a Tammy Abraham for example. Beto is likely to be our main man next year and he has my backing for that, love his work-rate and I think he is a cult-hero in the making.

Phil @63 i'd also like us to keep Patterson, his stock is low so we aren't going to get the money we'd want for him, I want him to have a real shot at a first team starting place. Maybe a free (Lamptey) or a loan to provide back-up and let them fight it out, healthy competition. Of all the players relieved to see SD go, I bet "Patto" is up there with Beto and O'Brien! Come on lad, let's see what you've got.

I really like Mangala but if we retain Gana for another year I don't see the need, especially after the injury. I mentioned on another thread I want to see us build for the future, even though we are well stocked in CM, Lennon Miller of Motherwell (maybe loan him back) would be good, astute business there.

A back up LB and a couple of forwards in the mould of Fellows. It's really exciting, thanks TFG and Moyes for giving us Evertonian's some positive ruminations about our club again.

Looking through the posts, it seems most wouldn't shed a tear if he goes. I've not been as harsh on him, but he's borne the brunt of criticism along with Mykolenko at times, Beto until he found his shooting boots recently, and Doucoure, depending on which Doucoure turns up.

I've nothing against the player and I've seen improvement in Jack recently, but don't think it would justify buying him, which it looks like we would have to if Leeds are promoted. I even went and rated him MotM against Brentford last week!!

We can spend our money more wisely.

If we are going to compete and challenge, it's not just a numbers game. We need to improve the quality.

And find a replacement translator for Alcaraz!! I hope the scouts are booking flights to South America and Spain.

I suspect he'll go back to Leeds. Fate will have it, he scores at the Everton Stadium!!

Is it wise to start speculating on Harrison's future when we have such a thin squad and will need his input over the next few months? What sort of motivation is that for him?

I believe there is a better player in there than we have seen but that he has been blunted by Dyche getting him to constantly double back and playing him on the wrong wing. He was far more effective in a more expansive Leeds side.

That's not to say, I would pay to convert his loan into a permanent transfer. He's been ruined by Dyche. I think his future lies elsewhere. He's certainly burnt his bridges at Leeds.

I just think we shouldn't be undermining the lad's confidence and motivation at this point in the season.

Ernie (55), I also saw how much Harrison wanted to be successful at Everton, how disappointed he was when things didn't come off for him. I was willing him to succeed.

Then time after time he did as you described him and the end product was nearly always nothing.

Fans on here have said he has improved and is a different player under Moyes. I admit there is a very slight improvement which to me shows how very poor he was in the previous period when he tried and tried but offered very little.

And that same very slight improvement applies to Lindstrom and Mykolenko in my opinion.

I think he was a canny loan signing. Effectively a 'free' short term transfer having to pay wages only.

He has an exquisite first touch, works very hard and largely doesn't get injured.

He is not a right winger though and I think it's harsh to judge him on his performances there.

He's had some decent games on the left and when he played behind the striker in a central role - but even there he's not set the world alight.

I think most attacking players would have struggled in Dyche's ultra-defensive set up and since Moyes has come in and he's played on the left there's been a marked improvement.

Personally I think we'd see a different player if he's played on the left for the rest of the season but as someone else has said we need pace and he's not quick.

Good luck to him but I think we should be aiming higher.

Mike 56

you do have a point regarding McNeil being skillful, but he doesn’t show it enough, although there is no doubt, he can strike a ball well.

Maybe he needs to be playing with more technically gifted players.

We seemed to have been down that road before, with Mirralas and Deulefeu.

Both players definitely possessed skill in abundance, but very often they would flatter to deceive.

It’s quite possible that they too lacked the right surroundings.

Anyway, it should be interesting to see McNeil Back playing in the new and improved EFC!

The same goes for Chermiti, who showed promise last Summer.

Hard worker who has been played mostly out of position since he came here.Started mostly on the left for Leeds or slightly inside on the left. Tends to rush things too much which hinders his passing and shooting.

If he was on lower wages then might be worth keeping, but would always just be a squad player. Good luck to him though, wherever he ends up.

In all honesty only Pickford and Branthwaite are of the right standard - which is Champions League quality. Ndiaye possibly but he needs to deliver so much more end product. He may well do. He's certainly not short of ability.

Pretty much everyone will need to be improved on to get where we belong. Not sold necessarily but cover from the bench (in dire need of an upgrade) rather than First XI.

Oh, that's harsh on Ndiaye Robert. All opinions though. Still only 24, he would look even better surrounded by better players.

I'd keep an eye on O'Brien and let's not forget Alcaraz. James Garner also continues to catch the eye.

I think our major weakness is at fullback on both sides. Although Obrien has done ok he is not the standard of fullback/wingback we need and neither is Myko.

For all the flak Harrison and Lindstrom get we have to remember they are covering full backs who are not 100%.

I would go all out for Walker Peters who can play left or right.

Danny I am not judging what he or others could become. Just at present the only two with current and demonstrable Champs League quality are Pickford and Branthwaite. Pickford can back that up with World Cup finals etc. Branthwaite can back that up by being highly sought after by Champions League clubs (and wannabees) and England recognition.

Not sure we need players of champions league quality until we actually have a chance of being in the champions league.
Maybe we could just start off with a few young good quality premier league standard players who would be first choice for the team and bring some attacking flair.

Agree with you, John. One step at a time.

In our current form we are probably a 10-12th placed team.

As Robert says Pickford and Branthwaite are two players that are/could be said to be desired by the usual top 6.
Although its strange to me that there has not been any rumours about Pickford being transferred to one.

We are playing decent football at the moment so we are not a million miles off. I'd be inclined to retain the majority of them, you need a large squad to cope with the inevitable injuries that occur each season. Obviously a few extra class players would come in very handy also.

Its what Davy wants to do, so who knows what he will decide!

Robert@74, our entire future might well be based on what they"could become". With that in mind I think we should be looking at Patterson, Lindstrom,Mykolenko and a couple of young players coming through.There is no big turnaround coming. Four out, four in, with contract extensions that will annoy many Blues.
Would you not agree that too many changes would be a disaster?

I made the point about Pickford and Branthwaite as context for comments about McNeil etc. I like McNeil. Good technique and workrate and versatility. These sorts of players will absolutely be needed for the next stages of our development - hopefully while we're acquiring and developing players who have much higher potential.

Raymond, on our current form we're title contenders!

Don't we have the joint-most points in the league since Moyes came in?

Oh how I love reading the sniping from our (once again ) entitled fans, especially those at numbers 1/2 and 3 on the thread. As a club we have no money for transfers and will probably have to sell Branthwaite. But these posters want to rid the club of everyone and start again you can't make it up. He should be kept and used sparingly but then add better players slowly. For the next 2/3 seasons we should only buy/ loan 2 to 3 quality players not do a moshiri

We're now being linked with old Moyes signings Soufal and Soucek at West Ham. I didn't follow West Ham closely during the Moyes tenures but one of them is decent. Soufal maybe?

I'm with Andy on this Robert.

We are not going to be challenging for Champions League soon, so that shouldn't be the immediate objective. I do understand your "here and now" outlook.

Stepping stones, building blocks, call them what we like, but there won't be an overnight transformation.

If we talk about buying untried, and for a lot of us, unheard of players with potential, which I am a big fan of, why don't we consider those we already have as possessing the potential to get better?

In my experience as a player, at my own various decent (semi professional) levels, when making a step up, you became a better player being surrounded by better players. It made the game easier when you had options in front of you and made you look good as well as improving your game.

The same can be said for those players like Ndiaye, Alcaraz, Garner. And I'd eventually like to see O'Brien playing in his natural position alongside Branthwaite.

Andy # 82, Coufal is free in June. He might be a stop gap signing and some sense in that.

Soucek is decent but has 2 years left on his contract. As weve seen he's exactly the sort of player to sign if you want to ruin the club financially without really improving the playing squad.

The market moved on a long time ago. Signings like that don't make sense any more.

It makes more sense to go back to source in Czechia and buy the likes of Sulc, Diouf and Zafeiris. I strongly expect this is the sort of thing we'll now do.

I'm looking forward to seeing McNeill playing under Moyes, he's still one of our most skilful players, and in an attacking formation with the shackles off, he'll be like a new signing.

There's no magic wand and no sure fire strategy which will 100% improve things.

Lots of talk about buying unproven young talent. Unless I'm mistaken, didn't we do this in the early Moshiri years with the likes of Josh Bowler?

No doubt the likes of Brighton have plenty of duds we never hear about. A few years back, Southampton were all the rage for buying players low and selling high. Now it's Brighton. It'll be someone else soon.

If you went back through all the names put forward on here as young players we should buy, over the past 10 years, I expect you'd find a high percentage of players that come to nothing.

True enough, Liam, and even if you do buy proper young talent, they don't just have to come good, they have to come good in your time frame and your circumstances.

It took Lookman four years of maturation after leaving Everton before he was suddenly African Footballer of the Year. The famous flop Sandro is now a team captain in La Liga. Could we have waited for either and hoped they developed? Doubtful.

Raymond # 77 - I agree almost entirely with the sentiments of your post except the bit about our current form.

What Mike @ 80 - said. Current form 15 points from possible 24. If you interpolate those numbers over 38 games it’s 71 points +. Quite startling really.

Given the above and seeing what Moyes has achieved so far with this group of players I am also inclined to agree with Andy’s @ 78 thinking that we should probably keep the majority of this squad together.

I go cold when I hear the names Alli and Rodriguez… wow, what a statement.

Alli yes, Rodriguez one of the most supremely talented players to have graced Goodison, what a shame we never witnessed him in the flesh.

Had his injury problems (don't they all) but a true footballer who was stolen away from us by the pig-headed arrogant former Liverpool manager.

To challenge at the top of the Premier League Everton have to be able to beat the traditional top 4 teams. Moyes's win rate against such sides is very poor at Everton and still is. Moyes has no history of big player turnover.

I expect contract extensions and the dreaded one-year extension for older players

To expect Moyes to suddenly change and Everton to do the same is a big ask. It will TFG that will push the change initiative and drag Moyes and Finch Farm with them... 'drag' being the word.

Moyes win rate against the top four, as far as I’m concerned, is played 2 drawn 2 with a side that was staring down the barrel when he came back.
He’s not the same coach that left us years ago. He’s got bags more experience and deserves a clean slate until the evidence shows otherwise.
It’s a moot point as he won’t be here for more than 18 months imho but he’s doing a great job right now which is all that matters. The future is much brighter now than it was 2 months ago and I won’t knock him for the odd dither or draw instead of a win.
I’m not an acolyte or Moyes apologist by any means but he’s doing an amazing job. He may not be the Moysiah but he’s a very clever boy!
UTFT

The traditional top 4 has fluctuated over the past decade of so. It back in the 2000s it was mainly United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, most seasons. At this point, Manchester City were safely hovering mid-table before the noisy neighbours gate-crashed the party.

We had a few breaking the mould, ourselves included and the freak of a season from Leicester.

This season, we have several clubs knocking at the door.

The point being, yes, there a two or three that are always up there and it has become more difficult to break the glass, but it is possible to compete at the right end of the table.

I'm not so sure we will see mass departures or incomings. I do not consider twelve out, twelve in to be a healthy way of build a square to make us competitive. There will be activity both ways, but I suspect it will be modest in the summer. Retain some, release others and bring in a few. Then go again over the following two windows.

The point being, that although it has

Mark (91), Stop it, Mark!

What did you do the other week when you went in the pub and gave it loads to the Mancs supporters when we were 2-0 up — then what happened!

Look before you bleedin' leap!

I got my fingers burned back in 2005 Dave with AC Milan 3 - 0 up and cruising against the neighbours at half time.

I was texting just about every Liverpool supporting relative I could think of, feeling smug.

How that came back to bite me on the arse. I had to turn my phone off in the end!!

These days, I am a lot more reserved until that final whistle goes.

Danny 83

I think your first paragraph shows what an impact Moyes has made, you say were not going to be challenging for Champions league soon, cant imagine anybody writing that 2 months ago. I think the improvement will continue next season in our new home, and I can see us competing for a Europa league spot. I think there will inevitably be some leaving and some coming in, but the nucleus of the side will still remain. Great to hear Branthwaite is wiling to commit to a longer contract, we need to build with him at the heart of the team, and I don't think under TFG we will need to sell our best players as we have in the past. I liked Moyes first time round and I think Moyes is a better manager than he ws first time, you cant buy experience an he is the most experienced in the Premier league. He is much calmer than first time around and he is clever to have coaches with fresh ideas like McGinley and Baines while still having the older head of Irvine. So with this group I can see us getting better and better, and under Moyes the first time he would never have employed a specialist in corners and free kicks like he has with Adam.

Danny 94 - I did exactly the same and have never took the piss out of other teams since! Especially the shite!

The form and points acquired since the return of Moyes has been nothing short of amazing. The improvement in some of the players is impressive. If we want to progress next season, then this is not the time to sleepwalk into believing we have a fantastic squad of players; we don't.

Many are out of contract, some should be extended on revised financial terms (Gueye for example), some not (Young, Keane). Coleman it's time for a coaching role.

No more Harrison, Lindstrom, Broja… we can do better in the loan market. Sadly no to Mangala, but yes to Alcaraz (if his initial showing continues).
No thanks to Coufal and Soucek, we can do better. Aim sights higher.

I don't see us being awash with money, and PSR hasn't disappeared, but we will have more flexibility and if we want to progress then seize the opportunity that the Summer reset presents and make some very good incremental gains.

Mike @80 & Laurie @88,

You're both right in the sense that, if we could be as successful as we have been recently, on going we would be higher than a 10th - 12th team.

Sods law says our purple patch will cool off somewhat; that's what I was factoring in.

As per usual, I failed to put my thoughts down very well.

Andy, it will be more than 4 in and 4 out.

Definitely leaving:- Calvert-Lewin, Keane, Harrison, Young, Mangala;
Probably leaving;- Doucoure, Broja, Lindstrom, Begovic.
Maybe leaving:- Coleman, Alcaraz, Lindstrom.
Hopefully staying:- Gueye, Virginia.
Likely to go on loan:- Dixon, Armstrong, Chermiti.
Sale options:- McNeil, Branthwaite, Patterson, Beto.

I really don't think this will be a summer of incremental change.

Of the players on high salary contracts like Doucoure, Keane, Calvert-Lewin, Harrison and Gueye (£520,000 a week in wages right there), I think only Gueye might stay on.

Raymond (98),

I understood you — we've only won one game out of the last four!

I agree with Mark @91, Moyes is a lot more experienced manager now.

The way he has turned the club around, the players are playing with confidence, we're scoring goals, despite our massive injuries. His whole demeanor, his calmness, even his press conferences are totally different.

And no one can believe the brilliant job he has done, so let's judge him on how we perform against the so-called top 4 from next season, not on past tense.

Listening to his Brentford press conference, when he praised the job Thomas Frank has done, but said we should be aiming a lot higher. He wants us to get to 40 points and start afresh this summer, with the new owners, new Stadium, he definitely has an ambitious plan.

I feel a lot more positive now, and definitely on board.

I too am still wiping the egg off my face. I didn't want Moyes back but he seems a completely different entity now to the one who had run his course when he bailed out for Man United.

His demeanour has changed too often cracking the odd smile on the touchline after the dour days of knives to a gunfight.
Perhaps he has been shopping in an American gun store as he looks like AK47s and the latest sub machine guns are part of the package.

If he is given free rein to scout his own players, I can see the modern day Cahills, Pienaars and Artetas coming in. The world is our lobster at long last and hopefully he can take us forward at the pace he has set over the last couple of months.

Danny#92

Of course the traditional top 4 has fluctuated. But in whatever current campaign Everton were in, Moyes has failed to win against them.He needs to take points from them to challenge and get beyond mid table in any campaign.

To challenge in Europe he needs a extended Cup Runs to get the team up to speed in playing in two competitions, with two matches a week..Getting a European place alone is not good enough.

On top of that the Rest and Recovery regime which have to change to a High Performance regime ,based on stamina and resilience.

Andy @89 couldn't agree more, Give me 20 Games a season of James rather than an ever present plodder, fantastic footballer, gutted I never got to see him live

Andy #89 and Mick #104, amen.

How I loved watching that man play.

One of multiple things about the FSW I will never forgive, Digne being another.

“The world is our lobster”
Nice one!
UTFT

He's simply not good enough for us going forward at the moment.

We need much better players in the Summer.

Raymond # 98 - as Dave has pointed out @ 100 going on the last four games it would be 57 points so going by that you were there or there abouts.

I’ll be back after the Wolves game Dave😉

Up the Blues!

Laurie (108), You mean you are coming over after the Wolves game Laurie or that you will be checking the score, if it’s the first I’ll be made up to meet you —— never forgot how we built The Windsor Castle in Lairds together although we never met sixty odd years ago!

If it’s the second I hope we are on 35 points after the game, it’s always Everton first with me and I think with you.

Best wishes and good health Laurie as always.

Dave - unfortunately I won’t be back in the UK after the Wolves game - I’ll just be checking the score. 😁

Best wishes and good health to you also Dave.

Mike, same here regarding Digne, he's still sending in fantastic crosses for the Villa and he was always good for a few goals a season.

I'll never forgive the Kopite for getting rid of my 2 favourite players

1. Moyes did beat the Sky darlings. He actually won 31 times - but apart from at City or Spurs, he never won away from home.

2. Moyes 8 games = 15 points. We got 12 points last year under Dyche. So those thinking this form is heading for Europe next season, somehow it didn't turn out that way for us to get 57 points this season.

But also factor in – last season, we lost our next four fixtures.

Phil, all very sensible perspective. Moyes has done a great job so far and in our last 5 games only the RS and Arsenal have picked up more points. That doesn't mean we'll continue to accrue points at the same rate though – in the same way that Forest's excellent run is slowing down – 4 points from the past 5 games (only the bottom 3 are in worse form).

The remainder of the season will help us better assess where we really stand – as is the case for all clubs in a very competitive league.

Mick (111),

No matter how he is playing for Villa in the last twelve months at Everton he wasn't playing very well for us and Benitez was under instructions to get rid of the high earners.

In selling Digne, he made a very good profit on what we bought him for and got his wages off the books — same with Rodriguez with his high wages. And let's be honest, he had more poor games for Everton than good ones when he thought he was fit to play; he not the manager made the decision whether he was fit to play or not.

Digne assisted in making goals — he never scored many… less than six league goals, I'd say.

Phil, Robert. April is coming!! Just don't shit ourselves at Anfield. Unleash Doucoure and let him surpass Sheedy's two fingers at the Kop.

It looks challenging on paper, but you just never know and we can pick up points. We have been great since Moyes took over, even when we haven't won. And we'll pick up more points before the end of the season, so barring a complete downward spiral, we shouldn't be going to the wire again.

It's too soon to get carried away as to whether we will sustain this, with a think squad, but the optimism is there again. Big summer ahead with the next step to get this club of ours back on the road to recovery.

Absolutely, Danny, we should go into the derby in confident mood, knowing that hard work, good attitude and good organisation gets results.