Everton Banter Mobile

25 Apr 2026 22:21:44
Abject performance and abject management. I'm not posting this solely because of today's result. Despite the comments from Moyes in his press conference I think we all knew that he would still play Barry and McNeil. I'm actually going to repeat what I said in a post at the end of last season. The sentiments of the post are the same, although the circumstances are somewhat different. I genuinely believed that a European place was within or grasp given the way other teams have performed this season, but every time we've had an opportunity we've blown it. Usually due to poor management in relation to team selection, poor tactics or lack of them, square pegs in round holes and a safety first approach in respect of having a go at the opposition even at home and only coming out of our shell once we go behind. It shows a total lack of ambition and that comes from the manager.
I don't consider where we are now to be progress. Not being in a relegation scrap isn't progress.

We could and should be in a far better position than we are now. 3 points from our last 5 games simply isn't good enough when we're aiming for Europe. I've heard the argument that this squad isn't good enough for European football, but I honestly believe that it's good enough to get us there and that we can then strengthen accordingly.
I hope at the end of the season that TFG look at the bigger picture and for the good of the club move Moyes upstairs. If he won't move upstairs thank him for his services, shake his hand and move on. Then appoint Lee Carsley. He knows the club, would encourage and use the younger players, is tactically aware, has good in game management and isn't afraid to try something different and learns from his mistakes. I feel that this course of action should have been taken at the end of last season, but I can understand why it wasn't.
There's no room for sentiment and for the good of the club it's 100% the right time to make a change.

25 Apr 2026 23:05:53
I said a while back that when we have a chance to progress, we will deffo screw it up. It seems to be drilled into the team to bugger stuff up.

25 Apr 2026 20:18:52
Well, another disappointment. I was really expecting to get the win today but nothing again. I have to agree with Bluemike that we should be giving the youngsters a try out now for the last four games, it’s been obvious that McNeil, Mykolenko and Barry are not good enough and need to go and with this current squad we are not good enough for European football and would struggle in the league next season as a consequence. Gana should be rested now and possibly given a cameo at the HDS to say goodbye and a big thanks for his efforts over his two spells with the club.

I’m just hoping that Moyes gives the likes of Anzou a run of games until the end of season which could save us spending needless money if they can be given a decent chance of showing what they can do. If Moyes is to stay he needs to prove to the owners he is willing to change and adapt, if not I feel it might be time to move him upstairs and appoint someone who is capable of change and is able to adapt.

{Ed025's Note - do you know our manager at all Andy?.. :)

25 Apr 2026 20:46:10
There's Moyes saying Barry isn't guaranteed to start today in his press conference on Friday. Yet he starts, and even better, doesn't have a recognised striker on the bench. I'd have had Alcaraz up top.

At least he shows effort. I reckon we're gonna see some exits in the summer, and probably players not even given a chance. Yet they will go on to end up at top Premier clubs in a couple of years.

{Ed025's Note - did anyone really think Moyes would not play Barry and McNeil?, he is very one dimensional and set in his ways, but it depends what you want in your manager i suppose...if you want stability and to not be in a relegation battle then i believe Dave is the very man, but that will include not winning any trophies and never dining at the top table im afraid, if survival is the height of your ambition and you are happy with that then we should ditch the motto Nil Satis Nisi Optimum, this is not having a go at the manager by the way its just pointing out that his style of management can only take a club so far..

25 Apr 2026 18:03:15
I know we who turn up and pay, have only our experience, but some thing can be seen from where we sit.
In view of resent injuries, O'Brien was a natural c/back replacement. Aginst a quick and tricky winger, Garner was the oblivious right back choice. With a number of midfield options.


Givern the pathetic offering from Barry, their where a number of options.
None of they above would have guaranteed a win, but would have made it a reasonable possibility, and if we can see that, where is the judgment of those we pay well to make those calls?

25 Apr 2026 20:15:14
Moyes says Graham isn't ready for senior football, yet he made his 1st team debut aged 15. Even if he struggled, he would show more than Barry. Also, McNeil is getting worse every week. Experience is what Moyes loves, but I bet there's a winger in reserves, like Kingston, who would offer more. Fast, takes defenders on and can score.

25 Apr 2026 21:45:40
He played for Linfield at 15, where if you don't stand up you'll be kicked all over the place. Now it's a massive jump to the Premier League, but the lad can look after himself on the pitch.

25 Apr 2026 21:58:29
Keane up front for me rather than Barry!!
As soon as he was listed up front, I knew we had no chance.

25 Apr 2026 22:08:22
Braiden Graham looks great but on this point I think DM is right, he isn't big enough yet for PL.
Where I disagree with DM is last minute putting Michael Keane up front and not starting him b4 Barry, who has just given up imo & was pretty crap b4 when he tried.

25 Apr 2026 22:42:45
So just how big do you have to be?

25 Apr 2026 23:09:54
I remember a scrawny little striker given a chance once. Michael Owen. He did ok.

25 Apr 2026 17:16:17
Said it last night and today’s performance proved my point. Barry and McNeil should be nowhere near the first team. Gana needs resting. Square pegs in round holes at the back. We can all see it. Why for the love of god can’t Moyes? These last 4 games is the perfect chance to blood certain players, give game time to fringe players and let them show what they can do.

We have Patterson and Aznou, especially Aznou who should be playing, but no square pegs round holes. Tim or Harrison can cover Gana, George and Dibling can replace Barry and cover McNeil. We are not going to qualify for Europe, but we are safe this year. Let’s try something new and who knows Moyes might get a surprise. Sorry Moyes lovers.

25 Apr 2026 22:13:27
Agree Barry & McNeill are poo But we hopefully all know that DM isn't stupid after being 3rd longest serving PL manager.
The other guys u mention can't be up to it yet as well as BG in U21 but how easy is it to criticise from sidelines as fans??

25 Apr 2026 17:08:45
I've always thought we need to give Barry sometime to bed in and get used to the League, but he is so far off it, even I think he can't stay next season.