If that well known lager brand did ‘bad weeks in football’, then the last eight days at Hill Dickinson stadium would be up there with their best adverts.
Three home games in a week promised so much. Despite injuries and AFCON absentees, there was a real chance that Everton could climb up the Premier League table and progress in the FA Cup.
In fairness as the week progressed it presented less of a chance and more of a challenge after the mid-week madness against Wolves. There were elements that were completely self-inflicted, and some that were not, but either way Everton didn’t perform anywhere near what is expected and what we’ve seen at times so far this season.
The hard fact is, a lack of professionalism against Wolves, a questionable team selection against Brentford, and a stark lack of quality in the recent games, have all contributed to a feeling we thought we’d left behind.
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We’ve got no words… have you? 😡
Some terrible displays out there again
Everton ‘fragility’ remains and must be addressed in winter transfer window
I think, in many ways, we have left it behind but this week has shown that a fragility remains at the club. Fans don’t need too much convincing to become nervous and doubtful of the future.
This is the first real test of The Friedkin Group‘s ownership since their takeover, and what happens over the next three to four weeks could determine how fans judge them – in the short term at least.
The one thing that unites everyone connected to the club is the knowledge that players are needed, and needed now.
I totally understand the playing down of the spending plans, especially if that’s being done to manage expectations, and send a message to potential selling clubs to ensure the club’s finances are managed properly. However, what will be unacceptable is if the shortcomings of David Moyes’ squad are not addressed in this window.
I hear the cries of ‘it’s a difficult window’, ‘you have to get players that improve you’ and ‘strikers are hard to find in January’, all of which have an element of truth to them. Nevertheless, these challenges must be overcome if that doubt I talked about earlier among the fans is going to be nipped in the bud.
David Moyes and the recruitment team must be decisive, maybe even take a few risks that they may not want to take. Many of the gaps in the squad were evident in the summer, and while there may have been reasons for not filling them at that point, it’s clear they must be filled now.
Everton’s lack of squad depth has been problematic for David Moyes in recent weeks
What will you think about TFG if Everton don’t address their needs in the winter window? 🤔
The pressure is on The Friedkin Group according to Alan Myers…
Of course the situation will get better when Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye return, although if Senegal progress to a final and indeed win AFCON they won’t be coming back and hitting the ground running, they will need time to readjust into Premier League life.
Jarrad Branthwaite’s imminent return will also be key, but again he’ll need time to get completely up to speed too.
I’ve said before that the first 14 or so can perform well on any given day, but as we’ve seen just recently after that there is a concern.
The club, manager and squad need to regroup, remember the good work already achieved in the last year or so and refocus on building a strong sense of direction again.
It’s clear TFG need to spend too, the recruitment team need to step up and get players in that can help to make the second half of the season something to give fans hope. They don’t expect miracles at this point, but they do expect progress.
Oh, and please, please, play home games in a Royal Blue kit, don’t mess with tradition, I get the commerciality aspect of course but some things are off limits when it comes to revenue streams, this was one.
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