Everton banter 7

29 Jan 2026 07:39:05
{Ed's Note - thefutureisoldgold3 has posted a new article entitled, Planning for the Championship: Wolves' Financial Rebuild

28 Jan 2026 23:29:27
So a few days left in the window, realistically we could do with 4, both full backs, another winger due to Grealish being out probably for the rest of the campaign but at this moment i would settle for two, a right back (priority) and a another recognised striker who can hit the ground running, Norton Cuffy would do me at right back, great stats and fast and mobile and bundles of energy so can compliment Ndiaye with inner and outer overlaps, then on the other side i would be tempted to give Aznou a run of games either as left back or left forward that's if we can’t cover that position this window, we are stocked in midfield defensively and offensively, as for a striker maybe release Beto and get in Duran as we can’t just rely on Barry for the remainder of the season even though he is starting to adjust to the premier league. I would still love to get Harry Wilson if we can but see that as maybe a summer recruit.

I genuinely think if we can get 2/3 this window then we can seriously stake a claim for one of the European slots and I mean it’s so tight everything’s possible from 4th to 8th/9th if we can add reinforcements this window, i will emphasise again why should we settle for 10th etc when we have the best opportunity to go a lot further. We have owners who know their rubbish on how to build a football club and progress so if we finish in them luxurious positions TFG will only strengthen again to allow the two game European and premier fixtures every week, let’s bloody grasp the bull by the horns.

{Ed025's Note - i agree Col, but i cant see it happening mate..

29 Jan 2026 08:25:18
Not so much RB but a RWB or RW with an engine and a striker (would need for Beto off the wages) .

29 Jan 2026 09:29:44
Unfortunately I agree with Ed, I don't see much happening.

Maybe a last minute loan if we're lucky.

29 Jan 2026 10:38:17
Not even a sniff at the moment. I can't see anything happening.

29 Jan 2026 11:01:51
Yeh you’re probably right guys which is crap really, just a few reinforcements and we can make it happen this season, why wait until next season? This is our best chance now.

I think we only used two loans in the summer so I think we have 1 domestic and one overseas loan left I think. These maybe the two slots we use and keep our cash safe, i'm hoping not though. Come on Harry Wilson get in a blue shirt lad.

28 Jan 2026 20:13:42
I am gutted that any Evertonian would be happy with top ten. I am certainly not, I will be happy only if we are top five. Don't give me any crap about how well we are doing compared with previous years and how we are building for the future.

30 years of mediocracy and no trophies and you are happy with top ten, give me a break. I am realistic enough to realize that we will probably be top ten but it certainly does not make me happy.

28 Jan 2026 20:48:47
If we don’t get the two or three in this window that we need and we wait till the summer I think a top ten place realistic, we get the recruits now and we will Finnish higher yet I’m sure, so stick or twist I want them in now myself mate,1985 was soooooo long ago Mike.

28 Jan 2026 21:23:51
I think most fans would have taken 10th at the start of the season, as a stepping stone towards finishing higher the season after. For so long it felt like no progress was being made both on and off the pitch. Plenty of room for improvement, but I still think we’re on the right track.

28 Jan 2026 21:23:59
Yes mate I was lucky enough to be at Wembley in 1995 and I was a young 55, now I am an old fart 86 next month and no trophy since.
At least I have had the experience of seeing us win the league and been at two Wembley wins, I feel sorry for the younger generation.


I admire your optimism GB, I just hope I can live long enough to see us get back to where we belong, top five and at least having a chance to win a cup.
Not sure about the seating arrangement in heaven, for my penance I may be forced to watch the other lot!

28 Jan 2026 22:51:40
I no what your saying blue mike, now we are in this position we should be trying to improve and looks like we are going to settle for what we have, but I do think we have enough, if Barry keeps scoring to secure Europe with everyone fit.

28 Jan 2026 23:19:57
I hope so Bluepasty. If we can get most of the injured back and we play like we did in the second half against Leeds we should win enough games. We just have to play like that the entire game and stop this sitting back routine in the first half. Moyes said something along the lines that we played badly in the first half but he didn't understand why! Surprising that thousands of supporters understand why but the manager does not.

The tactics have to change and Ndiaye, Garner, Dewsbury-Hall, Branthwaite and Grealish (when fit) are the players to do it. Also stop Pickford from booting the ball up the field every time he gets hold of it.

{Ed025's Note - absolutely Mike..

29 Jan 2026 10:05:23
Thousands of supporters 'think' they know. What it looks like to us and how the Manager/coaching staff see it may be different. There is one individual though that our judgement may finally be on the same page about and if it isn't, I for one will question my sanity.

29 Jan 2026 13:42:35
I understand where you are coming from BM, but the old Everton that you grew up watching is a different animal to the one we see today. Just in recent history, specifically the FM era, we have been mismanaged to the brink of no return. The constant flirting with relegation has seen our stock fall considerably. Attracting the right players of the right quality has become harder due to players wanting European football. I think DM himself alluded to this in the summer, we tried to get certain players in but they were reluctant to join a club that was perceived to be in this constant dog fight.

The idea that fans are happy for a top ten finish is double edged for me. Am I happy that we don't look like we have to wait until the last game or two to secure our premier league status? Yes, mainly because I'm sick of us being in that position, waiting until the death to see if we avoid the trap door once again. Am I happy finishing in the top ten every year? No, I want us to push on and begin to challenge that 'top 6' and bring success to the club which has been starved of trophies for far too long.

I know you, and some other fans, don't like to hear it but it is an undeniable truth. We are a year down the road into our latest transitional period and, unfortunately, that takes time. If we finish this season in the top 10 then that does represent progress from the last couple of seasons, maybe the last 10 years.

A top 10 finish could help us get better quality players in during the summer window which, in turn, will strengthen our assault on the European places and the perceived premier league hierarchy. But, realistically, any position from 10 to the top is an improvement on last season and the one before. I'm not ecstatic about it but i can see that we are heading in the right direction after so many false dawns.

No club has the divine right to expect to be in the mix of all the available trophies, the team has to work hard for these accolades and you need a squad of both quality and depth. Despite the lofty position, from what we've previously endured, we do not have enough quality nor the depth to constantly challenge at the top end. That can only be achieved with shrewd purchases in the market and with competition for places within the squad.

I want us to improve both full back positions, get in another forward and now, since it looks like Jack's race is ran, possibly another winger. I doubt that will happen this window though so we have to wait until the summer. The main thing is that the new owners seem sensible in their approach and won't be jeopardising our future unlike our previous owner.

29 Jan 2026 16:15:00
The best post on here 'ever' bluepotato, you put this to bed with panache my friend.
may I add progress is progress full stop.

''false dawns'' is 100% correct.

28 Jan 2026 17:17:28
Not a rumour sorry, just a comment on Dicky Hills atmosphere when it goes quiet. Travelled to many games (Turkey, Argentina, Egypt, Croatia) the pre match and during the game is so intimidating it borders on frightening. In Egypt the fans stayed up all night partying after a Derby win for example (60,000) on the streets of Cairo.


My suggestion is a core ULTRA type section of the ground, with the 1878s flags / banners. Either the all girl Everton calypso band or our own drummers setting the tempo for the crowd/ team when quiet If you’ve been to River Plate or even Palace you’ll get it. Pre match fan plaza, light displays, sirens, bangs, flame displays etc. any views please.

{Ed025's Note - i think or hope we are more sophisticated than that Bally but i could see how it would work mate, myself i would sooner us get the crowd up by playing attractive attacking football..

28 Jan 2026 18:25:41
You are absolutely right Ed025 mate. I have been at Goodison when the attendance was 78,000 and the atmosphere was electric only because we were playing attractive attacking football. Dave Hickson scored the winner with blood pouring down his face from a cut on his forehead.

If we had played at that game like we did in the first half verses Leeds the place would have been like a mausoleum.

{Ed025's Note - yeah mike i think our supporters are as good as anything out there mate, but we have to give them something to sing and shout about, i have been in some great atmospheres with Everton, not only Goodison but away days, Wembley and of course Rotterdam and we are as loud and supportive as anyone..

28 Jan 2026 18:53:52
Thought the atmosphere in the last 20 mins was polar opposite to the first half… understandably.

28 Jan 2026 19:09:04
Everton 1 A. N. Other 0. will do me. Determination, effort, first thought ball forward when we have the ball, when they have it, get it back.

{Ed025's Note - that works as well DMS..

28 Jan 2026 20:03:33
Sounds good dms, the only problem is that we only seem to do that at home when the A. N. Other scores. Then we have to score at least two to win.

28 Jan 2026 20:17:10
I think they're interesting suggestions, but to be honest, I think the only solution is the football, as it's definitely the problem.

I don't think any amount of singing or fireworks or flags can illicit any level of enthusiasm or excitement out of a crowd as they're forced to watch us concede 80% possession against Sunderland, and go our 10th home game in a row where we barely enter their third.

It may be controversial, but i don't actually think the atmosphere at the Hilly Dick is even any worse than it was at Goodison. It's more sterile, as there is less character to the stadium, but it's actually arguably less toxic.

A close friend, and long term season ticket holder referred to Goodison as 'A cauldron of hate' for the last few years ?.

29 Jan 2026 10:11:31
All the years I have been going it has changed. I know I am a KOS but the younger ones seem more tribal and short fused. My Grandson not an Everton supporter (no not the other lot either) and when beer loosens tongue speaks about organising fights - yes he has been told, clip round ear -.

28 Jan 2026 16:36:47
Not a transfer rumour sorry, more a view RE Dicky Hills atmosphere, to improve things when ‘quiet’ could we consider an ULTRAS type section combining the 1878s flag displays (think Turkey, Argentina, Croatia etc) frightening incessant crowd along with bass drummers or the Evertonians Calypso band off the Sky Ad Maybe managed flares or a light show, sirens, loud bangs along with footage and sounds of famous EFC moments in the fan plaza to create the pre buzz / intimidation.

Sorry if I’ve Americanised it but be good to hear views.

{Ed025's Note - i think we have a bit more class than that Bally, i can see how it would get the stadium rocking though mate..

29 Jan 2026 10:12:58
1878 organise the flags on poles and such, then our own 'supporters' nick em.

28 Jan 2026 13:44:31


BlueNose1878 has written an article entitled, Everton's Second Half Surge and Squad Analysis After Leeds Victory

28 Jan 2026 20:18:50
Good article.

29 Jan 2026 12:30:12
Great read as always, BN.

28 Jan 2026 13:42:50
Good to see what a great job TFG are doing commercially. RL’s Big Weekend is pretty much sold out, which is amazing, more tickets sold than ever before. They are also close to a deal to get Fiji vs England at HD Stadium, impressive stuff.

{Ed025's Note - it is Swinners, now take all that money and get us two full backs and a striker please.. :)

28 Jan 2026 17:00:06
Yeah was looking at the list of what is coming to our new Stadium, excellent news mate.

28 Jan 2026 17:01:18
Exactly Ed. It's the football team that needs sorting, the club itself appear to be doing fine.

{Ed025's Note - that works for me Brass..

28 Jan 2026 19:15:19
RW/RWB, Striker for me. Ruhl, KDH, Garner, Gueye, Alcaraz, Armstrong, Ndiaye, Mykolenko, Aznou, covered in the middle and left. Defence is covered (lots of stories looking to replace Patterson) .

28 Jan 2026 01:47:31
Totally agree with what everyone is saying about mcneil and Mykolenko for the Leeds goal but if ndiaye hadn't bottled the challenge at the start of the Leeds attack and rolled around wanting a free kick when he was hardly touched we wouldn't of been in that situation to start with. i ain't slagging ndiaye but that's how I saw it.

28 Jan 2026 09:03:05
Not wrong there Ron. Those are the duels you live for. I would have been going full throttle head first. Win win. You win the ball and get clattered or clatter, it lifts the crowds and you'd expect the players around you. You don't win the ball, you get lenience from the ref because you are going up against 2 players.

Stach did lead with his elbow though and even though he didn't connect properly, it should have been flagged for dangerous play in todays rules.

28 Jan 2026 11:54:50
Nearly all their attacks came down our right, Patterson was unprotected whole of first half. When Ndiaye went down it left Mykolenko trying to cover two players. Never the less the total negligence by McNeil is inexplicable, left wondering if the lad had a bet on. The change in the Team 2nd half was in my view very good.

Have just watched the whole game back (unedited) , paying particular attention to criticised players. McNeil, didn't think it was possible for him to be any worse, I was wrong. If he gets picked again, Moyes has lost the plot. I go along with those that sit around me on criticism on players.

28 Jan 2026 13:17:47
Mykolenko was already out of position before Ndiaye even challenged and Garner was furthest across on the left. Mykolenko then goes to track the run of Bogle and should go and close the gap when the ball is bouncing and Bogle is waiting for it to come down.

Instead he hesitates and goes too late. O'Brien massively at fault for not coming across as well and you could even blame Tarky for not being tighter to Dom.

28 Jan 2026 17:12:06
Glad we mostly agree how poor a lot of the players were in the 1st half. And I love it when players smash the opposition legally lol. Always got told to play to the whistle seemed like a few just turned off for a few seconds expecting a free kick which we was never getting.

27 Jan 2026 23:47:38
The departure list .
MacNiel, Beto, Paterson, Mekolenco, and for me, know it might be controversial, But time to admit our mistake and cut our losses on Dibling.
Might not bring in a whole lot of cash, but at least a big chunk off the wage bill .

28 Jan 2026 03:55:11
Patterson and Mycalenco (sorry about spellig) can only be sold if we get top drawer replacements, probably have to wait until the summer.
McNeil can go now, I'll even drive him. He is an embarrassment to our shirt. Beto can go too if a sensible offer comes in for him.
I would probably loan Dibling out, maybe to the Dutch league so he can find his confidence and come back a more effective player.
I wouldn't buy Grealish either. For the money I'm sure that there's younger more goal scoring wingers out there (if only we had scouts) .

UTFT NSNO IMWT.

28 Jan 2026 12:01:22
Apparently the medics haven't given a timeline on Grealish. I agree on buying him, personally £20 mill yes but above that no bother. Dibling, I do wonder why he isn't tried on the left, he looks totally lost on the right. Loan him out to a hard league Championship or such.

27 Jan 2026 21:56:33
Looks like we missed out on Neal Mopey.

27 Jan 2026 23:24:46
Would you rather him or Beto?

28 Jan 2026 03:23:02
Is he still masquerading as a footballer? I remember watching him doing shooting practice before a game and not only did he not score, he never got 1 on target. It was embarrassing to see a pro footballer put so many shots into Gwladys Street from 10-15yards.

27 Jan 2026 21:47:23
We were very poor in the first half and it was difficult to know why said Moyes.
Really?

28 Jan 2026 12:02:37
Why were we poor first half BMD?

28 Jan 2026 12:28:05
Because the one tactic we use doesn’t work in home games. We gave Leeds licence to walk the ball up to the half way line and gain momentum. Then surprise surprise they scored, and could easily have had two or three.
So Moyes saying he doesn’t understand why this happened worries the feck out of me, because everyone watching knew exactly why.

28 Jan 2026 13:04:51
For me that wasn't even the same tactic. I would have stuck with Ndiaye on the right, he and Gueye are used to each other there. McNeil hopeless but better (bad word sorry) on the left. I don't understand why Dibling a left footer is not tried on the left.

28 Jan 2026 13:49:09
Exactly the same tactic just different personnel. Perhaps Moyes doesn’t realise Dibling is left footed?

28 Jan 2026 16:48:16
No, he still thinks he's a footballer, but then, he thinks MacNiel is a footballer. Take more water with it, or pop down to Specsavers.