What we learned from Bolton Wanderers 0-0 Everton | OneFootball

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Well, that one was drab.

Drab weather, a drab pre-season performance, and the same old drab issues.

It is only pre-season, there is simply no need to be getting too riled up about performances, but the goalless draw at the Toughsheet Stadium did feel a bit like a continuation of the problems we saw at the end of last term.

Here’s a few things we learned.

GARNER TO MISS PRE-SEASON

We actually learned of this blow just before kick-off, when Everton confirmed Garner has had to undergo surgery on a groin injury. It means the midfielder, who was superb last season after getting a full summer of work under his belt, will now be out until at least the week of the first Premier League game.

Given Garner will have missed pretty much all of pre-season, there seems little chance he will be fit to feature before September, and it will likely be after the extended international break at the end of that month and into October that he is ready to play meaningful minutes at his usual standard.

That should sharpen the focus for Everton’s recruitment. They need a right-back and they need a number 6, especially with Idrissa Gana Gueye’s departure now confirmed.

David Moyes and the recruitment committee need to get on the same page, and get this sorted.

ARMSTRONG SHOWS HIS STUFF

With Garner out and Merlin Röhl playing on the right, Harrison Armstrong got the chance to play in his natural position in central midfield. He took the opportunity to shine.

Armstrong was involved in most things Everton did well in the first half. Cool and composed in possession, active out of it and never afraid to get stuck in.

The teenager has plenty of experience at Championship level, so playing against second-tier opposition (albeit, newly promoted ones) was never going to be too much of an ask.

But it was excellent to see him play in such a commanding fashion, and essentially take the lead in midfield.

Hayden Hackney is set to feature for the first time when Everton take on Stoke City in midweek, but Armstrong is staking his claim in midfield.

BRANTHWAITE IS BACK

Jarrad Branthwaite was never going to play the full game, but to see him back in the line-up, donning his new No.4, is a huge boost.

He was back to doing what he does best, striding out of defence to pick a pass, and offering balance and speed to Everton’s backline.

Do not be surprised if Branthwaite doesn’t feature against Stoke, as his minutes must be carefully managed, but getting him back out on the pitch was the first box to tick off.

Reader Comments (6)

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About to get shot down, but I thought Barry looked much improved. He was unlucky to have a goal disallowed and had a few other near misses. Getting on the end of attacks was encouraging.

He is on a learning curve and at the moment looks our best option. Beto was ineffective. We still need whichever of these two we keep to be, for now, the back-up to a new Number 9.

Watching for the white smoke on new signings

2 Posted 26/07/2026 at 15:33:15

Excerpt from an article in The Athletic about Merlin playing and training at right back:

“Everton continue to push for a new right-back and remain confident of getting one. But, for now, Rohl and O’Brien soldier on, with the former in particular spending parts of training on the right side. “It’s not completely new,” he says. “I always played all over the pitch. Right- and left-back, sometimes on the wing, (No) 6 or 8 (central midfield roles). It’s always about switching your mind a little bit on what you want to bring on the pitch. “Going against someone like Tyrique (George), who is so good at unbalancing you, it’s the best training you can have as a right-back. His movements are so sharp. We all know about Tyrique’s capabilities in a one-on-one. I always tell him, ‘go easy, please’.” “I was hoping to get more offensive situations and counter-attacks, and maybe stayed a little bit too high sometimes. Then I got a little bit in behind sometimes.” Asked about his role for the new season and whether he sees a future on the right, Rohl says: “If I had scored two goals today, everyone would say, ‘Maybe he’s a good right wing-back’. It can change next week again if I play in a different position and perform there.” Rohl admits the physicality is “different” in England compared to Germany and it took him time to get up to speed with the dressing-room chatter. The focus is on making himself a rounded player and an indispensable part of the squad. “I train everywhere,” he says. “Sometimes at right-back or on the wing. Sometimes you need to think, when you’re right-back, ‘I want to train my crossing a bit’. Or ‘I want to train this touch’. “In the end, you need to be a good footballer to play. No matter what position, you just need to be calm on the ball.”

Dave Abrahams 3 Posted 26/07/2026 at 16:04:45

I think Rohl looks like a good footballer and could be more suited to that full position than O’Brien who doesn’t look like a good footballer, to me, no matter which position he plays in.

Tom Bowers 4 Posted 26/07/2026 at 16:06:16

Big Jake would be better in the middle with big Jarrod. He has done well as a stop gap right back but is not the answer as most agree. Rohl is quick and industrious but I am not sure he can do what we would like a right back to do on the offensive side of things. Moyes is experimenting on these friendlies but it is more apparent than ever that neither Barry nor Beto have the smarts to serve as a threat to most Prem. defences. Barry tries hard but at his age he should have learn't his craft by now. Yes he did score what looked like a valid goal but missed an open goal later on.

George could be a big plus given a starting role up front with KDH and Ndiaye supporting him.

Obviously none of us are holding our breath for the board to spend some money unless there is some income from outgoing sales.

Mike Gaynes 6 Posted 26/07/2026 at 16:29:16

I think Jake is a very good footballer, Dave #3. He has an excellent first touch, makes some nice turns on the ball, and has doesn't give the ball away out of the back -- his exit passes are accurate.

He looks awkward because of his size, and obviously he doesn't have the attacking skill set of a natural midfielder like Rohl, but I would trust him on the ball more than any other defender in the club except Branthwaite.

He and Jarrad will make an excellent partnership. Hopefully this season.