“I don’t have the players which I need and what I want” | OneFootball

David Moyes once agian pulled no punches in his post-match assessment after the defeat to West Ham Utd in the second Premier League Summer Series friendly, accuratley describing where things stand in terms of squad re-building and pre-season conditioning for the diminutive group of players he has at his disposal.

Moyes admitted that his side hadn’t been good enough in the final third before reiterating his frustrations with Everton's inadequate transfer activity.

“I’m not overly concerned because I don’t have the players which I need and what I want,” he said. “It was never really about coming here and winning.”

“Until we get better players back, until we add to the squad, we are always going to struggle, no matter who we are up against.”

“And obviously, we’re up against it right from the start. We knew before we came [to the US] we were going to be really up against it.

“We wanted to have the players in a lot sooner, especially coming here, I knew we were going to be incredibly short.”

Once again, Moyes left most of his young substitutes from the Under-21s sitting on the bench unused — sending a clear message that he does not think they are good enough to compete against Premier League opposition.

Reader Comments (29)

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This is a tour de farce...No squad building, no confidence building, no squad gelling, no way are we prem ready on the back of this.Even if we do get a few new players in the next fortnight, it will be October before we see if they are a team or not, so, so disappointed to watch the New Everton.

Barry Williams 2 Posted 31/07/2025 at 10:04:23

The team that will start the season will roughly be the same team that ended last season so well, minus Doucoure (who could be harder to replace than people think).

So, the optimist in me says that things could be okay as long as we get the squad numbers in - which given that Everton are in a better position than this time last year - might be more than possible - though maybe not quite to the standard that Moyes wants. I think more loan signings will be the key and a few surprises, albeit a little more into the preseason/season than ideal.

Then again, who knows!?!?!?!? But what is certain - more quality is needed for the squad and competition ASAP!

Craig Scott 3 Posted 31/07/2025 at 10:16:11

You manage with what you have Davey, that’s your job. No good publicly moaning that you don’t have the players you want. That’s a conversation with the chairman/owners behind closed doors.

It’s like saying “I don’t have players of the calibre of Liverpool’s or City’s so that’s why we’re not winning “. Suck it up and do what you did last season.

Joe McMahon 4 Posted 31/07/2025 at 10:17:15

We may (at last) have the new stadium, but we still have the old Everton. When do we get concerned?

Mihir Ambardekar 5 Posted 31/07/2025 at 10:21:12

Few positives are the fact we have players getting minutes. Good to see Armstrong getting impressing & Tarkowski got some precious minutes. 1st game of the season the least we can expect is a squad that won against Newcastle to start. Yes there wont be Doucoure but thats a great opportunity for Armstrong and Isaac Heath who is getting minutes. My only concern is the lack of depth. We should not lose ground in first few games of the season and then make a comeback.

Tony Hughes 6 Posted 31/07/2025 at 10:25:35

Who would have a thought an under prepared Everton pre season. Them bears still shitting in the woods??

Stu Gre 7 Posted 31/07/2025 at 10:31:09

Well said Craig #3. I said the same in another post. Moyes' comments will only put people off coming or add a few million to the cost of players we want to buy. Also must make the players who are playing feel a bit inadequate.

It's amazing how positivity can change thing, Moyes is doing what Moyes does best and lowering expectations so he looks like a hero.

Never go back ;)

Danny O'Neill 9 Posted 31/07/2025 at 10:34:30

Agree Craig @3.

I will probably incur the wrath of others, but I'll maintain what I've said on a similar thread earlier this week.

His language and messaging might be correct and stating what we already know, but what sort of public signal does this send out to prospective signings that he wants and we need? What does it say to the players already at the club?

Speak to the CEO and through him, TFG.

Maybe it's just his choice of words. Other managers have expressed frustrations in the transfer market. He isn't wrong in what he's saying, but this isn't the way to publicly express it.

Tommy Carter 10 Posted 31/07/2025 at 10:42:26

@8 Alan

Ha! Exactly. A bit like the Gareth Southgate quote about Sven when they went in at half time against Brazil in a World Cup Quarter Final.

They needed Churchill and they got Ian Duncan Smith.

Seems like he’s getting the excuses in early for a season of struggle. Everyone else’s fault except his.

Moyes needs to get his finger out and get a playmaking midfielder, which it has been obvious he needed since Lindstrom got injured, never mind Doucoure leaving I don't buy into his pleads of needing players.

What is he doing for his big salary. It sounds as if he is rushing to the bottom regarding motivation. Maybe he should borrow Dyche's data base of players, since he seems not to have one himself or maybe he lacks credibility as far as those players on it are concerned.

Give us solutions not problems Davy Boy.

My thoughts 100% entirely Danny.Moyes has done this at all the Clubs bar Preston he has Managed with completely negative results.

He would get a shock if TFG turned round and said right then leave and we will get someone else.What the Chief Executive and the rest of the transfer team think of him ,is going to be obvious.

Kevin Molloy 12 Posted 31/07/2025 at 10:51:55

if he keeps his mouth shut Danny, then he carries the blame for the whole thing. if he's already had these private conversations several times and Angus is still banging on about Hill Dickinson's exciting new logo then I don't blame him for putting the fans in the picture. this is now high stakes, and there is clearly a big issue. it's not just the big players we need through the door, it's the replacement right back and the loans. Moyes has said there is nothing in the pipeline. When I last watched Angus he was saying 'judge us on September 2nd'. That is an unbelievably complacent attitude and shows his lack of understanding, and that he doesn't realise how weak the squad currently is.

Mal van Schaick 13 Posted 31/07/2025 at 10:52:33

Sounds to me like Moyes might walk if those around him can’t provide the players he wants. Moyes won’t want a crock of crap starting the new season and continuous struggles in the league.

What should be a fresh start of a golden era is ebbing away to disappoint. Where are the Freidkins in amongst all this?

Ian Wilkins 14 Posted 31/07/2025 at 10:53:21

No ifs or buts or pre seasons don’t matter, we’re in a bit of a mess.The team looks very under prepared and quite simply a very average squad from last season is at this stage much weaker. I really did expect us to kick on a bit, and to have added some quality by now, as clearly did David Moyes. I don’t think he rates his new Exec team. The next few weeks, the final weeks of the transfer business are going to be very telling. Besides this Davey do your bit on the practice pitch and get the existing squad better prepared, at the moment none of them can string two passes together.

Robert Tressell 15 Posted 31/07/2025 at 10:57:46

Moyes won’t walk. This is very predictable Moyes - managing (down) expectations and getting his excuses in early.

He is right too of course. He doesn’t have the players yet. That said almost none of his managerial counterparts do - especially those at at peer group of clubs.

I’d rather he was more upbeat and defiant but it’s not his style. He’s a good manager and a good fit for where we are now but it’s a reminder of how irritating this sort of thing is.

Anthony Dwyer 16 Posted 31/07/2025 at 10:57:48

Tough job for Moyes atm, of his signings probably only 1 starts, and even as squad players for right now most lower the level of the team.

Alkaraz is a tidy player, but in terms of premier league footy is he an instant improvement of Doucoure ?

The left back is great news for the future but Myklenko isn't the problem in the back line.

Even for off the bench right now (not in 12 months) is Barry an upgrade on DCL ? Not imo.

Picks, Obrien, Tark, Braithwaite, Myklenko. Gana, GarnerMcneil, Alkaraz, NdaiyeBeto

That is our best 11 so clearly no improvement.

Ryan Holroyd 17 Posted 31/07/2025 at 10:57:58

‘West Ham remain the only Premier League club who have not signed a single player this summer.

There is tension between David Moyes and the club’s new technical director Tim Steidten, reports @guardian_sport’

Imo you either give Moyes total control or you don’t employ him.

TFG knew what they were getting when they employed Moyes

TFG have done some good things or also some things I’m worried about .

Maybe Moyes is using these poor performances as a way to send an urgent message to the powers that be how desperate situation is becoming.His tone however is unfortunate and negative especially if seen by potential targets.I don’t doubt however that come the Leeds game in a few weeks he’ll have the team prepared to go out and compete whatever the quality we have in the team.Onwards and upwards!

Danny O'Neill 19 Posted 31/07/2025 at 11:09:12

I don't think football will go back to those days Ryan.

The flip side to that would be that maybe Moyes has to adapt to the new world order and accept his place?

Like I say, I don't dispute what he's saying, just not the time or place to do it. He's had Kinnear out there with him, so can have those conversations in private.

Also Ryan, your point about Moyes and conflict with his masters is one I've thought. He could be heading to be at loggerheads and with these owners, there would only be one outcome.

He can and should voice his concerns, but do it in the right forum.

Jake FitzGerald 21 Posted 31/07/2025 at 11:17:10

At this rate, Tom Fellows for £10 million would be good business - just get someone in now on the right who is speedy and skilful and can lob balls in all day long. If, at the last minute on transfer day, the likes of Sociedad blink and climb down from their silly money talk. then fine, we’ll have two options down the right.

But we need at least one new right winger to start against Leeds.

John Raftery 22 Posted 31/07/2025 at 11:18:12

The only words missing from Moyes’s interview are ‘I’ve taken this group of players as far as I can’. Something similar led to the parting of the ways with Sean Dyche.

Barry (2) You are not alone in thinking Doucouré might be harder to replace than some imagined. The evidence of the pre-season so far suggests his work rate has not been replaced. Moreover we have yet to see any uplift in quality which might compensate for that.

Classic Everton innit.

When there is no money the club seems to get players who are just good enough, but won’t push the team up the table.

Money comes in, but the team isn’t competitive in the upper table, so decent players don’t want to come unless the wages are silly high. So there’s a choice, overpay for above average players with little to no sell on value (Doucs, Siggy, Keane) gamble on young players who may come good (Kean, Lookman, Patterson) or settle for bang average players that will keep the team up but won’t move it forward, but at least there are players to fill the positions (Harrison, Young, Pembridge….)

It’s all a big old mess, several seasons in the making. Fat Sam, Carlo and Rafa blew millions in the above average and young potential categories. Moyes now faces a hell of a job walking the tightrope.

I imaging the club are going to have to overpay for at least 3 players, then settle for some loans to plug the gaps.

This is no surprise. 10 players leaving. Evertons dismal transfer history regarding replacements.Their dismal record regarding quality. Their dismal record regarding loans. Their dismal record recognising positions that need to be improved and reinforced. Moyes dismal record at signing numbers of players. His steadfastness in refusing to budge outside of what he wants which includes passing on talented players for players who only fit his style. This was A KNOWN dilemma and huge problem way before TFG finally signed on.I am guessing they call this 'Risk Management'.Deliberately understaffing with a skeleton sufficiency enough to survive relegation but without numbers to advance.I said this was going to happen. But got roasted on here by the knowledgeable guru's. Its clear the likes of Grealish would have Moyes going apeshit so would never happen.All the frees and players named by many on here as great fits, are NOTMOYES fits.He is too insular and inflexible. Add in TFG a la Roma and never speaking to fans plus not having the relevant personnel in situ who are going to be charged with running the playing side, then its a shambles.Moyes knew this.He should have been way more diplomatic. That things are yet to all be pieced together and that numbers were never going to come in via the first window.A pathetic academy hasnt added anything other than pouring oil on the fire. I don't know if Armstrong is PL quality as I have only seen him in cameos last season in which he really couldnt make his mark. Yes its shit.Yes we are still serving the blue oxo Laughing Stock.The rns will love this bollocx. But at least we have a caucus of a decent defences (which is how Moyes sets sides up) plus Illy. Lets hope moanie Moyes can think outside his concrete box so we can add some fekkin goals.

Moyes hasn't learnt a thing...has he?Dour Davey, glass ceiling, knife to a gunfight...etc. I was hoping he'd changed but he hasn't, I've watched the 2 games and fear another nail biter of a season.I honestly thought our new owners would have vision and enthusiasm for the job but I can't see any of that either.Fire up the fax machine for the usual last minute, nobody wanted to sign players.

Robert Tressell 27 Posted 31/07/2025 at 11:31:13

Jim # 23 there are plenty of very good players still available who can take the club forward.

We can’t fix the squad in one window but we can make it much better - and we can lay the foundations for a very good squad in future.

Tommy # 20, in fairness to Moyes there were lots of reasons he failed at Man Utd. He remains a good fit for us for now - and we’ll just have to hold our noses each time he downplays expectations. He’ll probably be replaced for the 2027/28 season when the squad should be in very encouraging shape

Andrew #24 Yeah, but they copped loads of pushback and abuse when they sacked a Roma legend - their CEO got dumped and De Rossi’s replacement Juric was a disaster. I doubt they’d be stupid enough to sack Moyes because they didn’t get players in on time.

Andrew Ellams 29 Posted 31/07/2025 at 11:33:48

Jake they don't give a toss about pushback or abuse from irrelevances like supporters.

They're on their 6th Manager in 5 years and Mourinho's stint covered half of that time.