Everton need to utilise the bench better to avoid becoming too predictable | OneFootball

Everton are entering a crucial stage of the season and, with 12 league games to go, Europe is still within reach. David Moyes must, however, avoid being too predictable.

Now that the Blues have a full-strength squad at their disposal – excluding Jack Grealish – the starting XI is almost set in stone. With the exception of Tyrique George and Harrison Armstrong vying for Grealish’s slot on the wing, and Jarrad Branthwaite being eased into action, there’s hardly any surprises in Moyes’s matchday lineups.

While that, in itself, is not remotely a cause of concern – most managers tend to stick to their preferred starting XIs for a large chunk of the season – it is the steadfast refusal to efficiently utilise the variety of talent and profiles on the bench which is preventing the Blues from realising their true potential.

Since the likes of Iliman Ndiaye, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Jarrad Branthwaite and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have returned, Moyes has made five subs in a game only once – while chasing the equaliser against Brighton!

In fact, looking back, even before Dewsbury-Hall’s injury and the Senegalese duo’s Afcon absence, the Everton boss regularly made only two to three changes every game, leaving a lot of options on the bench.

That kind of restraint from the manager makes little sense when there are a fair few players who have done well when given regular game time, and who deserve more opportunities. Take the cases of Nathan Patterson and Tim Iroegbunam, for instance.

The lack of utilising the bench also makes it easier for opponents to read the players well, prepare plans in advance, and it also risks complacency seeping into the regulars.

The curious case of Adam Aznou

The lack of game time for Adam Aznou is particularly baffling! Signed from Bayern Munich last summer, Aznou, who got his footballing education in La Masia, has made just one – I repeat, just one appearance for Everton this season.

To be fair, he was given ‘pity minutes’ in the closing stages of the FA Cup game against Sunderland last month, a lacklustre affair where the hosts were trailing by a goal. Aznou came on and quickly turned the contest.

With decisive play down the left flank, he won the penalty that allowed Everton to force extra-time. But what should’ve been a moment for him to kick on and find his way into the squad amounted to nothing.

He’s not even made it to the bench in any of the last three Premier League games and was heavily speculated to be leaving on loan in the winter transfer window.

No matter how bad a game Vitalii Mykolenko is having at left-back, there’s no other option for Moyes to turn to besides forcing a centre-back or a midfielder to step in that role.

Tyler Dibling written off too quickly

Then there’s Tyler Dibling, who seems to be written off by his own manager after a couple of bad performances.

It’s true that Dibling’s body language and his lack of effort in games has been difficult to get behind, but the conversation around him needs a nuanced approach.

Yes, he arrived from Southampton for a hefty price tag and with the expectation of being “the next big thing”, but he’s also a 19-year-old who’s not been given any consistent minutes to develop.

He’s only played the equivalent of four full 90s so far, and at the moment, seems a player bereft of any confidence.

Röhl, Patterson and Alcaraz can’t get a look in

Nathan Patterson and Merlin Röhl managed to surprise a lot of fans with their performances and did quite well in games during the period between December and January.

Playing Patterson at right-back allowed more flexibility and an easier buildup down the flank, while Jake O’Brien added a lot of steel at centre-back. However, with the return of Michael Keane and Jarrad Branthwaite, Moyes has opted for the safe approach of slotting O’Brien in at right-back.

Meanwhile, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have seen a lot of action in midfield, with minutes being hard to come by for Tim Iroegbunam, Charly Alcaraz and Merlin Röhl. Alcaraz, who was a key component of the first XI last season, and Iroegbunam, who did brilliantly in Gana’s absence, certainly warrant more game time.

I should make it clear that I’m not expecting the manager to start these players regularly. However, one can’t shake the feeling that all these players have something different to offer. It's not unreasonable to think that they can help unlock certain game states or make things unpredictable for the opposition.

But only if their manager starts trusting them more and being more proactive with changes from the bench.

Reader Comments (47)

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Paul Hewitt 1 Posted 16/02/2026 at 16:36:20

Starting with the right team might help.

Tom Bowers 2 Posted 16/02/2026 at 16:53:34

We really didn't know that our goalscoring duo of Barry and Beto would be so awful this season. Granted we knew Beto wasn't the greatest but we had hoped Barry would do better than he has.

Barry has scored one or two decent goals but not enough.

That side of Everton's game has cost us dearly and nothing happened in the transfer window -- suggesting they don't have much cash to invest further at this moment... or the club and Moyes believe that Barry and Beto will come good together.

Ironic isn't it that Dominic Calvert-Lewin has found his touch again with a team near the bottom and even Chermiti notched a hat-trick yesterday, albeit in the lesser Scottish Premiership, but against the leaders Hearts.

Having said that, it is amazing how many players disappoint at Everton but leave to do better things elsewhere.

We just have to hope that supporting players like Ndiaye and Dewsbury-Hall continue to save or bacon more often.

Christy Ring 3 Posted 16/02/2026 at 18:26:37

Moyes is a bit set in his ways.

Changing a winning team, by moving O'Brien back to fullback, and dropping Patterson who had done well. Röhl hasn't played since the Villa game, in what was his best performance, especially as he then played Gueye in two games in three days.

And why play Armstrong on the wing, when he's way more comfortable in midfield???

John Collins 4 Posted 16/02/2026 at 18:30:36

More round pegs in square holes, Christy.

John Williams 5 Posted 16/02/2026 at 19:14:33

Or, Moyes knows more about the players than people on here.

Who knows if some are carrying small injuries?Are some players not showing form in training?Have the backroom staff said, ease them back into the first team?Do some players have off-field problems at home with partners.

Only the club know.

Andy Meighan 6 Posted 16/02/2026 at 19:37:30

The case of Armstrong playing wide right has absolutely baffled me.

What could a manager as experienced as Moyes have possibly thought he could play out there? Us as mere fans could have told him that much, and the same applies to O'Brien playing right back... sorry, but it's so wrong.

His treatment of Röhl, Patterson and Alcaraz absolutely knocks me sick, disgraceful stuff... and I've been a big advocate of Moyes since he came back, but I really can't get my head around his team selections at times.

Gueye, fabulous servant but looks like a Mk II Cortina... same applies to Tarkowski, Mr "It's Never My Fault!" ... Yes, it fuckin' is, Jimbo -- you make mistakes every game

And it's time O'Brien and Branthwaite were given a go to develop... But it's not going to happen under Moyes, is it?

So, so frustrating.

Paul Clements 11 Posted 16/02/2026 at 19:37:43

It's funny how certain injuries, suspensions and Afcon forced us to put players in their correct positions. These were worrying times but we looked a better team for it.

Against Man Utd it would be great to see Röhl or Armstrong next to Garner, with Patterson back in at right-back.

But it wouldn't surprise me if he puts Branthwaite at right-back, he really doesn't seem to trust Patterson there, even after some decent performances.

Derek Thomas 12 Posted 16/02/2026 at 21:36:09

Game show host:

"We surveyed 100 people about phrases they associate with David Moyes, let's see If 'Nuanced Approch' is up there - (failure klaxon) NO! Proactive Substitutions - (failure klaxon) NO!Unlucky, but here's what you could've won."

Host to 2nd contestant...

If 'Plays his Favourites' or 'Puts square pegs in round holes' is up there, you're through to the jackpot final.

Yaaay - we have a winner.

Dave Abrahams 13 Posted 16/02/2026 at 22:57:26

Derek (12) Dour Dave dithers again wouldn’t have won many points because it was so obvious even if it was true.

Mike Gaynes 14 Posted 17/02/2026 at 04:43:51

I regularly read Jonathan Wilson in the Guardian -- I like his perspectives -- and this morning his column was about how rapidly managers are changed these days, with the average EPL manager tenure plummeting from four years in 1992 to about a season and a half today.

His summary paragraph struck me as relevant to the debate over Moyes, who in 13 months has moved us from 17th to 8th in the table but yet would be gladly sacked by many here on TW:

Voters, shareholders and fans have never had less patience. That may in itself be a reaction to a rapidly changing world as new challenges demand new leaders. But it may also be that in a social media age in which every gripe is highlighted and complaints swell, in which algorithms promote discontent and performative fury is good business, long-termism is impossible. Maybe we’re all Marinakises now.

Dave Abrahams 15 Posted 17/02/2026 at 07:23:39

Mike (14) It makes me realised how lucky Moyes was to get nearly twelve years in his first go here under Kenwright, I just wonder who was the puppet out of the two of them.

Derek Thomas 16 Posted 17/02/2026 at 07:26:54

Mike @ 14; there's another aspect to 'short-termism', which is the relative short shelf life of players and the success rate of players brougnt in.

Pick a team, any team, top middle or bottom, look at the usual starting 11 now and compare to 4 seasons ago.

One managers 'good' signing 4yrs ago is probably the new guys deadwood to move on (McNeil??)

If a manager gets 4yrs, any good players he inherited/kept are possibly candidates for the deadwood stage out / Mr WUs pigs.

4yrs is a long time in football, sometimes 4 days is...I can remember 4 days in 1971 that ruined us for a decade.

Money, luck and good judgement are the key - easier said than done.

Mike Gaynes 17 Posted 17/02/2026 at 07:30:25

I dunno, Dave. Maybe they were just pals. You watched them both up close... do you think Bill wouldever have sacked Moyes?

Mike Gaynes 18 Posted 17/02/2026 at 07:32:07

Yep, DT, and I believe luck is a bigger factor than most people account for.

Ian Bennett 19 Posted 17/02/2026 at 07:54:30

Mg 14 - I think that is right. There are very few happy fans in the whole of the Epl currently.

Villa, Brentford, Arsenal, maybe Bournemouth but the rest all demand better. The stress that it creates, and you can see it on social media, including these pages is nuts.

But back to the demand, the realism or unrealistic of that is the package - is down to recruitment, players & manager. Unless all are singng, youre going nowhere quick.

Tony Abrahams 20 Posted 17/02/2026 at 08:00:40

How many times has Moyes, “got lucky” with the bare bones and then reverted to boring type, when he has had more players to select from this season?

Paul Griffiths 21 Posted 17/02/2026 at 08:22:43

Ian - 19 - I'd add Leeds and Sunderland to that list, and Man City fans are not exactly unhappy.

Liam Mogan 22 Posted 17/02/2026 at 08:25:07

Just stop boring the hell out of us at home Moysie.

Tedium doesnt have to be your medium

Paul Griffiths 23 Posted 17/02/2026 at 08:33:26

Nice alliteration Liam mate.

Mike Powell 24 Posted 17/02/2026 at 08:43:23

If Moyes doesn't pick the team that some on here want him to pick, then he is clueless, doesn't know what he is doing.He as actually done a decent job with the squad he has, took us from 17th to top half of table, yes we all want to see exciting football, we just haven't got the players, so he makes the best of what we have. I would judge next season when hopefully we bring in a couple of strikers,and a right and Left back,we could go all out attack and probably get beat four or five nil, we have improved from the last few seasons,not great to watch, but I believe that will come next season

Jim Bennings 25 Posted 17/02/2026 at 08:53:27

Get to this magical 40 points that they all eulogize about and then start bringing in players that should be staking a claim next season.

Aznou for Mykolenko.

Dibling instead of McNeil.

Patterson instead of O'Brien (at least it will give us an idea what a proper right back playing there for next season will look like).

Martin Farrington 26 Posted 17/02/2026 at 09:37:14

Moyes is consistent regarding wrong, baffling selections and omissions with team selection and his belligerent refusal to move from his petrified formula favourites and tactics. It is his career summed up wherever he has been.

The dreadful displays don't alter. The bench rarely utilised until its way too late.

All common features.

We (you) can pontificate until the cows come home, The Man Aint For Changing.

He has bettered all of the recent hopeless incumbents going back numerous years.

As awful as it is, Moyes with Everton equals safety.

I hate it. But what is the answer. We have little financial manoeuvrability, for at least a few years.

Recruitment is dire and those involved have been woeful for decades, no matter who they have been.

The new owners have yet to do anything inspirational.

Kinnear is a male Barret-Baxendale and his statement was not only asinine but fervoured the haunting days of the past three decades, to shut the fans up.

Moyes wont change. I don't think he could even if he wanted to.

So we will just have to suffer and endure his abject ways until someone figures out how to unravel the gordion knot that has strangled this club from any premier league success.

John Williams 27 Posted 17/02/2026 at 09:52:51

Mike 14.

But that goes for everything in life now, in particular politics.Some years ago, we would laugh and ridicule Italy, Greece etc for changing the government or their prime minister at the drop of the hat.

Now, the UK is the same, 6 prime ministers in 8 years, the USA voting in an idiot for the second time.

Football fans wanting managers sacked at the drop of a hat.Every time I see managers or coaches being interviewed prior to a game with Everton or after the game, they say, Everton always give you a hard game, they have a very good manager, including Wayne Rooney, but many on here think differently.

John Collins 28 Posted 17/02/2026 at 09:58:08

When did Wayne say Moyes is "a very good coach" John?

Brian Harrison 29 Posted 17/02/2026 at 10:21:12

Many on here want Moyes out, fair enough everybody's opinion is valid.

The main critique is we don't play exciting football, but if you look at the teams who are 8th or below in the Premier League, most have a negative goal difference, and only the top sides have a plus goal difference.

Also, what is never talked about is the net spend of the Top 6 teams, surely that has the biggest impact on results and style of play. The top clubs take the best players from the rest.

No doubt Palace have scouted very well over the years, but they have lost their best players and, as Wimbledon found out when they were doing well at some point, however good your recruitment is, it won't last forever.

Money has always talked in football and always will. Some years back, the Premier League allowed nation states to own football clubs, a very bad thing in my opinion. So Man City came from nowhere to dominating the league inside 5 years.

The top clubs didn't want any other club doing the same, so PSR came in; never again will a nation-state owned club do what City did.

Dave Lynch 30 Posted 17/02/2026 at 10:39:13

Everton will give you a difficult game, not a hard game... until you work out how to get in behind the predictable defensive tactics.

Bournemouth did, Brentford did, Spurs (who are shit) did and Newcastle did... in fact, most teams at the HDS have this season.

Instead of having a manager who worries about the opposition, why can't we get one that makes the opposition worry about us!

We are awful to watch, it's no fun going the game anymore, it's like a form of self-harm, a war of attrition.

Annika Herbert 31 Posted 17/02/2026 at 11:17:44

John @ 27, they might say Everton give you a hard game, but they don't say we generally lose to Everton very often do they?

Rooney said Moyes has improved Everton, I didn't read anything that suggested he called Moyes a good coach. Not disputing your statement, I just didn't read that.

Sean Mitchell 32 Posted 17/02/2026 at 11:43:56

‘Everton News' claims big money will be spent this summer and Moyes will be offered a new deal.

I despair at the absolute shite they spout. Are they real people, robots, or some kopites taking the piss? Even AI couldn't make up the garbage that they make up.

In any event, I'd not be surprised if absent owners do so in offering a new deal. Just my opinion. They're no show so far has us all wondering why. Yet they pass the UK to watch their favourite Rome team. Off topic, I know.

Back to Moyes and his bench. Your face has to clearly fit. The likes of O'Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Gueye are safe. Have a good game in their absence; expect them to replace you the next game.

Soul-destroying for playing well.

Tony Abrahams 33 Posted 17/02/2026 at 11:58:21

Rooney, said that he thought Moyes helps matters by keeping things simple, in what he now thought was often an overly complicated game.

In the last few games I've watched, I don't believe I have seen much of a real system in place. Maybe I haven't been watching closely enough and I'm best just listening to the words of the experts instead, even though my eyes tell me different sometimes.

Dave Abrahams 35 Posted 17/02/2026 at 12:04:37

Mike (17),

I don't think John Moores and Harry Catterick were mates but they both understood football. I'm convinced Kenwright knew fuck all about the actual game, and Moyes has his obvious limitations.

It's an old adage: never employ your mates. It's very hard to sack your mates. I think they were like chalk and cheese but both phoney in their own ways so maybe they just tolerated each other.

I spent 5 minutes in a conservation with Kenwright -- that was more than enough for me. A lot of Everton fans say “Bill is one of us“; I've met hundreds of Everton fans over the years — never ever met one like Kenwright.

He was full of bullshit that day with me and many more times over the years with his views on Everton. A lot of his show business friends seemed to like him but an awful lot of show business luvvies love each in public but can't stand the sight of each other in private.

John Collins 36 Posted 17/02/2026 at 12:05:28

I'm best listening to the experts as well, Tony. I can't see what system Moyes has us set up in to benefit the team.

I can however see a system where we are continually outnumbered and overrun in midfield by the opposition. I've seen it on many occasions in home games this season.

John Collins 37 Posted 17/02/2026 at 12:08:16

Dave,

Kenwright was definitely not one of me. A complete phoney imo.Met him a couple of times, slimy is a word that springs to mind.

Jim Bennings 38 Posted 17/02/2026 at 12:09:39

We are in a relatively steady league position without being dazzling, it again displays perfectly how bang-average the Premier League is this season.

We are probably content that we are not in a relegation battle like the last 5 years but me, I'm disappointed that we never seem to be able to step through the open door when the moment arrives that we can have today what most put off until tomorrow.

If we had solved the problem issues last summer or even in January, then we should have been challenging the Top 5 seriously..

The Manchester United game on Monday night is a huge game in my opinion. Our home form has been nothing short of dreadful and another failure to win, albeit against an in-form side, will sit very uncomfortably with those that have paid so much to change their matchday routine this season and put so much effort in to get there, mostly on cold dark winter nights.

We can't keep on expecting to win away games... and the following home game after United has "Everton slip up" written all over it in the shape of Burnley's visit.

Dave Abrahams 39 Posted 17/02/2026 at 12:16:04

John (37),

Very slimy, very slimy indeed.

Tony Abrahams 40 Posted 17/02/2026 at 12:20:43

I don't believe that the players are in sync with each other enough when we play at home, John.

Some press, some hang back or even drop a little bit deeper, and then, hey presto, it sometimes looks like the players don't know if they are coming or going.

I just wish we could play like we did at Villa Park a lot more often, when we defended as a team, broke as a team, and it looked like everyone was enjoying what they were doing.

Brian Harrison 41 Posted 17/02/2026 at 13:02:13

I do wonder what plans TFG have for us. So far, they haven't bothered to visit the stadium or met the manager or players and most importantly haven't bothered to meet the fans.

Dan Friedkin came over for the Dunhill Cup, a golf competition played in Scotland, but cant be bothered jumping on his private jet and popping in to see his massive outlay on a new stadium.

I am beginning to think they are more interested in the money they can earn from putting on non-football events at the new stadium, than they are about the footballing side.

Yes, we dodged a bullet not ending up with 777 Partners as owners but the lack of interaction between TFG and the club and the fans is worrying. Obviously being safe in the Premier League for another season means there has been no fan pressure on the owners.

Christy Ring 42 Posted 17/02/2026 at 13:42:07

Playing Utd on Monday night, with O'Brien suspended, Patterson has to start?

Reading Michael Ball's article, he also mentioned not playing square pegs in round holes, and says Garner can't possibly start at full-back for the simple reason he's earned the right to play in his best position, midfield.

Ian Bennett 43 Posted 17/02/2026 at 13:43:55

There was something from Fox TV on social media that said Moyes was getting a new contract, and significant transfer backing this summer.

Not sure if it was accurate. Perhaps the American cousins can find it.

Ged Simpson 44 Posted 17/02/2026 at 13:49:54

Ian 43...wonder if that news will push us up table!

# Team Annual wage bill

1 Manchester City £234M2 Arsenal £185M3 Liverpool £173M4 Man Utd £162M5 Chelsea £147M6 Aston Villa £143M7 Tottenham £136M8 Newcastle Utd £116M9 Nottingham Forest £88M10 Fulham £76M11 Crystal Palace £76M12 Everton £75M13 West Ham £74M14 Wolves £69M15 Brighton £68M16 Sunderland £62M17 Bournemouth £62M18 Leeds £57M19 Burnley £55M20 Brentford £55M

Ian Bennett 45 Posted 17/02/2026 at 14:27:43

Fair play to Brentford, Bournemouth and Sunderland.

Tony Abrahams 46 Posted 17/02/2026 at 14:35:36

The Silence from The Friedkin’s, is appalling imo, Brian.

Thanks for buying us, you don’t have to speak to us, but surely showing just a little bit of interest might just help stir the emotions and give us a feeling that these people lack a little bit more ambition than adding to their portfolio.

Si Cooper 47 Posted 17/02/2026 at 14:37:23

Did Moyes transform us last season or did he just make some perfectly sensible adjustments and had us rise to where we should have been anyway if Dyche hadn’t ultimately lost the plot?

Are we suddenly really contending for a European qualification spot or just taking our turn at the top of a group of mid-table teams (10 points separates us and Forest in 17th)?

To me Moyes is doing a credible but relatively modest job, and if TFG really have ambitions for getting us in trophy chasing shape as quickly as possible they shouldn’t be looking to give Moyes a longer term than he already has.

Sean O\'Hanlon 48 Posted 17/02/2026 at 15:10:46

Agree with nearly all comments on here. Moyes IMO Moyes is not a good manager, as his awful record proves.

Anyway, we have to look to the future! Sean Dyche is now available, and like David Moyes, we can hire him a second time - then there's big Sam!

Yes, we can alugh and joke on here - but what else can we do when we have a joke as a manager?!

John Collins 49 Posted 17/02/2026 at 15:16:46

Si,

Im expecting at a bottom half finish looking at our remaining fi, tires, hopefully not but it's realistic.

I would take that from a new manager in his first season if it looked like we were a work in progress.

Imo we don't currently look like that.

Lurching between good and bad results with no visible system in place, no full backs or strikers worthy of the shirt, aging, slow centre halfs.

16 goals scored in 13 home games.

Its a big job.

Keep Moyes if you are happy with similar for next season.

Conor McCourt 50 Posted 17/02/2026 at 15:19:50

Si spot on. Great post. This constant narrative that Moyes took us to 8th from lowly 17th while a factual statement is an attempt to glorify the man and make it look like he's some kind of miracle worker.

It is an attempt to downplay the quality of our squad and negates the facts that he took over from a manager at a low ebb and predecessors who had to work within net deficits and in a tumultuous environment

Let's see where we are at the end of the season considering we still need 11 points just to equal one of our worst squads in decades

This attempt to imply that we have the 17th best squad in the division gets a bit exposed when the best player that campaign Dwight McNeill is no longer good enough for our current squad.

Indeed said player who currently can't make our bench was sought after by two teams currently still playing in Europe, one of whom who just won a proper trophy something beyond Mr Moyes.

Bit strange that a squad who were good enough to school City in a cup final would have signed McNeill if the Mateta money hadn't fallen through- seemingly the 17th best player at the alleged 17th best team.

51 Posted 17/02/2026 at 17:33:19

Conor #50, 17th to 8th is a simple fact, not a portrayal of Moyes as a managerial god.

As to squad quality, a few weeks ago ESPN.com came out with their PL power rankings. They compiled the analytics and metrics to rate team quality. Everton came 16th. Ryan O'Hanlon wrote this:

"This one surprised me, more than any other entry on the list. Everton are in 10th! Jack Grealish! Three points back of fifth! Just beat Aston Villa! And yet these ratings have them close to equivalent to Wolves. Why is that? Their xG differential is only 16th-best and they're still playing pure, distilled David Moyes ball, without much pressing or controlled possession."

So yes, Moyes puts a totally dismal product on the field, but there's validity to the viewpoint that the club's results are significantly outperforming the actual talent on hand. Do you see pace in this squad? Skills? Shooting? I don't.

If this link works, you can find the article at: https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/47696282/premier-league-power-rankings-rating-all-20-teams-january-2026

If that link doesn't work, just search Premier League Power Rankings: Rating all 20 teams on performances, not results

Ian #43, in the words of Sgt. Schultz, "I see nossing, nossssing!" in the US media regarding a new contract for Moyes, but I've seen several speculative comments regarding a big-buy summer window based on the apparent rise in our revenues.

My own opinion is that Friedkin's decision on Moyes will be based on the quality of our results, not the quality of our football. But as John #49 points out those results could take a significant downturn given our upcoming fixtures. Davey's job security might look entirely different by the time the Derby rolls around.