Goalless pre-season friendly shows immense improvement needed all over | OneFootball

Bolton Wanderers 0 - 0 Everton

Everton continue their pre-season runouts with a short trip into the heart of Lancashire and the home of Bolton Wanderers.

David Moyes continues to be hampered by circumstances and squad limitations while his recruitment team have come up with very little so far to boost his numbers.

Jarrad Branthwaite (wearing Number 4) makes a massive return to fitness and is named in the starting lineup, but solitary new signing Hayden Hackney is still not involved. Also missing is Tyler Dibling, with a minor knock. Both young players are expected to feature against Stoke City on Tuesday.

James Garner has had surgery on his groin problem and is now in recovery, but Mykolenko rejoins the squad after taking off last week for the birth of his second child. George Pickford (no relation) from the U21s is the third goalkeeper named after Travers and King.

First Half

The home side kicked off and most of the play was in Everton's half until O'Brien sent a ball forward for Barry to chase. The Bolton keeper came out and mis-headed it, colliding with Barry, who was deemed to have committed the foul.

Everton should have had a corner with Merlin Rohl overlapping but the linesman missed the Bolton player's last touch. Bolton resumed control of the game in Everton's half and Rodriguez tried to beat Travers from the corner of the penalty area, the Blues' reserve keeper pulling off an excellent acrobatic save to tip the shot over his bar.

Everton came forward and Aznou played a lovely ball to Barry's feet but he completely failed to shoot first time and the defender was in quickly.

Barry's cross was headed behind for an Everton corner, taken short, the cross earning another corner but Everton's feeble efforts were easily repelled.

Iroegbunam was doing a good job as stopper, while the homer referee was happy to ignore Bolton fouls. A Bolton header fell just wide with Travers tracking it.

McNeil took a great pass from Tarkowski and delivered a perfect cross for Barry who headed inches wide of the far post. A brilliant first-time low cross from Merlin Rohl was finished perfectly by Barry close in but he was flagged for a marginal offside.

Bolton got in behind Aznou and he recovered well to put the striker off his shot. At the other end, Aznou and Barry worked an opening but could not deliver a decent cross.

Barry played a nice ball forward to Armstrong who then set him up for a strike on goal but the big man failed to put his laces through it and could only pass the ball weakly back to the keeper.

Not really a very impressive display but Everton started playing forward a bit more before the break. But the lack of incisive goalscoring skills either up front or in midfield is glaringly obvious.

Second Half

A simply bizarre piece of play by Barry in an advanced position, only one defender ahead of him, and without looking, instead of shooting, he passes the ball to his left, where the ghost of Alan Ball was overlapping behind him, and straight out of play!  Simply astounding to watch!

A good Bolton headed effort forced a fine save from King, on in place of Travers, with Keane doing a job on the striker.

Barry was so easily dispossessed in midfield... just shocking. Moyes had at least noticed and was quick to put Beto on in his place.

McNeil worked the ball to Merlin Rohl who fired across the keeper, but it was parried away. George and Dewsbury-Hall worked it well on the left but the cross evaded everyone.

Time for a few Bolton changes on the hour mark.

A nice ball over the top looked to have landed nicely for Beto but he seemed befuddled by the bounce and proceeded to welly it well high and wide. Shockingly poor.

Bolton won a corner with a shot that King had to parry behind. Dewsbury-Hall was cynically pulled back by the shirt: yellow card.

McNeil thought he would show them how to shoot... but no, his effort was just as poor as everyone else's. Bolton pressed forward as result, winning a corner off Keane.

George tried a bold cross-field pass to McNeil that flew past him and straight out of play before Bolton rang a slew of changes.

Graham won a free-kick wide left, but nothing came from it. Dewsbury-Hall then crossing over everyone. More Bolton changes further broke up play.

George paltyed a beautiful ball in for Beto who just stumbled and bumbled and lost the ball! Even more shocking play from the highly paid Everton strikers! It really is pitiful.

A George free-kick was headed back by Tarkowski but Keane completely misdirected his header, nowhere near goal. Three more Everton subs made with 10 minutes left.

Bolton put on a good move that needed Mykolenko to intervene on the stretch, at the expense of a corner that was cleared.

From a long way out Malik Olayiwola took a great shot at goal, but too close to the keeper. A ball down the middle for Bolton was fired into the side netting.

And that was that. A good workout, perhaps, but it clearly showed an immense amont of work and improvement required... or a lot of new faces required.

Everton Line-Up:

Everton: Travers (46' King), Aznou (46' Mykolenko), Branthwaite (46' Keane), Tarkowski (82' Finney), O’Brien (82' Campbell), Röhl (73' Foster), Armstrong (46' Dewsbury-Hall), Iroegbunam (73' Graham), Alcaraz (46' George), McNeil (82' Olayiwola), Barry (53' Beto).

Luke Welch 5 Posted 25/07/2026 at 14:16:44

I know there's a month left, but the fact Jake O'Brien is still playing right-back is making me think the owners are only going to do enough to keep us in the Premier League.

However, seeing all the events lined up at the new ground suggests that's where money is. Let's see... but, at this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if they sold the stadium and we rent it.

Kevin Naylor 7 Posted 25/07/2026 at 14:43:17

11/4 Bolton on their own ground looks pretty fair.

Jack Convery 9 Posted 25/07/2026 at 14:48:08

Luke my thoughts exactly. It seems to me, TFG are not interested in the team, just stability. The fact Gana Gueye was not picked during the run-in to last season speaks volumes.

Qualifying for Europe would have meant real investment. Something they apparently did not want to do.

As for Tyler Dibling, unless he is injured, the writing is on the wall. A loan to a progressive European club may be in order. PSV did Branthwaite a heap of good, something similar may aid Dibling.

Luke Welch 11 Posted 25/07/2026 at 15:03:08

When they said it was a two-window transfer plan, I thought okay! At least they have a plan! Well, at least targets in mind that they would keep tabs on until this window, and be ready to pounce.

It's just not looking like that's the case.

Also, Moyes in his last year, means players don't really know what they're signing up for. All seems half-arsed.

Sean O\\\'Hanlon 13 Posted 25/07/2026 at 15:13:44

Fairly comfortable for Bolton so far. They have Everton penned into their own half. No shots from the Blues.

Tom Bowers 14 Posted 25/07/2026 at 15:14:10

So far with only Barry up front we don't look like scoring.

Tom Bowers 15 Posted 25/07/2026 at 15:15:07

Great save by Travers.

Pavel Ivanov 16 Posted 25/07/2026 at 15:15:41

https://livetv.sx/webplayer.php?t=ifr&c=3041307&lang=bg&eid=393039954&lid=3041307&ci=5&si=1

Working nicely. No commentary.

Tom Bowers 17 Posted 25/07/2026 at 15:16:52

Barry goes down lack a sack of spuds.No pen.

Tom Bowers 19 Posted 25/07/2026 at 15:19:17

Anyone else remember the old Bolton ground and the FA Cup semi-final of 1966?

Tom Bowers 20 Posted 25/07/2026 at 15:20:37

Barry ball control 100 percent rubbish

Peter Thistle 21 Posted 25/07/2026 at 15:21:19

https://ntvs.cx/watch/kobra/bolton-wanderers-vs-everton-2502567

David Hallwood 22 Posted 25/07/2026 at 15:23:21

Is TFG not willing to spend money, or are they unhappy that they spent £40M last season onone lad and he wasn't used???

Tom Bowers 23 Posted 25/07/2026 at 15:26:02

Rohl showing a lot of zest.

Tom Bowers 24 Posted 25/07/2026 at 15:27:15

Good to see Jarrad Branthwaite back.

Frank Worrall 25 Posted 25/07/2026 at 15:28:50

At least Aznou is proving Moyes wrong! Maybe it has dawned on the boss that Aznou wouldn't be a Morocco international player if he didn't have something about him?

Tom Bowers 26 Posted 25/07/2026 at 15:31:01

Nice work by Barry. So close.

Tom Bowers 27 Posted 25/07/2026 at 15:32:23

That was a good goal by Barry but offside??

Sean O\\\'Hanlon 28 Posted 25/07/2026 at 15:34:04

Good headed goal from Barry, but offside. Very dubious.

Great move and cross from McNeil.

Tom Bowers 29 Posted 25/07/2026 at 15:34:19

Tim a little over zealous as usual.

Tom Bowers 30 Posted 25/07/2026 at 15:40:11

Great work by Aznou.

Tom Bowers 31 Posted 25/07/2026 at 15:41:29

Barry has the speed of a rhino.

Tom Bowers 32 Posted 25/07/2026 at 15:44:46

Barry misses a sitter.

Si Cooper 33 Posted 25/07/2026 at 15:50:40

Tom (31), if that is meant as an insult you may need to check out what speeds rhinos can achieve flat out.

Geoff Trenner 34 Posted 25/07/2026 at 15:51:06

We can’t start the season with Barry up top

Paul Kossoff 35 Posted 25/07/2026 at 15:59:19

Ipswich Town have signed Japan forward Daizen Maeda from Celtic on a three-year contract.

The 28-year-old, who has joined the Premier League side in a reported £10m deal,, external was part of his country's squad at the 2026 World Cup and helped them reach the last 32 before they were knocked out by Brazil.

Maeda scored 79 goals in 212 appearances at Celtic, where he won five league titles, three Scottish Cups and two League cups. Ten million. Why were we not in for him? Are Ipswich the better option now. or is it that our recruitment "team" are in fact Incompetent, I'll go with incompetent.

Jeff Spiers 37 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:03:20

Tom19. Too right!!

Phil Roberts 38 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:08:42

Jack #9 Just a thought

What I have discovered is UEFA’s Squad Cost Ratio limits a club’s on-pitch spending to a maximum of 70% of its total revenue. All Premier League clubs in European competitions will still have to adhere to this limit, while clubs not competing in Europe will have a higher threshold of 85%.

Paul the Esk's view is our revenue is ~£250m. If we had made Europe then we would have to have spent £35-40m less on the squad to comply with UEFA and that maybe meant not bringing in the players to be able to compete and also to ensure we did not get relegated. Look at United, Spurs, Forest, Palace and Newcastle over the last couple of seasons.

So was there a message from TFG to say - drop a few points, make sure we don't get in - allow 85% for 26/27 and push for Europe in 27/28?

We will never know, but with money men in charge would you risk not having enough players and getting relegated due to a lack of squad depth?

And no, I don't believe the CIA killed Kennedy or the moon landings were faked and a few other conspiracy theories.

Andy Meighan 39 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:15:20

I'm tired saying this, but I'm going to say it again.

Who looked or scouted that Barry and thought mmmm looks good him..

Because believe me they haven't got a clue, and this is coming from a man who's seen Belfitt Harper, Wright as in Bernard Spencer Ferguson Mick not Dunc and countless others,this chump is the worst of the best, if you get my meaning.

Sick of the shit recruitment get some footballers in, please.

Tom Bowers 41 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:18:48

Rubbish Beto !!!

Dan Nulty 42 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:18:58

Phil, have to say that crossed my mind; however, I believe if that had been true, Moyes would have played the youngsters,

No way in this day and age he could have said to the older players: Don't win today.

Andy Meighan 43 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:22:26

Tom 19. I do indeed remember the old Burnden Park, was meant to be going that day at the tender age of 7, unfortunately my uncle only got 1 ticket and it was his.

Still Colin scorecd the only goal and got us through, what a side we were.

Sean O\\\'Hanlon 44 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:22:48

Hi Mike Kenrick. Any chance when the teamsheet is listed, ToffeeWeb could add the squad numbers of the players? Makes it easier following the game especially when the subs come on. Cheers

Tom Bowers 45 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:23:46

Sorry, Dwight, but you're past your best, whatever that was.

Frank Worrall 46 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:24:37

Just learned about Ipswich buying Maeda, who we have been "scouting" for weeks! The player was eager for a move to the Premier League at a very realistic price, so why did we not nab him when we had the chance?

Yet another example of our useless recruitment team's incompetence!

Tom Bowers 47 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:24:59

Tarkowski and Keane a no-no combination.

Jim Bennings 48 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:26:06

I'll be honest, I reckon if we still see most of these players starting after the close of the transfer window, patience will very quickly evaporate amongst the fan base.

The end of last season turned the crystals for many, the summer window hasn't exactly brought much in the way of optimism.

Tom Bowers 49 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:26:27

Bolton bringing on five subs. We are in trouble now.

Jeff Armstrong 50 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:26:47

O'Brien showing his deficiencies going forward at RB,Myko same at LB, McNeil losing the ball as regularly as ever,Rohl good one minute, wasteful the next, Tim same normal service resumes.

At least George offers something different. Dewsbury-Hall tidy... I'm desperate for Hackney to get fit and bring his driving runs to the table.

Tom Bowers 51 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:29:58

Foster on for Rohl.

Bill Gall 52 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:30:02

When is Hackney going to be fit to play?

Or my other question is: Why did we pay all that money for an unfit player???

Shaun Parker 53 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:34:34

Correct me if I'm wrong but young Graham is a number 9? A striker?

So why the fucking hell has Moyes put him on wide left?

For fuck's sake... play a player in their position, man.

Tom Bowers 54 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:36:49

Okay I know it's a friendly and it's Bolton and basically a reason to get match fit but the same problems exist.

Everton's offence won't frighten most Premier League defences.

Tom Bowers 55 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:38:20

Poor effort by Keane.

Tom Bowers 56 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:39:28

Some more youngsters on for Everton.

Clive Rogers 57 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:46:14

Shaun, 53, it's one of Moyes's most annoying habits. It's probably because Graham is small and he likes a big man up front.

He stuck Armstrong out on the left a few times last season and his form dipped. He's not good at developing youngsters.

Tom Bowers 58 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:47:31

Great result for Bolton. Bring on Stoke.

Sean O\\\'Hanlon 59 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:47:37

Beto & Keane also shite. Woeful performance.

Peter Thistle 60 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:48:34

We need some proper players cos this squad is terrible.

Steve Brown 61 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:49:12

Who is a worse player, Barry or Beto?

Tough question.

Phil Roberts 62 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:51:18

Clive - read the piece about Dibling? Someone commenting that he is basically totally opposite to Johnny Morrissey who was so hard, defenders were frightened of him.

So you want 18-year-old Braiden Graham to be mixing it with the hard men at the centre of the Bolton defence? I can see that going well.

Ian Wilkins 63 Posted 25/07/2026 at 16:54:55

Pre-season building fitness, but we have a squad of players who look lightweight and short on quality.

We need to add some quality and character fairly quickly.

Jack Convery 64 Posted 25/07/2026 at 17:00:46

Tough day at ToughSheet.

Next.

Dale Self 65 Posted 25/07/2026 at 17:02:16

Peter 60, if I'm reading you correctly, we need some players that wear black boots.

Joe McMahon 66 Posted 25/07/2026 at 17:02:42

Reminds of the friendly v Blackburn last year.

So very Moyes!

Mike Gaynes 67 Posted 25/07/2026 at 17:08:00

Very concerned with the news about Garner.

There is no such thing as minor groin surgery for a footballer.

Jay Harris 68 Posted 25/07/2026 at 17:16:49

Eric #12,

It looks like the Waccy baccy worked as my forecast was totally correct!!

Jay Harris 69 Posted 25/07/2026 at 17:25:15

Steve #61,

You should delete 'player' from the question as that does not seem appropriate in either case.

Jonathan Oppenheimer 70 Posted 25/07/2026 at 17:32:29

Unless, Mike, it's a hernia, which I'm hopeful it is given the short projected timeline for return.

And for the record, I have zero medical expertise, but that's where my mind went when I read that. Although, if that were the case, you'd think they'd say it was a hernia.

Ian Bennett 71 Posted 25/07/2026 at 17:46:28

I'd think it is a hernia with that recovery time.

Anthony Dove 72 Posted 25/07/2026 at 17:58:33

It's being said that Moyes is not playing Hackney because he is still ‘integrating' — not because he's unfit.

If it wasn't Moyes involved, I wouldn't believe a word.

Bill Gall 73 Posted 25/07/2026 at 18:11:24

A good write up, Michael. On your comment, "or a lot of new faces required".

The problem that needs answering to that statement is, do we have the right people in the club, including the manager, to bring in the right players to improve the team?

Moyes it seems is quite content with the squad he has, never mind bringing in more players -- that we most probably cannot afford.

Luke Welch 74 Posted 25/07/2026 at 18:12:13

I didn't watch it today because, looking at line up, it was as expected.

Think Moyes might be a problem in more ways than one.

George Cumiskey 75 Posted 25/07/2026 at 18:25:57

I was at the match... the friendliest of friendlies -- no aggression whatsoever.

The only thing we learned from that match was we've still got the worst two strikers in the Premier League. 🫣

Jim Bennings 76 Posted 25/07/2026 at 18:30:19

The people at the club seem quite comfortable with that fact that we have no full-backs fit for modern-day purpose and two strikers that most of the time look like they have won a raffle for a place in a Premier League football team.

A long season beckons...

Allan Board 77 Posted 25/07/2026 at 18:34:10

Moyes still in charge. Same shit, different season coming up.

Why so worried about Garner being injured? Hackney is already better than him -- but our genius manager will find a suitable wide right berth for him, or even right-back!

Garner is our best full-back -- play him there. Hackney and Armstrong in central midfield... get Tim Iroegbunam to do the fetching for them, with Aznou at left-back.

Buy a bloody striker! Football? Now? Holidays, Fellas!!! See Ya!!!

Billy Shears 78 Posted 25/07/2026 at 18:35:58

We need better up front...

Richarlison on a season long loan... same with Delap.

Sell Barry; keep Beto as a third choice... methinks.

George Cumiskey 79 Posted 25/07/2026 at 18:38:36

I was more impressed with Bolton than Everton.

Paul Hewitt 80 Posted 25/07/2026 at 18:52:51

I'm fuming that Ipswich have signed Meada for only £10M.

Jay Harris 81 Posted 25/07/2026 at 19:27:13

And Fatawu for less than £20M, Paul.

So much for our “elite” recruitment team.

Humble Ipswich are beating us to players we were reportedly interested in.

Clive Rogers 82 Posted 25/07/2026 at 19:35:51

Phil, 62,

He's a striker, why play him somewhere else?

Brian Foley 83 Posted 25/07/2026 at 19:42:52

When Everton (of Liverpool) came up on the agenda, I think TFG thought it was Liverpool.

Dave Lynch 84 Posted 25/07/2026 at 20:08:16

I'm gonna make a prediction now!

We will be in a relegation battle this coming season.

This is getting beyond a fucking joke, same old faces in smelly out-of-position places and not a signing on the horizon.

I've lost interest already and it hasn't even started yet.

Shaun Parker 85 Posted 25/07/2026 at 20:13:06

Yes, it's only pre-season, a game to sharpen up match fitness etc... but Christ, do we look shit awful.

Wayyyy too many players past their best, but Moyes will not change a thing. Another dull season coming up.

Gary Borrows 86 Posted 25/07/2026 at 20:23:26

If it's possible Moysie watching that shite the awful set up the players like Rohl and O'Brien playing out of position with McNeil the McSnail? Why was he even on the field???

And to top it all, our Player of the Season is out for how long? 4 weeks, my arse!!! November. Not much to lift the clouds, lad. No way am I wasting any hard-earned cash going to a pre-season game.

Get ready with the boos when the team sheet is called out for Palace game -- the place will be booing when the same old crap is rolled out.

Andrew McLawrence 87 Posted 25/07/2026 at 20:26:16

Agree with Dave Lynch

Jonathan Oppenheimer 88 Posted 25/07/2026 at 21:06:44

So much negativity on here.

As long as we bring in a starting right-back, as long as Ndiaye or Grealish is with us, and along with a healthy Dibling and Hackney, and Garner not out past the end of September, we'll be just fine.

I'm as frustrated as anyone with Barry, and my hope is we get a loan in up top to compete with the two we have, but we're not going to solve all of our problems this window. Even better if someone gives us £15-20M for Barry and we never see him again, but unlikely.

If suitable offers come in for Patterson, McNeil, Alcaraz and Iroegbunam, we'll sell. Otherwise they're all competent squad players for where we are now.

No new right-back and I'll be as angry as the moaning rest of you.

Mike Gaynes 89 Posted 25/07/2026 at 21:13:21

Paul Kossoff #35, or maybe our recruitment team decided that 79 goals in 212 appearances for the far-and-away most dominant club in a pathetically weak Scottish league just wasn't good enough.

The SPFL is currently ranked #42 in the world by FIFA, way down there under the Cyprus league and Hungary and Romania and Serie B.

Maeda has scored a goal every 196 minutes while backed by the most potent club in the SPFL against the likes of Livingston, St Mirren and that goalkeeper we just saw from Dundee.

By contrast, Beto last season -- in the toughest league in the world -- scored a goal every 174 minutes.

Yeah, Maeda scored a fine goal in the World Cup. But it was only his 4th for Japan in 27 international appearances.

So why weren't we in for him? Seems pretty obvious to me. Even if it doesn't to the fuming Paul Hewitt #80.

We need a striker who will actually score goals against top competition.

Maeda ain't it.

Andrew Merrick 90 Posted 25/07/2026 at 22:23:11

Pre-season training, yes, but really uninspiring. I only watched the second half, but we looked like we were training against equals.

There were moments when you would expect a routine finish... but it didn't happen. I did see a bit of frustration from some senior players; that frustrated me too.

I liked seeing a few young guys get subbed on, not all in their best positions, but I enjoyed them getting some game time. But overall, it was disappointing.

Tony Abrahams 91 Posted 25/07/2026 at 22:27:48

"We will be just fine" -- obviously depends on what you want from Everton this season, Jonathan, mate.

I'm not being negative, I'm just completely bored. I've been an Everton fanatic for nearly all my life but the way I feel right now after waiting so long for a new beginning is that I've actually preferred these summer months not having to think about watching Everton playing next season.

I have got my season ticket but the optimism and anticipation that I had this time last year when I was really excited and looking forward to moving into our new home, has diminished rapidly.

Derek Knox 92 Posted 25/07/2026 at 22:33:31

Tony A, as you know, I am a bit older and hitherto, almost equally passionate about Everton, but I feel exactly the same way. Years of mediocrity, regarding Premier League survival as success, has killed it off. A succession of mostly second-rate managers, the present being a prime example -- though he is not the worst.

Yet they still try to rip fans off, as a recognition of their loyalty!

I feel so sorry for those fans who travelled to Bolton today, not a million miles but would have presumably been the same if it had been South Coast opposition.

Les Callan 93 Posted 25/07/2026 at 22:53:45

Johnathan @88. I wished I shared your optimism.

I was there today. Absolutely abysmal. Can't wait for Stoke.

Sean Kearns 94 Posted 25/07/2026 at 22:55:40

The second-half back 4 was O'Brien, Tarkowski, Keane and Mykolenko… What the actual fuck!…. Are we being tortured?!…. Michael Keane wasn't good enough 10 years ago!!

Yes, 10 bloody years he's been here. Last season he played 33 bastard games, for fuck's sake!… Get the Twin Towers at the back and have Tarkowski on the bench for back-up. Tarky is just a bully, and I love a physical game just as much as anyone else, but we need something more!

Jake gives it away sometimes but only because he's actually trying to play football and pass it about. He'll get much better…. And oh yes, Barry is a fucking joke!!!

Jonathan Oppenheimer 95 Posted 25/07/2026 at 23:23:59

Tony, Derek, Les...

Yes, much of my feelings are due to my experience as an Evertonian. I suffered through only the past decade, with the awful feeling of relegation fears for half that time.

The last thing I want is mid-table mediocrity, but while I'm not on here defending TFG or the rest of our leadership team, it's hard for me to believe that they're settling for being average. Dibling and Barry may have been short-sighted panic buys, but they didn't reflect lack of ambition. Nor do the Hackney or George signings.

So to be clear, I'm not here jumping for joy, but rather not willing to panic or throw up my hands after an uninspiring pre-season match 2 weeks into training either.

I'm just encouraging us all to continue to enjoy our summer, retain a modicum of optimism, and save our outrage for the Palace match when Keane is starting, O'Brien is on the right, and Barry is falling over his feet. Then I'll be right there with you guys.

Paul Kossoff 96 Posted 25/07/2026 at 00:54:10

Mike, 89.

Sportsman's bet: who scores the most, Maeda, Barry or Beto? I bet Maeda.

Steve Brown 97 Posted 26/07/2026 at 02:03:31

Apathy and boredom seem to be the main sentiment among Everton fans this summer.

As for Hackney, his 6-month spell on the bench to “watch and learn” has begun.

Blame your agent, lad.

Mike Gaynes 98 Posted 26/07/2026 at 02:54:23

Wow, what a sportsman you are, Paul. Clever trying to bet a starter against two guys splitting the job.

But Maeda won't even displace Hirst, who will score more than any of the three you mentioned.

In return I'll bet you Maeda scores 6 or less.

(And our new striker Troy Parrott bags 14. ;-)))

Bob Parrington 99 Posted 26/07/2026 at 03:55:38

Phil @ 38,

I love conspiracy theory because the denial can be so harsh that it likely is right.

Clever, this one. Glad you posted it!

Paul Griffiths 100 Posted 26/07/2026 at 04:54:20

Surely, Mike, we would have picked up Parrott by now if we were really interested.

No World Cup complications there. I mean he's not hard to spot and takes very little recruiting.

Eric Myles 101 Posted 26/07/2026 at 05:42:37

Steve #97, Hackney is injured.

This is going to be a Baines Coleman myth all over again.

Eric Myles 102 Posted 26/07/2026 at 05:45:27

Bob #99, well you know that the difference between conspiracy theory and conspiracy fact is 6 months?

Steve Brown 103 Posted 26/07/2026 at 06:45:41

Ah okay Eric.

Brian Foley 104 Posted 26/07/2026 at 06:54:57

Mike Gaynes, I don't want an argument but I sincerely hope you are wrong and Paul Kossoff wins the sportsman's bet.

I am aghast that Maeda has gone to Ipswich for peanuts. Really hope his industry is rewarded there. One thing for sure: Ipswich will give him massive game time, I think he'll get a dozen.

I don't care for Barry at all, and Beto is only likeable because he does at least try.

Paul Griffiths 105 Posted 26/07/2026 at 07:06:24

Brian, mate, I watch most Celtic matches - my 3rd team after Marine - and I completely agree. Maeda is a touch of class and is so much more than a scorer. If only we could have had two picks from Japan's starting XI.

I would never want Hirst with us, Mike, but would take Maeda all day long, mate.

Darren Hind 106 Posted 26/07/2026 at 07:35:59

Who scores the most: Barry, Beto and Maeda or the fella some drove out because he is "Championship at best"?

I wonder if Leeds have stopped laughing yet?

David Peate 107 Posted 26/07/2026 at 07:40:27

Sean (94),

So Michael Keane wasn't good enough 10 years ago! Six years ago he was playing for England! Wasn't he good enough to play for England then?

Paul Hewitt 108 Posted 26/07/2026 at 07:45:53

Meade isn't an out-and-out striker, he plays out wide, normally left, and moves inside.

I don't expect him to score more than 8 this season. But he would do far far more for our team than the two bollards we have up front.

Ged Simpson 109 Posted 26/07/2026 at 08:07:28

Steve 97: agree re the boredom. I have no sense of anticipation or excitement for the upcoming season.

To be honest, I have little idea if we have even a moderate team (obviously apart from the two B's upfront who are bloody terrible).

The reason I know nothing is not lack of interest in players but we seem incapable as a club at all levels. I think Moyes is massively overrated and was a backwards leap, recruitment is an issue many of us identify and using young players for more that 10 minutes would scare the crap out of our management team.

First year for decades I have been so unexcited. We have all got used to having the new stadium and, probably to the club's dismay, are turning our attention to what goes on on the pitch inside it.

How dare fans reopen their eyes again!

Brian Foley 110 Posted 26/07/2026 at 08:13:09

Two Paul’s, 105/108. Ta all agreed. Bollards very good lol.

Sean Mitchell 111 Posted 26/07/2026 at 08:16:19

As optimistic as a depressing Monday morning going to work in the pissing down rain.

At least the rain changes. Everton don’t.

Dave Abrahams 112 Posted 26/07/2026 at 08:39:21

Jonathon (95),

Yes, I understand the frustration fans on here are feeling with regard to this coming season but I agree with you that we should wait to see what the squad looks like when the transfer window is finished, then we can give vent to our feelings — good, bad or indifferent.

This will be the first season since I was a little boy that I won't be going to the game but my enthusiasm for the Blues still lasts and, like a lot of older fans, I believe little apples will grow again.

Frank Fearns 113 Posted 26/07/2026 at 08:42:19

The dull 0-0 draw sums up the current situation with our club. What else can we expect?

As I've said before, Everton's loyal supporters deserve much more.

The passivity is killing me!

Mal van Schaick 114 Posted 26/07/2026 at 08:58:09

Geared up for another season of mediocrity and relegation struggle. Typical.

Jim Bennings 115 Posted 26/07/2026 at 09:03:53

I don't really look too much at the results or even to some aspects of the performance, albeit I want to see joined-up cohesive play in some of the matches.

The thing I look for most is the players that the manager picks because you know they are going to be the ones he starts going with again, the old go-to boys, the blue-eyed boys of the manager.

It alarms me that we still see many of the same names churned out so often despite them being completely exposed as mid to bottom of the league players.

The likes of Keane, McNeil, Mykolenko have all been here for 4 very long dreary lower echelon years.

Even Tarkowski now, as much as he's been a solid player for us, you could see in the second half of last season his powers are waning considerably.

The same old tired striking options, and more to the point, the limited striking options -- will it be another whole season simply alternating between Beto and Barry?

We may totally shock everyone and sign 5 quality players between now and Deadline Day... but I somehow just don't think so.

Si Cooper 116 Posted 26/07/2026 at 09:13:59

Brian (104),

I agree with Mike, in that being possibly marginally better than both Barry and Beto doesn't mean the club should have been straining at the leash to sign Maeda. It all depends on whether A N Other is going to be signed in the time remaining until the transfer window closes (some time after the new season starts?).

Mike (67),

How up-to-date / extensive is your knowledge on the groin problems of footballers? 40 years ago, I developed ‘footballers groin' which was extremely debilitating for around 6 months as I first waited for it to abate and then took the corrective actions to sort it out completely.

Acutely aware of this condition, I noticed that both Alan Shearer and Michael Owen apparently suffered from the same at some point in their prime, but being highly prized sporting assets, they both took the option of surgery available to them, which had them up and about again in a matter of weeks.

Now they may have had the advantage of earlier diagnosis as well but clearly surgery in those cases very swiftly sorted the issue. They had late 20th Century surgical know-how on their side so do any of us lay people really know what is now possible in the 2020s?

I would add, however, that I'm not impressed if what should be state-of-the-art monitoring and training regimes don't effectively prevent the current crop of highly prized sporting assets from developing avoidable groin issues.

Eric Myles 117 Posted 26/07/2026 at 09:16:38

Mal #114, the seasons of relegation struggles weren't ones of mediocrity, those were the nail biting, last match, exciting seasons.

The mediocrity seasons are the 12th-ish finishes when we have some stability.

Jim Bennings 118 Posted 26/07/2026 at 09:30:54

Last three seasons we haven't been anywhere near a relegation fight.

The last three have been mediocre which is why this 2026-27 season needs to be productive and see something seriously tangible for once.

Tony Abrahams 119 Posted 26/07/2026 at 09:54:23

I've met you briefly, Jonathan, and you didn't come across as a person who would be jumping for joy at the present situation. I'm just asking or more querying what ‘We will be fine' defines to different people with regard to our team, mate.

I remember The Bangles singing a song about our city called “Going Down To Liverpool” which was, if I can remember correctly, met with outrage in certain sections of the local media.

How can a band from Los Angles be so disrespectful? What can these young girls actually know about our city?

But they were just covering a track they had heard whilst in a recording studio, and the lyrics had already been written by an English musician who was actually criticising the way Liverpool was so obviously getting left to ruin by the Government.

I'm not saying Everton are getting left to ruin, especially because, in 20 to 30 years, the most dilapidated part of the city which had long been forgotten about (there's a few more places, I know) will possibly, probably... definitely become its own little village with a brilliant vibe....

I'm just saying that, right now, we are completely boring to anyone but a fanatical Evertonian who never sees or never has anything bad to say about the club.

With the help of European money, Liverpool began to find its feet again and is now a destination enjoyed by countless tourists (Liverpool fans) and also visitors who come to see the sights and enjoy themselves!

Hopefully the same can happen for Everton Football Club because, when I think about my football club right now, I think that the lyrics to that Bangles song are pretty apt with regards my feelings, especially because I don't drink anymore (I don't make a day out of going to a home game) which means that, when I go to the football, I want to see Everton win and to also hopefully be entertained.

“We will be okay” to me when we start having a proper go in the cups and start striving to become the football club we used to be under the ownership of a chairman who had the money to help us compete and who also genuinely cared about Everton Football Club.

(A memo to TGF: Until you truly embrace us, you simply don't know how much enjoyment you could be getting out of your investment, especially if you could help turn us into winners again!! 🤞💙)

Alan McGuffog 120 Posted 26/07/2026 at 10:06:34

No Everton player is ever out for a month.

If we see Garner before sleigh bells, I'll be delighted!

Brian Harrison 121 Posted 26/07/2026 at 10:26:17

I have only seen clips of the game so I don't really have an idea who shone and who didn't. I realize pre-season is about building up players' fitness as much as it is about results.

So far we have mainly consolidated deals for players who were here last season... and still no right-back signed. As I said, pre-season is about fitness but it should also be a time when new signings integrate into the team. But seeing as we so far haven't found the full back or striker we were crying out for last season then when are we going to find the time to integrate them into the team???

While the Friedkins are finding many ways of using Hill Dickinson Stadium to increase revenue. I am still waiting to hear their hopes and aspirations for our club. Spurs' owners are pumping millions into buying new players while we seem to be having to make do and mend.

We don't know if Ndaiye and Grealish will be with us at the start of the season, and most Blues I speak to are apprehensive about the coming season.

Jimmy Hardacre 122 Posted 26/07/2026 at 10:59:03

Listen, in everything you do in life, you have to give your best, and if anyone thinks this is their best efforts, we're in shite.

Barry even miscontrolled the ball in the warm-up. He beat himself! Let alone the passes dispossessed easily by my mother!!

On Toffee TV, Snodin and Stuart were talking shite -- it's going to be another fiasco season. I hope I am wrong but it does not bode well...

Are we trying to get McNeil fit for West Ham? Why was the lad even on the pitch???

Moyes... Just go!!!

Raymond Fox 123 Posted 26/07/2026 at 11:10:29

That's a blow losing Garner before we have kicked a ball in anger, all teams get injuries but we are never lucky in that department.

We have almost 5 weeks to sign more players, so there is hope we will sign 3 or 4 much needed players. It's very quiet on that front though, Branthwaite is made of glass and if we get injuries to such as Dewsbury-Hall, we will be up the creek without a paddle.

Whatever, you never know... they may surprise us with a few quality players because we need them.

Mark Steers 124 Posted 26/07/2026 at 11:15:11

All you people have got to stop beating yourselves up. A new season approaches and I have not read one positive post... slow down!

1st: When our new owners came in, I don't remember them saying we're going to buy all top players and are going to fly up the Premier League table.

2nd: When they gave Moyes the job 2½ years, I thought they're just after stability, which is probably what we have right now.

3rd: I think we will probably get Grealish back on loan and hopefully a right-back and right-winger. I think probably we will sell Ndiaye to fund these players. I like Ndiaye but playing 100-minute games seems to stretch him, so it will probably be the right decision.

Good luck to everyone, at least they wont spoil my trip to Germany... a few Steins and a nice big Frankfurter will be just the tonic.

Ged Simpson 125 Posted 26/07/2026 at 11:17:47

Jim118: I thought the same.

Dave Williams 126 Posted 26/07/2026 at 11:24:19

What do Garner, Hackney, Pickford, Ndiaye have in common? None played yesterday but will likely be first choice come Palace.

The lack of new blood is worrying and it appears our owners are not that interested in the team -- they seem more interested in the stadium -- but our first choice team looks quite strong if Garner plays right back.

Don't despair……..yet!!

David West 127 Posted 26/07/2026 at 11:29:27

Watched the first half and usual pre-season pace... clear we need quality in a few areas, and clear some players are past their best. For some, their best won't ever be good enough for us to make an impression in the Top 8 at all.

McNeil, Alcaraz, Beto, Barry, Keane, Tarkowski... ask yourself this: Would any top 10 Premier League team be starting any of these?? Never mind all of them!!!

Armstrong looks like he's ready now to play week-in & week-out; if he's not going to get the time, loan him out, the lads got to progress this season!

Quality should be what we are searching for, not numbers or bodies. A few weeks now and they need to get busy, while others are improving their squads.

Steve Brown 128 Posted 26/07/2026 at 11:38:07

Ged/Tony, bored, apathetic and unexcited seems to be the vibe that TFG want to instil in the fans.

They are doing very well in that regard.

Ian Wilkins 129 Posted 26/07/2026 at 11:41:57

As things stand, this is a weak squad, likely to be weakened further by sending a couple of younger ones out on loan and with a couple injury prone. We should be adding to it now, and we should have had clear identified targets from day one.

Either our recruitment team are not fit for purpose or our owners believe we can sustain mid-table mediocrity with what we have. I'd say that's one heck of a gamble. If you want returns from football, you have to put a good team out on the pitch.

Josh Horne 130 Posted 26/07/2026 at 11:44:14

Darren @106,

Beto got comfortably more goals per minute than the Leeds striker who left Everton of his own accord despite being offered the opportunity to stay.

If we discount penalties, Barry was also more prolific than him.

In a far weaker league, Maeda's rate of scoring is between the two Everton strikers and better than our former striker.

Leeds can laugh all the way back to the Championship.

Dave Lynch 131 Posted 26/07/2026 at 11:49:15

Not wishing to restart the Calvert-Lewin argument... But Leeds are a much more attacking team than us, so he's bound to get more chances and his conversion rate is still poor.

Still missed a boatload of sitters last season; under the "Moysiah", it was and will remain hoofball.

Annika Herbert 132 Posted 26/07/2026 at 12:46:52

Whilst I am not too bothered about Calvert-Lewin having left, I am pretty sure goals scored count for more than goals per minute.

Last time I checked, penalties count as goals scored too.

Ron Sear 133 Posted 26/07/2026 at 12:47:03

It really is a bit depressing reading some of these comments... the disturbing thought sometimes flicks through my mind: Why exactly do we support Everton, what pleasure is there actually in it for us?

Can somebody nice and courteous actually give me a rational or logical answer that would make this worrying question go away? Oh and the word 'hope' doesn't quite work any more.

Phil Roberts 134 Posted 26/07/2026 at 13:03:07

Well said Ron

What I also find frustrating is perceptions and bias over facts.

Beto and Barry played 60 minutes more than Pickford - and scored 17 goals in the league and not one was a penalty. Yet we are upset we didn't get a player who scored 14 goals in the Scottish Premiership.

Assuming Keane is out as Branthwaite is back, then only Tarkowski and Pickford are over 30... but we have an old team?

We aren't playing youngsters, but nobody ever says who to drop to play them.

Drop Ndiaye for Dibling or George?Drop Garner for Armstrong?Drop Dewsbury-Hall for Hackney?

If posters actually posted their suggested line-up, it would be interesting and then we can all pile on and say, Why is George not starting?

Sean Kelly 135 Posted 26/07/2026 at 13:06:34

What's the story with Hackney?

I seem to remember we chased Dibling all last summer only for him to be injured. When fit, Moyes didn't bother with him. I fear this is repeating itself.

Phil Roberts 136 Posted 26/07/2026 at 13:21:36

I seem to remember Joe Royle buying Kanchelskis and waiting until he recovered from injury.

Tony Abrahams 137 Posted 26/07/2026 at 13:44:58

Football has become a squad game and the best managers have no problem using their full squad. It doesn't always matter who starts, it's about integrating.

It's about having the confidence to play any number of different players and replace them with any number of different other players. This is how teams develop and get stronger, instead of sometimes dying a death because the manager loves to play the same faces every single week.

"X, Y & Z, are shite, we don't see them because they're not good enough", is what people say, and yet these same people don't get frustrated when we go out of the cup, because it was obviously X, Y & Z's fault, who showed us they simply aren't good enough once again.

The thing that gets me, though, is that, when it comes to cup games, X, Y & Z, constantly changes. I just wish the manager would change his approach and start giving players more of a chance to prove themselves, instead of just bringing them in from the cold and letting them take the flack for another cup exit.

Can Everton win the Premier League? No.

Can Everton win one of the domestic cups? If they get a little bit of luck, and want it enough, then of course they can.

Stu Gre 138 Posted 26/07/2026 at 14:18:22

Sorry for being a broken record Tony. With this manager they cannot win a domestic cup. There is nothing in his career to suggest he can. He's about EPL safety, everything else is a bonus.

Michael Kenrick 139 Posted 26/07/2026 at 14:18:29

Tony,

You say "it’s about integrating". That is what we've been given as the explanation for Hayden Hackney's non-involvement for the second week running: "He's being integrated into the squad".

How long does this take? He's been here since the beginning of the month. I know they didn't get going at Finch Farm until a little later but just what does this 'integration' involve? -- especially if it actually prevents him from playing football with the rest of the squad???

I mean, what the fuck do I know... but it would seem to me that going out there on the field in pre-season with the rest of them would be the absolute best way to become integrated into the squad.

What am I missing???

Stan Grace 140 Posted 26/07/2026 at 14:35:58

Ron #133, "Why exactly do we support Everton..?"

I can definitely suggest an answer as to why we all do, Ron, but the language I need to do so would be rather spicy. And certainly not 'nice' or 'courteous'.

Tony Abrahams 141 Posted 26/07/2026 at 14:38:14

Trying to be logical, then just the mindset of David Moyes?

It's not easy adapting to the coaching standards of a man who has achieved as much as David.

Mark Steers 142 Posted 26/07/2026 at 14:41:34

Let's get this Tyler Dibling thing right. Moyes clearly had no part in Tyler Dibling signing for Everton; someone else made this call. If Moyes would've asked Everton to buy Dibling and then not played him, he would be long gone.

When Moyes was asked why Dibling wasn't playing, he said "I have Ndaiye playing on the right, how can I put him in?

When Grealish got injured and Ndiaye moved back to the left, he put McNeil on the right and nobody challenged Moyes, so Moyes was happy.

Jack Convery 143 Posted 26/07/2026 at 14:48:40

The Echo gave Barry an 8, for the Bolton game. Go figure.

Darren Hind 144 Posted 26/07/2026 at 14:59:00

Josh Horne

What a daft post. You seem to think penalties don't count. Try telling that to Haaland... Or Shearer.

FYI; Bary and Beto will never get near another penalty because they have both made complete Cheshire cats of themselves when given the opportunity.

Beto scored 10 goals in 40 games last season. Barry scored 8 in 41. Calvert-Lewin scored 15 in 39 in a team which finished lower. If he played more minutes, it's because he is a vastly superior all-around player to our two and offers so much more than goals. They don't.

We spent £60M on duds trying to replace a player we let go for nothing. That is precisely the sort of transfer business that got us here.

Leeds won't be laughing their way back to the Championship. They're too busy laughing at people like you trying to justify this embarrassing saga.

Darren Hind 146 Posted 26/07/2026 at 15:10:33

Barry 8?

Derek Knox 147 Posted 26/07/2026 at 15:42:22

Darren Not 8, it was two Zeros on top of each other ! :-)

Paul Kossoff 148 Posted 26/07/2026 at 15:49:12

Mike 98. Wha? You are are saying that we have signed Troy Parrott, you are saying Parrot has signed for us. We have actually signed Troy Parrot. Let me get this straight, we.. have bought a player called Parrot, Parrot has actually flown here and signed for us. To paraphrase, we have got Troy Parrot. No Mike, sadly we haven't. Sorry for knocking you off your perch. or as the Yanks say, off of your perch. So off of you go, with your Polly-unsaturated remarks, you are Polly gone, and no amount of Polly filler can fix that. You aren't suffering from amnesia, you have Polly-nesia. Troy Parrot, yea right When did he sign?🥺

Frank Fearns 149 Posted 26/07/2026 at 15:55:32

Josh 130 “Barry” and “ prolific”. The two words don’t match and never will do.