The Everton Script has been flipped for Beto and Barry | OneFootball

Around about Christmas, it finally seemed as though it had clicked for Thierno Barry. A striker who had not managed to have a shot on target in a Premier League game until early December had been given patience by most fans and time in the team to develop.

Sure, he had his doubters, but at 22, just turning 23, Barry was always going to take a little while to fully adapt to his new club, in a new league, in a new country.

And after scoring his first Everton goal on December 6, when he put the Toffees 2-0 up against Nottingham Forest, he looked as though he would prove the doubters wrong.

Another goal against Nottingham Forest followed to close out 2025, before Barry scored against Brentford, Aston Villa (a lovely, dinked finish over a sprawling Emiliano Martinez) and Leeds United in January.

Yet by the end of February, Barry had been moved back to the bench. There was nothing wrong with this, really.

His performances, as would be expected for a young player, had dipped a tad, and Beto — who had snatched a last-gasp leveller against Brighton at the end of January —  was ready for a run.

Beto went into the January window at risk. Everton would almost certainly have sold the 28-year-old had they been able to get an adequate striker in. They wanted Tammy Abraham, but the former Chelsea forward preferred a return to Aston Villa.

Yet by the end of February, the starting striker position was Beto’s to lose. Barry squandered two golden chances in what could prove to be an extremely costly home loss to Bournemouth on February 10.

He was then largely ineffective against Manchester United almost two weeks later, and a tough trip to St. James’ Park saw David Moyes plump for Beto. Since then, Beto has not looked back.

He scored in that game and generally ran Newcastle’s defence ragged, though it’s worth noting it was Barry who came on to grab Everton’s late winner.

A decent showing against Burnley followed for Beto, and then came the Arsenal match — an event which may well be looked back on as the turning point in Barry’s fledgling Everton career.

Beto started but Barry was brought on in the second half with the game tied at 0-0. Through no fault of Barry’s, Everton lost 2-0, but in the aftermath, the Frenchman naively took to social media to seemingly complain about his friends and family being attacked in the away end.

I wrote a piece on this a few weeks ago and don’t want to go into any more detail on it, but the gist of that feature was that Barry — whether he feels wronged or not — must now get his head down and look to build bridges. He was jeered by some Everton fans against Chelsea, and that has clearly not helped.

However, ultimately, his last few performances have instead suggested this is a young man who is simply not ready to shoulder such maturity.

Beto is far from perfect, but he has scored four goals in his last three games. He has missed chances — a woeful finish when one-on-one with Liverpool’s goalkeeper stands out — but his overall performances have been excellent.

The effort and workrate to stretch defences, hassle centre-backs and generally just cause havoc has been excellent to see. That is Beto at his best; that is what he has to offer. When he does those basics, the goals tend to come.

He has now netted eight league goals this season and you would not bet against him getting into double figures for the campaign.

In fact, such was Beto’s level in the derby on Sunday, that one could point to the moment he had to go off with an apparent head injury as the stage that the game actually swung in Liverpool’s favour.

Beto had given Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk a tough time. Sure, it was all blood and thunder, and plenty of heart, but Liverpool’s centre-backs knew they were in a battle.

It was a stark contrast to the reverse fixture back in September, when a lacklustre Beto showed no such desire or fight and was replaced at half-time, with Barry coming on and offering Everton a platform from which to build.

This time was a complete flip of the script.

When Beto went off, Barry came on. There weren’t any jeers this time, but this was a performance definitely worthy of criticism. Barry won two of four aerial duels and made three accurate passes. That was his ‘impact’.

Of course, that is not all on him. The service has to be there. But Barry’s movement was lackadaisical. He was not prepared for the fight — it almost looked like he would rather have been anywhere else.

At one point, Dwight McNeil got in down the left and dinked a decent cross to the vacant back post. Barry was in the box, and was unmarked, yet did not make a run to either post, instead electing to hang back.

There is just something missing from his game — and I’m not sure it will ever really come if it has not already.

I do not think Barry is a lazy player, but this recent string of showings is not helping his case. A positive impact in the derby would have helped get fans back on side. Sure, you don’t have to score, but put yourself about, cram 90 minutes of effort into a 25-minute cameo.

Instead, Barry offered nothing. Everton could not build up and Liverpool began to take a measure of control. Beto had prevented that for most of the game, even if his performance had tailed off towards the end of the first half, too.

Everton will need to buy a striker this summer. A good one. One who is ready for the rigours of the Premier League and who has the quality to boot.

But they also, potentially, have a decision to make between the two current options.

Barry is clearly seen as a long-term project, but right now, it would be fair to question whether he is really showing he wants to be an Everton player beyond the end of this season.

Beto, on the other hand, clearly does want to be an Everton player. He has made that extremely clear from the moment he joined in 2023 — the issue for him has always been his quality; it has never been a question of attitude or application.

But Beto’s contract runs out at the end of next season. Everton need to make a call: Either sell him, or offer him a new deal.

Barry has time on his side and years to develop, but if he is not showing desire, he is not going to improve and I can’t escape the feeling that he just doesn’t really “get” what it means to play for a club of Everton’s stature and in front of a fanbase that demands certain non-negotiables.

It has been an unexpected flip of the ideas of how this campaign may play out for both of these players, and while Beto is proving himself as indispensable for the run-in, Barry now needs to make the most of any chances to redeem himself.

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Reader Comments (69)

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Alan J Thompson 1 Posted 22/04/2026 at 14:38:49

Not sure that Everton wanting Abraham is correct as he was on loan in Turkey with an option to be signed permanently if only temporarily as it turned out and from our "brother" club Roma which I think was the only "link" to Everton.

Could be nice to have a striker that doesn't need replacing after 60 or 70 minutes.

It's so hard to watch either of them in a Blue shirt... but at least Beto in recent games has chased the ball down and got into some good positions where he could do some damage.

Such a pity that he made such an absolute dog's breakfast of that chance on Sunday when he was put clean through with only the goalie to beat and somehow contrived to spoon the ball off towards the corner flag — I think it actually went out for a throw-in!

But it's back to the perennial issue of trying to find a proper centre-forward. We all know how poorly a load of the much hyped strikers bought by Premier League clubs last summer fared this season.

Still, we have £110M worth of talent sitting on their arses during every game, thanks to Moyes's wise pragmatism. It really makes you question: just what is the point?

Raymond Fox 3 Posted 22/04/2026 at 15:06:34

Problem is, Michael, class strikers don't grow on trees. I'm struggling to think of any that would fit the bill cost wise.

Beto isn't a world beater, but he is finding the net more as time has gone on.

Andrew Ellams 4 Posted 22/04/2026 at 15:15:42

We need a mobile striker to complement the movement of people like Ndiaye and Dewsbury-Hall.

The guy at Brentford would have been ideal.

Mike Powell 5 Posted 22/04/2026 at 15:15:49

Yes, we defo need a striker.

I don't mind Beto, he is a tryer and has looked pretty good in the last few games.

But Barry, on the other hand, is awful, and I hope we don't go for Delap -- he is no better than what we have.

Mike Gaynes 6 Posted 22/04/2026 at 16:42:12

Barry clearly has talent, and clearly lacks maturity. We've been here before, with Kean and Lookman. Barry already has more goals for us than those two combined for in their entire Everton careers. Yet look at them now.

Nobody wanted Kean around anymore because of his attitude, but he did great when we loaned him to PSG, which gave us a very nice profit when we sold him to Juventus (where he flopped). It took Lookman 4 years after leaving Everton before he learned how to work like a professional, and now he's a star.

I believe we made correct decisions on both. But sometimes when a youngster fails to launch, he's worth sticking with. And sometimes not. Barry is better than either Lookman or Kean at the same stage, and it's hard to say he's less mature. It wouldn't surprise me if the club gives him another year to grow up before giving up on him.

John Collins 7 Posted 22/04/2026 at 16:50:32

They may have to, Mike.

I can't see there being a queue to take him off our hands...

Ian Bennett 8 Posted 22/04/2026 at 17:26:24

Mike, I agree with a lot of that.

Could I see him being successful elsewhere if he left? Yes, I could. The Lookman and Kean point is valid.

My one doubt on him is the lack of serious pace. Both those always had pace.

Martin Berry 9 Posted 22/04/2026 at 17:50:51

I don't think Barry has his heart in it or being at Everton.I think he will return back to France where his physicality won't be such an issue.

With regards to picking a striker, I suggest you read Big Dunc's biography, without blowing his own trumpet he could certainly tell you which strikers and players not to buy.

Everton should let him have a look at any potential striker before we invest again as Barry just won't cut it, he is just not made for the Premier League.

Beto will definitely be here next season as he has no problems with the physical side and he will improve and have too. The fans love him and he always puts in a shift.

Tony Hughes 10 Posted 22/04/2026 at 18:02:41

Mike, you say Barry clearly has talent, what would you say are his strengths?

I see a player who, for his size, isn't a particulary good header of the ball, lacks pace, possesses an awful first touch, lacks good positioning and decision making, and has no aggression or desire in his game.

Apart from that, he's fine! :)

Les Callan 11 Posted 22/04/2026 at 19:18:39

“Barry certainly has talent.“

Well, Mike, in what game did you see that? No comparison with Lookman. At least he looked like a footballer.

Billy Shears 12 Posted 22/04/2026 at 19:20:06

Keep Beto and sell Barry... his attitude stinks & not good enough for us.

Go for Troy Parrot in the summer and keep Beto as a backup striker. Look for a young third-choice Striker like Braiden Graham from the Under-21s or be brave and look at the lower leagues and go for Dom Ballard at Orient!

Les Callan 13 Posted 22/04/2026 at 19:21:52

Just had a thought Mike. Maybe Trumpy told you that.

Les Callan 14 Posted 22/04/2026 at 19:22:53

It’s the sort of crazy thing he would say.

Mark Murphy 15 Posted 22/04/2026 at 19:49:56

“I see a player, who for his size isn't a particulary good header of the ball.”

I'm not a fan either but I seem to remember a couple of games when he looked like he was beginning to come good when he won all his aerial duels?

I think he's just unhappy in England and will play better for a club in Spain or France where he'll be happier.

Frank Fearns 16 Posted 22/04/2026 at 19:55:20

I just hope that Barry is not even on the bench on Saturday, let alone giving him minutes.

I'd rather see a young lad from the U21s get a game -- at least they'd put some effort in.

I just don't understand why Moyes persists with him but more than happy to listen to a decent explanation.

Ian Bennett 17 Posted 22/04/2026 at 20:19:34

There is a long list of strikers at that age, that grow into their frame and aren't delivering yet.

Woltemade DelapEvan Ferguson HojlundJackson Tel

Lookman, Kean, Garner, prove that players can grow with their age. Kevin Campbell another, bright prospect at Arsenal that grew later with experience and know how.

Anthony O'Sullivan 18 Posted 22/04/2026 at 20:53:02

Beto needs 4 or 5 chances to score. Early in the season, we weren't creating any. Now we are getting into double figures so Beto has started finding goals.

He works hard and looks like he wants to try. I wouldn't be upset if we sold him and got or money back or if he stayed as the back up.

Barry, on the other hand, I'm done with. There was one moment in the derby that summed Barry up.

Their right back was being pressed, he passed to the centre-back, Barry was 2 feet behind him and I expected him to rush in to close him down and put them under pressure in their own corner, maybe force an error.

But Barry jogged backwards!! Away from the ball towards the keeper!! Leaving the defender to take all the time he needed to clear it up the pitch and put us under pressure.

That was the moment I gave up on him.

Christy Ring 19 Posted 22/04/2026 at 21:01:43

Looking at Barry's demeanor on Sunday, no effort whatsoever, was hard to watch. But no one's going to pay even half what we signed him for last summer, if we try to cash in this summer.

Beto more than likely will be out for Saturday, concussion protocol, so I'm guessing Moyes will start Barry; we'll see if he shows the desire, and have a bit of pride in the jersey. I'd keep Beto, he shows what the club means to him.

Ian Bennett 20 Posted 22/04/2026 at 21:05:21

In the 2025-26 Premier League season, Everton striker Beto has scored 8 goals in 1,352 minutes. This equates to approximately one goal every 169 minutes.

Despite some questionable moments, with that miss on Sunday, going up there, as wtf.

His goals record in minutes terms is better than 1 in 2 games.

Jim Bennings 21 Posted 22/04/2026 at 21:23:47

Mike,

I'm not at all sure I'm one of those that thinks Barry has talent.

I haven't seen any ability to control a football, any ability to run with the ball, read the game, hold the ball up, be clever and win fouls, work hard... I've seen no evidence he can hit a ball with real power and accuracy, a la Lukaku, Saha etc etc.

Add to the fact he plays the game like he couldn't care less and just doesn't appear to get what it means to play as an Everton centre-forward.

Beto, for all his deficiencies and his untidy play, at least wants desperately to succeed here, you can see it in his play and his passion is there on display. Frankly, he's more of a goal threat than Barry by a long chalk.

For me, the most damning thing about Barry right now is his response to what happened after that incident with his mates at Arsenal.

He came under scrutiny for putting them and our fans in a situation where no one came out looking good... but the one who came out the worst was Barry himself: first for being a dickhead giving Arsenal supporting mates tickets in with our fans; then throwing his own supporters under a bus and this giving us a bad name for his own bizarre decision.

His reaction to that situation has been very disappointing, and Sunday when he was subbed on to run at a tiring RS defence, he could have really driven home his ambition to make things right. He should have been busting a gut to show us he wants it, he wants to play for us, but I didn't see anything whatsoever to tell me he's got the fire in the belly that will be required to succeed here.

Kevin Molloy 23 Posted 22/04/2026 at 21:40:35

In October, he will be the same age as Lineker was when we bought him. He's not a kid; he's also a dickhead.

Get rid, he's scored enough goals for there to be interest, we'll lose £8-10M, it'll be worth it to get him out the door and free up a space for someone who wants to be here.

On a related subject, I'm so pleased with Beto. He's now scoring regularly in the Premier League. The Brentford boss made a very perceptive comment that he gets good chances in most games, something Maupay wasn't able to manage from one season to the next. There's a player in there.

Paul Murray 24 Posted 22/04/2026 at 21:41:38

Barry has talent? I stopped reading at that line -- he's useless in every department, and that's being kind. Attitude is an utter disgrace.

Worst buy ever at our club. And we have seen some bad ones. I hope to never see him wear our shirt again.

Paul Hewitt 25 Posted 22/04/2026 at 22:03:20

Troy Parrot, is that our standards now?

It will be interesting to see what other clubs are in for him.

Mark Ryan 26 Posted 22/04/2026 at 22:52:46

What Paul Murray said

Mike Price 27 Posted 22/04/2026 at 23:43:42

Both Barry and Beto are terrible footballers, absolutely appalling recruitment.

Beto has a better attitude and is slightly more effective so does get a modicum of respect, but he is certainly, very definitely, not loved by our support base!

We should sell both for whatever we can get and start again. Any money lost, we've more than made up for with the Ndiaye purchase.

Mike Gaynes 28 Posted 22/04/2026 at 00:06:55

Look again at Barry's off-foot chip over Emi Martinez and tell me there's no talent there. That goal was elegant.

Paul Griffiths 29 Posted 23/04/2026 at 02:50:33

These comparison to other players in I suppose developmental phases are interesting but not valid. They identify a potential trend/trajectory for players in general but they do not focus sharply on individual narratives and strengths.

It ultimately comes down to the individual and their strengths and attributes (or lack of) and their age and ability to develop and grow.

Barry is 24 in October. He is not a teenager with years to develop. He is, in fact, on the cusp of or in the outer limits of middle age for a striker. Kean and Lookman were both 19 when they joined us. They might not have succeeded in their stint with us but they were even then blessed with more potential than their older counterpart.

Listen, Barry might still develop but it will not be with us. He is too scarred by what sems to be by some distance the majority opinion and by his crass Arsenal at worst fucking dumb at best naive behaviour and response. I don't even think it is worth talking about him and some imagined 'future', because their simply ain't one.

Meanwhile, older Beto somewhere near the height of his powers cannot be relied on and is nowhere near to being the #9 that we so desperately need. Desperately. I admire his commitment and effort but it is not enough. 'Trier' is nowhere near enough for me. It's actually not a complement but a consolation.

I’m no much missed Sam Hoare, needless to say. But there are decently priced strikers in the 19-30 age-range, most of whom, I believe, would be happy to join us. Not the top-tier, but I don’t think that we can shop there and we need to be realistic.

I’m thinking of the likes of:

Samu Aghehowa: Porto (but bad ACL injury 2 months ago)

Troy Parrot: AZ

Endrick: Lyon/Real-M

Georges Mikautadze: Villarreal

Jonathan Burkardt: Eintracht Frankfurt (contracted 2030)

Cucho Hernandez: Real Betis

There are a few in the PL with that experience we need who we might consider:

Evanilson

Mateta

Yoane Wissa

Eli Kroupi

Solanke

Haji Wright (about to join the PL)

See what Man-U do with Sesko

Not going to happen: Watkins, if only …

And, another matter: some Championship talent worth considering, I think:

Gustavo Hamer

Amadou Mbengue

Hayden Hackney

Kudus (if Spurs go down)

Gray (if Spurs go down)

Jim Bennings 30 Posted 23/04/2026 at 06:47:30

Mike

Lol, it was an exception to the rule in truth.

Look at Tom Davies’s first ever Everton goal being something that you'd expect only Andres Iniesta to perform, then wonder why he never even remotely replicated anything like it?

I once recall Ibrahima Bakayoko scoring a wonder free kick at Bristol City in the Cup, but it didn't make him Pele.

Mark Murphy 31 Posted 23/04/2026 at 07:30:08

I'm of an age when I can remember signing Mickey Walsh and being excited.

That was a great goal tho.

Brian Denton 32 Posted 23/04/2026 at 08:17:19

Mark Murphy, I saw Mickey Walsh's sole league goal for us. Villa Park in a 1-1 draw.

Darren Hind 33 Posted 23/04/2026 at 08:38:46

Moyes is to attacking football what Trump is to diplomacy. Every striker playing for him will suffer. Any striker on our radar will look at the records of the strikers who have played under him in the past and turn immediately to other options.

The good news is; The mindless aimless hoof which has been a feature of Mr Brightsides teams for over two decades, seems to have been all but eradicated. We have heard several interviews with players suggesting they are discussing the service required among themselves. They have clearly worked out how futile the big hoof in the general direction of an isolated forward actually is. There can be no question as to whether Beto is better when he is not playing the performing seal. It may take him a couple of strides to get into top gear, but when he does, he is fast and very powerful. A handful who will get you 15 goals if used properly.

Leeds are now closer to us than we are to the CL qualification touted so enthusiastically by some on here. They didnt just sign a goal scorer. They signed a goal scorer who can play too...... For nothing.

Proof that the forwards are actually out there. Or are they in here ?.

Mark Murphy 34 Posted 23/04/2026 at 08:57:29

Me too Brian.

He’d come in for my favourite, Duncan.

I think, with hindsight, Gordon Lee is unfairly maligned but that was unforgivable in my young eyes.

Ian Bennett 35 Posted 23/04/2026 at 09:04:09

If Moyes was the only manager to have problems with strikers, I could understand that view.

But that isn't the case. Have a little tot up of failed strikers at Chelsea.:-

Shevchenko

Lukuku

Sutton

Morata

Kerman

Torres

Mutu

Pato

Falcao

Havertz

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Felix

Higuin

Jackson

Delap

Crespo

Weah

Pizarro

More creativity, better players around them, more time in possession. And the return, absolute dog shit.

Dave Abrahams 36 Posted 23/04/2026 at 09:46:18

Ian (35)

Moyes might not have been the only manager who had problems with strikers...

But he might be the only one who won nothing worthwhile with them!

Brian Harrison 37 Posted 23/04/2026 at 09:48:52

The main difference between Beto and Barry is both are very limited players but one never stops trying and the other doesn't give a fuck.

I am sure if he had played for us when Peter Reid was playing, Reidy would have had him round the throat on the training pitch, telling him that he wasn't prepared to run his bollocks off while Barry strutted round not trying an inch.

I hope he is sold as soon as the window opens. He behaves like a spoilt child and again was first down the tunnel at the final whistle. His attitude is awful and I hope that young Braiden Graham is on the bench instead of him for the remaining games.

The one thing Evertonians or any fan wants is 100% effort as a bare minimum and he doesn't even give us that. I have never booed an Everton player or team and never will... but I can understand why some of our fans did boo him.

Paul Murray 38 Posted 23/04/2026 at 11:11:50

Wow, Mike, he lifted a football over a goalkeeper! Hail Barry!! What a player!!!

I think this conversation has achieved it's conclusion with yet another cracking statement. Enjoy him, Mike, he's a baller. ⛹️ 😂

Christy Ring 39 Posted 23/04/2026 at 11:30:19

Lot of speculation linking us with Delap. I'd give him a wide berth. He was shown around Hill Dickinson Stadium but signed for Chelsea.

Looking at his few appearances, and he was shocking the other night, he's an average striker who also has a discipline problem on the field.

Geoff Cadman 40 Posted 23/04/2026 at 11:33:05

Darren @33

I wanted Calvert-Lewin to stay but he priced himself out, especially with his injury record. As you say he went to Leeds for free, but on less money than he would have earned at Everton.

Also, Beto has scored more goals from open play than Calvert-Lewin this season, and in far less playing time.

DCLs hold up play when he had support was second to none, but how many sitters did he miss in an Everton shirt?

Harry Diamond 41 Posted 23/04/2026 at 11:38:33

I still think there's a player in Delap, but choosing Chelsea was a predictably bad move.

He won't be the last young player to head there for a long contract and stunt his development.

Tony Abrahams 42 Posted 23/04/2026 at 11:50:27

Which manager did they all play for at Chelsea, Ian? Or was it several different managers?

I thought DCL, had to leave Everton, last summer but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t have been a lot more confident if he had been leading the line against Liverpool, last Sunday.

He’s playing for a progressive team who look like they are playing to Dominic’s strengths and reaping the rewards because of it, so it’ll be interesting watching the FA Cup semifinal on Sunday, to see if Leeds can get to the cup final.

I hope they do because the one thing about Leeds United this season, is that alongside Sunderland, they don’t lie down to anyone and they have been having a proper go at teams.

Dan Nulty 43 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:06:59

We are going to have to take another punt on someone this summer. Barry looks like he just isn't mentally strong enough to cope. A bargain might be had with Nicholas Jackson. 1 in 3 for Bayern and not many minutes to boot. He is never going to get much game time there with Kane. He can actually link play up miles better than Beto and Barry and if we can get him for less than 20m there is potential sell on profit to be and too. Wasted money on Barry though, I fully expect him to be sold or loaned out until his contract runs out.

I'm not sure who else there is out there for us to take a punt on.

Sean Kearns 44 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:19:31

Beto was through on goal and hit the fooking CORNER FLAG!! In the derby!!…. And he’s still got more goals than DCL from open play this season lol. No wonder we were just scraping by with Dom up front (like Leeds are now)… But somehow it’s all Moyes fault we lost 🙄 Give Braiden Graham a go!! Nobody would play Harry Kane until Tim Sherwood gave him a go. Play the young lad FFS. Or do we simply just want to waste another 30+ million. Maupay, Tosun, Moise Keane, Rondon, Niasse and Arouna Kone, Sandro Ramirez, Enner Valencia, Broja, Danjuma and Josh King were all better… is Steven Naismith still playing? Give him a bell

Geoff Cadman 45 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:21:21

When we where linked with Barry, I was worried He was going to be Sandro revisited. I think he has produced more than Sandro did.

His attitude is a real problem, I remember when he was substituted after scoring his first goal, Gana had to chase after him and tell him to acknowledge the fans.

Maybe we should bring big Dunc back to toughen him up. If he doesn't improve after a full pre-season, he should be loaned out, in the hope it will at least raise his sell on value.

I thought he gave the tickets to his friends at Arsenal, I had not heard that they where Gooners

Jim Bennings 46 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:22:13

The time was right for DCL and Everton to part ways, the issue was not that, the issue was making sure we had a ready made replacement for him that could equal or better his hold up play and also pose some semblance of a threat.

Now in hindsight I'd probably have preferred to keep DCL and not spend the money on Barry, I'd have rather we kept that same situation for another season (this) until we could have signed a proper striker.

But it's all irrelevant now.

What we need this summer is to sign at least one better striker than we currently have on our books.

It won't be a world beater but if he's able to control a ball, run with the ball, look lovely, work hard to a good level and score 10-15 goals, then there is already the improvement on this season.

Geoff Cadman 47 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:29:29

Geoff Cadman 48 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:29:30

Geoff Cadman 49 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:29:30

Geoff Cadman 50 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:29:30

Geoff Cadman 51 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:29:30

Geoff Cadman 52 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:29:31

Geoff Cadman 53 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:29:31

Darren Hind 54 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:31:11

Yes. Most mangers who have been in the game long enough have had problems getting ALL their strikers to score, but very few (if any) besides Moyes, have had problems getting All their strikers to score.

Geoff

DCL didnt price himself out. He simply decided a long time ago that he was leaving. Despite all the nonsense we read about him dissing the club and bitching about money. He never once opened his mouth. he simply waited out his contract and left. If he did go for less money (and nobody knows that either) then that would be an indication of how much he wanted to leave. That, as far as I'm concerned was down to the way a section of our fan base treated him and his family.

I have no doubt whatsoever that if the manager knew what to do with him and persuaded him to stay, we would be right in the mix for a CL slot right now. Too many fans wanted him gone. They got their wish and now we are 30m worse off and we have Barry instead.

BTW its just plain untrue to say Beto has more goals from open play than DCL (no matter how much it makes Sean kearns.....err "lol"

Beto would have more goals if he had scored 3 from the spot too.....But we all saw what happened when he took one. Would anybody really want him to take our penalties ?

Sean Kearns 55 Posted 23/04/2026 at 12:41:10

Leeds are battling relegation all season, exactly the same as we were when Dom was up front for us. Not a coincidence…. Farke even gets it wide and plays to his strengths. He’s a championship level striker… I would rather have Beto, Barry and a top half finish maybe in Europe… 7th with Beto or 17th with Dom… hmmmm let me think.

Christy Ring 56 Posted 23/04/2026 at 13:17:18

I always say, be careful what you wish for? Spending £30m on Barry and DCL going for nothing, definitely didn't work? Sean Kearns can try and promote Beto and Barry, but neither is as good as Dom, he destroyed the Man.Utd centrebacks, a couple of weeks ago, and if he was still here, we'd be higher up the table. Regarding him taking peno's, wasn't he fouled himself for his last penalty?

David Thomas 57 Posted 23/04/2026 at 13:17:42

It just goes to show how poor our striking options are that people are suggesting that having a guy who scored on average 6 league goals per season for us over approx 10 years would be preferable to what we have in the current squad.

Tony Abrahams 58 Posted 23/04/2026 at 13:43:51

Imagine if Leeds win the cup, surely that would be better than coming sixth, Sean

Kevin Molloy 59 Posted 23/04/2026 at 13:46:26

yes, it was the fans who forced DCL out.

Nothing to do with him thinking he was going to absolutely coin it as a free agent, by ripping off the club that got him his start. That thirty million that we should have got as a fee when we sold him, that just sadly disappeared. It was nothing to do with Dom playing down his contract so he could effectively stuff that in his back pocket, after being paid top dollar for five years to mostly sit on the treatment table.

No, not at all.

And him sacking his agent, that was nothing to do with money. Perish the thought.

Ian Bennett 60 Posted 23/04/2026 at 14:09:59

Tony, you understand exactly what I mean. Signing top strikers is fraught with risk, as Chelsea proved.

Everton were never in that bracket, with a number being journeymen, injury crocks, or players past their best.

John Collins 61 Posted 23/04/2026 at 14:22:55

Any lists on the successful ones Ian?

John Collins 62 Posted 23/04/2026 at 14:26:40

Sean 55,

"7th with Beto"

I can only admire your confidence.

Tony Abrahams 63 Posted 23/04/2026 at 14:48:35

Of course I’m aware that every signing has got pro’s & con’s Ian, but when you see a list like the one you produced I was just highlighting that some of those players have played for a few different managers.

I always think about Tom Davies, who looked like a fine young prospect until Everton, started going through manager after manager, all wanting to play a little bit different and suddenly the kid was getting pushed from pillar to post, and his career completely nosedived.

I have watched a lot of Everton, playing under Moyes, and if I’m being honest, I don’t want to watch Everton playing under Moyes, for much longer.

I can still remember the chant at Old Trafford, when Martinez, finally broke our duck there… STUCK WITH MOYES MAN UTD, PLAYING FOOTBALL THE NEGATIVE WAY.

That might not be entirely true, but I think you might know what I mean Ian. Rigid and safe, tried and tested. Stay in your lane and just keep things ticking along because surely people can see nobody could do a better job than David.

Christy Ring 64 Posted 23/04/2026 at 15:02:34

Kevin#59 You think he ripped off the club? You forgot to mention we only paid £1.5m for him, the club lost nothing with the many years he played here, and the goal against Palace was worth a lot more than £30m

Les Callan 65 Posted 23/04/2026 at 15:02:43

Christy @56. ” Dom destroyed the Man Utd centre backs “.

Have you been listening to Trump as well as Mike ?

Ian Bennett 66 Posted 23/04/2026 at 15:25:35

Pre injury Yakubu was a striker that I thought could deliver, and did deliver under Moyes. I think there is no doubt in that John. 21 in 39.

Saha was a top level striker, but unfortunately his ability was blunted by injury. He was good technical player, but there was a reason united got rid.

Andy Johnson was very good at falling over, and once Wegner had whistle blowed on it, his game was blunted.

Beckford, Straqlurci, Jelavic, Bent, Radzinski, Naismith, Anichibe were all journeymen strikers.

Beattie was a flop. Good enough for Southampton, but was never going to do anything for a better club.

Ferguson, Campbell past their best.

Sean Kearns 67 Posted 23/04/2026 at 15:39:00

Shout out to Jelavic also!! That purple patch when he signed was huge.. though he was under Martinez I think

John Collins 68 Posted 23/04/2026 at 15:41:44

How many of the strikers on your list, whose goal totals for the previous season had dropped in their first season under Moyes?

Kevin Molloy 69 Posted 23/04/2026 at 16:01:13

Christy

nice of him to pop one in the onion bag for us once every couple of months, wasn't it.

yes, he unquestionably ripped us off. And at a time when we were teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.