Such a Relief: David Moyes Got it Right

I wonder how Jake feels

I'm in full agreement - absolute madness how we have in the past either made a vulnerable squad more vulnerable by having a second string fail or seen momentum lost when changing a winning team. And if benched players can't cope with remaining benched when the team just won, they should find another profession!

By a quirk of nature I didn't sleep before the game live at 7am here, I was awake all night, couldnt sleep, just age getting to me but I was looking forward to the game so I was tucked up warm and expectant of a win. At 7.05am the power went off. And so did I.
By 7.15am I was asleep only to wake at 11am, groggy like a bad night at Allison's. Power was on, apparently it came back after 20 mins.. by which time it didn't matter..
So, highlights, we won! And a strong team, so I agree with Eli, perhaps in a fit of pique Moyes decided to break with habit and said stuff it. Don't care. It was a good win and you're right it will have done a huge amount to the confidence of Barry and Dibling, never mind the fan base!
No Jake, I do wonder if he is on his way out, funny thing was Moyes looked distinctly annoyed prior to kick off, like he'd just had a row with someone.. I wonder who and what that was about? Just a few more days before the window shuts and I see Jack the lad is wanting to come back but will lliman go the other way?
Saturday tomorrow.. Bournemouth away..fingers crossed!

Bournemouth, Utd, Spurs and Ipswich are our next four games in the league. Brings us up to late September.
Not a bad run. It's a chance to get some momentum and confidence.

Early days but the squad is starting to show that it has more quality than last season. I've posted on another article that I would prefer us to focus on the defence rather than another striker between now and the end of the transfer window. I think that potentially there are more goals in this squad than last season, even with N'Diaye gone. I would rather spend what money we have on strengthening what is an aging and creaking defence.

It's a no for me for Grealish. I don't think he's a necessary spend given how the window, and the first two games of the season, have gone. New signings, and some existing players, seem to have hit the ground running. I don't think there's space for Grealish now, compared to twelve months ago.

While maybe not the 80m we're looking for, we will get a decent sum and/or an opportunity for player trading for N'Diaye, if he goes.

A stronger defence, with a more creative and dynamic midfield come next Tuesday, would be a good window for me. Add a decent result on Saturday with what must be a happy squad. Would mark a great start to the season.

It was indeed a relief to see him put out a decent squad, I presume he got a kick up the backside from the owners telling him to try to win something!

By the by have you seen the new third kit, the players wearing it look bloody miserable, or is that the modern look?

Brennan Johnson getting his first in blue has gone under the radar a bit, but I’ve got a really good feeling that not only will we get 10-15 goals from him alone, but him and Barry will form a productive partnership if he gets enough minutes alongside. He’s exactly the type of inside forward we’ve been crying out for since, Cahill, Osman?

Well, a positive read about our manager, And a positive result to enjoy.
A win tomorrow would really kick start our season, there is some great potential in our small squad right now, and with more business to be done this weekend I am very curious to see our squad sheet hext week.
Optimistic? Certainly hopeful!

We are in the recruitment business, says Moyes.
Someone better tell TFG.

Christine # 8 - yes, Moyes must feel frustrated to be cutting it so fine now on (hopefully) new players. TFG certainly don't seem minded to blink first in negotiations.

John # 6 - it's a good point about Johnson and he'll be delighted to have opened his account with us. Could be a very shrewd signing.

It was great to lay the ghost of the past where David Moyses repeatedly picked understrength Everton squads for such games, which as mentioned on this thread left gaping holes in the hearts and minds of Evertonians and the players.It was serial neglect on a scale.

A very professional performance and great for the moral of all Evertonians and the squad.

Hooefully take this mindset and belief to Bournemouth and earn the right to play with no fear.

On a seperate note I hope Everton keep Ilie, as his creativeness and value is unique to this squad.

Grealish is good in his way of using the ball well but there is George and imho Dibling still learning the ropes, and would a Grealush return inhibit the progress of the squad that has started this season, well?

But who knows and the TFG, will hold their own view.

Will Aberdeen Angus, forfill his promise of an RB by the end of this transfer window?

Here's to a great Bank Holiday weekend and UTTs!

I don't think Grealish would be a advantage to that attack.His contribution would be to unlock a defence that set up house.But addition middle field ball players could also do that, with Garner and Armstrong do push forward and Hackney whas it as part of his game, more so than Gana.

What I I love about the shape of our current set up is that, going forward at pace, it feels balanced, more democratic, one touch, everyone looking out for everyone else, players always presenting - it’s the kind of flowing football Evertonians have been craving for years and feels like a completely different team to the end of last season. Like others have said, I can’t see Grealish syncing into this younger, hungrier Everton squad like he did last season where we were easily wowed after the Dyche saga. Maybe if he plays more centrally so he’s not tempted to slow it down until oppo defences get back I to position, but I haven’t seen him do that for years. It just feels like we’ve moved on from him. Hope to be proved wrong cos he’s on his way back to us.

I think it's worth asking the question, 'why did we used to play second string teams in midweek games against inferior opposition?'
I fear we may have our answer tomorrow when we play a Bournemouth plenty rested whilst we were putting PNE's second string to the sword.

Agree with John at 12 above.
Tyrique George seems to have the bit between his teeth now.
He already showed signs last season, where he replaced McNeil in three matches on the trot.

He showed in those short minutes, that he had quality and pace.
I feel he is more athletic, aggressive and unpredictable as Jack.
He’s much faster and is well capable of creating his own chances.

Jack tends to slow down the game and is inclined to take too long on the ball, very often releasing it way to late, when better options were overlooked.
Kevin @ 13
Damned if we do and Damned if we don’t !

What do Jack Grealish and James Rodriguez have in common? Well they were both technically over the hill when we got then, both divided supporters on their value to the team, both on eye watering wages in fact Jack is currently on 300k a week!

Both can pick a killer pass, both got people off their seats, both left us wanting more. Both economic with their workrates, both have/had a short use by date when they got here.

But ultimately they love to play football, they could change a game with one pass.

Should Grealish return he will add a touch of class to youth, he will sell the club to fans and I reckon he is the difference between 9th and 6th to Everton this season, that's 3 league places, close to 4m squid.. worth a gamble

We’ve moved on from your vision, Christine.

Which one John, had so many dashed already!? Lol

One has to be careful with expectations in the Premier League. Teams we do everything possible to counter play such as we have seen against Palace and Preston. But with a youngest team a club has to persist and it's up to the Manager to adjust the tactic and develop the players for such changes and limit the players exposure to being out of their depth.Many of the player's that Everton brought in are from good footballing regimes and are not just spoilers of play and more into control as Moyes would prefer.Moyes needs the bottle of knowing what he is doing and being focused on the top table position he should be targeting.

Christine whilst Grealish has great technical skills he is more possession based and rarely splits a defence .Imo in the Premier League you need pace of attack and relevent technical ability .

Grealish is too deliberate as is Moyes prefered build up play.Pace is also needed as a unit moving up the field ,so as not to leave gaps.When a team is defending Grealish is useful toying about the area ,because he can create opening .The problem I have for that is his preference for the left wing ,which is easier to set up a defence with.It cuts out the option of a Centre Forward of attacking the near post and a ball to the middle and far post is dependent on height or a outside runner,giving the keeper the advantage.

Sure he looks good and the middle field and defence can keep up with his play, but a opposition with more pace can do harm.

I'd like Grealish on loan again if Ndiaye does end up leaving. He and George can share the LW spot and offer different tactical options for different opposition and within games - especially now that we have the pace of Barry and Johnson. Unlike Rodriguez, Grealish is not a physical wreck and a liability from a defensive point of view.

But a purchase would be daft for all sorts of fairly obvious reasons.

Forest offering £40 million for Armstrong? No wonder Moyes is furious.

My son has just rang me to tell me about Forest apparently ready to offer £40 million for Armstrong.Really hope this doesn’t happen.This would be another issue that would make me wonder why I bother with the game anymore.And there have been plenty of issues in recent years particularly, that have made me wonder why I bother with the game anymore, unfortunately.
It really is pretty much a closed shop at the top of the game nowadays.It can’t be right when clubs are qualifying for the Champions League AND winning trophies, such as Aston Villa and Newcastle over the last two seasons, are STILL having to sell their best players and rebuild.The Premier League is basically now not far short of being about as competitive as the respective leagues in Scotland, Spain and Germany.

John @ 20
Yeah! there are rumblings.
If he is not in the squad today, then that would be be concerning.

It would prove that we ARE a selling club, happy to find 8 million pound, thirty - something replacements, who are injured, while passing a Medical.

Finch Farm.. Farm them out!

Playing devil's advocate here. Say we do sell Armstrong for 40m and pick up two Georges on different postions for a total of 40m. All done and dusted before Monday.

If we have to sell an asset to raise funds for the squad then we have to. NDiaye, a fir Branthwaite, Armstrong. Unfortunately that's where the club is financially.

Do I like it no. Would I prefer another way, yes. But it is what it is.

Not a happy bunny, I suspect he is on his way out if he is not in the named squad in an hour I think it will be a certainty.
The probability will be lliman will follow on Monday, I wonder if he is in the squad today as well? Moyes said the other day he wasn't hopeful of incoming, if it all pans out with not even Grealish arriving then I think we have the clearest indications yyyat the owners are maximizing their potential profit.
Angus on the other hand should resign if this is the case. White man speak with forked tongue kimosabi...
His credibility is teetering..
Can I see Moyes sanctioning it? Well yes I can.. but will be interesting to hear his pre match comments.. there isn't a hope in he'll Moyes will last the season if he didn't sanction it..

I’ve just read Armstrong’s a kopite. Not too bothered about it anymore.

Both start thank goodness.. hats speculation.. close the window when the season starts!

John,so what if armstrong is a kopite so were peter Reid and dave watson get a grip mate

Christine,you're so right transfer window should close before the season starts.

John,so what if armstrong is a kopite so were peter Reid and dave watson get a grip mate

Christine,you're so right transfer window should close before the season starts.

I would open the window the Monday after the season finishes in May. I would close it the 1st July at the end of the financial year. Just in time for preseason.

Maybe I wasn’t being entirely serious, Mike.
Our fans are chanting “ “Don’t sell Armstrong, Harrison Armstrong, I just don’t think you understand. If you sell Armstrong, Harrison Armstrong, you’re going to have a riot on your hands.”