So, to begin we reach the end of a historic first season at our iconic Hill Dickinson stadium, the premier sporting venue in the north west of England. By and large, hugely disappointing. No trophy since 1995, a lowly league position and no European qualification, when it was ours to throw away.

Yes, no silverware for 30 years. As a supporter base of very loyal fans, we have the patience of a collective of saints but there are times when that loyalty has a limit and change is necessary.

So, what awaits us as the players finish their summer vacations before reporting back for pre-season at Finch Farm?

First, let's look at the manager and players.

It will be a big season for David Moyes and I am certain he will start the season, which disappoints me. He is yesterday's man, can't end the trophy drought or the seeming paranioa and fear of the red cousins. He should hold his dignity and step sideways into a sporting director role or become and advisor to the board.

On the players, Thierno Barry will leave. Charly Alcaraz will move on, but we've done well after getting him at a snip for £15m. He's clearly not fancied by Moyes, and I feel for the player. What impression is he supposed to make? 

At the time of writing, Adam Aznou, the lad we got from Bayern Munich, could leave, although no transfer request has been received. I keep getting told the manager thinks he's one for the future. That's rubbish; if you're old enough, you're good enough. How else do you get ready if you don't play?

Tyler Dibling has been hugely disappointing and simply must improve. Jack Grealish is likely to go back to his parent club and we will finally resolve the elephant in the room: a succession plan for Seamus Coleman. That situation has been allowed to fester for too long.

The one that pains me the most and which should be a priority is keeping hold of our Senegalese magician. We will struggle, as he is capable of playing at the highest level; we obviously are no where near that yet.

So a busy summer awaits as we rebuild yet again. What is crucial as we seek to add strength and depth is that it must be an improvement on what we have and not simply like-for-like.

That's a lot of movement to consider. At least a couple of strikers, a wide player and obviously a right back. It will be great to see Jake O'Brien in his natural position of centre back. Alongside Branthwaite, that is a mouth-watering prospect for a generation to treasure.

We will need centre-back cover as our valliant leader can't nor should be guanteed to start every game. Not necessarily a must have, nor do we need it, but the Garman veteran would be a useful addition as back up to Pickford. With only a year remaining on his contract definitely worth a punt. Remember Nigel Martyn?

So as we move forward, we eagerly await the new season. This may seem a demanding ask, as a support base we've are rightly demanding. To satisfy my OCD with even numbers, I desperately want us to win our 10th league title, 6th FA Cup and 2nd European trophy. How I pine for magical Rotterdam nights like I witnessed as a teenager. And please, please end our curse on that damned League cup.

So a lot to think about in the forthcoming season. Whatever happens, we need to ensure whoever replaces Moyes has a full pre-season in charge.

Back to the nostalgia. The old match-going rituals have changed. No Goodison supper bar. No Winslow with the endless renditions of "I guess thats why they call us the Blues". No Brick, Harlech or Dark House.

New popular match day haunts include the 10 Streets and Bramley Moore pub itself. Forgotten places replaced by new ones, the memories last a lifetime. One thing that will never waver is the sheer dedication of blue hordes, still marching down the Goodison Road.

Nil Satis Nisi Optimum. Spirit. Forever. Everton eternal.


Reader Responses

Selected thoughts from readers
Certain off-topic comments may be removed to keep the discussion on track

1  Christine Foster
28/05/2026    09:39:22

Hey Danny, hope you're well mate, nice to see a familiar face to brighten up the chat, its been a little hard to deal with this season, a question not of what might have been, but more a case of what the hell happened.
Like you and can see a few moved on, Alcaraz for me is the one that raises the hopes when he comes on, alas its become so rare I can see him moving on unless Moyes goes first. I don't think Moyes ever fancied him, giving him a 2 year contract, no doubt they will want to flick him over while he has a worth and thats hugely disappointing in my book.
I cannot fathom Dibling, either he hasn't settled and is unhappy or Moyes cannot get him into the mould he wants ( up and down, work rate etc ) Aznou is another.. so many poor decisions, either poor recruitment or poor management. I said on another thread that we are still playing the same team as last season, with the exception of a couple so no surprise we fell apart towards the back end of the season..
Everything changes and nothing is the same unless your an Evertonian!
Good article Danny, here's to a better season and I suspect you are right, Moyes will still be there.

2  Dennis Stevens
28/05/2026    10:58:31

I fear we may lose players this Summer that we'd rather keep, in no small part due to our failure to qualify for Europe - or even finish in the top half of the table. Why would any of these players stay if there's a decent offer for them? The players probably feel the Club's making no progress on the pitch - where it really matters.

3  Peter Fancy
28/05/2026    15:02:18

‘Thierno Barry will leave. Charly Alcaraz will move on’ This is stated as fact - have you heard something Danny?

4  Craig Walker
28/05/2026    15:10:30

Good article, Danny.

Almost certainly, Moyes will be in the manager's dugout next season. If previous pre-seasons are anything to go by, we will sign a few experienced (past their best) players e.g. Stones, Wan Bassaka and promising players where the promise never materialises especially in the forward positions (Delap). We won't get them in early but procrastinate. The forwards will follow in the traditions of Sandro, Keane, Tosun, Niasse, Rondon, Maupay, Barry. The experienced signings will get crocked and be out until Christmas.

Our scouts won't look for unknown gems but will get out their Panini Premier League sticker albums from 2025/26 and tick any player that we might be able to afford. As a result, during the summer, it's very likely we'll have one forward player in mind who will opt to go elsewhere (think Giroud or Delap) and we won't have a plan B.

We'll probably play a few pre-season friendlies (probably Preston North End) and get turned over in most of them. We'll get excited by the few players we manage to get in and will use phrases in August like "bring on the derby" or "Europe". Michael Keane will still be a first choice centre half even though he should have gone about 6 seasons ago. Come October, it'll dawn on us that we've overpaid on our signings and we are not that good. The positive phrases will have turned to "we'll be relegated". We'll console ourselves that there is the January window when we can bring in reinforcements. We'll be linked with all and sundry throughout January. On Deadline Day, we'll follow Sky Sports News all day and realise that we will have to finish the season with what we've got. Possibly after making a half-hearted last ditch attempt at 23:55 to lure someone who instead opted for Palace or Sunderland because they are in Europe. In amongst this, there will be the home and away kit unveilings and most fans will think they are awful. We'll also have debates about white socks vs blue socks for the home kit.

Meanwhile, the likes of Brentford and Bournemouth will sign players you've never heard of and be above us in the league.

Prove me wrong, Everton.

Nil satisfaction. Nil optimism.

5  Peter Fancy
28/05/2026    15:30:42

Craig is ‘happily dissatisfied’

6  Kieran Fitzgerald
28/05/2026    15:39:38

Nice to see you back Danny. Hope the dog is still holding its own conversation wise.

Alcaraz would be one that I wouldn't like to see go. He did more than enough on loan to be signed permanently then got frozen out.

Craig, yoye summary is right on the nail.

7  John Raftery
28/05/2026    16:07:28

Many thanks for the article Danny.

I will be amazed if Moyes departs this summer. If he did so it would represent a major U turn by the decision makers, unless of course Moyes himself decides he has had enough. That seems unlikely.

We lack elite talent. The core of our squad comprises players whose natural habitat in recent seasons has been in the lower reaches of the league. Even our most successful signing last summer, Dewsbury-Hall, was a regular in the Leicester side relegated in 2023. He has been our most productive player with twelve goal involvements (eight goals and four assists). Next up was Beto with ten goal involvements (nine goals and one assist). Garner and Ndiaye each had nine goal involvements, Barry and Grealish eight each. Nobody else had more than five.

While stats aren’t everything the numbers achieved by our best players are unlikely to attract many bidders. Ndiaye’s drop in form in the final two months of the season may deter his potential suitors. The World Cup might change that, of course.

Our player of the year, Garner, in addition to his goal involvements was in the league’s top group for tackles made. He has just signed an extended contract while our other player with elite potential, Branthwaite, will need to prove his fitness before any bigger clubs come calling. Therefore I am not too worried that any of our core squad players will be leaving this summer.

As for the players outside the core group I think it will be a challenge to move any of them out other than for small fees or on loan. In the absence of a money spinning sale the club will be compelled to operate within our increased but still relatively modest revenue as well as the Premier League’s new financial rules. As the club budgeted for a twelfth place finish we are already around £2.5m below plan.

The absolute priority must be a Premier League level right back. Wan-Bissaka has been linked and, consistent with many of our signings in recent years, he would of course join us from a relegated club. While not a signing to excite anyone, least of all from an attacking viewpoint, it would plug a long term gap, permitting the manager to switch O’Brien to centre back.

The second priority for me would be a wide attacker with pace and the quality to create and score goals. We also need a long term replacement for Gana even if the Senagalese signs up for another season. Tim Iroegbunam is improving but has yet to mature into the reliable performer required at this level.

Finally in the list of priorities we need a striker; not just a goal scorer but a forward capable of leading the line, physically strong enough to impose himself on defenders, with tight control and the intelligence to link with teammates.

At a minimum that’s four players ready to step immediately into our starting eleven. Easier said than done.

8  Andy Crooks
28/05/2026    16:24:36

Good article, Danny, Hope you will report on your natch day travels next season.
I fear we are stuck with Moyes which, for me, is soul destroying.Not being in a relegation battle is the best he can offer yet I fear he has it in his pocket of anti talent to to have us flirting there.
It think it is vital that Moyes has no say in spending any money we have. New day, new dawn MOYES OUT

9  Peter Moore
28/05/2026    17:13:35

Thanks Danny, A good read that. Cracking set of comments there too. Several rapiers of truth struck me.
I am pretty much am eternal optimist, but I have lost faith in Moyes. The optimist in me, felt it was written in the stars that we would get Euro Conference League qualification through the league final placing.
I felt Moyes would then lead us to win that, retire and pass the reigns on to a more progressive manager with our team back in the winner's circle and a great positivity around the whole Club.
The disgustingly pathetic yield of 3 points from the last 21, with only 2 long term injuries (albeit to key players) in this period, was unforgivable to me.
Moyes did not hold himself accountable at all either, which I find unforgivable.
Despite being an eternal optimist generally, even I don't have any hope he is going to lead us anywhere exciting before he retires. Big sigh. Massive opportunity missed this season. The only saving grace for me would be if TFG showed some NSNO spirit and replaced Moyes urgently. Giving a younger more positive manager, a Glasner or Iraola type, even if not them, the summer to reshape the playing squad for their style of play and give us chance to dream again. As NSNO seems to have died, I wont hold my breath.

10  Peter Moore
28/05/2026    17:13:35

Thanks Danny, A good read that. Cracking set of comments there too. Several rapiers of truth struck me.
I am pretty much am eternal optimist, but I have lost faith in Moyes. The optimist in me, felt it was written in the stars that we would get Euro Conference League qualification through the league final placing.
I felt Moyes would then lead us to win that, retire and pass the reigns on to a more progressive manager with our team back in the winner's circle and a great positivity around the whole Club.
The disgustingly pathetic yield of 3 points from the last 21, with only 2 long term injuries (albeit to key players) in this period, was unforgivable to me.
Moyes did not hold himself accountable at all either, which I find unforgivable.
Despite being an eternal optimist generally, even I don't have any hope he is going to lead us anywhere exciting before he retires. Big sigh. Massive opportunity missed this season. The only saving grace for me would be if TFG showed some NSNO spirit and replaced Moyes urgently. Giving a younger more positive manager, a Glasner or Iraola type, even if not them, the summer to reshape the playing squad for their style of play and give us chance to dream again. As NSNO seems to have died, I wont hold my breath.

11  Jerome Shields
28/05/2026    17:39:39

Danny very glad to hear from you. I still scan Toffeeweb to get your views.This article is pure, unfiltered Everton that, passionate, demanding, and steeped in both hope and heartache. You've captured the essence of a fan who's seen the highs (Rotterdam '85?) and endured the lows, yet still marches on.

You want strikers, wide players, and a right back now, not projects. So seeing Alcaraz (proven in flashes) frozen out after a reasonable fee, or Aznou labelled "one for the future" without minutes, directly contradicts your "if you're old enough, you're good enough" ethos, which I agree with. I do think Barry is badly coached. But the pattern stings: Everton keep hoarding young players they won't play, then selling appt a loss.Dibling was a huge risk at £40 million, which hasn't really seen as the light of day.

As for Moyes I agree he should go, but he will unfortunately stay, be in the USA for the transfer window and be pedalling more Sop than he ever did.

Good Luck for the Summer.Look forward to seeing your regular articles.

12  Peter Mills
28/05/2026    18:02:06

Nice article, Danny.

It’s a great shame that those in charge of our club do not display the same degree of passion for winning a trophy that you, and tens of thousands of others, do.

13  Darren Hind
28/05/2026    20:23:31

Get paid Danny.

I desperately hope somebody within TFG organisation will smell the coffee, but I fear you are merely reading that big fuck off writing on the wall...Moyes is here to stay,

a depressingly accurate piece

14  Mike Allison
29/05/2026    14:50:19

I just don’t think we need many new players. Recruitment last summer was good, it focused on emerging young talent at sensible prices. It’s just that Moyes has failed to use them.

We need a new coach which would mean 5 of our current players become genuine options. Patterson, Aznou, Röhl, Dibling and Alcaraz are all good footballers who could thrive under a different coach.

Dewsbury-Hall, O’Brien and Röhl could improve massively by playing in their correct positions. Tarkowski or Keane would become decent back-up as long as they never, ever played together.

It really will only take one move to make Everton suddenly exciting again. TFG’s track record at Roma suggests it’s not out of the question either. If they do stick with Moyes, it pretty much kills the idea that they have any ambition whatsoever.

TFG need to act soon, get in one of the three Premier League managers who are available right now and sign 3-4 quality new players. If not, the fanbase will very quickly start to see them as the problem.

15  Ted Roberts
30/05/2026    08:29:11

Hi Danny,great to be reading your articles again and hope that all is well with you.I,like many other blues,share your concern for the coming season,and again like you,fear the possibility of losing our Senegalese playmaker.The lack of drive and passion towards the end of the season from a good few players left me so disappointed yet again.Was it total fatigue,virtually same team fielded week in week out,tactical negativity or David Moyes self inflicted constraints with squad usage,probably a bit of all the above,all resulting from the last probability.Does he lack faith in the squad so much, and if so,what is he actually looking for in a player,to limit a lot of them to just cameo roles as and when,Harrison Armstrong,Merlin Rohl and Tyrique George to name just a few.
I am no managerial expert,I can just about hold my own with Premier Fantasy League,but there were games during the past season were the team looked so disjointed,it beggared belief and Tarky spent more time rollicking them than concentrating on his own game.If David Moyes is here for the foreseeable, then some serious aquisitions are needed to bolster a flagging team,players with the mindset of KDH,honest,self critical footballers who demand the best from themselves before berating others and who can dictate a game with their own magic without being strangled by managerial,tactical numbness.Who that maybe God alone knows but until they arrive we could continue in mid to low table mediocrity,and silverware absents.As usual,WE HOPE,that things will improve and progress will bring reward.COYB.

16  raymond Fox
02/06/2026    13:11:46

We went close to qualifying ie 4pts for Europe with two of of best players missing for large parts of the season so all is not doom and gloom.
What we don't want is to lose any of our best players.

If they have any great ambition they need to show it this summer both with the manager position and improving the squad, I am not going to hold my breath though.

17  Paul Washington
23/06/2026    12:49:45

Great notes Danny, hope you will be doing your travel stories again next season.
I fear its going to be same old same old again.

Add Your Thoughts

Only registered users of Evertonia can participate in discussions.

» Log in now

Or Join as Evertonia Member — it takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your thoughts on artices across the site.