David Moyes has cast doubt over whether Everton will make further signings before the transfer deadline, despite insisting his squad still requires more numbers and quality.
He was speaking after Wednesday night’s 4-0 Carabao Cup victory at Preston North End, where Thierno Barry scored a hat-trick before summer signing Brennan Johnson added the fourth.
Moyes made three changes from the side which beat Crystal Palace 2-0 in the Premier League opener, with Michael Keane, James Garner and Tyler Dibling coming into the starting XI.
It was a strong selection, and Everton were comfortable winners, but Moyes’ thoughts afterwards quickly turned towards the work he believes still needs to be done before the window closes.
Asked whether supporters could afford to get carried away by the encouraging start, Moyes was quick to play down expectations.
“No, they can’t,” he told Sky Sports.
“I think we’ve got a lot of work to do and I still feel that for us to be a side which is competitive I still feel that we’ve got a lot of work to do. Hopefully we’re able to try and do some of it.”
Moyes still wants more Everton signings
There was little ambiguity when Moyes was asked what that work involved.
“More players,” he said.
“Our squad’s not big enough. We need to get more quality in some areas if we can do.”
Perhaps the most significant answer followed when Moyes was asked whether he expected Everton to complete that business before the window shuts.
“I’m not sure we will, but it’s not for the want of trying, that’s for sure.”
It was a reminder – maybe to the Everton hierarchy – that, despite a positive start on the pitch, Moyes doesn’t regard Everton’s summer rebuild as anything like complete.
The manager has spoken regularly about the need to strengthen his squad and, with the deadline approaching, there is now limited time for the club to provide the additions he wants.
Everton have been looking at several positions during the latter stages of the window, but Moyes’ comments suggest there are no guarantees that further deals will be completed.
Preston win does not alter Moyes’ view
There was plenty for Moyes to like at Deepdale.
Barry followed his goal against Crystal Palace with the first hat-trick of his Everton career, taking his tally to four goals in the opening two competitive games.
Johnson also made an impact after replacing Garner in the second half. He created Barry’s third goal before getting on the scoresheet himself two minutes later.
Everton’s strength on the night was also reflected in Moyes’ team selection. Rather than making wholesale changes for the cup, he retained eight of the players who had started against Palace.
But a 4-0 victory has not changed his assessment of what Everton require.
The results have been encouraging. Moyes’ message on recruitment was rather less so.
With the transfer deadline approaching, he still wants more players — and, significantly, is not certain Everton will get them.
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