David Moyes has been backed to steer Everton to a top half finish despite being left with a squad that includes just one striker, one left-back and one right-back
David Moyes celebrates Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ stoppage time equaliser in the match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 6, 2026
David Moyes celebrates Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ stoppage time equaliser in the match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 6, 2026(Image: PETER POWELL/AFP via Getty Images)
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David Moyes has been backed to perform another managerial miracle and steer Everton to a top-half finish in the Premier League despite his squad being decimated by a chaotic end to the transfer window.
In an interview with BBC Radio Merseyside’s Giulia Bould on August 19 Everton’s chief executive Angus Kinnear, who runs the club on a daily basis for The Friedkin Group, insisted the squad was "stronger" than before and that the club's owners "are very keen to back us."
However, after the window closed, the Blues were down in 15th place among Premier League clubs when it comes to net spend and were one of just half a dozen teams to make a trading profit.
After pocketing over £100million on deadline day with Iliman Ndiaye, Beto, Tim Iroegbunam and Nathan Patterson all sold, plus Adam Aznou loaned out, Everton were left with a small first-team squad that contains just one striker, one left-back and one right-back.
However, Moyes, who steered Everton to nine top-eight finishes during his first spell in charge of the club, including its highest-ever Premier League position of fourth in 2004/05, has guided his team to four matches unbeaten in all competitions so far this term.
And one of his old rivals in the dugout reckons the Glaswegian can still enjoy a fruitful season despite the difficult hand he has now been dealt by those upstairs.
Speaking courtesy of betting sites, Tony Pulis, who led Stoke City into the Premier League and also managed Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion in the competition, told the ECHO: “David Moyes is a top manager and doing an excellent job at Everton.
“You look at what he did at West Ham as well and he is once again proving he can manage in the Premier League and deliver a team challenging for Europe and a finish in the top half of the Premier League.
“The job Moyes did during his first spell at Everton was excellent and now in his second spell, there are financial constraints, but David has put a team together who can compete with the top teams and fans need to get behind Moyes as he looks to recruit with the tools available.
“It’s tough as Premier League owners to compete with the spending power of some of the top sides in the division and even though Everton recouped a good amount from departures this summer, they weren’t able to bring in more players which I am sure David would have wanted.
“David has a good understanding of how it works in the Premier League as a manager and will use all his experience to get the best out the squad he has, and Everton have made a decent start so far this season. I am sure in future transfer windows, David will look to continue to bring in the type of player he wants to build on what he has.
“You see the work ethic in the Everton side which is something David asks for. If they continue to perform in this way, Everton can build on what they did last season.”
The Blues head to winless Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday (5.30pm).