Everton legend Peter Reid has shared his desire for David Moyes' side to go on a cup run this season despite the Toffees having one of the smallest squads in the Premier League, with Newcastle United next up at Hill Dickinson Stadium in the Carabao Cup.
Peter Reid, who is taking on the Great North Run aged 70 for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation
Peter Reid is an Everton legend(Image: Longstone PR)
Everton legend Peter Reid has admitted he would love to see David Moyes' side embark on a cup run, despite the club operating with one of the smallest squads in the Premier League.
Although the Blues' stay-away and now wantaway owners The Friedkin Group performed a dramatic U-turn on plans to cash in on homegrown teenager Harrison Armstrong — who had been set to join Nottingham Forest for £40million before fans threatened to riot — they still banked over £100million on deadline day.
That has left Everton with a first-team squad of just 18 outfield players, containing only one striker, one left-back and one right-back. Within that group, Jarrad Branthwaite (concussion protocol) and Jack Grealish (sickness) both sat out the 2-0 defeat at Arsenal on Saturday, while Vitalii Mykolenko was forced off after 74 minutes through injury.
Meanwhile, summer recruit Christian Norgaard, still working his way back to full fitness, has yet to feature from the start and looked well short of match sharpness when introduced as a substitute in his sole appearance to date against Chelsea.
Nevertheless, former Sunderland manager Reid - who claimed two League Championships, an FA Cup and the European Cup-Winners' Cup during his time at Goodison, and was hailed by manager Howard Kendall as the club's most significant signing since the Second World War - believes there remains scope for the side to compete on more than one front this season.
David Moyes' side can book their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with victory over Newcastle United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Thursday evening — the first of two consecutive fixtures against the Magpies ahead of a Premier League visit to St James' Park on Monday, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Reid said: "I know Iliman Ndiaye went in the end and they sold Beto too, so you're left wondering whether we're a bit short on numbers. I just hope there's not a run of injuries that leave us down to the bare bones, you always worry about that.
"I love cup runs. Having not won anything since 1995, as we all know and we're all getting reminded, a cup run would bring more games but I'm all for it.
"People might say it's a Catch-22 situation, but I just think it's good if you do well in the cups. I would love Everton to win a cup at Wembley for their supporters."
Reid has joined the likes of former Liverpool pair Emile Heskey and Paul Stewart, plus Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Alison Bender, as part of an elite squad to promote the Football Safety App.
The move comes as clubs and authorities continue to seek quicker, more discreet means for supporters, staff and players to flag abuse in and around grounds as well as online. The FSA has been developed to combat all forms of abuse in sport, enabling users to report incidents, suspicious behaviour or areas of concern directly to a 24-hour control room, where reports are received, logged and handled responsibly.
The 70-year-old said: "The 1970s and 80s were a bit lively. Anyone who knows me knows that I was an aggressive player on the pitch. I got a lot of stick and I gave it back. Back in the day, I was spat on and suffered verbal abuse.
"Over the years, the game has changed and behaviour at grounds has got a lot better. But I've seen abuse of black players, which is why I got involved in supporting 'Show Racism the Red Card' and why I have now become an ambassador for the FSA.
"That behaviour is just not acceptable in the modern game. Families are going to matches and they shouldn't be hearing bad language. Football, and sport in general, should be safe and enjoyable to watch and to be part of.
"The majority of matches are not too bad; it is social media that is one of the biggest problems now.
"In a modern world, an app like this is the future. Everyone has a phone in their hand, and the app makes it easy to report any form of abuse as you hear it. It is discreet, easy to use... I'm all for it to help make the games safer for supporters and players and everyone in it."
Since its introduction, the technology has been widely praised for its practical, data-driven methodology in tackling safety concerns, with the overarching goal of fostering a footballing environment where everybody can engage without fear of abuse. The app is free to download and use, with the team behind it continuing to collaborate with clubs, leagues and supporter groups to broaden its reach across the sport.