Everton opened the season with a defeat, losing 1-0 away to newly-promoted Leeds United at Elland Road on Monday night.
Everton fans would have been forgiven for coming into this season with some optimism.
David Moyes improved the Toffees after replacing Sean Dyche, and while transfer business hasn’t been perfect, some interesting deals have been struck.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall joined Everton from Chelsea before Jack Grealish headed to Merseyside, joining the Toffees on loan from Manchester City.
There is still work to be done, though, as Everton lost 1-0 to Leeds United in a frustrating defeat at Elland Road.
Everton managed just one shot on target in a toothless display against the Whites, with Lukas Nmecha’s penalty proving to be the winner.
Pundit Gary Neville speaks before Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Gary Neville disagrees with Everton supporters
Everton were second best in the first half and really struggled to create quality opportunities to score against Leeds.
Moyes won’t be pleased, but will hope for a positive reaction against Brighton and Hove Albion this weekend.
Gary Neville has now shared his verdict on Everton, having watched Monday’s defeat at Elland Road.
Sky Sports have partnered with ‘Fanalysis’, collecting data from supporters to deliver league table prediction for this season.
Everton fans collectively predicted a ninth-place finish through Fanalysis, believing that Moyes will secure a top-half place.
Neville completely disagrees, picking out Everton as the one Premier League fanbase he didn’t align with in their predictions.
Neville suggested that Everton supporters are ‘over-egging’ their position in the Premier League table, believing that ninth would be an ‘optimistic’ prediction.
Neville added that new signings in the coming weeks could make that prediction more realistic, but he can’t see a ninth-place finish as things stand, having watched Monday’s defeat.
“I’m trying to think of which fans I disagree with, it talks to you about fans being honest,” said Neville on Sky Sports (18/08, 11pm).
“The only club that I would say, from a fan’s perspective, that to me look like they’re potentially over-egging their position there… I think Everton fans saying they’re finishing ninth is the only one I look at and think ‘that is optimistic at this moment in time’.
“If they got signings in the next couple of weeks, then maybe, but off tonight’s performance, that would be optimistic,” he added.
Final two weeks of the window will shape Everton season
Everton have managed to pull off some decent business, especially with deals for Premier League-proven players such as Dewsbury-Hall and Grealish.
Thierno Barry and Adam Aznou have real potential, and backup goalkeepers Mark Travers and Tom King offer competition behind Jordan Pickford.
Moyes has admitted to Sky Sports that he wants more signings, but accepts that it has been a difficult summer.
More attacking quality is needed, while fans will also want additions at right-back and in central midfield.
If Everton can add three or four more players who can make a swift impact, this could still be a strong season for Moyes.
Monday was a disappointment, but it’s only one game, and The Friedkin Group still have a chance to put Everton on course for a strong campaign.