Anyone who reads this column regularly will know I have been critical of the failure to bring in a striker not only in the winter window, but also the summer one. Once again, I think the lack of any real goal threat up front has cost the team points.
It’s unfair to point the finger at young Thierno Barry and indeed Beto too, but I feel that my concerns – and that of many Evertonians – were not heeded and I firmly believe it will cost us the possibility of a place in Europe next season.
There is a sense of frustration watching the likes of Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall struggling for an outlet when we go forward, even when the lively Tyrique George came on the problem persisted. I found myself at one point wishing we would put Michael Keane up front, especially after his tremendous shot which forced the best save of the match from the Manchester United goalkeeper.
What’s your thoughts after that, Toffees? 😫
Three points were there for the taking!
Everton vs Man United full time score
Credit: Getty Images/Simon Stacpoole/Offside
Alan Myers compares lack of striker depth to what David Moyes previously had at Everton
What the answer is I really don’t know, but whatever the reason was we chose to not sign another striker, ultimately, I believe it will be a bad decision.
I would hope the recruitment department are scouring Europe and beyond to find a player that will come into the side in the summer and make that difference. However, there are still a good number of points to play for, so I’m not giving up the ghost just yet.
Surely however, David Moyes must look back and think what he’d do to have an Andy Johnson, a Louis Saha or even a Tomasz Radzinski to call on at this moment.
Let’s not kid ourselves, the three players involved in Manchester United’s goal cost a meal deal short of £200m, and it’s unrealistic to expect Everton to be in the market for players in that bracket. With that being said, one would hope there was someone out there to give the manager at least an option when the frustration comes.
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Who was your Man of the Match in that defeat to Man United? 🤔
There were some solid displays despite the loss
Everton v Manchester United - Premier League
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Everton face tricky set of fixtures after Man United defeat
The next five or six fixtures look to be very challenging, and for me it’s imperative that the club stays in the top half of the Premier League. There has been progress made, of that there is no doubt – the squad has become stronger in recent seasons, but there is still much work to do.
The home form is an issue that’s clear to see and the challenges that fans face, especially with so many night games, deserve a better return, it would be good to see a couple of wins starting with Burnley next week.
On the plus side, it was good to see Jarrad Branthwaite back starting games again, but I can’t help but think I’d rather see him at centre half. I think his pace would benefit the side in that position right now, but the fact he is back and played the full game will do him no harm whatsoever.
With a tricky away trip to Newcastle at the weekend, Tuesday’s match against Burnley is an opportunity to get a long awaited home win and one which would send the dedicated Everton masses along the dock road with a skip in their step for a change.
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