After the Everton performance last night against Leeds United, it’s painfully clear that we need a few positions filled with players that actually play in those positions. Obviously, we have needed to sort the right side out with a proper wingers and full back, we all know that. I think we also need to bring in another midfielder as TI doesn’t look up to the job. I’d give Armstrong a run in that position before we think about putting him out on loan.
Then we come to the forwards and the age old Beto argument. I know he has his fans amongst our support, but, the more I watch him, the worse he seems to get. He is a championship player at best and that is being a bit kind to him. I want a CF that can hold the ball up when it’s played to him. Beto can’t do this, the ball is never under control bouncing off his shins and putting us back under pressure. For a strong fella, he gets bullied off the ball far too much. He’s not great in the air and he has little football intelligence, his runs confuse both fans and his team mates the majority of the time.
If we are to progress to be a team challenging for European places, then he can’t be near the starting eleven, he’s simply not good enough. I’ve been highly critical of him for a long time and I just don’t see any improvement in him at all. He had a purple patch when David Moyes (DM) first came back but he has reverted back to type. I might get a bit of stick for that opinion, but I stand by it 100%. It’s an opinion based on watching him for the last year or so, not just based on last night’s game.
Barry will need time to adjust before we see what he is capable of. He seems similar to Beto in playing style, but at least he is young with plenty of time to reach his potential. Hopefully, he will reach that potential and we have a good option for CF.
DM should be doing everything to beef up young Braiden Graham so he can be introduced to forst team football. This lad looks mustard but a little bit lightweight, get him on steak and guiness for the next month! He’s probably the most exciting youngster we’ve had for a good while, let’s give him the tools to be able to take his chance.
I’m hoping that there is a positive to take from last night’s game. DM has been telling us all that more players are needed, not that we didn’t know it already. Hopefully, the board and recruitment team were watching the game and realise they need to get back to work to sort out our targets for the weak cover we have in certain positions. Fingers crossed ladies and gents.
There’s still time to get things done and, to be honest, most of us were saying weeks back that we will strengthen with loan deals closer to the closure of the window. I’m hoping that’s the case but I think we should still be looking to do permanent deals in addition.
Not the best start to a season but 8 expect us to improve as the games come and go. We just need the players to do it so it’s over to TFG and the recruitment team to sort us out before September comes. Have faith blues! UTFT.