Everton are set to make a raft of key appointments before the end of the season - with a possible overhaul of recruitment and more influence for manager David Moyes. (i paper - subscription required, external)
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Mike Richards
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesNot so long ago, Everton-free weekends were welcome.
It was over such a prolonged period where we longed for those mental breaks that actually missing Everton and willing the non-playing weekends to go away came as a somewhat alien concept.
Such has been the turn around in performances, Saturdays and Everton cannot come soon enough.
This past week, the players have been enjoying a deserved warm-weather training camp over in Abu Dhabi and, if truth be told, the break has come at a good time.
The squad has been heavily stretched in recent weeks. With injuries to so many players - and key ones at that - the hope is that the squad is a little bit fresher and fuller when we play Wolves on Saturday.
Given the shortage of first-teamers at David Moyes' disposal, the points picked up since his arrival has been nothing short of miraculous.
And it is not the number missing that is the biggest - it is the quality lost.
To name just a few, Iliman Ndiaye, Orel Mangala and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are key players in this Everton side. Their loss could and maybe should have been felt a lot more than it has, but credit has to be given to those who have been given an opportunity and grabbed it with both hands.
As players slowly start to return to fitness, the onus will be on them to earn their place in the starting XI.
Competition for places is exactly what we need and have needed for some time.
Roll on Saturday.
Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external
Everton want to sign Brazilian winger Luis Henrique from Marseille this summer but will face competition from Newcastle and Nottingham Forest for the 23-year-old. (Football Insider), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton have confirmed the date of the second test event at their new stadium.
Supporters will get another opportunity to see inside the club's new home on Bramley-Moore Dock on Sunday, 23 March.
A crowd of more than 10,000 watched an under-18s friendly earlier this month as the stadium opened to the public for the first time.
The second test event - a friendly involving Everton Under-21s - will have a 14:00 GMT kick-off, with a minimum of 25,000 supporters to be granted entry.
Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton owners The Friedkin Group are "delighted" with the impact made by David Moyes since his return to the club as manager.
The experienced Scot replaced Sean Dyche in January and has overseen a run of seven unbeaten games, with just a solitary defeat coming in his first game against Aston Villa.
The Toffees have moved 15 points clear of the relegation zone and sources close to the ownership have told BBC Sport the atmosphere around the club has been "transformed".
Meanwhile, Everton's search for a new chief executive is nearing a conclusion with Leeds United's Angus Kinnear heavily linked with the role.
Reports on Friday suggested director of football Kevin Thelwell will leave the club upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season, but club sources have dismissed the claims as "speculation".
Having been knocked out of the FA Cup and their next Premier League game on 8 March at Wolves, the Everton squad are currently enjoying a warm-weather training camp in Abu Dhabi.
Tom Gayle
Match of the Day commentator at the Gtech Community Stadium
Image source, Getty ImagesWhen Everton completed the signing of Jake O'Brien last summer the club described him as one of Europe's most talented young defenders. A fee of £16.4m was paid following a standout season at Lyon where the Irishman made 27 starts in the French top flight, as well as scoring in their cup final defeat to Paris St Germain.
Upon his arrival manager Sean Dyche made his feelings clear. He viewed the 23-year-old as a squad player saying: "Jake further strengthens our talented core of centre-backs and adds competition."
This opinion didn't appear to waver, with Dyche using him just twice as a substitute over the 20 Premier League matches he was in charge of this season.
The day after scoring his first goal for the club at Brentford, O'Brien has now featured in every single game since David Moyes' return, earning seven consecutive Premier League starts, and playing every single minute of their last six fixtures.
This isn't a dig at Dyche. It's understandable he deemed James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite as his first choice centre-half pairing. One can add in the fact O'Brien didn't make a senior appearance for Crystal Palace during a two-and a half year spell in South London before his move to Lyon.
Where Dyche and Moyes differ is the current manager has seen more than enough from O'Brien to know he can help the team, even if it means playing him out of position at right back.
How long the Republic of Ireland international's run in the side continues could be determined by Nathan Patterson's recovery from injury - a natural in the full-back position.
Speaking to me afterwards Moyes said Patterson "wasn't ready" despite being part of the squad who travelled to Brentford, and his place on the bench was in the case of an "emergency".
With a long-term view in mind, it might not be a formality a fully fit Patterson does replace O'Brien. Moyes has previously spoken of how "young centre-backs have to find their way out as full-backs."
Transfer noise surrounding Branthwaite is only likely to increase during the summer, with the latest gossip linking him with a move to Real Madrid.
O'Brien getting as much Premier League experience as he can between now and the end of the season seems logical, not only for his development, but also for when it comes to succession planning.
Image source, PA MediaWe asked for your views on Everton's Premier League draw at Brentford.
Here are some of your comments:
Richard: A typical David Moyes Everton performance. At times we were down but we were never out. Players out injured and Abdoulaye Doucoure not available for personal reasons but the players never gave up and got a very well deserved point. Moyes has given me my Everton back!
Greg: We stuck at it and could have won it if we had someone who could finish. Anyone who thinks Beto is the answer is badly mistaken. Top marks to James Garner who was pulling the strings all game. Great to have him back. Moyes is doing a fantastic job.
Dan: On another day we win that. Three great chances for Beto and he could have slid Carlos Alcaraz in late on. But on the other hand, we could have lost that and before the Moyesiah's return, we probably would have. Good fightback and effort from the lads.
Lou: Great performance from Everton. Yes Ashley Young went down easily but the referee gave it on the pitch. There was no clear and obvious error so why is VAR getting involved? It's wonderful to not be looking over our shoulders and praying that there are three teams below us. Finally seeing a bit of light at the end of a very dark tunnel. Finally able to watch EFC play with a little confidence.
Ian: Beto, Beto, Beto - he has to put at least one of those chances away. Well done to the team to keep on fighting. A tough fixture that we should have won but came away with a good point.
Johnny: There's been a difficulty awarding Everton penalties for a number of seasons. Probably dismissing my observation as biased and "all clubs feel that way etc" but anyway, let's not detract from this resurgence under Moyes and the fact Everton are back!
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton defender Jake O'Brien says the Toffees are "very confident" going into all their games, as they continued their recent unbeaten run in the league.
The Ireland international scored his first goal for the club in Wednesday's draw with Brentford, to help make it seven league games without defeat for David Moyes' side.
"It's a really good feeling - it was a tough game but we're happy we came away with something," he said.
"In the first half, we had chances but we deserved to come away with something and it's seven unbeaten now.
"[Against Manchester United] we deserved three points. This week has been difficult as well but we've come away with another point - as long as we're tallying up our points.
"We're seven unbeaten and there's a good positive vibe around the place. We're looking very confident going into all our games."
Everton now have a nine-day break before their next game, against Wolves and O'Brien thinks it has come at a good time for the squad: "It's been a tough couple of games over the past few weeks but it's the perfect time to settle down for a little bit and go again in the next game."
Listen to the interview on BBC Sounds
Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton's 'new manager bounce' under David Moyes continued on Wednesday as they fought back from behind to hold Brentford to a 1-1 draw in the Premier League.
The Toffees are now unbeaten in seven league matches and have taken 15 points from a possible 24 since Moyes returned for his second spell in January - having only collected 17 from a possible 57 under former boss Sean Dyche.
Everton's upturn in form is particularly impressive considering the long list of injuries the Merseyside club have had to deal with this season.
Iliman Ndiaye, Dwight McNeil, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Armando Broja all remain sidelined with injuries while Abdoulaye Doucoure, who was on target against Manchester United on Saturday and also at Brentford last season, was unavailable with his wife due to give birth.
But the Toffees did not let the absences affect them at Brentford and could have come away with all three points, had Beto capitalised on one of the three one-on-ones against Bees keeper Mark Flekken.
They are now 15 points clear of the drop zone and will hope to pull further away from it when they face 17th-placed Wolves next.
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton manager David Moyes, speaking to TNT Sports: "I am happy with that because I have never had a good record here. Thomas Frank is a good manager. I thought we were at least worthy of a point today. Beto had three one-one ones with the goalkeeper and we did not score any of them
"I was really disappointed with the players at half-time because we concede from a set-piece that way. We try to prepare for it but did not deal with it very well.
"The game was really slow in the first half. I thought it suited us. We had the best chances with Beto through on goal. In the second half, we saw a lot more of the ball and we were the bigger threat in the second."
On upturn in the club's form: "I don't really want to be someone who comes in to save the club from relegation. I want to be a manager who competes for Europe like I have been in three years prior to this.
"But, let's be honest. Everton were in a terrible position. We are looking up rather than down. We have been disappointed with getting a draw tonight and should have picked up more on Saturday."
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton are now unbeaten in each of their last seven Premier League matches (W4 D3), their longest unbeaten run since December 2017 (W4 D3).
Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?
Have your say on Brentford's performance
What did you make of Everton's display?
Come back to this page on Thursday to find a selection of your replies
Five matches make up Wednesday's Premier League action
Brentford v Everton
Man Utd v Ipswich
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
Tottenham v Man City
Liverpool v Newcastle (20:15)
All kick-off times 19:30 GMT unless stated
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton forward Beto says he is keen to capitalise on an opportunity that "he has never had" since joining the club.
The striker, who has scored five goals in his past four Premier League matches will be looking to continue his hot streak when the Toffees travel to London to face Brentford on Wednesday.
"This is the first time [since joining the club] I'm feeling like this, this excited to play every game," Beto told club media.
"I just want to play this next game to see how it's going to be. I don't want to have one week off without a game. I just want to keep playing, because before I wasn't playing. Now that I'm playing and I feel that I'm getting better and better, I want to test myself.
"The team is helping me a lot. They're trying to find me. I can see they trust me. They trust in my strength and I just want to pay back the trust they put on me."
When asked if this is the best he has felt in his playing career, Beto added: "Almost. I've felt this type of way in Udinese, in Italy, and I'm starting to feel it now in Everton and I'm happy for the team."
Ian Kennedy
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesWednesday's game at Brentford looks tough on paper, but this is a confident Everton side that can look back on recent away wins over Brighton and Crystal Palace.
The Blues can go into the game with a real belief they can come away with something positive, especially with Brentford without a home win in the league since December. The Bees have, however, looked good away from home, highlighted by Friday's 4-0 victory at Leicester.
So it is a good game in prospect and Everton will have to be very wary of Brentford's attacking threat.
That said, the home side will know the Toffees have a rejuvenated striker in Beto, and are creating far more chances.
Everton are now looking up, not down, and although they will have been disappointed to draw with Manchester United on Saturday having been 2-0 up, it is still another point towards mid-table security.
David Moyes says there is still work to do to ensure survival - and that is no bad thing.
No let up, keep it going, not safe yet. It is the right attitude to have and it is working brilliantly at the moment.
Listen to Total Sport Merseyside from 18:00 on weeknights and find details here of live Everton match commentaries on BBC Radio Merseyside
This is going to be close. Brentford have had back-to-back wins over West Ham and Leicester, while Everton's improvement under David Moyes has been dramatic.
Moyes has done an incredible job but the Blues have not suddenly become world-beaters. I do think they will lose some games, and this is one of them.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
Image source, Getty ImagesHaving won their first two Premier League games against Everton in the 2021-22 campaign, Brentford are now winless in their past five against the Toffees.
Everton boss David Moyes has won one and lost five of his six Premier League meetings with Brentford, all with West Ham from 2021 to 2024. His 0.5 points-per-game against the Bees is his lowest average against any side in his managerial career in the competition.
Real Madrid are keen to sign a centre-back this summer and Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite has been discussed. (Teamtalk), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesdday's full gossip column
Everton boss David Moyes says multiple things happening at the club are contributing to the recent improvement in form.
Speaking in Tuesday's news conference, Moyes said: "You see managers come in and see a bit of 'new manager bounce'. I'm hoping that is not the case because I've been here a long time before.
"It's OK to say [it's because] I've come in, but I think the whole club and the players have had a lift from new ownership and the thought of a new stadium."
