Everton

Mike Richards
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Given Everton's squad has 13 players whose contracts or loan deal expires in the summer, many names are considered when thinking about who needs to do more, assuming they want to earn a new deal.

The one player who immediately springs to mind is Jack Harrison.

His second loan spell was a deal of convenience as the previous manager had worked with him and there was no additional loan fee attached - handy when money was incredibly scarce.

We all hoped he would have been able to kick on this season and offer more output. Sadly, that has not been the case.

With his first goal of the season only coming in the recent draw with Wolves, it is safe to say Evertonians are not clamouring for his permanent signature.

He recently spoke about the exciting future for the club and wanting to be part of it, but you have to feel he has to uproot a fair number of trees for David Moyes to want to sign him.

The manager has challenged him a couple of times since his arrival, almost dangling a contract at the end of long stick.

Although this summer will be one of great change from a player and club perspective, you have to wonder how much Harrison will have to do to be enough to sway the minds of those at the club.

There is no questioning his work-rate. As an attacking outlet - in a side short of goals in recent seasons - if you are not scoring or creating, you are not needed.

This feels like the end of the road, but in the world of Everton, you should never say never.

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external

Defender Jarrad Branthwaite is considering his future at Everton amid interest from Manchester United and Liverpool. (Mirror, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Some more comments from those that attended the second test event at Bramley-Moore Dock ground on Sunday.

Steve: The road into the city centre was very congested after the match because we had to queue to cross a bridge which had a weight limit. Could this bridge not be reinforced to allow free flow of fans? That said, I've experienced longer delays leaving Wembley Stadium.

Gerard: The stadium and surroundings are fantastic. A real game-changer for Everton. Optimism abounds! I got the train from Chester to James Street and did the 30-minute walk to the ground. Straightforward, no problems. After, with 25,000 people leaving at the same time it was much more congested and certainly the bridge pinch point on the Dock Road needs managing. But any venue with over 25,000 people leaving it will always have congestion issues. It is no different to any built-up-area ground I have ever come out of. More trains and buses to get people to and away from the ground will be great but, honestly, most fans who regularly go to a match will not be overly concerned.

Ged: I attended the second test event and was lucky enough to have attended the first. The stadium itself is magnificent - the photographs online do not do it justice! The only two complaints I have following the events are that the concourse in the South-East section were extremely busy before the match and during half-time because of the positioning of food stalls and toilets facing. I think this could be improved if barriers were used to manoeuvre the queue in a different direction. The other issue I had was with the lack of pedestrian traffic lights away from the stadium, which made it difficult to cross, especially with children.

Stephen: I got dropped off at the match, so getting there was no problem. Getting home was a different matter. I had a relative with learning difficulties with me so when information was given that there would be train disruption, we walked towards the city until we could get picked up. The transport arrangements for the ground are woeful to say the least, but then again we are only football fans. The worry is that I can't see it getting better any time soon. The ground itself was magnificent and we enjoyed the experience so please sort out the travelling.

Mary: Transport from Aigburth Station to Sandhills was a nightmare. I have never had to stand in a train that was so crowded. It felt unsafe. Only four carriages on the train - what an absolute farce.

We had lots of you want to get involved with sending your opinions and pictures from the second test event at Bramley-Moore Dock ground on Sunday.

Here is more of a selection:

Mary: Stadium itself is very impressive, but it definitely doesn't feel like home. Without any signage or a badge, you could be in any modern stadium. The south stand (understandably) only had half the outside concourse open due to ongoing works, and will need a lot of lighting round it for night games. The food is also very expensive for what it is. These are all easily rectified though.

The biggest concern myself and a lot of other fans have is the infrastructure. The nearest train station is not built for 50,000 people to go through it every week (as it's also the closest train station to Anfield). The stadium is certainly walkable distance from the city centre, but in order to get to and from the ground, you have to go over a small bridge. This bridge has a weight limit on it and after the test event yesterday, only so many fans at a time were being allowed over it. There's now an urgent need to look at what can be done to safely get fans to and from the new ground.

Damian: Some people are never happy - I was at the test event yesterday. Drove down from Durham - round trip of 360 miles. Parked at Seacombe Ferry (free parking) ferry across the Mersey. Walked to stadium no problem. Amazed by what I witnessed. Prices no more than you would expect. Lots of families in the North Stand - really enjoyable day, didn't get home until after nine last night but no complaints. Absolutely amazing.

Andrew: Amazing experience at the test event on Sunday and can't wait to experience it in full!

Tony: Fantastic stadium, but the transport logistics need to be sorted and quickly. I boarded the train at 12.05, by the time we were at Sandhills station for the stadium, the train was packed, people standing like sardines in a tin.

The roads around the station and ground were chaotic. Cars were bumper to bumper and people were having to play chicken with the cars in order to cross a very busy road.

Leaving the stadium, stewards were using stop/go signs to hold back the crowd because the bridge isn't capable of taking the weight. Stewards will have no chance of doing this and getting a response if there has been a last minute winner against Everton.

Matt: The stadium is fantastic. The architect has done a superb job with the design. Went through Sandhills station going in and out and thought Merseyrail were doing a good job with the system they've got.

That said, the area at the station isn't big enough to queue fans. It should be covered and I'm not sure how it will be managed with a mix of home and away fans having to queue down Sandhills Road in the pouring rain in winter.

Liverpool City Council have had years worth of notice to get the transport up to speed, Given they don't want cars around the stadium, the rail option needs investment quickly and arguably it should have been done already.

Elizabeth: It was a fabulous experience but we had problems getting the downloaded tickets to work. We tried a paper version from the ticket office but they didn't have a paper one for gate 11.

Staff and the supervisor were great in sorting it but I was glad we'd got there by 12 so there was plenty of time to sort things out and get us both in.

We asked you to send in your photos from the second test event at Bramley-Moore Dock ground on Sunday and any comments around the stadium, transport or overall experience.

Here are some of your replies:

Ash: Unreal stadium. I was honestly lost for words with how magnificent it is. The only setback was when walking away from the ground to town as we had to keep stopping to walk over the bridge next to the Titanic Hotel.

Lisa: The stadium is epic and the organisation was fantastic, but the transport issues need addressing before August so they can cope with over 50,000 supporters, plus staff. Exciting times ahead for Everton.

Matt: It was a brilliant experience for the whole family. A new dawn for the club. A new place but it still felt like Everton.

My dad and I had watched all the drone footage from when it was just a dock - unfortunately my dad passed away in 2023 and never saw it finished - so it felt important to go yesterday and experience it for him.

It is so much bigger in reality than on the high and wide aerial footage. They have managed to make it large and compact at the same time - truly intimidating, and hopefully a worthy successor to Goodison.

Andrea: Fantastic stadium. It really did have the wow factor, but is let down by the poor infrastructure. Waited for two trains to get to Sandhills from Brunswick (as they wouldn't let anymore people on the train) and only four car trains despite the mayor saying there would be eight-car trains! I decided not to wait for a train and walked the nearly three miles back to my car, but it was quicker than waiting for the train!

Tony Scott from The Everton FC Podcast - All Together Now says the train to Bramley-Moore Dock stadium "was not pleasant" and he is just one of many fans who have raised their concerns over the transport infrastructure.

Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside at the second test event on Sunday, Scott said: "I was here for the first test event and this time it is all about safety and that was not pleasant.

"I took my eight-year-old son to the first one and the stadium is fantastic, but it was tarnished by the journey home. We were treated like cattle at Sandhill station, but as it was the first test event we gave them the benefit of the doubt.

"At the second, I got on the 11:40 train and the safety aspect was unbelievably bad. People were worried for their safety on there. We were promised there would be trains every 15 minutes but that was not the case.

"They might have been more frequent after 12 but it was a 14:00 kick-off, so why not put on more trains for those that want to get to the stadium earlier?

"I live in Aintree and the platform there is fantastic because it is extended for when the horse racing is on. Trains run every seven and a half minutes and it is frequent and professional. Why hasn't that process been put on for 85,000 people here?

"People will be using public transport because there aren't that many car park facilities around the stadium, so something needs to be done and the quicker the better."

Listen to more from Scott on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Everton held a second test event at their new Bramley-Moore Dock ground on Sunday ahead of the move away from Goodison Park in the summer.

The under-21 team beat Bolton Wanderers 1-0 in front of 25,000 supporters - an increase on 10,000 fans that were permitted in February's first test event - and this time around it was to achieve a safety certificate for evacuation.

The game ended after 65 minutes and fans were asked to safely leave the ground following stadium protocols and were not re-admitted.

Despite the evacuation process going to plan, concerns over public transport and traffic congestion have been highlighted by fans who attended.

Everton's interim chief executive, Colin Chong said: "This was a hugely important step in our transition to Everton Stadium, and we are delighted with how the stadium and our protocols handled the increase in capacity."

"We will continue to engage with local authorities, city stakeholders and fan groups about the long term travel plan, through the Transport Working Group."

Were you there?

Were you impressed by what you saw, or are there still some issues to be ironed out?

Send us your pictures and have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

Everton fan Paul McParlan has been discussing how he expects it to be a busy summer transfer window for the Toffees, who will have 13 out-of-contract first team players at the end of this season.

Speaking on BBC Radio Merseyside, McParlan added that it could be a "good opportunity" for the club to make some "marquee signings" as they head into a new era at Bramley-Moore Dock.

"Clearly they can't all go," McParlan said. "Some will stay as squad fringe players rather than first team regulars.

"If we look at the starting XI against West Ham last time out, there were three or four players there that you thought aren't going to be here next season and are really not going to be missed.

"You look at Jack Harrison in particular, when he signed for Everton I had some Leeds United fans saying what a fantastic signing he was going to turn out to be. He just hasn't delivered for Everton.

"Jesper Lindstrom just doesn't look suited to competing at Premier League level, so I don't think there's any way we are going to pay £20m for him.

"There are big question marks around Dominic Calvert-Lewin's fitness and whether he wants to stay at the club, so I think that's still a bit undecided as well.

"We have got the option to buy Armando Broja, but at the moment he has shown nothing to say that he would be an asset to the team.

"I'm not even convinced that Beto is going to be the answer next season either, despite his little golden run of scoring goals right now.

"So there are two ways of looking at it: you either think about the fact we're going to be losing all of these players or you can look at it as a real opportunity to rebuild and revamp the squad.

"Given the fact that we might actually be able to compete at the higher end of the transfer market, for the first time in a while, it could be a good opportunity.

"David Moyes has kind of been in the situation before at West Ham. He had to move players on and bring in more skilful and experienced players, so it also gives him the opportunity to revamp the squad."

Listen to the full conversation on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Some managers have styles and philosophies that are better suited to different players. That is clearly the case for Jake O'Brien at Everton.

When you have a manager who believes in you and a system that suits your attributes then, all of a sudden, things turn for the better.

David Moyes will have arrived with a completely different approach to Sean Dyche, with a difference in man-management style as well.

It would have been a level playing field when he returned and when you have a run of games you can start to build a little bit of momentum and consistency in your own performances.

I was in the form of my life when I was part of the England team that finished third at the 2016 World Cup and got a big move to Arsenal, with everything going in the right direction - but a falling out with a manager turned everything on its head.

I never lost self-belief - you need that as a player.

I'm not saying that happened with O'Brien and Dyche, but I went from feeling like the best in the world to feeling like nothing was going my way because of that extra pressure to prove my manager wrong and having the magnifying glass on me.

It is the manager's preference - and that belief they put into you can make a world of difference.

O'Brien would not have been signed for the money he was, nor be in the Premier League, if he was not good enough. It is just down to confidence - and the backing that gives you that confidence - to show how good you are.

Moyes looks as if he has done that and is reaping the rewards with O'Brien's assured and impressive performances.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

Does Jordan Pickford get the credit he deserves?

The Everton goalkeeper is once again on duty with England, this time under Thomas Tuchel.

Everton fan Peter MacFarlane told BBC Radio Merseyside Pickford gets a rough deal form fans generally.

"I don't thin Everton would be a Premier League club but I think Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium wouldn't exist without Jordan Pickford," MacFarlane told BBC Radio Merseyside's Phil Munns.

Get all of your Everton audio from BBC Radio Merseyside here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you what one thing nobody is talking about in relation to Everton.

Here are some of your comments:

Daydreaming Believer: It's a huge summer for the club and we've so many players that are due to leave either on the end of contract or expiry of loan deals. It's not just a symbolic leaving of Goodison there could be a dozen players leaving too! That's a massive opportunity for Moyes and the Friedkin Group to get the squad they want, which we haven't been able to do for the past few summers for a variety of reasons. Trust in Moyes. Come on, you blue boys!

Andy: It's not exactly a big secret but Jake O'Brien's rise to the first team won't go unnoticed. Everyone is worried about Jarrad Branthwaite leaving but O'Brien would be as disappointing to lose. Need to keep this strong defence together.

Danny: What Jesper Lindstrom offers to our team goes a bit under the radar because of his low goals/assists. Just thinking back to the Tottenham game - even West Ham the other day - when he, Broja and Chermiti came off the bench and all changed the game. He offers us something different and I think he'd be a decent signing in the summer if we were to try to negotiate a good deal with Napoli.

Charlie: No-one is talking about the health of Evertonians. For the first time in three years, heart rates have normalised, stress rash is subsiding and the 3pm fear has gone.

Eddy: I am concerned with the squad we have and players' contracts being due up. While I am aware the next window is some time away, it will soon creep up and be over quickly.

Ian Kennedy
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The international break offers a chance to take stock and to look back on an excellent nine-match unbeaten run. Everton were not at their best against West Ham but kept going and got their reward. In fact they might have won it right at the end.

David Moyes rightly says there is work still to be done but the Blues are 17 points clear of trouble, and that is having drawn the past four league games.

Draws can sometimes be damaging, but in Everton's case they have kept things ticking over to some extent. There is a resilience there. It has been a remarkable turnaround, for which Moyes and his players deserve great credit.

Perhaps the best illustration of it all has been the impressive form of Jake O'Brien, who has gone from a centre-back to one of the first names on the teamsheet at right-back.

He loves to get forward and is now scoring goals – that's two in the past three games. What a bonus!

Listen to Total Sport Merseyside from 18:00 on weeknights and find details here of live Everton match commentaries on BBC Radio Merseyside

Explore Everton content on BBC Sounds

David Moyes' return sparked an upturn in form that has lifted Everton well clear of relegation trouble in the Premier League.

And it promises to be an emotional end to the season, with only four more home league games left to play at Goodison Park before the Toffees move to their new stadium in the summer.

But is there something else that is slipping under the radar? What is the one thing - good or bad - nobody is talking about in relation to Everton?

Let us know here

Mike Richards
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Another game. Another point and nine games unbeaten.

One man who has been pivotal in our upturn in form and fortune has been Jake O'Brien.

A big-money arrival from Lyon last summer, he must have wondered why he signed for the club after being constantly overlooked by Sean Dyche.

As fans, the majority found it baffling that we could spend so much of our limited budget on a player that the manager had reservations about playing.

David Moyes has come in and quickly put said reservations to bed.

Evertonians familiar with the manager's first stunt at the club, will be well aware of how he utilised Joleon Lescott in a full-back role at times.

He has taken the same approach with O'Brien - now a mainstay in the side - and he has taken to the position like a duck to water.

Defensively solid, he has quietly gone about his business, without any fuss or complaint.

The past three games have seen him score two, highlighting the attacking threat he possesses, something he often showed at Lyon. His omission under Dyche was even more confusing given our reliance on scoring goals from set-pieces.

I would fully expect to see him move to his preferred centre-back position next season and rightly so.

I'm sure all Evertonians would love to see him partnered with Jarrad Branthwaite at the heart of the Everton defence at the new stadium on the opening weekend of the season.

A pipedream potentially, but stranger things have happened.

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external

Image source, Getty Images

BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

@Chrisgill95 on X asked: Some of Tuchel's choices in his first squad were mind-boggling, but what is even more ludicrous is the suggestion Jordan Pickford won't be his number one keeper. Surely Tuchel won't be stupid enough to change for change's sake?

Phil answered: It would be a huge shock should Tuchel decide to change his keeper. And in my opinion a very big mistake.

Jordan Pickford has been outstanding and consistent for England - and Everton - for so many years and has always delivered big performances on the big occasions under Gareth Southgate.

I actually do not believe he has any serious rivals as England's number one keeper. I do not see any current grounds on which that should change.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Everton and West Ham.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Tony: A game we didn't look like scoring in but yet again we found a way. Jake O'Brien is a fixture in this team now- thanks to David Moyes. He reads the game so well. It bodes well and he is surely a future centre-half legend. Easy next five games to keep this run going!

Danny: Lacking attacking threat and didn't make much of the ball going forward when we had our spells of possession. Beto was never really in the game for us and we failed to get him going and create chances. When West Ham had their spells of possession, they always looked the more dangerous and capitalised with a worthy 1-0 lead. Everton were ultimately fortunate to get a late equaliser in a game that lacked intensity from both teams.

Andy: Back to normal Everton. Plenty of possession work but leave it to the defenders to get the goal. Somebody cheer Beto up so he scores again.

Shez: Did just fine. Just need Iliman Ndiaye, Dwight McNeil and Dominic Calvert-Lewin back. A bit of imagination! Bring on the summer! Mohammed Kudus class for West Ham.

West Ham fans

Stephen: Probably a fair result. Defensively better but let down by a lacklustre midfield with too many poor passes and lack of energy. Having said that, it's a hard-fought point.

Steve: Thought it was a fairly even game without too many good chances from either side but, for me, Lucas Paqueta is just a liability. He constantly loses the ball, makes stupid unnecessary fouls, and is always throwing himself to the ground as if poleaxed. Get rid.

Vic: Getting better game by game and once the dead wood has been cut out, this team will flourish under Graham Potter.

David: So far the defence is unrecognisable from when Potter took over but we have to be more robust and not get pushed back. That said, a hard earned point. Well done!

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Ipswich 2-4 Nottingham Forest

• Bournemouth 1-2 Brentford

Image source, Getty Images

Everton boss David Moyes, speaking to BBC Sport: "Brilliant character. Deserved in the end. We did quite well in the first half but didn't create enough chances. Second half Wes Ham started better. We made a few changes, the boys came on and made a difference. We got our reward.

"The two boys who came on played no football. It was difficult to give them more minutes than we did. They both had an impact and we nearly nicked it at the end. Maybe a draw on the day was the right result.

"The crowd are fantastic here. We know we lack quality in areas and are having to improve. If you can't take three, you have to make sure you get one.

"It's good we're beginning to get back to better levels. We know we have to pick up the levels and quality.

"Tomas Soucek is a really good goalscorer. We signed him as a goalscoring midfielder. He's great in both boxes. He's a top lad as well. I'm pleased for him but not for us.

"It was great to see Jake O'Brien get a goal. He's done really well. He's a young centre-back developing at right-back. He's got some really good attributes. What he needs is Premier League experience. He came up against top players today in Bowen and Kudus and did well."

Image source, Getty Images

Everton extended their Premier League unbeaten run to nine games (W4 D5) - the Toffees' longest run without defeat since February 2017 under Ronald Koeman (9).