Everton’s David Moyes on Coventry’s Form in Pre-Match Presser

← Back to Match CentreEverton v Coventry

David Moyes spoke ahead of Everton’s Premier League Matchweek 10 game against Coventry, which kicks off at 8pm on Friday 6 November at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool. Stuart Attwell is the referee.

The Everton manager confirmed that Jack Grealish is unavailable and said Jarrad Branthwaite is being monitored after cramp. He also talked about equalling Catterick’s record, Thierno Barry’s goals, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s England call-up and the January window.

Branthwaite’s fitness after cramp

“Yeah, we are just nursing him along a wee bit and checking that he is ok.”

What he said

Moyes was asked about Branthwaite’s fitness after the defender suffered cramp. He said the club are checking on the player rather than giving a fixed verdict on his availability.

What he meant

Analysis: “Nursing him along” suggests Everton are managing the situation carefully and not treating it as a serious injury. Branthwaite is not among the two Everton absences listed for this game, which are Grealish (coach’s decision) and T. George (injury). Moyes still did not offer a firm guarantee that Branthwaite will play.

Grealish is not available

“No, Jack is not available”

What he said

Moyes answered a direct question on Grealish’s availability for Friday’s game with a short, clear reply. The team news lists the forward as absent for Everton because of a coach’s decision, not an injury.

What he meant

Analysis: The answer was brief and gave no further detail, which fits the listed reason for his absence. Everton have won their last two games, both against Newcastle, so Moyes is working with a side that has recent results behind it. The absence is therefore a selection matter and not a squad crisis.

Plan for bringing Grealish back

“I wouldn’t give you the plan but we will be working with Jack again soon.”

What he said

Asked how Grealish would be brought back into the squad, Moyes declined to share the details of any plan. He did say Everton will be working with the player again soon.

What he meant

Analysis: Moyes kept the specifics private but did not suggest the situation is permanent. The word “soon” indicates a short-term timeline, although he did not put a date on it. The decision remains with the manager, as the absence list records.

Grealish and the international break

“We will see. We need to wait and see how things go.”

What he said

Moyes was asked whether Grealish might return around the international break. He said Everton need to wait and see how things go, and did not commit to a timescale.

What he meant

Analysis: This was a non-committal answer that left the next steps open. Together with his previous reply, it suggests Moyes wants to avoid setting expectations about a return. It also keeps his options open while Everton sit seventh on 13 points after nine games.

Equalling Catterick’s record

“I got told about this a few weeks ago. I hadn’t realised I was that close. I’m very proud to be up there and talked about in the same breath as him. I wish I had the trophies he had to go with it, though!”

What he said

Moyes was asked about equalling Catterick’s record at Everton. He said he was told about it a few weeks ago and had not realised he was so close.

What he meant

Analysis: Moyes spoke warmly about the milestone and added a light-hearted remark about trophies. His answer put the focus on the comparison with Catterick and not on his own achievements. It also suggests the record is not something he has been working towards.

Thierno Barry’s goals

“He is settling down. I know it sounds like an excuse but we took a gamble in buying him, knowing that he probably wouldn’t be right straightaway. It isn’t all right at the minute, but Erling Haaland should be worried because he is just behind him now! Let’s hope he can keep scoring and keep improving for us.”

What he said

Moyes was asked about Barry’s goals and said the striker is settling in. He described signing him as a gamble and said Everton knew the player might not be right straightaway.

What he meant

Analysis: Moyes was candid that Barry is still adapting, while making a joke about Haaland to lighten the tone. His closing words, hoping Barry can “keep scoring and keep improving”, show he expects development over time. Everton have scored 9 goals in 9 league games, so the striker’s contribution is part of a wider attacking picture.

Dewsbury-Hall’s England call-up

“We will be pleased for him to be recognised for England so long as he keeps doing well for Everton. He has come from a couple of clubs that have recently won trophies and achieved success, so he has an idea of what that feels like which is really important for us in our mission to get back into Europe.”

What he said

Moyes was asked about Dewsbury-Hall’s England call-up and said Everton will be pleased for him as long as he keeps performing for the club. He pointed to the midfielder’s previous clubs, which have recently won trophies.

What he meant

Analysis: Moyes linked the call-up to Everton’s own aims, saying it matters for their “mission to get back into Europe”. That is a clear statement of the club’s ambition. Everton are seventh in the table, and Moyes values the winning experience that Dewsbury-Hall brings.

January transfer plans

“No, at the moment there are no plans.”

What he said

Moyes was asked whether Everton have plans for the January transfer window. He said there are none at the moment.

What he meant

Analysis: The answer was short and left little room for interpretation. “At the moment” leaves the door open to a change before the window opens, but Moyes is not signalling any intended business. Only two Everton players are listed as absent for Friday, which is consistent with a squad he is content with for now.

Confidence check: Measured

Moyes sounded measured. He was open about Grealish’s absence and about Barry still settling in, but he did not talk down his team’s position. He also spoke about Europe as a “mission” for the club.

The results back up a steady mood. Everton are seventh with 13 points from nine games (won three, drawn four, lost two), and they have won their last two matches against Newcastle, 3-1 at home on 29 October and 1-0 away on 2 November. They scored 9 and conceded 9 in the league.

Coventry are 16th with 9 points and have lost six of their nine league games, conceding 16 goals. They have won two of their last three matches, however, 4-1 against Newcastle and 3-1 against Sunderland on 31 October, and have five players listed as injured. Moyes did not mention Coventry in the words provided, so his tone appears to come from his own squad’s situation.

← Back to Match CentreEverton v Coventry