Everton legend Peter Reid has said he would love David Moyes' side to go on a cup run even though the club now has one of the smallest squads in the Premier League.
The Blues reduced their first-team group to 18 outfield players on deadline day, with only one striker, one left-back and one right-back remaining. The Friedkin Group completed over £100million in sales, including the departure of home-grown teenager Harrison Armstrong, who had been set to join Nottingham Forest for £40million before fans threatened to riot and the owners performed a U-turn on that deal.
Squad concerns ahead of Newcastle clash
Jarrad Branthwaite (concussion protocol) and Jack Grealish (sickness) both missed the 2-0 defeat at Arsenal on Saturday, while Vitalii Mykolenko was forced off after 74 minutes through injury. Summer signing Christian Norgaard, working his way back to fitness, has yet to start a game and looked off the pace in his only appearance so far, as a substitute against Chelsea.
Despite these numbers, Reid, who won two League Championships, an FA Cup and the European Cup-Winners' Cup with Everton, believes the club can still compete on more than one front. Moyes' men can reach the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup if they beat Newcastle United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Thursday night, before a Premier League trip to St James' Park on Monday.
Reid backs cup competitions
Reid told the ECHO: "I know Iliman Ndiaye went in the end and they sold Beto too, so you're left wondering whether we're a bit short on numbers. I just hope there's not a run of injuries that leave us down to the bare bones, you always worry about that."
"I love cup runs. Having not won anything since 1995, as we all know and we're all getting reminded, a cup run would bring more games but I'm all for it. People might say it's a Catch-22 situation, but I just think it's good if you do well in the cups. I would love Everton to win a cup at Wembley for their supporters."
Ambassador for Football Safety App
Reid has joined former Liverpool pair Emile Heskey and Paul Stewart, plus Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Alison Bender, as part of an elite squad to promote the Football Safety App. The FSA is designed to tackle all forms of abuse around sport by allowing users to report incidents, suspicious behaviour or areas of concern instantly to a 24-hour control room, where reports are received, logged and acted on responsibly.
The 70-year-old from Huyton said: "The 1970s and 80s were a bit lively. Anyone who knows me knows that I was an aggressive player on the pitch. I got a lot of stick and I gave it back. Back in the day, I was spat on and suffered verbal abuse."
"Over the years, the game has changed and behaviour at grounds has got a lot better. But I've seen abuse of black players, which is why I got involved in supporting 'Show Racism the Red Card' and why I have now become an ambassador for the FSA. That behaviour is just not acceptable in the modern game. Families are going to matches and they shouldn't be hearing bad language. Football, and sport in general, should be safe and enjoyable to watch and to be part of."
"The majority of matches are not too bad; it is social media that is one of the biggest problems now. In a modern world, an app like this is the future. Everyone has a phone in their hand, and the app makes it easy to report any form of abuse as you hear it. It is discreet, easy to use… I'm all for it to help make the games safer for supporters and players and everyone in it."
Since its launch, the technology has been welcomed for its practical, data-driven approach to safeguarding and its aim of creating a football environment where everyone can participate safely, free from abuse. The app is free to download and use, and the team behind it is continuing to work with clubs, leagues and supporter groups to expand its use across the sport.
