Return of Max Walter

Post by **Captain Canada** » 21 Dec 2025, 17:17

This shit is so clean :obama:

ShireNiner · Post by **ShireNiner** » 21 Dec 2025, 17:31

Short-handed Everton fall to Nottingham Forest, but help is coming per reports

Everton struggle on short rest against Forest but receive positive news on help arriving (ShireNiner Network)

By: Callum Ridgeway, Everton reporter
December 30, 2025 | The City Ground

Nottingham Forest produced a composed and clinical performance at the City Ground to beat Everton 2–0, with second-half goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Dilane Bakwa sealing the points.

In what was Max Walter’s third Premier League match in charge, Everton again showed intent but lacked the finishing touch, while Forest grew in confidence and punished the Toffees’ mistakes late on. It was another game of individual mistakes for Walter's side, this time coming in attack and not in the defense.

How the game unfolded

The opening period was cagey, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances. Everton tried to press high and disrupt Forest’s build-up, but the hosts remained patient, passing the ball around the back and not threatening to attack. Everton broke through with two clear chances late in the half but saw both attempts go right into the keeper's arms.

Forest began to take control at the start of the second half, enjoying more possession and forcing Jordan Pickford into early action. Everton, meanwhile, struggled to get the ball out of their own half, giving away the ball in poor areas and failing to clear the box.

The breakthrough came in the 56th minute, when Gibbs-White found space on the edge of the area and rifled a low finish past Pickford, waking up the City Ground after a quiet first half.

Walter’s side attempted to respond, pushing numbers forward and committing more bodies into attack, but that only opened spaces for Forest on the counter as the game went on.

Those spaces were finally exploited in the 89th minute, as substitute Dilane Bakwa finished off a swift break to secure the result and send the fans home happy.

Reinforcements coming?

For Everton, the issues are obvious, and the only solution is in the market. With only 14 healthy senior players, rotating on short weeks is nearly impossible, leading to tired players and early substitutions. The most obvious area is in defense; reports this week coming from Merseyside are that two new defenders will be arriving and possibly one key senior player departing the club.

ShireNiner Network will be following up on reports before providing details to make sure of accuracy.

Callum Ridgeway is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering Everton. He previously covered Everton for Merseyside Network. He is based in Liverpool, UK. Follow Callum on Twitter @Callumsfake

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ShireNiner · Post by **ShireNiner** » 21 Dec 2025, 17:31

Captain Canada wrote: ↑
21 Dec 2025, 17:17
This shit is so clean

The SNN trying to stay fresh

ShireNiner · Post by **ShireNiner** » 21 Dec 2025, 22:41

Everton Move to Fix the Back Line: Heaven and Agbadou Arrive as Tarkowski Exit Looms

Emmanuel Agbadou is the first signing of the Walter era at Everton (ShireNiner Network)

By: Callum Ridgeway, Everton Reporter
January 5, 2026 | Transfer Talk

Everton’s response to their defensive crisis has been swift and decisive.

The club has completed the signings of Ayden Heaven from Manchester United for £4.2 million and Emmanuel Agbadou from Wolves for £23 million, as Max Walter begins reshaping a back line ill-suited to his high-pressing philosophy. At the same time, Everton are in advanced talks with Chelsea over a swap deal that would see James Tarkowski move to Stamford Bridge, with winger Tyrique George heading to Merseyside along with a cash payment.

For Walter, these moves represent the first real step in aligning the squad with his footballing identity. Removing the old-style centerbacks that have been hurting his system and replacing them with younger, more athletic backs that can press higher up the pitch.

Ayden Heaven (£4.2m, from Manchester United)

At just 18, Heaven is viewed as a prospect signing but with the expectation of playing right away. The left-footed centre-back impressed in United’s academy with his composure in possession, recovery speed, and willingness to defend space high up the pitch. United were reluctant to let him go, but the opportunity for first-team minutes proved decisive.

“This is a football fit,” a source close to the deal told ShireNiner Network. “Everton sees him as a modern centre-back they can grow, not just a prospect to store.”

Heaven is expected to compete immediately for minutes, with Everton's thin depth in defense, Heaven will be asked to step up right away.

Emmanuel Agbadou (£23m, from Wolves)

The 27-year-old arrives with Premier League experience and a profile tailor-made for Walter’s system: quick across the ground, aggressive stepping into midfield, and comfortable defending wide spaces. Wolves were initially reluctant to sell, but Everton’s willingness to meet their valuation accelerated the deal. Wolves being favorites for relegation and needing the funds was also a benefit for the Toffees.

“This is the defender Max wanted first,” one club source said. “He can survive on an island, which is a requirement in this system.”

With Tarkowski possibly leaving and Keane not favored, Agbadou is seen as the leader of the back line, if he can step up and take it.

Tarkowski on the Move — Chelsea Talks Advance

While reinforcements arrive, a major departure is edging closer.

Everton are in ongoing discussions with Chelsea over a deal that would send James Tarkowski to Stamford Bridge, with Tyrique George moving in the opposite direction, along with a cash component. The clubs have agreed to the deal and are now waiting on Tarkowski's camp to approve.

From Everton’s perspective, the logic is straightforward: Tarkowski, while a leader and professional, is not suited to a sustained high line. His contract has 1.5 years left, and he is losing pace with age. With younger options coming in that Walter's sees as the future, Tarkowski, along with Keane, are seen as "for sale" by the club.

The potential arrival of Tyrique George was not one that Everton initially thought of but Chelsea offered the young winger, someone they see as surplus. Everton's focus this window was on defense, but when the opportunity was present, the club decided to move forward.

Walter has long prioritized wide players who can press, stretch the pitch, and attack defenders one-on-one. George, still just 19, fits that mold. Raw but explosive, capable of operating on either flank, and can add depth across the front.

“He’s fearless,” a Premier League scout told SNN. “Walter loves that.”

The added cash in the deal would further strengthen Everton’s ability to continue reshaping the squad before the window closes. Even though two defenders have arrived, Walter is still looking for more. If Tarkowski agrees to leave, Everton will have three center-backs at the club and only two in favor.

Every problem will not be solved in this window, but the addition of Heaven and Agbadou is certainly a big step in the right direction.

What did you think of this story?

Callum Ridgewayis a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering Everton. He previously covered Everton for Merseyside Network. He is based in Liverpool, UK. Follow Callum on Twitter @Callumsfake

Comments

redsox907 · Post by **redsox907** » 21 Dec 2025, 22:43

Max Walter needs guys that are going to score more goals

score more goals and you'll see the Ws roll in

ShireNiner · Post by **ShireNiner** » 21 Dec 2025, 23:26

redsox907 wrote: ↑
21 Dec 2025, 22:43
Max Walter needs guys that are going to score more goals

score more goals and you'll see the Ws roll in

It’s coming. We had to play defensive because the defense was so bad.

ShireNiner · Post by **ShireNiner** » 22 Dec 2025, 11:56

Everton 2–1 Brentford: Blues overcome slow start with strong second half performance

Everton's new signings prove vital in the comeback win (ShireNiner Network)

By: Callum Ridgeway, Everton reporter
January 4, 2026 | Hill Dickson Stadium

Everton produced their most resilient performance under Max Walter to date, overturning a second-half deficit to beat Brentford 2–1 at Goodison Park, despite being comprehensively outshot and stretched for long spells.

Goals from James Garner (66’) and Beto (73’) flipped the contest on its head after Mikkel Damsgaard had given Brentford a deserved lead on 62 minutes. It was a match that tested Walter’s high-tempo ideals, and one Everton survived through goalkeeping excellence and clinical moments.

How the game was won

In the first half, Everton looked like a side playing together for the first time ever. In ways, they were. New signings Ayden Heaven and Emmanuel Agbadou started at the back, giving Walter the chance to play a 4-3-3 that was focused more on attack and letting defenders cover space one-on-one. While the defense stayed strong and allowed minimal chances, it was the passing and attack that looked out of sorts. Bad passes, easy giveaways, and mistimed runs owned the first half for the Toffees.

As the game went on, Everton became more confident in the setup. After Brentford found the breakthrough first, the goal seemed to wake Everton up and give them a chance to let loose. No longer worried about the clean sheet, the Blues pressed forward and started creating chances. In a quick seven-minute spell, Everton had five shots and two goals, giving them the deserved late advantage.

The Bees kept pushing, having multiple chances in the final minutes to equalize, but captain Jordan Pickford kept them out with three great stops. In a fitting end, it was Agbadou who made the final clearance after a Pickford save to get the win for Everton.

What the managers said

Max Walter (Everton manager)

“We didn’t control the game the way I’d like, but we controlled the moments, and sometimes that’s the difference in this league. The reaction mattered more than the goal. We didn’t panic, we didn’t drop off. We stayed brave and trusted what we’re building." On his goalkeeper, Jordan was outstanding. When you’re asking your team to play higher and defend space, your goalkeeper has to be strong and commanding. He was like that today." On the team's progress over the last two weeks, "This is still early. There will be days when it looks uncomfortable, but I’d rather grow through that than hide from it.”

Keith Andrews (Brentford manager)

“We were the better side for large spells. Sixteen shots away from home usually gets you something but tonight it didn’t.” On how Everton responded after the goal, “They took their moments well. That’s the Premier League, if you switch off for five minutes, you get punished.” On conceding twice in seven minutes, “That period killed us. We had control, we scored, and then we didn’t manage the game well enough.” On Brentford’s league position, 11th, “We’re in a good place overall. One result doesn’t change that, but it does remind us we have to be sharper.”

Callum Ridgeway is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering Everton. He previously covered Everton for Merseyside Network. He is based in Liverpool, UK. Follow Callum on Twitter @Callumsfake

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ShireNiner · Post by **ShireNiner** » 22 Dec 2025, 12:54

Toffees make it two straight to start 2026 as Wolves look like a team already relegated

Wolves look like a team folding as Everton could have scored 5 (ShireNiner Network)

By: Callum Ridgeway, Everton reporter
January 7, 2026 | Hill Dickson Stadium

Everton continued their impressive rise under Max Walter with a controlled 2-1 victory over Wolves at Hill Dickinson Stadium, condemning the visitors to another damaging defeat at the foot of the Premier League table.
Goals from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall just before the break and Barry shortly after the hour mark proved decisive, before Toluwalase Arokodare pulled one back late on, but the result was never in doubt. On any other day, Everton could have scored four or five goals with how poorly Wolves defended.

How the game was won

Everton started with purpose, pressing Wolves high and forcing early turnovers, a clear statement of Walter’s approach. While Wolves enjoyed more of the ball (55 per cent possession), it was the hosts who carried the greater threat. Everton were happy letting Wolves pass the ball between defenders at the back, never showing a threat or attempting to move up field.

The breakthrough arrived in the 45th minute. After sustained pressure, Dewsbury-Hall found space in the box, with a clear corner to aim at, and beat the keeper across the box to the far post.

The Toffees doubled their advantage in the 61st minute. A quick transition caught Wolves stretched, and McNeil made a brilliant dribbling move to get past the last defender, setting up an easy low cross to Barry for the tap-in.

Wolves responded six minutes later when Arokodare capitalised on a rare defensive lapse to make it 2-1, but that proved to be their only real moment of threat. Everton closed the game out professionally, limiting Wolves to just four shots all afternoon and forcing eight saves at the other end.

What the managers said

Max Walters (Everton manager)
“I liked the control more than the scoreline,” Walter told Sky Sports. “We were aggressive, we pressed well, and we created enough to win the game earlier.”

“This group is learning quickly. We’re not perfect, but the mentality is growing every week. That’s the biggest thing for me.”

Gary O’Neil (Wolves manager)

A frustrated Wolves boss admitted his side is running out of time. “We had the ball, but we didn’t have enough edge,” he said. “Four shots aren’t good enough when you’re fighting for your lives.”

“The table reflects reality. We’re not taking chances, and we’re being punished for small mistakes.

Callum Ridgeway is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering Everton. He previously covered Everton for Merseyside Network. He is based in Liverpool, UK. Follow Callum on Twitter @Callumsfake

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RMJH4 · Post by **RMJH4** » 23 Dec 2025, 05:00

Beat the teams below you and around you and you'll have a good season. Nice wins over Brentford and Wolves. Let's hope Heaven works out for you.

Post by **Caesar** » 23 Dec 2025, 08:34

Crazy to think you're not far off the European places with that win.

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