- Stubbs has reflected on Everton’s disappointing end to 2025-26 campaign.
- The Toffees’ chances for European qualification are now near impossible.
- Everton’s former captain has mixed views on the Blues’ current situation.
Everton’s loss against Sunderland ended their hopes of European qualification.
Mathematically, the Toffees can still claim eighth spot, but they would need an abundance of factors to fall into place for them.
When Premier League action resumed after the March international break, there was a hefty supply of hope and positivity at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Yet two months later, there have been calls for the removal of David Moyes as manager, and criticism directed towards the club CEO, Angus Kinnear.
Alan Stubbs has reflected on the Blues’ season, with the former captain opting to take a level-headed outlook.
‘We’re not good enough, we’re too inconsistent’
In March, there were questions as to whether Everton could snatch a Champions League spot, yet now there is a possibility they could finish the season in 14th.
This period has highlighted the Blues’ consistency, and when speaking on A View From The Bullens, Stubbs noted this as one of the Toffees’ key weaknesses.
which Stubbs noted as one of Moyes’ side’s key weaknesses.
He said: “Did we miss an opportunity, or were we not good enough? I’d say both.
“Ultimately, we have not been good enough; we’re too inconsistent.
“We’ve had a period of good, we’ve had a period of not good, and a period of ok, and to challenge for a European place, you’ve got to be better than that.
“You look at the teams around us, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, would any of their players walk into our team? And they would.
“But I think this [coming] season is more important than last now.”
Everton’s squad is not good enough
The recent criticism Moyes has faced is understandable, as it comes from years of frustration with the club.
But there appears to be an unwillingness from supporters to recognise and accept that Everton’s players are just not good enough.
When considering their most recent starting XI, three of the Toffees’ defenders have been in multiple relegation battles at the club.
It is a team with midtable quality players, and some of the finest managers in world football would struggle to turn them into European hopefuls – as showcased during Carlo Ancelotti’s time on Merseyside.
The upcoming transfer window is going to be huge for Everton, and Moyes must hit the nail on the head with his recruitment, or things could go extremely sour for the Scotsman.
His lifeline for now is that the manager does not have sufficient players to surmount a credible challenge for European football, but a poor start to the 2026-27 campaign could spell the end for Moyes.
