Former Arsenal and England striker Alan Smith believes Everton have an “obvious shortage” in attack despite Thierno Barry’s encouraging start to the season.
(No sh*t, Sherlock – ed)
Barry scored the winner against Ipswich Town on Saturday, taking his tally to five goals in all competitions. He also had a second effort ruled out after Brennan Johnson was judged to have interfered with goalkeeper Christian Walton from an offside position.
David Moyes has few alternatives if Barry is unavailable after Everton finished the summer window without adding another recognised centre-forward.
Smith concerned by lack of cover for Barry
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Smith said he still sees areas for improvement in Barry’s game but likes what he has seen from the 23-year-old.
“It’s an obvious shortage there. I was looking at him at the weekend and you can see the weaknesses in his game, but he’s a very game player as well,” he said.
Barry scored eight times in all competitions last season and already has five this term, but Smith’s concern is what Everton do if their main striker is unavailable.
“David Moyes will be a little worried about what happens in the event of Barry getting injured, but even with him in the team, it’s not ideal,” he said. “But that’s when you’ve got to look to people like Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to provide some goals and not just depend on the centre-forward.”
The lack of cover adds to the wider questions over Everton’s squad depth following the summer window. “There’s no doubt what happened on transfer deadline day leaves Moyes short,” Smith added. “He’s trying to put a little spin on it, saying he likes to work with a smaller squad, but maybe not this small.”
Smith impressed by Branthwaite and Tarkowski
Smith was more comfortable with what he has seen at the other end of the pitch, highlighting the partnership between Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski.
“There have been some brilliant back four displays, and he’s next to James Tarkowski,” he said. “We talk about a shortage of players, but that enables understandings to grow sometimes, because there aren’t maybe too many other options. Those two present a formidable barrier, I think; they will do that to a lot of attackers.”
Everton have conceded only three goals in their opening five Premier League matches, keeping three clean sheets, while Moyes’ side remain unbeaten in all competitions.
Barry’s goals have helped at one end, and Branthwaite and Tarkowski have been dependable at the other. Smith’s concern is the number of alternatives Moyes has if one of those regulars is unavailable.
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