BARRY HORNE: I’m a Euro sceptic unless Moyes clinches signings

Aug 21 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON went close to getting the victory from their opening game of the season on Saturday against Blackburn Rovers which would have tempered the turbulent summer that has caused a great deal of pessimism among the club’s supporters.

They were even closer to getting a point until denied by a controversial late strike that most of those at Goodison Park believed was offside, but very often when things are not well sod’s law dictates that such pivotal moments go against you.

How often have we heard the cliché along the lines of when you are down you never get the rub of the green?

As it stands Evertonians must be hoping that the club are not in for a season of struggle and that the team do not become overly-reliant on enjoying more than their fair share of luck in the months ahead.

However there is no doubt that as September 1 rapidly approaches with little inbound movement, the chances increase that the campaign ahead will be challenging to say the least.

For all of the assertions from manager David Moyes that he is happy with his current squad and has a great deal of faith in his youngsters, most observers would view them as an attempt to quell the concerns of supporters and, it has to be said, the players alike.

Hopefully I can be made to eat my words.

That will only happen if the current slim-line squad embarks on a barn-storming run of victories or if the five or six new players Moyes previously insisted were necessary for the club’s impending assault on four fronts eventually turn up at Finch Farm fit and raring to join the fray.