By all accounts Moshiri is now calling the shots at Everton, so ultimately he has to be held responsible for what turned out to be a less than satisfactory transfer window.
I completely disagree with all the conspiracy crowd who claim we have to sell to buy. There were more than enough valid failed transfer attempts to prove otherwise. I doubt very much there ever was a pot of £100m set aside just for transfers, but wouldn't be surprised if this figure was available if you were to include the anticipated increased wages costs given the calibre of player we were after.
There is no doubt however that both our transfer strategy and it's execution need to be called into question and lessons learned in time for the January window. We tried to move the clubs stature from A to D, completely missing out B & C, in one transfer window, and I don't even think mega rich clubs like City, Chelsea and PSG managed this. Naïve to say the least.
To be honest I think we made a bit of a fool of ourselves at times and maybe the whole episode has been the reality check that we, the fans, and possibly the club needed. I know I've been getting lots of stick from my RS mates and family.
Overall, I'm happy with the quality of player that we brought in, with the exception of Valencia who I'll reserve judgement on for now. However there are still two glaring holes in our squad that haven't been addressed; a second striker and a playmaker. Conversely, I do think we dodged a bullet on more than one of our targets.
I also feel as though more could have been done to move on more of our deadwood. Can't believe Niasse is still here for one.
What really annoys me though is we missed out on several quality players, even at the death, who would have improved both our team and squad this season. Many of them were loan options, but they would have enabled us to move up the table the season, qualify for Europe, and make us a more attractive proposition next year to attract the higher class player we are after.
Can't believe that the likes of Hart went to Torino, Wilshire to Bournmouth and Bony to Stoke. Plus Hakim Ziyech sold for £10m. Truly believe we would have challenged top 4 with those players.
One the positive side, we do have a competitive squad provided we can keep Rom and Ross fit, we have a great manager in Koeman, I believe we have a good DOF in Walsh and, if we can learn from our mistakes in the last window, we still have our transfer kitty to spend in January/next summer.
We now need to put the disappointment of the window behind us and get behind the team cos I'm still expecting good, possibly great things this season.
COYB