Danny Murphy dismisses Everton 'catastrophe' after what's seen from David Moyes vs Ipswich Town
Danny Murphy is a big fan of what David Moyes is doing at Everton.
The Toffees narrowly beat Ipswich Town 1-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium on 19 September, taking their unbeaten run at the start of the Premier League season to five games.
Concerns followed the Blues after a poor end to the summer transfer window, with Iliman Ndiaye and Beto leaving and a deal for Folarin Balogun falling through.
Nonetheless, Moyes has shown what he's capable of at Hill Dickinson Stadium even with such a thin squad.
With just 18 senior outfield players, some of whom have already picked up injuries, the Scottish manager is certainly punching above his weight.
It remains to be seen how long Moyes can cope with the cards he has been dealt, but it hasn't come as a shock to Murphy.
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Balogun turning down a move to Everton may not affect their prospects much this season.
While Murphy has acknowledged that the Toffees have left themselves short up front, he likes the options they have elsewhere on the pitch.
The former Liverpool defender isn't surprised to see solidity from Moyes' team, who have a strong foundation at the back.
It's clear the Merseyside outfit lack bodies up front, but that may not be as big a factor as many think in their success.
Speaking on BBC Sport, Murphy said, "Nothing surprises me with a David Moyes side. They're so well organised, so well motivated and always dangerous when their backs are against the wall.
"There's been a lot of discontent among the fanbase regarding the owners and a transfer policy that left them short in forward areas.
"But the rest of the side is so well balanced, they all know their jobs, they know what they're doing and that backline with the keeper behind it is really solid.
"So, I never thought it was a catastrophe that they didn't get a striker in."
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Thierno Barry played the full 90 minutes against Ipswich and got a goal.
The Frenchman arguably scored fortuitously, as the ball deflected off him after a shot from James Tarkowski.
Barry showed impressive ingenuity in that moment, but for the rest of the game proved why Moyes needed other options in the number nine position.
The 23-year-old missed a relatively easy header from around six yards out and shot it wide.
Wasting opportunities has been a theme for the ex-Villarreal centre-forward since signing last summer and without a backup option, Moyes is forced to utilise him every game.
Brennan Johnson has played centrally at times this season, but having another out-and-out number nine on the bench would greatly help the Merseysiders.