Everton fan group to stand aside amid 'gross negligence' after deadline day fiasco

Everton supporters have been left fuming by a fiasco of a deadline day.

Jack Grealish returned on loan from Manchester City and Ainsley Maitland-Niles arrived from Lyon.

But the Toffees endured an absolute embarrassment with the collapse of Folarin Balogun's transfer from Monaco.

With Beto sold to Fiorentina, it leaves Everton with just one recognised striker in the form of Beto.

They also have no expert back-up in the full-back position with Adam Aznou moving to Malaga on loan.

Iliman Ndiaye was also sold to Manchester City in a £65million deal, which many do not feel reflects his true value in a lucrative market.

Deadline Day on Goodison News is powered by ASUS laptops. Save up to 40% on selected models, with free extras worth over £100 also available on selected laptops. Click here to shop.

The 1878s send brutal message after Everton embarrassment

It was only this past weekend that manager David Moyes spoke of the need to make additions, while not losing players from the squad.

Incredibly, Everton find themselves in a position where there are just 18 senior outfield players in their squad.

Fan group the 1878s, who were influential in the send-off for Goodison Park and the move to Hill Dickinson Stadium, have now signalled their intent to stand aside for "the foreseeable future".

They accused Everton's hierarchy of "gross negligence" for leaving the squad with no back-up full-backs and just one striker, as well as the sale of Ndiaye below market value without a replacement.

The message said the group is "utterly disappointed and disgusted" at how the transfer window transpired, and that the ambitions of supporters do not align with the clubs ambitions.

Who is under fire at Everton?

Moyes has his detractors among the fanbase, but even his most ardent critic would struggle not to empathise with his situation.

Instead, the finger of blame has to be pointed way above the manager for this sorry episode.

CEO Angus Kinnear has consistently said that the goal during the window was to strengthen, and somehow Everton have been weakened.

Dan Friedkin and the Friedkin Group in general are also under fire for a series of missteps, which included agreeing to sell homegrown talent Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest.

That decision was reversed following a huge outcry from supporters, but it was a completely tone deaf move.

What a sorry mess, and one that could have been easily avoided.