Why David Moyes faces brutal transfer reality after latest Everton disappointment

David Moyes has been given a front-row seat for what could be to come at Everton this season.

While it is true not a lot can be read into pre-season results, nor can they be completely discredited.

Especially when firing blanks in back-to-back matches against Championship opposition.

Everton's goalless draw with Bolton Wanderers last weekend was pretty dire, but the positive spin was minutes in the bank for plenty of players.

That was followed by a 1-0 loss at Stoke City on Tuesday evening, despite a pretty strong starting line-up being fielded.

And if it was not known already, Everton are in desperate need of a new attacker, while any sale for Iliman Ndiaye can be forgotten about.

Iliman Ndiaye absence badly felt at Stoke

Goodison News has reported in recent days on Al-Hilal's interest in Everton winger Ndiaye.

Nobody at Everton wants to see Ndiaye sold, but money speaks and it remains to be seen if the Saudi club steps forward with an offer.

But the brutal reality is that Everton not only need to keep Ndiaye - the one we saw in the first half of last season, hopefully - but also bring in another attacker.

Never mind scoring goals, Everton did not even look as though they create anything or get shots away against Stoke.

Beto and Thierno Barry continued their rotation act to little effect up top, with supporters already aware someone more prolific is required.

Were there any positives to take from Stoke loss?

Everton announced before the game that Jarrad Branthwaite was rested in a planned move.

The centre-back played 45 minutes against Stoke and will be used against Hamburg next weekend.

For now, it is about building up his minutes slowly after an injury-hit 2025-26 season.

The good news is that Moyes could call upon Hayden Hackney for the first time, while Tyler Dibling was also back involved for the first time.

Neither particularly impressed - nobody did in an Everton shirt - but getting those two up to speed is a positive.

Everton now switch focus to a trip to Germany, with supporters just desperate some more attacking quality will be on show.

Unless new signings are made, they may not get their wish.