Sept 2 (Reuters) - Everton's Fans' ⁠Forum on Wednesday criticised the club's planning and recruitment following ⁠the close of the transfer window, saying supporters deserved ‌answers after another window marked by late activity and a failed pursuit of key targets.

The forum, which meets regularly with Everton's board to discuss supporter issues, said ​fans had been promised a more professional ⁠and structured recruitment process but ⁠had again seen the club scrambling in the final days of the ⁠window ‌to address long-standing needs.

The criticism followed Everton's failure to complete a deal for U.S. striker Folarin Balogun on deadline ⁠day, leaving manager David Moyes short of options ​after Beto joined ‌Fiorentina.

"The Fans Forum believes supporters deserve a clear explanation of ⁠what went ​wrong during this transfer window, why key targets were not secured and what measures will be put in place to ensure these failures are ⁠not repeated," it said in a statement ​on X.

Thierno Barry is Everton's main striker, with Brennan Johnson,Tyrique Georgeand academy prospect Braiden Graham among the other attacking options Moyes has.

Everton allowed Iliman ⁠Ndiaye and Nathan Patterson to leave and brought in Ainsley Maitland-Niles as long-serving Seamus Coleman's replacement atfull back.

"The decision to allow players to leave without having suitable replacements secured has left the squad ​looking dangerously short in key areas," the ⁠Fans' Forum said."The collapse of yet another transfer at the 11th hour ​only adds to that frustration."

Everton, who ‌started the Premier League season with a ​win and a draw, host Manchester United on Sunday.

(Reporting by Karan Prashant Saxena in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)