The Blues entered the season with significant concerns about the depth of their squad after a chaotic conclusion to the transfer window left Moyes with only 18 senior outfield players.
The lack of options was particularly apparent in certain positions, with Thierno Barry the club’s only senior centre-forward and Vitalii Mykolenko their sole recognised left-back. However, Everton have continued to deliver results despite those limitations.
Their 3-1 victory over Coventry City was their third win in eight days and moved them level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea heading into the international break.
Branthwaite believes the performances have provided a strong response to those who questioned whether Everton had sufficient resources to compete throughout the campaign.
“I think that was said at the start of the season but the way we have performed and where we are sitting in the league, flip it on its head and say it has been a massive positive for us.
“I think I have said this before but we were sort of written off at the end of the season with the amount of players we had, the squad wouldn’t be big enough to cope, but I think we have shown we can challenge at the top end of the table. I think for us as a group it is to keep that mentality going.”
There is also the prospect of a significant cup run, with Everton having reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, where they will face Fleetwood Town next month.
Branthwaite said the opportunity to compete for silverware was an important objective established at the beginning of the season, although he recognises the challenge awaiting them.
“I think as a group of players and staff it is where we want to be. The ambition at the start of the season was to keep an eye on the cups and for us it is to give that a real good go.
“I think we are in a great position now, but it is going to be a really tough match in the next round of the cup, but we will go there with confidence and pick up a result there.
“It is the same again in the league. It is just about chipping away and taking it game by game, and seeing where that takes us at the end of the season.”
The defender has also earned recognition at international level, having been named in Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad alongside two Everton team-mates for the Nations League fixtures against Croatia and Spain.
One player who missed out was Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, despite his impressive performances since joining Everton. Branthwaite believes the midfielder is capable of forcing his way into the national team if he maintains his current standards.
“The England squad is such a high level. There are some great players there.
“I think Kiernan’s recent performances and the way he has been playing, he has got a real chance to be in that squad. I think he just needs to keep going and he will definitely get his chance.”
Branthwaite knows the importance of consistency himself after injury prevented him from being included in England's World Cup squad in the summer.
He has since returned to the international setup, featuring against Spain in September and Croatia the following month, and welcomed the opportunity to re-establish himself among Tuchel's options.
“It was just good to be in and around international football. It is a lot different to club (football) and new faces and new players.
“I think when you first go back in it is just about integrating back in and seeing the way the manager wants to play.
“It is down to how I perform for the club essentially. That is how you get picked and when I get the chance to play for England it is a privilege and I am always happy to be there.”
For Everton, the immediate challenge is to maintain their momentum after the international break. Branthwaite's message is clear: the squad may have been questioned, but the players believe they have already demonstrated that they can compete.