Not sure if top 4 would be ours, but I like your thinking as to our priorities.

A wide player with pace is a MUST (why do Everton teams never seem to have pace?).

A defensice CM who?s comfortable on the ball would make a massive difference. How many times have we thrown away leads because we can?t keep hold of the damn ball?!!! (Villa away, Chelski in the Cup Final)

I disagree with regards to Rodwell though, I think with enough games he?ll come on leaps and bounds next season and with the above additions our midfield would be suitably balanced.

Meant to say "our" in my final sentence, not "are". Grrr!!!

Apart from your appraisal of Cahill, I agree with most of it.

The stick Cahill gets on here is crazy! He?s a fantastic player and one who is irreplaceable. He hardly lacks pace either!

Plus Moyes would never sign Pennant in a million years and thank god! I really DO not want to see that kind of idiot at Everton ever!

I agree re: Osman.

I agree with Paul that Rodwell, given the games (not to forget his U21 experience too), will play a much bigger role next season although not a starting role in every game of course.

If we could add the players you mention and just stick Neville at right back (his role as captain is indispensable) that would help. Just use Hibbert (if we must) as cover only.


As to the top four.......ummmm....it’s coming....as long as we progress this summer (decent signings whomever they might be and the injured lot returning) then I think we could do it for sure.

Any article or comment that does Tim Cahill down is not worth reading whether I agree or disagree with your other points! It's not fucking Pro Evo, not every player has to be a sprinter or dribbler?????

But to say he lacks awareness is laughable, he is one of 3 maybe 4 players in our team that would interest a CL team and yet still gets stick from some fans... why?

This season alone he has shown he can be an excellent front man, also a top midfielder shown when he changed the game in FA Cup Quarter final against Boro. He is a top drawer player and I think we?re lucky to have him!!

And when has anyone from Liege or Everton ever referred to Fellaini as box to box? He is playing for us exactly where he played for Liege and I know he is like Marmite with Evertonians but his goals and contribution this season have been really impressive and he is only 21, adapting to a new league and new country/culture. I?m a fan myself. I think he?ll only get better!

I’d like to see any money we may scrape together spent on a decent defensive midfielder & a quality wide right midfielder. If we can get those two positions sorted I’ll be happy enough with a handful of loans & frees to pack out the squad cover a little.

Sean,

Osman ? not a wide player. But good as a back up central midfielder, as we saw several times last season (07-08).

Cahill ? You must be joking! He?s undroppable, the stats say it all.

Fellaini ? We don?t yet know what he was brought in as; he improved immeasurably as the season went on. We?ll know a lot more next season.

Neville ? I would have agreed with you this time last year. But when Arteta went back to his proper position in central mid last December, the two of them linked up well and it seemed to bring the best out of him as a midfielder.

Rodwell ? I think we can all see what?s to come here. Outstanding prospect.

But you?re right. We still need another creator, a defensive mid, and most importantly A WIDE MAN. Possibly a leftie as Pienaar could easily play wide right. Also, I thought he was brilliant in the free role RSA gave him in the Confederations Cup. Food for thought...

With Jacobsen going today, I'm pretty sure Neville is going to be shifted to right back unless Moyesy as got someone else lined up but I for one don't want to see Neville in our midfield next year ? simply not good enough IMO. We can get away with playing him there versus the lesser teams in the league but, against the top four or the teams around us, he gets found out, as does Osman. Those two want too many touches of the ball and can't play it off first time. Against Chelsea in the Cup Final, they were shocking.

We need players who are comfortable on the ball and are capable of the one- and two-touch football or can gaurd the ball like Arteta can. I?d like to see him get M?Bia in, Moyesy seems pretty keen on him, I've seen him on Setanta a few times and he looks good, covers team mates when they go forward (Baines, Hibbert/Neville), breaks attacks up, drives forward with the ball and most importantly he can play.

I?d love to see Moutinho brought in too but I just cant see it happening with the funds we have, someone like M?Bia could be our big money signing this summer, unless Moyesy deals at £20M+ for Lescott and then gets a few good quality players in with the money?!

With Jacobsen going I feel that it is because we will have Pip moving back there and Hibbert as a back-up and couldn't offer him first team football. Therefore M?Bia will come in from Rennes to play alongside Arteta in the middle.

Pennant I dont think will be a bad signing on a free, just think of the last two from Liverpool we got, Beardsley and Sheedy, so just because he was shite for them it doesn't mean the same for us. That would then cover the right side of midfield, with Peanuts staying on the left.

Upfront I don't think Moyes will take the chance on the young Swedish lad just yet and I think he is looking for a bit of experience up there, therefore Michael Owen and Van Horseface are both possibilities.

That's the three replacements that we need to stand still with numbers, not counting AVDM.

To add to the squad, Michael Bradley once again was touted last year but went to Germany, will be available, also Joe Ledley from Cardiff, a little slow for my liking but Moyes likes him and again is only 23-ish.

Alan Smith, again fits in with the Moyes mould and will play anywhere required. But personally I would like Moyes to have a go for Landon Donavan, I have watched him for years and always thought he would be a perfect fit into the Everton mould.

And the comments about bringing Colocini in from the magpies, he is woeful and on £65k a year.

So basically we have options and some with not a huge cash outlay. You can tell there is nothing else to talk about cant you, I?ll get me coat.

Am I the only one who thinks Rodwell should be a shoe-in to start game-in and game-out for us? It?s time for the boy to solidify his position in this squad. He?s got immense talent IMO, and I think it?s time to let him loose. He?ll improve the team. He?s so calm on the ball and he distributes fantastically.

Cahill?s a gem. End of.

Big Fella I still think was great second half of the season and I?m still amazed he get so much criticism.

We need a pacy right sided guy. Gotta have one. Donovan anyone?
And I agree with Bradshaw, despite my US home-cookin. Bradley would be a great addition.

If we got the three Sean mentioned I’d be ecstatic!

I think we?re all agreed we need a winger... but Pennant is not the answer. I?m not saying this because he plays for the Shite, but I think he is shite basically, and no better than Osman. Keita?s been the best player linked for a winger but even that is a huge gamble. Donovan?s a decent shout Jamie, but I?m sure his best position is up front, he plays for America, because of Altidore and Davies are quite good for them up front. I don?t think I?d have him to be honest. Obinna will do, pacy, young, skillful.

M'Bia or Cana, I?d have quite easily and I think would fit in quite easily into our team to play with Arteta. Move Neville to right back, then that?s one of our problems sorted.

With the creative midfielder, I?m a bit iffy about this one, though players like Defour and Moutinho would improve our team, it would move Arteta out wide. I think all of us know his best position is in the middle, and when he was fit, he was fantastic there. I think we need more creative cover in the middle. I think Jordi Gomez, who just moved to Wigan, would have been perfect for that, so a bit gutted he went there.

I?d like cover for centre back, because starting the season with two fit centre-backs is far too thin. Civelli from Marseille, who?s available for free, fits the bill there. And a back-up keeper because I don?t think Nash, Turner or Ruddy fit the bill there. Joe Lewis would do there. I can see us getting Jo on loan too, because if City have Tevez, they?ll have him, Caicedo, Benjani, Santa Cruz and Jo, all competing for one spot... bring in Jo on loan!

In an ideal world, if we have these signings, we would certainly be more of a challenge for the top 4 spot than before. It?ll be us and City challenging Arsenal or Liverpool for it this year, Villa won?t replace Barry so that would be their downfall, and Spurs are just Spurs; all talk and just perform crap in the league.

Right, that?s my essay done!

Hi Sean, I agree that midfield is where we need strengthening, both creative and holding/tackling; disagree with a lot of what you say but that?s what is good ? we all have different opinions but all love the Blues.

• Osman is totally too lightweight: falls over and is brushed off the ball too often;
• Cahill, I disagree with you ? especially awareness ? his greatest strength in my opinion;
• Fellaini: potential to be a great player ? strength, touch... just needs to mature and adjust to the Premier League;
• Neville is a good captain;
• Rodwell is a first team player now and should have played some part at Wembley;
• Hibbert: we still need a strong, consistent right back;
• Anichibe should go ? get some money for new players.

Team spirit is admirable and something to work on. I also believe we should build and buy a young team; development is ours strength. I'm looking forward to August... good luck to all Blues fans ? I think we are fantastic!

There you go... you are all getting excited again. I?ll believe anything when it happens. Didn?t Robert Elstone state that lots of negotiations were taking place re the transfer market, by EFC?

Didn?t Davey say that this time he would be getting his signings sorted as early as possible so they could take part in pre-season and, oh yes, wasn?t that when we were being bombarded every day on the official website to purchase season tickets?

I feel as cynical as Tony Marsh in saying this but what?s the betting that the pattern of transfers by EFC follows the usual trend... a race up to midnight on the last day to sign someone?

Very pleased to see Donovan getting so much respect on these boards. I can assure folks that his performance in the Confederations Cup was not a one-off, but what we (meaning mostly American footie fans) saw was Donovan?s competetive drive spur the team on while they were looking for leadership.

There is no doubt that he would be welcomed here ? he has pace, can play on either wing, as an attacking midfielder or up front (wing is his best position), works hard on defense, decent crosser. Not to mention the finacial impact he might have with US fans buying "Donovan" jerseys.

I worry over his attitude ? he seems to have developed this arrogance, like he takes himself too seriously. I think the lads could break him of that, because he does have a fun sense of humor. MLS will try to milk him for all he?s worth. Maybe we could lower Donovan?s fee if BK promises to scrounge up some acting roles for his actress wife?

"The stick Cahill gets on here is crazy! He?s a fantastic player and one who is irreplaceable."

The irreplaceable player... who was replaced for most of last season by Fellaini. Played a hell of a lot as a lone-striker where he acquitted himself well... and in central midfield... not so well.

I completely agree with the article. Arteta, Pienaar and one from Fella or Cahill in attacking midfield is the rub. Central/defensive midfielder and a right winger are the holes. If people could avoid going all goey about Rodwell for 2 seconds, they?d probably see that he has been hit and miss in midfield this season... and is likely to end up as a centre-half anyway!

Agreed with the ’potential’ signings. All we need now is £30m and our midfield is sorted!

1) Osman is a little gem of a player, just look back to the 07-08 season. He has great control, creativity and scores vital goals. Last season he was inured all season long. He had a shocker last time out but what do you expect if he was playing through injury? He wouldn't have played half the games if we had a replacement on the bench.

2) Cahill is top class. His game is not creating, passing and vision. He has other qualities and he perfects them to a tee. What your saying is like saying Arteta lacks heading ability, drive and passion. So what? ? that's not his game.

3) Fellaini is a waste of space in my opinion. I don't even want to talk about him.

4) Neville is a full back, I agree. He does a good job in midfield but is best as a defender.

5) I think we need to sign another player in Rodwell's position ? we cannot rely on him throughout the whole season because of his age.

I disagree that we need another creative midfielder. We just haven't got room for one. Apart from the holding position we have two other centre mids ? 1) a creater/playmaker; 2) an attacking midfielder to break into the box. We have two creators ? Arteta and Osman ? and two attackers ? Fellaini and Cahill. There is simply no room for another centre-mid, apart form the holding role.

I?d buy Delph or M'Bia in the holding position, then I'd buy a pacy winger too ? like Kieta, Petrov from city (just put Pienaar on the right), Guiteriez, Lennon, Johnson, any one who can carry the ball and beat a man.

Hey Ciaran,
How exactly was Cahill replaced by Fellaini for most of last year when he played 39 games, 30 in the league? Nonsense.

I can honestly say I don?t know anyone who doesn?t rate this guy, other than a small number on this forum. I find it incredible.

Haven’t we signed up Anton Peterlin also?

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/yb/131962251

Anyone heard of or seen him before?

None of the players mentioned from the USA are anywhere near good enough for a team at the top end of the premier league. Bradley looked as though he couldn’t trap a bag of sand and donovan is a headless chicken who had a few nice touches over the course of four games.

Do you think arsenal/chelsea etc are looking at these players? The fact is as Moyes has said himself we need someone a bit special to be properly competitive with the teams above us.

of the players we have been linked with, only M’bia and Moutinho are ever likely to be classed as top players or improve our 1’st 11, which ultimately is what we have to do because we were miles away from the top four last season.

I hope we keep lescott and we find the players that can come into the side and perform at a high level from the off.

For me players like m’bia,cana,moutinho and downing, who all have either played regularly for their countries and/or champions league at the highest level are the types of players that will mean we are better than we were last season

Don’t get excited about Peterlin, he is an absolute shot in the dark and could be playing on a pub team by year’s end. I’d put his possible success rate around 2%

I can’t say I agree woth anyone who questions Cahill’s quality, but judging by his past performances in the clutch, would it be such a terrible option if he came on in the 65th every games for 30 minutes of dynamism? This of course could only be achieved if we have a top 5 in the midfield stronger than him, but its certainly possible.

I also have an issue when everyone clamours for Moyes to purchase more African players. Not racist in any sense, but being without some of your best players for that long of a time period isn’t an option for us, especially because we lack depth. Say we acquire Keita and M’Bia as Sean mentions and they both start. In January we would lose 3 starters (Yak, M’Bia, and Keita) as well as Yobo and possibly Anichebe (regardless because he is always crocked anyways). We can’t handle such a shock to our lineup. None of the clubs above us lose more than 2 main contributers to the AFCON I don’t think, which is a reasonable number. 4 would be pretty excessive, and 3 would porbably be tolerable, but all the links to African players just are typical rumours or we will be fielding a team that will be half of its size come January and the AFCON.

Full back = Naughton, full of pace young and eager;
Right mid = Beckham ? apart from being a top drawer player, the kudos and in turn revenue he would bring would seriously help us in SO many ways.
Right mid back-up = Delph, still young enough to improve at a top flight club and the lad has got something special about him.
Def mid = I?d be happy with any aformentioned players, M'Bia has a touch of class and that german lad Hummell looked good last night.
Striker= I?d take a chance on Berg or his long-haired mate.

We?re all guessing but, as long as we strenghen the right-hand side and keep what we already have, we?ll do ok.

"Hey Ciaran,
How exactly was Cahill replaced by Fellaini for most of last year when he played 39 games, 30 in the league? Nonsense."

Because Cahill was played out of position for most of those 30 league games ? up front, centre midfield or on the wing.

Fellaini played in HIS POSITION... therefore replaced him!

What game are you watching.
He played up front on his own for a handful of games. The rest of the time he played in centre midfiled, HIS POSITION.

I concur with Brendan O?Docherty?s reply with the footnote that assessing Osman as not being good enough for the Premier League as complete rot. As has been stated before, he can provide adequate cover in one of the CENTRAL midfield berths and could be ideal as a starter in the Europa League in that position, where the games aren?t so dependent on players being as robust and quick as is required in the Premier League.

I don?t know how to tell you this Liam...but Cahill?s natural and usual position in our team - is as an attacking midfielder behind a lone striker...You know, the position Fellaini played for most of the season.

I watched the Everton games, among others... You?

Believe it or not I actually agree with you on this one Ciaran. I think I had better go for a lay down.

Nope, he?s played in that position by Moyes when Everton play 4-5-1.
His natural position is midfielder, look at where he played for Millwall, his position on the club Website, where he plays for his country.

So by your reckoning then, if Everton play 4-4-2 Moyes wouldn?t play him. How many times have we played 4-4-2 and seen him dropped? Or perhaps you know more about the game than he does.

This Delph looks like a real coup if we can get him.

Also, I just Wikied Anton Peterlin. Bit old for my liking! haha.

Anyone have any better info on the guy!?