Galloway set for improved deal

Baines and Oviedo are my two favorite Blues, but I'm picturing them in the training center doing their rehabilitation exercises and Roberto drops by to say, "Ease up, boys, don't strain anything, there's no hurry."

And as for Garbutt, I'm already having trouble remembering what he looked like. Sort of like my ex-wife.

Looking forward next to being able to sing the praises of Funes Mori based on a few games for us. With Stones imperious, Jags back to being a tower of strength (the bite in his challenges this season have been wonderful), and that old-timer Coleman (not to mention Baines - who could currently replace him?! er...), we have a defensive group the envy of most in the PL. Forgot Tim - ah, well.

And if Funes Mori comes good, and Stones will stay with us, and if Tyias Browning supposedly develops too, then we are in good shape to replace Jags, who will certainly be eased out in the next few years.

While I foresee that Jags is unlikely to decline that quickly, unless he suffers an injury. He still is keeping good form, retains pace and looks to be able to play on for a good while more; it’s important to plan for a future without him in the next two years.

Garbutt, whenever given the chance to, has shown. In fact, I think he models his game around Baines. He hasn’t yet got the same guile and mobility, but I think that will come. He packs a good shot, besides being able to cross it well.

Hopefully, he comes back and forms the next generation of the backline. What we are lacking is a right back that can challenge Coleman.

We try our best to produce Academy players, but the next best thing is to bring young players up from lower divisions and nurture them into the squad, as football always used to work.

Mind you, I still think we have to make it up to Sligo Rovers one day.

Watching WHU vs Newcastle kick-off and it strikes me that compared to Everton:
1) How few British Isles players in either side
2) How many new players in both sides

I always felt Moyes’s teams were good but lacked an arrogance and belief. I know it nauseates at times but I do admire the fact that Martinez would play Real Madrid and look to beat them with our defenders playing from the back.

Confidence and bottle is a wonderful thing and makes a team better. Moyes team in 2004-05 has plenty of bottle, I think our team is growing in confidence now our game changers being Lukaku, Mirallas and Deulofeu need to show they have bottle. I wish Barkley gets the same good arrogance that Stones, Galloway and Coleman have. If he does we would have some team but I still think Barkley is key to it all.

But wow... What potential!

I’m so sorry about Bryan though, he could have been a key man at Everton.

I am not as sure about Gethin Jones or Browning as both were terrorized against Whatmore the youngster at Sunderland who is another cert for the top.

My main gripe is that none of our attacking youngsters are anywhere near the potential of the defenders. How about giving Osman a coaching job to teach the kids to pass forwards accurately and provide a few assists.

I'm hoping we can bulk him up a bit so he can play centre half, because I'm a fan of Luke Garbutt also.

We look well off for young defenders all of a sudden.

We have Funes Mori who can do a job at left back and, while I think Galoway should not be deposed for non football reasons, he would surely see his place, as a youngster in our squad, behind an Argentina international and therefore not in a strong position to negotiate a raise.

I think Dowell looks like a special attacking player and I assume Henen and Rodriguez have ability.

We could always do with more strikers though.

He’s got things to learn but he looks another fine young player that Roberto is bringing through. As Danny says, he’s got no fear of reputations, he just lets the opposition know they’ll have a tough afternoon... very tough!

I don’t see that the Chairman has had this long term plan, other than accepting from Roberto that this is the way forward. He followed Moyes and now he’s following Roberto.

Roberto said there was another way to achieve results and he seems to be showing us some of the early results of how we can achieve success.

The Chairman would be much better occupied by providing, along with the Board, a plan to see Goodison redeveloped, if, as I fear, WHP disappears into the mist.

Obviously that game was a massive disappointment, especially as I’d come 4,000 km to see it. However the impressive displays by Stones and in particular Galloway, put a smile on my face. A long way from the finished article, I think he is a little short on pace at the moment, but you have to admire his tenacity and willingness to put in the work.

What has made me smile even more though is the improvement even since the Watford game; against Chelsea I thought he was excellent and if he does get a new contract, I think it would be thoroughly deserved!

Browning looked just as good if not better for me against the RS and Man Utd last season and we haven’t seen him since. It would be interesting to see how both perform at centre back, their natural positions. Browning looked immense in pre-season he needs to be playing now, if not here then give him a loan move.

He does however, have something that is already obvious and that is grit. He has also shown a great capacity to get up and down the field and if he continues the way he is playing, I can see him challenging Bainsey and Brian for the left back spot.

Browning is also a great young prospect and I think he’ll be similarly rewarded if he keeps progressing.

I also think that Roberto was thinking about using Bainsey in the midfield and he might still have that idea and Bryan can be equally good at full back or left wing.

Garbutt, like McAleny, is being given more time to get in first team performances and I hope they both make it too. Then this young lad Rodriguez might be an even better prospect as a goalscorer.

Going back to Brendan. he’s got things to learn but I like the way he wins the personal physical battles as the mature professionals try and intimidate him. He’ll have none of it and neither will Tyias when his time comes.

I think it is more and more looking like Roberto’s ideas are bearing fruit and we will need all of these players in the months ahead. We had injuries last season and were having to make do and mend.

Now we are getting competition for places and I’m chuffed, as it’s progressively more younger players coming through.

I also like the look of that Whatmore, at Sunderland; he will cause loads of defenders problems, with his non-stop running, that kid.

I think Stones has had a lucky escape!

I also thought he was decent (not great) when I saw him at West Ham last season and the same against Watford and Southampton this year.

Don’t get me wrong, I think the boy has potential and I’m pleased to see him getting rewarded. But some of the stuff being said on here is ludicrous.

If he continues to play well then Baines will know that he has to pull his finger out to get back in the team which can only benefit the squad. Oviedo is a worry with his injuries so I would rather keep a fully fit Galloway in ahead of Bryan at the moment.

On the ball and going forward Baines is brilliant and he would always be my first choice but please don’t say he is a great defender, because he isn’t.

Galloway is faster, stronger and better in the air than Baines. I think he makes our defence more solid, and that's a very good thing, though he will never create as much as Baines....