I would prefer Jacobsen in the starting line-up to Hibbert personally; however, I do think there are better right backs we could obtain!I personally don't think either player is fantastic but agree Jacobsen is probably the better of the two from what I?ve seen.

If M?bia and Mouthinho come in then the answer will be Jacobsen to be released and Neville slotting in at right back, that's probably the reason why the deal for Jacobsen has gone a little quiet. Personally, I am praying for Moutinho to come to us! Fantastic player!

I would like to see a bit more of Jacobsen to be honest. I thought Hibbert did well this season, apart from Villa away when Young gave him a hard time, and the Cup Final ? I am not sure how fit he was in those games as he picked up an injury around mid-March, but we would've been better off with Jacobsen playing at Wembley.

Keeping Jacobsen just seems to make good sense irrespective of who else is brought in.

First and foremost, he’s good enough and would have played a bigger part last season but for the most unfortunate of injuries. Second, we need an expanded squad and that means keeping players like him, as well as the likes of Lescott. And finally, what will he cost us? He seems to be happily settled and should stay.

Definately keep Jacobsen, but Hibbert seems to be one of Moyes's blue-eyed boys for some strange reason, so don?t be surprised if jacobson moves on!

Ben Jones, I was wondering when you were going to get around to this post, every single time Tony Marsh launches an attack on a player, you rehash it shortly afterwards. You're allowed ideas of you own you know.

The Pompey boy will be auctioned for about £20 million so he won't be signing for us, everyone knows decent available right backs are as rare as rocking-horse shit... so, whether you ? or T Marsh ? like it or not, Hibbert is staying.

It's ironic you claim you want your full back to attack then advocate Neville or Jacobsen. Neville, bless him, isn't even pro-standard going forward and there are serious doubts about whether Jacobsen is athletic enough to cope with the defensive side of things in the Prem let alone attack. When you see Jacobsen actually get over the half-way line, you may be in a position to make a measured judgement.

Very few players in the Prem have played as many and lost as few as Tony Hibbert, he?s qualified for the Champions League ? how many right backs in the UK can claim that? The article is an imitation and every bit as idiotic as the original.

---

Editor's Note: Dave... it's J a c o b s E n... with an E, not an O. For an Everton supporter who claims to have so much knowledge about Everton players, I do find it shocking that you can't even spell some of their names correctly!

And while we're at it, there's your and there's you're... do you know the difference? (Errors above have been corrected.)

Dave wilson, surely you are not coming on here to big up Tony Hibbert?? The guy is a dreadfull player and he is not Premier League level, never mind Champions League level.

He gets grief from the fans because he is out of his depth and everyone can see it (bar the management). I would be quite happy if he and his best mate Osman were shipped out to the very first Championship club offering to take them.

It?s obvious our weak links are right back and right midfield. Hibbert and Osman are decent squad players but should not be 1st team regulars; Lars is ok (no pace at all) but surely just another squad player. I would rather see a youngster brought in; Naughton, as mentioned before, looks decent, than get another bench warmer (who has an appalling injury record, by the way).

Agreed, Dave. RIght back is clearly a trouble spot. I wouldn?t feel much better with Jacobsen there than Hibbert or Neville. But we also need a right winger; I think that is a major part of our right back problem. Hibbert always has to work twice as hard 'cause Osman leaves him out to dry. With a completely revamped right side, we would really be a force to reckon with. Obinna anyone?

Like the both of them for different reasons. Hibbert's very loyal, steady, tanacious, True Blue, solid. Jacobsen, well looks solid. Neither player will take our defense or attack to the next level, therefore we should be out there looking for the next Baines... wherever he may be. Need a promising RB, even if we have to mould him into an outstanding one, and a quality RM to balance the side. Another Pienaar prahaps.

I am sorry to say Hibbert was found out big time in the Cup Final. He was clearly pin-pointed by Hiddink and now it is there for all to see. He was dire and will have a problem recovering from that. He may do ok against your Wigans Blackburns, Burnleys but put him up against anyone with pace and skill and a card will come then maybe another.

Jacobsen? Much the same for me as Hibbert and age is not exactly on his side. No, for me, if we don?t sign a full-back and we keep Lescott, I?d like to see Neville there (with three decent signings in midfield) and then, when Jags is fit, I would even look at giving Yobo a run in the position; Yobo, Jags, Lescott and Baines... sounds good to me!

Jacobsen would appear to be on his way to Burnley; Micah Richards from City would be a good move: young... English... fits Moyes?s profile. The RS are preparing a £5m bid though.

Steve Callaghan.... Yobo at right back? Square pegs in round holes spring to mind. No way, We have the best back 4 since the late eighties and need to find the final peice in the jigsaw. Sorry but we need someone in the Glenn Johnson mould but lost out big time when he went to Portsmouth and we can't afford him now. But somewhere out there our scouting system needs to unearth the next one. Happy hunting! COYB

I’d rather have a traffic cone at right back than Hibbert. He is absolutely useless and IS the weakest link in the whole team.

How is Seamus Coleman getting on?

Hibbert and Osman are not PL class. Ask yourselves, what other team would have them? It?s only the quality of our other players which papers over the cracks. Jacobsen looks a decent player and would fill the gap until we find that gem. A right-sided Pienaar would be a good acquisition too. Maybe Bentley if we could afford him...

I?m sorry you disapprove, Dave Wilson, but this is my article, my opinion and nothing to do with Tony Marsh?s opinions.

First things first, I don?t want Hibbert to leave; I do like him, do think he?s a decent squad player, but I think Jacobsen looks a better player.

Second, I think my assessment of Hibbert is correct ? good defensively, but can?t go forward, and not as good as his undoubted potential he had in his early years.

Now, why do you have a thing of defending "home grown players"... Osman, Hibbert and Anichebe have played badly at times this seasons, and I, like a lot of people, have criticised them for it.

I?d appreciate it if you criticise the article instead of me, as it can get annoying, Mr Wilson!!

I agree with David Wilson, Jacobsen still hasn?t done enough for me to earn himself a first team place. Granted he has been injured for a long time this season but he still has not done enough to earn himself a first team place.

Ben, I feel you are wrong; please try and get some of your own ideas.

We have watched Jacobsen for what 3 or 4 games and I cannot remember a decent cross from him and defensively he didn?t really stand out and if memory serves me we only won one game with him playing, yet it seems that he is apparantly better than the player who was part of the team that once again came fifth and (when he came back from injury) was part of the team that stopped shipping goals.

I?ll admit I am Ben?s brother and to be honest I agree with everything Ben says; Dave Wilson, it seems you only post comments to criticise Ben.

I?ve read you can?t even spell an Everton player's name right, FFS!

Alan Codd, I didn't big anyone up, I was merely stating that there is a shortage of quality right backs in the game today. I don't believe the management don't see shortcomings, it's alternatives they dont see. Neither does anyone else by the looks of it, that's why names like Jacobsen, Neville, Haughton and a traffic cone are the best people can throw up, and why a clanger merchant like Glenn Johnson is worth £20 million.

The article is another cheap shot designed to rouse the usual suspects into another round of Hibbert bashing. Hibbert has qualified for the CL and has consistently qualified for Europe; where are all these alternatives that have done the same ?

Michael

When I was younger I worked with a girl who couldn?t spell fellatio... doesn?t mean she wasn?t a fucken expert though.

I?m sorry, Dave... but Hibbert was a part of team y?know, he didn't single handedly qualify for Europe and the CL. In the last two years, Hibbert was always a weak link to a team that has played well. This article is supposed to be about Jacobsen, not Hibbert, and now you have made it about Hibbert.

Right then, a list of alternatives.... Walker and Naughton from Sheff Utd; Richards from City; Young from Villa; Fanni from Rennes... there?s four for ya who are better than Hibbert.

And there?s nothing wrong with Johnson, he?s a class player and one of the best right backs in the Prem, thus justifying his place in the England team. His valuation is crazy though, but he?s a right back who can play comfortably at right wing... that?s the kind of full back I like!

I meant 5 alternatives.... haha sorry!

Hmm... impressive list.

Two can't get in the Prem; one can't get a game for the one of the worst defences in the Prem, and another one plays in France, so you?ve probably seen less of him than you have of Jacobsen.

No-one claims Hibbert is world class, but unlike the players on your list he quietly goes about his business... you know, qualifying for Europe season-in, season-out.

BTW, last time Tony Marsh slagged Osman off you sent post in a couple of days later slagging him off too. Ossie was the weak link then, now it's Hibbert... Everton really are some team, we qualify for Europe every year with nine men.

Has anyone noticed Jacobsen has a better cross than Hibbert and looks more comfortable going forward than Hibbert... who is utter shit!!!

I wouldn?t sign Jacobsen as he has a poor injury record, is no better than Hibbert really, and Neville will be our first choice right back in any case next season. I?d prefer us to bring in someone younger and develop then into a long term replacement for Neville rather than simply a stop-gap. Although admittedly Jacobsen has been Ok.

Oh and anyone who says Osman and Hibbert are not Premier League class must be joking, they may not be good enough to start for a team that will look to be pushing hard for 4th place but to say they are not Premier League class is a tad extreme, especially when given over the past 5 years both have proven useful squad members and have only really been below the required level against the top teams.

I don?t think there is a player we have that tries as hard as Tony Hibbert. Every game he plays he leaves nothing in the tank. His heart is huge and love off this club obvious. Problem is that he is never going to be world class or a top 4 defender, he is too limited.

He had a purple patch of form mid-way through the season and was great to watch. To see him ripped apart in the Final by Malouda was not good, he broke down and should not have been out there, probably not his fault as his body did not hold up but he was there still giving it his all when he had no more to give. When have we ever seen him stop chasing a winger like he did in that game?

I like Tony Hibbert for his heart but the ability has reached its peak and maybe gone past what he can produce for long periods. Do not sell him or think about it. Tony Hibbert is the type of player needed on the bench to fill a gap when needed. It?s not his fault his abilities do not reach his own expectations as a proud Evertonian.

Bill Goodall; excellent summary of the Hibbert situation. Pity that cunning linguist Mr Wilson could not express himself in such a balanced and sensible way... instead he descends to submitting this kind of dismissive tripe:

The article is another cheap shot designed to rouse the usual suspects into another round of Hibbert bashing.

That?s wrong on two counts, Mr Wilson. Firstly, how dare you presume the motive of anyone posting on here is anything other than to offer items of current interest for discussion among fellow Evertonians. Secondly, it is frankly abusive, and I?ve warned you before about expounding your football knowledge on here in this obnoxious manner. Kindly desist!

(Maybe I can?t count... they're actually the same thing!)

There’s an interesting article by Gary Neville here:

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=gary-neville-why-we-won-t-be-all-at-sea-with-rongone%26method=full%26objectid=21439380%26siteid=93463-name_page.html

The most relevant part is copied below, it’s Neville’s own observation of a full-back’s changing role in modern football and how he’s had to adapt.

"I realised the game was changing for full-backs and I had to adapt. Full-backs have an important role, particularly at United, in terms of the way we attack and the way in which there’s a transition from defence through our full-backs to attack.

"We have always set up play and been part of the extra man situation and we always play with width.

"The way you see guys like Patrice Evra and Rafael Da Silva attacking they are more like wingers who can defend - they aren’t just full-backs any more.

"The way in which the modern fullback like Rafael, his brother Fabio and Patrice play is fantastic to watch. Before I got injured a couple of years ago you’d say I was running forward nearly all the time during the game.

"Don’t get me wrong - I don’t do that in the same eye-catching way as they do, but you understand the changes and development of the game and the way I’ve had to adapt."

In Baines we have a player who’s equally comfortable attacking or defending and the reality is we need somebody to mirror this on our right flank.

Definately agree that Hibbert isn?t a first team player, but would keep both him and Osman as testament of our youth system. In terms of right-back, it would be interesting to see if Moysie will give Gosling a shot... as this was his favoured position at Plymouth. He has shown he has pace and can get forward well, but it?s just a question of his strength and tackling abilities.

Our main weakness is obviously a tricky right winger now Mikel has moved into the middle... And I would like to see David Bentley from Spurs come in. He can whip a ball in for the Yak and Tim as well as anybody... and with Spurs preferring Aaron Lennon on the right, I reckon we could snatch him up for around £10 mil.

I also think that we need a tough midfield enforcer... someone who combines the skill of Arteta with the tenacity of Neville, and I like the look of this M?bia.

Obviously we would all love to see Moutinho in a blue-shirt, but our midfield is already small with the likes of Arteta and Pienaar... And he is only 5?8 or so. With all these names being banded around, it?s up to BK to pull the money out the bag and push on for next season....... COYB!

Gary Neville, anyone ? for a season?

Hibbert to stay, Jacobsen to go.

We need a right back and right wing and, before I get slated, could Gary Neville be that stop-gap? And quite a decent one at that... let's spend what money we have and get that right wing for £10 to 12 million.

When we bought Pip, I was skeptical but I doubt there is anyone here who can question his professionalism/leadership and commitment and winning mentality. I believe his attitude has rubbed off on our club as a whole. This has duly made him our most successful captain for at least a decade based on results. I for one believe the apple don't fall far from the tree and getting in his brother on a deal similar to Saha would be good business.

Unfortunately our financial realities make us have to bring one maybe two quality signings a season with a view to long term improvement. Gary Neville and perhaps a young Naughton to learn from said players.

For the record I am no Man Utd fan in disguise but their success is due to their mentality and I believe another Neville could improve us quite well; he is better than Jacobsen who, in all honesty, is not a player any of us have seen enough of to justify keeping him.

Hibbert on the bench and for Mersey Derbies, Gary Neville worth the gamble, Jacobsen to go?

How would that be?

Unless BK and DM have a £50 million war chest we don't know about.

For now, it's watch this space?!?

Sigh.

It depresses me when the Hibbert/Osman discussion comes up ? it really exposes some of our supporters' limited memories, abilities of logic, and comprehension of the game.

Okay, if all our players were fit and in form, then Osman and Hibbert would likely be two of the weakest players in the team.... But every team has a weakest player and a second weakest player. That does not mean they should be vilified.

Undoubtedly, if we could find superior players to Osman and Hibbert, then the side would be improved. But that is a completely facile statement. The same is true of any players in any side, including the "weakest" players in any side.

Those of you who make the leap from them being the weakest players in the current injury-free first team to being "not of Premier League standard" are just plain having a laugh. You mean 15 plus clubs in the league have better players in those positions? Come on.

Okay, so your memories are too short or your comprehension of the game is too poor to see that they are clearly of Premier League standards using your subjective judgement. How can it be judged objectively? At risk of derision, I will use Fantasy.PremierLeague midfielder rankings on Osman:

Fantasy.PremierLeague rankings are largely based on number of goals scored and number of assists made. The top 3 spots are ocupied by Gerrard, Lampard, Ronaldo. Cahill and Arteta come in at 11 and 12. Osman comes in at 19 based on his 6 goals, 4 assists and 7 performance bonus points. 19th is not not shabby, and in fact it is better than over 170 other midfielders who appeared in the Premier League last season.

I am not for a minute supposing that Fantasy.Premierleague points accurately measure a players ability in a number but you cannot get to 19 out of nearly 200 by being "not of Premier League standard".

How about Hibbert?
Unfortunately I do not have access to any data that objectively ranks defenders. So I will have to rely on you to double check your memories.

In our last 10 games against the Sky 4, 8 have involved Hibbert and the total score in these games was 5-6 with one of the conceded goals being after Hibbo was substituted, I believe that he played the full game (and extra time) in the other fixtures and chalked up 3 clean sheets. Okay this is a record we would like to improve on in the future but a fairly decent defensive record none-the-less, and one I don?t believe you can achieve when carrying a right-back who is "not of Premier League standard". Cast your mind back over all of those 8 games and tell me Hibbert is not a Premier League standard defender. Even given Hibbert?s shortcomings going forward, he clearly has enough about him defensively to be classed, overall, as being of "Premier League standard"

For the millionth time, don?t get me wrong: I do think they are two of our weakest first-team players and I would love to see them relegated to squad player status by the signing of higher quality, but they are NOT a waste of space. They are NOT "worse than traffic cones". Anyone who makes such ridiculous statements only reveals their own lack of knowledge and understanding of football and Everton.

Change the fucking record.

Hear! Hear! Tom. The constant attacks on these 2 players have become quite nauseating this season.

As regards Osman, not only has he been carrying an injury for most of the season but he?s a central midfielder by choice who?s playing out of position because that?s what the team needs. If I remember correctly, Moyes has purchased other players to perform that role and found them wanting.

Hibbert is a decent defender but limited with the ball at his feet. However, since being injured, he hasn?t come back as the same player & yet still Moyes hasn?t been too keen to play Jacobsen instead.

If Moyes can bring in a couple of decent additions to the squad, I hope they are a right sided midfielder & a defensive midfielder. In this scenario, Osman will be back on the bench and Hibbert also due to Neville playing right back. So I see little merit in keeping Jacobsen unless the intention is to carry on playing Neville in midfield.

I for one didn?t hear much Hibbert bashing in mid-season when he was playing well...

Is it because they?re local lads and local lads are given higher standards? That?s the only reason I can think of.

Hibbert?s a solid defender ? yes, defender, not goddamn winger. His job is to stop the opposition attackers and he does it bloody well. If you?ll recall, for example, C Ronaldo ? the Best and Greatest Player Ever to Grace the Premier League ? had to sulk on a different wing every time he played against him.

Osman has done fairly well despite being injured and played out of position. He?s got on with it professionally and to the best of his ability. Alright, he?s not the best on the planet ? and by far my favorite player ? but he?s definitely not been worthy of the criticism that?s come his way.

As for Jacobsen, he looked quite good when I watched him and obviously we need a squad to compete on four fronts, so he fits the bill there. I?d like him to prove himself better than Hibbert, as I would any time I see Everton improve. Good luck to the lad, hope he stays.

I bet he does a brilliant "When you say nothing at all" at the Christmas karaoke parties.

I’m with you Mike on what you say in your third paragraph. You could add Petrov alongside of ’C Ronaldo’ as another fairly handy player who Hibbert has tucked away. I don’t think he has fully overcome his injury and, really, his doing over by Robhino at Goodison a few weeks earlier was the harbinger of Malouda in the Final.

I?d love to see a bit of Fanni at right back.

We have progressed over the last couple of season and now we have reached the stage where we should be challenging for a Top 4 finish.

The problem is to win against top teams we now require to have attacking support from both wings, and no matter what I say, ever since Arteta is injured and when Hibbert is playing, our attacking strength on the right is next to nothing. To progress further making our rIght-side equal to our left-side is the first thing we must do.

To be honest, the only way Hibbert is better than Jacobsen is probably only his age and his defensive strength, but only ever so slightly; Jacobsen is quicker, more experienced and his attacking side of things compared to Hibbert, it would make Jacobsen looks like, let's say Glen Johnson.

Jacobsen should have a couple of season left with him and I would have no problem with offering him a 2-year contract with an option of a year extension. He would be a temporary fix until we find the long-term replacement and Hibbert is only good enough to be a back-up cover for the Right-back.

Let?s hope we could get hold of the pacey midfielder we?ve all been waiting for and so we could begin our quest of knocking the Gunners or RS off their Top 4 spot.

I?m sorry John but how can you possibly say that? His attacking side? As I mentioned I can?t remember one cross coming from Jacobsen in the 3/4 games he played, I remember him being beat in the air quite a few times against Portsmouth and his injury record leaves a lot to be desired.

I think people?s hatred/distaste of Hibbert is clouding everyone's view of this average Danish right back, making him into this great player after watching him only win once with Everton

Hibbert all day long for me. First job as full back is not to let people past you and there?s not many who get past him. He knows his limitations and is rarely caught out of position, though like all full backs he does like to bomb on.

Personally I think this is the position we MUST strengthen if we are to move on ourselves. I always thought the best signing Howard Kendall made was Psycho Pat. I thought he made the difference as a team to us, having seen Baines play at Wigan quite a lot I was convinced he could be Moyes?s Van den Hauwe.

Jacobsen looks like a fish out of water to me, there?s no way he?s a Premier League player, let alone an Everton player.

RHS has to be our priority to improve this close season after the massive improvement on the left. If we have genuine ambitions then I think Hibbert and Jacobsen are either/or for the squad as the "experienced back-up", with Coleman as the young bonus who may move ahead of them if he makes it.

For the first team, we need to ideally get someone top notch (not sure who) or more likely a very promising youngster (Naughton) who will be phased in over this season and next.

For the back up role, I would take Hibbert as the known quantity and also as someone who is more likely to show loyalty as a reserve.

The only reason to sign Jacobsen as well is if we don't have the cash to properly address the RB issue ? which may well be the case.

How come no-one has mentioned Cahill?s mate at West Ham? He looks a decent right back and I?m sure we can get him for free.

I?m struggling to understand the debate here? They are both not good enough for a top 5 team! End of...

I hate all this ?he tries hard? attitude. So did Beattie but everyone slagged him off; so did Campbell towards the end. Hibbert is in a similar position as them two as he lacks quality. Hibbert tries as much as any of the Gwladys Street would and is probably just as good/poor as anyone in the stand. Sack him off and get a good player. Gosling was also a right back at Plymouth; try him there.

Everton right back next season: Gary Neville will sign for EFC (I had a text); Seamus Coleman as cover.

Hibbert will play at least 25 games for Everton next season

But Sean, the difference between Hibbert and Meattie is that Hibbert does the job he is supposed to do, ie Defend. Meattie just ran a little then forgot what those things at the end of his legs were for and to compare him to anyone in the Gwladys Street is just plain ridiculous........I am obviously better than him..

Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert cost us a Cup Final win and possibly a place in the Champions League. I think as far as attacking our own players, enough is enough.

Tony Hibbert and to a lesser extent Osman (along with the rest of the team) were found out at Wembley. Hibbert was targeted by a master tactician and had a terrible game, much like Rooney in the Champions League final. He and Osman gave 100%, like they always do. Osman was playing out of position (he's better in central midfield) and neither he nor Hibbert were 100% fit. Both have done well for Everton. Osman scored the best goal I have ever seen at Goodison Park and Hibbert is a solid defender who has, unfortunately had a bad run.

My point is: Both are proper Evertonians who give their all. If they are not good enough then look to the man who thinks they are. I have criticised David Moyes and Bill Kenwright on this site. I would never criticise a player who gives his all. Time to give the lads a break.

Andy Crooks

The irony is, Hibbert for all the claims left the pitch when we were all square so to blame him for the defeat doesnt make sense.

Why dont we all just admit the unpalatable. Three people were found out at Wembley... Cahill and Neville when playing against top players can neither see a pass, receive a pass, or make a pass, Neville has been terrific for us, but he?s not a footballer and chelsea relieved him of possession all afternoon.

Much as we all love Cahill for his Roy of the Rovers goals, he also discovered a big heart and a big leap does not a Champions League player make.

The reason we reverted to hoofball in the second half ? when the "culprit" wasn't even on the pitch ? was our "heroes" were found wanting, they were embarrassingly outclassed... THAT is why we lost the Cup final, mate.

The other person who was found out, maybe to lesser extent, was Howard. I say "to a lesser extent" because we all know he is often beaten by long-range shots that a Premier League goalkeeper should be saving, so he was hardly "found out" ? pretty much as Hibbert was not "found out". Surely everyone knows neither came out of the top draw ?

Ignore general perception, Andy, watch a re-run of the final, if you come back and tell me that Malouda went past Hibbert more times than Anelka went past our central defenders only to narrowly miss, I?ll donate a tenner to the charity of your choice.

Andy, Hibbert wasn?t on the pitch for the second half and when he went off it was still 1-1, so can you explain how he costs us the final?... and a Champions League place FFS!!

He had a stinker because he wasn?t fit, had no protection from Osman, who usually defends well and was limited due to a wrong yellow card within the first 10 minutes. Now he apparantly costs us a Champions League place ? I am absolutely speechless at that comment.

I am not too sure if you are quoting someone and if so I appoligise for directing this post at you, if not then there is no apology needed for a ridiculous statement.

If rumours are correct then we have bid for both Kyle Naughton of Sheffield United and also Fabien Delph of Leeds.

I'd say Naughton sounds like the right sided Baines we have been looking for. Delph, whilst more of a central player, may be pushed over to the right side in competition with Gosling for a couple of years.

Wherever they play (as they can both play several positions) it seems like they would be 2 quality signings...

Hibbert would have been an excellent full back thirty years ago. The invention of wing backs has highlighted this part of his game. Let?s face it, he couldn?t cross the road.