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Strength in Depth

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What does everybody think is our best team when everyone is fit? My team would be:

Howard
Neville Jagielka Heitinga Baines
Fellaini Arteta Piennar Donavan
Cahill Saha

Subs: Nash ,Osman, Rodwell, Bilyaletdinov, Gosling, Vaughan, Yak

Just look at that squad; it's a long time since we had a strong bench... it's usually full of kids. Moyes never had that selection headache for years.

But that matchday squad is missing Yobo, Distin, Hibbert, Senderos, Coleman, Anichebe, and Baxter — we haven't even had that strong a bench!
Kevin Thompson, Carlow, Ireland     Posted 21/02/2010 at 06:22:36

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Nick Wall
1   Posted 21/02/2010 at 15:35:08

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I certainly hope that we will get to see Fellaini and Donovan in the same team again. I believe it will happen.
Paul Gladwell
2   Posted 21/02/2010 at 16:08:48

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Say what you like, but at this present moment in time Leon Osman should be in our first eleven, no matter who is fit. He has been slaughtered by most, myself included last season, but now he is fit and playing in his natural position, with players on his wavelength who like to pass and move, he has put to bed how he goes missing against the bigger teams.
Duncan McDine
3   Posted 21/02/2010 at 17:01:54

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Fellaini playing right wing.... just about the only position he would struggle - thank God you’re not manager!!!

Also, I think you’re bench would need to include better defensive cover.

Despite the result yesterday, you are spot on leaving Distin out of the squad - he was shockingly poor.
Jay Harris
4   Posted 21/02/2010 at 17:26:54

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It seems right now that it doesn't matter who we put out because the team spirit and confidence are so good. However, I feel there are a few points to make:

Tiger Tim was coming back to his best form when he was injured and Phil Neville has NOT been at his best since he was injured.

I do not think we’ve seen enough of Coleman but I would like to see a lot more of him so we can decide if he is the RB we need or not.

Also I do not expect Jags to be at his best for a while and he does play a similar position to Heitinga as a Right CB as opposed to left.

I do believe that Rodwell and Felli CAN play in the same team,depending on the opposition.

And that brings me to my final point that there is no BEST team as it depends who the opposition are. For example, I would play a totally different side against Stoke and the RS than I would against Man U or Arsenal. That is why it’s a squad game.

However, my first choice players for most games would be:

Howard
Coleman Heitinga(Capt) Jagielka Baines
Donovan Osman Fellaini Pienaar
Cahill Saha

I would bring the best little Spaniard, the Yak and Bily on as impact subs. If Donovan doesn't come back Bily needs grooming for that role.
Dave Smith
5   Posted 21/02/2010 at 18:25:48

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Howard
Neville (C) Heitinga Jagielka Baines
Fellaini
Arteta Osman Pienaar
Cahill
Saha

I base this on what all players have shown when on top form. I do not include Donovan, because he won’t be here much longer.
Kevin Thompson
6   Posted 21/02/2010 at 19:00:14

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Sorry Duncan, I had him down as a central defensive midfielder, also Cahill playing behind Saha.
Daniel Hutchinson
7   Posted 21/02/2010 at 19:02:14

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I think with our squad now we should be able to utilise so many different formations and players for various situations, however this would be my strongest without Donovan:

Howard
Neville - Heitinga - Jagielka - Baines
Fellaini
Rodwell
Pienaar - Arteta - Billy
Saha

Subs:
Nash - Coleman - Distin - Osman - Cahill - Gosling - Yak/Vaughan

But the first 11 can easily fluctuate for certain situations, and I see Osman, Cahill and Gosling especially being called upon as much as Arteta and Rodwell. But we have potential to bring on players to really attack, if need be, which Everton have lacked in recent years.
Dick Anderson
8   Posted 21/02/2010 at 19:44:10

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When everyone is fit, Landon Donovan will be back in the USA.

Don’t forget that Donovan is out of Everton in about three weeks.

So our strongest side cannot include him.

.................Howard
Neville Jagielka Heitinga Baines
..........Fellaini......Rodwell
.......Osman Arteta Pienaar
..................Saha

That leaves a bench which includes Distin, Yobo, Gosling, Cahill, Bilyletdinov and Yakubu.

Everton would be a match for anyone.
Iain Love
9   Posted 21/02/2010 at 20:20:10

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Dave, Dan and Dick — all good teams, tend to go with Dan & Dick and use Cahill as an impact sub. I think we need to look at Neville's position and try to use Coleman a bit more even as a sub. Nice when injuries don't pick your team for you.
John Keating
10   Posted 21/02/2010 at 21:33:05

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I think Heitinga is without doubt player of the season so far. Regardless at this time he cannot be dropped for anyone.
My big problem is who plays alongside him. On past form its Jags BUT I really have a problem playing both together as I think they may both be too small.
Positionally, courage etc etc both great but from set pieces I think we may struggle
Pat Finegan
11   Posted 21/02/2010 at 22:22:21

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I think the better question would be: What happens when Donovan leaves?
Greg Hunt
12   Posted 21/02/2010 at 22:35:52

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"Distin was shockingly poor."

It’s funny how differently we all see things. I thought he had a very good game and I think he was man of the match for one or two media outlets. There was one moment I remember where he headed a ball out when he could have let it run through to the keeper, but if you don’t get a shout in time, you have to clear it yourself.

Don’t forget that, if he hadn’t got his head to Rooney’s free kick, we might be talking about a 2-2 draw. He and Heitinga kept Rooney and Berbatov pretty quiet, no mean feat.

Mike Hughes
13   Posted 21/02/2010 at 23:26:57

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Hibbert appears to be the forgotten man but, as a defender, I rate him. His passing lets him down but few better as a defender at RB.Cover for Baines at left back will be a priority in the summer. Also, winger as I don’t think Donovan will be staying (what a pity!). People are having a go at the Yak but bear in mind that a ruptured achilles is one hell of an injury and many have not returned from this. Give him time. Bily will be rejuvenated next year - he’s played continuously for much longer than the rest of the squad. I’m definitely hopeful for next season - and the remainder of this one! Moyes seems happy, the squad are lauded for their team spirit which is something that even Man City or Chelsea can’t buy. Can we do the Europa Cup?

Ben Jones
14   Posted 22/02/2010 at 11:47:42

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Duncan, Distin shockingly poor against Man Utd, are you sure? Yes, he fucked up against Sporting, but he was awesome against Utd, one of our best players!
Pete Case
15   Posted 22/02/2010 at 21:51:00

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Any team with P Neville in its strongest XI is not a very impressive squad. He’s a donkey and he’s holding the team back. Thanks for the memories Phil. Now off you go!

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