How can we possibly be in competition with clubs for reasonable players when we are telling the world that we have no money... or realistic ambition? Most players want to be in the running to win trophies and we are treading water and hoping for the best... Mr Micawber comes to mind..!!!!

We can only look abroad in countries that are not known for producing 'name' players or reach into the lower leagues in the hope of finding a rough diamond. None of our youngsters seem to be seriously pushing for places so the future looks bleak.

BK seems to be producing a new version of Dickens 'Christmas Carol', starring himself as Scrooge and DM as Bob Cratchit.
God help us one and all!!

I blame it on the fact that, when it comes to football, we?re still 10-year-old boys in that, if the example was a corner shop or a factory, the decision to shut it would be a no-brainer. Instead, football is run by what Alan Sugar calls the prune juice economy ? money comes straight in and is immediately shit out into the toilet pan that is players and their charmless fucking agents.

Imagine you?re an Evertonian with a spare £50 million, would you invest in football? If the answer?s yes then file under more money than sense because, the minute you did that there would be a queue of agents outside your door like Oliver crying for more...

"Look, Matt, I know Mikel?s just signed a new contract, but you must remember that he signed for the pittance of £75k pw because of his loyalty for Everton, and that loyalty should be rewarded.?

Therefore, unless we manage to catch the eye of a sheik or the boss of a drug cartel craving a train set or respectability, then what we?re asking someone to do is to hand over x million pounds with little or no hope of ever seeing it again. I think football finances are on the verge of getting found out, and ironically even Abramovitch has called a halt to the spending ? as ye sow so ye shall reap, eh, Roman?

SWP?
Donovan?
Bentley?
Keane?
Elmander?

I reckon we could get Elmander for about £3M in January as he's out of contract in the summer. And I think Moyes might get something out of Bentley too. Any excess cash I'd be throwing towards a new deal for Pienaar.

With Heitinga going, Distin 33, and no cover for Baines, what would anyone think of bringing Lescott back?

The money will have to come from the sale of Heitinga who sadly looks like he wants away. Shame because he was superb at centre half last season and in my opinion should be playing there every week. Kranjcar is an excellent player but I think Bentley has the better crossing ability and Niko might be a bit too close to Arteta in style.

As for Mr Lescott, well, what's that saying about greener grass? I would have him back as a squad player but can't see that happening whatsoever!

You signed up for 'the project', Joleon - didn't you??

I'd be happy with either 1 to be honest because we are going to be left with bugger all come May. Both would be a gamble but Moyes has expressed an interest in both of them before.

Who are we kidding though. Stubborn old Moysie will not do anything before the summer. We might get the tried and tested Donovan if we are lucky...

Danny (#21) ? I said not to bother with Kranjcar, even though he is a good player. If 'Arry rates Pienaar, he could be used as a bargaining chip in some form or other surely. Redknapp would obviously prefer a player in his squad that he intended using as opposed to Keane and Bentley who he clearly does not want!

Realistically someone could probably get Keane and Bentley for £12mill combined (that is a guess based on Keane's age and the fact that both will be on good wages and not playing very much). So if we do raise some money by selling someone, we could chuck Pienaar into the deal and bring the price down to something we could afford. A lot of guesswork here I know but they are two good players.

As for being short at left-mid, well Mikel was our player of the season 2 years running out wide, Bily can fill in there, and even Leon Osman looked ok there before his injury. And let's not forget our "secret weapon". Worst-case scenario is that we only attack down the right instead of the left which is where we are now using just one flank. And Bentley is a much better crosser than Pienaar.