I think of all the current first team squad, there is no-one that stands out as expendable. Knowing our luck with injuries, they are all likely to be called upon at some point in a season ? especially with prolonged cup runs like we are seeing this season with the FA Cup.

I agree that, if we have to sell again this summer to balance the books, then Rodwell is the obvious choice; he would generate the largest fee and would disrupt the team least if he left (as opposed to other squad members such as Fellaini, Baines, Heitinga, Jagielka etc). But even then, I would only be happy if he was sold for a substantial amount: £12M+ with a replacement being bought in with the funds.

I think the key thing with this squad is keeping the core of the players together, as it's the team spirit which seems to lead to our successful runs and battling underdog performances. We have a really tight set-up with the 3rd longest serving manager in the League and a playing squad most of which have played together for several years.

David - We have to keep in mind, even in these enjoyable times, the spectre that remains hanging over the club. There's no way to generate money for players in/ player retention without selling the only assets left; other players.

It's a shame we're in this position since it would cost around half to keep our loanees (and even get Landon in) of what the Shite spent on Carroll.

NEW OWNERSHIP IN !!

David, I don't think lads are coming out with getting rid of Jags and Rodwell because of a couple of good wins. The debate about these two has gone on for yonks.

In my book, Rodwell still has a lot to do before he can become 'our saviour' by generating a £20M move to the Top Four.

At his present level, he's become a back-up player in midfield and in Davey`s book still someway behind even Neville in the pecking order.

How could anyone not be impressed with Duffy?

I don't understand why some fans put themselves on the Everton roller coaster. Those who choose to align themselves as anti-Moyes bash their keyboards in anger after events like the derby debacle, and those who think he's the saviour gloat after every victory, whether entertaining or not. Fair enough, I can understand that.

What I don't get is those who travel the highs and lows, loving and hating Moyes in equal measure. They are up and down like a train spotters foreskin.

David, Everton lost £5m last year just on servicing debt, having not signed a player. Given attendances are down significantly this year you don't need to be the Chancellor to realise that someone's got to go.

Personally. I think Jagielka is the most saleable asset. Rodwell wouldn't fetch £2m right now, let alone £20m. I doubt Moyes will sell Jags though as he'd rather get rid of that ball-player Heitinga.

There was a fair bit of gloating after Swansea Matt... led by me... more at the anti-Moyes rhetoric building up to the match. But gloating after every win?

I'd be thinking if anyone is to leave then... Fallaini would get the biggest fee and leave some over to reinvest.

I'd love a Pienaar Fallaini Gibson Drenthe midfield next season but I doubt we could afford it.

We are a selling club, be it either for funds for squad development or for keeping the bank happy. Unfortunately, at the moment it's for both reasons at the one time. The days of spending 9m, 10m, or 11m on one player are long gone. I think the sale of jags or Rodwell would probably raise enough case for a couple of players in our spending bracket. I would agree with Brian at 841. These two players have been looked at by fans for a while not as the players we could live without.

David, once again with apologies to Mike Green, I must ask you on what do you base your assessment of Duffy? In my view he will, if we keep him, be partnering Heitinga or Rodwell at the heart of the Everton defence.

If Rodders was going to play CB then he'd have already done so. I don't recall one game where he has. Its like people keep referring to Coleman as a RB just to say Moyes has players out of position.

Andy, your attempts at building up the Irish contingent is laudable, but Duffy still has a way to go. He seems, like Coleman, to be more level headed than most, and I personally think he's got more of a chance of making it than Seamus. Duffy needs more gametime, but Seamus I fear cannot play at right back, and is too much of a one-trick pony for right mid. He did come into the professional game fairly late, and I think you need to be exceptional to make that step up.

Nick - I wasn't thinking of you post-Swansea. Didn't see the game, only highlights. On the Fellaini thing - you may be on to something, after all, Mikel only signed his big contract 12 months before, cough cough, asking to leave.

Nick, I think that as a younger player Rodwell was seen as a future centre half. When he played in a more attacking role I actually thought it was an astute move on Moyes's part to give him wider experience. I can see what you mean, though. that he should have been played there by now. Does he not look to you ,however, like a potential footballing centre back?

Nick (854) - Super impressive! Duffy's the goods. That we have a back-liner so clearly talented (at 20 years-old no less), shows how close we are to moving up the Table.

Duffy's not the only EFC youngster. God, if we had something resembling a budget.

COYB!

Rodwell's year-in year-out physical breakdowns are worrying. It's not like he's being worn out in game time. At some point even the greatest talent (Michael Owens) is never fulfilled due to the body breaking down.

Hopefully, injury-wise, this is just a particular point in Rodder's career and not what he'll be remenbered as; a woulda/shoulda.

I was hoping to enjoy a brief period of blind optimism, but down to earth we go.

I'd be seriously depressed if Fellaini was sold. He is such a dominant force, and more so with Gibson nearby.

I wince at the thought of us selling annually and expecting Moyes to replace a top player each season with a cheaper version, or bringing players in on loan. To date, other than this year, there hasn't been a pattern of doing this, but this now may be the only way we do business. If so, this is unsustainable, surely.

Anichebe has, and always will be expendable. I was dreading him starting the Sunderland game and was pleased he didn't feature considering the absence of pienaar and drenthe. We'll get buttons for him obviously but we can shed the wages and put them towards another player. I doubt he'd even get 10+ goals a season at a chamionship club.

Andy Crooks - I had to say that made me laugh. You're a good sport, and welcome to talk about Duffy as much as you like, especially when it's in context! :D

Seems like we've got a bit of an embarrassment (for us) of riches in the position now, especially when Hibbert and Neville can cover.

I'd like to see a right winger and a version of Cahill that's 10 years younger brought in. If that means Rodwell goes I'd lose no sleep, I'd rather keep hold of Barkley personally, he might even fit in in one of these two positions anyway.....

Andy, Nick, I have actually been quite impressed with Duffy. He looks absolutely awesome in the air and I think he appears to be a natural leader. I'm utterly convinced that he will have a long and successful career in football, most likely as captain of a decent size club. I do have reservations about his all round footballing ability and composure in posession which leaves me to question if he will be able to consistently perfom at the highest level. I've only seen him in the flesh once (Against Bate) so I'm not in a great position to pass judgement on him. Again I hope he proves me wrong, he seems the right sort of character you would want in your side.

'I doubt he'd even get 10+ goals a season at a chamionship club'

Hasn't he scored 4 in 9 premier league games this season (not all of which he has started)? Extrapolate that to a full season it's 16 goals. In 39 premier league appearances for Everton he has scored 11 goals. What makes you think he'd fare worse in the championship.?

Please don't talk about strength in depth. The lack of depth in our midifield is laughable, that's why we have to suffer Neville in midfield for various games.

Going through the squad, we have six, natural recognised midfielders tied down to long term contracts; that includes Rodwell and Barkley. The six: Rodwell, Barkley, Cahill, Osman, Gibson and Fellaini. The one noticeable aspect is that they are all at their best in central positions.

After that, we're left with Pienaar and Drenthe; our two most creative midfielders. Both are on loan deals so there is no guarantee that they will even be here next season. It is imperative that we sign both, especially given our chronic lack of goals. Drenthe leads the assist charts despite being sparingly used in comparison to most of our other midfielders.

After that, we start to scrape the barrel; we are left with the "versatile" players. This is total rubbish, for starters; playing someone out of position doesn't mean they are versatile. It just means you are using them out of position and they can supposedly 'fill the gap' or do a 'job'. Very few, if any, of our so called versatile players actually excel in their secondary positions.

Neville, Heitinga and Jagielka have all been used in midfield in the past. To be fair to Moyes, this is often due to injuries. However, none of the three have ever played well enough in midfield to suggest that they are able in that role. When used in midfield, they look like you would expect; like defenders playing in midfield.

Gueye and Anichebe have been used in wide positions in midfield; both were used in those roles today. It was also noticeable, today, how both players look much more at home in central positions. That was were Victor's goal came from and he created another chance from in that role. Gueye also looks much more comfortable when away from the touchline. Both are effectively forward players who are used out wide to cover for a player shortage.

During the summer, it is imperative that we look to invest in the midfield. In terms of numbers, it is the weakest part of the squad by some distance. Once injuries and suspensions take their toll, we are left with defenders and forwards in midfield. This is another contributing factor to our poor starts as our midfield lacks cohesion and stability.

We may well have strength in a few areas of the squad but don't let a few good wins mask the dearth of midfield options. Needs must dictates that we play a big chunk of our matches with players out of position. People are wrong to mistake this for strength in depth or versatility as it is neither. Plain and simple, we just don't have any choice in the matter.

Another point made in the OP was about Rodwell. I would sell him to the highest bidder. He began his career and was instantly caught up in the typical media hype. I'm not quite sure why but it happens with all English youngsters; they are vastly overrated by the press, the second they emerge into the first team picture. It is one of the reasons why English players move for such inflated transfer fees; their value and worth goes through the roof as the footballing world goes potty for the next Bobby Moore or Bobby Charlton.

Injuries have taken a hold of Rodwell and they seem to be seriously harming his development. That and his failure to convince in any position mean he is Everton's most saleable asset. He is talked of as an attacking midfielder is some circles but he is in the top 5 in the league in terms of sideways passes; a staggering 65%, last time I checked.

Yes, we could probably command a higher fee for Baines or Fellaini but their loss would have a greater effect on the team. We can afford to lose Rodwell, we can't afford to lose one of the other two. Yes, competition for places is a good thing but we can't afford to have Rodwell sitting on the bench. If he commands the sort of fee that was talked about last summer then it is foolish to keep him on our books, especially for a team in our financial plight.

We will have to sell someone in the summer to help balance the books . sadly Rodwell is too injury prone to command a decent £10plus fee, Baines & Felliani are too important , Jags would be my choice the only other options would be selling a few players to raise money or selling a youngster like Barkley.
I would love to keep Pienar and Drenthe and maybe bring Donovan back permanently but that wont happen unless we raise funds.