You don't fancy Heitinga? Our player of the season last year and a defence that was the 3rd best in the Premier League. Some of our fans have serious issues: one bad game and let's jump on the team. We've had a great window, bought some cracking players; let's be optimistic, ffs.

Jags, Distin, Fella, Jelavic, Howard - big enough in my book - crap play by Fella let the free header against WBA.

For me, Fellaini needs to be playing centrally with Gibson, breaking up play and starting the attacks, with the occasional foray forward.
It's all well and good him going up top against weakened defences such as United's, but he won't be so lucky against the Stoke's of this world.
A player of his skill, strength and intelligence needs to be dictating play in the middle of the park where the game is predominantly won and lost. He should be the man between Gibson and the attack.

Fellaini has to stay up top, just look at the performances with him there. When he drops back we're even more reliant on the small play makers to take the game to the opposition without any base. Our back 5 does need some work on, it was one of the best in the league whilst Heitinga played in it. He's even come out and said it himself that despite forcing his way into the team every season he always seems to restart it on the bench. If we're not careful we're going to lose a world class central defender in his prime all for the sake of keeping a 35 year old happy. How many more errors will the Jags/Distin combination make before they are dropped.

As for being physical this is something that has gone out of our game of late. We always used to be able to match anyone for physicality, even the stokes of this world we could rough up through our attitude, now we're on the receiving end of it, perhaps this is down to a change in the playing cast or our playing style, but its something that more and more teams who can't compete on the deck with us will be using against us.

Lightweight players -
Lionel Messi - 1.69m (5' 7")
Andres Ienesta - 1.7m
Steven Pienaar - 1.73m
Leon Osman - 1.73m
David Villa - 1.75m
Steven Naismith - 1.78m
Kevin Mirallas - 1.82m (6ft)

The 'Spanish' players on this list do, of course, have the benefit of far superior refereeing in La Liga - "going right through you from the rear" is always called the foul it is over there, and hardly ever happens anywhere near the penalty area as a result.

Our main 'physical weakness' comes from the fact that talented ball-players are also expected to be marathon runners. Osman is as good an example I can think of. Different types of strength are required for different roles.

Didn't do Leyton Orient much good did it?

Brains and skill will always overcome brawn.

I think we are overeacting after 1 game where we did not show the same energy levels and commitment of the first two.

I defeinetly agree the Fellaini attacking role won't work against every team. West Brom's whole approach was to stop Fellaini and they did it to perfection. And that will happen against the mid-table 'hard to beat' teams such as Stoke and West Ham.

I think he should be rotated. I know that's easy to say with hindsight and after a disappointing defeat but we now have several options for the 'Cahill' role and need to keep teams guessing.

Pienaar was a bit off the pace on Saturday (allthough maybe he was carrying the knock that has had him withdraw from the RSA squad). But Pienaar could've played behind Jelly and switched Naismith to the left. Or Mirallas could've come on for Gibson and played right and put Naismith behind Jelavic moving Fellaini back.

The moral of my point is there are a lot more options and quality and versatility and we need to keep teams guessing.

Let's give it 10 games like Moyes said. Hopefully we'll have figured out how well everyone works where. I've got opinions, but really with the addition of all these talented new players, it should only be a matter of time before we find out the optimum lineup and we all see it. Don't worry. We're still a good team.

Should have kept hold of Straq

Some of us said Fellaini shouldn't necessarily only be considered as an attacking midfielder from now on despite his good performances there well before the Baggies game, so it isn't hindsight.

It is simply a recognition that we will need different tactics to break down different teams / formations, we will probably need to cover at times for the absence of our other key central midfielders, and that Fellaini is capable of doing a good job for the team in more than one role / position.

We have strengthened our attacking options and the likes of Naismith, Mirallas and Pienaar will be first choices at some stage this season (assuming they all achieve their potential).

I sort of agree with Mike Oates.

Against WBA as the game developed and it was necessary for Mirellas to come-on given the injury to Gibson he should have played further forward/behind Jelli and the Big Fella then drop deeper.

Our midfield seemed to lose its potency and organisation to defend effectively when Gibson left the pitch.

I think we have to finesse our use of Fellaini dependent on the opposition and their style. WBA are a very physical side and did tend to tackle very hard and press very quick.

When we play the likes of Stoke we should adjust formation accordingly.

Lets hope its a lesson learnt.

Just a minor point, if the ref had been Howard Webb or the like, they would not have tried to go thru the back of Pienaar and Naismith repeatedly without possibly losing a man. I feel the harsh tackles on the two showed in their performances as the game progressed.

Fellaini was being wound up and in the end he took to being the aggressor which finally stirred the deputant ref into action.

With smaller talented players, we are no longer the Dogs of War, and in this day and age there should be more protection for the more talented ball players.

Next game will be more of a battle of similar styles so leave the judgement until then. Moysie will now realise that against teams like WBA and Stoke he needs a different plan...

Free memorabilia including programmes, ticket stubbs, posters, signed shirts and photos from season 78-79 to present.

Moving abroad breaks my heart but just looking for a good blue home for them to go to. Pick up in Woolton area. Call Alex on 07511 427 981.

Sorry, I don't buy it that we were out-muscled against west brom.

I watched the game and quite simply west brom worked harder. They wanted the win more and put the effort in to get it - just as we did against Man U.

When we had the ball, they bust a gut to close us down and put us under pressure. When they had the ball we ambled around giving them time and space.

I've been a big supporter of Fellaini over the years as he's had tons of criticism on here, but at west brom even I'll admit he was woeful. He left his marker for one of their goals and generally strolled about like all the media hype had gone to his head. But it wasn't just him.

One thing you'll notice about great sides is they work hard all the time, no matter who they're playing. Barca do it, we did it for the first couple of games. You can't just turn up and expect to win a match, you have to earn that right and quite a few of our players forgot it at west brom.

Like you say Wayne, we just took our foot off the gas and Moyesie's tactics didn't help. Based on a shite performance, I reckon he didn't feel confident enough to drop Felli back into a holding role, and allegedly 'going for the win' of course.

Bring on the Toon!!!

Isnt this part of the reason we have just signed a 6'2" athletic midfielder on loan?

Any news on Vadis Odidja-Ofoe? It's all gone a bit quiet.