I think we would need more than just 4 or 5 players for even a consistent top four challenge to be honest. We don't have the most talented squad in the league but we are tenacious, hard working and have a fantastic team spirit even when we struggled with injuries this weekend.

We clearly need another RW as backup for Mirallas who will struggle with injuries at times.

Getting a goalkeeper in the next window is really important, Mucha needs to be sold to get some money back as his contract expires in the summer. Howard needs competition and his form has dipped this season, having someone who is young and enthusiastic as a backup is a good idea. Butland would be a bit of a stretch for us, but if we did manage to get him it would be good for the player as he would get game time.

CB is something we need to look at. Distin is 34 and won't last for a lot longer (another 2 seasons max) and also depends on whether he will sign another contract (I'm sure he will though).

Everyone seems to be on Heitinga's back at the moment and wants him gone, but I would be very reluctant to do that. Heitinga is the only player in our squad I would sell if we needed to generate funds. Duffy needs game time though but we seriously need to lot at another young CB in the near future.

CM is probably more important than the latter and the former as it's clear from the evidence from Gibson that we 'tick' as a team with him in it. Having someone who will work well with him in there will improve us even more I think, but at some point I want to see Hitzlsperger given a chance. I hope Junior's progress is doing well also.

Most importantly we need another Striker or play-maker who plays near Jelavic, Mirallas was a good start but Moyes want's him as a winger (maybe if he's fit against Chelsea we could see him in Fellaini's role). Anichebe has got goals in recent memory when he starts but he's far too injury prone, and Moyes needs to put some faith in Vellios and Gueye who don't get game time at all which is a real shame.

There's no point going through jarg rumors or speculation but I would love to see 2 or 3 loan's come in to help out the numbers, and I would expect to see that happen with a cheap signing with the money left over. I wouldn't expect Donovan back in January though, but Moyes should try and convince him to play again for us; if he did I wouldn't be surprised if we signed him.

Really Ken? That's a great story. Thanks for that.

£40-45m? Again, really Ken?

How much were Jelavic, Howard, Gibson and Jagielka?

Less than £15m for the lot.

Who's the plonker?

Craig Gordon, Vadis, McCarth; Lescott and Dzeko on loan = £10-15 million.

Sell Johnnie for £5 million and get down the back of Billy Liar's sofa for the rest.

Ken - "My first ever job was in Widnes (a very long time ago), and all of the Widnes people I worked with were plonkers of the first water."

I guess this translates into - "I got bullied in my first job, in Widnes."

I like Dzeko. He would be a great signing.

Lescott and Dzeko would be great loan signings although I suspect Dzeko may be a bit of a stretch for us. He is a top striker though... Maybe get Donovan in to cover Mirallas?

I would also like to see us go for a permanent CM and another striker (Vossen/Van Wolfswinkel). Regarding Butland, only if he is in our budget. Howard does need some competition though so maybe look more seriously in the summer when we've qualified for Europe! ;-)

I didn't even know Dzeko was available... but I can't see Man City taking a bath on him, though.

I doubt Dzeko will be going anywhere anytime soon. If he does, his wages will price us out of the running, even on loan I suspect.

There's no denying were a matter of players away from having a really good team and squad and money, or lack of it, as always let us down! That's why I really hope we get lucky this season and qualify for the Champions League, and then qualify for the group stages as well cos the money from that could be the making of us IMO.

We do need a good, up and coming young keeper to really push Howard and then take over him and why not Butland? The lad is a prospect and getting very valuable game time at Birmingham and will be a player in years to come.

I do think we need a central defender to partner Jags long term as Distin isn't getting any younger, although he does still play great, and Heitinga as just been poor IMO this season and we could do with selling him so we can possibly sign Lescott on loan in January with a view to a permanent deal in the summer, and possibly sign Forren as well to add competition.

In midfield I think we need a very defensive-minded player to play deep alongside Gibbo so that can free him up to be the player in midfield we need who can pick a pass as I feel with how were playing him now, he's a little restricted, although he plays well. Osman does a job in there but can't spot a pass quick enough. And plus we need someone really defensive who will sit and cover the likes of Baines and Coleman for when they bomb on.

I do think we need cover in wide areas for if we do pick up injuries etc to the likes of Pienaar and mainly Mirallas and we need cover players with pace and the likes of Donovan (IF he doesn't retire) or Sinclair from City would be ideal.

And of course, we need better competition upfront! I like Jelavic but when he's going through a barren spell like he is, we haven't really got anyone who can come in and replace him and do the job. Anichebe for me just isn't good enough for us and for where we want to be! Vellios is still very raw and needs to get out on loan for regular games to improve and then we can see how he gets on when he gets back but we do need a striker who can give Jelavic real competition for his place.

This is why I think Champions League could be very important to us and IF we was to be lucky enough and qualify, then it could be a blessing to us and allow us to really start building.

I think there is a lot to be said for looking in the Championship for some young players, who are hunger and up for it.

I know it doesn’t always work out, but the rick sometimes pays off big; we should be looking for the sorts of deals we got on the likes of Cahill, Lescott, Arteta, and Jags.

I think the crux of this piece is spot on.

I wouldn't waste what little funds we have on Butland though who is promising but then so was Richard Wright! Craig Gordon is available on a free and if he is injury free thats a cracking keeper. Howard does need replacing. If you tally up the points he has lost us through errors at the end of the season I think it says it all.

Gordon, Lescott on loan and Vadis plus a striker possibly another loan.
Out, Heitinga who would still fetch what we paid for him.

The MLS is a good shopping window in Jan for loan signing!!!
I hope Donovan back(dreaming), a guy far good enough in our starting 11.
Cahill is also welcome but only good enough on the bench to make up number and can play in FA CUP to rest our key player.
Is Henry and Beckham available??
Henry can fill the Cahill (or now Felli) role, move Felli back to CM to partner Gibbo with Pienaar and Mirallas on the flank...
Beckham is another player can generate experience and money (shirt) to the team, a leader like Captain Phil.
On CB, hope Lescott back, never forget how he play LB and can score goal far better than a lot of strikers.

A couple of outlets have us linked with Scott Sinclair on loan. I am not massively keen, so it probably means its nailed on and he would be brilliant.

I'd take Sinclair. He was excellent for Swansea and can play up front or in either wing.

What we need most is someone with blistering pace who can drive us forward like Mirallas does... we lack that extra gear when he's out. I'd be happy with a playmaker and another winger in January.

It would be great if we could get another striker but, if not, Vellios proved last year he can finish, I think he had the best goal-to-efforts ratio in the league; he just needs a proper chance – not 5 mins at the end of a match chasing useless balls.

It would be great to see a bit more of Duffy too; in my eyes, in the matches he played last year, he was a good contender for Man of the Match in most of them and he poses a big threat going forward for set-pieces.

Beginning to sound a bit like the club over the park 'we're only 4 or 5 world class players away from having a title crack' who isn't? I think at the moment we're a long way off.

We don't have any pace up front at all. Fellaini and Jelavic always play and are barely ever subbed or dropped. We'd need a real quality number 10 in the mould of a Mata or Silva and quick impact players off the bench like Hernandez and Welbeck. Mirallas and Pienaar are widemen of the highest quality but their replacements are not.

We do not boast a wideman roster like Valencia, Young, Nani, Kagawa. Neville and Hitzlsperger would not play in a title winning team (well not the old version of Neville anyway) so there's at least two more top quality centre mids and probably another one or two to make up for the lack of dpeth we have in that area. 3 of our back 4 are pretty bad so would all need replacing. We would also need a new keeper.

Light-years away from a title challenge.

I agree that as we don't have the funds there is little chance of seeing an Everton side that could truly challenge for the Title. I'll just be glad to carry on playing as we are and winning a few more games.

I am concerned that our wafer-thin squad will jeapordise all the good work and I really can't see us adding anyone of note in the Transfer window, whilst some have already got their players sorted.

Nobody is going to be challenging City, United, Chelsea or Arsenal for the Title for the next few years.

I agree - 4 players for a title shot.

Casillas
Sergio Ramos
Iniesta
Messi

That should do it!

I looked at our last 38 league games in 2012 to see how many points we would have (accepting that we haven't played all teams twice in those 38 games). We would have 65 points.

The good news - we've lost just 5 out of 38 and that is top four and even title challenging with that number of defeats. The bad news, in none of the last 7 years would 65 points get you a top four finish. The last time a team finished top 4 with less points was us in 2004/5 with 61 points.

The reason is we have 17 of the 38 games. It is the draws that cost us and we'd be better off losing half and wining half of these draws. I reckon we need a better keeper and another striker and we'd be turning some of these draws into wins. If we managed to win 3 of these drawn games we'd have had 71 points over those same 38 games and that would get you a top 4 spot in 5 of those 7 seasons.

I think that if we'd have had some competent refereeing to date we'd already be in with a serious title shot.

We only need to replace a couple.

Moyes and Kenwright.

We also need at least 6-8 players, it's no good having decent players in a wafer-thin squad.

You need decent back up and decent back up costs much dinero, why do you think the like of Man City have world class players willing to sit it out on the bench?
Big wages, that's why.

Lescot, Rooney, Ruddy and Rodwell.

Chris - Spot on. We need a striker on loan that can score 10+ goals from the bench to turn those draws into win. Appreciate that's a very tall ask, however if you listened to a piece on Michu this morning you'll understand most Spanish clubs are on the bones of their arses from the crises, and that bargains can still be picked up off the smaller clubs.

Michu was recognised last season as a player worth around £8 to £10m after scoring 17 goals in 39 games. However such is the dire status of club finances he left Spain for just £2m despite being 26 and in his prime. This is not some washed up has been looking for his last meal ticket. Those middling Spanish clubs couldn't match Swansea and it wasn't as if he was not well known. Moyes has to wheel and deal. It serves us well. The inactivity in the transfer market a couple of seasons ago crushed us, taking our progress back years.

I thought players couldn't play for 3 clubs in one year meaning Sinclair can't be sent out on loan. Maybe I'm wrong.

I agree Heitinga has to go, if we need to sell to buy then sorry Johnny! Dzeko would be a dream, but cant see it happening. Jelavic is not the striker we thought he was, and looks out of his depth at the moment. A new keeper would be top of my list, anyone but Howard!

Forren would be a great buy, believe me he is going to be a goodùn! But ready for PL now, don't think so! If Lescott is available I would take him.

Edward I think you're right.

New member here, lifelong Evertonian from the south. Remember, your club chooses you — not the other way round!

Has anyone seen William Buckley of Brighton? The lad is class, needs a bit of polishing but a real gem and very dangerous winger!! People talk about Zaha... Buckley is every bit as good.

I watch a few Brighton games and they are desperate for a striker, send Tolos down to them and Gueye on loan to replace Buckley. Very exciting player. Southampton want him but surely we can beat them to his signature!!

I said at the time we missed out big time on Michu and look how that's turned out. Agree with the above comment on the Spanish sides. There are some bargains to be had there.

I think we are only about 8 players away from a title chasing side......

Kieran Moran – add Arteta to that list and we would be flying.

I'd have any of them back in a heartbeat. Although their sales were required to strengthen the quality we have now.

As a stop gap for the happless Howard I would try to prise Given away from Villa, he appears to be out of favour at the moment.

Is this about next season then?

Personally think Vorm would be a better option than Butland in goal. I think replacing Distin is our next issue, maybe Lescott fits that role, albeit he'd have to take a big wage drop.

I'd have to agree with Tony (827) that we are 7-8 players away..

Am I the only one thinking "Who's Ken?"? Or have I missed something?

Ha ha, Colin.

Ken Crowther commented first, insulting me because of where I live. The mods have removed it.

Realistically, we are miles away from the title. I think even £100million would not turn us into a title contenders. But we are not miles away from top four by any means.

Dzeko must be a false rumour: City won't let their third most effective striker go in a million years, but I think Lescott and Sinclair make sense, as does us going back in for Vadis. This Norwegian central defender also seems to be a distinct possibility.

I do expect us to bring in 2-3 this January, and I think we must to keep the top four dreams alive (I know expectation is dangerous when it comes to transfers and Everton). I also expect that the low 60s will be sufficient for top four this season, given how competitive it is.

I think Liverpool will fall away from tiredness, and West Brom because of ability. So I expect a three way tussle between us, Arsenal and Spurs. I would love to see Chelsea get sucked in, but I think their midfield and defense is just too good for it to happen this season. Unfortunately it also seems like a new striker is definite for them... although it will probably be Gomis not Falcao.

Fingers crossed for the kind of January we had last season.

I'm also with Dave on the goalie situation. Butland would cost at least £6 million... Vorm probably more. Given, on the other hand, offers a risk-free option for a lot less.

Lewis Holtby on a Bosman at the end of the season would be a coup that we should go for. A class act and current U21 captain.

Jim, I agree with a lot of what you've said, however, I feel that £100m would more than turn us into title contenders.

Even half of that.

In fact, if we sold Fellaini for £30m, I think Moyes could turn into challengers with that, if he got the money.

He could buy 4-5 players with it.

I think though Anthony, that at the end of the season, we will be as bout as close to the 40 point mark as the title. Chelsea spent near on 100million in the summer, and whilst improving, are still not at the level of title contenders. I also think that, just because we've pulled some rabbits out of the hat in the past, doesn't mean that we will in the future. Don't get me wrong, I feel that 25million a year for a couple of seasons would turn us into a top four team, as I have every faith in Moyes. But the only teams who win this title now, spend an awful lot of money...and have very good managers spending it in general(like Moyes). Players like Hazard, Mata, Silva and RVP win prices, and they do not come cheap. Most importantly, as pointed out in this thread, our squad is weak. City have fielded benches worth more than our team at points this season, as have Man u. Whereas really, many of our bench players have been lower prem/Championship quality.

Also, I would love to see Holtby, but I still fancy Shalke for fourth, esp with Huntelaar signing a new contract, so I'm not sure why he would leave Germany...unless we can offer Champions League football. I also expect that he will have many suitors. Ultimately, this season may well determine our future...if we can somehow manage fourth, then we may be able to attract, and be able to fund, the few players which could improve us.

For me a goalkeeper, right winger and an impact centre forward. Miralles and Victor are too injury prone and as noted above Howard costs us games. Considering Heitinga is the only player we would get money for who is replaceable with what we currently have we are looking at one signing and two loans. If Vladis is on his way then I would hope it is on loan initially. Sinclair wouldn't be bad but not sure he can leave City for another PL team. Is Butland another Wright or Hart? The latter then get him signed, the former then leave well alone! It is up front that is the problem and again as noted above maybe Moyes needs to look at the Spanish league for a bargain. If the next two games go as planned then frankly Kenwright and the board need flogging if they don't support Moyes in January considering it is safely the best chance we will have for a number of years to get to that holy Grail aka the CL.

I think that even with a small influx of cash (miraculously or from player sales) of say £20M we would only ever be pushing for a top 4 spot. And that would be true even if we had 5 or 6 years of £20M net spend I think. The only thing that could make a difference is qualifying a few consecutive seasons for Champions League as that attracts players of the higher quality for same money.

But football is about dreams and hopes and we'll always trade in that currency regardless of the real finances.

We need a bit of luck and a few players to push us to the next level over the next few years but my gut feeling is we'll fall a bit short of fourth this year (Chelsea and Arse starting to turn corner and Manchester teams too good over a season) and that we may then find ourselves selling Fellaini and having to have a bit of a rebuild again next year. I also think this season represents our best stab at fourth because of the circumstances other teams find themselves in this year. Next year will be tougher.

Right, crystal ball down now! God Bless everyone! COYB let's beat Wigan tomoz.

I think that Butland is a good option all round... or Westwood at Sunderland. Howard really seems to have gone to pieces when a cross comes in and has cost us points which we can't have.

Sell Johnny to ajax and let Duffy develop as he could save us spends that we need for upfront. Jelavic must get competition... but who is available at a maximum outlay of £5M? ... take a punt on Murray at Palace? He could be another Holt ... £2M maybe?

We've got to be realistic, we surely ain't got more than £5M + whatever we get for Johnny to play with. So that's £6M on Butland and £2M on Murray or someone similar.... plus a loan fee for Vadis.

I would get rid of Velios and Gueye, don't think they are good enough. Be better to give ross a go a bit more. Hetinga needs to go he really is going the other way in terms of performance. Not sure about Oviedo, starting to think this is another Bily. Howard is good, we need someone good enough to challenge him. You don't all of a sudden become a bad goalkeeper. I would like to see definately another striker, it is clear that Jelavic needs a rest allowing him to bounce back. Another Midfielder would be good then again we have Barkley.

Charlie Austin might be worth a go at £4 million if Burnley would sell.

I thought that the comments 785/713 about La Liga players was spot on (not just Spanish players); maybe we should be casting our eyes and net in that direction. I'm a bit surprised that Ross hasn't been on yet and the same for Velios and Oviedo.

You don't get tested on the bench — only on the pitch. I think sometimes Moyesie is frightened to give it a go. FD Roosevelt once said "the only thing to fear is fear itself"... Come on, have a go!!!

Can't the scouts spot a promising right back? Buckley and Austin have something about them. Obviously our lack of funds is a serious hindrance, but I think that the club should work on its profile more to make people and players more aware of and thus make us hopefully more attractive to play for. Come on 2013.

Only 6 points from second place, makes you wonder.......

Makes me laugh when I hear all this baloney about a wafer thin squad... we had Hibbert, Coleman, Mirallas and Fellaini out yesterday. We brought Naismith, Heitinga and Oviedo on as substitutes. That's 7 first team players (6 of whom are internationals), in addition to the 11 we started with (8 of whom are internationals, as well as 2 former internationals). Then a small number of younger players who have small amounts of PL experience (Duffy, Barkley, Gueye, Vellios). How many do we want? Some of you guys would make great businessmen, spending money you haven't got on things you don't need...