Of course we need another striker but in Moyes side there is no point. Jelavic came to us full of goals and full of confidence and for a while we actually played attacking football and it looked as though Moyes had changed his ways. The players really seemed to enjoy and thrive on this new approach.
But now Moyes has gone back to his obsession with defence and Jelavic has bvcome a forlorn isolated figure just trying to latch on to big hoofs from defence. Significantly his main contribution last night was a goal line clearance.
And the whole team seemed lethargic and disinterested, no doubt hugely disappointed with this return to the awful defensive nightmare tactics of previous seasons.
Yes we do need another striker but just watch Moyes bring in a defensive midfielder and a centre back on loan. God help us all.

Darren Bent would be my choice. He ain't playing at Villa and I am guessing he would jump at the chance of a move to a team fighting for 4th rather than one fighting relegation. The question is how much is he worth?? Because there is no possible way Villa could justify loaning him to anyone in their current predicament.

Unfortunately we have had a number of strikers who where ALL prolific goalscorers with their previous clubs but Moyes obsession with playing one man up front has killed EVERY on of them...Beattie, Johnson, Yakubu and now it would appear Jelavic...

That said even though Jelavic may not agree with the formation that's no excuse for strolling around looking completely disinterested as he did last night...and he wasn't the only one

It's hardly surprising is it, that we're lethergic and running out of steam? We've had a long hard season and we're playing with a small squad, and Moyes refuses to pick from his slim selection of reserves.

It is sickening that Liverpool have spent £12m on Sturridge and are still in for Ince or another. They will highly likely catch us, and that will be a stark reminder that we are forever treading on water.

What new faces will we see now? Who is hopeful our skeletal squad will be thickened enough to face the run in period? By the time the second derby comes around we'll flat and rudderless as usual.

Seriously, what is there for Moyes to stick around for? And actually I have to say I think he's 'reverting to type' I just think we're knackered and slowing down all over the pitch. We need reinforcements, but we won't get them - we're not real challengers we just enjoy half a season of nearly getting there every year.

Utter bollox. We create loads of chances usually, we even had more on target than Southampton (5 to 4) last night despite playing poorly. Our defence has been not up to our usual standards and did need addressing, also our most creative player has been missing (Mirallas) along with probably our most important player (Gibson).
In Baines we have a player that has created more chance than any other defender in the top 5 European Leagues. Up until a few weeks ago we had a team that had created more chances than even Barcelona (we are still in the top 10 creative teams in Europe). Jelavic has become forlorn because his confidence is shot........not Moyes' fault, it's more because teams had sussed him out and Jelvic hasn't adapted his game enough to counter that. If we were that defensive then how come Anichebe managed to get a few shots away and was unlucky not to score? The crossing from Pienaar, Coleman and even Baines last night were shit and everytime Jelavic had the ball he fell over. When he didn't have it, he was offside. In my opinion Jelavic needs dropping and we cant play with Neville and Naismith in midfiels as the team cant carry two poor ball players. What is really needed is fresh blood to liven things up. We were lethargic last night because our small squad is at breaking point and only the chairman can fix that.

Mark...yes we've got a small squad but we've still got enough to freshen up the team..Take last night for instance Osman was absolutely awful so why didn't he take him of and bring The Hammer on....He's done well when he's been on the pitch....very rarely gives the ball away and moves it on simply but quickly unlike Osman who (last night in particular) needs 4-5 touches every time he gets it and regularly gets caught in possession...it must have happened about 5 or 6 times last night alone....last night Osman looked like he was running in glue and is obviously tired...not saying he hasn't had a decent season but he obviously needs a rest and now's the time to give him one.

As for Jelavic that air shot with only the keeper was absolutely embarrassing and it's not the first time he's done it...done it too many times for it to be bad luck IMO. I'm one of Victor's worst critics but in the last few games he's really put in a shift and put himself about so perhaps it's time to take the pressure off Jeli and throw Victor in...Mirallas is back so hopefully we can leave out the non-entity that is Naismith...can sombody please explain what he actually contributes ....As for Pienaar he needs a rocket up his arse, another one who just strolls around thinking he's doing enough...when he isn't !!

and finally....no more PLEASE PLEASE NO MORE of Phil Neville in midfield...he is just not up to it....great professional, good capt & smashing guy he maybe...but central midfield player he DEFINATELY IS NOT !!

Mark @ 725 - I put a piece in the Echo (see below) which has one or two similar comments were I mention slippery slope and you rudderless, the need for new faces and also mentioned DM hanging around at the end of my rant more than anything.
Anyway it went like this -
If Kenwrong doesnt pull his finger out and provide DM with some funds to strengthen then we are going to start on the slippery slope back to mid-table mediocrity and join the also rans and Liverpool ( I never added they will probably be ahead of us by the 2nd derby which on current form is a cert)

We seem to have already jumped onto the slippery slope and passed up on not 1 but 2 great opportunities to eat away at that chase for 4th and been found wanting on BOTH occasions with Swansea and now Southampton.

We desperately need a few new faces to freshen things up and hopefully kick on but without fresh impetus I can only see our season going the way of the last 2 results and all our good early season play and results, well resulting in a Europa league place AT BEST.

Over to you Mr Chairman, you can put your 24/7 search for a new buyer hmmmmm on hold for now and concentrate on the NOW and give our manager some funds to wheel and deal otherwise you wont only lose the patience of the fans but also and a very big possibility the loss of OUR MANAGER as I think him signing a new deal will be largely agreed off the back of what he sees from the clubs owners, its called ambition and if you Kenwrong don't show any, why should he hang around when Im sure there'll be plenty of offers for his services in the summer when he is a FREE AGENT.

I totally agree with all the points made so far. I just can't help feel that if – and it's a big 'if' given our current financial status – we were able to bring in an additional striker of sufficient quality, Moyes would actually play a system that accommodated both Jelavic and the additional striker.

Currently, it's possible that the manager plays Jelavic upfront on his own with Felli just behind him, simply because Moyes feels he doesn't have a striker of sufficient quality to partner Jelavic just yet. This then opens the debate as to whether Jelavic can play upfront on his own like he does in the current formation.

Going on this season's performances, Jelavic doesn't favour the current formation and I don't think we will ever see him chasing 'lost cause' balls over all the pitch. He is a predatory striker that lurks in the penalty box and will 9 times out of 10 hit the target (when his confidence is high).

I can't help think that a quality support striker would not only add more goals and cutting edge to our team, but would also compliment and in some ways relieve the burden on Jelavic's shoulders.

Thanks.

We can all see we need another striker but not as much as we need another midfielder. The midfield last night was woeful — and can someone please tell me why does Naismith get in our team because it is beyond me... We would be better playing with ten men!

As I said in early Dec mail - " Top 4 You Must be Joking" . We just haven't got the strength in depth , we are at least 4 to 5 players short of a team getting into a Top 4 place this season ,then actually staying there, as it tries to manage playing in the CL, PL, League, FA Cups next season. We need cover in goal, at CH, at least 2 more midfielders and another CF. Total cost about £25-30m. If you assume we can get about £7-9m for Heitinga and a few other castaways (Gueye, Vellios, Duffy) then that leaves us £15-20m short.

Whilst we get another £20m TV monies in July, we will also I'm sure see half of it going in the direction of the current players wages - as it seems to year by year. Until we get an investor or the club's Commercial Dept start to generate what the likes of Spurs, Liverpool get we will be forever doomed.

Worst scenario this year will be about 6th place with Liverpool in 5th !!

In my humble opinion, Jelavic isn't quite up to top four. Teams below us have better strikers than him. It's not Neville's fault or Naismith's fault or Moyes' fault that Jelavic has been stinking the house out for most of the season. That miss last night summed up his season. Strikers have hot streaks but sustaining 20 goals a season is what separates you out as a top striker in the Premiership and I just cannot see it in Jelavic. His effort was great. He made some vital interventions defending at set pieces and for the chance he outsprinted their two central defenders but we have seen him miss chance after chance this season and he is without doubt one of the major reasons we are not at least ten points further on. Howard in goal is the other reason. Let's face it though, there is no cavalry coming over the hill, we are stuck with what we have. The one good piece of news is the improvement this year in big Vic. He was our best player last night and has shone in other games (Swansea away) as well as scoring some vital goals. Keeping Mirallas fit and on the pitch would be a bonus too.

Tiredness is no excuse for this squad, we have played a total of 26 games since August - Liverpool have played 10 games more, with kids on the bench.

Does money give you extra fitness now?

We have a reasonable bench, and 3-4 players every game who are capable sub's: Oviedo, Anichebe,Hitzlsperger and Heitinga usually.

There is always an excuse at the ready, maybe if the manager wasn't mentioning relegation in his pre-match interview, we would have a bit more belief.

Kevin it's a pity that he didn't say this before the game - from OS - 'David Moyes believes Everton remain capable of clinching Champions League qualification despite seeing them held to a second successive goalless draw.'

Quote from last night Patrick " Yes, it's nice to have the points on the board at this time of the season, we are usually looking over our shoulders towards the relegation places."

Just in case you were in any doubt.

Under Moyes Everton have gone in cycles, he has provided much needed stability and in my opinion has always been 2-3 players away from providing the supporters with some much needed success. This season appears on evidence to date to be no different, 2-3 players short, a squad too thin and a lack of options when a different approach is required. It would be hard to expect the likes of Fellaini and Baines staying on beyond the summer given the current status. Tony Barrett wrote in the Times before Christmas that the board needed to find the money to provide a renewed impetus in the second half of the season, to date we have had the usual wall of silence from Kenwright and co, whilst the likes of United strengthen their position for the future with the imminent recruitment of Zaha and Liverpool gamble upon the Champions league with the signing of Sturridge. Whilst over at Everton we look jaded and leggy after a 9 day period of rest.

Kevin I wasn't doubting you, I was just pointing out what he said today should have been said yesterday. No doubt he'll be bigging up Bolton and saying how difficult a task it will be and once again make the opposition walk tall and add to Everton players fears.

Graveyard for Everton's strikers? Have to track back and work hard getting the ball back? Goal line clearances? I could not imagine Dixie Dean getting more than 15 goals a season at Everton at the moment.

Can anyone explain to me what Naismith does??? He is totally crap.

And as for a new striker, why did Moyes take Jelavic off and keep Naismith on is beyond me... As we've seen in previous games, Jelavic links up with Big Vic well... fucking Naismith couldn't link up a paper chain!

We were second to everything last night and Moyes has for to address this or else our season will end in disappointment again.

I don't know about the players being tired, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were bored out of their minds. Every game is the same, Baines and Pienaar often over playing down the left, Jags pumping it forward to Fellaini, nothing down the right, Neville looking frightened every time somebody passes the ball to him etc. etc. Why can't Moyes freshen things up with what he has got? What's wrong with Oviedo? What's wrong with that Kennedy lad who's been seen on the bench a few times? What's wrong with Neville having to sit and watch a game or two because Hitzelsperger has actually looked more assured in his absence? Even if we had 25 class first teamers, Moyes would still only use about 13 of them.

You're right Patrick, I just don't think after all this time Moyes has really changed. We have two styles of football, attack down the left, or hoof it to Fellaini.

The man is a pragmatist, you know what you will get with Moyes, points on the board, play to your strengths, loyalty to players - but ultimately, he hasn't got that special ingredient or formula all great managers have. I don't care if you gave him £50m tomorrow, he wouldn't drop Neville, and Jagielka would still be hoofing like fuck. B.T.W. Jagielka is warned not to hoof it when plays for England.

Oh - and he still be screaming "Down the line Phil" like a Sunday League manager.

Lets see if we manage to get Coleman and Mirallas playing whether or not your insight is right Kevin?

It is going to be interesting when, or should I say if, Coleman, Gibson and Mirallas are all injury free and ready to play, whether Neville will get a game?

Moyes seem to fail to motivate our team when we play lesser teams like in our last two games.

It is a pattern that is crystal clear by now.
How come Moyes is not able to motivate his players when it counts?

The players seem sick and tired during these games so that is why I think it would be healthy for Moyes to move on after this season.

I know that this squad has quality but Moyes refuses to use any of his best youngsters, and that leaves the rest of the first team over-confident and lazy because they see no competition for their place in the squad.
Until and when our best youngsters are included we will struggle with the same problem like we have now.

Our squad is too small to NOT include our best youngsters!
Moyes needs to face that fact and not only rely on money for transfers to fix the problem.
Look at QPR and their spending, how has that helped them.?

I know that Moyes is too stubborn to change, that is why he needs to leave.

Undoubtedly we could do with another out and out striker. Jelavic is in need of a rest (or something to get his confidence back) and whilst Anichebe has scored a few recently and looked good against Southampton, I still don't see him as someone who will bag 10+ goals in the league a season.

Unfortunately top strikers cost top cash and we don't have that. I'd love for us to have competed with Man U for V. Persi but that's not going to happen any time soon.

Having a creative 2nd striker might help. They normally cost a fair whack too. However Mauro Zarate is available for load from Lazio at the moment (with a view to a future £5mil fee). Sunderland are apparently negotiating a deal, we could surely compete with them.

He looked great at Birmingham, but not so good at Inter (on loan) last season. He looks like a Moyes style loan signing to me. Taking the raw talent who is low on confidence (Arteta, Pienaar) and reinvigorating their game. Then signing them at the end of the loan, or not if it doesn’t work out (Drenthe).

Having that second striker supporting Jelavic (or Anichebe) might strengthen their game. It might also let us play through the middle instead of always down the left (which teams have got onto).

If we had any money, I would like to see us go for a striker from abroad. you get more for your money normally. Vossen, Van Wolfswinkel, Ibisevic etc are the sort of players I would go for. I say these as people to replace Jelavic in some games, give him the rest he looks like he needs. Can't see Moyes playing 2 up front!

What about buying a player who plays just off the main striker instead of a like-for-like? Then Fellaini could drop back and the midfield would be a lot better.

I agree with the Neville comments to a certain degree – we seem to be carrying him nowadays (like we did Cahill) and we cannot keep doing that. Something has to give.

Our midfield was terrible last night. Time to drop Fellaini back into midfield and let either Anichebe or Mirallas play up front with Jelavic.
Neville in midfield, the mind boggles, what does Moyes see?

Why do we need 4/5 more new faces?

What's the point of having a youth team and an Under-21 team when none of them ever get a decent run in the first team?

If Liverpool can do it — why not us?

Kevin #758...totally agree especially your comments about the manager and his style of play. Last night everyone I was watching could see what needed doing at half time but yet again he failed to take any action.

Neville is not, never has been nor ever will be a competant midfield player it's only Moyes who thinks he can be.

If you thought that performance was poor, be thankful you didn't have the balti pie I foolishly purchased at half-time! I can't agree with your assessment of Osman, Nelly. On an evening filled with poor performances, I thought he was by far our least worst midfield player.

Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece are collectively on the bones of their arses. Surely we can get someone decent on loan?

I can't fathom why a player playing 90 minutes of competitive football a week, 180 minutes a week max, would be tired.

I used to play 45 minutes as a box-to-box midfielder every lunch time in my youth. Games were always played at a frantic pace and I never suffered from fatigue, not even on a Friday!

Two centre backs on the bench.!!??? Didn't make sense.

The majority of individual performances were abysmal and the tactics even worse. Are DM and Mr Round in need of a visit to Specsavers? At times there were 7 or 8 of our players on the left side of the pitch, all trying to cross the ball to Jelavic and Naismith, two very rightsided players who hate left wing crosses.

Their pre-match team talk must have been a helluva lot better than ours. All over the pitch they were fitter, faster and stronger. They knew more about us than we knew about ourselves and as we struggled to adapt and adjust they kept rolling on.

We all know who was rubbish and who wasn't. We don't really know why or if and when it will happen again.

One more thing. As others have noted, Jags must stop hoofing the ball. Last night he gave Southampton possession over and over again. Whether its a tactic or his own thing I don't really know but it can't go on.

Soton played well and they even had a 17-year-old kid playing and doing really well. We have Barkley at Leeds... for fuck's sake – he needs games in the Prem. I don't care if he gives the ball away or makes a few mistakes because he is more likely to score or create opportunities with his attacking style of play.

Ideally a midfield to include Fellaini, Gibson, Mirallas, Barkley and Pienaar. Neville at right back and Big Vic in the middle (he can play the lone striker). If Jelavic starts he needs to park his sorry arse in the box, preferably glued to the penalty spot. As for Naismith, poor... very poor at this level. We paid far too much for him.

Mick #722, have you watched any of our games this season?

I have been his biggest critic in the past but saw something different with Anichebe when he came on at Southampton he looked confident, fit had a good first touch and turned the defender well creating several chances and shooting on target.

Maybe just maybe if we stop his moaning and tantruming we may have that 2nd striker we are all craving.

We need more than just one player. Paper thin squad as it has always been.
Bullshit Bill will never bring an investor in and will most probably die in the job at this rate. Sadly Moyes will be long gone by then and I can't say I'd blame him.

I think once Mirallas is 100% fit he should be the second striker, he was a striker before he joined us and scored more than enough times. Move Fellaini back in the middle and job done.

Anto (#921):

I'm sure that you're being truthful when you say, of Barkley, "I don't care if he gives the ball away or makes a few mistakes"; and if you say that would still be your attitude after the event, I believe you (a bit grudgingly, but nevertheless...). Unfortunately you aren't on your own in having an opinion on the matter, and there are some who would crucify him.

There is no doubt in my mind that, given the right upbringing, he will be a top player; but Rooney he isn't!

I may be naive; but if the Moyesiah thought he was really ready for the Premier League, he'd be playing more than he was sitting out.

This is part of his development.

Mbokani or vossen would be my choice.

I haven't watched much of Villa in a long while, but I know that Agbonlahor's goals have dried up. I think he could use a change of scenery, and they will probably be selling a lot of players at a cut rate when they get relegated this season. Would he be worth a punt?

My opinion is that in some games we need to play two strikers. Not a striker and an advanced midfielder, but two strikers. Put Mirallas and Jelavic together. Put Vellios and Jelavic together. I don't care the combination, but we have four strikers that can play football, so why only play one?

I like him. I remember him scoring against us when he was a bright young thing in a poor O'Leary outfit. He looks to be carrying to much timber, which may or may not behind his injury record in the recent past. Certainly needs a move, and I like the idea of Jelavic, him and Mirallas. But frankly you could insert any other name to perk things up.

Danny Graham?

It's dawned at last. Jelavic has been instructed to stop scoring until the January window is shut (we don't want him targeted by another club). After next Friday he'll score another 11 goals as per last season only this time he'll fire us into the CL.

Anyone like a pint of what I've been drinking?

Stephen, actually the second striker IS/WAS Mirallas. He was signed as a striker. For the first few games he came off the bench and played alongside Jelly. That combination looked really good. When it was obvious he had to play, Moyes stuck him out on the wing. He said in interview he had never played there before.

Moyes did this for two reasons:

Firstly to stick to one up front and five in midfield (one advanced).

Secondly he could leave Fellaini in the advanced role which left a place in midfield for favorite Osman.

Five in midfield is Moyes's obsession. He's used it for ten years. All the strikers under Moyes have stopped scoring through being up front alone. Mirallas also has started to suffer through being played out of position. He's not a winger. If we had signed a striker, he would be up front on his own with Jelly on the bench.