Barkley returns and Blues shine

No central defender on the bench, I thought Distin was fit? And if not surely Browning should be in squad for cover.

Barry, McCarthy, Barkley, Osman and Naismith all looks very narrow, no width.

I hope RM gets the result we all want because he has left himself wide open for criticism with that selection.

I think itÂ’s a good side, definitely capable of beating Villa. Just hope they perform this time!!

High tempo a must today, Villa are more than able to cope with a slow build up and will break quickly. Villa have lost the last three, letÂ’s not give them any belief. COYB.

The only thing I donÂ’t like is Lukaku starting; EtoÂ’o is a much better option.

Alcaraz had an excellent game at the back, good on the ball and some really good defensive work.

McCarthy and Barry had their best game of the season together.

Lukaku looked a different player after he got his goal, his touch and passing after it was excellent.

Naismith brilliant again and Barkley looked incredibly sharp for someone back from injury.

No Injuries, a clean sheet, Happy days...

All of you twats on here who continually gave Alcaraz a hard time - hang your head in shame! He was excellent today same as he was in other games last season. People are so quick to judge.

Good result! We should kick on with a decent run now. It makes a nice change to look forward to watching MotD again tonight..COYB

IÂ’m very pleased for Lukaku as I knew he would come good providing he got service.

Table looks a lot healthier now.

Anyone any idea what is going on with Distin. I thought he was fit and that Roberto had quoshed all those rumours about a fall out?

Glad to see Lukaku get a goal, will give his confidence a good boost. Also good performance by Alcaraz as well. All in all a good win.

Can rest up and look forward to the Lille game.

I donÂ’t think heÂ’s a bad player, Mark. I just think he needs to do what he did today in a run of games and IÂ’d wage a bet that would be the general opinion of most, as heÂ’s unproven with all the time heÂ’s been out injured.

Off we go!

Ross was superb, by the way, seeing as it was his first start after so long out. Even those people who kept claiming heÂ’s overrated (or was "carried" by his teammates as one idiot on here said) last season must realise now how important he is to the way this Everton team try to play.

Weekends are so much better after a win!

I think Gavin summed it up when he says that most of the Everton fans who have been on his back are the ones that watch us on Match of the Day every week and listen to the idiots who analyse those games.

Linda, I think we wonÂ’t be seeing too much of Distin again and donÂ’t think itÂ’s a fallout between the two. I just think that Roberto realises heÂ’s finished and will probably only use him out of necessity. I would guess that Browning may even be ahead of him in the pecking order.

I think a fully fit Alcaraz will be a good addition to the squad and he had good home match against Saints and an away game at Stoke partnering Stones. Even still, I think most people are going to judge him on those two games (RS & Saints away) because heÂ’s only played a handful of other games cos heÂ’s a perpetual sick note.

That being said, he was OK today. Hope he can keep it up.

Onwards and upwards you Blue Boys. What doom and gloom???

It will be interesting to see how much he rotates, if any, for Lille away which is big match in terms of our Europa interests. Today showed what our first XI (-ish) can do when rested and fit(-ish) but not sure we have the squad depth to match.

Bainsey was my MotM and great to see Seamus back doing what he does best, weÂ’ve been missing his class. Onwards and upwards!

Check out ConorÂ’s post (25). Alcaraz is a classy player and if he stays fit, will be a really good defender for us, especially now StonseyÂ’s out till after New Year.

I loved our third goal. Full back crosses for the other full back to score. Great football and shows you donÂ’t have to have wingers.

Naismith was fantastic again (as were others) but Baines was my MotM. A proper football brain that lad.

Baines gave a display of passing/crossing today which would be hard to beat. I noticed in the last England game that he was stamping his authority more than usual and then it occurred to me that, since the departure of the former captain, the England players actually pass the ball to him now. Funny that.

I hear people slating some of our performances this season but for me that game was easily our worst performance under Roberto as we were second best throughout. I think it's more Antolin's injury record that has annoyed most fans more than his performances but, for a squad player, he is very reliable and, if he stays fit, I think he will prove his worth.

I thought Macca was just stunning today and I don't think it's just coincidental with Ross being back in the team. He takes the pressure off them and they in turn have more time to be creative themselves, as well as doing their defensive duties.

Naisy was also outstanding, not only in the amount of effective chasing that he did but his intelligent and selfless running was superb and, as usual, his challenging for headers was excellent as well.

This sounds picky but I think Ossie was a passenger for a fair bit of the time. The game seemed to pass him by for long periods but nevertheless, he kept on going. It was great to see Pienaar back as well. I think Bainsey is far more effective going forward with Steven is playing. Then hopefully it won't be too long before Bryan is back fully fit and we'll be moving up the table towards the right end.

It really is great to see that our small squad is nearing it's full strength. I just hope the gods have said we've had more than our fair share of injuries this season.

Really good to see McGeady as an unused sub. Him not being in the team made us stronger.

Let's build on this mid week!

And my apologies if you thought that my post to Jim Lloyd was a slight against your knowledge of Everton. It was no such kind. I just found it humorous that Jim referred to your post like your opinion is more valid than Steve's own view and he would change his assessment by reading your post.

Can't believe I'm even getting involved in such hyperbole. We won today FFS! COYB

I disagree about Ossie. I thought everyone had a least a 7/10 today with Baines, Barkley and Jags being the standout performers.

However, picking Ossie ahead of McGeady gave us much better shape and therefore harder to get at. What he does is he tucks into midfield and gives us an extra body in midfield. He also moves the ball quickly and his distribution was good all afternoon.

McGeady to me is a luxury player who does not give enough defensively. However that being said, today's side is for me currently our strongest starting eleven with Alcaraz and Ossie giving way for Stones and Mirallas when fit.

Very satisfying result. 3 points, a confidence-boost. Very sound games from Baines, McCarthy, Naismith (man of the season so far, for me). Nice to see Jags back to a more assured performance,with Alcaraz also assured, and a very good hour from the returning Ross.

How refreshing it was to see two central Everton defenders so physically dominant in the air especially.

Alcaraz for the record played well at Stoke on New Year's Day in harsh weather conditions also and with the then inexperienced John Stones partnering him.

The Birdman is by no means the worst player I have seen in a blue shirt, he's had horrendous luck with injuries.

Burnley (a)
Swansea (h)
Sunderland (a)
West Ham (h)

Injuries coming back, players getting sharper...

COYB

For me. McCarthy needs to do more. One or two brilliant tackles a game doesn't make up for some uninspiring passing. Just want to see him get on it and drive forward a bit more with some aggression especially when Barry is covering for him. Nit picking really though in what was a decent performance.

It mainly annoys me because I know he is capable of more. Someone needs to drill it into him that when he gets the ball in space his first instinct should be to drive forward or to play that incisive pass. Not just to retain. He can do that when he is being pressed by all means but not always as a first instinct. Otherwise we lose so much potential momentum in the middle.

Anyway, like I said, I like McCarthy and today is a great day to be an Everton fan. Just an observation.

Personally, I always see the Prem as our major objective so today's bench – other than Robles – would see action in France. But I have a feeling Roberto fancies winning the Europa League and will thus have other ideas.

Maybe he is coming to the end of his career but one stat emphasizes the sheer professionalism of the man: he is the longest serving foreign player in the premier league.

Today was a good result against a decent Villa side. Everyone played well and Baines stood out with his running and distribution throughout the match. Let's hope the corner has been turned and let's try not to castigate individual players. After all, it is a team game!

Some of our play is so laboriously slow, and on the two occasions when we actually moved things quickly, we scored 2 goals: (1) McCarthy winning the ball in midfield, one quick forward pass to Barkley, first time to Lukaku, quick shot... goal. Then (2) a quickly taken FORWARD free-kick... goal.

Also, who is instigating our constant 11 men back for corners? Martinez was not doing this Moyes tactic early last season, but slowly it has become the norm again, to the extent with 4 minutes to go and 3-0 up we are pulling everyone back for corners. I mean, what use are Pienaar, Osman etc in our box for corners, admittedly they are not much use for a quick breakaway either but at least it would keep 4 of the opposition out of our box!

I like Besic for that. He tackled someone got the ball, and in the space of a few yards beat three men and sent a brilliant pass to McGeady on the other side of the pitch. If it had been Captain Whinger from over the park, it would have had the press raving about our great England Captain (as was).

As long as he keeps off the backpasses!

Back four looked solid, with Baines, Coleman looking great at full back. It was a poor Villa side, although can't wait to kick on now. Still think McCarthy has more to offer if he had quicker legs next to him.

Alcaraz had a superb game. He's so comfortable on the ball.

There was a period around the 34th or so minute (?) where we knocked the ball around probing for an opportunity where we looked fantastic.

A great game. Continue on, beat the teams we should the next 3 games, and fly up that table.

Injuries to key players in last few games cost us dearly. If we can stay injury free, we can really press on now...

All the passing in front of the opposition's defence is pointless with Lukaku as the focal point. To play that way you need quick thinking, quick footed, tricky forwards. I think Rom is at his best when the ball is played behind so he is running at goal. I thought Lukaku had a better game today and just hope, with Barkley being back, today's game can be the catalyst for our season.

Special mention to Steven Naismith putting a great shift out on the wing, hard work doesn't go unnoticed by the Everton crowd!

Anyway, I thought Pienaar showed us the future today: 30 minute cameos towards the end of games... he was excellent for those 30 minutes and helped take the game away from Villa. By the same token, Ossie should be used similarly either for the first part of a game or the latter. Besic should have come on for him today again, for the last half hour.

Lukaku makes a number of good runs and our central midfielders don't look to find him enough. Still, a good all-round performance and we looked like our old selves. Great to see Barkley back who seemed to give confidence to the whole team.

Alcaraz looked a lot more composed than Distin does playing the fannying around stuff, so if weÂ’re going to continue with this slow, slow, quickish, slow, slow stuff (which we obviously will), than Alcaraz will be the best option.

In fact, he has all too often been blamed for mistakes committed by others. I well remember him stepping up to play Aguero offside but Stones failed to step up with him. When the ball hit the net, Alcaraz was deemed to be the baddie.

Hopefully we'll be saying the same about Kone soon enough but I'm not too confident on that one... As for Distin, I think his Everton career is close to coming to an end,

The movement of Naismith, Osman, Barkley, and Pienaar allowed the space for the fullbacks with McCarthy and Barry dropping in. Like Total Football, la!

I think our whole team is in a process of changing our style and I don't think it's going to come overnight. It seems to me, we have to learn to keep the ball by passing it around. Some of our players couldn't pass wind never mind give a decent pass.

I put Jagielka as my example as I thought he was a poor passer of the ball. I look at him now and he's improved a lot, although my heart's occasionally still in my mouth when he has the ball in deep defence and ponders what to do with it.

I see our team retaining possession and sometimes it is a painfully slow business watching them building up an attack. I think, though, that as the players become more confident, the ball will be passed around quicker and quicker.

Baines and Pienaar are brilliant at quick one-twos and Ross is naturally comfortable joining in, and so is McCarthy on occasions. He plays safety first but I think he'll also quicken up his thinking for a counter-attack but, if he doesn't turn into a Captain Whinger, I'll be pleased as punch to see him in our midfield for years to come.

It's a style of play that Arsenal have had for years and they've had time to develop it. Nevertheless, when they came to Goodison, last year and this, and when we went down there, it was us who looked the passing team, not them.

We're doing okay. You can see Barry opening up and spraying the passes around but he's a decade older; hopefully JM will improve this part of his game.

Traditionally a team's attacking strength comes down their right side, and one of Jag's strengths is reading a game. Perhaps that is where he ought to be, rather than clearing up at the back where he has spent most of his career?

Jags and Howard have caused us just as many problems this season through their own errors, yet their form has improved. Distin will get games and I'm sure he'll play well; especially if we have most of our players fit around him.

As for McCarthy slowing down our play, it's funny, I was watching Naismith today thinking the same thing a few times. Naismith does work incredibly hard for the team, but out on the wing where he played today, I find he is very ineffectual. The guy comes alive near the box and makes very intelligent runs, but I think he is barely half the player when he's played deeper.

I thought Barkley and Coleman were the difference today. We look so much better when they play because they give us directness, pace and a genuine goal threat from different areas. Watching Barkley today it was like it was his 10th game in a row; I couldn't believe that this was the guy's first competitive game since last season. Absolutely unbelievable.

Barkley in my opinion is world class; it always feels better when you read he's available, the most intimidating player for the opposition since young Rooney.

Hats off to Jagielka: the perfect response to recent criticism. Baines and Coleman – what an attacking force... and Big Rom getting a goal just in time for Europe and upcoming league games, I'm hoping he's found himself again!
Let's enjoy a Saturday night, guys, excellent result. COYB

Coleman is so fundamental to help we play. Not many better full backs in world football.

IÂ’m sure with our better players coming back into the team we will soon motor up the table and the people desperate for Everton and in particular Roberto will soon shut up.

Baines may have been MotM but, for the attitude the team showed today I'd be tempted to give it to Barkley.

Poor Ossie just can't buy a goal. What a great football IQ. Too bad his pace and strength have weakened cause he's always in the right place.

It looked like Martinez's style to perfection: composed possession football (I know many find it boring), patiently waiting for an opening, three quick attacks, three goals and Goodnight Vienna.

If it was Barcelona, we would all be saying they are geniuses.

What a difference Barkley makes. For the hyperbolic comments on Roberto's hyperbole, one thing he said was dead on, "a diamond of English football". How we missed him.

Ironically enough, he remained a top player longer than Lescott as well, who has done nothing for 2 years.

Having Barkley back was huge.

Lukaku played more centrally than he had for quite some time. I'm OK with playing him wide right but he's not going to score as much out there. Nice to see him in and around the 18 yard box today and was glad he got on the score sheet.

Jags has already scored twice this season. Hope he chips in a few more.

The run of games not playing the big money teams is a real opportunity. I hope Everton bag a ton of points in the next 6 outings.

Regarding Alcaraz – I’d just say he looks a classy player there’s no doubt about that, my main concern about him is he seems to be seriously lacking in pace. Good reading of the game can make up for this but in something I don’t like to have in a centre-back.

53 Alex & 54 Jeff

I agree re McCarthy – he should be sat in front of the back four breaking the play up and giving it off, it’s his strength.

McCarthy when operating as a natural midfielder slows the game down no end, I commented on this and the shear frustration of the amount of times he passed back or sideways slowing the game down when there were opportunities to break forward quickly – after the derby match.

Either he or Barry should take up that position the other two positions should go to Besic and Barkley who offer far more all around and going forward, especially Barkley.

Hope PhilÂ’s right about the manager and the Europa League. Us fans always think we can win a trophy, but itÂ’s a long time since we had a man in charge who thought this way too.

Now looking forward to watching The Blues in France, along with at least another 10,000 Toffees. it will show the players what we actually think of Cup Competitions, and also show the manager that heÂ’s made the right choice if Mr Walling is correct about Roberto for once!

It may well be a load of old tripe, but feck me, if you find yourselves 2 up in a European final, there won't many blues screaming to 'give it long.'

All I ask, is understanding? (Bob asked, me special like)

Surely a 3-0 wins any side a 7/10?

A hard-earned 3 points which was deserved, would have preferred Besic over Osman myself against the carthorse thuggery of Villa and Eto'o should have had more than the last five minutes.

I think there is a lot to be said in some games for a single holding midfielder (Barry or McCarthy) and Besic and Barkley playing further forward.

One reason Lukaku is not that effective is that he's usually operating too far from support. Two holding mids are often not necessary against teams who defend deep and Besic and Barkley seem to both be able to play a much more attacking role and support the striker.

I think both McCarthy and Barry did well today. Hopefully McCarthy will add more to his game as the results improve. It's difficult to judge the guy when team confidence has been low and we've had really bad injuries to deal with.

Barkley looked like he hadn't been out at all and the whole team just seemed to slot together seamlessly (which is what you would hope for from professionals, but don't often get).

We looked very comfortable against a Villa side who appear to have peaked in the first three or four games of the season. Fingers crossed for no fresh injuries and quick recoveries for those out and we can kick on from here.

I have advocated for weeks that the setup with McGeady, Eto'o, Lukaku and Naismith was too forward bias and left us weak in midfield so I felt much better to see the midfield beefed up today.

IMO we have enough wide play coming from Baines and Coleman. We do not need luxury players such as McGeady or Atsu unless we are chasing a game when they can be brought on as subs towards the end of a game.

Great performance by all the lads lets hope we keep the momentum going.

Martinez screwed up that night, pushing our defence too far upfield, then expecting them to chase back with a dodgy knee – not just Alcaraz but I'm pretty sure Jags had to have an injection as well. Stones was thrown into the lion's den that night.

Fair play to Alcaraz that night, he didn't cry off or say "I'm shagged," – he played through the pain barrier and gave it a shot. But, like I say, Alcaraz when fully fit is a decent defender and brilliant at reading the game. Give the lad a chance and stop crucifying a player who was clearly unfit.

I also think that Alcaraz could do the holding midfield role as pace is not a big priority in that position. He is comfortable on the ball and with more games I am sure his distribution would be a big asset. Perhaps he could rotate with Barry and help McCarthy to practice his distribution forward.

I also see Besic and Oviedo being valuable as the season progresses as Osman and Pienaar tire towards the end of games. Rotation will definitely be needed in midfield. Osman is still our most intelligent midfield player.

It's a great result. I missed the game but caught up with the goals. Looks more like last year now. Of course, against a mediocre team rather than a title contender but still a good start.

Hope they keep on improving from here. On the part of resting players against Lille, I definitely hope we rest some of the lads who had been recovering from injuries.

When Roberto came into the job, he identified Coleman and Baines as our two greatest assets going forward, both of whom were susceptible defensively, so he devised the current system to get the most out of them and bought Barry and McCarthy to protect them and give them the licence to both bomb forward as we've seen today for the third goal. McCarthy fulfils the function the manager asks so we cannot blame the player for implementing Roberto's wishes. If only one holds then both full backs would not be able to bomb on like they do.

One poster suggested Gerrard as a template for McCarthy but have you seen how many goals Liverpool have shipped since he went to the holding role – nearly twice as many as the season before yet 7 centre halves have got the blame for his shortcomings.

I would suggest a more appropriate role model would be Schweinsteiger as primarily his job is one of responsibility yet he seems to always know when to slow the game down and when a more insightful ball is necessary.

I can see it now. It's hard to define but he just looks special.

Confident, comfortable... I just can't define it, but special.

Our Kids a Red and from day one he's raved about Barkley ("England need to build the team around him for the next 10 years" etc) whereas I've kept the jury out to an extent.

His recent absence and the impact on his return has proved me wrong - he's the real deal, a powerhouse of a footballer.

And as for Coleman - hats off to David Moyes for signing the best right back on the Premier League.

What a difference two players can make, all of a sudden I feel like we can take on anybody.

COYB!

But we all know that The German is also very classy when moving the ball forward and this is the side of the game McCarthy really needs to develop to become a great player.

Just a bit of a side note, I was pretty impressed with Cleverley's performance for them, he seemed very box to box with some decent passing and I had no idea he was capable. Is it worth getting him on a free for next season?

Steve, I agree with your sentiments about the midfield.
I think there is a lot to be said in some games for a single holding midfielder (Barry or McCarthy) and Besic and Barkley playing further forward.

One reason Lukaku is not that effective is that he’s usually operating too far from support. Two holding mids are often not necessary against teams who defend deep and Besic and Barkley seem to both be able to play a much more attacking role and support the striker.

I think both McCarthy and Barry did well today. Hopefully McCarthy will add more to his game as the results improve. It’s difficult to judge the guy when team confidence has been low and we’ve had really bad injuries to deal with.

--------------------------------

Wayne, Agree with your comment that the majority of the time, two holding midfielders aren’t necessary and in a lot of games will be quite detrimental to our attack.

That’s why, for me, the majority of the time we should start with one of McCarthy/Barry sitting, with Besic and Barkley box to box midfielders that have a far more all around game, and bring energy, pace and dynamism to the midfield.

Besic will track back when required and Barkley will obviously be more attacking, I just feel our game is very pedestrian when both Barry and McCarthy are operating as CM’s.

I’m not knocking McCarthy – I think he’s an excellent player and he had a great game yesterday (I’ve now seen it), the tracking back and tackle he made and winning the ball off and given it to Barkley who supplied Lukaku was textbook McCarthy.

Where we struggle, and he does, is if he’s being asked to play as a CM. He’s brilliant at what he does, one of the best in the Prem League, but his game is limited atm otherwise.

He doesn’t have link up play and can’t dictate the way a Besic does, or have a diagonal ball in his locker like crease head.

He gives it simple sideways or back the majority of the time and if he is a CM and not a DM then it’s detrimental to us going forward to attack and exploit because it slows our game down and the opportunity to break is lost.

One of the major issues at the beginning of the season was playing two DMs who weren’t playing as DMs but as CMs.

Offering us v little creatively going forward and they weren’t protecting the back four either, Roberto’s hand was forced largely by injuries but still it was glaringly obvious to anyone that understands football.

I also agree after watching yesterday’s game that Lukaku was not getting the attacking supply required, this was highlighted yesterday with Barkley coming back.

He was (Barkley) outstanding and seemed to be the catalyst that gave everybody else a noticeable lift in their game.

Lukaku definitely needs a forward running midfielder that plays to his strengths. Once that happens regularly, weÂ’ll see payback on the 㿈M.

Baines was unbelievable. Probably his best game in 2 years. His passing was crisp and sharp with great vision and awareness. He was undoubtedly helped by Barks and the combination with Lukaku will reap dividends for years to come assuming we can keep hold of Barks.

I think we need to put a strong team out against Lille and keep the form going. There is a big contingent of blue support travelling and Lille are a good side. It will be a real boost to beat them on their turf. I would rest Lukaku as he does not look fully fit and give the wily Eto'o a go.

The difference when Ross plays is that the joined-up play that is a trademark of RM has a direction and purpose and is incisive. This purpose has been lacking this season compared to early-mid season last term when we were at our best, in my view.

I thought Jags looked more solid; the Liverpool goal might well have galvanised him. Although I'm a severe critic of Alcaraz he was solid yesterday, principally because he kept things very simple. Barry and McCarthy were reasonably protective of the back four (though I would like them to become more so).

As ever, Baines and Coleman were magnificent going forward, but they still allow crosses very generously in my view, in our own half. I really would like to see them defend a little wider.

I agree with some posters that we need to think about one defensive midfielder if we are to become more mobile going forward and provide Rom with support. Some call him lazy here, but he runs a lot and can hold up the ball and is often a little isolated. His first touch is baffling, I agree.

I just can't believe how much Naismith has come on; his touch, vision and effort are all to be lauded, and he's one of our most consistent performers bar none. I can hardly believe it.

I thought Osman was weak again, the clever quick free-kick aside. He lost the ball a lot and gave away unnecessary free-kicks. Like McGeady, he has the tendency to give away the ball when we are pouring forward.

Lukaku got stronger as the game went on, no question – and Stevie Pienaar was his usual lively self. If Besic can reproduce his international form for us in terms of quiet consistency, he will be a stalwart. I have great hopes for him.

It can all be undone next week at Burnley, but fingers crossed. I'd settle for a draw in France and a win at Turf Moor.

COYB!

Watch us closely and you will see that at least 80% of our play goes through Gareth Barry. Wonderful footballer, Barry... very cultured, but he hasn't got the pace to play this position without getting exposed defensively.

If McCarthy played alongside Besic, it might free him up a bit to get involved further forward and his role in the team could advance past that of the water carrier?

Over and out.

Paul, I wonder if you are the dope who sits two rows behind me in the St End? You know, the one who hates Osman so much...

I watched Osman closely yesterday and the first mistake resulted in a purple faced lunatic screaming that Osman is "fucking shit" to all and sundry. That was after the 1st mistake, not the 21st. Some people are almost HOPING he'll mess up so that they can vent their spite on him.

Osman had a decent game yesterday and the third goal was due almost entirely to his speed of thought. Let's just save the slagging off until he really stinks the gaff out, eh? Apart from that, you've made a pretty accurate assessment of yesterday's match. Well done...

I certainly don't hope he messes up. I love the team and style of play RM is building. It's my (gentle) opinion that certain players do not belong in the side or squad (four, including Osman). I overstate that, I know - though my post above mentions Osman as part of my personal overall analysis of the game.

No (personal) offence intended to the little maestro ... .

Time will tell hopefully and I would like to see the two of them play together some time alongside Barkley.

Thanks.

Tony

I see and understand your point but guess we have agree to disagree on this.

For me it is one or other (McCarthy or Barry) and I would personally go with McCarthy in that position for the reasons you stated re Barry’s pace etc. To have them both, again, for me, its too much sideways and back repeat with them both in the midfield.

Barry is a good player, but for me Besic is a better player that offers more all around; Barry has experience and I don’t see him being dropped as he appears to be a big favourite of Roberto’s whatever anyone else may think (myself included).

For all those worrying about Ross's future with the Blues, I think spending 㿈 million on Lukaku in the summer was a clear statement of intent by the club and by Roberto. Why spend that on a top quality striker at the age of 21 then sell the best midfielder in the UK, of the same age, the season after?

The fact that Ross signed a new long-term contract recently, is also a statement of intent by the player and the club. We may not sit at the top table with the "big money clubs", but due to our academy and coaching expertise, and with Roberto's clear eye for spotting cheap talent, we may well be able to compete with them on the pitch.

I think we are building for the future and believer the Roberto and Blue Bill have sold this vision to the young stars we have in our galaxy. Because of this belief, I have no fear of any of our young stars leaving and think that in two or three years, we will, once again, be knocking on the door of true and sustainable success.

After all, they only have to point to the likes of those who followed the dream – and clearly, later regretted it – to prove their case.

As for the Barry things above – he's a class act, massively underrated and does a great job for the team. He keeps things ticking over, reads the game well and holds his position, which gives us better shape than Besic ever will.

Anyone calling for Besic to start ahead of Barry is entitled to their opinion, but I don't believe that's the right way to go at all. He's a good player too, but Barry has the nouse, is streetwise beyond Besic and holds the team together much better.

Besic might be quicker, and give a bit more going forward but without Barry at the base, we're not the same team at all.