McCarthy remains an injury doubt

Now not everything he does is bad and at times can look okay against the poorer teams but believe me without McCarthy covering his ass against some of the better teams he will be a real weakness.

I could understand him getting some game time if there were no other options but there are in the form of Besic, Gibson and Cleverly. Barkley could even drop deeper into centre midfield if we're chasing a game. Hopefully Roberto will use his squad a bit more in the coming weeks.

Barry has had more good games in an Everton shirt than bad and if you were to compare his input to that of Phil Neville for example, Barry's contribution to Everton has been far greater.

I realise that he has made mistakes and sometimes gets caught in possession, however, at the moment he is a very important cog in the Everton team. I expect that to change over the next twelve months as the team evolves and McCarthy and Cleverly with Barkley will likely form the midfield, but at the moment I think Barry's the right choice, pity he's not a few years younger.

He attempts and succeeds with more forward passes than Barkley, and a forward pass from McCarthy is as common as snow at Easter here! I too wish Barry was a few years younger, he shows more leadership on the pitch than any of the rest of our team and is a key player for us.

Yes he didn't cover himself with glory re the goal vs Palace, but who else did, especially our keeper - on the line again for another header from around the edge of the 6-yard box, TH too busy grappling with the nearest opponent.

Give him a run out in the second half is need be but I'd rather he didn't start. Cleverly did ok against Palace.

But saying that I would be curious to see a partnership from two of Besic, McCarthy and Cleverley in midfield. More legs meaning less goals conceded, but probably less composure on the ball meaning less possession.

Wouldn't mind seeing it though, just to see what happens more than anything...

Granted, Barry had a really poor season last year but he has been excellent this term.

To describe him a liability is way off the mark in my opinion,

Howard, on the other hand... now that is what I call a liability all day long. Teams now know any decent ball around the edge of the six-yard box is a goal waiting to happen.

Whilst I wouldn't go so far to label him a 'liability', there are numerous times when his lack of pace has led to him being caught out and, due to the position he plays, our defence being hopelessly exposed.

His only hope of remedying such a situation is to try and take out the attacker before he scampers away from him completely, usually leading to a free kick in a dangerous position.

Those instances may have been drastically cut down this season, but the weakness is obviously still there and always will be unless he's secretly undergone a leg transplant or been injecting Cheetah cum into his calves.

1. He could do with a rest. Sit and watch build up appetite and energy for the rest of the season.
2. Give space for Cleverley to play.
3. My controversial hunch is I would love to have Gibson and Besic be our league winning central midfield.

The more the Barry and Mac base is broken up the more chance for rolling the dice from a stable but limited selection to one that could rip up the league like Reid and Bracewell.

I always like to dream...

Appears he's healthy. Also appears that terrible sequence of events occurred while he was drunk-driving has finished him at EFC. It came and went, but let's face it.

Drunken, broke-ass Des Gipsan would be doing some days in the pokey for what Everton's Darren Gibson did.

The schedule about to get crowded. Maybe here or there, Gibson gets some minutes. But that's all until he's sold in January.

I don't agree that he will come in for Barry though and play alongside Cleverley, Barry is in fantastic form and Martinez can't field a team without him so I'd suggest Kone may be the one to miss out once McCarthy is back fully fit with Cleverley playing out on the left.

This has been going on since the start of last season. Martinez knows it, which is why he is coaching Besic for the centre and left role. "The No 6 role", says young Besic.

I know a few people think Gibson and Mirallas are finished, but Martinez keeps sticking them on the bench. That considered, I can't for the life of me figure out why neither were brought on when we were chasing the game v Palace. One, our second greatest goal threat and the other without doubt the best passer at the club. Both have their faults but I think Martinez is mad not to use them.

Against Spurs, he was poor... but a lot better now, maybe he is playing for a new contract. I would go after Nolito in January as Kiev won't let their prized asset go.

I just hope Baines is back as Galloway has covered well but is way out of his league against anyone half-decent.

Anyway no matter how well Cleverley plays he'll be moved out as soon as McCarthy is back I'm sure. Bobby gets in sweats if the ball moves forward too quickly.