Holgate’s Baggies loan ends with penalty anguish

What would you do with him next season? Right-back or centre-back? Keep or sell?

Wasn't that all of the Baggie's back four taking their first four pens? Where were the forwards and midfielders?

I also happen to think he has shown himself a decent CB, but obviously Silva doesn't rate him there.

Your thoughts?

Hopefully, on his return from loan, he will prove me right.

I thought that he was developing some attitude issues shortly before going on loan, hopefully I was wrong or that he's resolved any issues he had. I think we should keep him as cover at RB/CB.

We have to set our sights higher, having a player like Zouma is were we should be, if we can't sign him we must find someone similar.

It's a shame that WBA did not play him at CB though maybe Silva will see him as back up for Coleman after a decent showing in the Championship at RB.

He has toughened up a bit and was disciplined in his role of RB against the tricky winger El Ghazi. I would say he needs more experience and physical development , maybe another 12m loan deal with WBA. I would want him to be loaned out with guarantees to play as a CB not a RB and get the experience in his best and natural position. If that means joining a different club, so be it.

I'd say his loan did for him what Zouma's did for Zouma; played continuously and improved his game. I agree with the comment above that Holgate should be pushing for Coleman's spot this pre-season.

I'd also say that this season did more for him than it did for Kenny. How about we send Kenny out for regular minutes this time instead of sitting and watching yet again?

As a right-back, he lacks the quality in the final third so not good enough for us in a Silva side. As a centre-back, he lacks the physicality. It's a tough one as I think there is a quality player there and he needs polishing not binning.

His crossing seems to have improved with West Brom and I would consider him more of a RB although I think Jonjoe is potentially the better RB.

He’s caught between two stools neither good enough at full back or centre half. Look Silva needs his full-backs to live in the opposition half, they are fundamentally an attacking piece. His passing range and crossing are not anywhere close to the standard we need. He’s a defender at heart and tends to look infield and back for his safe pass, a touch of the ‘Hibberts I’m afraid.

As a centre half why would he oust any of our current picks?! If we don’t land a centre back he may stay.

His best performances for me are in a three where his assets are definitely enhanced. In a modern three it needs mobility down the side and pace to recover, and his physicality is fine with support. That fits him to a tee.

He was so sound away at City when Dom scores, even though his one error led to the equalizer late on a superb performance, I think in a three. But I think he’s missed the boat, sell him to WBA and get some money.

Very young to be writing off a centre back. But that’s what we do here at Everton.

I hear that Ellis Simms has made the England U18 squad. I tell you now, if he doesn’t score a hatrick on his debut then we might as well get what we can for him. He’ll never make it.

"As a right-back, he lacks the quality in the final third so not good enough for us in a Silva side."

Five months ago I would have heartily agreed with you. Worst passing RB I had ever seen in his appearances there. But under Moore he showed significant improvement, assisted on several goals. Cross for the gamewinner against QPR in February was a beauty. The game the other day was only the third time I've seen him this year, but he showed touch and accuracy on a couple of passes.

He'll never be Azpilicueta, but I expect Silva will give him a good look-see in the summer. He's only 22 and has shown he can up his game. Just might be good enough. He's sure as hell a better defender than JJK could ever dream of being.

It’s so rare an excellent prospect comes through and becomes the mainstay of a team. The odds are so small, I’d say if they are truly that good then most, not all, would already be good enough at that age.

It’s not a case of writing off a young player, it’s a case of writing a player who’s not good enough who happens to be young, there is a difference.

If he is really good enough he should be able to take a starting spot, tell me who?

He's got a lot of good qualities and his versatility as a RB or CB could be a good option on the bench. I see him more as a CB but only in a back 3 until he strengthens and improves.

But at his age he needs games to further develop. I'd gladly keep and loan him out for another season presuming we strengthen.

Not seen Pennington this season, how's he got on?

Here’s 4 who would never have made it at Everton using your philosophy (1 didn’t)

Harry Maguire - got sent out on loan to Wigan at 24.
Gary Cahill - got sent out on loan at Sheffield Utd at 22.
Michael Keane - 1st regular premier league season at 23.
Shane Duffy - 1st regular premier league season at 25, 1st regular championship season at 23.

Going off your “bin then if they’re not first teamers early”...

Eric Dier - let go at 18 (or not signed following loan), England international 3 years later
Mustafi - let go at 20, German international at 22.

If Holgate isn’t a regular by 24, then we let him go.

I am with you; far too early to write the lad off. How these people make these statements about him not being good enough, I will never know!

How does anyone pass judgement on a player they haven't seen perform week-in, & week-out?

I’d also suggest none of that list save for Keane and maybe Maguire would get in the Everton team regularly. Mustafi! 😳

Holgate will not progress whilst at Everton, the current batch of centre backs leaves only a tiny pathway to the first team. Far better for him to be sold with a buy back clause if, a big if imo, he makes progress.

He has been in a first team squad for a number of seasons, 2/3/4 even! The lad will want to play first team football, that simply won’t happen at Everton if we reach the places we want to go.

It really comes down to how good he currently is, and sorry for me extremely unlikely to oust a first teamer, is age is not relevant.

Topped off by that free kick "delivery" towards the end of the play-off that went into row Z.

All I've seen him do is make lots of mistakes, poor passing and get involved in scuffles.

People genuinely think he's better than Stones? Get real

Opinions, eh?

I do agree he cannot be placed in the same bracket as Stones, though.

Coming into the prem are Norwich, Sheff united and derby or villa. All prestigious clubs. I hope villa come up. I always liked going to villa park and I have a soft spot for villa and it’d mean the most played fixture in English football restarts.

Yeah, fair. I just don't trust hyperbole. People will say that he's done brilliantly and he has to get a game at Everton but what I think is that we need to consolidate what we consider as "doing well" – especially at Everton, this has been a metaphor for "shite" in the past. :-)

When I've seen him play, it's been at right back, and he's never played well there, even for us. If you've seen him play at centre back and he's done well then fair play coz that is his best position

I absolutely stand by my proclamation that he is in no way better than Stones though.