Branthwaite adds to Ancelotti' defensive headaches

I'm understanding that Jarrad walked off.

“I think we can manage with three until Mason comes back.”

So the window closes in two weeks during which time we need to buy a centre-back. But we don't really need him until Mason comes back. So we need him after Mason is back?

If it is ankle ligaments he could be out for around 6 weeks, maybe sooner if its only mild.

We definitely need a new CD. Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet maybe?

Have to loan someone and quickly.

I don't know what the story is there

He just seems to have dropped off the radar entirely.

I really like the lad and from what I've seen both in reserves (U-23's) and on loan to Fleetwood, he deserves a chance. I think if he is loaned out again he may want to move away permanently, which in my eyes would be a travesty.

I'm not saying for one minute, I am a better judge than Carlo, but Lewis offers a lot more than others who have been given numerous chances and yet seem to be untouchable/undroppable.

Re Holgate and Branthwaite. There was a lot of relief around this time last year when it was revealed that JP Gbamin wouldn't require surgery.

With breaks of bones and ligament damage, decisions on whether to operate are fairly straight forward. Less so with muscular injuries.

A really bad muscle tear can seriously mess up the limb in question unless the rehab is 100% perfect. If it's not then the risk of injury is high and usually with a disastrous outcome.

Good luck to Jarrad with his rehab.hope he is back in action in a month or two.

We need a CB in sooner rather than later. Remember the Rojo fiasco last summer when we were convinced we were signing Zouma? This needs to be sorted now, we have Keane and Mina fit and Carlo after last nights omission mustn't think Gibson is ready for the first 11 . Mina could get an injury at any time, it's like Russian roulette with him each game and training session. He's a good player, but one we need back up for.

The Gabriel pursuit has echoes of the Zouma pursuit but I hope we have learned our lesson. Especially as we have had a month to sort it. There's no point in pursuing Tomori if Chelsea won't play ball again, ( I think they want guaranteed game time and no option to buy ), it's wasting valuable time.

Failing to get someone in could harm momentum if there is one more injury. Find a suitable alternative within a week. There's got to be two or three decent options out there ?

Didn't Ivanovic just join WBA?

We've squandered far too much money. It's not my money, so thank God for that, but I am concerned with Everton's financial well-being.

We spent 25 million on Iwobe, 25 million on Cenk, 8 million on Delph, and those three can't / wouldn't even crack our League Cup starting 11. That's 58 million wasted English pounds right there! Insane. Toss in 35 million for what looks like a dodgy "will he make it" scenario with Kean, and we're approaching 100 million out the door.

We have to show some fiscal responsibility.

To put it into perspective and make everyone really sick to their stomachs, Donald Trump would be an Everton fan if he were into the footy. He adores reckless spending!

Stick with Gibson for the very, very short term for me.

Tomori, being a bit more experienced, or AN Other fills the gap this season.

Branthwaite was clearly lined up to fill in at first team level as he did last season. But all depends on the injury.

From last summer's Rojo/Zouma misadventures right through to this year, I have always opposed spending money on a C-B, and I have no idea if a quality loan is available, but Carlo seems to think one or the other is necessary. Like the rest of you, I'm mystified by the lack of even a mention of Gibson. Can't figure out what's happening there. But if he's not in the picture for some reason, a loan of Tomori -- a loan, not a buy -- might make sense.

Kieran mentions that we do have another experienced CB on board in Pennington, but I doubt he'll be considered for anything except extreme emergencies. Pennington played for Hull this summer during their final spiral down to relegation, and was at right back when they gave up 7 first-half goals to Wigan (3 by Dowell). I thought he was decent for us three years ago. No idea now.

Tough question. Glad Carlo's making the decisions, not me.

It all points to a loan, the rumors are 12weeks for Holgate? That changes things and because he's our best centre back we need to get similar styled player not only to bulk the numbers out but not to rush him back.

So on that prognosis I think it's possible we buy and get a loan too, because I have zero evidence Mina won't get another soft tissue injury. We are asking for trouble if we don't get this sorted quickly.

Gerard #30, maybe he could, but he's never played the position in his career.

Also, I'm sure Carlo could put either Seamus or Digne in the middle for a game or two if necessary (I remember Hibbo doing a fine job there in similar circumstances).

CB position is one where experience counts for a lot which may explain why CArlo is not keen to rely on Gibson this season.

It seems we are being linked with young city CB Tosin Adarabioyo who I don't know anything about but IMO falls into the same category as Gibson.

There was also a link to an Italian CB called Dremell I believe but this rumour hasnt gained any coverage.

I agree with Mike #31 that Seamus or Luca would also be options, but neither are good in the air, so a proper CB would be best, if we can get one in 2 weeks! As I said Juan Foyth is surplus at Spurs.

Jamie I thoroughly agree. I don't want us spending fortunes on anybody except a guaranteed improvement on Holgate, Keane and Mina.

Those 3 supplemented by Branthwaite will do us I think so let's see how they get on with a greater defensive shield in front of them. And better players who can keep the ball.

That leaves the problem of the injuries. Unsure if Gibson will be ready. A thought obviously shared by Ancelotti.

We still have Besic somewhere on our books don't we. He has played Centre Back before. Surely next to 6'3 + centre backs he could do a job for us there as a stop gap?

Tomori is not for me at all. I'd prefer Ancelotti to identify and attract a top Italian centre back as a long term option. As a short term option I look at Rojo and think that could be a loan deal that would work for us.

We still have ;

Brandthwaite
Braithwaite
Bransthwaite
Brandsthwaite
and Branflakes

They have yet to be spotted at finch farm but much has been written about them on these pages as being the next big things.

- Besic, Pennington and Connolly are not the answer. Nice lads, but not for the premier league

- Adarabioyo is 22 and much more experienced than Gibson. He played with Holgate on loan at WBA then a full season with Blackburn. He's a good player. He's also about 6 ft 6 but quite agile and fast. He's English but qualifies for Nigeria and seems to want a step up to get international recognition / World Cup chance. Clubs in England and Germany are interested. Final year of contract so mayne about £7m.

- Bremer, the Brazilian at Torino, is 23. He doesn't seem to be highly courted and I don't know much about him.

Carlo gave an update on Holgate while talking to the Evening Standard. He said he doesn't need surgery so hopefully he can recover sooner than was feared.

Robert you got it in one. I was thinking his name was Dremell not Bremer so I couldnt find a link to him.

Im still of the opinion we need an old head at the back, wonder if we could loan Jags back for a few games.

From the little I have seen, I would choose Tomori out of those three. He looks strong mobile and quick and ready to step in. I see him as a very raw hybrid of his teammates Ruttiger and Zouma. The downside would be for him to be a big success then having to send him back.

I want us to loan him and reluctantly accept a way bigger than normal option to buy. That way at least we have an option to make it permanent and avoid going back to square one at the next window.

We simply cannot play Mina & Keane for a number of games together without dropping deep and affecting our forward players. For me whoever we get will play if they have pace and or ball skills.

I'd still, despite the damage, look to Stones on loan.

I think Mina and Holgate are decent at passing through the lines and though I wouldn't say no to a defender who can pass to I'd say a bit of pace and defending nous are more important. Not sure how well Stones fits those criteria though if he were available on loan he could be a very decent stopgap.

I would imagine Dremmell knows the drill.