Tim Iroegbunam's big run-in

Would love the lad to stake his claim for next season but even at 22 he should be a candidate in a starting role by now.

The permutations and options that Moyes has to ponder will be quite interesting to discuss come the close season but the World Cup will probably influence many clubs' decisions.

Personally, I think Everton will be a much better outfit next season.

He has a good touch, and is strong on the ball. Awareness around him needs to improve, and I think that will come with experience.

He has someone in the squad to match in James Garner, we just need to be careful we don't beat him with a stick, because he isn't James Garner.

Although that has not been managed with a Scottish international on the books...

He just needs a run of games.

He gets caught on the wrong side of his man and puts in a lunge from behind, and the card comes out. Tim has played only about 1,100 league minutes this season but he leads the club and is joint fifth in the league with eight yellows. That's gotta be cleaned up.

He has pace, skill and a good strong tackle, and I'd love him to stay on long-term, but he still has a lot to learn. A lot.

I agree he is rash at times, I think, like Alcaraz, they both try to show too much in the short periods they get on the pitch.

Too many mistakes in crucial areas and not a great distributor, Has had some good games but needs more of them to be in the starting XI.

If he were 26 years old, I might think differently but at 22, he has plenty of time to get better than he already is.

I say keep him.

We can’t have Armstrong not playing next season. Ideally Rohl and Iroebugnam are getting some action, either with us or on loan. And hard to figure out where that leaves Charly, who won’t play as long as KDH is fit.

I think the best case scenario is signing Tim on reasonable wages for 3 years and loaning him out next season, keeping Rohl as a super sub and occasional starter, and making our money back on Alcaraz. Keep Gana for one more season, but start rotating Armstrong in more regularly in Gana’s place.

As the season has progressed, and with Europe very much a possibility, I now think we need to keep him. He's got tremendous strength on the ball and does look to move the game forward, along with not being afraid to take somebody on. A rarity in todays game.

Obvious weaknesses have already been mentioned, but we can't sign a 20 Yr old, give him limited minutes then expect him to be top class in just 2 years.

The reason I'm so excited about Europe is the amount of opportunities it will give to Tim, Merlin, Harrison, etc. We have some talented young/ish players and it's the only way we'll see just how good they are.

Personally, I think Gueye should be phased out of the team with Garner and KDH as our midfield. That leaves the No.10 position up for grabs. If we keep the same formation, which we almost certainly will do.

Alcaraz, Dibling, McNeil, and Grealish could all play in that position.

I think it would be a huge mistake to sell him at 22 when we don't know his ceiling.

He has alot of scope and physically is built for the drive through midfield, an astute purchase.

He's strong, and not afraid to take responsibility, it doesn't always come off and his decision making needs improving, but that is probably down to him trying to impress a bit too much, knowing the competition in CM.

Gana not going to go on forever, so tim is definitely worth a new deal, unless your offered £20m.

Just needs minutes, and if we did get in Europe, it's his opportunity to play more.

Alot of these deals will depend on where we finish this season.

Yep, I like him - but the club will be in a position where a decision needs to be made due to his contract situation.

I know Italian clubs were interested in the winter and were told £20m offers needed. But entering the last 12 months it could be a different matter.

As others have said, it could also depend on Gana, and if Everton get Europe or not. He's a useful player, but we should keep in mind he was never really expected to be a first-team regular. It was a deal done for PSR and Everton got the better end of it. So I see Tim's development as a positive either way.

Either he gets a new deal and keeps on playing more, or he's sold for a quick profit and he did okay while he was here.

I think more playing time this season would definitely have put more polish on Tim (minus the inevitable yellow card suspensions!), but he caught a couple of bad breaks. Gana's age-36 performance has been I think much better than anybody had a right to expect. Garner has grown into an absolute star and an international, something most of us didn't see coming back in August. And Armstrong was unexpectedly needed back from his loan and showed fine promise. A lot of minutes that could have gone to Tim went away.

Great point about Europe being an opportunity for growth in Tim, Armstrong, Rohl, and I would add Aznou, Dibling and Alcaraz. I hadn't really considered that aspect, but you're spot on.

If so, then, regrettably, I think Charly would be the obvious choice to go -- his occasional flash of brilliance last season appear to have been a flash in the pan -- although to be fair, he's hardly had much of a chance to prove himself.

He has come in from the cold quite a few times and not let us down. He was the man of the match against the champions elect.

Personally I think he offers a lot more than Merlin. He is a ball winner along with Garner and Gana and obvious replacement if either gets injured.

I don't mind the yellow cards, as a modern centre mid tactical fouls prevent a lot of breakaway goals.

He isn't perfect far from it but can be an affective part of a team which is more than I have seen from Rohl.

Garner, Dewesbury Hall pick themselves. But a third has to step up and demand the shirt.

For what it's worth Gana should stay. There's enough there to warrant another season, just not first choice. From the bench he has the experience to see the game out or play the midweek European/cup tie.

But who will take the 3rd regular midfielder slot? Tim, Alcaraz, Rohl, or Armstrong. Or do you go into the market and buy a ready made version? The decision could cost champions league spot, or heaven forbid a cup final.

In terms of identity, I think it is the midfield that marks the identity of any team. Are they intense enough, good enough on the ball, can they score and create. Can they smell the danger & the opportunity, can they bully rather than being bullied. They should represent the manager. But to do that well, they need to be good, & complimentary players.

For long enough the midfield has been a graveyard in quality. Moyes has picked up a discarded player from the Chelsea bomb squad and an existing player has really stepped it up. But who is the 3rd man?

If we are to progress as a team we need to win the midfield battle week after week.

Moyes sets up with 2 defensive minded centre mids which limits us with goals. I would like to see Dewsbury-Hall play deeper alongside Garner with Alcaraz playing just Infront.

Goals win games, it's all very good being defensive-minded but to take the next step we need to find goals from everyone.

We probably don't have the budget, but a dynamic player that could score regularly from that position would be a game-changer.

I am not convinced that Alcaraz is the answer. I just never think he will score the number of goals that will justify him being in the team as the main man.

I'd rather see Armstrong get the minutes, as I think he has a higher ceiling if it's between them. He is the one that could break the pack and join Branthwaite and Garner as a class player, but it will take time and patience.

Well, and a right winger, left back, right back, and a striker.

Big summer coming up. Decisions on a lot of the squad and new players to be made. I can't wait to see how it plays out.

We have to trust the club makes the best decision(s) over Tim's future.

I've not been on here too much lately but still scroll through sometimes.

Hope you're doing well, mate, and still up for a lively debate.

When I see his name on team sheet, I tell my mates, "Get your cash on a yellow card!" He never lets you down... pure rubbish.