The game's a full week away so I'd be hopeful they'll be fit. But we need cover big time to ensure Neville is kept well away from there.

I'd love to think that Junior or Barkely will get some time in there but I very much doubt it.

We already had a very small squad.
We have let about a dozen players from Arteta to Macfadden go in the past year or so.
We have brought in Jelavic and Pienaar plus an untried player at premier league level in Naismith.
If indeed our youngsters that Shane mentioned in #494 don't blossom then I am sure we will struggle.

Players seem able to leave us at very short notice but we take an age bringing anyone in !

Martin,

I think you will find that most are happy with the Rodwell deal; he won't be missed. He cannot get in our first team – nevermind City's... But yes, it's a bit worrying with the injuries to Fellaini and Gibson – let's hope they will be fit for Monday night... and yes we need someone on the right, we have done for a few years. Let's hope Moyes as got someone lined up.

Same year-in, year-out, isn't it? Very small squad, injuries; Neville, Hibbert, Osman, Kenwright and Moyes all still bloody here.

Ah well, the continued search 24/7 goes on for a buyer — oh sorry' I mean investment. It does make you wonder though, doesn't it, why is Moyes still here? Does anyone remember the young ambitious manager he once was, what has happened to him?

Is Fellaini a new signing?

Is Moyes going to put his faith in Francisco Junior? Could be interesting. Also, I believe Hargreaves is still available on a free!

The Rodwell money must be used to bring in at least two front line players, who will instantly improve the first XI and be of an age to be around for a while, its the only possible positive outcome to the sale of another outstanding young homegrown player. Who among us isn't now thinking that if Barkley does begin to make it big, he'll be sold as well?

Mike Allison - quite right Rooney then Rodwell, then Barkley, then Lundstram ad infinitum. It's the usual Everton 1st day fiasco looming again, two seasons ago it was the Lescott fiasco, the season before Baxter had to start as a 17year old. I cannot wait to see the ire of the fans who are insanely rejoicing in the sale of Rodwell after we get off to another tame start and bring in nobody. I will have 200 new best buddies on Toffeeweb.

"To ensure Neville is kept well away from there", ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY. If only this ever clicked with Moyes.
Anytime I see Neville starting in midfield I got that sick feeling in my stomach.
Hopefully Gibbo and Fella fit for Monday and most of the season because it works

"To ensure Neville is kept well away from there", ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY. If only this ever clicked with Moyes.
Anytime I see Neville starting in midfield I got that sick feeling in my stomach.
Hopefully Gibbo and Fella fit for Monday and most of the season because it works

Was this the same Neville that played a whole season alongside Arteta in midfield when we finished 5th? Also the same Neville who played in the 4-4 draw against Man U last season and helped create both of the last two goals with forward balls into the box. I think he's actually better in midfield than at RB. We started last season with our 'first choice' central midfield pairing of Fellaini and Rodwell and it was terrible for half a season. Neville ha ssometimes done a decent job for us in centremid and doesn't deserve to be as criticised as harshly as he is.

I agree James. I have to give credit to Neville for his attitude to the game. He could've rotted away in man United reserves but he came here and he has been a right fucking servant to the club which he obviously loves. He is not everyones cup of tea but he has been an excellent signing for us over the years. In the big games he has really stood up to the plate. I will never forget when he smashed Ronaldo at goodison. It was a glorious moment that really was a catalyst for the season. Even the "save" on the line was a selfless act against the shite. He gets such a hard time but even though he is getting on he still can do a job for us this season.

I don't want to see Neville in midfield but hes not as bad as some make out. I like the thought of putting youth in there, like Barkley or Junior. Something new and exciting. But I do understand that they would probably get ripped apart by Man Utd. If Osman starts I hope it is centrally rather than out wide. Not long to go now. COYB.

Owen, the Blues go marching in....

Wigan have offered £4m for Anchibe?

What's all this about Fellaini? Moyes left him out of the game against Malaga because he picked up a knock. I don't think he's injured though, he did travel with the squad where as Gibson didn't.

Fellaini has apparently picked up a groin injury. I'd love to see Barkley or Junior get some game time, but we all know it isn't going to happen in the first game of the season against Man U!

Phil I love your defence of Phil Neville and agree that I wish he got more respect. People find it easy to criticise and difficult to give credit.

I don't have a problem with Phil Neville as a midfielder, the big issue is who he plays alongside. For a couple of years he played alongside Carsley and it was dreadful to watch, as both had the same strengths in breaking up play and limiting themselves to simple passes. If he plays alongside someone more enterprising, as he did with Arteta, he's like the cog in the machine that allows everything else to run smoothly. I wonder if this will work alongside Gibson.

I think the sale of Rodwell has to mean Fellaini playing a more straightforward central midfield role and us signing players who's natural position is creative and wide, as I think he was only ever a stop gap in that position. We needed three players to play behind Jelavic, one left, one right and one central, we've signed two of them in Pienaar and Naismith, but we are not ready for the new season without at least that third player, and now probably another one, which would allow for rotation and confirm that Osman will never be lost out wide again.

I don't have a problem with Osman in the middle of the park at all.

I remember a few years ago when we got knocked out of the Europa League by Fiorentina, thinking we only needed a couple of signings to become a really top team. We have declined considerably at the moment. Osman ideally should be a squad player and we should have progressed, yet every season he is still in the starting line up. Don't get me wrong Osman is a good little player, but not really good enough if we want to progress.

We had Cahill, Arteta, Fernandes, Pienaar and Osman as a midfield line up. Now we have Gibson and Fellaini to add to Pienaar and Osman, but nothing else really. Even in defence we have lost Lescott since replaced by an ageing Distin, and we only really have Jelavic who is any good upfront when we used to have Yak, AJ and Saha. Let's hope we sign some players and hope Heitinga or Neville don't have to be used in midfield!

Anto 646, 4 million what for big Vic, where did you see that. Probably 4 million pies paid in installments based on performance, so we will end up with s bloody Fray Bentos

Neville, does a job in midfield purely because he is more disciplined than our other midfielders. He may be the worse footballer in our squad in terms of technical ability, but defensively, a disciplined player is essential in front of the back four.

Our midfield is far worse than a few seasons ago...but I think Fellaini on his day is the best midfielder we've had in Moyes' era, and I think Pienarr is just as good as he has ever been. If we could add this belgium guy, I think the midfield is shaping up nicely, especially as we have Junior and Barkley coming through. Osman is a very good midfielder..in a central position. Outwide he is useless, because he drifts inside, and we lose our shap. Imo he is why we lost the FA Cup final to Chelski. But then it's not Osman's fault he needs to play out of position.

Next season, I'd start with with:
Howard,
Hibbert, Jags, Heitinga, Baines
Fellaini, Neville/Gibson
Pienarr, Naismith, Kevin Mirallas (fingers crossed)
Jelavic

Our first eleven is pretty dangerous in theory, although we must pad out the squad.

Midfield is where most games are won and lost and having a class goalscoring midfielder is a real plus. Just ask Chelsea (Lampard) or Redshite (Gerrard) who between them have single handedly on many occasions won games over the last 10 years.

To a lesser degree Everton have had Cahill although mostly in the 6 yard box and no real shooting ability. Everton have no-one in midfield who can shoot from distance except maybe Heitinga but who these days plays at the back and Baines from free kicks occasionally. This is an area that has and will let Everton down unless Gibson can get more opportunities.

Rodwell has gone, Pienaar and Osman usually get one or two in the box, Barkley and Gueye are not yet played regularly. Moyes has some money to play with (we hope) and the time is now to add such a player to the squad if available.