Before the arrival of Mirallas, Moyes said he "wants at least 2 more." Which position of you guys think is the 1st priority to strengthen??

GK: With Howard and Mucha backing up, GK is surely not we are looking for.

CB: we have 3 world class CB and 1 promising youngster in this area. But we saw how Man Utd suffering with only 1 CB and a makeshift of Carrick, just hope our CB keep heathly and no more Hibbert makeshift in the CB position.

RB: We have Hibbo, Captain and Coleman, but in long term, we need a player with Baines' calibre to partner Mirallas or Naismith in the right flank like the Baines-Pienaar partnership.

LB: Baines, Baines, Baines... Who else?? Captain? Distin?? or Bidwell, Garbutt???

DM/CM: If Fellaini deploy in the "Cahill" role this season, who we can start our game in this 2 position in this 4-2-3-1 formation? I can name Gibbo, Ossie, Junior (haven't see him play, no sure), Barkely and Captain (again?! O.o), but it seems not an assurance area in the team.

RM/LM: Glad we have Pienaar, Mirallas, Naismith, Ossie, Anichebe, Magaye and Coleman play in this position.

AM: Fellaini is our target man this season. But Mirallas, Ossie, Naismith and Barkley can also play in this position.

CF: Jelavic, Mirallas, Naismith, Anichebe and Vellios. Is Niang signing for us?

Conclusion: In an ideal world, I hope we can sign a RB, LB (as cover), DM and a CF. But if I can only choose one, I hope we can sign a classy DM to partner Gibbo (assume Fellaini playing AM every game this season).

Brian, I would like to see Defoe come in but I think he would want regular first team football and there is no guarantee of that at Everton. I think he would get to be the main forward at a lot of clubs but we already have Jelavic as our star forward. I think he might be worth a punt though if he was to get games as Spurs are having a clear out at the moment. We could get him at a decent price.

I know nothing about it but I think that the Greek top division could be a buyer's market right now. You would presume that football there as a business is as skint as any other type of business. There could be a lot of bargains to be had.

I have severe doubts about whether Big Vic, Gueye or Vellios will ever become first-choicers so don't think we are covered in the front areas for the future and so think someone like Niang could still be in the reckoning if everything stacks-up with him. I could be wrong, but I think we are normally quite quick to rule out triallists if we weren't impressed by them (prepared for egg on face on that one).

Buying from the Premiership and Championship rarely gives the value for money that you get from the continent (though you get a 'known quantity') so hopefully we are scouring those leagues if we haven't already identified who we would like.

I'd say that Cahill, Lescott, Baines, Gibson, Howard, Distin, even Neville, all represent value for money.

It's just a matter of picking the right player at the right time.

Adam (reluntantly, Beardsley he ain't) or Phillips may just do the trick.

In DM/CM however we only have Gibbo and Fella (who I think should be starting higher up as in mondays game) before we rely on the likes of Neville, Heitinga or the kids.

Shame we didn't snaffle Diame on a free or even Huddlestone on a loan. If we could hijack Arsenals loan for Nuri Sahin that would be awesome otherwise would suggest scouring the french league for either a sturdy ball winner in the Tiote/Essien mould or a ball player in the Cabaye mould. Think 5m should get someone pretty handy. Would have taken Alou Diarra for 2m but west ham beat us there.

However, most people, I think, would accept that there is now something of a premium on players already established over here and if you are forking out £5 million for Adam or nearer £10 million for Phillips (according to recently quoted figures) I for one would be interested to see whether that sort of money could attract someone with superstar potential from a league that is not so awash with money.

I'd say that Cahill, Lescott, Baines, Gibson, Howard, Distin, even Neville, all represent value for money.

It's just a matter of picking the right player at the right time.

Adam (reluntantly, Beardsley he ain't) or Phillips may just do the trick.

I believe that the win over UTD gives BK breathing space and he will hang on to the rest of the Rodwell money.
I still see our squad as being too small for a successful campaign this season.
DM has stated that he needs more squad players and that he would be using the bulk of the Rodwell money to strengthen the squad.

Naismith is untested and so is Marallas.
We know what Pienaar brings to the team and Jelavic has done well so far.
But, this does not camouflage the fact that we have poor cover in more than one position.

All the top teams have decent cover for every position and they only loan out players they will not be using.
We always loan out a whole host of players and just hope we don't have too many injuries or suspensions.

I would like to see another two added to the squad to provide competition and cover.

I think that needs to be balanced against the greater risk of "second tier" overseas players adapting to the Premiership game.

I am just hoping we can get someone better than either Adam or Phillips for what Adam will cost us.

It would still be my first choice.

I am not talking about dropping Fellaini and think he has matured to the extent that he will be unplayable playing anywhere in the centre of the team, but to accommodate him where you want to permanently does not leave room for both Mirallas and Naismith and also requires the urgent recruitment of a defensive midfielder.

Naismith is supposed to be a goalscorer and also capable of bringing out the best in Jelavic, and Mirallas is supposed to add pace, trickery and an eye for goal. With Fellaini playing a bit more withdrawn, it also gives the likes of Pienaar (plus two from Osman, Naismith and Mirallas) someone to play the ball off to while they buzz around finding space or dragging players out of position.

We need ano striker If Defoe available for 5m bite their hands off. I would love someone in centre mid of the ilk of Dacourt or Hutchinson - unfortunately seems unlikely Barkley will get in the team this season and more likely to see Neville or Heitinga there

I think we can definitely afford to have Felli further back against lesser opposition and have Jelavic, Naismith, Pienaar, Mirallas and/or Osman leading the line. We have the capability to play Villa off the park this weekend regardless of what the tactics are.

If Fellaini can bully the new centre back Vlaar, than we could be in business again. Drag Vlaar out of position and get Jelavic and Mirallas working behind Clarke. It looks a pretty poor Villa squad, although 3 points hasn't been too regular at Villa Park.

I would probably play the same team as vs Man U with maybe Osman coming into centre for neville and being replaced by mirallas or naismith on the wing.

In terms of who next?Although not technically someone that we have bin linked with (this season), but Kyle Naughton has now had to consistently impressive seasons with Leicester and Norwich, wouldn't have thought he would cost the earth (unless Levy wants his money back (£6m?))

Howard
Naughton Jagielka Heitinga Baines
Fellaini Gibson
Mirralles Naismith Pienaar
Jelavic

I wonder if Naughton would be happy to sit behind Hibbert for a season or two? He's gonna have to sit behind Walker forever if he doesn't move though.

One thing I definitely don't want to see -> us selling Heitinga

Also sign Moysey up!

It may be that one or both is unable to adapt, but if they are as good as we hope then I would expect them to join Pienaar as part of a fluid trio backing up Jelavic.

I think this formation is likely to provide us with the maximum amount of creativity and goal-scoring potential, and think that is sufficient to 'relegate' Fellaini to a generally more withdrawn position (but given license to swap in and out of the attacking quartet when the opportunity arises).

Your option means we can only be as good as we were during the run-in last season and on Monday, mine means we could be even better, but you don't even want to look at it and are advocating using some of our meagre funds to buy another defensive midfielder.

I think we may see one more signing but I wouldn't be surprised if its a loan.

I would like to see a central playmaker brought in or another winger personally. We still haven't replaced arteta. Moutinho would be ideal or a slightly cheaper version of him somewhere. Surprised Moyes didn't go for huddlestone I know he has admired him for years.

Maybe we should keep £5m for January and buy then depending on what the first half of the season tells us we need most..

I am talking about using an approach that we have seen working to great effect and you are talking about trying something where we don't know how well it will work.

I have no doubt as injuries/tiredness occur and rotation is necessary that the team will change and different approaches will be tried. If they work then I will advocate sticking with them too. But as I said earlier...'If it ain't broke....' Mirallas and Naismith will both get chances very soon to show what they can do but Fellaini in an attacking role allowed us to beat arguably the best team in England over the last 5 years relatively comfortably. You won't persuade me that its a bad idea to try that again.

As for buying a central midfielder that is where I think we are now short. We usually play 2 central midfielders and in my opinion we have only Fellaini, Gibson and possibly Osman who I would be happy to see get a prolonged run in that position. We now have more options up front in the one strikers role where we have Jelavic, naismith, Mirallas and Fella who could all play there. Do the maths 3 into 2 is less covered than 4 into 1.

With Hetinga, the guy is quality and he definitely adds to the first team. If he is not happy at not being an automatic pick though, and will be a source of discontent in the dressing room, then get rid.

I don't think Felliani will go this season. If this finally is the season where he shows his full promise, then I would expect a big offer next summer. He is the type of player you would buy as part of a major rebuild you take on in the summer.

If we can not find a great right winger then our results will suffer for sure. Naismith would be my bet for right winger, while Mirallas is a contender with Jelavic up top.

It is crystal clear that after having both Drenthe and Donovan here last season as right wingers, we were much better in our attacking football. Our problem is not defensive, the big problem is finding a top quality right winger.

Jelavic needs many chances to find his goal touch again, I do not think we are able to create enough chances as things stand. I hope Naismith can fill the role as right winger, he needs to start games now if we are to find out if he is good enough there or not.

It would be unwise to wait until January before spending the rest of the money. It might very well be gone by then with Bill paying the bills so I think Moyes is under a lot of pressure to find the right player. I would steer away from spending the money in England, as said before Greece and Spain are having money troubles and it would be wise to look for top players there.

This whole season depends on Moyes buying correct, and that to me is nerve-wracking. We need to get back into Europe, then we have more money to spend.

_____________Howard________________

Hibbert_____Jags____Heitinga____Baines

________Fernandes___Gibson___________

___Mirallas_____Fellaini_____Pienaar_____

_____________Jelavić_________________

If we get an injury to any of the front 4, Naismith can come in.
An injury to the DM's, Neville (or hopefully Barkley or Junior) can come in.
Neville for Hibbo. Distin CB cover and Baines.. er.. er... Baines'll be fine :)

What you, and quite a few others admittedly, can't see (or are choosing to ignore) is the type of players Moyes has targeted as squad additions, and who he has recently let go. He has brought in Naismith and after selling a defensive midfielder (who could have provided cover behind with Fellaini permanently pushed forward) he declared he wanted further attacking options (two more, at least) and has subsequently bought Mirallas as well as looking at Niang. Now he is supposedly interested in Doyle and Ward (as cover they would do if cheap or on loan, but not as potential first-choicers).

What does this all point towards? Simply that Moyes is not looking to play Fellaini just behind the striker long-term. I am, for one, pretty pleased about that because I am one of those who has noted and mentioned Fellaini's steady improvement over the last couple of years and truly believe he will be the best midfielder in the country this season and, as a team, we will be better with the right combination of pace, trickery and creativity just in front of Fellaini and just behind Jelavic.

Suddenly, after beating a ham-strung version of 'arguably the best team in England over the last 5 years' everyone is ignoring the fact that we need Jelavic to be scoring regularly in a season when he is likely to get a lot more defensive attention. How do we do that? By employing the likes of Naismith, Pienaar and Mirallas to pull the defenders out of position and then slip the ball to Jelavic who will be able to concentrate on finding that bit of space he needs to operate in. If it had been a fully fit pairing of Vidic and Ferdinand on Monday, Vidic would have competed with Fellaini much more effectively than Carrick did and Ferdinand would have stuck to Jelavic and effectively neutralised him.

Of course it is a results business, but the idea is to find a team that gives you the best chance of winning the next game, and managers should always be looking to improve their team / formation / tactics to stay ahead. It is not a case of 'if it ain't broke....' you are advocating, it is 'even if it could be improved, why bother' which is what doesn't make sense to me.

If we have got £6 million to spend I would be happy for it to be spent on another pacy attacking option, and then see what defensive midfielders we can pick up on loan.

Chris I'd love Manny but I think he's signed on at Besiktas now. Owen Hargreaves is still available on a free. It seems an absolute no brainer if we can get the contract terms in our favour, some kind of pay as you play deal.

Otherwise I'd spend the pocket money on this Niang if he's good enough. At 17, barring injury, he's going to be worth three times that in a few years and he may follow Mirallas in coming here to be at a good time where he'll still get playing time, and he could be a game changer from the bench.

Finally, I've a feeling Landon Donovan's contract runs out at the end of this MLS season, which would be in about November/December. If I've got that right and understood it correctly, that would mean he could sign permanently for free in January. I stand to be corrected on that one though.

Not sure why you think i'm ignoring what type of players Moyes has brought in. I think its great that we have more attacking players and players who will offer something different. As I said they will get used and hopefully add to the mix.

The fact remains that your argument is based on conjecture 'If Vidic was marking Fella this' and 'If he drops back that' whereas all I am saying is that since Fellaini has played behind Jelavic it is a fact that we have been a top 4 team.

You're idea may well improve us and no-one will be happier than me if it does. I also think you might be right that Moyes long term idea is to play Fellaini further back but you won't convince me that starting Saturday with roughly the same team that comfortably beat Man u on monday and that comfortably beat a strong Newcastle team and many others at the end of last season is a bad idea so please stop trying to.

He will do a decent job for you wherever you put him, but he is not the best option we have for wing or defensive midfield duties. If you analysed his contribution on Monday night I think you would find that his best work was done in and around the opposition penalty area where his neat short passing and quick feet make him difficult for defenders to deal with.

Further back he was pretty much reduced to playing balls to the feet of more advanced players and trying to get onto the return ball, most of which were unsuccessful. He generally has no presence in the air in a truly competitve situation and struggles to get back and tackle even moderately paced players once they are a couple of yards beyond him.

At the stage of his career he is, these things are only likely to get worse, and I don't want to see him reduced to chasing shadows or more easily brushed off the ball and dispossessed. Using him in at the fore-front of the centre-midfield will give his career improved longevity, though it may be in a part-time capacity.

http://hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=175837

If you truly believe that our improved form at the end of last season was mainly (or solely) due to Fellaini playing in a more advanced role then I don't agree with you. To me, the impact of Jelavic and Pienaar was at least as important, and for this season we will need to work harder to ensure that Jelavic gets the same opportunities as he will undoubtedly be targeted by opposition managers. Bringing in Naismith and Mirallas makes perfect sense as they should both contribute in terms of goals scored and chances created for Jelavic to convert.

If you believe that the defence we faced on Monday was the best that Man U can muster, or even of average quality for the Premiership, then I believe you are plain wrong. On that basis, do you expect Fellaini to be 'unplayable' in that position week-in, week-out.

If you believe that the defence we faced on Monday was the best that Man U can muster, or even of average quality for the Premiership, then I believe you are plain wrong. On that basis, do you expect Fellaini to be 'unplayable' in that position week-in, week-out?

I don't, but I do think he could be if given a little more room to operate in. Add in a tricky goal-scoring player in front of him and behind Jelavic and I think we could be better than we have been.

I think the manager has this vision as well and that is what he is working towards. I see no reason to assume we have already reach our peak and abandon the attempt to get even better.

Also Pip will not be up to playing every game.

I would love to see Manny Fernandes back sitting alongside Fellaini as MF anchors.

Other than that I think we need a wide player in the Trevor Steven mould and Donovan would fit the bill.

While I think Adam Johnson is very skillfull I also think he is wastefull and we have not got the pace to get back if he gives a ball away and the opposition break.

It wouldn't surprise me if we signed another player, nor if we didn't. There doesn't seem to be much spare cash in the premier league this transfer window, and clubs seem reluctant to let squad players go (can't believe the bbc gossip saying that chelsea have turned down a £30million offer for luiz. Surely thats a joke?). When is the next tv payment due?

If it were down to me which position I would fill, I'd buy a left-back to cover baines. Unfortunately, we'd never get a left back of any quality as they know they'd have to play second-fiddle. So I think a talented youngster with good prospects, or just about any championship left-back would do me.

Remove the 'reduced' angle and you've got the main reason I like him in that position! I also think you're slightly underrating him defensively, whilst I'm not saying he's a holding player, he can do his job, knows the angles to close down and has picked many a pocket of a player whilst tracking back. My main point though is that he's worth a place in there as a playmaker, keeping the passing ticking over nicely.

You're right about his strength and pace, but isn't centre mid the place you can get away with that? Hold a position rather than have to sprint everywhere, and leave aerial balls to the centre backs and centre forwards, reading the second balls. Having said all that, I've often thought the 'Cahill' role would be perfect for him as you say, but we currently don't play to his strengths and have always expected that player to compete physically and aerially.

All in all I agree that Fellaini and Gibson should be first choice as those two players in the 'engine room', though it remains to be seen if Naismith, Mirallas or a possible new signing will fill what I think of the 'no.10' position just off Jelavic. It would seem that Naismith should be due a go with Mirallas on the right, and the two of them interchanging with each other, and possibly Pienaar, during a game for the sake of variety.

I get what you say about how Cahill was used (and Felli more latterly) but I believe we may be seeing an evolution into another way of supporting a genuine predatory goalscorer, i.e. a trio of creative players flowing around (to the side of, behind, and even in front of the striker, that we have only sort of touched on with Moyes previously.

It is all about getting the right blend of characteristics throughout the team. If we are talking about Pienaar, Naismith and Mirallas as those playing just off Jelavic then we may be sacrificing some defensive attributes which could be countered by a more physical presence just behind them provided by Fellaini and Gibson.

I think Felli is just coming into his prime and will continue to dominate possession playing just in front of Gibson who, thanks to an obvious improvement in his fitness, I expect to have a great season as well (fingers crossed on injuries).

I just get the impression from what DM has said that he is looking for more pace and creativity in attack, which switches some of the onus to combativeness onto your central midfield players to ensure the balance is right.

I hope I'm wrong, but won't be totally gutted. We've brought in three very, very good players.

With Mirralas, Naismith, Osman, Pienaar and Barkely, we've got the creative midfield part covered.

Use the remaining money from the rodwell sale to pay down some of the debt (yes we still have loads and despite a great result against the mancs our balance sheet is still not great).

The squad has a number of aged players, we have no money apart from sell to buy, so we need to be careful when we sell Rodwell. Saying all that, I'd take Donovan and berbatov in a hear beat on loan/free if ever possible.

And in spite of all this our esteemed chairman has `a million, billion, trillion per cent confidence` in him! (QUOTE)

But then, we all know that Kenwright is nothing more than a lachrymose luvvie... and that`s the least dangerous thing about him!