Galloway rewarded with new contract

I like him a lot as a player, and this is a tremendous statement of belief (or, for the cynic in me, excellent hedging of bets for being able to ask a massive fee when the rich clubs come sniffing).

And we still haven't seen him in his 'proper' position, have we? We may not for a while yet if the excellent pairing of Stones and Funes Mori continues. But that's a whole other thread...

I see both sides of your post. A just reward for a young player developing into a very good defender. Hopefully we don’t need to sell our best young players, but who knows in the future.

One thing's for certain – there would be a massive profit margin on Galloway if he does go.

Taken his chance and deserves it, and we (Zimbabweans that is) finally have some football pride. Peter Ndlovu anyone? Maybe Kitbag will let me sell chinese knockoffs to our new fanbase. I’m working on it.

He's shown a maturity way beyond his years, to be thrust into the first team with his limited experience in a position that is not his obvious one, stamps him as an above average player.

He looks like he's going to be a real asset to the club.

Defensively sound which is some accomplishment with the wandering Kone sporadically in front of him.

Offensively though he looks every inch a centre half and not of the John Stones variety. We have really missed Baines’s attacking skillset.

Enjoyed that. Thought, "Look at this cocky teenager."

Injury aside, really looks like he can make something of himself. It's up to him.

I think his speed and ability to get down the line and into the box -- and his passing touch when he gets there -- make him potentially one of the best left backs in the Prem. He also chooses excellent defensive angles and is extremely difficult to beat off the dribble one-on-one outside.

On the other hand, his weaknesses would be on display in the center -- sloppy marking, ballwatching, not strong in the air, lack of physicality.

Just one man's opinion, but I think Browning, not Galloway, is our CB of the future. I think Galloway's future is at fullback.

I still believe him to be 4th choice left back behind Baines, Oviedo and Garbutt.

ps: What's happened to Oviedo?

If we do sign him, I think it would be safe to say that our back four will be settled for the foreseeable future with young, very talented players, on long contracts with good cover in all positions.

I think RM is building a dynasty, that, if we can hold them all together, will be virtually unstoppable in a season or two's time.

Once or twice, he has suddenly just appeared unnoticed in forward positions and had a couple of great chances – I think a goal would do this lad the world of good.

Anyway, very pleased for him getting his deal and think he has done very well in the games he’s played so far.

But goodness me he has been a revelation this season. Imagine how many would have moaned about Roberto allowing Garbutt to go out on loan if Galloway had not replaced Baines.

Convenient timing too as he is sure to be dropped for Bainesy either this weekend or next so the new contract will stop him from "getting distracted" in the January window.

Whilst in the window, Yarmolenko went off after 10 mins last night! Probably a hamstring injury!

We've got a really young squad full of quality starting to emerge, let's just hope we can keep them all together for the long term, cos I think they could be capable of really achieving something.

Martinez has really brought the age of our squad down and added real quality in such a short period of time without any huge amount of money and seemingly under the radar. We were all questioning why we weren't recruiting enough defensive cover with the departure of Alacaraz and Distin, and we were already light in that department anyway. Now we seem to have plenty of defensive options.

Some of our play lately has been scintillating and we need these lads to believe.
COYB!!

Still not convinced he is ready for the first team but thereagain he has had a real mixed bag in front of him.

Would like to see Bainesy in the left mid position and see how this improves him.

Keep all our talented youth together an we will go places.

I have never been so optimistic about the quality of Everton's squad as I am now.... I just hope we can start turning these games into wins and push up the table. We could win the Premier League this season if we tightened up at the back, it's totally open.

Mike (#11) – For me also he is a left back, he’s tall, can show a player the line, and can tackle. Likewise Browning is going to be competing for a CB spot in the not too distant future. What a double to have coming through the ranks!

As far as getting forward is concerned, if I have any doubts, I just recall the one-two with Naismith before he plonked a peach of a cross on his head against Chelsea.

For me, things are looking distinctly blue at the moment.

Looks like he has got a big future in front of him.

I totally agree about the need for Brendan to have somebody in front of him linking up. The crowd can see it every game. Kone started sort of leftish last game but it was not long before he drifted well right.

He’s totally fearless. I think of some of the players he played against in his first couple of games with the senior squad, seems like he’s always in the right place at the right time.

Favourite moment for me was against West Brom when Berahino pretty much had the ball in the back of the net only for Galloway to come out of nowhere with the challenge. The three points we gained that day belonged to him if you ask me.

I agree completely with Jacob (#29) about the fab five, but don’t tell the press that or they’ll have him on every front page as some other team’s main transfer target just like they do with Stones. Also agree with what’s being said about how he’d flourish with a real winger in front of him.

The system we play at the moment means Kone’s always drifting into the centre. I also recall that one-two and the assist for Naisy, I watched that game with a mate who’s an Oviedo fan who wasn’t convinced Galloway should play over him, but he was certainly convinced by the end of that match – the kid played a blinder.