The Return of The School of Science

Arteta's job is to provide quick ball to the last third, Fellaini after this season will be subject to £30m bids, this lad will be the best midfielder in the league. In Beckford, I reckon Moyes has got another Cahill. So, with no major injuries at the start for a change, let's give it a right go.

I believe this system works with attacking full backs, one of which we don't have (I'll love them till the day I die... but step forward Messers Hibbert and Neville; I know people will bring Coleman's name into the frame but he has still a lot to to learn at Prem level... anyway, I digress).

The three national teams mentioned (Spain, Holland, Germany) all had strikers playing in wide positions: Villa, Kuyt (I hate the prick as well but he is seen as a forward), and Muller. I wonder wether we have the players to play this formation?

I would be more than happy to see us continue to play one or two up front (Cahill's a second striker... who are we kidding??!!) and progress as we have under the Moyesiah. Not one other team in the Prem boasts the exiting emergence of talent we have (Arsenal have been saying it for the last 5 years!!).

Stick with 4-4-1-1 and I'm confident things will happen!!! "You're in my heart, you're in my soul!" ? EFC 85

"We have the beating of all these teams." Do we? Did we?

I hate being negative towards such an uplifting article but, having lived through the "School of Science" era, I am not prepared, as yet, to dive into an ever-increasing pool of optimism on the basis of 6 months' results from last season, however much I want to.

This again shows the fluidity in our squad. Exciting times, we can really show Capello how football should be played. Return of the School of Science is right.

Back on the 3-man defence, though... even against Spain in the World Cup final, how many times did we see Johnny or Mathijsen with nothing to do, yet the midfield lacked penetration because it was loaded defensively. We know that many teams now come to Goodison looking at damage limitation (sounds better than park the bus), in which case, losing a central defender, with Jags playing deeper, and adding Johnny or Jack to midfield, who can drop back if the opposition add a forward when we take the lead, seems a viable option... although I accept not the only one.

I feel that we are one of the best teams to watch in the league (I still like the movement of Arsenal on form), and expect us this season to show the rest how much fun football can be.

One of the benefits of Donovan when he was here was that he became an outlet for us to get the ball out of our defensive third quickly and put immediate pressure on the opponent. Without that option we became more methodical and easier to defend.

I agree with Ciarán, we need speed on the flanks ? it's the one of two missing links that will make us very dangerous (the other being a consistent goalscorer).

For Mascherano ? I think not... but perhaps Neville or Heitinga can do a job there for now.

For Alonso ? we certinaly have two very capable of playing this role. Mikel Arteta and Marouane Fellaini. Note, this player does little defending despite his deep position.

For Steven Gerrard ? we have Tim Cahill. He's nothing like Gerrard, and whilst the player in this role is meant to be a magnet to attract the ball and look to make things happen. I love Cahill to bits, but he?s not good enough to do this. He?s more a player to get on the end of things.

Wingers ? Pienaar could do a job, but we need someone more of an out-and-out winger. It?s too much of an advanced role for Osman, Bily or Arteta and requires more pace than they have got. Gueye might be able to do this role and time will tell. Donavon certainly looked to have all the aspects. Maybe Anichebe would also be suited as the best players in this role are strikers-cum-widemen. Yakubu has a natural tendancy to drag wide left and maybe he?d do a job there.

Striker ? Saha is perfect for this role and Beckford looks to have the ability so far. Vaughan is another who has all the talent but I doubt we?ll ever see even 25% of what the lad could be capable of due to his many injuries and problems. Yakubu would not offer a persistent threat in such an isolated role and an advanced playmaker would struggle to combine with him as Yakubu often doesn?t know himself what he?s going to do next.

I think we could make 4-2-3-1 work. In fact I think we?ve played it ourselves most of the time last season. Each time was when Arteta was deep in central midfield and alongside Neville. Also Fellaini played the Alonso type role on many occasions with a more defensive type midfielder alongside him.

For me there was a marked change last season in formation to the year before when firstly Fellaini was dropped deeper and then when he got injured and Arteta returned he also played that role. Neither was playing as a defensive minded midfielder and both had the support of such a player.

I feel we need another pacy winger to really make this formation work. Perhaps if we signed Ben Arfa from Marseille and played him on the left (or Pienaar) and Gueye on the right.