Who Can Make Roberto's 28? Part I

Robles simply needs to be told never to punch the ball and to catch everything. He's so tall he's never going to be under serious pressure from anyone except Crouch, Traore and anyone of that height.

I wouldn't move Baines's position; that seems like folly to me. Garbutt should be given a loan to a serious Championship club or even a lower half Premier League club if Baines and Oviedo are expected to stay fit. I have mentioned elsewhere the possibility of Oviedo in a central midfield position, which would make Garbutt the backup left-back. This is more of a hunch than anything though.

Alcaraz is a question mark. He needs to play regularly and then I think we'll see his class. I think him and Stones could form a good partnership in the Europa League and League Cup. Duffy seems to be considered inadequate in possession. If this is the case, I can't see a future for him, despite some obvious strengths as an out-and-out defender.

I think we need a new attacking right-back, an Oviedo for that side. Obviously Seamus will remain first choice, but the '28' suggests lots of players getting game time and long term thinking even at the start of the season so plenty of rotation between different competitions. Browning is currently playing right back for England U20s and Pennington played there regularly for Tranmere, scoring a decent goal (although I haven't seen it) in the last game, so they may be options.

The less I see of Robles – in any competition – the longer my heart will hold out. He is undoubtedly the worst keeper I have seen in my 25 years as a match-goer. He simply can't catch the ball!

GK – Russell Griffiths was captain of the U-18 side and performed well. Probably needs another few years of development but worth a mention. Not sure about Robles... Pantilimon from City has been released.

RB – we are a bit thin here if Coleman gets injured. I would think Stones or even Browning might be preferred to Hibbert even though they are both better off at CB.

LB – Think Garbutt should be off on loan to the Championship until one of Baines or Oviedo gets injured.

CB - I reckon Alcaraz is better than he seemed at the end of the season. If he stays fit, he will be a decent cover option. I reckon Martinez will favour Browning over Duffy and the big lad will be off to a Championship team on loan or permanently. Also I believe Pennington is more of a right-back or certainly has been whilst on loan this season.

Malcolm, the squad limit of 25 is not absolute. I think the rule is still that you can have unlimited players under the age of 21, hence Barkley and Stones wouldn't need to be named in the 25 and could still play.

Given how much we rely on our fullbacks to contribute to our attacking play, I think it would be a mistake for him to be our second choice fullback. Pity he's not a couple of inches taller, as he might make a decent centre-half, based on his performance against Man Utd a few seasons ago.

Alcaraz is not as bad as a few of his performances have suggested. Don't forget that Jags and Distin often have dodgy moments too. We really need to see him play more often and when fully fit... but I'd probably not offer him a new contract based on his injury issues, so he's really only an option for us next season.

I would have to disagree about Lescott. I think he'd strengthen us at centre-half. Probably more suited to Martinez's style of play than Distin, and would provide genuine quality and European experience. The kind of strength and depth we could've done with this season when our defenders all got crocked.

I can't see Lescott earning big bucks anywhere; hopefully – like Barry – he's earned so much now he's more interested in regular football somewhere than getting £80k or £100k / week.

Equally, I think an approach for someone like Jamaal Lascelles, who could be our long-term partner for Stones, would work well and provide the cover we need to complement our experienced defenders.

Regarding Lescott, no chance... as I've said before, he's burned his bridges here and pissed in the ashes. And I think there are plenty of bucks and plenty of minutes waiting for him at West Ham or Villa. We can offer neither, even if we were interested. Which we aren't.

Good player, 1 year left on his contract. He wouldn't get in the side before Seamus, but fits the bill for a Roberto player.

Can you elaborate for me on what Hibbert has done to achieve the status of "Pure Toffee Legend".

I wouldn’t agree Stones is backup. In fact, I would say he is fast becoming our No 1 CB. Distin and Jagielka offer the same thing; our win rate with Stones compared to without him will see him start the season in the team and rightly so.

I would much rather see a Martins Indi in as CB than Lescott as he would pair together with Stones for years.

At left back, either Baines pushed into central midfield, or Oviedo onto the wing, should create opportunities for Garbutt. Right back you've got Hibbert as a backup and youngsters McLaughlin and Kenny also Browning, Stones and Pennington have knowledge of the position.

Centre-back there are three (Jagielka, Distin and Alcaraz) experienced options and four (Duffy, Stones, Browning and Pennington) youngsters with some experience. Howard is still number 1; Robles is an adequate backup in my opinion and Taudul needs to be ready but is ultimately unlikely to be used.

We are very strong at left back with three very reliable players. I do hope we see Oviedo playing next season, maybe in front of Baines? I also think we might see Hibbo feature in some Europa League games. I don't think he would have got a contract if Martinez didn't think he could do a job!

I really hope we can keep hold of Stones, although I fear the worst here. For me, he is the future of this club and I will be gutted if he goes! But now Chelsea have sold Luiz, I think they might be flexing their muscles after the World Cup!

He's shown this season he has the potential to be a top player. Next season he'll get a lot more game time and next year or the year after is when I'd expect the serious bidding to start.

I hope he ends up staying, though. One of the things I like about him the most is that confidence – bordering on arrogance – that all top players have. The Pirlo penalty was just absolute quality when you think about where he was at in his career last pre-season.

I can see him being our captain in a few seasons if he is still with us and probably England's first choice centre back for the Euros in 2 years.

Distin was as good as ever this season, and I think there is a least another year in him, no problem.

A lot depends on who Roberto buys or loans next season, but overall I'm satisfied with the defensive side of the squad. It's in the midfield and upfront that we need some strengthening.

From his very first game in the States, he looked a liability. In one of his thankfully few first team games, the ball went straight through his hands for a goal and in all the others his non-handling skills clearly gave his defenders the eebie-jeebies!

One of Roberto's blind spots, I'm afraid... and there's none so blind...

Robles certainly needs to catch the ball more rather than punch, and perhaps improve on his communication. I actually think the main thing he needs is game time. I'd not be surprised to see an experienced backup for Howard come in to allow Robles to go out on loan.

I was sad to see us not go for Schmeichel at Leicester. He looked quality whenever I saw him, exactly like his dad.

Robles's first reaction to crosses is to go up with fists (isn't this one of two criticisms of Howard?).

Pantilimon, or Fabianski (gone to Swansea now) could surely have been offered opportunities with us? After all, we have 4 trophies to pursue this season and given Roberto's preference for "resting" first choice players in the cups (and I'll guess the early stages of the Europa), our No 2 'keeper won't be a benchwarmer next season but a true squad player.

I agree with many on TW that TH has had a great season (possibly his best) for us and does seem to have improved under Bergara.

We'll have to wait and see how he turns out in the future.

One of the best performances from a goalkeeper at any level in the recent final game against Man City. Going all the way, this lad.

In my opinion it should be that Robles should play 10 to 15 games next season across all 4 competitions we are involved in. Robles should play in the easier league games as well as the easier cup games with Howard always named for the big games (such as Arsenal away in the cup last year where Robles really struggled).

If we were on the lookout for a keeper to challenge Howard (and I suspect we are not) I would look at Fraser Forster at Celtic. Great presence and I am sure a move to the premier league is not far away.

It's pleasing to hear we have a promising youngster on the horizon; I haven't seen anything of Russell Griffiths yet but look forward to watching his development. Goalkeepers are extremely difficult to judge as youngsters with many who look like potential world beaters as teenagers disappearing without a trace.

We need a central defender. I think we have enough cover elsewhere for now. Robles is currently a concern... but, as stated above, coaching can assist his catching.

Hibbo is nearing the end. A great servant to the club and a top Evertonian.

Gibson on the other hand, is not anyway near as mobile as McCarthy (who is?) but he sits deep and has an excellent range of passing....would be a perfect partner for McCarthy if he could by some miracle could stay fit for most of the season. The two of them have very different attributes.

With all the extra games next season, two more central midfielders are imperative. Hopefully Barry will be one of them.

This Transfer Window is of massive importance...we've lost 3 big players in Lukaku, Barry and Deulofeu...and with all the extra games, RM will have to work some magic on limited funds