McAleny joins Charlton on loan

I always find it more satisfying when a home grown player makes it ahead of a bought in option. Just me, I suppose...

Could say the same about Naismith though. Conor could be very handy as a super sub, but is it fair to him to give him 5-8 games a season at his age when he could hold down a regular spot in a Championship side?

The best he's going to get with us, is game time in the Capital Cup and I get the feeling we'll be putting out our strongest side with the view of giving us the best chance of winning it.

I hope he plays well in the Championship and he gets an eventual move to a club like Charlton.

Just adding that Chris Long hasn't played in the league yet for Burnley. Sean Dyche is managing his introduction to the match day squad.

Game time is scarce. And chances need to be taken when they come. Harsh... but that is the modern game. He is not the first Everton youngster to not make the grade, and I very much doubt now that he will at Everton, but good luck at Charlton. A few goals there could work wonders.

On the subject of loans, I hope that Garbutt comes back to Everton. He is one player who I believe has a real future in the game.

But forwards need to be an instant success. That is the nature of the beast. Sorry.

I'd release him at the end of the season and let him and get first team football in the Championship because at 23, he doesn't look anywhere near making the first team especially now Leandro and Henen are above him in the pecking order.

Conor has grabbed any chance he's ever had and always impressed. If only he could have been afforded to same loyalty from Martinez that the likes of Howard, Kone, Barry and even Barkley have been. I really feel like we're letting a fine young player drift into obscurity.

I doubt he'll be up to much in the lower leagues, I don't think it suits him. Very sad, I don't know what more a young lad needs to do to get a game.

Who would you move aside to give him the chance?

I have nothing whatsoever against him, but I suspect he is unlikely to prosper at the top level. I of course hope I am wrong.

Probably the only position that suits him in our formation is behind the striker but Barkley has that nailed down with Leandro possibly the next option.

A loan is the best thing for him; if he can catch the eye with Charlton, then perhaps he can prove something to Martinez or at least find himself a fitting new home.

A shame as he looks to have genuine intelligence and ability but has suffered lots with injuries at bad times and being behind more experienced players.

He outperformed everybody in pre-season. I'm not saying he should start every game, but surely we have room for him on the bench.

Kone is doing well lately so fair play to Martinez for sticking with him. But if it were me I'd have given McAleny a go playing up there with Lukaku. Or perhaps in the Barkley role.

Wes Hoolahan isn't a bad comparison. I like him too, Sam.

Maybe he could be an Osman-type player. But he can actually shoot too!

Maybe I'm wrong, he's just always impressed when he's been given the chance.

I suppose you just have to trust the coaching staff on this one, as they see him everyday. But, like most on here, I thought Conor had first team potential, and hopefully he still does.

I suspect Browning and Pennington will be overlooked in favour of Funes Mori for the same reason. It's also why we'll not see the back of McCarthy or Barry anytime soon. He basically shoehorns players he bought into the team regardless of whether it suits the balance of the team.

Funes Mori pushes him further down the pecking order. It would be great to see him given a run at right back if Coleman is ever struggling or he needs a loan move.

What we have to remember is that, unlike preseason games, the league games churn out points, and points win prizes. Who in their right mind is going to play Browning ahead of Coleman or Stones?

Our squad has shrunk somewhat at the back and over the course of the season, Browning is going to get games. Young Pennington already did against Barnsley. If the youngsters impress, they may well get a run of games, like Galloway.

So many games to play before the season ends. I'd be amazed if Browning doesn't finish it with more appearances than he got last season.