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Just on my way back from the game, envious of those sat on their couch - lucky bastards!

If Mirallas is injured I'd like to see us get all 3 in - the system looks poor at the mo so I'd like to see the Martinez 3 at the back and get Baines and Coleman back in as an attacking force. .....................Howard........................ ........Stones......Jags.....Barry............ Coleman................................Baines .........McCarthy...Barkley...Besic....... ..................Naismith...Lukaku........... If we're going to keep playing through the centre backs at least have players comfortable on the ball there (Stones/Barry).

Everton 3 - 1 QPR Lukaku

Exactly... he's not getting in at left back but that's only because we've got arguably the best in the league, like you say for at least 2 more years. Garbutt looks a gem to me and with not much on his contact we need to get him in some way as he'll have plenty of options in the Prem alone.

He's too defensively naive but could be an attacking option to look at.

Would anyone else like to see Garbutt given a go as a winger? Vs Man City we had Hibbert and Coleman in tandem - killing off our attacking threat from the right as Tony hasn't got the legs and Coleman had no one to overlap as the winger. Garbutt looks pacy, confident on the ball, brilliant crosser and he can actually take a corner!!! I fear we're going to lose him if we don't find a way to get him more game time. I think we'll regret it in future years if we don't make him fit now to eventually be Baines' successor.

I've got a feeling we'll draw Anderlecht. Is it true we're away first as the seeded team?

Begovic would be my ideal choice but not sure we'd pay anywhere near what Stoke would ask. He's 27. Marshall is a good, solid keeper. He's 29 and an affordable replacement to Howard if/when he ends up in the MLS - old yes but not in keeping terms. Ruddy, I'd rank below both of these but not a bad option.

He was really unlucky early doors vs Palace - a goal and he went close or even a positive result with his input and things could be very different now with him (and maybe us). Fine margins have been the story of our season (mainly negative unfortunately).

It's obvious that Barry hasn't been fit over the past few games - he's been rushed back due to Gibson and now McCarthy being out. We're down to the bare bones in too many positions.

Man Citeh 2 - 1 Everton Lukaku

I think the immediate problem (which should be addressed in Jan) is balance. We need 2 new wingers to replace Pienaar and Atsu. I think Pienaar's had his day unfortunately and Osman offers as much as him now even out wide, as for Atsu, it just hasn't worked out. We need another Mirallas to start most games on the opposite flank. I think McGeady still has a lot to offer but we need better than him to start most games. We looked brilliant on the counter vs Wolfsburg with McGeady and Mirallas - I want to see them in tandem pre January and then add to it in Jan.

I don't know! It seemed a good idea until I started typing it but decided to click post thread anyway. Hands up - wank thread!

So our squad is the 'best in years' but we've had a really poor start to the season domestically. Injuries haven't helped but I personally think 3 factors have contributed alongside this... - lack of balance - some main stays need replacing - the TV revenue has made the EPL a lot more competitive and squads in generally are a lot better On the final point I would say that now (and I wouldn't necessarily have said this about previous seasons) that we could select 3 players from any squad that would improve us. I'll get the ball rolling with Southampton... Forster - he's been brilliant. Alderweirld - if our CBs are going to see as much as the ball as we do then we need another ball player back there. Tadic - we lack balance, Tadic and Mirallas would be incredible. Obviously we're not signing any of these but it's gutting that we could have got all 3 in the summer (£££!). These are the 3 areas I think we need to improve to push on. Do people agree with these areas? Any other suggestions?

It's Laura Merrin - new EFC ladies player.

Decent watch. Sunderland looked better than us but we had a lot of players playing for fitness. Ledson looks brilliant, Dowell looks a prospect. McAleny has been so unlucky with injuries - he's got quality no doubt, I'd love him to make it - maybe another loan to Brentford could help him (they're flying). Defensively, we looked dire.

Hopefully because Howard is making a lot of mistakes this season. It's an area we need to look at.

Browning has been really poor after impressing in the 1st team. Joel has been very good.

Spurs 2 - 2 Everton Coleman

Rom for his 2 key moments and also improving link-up (Eto'o esq at times!) I enjoyed Besic's performance tonight along with those already mentioned in the thread.

I think he was there to deal with ariel balls today and he did a decent job. Against a less 'direct' team I'd like to think Garbutt would have got the nod as Hibbo's limitations going forward are restricting. That shot though!!!

Everton 1 - 0 West Ham Lukaku

He came on against us at GP so it seems so.

Or people who have watched him this season and formed an opinion of how he's getting on. He looks a good signing.

I was going to say that I've been impressed with Valencia - Sakho's got most of the plaudits but Valencia looks a very good player for the Prem. Hopefully he's shite on Sat though!