Cornish Steve

So far, we're one point ahead of last season's results. Home against West Brom, we won 2-1 - while losing 2-0 away. So, to keep up the pace for a top-4 finish, this is a game Everton need to win.

Is David Moyes admitting defeat, or is this just another negotiating ploy? http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/232335.html

Ross Barkley is also in Garth Crooks' team of the week: "When I saw Barkley collect the ball and rifle a shot past Norwich's John Ruddy, I thought, 'what a great left-foot strike'. What I didn't know until Danny Murphy mentioned it on Match of the Day was that the lad is right-footed. I think Everton have a player here."

As a former Wigan fan, I'd be delighted to see McCarthy join. He was the stand-out performer for Wigan within proven ability in the Premier League - plus, at 22, he has the potential to become a really big deal in this league. Some will moan that we're going back to Wigan again, but so be it: Baines was from Wigan as well, and I don't see too many complaints there.

Personally, I'm convinced we have McCarthy and Alderweireld lined up to replace Fellaini. Should Baines go as well, then add Marrone and Moses. I'd be quite surprised if we bring in anyone else.

Quite a challenge for DM this weekend. If Chelsea win, they will be six points clear of United and have all the momentum. If United draw, the fans will see it as two points lost. It may be very very early in the season, but this game is particularly important for DM. Does he have what it takes to beat the league's top teams?

We need to get Bale on the international stage. Why can't the Celtic countries band together to field an international team rather than be split into Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and so on? The top striker from Truro City could represent Cornwall, and I'm sure some of the top players from France are really from Brittany. Seriously, though, it's a shame that Bale will never get to play in a World Cup.

Years ago, my boss's last name was Geisler. One time, when sending an SMS to a customer, predictive text changed his name to Ghastlier. Unfortunately, I didn't spot this, and the message went out anyway. Much embarrassment and amusement all round. These days, the fun comes from word recognition technology totally screwing up - converting "my sales pitch" to "my sassy bitch", for example.

No - it's 11 players. Howard and Robles start on the bench.

Just read the following: Statistics from the Premier League's opening weekend reveal that Everton completed the most passes (564), maintained the most possession (67 percent) and recorded the second highest passing accuracy (88 percent) of all teams. This shows just how quickly the team has adapted to the new style of play. Quite impressive.

It's questionable to me that so many sponsors are gambling companies. Personally, I'd impose a ban on certain companies being allowed to sponsor just so there's no hint of inappropriate influence.

The Telegraph is reporting that ManU will return with a joint bid of 35m. In effect, this is 12m for Baines and the 23m buy-out amount for Fellaini. They suggest, though, that Tom Cleverley might be in the mix. Now, 35m plus Cleverley would not be such a bad deal.

Re DM's comments about the schedule being unfair, I just noticed Villa's first week. They played Arsenal away; mid-week, they play Chelsea; next Saturday, they play Liverpool away. In comparison, ManU will have played just two games, versus Swansea and Chelsea. If anyone has the right to complain, it's Paul Lambert. Rather than whine, however, he just got on with the job.

By then, we should be at least 10 points clear of the Reds.

I get the feeling that we've done all that's needed to pull the trigger on this one should Fellaini leave. It's clear that McCarthy wants to work with RM, which is why interest from other teams went nowhere. My guess is 12m.

From the Guardian: "The offer was made late last week by United's executive vice-president Ed Woodward but sanctioned by Moyes, leaving Everton's chairman, Bill Kenwright, furious at the valuation and its potential disruption to Roberto Martínez's debut season at Goodison Park."

I would hope this is a negotiating ploy, but the number really is ridiculous. (i) Make an offer for Baines that was point-blank refused weeks ago; (ii) Make an offer for Fellaini that's far below the buy-out figure. They must be totally crazy. It's insulting and breath-takingly arrogant. From early on, I thought the pair would leave for between 40m and 45m. Now, honestly, I wouldn't budge for anything under 50m. If I was an Everton negotiator, I'd be seriously ticked off by this development.

Everton 3-0 WBA Mirallas

Either way, can we please just get this deal done? I can't believe the dithering that's gone on. Can't these top managers act decisively?

Not to be a party pooper, but let's not get carried away. He had bad matches as well as good in pre-season, and he still has a long way to go to reach his full potential.

To finish sixth this season, we need to match last season's results. Today, we improved on last season and are a point ahead, so we have the potential to move into the top five. It's easy to be disappointed about not winning, but no team will win every game. Our aim has to be to better last season's results. We've started out on the right foot. <br />

Am stuck in traffic near the queens tunnel enjoying the New York skyline on a beautiful day while following the game. Wonderful.

What's impressive to me is the caliber of our bench.

I've been quite impressed with the signings you've made this summer, but its going to take time for them to become part of the team. You'll probably be higher at the end of the season, maybe 9th or 10th, than at Christmas. Good luck this year.

There's no way we should let ManU's silly games affect our team selection for the opening game. I am so frustrated by the constant speculation. If they want the player, make an offer - but don't screw up our preparations and progress by these delays. We're a bigger club than them, and this year we'll prove it.