Kant

I can't agree with this comment at all. Our current CMs are better than him, and for a plan B RM brought Lacina Traoré and his 6'7'' body. Lukaku is quite tall as well, and I imagine that if a goal is needed and those two were fit and ready to play, we can cross with Deulofeu, McGeady, Mirallas, Baines, Coleman and pack the box with Traoré, Lukaku and Distin/Jags/Stones. I pretty much fancy the A plan, with some other options as plan B (Naismith and his clever runs playing off the main striker, for example) rather than hoofing balls forward expecting something to happen. But if it has to happen, the team has the options. I feel the team has a different way of providing what he offered. Physicality: Lukaku. Long balls: instead of using the chest of someone, use the speed of Naismith, Deulofeu, Mirallas and McGeady. My thoughts exactly.

If I'm not mistaken Thiago Alcantara used to be labeled as "the next big CM" for FC Barcelona. At some point they decided to sign Alex Song and they let him go to Bayern Munich for €25m. I'm not saying this is the same case here, but if Deulofeu sees how Barcelona keep signing big names to add to their already crowded forward line (Neymar - Messi - Alexis - Pedro - Tello - Cesc), he might decide to move to secure first team football. If that were to happen, and Everton is among his options -the same way Lukaku considers a potential move to the club now- I'd be happy.

We can criticise every player in the world, McCarthy is not an exception, but he's by far the signing of the season. Funny to see how overlooked he was in Wigan by the media (he didn't come cheap anyway).

Rumorama in FC Barcelona camp says they have reached a deal with Klopp AND Reus for the next season if the FIFA postpones the ban. They'd pay €40 million for Reus, that means Deulofeu would be surplus to requirements. I watched Messi when he was 17 and he was starting for Barcelona, and he was doing the exact things Deulofeu does now. The only difference they have is that Deulofeu needs to learn to dribble to BOTH sides, left and right, instead of becoming a one-trick pony that always goes right. I agree with you guys that he needs to learn as well when to pass and when to shoot, but that comes with time and understanding of the game. At this stage, the lad is feeling confident, powerful and just wants to impress and make his mark.

To be honest, the lad can run for fun, but his tactical awareness and control of the tempo of the game at his age are incredible. I feel he will be one of the best in the CM position within the next couple of years.

The team suffers away but has been quite solid at Goodison, and Mirallas and McGeady will be rested (I think they'll start, Barkley too). I'm confident for the next game, not so much about the game against United.

Well, one of those 0-1 wins away. Barry was quite tired, let's not forget it's the same four defenders and two defensive midfielders out there. They were quite thick today, only McCarthy looked like himself (covering every inch of ground). Lukaku was tired, Osman was ineffective and Naismith was, well, Naismith. If he had managed to score on his two great chances (the one he created for himself with the clever backheel control and awfully shot, or the one in which he lobbed the keeper but didn't hit the target) it would have been an easy game. Deulofeu may had a poor game but he keeps on trying and due to his persistance (definately not due to his quality) it's 0-1. All in all, I fear for the squad. The team is one injury away of one key player (back six, FB and CM once Jags is back) from a massive drop in performances, but with Gibson, Koné, Traoré, Oviedo and Jagielka I hope the injury quota is more than covered.

Same tactics, but different set up. I bet today we see Osman on the left, Naismith as a second striker with freedom of movement and Deulofeu causing havoc from both flanks, switching with Osman. For the second half, I expect McGeady, Barkley and Mirallas in. Top priority for today: keep the ball and keep them under control, tire them and by the last '30 go all in to score. It's so good to have many quality players ready to step in and change the game. Let's hope they get it done today.

As a personal opinion, for me there are five greatest players (widely recognised): Maradona, Pelé, Di Stefano, Cruyff, Zidane. Soon to be joined by Messi. Definition: Once in a decade. Then, world class. Definition: The best players of the decade, you can argue with your mates if he would be in the starting XI or not, but you would not be regarded as a fool. Example (last 15 years): Casillas, Buffon, Neuer, Schmeichel, Sergio Ramos, Thiago Silva, Nesta, Puyol, Ferdinand, Lahm, Roberto Carlos, Maicon, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Zidane, Fabregas, Vieira, Scholes, Roy Keane, Yaya Touré, Ribery, Ronaldo, Messi, Ibrahimovic, Rooney, Giggs, Totti, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Henry, Raúl, Aguero, Van Persie, Suarez, etc. All those players are known worldwide by most football fans, they perform at the highest level every year and they do well for both club and country. Even though most of the above mentioned players do not play in the Premier League, you know all of them, and if your country or club has to face them in a tie you'd be worried about them. Some of them are now old (past it) or retired, but my idea was to explain the concept, not to make a list of the current world class players. For example, let's pick one guy of the list: Sergio Ramos. He has never played in England but you all know who he is, he's won lots of trophies (almost everything: World Cup, Eurocups, La Liga, etc.), he's the club captain and he's been doing that for the last 10 years, for both Spain and Real Madrid. Another one: Henry. Same situation. Another one: Lahm. I know that players who fail to deliver for their country are usually frustrating for their own fans, but as long as they are in the starting XI that is what I consider enough...since there are only 4/5 major tournaments in the 10 year bracket and it largely depends on the rest of the squad. Maybe Messi or Ronaldo do not win a single trophy with their country, but nobody really cares except the national fans.

In games like this I feel RM will use Deulofeu, since Sunderland will probably want to defend deep and it will be tough to score on them. Any win should be good enough, I'd say 0-1 Naismith.

Taking a look at the squad and planning for the next season, the CL will be just 6 extra games but that extra games will generate much more fatigue on the legs of the players. Furthermore, any English team should aspire to qualify to the next round (barring bad luck in the draw). The extra 20 million, if the CL spot is finally achieved, should provide funds for at least three players in: one defender, one midfielder and one attacker. What RM will see at the moment will be something like: GK: Howard, Joel (covered) FB: Coleman, Baines, Oviedo, Hibbert (not really at the level required, but Stones can play here as well. If Hibbert moves, sign someone cheap) CB: Jagielka, Distin, Stones, Alcaraz (injury prone, if the team gets into CL, sign some youngster with potential to be the 4th choice CB) CM: McCarthy, Barkley, Gibson, Osman, Barry (will he stay?), signing. If Barry stays, try to get a younger, better version of Osman (Cleverley?). If he doesn't, try to replace him with a good tactician that feels comfortable with the ball at his feet. WF: Mirallas, McGeady, Pienaar, Deulofeu (will he stay for another season? if not, then sign someone quick, that can dribble and combine well. Naismith or Osman could do a job here if the right man is not available) CF: Naismith, Koné, new starting CF (Lukaku would be great, he's only 20 and he's proven. Bacca, from Seville, another decent albeit older and unproven candidate, etc.) Roberto usually wants his players to be able to adapt to multiple positions and systems, that's why he usually tries to find smart individuals. Naismith, Stones, Osman can play different roles and that gives him flexibility both in-game situations and in the transfer market as well. The youngsters will probably get their opportunities in cup games. I feel that Everton has become an interesting place for free agents and out-of-the-spotlight players as well (Barry, McGeady), which can generate some decent opportunities in the market too. Let's not forget that RM was able to extract goals from Rodallega and great performances from players like N'Zogbia, Di Santo and Cleverley. (But I would not trust him to find the right striker, he signed Koné TWICE and Boselli for 6million...)

The lad has potential but I still find him a bit weak, and mistake-prone. Sometimes he's brilliant with the ball and other times he's sloppy (like the ball he lost in the corner area against Arsenal). Nothing that can't be fixed with time. Time, experience and work outs in the gym, plus good coaching, and there you have an elite defender. He reminds me of Raphael Varane, the french young CB (Real Madrid). Both are fast and agile, look good with the ball, tall, and still a bit weak, they have the body of teenagers.

Quite logical when you win them all. The team seems to be clicking now and everything is in place, but still I fear that at some point points will be dropped, kinda like the game against Sunderland in December. It happpens from time to time, but if it has to happen, let it be against Man City.

RM clearly wants to win the game bringing in the subs in the 2nd half, and he's using Osman and Naismith to run and defend in the 1st half. Let's hope it works, it's far from the best XI IMO.

At some point Baines will lose some speed and acceleration, and do not forget about Bryan Oviedo. It could be interesting, just another option to the side. Lahm also plays RB nowadays, Guardiola alternates him betweem CM and RB.

Barcelona are already heavily stocked up front: Starters (Messi - Cesc - Neymar), bench Pedro, Alexis Sanchez, Tello. And Iniesta likes to play as a left forward as well. That is the reason why they said they will recall Rafinha Alcantara but they are unsure about Deulofeu. They can use one more CM, many defenders, and one keeper, but no more forwards. Tello has barely played, and Cuenca has not featured the whole year, Afellay neither. It is not the same level of talent, but you get the point. Pedro > Deulofeu. I feel he will stay one more season unless they sell someone.

Well, using what has been proven at a club level: Hart Johnson - Jagielka - Cahill - Baines Gerrard - Wilshere - Barkley Sterling- Sturridge - Rooney Reasoning behind that XI: the back four is quite decent, although nowhere near international quality. There is nothing better though, especially for RB and CB. In midfield, Gerrard playing the same holding role he plays nowadays, or Barry (depends on form and fitness), then Wilshere doing the distribution and more mobile. Barkley for the link-up play, with Sterling and Sturridge doing the same work they do for Liverpool and Rooney in the Suarez role. That team would click instantly, since those players have more or less the same role they have in their clubs, and Rooney would flourish in that position. Veredict: Out in the Quarter Finals, penalty shoot-out against a south american team.

Knowing RM from his time in Wigan, and if he sticks to his usual policy, Jagielka will start. An England international and the captain v the 3rd choice youngster, in the most important match of the season. A no-brainer. Experience and composure over fitness. Arsenal will test that defensive line and the offside calls will be important, so the defense needs to be perfectly timed and accurate.

Arsenal (Home) - Lose (they are not as bad as some say, and they match up quite well against Everton) Sunderland (away) - Win Crystal Palace (home) - Win Man Utd (home) - Draw Southampton (away) - Draw Man city (home) - Lose Hull (away) - Win Arsenal gets 4th by some margin, Everton 5th.

For those of you who do not know the lad...22 year old winger playing currently for Elche, on loan from Valencia CF. It has been widely known that Everton are tracking the lad and they have sent scouts recently. Valencia are, at the moment, trying to improve his contract. Current release clause: 8 million €. For the record, I don't rate him at all, I don't think he's good enough, but I thought that you might wanted to know about the rumour.

To a lesser extent, the 4-2-3-1 is a very "Spanish" formula, two deep lying midfielders who offer extra protection and allow the front four to roam forward. I know you will not like the reference, but see Liverpool under Benitez. Mascherano and Alonso played the same role, allowing the rest of the team to evolve around them. With this system, you'll need two intelligent CM and one extra AMC that has the power, skill and offensive ability to play a "free role" behind the striker. I feel that is Barkley's best position, he still is figuring it out, but he will improve. Also, our fullbacks are perfectly suited for it, Baines and Coleman bomb forward often creating danger. So far I don't see reasons to change and there are not many CM that can play the role RM demands from them well. But for those games when the opposition does not want the ball and try to finish 0-0, the team can get more adventurous and play 4-1-4-1, just one CM and two AMC. I'd go then with Pienaar and Barkley.

The Everton v Arsenal game will be massive, but I still think Arsenal will finish 4th. That said, I've enjoyed the season a lot and the team already has the foundations to build upon. New strikers (2), one new CB and a new winger for the next season are required, though.I am not so confident on RM's skills on the transfer market.

Aguero is nowadays a tank, but back in the days of Atlético de Madrid he used to be extremely slim, although very quick and mobile.

Whatever RM said at HT, it worked!!! This looks like a different team, let's hope they keep it up

Awful performance by McCarthy, Barry and Barkley. It's amazing how effective Cañas, Britton and some movement from Pablo Hernandez, Dyer and Bony were. Barkley should be marking either Cañas or Britton, but they are always unmarked. Costly defensive mistake by McGeady in the goal. Still, it's a 1-1 and 45 min to go, with Deulofeu and Osman on the bench.