Avinalaff

It's my opinion, not a fact. I don't expect it to be the general consensus to be honest, but there are many who share it. Folk are always going to take advantage of our situation with low bids, but it doesn't mean we will accept them, nor if we did, that the price is what the player is worth. We both know he would be quite a bargain at that price, and I can't see it happening.

Arteta in the right team will open enough eyes to get a call up. He was given the nod before he was injured. I'm sure that will happen again if he can find form, especially if he plays for one of the best footballing sides in the world.

We don't have to play 4-4-2 to play 2 strikers. We just play one less midfielder in the same system and instead play a holding striker.

Stating how good he is, is opinion. I think you'll find quite a divided opinion on the subject too. I actually think that on form he's our best defender by a mile.

Happy Birthday Beardy.

Lol, if Carlsberg did threads.

Arteta has to go to Arsenal. He would put himself back on the map, and almost guarantee a call up if it went well. He is a huge player for us, but I think we've had the best out of him. I don't think our team inspire him any more, and he needs a fresh challenge. A little higher than 10m though. They have money to spend, and 2 years ago would have had to pay more than double that. He is worth 25m to Wenger, as he can knit it all together, so I think he'll fetch at least 15m with add ons.

We don't have a striker crisis at all. What we have is a manager who insists on playing one at a time, rightly or wrongly. Give Beckford a holding partner and he will score for fun.

As good as he is, the other players need to have his back.

Is Jags playing well enough to keep another International defender out? If the answer is yes, then fine, but if it is no?

Dear Dave, Is it time to put the relationship issues on the back burner, and give 'every' player at the club a fresh start? We have a lot to be cheerful about today after our team put in a better shift, and if we can get 'every' player who is in the squad fighting for a place, then it can only be good for the team. 2 obvious names play for Nigeria. We should be using these players in the squad, on a 'fight for your place' basis, and if a player puts in poor performances, they should be benched, and another player given a go. Playing them also maintains their value. Both Yakubu and Yobo's fees have come down considerably because they are out of favour and have not been played as a result. Time to wipe the slate clean. Jags is not indispensable, and for me, should be dropped after too many mistakes. The fact that Arsenal are after him should be irrelevant regarding selection. Selection should be automatic based on performance. Heitinga and Yobo are both unhappy, because you have favourites. Let players know if they play shit they're out. We have a squad. Use it. This is an opportunity to manage the team properly, and kill 2 birds with one stone. Beckford needs a partner. Give him one. What better partner than a guy who can hold the ball up well? i.e Yakubu. Saha comes on for tired legs if necessary, and plays his ass off knowing if he doesn't, he is always on the bench until he does. This will probably be his last season, so strictly speaking we should be priming Beckford up, as opposed to keeping King Louis happy. If he isn't fit enough to sprint, he isn't fit enough to play. All players values rise when they are key figures in a team. Our whole squad should be key figures. Why have them if they aren't good enough to play? We don't have the money to incubate players in the squad. Let all have their chance. You might just get lucky. If good offers come in for our players, then sell. Only players who have no replacement should be kept. We have plenty of competition for midfield, and plenty of competition for mid defence. We don't have competition for our flanks, so scour the lower leagues.

Dear Dave ............................. If we have a Dear Dave thread, to put any ideas etc in, our man might just read them one day, and we can save Everton.

Exactly. It would keep our other players on their toes. I think part of the reason Jags makes so many mistakes is because he has no competition for his place. The reason Joey was unhappy in the first place was that he lost his place after being injured, and then had to endure the Lescott partnership. For me, 2 bad games and you sit down. Only way to get players in form.

Reason enough for what? If we can't sell him, what do we do?

That has to be great news. Why sell a quality player for peanuts? Get his mind back on Everton, and let him fight for his place. We might need him if Jags goes.

That sounds a bit worrying.

Would it be a good idea to give Beckford another run out ?

3-1

Anichebe - 2-1

1-1

MISTAKE BY JAGIELKA - SHEFFIELD SCORE 0-1

Just some guy changing channels so far. Can you see the game here?

http://www.evertonfc.com/match/report/1112/everton-v-sheffield-united Sign in, and then press listen buton.

http://yanj-tv-streaming.blogspot.com/2011/08/live-stream-everton-vs-sheffield-united.html Possible ?

Doesn't look good.