EVERTON F.C. SKIPPER PHIL NEVILLE'S INJURY POSES HEADACHE FOR MOYES

Not only is it a blow for the club in general; losing the captain's experience and steadying influence, it means Moyes must get the answers right fast or this could drift into a mid-table campaign.

It hasn't exactly taken off yet has it? After the Wigan win the sense was that'd we kick on like the start of last season, and re-assert our top five credentials with one of those runs we go on.

But instead the skipper gave away an unfortunate free kick at Craven Cottage which let Fulham back into the game, and then when he'd been carried off in agony his teammates let Andy Johnson (who I still think we should've kept) run unchecked half the length of the pitch to cleverly and unselfishly play in Damien Duff.

This Everton side are routinely praised for their work-rate but that industry is lacking in some quarters this term. AJ's unchecked run reminded me of Cesc Fabregas being given the freedom of Goodison Park back in that opening game nightmare.

Anyway, what does Moyes do now? Does he ask Rodwell to play the Neville holding role entirely, bring Pienaar into the middle (where he flourished for S.A. in the Confederations Cup), and put Billy on the left wing?

It would be an unfamiliar formation but would at least have a balance of defensive grit and flair. Pienaar, although his tackling is dodgy, will run all day and track back while his neat little through balls to a fit Yak would mean goals all day.

About the only thing to smile about on Sunday (on the back of the depressing Arteta setback) was seeing Jazz Hands back in an Everton top on the pitch again.

I hope the Scot's answer isn't to bring John Heitinga, primarily a right back despite what the player himself thinks, into centre mid like he did on Sunday.

That smacked of Moyes' negativity, a trait he still displays when the going gets tough.

I agree with him that first and foremost premier league midfields must be solid and combative, but we could've grabbed the points with a bit more flair on Sunday.

Either way, let's hope he gets it right starting with Thursday's Europa league group opener. It should be a more exciting game then the walk-over of an allegedly hung-over Olumuc side last month (rumour is they'd been out in town the night before, and based on how their keeper played I can believe it).