A good case for strongest defence; Let Heitinga and Neill gel.

IWATCHED the Australia versus The Netherlands game with added interest given that Everton had three players on show.

Tim Cahill, now fully match fit, was quiet - probably pacing himself for the World Cup game with Oman.

The other two - Lucas Neill for Australia and Johnny Heitinga for the Dutch - played as central defenders and both performed admirably.

Neill had a slow, nervous start, to be expected in his first top grade match in over four months.

He grew in stature as the game progressed and showed the class that drew such admiring comments in the last World Cup.

Our Johnny at the other end showed strength in the air and on the ground, good positional awareness and his passing out of defence was crisp and accurate.

They have got to come into our team sooner rather than later on a permanent basis in Premier League games.

I believe we have the nucleus of the strongest defence in the competition once they have a chance to gel together.

twobob HAS the time come for a salary cap in the Premier League? Michel Platini recently sounded off about the rich clubs getting richer and how to help the clubs that don't qualify for Europe every year.

Now the head of Major League Soccer, Don Garber, has spoken of the benefits to that league of a salary cap.

Six teams have won that league since it was founded. Since the Premier League was formed in 1992 there have been only four winners.

Others involved in the Beautiful Game at a high level are beginning to speak out about a cap. How about the average fan? IslandBlueBill SALARY caps are definitely needed and the sooner the better.

Who needs more then pounds 40,000 a week? It's a sickening amount of lolly!

Football is more and more about money; the playing field should be evened out.

Football club owners should be held responsible for a club's debts before being able to shed out millions on players.

bluearestrictedview Let I WATCHED our reserve game against Manchester United last Tuesday on MUTV and our lads looked toothless up front.

We haven't scored a goal for about four hours of football. Seamus Coleman looked a capable player.

However, striker Kieran Agard looked like a weaker version of Victor Anichebe.

We don't have much strength in depth although the young American Cody Arnoux did OK.

Stdomingo57 IT'S important we pick up the three points against Wolves on Saturday given the next three matches after that are away from Goodison.

After Wolves, we've got Benfica followed by an always tricky trip to Bolton a week on Sunday before we visit Tottenham in the Carling Cup.

It's just the way the fixtures have fallen but to come through the Benfica game with at least a draw would be great and give us a good dose of confidence in time for the games with Bolton and Spurs.

CaptainBlue_Blood WHAT'S different about modern goalkeepers? Where are the Banks', Jennings', Shiltons, Clemences, Southalls and all the rest? Why have outfield players improved so much, but not goalkeepers? There must be a reason.

jezza DESPITE his size, Tim Howard doesn''t dominate the area like he should and is suspect with long range shots. He''s still not the finished article.

blooper

CAPTION(S):

CENTRE OF ATTENTION: Everton's Dutch star Johnny Heitinga (right), playing as a central defender, impressed one correspondent when he watched Holland's game against Australia