 DAVID MOYES has a number of big decisions to make this summer. But perhaps the most significant is whether he decides to chase a regular strike partner to help James Beattie flourish. I believe he has to take that decision if he is to move Everton forward. Beattie has played alongside a succession of partners this season - Duncan Ferguson, Marcus Bent, Leon Osman, James McFadden - but none have looked entirely convincing in the role. Bent has already left the club, Ferguson is likely to follow, and Osman is much more effective in a midfield role. McFadden has done alright in recent weeks, but we're still not even certain whether David Moyes sees centre-forward as his best position long-term. If Everton are going to get the best out of Beattie in the future I think they need to find a regular partner for him. And for that to happen the Blues may have to speculate to accumulate. Decent class strikers don't grow on trees - and with Everton not exactly awash with spare cash, David Moyes may have to take a gamble on an unproven striker to take Everton forward. If they don't, I fear they may stand still. Hindsight is such a wonderful thing, but watching the quality of goals Craig Bellamy scored at the weekend, you can't help but think of what might have been had his talks with the Blues last summer been more productive. I can appreciate the pull of the Welsh connection at Ewood Park, with Mark Hughes and Mark Bowen - but in every other area you look there should be no comparison between Blackburn and Everton. Although Blackburn won the championship in 1995, historically there is no comparison. In terms of crowds there's no comparison. In terms of size of club there's no comparison - but Craig still chose Blackburn and that was a big disappointment. It leaves Everton still searching for a player to complement the power and aerial ability of James Beattie. The difficulty for David Moyes is that he has other areas of his squad that he will also need to strengthen this summer. The centre-back situation worries me. |