FOR EIGHT years Tim Cahill has been a prolific mainstay of David Moyes’ attacking formations for Everton.

Whether as a conventional midfielder, or more frequently a withdrawn striker in a 4-5-1 formation, the Australian international has been one of the first names on the team-sheet.

Cahill’s combative, all-action, goal-grabbing style was worth persevering with, regardless of his perceived limitations in other areas.

However last season that pneumatic approach, coupled with long flights to play for the Socceroos and subsequent injuries, appeared to have taken their toll on a player who turns 33 in December.

Indeed a Premier League performer renowned for his ability to score vital goals went the entirety of 2011 without hitting the back of the net, and only managed three strikes in 41 appearances.

Even the once unthinkable started to occur – a match-fit Cahill was, on occasion, left out of Moyes’ starting XI.

It may have surprised some observers, but Moyes’ decision to allow Cahill to leave for New York last week smacks of the Scot’s usual pragmatism.

But how will the Blues adjust tactically to life without Cahill?

Goodison hero Kevin Ratcliffe predicts it a transitional phase as Moyes’ men learn to plug the gaps left by the Aussie’s absence.

FORMATION

“People have said that Everton’s traditional 4-5-1, or 4-4-1-1 set-up has been based around Cahill, because he’s been such an effective player over the seasons,” says the member of Howard Kendall’s Eighties golden generation.

“He was always better in a role between the midfield and the attack, joining in behind a striker and arriving late into the penalty area when he’d score most of his trademark headers.

“He did play as an out-and-out striker on his own from time to time when Everton were bereft of options, but as much as he gave 110% in the role, it was never ideally suited to him.

“I’m not sure we will see a big change in formation. I think Moyes will stick to 4-5-1 but just having different personnel behind the striker will maybe alter the way they play.”

PERSONNEL

“It’s a big opportunity for Steven Naismith to seize the bull by the horns and establish himself quickly in the team,” says Ratcliffe, of the Scotland forward who joined the Blues from the Rangers Newco at the start of July.

“Obviously Naismith already knows Nikica Jelavic and the pair of them have a good rapport from their days at Ibrox.

“If you speak to people who watched them play together in Scotland, they’ll tell you that they complemented each other.

“But Naismith is a different style of player to Tim. He won't arrive late and score you loads of headers and he perhaps won't be a threat from set-pieces as much.

“Saying that, he has a lot to his own game and his movement and intelligence are highly rated so he might enable the Blues to move the ball quicker.”

Ratcliffe believes Cahill’s departure could also offer opportunities to some of Everton’s younger players.

“We’ve seen that Marouane Fellaini is very good playing behind the striker,” he says. “He did a great job there when Everton drew with Manchester United at Old Trafford last season.

“Then there’s Ross Barkley who could revel in a free role behind a striker one day.

“But you’ve got Victor Anichebe as well. Let’s face it, if Everton play with one up front next season it’s going to be Jelavic. The impact he had since arriving in January was phenomenal, so it'd be hard for Victor to be the most advanced attacker, but he’s shown versatility and has physical presence too. At the age of 24 he needs to get into the team, he’s said it himself.

“He’ll be aiming to play more regularly and building on his goal return. He got a few important ones last season but he needs to score more throughout the course of an entire campaign and maybe he’ll be ready to step-up now.”

DEFENDING

“It’s important not to under-estimate what Cahill contributed defensively,” says Rats. “They’ll miss the defensive work he did in his own penalty area, he was always clearing the ball from corners and free-kicks.

“Changes happen in football though and you have got to get on with it. When you've got a manager as well organised and prepared as David Moyes he’ll address all of these areas. There’s no reason why Fellaini can’t take over from Tim here and help mop up with his height when the opposition, for example Stoke, are lumping long balls into the area and you’re having to exert a lot of energy defending away from home.”

TEAM SPIRIT

“Tim was a big character in the dressing room. He was a big part of the team spirit they have at Goodison and always brought the lads together, you can see the way he helped Jelavic settle in and was liked by the young lads and the older first team pros.

“But every team loses big personalities and sometimes it encourages others to step forward. Maybe young lads who felt in Tim’s shadow can fill his boots. The old guard has really helped Everton weather some tough times, but everything changes in football and you need to carry on.”