Everton boss David Moyes is convinced Darron Gibson has plenty of room for improvement.
He says Gibson has the potential to reach the standard achieved by his other signings from Manchester United, Tim Howard and Phil Neville.
But he admits he may have to resort to drastic measures to get the best out of him.
Moyes said: "Gibbo has done well, but I look at him and say, 'There's so much more that I need to get out of you'. Probably in the end Man United said, 'You're going to have to do more'.
"He could do with a little bit of the jockey's whip as you whip a horse now and again - to get it to go again.
"Tim Howard has been exceptional and Phil Neville has been great. Gibbo needs to become more influential and control games."