Martinez hopeful over Baines injury

Maybe they just don't fancy two games a week next season, when they pick up the same money for only playing one. Possible but unlikely. The heavy injury list, including those playing with knocks and strains, finally took its toll. No energy, no power, no zip, no desire, no points. The lights have suddenly been swiched off but the glow of our better performances still lingers. We are a good team and we have had a good season. We will also recover and improve.

Football is like life itself, it can seem cruel. You have to take the good with the bad, because, after you accept the bad, when the good times come along, it feels that much sweeter.

Oh the joys of being born a blue. One thing's for sure: it's going to be a interesting summer. England will no doubt disappoint then we will have the sharks sniffing around our young up and coming players. I hope to God Lukaku moves on.

Once again, I feel down.

It also suits us well to miss on that joke called Europa league. Just look at the RS and you’ll understand that, if they were involved this year in Europe, they wouldn’t have been even in the top 4, playing CL football next season.

To the contrary, if Spurs were free of Europa League this season, they could be well inside the top 4 for a CL position. If we want any chance of getting into CL position next season, we must evade the Europa League. No big money there, just fatigue and injuries.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1roqtg_demba-ba-goal-liverpool-vs-chelsea-0-1_sport

If that first touch was Lukaku yesterday... It would have gone out for a throw in !!

Why do you think that Bony will only cost £15m? You keep posting that figure and I would love to know how you come to it. I ask because they paid £12m for him a year ago, since which time he has scored plenty in the premier league. Do you think Swansea are stupid or do you have some inside knowledge?

I'd imagine the transfer fee / release clauses etc maybe well known?

The Lukaku dilemma is his age.
He could be anything ? World beater ?
What I've heard is that he's a full on pro.. Really into improving his game.

It's a gamble.. And if the opportunity is there ( Kenwright ) I think it's one worth taking.
He was toilet yesterday, and him geeing up our fans and then kicking it out of play summed the whole day up.

Swansea could / should have cashed in on Michu after a boss season.
Once bitten, twice shy ?

As for Naismith (find of the season!!!) not for me, a slightly more skillful player than Hibbo and not at all what we are looking for if we want to be top 4 next year. Yes, I know he has improved this season, but we must aim higher!

Barkley hasnt played a good game since christmas. He has his moments (goal at Newcastle) but he really went off the boil and I wonder if he is up for it mentally. Will be a make or break season for him next year.

Deulefeu, a boy playing with men, end of !

Re Lukaku – Cut the lad some slack, he's 20 years old and this is his first season playing every minute, every week. Show me a 20 year old who's the finished product and i'll show you a player we can't afford.

I wouldn't want us to be paying anywhere north of £15m for him but should we recruit him he'll undoubtedly retain a high sell-on value. For me, he's a gamble worth taking at the right price.

On one hand, winning may still give the club a shot at 4th which financially can only be great. God knows they need the money. It arguably makes the club more attractive to possible new players and maybe investors.

The other side to winning, as we all know, may help hand the title to RS which no true blue wants.

I am not sure Everton, with the players who are missing, will be up to beating City – especially after the poor outing yesterday. They did not seem clued in from the start, something that has been noticeable in a few games this season.

I was a little surprised that McGeady didn't start. Lukaku has been excellent in a lot of games this season and looked disinterested in others but he has talent and can only improve but I suspect he won't be at Goodison next season unless Everton finish 4th.

There will always be differing views – hey, it's part of the fun – but this is getting silly. These guys plus Stones are very good young players. This is as true as this stuff can ever be. Indeed, the local paper down the East Lancs does regular reports on Barkley – and they are clearly excited by what they see.

All players have weaknesses or dips and young players especially. Frustrating... yes, but I'm loving having these guys playing for us – despite the off-days.

I've been watching since 1970. Barkley and Stones in particular have the potential to be right up with the best I've seen. And they are already miles better than a lot of the shite I've endured. Given that, I'm enjoying them while I can. I hope those calling them don't bleat when they're thrilling Mancs or Cockneys.

Sure, some more additions are needed and that can only consolidate the great nucleus we have now. RM has some homework to do in the close season regarding comings and goings but I sincerely believe we are headed in the right direction.

Everton boss Roberto Martinez admits he will have to strengthen his squad if they are to challenge in Europe and in the Premier League next season. Martinez's men are on the brink of European qualification, though it remains to be seen if they will be playing in the Champions League or Europa League next season.

The manager accepts that with several key men set to leave - Romelu Lukaku, Gerard Deulofeu, Gareth Barry and Lacina Traore were all loaned to Goodison Park this season - he intends to have a busy summer.

"It's not about improving - it's about increasing," Martinez said. "When you're playing in Europe you need to have another six or seven and that's the reality and we will do that - it's not an issue. "Every summer is busy. We signed 10 players in the previous two windows and that's what you expect from window to window. "I never worry about losing players. It's the opposite - I get excited about bringing new players in. You need fresh blood. "We've got incredible senior players at this club. You've got Tim Howard, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines, Leon Osman, James McCarthy - those players hold the dressing room together. "(But) we need fresh talent. Fresh additions help the team."

Martinez expects these loan players to move on, so, is going to have a busy summer replacing them with others, plus others as well - I suspect.

Not their faults I hear you say. Some young players really welcome the pressure and play their best under it. Some buckle at the knees and let it get to them. Didn't show much on Rooney as a young player or for that matter Sterling this season?

I like you hope these players show I was wrong and do the biz in the future, have more fairh in Barkley than the other two though!

While he's being mentioned on here I'll throw my opinion in.

I keep hearing this word potential mentioned with his name, If this potential was so great, Jose would be having him back at Chelski like a shot.

I personally agree with Jose that he's probably 85 90% percent there already and not a great deal more to come!

I hope Roberto sees it this way also.

£25m for him, no thanks! £12-15m tops!