Pienaar upset by 'unreasonable' Everton

, 21 March, 117comments  |  Jump to most recent

Steven Pienaar has expressed his frustration at the club's decision to delay discussions over a possible new contract for him until the end of the season.

The 34-year-old's current deal expires in June but with him currently unable to get into the first team despite being fit following a lengthy thigh problem, he wants to assess his future options.

Pienaar, who has played for the Blues over two spells over the last nine years, feels that Everton's refusal to talk now has left him in limbo at a time when he could be sounding out other clubs.

"I'm 100 per cent fit and felt in good form when I played some games in January," the South African told KickOff.com.

"I haven't been in the squad for the last six weeks, I don't know why, and obviously this is a concern for me but that is the coach's decision and I must respect that.

"Waiting until the end of the season to hear whether or not Everton wish to extend my contract is unreasonable, I feel. It's not the way I envisaged ending my career at a club that has been such a major part of my life.

"My representatives have tried a number of times, unsuccessfully, to get hold of the club to talk about my future and get some indication, so I remain in the dark. Obviously I need to keep my options open because I would still like to keep playing for another couple of seasons, at least."

 

Reader Comments (117)

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Craig Mills
1 Posted 21/03/2016 at 14:05:17
A very interesting interview with Pienaar in the Echo, he quoted as saying he finds it unacceptable that the club have kept him in the dark over his contract expiry even though his agents have tried on various occasions to discuss with the club, the club have failed to respond.

He continues saying he is 100% fit and has been for months but he now doesn't even get a place on the bench. For me it's a sad end for a player that was loved by most fans and demonstrates very poor management

Oscar Huglin
2 Posted 21/03/2016 at 15:29:38
Wasted talent. Love Pienaar.
Steavey Buckley
3 Posted 21/03/2016 at 15:30:17
Stephen Pienaar is the only specialised left winger at Everton FC who can cross with his left foot first time to give Lukaku an opportunity for a scoring chance. Delay any cross and Lukaku is either caught off side or crowded out by opposition defenders, which usually happens on most match days.
Oliver Molloy
4 Posted 21/03/2016 at 15:38:05
Pienaar and his people can see that Martinez is under pressure so they are trying to ramp it up even further by making noises.

Well, even though I want Martinez gone this guy has a short memory. The club backed him when he was caught D/D, when he should have been fucking sacked and banned from playing for a year or two. Absolutely no excuses for a professional footballer with the money they earn to be drinking and driving.

Decent player with us for a few years but has never been the same since we got him back from Spurs. Two sides to every story and of course Pienaar is only interested in himself and the money.

I said on another thread whoever is manager of Everton at the end of this season has a massive job on their hands – Pienaar and the likes is the reason why.

Dick Brady
5 Posted 21/03/2016 at 15:40:32
Steven Pienaar is an Everton legend in my book. During his first spell at Everton he was fantastic, offering the perfect mix of hard-work and creativity. Under Moyes the ’Bainaar’ partnership with Baines was quite possibly the best left side in the Premier League.

To be fair, his second spell at Everton has never quite hit the heights of the first but that doesn’t change the fact that Pienaar along with Arteta, Osman and Cahill were a terrific midfield force under Moyes and I would swap them in their prime for the likes of McCarthy, Barry, Lennon and Cleverley anyday.

That being said, I would not offer Pienaar a new contract. Pienaar is 34 now and well past his best. He made only a handful of appearances last season and this season he’s started just one single Premier League game.

I know some will feel his legend status demands we offer him a new contract but Everton have become a bottom-half-of-the-league side and we need to completely overhaul the squad. There is no room for passengers. We need new players in the summer and quick.

Thanks for everything Pienaar. You are a legend but I’m afraid it's time for you to bid farewell.

Mike Keating
6 Posted 21/03/2016 at 15:49:56
Had a special understanding with Baines down the left which no one else has managed to recreate but have to agree with Oliver – his time is well and truly up.

Going public on his frustration with RM (join the bloody club) has alerted anyone interested that he is likely to be available and I’m sure his agent, who probably is the real source of the story, will get a few phone calls... so what’s he moaning about?

Ray Roche
7 Posted 21/03/2016 at 15:50:05
Oliver, Pienaar has been a terrific player for us and is partially the reason Baines is held in such high esteem throughout football. His link up play with Leighton was a joy to watch and has been sorely missed in Pienaar’s absence. I’m not sure that I understand why you say "Pienaar and the likes is the reason why." If Pienaar is fit and had been picked, I think he would have improved our recent performances.

I would never attempt to condone drink-driving but to suggest he should have been sacked and banned from football for two years is, frankly, ridiculous. One can only assume that that would be the penalty that you would face if you, in whatever capacity your employment is, were to be over the limit. Like you, I abhor drink-driving but, unless your job requires you to drive for a living, then banning a person from whatever they do to earn a wage is draconian to say the least.

Paul Ellam
8 Posted 21/03/2016 at 15:50:10
No doubt in my mind that, if fit, he should be on that left wing.

A new contract should not be given to him though, we should be looking for younger and better this summer.

John Louis Jones
9 Posted 21/03/2016 at 15:51:09
As soon as Martinez came in he did away with Bainaar.

It was like it was not his baby so it is not happening. We could really do with Pienaar down the left at the moment. Instead of playing with 4 central midfielders and right winger.

If Stevie is a 100% fit, why the hell is he not playing down the left?

Mike Gaynes
10 Posted 21/03/2016 at 15:53:54
Tough situation. He lost his position through a nightmarish succession of injuries, which isn’t his fault... but it’s not the club’s fault either.

There is nothing "unreasonable" about the club waiting until after the season to discuss the future of an aging player who hasn’t been able to stay healthy for the past three years. It would be nice of the club, however, to loan him out to the Championship to give him one last chance to resurrect his career.

Personally, I doubt it will happen – 34 is ancient for a midfielder who depends on his quickness. If he does have "another couple of seasons" in him, it will likely be either back in Holland or perhaps even the South African PSL.

Paul Kossoff
11 Posted 21/03/2016 at 15:56:17
Pienaar has a damn cheek deridng Everton over a new deal. Let’s face it, if it were your money would you give him another contract?

If Everton are stupid enough to keep him on I bet he won’t play more than ten full games next season.

Ship him out with all the other dead wood and not let sentimentality rule here.
Dave Abrahams
12 Posted 21/03/2016 at 15:56:45
Surely we could be using him, even as a sub, he might be slower but his football brain is still sharp and he could be an asset in the remaining games.
Mike Gaynes
13 Posted 21/03/2016 at 15:57:17
John Louis Jones, that's simply not true. Bainaar wasn't "done away with" by Martinez. Bainaar was done away with by Pienaar's inability to stay healthy. He's never been fit for more than a few games since Roberto came in.
Peter Roberts
14 Posted 21/03/2016 at 16:09:20
I want Martinez gone but this smacks of the whole Eto'o mutiny with Mirallas and Pienaar.

Pienaar hasn’t been in contention for a long time – as much as I thought he was a great player, he has been stealing a living since he came back. Point-scoring going on and the vultures are circling – I expect Distin to come out with shots next.

Back to Martinez, it appears that he is using his position as a means to exact retribution.

Michael Williams
15 Posted 21/03/2016 at 16:11:29
I feel for Pienaar but he's pretty much been told he's not being offered a contract by him not being offered a contract. It would be pretty hard to outright tell 4-5 players they are not coming back with so much time left in the season. I don't remember reading about other clubs telling players they aren't coming back this year. It will happen officially soon enough and he'll have enough time to find a place fitting for his talents.

I would have liked to have seen him during his first run with the team. Since he's been on a massive string of injuries since 2010 I have not seen much of him and I did not see him at his best. I wish him good health and hope he finds football joy during the last few years of his career.

Shane Corcoran
16 Posted 21/03/2016 at 16:12:47
I guess I missed the meeting when the 'Bainaar' term was coined.

I think it’s fair enough to want to know whether you’ll be staying or going three months before the time comes though.

Alan Thompson
17 Posted 21/03/2016 at 16:16:50
I thought that if your contract was expiring at the end of the season you were allowed to come to an arrangement in January, a pre-contract or whatever, with another club. Is he merely stating that he would prefer to stay at Everton which is understandable if you had to uproot your family.
Scott Goin
18 Posted 21/03/2016 at 16:20:12
I think Everton should probably shoot straight with Pienaar and tell him the truth. That being said, a 34-year-old fading winger with increasing injury issues was clearly never going to be a priority for Everton to re-sign. I don’t see any reason to bring him back next season.

None of us really knows what Pienaar is looking like on the training pitch right now. We don’t know if he’s anywhere near his former abilities. The injuries may have cost him mobility and speed. I don’t think any of us can say for a fact that playing him on the left would improve the current squad.

John Louis Jones
19 Posted 21/03/2016 at 16:24:51
Mike I didn’t think he was fit now.... You never know what is going on under Martinez, Distin was bombed the same way, We all thought he was unfit when he was OK. He has done it with a few players at Everton.

Mirallas has gone from one the best players at the club to who would buy him now?

All I was saying for the last 2 seasons we have played with 4 central midfielders and a right winger and Lukaku up top or Kone on the left wing who is a striker. We have had Mirallas and Pienaar nowhere near the team. It makes no sense.

John Daley
20 Posted 21/03/2016 at 16:37:29
"As soon as Martinez came in he did away with Bainaar. It was like it was not his baby so it is not happening."

Not exactly true. Pienaar has been unavailable for selection due to injury for large swathes of the last few seasons. Since making his loan move from Spurs permanent he has offered very little to the squad. I’m not saying it’s his fault... age and injury take their toll... but there’s no way the curtailing of his Everton career should be viewed as further evidence of the current manager being a bit of a shitehawk.

Now, I’ve always thought Pienaar was a very clever little player with exceptional movement but no way would I ever agree with anyone trying to offer him up as "a legend". He doesn’t merit it on achievement and nor can the ’tremendous loyalty’ card be played either. Let’s face it; first sniff of Champions League action and he was off like a shot, only to come up short and crawl back with his tail tucked between his legs.

Nor would I lament the absence of any ’crossing ability’. He never really had any. He couldn’t get it off the ground half the time.

As for the clubs stance in not wanting to discuss his contract situation until the summer? Could it not be that they’re simply waiting to see if he can actually stay fit for more than a couple of weeks before making a decision whether to keep or cast off?

Minik Hansen
21 Posted 21/03/2016 at 16:37:45
Important team player, still will cut it when he gets any chance this season. Important for the squad in training also, though his complaining won’t help or the club's lack of communication with him.
Adam Wareing
22 Posted 21/03/2016 at 16:40:58
This is pretty straightforward to me. The only way anyone around Pienaar’s age should even be considered for a new deal is if they are essential to the team (ie, Barry). Stevie’s not getting in right now and he’s not going to get any better, so it’s adios.

Besides, the club are likely to bring in a quality acquisition for the left side in the summer anyway, probably Yarmolenko, so it would be pointless even for squad numbers.

Anyway, with less than six months to go, Pienaar’s agent should be listening to offers regardless of Everton’s position. Isn’t that his job? Very strange.

Brent Stephens
23 Posted 21/03/2016 at 16:45:59
Maybe the club want the new manager to make the decision about Pienaar's contract.
Paul Olsen
24 Posted 21/03/2016 at 16:48:08
Pienaar is on his way to China. There is no way his contract will be renewed.

Unless he has something on the money men at the club, like Hibbo seems to have...

Denis Richardson
25 Posted 21/03/2016 at 16:50:19
Sorry but, even though I want Martinez gone, I really don’t see what the club have done wrong here.

He’s 34, been injured loads and is on £60k a week. Also with a likely change of manager in the not too distant future surely he can’t be surprised at the club saying they’ll decide in the summer. He can by all means look for another club in the mean time.

On the playing front, if he’s been fit for the last 6 weeks, why are we still playing CMs on the flipping left wing? Another senior player ostracized by RM for speaking out?

Either way this outburst certainly is not going to get him a new contract. Imo, his best days are long gone and we should let the new manager decide who he wants to bring in in the summer.

Kieran Kinsella
26 Posted 21/03/2016 at 16:54:47
It’s unreasonable to give him false hope. Obviously they want him gone so tell him that. Don’t leave him hanging with a "maybe"... While we may disagree, he may think he has a future given how RM talked him up so much after his return from injury.

We should do him the service of saying "thanks but this is the end of the road." Leaving him in limbo is a poor way to treat him. Tim Howard has had his future agreed long before his contract expires. RM doesn’t treat people well. Look at Distin.

Oliver Molloy
27 Posted 21/03/2016 at 17:08:37
Ray @ 6...

So Pienaar and the likes couldn’t employ a someone to drive if he was going out on the bevy.

As I said, no excuses whatsoever. The money these guys earn they could employ an army of drivers at their beck and call.

What I mean by saying "and the likes" is that there is a lot of has-beens / deadwood / not-good-enoughs in the squad that need to be replaced – Pienaar being one, in my opinion.

Certainly not a legend in my books, but I appreciate it’s all about opinions.

Barry Pearce
28 Posted 21/03/2016 at 17:31:37
I think Pienaar is a fantastic player and, when fit, should be playing on the left, for natural balance. Martinez loves Cleverley so will accommodate him no matter what.

I agree that a new contract, given his age shouldn’t happen.

Stephen Ashton
29 Posted 21/03/2016 at 17:42:32
Love the guy to bits as a footballer – but when did he ever show any loyalty to Everton?

What this really means is: "I am a 34-year-old, injury-prone, left-sided midfielder who wants a last pay day... anyone in the US or China want to take a chance???"

Not the way forward for us though.

Paul Tran
30 Posted 21/03/2016 at 17:55:40
He was a very good player; hasn’t been for a while. He has no negotiation strength whatsoever. Martinez and the club would get deserved pelters if they considered offering him another contract.
Barry Jones
31 Posted 21/03/2016 at 17:56:03
Yes, he has been injured most of the time since coming back... and yes, he is probably past his sell by date. However, a fit Pienaar still offers something, in my opinion.

He has energy and guile, both of which we have been lacking. Also, he is a crowd favourite and that could be important at the moment. Cleverly obviously doesn’t have a great track record of handling criticism well. It may be worth a re-shuffle for the last few games.

Ray Roche
32 Posted 21/03/2016 at 18:14:31
Oliver, I agree that Pienaar does not justify the overused "Legend" tag, indeed, I don’t think any of the present squad do, my opinion was that Pienaar has been an excellent player for us, nothing more, and would do a job now if he’s fit.

Likewise, there is a forest of deadwood that requires pruning, Pienaar amongst them, but he warrants a degree of thanks for helping make Baines the best left back I’ve seen since Wilson.

Although all Premier League players could afford a driver (you only need recall the Defoe’s advert for a PA... laughable!) I doubt if any employ one out of choice...

As you say, all about opinions.

Ian Jones
33 Posted 21/03/2016 at 18:24:35
I Googled to see how much we sold him to Tottenham as I remembered that transfer wasn’t plane sailing.

There was a report in the Independent at the time which says that Everton were put in a difficult position with about 5 months to go before the end of Pienaar’s contract. According to the report he hadn’t given any assurances that he would stay beyond the end of his contract meaning he could potentially have gone on a free transfer. Everton, it seems, decided to get some money in.

Interesting when the situation is in reverse.

For me, he represents the past, and at his age, we need to build for the future.

Not sure if I could square that comment with keeping Gareth Barry!

Jeff Armstrong
34 Posted 21/03/2016 at 18:26:43
Decent player on his day... those days were 4 years ago. He's not done a thing for 2 years... get rid, move on. He could never weight a pass – even at his peak!
Gordon Crawford
35 Posted 21/03/2016 at 18:40:55
Decent player on his day. He had a great understanding with Baines. Our best left-sided option by a mile.

Still I wouldn’t keep him. Let him go with about 7 others to be honest.

Jimmy Sørheim
36 Posted 21/03/2016 at 18:43:23
This is a HUGE sign of a manager who is totally lost on how to rotate and keep fresh his entire squad. The way he has locked out Mirallas is a piss poor use of a top resource, and now you can add Pienaar to that list.

My point is Martinez has no clue about who performs the best in tandem. He has not even tried to play Mirallas upfront with Lukaku at home games.

Regarding his contract, I agree that we should wait until the summer, if Pienaar can build up some fitness then he would be a very good asset to have. That depends on a strict training regime, and pre-season which I know has gone out the window since Moyes left. I refer to Osman and his comments in his book.

Colin Glassar
37 Posted 21/03/2016 at 18:50:41
One of my favourite Everton players of recent years unfortunately age and injuries have caught up with him so it's probably time to move on.

What I don't understand is that Martinez was always so effusive about him, whilst injured, but now he's fit he seems to have frozen him out. Strange

Gordon Crawford
38 Posted 21/03/2016 at 18:59:29
Colin mate, Roberto is strange. I don't understand him.
Colin Glassar
39 Posted 21/03/2016 at 19:02:44
Seems like he has a black list Gordon, and he uses it!
Oliver Molloy
40 Posted 21/03/2016 at 19:09:27
Colin,

Have you ever heard Martinez say anything negative about any of our players? Was he even really negative today with his warning to the players?

I think it’s the Everton way – talk up the squad just in case we want to sell! I can’t think of any other reasonable explanation other than that to be honest.

Brin Williams
41 Posted 21/03/2016 at 19:13:41
’Everton’s refusal to talk now has left him in limbo at a time when he could be sounding out other clubs.’

Limbo my arse – he’s had the best of all Everton worlds – two bites of the toffee apple and well paid while he sits on his arse, on or off the bench .

He and a few of his past-their-sell-by-date team mates should start listing to the Work and Pensions Debate and quickly come to full realisation that he has all of a sudden entered a new ball game and the gravy in his train has dried up.

By all means, Steven, go and sound off other clubs and see how you get on – you are yesterday’s man – used to be pretty handy but get over it; the fans will in time.

Oliver Molloy
42 Posted 21/03/2016 at 19:23:29
Ray,

Gibson does now, I believe?

Peter McCann
43 Posted 21/03/2016 at 19:23:52
Great player a few years ago. Him and Baines were unplayable at times and I was made up when he came back. However, there is no way he will get a new contract – he knows it too.

Stop living in the past, you don’t have the dawn of a new era by giving 34-year-old players who have hardly played for 2 years a new contract. Let’s move on, all parties.

Trevor Peers
44 Posted 21/03/2016 at 19:25:27
Whatever his contract situation, Pienaar deserves to be treated with respect after all the years he has put into the club.

All this talk of him being frozen out isn’t good; perhaps this is just the way Roberto operates, either you're phenomenal or you're nothing. Strange way to manage a football club.

Ray Roche
45 Posted 21/03/2016 at 19:31:18
Gibson?

Oliver, I believe you’re being mischievous....

Gavin Johnson
46 Posted 21/03/2016 at 19:31:23
Pienaar is deluded if he thinks he’ll get a contract extension. He’s 34 and been injured for the most part of the last 3 seasons. What is there to discuss?!

That said, the club should tell his representatives he’ll be a free agent at the end of the season. Maybe the club are getting their own back on his agent for the way he pissed the club about when Pienaar's contract ran down before his first exit.

I don’t buy into the idea that Pienaar's been ostracised. We have a big squad now. Mirallas doesn’t even play regularly. If Pienaar was a few years younger, then this would be a big story; as it is, age and injuries have caught up with him.

I’d be surprised if a Championship club gave him more than a 12-month contract.

Tony McNulty
47 Posted 21/03/2016 at 19:37:06
If your representatives 'cannot get hold of the club' then you are not in the dark, Steven. You are getting your answer.
Les Martin
48 Posted 21/03/2016 at 19:39:13
Top player for us in his pomp but, at 34, he must surely realise what will happen.

The whole five will be allowed to leave, add this to Lukaku and Stones who I am certain will want out, and whoever is in charge has some rebuilding to do.

Interesting summer!

Colin Gee
49 Posted 21/03/2016 at 19:40:18
A great player for us, one I have enjoyed watching over the years, but his time is up.
Frank Crewe
50 Posted 21/03/2016 at 19:44:05
Why do so many players insist on making fools of themselves before they realise they're past it?

He was quick enough to bin us when he deluded himself that he would shift Bale out of the Spurs first team. Then when he woke up and smelled the coffee he couldn't come back fast enough.

It's over. No doubt he'll find out his fate along with everyone else at the club come the end of the season. Until he's still getting paid more per week than I get in a year for doing sod all so he has nothing to complain about.

Phil Sammon
51 Posted 21/03/2016 at 19:55:13
Possibly my favourite Everton player in that generation. A joy to watch at times.

Maybe the club should tell him their plans... but bloody hell, Steven... you’ve had it pretty good at this place. We’ve stuck by him and his mistakes. And he’s certainly made them! Maybe he could keep his mouth shut on this one.

Stephen Brown
52 Posted 21/03/2016 at 20:01:16
100% agree Phil (#50). He’s hardly kicked a ball for years whilst picking up £50k a week! Badly advised here Steven!

Play him in last home game along with Howard, Hibbert and Osman and give them all a big send off! We might even win as couldn’t do any worse!

John Graham
53 Posted 21/03/2016 at 20:12:24
I think he needs to call it a day. Brilliant with Baines during his first spell at the club. Then he got greedy and went to Spurs on a free. Never the same player since he has come back. On your bike mate.
Craig Mills
54 Posted 21/03/2016 at 20:15:09
Use to love him as a player but now, along with a big list of "never" to be used squad players earns millions for turning up to train 5 days a week, he along with Hibbert, Gibson, Osman, Howard, Kone (I’m aware he got a 1 year extension) McGeady should have all been told – no contract extension, go find a new club, these 6 players must be earning a combined £250k to £300k a week from our club – it’s insane to think how little they have given back in the last few years but have probably cost the club £12-15m a year!!

If I were Pinnear, I'd continue to pick up my £50/60k a week until July (another £1m for doing fuck all) and gracefully leave and make way for someone who won’t spend 90% of his tine on the treatment table

Jay Harris
55 Posted 21/03/2016 at 20:19:13
A number of wrongs here.

Pienaar was wrong to go public. He should have requested a meeting with the manager.

He is wrong to criticise a club that he left of his own accord and was welcomed back (at a cost) when he couldn't get a game for them.

He has been receiving pay while injured and getting treated and the club wee behind him over the drink driving situation.

On his side:-

He has been a great player for us and if fit would have made a better showing than Kone or Cleverley on the left flank.

He deserves to know to his face whether or not we plan to extend his contract at the end of the season.

FFS how much balls does it take to say "Look Steven you have done well for us but given your age and recent injury problems I think it is time to line somewhere else up at the end of your contract but we would like you to be on standby till the end of the season".

That is proper management and RM seems to have missed the plot yet again.

Anthony Flack
56 Posted 21/03/2016 at 20:33:24
Clucking hell is he taking there pee....

Long day the office and just got on a train to Taunton which right at this moment feels like it might as well be South Africa, based on the smelly fat twat sharing 3/4 of my seat.

Just what I needed, nice to know you and see you Steven....

Ciaran Duff
57 Posted 21/03/2016 at 20:36:05
Can’t believe some of the earlier comments about drink-driving and sitting on his arse. This has nothing to do with his past or his pay packet. The guy just wants to know his future so he can get on with his life and play football.

People sometimes forget that most footballers actually want to play football. At his age Pienaar is probably realising that he only has a couple of seasons left and wants to finish up in the best way possible.

He must like Everton otherwise he’d just move on and not care. I am guessing that he is going public due to frustration with the club or manager.

Seamus McCrudden
58 Posted 21/03/2016 at 20:40:16
Give over, the lot of you. Pienaar is finished, give it a rest. Take Martinez with you – he’s knackered too.
Peter McHugh
59 Posted 21/03/2016 at 20:50:50
Haha... he wouldn’t sign a contract with us with terms we offered a few years ago and went to Spurs and some moaning he’s been mistreated by us. Haha...

It is not unreasonable for us to say wait until end of season. I don’t understand why EFC saying this is unreasonable. He can sign a pre-contract agreement now or wait to see if he gets offered a new deal. No problems at all.

David Connor
60 Posted 21/03/2016 at 21:03:19
Tough luck, Stevie. You and several others have fleeced us for years. You dont like it. Hard shite. The modern day footballer think clubs should pander to there every whim. Try working for a living.

I think you and others have been treated very very well by EFC. Gibson, Hibbert, Gosling to name three. Man-up, you big tart. You get more in one week than what the majority that go the games get in a year. Don't like it, then fuck off.

Come to think of it, you ain't worth a new contract. You have sat on your arse for the most time you have come back. Your heart bleeds doesn't it?

Christine Foster
61 Posted 21/03/2016 at 21:21:04
There is an undeniable pattern with Martinez re: Distin, Eto'o, McGeady, Pienaar, Mirallas, Baines... ignore the fact that some were past their best – others have been good servants for the club and this man has treated them with no respect.

Just because they earn bucket loads does not mean they should be treated badly. It really smacks of petty vindictiveness. Mirallas was fit and available for last week's game but didn’t even make the bench. I doubt we will see him again.

The man cannot manage a Sunday league side...

Oliver Molloy
62 Posted 21/03/2016 at 21:22:36
Ciaran,

I think you are being a little naïve, it is all about the money as Pienaar has shown in the past. If he wants to know his future, then go and see the manager face to face. Why come out in the media and stirring it for the club that has supported through thick and thin.

I’d wager he probably already has spoken with Martinez and may have been told to wait and see – rightly so in my opinion.

And why wouldn’t he like Everton when he’s getting paid whatever it is per week. The player's best days are behind him and, no matter what way you look at it, he let the club and himself down with his drunk-driving.

James Stewart
63 Posted 21/03/2016 at 21:26:39
A great player for us so it’s sad that it ends like this, Martinez did the same with Distin until Kenwright intervened and he eventually got his send off. I expect Pienaar will get the same.
Ian Bennett
64 Posted 21/03/2016 at 21:52:37
Oviedo is signed, and I can see Osman getting a new deal.

That leaves the exit door for Howard, Hibbert, Gibson, McGeady, Pienaar, Mirallas, plus question marks over Lukaku and Stones.

Hopefully that means some good quality replacements. Left wing, keeper, dominant centre-half, and a new Gareth Barry, plus whatever happens to Stones and Lukaku.

That negative crab in the Number 16 shirt doesn’t have what it takes either. I thought / wish he would, but he seems to be going backwards.

Tom Bowers
65 Posted 21/03/2016 at 21:52:53
It’s obvious there will be a lot of changes at the end of the season. The new ’’money’’ man will no doubt have already laid some groundwork and obviously it will include moving some personnel out to accommodate potential new arrivals Sadly the older players like Pienaar will be the first on the chopping block.

Most players over 30 may only be offered a one-year contract and it may be on considerably less money than they have had before especially if they have been consistently injured. Pienaar could well have made a contribution this season except for his injuries but at 34 I think his time has come.

Whilst I would like to say that other players have not been able to get in the side due to the form of the so-called starting eleven plus 1 or 2 others, that has not been the case! Very few players have been strong week-in, week-out but RM has made few changes.

The cup run has somewhat clouded judgement and the eight home Premier League defeats is a true reflection of the team's performances and RM’s strategies. Most of us are now in agreement that no matter what, RM should be moved out at the season’s end as he is clearly out of touch with reality.

Kevin Johnson
66 Posted 21/03/2016 at 22:11:47
A good player in his day? But like most of the deadwood at the club. Pack him up and ship him out. He will be one of many to go this summer.
Ivan Varghese
67 Posted 21/03/2016 at 22:49:19
I would love to see Pienaar - Baines almost psychic link up to get behind defenses and feed Lukaku. I think that RM should include them in the next 8, after all what have Everton got to loose? Possibly facing a relegation fight if Everton loose the next four.
Martin Nicholls
68 Posted 21/03/2016 at 22:55:11
Pienaar has been a very good player for us, particularly in his first spell; however, he is a professional playing in a professional league.

When allowing his contract to run down so as to sign for Tottenham on the cheap, he did so as it was in his best interests. The Club is now acting in it’s own best interests so I cannot see he has any cause to complain.

As has been pointed out above, he could (and no doubt would if a suitable offer had been made to him) have signed a pre-contract agreement with another club. Maybe EFC are waiting to see what offers he receives – if none, then they negotiate on their own terms.

We have in the past been highly critical of our Club for being over-generous in extending contracts of players who are past their best resulting in the "deadwood" that we all then complain about. It appears that lessons may have been learned.

Anthony Dwyer
69 Posted 21/03/2016 at 23:11:53
Everton would be mad to give a new deal to Pienaar, Osman, Hibo, Gibson or McGeady.

They sponge around £12m a year in wages without offering anything in return.

Sponge may sound a harsh word, but it's the one that pops into mind. The above 5 players need replacing, not renewing.

We have Browning for Hibo, Besic or and Ledson for Gibo (easily replace his 6 matches per season), Osman and Pienaar need one able replacement buying, McGeady had already been replaced by Lennon.

Add Kone to the out list, already replaced by Niasse and we have enough numbers to play a league season. We need to move one or two around and add some quality to the squad.

Adding quality to the squad is important to push on, signing Pienaar up on another deal is suicide.

Chris Owens
70 Posted 21/03/2016 at 23:14:33
If his contract expires in June, what's stopping Pienaar sounding out other clubs now?
Ian Riley
71 Posted 21/03/2016 at 23:34:28
I think Steven should be thankful. A 4- or 5-year contract at 29 years old. Only at Everton. I actually forgot we had him.

Sorry, good player but time to move on. If we offer him a new contract, then this shows we have money to burn. Go gracefully!!

Martin Faulkner
72 Posted 22/03/2016 at 00:09:46
If he’s in the dark over his future, maybe he should ask God, he’s always talking to him anyway...
Anthony Dwyer
74 Posted 22/03/2016 at 00:23:21
Oh no you didn’t, Martin!
Dave Abrahams
75 Posted 22/03/2016 at 00:44:36
Christine (#60) – you are usually on the ball; Mirallas was suspended for the Chelsea and Arsenal games.
Peter Bell
76 Posted 22/03/2016 at 00:51:38
Dave,

Christine is right in the sense Mirallas sending off was a one game suspension, but he got an extra game as it was his second red of the season.

Dave Abrahams
77 Posted 22/03/2016 at 00:56:17
Peter,

That’s what I said, Christine is usually on the ball, she would have known that Mirallas was suspended on Saturday, but she wasn’t on the ball.

Karl Masters
78 Posted 22/03/2016 at 02:12:38
On the one hand, such a useful player as he keeps possession and draws fouls. Ideal for the Martinez game and cast your minds back to that 'golden week' in Martinez's first season when we won at Manure and drew at the Emirates with a fine display. Pienaar played both those games.

But, on the other hand. Has he lost some pace? Is he really fully fit? Bit of a cheek whining after the way he treated Everton when he went to Spurs. Agent probably stirring it up and ramping up the pressure on Martinez, but as there is no guarantee he will be there next season, maybe the hierarchy are keeping all coming to the end of a contract in the dark. Not heard Osman, Hibbert or Gibson moaning have we?

Sad it may end this way. He couldn't do any worse than the 11 who played Saturday so why not give him a game?

Eric Myles
79 Posted 22/03/2016 at 02:28:10
If he's a free agent in June he should be talking to other clubs now getting something lined up if Everton are taking no interest in his future.

Then he can tell the Club he has another offer and if they want to keep him it's up to them to get their fingers out their arses.

David Pearl
80 Posted 22/03/2016 at 03:32:03
He didn’t look finished when we saw glimpses of him a few weeks ago. If he lost any pace you wouldn’t know it, that wasn’t his game anyway. Exactly what we’ve been missing as we really have too many similar players. If Barry isn’t playing who else can put his foot on the ball and control the tempo and show any passing guile? Maybe Baines.

Niasse may well come good but I don’t know why we needed him. If Oviedo is fit again it might be time to try Baines in the Barry role as RM hinted at a couple of years ago. Though I’d expect a back 3 against Man Utd.

Paul Ward
81 Posted 22/03/2016 at 04:48:05
Pienaar did very well for us first time around. His partnership with Baines provided us with some great memories. When he has been fit this season he may have been an asset to the team if chosen.

The truth is he is a mercenary like most modern players who showed no loyalty to the club when Spurs offered him more money. Like so many of these players, they are not as good as they think they are.

He really is a cheeky bastard to think Everton owe him anything. I can only think he looks at the other deadwood at the club (Hibbert, Gibson and Osman) who should have been shipped out and says "What about me?" Well, Steven, maybe the club remember you escaping to White Hart Lane...

Anto Byrne
82 Posted 22/03/2016 at 04:57:55
This tells me that no-one's future is certain. The new owner will have a lot to say about how the club he now half-owns spends the money. There are quite a few older pros who can move on and Pienaar is one of several who really can't be serious about a new contract.
Steve Hopkins
83 Posted 22/03/2016 at 05:53:30
He can only discuss a 'Bosman' with teams outside the UK at the moment, if he wanted to stay here he'd have to wait until his contract actually ran out
Chris Corn
84 Posted 22/03/2016 at 07:39:33
Pienaar is a drain on our resources and those advocating him are just using him as a stick to beat Martinez with. If people seriously think has has anything more to offer, they are kidding themselves. He is long finished. Get yourself a move to an easy league mate and leave it at that.
Gary Edwards
85 Posted 22/03/2016 at 10:21:38
Chris, totally agree... I thinks that it’s unreasonable to be paid what footballers are paid yet be unavailable to ’work’ as often as they are... in most other industries they’d be binned.

The Pienaar / Baines axis will be fondly remembered but those days are long gone. We need to move on as a club and now that we have a rich, business man ’in control’ this is that time.

Martinez out... of course

Liam Reilly
86 Posted 22/03/2016 at 10:55:55
This is rich; he didn't show much loyalty when Spurs came knocking and he's been paid handsomely for sitting on the sidelines. All of a sudden he's now fit just when his contract is up?

Dick Fearon
87 Posted 22/03/2016 at 11:03:36
What we and the club should focus on is what players are not good enough to take us forward. I could list a dozen that are barely good enough to warm the bench. That so many of them will soon be out of contract is a godsend.

They should be eternally grateful to the club and the game has made each of them a multi millionaire. I get very angry when I hear of any of them raising grizzles at nearing the end the end of what has been a truly lucrative career.

Brian Harrison
88 Posted 22/03/2016 at 11:25:43
Pienaar is a typical Premier League player – arrogant and very little respect. As others have commented, he couldn’t wait to join Spurs who soon decided he wasn’t for them. So was desperate when Everton went back in for him.

I think his injury kept him out for nearly 12 months, no SSP for Pienaar instead he collected his £70k per week. I don't recall him being at many games during his spell on the sidelines.

Now he has the audacity to say "I have been fit for 6 weeks, why aren't I playing?" Hopefully the mercenary will be off in a few weeks.

Daniel A Johnson
89 Posted 22/03/2016 at 11:32:17
This club made you a multi millionaire many times over, shut up you deluded fool.

With your injuries you have taken more out than you have ever put in.

James Marshall
90 Posted 22/03/2016 at 11:39:33
The club is under no obligation to offer anyone a new contract and can let them run out if they want to. This is his agent telling him to make some noises because they know Everton are not going to offer him a new deal, so they get him to agitate because nobody knows he exists at this point in time due to not playing.

Craig Walker
91 Posted 22/03/2016 at 12:09:58
What have you contributed to Everton FC over the past 2 years? This club owes you nothing. Get shut with all the other hangers-on.
Tom Bowers
92 Posted 22/03/2016 at 12:18:45
As I said earlier some players will be moved on and no one will be surprised if one or two others prompt a move themselves... dare I say Rom and Kev.

Kev has been pretty much a bench player this season and Rom would dearly love a club in the Champions League, I’m sure. His efforts here have yielded nothing for him despite all the goals.

Everton could cash in big time now and replace him with a smaller quicker player. That would change Everton’s style off attacking and be more like Leicester or Barcelona where there isn’t a need for a big target man; instead one who is quicker getting behind the ball when needed.

Denis Richardson
93 Posted 22/03/2016 at 12:19:05
Looking at this again, this higlights to me that this summer is a PERFECT time for a new manager to come in.

We have loads of aged players coming to the end of their contracts so the new man will have a huge budget (wage bill wise) to work with to get new blood in, whilst still having most of the regular first team on contracts.

As mentioned above, the likes of Osman, Hibbert, Gibson and Pienaar are all coming to the end of their contracts this June. Add to that Howard leaving and that is a massive amount off the wage bill – at a guess, somewhere between £12-£14m a year! We don’t even need to replace all these players with new outsiders, can sign 2-3 truly quality players (at least one being a goalkeeper) and promote a couple from the academy. The above players' combined contribution this season so far has been next to fuck all.

So that's at least 5 players gone, probably also McGeady and Mirallas, before we even start to talk about the likes of Stones and Lukaku. Could be up to 10 players leaving this summer... the squad is going to look a whole lot different next season. Just hope most of the buying is done early (then again, this is Everton...).

Nick Entwistle
94 Posted 22/03/2016 at 12:42:41
Craig, if we got shut of all the other hangers-on, we’d only have three players left.
Tony J Williams
95 Posted 22/03/2016 at 12:57:19
Strange to hear that he has been fit for 6 weeks.

If so, why hasn’t he played, as there is absolutely no way that we would have played any worse with him in the side.

He retains possession well and wins lots of free kic....... ah that’s it! Goals from set plays aren’t important.

See ya, Steve, great times but unfortunately your aren’t fit enough anymore.

Then again, no-one in the team is anymore. Fitness training has obviously taken a back seat now.

Derek Thomas
96 Posted 22/03/2016 at 13:16:56
Tony #94; Some might say; that soon there'd be more people IN 'The Distin Club' than not... but I couldn't possibly comment.
Sam Hoare
97 Posted 22/03/2016 at 13:18:03
I used to love Pienaar. One of the few footballers we’ve had in recent years to really combine skill and footballing intelligence with hard graft. It's been a while since he’s had a run of games, though, for us to see if he’s still got it.

If he’s not a part of Martinez’s plans, which he clearly isn’t, then why did we not sell him lat year for a few mill? Not sure we can afford to be paying such high wages every week to someone who is not even on the bench when fully fit.

Steve Hopkins
98 Posted 22/03/2016 at 13:22:35
I struggle to symapthise with the Premier League players who make such a fuss about potentially being unemployed for a few weeks over the summer. Even the average Premier League player earns in a year more than most of us will see in a lifetime.

I do however sympathise with lower league players who genuinely have to contemplate different careers to put food on the table when their contract or career comes to an end.

In response to Ray Roche (6) re drink-driving, I work as a professional in healthcare and if I were to be caught drink-driving, I’d be struck off my professional register and banned from practising. Driving has no impact on my job and yet I’d lose my job so it’s not unreasonable for some to call for harsher penalties for these so-called role models’ twattish behaviour.

Pete Edwards
99 Posted 22/03/2016 at 13:29:33
Funny.... I remember a certain Steven Pienaar turning down a contract offer from us a few years ago.

What goes around comes around.... he was lucky we took him back, never the same player since.

James Marshall
100 Posted 22/03/2016 at 13:45:26
He’s not looking for sympathy – you have to read between the lines. This is an older player looking for a new club, so he has to word it this way to make it look good for him and deflect the attention back on the club.

He’s merely looking for a way out in the summer, nothing more. I don’t take these things too literally.

Alan Bodell
101 Posted 22/03/2016 at 14:33:10
How about giving a donation to local charities before you go? Greedy twat, dragging a wage for so long with injury after we took you back when your chosen club rejected you... just fuck off.
Michael Polley
102 Posted 22/03/2016 at 15:30:20
The Pienaar - Baines combo was the best in the Premier League. Sadly he was never the same player since he came back from Spurs.

I sense he will be gone by the Summer. Thanks for the good times.

Steve Carse
103 Posted 22/03/2016 at 15:56:26
I think many of us have forgotten just how good the Baines-Pienaar combination was. It was telepathic. What Pienaar brought to the table was a quick brain, fast feet, sudden changes of direction, and lightning speed over 10 - 20 yards from stationary starting positions. He also added 50% to Baines game. Without him Baines has looked just a bog standard LB.

I think Pienaar has had some very decent games since his return from Spurs, including his rare appearances this season, and should have been appearing at least on the bench more times than he has. We're always looking for a Plan B from RM when things aren't going smoothly and there'd be no better options to have used than bringing Pienaar on in games where we were showing no idea against sides who played with two defensive banks of 4 or 5 at GP. We'd have then presented those teams and their managers with a completely new set of problems to cope with.

John Graham
104 Posted 22/03/2016 at 18:26:21
Like most footballers he knows he’s on a good thing with a good wage packet. He’s not going to get a better contract anywhere else so he’s trying to cling on to what he’s got and get another year or two out of it.

Facts:

He was great for us.
He left as soon as he was offered more money.
He came back when he realised he was on his way out at Spurs and he could get more money off us than any one else.
Too old and too often injured to earn a new contract.

Stop moaning!

Ciaran Duff
105 Posted 22/03/2016 at 22:03:22
Personally, I think that it probably is time for him to move on for his and the club’s sake although I reckon he would have made a difference if he had come on against Arsenal. However, I still can’t believe that some people are making out that he is trying to milk a new contract. Read his statement:-

"Waiting until the end of the season to hear whether or NOT Everton wish to extend my contract is unreasonable."

He is not asking for a new contract as such, all he wants to know is IF they are planning on keeping him or NOT so that he can get on with his and his family’s life. Maybe he is thinking of going back to South Africa to play or set up his own academy, I don’t know but he just wants to know if he is needed.

In any interview that I have seen, he seems to love Everton and I am sure he would like to be able to go out on his own terms (like Tim Howard) and say goodbye to the fans similar to Distin. I don’t think that is too much to ask for a guy who has been at the club for so long.

Oliver Molloy
106 Posted 22/03/2016 at 22:30:04
Yeah Ciaran, he loved Everton when he couldn't wait to move to Spurs for MONEY, and he loved Everton when he moved back to us for the same reason.

And now he decides to try and embarrass the club saying we are not bring reasonable – what a joke. And No, Ciaran, I don't believe he would have made any difference against Arsenal.

Short memory has our Pienaar.

Nick Armitage
107 Posted 22/03/2016 at 23:39:09
Love Pienaar, always will. Magic at his peak.

Moved to Spurs for £65k a week so you can bet he's on near to that now. Sadly he isn't the player he once was and the wage could be better spent elsewhere for instance buying out the contract of Martinez.

Peter Thistle
108 Posted 23/03/2016 at 03:03:33
Sorry Pienaar, your time is up. Go with Howard to America, they love players who are finished.
Darryl Ritchie
109 Posted 23/03/2016 at 03:32:42
There is so much happening at the club right now that nobody knows what's going to happen in the summer. Pienaar may get a new contract, but not for the wage he's on now.

It's going to be a numbers game and the club is keeping its options open. He may get lost in the shuffle

Michael Penley
110 Posted 23/03/2016 at 03:58:46
Can’t believe some of the comments here. This isn’t about Pienaar – it’s about the club being totally unreasonable. Pienaar doesn’t want to get a new contract at all costs, he just wants to know where he stands. He’s said he would readily go to a Championship club to be able to play every week.

It’s not too much to ask for the club to be honest with him and tell him the likelihood of him getting back into the team (probably unlikely), and the possibility of going on loan or being sold.

John Keating
111 Posted 23/03/2016 at 07:14:45
The season has been long finished for us, probably since Watford at home!

Anyway, I reckon the Club should have told all those who are being released long ago to sort themselves out. No reason we could not have put youngsters on the bench the last few weeks in place of Osman, Howard, Gibson.

Hopefully Moshiri will put Martinez on notice sooner rather than later, it’s only fair.

Nick Entwistle
112 Posted 23/03/2016 at 10:38:46
The Bainaar partnership was the best in the league, that is until Mirallman (doesn’t work so good) were as good in Moyes’s last season. Yes Martinez has his pass pass pass philosophy, but to do away with the two best flank combos in the Premier League (world?) was unforgivable.
Loko Sanchez
113 Posted 23/03/2016 at 13:25:54
He deserved a one-year extension at least. Many players left Everton and wished they never had. Same case here and he came back. No harm, no foul. Give him a decent run until the end of the season. He might surprise us.
Dennis Stevens
114 Posted 23/03/2016 at 16:50:39
He should never have left for Spurs. Having done so, he should never have come back – nor should he have been afforded the opportunity to return.
Dave Pritchard
115 Posted 23/03/2016 at 17:15:40
Pienaar was one of my favourite players in his first spell and didn't do as badly as some suggest on his return. However, at his age and with his injury record (wonder if he really is fully fit now as he claims) then I expect him to be released at the end of the season.

No reason why the club should not keep their options open on him though if they're not yet sure as we are still paying his wages. Plenty of time in the transfer window for him to find a new club.

Michael Williams
116 Posted 23/03/2016 at 20:12:40
Michael Penley #110 - "Can't believe some of the comments here. This isn't about Pienaar – it's about the club being totally unreasonable. Pienaar doesn't want to get a new contract at all costs, he just wants to know where he stands. He's said he would readily go to a Championship club to be able to play every week."

The club is not being unreasonable. It's better for the club to tell 4-5 players on the team who will not be here next year "that we'll talk after the season" then have that many players in the clubhouse actually told they aren't wanted with so many games left.

By not offering Pienaar a contract he should be smart enough to know that he's not going to get one. For example, the club has offered new contracts to a few players who already have one and he did not get offered. The club has all but told him he's gone. We all get it he should too. That's how it works mostly. He has done nothing special to get special treatment.

As far as playing in the Championship, teams there know if someone can be gotten from a Prem club because they look at who is not getting playing time i.e. McGeady. My guess is none of the Championship clubs want Pienaar.

Oliver Molloy
117 Posted 23/03/2016 at 21:42:39
So to all who reckon Pienaar loves Everton and agree with him, here is a scenario. We offer Pienaar a one-year contract worth £5 grand a week. A Championship club offer Pienaar a one-year contract worth £10 grand a week.

Where would you think his love will lie? People saying it's all about respect, yes, it is – it's about time these footballers like Pienaar got real.

He doesn't know how lucky he is – nor it seems does he appreciate he has made millions while playing for Everton or the club standing by him, and he has the nerve to start sounding off he's getting a raw deal. This is the stuff that makes me sick, let's see who's next to start talking to the media.

Peter Mills
118 Posted 23/03/2016 at 22:56:30
Our ticket money really does contribute to some deluded thinking from people who kick a ball about for a fortune.

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