Martinez determined to keep hold of 'sensational' Stones

With such sensational first choice center halves and 2 holding players in front of them, Martinez should ask himself how we remain a defensive shambles.

To be fair, that's about as unequivocal a statement as you're ever likely to get out of RM.

If we're positive about it, he's determined he stays, so he's really painted the board into a corner. According to this, not only does he want him to stay, but the player himself is not agitating for a move. I'd like to think he's done it deliberately.

Maybe then when he is sold late on during deadline day the fans will start to ask questions. Maybe that's hope more than expectation on my part.

The point I wanted to make is that I see Mario Gotze is desperate to leave Munich and is being linked to Arsenal today. Well, well, well. The golden boy who turned his back on the club, and fans, who adored him for the riches of a "bigger club". I hope players like Gotze continue to rot on the subs bench. One day, just one day perhaps these morons will realise that the grass isn't always greener......

I've turned a new leaf. Normally this kind of comment would see me screaming for the nurse...but alas, I'm a changed, more positive man.

'Serenity now...serenity now.'

Colin @3
You are so right with regards to Goetze, these players these days think the footballing world owes them a more than a lottery win, several times over. I sincerely hope this Shaquiri does not fall into that category, should we eventually get him.

It could be aother Samuel E'to'o, situation that disrupts training and the dressing room. I'l be glad when it shuts, (Transfer Window) providing we get a couple of quality signings in ourselves.

I've never listened to Shearer and thought yes, that's good, never.

Thanks for telling us that Mouriniho is the best manager Alan, but can you tell us anything about the game itself? Jobs for the boys, has it ever been any different?

If Stones is sold on deadline day it will be because he's put in a transfer request 'cos he's a greedy disloyal twat just like Rooney and Arteta before him.

And the board will get away scott free again.

He can get in and cement an England place playing well at Everton. There are only two things he'd vastly improve his chances of at Chelsea and that's winning trophies and earning a shed load more cash. We'd criticise if he went for the latter and as for trophies yes, who wouldn't like to win them but there have been plenty of players in the past who've stayed where they love (Le Tiss being the highest profile but Shearer himself at Newcastle and our own Tim Cahill spring to mind). He is also nailed on next Club captain at Everton if he stays.

But, as you seem to have an 'inlet' to club news (or possess an excellent crystal ball) - do you know if we have said - "We will not sell him this summer regardless of any offer". ?

And - is he happy to stay? He looked it after Barkley's goal.

And - have we actually bid for Shaqiri?

And (lastly) - who are we actually interested in signing (No 10, central defender, striker).

Sorry if you've been asked all or some of this before.

Thanks.

Our defensive record is becoming a sensational problem! Stones may be sold, but he will not go until the last week of the transfer window. Chelsea know how it works with Everton. If stones is not for sale tell the manager to shut up and concentrate on the pending relegation battle coming up!

One hopes that RM has some sort of contingency plan if BK accepts a bigger offer ?

It appears Everton have nobody at the club who could step in right now although like Stones, Galloway and Browning have shown promise.

Distin and Alcaraz were let go and maybe that wasn't preventable but RM has failed to get experienced cover for the central defence.

I don't think it's fair to blame Jagielka or Stones for some of the goals we concede based on the above. If anyone's at fault, it's the manager for sending out a team that lines up wide open to the counter attack at all times.

He did it at Wigan, and has no clue about how to send out a team to defend as a unit. All the best teams in world football defend first, and attached second - it's not rocket science.

If Stones goes, we need a defender with pace, otherwise we're jipped.

Along with Mirallas up front (for his maverick, match-winning qualities), I rate John Stones as our most important player right now and would regard selling him as a hugely unambitious, retrograde, defeatist and small-minded thing to do.

Unnecessary too in the light of the £70/80m we allegedly get from Sky?

In very simple terms (and I know all sorts of other factors, such as wages have got to be taken into account), we've only spent £4m of it so far, so surely we do not have to sell any players to balance the books? And especially not the most talented man we have right now.

When Arteta and Fellaini were sold to kick-start the purchase of new players they were past their best and surplus to requirements respectively.

Stones, meanwhile, can be our totem - in the mode of Terry, Gerrard, Keane, Viera - for many years to come.

We cannot afford to let him go for whatever silly money we get offered right now - as, quite simply, he will be worth many more times that to us in the long-term.

The biggest statement of intent I can remember in almost 50 years of supporting Everton needs to be clearly made here.

John Stones is THE most integral part of any successful future Everton have any hopes of aspiring to.

And we need a defender who can head the ball... I wouldn't actually mind seeing Fellaini back for his assured clearances from opposition corners.

I can't help feel RM has said so much about how important Stones is to Everton and what he's trying to do here, that if he was sold, he'd look an absolute fool - surely behind closed doors his comments have been pre-discussed at board level? Surely?

Quite a delusion post there buddy. Moyes never put up a fight? Really? So there was no fighting over Lescott and City, Arteta for years. Jagielka when the likes of Arsenal were showing interest in him. Baines. Moyes never put up a fight, just gladly sold the players?

And who are these "sensational" young players that is all credit to OFM. Colmean, signed by Moyes. Stones, signed by Moyes. Barkley, Everton Academy under Moyes. Mirallas, Moyes.

I look at Martinez and I see Robles, never plays. Barry, plays 90 minutes every match and is old and slow. Alcaraz, just sat on the bench collecting paychecks. Kone, injured for 2 years and is not young. McGeady, never plays. Besic, never plays. Lukaku, always stuck up top on his own with no support.

Then you name Fellaini who Martinez sold to Moyes without putting up a fight.

I hate this predatory market were the super rich clubs think they can just walk over everyone else and no one is allowed to build for the future. I know I'm a dreamer but I really wish that the poorer clubs could come together and agree on a transfer embargo against the filthy rich.

That was awfully mean of you. Upon seeing Gotze's name, I half expected you to give one of your 'you saw it here first' comments.

Oh well, back to expectations Lennon, Gomez (that shite lad from wigan) and some overpriced Koldrup mark 2 on transfer deadline day.

Oh well

My main gripe is lack of movement in the transfer area. Don't tell me we need to sell Stones to raise the money because I won't believe it. There are good players out there who could be had for buttons but Martinez and our scouts are not looking in the right places.

Shaqiri will be Stoke's 12th signing. The Baggies are about to sign a £15M striker who will probably be able to trap a ball. West Ham, Southampton, Palace, Leicester, Watford, Newcastle and Swansea are bringing players in from all over the place. Most of them are new to the various managers but the clubs are taking the chance. We ought to try doing the same.

Saying this, Mirallas and McCarthy both just signed contract extensions, and I would of imagined that some promises were made on squad improvement. With both looking likely to leave last month (albeit media hype), there must of been something that enticed them to stay.

immensely
world class
fantastic
very brave
magnificent

Now he describes Stones as sensational. Pathetic.

What's the good of keeping hold of players, if the team doesn't get reinforcements? What's become of us?

As for the rest of your post - you absolutely nail it spot on for me - this lad is our Mainstay for years to come.

Get the deal done sooner rather than later so we ain't left holding the baby on deadline day. We need some time to get in replacements.

Still want Stones to stay. Excellent prospect who needs to play regularly.

What, that massive risk of sticking two defensive midfielders in front of them?

Come on Roberto, time to break up the Barry & McCarthy partnership and take that risk every now and again (from the 1st minute!)

Or perhaps he's talking about other risks...such as not spending a moment on practicing defending corners.

You couldn't make it up !

He's pretty good now, and only going to get better. If, and the longer he stays, the bigger the "if" gets, if he decides to commit to Everton long term, he will become a legend.

Money's not everything, just about, but not quite.

'You couldn't make it up !'

Actually I suspect that's exactly what the hacks at the Mirror have done

But these days managers are but one piece in the jigsaw. If the money is right ( and that figure is agreed between the clubs ) and the player wants it, it's sure gonna happen.

The days of player serfdom went out in 1960 - blame Jimmy Hill and George Eastham if you like - but not Roberto in this matter, please !

"The Baggies are about to sign a £15M striker who will probably be able to trap a ball."

That appealed to my sense of humour - please accept the TIC medal for services to the downcast.

It completely took my mind off the dreadful thought of us selling our best young player.

I'm not sure if this was a re-hash of a previous broadcast but make of it what you will