Patience rewarded for Naismith

To score a perfect hat-trick against the champions is no mean feat, but to do it coming off the bench, and scoring the first without having had much time to warm up is a true testament to his fitness and overall ability. I've always said he's one of the most dedicated and committed members of our squad and yesterday was a well deserved reward for him.

The team as a whole was superb and deserves equal congratulations. Perhaps, if we can keep on performing like this, the top 6 could be beckoning again.

On a similar vein did you see Roberto's post match press conference? Witty, intelligent, measured and perceptive. And not one PHENOMENAL! Now that is PHENOMENAL.

The strength in depth is really phenomenal. Ossie, Gibbo, Pienaar and Baines and Cleverley to return.

I respect Martinez for not selling him, he knows he has a first class pro in Naismith, and I'm no fan of Martinez.

Hope we can take this result and performance into the Derby match. It's about time we gave them a spanking.

Money in the bank doesn't buy you goals. A Steven Naismith on the pitch DOES!!!

I remember watching Paul Wilkinson score a hat trick at Somerton Park, Newport when Everton won 5-1 in a League Cup match in 1986. Graeme Sharp and an own goal (Jimmy Mullen I think) got the others.

Details available from various sources.

This excellent human being is a thorough credit to Everton Football Club in every sense. His signing from Rangers is one of the finest in our great clubs history, he excels in every degree and I'm certain that the man who scored more tat tricks for Everton than any other, William Ralph Dean, would have thoroughly applauded Naisy's very fine contribution against the arrogant, bloated and pompous reigning champions.

People, let alone footballers, of such moral decency as Steven Naismith are an extremely rare breed. I'm absolutely delighted that he left the pitch with the match ball. Celebrate what he is and how strongly he stands up.

Thanks Steven, what a terrific performance, no better way to reward your manager for declining an offer for you, no better way to assert your own belief in your abilities.

Perfect hat-trick. Perfect Gent.

As is well documented on here by most posters he's not the most naturally gifted player but his will to win, and effort make up for this in abundance! Added to this despite obviously being a really nice guy when he crosses the white line he can be a horrible little bastard to play against.

He is clearly a great squad player and £8M is a bit of a joke when compared to the values of Rhodes and McCormack. Keep up the good work, Nessy, I'm sure when you finally leave the blues you will be remembered fondly. (The hat-trick has ensured this!)

It is obvious he is highly thought of at the club and long may it continue. I loved the way he he introduced himself to Ivanvoic, and love the way he just doesn't care who he is facing; there's no fear.

It feels so good to have beaten those b#ast#rds in such and emphatic and "happy" way after they expected to sign JS.

We needed that win to kick-start the season properly - now lets keep it up and stay up there in the top 5 or 6.....

As for Besic. I feel so sorry for the lad. Chosen to play a role he would have loved, his luck ran out after 10 minutes. Who's to say we would not have scored 3 if he had stayed on the pitch? I certainly liked the way he was shaping up.

Getting pushed out on the wing is not what Naismith is about. He needs to play down the middle. Yesterday was perfect behind Kone and Lukaku. Whether planned, or by accident, it worked. But it won't work every time.

So our fickle fellow Evertonians will no doubt slam him again. Be patient, people; I think that Martinez is actually building a very good squad. And Naismith is part of that.

I remember watching Naismith come on the pitch (under Moyes) and he was clearly under instructions to slot into a DMF role. WTF? He was terrible, and got slaughtered. Even Messi would have looked bad, when Moyes went ultra defensive. At least now, Martinez seems to be playing players in their proper positions. Barkley is an example of that.

Keep playing like yesterday, and I might just be coming round to Martinez. Now that is something that I never saw coming. Funny what a few good results can do.

And Martinez even seems to be talking sense. About time.

Jim Wilson #21, you actually make a valid point about using Naisy in place of Lukaku, for the very reasons you mention. Not only would it shake Rom up a bit but we might see even more of what Steven Naismith I capable of when played in his primary role, ie, as an out-and-out striker, where he excels if given the kind of support he received on Saturday.

I've seen a lot of players come and go in my 57 years as a supporter of Everton and there have not been many over the years to have displayed the loyalty and tenacity of Steven Naismith, a gent off the pitch and a little pitbull on it. He's been a favourite of mine for a long time and finally people are starting to see what he can do, and perhaps the doubters will shut up for a while and we can all thank God, Roberto and Steven that Saturday's hat-trick was scored for us, and not for Norwich, as some would have wished for.

No, I would keep Naismith in the squad but would never start with him because, as I repeat, more often than not, he isn't that good.

Everyone who started jumping on the Nessi bandwagon hasn't got a clue and should remember the last the last 3 years of how poor this guy has been.

You know what you get with him when he's used in proper position. And to say he's been poor the last 3 years is ridiculous as well. Norwich thought different and I do too.