Youth and experience is the key for Geri

Well worth a read.

I thought it was interesting to hear Phil Thompson say, he thought we should be in negotiations already with Barcelona, offering more money to buy him out of his buy-back clause. I think that's not likely given how he has already performed this season. But maybe if he stayed another season he could force his way into the Spanish team, that would strengthen his position if he went back.

But, whatever happens, he is a joy to watch and single handedly has changed how we play. Whenever he gets the ball, he is always looking to hit Lukaku and stretch defences.

Barcelona also won't be thinking about him half as much as we think they are. The bigger danger would be a third party like Man Utd coming in and offering mega bucks.

He reminds me a lot of a young Ronaldo so there will be interest in him I'm sure but I think he learnt a huge lesson at Sevilla and just wants to play here for the next year or two.

A humble lad too.

The supporters deserve a big assist for Geri's happiness as they took to him right away, and he mentions that a lot.

I think we can keep him for 3 years - beyond that he'll start to hit his prime and it'll be a struggle unless we're reaching the champions ourselves, but even then I can see him returning to Barca.

Hopefully Barca see what a great job we've done in developing Del Boy, both on and off the field, and they will happy to send us more exceptionally talented players (on loan or with buy back options) that aren't ready for the Barca first team, but still players that we would not have a chance of bringing to Everton otherwise.

He has done a great job standing in for Baines and at 19 he looks to have a very bright future ahead. Well done, Brendan.

I would definitely agree we were the best team in Europe in 1985. However, to say 1987 as well is stretching it a bit. I'm not sure we were even the best team in the UK that season! We just found a way of winning when no one else seemed to be able to do so.

In fact the team of 1986 was arguably the best of that era I saw despite winning nothing. We absolutely blew teams away most of the season and it was only an unbelievable run by the RS, Big Nev getting injured, and Lineker missing a one-on-one at Oxford that prevented us winning a double.

Along with the youngsters we have already, like Barkley, Stones, Lukaku, Galloway, McCarthy, Coleman & Co, we've got the best young team around. They have experience and are still growing all the time.

The future is bright regardless of the shit that goes on off the pitch. I'm excited about this team, if we can keep it together that is.

Looking forward to tomorrow after watching Newcastle beat apparently the new Barca haha. What a load of shit. Haha.

With some players, the attitude is so telling. Deulofeu wants to take the world on, Galloway wants to needle every star he comes up against. For a club that has been starved of winners for so long, they are a breath of fresh air and the same goes for Besic, whenever we see him.

"It is a clause that only operates for 15 days in the summer transfer window," said Martinez. "We could send him on holiday for those 15 days and turn off the fax machine..."

I was in the "good signing but bit of a one-trick pony" camp when we signed him, but he's like a totally different player this season. I think in his first spell he'd often try and do too much after beating a player or he'd put a ball in that the forwards just weren't expecting. This season everyone seems to be on the same wavelength and when it works it's absolutely beautiful to behold.

I liked him in his first spell but what we are seeing now are the initial signs of a player becoming a truly 'phenomenal' footballer. I realise I'm getting carried away but he really does look THAT good.

Most young wingers are fast and exciting but how many are fast, exciting, skilful, with an eye for a defence-splitting pass or a Beckham-esque pinpoint cross?

The likes of Giggs, Lennon, Walcott, etc were all criticised for a lack of end product until well into their 20s but Gerri is already providing the final ball that so many wingers find elusive. If he does move into the Number 10 position and adds real goals to his game, then he could go on the highest level.

(Cue, absolute stinker tonight.)

However 2 notes of caution:.

1) The kicking against him will now start in real earnest. There were hints of it against Boro. Mentally, he has to learn to handle this.

2) If we are successful this season this predators will be circling first and foremost for Roberto. And he would be a bigger loss than any player that he has brought on so brilliantly.