Martinez looking forward to quartet's return

Realistically we need to be trimming the age and wage bill to let new crop develop.

Either way, he's over the hill. It's usually downhill from about age 28 for attacking players although defenders can carry on into their thirties. I would say trade him in for a 20-22-year-old. There must be dozens about that a half-way decent scouting operation would be aware of.

What has Mirallas done to Martinez to piss him off, to the extent of playing long-term injury comebacks et al?

I think, if we get the 'right team' selection, this game is well win-able. I think we definitely need urgent changes, but not wholesale, there are some players who have consistently under-performed, and they have had many chances to prove themselves.

COYB

Oviedo is another. I just think he's another that won't get fit enough on a regular basis and could be moved on in the summer. We do have plenty of cover at left-back if injuries and suspensions occur.

Coyb. Let's put run together over the Xmas period. Toon Army first. I see a solid win there.We just need to keep our heads and style of play with a tighter defence.

He is one of the cleverest footballers I have ever seen pull on a blue shirt. He would have been good enough to play with Ray Wilson.

That is why I am hoping we see him back on the pitch for the run in. His presence would make a huge difference to this team. A left side of Baines, Besic, and Pienaar is my idea of football heaven.

I saw him or the U21's earlier in th season, he only played forty five minute( the first half) never got injured but hasn't appeared since. His brain was much quicker than anyone else on the field, and his body seemed to be okay, it was only a reserve game but did better than any Everton player on the pitch. Hope he can be of further use to th team, but time is running out for him, sadly, very sadly.

Bobby's injury reports really aren't worth listening to.

If Steven is turning 34 in March it's hard to imagine he can still perform to that level in such a physically demanding league. The man never stayed still after playing a pass, it was his best feature.

Perhaps he can be the impact sub as others have suggested. Maybe similar to Osman during Roberto's first season?

I wish him well and look forward to seeing if he can prove many of us wrong. A fine player.

Come on let's be honest , Stevie was good for us for a long time , but his days are numbered.

He along with a few others should be moved on , weather they join another club or retire is there business.

Pienaar , Hibo , Osman are all dead certs.

Howard , Oviedo, Robles , Gibson ,Kone are also boarder line at least.

Naisy will probably go during January, but if not he falls into the last group of players .

We have to start to run the club a lot more like a business to improve ,as we haven't got the financial power of any of the top 4-6 clubs , and you don't see them giving out sentimental contracts.

Super Kev on the other hand CAN score goals and although his link up play is nowhere near as good is much more of a match winner.

If we can get Steven Pienaar back and playing with the creative flair that he was playing with before the injury bug hit, even if only for the rest of this season, I will be satisfied. Anything longer than that will be a bonus.

A class act and if we can get a dozen or so games out of him, he could make a difference.

But his fitness of late is a major issue!

One of my favourite players from the Moyes era. We've missed having players like him and Arteta since he left. Closest we've got is Gibson or Osman, and Gibson's fitness issues have held him back.

So let's hope for seeing Stevie and Baines ripping teams apart down that left wing, with their almost telepathic understanding.

I disagree with those that say he wasn't the same following his return from Spurs, he was influential (along with Jelavic and Gibson) upon arrival in January 2012, he was the creative shot in the arm that meant the team started playing some fantastic football once again and our upturn in form at the end of the 2011/12 season was evident.

Sadly though, like most it's hard to see how he's ever going to regain those years now after years of injury and he's barely featured under Martinez.

Possible stay around until the end of the season for experience but I think that will be that once May arrives.

A sad end though to one of the more gifted players of the Moyes era without doubt, and the day's of Pienaar, Baines, Cahill and Arteta working in tandem was one of the reasons for high league finishes

Merry Christmas to all.

From a many year old Blue fanatic in a warm and snowless Ontario

COYB

Having Oviedo back will be a boost. He wasn't a crock until he snapped his leg in half two years ago, so hopefully this is just all one big hangover from that. Baines is almost finished at the top level so a player like Bryan would be a welcome replacement.

I hope I'm wrong but can't see him making any contribution moving forward!

Even if fit, his contract runs out in the summer and at 34 plus his recent injury history, I would be amazed if he was given another. (Then again, we gave Howard a 5 year deal when he was 34!)

Pienaar, Gibson, Osman, Hibbert, Kone, Oviedo....all players who's contracts run out in 6 months time. Looks like there'll be a big clear out in the summer. Perfect for a new incoming manager once the new owners come in (here's hoping anyway).

Kone won't go, another year added to his contract based on appearances. That extension trigger might explain why Roberto kept playing him. Strange that. I wondered, and still do, why Roberto kept playing him.

Gibson and Oveido are different. For one, Gibby is "older", yet just turned 28. Seems he's fit now. Bryan still hasn't the found the balance he had before his leg was broke in two. Hate to think he can't finish this season. He's a player.

We'll see.

Strange how decent players like Mirallis, Naismith and Gibson have been frozen out. Even when used as subs it's been too late late to make a game changing impact.

The Oviedo story is a heartbreaker. A terrific two footed player with a great fighting attitude, I pray that his hamstring problems have been finally sorted.

You're quite correct that Oviedo has two feet...but he can only kick with one of them. I recall him scoring one with his right from a fair distance, but that strike aside I would actually say he's a very heavily left-footed player.

Certainly has a great attitude though and always has a smile despite his misfortune. I hope he still has a part to play.

In my opinion Kone has done well. He's been exactly what he is - hardworking player of half decent ability.

Our best players seem to lack character, and our leaders seem to lack ability. It's up to Roberto to figure out whether he can improve on either deficiency our whether he needs an overhaul.

Once a player goes through injury after injury, it as to take it's toll, as well as his age being against him.

But lets see what he can do when he returns. There as got to be a place for him surely in this team. But if he just warms the bench, well he as to go.

Does anyone have any idea what as happened to Conor McAleny? Now he is a wasted talent in my mind.

If we can get S.P. fit, then despite his age, he'll be a huge asset. 'Attackers over 28 are past it, only defenders continue into their thirties' whoever said that, you're talking bollocks. I could list names, but I can't be jibbed.

If we can get Pienaar in 10 games until the end of the season it would be a huge boost. End of.