Pienaar upset by 'unreasonable' Everton

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Gibson does now, I believe?

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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....

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.

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.

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?

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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...

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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-㾺m 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...).

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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!

"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.

Short memory has our Pienaar.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.