Mirallas talks of “broken promises”

, 29 May, 111comments  |  Jump to most recent
Forward set for key talks with Martinez

Another case of "Lost in Translation"? Mirallas muddies the transfer waters yet again with his latest Belgian media interview

Kevin Mirallas has made more revelations to the Belgian press about his Everton future, telling De Standaard that his relationship with Roberto Martinez has become “awkward” over what he feels were broken promises regarding his role in the team.

Mirallas has been the subject of speculation that he could leave Everton since January following comments he made in his native Belgium about his desire for Champions League football next season.

British media sources pushed a proposed move to Tottenham Hotspur, perhaps in part-exchange for Aaron Lennon, but the 27 year-old suggests this week that he was persuaded not to follow up interest from the Continent in the last transfer window in order to stay and help turn Everton's season around.

The latest quotes attributed to Mirallas suggest that he feels let down by Martinez, given the fact that he was not an automatic choice to start matches since Lennon's arrival on loan from Spurs at the beginning of February.

He explains that he will have important discussions with the Blues' boss before deciding whether to extend his contract which is due to expire next summer, although Everton have the option to extend it by another year.

“Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid were interested," the former Olymipacos man said, "but Everton obliged me to stay at the club. I understood because our young group had performed below expectations. So I had to stay.

“But in the second half of the season I was suddenly playing less games. There are promises broken and it makes for a somewhat awkward relationship with the coach. Soon, I will have a conversation with him.

“I have had a beautiful three years with Everton. I have experienced many great moments and for that I must thank the club. I don't know whether I will leave, it is a decision I have to make in consultation with my family.”

Article continues below video content


Mirallas's comments reveal another apparent dichotomy in what he says to the local and national English press on the one hand and to Belgian media on the other. He told the Liverpool Echo in April that, “There was a lot of paper talk about my future last week, but I am very happy here and I see next season the same shirt I think.”

Quotes sourced from Liverpool Echo



Reader Comments (111)

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Patrick Murphy
1 Posted 29/05/2015 at 17:11:31
Talk about lost in interpretation, every time one of our Belgian stars goes home, this sort of report seems to come out in quick succession. If we had a bid from another club for the right price we should in hindsight probably have accepted it. Kevin is a decent player but not irreplaceable, especially when this sort of story keeps cropping up.

David Greenwood
2 Posted 29/05/2015 at 17:12:54
Ha, footballers eh?

Perhaps your relationship with the coach isnÂ’t the same due to your missed penalty and immediate subsequent injury?

Or the fact that you turn up once in a blue moon and put a proper shift in?

Or your I play for Mirallas FC first and Everton second attitude?

Who knows? I suspect that you are miles away from being a Simone type player, and any interest is purely in your agents imagination.

If you donÂ’t want to be here, just go. Have the balls to come out and say it.

Kieran Kinsella
3 Posted 29/05/2015 at 17:29:03
So leave. No one cares... youÂ’re crap anyway
Mark Riding
4 Posted 29/05/2015 at 17:29:37
If he wants out, he must go this window. ASAP. No being moody and mischief making until January. Your great Kev, love you to stay. But youÂ’re very replaceable.
Gavin Johnson
5 Posted 29/05/2015 at 17:31:05
"Everton obliged me to stay at the club. I understood our young group underperformed"

What young group?? Apart from City weÂ’ve probably got the oldest team in the league. Unless he specifically means Barkley and Atsu, who are the only young players who havenÂ’t done anything.

I hope he stays but wonÂ’t lose any sleep if he goes.

Trevor Peers
6 Posted 29/05/2015 at 17:32:52
ItÂ’s all nonsense. Kevin wonÂ’t leave, and our great manager has a phenomenal relationship with him. Roll on next season.
John Malone
7 Posted 29/05/2015 at 17:42:26
Kevin, IÂ’ll tell what a broken promise is: itÂ’s when youÂ’ve cut in from the left, youÂ’ve got Baines on the overlap, and Lukaku on the last manÂ’s shoulder, both of them waiting to be slid in, and be through on goa,l and you run straight into bodies trying to find a yard to get your own shot off against all the odds, only to be tackled and the opposition to counter down our left side!

Now thatÂ’s what I call a broken promise! So piss off somewhere else!

Everton Football Club is bigger and better than you will ever be!

James Flynn
8 Posted 29/05/2015 at 17:14:29
This is bad. Not Mirallas coming or going. Just how Everton runs.

I wondered why a healthy, Prem-fit player as Distin was shut out completely. Really, Roberto didnÂ’t want him available?

WeÂ’re up on a wage clearing. The end of next season, Mirallas included, a ton of money goes off the wage bill. ThatÂ’s a fact.

Is the Club being set up for sale? Mirallas being the first part?

Gavin Johnson
10 Posted 29/05/2015 at 17:48:49
Swap him for Lennon and £8M. We can inflate the prices on our players to! With the extra year option, he’s essentially worth about £17M if we’re talking Spurs inflated prices.

In Levy’s world, Aaron Lennon is worth £9M with only 1 year left on his contract so we can add another £5M on Mirallas’s value.

Otherwise offload him to a German or Spanish team for £12M.

Geoffrey Risebrow
12 Posted 29/05/2015 at 17:43:54
Who knows what to believe? We should do everything to keep him but just like many other players in the past, if he wants to leave then we need to get the best price possible for him and reinvest it wisely on another player.

He wonÂ’t run through brick walls for us but he is a match winner; however, he is very inconsistent and a player we will soon forget about if he goes. Taking the ball off Leighton was a disgrace and a selfish act in my opinion and told me he wasnÂ’t a team player!

I was gutted when we lost Rooney! This isnÂ’t the same.

Geoffrey Risebrow
13 Posted 29/05/2015 at 17:59:52
I would also like to add that Mirallas needs to decide what he is doing asap so we can get the squad we want for next season asap!
Matt Muzi
14 Posted 29/05/2015 at 17:58:11
HeÂ’s a good player, who on his day can influence a game, however.....

I canÂ’t remember ever seeing him play a full 90 minutes,
HeÂ’s ball greedy
ItÂ’s all about him,
His injury record isnÂ’t the best,
Recently thereÂ’s been too many of these stories about him,
HeÂ’s not the best team player.

If we can sell him, (ideally to a foreign team), for a decent price, we need to get rid of him, because otherwise I think heÂ’ll go on a free next season.

Stephen Brown
15 Posted 29/05/2015 at 18:03:57
Puts you off football! Idiots who believe their own hype! Does he not think what he says in Belgium will not work its way back here?!

I said on a previous thread IÂ’m sure he thought a string of clubs would be after him, it didnÂ’t materialise so he loves us again and shock horror he has learnt of some interest and the club has wronged him! Come on !!

Long summer ahead but for the first time probably ever I couldnÂ’t care less who we sold with the possible exception of McCarthy and Stones.

Jon Withey
16 Posted 29/05/2015 at 17:56:10
Sounds like he was pushing for a move and/or wage increase during Christmas. Martinez bought Lennon in so that he wasnÂ’t held to ransom. Lennon brought an improved attitude so Martinez kept playing him and Kev got the hump.

I do get the feeling that our manager has had to wrestle some power back over this season via tactics like this.

To his credit, leaving Distin out improved our defense and Lennon improved our attack and team play – makes me think he isn’t as incompetent as some make out.

Mike Childs
17 Posted 29/05/2015 at 17:52:40
I love this fan base but dam. The way I see it when inspired he is definitely one of best goal scorers and assist men a very valuable commodity and we have a manager who most admit speaks out of both sides of his mouth. It easy to see why some players are uninspired at time.

Sure, I wish he would track back more but with proper health and minutes he would bury Naisy and Lennon in goals scored and assists. If you were on the team and had his talent and yet consistently saw the headless instigator Naisy starting in front of you where would youÂ’re mind be at? Naisy a great guy but in my book on his talent level his recent 3-year contract was a bigger waste than BarryÂ’s.

Andrew Clare
18 Posted 29/05/2015 at 18:21:11
Get rid of him. HeÂ’s not even that good. Once players start talking like this just march them out of the building.

We only want players who want to play for Everton.

Andy Mack
21 Posted 29/05/2015 at 18:38:46
Martinez is certainly putting his stamp on this squad; any talent will be out the door asap after this season. If the transfer window opens and closes and we still have Stones, IÂ’ll eat my Marmite-covered hat.

I can see him rejoining Moyes in Spain. Although knowing Everton, it will be a one-year loan deal and weÂ’ll forget to extend his contract first.

Andrew Clare
24 Posted 29/05/2015 at 18:56:14
Colin, I know from reading your posts that you have seen some great Everton teams over the years but why Joey Barton? YouÂ’re kidding arenÂ’t you?

LetÂ’s sign some good quality young players not old journeymen with bad temperaments. I know JoeyÂ’s an Evertonian but no thanks.

Jim Harrison
25 Posted 29/05/2015 at 18:59:08
Half decent on his day, average the rest of the time. A poor man's Nani

Fuck him off overseas for a decent fee and move on. Thanks for the memories. A club with limited resources needs players who believe in the cause, not jumped-up little twats who think the world revolves around them.

Ross Edwards
26 Posted 29/05/2015 at 18:57:38
YouÂ’ve got to question MartinezÂ’s man management. If the claim about a possible falling out is true, thatÂ’s another one.

Eto’o definitely fell out with him and got rapidly sold on in January, Distin got exiled for the last 6 months of the season, and Mirallas has forced to watch from the bench while RM’s one winger obsession leaves us with an unbalanced left side, with no width or pace.

Distin spoke of similar broken promises as well. I think it was Eddie Dunn who has said on here many times that a source told him that some players donÂ’t trust RM and think heÂ’s a two-faced bullshitter. I think heÂ’s spot on.

(If it wasnÂ’t you Eddie I apologise but it was someone on here.)

Jim Hardin
29 Posted 29/05/2015 at 19:03:28
Maybe a true translation of the article in the home newspaper would be helpful. Maybe Mirallas did have a sniff or two from some other clubs and spoke to Martinez who asked him to stay on due to injuries to others and the young players were not ready or available-Atsu?). In return, maybe he was offered more playing time and swithching to the right side or center at times or, oh no, a 4-4-2 formation with him up front too. We donÂ’t know but by all means assume the worst and get him out.

Joe Foster
30 Posted 29/05/2015 at 19:39:58
Another one of our players who has seemingly fallen out with RM.
Trevor Lynes
31 Posted 29/05/2015 at 19:45:08
All the comments on here are negative and in some cases slanderous. No-one knows the truth and until it comes to light only fools jump the gun. I would not like to see a few of you guys on jury duty!!

The two Belgians we have have scored nearly all our goals this season and ironically Fellaini scored 13 goals from midfield and he is another Belgian player. The players who escape the critics do not score and that is the only fact according to this article.

Replacing regular goal scorers and attacking players are the hardest part of any club affairs. Stupid calls for signing Barton takes the biscuit, he is probably the most sent-off player in the league and he is publicly critical of teammates. He is as old as Barry and has been let go by a lesser club.

Sam Barrett
32 Posted 29/05/2015 at 19:48:11
I'd rather have Lennon.
Darren Hind
33 Posted 29/05/2015 at 19:43:41
"He’s worth £17 million"

I read that three times and still don’t believe somebody posted it... £17M to who? If he wanted to be picked regularly, he should not insult Evertonians with shithouse displays.

His performance at Villa is as uncommitted as I have seen from an Everton player.

Non triers donÂ’t deserve to play. Offload him, to the highest bidder.

Matt Muzi
34 Posted 29/05/2015 at 19:35:50
Jim I think the criticism over the Garbutt situation, is we should have offered him a new contract last summer, not at the end of the year start of this one.

I think weÂ’d all respect Miralles more if he came out and said to the fans he wants Champions League Football, rather than every time he does one to the Continent doing interviews with various rags bleeting on about how badly his career is being affected by his treatment.Then saying over here that he never said he wanted to leave and he loves being at the club.

I donÂ’t buy the articles have been misinterpreted in translation, once possibly.

With regards to both him & Garbutt if they donÂ’t want to stay, the club has a duty to move them on, getting the best deal they can for the club, there is no point having players at the club who donÂ’t want to be there.

Aidy Dews
35 Posted 29/05/2015 at 20:03:32
Away with Belgium is he........

What a coincidence!

Gavin Johnson
36 Posted 29/05/2015 at 20:02:34
Read it again, Darren. 17m is the inflated price we should put on his head specifically to Spurs - ThereÂ’s the going rate in the transfer market and the rate Spurs value players. We should play them at their own game if they come calling in the summer.

ItÂ’s obvious the rumoured 9m fee for Lennon is way for them to pay as little as possible for Mirralas. Mirralas also has twice as long on his contract and also twice the player IMO. I donÂ’t think itÂ’s ridiculous at all to expect them to pay around 7-8m cash adjustment. They probably wonÂ’t mind, so Levy can do one.

Phil Walling
38 Posted 29/05/2015 at 20:27:14
I refuse to discuss Joey Barton on any thread but Mirallas is a different kettle of fish. 88 games - although very few of those have been of 90 mins duration - and 21 goals marks him out as a half decent finisher.

ThereÂ’s always a buzz when he comes on and most would agree he is a selfish player when in possession. But heÂ’s a clinical finisher when one to one - which is more than can be said of too many of our Â’starsÂ’ !

IÂ’ve always felt he could be the much needed No. 10 we hear so much about but Martinez sees him as an impact player and will not be moved on that view.

IÂ’m sure he will moved on - unloved by manager - and most on here - without ever getting a decent run in his right position. Our loss. But who, under this manager performs to his full potential ? Name ONE, please !

Jon Withey
39 Posted 29/05/2015 at 20:40:41
ThereÂ’s no such thing as a free, we have to pay their wages !

If Barton was such a winner in the dressing room why have QPR just gone down with a whimper ? Not his fault I expect, but still.

Jamie Barlow
40 Posted 29/05/2015 at 20:38:28
"Non triers don’t deserve to play."

Surprising we got a team out this season.

Apart from Stones, I couldnÂ’t care less if any of them fuck off.

Peter Mills
41 Posted 29/05/2015 at 20:39:28
The only things holding back his career are his inconsistency, his injury problems, his greed on the ball, his lack of judgement, his lack of stamina, his failure to work hard on the pitch, and his inability to accept he is just not as good as he clearly thinks he is.

HeÂ’s a talented lad, but you need a bit more than talent.

Joe Bibb
42 Posted 29/05/2015 at 20:43:40
He should ask Pienaar what it was like at Spurs.

Another so called Everton star who found out the odd goal in 12 games isnÂ’t good enough for a team like Spurs.

Let Kevin go if he wants to, not many players have left Everton and gone on to better things.

Phil Walling
43 Posted 29/05/2015 at 20:51:12
Joe, are you suggesting that Everton is the graveyard of talented players or that we specialise in signing Â’old timersÂ’ whose time is done?
Chris Burns
44 Posted 29/05/2015 at 21:01:52
He did, however, twat Suarez magnificently in the derby.
Gavin Johnson
45 Posted 29/05/2015 at 21:00:05
Joe, a good point made – Mirallas is crying about not being played enough. Well he’ll have a shock if signed for Spurs or Atletico Madrid, especially with his fitness and injuries.

Once a player drops out of those sides through an injury, they can disappear along with their careers very quickly – look at David Bentley to name just one. These teams usually just go out and buy whoever else is flavour of the month.

Eugene Ruane
46 Posted 29/05/2015 at 20:53:07
Jamie (40) – "Apart from Stones, I couldn't care less if any of them fuck off"

Agree.

Andy Walker
47 Posted 29/05/2015 at 20:57:59
It would be a blow to loose him in my opinion, one of our better players who on his day can change a match. HeÂ’s had a few injuries which havenÂ’t helped this season, but I thought he was under used after Christmas. I thought he wasnÂ’t fit but looks like it wasnÂ’t that.

He will follow Rooney, Lescott and Arteta and go on to win major honours having left us no doubt.

Jim Bennings
49 Posted 29/05/2015 at 21:13:50
What is apparent from watching the performance against Spurs and for the vast majority of the season is that there is clear unrest amongst the team at Everton.

ItÂ’s worrying how this squad is going to change from the unrest and distress it looks in, IÂ’m not convinced it can be allowed to carry on,

Can Martinez remain in charge of a side that clearly does not trust his playing style and lacks leadership on the pitch and in the dressing room??

The statement from Baines about Lennon waking them into hard work was quite frankly embarrassing and said all you need to know about the interest the players have got in being a success under Martinez.

Andy Walker
52 Posted 29/05/2015 at 21:32:15
Andy, playing good every 6/8 games is better than most of the squad. Barkley, I can think of 1 good game when he came back from injury. Barry, and McCarthy, maybe 2 each all season and the former played pretty much every game. Howard, Baines, Naismith, Alcaraz, Kone, can't think of one between them. Lukaku, maybe 4-5 all season and most in Europa. Jags probably tops although he was poor for the first third of the season.

So Mirallas, one of the better of a bad bunch, if he's had a half a dozen decent games.

Steve Guy
53 Posted 29/05/2015 at 21:38:34
HeÂ’s going. He was one of my favourite players but grabbing that ball for the penalty kick against team orders and then missing it did it for me. Good player but not great and a legend in his own lunchtime.
Amit Vithlani
54 Posted 29/05/2015 at 21:36:15
When he is at it, he is the best attacking player we have, combining pace, flair, skill and finishing ability. However, he does seem to be unsettled and the tendency of our Belgian players to talk very openly of their problems with the media smacks of attention seeking.

Either Martinez makes him a first choice and deploys him in a position which maximises his ability or gets rid. Kev is clearly not a player who will keep his mouth shut and get his head down if things arenÂ’t going his way.

Sam Hoare
55 Posted 29/05/2015 at 22:12:12
If he goes, we may struggle to replace him with such an effective attacking player. His goals/assist return is pretty impressive and the best of our midfielders by a worrying distance.
Oliver Molloy
56 Posted 29/05/2015 at 22:22:02
When he is in the mood, he can be a real threat and score goals,the problem is KM a bit of a prima donna and when things are not going his way, he usually goes missing.

If this report is true, then we should get rid of him now and quick. More so than ever all players who pull on our shirt must be together and fully committed 100% for the new season, otherwise we are in trouble.

John Atkins
57 Posted 29/05/2015 at 22:24:30
Get rid of him!!! Okay, heÂ’s talented to be fair but, as most have said, it's all about him and I canÂ’t forgive him for that penalty incident against West Brom; disgraceful.

He lives near me in Cheshire and IÂ’ve seen him in the local Tesco a few times and IÂ’ve always been pleasant to him and let on, he seemed pleased to be recognised as very few havenÂ’t a clue who he is as most all are Man Utd or Citeh fans around there.

I canÂ’t wait to see him again and tell him what I think of him now!!!

Tom Dodds
58 Posted 29/05/2015 at 22:53:15
Funny how he waited for the season tickets deadline to close before he kicked off...
Danny Broderick
59 Posted 29/05/2015 at 22:51:05
I like Mirallas as a player. IÂ’d make him our Number 10. He has an eye for goal, can set some up, and I think that would get the best out of Lukaku also.

However, itÂ’s time to commit or move on. If he goes, then so be it. But I wouldnÂ’t sell him to Spurs. TheyÂ’ll fuck us over, weÂ’d be better served buying Lennon separately and selling Mirallas abroad if we go down that road.

Gavin Johnson
60 Posted 29/05/2015 at 23:20:56
A straight swap for Perisic from Wolfsburg would do for me. Or buy Perisic with the incoming transfer fee.
Darryl Ritchie
61 Posted 29/05/2015 at 23:28:08
The most worrying thing is that Mirallas is our one of our best attacking players. 7 goals and 1 assist last season, is nothing to write home about. If Kevin has the ball anywhere near the box; head down, damn the torpedoes, heÂ’s going to shoot. The single assist is telling.

What he does have is confidence in his own ability. He is pretty good, but not as good as he thinks he is. When in the mood, he can be positive, but as mentioned above, if things donÂ’t go his way, he disappears.

If he stays... fine.

If he goes... sell him for a bundle... also fine.

Clive Rogers
62 Posted 29/05/2015 at 23:38:43
He will surely have to go now. IÂ’m not a great admirer as he is not a team player, but he will certainly have to be replaced with a goalscorer. With Mirallas gone and with Naismith out of favour, that leaves Jagielka as our leading scorer after Lukaku with 4 PL goals. Lukaku only had 10 with 2 penalties (I think).

Very worrying.

Clive Rogers
63 Posted 30/05/2015 at 00:10:11
Own goals was equal seventh, whoever he is.
James Flynn
66 Posted 30/05/2015 at 00:40:57
Lot of ToffeeWeb management-types in here.

So, we dump Kevin, eh. God bless you first-rate personnel folks. Then what? Enlighten the rest of us. Who do we get in?

MirallasÂ’s "problem" is that he came a few years too late to play with Arteta.

Gold car-driving selfish bastard.

Ross Edwards
67 Posted 30/05/2015 at 01:03:33
Who do you get to replace Mirallas?

Konoplyanka? Free. Possible. Wage demands of £100k a week if rumours are true.

Nolito? Apparently Porto are interested in him and is valued at £12m, probably almost all of our budget for this summer. And if Porto go in for him he’ll go there.

Perisic? Wolfsburg are in the Champions League next season. Why would he come here?

Bolasie? I like him personally but he wants to stay in London it seems.

Deulofeu? IÂ’d love him back here. Exciting talent and loved by the fans. However Martinez said in the interview that itÂ’s Â’not realistic at this timeÂ’ so perhaps not.

We definitely need a quality replacement for him if he goes because if we donÂ’t get a replacement weÂ’d be left with McGeady and injury prone Pienaar. And maybe Lennon if we get him. Unlikely though knowing Levy.

Harold Matthews
68 Posted 30/05/2015 at 00:11:56
Yes, we know heÂ’s greedy, we know he only plays when he feels like it, but now we have dropped to 12th in the wage league it will be very difficult to attract International players of his level. Of PienaarÂ’s level. Of FellainiÂ’s level.

Things have changed enormously over the last two or three years. Quality talent might decide to look elsewhere and the overall standard of our aging squad may gradually fall.

With so many clubs offering better deals, hanging on to our top players will not be easy but we must fight to keep them. As Dick Advocat noted about Sunderland the other day. "ItÂ’s quality they need, not quantity." The same applies to Everton. How we manage to capture these quality players is anyoneÂ’s guess but it has to be done.

Derek Thomas
69 Posted 30/05/2015 at 01:41:48
He was never the same player after Suarez did him (though he did get him back). Even before that he wasnÂ’t as good as he thought he was.

Distin, EtoÂ’o, Garbutt, Baines, Mirallas... and Martinez.

A lot of the Backroom staff who quit... and Martinez.

If I had to keep one from Martinez and Mirallas... IÂ’d keep the player, at least he might win us a game or two, the other one will just waste another season

CanÂ’t do his job and wonÂ’t do his job...fuck em both off for me. At least we will get money for the player. Who will pay us for Martinez

Phil Sammon
71 Posted 30/05/2015 at 04:10:08
Derek (#69),

I agree. If itÂ’s Mirallas or Martinez then I want Mirallas to be the one who stays. Then again, if it were Martinez or the tea lady then IÂ’d still want Roberto to pack his bags.

Who knows what Mirallas has said or done. All I know is he didnÂ’t play enough towards the end of the season when Barkley was doing nothing and Osman was out of position. A greedy, Gold Bentley-driving prima-donna he may be...but heÂ’s one of the few players we have who knows where the goal is.

Mike Green
72 Posted 30/05/2015 at 05:14:42
Mirallas is undoubtedly a decent player, and is one of the few in our squad who knows how to actually drive the ball forward but for me has never truly delivered on his promise and contributed the goals and assists that you would expect from his talent. I think he simply looks better than he actually is.

All things being equal heÂ’s a good addition to the squad but IÂ’m very much with Andrew Clare (#18). Maybe thatÂ’s why IÂ’m not in man management but hey.

He’s continuously (unless misquoted) dropping little bits here and there how essentially he’s better than Everton – how does that make the youngsters, particularly, in the squad feel? And I may have missed it but for a seasoned International footballer when was the last time you heard one of the youngsters (Barkley for instance) say how much he’d learned from him, what an influence he’d been, how he’d improved his game etc?

Modern day footballers seem to be typically very self-centred nowadays so MirallasÂ’s attitude is no more exceptional than the 7/10 performances heÂ’s given to a club he clearly feels he has outgrown.

We should open up to offers and see if anyone else thinks Kevin is quite as good as he thinks he is. Let’s start the bidding at £15M and get someone in who feels they have something to prove.

Michael Polley
73 Posted 30/05/2015 at 08:17:08
More bullshit from a foreign tabloid. WeÂ’re going to get this all summer I fear.
Ged Simpson
74 Posted 30/05/2015 at 08:33:24
The Manager decides who plays. ThatÂ’s the deal. Sounds like a sulky 10-year-old.

Sod Â’em all. With their media mates they are ruining a great game far more than Blatter.

Dave Abrahams
76 Posted 30/05/2015 at 09:13:19
Why do sensible people on here want to keep him when they also admit he only plays when he wants to.

We have no say in the matter, unfortunately; if he goes, he goes... if he stays he stays. HeÂ’s gifted, IÂ’d prefer a player less gifted who is consistently good.

Clive Rogers
77 Posted 30/05/2015 at 09:41:37
Harold (#68),
YouÂ’re correct. Attracting players is becoming a problem, and is the next stage in our decline along with players at the club telling us they would sooner be somewhere else: Lukaku, Mirallas and Naismith.

Cleverley has dropped a clear hint he will sign for Villa. We are down to taking a chance on unknowns from Europe and cast offs from bigger clubs.

Joe Foster
78 Posted 30/05/2015 at 09:59:13
Yes, as a bottom-half club, the pool of players who would come to us will now be a lot less. We are no longer the best of the rest but among those making up the numbers hoping to survive. At the rate RM falls out with our players, this could be a summer like we have never seen before.
Dave Williams
79 Posted 30/05/2015 at 10:01:59
The future has to be acquiring /developing young and hungry players and hope that they come good together and stay because they take the team forward. Kev is good on his day but so are lots of players – we need lads who will put in a shift regardless of how they feel on the day and Kev will never be one of those.
Sell him on and make a decent offer for Deulofeu.
Phil Walling
80 Posted 30/05/2015 at 10:30:04
Mike @72. Start the bidding at £15M? He’ll be here for life! A third of that sum might attract a bid from one of those Turkish clubs who pay on the ’mini drip’ but I can’t see any rush forthcoming from clubs of our level.

Never an automatic selection here, heÂ’s invariably hooked before the end and has a poor fitness record. WeÂ’re stuck with him, IÂ’m afraid.

Laurie Hartley
81 Posted 30/05/2015 at 10:58:04
Stating the obvious but all players want to play. Perhaps he feels that he deserved a start in the team before Barkley and Lukaku this season.

Play him in his proper position and I believe you would see a different player with a different attitude – and a goal return.

No doubt EtoÂ’o felt the same way prior to falling out of favour.

John Crawley
82 Posted 30/05/2015 at 11:12:31
Big miss if he goes, where are our goals and assists coming from in midfield? Another indication of problems with MartinezÂ’s man management skills. So far heÂ’s bombed out Garbutt after his Newcastle comments, dropped Baines after the Hull game because of a bust up, fallen out with Distin and EtoÂ’o. Now weÂ’ve got MirallasÂ’s comments.

The best man-managers IÂ’ve seen at Everton were Joe Royle & Howard Kendall, no coincidence that they both won trophies. Mourinho is the most successful manager in the league and a brilliant man-manager. Moyes famously lost the dressing room at Everton before turning it around. Martinez doesnÂ’t strike me as the type who is going to modify his approach.

Patrick Murphy
84 Posted 30/05/2015 at 11:23:46
John - None of us know what has gone on at Finch Farm / Goodison Park during the last season and itÂ’s difficult to assess whether Roberto has treated the players fairly or not.

I suspect that some promises regarding bonuses or wages have not been met and that some players have gained extended contracts whilst others have been allowed to let their contracts run down.

Mirallas, Garbutt, Baines and Distin are players who were signed by Moyes and perhaps donÂ’t fit in with RobertoÂ’s philosophy. EtoÂ’o will forever be a mystery as to why we signed him and then got rid of as quickly as possible. Whatever the situation has been with particular players, the manager lives and dies by his decisions and we wonÂ’t know how many of those decisions are proved correct until the new season begins.

I suspect that – if Roberto was held in higher esteem by the fans – nobody would question what has occurred regarding those players but at the moment every incident is being viewed negatively because the supporters don’t have too much trust in Roberto. He’s going to have to win back those supporters and the only way he can do that is if he has a group of players fully focussed on playing for him and producing performances befitting of their abilities.

A big summer lies ahead and itÂ’s too early to tell what condition the squad will be in come August.

Pete Edwards
85 Posted 30/05/2015 at 11:49:24
Clive, you canÂ’t really use Cleverly as an example of us falling down the signing pecking order. Aston Villa took him on loan, played him and have shown faith in him so naturally he would look at signing for them

Phil and Derek, it's a bit boring now with all the "we lose because of Martinez but when we win its nothing to do with him"!

Clive Rogers
86 Posted 30/05/2015 at 12:46:10
Pete,

Possibly, but we are certainly not the attraction we used to be.

Barry Stevens
87 Posted 30/05/2015 at 12:39:42
On his day, he is a very good player, but those days have become very rare for super Kev. Aside from the gold Bentley, his actions vs West Bromwich showed what he is all about.

And for all the critical comments on here re our manager's relationships with certain players, people have short memories. WasnÂ’t it at White Hart Lane this season that Mirallas ran to embrace him after scoring? Fact is Lennon came in and performed well enough to keep him out the team.

Derek Thomas
89 Posted 30/05/2015 at 13:18:51
Pete @85; Yes itÂ’s past boring now. itÂ’s past even worrying. Just as sometimes we used to win despite Moyes we do the same with Martinez.

This will be another wasted season as we fall further behind the Stokes etc.

It was a good try but weÂ’ve gone too far the other way.

WhatÂ’s needed is the Goldilocks Option, not too much Moyes, not too much Martinez.

Jay Harris
90 Posted 29/05/2015 at 23:55:19
Can't believe some posters. The same people were glad to see the back of Fellaini. The real art of good management is to manage top players not get rid of them.

The goals we lost when Fellaini went have never been replaced and we can anticipate the same if Mirallas went.

Goalscoring midfielders no matter how greedy or selfish they are are at a premium.

Nobody can question Mirallas's ability it is his lack of motivation this season that is called into question and you would have to ask the manager about that.

Paul Tran
92 Posted 30/05/2015 at 15:29:16
So, thereÂ’s this talented player who was inconsistent under Moyes and equally so under Martinez.

HeÂ’s in and out of the team due to lack of form. Other than a fabulous performance at West Ham, his season will be remembered for a hijacked, missed penalty and some horrible niggly challenges.

He tells us he likes it here and heÂ’ll stay, then he tells us he was Â’forced to stayÂ’ at Everton and he wants to talk to Martinez about Â’broken promisesÂ’.

It would be good if Mirallas made a Â’promiseÂ’ to work his socks off next season and earn himself a new contract, either with us or the bigger club he clearly Â’deservesÂ’. Or he could just leave and give us the space for a player who is talented, consistent and actually wants to play for us.

Minik Hansen
93 Posted 30/05/2015 at 15:50:18
Remember when he just got to the club, fortunate that he chose us over Arsenal, weÂ’ve got a good player in him. If we can get the right players, like a No 10 and another winger, the team getting the right click is all over it in front.
Simon Jones
94 Posted 30/05/2015 at 16:01:22
The lad has talent, surely keeping difficult characters (or ones whose comments are lost in translation) in the team is just part of management?
Ben Jones
95 Posted 30/05/2015 at 16:24:52
I mean, what, 3 players who he has allegedly fallen out with - EtoÂ’o, Distin and Mirallas.

Bar one outstanding game and a few good sub appearances, EtoÂ’o did nothing. You should question more why he moved here in the first place.

The defence improved since Distin went in the team. Yes, a great servant and remember he played really well in MartinezÂ’s first season, but now deadwood.

And then only Mirallas gets some credit this season. But despite his goal season, its probably his most inconsistent season to date. And he is replaceable for the £10-14 million he might move away for.

Lets just say he falls out with Coleman, Baines, McCarthy or Jags, a player with the right attitude AND the right talent then yeah the nay sayers have a point.

But those three this season didn't have those things (EtoÂ’o had neither).

So I needs good riddance to Kevin if he wants to go.

If Martinez succeeds in putting his own stamp and improving the team this season then great. But it could go either way. I'm still quite excited tho, its going to be an interesting summer.

Ray Roche
96 Posted 30/05/2015 at 16:36:24
Ben, "Bar one outstanding game and a few good sub appearances, Eto'o did nothing. You should question more why he moved here in the first place."

Surely we should question why Martinez brought him here in the first place.

"The defence improved since Distin went in the team"
That would be the Distin who would have made a world of difference in Kiev....

No Ben, if Martinez has it in him to keep falling out with players, and Mirallas IS one of our better players when motivated we should be trying to keep him.

Incidentally, I think itÂ’s a manager's job to ensure players are motivated. Then again, IÂ’m probably a bit old school...

Patrick Murphy
97 Posted 30/05/2015 at 16:45:37
Ray, it is, like you say, a manger's job to motivate players... but how do you motivate people who blow so hot and cold both on and off the pitch?

Mirallas is an asset when the team is firing on all cylinders but a liability when things are going awry. HeÂ’s a good footballer but a terrible character, like too many are these days. Lukaku has similar traits which is why neither he nor Mirallas will reach the very top of the game. They both have skill but donÂ’t have the mental strength to reach the heights.

My hopes of winning a few bob today I took Falkirk and Villa to win the Scottish and English FA CupÂ’s because they both won the respective competitions in 1957 have hit the buffers due to the ineptness of the Falkirk keeper.

Ray Roche
98 Posted 30/05/2015 at 16:59:30
Thing is, though, Patrick, look at the difference in Villa since Sherwood took over. Motivated, confident, the manager plays such a huge part in getting the best out of players.

LetÂ’s hope your bet comes off, IÂ’d rather another name on the FA Cup than Arsenal and their spoilt fans would have to get used to it.

Patrick Murphy
99 Posted 30/05/2015 at 17:10:31
I agree Ray, Sherwood has transformed Villa in his short time at the club, we will find out next season whether that is a temporary thing or not. Martinez has still to prove himself and I believe it could go either way for him next season, if he does manage to bring in the right type of players and the team are truly giving their all for him, he should be okay, if as you and many others suspect, he is out of his depth and any possible issues with players resurface then he will be out of a job.

IÂ’m not sure that I want Villa to win, because it might prove a catalyst for them to push on and be another club who could leave us in their wake on the other hand Arsenal are not an easy club to like as far as their fans are concerned.

Paul Tran
100 Posted 30/05/2015 at 17:14:48
Sorry, Patrick, a brilliant day for the Highlands as the mighty Caley Thistle show us what you can do with a bit of commitment, organisation and grit.

I agree with you, Ray. It is MartinezÂ’s job to motivate the team and heÂ’s done it very poorly this season.

ThatÂ’s a separate issue to this Mirallas situation. HeÂ’s had his three years, he wants to move on. He thinks heÂ’s better than us, the market will dictate whether heÂ’s right. Any player who does well for us, regardless of who is manager, will want to move on to Â’betterÂ’ clubs. You can list them all, from when I started going to the game in 1970.

IÂ’m old school too. If they want to leave, let them go for the biggest price.

Roger Helm
101 Posted 30/05/2015 at 18:15:51
I think at least part of MirallasÂ’s problem is that, like most of the team, Martinez and his backroom staff have not got them fit enough and strong enough to put in a proper shift.
Ray Roche
102 Posted 30/05/2015 at 18:19:35
Well, at half time, itÂ’s a totally outclassed Villa who are trailing. Time for Sherwood to do his stuff.

Yes Paul, if Mirallas really wants to go get the highest price for him. And any other who donÂ’t REALLY want to be here. Very few players are playing for the club closest to their heart and even when they do, like Rooney, the money still drags them away.

Phil Walling
103 Posted 30/05/2015 at 20:00:15
Sherwood is a myth. And not just on todayÂ’s humiliation. Just another upstart manager who tells a good story. And thereÂ’s some whoÂ’d have him here. you are joking!
Stephen Brown
104 Posted 30/05/2015 at 20:04:22
I agree with Phil #103. Sherwood reminds me of Stuart Pearce as he probably can motivate players for an initial period then will get found out tactically!
Patrick Murphy
105 Posted 30/05/2015 at 20:11:40
Are there any managers out there who can manage clubs such as Villa and Everton and take on the big boys in the really big games?

ItÂ’s looking less and less likely that there are and perhaps it is the modern fashion to focus on the managers that has lead to some players hiding behind that shield.

It’s always been about having good players and the more money available the better the team, which isn’t good news for Evertonians. I hadn’t realised that it is eleven years since Arsenal were last crowned Champions – that tells another story of how difficult it is to compete at the top end of the Premier League.

Ben Jones
107 Posted 30/05/2015 at 20:31:21
Sorry Ray, I misspelt the first bit about EtoÂ’o. I absolutely agree and question why he bought him.

I disagree about Distin though, why would he have made a difference? They'/ve both been awful. Did you watch Distin against Swansea in the League Cup?

Then I think your point is why does not Martinez motivate the WHOLE team. Well Distin, Mirallas and EtoÂ’o aren't the whole team.

As I said before, if Martinez failed to motivate our players with the right attitude, Jags, Barry etc then there are questions, but that's clearly not the case.

Motivation is not the issue with Martinez for me. I think fitness and some tactical stubbornness were the main ones, and yeah Martinez plays a key role in both, so Im no Martinez fanatic by any means.

I would also agree there are better man managers out there, but I do not believe the key elements and majority of the squad have motivation problems playing for the manager.

So if, as he says, the World Cup and Europa League are key elements why we were so poor this season, then in my eyes, he deserves till at least Christmas to prove it, otherwise questions need to be answered.

But as I have said, people forget his first season, it was so much better than most of MoyesÂ’s seasons in charge. Martinez deserves another chance in my eyes.

Matt Traynor
108 Posted 30/05/2015 at 21:03:06
IÂ’ve un-friended him on Facebook. If that doesnÂ’t wake him up then...

(Yes, I know the Kevin Mirallas on FB wasnÂ’t really him)

Steavey Buckley
109 Posted 30/05/2015 at 21:07:01
Mirallas, after Lukaku, knows where the goal is. IMO, Mirallas should play in BarkleyÂ’s position, where he can run at people, and have a shot on goal when he is in a good position, just behind Lukaku. Barkley has been woeful in front of goal all season, with shots or free kicks going way over the cross ball.
Tony Abrahams
110 Posted 30/05/2015 at 21:22:34
After watching that cup final, I donÂ’t think Cleverly would improve us.

I want to see midfielders playing one-twos around the opposition, not just between themselves.

Patrick Murphy
114 Posted 30/05/2015 at 22:55:08
Steavey - We thought like so many teams do that it was just a matter of turning up following the performance against Man Utd. Arsenal on the other hand decided that they would chase and harry Villa out of their stride and won handsomely although they do have quality players all over the pitch and Villa froze on their big day.

Quality will tell if the players decide to put in a shift but without hard-work quality is wasted, as for Everton if they donÂ’t all work hard then they will find it difficult to beat any team.

Ray Roche
115 Posted 30/05/2015 at 23:04:16
Ben@107.

I think Distin would have made a considerable difference in the game I mentioned, away to Kiev, in place of the woeful Alcaraz who gave as poor a display at Centre half that I can remember.

As for motivation, some players need it more than others, just as in any workplace. ItÂ’s Martinez job to identify them and give them the motivation as required. I have also been banging on about the poor levels of fitness and the rubbish pre season since last August, however, I do think that using the Europa as an excuse is poor. What would have happened if weÂ’d finished 4th last season and qualified for the CL? Would we be moaning about the extra games then?

And I also think that Martinez first and excellent season owed much to the Moyes regime set up and system and that the season just finished is all MartinezÂ’s own work. You may have gathered, IÂ’m not his greatest fan.

Jay Harris
116 Posted 30/05/2015 at 23:15:15
Totally agree 100% Ray.

This idiot seems to resent what Moyes had setup and has systematically been dismantling it including players who still showed some loyalty toward OFM.

Those supporters blaming Distin for our defensive woes need to wake up and check the stats.

The whole team has been defensively poor and anemic up front ALL season except for 1 or 2 games and Distin didnt play in 80% of them.

As you rightly pont out Alcaraz looked as if he had never been shown how to head or clear a ball against Kiev.

It was the poorest Centre back display I have seen since Glen Keeley.

Ant Dwyer
117 Posted 30/05/2015 at 23:16:07
It does my head in when a player goes away on international duty or home leave etc and starts talking to the press. Lukaku has done it and Johnny Heitinga was always at it; simply put itÂ’s wrong, shut it.

That said, I feel for Mirallas as heÂ’s not a favourite with Martinez and thatÂ’s always been clear. For me, Mirallas is a top player who can win a game all by himself and heÂ’s not been treated with the respect his play deserves.

Mirallas was sacrificed for Delboy and McGeady last season, Atsu and Lennon this season... something tells me the writing has been on the wall all along. In my opinion, none of the above names come close to Mirallas.

James Stewart
118 Posted 30/05/2015 at 23:50:00
I canÂ’t really blame Mirallas. He is a prat but he has spent far too long on the bench while other players have offered absolutely nothing. He has requested the No 10 role time and again yet never features there. If I were him, I would move on.
Matt Traynor
120 Posted 31/05/2015 at 06:25:51
Chris #44 "He did, however, twat Suarez magnificently in the derby."

That he did. Although to me it was just retribution for SuarezÂ’s horror tackle on him the year previous which put him out for weeks.

The indignation of the commentators for MirallasÂ’s tackle was comical. Yes he should have been sent off. Like Suarez the year prior.

Peter Barry
121 Posted 31/05/2015 at 18:18:57
Mirallas is a greedy twat who only plays for himself, not for the team.
Paul Hewitt
122 Posted 31/05/2015 at 18:23:17
Peter... ALL footballers are greedy twats.
Colin Glassar
123 Posted 31/05/2015 at 18:34:19
Succinctly put Peter. Nothing much to add to that.
Dave Abrahams
124 Posted 31/05/2015 at 20:14:52
Paul (122), Football clubs encourage them to be greedy, while charging supporters too much to watch them.
Andy Mack
125 Posted 31/05/2015 at 23:06:57
Look at the goalscoring stats for this season before we usher greedy twat Kev out the door. Fair enough if Martinez can replace him with someone of equal or better. But looking at our transfers so far, do you trust weÂ’ll get better value?
Nicholas Ryan
126 Posted 31/05/2015 at 23:35:06
Why is Kevin [shiny gold Bentley] Mirallas, different from Rory Gallagher?

..... Because HEÂ’ll never be associated with TASTE!

Tony J Williams
130 Posted 01/06/2015 at 12:38:20
Andy Mack, I did just that and it was quite an eye opener.

Of KevÂ’s league goals, 3 came in defeats, 1 against Chelsea, Spurs and Newcastle, Also his "wonder performance" against West Ham in the FA Cup was ultimately pointless too.

Scored against Wolfsburg twice and Young Boys; his league wins came with QPR, Burnley and West Brom. Not exactly setting the world on fire is it? Not a prestige list of teams really?

Andy Mack
131 Posted 01/06/2015 at 13:14:22
HeÂ’s not setting the world ablaze, Tony, but compared to the rest of the team, heÂ’s not underwhelming either. We have nobody else who can score an actual goal or even sting the goalie's fingers, it seems, apart from big Rom.

Whether Kev will be here or elsewhere next season, take away his strikes in defeats, draws or wins and weÂ’re going to be a joy to watch next season. Can we actually scout a replacement?

Not sure how accurate who scoredÂ’s season data is but if they are anywhere near true, Kev isnÂ’t that bad.

Mirallas 1841 mins 11 goals 2 assists
McGeady 1305 mins 1 goal 4 assists
Naismith 2552 mins 8 goals 1 assists
Osman 1567 mins 3 goals 2 assists

Ozil 1860 mins 4 goals 5 assists
Van Persie 2114 mins 10 goals 2 assists
Mata 2309 mins 9 goals 4 assists

Jim Knightley
132 Posted 01/06/2015 at 13:16:43
Tony - I’d say goals against the second best team in the Bundesliga, Manchester United (which you omit) and Chelsea are not bad going. He also scored against a Newcastle team in form. I’d also argue that the vast majority of players in any league scores the majority of their goals against poorer teams – I don’t see your point?

And negating the point of his performance against West Ham because they knocked us out of the Cup borders on the hilarious/innane. I really do not know if you are attempting some incredibly well concealed sarcasm, or have been listening to too much Talksport.

Your whole argument though, ostensibly that Mirallas is some kind of flat-track bully, makes no sense. It would actually make more sense to read the stats differently: Of Mirallas 11 goals this season, 2 came against Wolfsburg (The best side we faced in the Europa League, and the second best in the Bundesliga), the Champions Chelsea, against Manchester United and Spurs, and away to an inform Newcastle and West Ham prior to their second half of the season collapses. He has hardly performed a Berbatov has he?!

Mirallas may had a bad attitude, or may be ambitious depending on how you want to frame it, but he is one of the few players in our squad capable of brilliance. He has scored at a ratio of 1 goal in just under 4 Premier League starts, which is an impressive record and far better than any other of our midfield options. Him going will make us weaker, and we will lose our most effective wide player.

I do not understand the desire to get rid of him. I understand he has an irritating attitude, and that his outbursts (albeit ones exaggerated by the media) are unhelpful. But he is one of our most talented players, and is capable of playing across the 3 attacking mid positions and up front.

Very few players in this league are capable of playing so many positions, and many would have preferred a more stable base position that Mirallas has had in his Everton career. Getting rid of our best players will make us weaker - we should only let Mirallas go when we are forced too.

Let McGeady go this summer. He can follow Alcaraz, Distin, Atsu (And I expect Pienaar) out the door. Then we should invest our funds in a good young centre-back and a creative midfielder. IÂ’d like to see us supplement those important arrivals with a striker and winger, most probably on loan.

Importantly, we must keep our best players, and I will be extremely disappointed to see our best goalscoring midfield go when we lack a goal threat from midfield.

Tony J Williams
133 Posted 01/06/2015 at 13:34:57
Not too sure what those last three player stats are supposed to prove Andy. Three players who have all had poor seasons compared to their usual standards.

As I mentioned, the goals he scored where we have won were against QPR, West Brom and Burnley so not as if he he scoring against great defences. The other goals were in Europe were we battered the teams and the others were effectively consolation goals.

I think he is a good player but, as I have always thought, he is nowhere near as good as he thinks he is and I donÂ’t actually think we will miss him as much as some on here think we will.

ItÂ’s not simply a case of take away his goals from a result, as there would have been another player there instead of him and it's a case of what that player may have added/detracted from the game.

I hope he stays but I am not bothered one bit if he does go.

Christine Foster
134 Posted 01/06/2015 at 13:03:20
ItÂ’s rather apparent that Martinez may not just spout bullshit to the press but to players as well. The art of good team management is to get the best out of each player for the team. One gets the impression from comments attributed to players that he says one thing and does another but worst of all just shuts off any communication.

Making promises that you never mean to keep is a bit like watching the Kevin Peterson saga.

If there is no communication with players as to what they have to do to get back in the team, or having done what was asked, being left standing out in the cold, just what is a player meant to do?

ItÂ’s clear several players he wants rid off but is not being straight with them. Leaves you feeling a little lacking in trust with him, I think.

Tony J Williams
135 Posted 01/06/2015 at 14:02:09
Jim, oversight on behalf with the Man Utd goal, apologies.

Rich vein of form? Lost the last 3 before they played us, 4-1, 1-0 and 3-1.

Why is it Hilarious Jim? Did he put in such a performance to help us win? No, we lost.

"Your whole argument though, ostensibly that Mirallas is some kind of flat-track bully, makes no sense." – No, what makes no sense is that statement; my whole point is that he is not as good as he thinks he is and his goals tally is not all that impressive when you look into it closely.

Jim Knightley
136 Posted 01/06/2015 at 14:56:13
It is hilarious Tony, because negating the clearly good performance of Mirallas because we lost is non-nonsensical – by that logic, every good performance of a player in a defeat is rendered irrelevant.

And, as I pointed out, you haven’t looked at his goal tally closely. He had 11 goals – 2 of those have come against the second best team in the Bundesliga, and 3 against 3 of the top six in the league. That’s 5 goals against very good sides.

Please explain – what exactly were you hoping to find? That Mirallas had only scored goals against top sides? Both his goals against Newcastle and West Ham were away from home, when Newcastle and West Ham were playing much better than at the end of the season (both were above us in the table I believe). His proportion of goals against good sides, which seems to be the peculiar line you are following, is more than acceptable.

As I have previously mentioned, the vast majority of players will score the majority of goals against poorer sides in the division. As it happens, IÂ’d argue strongly that 5 of his 11 goals were against superior sides, whilst West Ham and West Brom both finished within 3 points of us.

As I have said: your argument is nonsensical. You are relying on a thesis which is clearly flawed. I completely disagree with the concept of your argument in the first place, but if you are going to make it, it should at least be consistent. Yours is not. Mirallas, as it happens, scored against some good teams and did not fill his boots against the chaff in the league.

No-one here is arguing that Mirallas is as good as he thinks it, but he is clearly an effective goal scorer. His ratio of goals is far better than the rest of our wide men, as AndyÂ’s post relate.

So please, tell me again, what was the point of your post? And please do not say it was to argue because Â’he is not as good as he thinks he isÂ’ as no one is saying that, and that certainly was not the point of AndyÂ’s post.

IÂ’d also agree with Christine. We cannot determine the truth of what Mirallas said, but clearly Martinez has failed to keep a lid on issues this season. The EtoÂ’o saga was a joke, and Distin was seemingly treated poorly. He has failed to keep a lid on discontent, and it was made known that the players were unhappy with the style of play they were being made to play. We all hoped that Martinez could retain the Moyes-era defensive ability, and introduce a progressive style of attacking football and management which could improve us (or at least maintain our level and win us a cup).

I think there are real fears that he could be more stubborn than Moyes, and conceal it with the exaggerated positivity he promotes, which at times strikes me as dishonesty. I fear and expect he will turn out to be just as stubborn, but – unlike Moyes – will fail to improve us in the process.

Peter Fearon
138 Posted 01/06/2015 at 21:39:39
To me, this all sounds like maneuvering for more money. I want to stay but... etc etc. I could have gone here or there but I stayed etc etc.

Make him a fair offer. If the answerÂ’s no, offload him outside the Premier League. He is too high-maintenance.

This was fine when he was scoring goals and creating chances but too often he is a passenger these days – and he seems to ignore his supposed Belgian international team mate whenever he can.

Sondre Haga
139 Posted 02/06/2015 at 11:12:26
Let him go if he wants. Shows glimses of his obvious class from time to time but not often enough. As one said, we only want players who want to play for our club. Though I could live with having an unhappy Messi. :)

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