Naismith eyes Festive fixtures for opportunities

Steven Naismith would be the first name on my team sheet: his skill, commitment, vision and ability to score goals out of nothing, make him an invaluable asset. Naismith doesn’t hide, he is an honest player, his work rate is unquestionable and yet Martinez seemingly refuses to bring him off the bench even when recent victories, which Naismith could possibly have retrieved, have slipped away from us.

Fans are influenced by the press, TV and radio, sometimes regardless of performances and form; I believe this to be true regarding Ross Barkley. I sincerely hope both for the lad's sake and for the good of the club that he develops into a great player, but he has a very long way to go until he is the finished article. Comparisons with Paul Gascoigne at the same age are ludicrous. Gascoigne was world class at Barkley's age. Too many times Barkley is caught in possession, without a clue what he is going to do with the ball, when players are in position, waiting for the pass to come. Yet it seems regardless of his form, that he keeps the jersey ahead of Naismith. To my mind, that is bad management.

Similarly Kone, who has shown improved form, has visibly weakened in recent games, yet the manager refuses to replace him with Naismith. Whatever vision Mr Martinez has for the club, it is apparent it doesn't include Steven Naismith.

I believe he may rue the day he made that decision. Naismith is a thoroughly decent young man as his charity work proves, if he is to leave the club, I for one wish him every success and I would be happy to see him prove with another club his undoubted ability.

Questionable technically but gives 100% for 90 minutes and has a great attitude.

I would love to keep him in the squad but he has to be given some time on the pitch. Our recent cup game was an example of a game he could have been given a run out.

I wasn’t a huge fan of his to begin with but he has grown on me; it's a bit of a shame that he can’t get in the first team. He has some fight in him and gets in the face of some of the opposition when he has to. Imagine he is an annoying player to play against.

His reading of play can be sensational, he pops up in the opposition penalty area, quite unexpectedly, and he poaches goals.

He is also tigerish, will snap back at opponents, and referees, and can be a major irritant to the opposing team, rather like a certain Jamie Vardy, who will be meeting us soon.

I am not saying Nasmith should be an automatic starter, but we certainly could have done with his never-say-die attitude in some of our recent matches.

Come on, Bobby, give the lad his chance. Oh, and by the way, we have another game-changer called Osman who should not be overlooked either!

I will be sorry to see him leave. As people have pointed out, he is a good bloke, with a wider vision than just football. I wish him well if he does decide to move for regular first team football.

Takes a big man to come back from that! Whatever happens now, if he stays or goes he will be remembered very fondly by me and I’m sure most Evertonians!

Personally I hope he stays and scores lots more goals for a club he’s clearly taken to his heart! Reminds me a bit of Graham Stuart (adopted Evertonian for life!)

Naismith is not the most talented player, but you cannot criticize his work rate or his attitude. He is in a tough spot. To good to sit on the bench; not good enough to start. I hope it all works out well for him.

The sort of character you would rather have in your camp than the oppositions.

You only have to look at Chelsea, Newcastle, Sunderland and Villa to see how a poor dressing room and poor attitude in players can drag a team down.

I think he needs more chances, sometimes Roberto is a bit slow with the subs and Naismith is ideal to shake it up a bit. I hope he stays.

He has a fighting spirit and some of the others could take a leaf out of his book.

Sandy Brown, Alan Harper and Kevin Richardson. All players who struggled to count themselves as first-teamers, but great medal winners. Naismith fits their mould.

Aye, dream on laddie.

A valuable squad member who reacts quicker inside the box than either Lukaku or Kone, he might get a game over the holiday.

If not then Nessie can still play an important part for us over the Christmas period. He’s a great lad who deserves to be treated with respect.

If only we had someone like him.

I like him but he wanted to go to Norwich to play. On balance let him. For £9M!

I think with Roberto's current strategy (a lopsided 4-4-2... he has said Kone role is playing 2nd striker) is limiting out options. I would prefer a different strategy where Naismith or more importantly Mirallas can get game time. But neither can do Kone's hold up job in the same way that Kone can’t do their more direct job.

Both men are used to playing and scoring goals and know what it takes at Premier League level to succeed and we will take a massive risk to sell either in my opinion as knowing our luck, Lukaku will get injured and although Kone has done well of late, he's got a recent history of injury which you can never be too settled with.

I agree that if Naismith was sold, I'd be making a move for Charlie Austin, the guy simply knows where the net is and is as rough and ready as you need.

We are in my opinion a handful away of really clever signings from being a really good team, it's not easy but a quality goalkeeper, a central defender that commands his back five with leadership and is vocal, and possibly as I say Austin to eventually partner Lukaku.

As regards Steven Naismith, I feel very sorry for him, as many have already said on here, his attitude and workrate is unmatched at our Cub.

I cannot understand that in the last three matches where we have managed to turn a dominating performance into a nail-biting finish for a draw, why he was never used as a sub, and with a decent amount of time to contribute to the game. Funny Ol' Game, mate!

Can you imagine a front three of Embolo, Lukaku and Gerri up front? Only the Barcelona front three would be comparable.

Still, I take your point. It would be a tasty trio.

As for Naismith. I think we’re going to need him at least until the end of the season with the games coming thick and fast. What a likeable lad – fantastic attitude... mightn't be the the most technically gifted at the club. But I doubt there’s one Evertonian who dislikes him.

As someone earlier said: "Mirallas, watch and learn."

I think he’s right though. He’ll get a chances over the next five weeks or so.

Let’s be honest, his lack of pace lets him down; tidy enough footballer though.

Drop useless arse Barkley,

job done!

I'm miffed how he fails to get off the bench when we need changes or chasing a game.

Stick with us, Stevie, You will get your chance, and the fans are right behind you.

I really hope he gets a chance, as I still rate him above and beyond Kone.