Unproven over the long term, we just could'nt afford to splash that sought of cash on a player whose reputation was not exactly 'robust'to begin with, and do we really need someone of that character in our team who didn't even bother to have the courtesy to inform our club that he intended to talk to Valencia?

Instead he chose to skulk away in the dead of night and hotfoot it to Spain, no doubt motivated by his agent with promises of more cash etc.

He really is the 'typecast' mercenary so prevalent in the game today.

Good riddance Manny.

"Everton Football Club feels it should clarify the situation with regards to Manuel Fernandes.

"We worked hard all last week on what was a very difficult and complex three-party agreement.

"Everton staff worked through the night on Thursday, finally reaching agreement with the English footballing authorities on Friday afternoon.

"A similar night's work on Friday left us satisfied that we had both addressed and agreed all issues with the other involved parties.

"However, on Saturday we were informed that another club had come in with a rival bid and despite sustained efforts over the remainder of the weekend the player today joined Valencia.

"David Moyes and his coaching staff are continuing to seek the extra addition to our squad, which they feel they require for this season."

Translation: A rival bid came in and the player had a choice to make. He chose to go to Valencia. He wasn't kidnapped. He CHOSE to go. Of course, if there was a way that this could have been done before Valencia came in, he would have been signed for us and all would be great. But given the choice, Manny took off.

While I believe Everton deserve a share of the blame, I don't think there's any doubt that the FA should share some of our venom as well. And of course, Manny's no angel in this either.

Why keep the facade that they were suprised by the Valencia statement. The statement also highlights the fact that the contract was ready on Friday (Approved by the FA) so why was it not signed ? We now look like the biggest idiots in World Football.

'There is nothing in the Fernandes Statement that we did not know already or could not be reasonably assumed. Why, if all issues were agreed on Friday (with all parties)was he not signed on Friday? If had been, then there would have been no possibility of a rival bid on Saturday.

Why was this transfer left to almost the end of the transfer window when recent events have shown it was bound to be complicated?

Get your fingers out and your arses into gear are appropriate phrases that spring to mind at this time.'

If I get a response I will share it with you all. Don't hold your breath, though.