The story of Everton's Bryan Oviedo

How do these little-known European teams manage to pick up these South American players like Oviedo, James Martinez, and (need I say it?) the other horrible rat boy who used to play for the RS?

That is the stupidest comment I've read all day.

Do you really expect every good player to be immediately gathered by a 'top side' as soon as they hit 16?

It's difficult to know where he could be accommodated now but Bryan looked well accomplished when Martinez tried him wide-right.

Bryan has come to the club, embraced the fan base: he utilised multimedia platforms such as Twitter etc to show his passion for his new team and fans. He hasn't gobbed off in the press when not in the team, he trained hard and waited for his chance. Always it seems with a smile on his face because he seems to be aware that he is at a great club an has a great opportunity.

He has been, since his injury as vocal about supporting the team and fans as we fans are, and has acknowledged the support offered by club and fans. He hasn't shirked his part in Everton charity events or EitC events. There is a clip of him singing "Oviedo Baby" on YouTube (in a slightly sheepish fashion). He seems to have realised that hard work pays off. And we Everton fans will give anyone who gives us 100% a fair crack of the whip. Basically he isn't some soppy cry-arse and he likes being part of the same thing we do.

On a secondary note, I am struggling to remember the last time a player had a chant before they had an Everton game under their belt. Who was the last?

I hope his recovery goes as well as it can. He deserves it. The example Bryan has set is one we should be proud of.

And Phil, it was only injury and suspension that had Oviedo playing last season, and he was quickly benched again. But I agree, his talent is that of more than just another bench warmer.

Unless their name is Osman or Hibbert.

I think it is you who missing the point. For a club like Everton who (allegedly) have no money, it is criminal that we do not target the South American market. Some of these players are sold for peanuts. In all of my time of watching the Blues, the best we have come up with is fuckin' Stracqualursi on loan, and he was only signed on the basis of videos.

Nick, so Copenhagen were playing in the Champions League... so what? So are Ludogorets, Maribor and Apoel. FFS, even Celtic get in it every year.

Nick, if getting a UK visa is the problem, how did we manage to sign the Stracq on deadline day? I think it was Porto who recently reported they had made €640M on transfers in the last 10 years, the vast majority of it through players sold on who originated from South America.

Porto make their money by signing talented South Americans who then gain Portuguese citizenship much easier than UK, German etc and that gives them the passageway into the bigger leagues and Porto make the cash. It’s like football’s own people-trafficking system!

And yes, it's specific UK law on how none-EU footballers are eligible to play in this country, such as playing 70% of their nation's games in the previous two years etc.

This is not the case elsewhere in the EU. So much African talent in the Prem has come from Dutch, French and Belgian sides, while the South Americans come through Spain and Portugal.

So either Prem clubs get them when established as internationals, or not at all in their younger years.

Incidentally, the celebration of his goal (okay... pitch invasion) made it onto Brazilian TV, under the heading "Hibbert, bigger than Pele?"... basically saying Pele had to wait for 1000 goals for his pitch invasion, Hibbo.... one. The whole "If Hibbo scores, we’ll riot" thing and the 17,500 who went and saw Hibbo doing his Beckhamesque party piece (okay, a tad far-fetched) would count as a fair crack of the whip, no?