Blue62

The update is that we are negotiating over the add ons, the fact that United announced the deal prematurely has reduced their leverage, don't see how Everton can be blamed for them jumping the gun. For context we have had years of being pillaged and the fact that for the last 2 or 3 seasons we haven't had to roll over completely is entirely our prerogative. I mean no ill will here at all, I'm simply giving you the little inside stuff I'm getting as I know you have a interest in the player.

Chelsea were my second team growing up, the likes of Webb, Cooke and Osgood were among my favourites, you were a small club back then so things change and there's an old saying about how you treat people when you're on the way up! As for Everton in the transfer market, i don't think the people in to boardrooms have quite the same passion as us fans and therefore don't bear grudges in quite the same way, it's strictly business for them.

Evertonian here in peace, though it looks like at least one of you can't keep his emotions under control, Eversh*te indeed, how imaginative. Not claiming to be a top ITK, but pretty certain on Merseyside that the deal is not done and in point of fact it is United who have rushed out a story in the hope of pushing a deal through, it's also generally believed that the offer is more like £85m as it includes £10m for Rooney (don't ask). As with Stones, Everton don't have to sell and don't want to sell, he still has 2.5 years on his contract, so talk of greed is a tad wide of the mark, though who would blame us.

I couldn't agree more, as odious as Suarez was in the PL, how on earth could Lukaku be worth more?

That's pretty much what is being said on Merseyside, doesn't mean you're not interested but there's been no formal contact as yet, so all the talk of Everton rejecting/whinging is rubbish but I've no doubt he will go if you come in for him. Stones to City is a different matter, they have approached and it's ongoing. It's funny how wound up fans get when they choose to believe the tripe that is served up every day. Arsenal fans apparently upset that we are going to grab Draxler from under their noses, in what world is any of that story true?

Strong rumours up here that he is close to agreeing a new deal to stay, I'm not sure what to make of it it all (stones situation just as confusing) but no doubting that Rom is a bit of an enigma, he can be unplayable on his day, just doesn't have enough of them.

Sorry but Everton were no more aggressive than Chelsea on the day, maybe we had a bit more passion but there was nothing malicious from either side. Barry's calmness in the spat with Costa (who gives as much as he gets) helped to diffuse the situation, Barry could've made a real meal of it but the fact he didn't will probably save Costa a longer ban, his post match denial certainly will. You are having a poor season, but your problems are not a result of a biased BBC, poor refereeing or the opposition kicking lumps out of you (Ron Harris anyone), the issue lies within the club. One thing you have got going for you is decent away support, I was there and have to say the Chelsea lot were good value and well behaved, a pity more of them don't seem to visit this forum!

Just to correct a couple of points, Stones was booed by a section of neanderthals for doing a few too many Cruyff like step overs in his own six yard box against Spuds, the same cretins hurl abuse at Kone and Howard every home game and given that the crowd is so close to the pitch at Goodison, the players catch most of what is shouted at them. Stones has got a way to go and I think he is guilty of trying to live up to the hype at the moment, sometimes hoofing the ball upfield is the best option and he needs to understand that. I think he's missed the maturity of Jagielka alongside for the last couple of months, Stones is not ready to lead the line and Fumes Mori, though not a bad player, has limited EPL experience. Where Stones ends up is anyone's guess, few expect him to stay another season at EFC as it looks like the in-coming US owners are asset strippers.

No 'told you so' from me, I think this particular story has legs and I am sure that it will all be back on in January. Our injuries (Galloway not Browning!) and Martinez's obstinance effectively killed it, combined with the fact that Stones was never going to pull too much of a face. Are you lot happy with your shopping? I am eternally disappointed in my club, you lot should count your blessings, saddled at birth I'm afraid, just off for a pint with Fred Elliot now.

The Everton board are under a lot of pressure right now, we have had protests and a flying banner, if we sell Stones and lose our manager with a few days of the window left and no marquee signing all summer, then it's not going to look too good. Apparently it is the injuries to our defensive players, Baines, Oviedo (now back) and Browning that caused the problem, Baines is destined to move to the centre at some point and Browning is more naturally a CB, so with both out for some time you could understand the problem with only a week or so to go and given Stones disposition it would seem (so far) that he's reluctantly staying for the next few months at least.

Appleton was the old company, he floated and sold it then started another business called Warwick, they advertise around the ground and sponsored our cup campaign last season. Whenever he's over he sits in the directors box and mixes with the great and good, doesn't get on with Kenwright but that's another story. He was only passing on the gossip he has heard, probably rather more informed than the rest of us though. The only point he was unclear on (could've been the wine), is whether Stones was always going to put in a TR as part of the deal (to make our board look good), or if it was in response to us backing out, but Stones' agent is not a happy camper whatever. it helps that Stones is not doing (and won't apparently) a Berahino/Sterling/De Gea.

I did say that I would stay off this a couple of days ago, but I met an old schoolmate after the Spuds game last night, he now lives in South Africa but comes back a few times a season. He has made a fortune in SA and his company has sponsored Everton for a long time, he's obviously well connected within the club and after a few jars told me what he knows about the Stones situation. We did agree a deal before the City game, but Browning's injury changed things, Martinez had Mori lined up and with Browning being a CB (he was covering at LB for Baines) he thought we had enough cover and was promised the Stones money for a few signings. He told the board that if the Stones deal went through he would be off, the board caved in, which angered Chelsea and Stones agent threw a fit, pushed him to put in a TR to force it through, which then meant that Kenwright had to go public and say he's not for sale. Bottom line is that Stones is ok with staying for now, but has assurances that he can go, maybe as soon as January. The story about the Barnsley sell on is rubbish and he moved out of home to get away from the media, there may be one or two neanderthals hanging around, but it's the press he's trying to get away from. Strange atmosphere at WHL yesterday, Spurs fans booing Stones and a few kids singing a Beatles song, all a bit embarrassing but nothing malicious at all. It was odd that Stones came over and clapped us at the end, we weren't quite sure what to make of it. I still think there may be a twist in the tale, but it will probably depend on Martinez being placated somehow. For all those having a pop at RM he's only doing his job and is being pinned down on Stones every time he's anywhere near a microphone (which is too often for my liking).

I would like to sign off from this thread now and whatever the outcome, wish you lot well for the season and hope that relations between our clubs have not been damaged beyond repair. In the end I think it is the people who turn out to watch and spend their hard earned who own the game, we can swap insults and go tribal, but those that know the score understand our stance, regardless of their frustration. I am sure our fixtures will have some added spice, but I really hope that we can keep a sense of humour going, that is the fun and a big reason why I continue to go.

Good post as usual Rick. I'm not sure how this will now play out, can't believe Stones won't go but I can see Martinez leaving over this. It has struck me that the soap opera stuff is actually more interesting than the game itself, but that may just apply to following EFC. To those on here attacking Martinez, I think he is just doing his job and if it was your club you'd probably want your manager to do the same, I am very much on the fence with him, but I like the way he is standing up for us and himself over this, even if it does has a whiff of King Canute.

Oh dear, semantics aren't your thing are they? My original comment was there is a 'sense' that Everton have no right to hold onto him, I wasn't claiming it as a direct quote, nor was it intended as such. That's the problem when you argue with idiots, they drag you down to their level and then win on experience.