NYBlue

What really brings it into perspective is that each of the loan signings has been successful and that in the case of Barry and Lukaku they were brought in at literally the last minute. I think this is the second article from that writer on this very subject. Expect an additional version to appear describing how unfair it is that Everton beat United in a couple of weeks.

Plenty of time for Moyes to become pre-occupied with how Everton can hurt United rather than to play to their strengths

Just seen that Gold has made a response back to Gerrard. The bus actually parked outside the gates and then informing him of the obvious. That if it's too hot, either turn the heating down yourself or the AC on are just ask for it to be turned down.

Gotta speculate to accumulate.

The Sunderland game has the potential to be a real banana skin. Suffice to say the boys should be looking to build on the GD we have over Arsenal now. I like the look of our fixtures left. A couple of games against Sunderland and Palace to build upon the platform from the Arsenal game before a couple of games against United and City. If we can get maximum points from Sunderland and Palace we'll be in a perfect position to grab that 4th place spot. As mentioned above I think a lot has been to do with Martinez rotating the squad. Players have been rested and except for the long terms absentees he has been able to adjust the team and tactics without any real enforced changes (except for Osamn the other day)

Question 1 Lets get it out of the way, what are your thoughts on Manchester United and in particular David Moyes this season who has moved from managing Everton Football club for nearly 12 years to moving to Manchester United? I have a healthy dislike of Man United, I wouldn't describe it as hate though. I think this is a lot to do with the fans and their expectation that United has a divine right to success and to win everything. I was waiting for Fergie to leave because as is evident this season he was the main reason why they were so successful. I didn't appreciate Moyes ran down his contract, although he was perfectly entitled to do so but it was the manner in which he was recruited that came to light. His comments regarding Baines and Fellaini and viewing us as a small club. I had to actually see the videos of his comments to really believe he said them. Question 2 After what has gone on and all that Moyes has done for Everton, are you ready to forgive him? See above. There was a complete lack of respect from Moyes towards Everton after he left. I respect what he did in stabilizing the club but he had taken us as far as he could and his tactics were overly negative. A parting of the ways seemed best for all parties concerned but I can't forgive the comments that he made simply because he received nothing but respect from us in his last game at Goodison. Question 3 After seeing what Robert Martinez has done with your team, do you think he has improved the way you play, and it what way does he differ from David Moyes? Everything is positive. The players have been receptive to Martinez and his methods and that has further galvanized the squad. They look like they really want to play positive, attacking football. Moyes was only ever concerned with how the opposition could hurt us during a game. Question 4 Do you think having Lukaku has made a difference to the way you play with his physical presence? Lukaku is a great player and he showed in his previous season at West Brom that he can score goals in the premier league. I don't think it's down to his physical presence as such, it's more Martinez improving him and thus the team. Question 5 Who is your most hated Manchester United player and why? I don't hate anyone at United. Question 6 What are your thoughts on Martinez? Do you think he is the right manager to get you where you rightly deserve after so many years trying; a Champions league spot? I'll admit that I was concerned when Martinez joined but am delighted to have been proven wrong. He is definitely the right manager for our club. Question 7 What does Manchester United versus Everton mean to you as an Evertonian? In the past it was the chance to play the best team in the league. This time it's more to do with sticking the boot in this time. You're having a bad season and I'd like to ensure that we contribute to your troubles continuing. Question 8 We have played against each other many times over the years. Which is your favourite game against us, and why? The 1-0 win at Old Trafford where Martinez proved we can go to the so called big 4 and win. Question 9 What are your predictions for the game on the 20th of April? I think it could be 2-0 or 3-0. With the style of play that we now employ I find it ironic that Moyes is going to be concerned as to how Everton can hurt United rather than concentrating on his own team.

The Sunderland game is a great opportunity to pile the pressure on Arsenal. With the way our next two fixtures are placed we can open up a little gap. Having two home games against United and City will also help with the home support. Goodison will be rocking for those two games. What an opportunity the boys have created.

That went well. Just finished up on Skype with mates back in the UK. The feed was 4 mins behind for them. I almost felt sorry for the Arsenal fan, poor bastard. Some really attractive, fluid football being played. What a great effect Martinez has had on the squad.

The embargo applies to buys and sales right? He would certainly benefit more with one more season with us rather than sitting on the bench. Is there another Barca B youth player we could grab for next season in addition to Gerry? We'll take 2 and keep them for 2 years as we bring another in.

A lot of it comes down to the amount of money that we are talking. 20M to us is the equivalent of 40M for one of the financially backed teams. If you are going to pay that money you need to be sure that the investment is going to pay off. He certainly seems to be getting back to his best since the injury. In hindsight the injury was probably a good thing as he was looking completely gassed before. We all know that strikers are a premium so maybe 20M is a fair price since he has proven that he can score in the Premier league. What he hasn't done is show that he can play 90 mins consistently through a season, loss of form I can accept but it wasn't just a loss of form prior to the injury he was simply done and needed a break. If RM wants to put down the money and believes he is the best option then I'll back him in the decision. A big plus is that he is already integrated into the team so maybe a percentage of the 20M is piece of mind. We know exactly what we are getting. Some of the players we have been linked with, yes they may be a hit but they could be a big miss. I think the other part of it was some of the stuff he was saying about CL football. I'm sure every football wants to play CL football but not all can. It isn't a devine right, if he thinks it is then he is a Gooner in disguise.

Winning at the weekend would put down a marker to say that it will go down to the wire. We finally get to play Arsenal on our turf and to return the favor for the fa cup defeat. Beat them on Sunday and not only will they have to contend with knowing their title hopes are well and truly gone but that they have a fight on their hands for that 4th spot. We would have a huge psychological advantage. They would hopefully bottle it. It would naturally reinforce the belief in the team. I can't wait until Sunday.

Agree with all points above. We know Jags would have played if he hadn't been injured. The fact that Stones has played the last few games and has been part of a great run will be immense in terms of his future.

Agreed. Martinez has a difficult decision to make on Sunday. It appears that Jags has certainly been held back to ensure he is absolutely spot on for the Arsenal game but he'll be coming back from a number of weeks out. Yes, he is our captain and our best defender but it'll take time to get his match fitness back. Would it be better to continue with Stones or risk a not-match fit Jags? I don't know.

As much as it would pain me to see them win the title I'm taking the view that if it happens then it validates Martinez as the right manager for Everton. It will serve as proof in the methods that he is instilling in the club and serve as an indication to players that we are on the right track. He was Fenway's first choice and he decieded to pass. If that is what Rogers can do then it is unlimited what Martinez can be done in years two and three of his project.

Aka The Secret Weapon Well the RS are up 2-0 right now. It really could come down to us helping them with the title. Would have to have CL to softn the blow of that.

Traore to secure CL with a 90th min winner against City.

I recognize Naismith or his contribution in turning the game but got to go with Stones as he was there for the first half too.

There better be a bollocking handed out for that shite.

We seem to be getting worse. We're lucky they haven't scored.

I'd take Kagawa but he's likely to go back to Dortmund I think. Haven't been impressed by Zaha so I'd pass.

Unfortunately with the prior loan connection I can believe there is truth to this. 15M though? I'd have an issue with anything above 3M and that's only because he had a good spell under RM at Wigan.

Think it will be tough after that result although if the Chelsea result today is anything to go by there will hopefully be a few more twists and turns. The dream isn't dead yet.

It's not something that I had really thought about until recently but I'm guessing the end result will be very similar to what Cortese was implementing at Southampton when he was chairman. There was an article on BBC Sport when he left that documented the changes that he made in terms of preparation to help the squad before match days. It's building a solid base of foundations for building out the youth system. He's been talking recently about how to manage the small margins in football so it would seem to be money well spent and will be another string in the bow for Everton when talking to the likes of PSG, Barca, Real to turn round and say that we have built out the infrastructure of the club and this is how it benefits our players and how it will benefit any players we can bring in on loan. It's refreshing to hear our manager investing more in youth. I see nothing but upside.

I'd love to hear Barca's thoughts on Gerry's improvement over the season. It would be funny to have loans from Real and Barca playing together.

"Other clubs have players on loan, Newcastle included, but none have had greater impact than at Everton. The Football Association need to address the Premier League loan system to stop it having an adverse affect on the table." Those final two lines are the icing onnthe cake for me. There is no sense there. Should each player have a loan rating? And you can only have a certain number of points. In a word - drivel.