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Hmmm, from this article by the Blackpool club secretary, it sounds like he wasn't recalled by Everton and wasn't sent back by Blackpool.... just made up his own mind to leave! SATURDAY APRIL 20 "One player who failed to show for training on Good Friday and again today is Apostolos Vellios – having explained the situation to both Everton and the players agent we try and make contact with the player again, and are subsequently told by his agent that he has returned to Everton, however, Everton aren’t aware!" http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/blackpool-fc/matt-williams-column-everything-may-just-turn-out-fine-1-6588205 If that's how it happened, the lad really hasn't done himself any favours at all.

Blackpool fans don't seem too impressed with him: "Oh no - how will we cope" "Useless doesn't really describe him" "Waste of space" "Calling him shit does a disservice to some of the previous shit we have had on loan...." "Terrible attitude. Expect to see Martinez quietly ship him off back to the continent this summer" "He said this was his last chance and he had to prove he had the right attitude and ability. He hasn't even shown a glimmer of either" http://www.backhenrystreet.co.uk/thread-18530.html

Scored to give MK Dons the lead today in a match that ended 2-2: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27084357

Agreed. Today he's played very like a younger Barry and looks like he could play that role well.

Southhampton 1 - 2 Everton Naismith

Yes, he said that when Pienaar was running down his contract and looked certain to leave. The quote that has come back to bite him most often in recent days is "If anybody wanted to leave, they'd be poorer for it. Most people that have left here, it's not tended to work out for them." How right he was.

From the way Roberto spoke up for him last month when he was getting stick from England fans, you'd have to say he's a fan of the lad: "There are only a few players in this country who have had the sort of education where they look as if they could have been brought up in Holland, Spain or France," he said. "Tom is one of them. I just don't understand this campaign, it is not the way to encourage young players. "Maybe he has been given a bigger role than he should have been given but even so it is ridiculous to put someone so young in the spotlight then knock him down. We as a public are to blame if we allow that to happen. You have to help young players reach a level. "What has happened is not Tom's fault, I think he is as good a talent as we have in the English game, and he is still growing. You wouldn't get this in other countries, and I find it disappointing that he is being judged so aggressively when he has not even reached 200 games. Such a young player does not need that sort of scrutiny or pressure, but I am sure he will come through it and be even more motivated." http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/mar/06/roberto-martinez-tom-cleverley-england Some interesting comments from RM about Cleverley in this older article too, when he talks about him growing into a more central midfield role: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/manchester-united-tom-cleverleys-rise-1322569

He was due to have a scan on his hamstring yesterday. Hopefully no news is good news.

Insulting and arrogant, but that's not surprising from that club. At least they've had to eat some humble pie this season, and that squad still needs major rebuilding so I think they're in for another tricky season, whoever they appoint as manager.

Shame to end his season prematurely after such a good performance on Sunday, but it will could the door for McGeady to show what he can do and hopefully another couple of good contributions from Deulofeu, too.

I don't think he's progressed in the last couple of seasons, which is why we don't rate him, but then he's never been a regular and none of their players have impressed this season. I don't see him as an alternative to Barry as they're quite different players. What is really interesting from the article Louis posted above is the reference to his loan at Wigan, "when he tended to play on the left of an attacking trio behind a main striker, as opposed to in central midfield...". Sounds like Martinez would view him as a rotation/replacement for Pienaar.

I don't think it's fair to judge him purely on the derby, when he was rushed back from injury. In the back-to-back games he played he looked class, as he did again yesterday.

He showed that today. Definitely better than Smalling as an option to cover CB and RB.

Gave it to Mirallas for a much improved performance and great goal, but there were a few outstanding performances today, not least Coleman and Barry, and Howard made some important stops too. I was pleased with the way Alcaraz came on and slotted in seamlessly - and showed how to meet a corner too!

Especially with the prospect of games in Europe next season, a fairly young ball-playing midfielder with a good amount of top-flight experience will be a good addition, and on a free transfer it's a no-brainer.

Everton 2-1 Man Utd Naismith

Everton 2-0 Palace Mirallas

Apart from Pulis replacing Holloway at Palace, I don't think any of this season's managerial changes by struggling teams have paid and in some cases, like Cardiff, seem to have the opposite effect. I think Norwich have been planning to sack Hughton for some time, but to do it now seems crazy timing. Wouldn't be shocked to see Malky Mackay back there as manager after his years as a player.

There's a decent write-up about Stones in the Daily Mail this evening. "A 19-year-old, in only his ninth Premier League start, shouldn’t be capable of driving his team on from the back with such ease, especially in Everton’s most important game of the season so far." http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2593430/Everton-youngster-John-Stones-outshines-Ross-Barkley-Hodgson-gets-glimpse-Englands-future-Craven-Cottage.html

He looked yesterday as though the current five game run in the first team has done him good. He was making at least one risky mistake a game previously, but yesterday he really looked the part as a Premier League defender and it seems ridiculous that he's only 19. What a prospect he is!

Naismith, but honourable mentions to Howard and Stones.

Made his debut today in their 1-1 draw at QPR and Blackpool manager Barry Ferguson seemed pleased with his first start: New signing Apostolos Vellios also started the game despite only meeting his team-mates on Friday. It's clear there will be more to come from the Greece Under-21 international between now and the end of the season. "He's not played a lot of football but I just thought we were missing a bit of physical presence without Ricky. It was a difficult ask to put him in today. He only trained with the boys and met the boys yesterday. It's a new environment and a new team for him but I'm sure he'll do well for us," he added. http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/article/ferguson-huge-point-1454719.aspx

Fulham 0-2 Everton Lukaku

Little Gerard for me, although there were several top performances around him too. That's the best game I have seen him have for us and he kept it going right to the end. Hopefully we'll see more of the same for the rest of the season.

Everton 3-0 Cardiff Lukaku