Everton Banter Archive February 01 2014

01 Feb 2014 23:30:31
Not Everton related but on watching motd I saw Tony Hateley has passed away. R.I.P

{Ed025's Note - i echo that mate..fine player RIP

01 Feb 2014 20:02:34
How come mike ox long thinks his opinion is the only one that counts?
Barkley right now is a decent player that can change a game, granted he's not been at his best for the last 2 games but how many weeks has he been out for with his broken toe? It takes a few games to get back in the swing of things, one day that lad will be a world beater!
What's up mike ox long/swan, was Barkley the type of kid that took the ball from your feet when you were in school?
As for the ratings, I've watched the game myself so I know how they've all played, if I want to read ratings I'll read them in the mirror tomorrow.

Baz

01 Feb 2014 20:38:38
Here we go, since when did you become a mind reader? i'm entitled to my opinion on barkley and i'm sticking it, hardly think its the only one that counts as people are disagreeing but I digress

{Ed025's Note - its just his opinion, which as you say we are all entitled to mate..

01 Feb 2014 20:43:51
Was barkley the type of kid who took the ball from my feet, what? No he is a ball hog which I think there is at least one in every year of school, you know how they played so if you want ratings you will read the mirror tomorrow? Now who is the one who thinks their opinion is the only one that counts, tut tut

01 Feb 2014 20:50:52
I personally like the ratings section Ox writes Baz, don't always agree but enjoy reading it every post match mate.

Thats why its called banter too, Ox sometimes does talk out of his backside, like everyone on here does sometimes and I include myself in that too, but if we all agreed it would be one boring planet

Apologies made a mistake on my last statement, forgot to add that The Real Mike is the exception

Sorry to upset you swan but after the Swansea game Barkley was a hero in everyone's book, a few off games does not make him a lesser player, he is that spark in our team that can ignite and open teams up.
Anyway we won, we're 5th and we're still hanging in there with a shout, here's hoping west brom do a job tomorrow

Baz

Well said Baz, some of these comments from Swan are ridiculous, GuernseyBlue

01 Feb 2014 22:13:58
It was a good free kick against swansea mate, it won us the game, i'm grateful for that, I just think we are overhyping him, maybe he will prove me wrong and I really hope he does, he was bad today but we won the game, happy with that, we are 5th and need to take it one game at a time, we are all evertonians, and we all want our team to do well, we may disagree on things but we will always want everton to do well and that will never change

{Ed025's Note - that's right, we are all in this together..

Yeah Barkley lost the ball but as I saw he struggled to get to his feet on a wet pitch.but its over now.we won.Barkley was getting man of the match in first ten games this season.but as martinez has said let the kid make mistakes.no one is perfect.he going to be a huge asset for us.just get behind the kid.he will thrive.

I have to say that Mike Ox Long/Swan and me have had our disagreements in the past. However, like he says, everyone is allowed their opinion. It is a banter page. One thing I have noticed though, is that he is scoring Osman better since I had a right go at him for getting on Ossies back. Mike does tend to have a black and white view of things. In his view, someone can be brilliant or crap. Not he has good pace and may mature into a fine footballer.just he is good or crap. I also happen to think Ossie has been one of our best players last two games. I also thought Barkley was at fault for the goal and he does look a bit lost at times. But over the season he has looked a remarkable young man. Not many footballers his size ever have the quickness of feet. even when they are 28 never mind 19. Both Barkley and Stones will develop into fine footballers providing they do not suffer serious injury.
Degsypulford

02 Feb 2014 14:41:47
I don't think I do degsy, just if I don't rate a player like ince for example, I just say it, I don't think I have to into detail about it, if you would like me to in future I would, for me its not about who is right or wrong, for me its about how well you can explain it, so in future I will explain the positives and negatices of a footballer, makes things seem a little more interesting

No problem Mike. I do enjoy your scores and the majority of your banter. I do admit that I get upset when you have a go at Everton players (Brett Angel excepted lol). I see players as having positive and negative attributes. I guess you sum up the player with a single comment. I will try and give an explanation of what I mean. eg You see Ossie as being rubbish. I see him as an aging player who has given lots to EFC and although he is slowing up, he is still neat and tidy (at times). Yes he does get brushed off the ball sometimes and miss places passes on occasion, but he still contributes. He has saved more than a few points for us this season. I have to admit that since our banter, I have noticed Ossie's weaker side to the game.likewise you seem to have noticed his performances in the last few weeks have been decent. at least you have scored him better.
But that is what banter is about. Putting your viewpoint across. at the same time listening to what others have to say. Keep it up Mike.
Degsypulford

02 Feb 2014 22:38:02
Swan I quite commonly agree with what you say, but on barkley being overhyped? We are not overhyping this lad. He is a real talent, the "ball greadyness" will reduce in time as he gains experience of when to keep it and have a shot and when to play it on to another player. The masses of pundits, scouts, coaches and past players who give him plaudits for his ability albeit raw, should surely put this arguement to bed. let's just hope his contract is signed and ties him down with a good few years, don't want a buy out clause in the contract either. That could open us to force sell in a few years time.

01 Feb 2014 18:01:12
Ratings:

Howard-6-didn't have much to do really, shouldn't of been beat for bacunas goal

Stones-6-gave the ball away a lot and didn't see mcgeady's very good runs, not too bad defensively

Jagielka-5.5-as soon as gibbo is back he should be captain, he didn't command the back properly and put stones in some awkward situations with poor touches

Distin-6-benteke didn't cause any problems so he didn't have much to do

Baines-6.5-okay today, no support in the first half, no alternate options either so it was up to him on his own

Barry-8.5-pulled the strings in the last 30 mins, well played today, few good interceptions and a stunning 60 yard pass to baines late on

Mccarthy-7-some good tackles but did 3 very poor passes

Mcgeady-7-felt sorry for him today, stones didn't see his good runs but overall he did quite well today

Barkley-4-grrr again being too greedy cost us, all about him, does he know there are 9 other outfield players with him? His fault for the goal, very poor and no surprise no one cheered him when he went off

Osman-6.5-went backwards a bit too much but neat and tidy throughout

Mirallas-7-great free kick, not a striker but worked hard and showed glimpses of magic today

Pienaar-6.5-came on did well, too slow imo to carry on starting games but again did well

Naismith-7-great finish, great positional sense, how anyone can say he is the worst player to ever play for everton is beyond me

Hibbo-6-do I have to give a rating?

First half was absolutely dreadful, a certain number 20's fault yet again, great comeback second half, thought our fans were awful first half, so quiet, needed to get behind the team today and we didn't, thank god the players didn't pay too much attention or their heads would of dropped, move on for the next game

Mike-Ox Long

As someone else posted. we have watched Naismith on the wing too much. He is out of position there. I agree that now he is getting a go up front he looks a much better player. I would like to see him up front with Lukaku playing a 442.
Degsypulford

4 for Barkley? He was playing against effectively 7 defenders without a single player making a run. He only went alone because he had no options. He wasn't good, but that wasn't his fault.

7 for McCarthy? He was excellent. Yes, 3 bad passes but he won it back countless times and dropped into right back excellently.

6.5 for Pienaar? He transformed the game.

Mirallas is a striker. It was Moyes who turned him into a winger, but up front is his natural position.

Naismith was good, but he's still terrible.

Agree with most mike stones is not a right back Coleman will b a massive boost when back with duelofeu pie aat however great player to have in team works so hard and really gets the best out of Blaine's really good today I thought happy for Naismith gets a lot of stick on here but always works hard for the team when he plays bit unfair on jagielka

01 Feb 2014 19:10:36
He could of passed it to barry, mccarthy, bbaines, distin, jags or howard bur noooooopppee, more interested in showing off, pienaar did okay, he didn't transform the game, naismith got the goal which gave us a lift, he transformed the game

{Ed025's Note - you really do have it in for ross, dont you swan, he was not at his best today but hes a great talent, cut the guy some slack!, hes still young, and has come back from a broken leg, not to mention all these experts piling pressure on him to become the next big thing!...look hes one of ours so try laying off him a bit mate..

I actually thought McCarthy was really poor today - he just doesn't do anything a lot of the time - there were lots of times when defenders or wingers had no outlet and had to keep going backwards going nowhere - and that usually points to centre mids going AWOL - I thought McCarthy didn't go and occupy the space available to provide an outlet - I've thought he was really good so far this season but I'm going to be watching him now even off the ball to see if he's actually doing that much

{Ed025's Note - i await you verdict with baited breath latch, i think he does a great job..

01 Feb 2014 19:40:13
It's not just the 'experts' ed its our fans every little thing such as a simple five yard pass they go 'woah!, like rooney that', well why? What's so special?, he is being hyped up with the likes of mario gotze and thiago, the difference? They know when to pass the ball, or should I say, how to pass the ball, ross is that typical ball hog we all had to put up with at school, people will say 'he will learn' well he only seems to be getting worse at it, cut him some slack? Like people are doing with alcaraz and stones? One bad game and each of them are 'poor' and 'not good enough for the premier league', every english talent has pressure on them, zaha, sterling, warde prowse (but he's just crap), shaw and oxlade chamberlain all have huge hype, same as ross, he has a great mentality according to martinez, so the pressure should have no effect on him whatsoever, I will lay off him when he starts thinking about the club he plays for and not taking all the glory, he will be lucky to be an england regular, I can see nick powell overlapping him easily, I don't get why people are building him up to be the next rooney, he is nowhere near as good as rooney, I don't have it in for him mate I just don't have time for gloryhogging youngsters who think they are better than the rest of the team simply because they have a bit more publicity due to their age

MIke-Ox Long

{Ed025's Note - i think he will prove you wrong mate, and you must realise that you are the same as the stones and alcaraz detractors, all im saying is support the players and the team, sometimes they will have poor games, they are not robots!..

01 Feb 2014 19:55:53
But its not just one bad game for ross is it? Cannot think of one standout game, arsenal away maybe? Norwich away? (even then he was overshadowed by nathan redmond), other than that he's been quite infuriating in every game, I do support the team, I want everyone to do well, I want everyone to try and win as a team and do it for the club, ross just seems interested in himself, evertonian or not, he's the type that if we lost the game 3-2 and he scored 2 goals he would go home happy, not bothered we lost, just happy he scored and looked good on the tele

{Ed025's Note - i think you have him all wrong mate, but your entitled to you opinion..

Naismith was good but still terrible? He scored a decent equaliser and has been professional enough to play in a variety of positions except his preferred one until recently. What's the guy got to do to catch a break on this site? Martinez has started to get the best out of most of our players, with some, the effects have been quicker, but Naismith has had hardly any time to prove his worth. Today, as our only fit striker, he put a shift in, got a goal and was an integral part of a crucial win. What more do you want?Can we not just get behind the team, whatever the line up?

{Ed025's Note - thats very fair comment mate..

McCarthy - 3 very poor passes? Oh no, that's bad. What should we do get our money back or call the police on him? Naughty James, you can't be losing the ball 3 (THREE) times!

I've been meaning to ask - Is it a scouse thing when people say/type could 'of', should 'of', would 'of' as opposed to the word 'have'. It's not just this site it's others too. Genuine question?

{Ed025's Note - yeah laa...that means yes mate.. :)

I know that one Ed but the other one had always puzzled me lid :)

{Ed025's Note - its purely down to laziness mate...typing 2 letters instead of 4..

01 Feb 2014 20:40:19
3 times in dangerous positions, granted he chased back but its unlike him to do it so close to our goal

I`m all in favour for a platform to voice an opinion whether it be in praise or critique. What I cannot understand is the necessity for so called supporters to crucify our team, either individually or enmasse.
I cannot believe some of the posts, I`m an Everton supporter and so are all of you, so FFS support them and leave the slagging to Brenda`s boys.

Mike I respect a lot of what you say. You speak from the heart and don't suffer fools gladly. It's also clear that you attend matches on a regular basis and that you are a passionate Evertonian. However your current obsession with Ross Barkley is IMO over the top. This is a young, raw talent whom we've seen emerge into EFC's first team this season (and England's) and I believe you're being way too harsh. He came back from a horrific double leg break as a 16 year old displaying a mental strength that would have finished lesser players. He then had to contend with a manager who regularly ignored him when he made his come back from that injury. He was clearly good enough to have started in many games last season yet the chosen one chose not to choose him.
This year under a more honest and progressive young manager, Ross has started to flourish. OK so he's not the finished article yet. He's still young and is still learning. Yes he'll make mistakes but that is part of his current learning curve. He was clearly unfit last Tuesday night and was brought back too soon. Maybe the effects of that toe injury affected him in the first half against Villa. But to constantly slag him off is unfair and to be honest unhelpful. Last week you suggested selling him to UTD or Chelsea in the summer, but why? Ross Barkley is like you and I : an Evertonian through and through. The difference between the three of us is that he's an incredibly talented footballer. We need to build a team around him not sell to rival clubs as we have been forced to under Moyes- Rooney, Arteta, Lescott, Rodwell all departed so we could balance the books. The present financial situation is far rosier.
Ross will go to the World Cup this summer with his country and will be given game time. This should not be a shop window for other clubs to come sniffing after him however.
So lay off the lad please. I want to see him at Goodison for many years to come like many others I'm sure!

{Ed025's Note - I think you speak for the majority davey, I myself will be very proud for him to represent our club at the World Cup and hopefully Spotlight our talent, which may encourage other players and maybe even investors to look at our club in a favorable light..

Hello Ed - I will keep you posted on McCarthy - I know he has been a good buy and I like him but I started watching him today when we often didn't seem to have a midfield outlet so stuttered here and there going slowly nowhere - and I thought "who's missing from that centre mid space?" And then I started watching McCarthy - and if you keep an eye on him instead of following the ball I noticed that today he didn't seem to put in a shift and was often wandering around well away from the play and it just surprised me a bit - a centre mid in his position should be getting around the place and making himself available - not being a bit of a passenger - I was bit surprised

{Ed025's Note - I think your splitting hairs there mate, CMs often get dragged out of position, it's part of the job, but I will take your word for it latch.

To the Swan you are been very unfair on young Ross Barkley, just before he got injured he was playing really really well. The last two games Villa & the RS, he has been poor but is playing with pain killing injection in his toe and to me is not fully fit. Think Martinez should spring him from the bench for the next couple of games till his confidence is restored. In time Swan he will certainly prove you wrong he has all the attributes to be world class. So give the kid a break so many people can see his potential maybe we are all wrong, and your right, seriously doubt it.

McCarthy is a super purchase by Martinez, he has to be 1 of the hardest working centre mids in the prem, he has to cover a lot of ground because let's face it Barry and Osman good footballers but both their legs are shot. So if he has a slack day maybe its due to exhausting of covering more ground than most. If he can add goals to his game he would be a top class player.

01 Feb 2014 23:54:44
Youre right mate, maybe i'm just being overly negative on him, he's 20, comparing him with gotze and thiago is too much, gotze has far more experience and thiago was brought up to keep the ball, maybe i'm just thinking 'well the english media jump on youngsters as soon as they show any talent when in reallity they are not that good' is it really hard to believe maybe england have produced a talent that is worth raving about, here is my thing, look at germany and spain, so many spectacular prospects and they don't rave about them, they let their youngsters develop, i'm a big fan of spanish and german football, i'm not claiming to be an expert, I do watch a lot of football and I admire the way they let their youngsters grow and don't put too much pressure on them, well, i'm not letting barkley grow, i'm not putting huge tags on him, instead i'm heaping a load of negativity on him which he doesn't need, I just with this country could be like spain and germany, if we have talented lads, let them grow instead of labelling them the next rooney, the next gerrard, the next cleverley (lol), I don't think its his lack of talent, hell, he is as telanted a footballer as you will ever see, its just these stupid things he does, keeping hold of it too long, he hasn't been brought up like thiago since he was a toddler to know when to pass it, he has everything else, the passing and reliability will come with experience, I will lay off him and let him learn, look I don't want to keep saying I grew up with him as people will say 'why the hate', he was a nice lad and I remember him nutmegging me in the carpark in wavetree, I grew up with him, so I should support him just as much if not more than everyone else on this site, I want him to become world class, I suppose its just the anger of his mistake today taking over how talented I know he is, let's see him grow, I should be happy we have our own special talent and he supports this very club, I want to see him become a legend here and a world class player, and acheive success with this team, all together now, COYB!

I don't want to go on too much as lots of people have commented. As regards to the ratings the Barkley one was a bit silly, but I would suggest that if you are watching for a players mistakes you will find them. I'd say a bog standard 6. I also think Mirallas would have been a low rating for me had he not scored that goal. Obviously not a striker, a web site way too many times for my liking. I would have given the highest rating to McCarthy today, I thought his tacking was excellent and he looked good going forward, which we haven't seen much of this season. Otherwise good comments as always.

Naismith is striker, never been a winger ever! But he is a grafter that why he is played out of position.

01 Feb 2014 17:49:25
How do u send pics in

01 Feb 2014 17:44:28
Said this before and I remember ed25 saying it, naisy plays upfront moyes played him on the wing, everyone judged him on that. Play the lad upfront and give him 10-12 games then judge him. He has put up with some stick now give him a chance.

01 Feb 2014 17:23:00
So, how it go? I missed the match (it was on live over here) but have seen the goals now. Cracker of a 2nd goal, well done Kevin. Do Leighton and Kevin toss a coin before the match to determine who scores the screamer? Ross not up to speed today? Interesting to read that he was replaced at half time? Who played well too? Good to win and get back to a positive result. All in all a Good Win and well done to the team. Other results going our way too. COYB!

The first half was atrocious, but the second was definitely better. They set up with 5 at the back and 2 deep midfielders, so it was very difficult to break them down or for Ross to get space. He wasn't bad, as such (although will likely be blamed for their goal, which I thought was a foul), but was ineffective like he was at Villa park, so taking him off was logical. Kev's goal was a beauty, but for some reason they showed no replays. Overall, good result, not a great performance.

Who played well? McCarthy and Barry where excellent, Pienaar changed the game and Naismith was more dangerous in his two minutes than Kev in 90.

01 Feb 2014 17:09:29
3 Points really.

1. Great to see Tony Hibbert run on, LEGEND.
2. Kevin Mirallas, when in the mood is an artiste.
3. All negative comments directed at Naismith should be banned henceforth.
look at his workrate/movement/touch and commitment. Undeniable. Everyone screaming for a striker, sometimes the answer is right under your nose. Play him in his true position and give him a chance, he may just pleasantly surprise us all.

{Ed025's Note - im with you hugster..

Ive always said naisy's true position is striker.banged em in for Kilmarnock then Rangers. We sign him and put him on the wing. Play him in his original position and get the best out of him. Its undeniable that his work rate is immense and he can finish when through on goal.

01 Feb 2014 16:57:26
Tell you what, up untill the first goal thought we had no chance of breaking down villa, who just parked the bus outside the box. Two special goals and a great substitution. Well done boys, you worked your socks off today.

01 Feb 2014 16:49:36
I hang my head in shame I doubted Martinez today, great substitutions. The man is a god!!

Here we go again he is neither as good as some say or as bad as others say.
What he is is a young manager learning his trade, a manager who is very positive but also lacks fear which can also be a bad thing(playing a high line with a slow back 4 against one of the most potent forward lines in the league)when he came to us in the summer I wasn't convinced & I still don't trust his defensive tactics but this is the best side to watch we have had for years so I just hope he realises his frailties and becomes the manager we all now think he can be

01 Feb 2014 15:44:49
1 shot on target what a joke put vellios on so at least we can say we have a forward on villa r doing a lfc sitting back and hitting us on the break we r carrying no threat at all why didn't martinez buy or loan a flippin forward

01 Feb 2014 14:41:15
Coyb back to business today 3-1 and I think it's a really smart move continuing with stones, if he would of been benched I feel he would of lost quite abit of confidence due to the derby. I expect a really strong performance from the lads today they know they owe it to us.

01 Feb 2014 12:08:50
The only disappointing thing from the window was Roberto didn't keep his word. He said he would replace traffic kone, gibbo, and any outgoings
So he brought a striker in
A winger which is a extra really
And didn't replace the others I am just thinking he shouldn't of said anything going on we will finish the window stronger. The team probably will be in about 6 weeks when everyone is for but for me the window finished today and we are not stronger for the match today. I would of liked another cm because if Barry or McCarthy are injured we will be weak and slow in that area. Anyway 2-0 today hopefully kev upfront and mcgeady on the wing.

Naismith and mirallas are very comfortable playing as strikers so they can replace jelly and kone for now! Mgeady has come in and he can replace mirallas or Naismith (whichever one gets the nod up top) traore when fit will be up top allowing mirallas and Naismith back into the midfield! We also have Barkley back! Delboy and Coleman will be back very soon! Lukaku in a few weeks! We will be fine and back up to full strength very soon! So I'm not worried! What are your thoughts ed?

{Ed025's Note - we dont have much of a choice si, but i do feel a fit squad is good enough to compete for europe..

01 Feb 2014 10:59:30
To all you moaners who are going on about us not bringing anyone in nor splashing the cash on deadline day. here are some facts:
1. RM stated that our priority was to hold on to our best players. There was lots of interest in some and by offering new contracts and securing two earlier on (McGeady and Traore), there was no need to panic.
2. Teams that make wholesale changes usually suffer. Look where Sunderland, Cardiff, Crystal Palace, West Ham, Fulham are in the table. Look at previous seasons teams that made wholesale changes. Blackburn, Bolton, Wolves etc
3. In the past when we "stretched ourselves" financially, we had to sell our best player for next to nothing. I am talking about 10 million for Arteta. we were broke and had to sell. Now we are financially more stable. So we can demand big money for Barkley, Baines or whoever we decide to sell. Quote RM, "We can now make our decisions based on football not on finance."
4. Heitinga was released to enable him to challenge for a World Cup place. He would not get a place in the Dutch squad playing in our reserves. We save 60K a week until the end of the season = about 1 million quid.
5. Previous players that we should have bought in previous transfer windows according to some of you lot are: David Nugent, Kevin Doyle, Shane Long etc. all of whom are well below the standard of players we already have/had.
6. Holtby? maybe. But our loan quota is full anyway.
Degsypulford

{Ed025's Note - good stuff degsy..

01 Feb 2014 11:50:26
If someone in December would have told us we would be getting McGeady and Traore in and also tying Baines up for the rest of his Everton career everyone would have been over the moon, why the moaning then, we have injuries who will be back soon, cheer up all you sad Blues, Bobby has a plan and it looks a long shot for 4th place so he may be waiting for the summer to invest what we have.

Spot on, Degsy! Well said.

IR(&K)IT

Good post Degsy. Let's regroup and push for a good result against Villa

Well done Degsy some good wise words cheers mate Coyb.

01 Feb 2014 08:28:38
I think Robbie realises top four is not really on given the current form of other teams. However the cup is, we have players coming back on a weekly basis now so get past the Swans and the team will only strengthen. Barring any more injuries of course, and that's the problem. They all have to stay fit?

01 Feb 2014 06:46:56
Let's see now - the media were sure we couldn't resist bids for our better players this transfer window even though RM clearly and openly stated that we wouldn't be forced to lose any of our players, but that he would allow Jelavic and Heitinga to move elsewhere for World Cup reasons.
So, who was proved right: our honest manager or those lazy journos and pundits? No surprises as to who really knew what was going on!

01 Feb 2014 01:44:35
Thanks bill, your a real star, always willing to go that extra mile, low on numbers, "sells"a player who could still do a job, and bring know one in, great show of your commitment to the cause.

If RM prefers to make changes to the squad during the summer transfer window - and is content to go with what he has for the rest of this season - then I'm more than OK with that.
Besides, it looks like we are using some of our available money to keep our better players and give them extended and improved contracts.
Everything RM has said about players coming and going has been proved right so far.
All this talk of CL qualification from so many posters and moans about how we must splash the cash now on new players is a sign of how the club is being progressed under RM and expectations raised. OK, it's great to be ambitious, but how many of us (even those were pleased that we got RM as manager) really expected us to be challenging this season?

{Ed025's Note - fair points kev..

Just a thought: how many of the players that joined other clubs last summer - and were being pleaded for by many posters as essential targets for us - have so far failed at these other clubs and, in some cases, have even been moved on this transfer window?
I trust RM to improve our squad by a combination on inhouse youth development PLUS using whatever funds he is given (or can generate from outgoings) for the prudent recruitment of the right players at the right price at the right time.

To the OP, how do you know it was Bill Kenwright that didn't splash the cash, has it ever crossed your mind that RM didn't fancy any of the players that where available. Trust RM, but more importantly trust Bill Kenwright who has stabled a sinking ship over the last decade, rather him and have minimal funds and a shrinking debt than some of these foreign owners (Cardiff, Hull) who use the club as a toy.

01 Feb 2014 00:52:22
Why has Heitinga gone for free? I thought he was still under contract? At least 2 millions worth!

Johnny's contract was up in the summer. Therefore no transfer fee. The move was probably made for two reasons. partially so Johnny has a chance to impress and try to get in Holand's World Cup squad, and mostly to save on his 60000 per week wages for the rest of the season, considering the fact he isn't playing much.

Indeed - that 60k per week offload is a boost just in itself :)

01 Feb 2014 10:35:48
We got rid of his 60.000-a-week wages, that means that if his contract was valid till 30th June, that makes 150 days from today and adds up 1.285.714, 286 pounds on wages. So we can say we did well by letting him go on a free.

01 Feb 2014 00:10:27
Really fed up.spend some money for ****s sake.