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Post by Avinalaff on Nov 2, 2013 15:01:24 GMT
Greg O'Keeffe: Blues must handle Baines contract talks with care
He has been an outstanding performer over the years, and now clearly he's at the peak of his career.
“We're going to make sure he feels that warmth from the football club and, from a contractual point of view, exactly the same.”
In the days after the summer transfer window closed, Roberto Martinez was unequivocal on Everton’s plans for Leighton Baines ’ future on Merseyside.
There was a sense of palpable relief around Goodison that September 2 had passed with Europe’s best left-back still on the pay-roll, and the intention to ensure that remained the case was very clear.
That clarity, in public at least, has dwindled since.
Questions about the status of Baines’ contract offer have been evaded by Martinez as deftly as a boxer avoiding a crushing right hand.
It’s led to concern among the fan-base, who in the meantime have been served up a steady diet of Sunday morning tripe from some quarters; peddling variations on the myth that Manchester United have already tied up a £15m move for the player they ‘chased’ with such embarrassing misjudgement and lily-livered conviction over the summer.
In truth the reality of the situation regarding Everton’s coveted England international defender is rather delicate.
For starters; supporters fearing Everton have sat on their backsides and declined to offer the club’s player of last season a bumper new deal should fear not.
Martinez and the board are doing all they can behind the scenes to get the result every Evertonian wants.
The Everton manager prefers not to go public on the ongoing talks for fear of causing a distraction which could linger negatively and overshadow the performances of the team as a whole and Baines - which have both been generally sparkling so far.
If or hopefully when Baines puts pen to paper, the Catalan will be a relieved man - ready to sing it from the roof-top of the Old Lady.
Until then it is best not to jump to too many conclusions based on his silence on the matter, while also ignoring spurious claims of ‘done deals’ possibly generated from the other end of the M62 - that still harp on the same pathetic valuation of a player worth double what they’re suggesting.
Of course, Baines remains priceless to Evertonians and the good news is that Martinez and everyone at Goodison feels the same.
Blues are ready to play ball
BASKETBALL is back on the agenda for the Blues.
Sefton Stars Basketball club this week announced a partnership with Everton in the Community to facilitate the growth of two major Merseyside community programmes.
The venture will see free sessions take place weekly at The Hawthornes Centre on Fernhill Road, Bootle, the home of Sefton Stars.
Tommy Walsh, Chairman of Sefton Stars said: “Engaging young people into a fast growing sport such as basketball, has been the ethos of the Sefton Stars charitable work since 2005 and continues to be pivotal in encouraging young people to stay active.”
Everton in the Community’s Sports Development Manager, Jackie Twort, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have secured this partnership with Sefton Stars.
“We are involved in, a number of sports including football, badminton and table tennis and we hope this exciting new venture will encourage more children to take up activities such as basketball.”
The sessions will take place every Tuesday and Thursday between 5pm and 6pm.
Contact Sefton Stars on 0151 933 7232 or Everton in the Community on 0151 530 5253.
Dives and drives work well for duo
IT’S NOT just the trend for athletes sporting intense beards that Tim Howard has translated across the Atlantic this season.
American commuters love to car-pool, and the USA international took great pleasure from uploading a photograph to Instagram showing Sylvain Distin driving him to training at Finch Farm recently.
Few people would dare order the French man-mountain around, but ever the team-player, Distin is willing to be chauffeur for the greater good. “If he continues making saves like he did against Villa I’ll continue driving him to work,” he said. “Anyway he pays me well so I don’t mind too much.”
Have your say on the official fans forum
TIME is running out for supporters to apply to become the next member of Everton’s official Fans’ Forum.
The club has been on the look-out for four new recruits - with the window for applications set to close on Wednesday (November 6).
Everton’s Fans’ Forum offers the Toffees invaluable insight into the feelings of the fanbase, while also allowing supporters the opportunity to help shape the all-important decision-making process at the club.
Season Ticket pricing, improving the matchday experience, providing feedback for the away fan initiative, the relocation of the Dixie Dean statue and the permanent lighting of the Everton tower are just some of the areas the Forum has focused on over the last 12 months.
“The Fans’ Forum is important for supporters and the club,” said Fans’ Forum chairperson, Tony Bott. “The Forum continues to evolve and the club and fans are working together to achieve the best possible format.”
The existing Forum members will meet in November to review applications alongside club officials. If you want to have your say, visit evertonfc.com/fans forum application.
Source: Echo
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Post by Texan Toffee on Nov 3, 2013 2:16:06 GMT
Anybody who thinks Baines will still be here after the World Cup is very optimistic. If we are doing well by January we would be foolish to sell anybody, but as crazy as it sounds, there is absolutely nothing wrong with believing we can crack open the top 4 this year. If we win tomorrow, we are in 2nd place, and if we win every match after that we will win the league. Believe!
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