Околу сагата со Стоунс.
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).