The whole saga doesnt do either side any good - it's become a divisive issue for the player, club and fans. Too many individual factors contribute to the current situation but nobody comes out of this with any real credit. To argue a case for one side sees equally persuasive comments from the other. The reality is we don't know the specifics of what has been said or indeed offered in private, nor do we know the assurances Ross requires for arguably the most important contract of his career. What we do know is there is a homegrown hugely talented Evertonian in our ranks and he is idolised by thousands.
I want him to stay and think he can be the player the early promise and the form he showed post Christmas displayed. He's a tremendous footballer, not without his weaknesses, but these are magnified and debated like no other whilst ignoring at times his attributes. The England situation has become farcical since the last World Cup, never mind not playing a minute at the Euro's and now not deemed good enough for the squad.
Time for Ross to nail his colours and break his silence. Sign and become a future captain, as he'll be here longer than the current manager if that is the source of the friction, or explain why he feels he needs to leave and develop elsewhere. I'd suggest there'll be regrets if that's the case, his great pal Stonesy followed a path that he may like to follow, but there is perhaps a lesson there and the better option is to start this World Cup season at his boyhood club, with a new contract and a cleared air approach from all sides. Let's see.