Earning a position

[Tree13]

Baines has been pretty poor this year. And he's not getting yougner. We should have learned about hanging onto players too long at this club.

I don't think promoting Garbutt to first choice and shifting Leighton is an entirely foolish plan. It's brave cos Baines might be back in top form next year but if it's the way of keeping garbutt and Martinez has confidence in him then I would understand it if it happens.

The logic is sound - you're better to get a good price and maybe let a player go a year early than keep the same player a season too long and get nothing. That is why Kone. McGeady and Alcaraz have to be gone this summer. Every week we keep them, and every game they play, their asking price drops.

With Baines it's slightly different, because RM's rumoured idea of having him eventually evolve into a DM possibly has some merit to it. In fact, if Barry were to leave for cash this summer, I would be quite inclined to have Baines begin the transition now because it would allow for Oviedo to get significant game time at LB and might also sway Garbutt's thoughts on signing a new contract.

 

[streeky]

Best crosser of the ball?

My God.

i think most people on GOT would say garbutt is our best dead ball and put's the best crosses in that everton have. Sometimes I think you like to post stuff just to get a reaction.

 

[Allezfan]

The logic is sound - you're better to get a good price and maybe let a player go a year early than keep the same player a season too long and get nothing. That is why Kone. McGeady and Alcaraz have to be gone this summer. Every week we keep them, and every game they play, their asking price drops.

With Baines it's slightly different, because RM's rumoured idea of having him eventually evolve into a DM possibly has some merit to it. In fact, if Barry were to leave for cash this summer, I would be quite inclined to have Baines begin the transition now because it would allow for Oviedo to get significant game time at LB and might also sway Garbutt's thoughts on signing a new contract.

I have huge issues with that particular plan, tbh. Down largely to having seen too many bloody players played out of position at theis club.

We have midfielders, we don't need to put a left back there. It might work but yeah I can't say I'm enthusiastic about it. Would hope Martinez decides the same.

 

[Allezfan]

i think most people on GOT would say garbutt is our best dead ball and put's the best crosses in that everton have. Sometimes I think you like to post stuff just to get a reaction.

He's played like 5 games. Does he have a decent cross on him sure but Bily looked like having a great cross on him after only 5 games too.

Too early to call him the best at the club.

 

[streeky]

He's played like 5 games. Does he have a decent cross on him sure but Bily looked like having a great cross on him after only 5 games too.

Too early to call him the best at the club.

yep ,he's a young man he could lose his form and probably will, but if we play him regularly he could get better also.

 

[Tree13]

I have huge issues with that particular plan, tbh. Down largely to having seen too many bloody players played out of position at theis club.

We have midfielders, we don't need to put a left back there. It might work but yeah I can't say I'm enthusiastic about it. Would hope Martinez decides the same.

Fair point, and the reluctance is understandable - the likes of Naismith and Osman being played out on the wings is genuinely painful to watch, because they very simply and obviously cannot do it. I do think however that Baines has the tools necessary to make the transition and it is worth considering due to the current circumstances: Barry looks possibly finished, McCarthy could use a little more rotation, we're all waiting for the inevitable Gibson injury, and Besic may or may not be a success (for the record, I think he will be). We have holes all over the squad (notably in expensive positions like wing and 10) so if we can patch a hole elsewhere by getting a player to become more versatile, we stand to save substantial money.

As an option that allows us to make better use of the depth at the LB position, I can at least understand why RM is looking into it and let's face it - all the time we have far less money to spend than our rivals, we need to get the most out of the squad we have and that does include having players who are capable of playing in more than one position. Maybe it isn't Baines that we need to be the versatile one: maybe Oviedo needs to develop as a LW and accept that LB will be manned by Baines and Garbutt. That would be ok by me too.

Individual decisions like "sell this guy", "buy that guy", "loan this kid out", "promote one of the U21s" or "see if XYZ can play there" are not made in isolation, and nor should they be. Baines moving to DM is something I would advocate investigating because even if we discover it doesn't work then that information is going to influence some of the other decisions we make, particularly involving Oviedo and Garbutt.

 

[Goat]

i think most people on GOT would say garbutt is our best dead ball and put's the best crosses in that everton have. Sometimes I think you like to post stuff just to get a reaction.

Yeah but most people on GOT are clueless biffs.

Hes played a few games and granted his crossing seems decent, but Leighton Baines is regarded as the best dead ball and crosser in the entire league.

I await your "But Leightons rubbish and we should sell him" comeback.

Then you will just be another clueless biff.

 

[IllinoisBlue]

I know we are not there yet with the squad but the bench is a lot stronger now than 2-3 years ago when we would have the likes of Gueye and Vellios on the bench.

 

[streeky]

Yeah but most people on GOT are clueless biffs.

Hes played a few games and granted his crossing seems decent, but Leighton Baines is regarded as the best dead ball and crosser in the entire league.

I await your "But Leightons rubbish and we should sell him" comeback.

Then you will just be another clueless biff.

I'm pleased I didn't get stick about trying to give garbutt a go at left mid. You will never see a quote from me about bainsey being dropped or sold (unthinkable) and bainesy's assist record is untouchable. The left side is a problem this year at midfield with pienaar out, leon can't get back, mirallas form has slumped and ross/naisey is just stupid.

 

[Goat]

I'm pleased I didn't get stick about trying to give garbutt a go at left mid. You will never see a quote from me about bainsey being dropped or sold (unthinkable) and bainesy's assist record is untouchable. The left side is a problem this year at midfield with pienaar out, leon can't get back, mirallas form has slumped and ross/naisey is just stupid.

Good comeback Friend, you are not a clueless biff, well done.

The left side is certainly a major issue, its a shame young Bryan is perma injured, im sure he would have been given a run out there.

 

[Toffeelover]

I'm pleased I didn't get stick about trying to give garbutt a go at left mid. You will never see a quote from me about bainsey being dropped or sold (unthinkable) and bainesy's assist record is untouchable. The left side is a problem this year at midfield with pienaar out, leon can't get back, mirallas form has slumped and ross/naisey is just stupid.

I think there was quite a bit of mention of shifting Baines to left mid and Garbutt to LB or Oviedo. I think Oviedo up front of Baines or Garbutt could be worth a go, if he is fit.

 

[streeky]

I think there was quite a bit of mention of shifting Baines to left mid and Garbutt to LB or Oviedo. I think Oviedo up front of Baines or Garbutt could be worth a go, if he is fit.

Yep why not. Bainesy or Oviedo just have the edge defensively for me over Luke. For me we have 3 reliable players on the left side that bleed blue, let's give them a season before we splash a fortune ,(unless) this Russian fella comes on a free.

 

[meagher94]

There's absolutely no way we'd get circa £20m for Coleman after this season.

I doubt any offer we'd get would be worth taking. Plus likelihood is he's just lacking confidence and will recapture his form soon enough.