Thing is, I don't think yesterday was a one off, and he has been doing the same for a while now but yesterday amplified it because Tottenham were really good and we didn't turn up.
A lot of people dismissed me when I said the difference between him and Oviedo (now, not at respective peaks) was not as big as some suggest, and that I would rather have Oviedo over the last couple of years. Oviedo is quicker, more aggressive, and more direct. He might not have the technical ability Baines has on the ball, but if there's space in front of him, he runs into it and I think he is more competitive defensively.
I have noticed for a while now that Baines, even with yards of open space in front of him, his 1st thought is to put his foot on the ball and check back.
The problem is, people were still comparing Oviedo to 2009 Baines which was unfair on him and he was never gonna win over nostalgia.
And then there's Mori. For all the criticism he gets, his outlet in front of him is Baines, who looks hesitant to cross the halfway line, and 90% of the possession he has is backwards passes from Baines with no option other than to go long.
I also think it's funny that people cite lack of cover in front of Baines for his shortcomings but don't give Mori the same courtesy when he is covering for Baines.
Baines at his best, between 2008 - 2013 was rightly one of our key players. His partnership with Pienaar was the envy of a lot of teams, his deadball skills made us a threat anywhere around the opposition area and his pace, intelligence and skill made him a great player.
But all of that was before his injury, and back when he had Pienaar playing with him. At this point, I honestly don't see what he offers other than the occasional good cross when we are on the front foot and he has time and space to move up without fear of being caught out of position on the counter.
