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Leighton Baines

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davek said:
That isn't a difficult achievement (and besides, Coleman was anyway).

It's pure nostalgia arguing for anyone to be arguing he should start games for us. Spurs have two better than us in Rose and Davies and at a pinch Trippier can play there to better effect than Baines does these days.

Baines cant get up the pitch like he once could, cant deliver a decent cross, cant get funnel back quickly enough behind the ball, cant get close enough to a winger to stop crosses coming in, and he cant get blocks in or challenge in the box.

We will never be challengers for top spots by continually making a case for a player with now very dubious first team credentials.
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Serious question Dave, is there anything at all you like about Everton. ?
 
toffeeblue9 said:
Said it many times before but Baines is the only player we've had since the 80s who has a legitimate shout of being considered one of our best ever players

If you were putting together an all time Everton XI, it would be a straight fight between Baines and Ray Wilson for the left back role

He has been an absolutely tremendous player for us and whilst I think people are being over the top about how he declined last season (tactically he was one of the best at pressing in the whole team, for example), we absolutely need to get a quality young left back in this summer because we can't rely on Baines to play 50 odd games or however many we end up playing. At his age, being expected to gallop up and down the flank and provide all the width just isn't realistic. Very few players can do that role effectively into their mid 30s
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Spot on,
What hasn't and won't help him, is the lack of a wide man in front of him,
Father Time is a bstard and if he continues to be exposed due to no-one infront of him,his first choice spot here will be over sooner rather than later and a younger model will be in place.
Definitely the best left back I've seen here since the mid 70's.
 
mikeh72 said:
Will get a well deserved testimonial this or next summer. It'll be nice to see a packed out Goodison to show appreciation for a true loyal servant, could have forced through the move to United in 2013 but kept his head down instead. A model professional, love Bainsey me.
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And me.
 

GwladysPhil said:
Second best left back of the premier league era behind Evra.
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toffeeblue9 said:
Said it many times before but Baines is the only player we've had since the 80s who has a legitimate shout of being considered one of our best ever players

If you were putting together an all time Everton XI, it would be a straight fight between Baines and Ray Wilson for the left back role

He has been an absolutely tremendous player for us and whilst I think people are being over the top about how he declined last season (tactically he was one of the best at pressing in the whole team, for example), we absolutely need to get a quality young left back in this summer because we can't rely on Baines to play 50 odd games or however many we end up playing. At his age, being expected to gallop up and down the flank and provide all the width just isn't realistic. Very few players can do that role effectively into their mid 30s
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At his peak reminded me of Lizerazu the boss French left back. But time and injuries have caught up in being first pick. He can't bomb past people 50 game s a season, just turn it on in a few. When saving his energy or can't bomb past opponent he has to turn ball inside to Centre back and the danger he used to offer is nullified. This happens very often in games now.
But no need to bin completely...just find the new version 6 years younger!!! Easy!!,
PS those free kicks Leighton mate....things of beauty la!!!
 

Great player, had alot more technique than given credit for. Perhaps, being too modest was his downfall, losing freekicks and pens to bigger egos was a major mistake. Unfotunately since losing his Pienaar hes lost his link up, and support in attack and defence leaving him exposed.
 
GwladysPhil said:
Second best left back of the premier league era behind Evra.
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Cole was better as well, but he's defo in the top 3.

I love Baines, my favourite Everton player ever. I think he would have been better last season had he not had the utter dross he had playing ahead of him. He's constantly left 2 against 1 whenever Mirallas or Ross is occupying the Left Wing/Inside Forward role. Even Lookman was slow to get back when he played.

I do think we need to look to replace him, but as others have said it doesn't need to be the priority. Hope we manage to win a trophy with him before he leaves or retires, one of the true local blues we've had.
 
Should definitely be kept but needs back up so he can be rotated and stay fresh. If we got someone except if they were absolutely stand out I would use Baines in the big games. I always hoped Garbutt would take over but the 2 season's he's had have meant that we will look elsewhere if he had been handled better we could have saved a fortune. It's probably come too early for either Robinson or Connolly to be ready particularly with the fact we will already be playing an inexperienced right back.
 

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