Leighton Baines

[Carlito]

Along with Barry, Baines is the only intelligent footballer left in the squad.

 

[vintage-toffees]

That's your opinion.

I'll be delighted when Baines returns from injury.

Mine too sadly I think he looks finished.. pace has gone and with it his ability to be offensive as he knows he is going out struggle if he gets caught out fantastic servent but mother natures a bitch

 

[ToffeeTim]

Anyone who can't recognise we are a better side with Baines playing is seriously clueless

 

[George Wall]

didn't we win 5 games in a row till Baines got injured.........

 

[Brendan Janus]

Along with Barry, Baines is the only intelligent footballer left in the squad.

Yeh, Baines graduated from Oxford !!

 

[davek]

Along with Barry, Baines is the only intelligent footballer left in the squad.

Pienaar was the brain. It's no coincidence Baines has cratered since that partnership ended.

 

[degsy]

Pienaar was the brain. It's no coincidence Baines has cratered since that partnership ended.

Pretty much this, Baines was (nearly) world class when they were both younger and playing together. Pienaar however, lacked Baines's natural reticence and thought he was better than he was, hung the latch on his contract, went to the WC looking to win a big payday. He not only didn't have Baines to make him look good, but played averagely at CMF/No. 10 in an average team.
Went to Spurs - then 'begged' to come back and was OK for 6mths.

 

[Carlito]

Pienaar was the brain. It's no coincidence Baines has cratered since that partnership ended.

Baines coped just fine while Pienaar was away at Spurs. He uses the ball as well as anyone.

Their partnership was a perfect example of why many value craft and guile over athleticism. They're the types that I want to see Everton pursuing in the upcoming windows.

 

[Toffeelover]

We really need to sort out back up LBs and I do not just mean Oviedo. The injuries that have been hitting Baines could point to a recurring problem now, mind not as bad as Pienaar or Gibson.

 

[evertony]

This^^^

Look how much we miss him... he's still top quality ... he's just not the best LB in Europe anymore. I can't think of anyone in the prem I would swap him for tbh

He never was the best in Europe. He's was fantastic, and probably the best in the Prem, but not in Europe.

Serious question....do you think he was as good as Ashley Cole when both were at their peak?

 

[Tel001]

He never was the best in Europe. He's was fantastic, and probably the best in the Prem, but not in Europe.

Serious question....do you think he was as good as Ashley Cole when both were at their peak?

Defensively? No but attacking... there wasn't many better. In all honesty I would have had baines over cole in the England team

 

[evertony]

Defensively? No but attacking... there wasn't many better. In all honesty I would have had baines over cole in the England team

And without the blue-tinteds on?

 

[Tel001]

And without the blue-tinteds on?

Yeah...I don't have blue tints mate... I don't relate Barkley... Gerry , mirallas, or Coleman which most of our fans do... baines tho? He was top draw in his prime and I wouldn't have swapped him for anyone else in the league in his prime... and probably nobody in Europe either... he was our most creative player ... in fact he was the most creative PLAYER ... not defender ... player in Europe one year... and I actually enjoyed watching him play... him and stones are the only defenders I actually loved to watch play football.

 

[alwaysblue]

Is it a coincidence we haven't won since he got injured?

 

[Sharpattack]

Is it a coincidence we haven't won since he got injured?

Yes