Leighton Baines

[Eggs]

....little maestro, I think he's always played better with a like minded, clever footballer in front of him. He's not really had that since Pienaar and to a lesser extent Osman. Football is so much about blend and players complimenting each other, Baines has suffered more than most and the injuries haven't helped.

 

[jackyboy]

One of us. Yeah, ok. That makes up for him being rubbish week in week out then.

I completely agreed with your views on Baines earlier on this season I believe. Literally offers nothing now.

 

[Mountfield1985]

Top player in his day but we should now be moving on, Mori had to cover a lot for him yesterday.

The first goal - Mori goes wide to cover for Baines. Sound. Why does Baines then follow him instead of dropping into centre back to defend the cross? Bizarre.

Really hope he rediscovers his form, but he is starting to look more and more like a hindrance.

 

[gaino92]

Fell off a cliff like Jagielka

 

[Nil Satis Niasse Optimum]

He's finished. He's no better than Oviedo these days. Summer should see a new left back brought in. I'd get after Bertrand from Southampton tbf.

 

[royalblue66]

Best LB in the prem.

 

[mkrudden]

No full-back is going to be able to bring stuff to the table when the guy ahead of them is someone new every game and our CF doesn't create an angle to receive a pass.

The system is currently flawed.

 

[mutley]

Love Bainesy, if he can stay fit he's the least of our worries.

 

[evertonarntwe]

Love Bainesy, if he can stay fit he's the least of our worries.

been fit most of the season and still been crud

 

[BlueToff]

been fit most of the season and still been crud

No he hasn't.

Our horrid downturn in form coincided exactly with his injury.

He was very good vs Utd but had a poor one vs Watford.

Will need phasing out next season but as it stands still one of the best in the squad (not that it's saying much).

 

[mkrudden]

No he hasn't.

Our horrid downturn in form coincided exactly with his injury.

He was very good vs Utd but had a poor one vs Watford.

Will need phasing out next season but as it stands still one of the best in the squad (not that it's saying much).

Begs the question, what are our fans expecting from him?

We punt the ball long.
Our striker's movement is horrid.
We constantly change personnel.
We've no playmaker.
We play one up top so any crosses into the box have to be absolute precision as none of our midfielders arrive late.

"Nah he's crap"

Riiiiiiiight ok mates.

 

[mutley]

been fit most of the season and still been crud

he played the first 5 league games and one cup game and was out for over 2 months, he came back in on the 19th of November so he's probably still looking for full match fitness.

In his 10 games played we won 5 drew 3 and lost 2

 

[BlueStorm]

Given his lack of physicality his strength as a modern day fullback is getting forward and back and giving creativity going forward.

I fear that age and injury has caught up with him and he cannot contribute to the same extent and because he is trying to get forward he is unable to recover and is becoming a liability defensively.

Sad , because he has been great for us, but a lack of fitness and mobility in this area is far more obvious than to ( say ) a holding midfielder.

 

[Nil Satis Niasse Optimum]

Yes, I hope he is replaced before he really does become a liability. He's been great for us, one of our best ever left backs and certainly the best left back for us over the past 25 years. But he's dropped off massively now and it's time to go at the end of the season.

 

[deipnosophist]

Best LB in the prem.

yes. If asked to select a PL 1st XI, the first names that most would pick would be Bainsey and Seamus as that team's fullbacks. I reckon not many others in our team (other than perhaps Barkley and Rom) would make the cut.
But 4 players from Everton in a PL 1st XI is not to be sneezed at.
If RK can get our other stars (i.e. Mirallas, McCarthy, Lennon maybe) to shine, I'm confident we'll scoot up the table.
I'm feeling very positive, and reckon things will turn about vs Arsenal.
Should be a comfortable win...