2017/18 Leighton Baines

[navidson]

why would we want to, hes looked awful

He was fine when he deputised at LB for 15 games

 

[navidson]

I love Baines, fully understand why he can't bomb up and down the wing like he used to, feel exasperated that he's the only LB at the club etc

But why has he lost the ability to cross the ball? He used to be one of the best in the league

 

[SiEdmo]

He was fine when he deputised at LB for 15 games

before Pulis and god knows what else ruined his confidence, now hes getting dropped at left back for a team who will be lucky to be in the champ next season at this rate

 

[SiEdmo]

I love Baines, fully understand why he can't bomb up and down the wing like he used to, feel exasperated that he's the only LB at the club etc

But why has he lost the ability to cross the ball? He used to be one of the best in the league

I reckon his ankle injuries cost him more than we realise

 

[Kiwi]

We should be looking at Sessegnon from Fulham, 17 years old only, 30+ games for Fulham already and going to be a superstar.

What we need at left back is a rapid marauding player like him...

The key is signing a superstar left sided centre back.

For me, both positions need to be addressed before a new striker...

Zat we can't score goals because we don't have a striker aside from a couple of raw characters. It's absolutely our number one priority because if you don't score goals, you lose games.
Clueless.

 

[Kiwi]

I reckon his ankle injuries cost him more than we realise

I think so too. Combined with getting older means he's lost his zip. Tough being asked to play every single game too, I think with requiring him to play less games we might see a more effective player. Not by any means the first priority, but a first choice LB is something we need to look at in the summer.
He's just not the player he was.

 

[SiEdmo]

I think so too. Combined with getting older means he's lost his zip. Tough being asked to play every single game too, I think with requiring him to play less games we might see a more effective player. Not by any means the first priority, but a first choice LB is something we need to look at in the summer.
He's just not the player he was.

deffo mate, he just seems like he would rather knock it off than put his laces through it these days, imagine he got a freekick from where he scored that worldie against Newcastle, he would walk away

 

[Kiwi]

deffo mate, he just seems like he would rather knock it off than put his laces through it these days, imagine he got a freekick from where he scored that worldie against Newcastle, he would walk away

I think he still has plenty to offer, just not necessarily in every game.
He's still very good technically and has an ok engine and bundles of experience.

 

[Brendan Janus]

Couldn't cross the road at the moment !!

 

[jtl60]

I can't believe what I'm reading. The last 2 games I think Baines is the only 1 of the snr players who actually looks like he cares and has been trying to do something about it. As others have said it's impossible for him to get forward when there is no one in front of him. If we start playing with a left midfielder we might start seeing more of an attacking threat

 

[BillLovesRoo]

I feel sorry for him.....................and whoever is selected to play right back on a game by game basis.

Our full backs are left so iscolated that when they do receive the ball they get to 60 yards look up and have 2 choices, cut back and pass inside to a centre mid or lump a cross in from 40 odd yards out.

Baines has never been a coleman or walker type "take him on" left back, he has always been about the give and go, short triangles and timing on the over lap.
None of which you can do if you are the only player on that side and dont have another team mate within 20 yards of you whenever you get the ball

 

[SiEdmo]

I think he still has plenty to offer, just not necessarily in every game.
He's still very good technically and has an ok engine and bundles of experience.

oh yeah, not saying he is past it, he would still be my first choice, but not to have someone to give him some respite is ridic

 

[sageyefc]

Can't attack can't defend, if ever a player epitomised this current Everton side it's Baines.

 

[Zatara]

Zat we can't score goals because we don't have a striker aside from a couple of raw characters. It's absolutely our number one priority because if you don't score goals, you lose games.
Clueless.

If we don't have full backs who can provide width then theres no point bringing in a striker...

we also cant sign a left back to charge up the pitch without having a decent centre back to cover for him...

Or do you think Cuco's rubbish crosses will suddenly magically create chances for a 'target man'

 

[Mrk]

I think so too. Combined with getting older means he's lost his zip. Tough being asked to play every single game too, I think with requiring him to play less games we might see a more effective player. Not by any means the first priority, but a first choice LB is something we need to look at in the summer.
He's just not the player he was.

100% this. A player of Baines' age should have his game time managed to ensure that he has the energy to get up and down the pitch when he does play. Absolutely crazy that we've gone into the season with him as our only leftback.