Are we missing a trick with Leighton Baines?

What to do with Baines

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AndyC said:
Merely offering alternatives for consideration/discussion/debate - that's all mate.

And I fully expect Guardiola to use Stones as a ball-playing defensive midfielder - let's see eh?
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Me and a mate think the same regarding stones, he will get found out at City and move into midfield i think.
 

I would like to see in baines in cm with barkley in classic 442 , with some defensive fullbacks, please for the love of god
 
Baines was a much better defender in past seasons. Under Moyes and his first season under Martinez he was a magnet to the ball. At one time I would put him up there with the best center backs in the world, but he hasn't been as solid lately, and part of the blame goes to having numerous injuries and probably Martinez's coaching as well.
 
Aar_the_Toffees said:
It may sound a bit delusional but a few years ago you could make a case for Baines being the best left back in the world. The likes of Bayern were bidding for him and he turned them down to stay in England.

We'll see that Baines return under Koeman.
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I think some have the misconception that Baines was never really a strong defender, and I completely disagree. His quickness and his mentality were what made him so good when the Distin and Jags partnership was still blooming.
 

Been far too isolated for 2+ years, he needs to be around others...doesn't matter who with because he's got the ability to make things out of nothing, whether it's making the run or laying it off, but you need him within the proximity of the play. The last couple of years he was dumping it off at the halfway line and that was isolating him. He needs to be carrying into the last 3rd and getting up in the play.

He's a f'in baller, that's what he is.
 
Paul Bernard said:
Me and a mate think the same regarding stones, he will get found out at City and move into midfield i think.
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In my mind he was always a midfielder. To many silly errors that silky skills didn't overcome. He got found out by our fans frequently last year. Still young but the tolerance level at City will be thin if he loses his mind and wobbles costing results.
 
still class imo... just needs confidence and a better LM infront of him.. i blame bobby... its no coincidence that coleman went from the highest scoring full back in europe to not even getting chances.... at the same time baines went from being the most creative player in europe... to never being seen near the opposition area.... he will find form again this season i believe
 

Few people saying Baines is too old to play further forward/become a winger but it worked ok for an even older Paul Power in '86/87.

Personally I love Baines at LB but he's a good enough footballer to play anywhere on the left IMO.
 
Kiwi said:
As per @AndyC 's article on the home page.
https://www.grandoldteam.com/2016/08/10/missing-trick-leighton-baines/?

In recent years Leighton Baines has been referred to as arguably the best left back in the country, a few might even have suggested the world.

But were those opinions slightly clouded by his prowess going forward?

I’d suggest therefore that Leighton Baines was the best attacking left back in the country, not necessarily the best defensively. Leighton, in my opinion, tends too often to stand off his man – the opposing right winger. He’s never been the best at instantly closing his man down, denying him the space in which to work, tending to rely upon his athleticism and speed to get himself out of trouble.

Don’t get me wrong, Baines has been a good and loyal servant to Everton and has deserved the accolades and plaudits for his rampaging, swashbuckling surges down our left flank, particularly when linking almost telepathically with Steven Pienaar.

So what I’m offering for consideration and debate is this…

Should Everton have a re-think of the left flank area?

Should we try to forge a new left wing partnership of Baines further forward ahead of Luke Garbutt or Brendan Galloway?

Why not give the blossoming young ‘uns their chance with the experienced and attack-minded Baines ahead and he’d be there to cover them too?

My preference would be for Galloway, pity he’s gone on a season-long loan to Newcastle although that should surely benefit him. He’s tall, young, athletic and hungry and at left back with Baines ahead of him, they could cause mayhem.

Baines (still) has enough pace to play further forward, take on the opposing fullback and is a fine crosser of a ball… something we lacked at times last season. And being massively left footed, wouldn’t he offer exactly the kind of outlet that we need off that flank?

Baines has always wanted to get forward but now seems more reluctant or hesitant to do so as rampantly as in previous years… so why not change the system to suit his attacking tendencies?

Play him in a position where he can do real damage – occupying the mind of the opposition fullback, keeping him wide and opening up space in the left side channel for Mirallas, Barkley, Lukaku and co to drive into at pace with serious intent.

Leighton Baines probably has at least two more good seasons in him, so I’d venture it’s not too late to try and make the most of his attacking ability.

Bayern Munich and Germany did just this kind of exercise with Philip Lahm and that worked out pretty well – so why can’t Everton do the same with Leighton Baines and in the process give either Garbutt or Galloway the chance to battle it out for the starting role at left back?

Cheers,

AndyC (formerly Blockhead)
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No really decent Pienaar = No really decent Baines...just what we see now - still isn't bad, but he's no longer the best
 
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