Baines: The midfielder?

[Ehrlin]

Could Philip Neville "play" in both positions there shouldn't be any reason why Baines couldn't. But he will always be best at LB, but it could be good to have other options when Oviedo is back.

 

[Groucho]

Hey, let's be open to new things. If it works, great, if not well, it was tried.

While he's in that new role, Bryan Oviedo is left back. Room for all our best players on the pitch at once? Yes please.

 

[Steve Wigan]

The last thing I am is a defender of our previous manager in any shape or form(and everyone knows this!) but switching Baines to midfield, if Martinez thinks of it seems to be 'brilliant management'....if Moyes had done it, it would have just been another square peg in a round hole!

 

[Groucho]

The last thing I am is a defender of our previous manager in any shape or form(and everyone knows this!) but switching Baines to midfield, if Martinez thinks of it seems to be 'brilliant management'....if Moyes had done it, it would have just been another square peg in a round hole!

I understand what you're trying to say, but I don't know mate.

Moyes seemed to play players out of position for either no reason at all (Naismith and Anichebe as wide players) or out of necessity (Cahill and Fellaini as forwards).

This seems to be calculated rather than a punt.

 

[USABlue]

think it'd be an interesting thing to try out maybe in the preseason to get him and oviedo in together. everytime i see quotes from roberto i fall more in love.

 

[Librarian]

I think he's looking 2 seasons down the tracks when Baines doesn't have the pace for left back but still retains his ability on the ball, defensive nous and experience. He's got the temprement for the role as well.

Effectively, Martinez gave Baines a contract that (in principle) keeps him at Everton until he's 33, foregoing the guts of 20 million quid in transfer fees. To make that worthwhile, he needs a medium to long term plan for Leighton.

Quality players have a skillet that should transfer across the pitch and he could extend Baines top level career by 3 years, saving Everton a fortune in the process.

I wouldn't do it just yet mind, another season out of Barry with Baines filling in from time to time and Oviedo slotting in could be a brilliant piece of foresight from Bobby brown brogues.

 

[roydo]

The only reservation I would have is that Baines is very, very one footed. Not in itself a major problem, as I am sure there are other MF players like that, but a bit of work on his right peg would not go amiss.

 

[Boywiththethorninhisside]

If Martinez evaluated the squad and thought about doing this, then I'm all behind it, if it's a case of the footballing world fawning over, and copying everything Pep does, then I'd have reservations about it.

 

[deipnosophist]

The only reservation I would have is that Baines is very, very one footed. Not in itself a major problem, as I am sure there are other MF players like that, but a bit of work on his right peg would not go amiss.

Barry is pretty much left footed

 

[roydo]

Barry is pretty much left footed

Yeah, like I said, not a deal breaker at all, just a reservation thats all. Think he could be great there as it happens.

 

[arminisgod]

personally I dont think lahm should be playing midfield and neither should baines, his skill set and pyhsical attributes are quite specific to a full back, not saying he couldn't do a job there, but like lahm, he is better elsewhere. With the best will in the world he also not as good a footballer as Lahm, personally I think schweinsteiger and martinez were the best cm partnership in the world last year, as good as lahms been, they shouldnt be broken up, but them pep is a tit

Martinez has been injured. That's what lahm moved there

 

[Librarian]

When you break it down, the role requires;

Discipline and good temperament, reading of the game
Ability to take the ball off the centre backs and move it forward
Cover for the full backs when they get forward
Slot into centre back when they get forward, so knowing defensive structures like offside, positioning etc
Ability to tackle, win the ball
Passing, technical ability

Baines could do the job in his sleep, 2 years time though.

 

[ijjysmith]

Martinez has been injured. That's what lahm moved there

But Martinez has been playing centre back.

 

[Steve Wigan]

I understand what you're trying to say, but I don't know mate.

Moyes seemed to play players out of position for either no reason at all (Naismith and Anichebe as wide players) or out of necessity (Cahill and Fellaini as forwards).

This seems to be calculated rather than a punt.

I agree with you..I was just having a pop at Moyes I suppose, subconsciously (i can't help it!) I'm sure that Martinez is taking a calculated action, but don't see Baines in the midfield any time soon, unless we have a major crisis.

 

[arminisgod]

But Martinez has been playing centre back.

Only when Dante or boateng were suspended.