Does fit-again Leighton Baines deserve to start for Everton at Swansea?

[Fensta]

Baines can be re-introduced slowly, come on as a sub in the next few games. No way he'll be as good as Oviedo after being out a while. Needs to get his sharpness back.

 

[bluestevon]

he will be brought back when he is 100% fit and ready, Oviedo's form has guaranteed he wont be rushed back until then now as theirs no glaring need for it, better for us both as baines has had little rest given the last 3-4 years really so maybe will see a better fresher baines from boxing day on in, unless he goes to utd ofc in which case hope he stays out of form this year lol

 

[SteKelly]

how much do you think we are getting for baines?

 

[bluestevon]

how much do you think we are getting for baines?

I think he will go for roughly what united bid in the summer now mate, so like 12m or so, like to think at least 15m but being realistic now as doubt united will let themselves get held to ransom twice so soon by us, like with everything regarding us it all depends what happens to the money if he does get sold, if reinvested along with the missing fellaini money (which has definately not all been spent imo), tv revenue etc then its good business, if it dissapear then very bad business

 

[Eggs]

...you should pick your strongest team and if that is the case Baines starts. Reporting he will be available for Soton. Saying that, Oviedo has been terrific and we have confidence that he can do a job anywhere on that left side.

 

[MartSlinger]

how long has he been out for? Surely it can't take that long to sign a contract?

You not thought that Baines has NO intention of signing a new contract? If he wanted to sign one, it would have been sorted by now. Roberto said in his first set of interviews after becoming Everton manager that he wanted to reward Baines, that was back in June. Like i said, if Baines wanted to sign one, it would have been signed. Nothing the club can do about that.

 

[Guest89]

A mate of mine is a Leeds fan and he was at our game last week, first comment he made to me was how much of a liability he thought Oviedo looked and would be found out over time quite easily.

I think Oviedo has had a decent run and definitely performing to a higher level than most of us expected. From the point of view of form and rewarding hard work, I'd ease Baines back in by having him on the bench if he's coming back to fitness for a few games. If he's on the bench today against Swansea, I'd expect him to start again by the Southampton game.

 

[nigelcoyb]

You not thought that Baines has NO intention of signing a new contract? If he wanted to sign one, it would have been sorted by now. Roberto said in his first set of interviews after becoming Everton manager that he wanted to reward Baines, that was back in June. Like i said, if Baines wanted to sign one, it would have been signed. Nothing the club can do about that.

This.

Plus his form suggests his head's gone, reckon he would have gone in the summer if it hadn't been for Moyes the double whammy of crap money and acting like we were hand rags to the Utd engine would have had kenwright universally nailed.

Far better a political solution where we look as though we put 2 fingers up to Utd when in fact Baines has been told it'll happen January.

But most importantly Oviedo has been much better it's as simple as that.

 

[Chang Elephant]

A mate of mine is a Leeds fan and he was at our game last week, first comment he made to me was how much of a liability he thought Oviedo looked and would be found out over time quite easily.

Did he actually take his seat or mainline Chang for 90 minutes ? His mind is scrambled.

 

[Eggs]

This.

Plus his form suggests his head's gone, reckon he would have gone in the summer if it hadn't been for Moyes the double whammy of crap money and acting like we were hand rags to the Utd engine would have had kenwright universally nailed.

Far better a political solution where we look as though we put 2 fingers up to Utd when in fact Baines has been told it'll happen January.

But most importantly Oviedo has been much better it's as simple as that.

....I wonder if they've agreed it will happen in the summer (and not January). Also, United fans are clearly disappointed with Fellaini and DM might be a bit nervous dipping back into his old squad even for a relatively safe bet like Baines.

 

[CahillsCornerFlag]

He's about 45 times the player Oviedo is. He is better at literally everything. If he's fit, you don't leave that calibre of player sitting on the bench.

If Oviedo is a good professional, which he clearly is, he will accept that, although he's done well for a few games, Baines has been doing it week in week out year on year, game on game and is our first choice.

No he wont. He's been a top professional waiting over a year to get in the team. He's not going to take kindly to being dropped when he's playing really well, and starred in 3 draws and a win including away to united and draw arsenal.

I'm not afraid to say it, Baines has been tosh bar west ham this year (compared to his usual standards) and Oviedo deserves to keep his place. Sends completely the wrong message to the rest of the team if he drops him now. Nobody has a guaranteed starting place is an important message to have.

 

[bourneblue]

We shall see, Baines as you rightly say has been somewhat below his usual excellent best this season,Oviedo has shone in the games he's had so far.
A tough choice, best left for Martinez to decide. What does please me is we have options available to us,a great situation to be in.

 

[toffeeblue9]

Baines is the best left back around, but Oviedo could not possibly have done more to keep his place.

If it were me, I'd keep Oviedo in the side. There needs to be an incentive for players playing well.

 

[Ring master]

Baines is the best left back around, but Oviedo could not possibly have done more to keep his place.

If it were me, I'd keep Oviedo in the side. There needs to be an incentive for players playing well.

This is how i would treat any player no matter how good they are,if a great player gets injured and someone come's in and does that well that you hardly see the difference why change when fit again-expect baines to get back right in though myself,but saying that he might swap both over xmas with a few games so close together

 

[banno]

Tough one to call. Baines is world class on his day but unfortunately he hasn't had many of those days this season. Oviedo has impressed and surprised me. He has attacked and made himself available constantly and he has been good defensively. Love the way that you see Coleman and Oviedo in the oppositions box at the same time and I don't recall too many occasions this happened with Baines. If anything Baines seems more conservative going forward under RM than DM which is surprising.

Anyway I reckon an on form Baines is a cert for his place back but now we know that we are not a one man team and totally dependant on Baines.