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

[paulbefc]

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.

Wrong. His attitude's as good as ever.

Positivity has taken such a hold that, to the other players' amusement, Baines turned up for training the day after his injury. "He wants to be out there every day," Pienaar says. "After we had got over the shock we all said: 'Take a break! It's not going to happen overnight.'"

 

[paulbefc]

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.

Disagree that he's been tosh. He's played poorly by his high standards, but in my opinion we shouldn't drop players with exceptional quality as long as they remain a good influence in the dressing room and are still working hard. Baines' attitude is clearly still exemplary.

 

[bluejock]

Oviedo starts this one for me. He's not put a foot wrong and has been an influential part of us playing some ridiculously good attacking football.

Sunderland or Southampton at home would be a better game to bring in a player just back from a month out injured.

 

[bluejock]

Sky Sports News reporting that he's not ready to return yet so I'd say he'll be on the bench at most.

 

[Toffeelover]

Could be risky bring him in against Swansea so soon after the injury.

 

[Duncan Disordely]

I'm with the guys saying the spot's Oviedo's to lose. For far to long players in our team have had a nailed on position based on their reputation/relationship with the manager. Could you imagine how demotivating it must have been for players to know that whatever you did in training or when you eventually got a start, that as soon as possible Neville, Osman, Saha was going to take their spot back?

 

[CahillsCornerFlag]

Disagree that he's been tosh. He's played poorly by his high standards, but in my opinion we shouldn't drop players with exceptional quality as long as they remain a good influence in the dressing room and are still working hard. Baines' attitude is clearly still exemplary.

That's pretty much what I said mate.

Besides, we wouldn't be dropping him as he's already out the team, as a fellow pro I think Leighton will appreciate Bryan has worked hard and probably even grudgingly accept that he might have to sit out till Oviedo's form goes/injury. Baines needed some good competition, especially with United knocking.

 

[paulbefc]

That's pretty much what I said mate.

Besides, we wouldn't be dropping him as he's already out the team, as a fellow pro I think Leighton will appreciate Bryan has worked hard and probably even grudgingly accept that he might have to sit out till Oviedo's form goes/injury. Baines needed some good competition, especially with United knocking.

Poor by Baines' standards is still pretty decent in my book.

Oh most definitely, Baines would accept that Oviedo's done well and if he keeps his place then he deserves it. I think we'd be best trying to get Baines back to form though. If he continues to under-perform then Oviedo for me has proved he can do more than a job and then we should drop him.

Perhaps competition is what Baines needed. If we put him back in I'm sure he'll do everything he can to stay there as Oviedo has set the bar high. Get Baines on top form and keep everyone fit and we will be a much improved side.

IT'LL BE LIKE A NEW...

 

[Khalekan]

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.

+1

And it would send an even worse message to Oviedo if he was to lose his place to a player whose future with us is clouded and may not last beyond another month and a bit.

If and when Baines re-signs then Bob has to make the choice and to be honest, I don't think there are many among us whom would not think a fully fit Baines should be back in the team.

But until then, the left back position is Bryan Oviedo's, IMO

 

[Toffeelover]

Sky Report _ Roberto making it clear again Baines is not for sale. The only way a sale will go forward is if the club's valuation is met and no discussions have been held with a iew to a new contract.

Consiering Baines is 28 and his contract eapires in 18 months that would make him 30 years old so even if on a free which of the top clubs would want??

 

[bluejock]

Sky Report _ Roberto making it clear again Baines is not for sale. The only way a sale will go forward is if the club's valuation is met and no discussions have been held with a iew to a new contract.

Consiering Baines is 28 and his contract eapires in 18 months that would make him 30 years old so even if on a free which of the top clubs would want??

Who would want Baines on a free? Are you actually mental?

 

[Toffeelover]

No, is there any need for the insults. Again who would want Baines when arguabley only 2/3 years left in him.

 

[dholliday]

Consiering Baines is 28 and his contract eapires in 18 months that would make him 30 years old so even if on a free which of the top clubs would want??

All 19 clubs in the Premiership would take Baines on a free. He's one of the league's outstanding, and consistent, players.

 

[Toffeelover]

Now, yes but in nearly 2 years time how will he be then. Judgements are being on his current status not how he may be in 2 years. Could have problems with injuries, fitness who knows.

 

[dholliday]

Now, yes but in nearly 2 years time how will he be then. Judgements are being on his current status not how he may be in 2 years. Could have problems with injuries, fitness who knows.

don't understand the point of your argument. It lacks sense or relevance.

You could say the same about every player in our first-11 who's late-20's plus. Eventually they will get too old to play football. Some might even have problems with injuries. But Baines has proven his exceptional fitness and injury-free consistency over the years. He's a bankable top player for the next 5 years.