Leighton Baines

[f.t.r.s]

actually mate, it was barry moving to left back and gerry coming on for baines that started that particular comeback

 

[bluemangroup]

actually mate, it was barry moving to left back and gerry coming on for baines that started that particular comeback

This is very true.

 

[Blades]

Living in hyperbole there, buddy. A few months of good form does not make the lad a world beater.

Baines isn't reaching the exceptional standards of previous seasons, but there was bound to be a slump at some point. If his attitude's right and there's no injury issues then he can get to that level again.

the part about him being one of the best in the world was maybe a bit over the top but there are not many top left backs around these days and if he can produce performances that were anywhere near as good as he was before his injury then he'll certainly be one of the best in the prem for sure.

id say its more likely the start of a decline rather than a slump. at the end of the day hes 30 at the end of this year and its a big ask to perform consistently at that age in the most physically demanding position in football.

 

[Blades]

actually mate, it was barry moving to left back and gerry coming on for baines that started that particular comeback

true my mistake.

 

[Walken]

the part about him being one of the best in the world was maybe a bit over the top but there are not many top left backs around these days and if he can produce performances that were anywhere near as good as he was before his injury then he'll certainly be on one of the best in the prem for sure.

id say its more likely the start of a decline rather than a slump. at the end of the day hes 30 at the end of this year and it its big ask to perform consistently at that age in the most physically demanding position in football.

we can move him into a quaterback role, then let him take pens and corners to boost his stats so everyone still thinks he's boss

 

[BlueLlama]

I smell kopites

 

[Jeff Jones]

Can't wait to see this warchest. We've been adding to it dead patient for fourteen years now.

Barca will be bracing themselves for a bid for Messi and no mistake mate.

He's getting a bit old, doncha think?

 

[dannyboy]

the part about him being one of the best in the world was maybe a bit over the top but there are not many top left backs around these days and if he can produce performances that were anywhere near as good as he was before his injury then he'll certainly be on one of the best in the prem for sure.

id say its more likely the start of a decline rather than a slump. at the end of the day hes 30 at the end of this year and its a big ask to perform consistently at that age in the most physically demanding position in football.

I agree that it does look like he's lost half a yard this year, whether that's permanent or he'll regain it is impossible to say at this stage.

There's too much sentiment for me where Baines is concerned. I think the loyalty he's shown to us should be returned to him.

 

[chicoazul]

Well then im afraid to say your local bias...

Glad you picked up my bias being local mate.

 

[JAYTALITY]

His assist v west ham was top class. Bursting into the box, picking out Lukaku in a cazy overcrowded box like that was genius. He still has it I don't see any decline.

 

[Christiffa25]

So Roy's had a word with Baines telling him he won't play tonight....well leave him at home then so he can prepare for our biggest game of the season!!

 

[AndyZ]

So Roy's had a word with Baines telling him he won't play tonight....well leave him at home then so he can prepare for our biggest game of the season!!

good to hear. Give Shaw his much deserved international debut. Baines seems to have the starting LB spot locked up for the WC anyway.

 

[sw blue]

Roy knows what Baines offers. He just has to decide whether he's going to take Cole or Shaw with him to Brazil. TBH, if it wasn't for potential media outcry, he would have left half the certainties out of this squad to concentrate on who else he wanted to select (Baines, Gerrard, Roooney etc.). I don't see the point of a 30 man squad for a friendly.

 

[Fuleco]

I love how there is a bucket of water on standby there.

 

[Royal Blue Jersey]

His assist v west ham was top class. Bursting into the box, picking out Lukaku in a cazy overcrowded box like that was genius. He still has it I don't see any decline.

Defensively Baines is weak, but it's hard to distinguish ability to defend from ability to get back. As with so many players that find the transition from club to national team hard, when you're being asked to reprise your club role but without having the team built around what you can offer - Gerrard, Lampard, Carrick, Baines for example - then it's no wonder you can't replicate thar form. Baines has Pienaar, Barry and especially Distin poised to cover the gaps left when he bombs forward, which is very often.

Also remember him getting the runaround from time to time, but he's definitely a capable one-on-one defender. World class i don't know; going forward, definitely