i just believe Baines should not have been sitting around for 18 months - he was clearly too good for that but too young for Everton - only got his chance when Lescott left - given more opportunities who knows where he might have been by now -
benchsitting in my humble opinion plays a very limited part in the developement of a young player -
if he is not ready for first team duties put him out on loan -
how can you expect him to fill the boots of a first team player if he has not had sufficient exposure before he is suddenly called on in an emergency ? forward thinking is what i call it -
you need rotation on your bench - it has become essential in the modern game - otherwise you will be caugt with your pants on your knees when you least want it -
like having to play an inexperienced youngster in a FA Cup Final - should you have a few injuries\suspensions in your last game before the big one
I'd agree with this usually, but you say where he might have been now? He's the best in the League in his position and I think
Moyes has blooded him perfectly.
Sometimes you have to treat them mean to keep them keen, and there's nothing better for a Manager to make a player sit on the bench and make them try even harder to get into the side.
Even the Brightest Blooms need the Sun and the Rain, if you know what I mean.
