I believe this is the main problem.
Leighton Baines
- Thread starter ::sonny::
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss Amad saving our blushes in a win against Southampton as well as our now annual loss at home to Brighton. They discuss Amorim's post-match comments, revisit how mid-table we may or may not be, and discuss some transfer news.
I believe this is the main problem.
Great, I will hold you to that by kicking your account out
When did we sign Milner?
Milne R
How can anyone say Leighton is not a sexy name?
It doesn't have enough z's or x's :-(
ashley cole isn't a sexy name and he's a cnut but he's better than baines even though he's 4 years older.
There is no St Leighton, he hasn't even got a Christian name let alone a right foot or any pace.
If Everton have to sell then it is possible. Last season it was said the banks were asking Everton to lower their debt levels; they were reported to be 45 million in debt. I don't know if that is true or not but if it were then they might have to take the best offer they get for Baines.
I already took that statement back. I will hang on and see how things materialize with Baines in the team - if it happens.
Typo: Liam Miller.
And Dani Alves is better than Rafael even though he's older. Clearly we should sell him
Ass Hole has been the best English LB over the last decade, but we ain't getting him. That's not the point.
I think it has been discussed in this thread, that Baines is probably the most applicable choice we have at LB. And based on his performances for Everton over the last 2 seasons, "mediocre" is a very harsh assessment.
As for Fábio, I'm pretty sure Sir Alex once said the da Silva twins "would both play right back in the future". Or something like that.
dani alves is still under 30 in his prime and rafael is not in his best years yet.
cole is past his prime and baines is supposed to be at his highest level.
Nevertheless the point was that baines lack of sexy name is not why people don't want him at utd.
It's that he's not a top end player. He's 'serviceable' like young and about about 2 curly wurlys.
We nearly always sign an Englishmen in the summer, we have every summer for the last decade apart from 2008.
So Baines.
So Baines.
We've already signed one - Nick Powell.
Mediocre isn't just a very hash assessment, it's a wrong assessment. Apparently he is one dimensional, but so is Valencia. He's not really too old either, he's only turning 28 and will bring experience. Fabio would therefore get his chance to establish himself in the future. His price tag isn't exactly cheap but what do people expect given he'e english and proven in the league. Of course Alba would have been a better choice but Barcelona were always going to get him. Bottom line is he's a very solid player and as you mentioned, probably the most applicable choice we have. It's a win win situation really, Evra and Baines will both get games and this would allow Evra to get more rest throughout the season.
According to the times, everton want 15m.
mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-14/manchester-united-preparing-bid-for-everton-s-baines-times-says.html
Baines was actually on Liverpools books as a kid. Also a Liverpool fan for a while,then blackburn then Everton.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2007/sep/29/newsstory.everton
"I actually started as a Liverpool supporter because my dad supported them and I hero-worshipped Robbie Fowler. He was another left-footer and I loved him. I'd go back to school and every time we played I'd pretend I was Fowler.
"I was only young, though, and I didn't like the hustle and bustle of the stands. I lost interest in Liverpool, but I still loved watching football. I was at the 1995 FA Cup final [when Everton beat Manchester United 1-0]. I went through a spell of liking Blackburn Rovers because they had Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton in attack. And then I started watching Everton properly when I was about 14. My mum wouldn't let me go on my own but my cousin was three years older than me so we'd get the bus, 50p from Kirkby, and then hang around outside until we could sneak in.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2007/sep/29/newsstory.everton
"I actually started as a Liverpool supporter because my dad supported them and I hero-worshipped Robbie Fowler. He was another left-footer and I loved him. I'd go back to school and every time we played I'd pretend I was Fowler.
"I was only young, though, and I didn't like the hustle and bustle of the stands. I lost interest in Liverpool, but I still loved watching football. I was at the 1995 FA Cup final [when Everton beat Manchester United 1-0]. I went through a spell of liking Blackburn Rovers because they had Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton in attack. And then I started watching Everton properly when I was about 14. My mum wouldn't let me go on my own but my cousin was three years older than me so we'd get the bus, 50p from Kirkby, and then hang around outside until we could sneak in.
Leighton is sexy but Baines is a rubbish name, it's like something out of Harry Potter.
Etc
Etc
But it's so easy to call him Bainesy. No imagination needed with the nickname at all.
The reason why people aren't particularly excited about the prospect of signing Baines is clearly nothing to do with him being English as there was plenty of excitement when Jones, Powell etc signed. It's because he simply isn't a particularly exciting signing. He is in his mid to late twenties, is pretty decent but probably not going to blossom into a world star and will probably do a very good job but isn't going to set the world alight. But in particular, at least for me, he won't be cheap and I would rather see us develop Fabio here at the club and give him more games and spend the money on areas such as midfield.
Leightinio is it then?
Agree with that.
Is spot on.
Dont know why this he's English so not exciting bullshit gets thrown around when its the same people here who were elated with the signings of Jones Powell Smalling.
To be fair Smalling wasn't an exciting signing either because we knew little about him, he'd made about two starts for Fulham before the move. Turned out to be a steal at £10m.
Yeah you're right. But its not like people were against getting him then and it isnt like he's not been given credit for how good he is because of his nationality. So why would it be different for Baines?
Absolutely spot on.
It's worrying that there are some people who think the reserved reaction is due to the fact of his name not being "sexy". It's incredibly stupid to think like that
i wouldnt mind if he came, not for 20 mill but if we got him for 10 id be happy enough
he is a decent player
he is a decent player
I have to disagree here. I was really looking forward to seeing CS.
Good post.
On what basis? He made his Fulham league debut about 3 weeks before we signed him and scored an own goal in it, giving Chelsea a win.
Wasn't he also Man of the Match?
The rumours regarding Baines are growing and this slightly concerns me when we still have a gaping hole in midfield.
The point is that Smalling was an unexposed talent that Wenger bid £10M for and Ferguson £13M - it was a risk but could get you a top player (which unfortunately appears to be the case). We've all seen Baines for five seasons and know exactly what he is - an average fullback that you could have bought for £5M five years ago.
Baines would be average if you took away his crossing ability. But even in his prime, if you took away Evra's speed or dribbling he'd be average too. Take away Clichy's speed and he's average. Take away Cole's speed, he's average and the list goes on. Thats how fullbacks are, even the better ones for the most part. There are a few where this isnt the case but just a few.
If Baines is average then you have to wonder what Gibbs and Andre Santos are.
Shite.