I really want Fabio to succeed. It makes it quite hard to be objective about the left back spot. Given he was seen as the better prospect than his brother when they joined, I really believe we just have to give him a run of games and he will rise to the challenge. That doesnt take into account the fact he is massively injury prone though, or the significant probability that I dont know what Im talking about.
Leighton Baines
- Thread starter ::sonny::
- Start date
How long ago was that? Rafael forced his way in and did well. Fabio hasn't - even if he did have the stiffer competition.
I'm all for giving young lads a go, but sometimes you need to go out and buy etsablished quality. Baines is one of the best left back's in Europe for me, and deserves a chance to do it on a bigger stage. His consistency, workrate and threat going forward could be very valuable.
Right now the club needs to improve the first team with quality additions. He'd be one such addition for me.
6:10 on Baines. Deflecting comments about a new contract. I think if we get through Jan without selling him then he won't leave.
Davies was poor against us, particularly going forward - then the bastard cut in, beat about 4 players and scored.
I agree he's a bit better defensively than Rafael was when he joined. Rafael has always been a good, aggressive tackler. More than Shaw. But he made more mistakes too.
Good player, but not any kind of long term solution, would be a short term luxury buy. Rather see us invest in a younger player if we wanna new starting LB.
Agreed. If Baines was 25-26 then he would be a perfect replacement for Evra. At 29 he's a very short term fix and for the price Everton would want is just not worth it.
So is was RVP. It does't really make a diffence 5 years is a long time. If we get that out of him im happy. We don't really need anymore players that can grow into the role. Our youth policy is good... I faith we could nurture a replacement in that time.
RVP was the best player in the league. Its a bit different. With Baines we've simply left it too late, unless for some reason we arent able to get one of the best young left backs (and Fabio never gets a game) then he's no longer the best option. A year or two ago? Yes. Now? I dont think so
I like Baines and wanted him to join in the summer but the more I see of Shaw the more I want us to go after him. I hope DM doesn't overlook him just because he is determined to get Baines
Who's the top 3 left backs in the league? So that points crap... Seriously what is wrong with you people and Age? Ashley Cole is still the best left back and he's the same age as Evra. We do not know who long Baines has left in the tank but his career is far from over.
Name me the last time a left back was the best player in the league? Aslong as he is the best in his postion thats what matters!! At this moment in time he is a better defender than Evra and better in the finally third..
What's next Pienaar ?
Seeing how much Patrice has deteriorated in this season, Baines would be a quality addition to this side.
John Richardson knows his stuff as well. I think he's got a lot of contacts inside United.
I'd prefer Shaw too, if only because he's 6 foot 1 and will mean we won't have to play Smalling at right back to give us a bit more height in defence.
15million is way too much for a player of 29 with 18 months left on his contract.
I don't agree. He was the only player who did anything on that left side. Created several crosses, some good some not as good. Defensively we were a shambles and were caught on the break several times. When he was playing as a winger most of the game chasing a goal, how could you expect him to chase down a long ball from their defence to their attack? That happened reapeatedly after we lost the ball in attack. I can't recall Evra losing it much though. He was also the only one who was able to create something, dribble past defenders and ultimately saved our day alongside Hernandez.
Don't be silly. Barkley would be the only other Everton player he would covet
I'd be well up to see some Baines at United.
I suspect this is the way the negotiations are likely to go for a while. His value to Everton is far greater than his value to United as Evra is currently performing to a reasonable standard. In the summer, assuming Baines hasn't signed a new deal, they may be prepared to let him go with one year left on his contract. The Fellaini deal will only encourage Everton to take a hard-line stance on Baines. Moyes could do with having 3 or 4 leftback targets then buying the most reasonably priced one, given their age etc.
Yes I did.
Just because he had one assist doesn't mean he had a good match. Nani also put in a good cross but yet it was a pathetic performance.
Evra has been rubbish defensively throughout the season. There was one moment in which Jones got pissed off at Evra because he was in our half rather than doing some defending.
Yes, I noticed that too - that was one of the hoofing balls from Stoke where Evra was playing as a winger (would you remove that element from him?) and obviously not even Bolt could've gotten back in time. There should be a midfielder covering him when he goes on those runs though. Cleverley did f*** all of that yesterday.
I think Baines would be a great attacking asset for us and would happily pay £15m for him.
Indeed. We can get Coentrao for that sum of money, a player who has played in a much higher level than Baines and is a few years younger. Or we can try our luck with Luke Shaw who looks a great prospect. Baines transfer doesn't make sense at all and I hope that we don't sign him.
Baines would be great. I'd also love Coentrao - younger, similar price range and more versatile. And Shaw is going to (already is) a hell of a player - could be our and England's left back for the next 15 years. Let's get all of them?
-----------------DDG----------------
Rafael----Vidic----Evans----Shaw
--------------------------------Baines
Valencia-Carrick-Rooney-Coentrao
----------------------------------------
------------------RVP------------------
That left side.
-----------------DDG----------------
Rafael----Vidic----Evans----Shaw
--------------------------------Baines
Valencia-Carrick-Rooney-Coentrao
----------------------------------------
------------------RVP------------------
That left side.
Why would Martinez disrupt what is a great start to the season and sell one of is key players in January.
I just wonder what glasses some fans wear when they watch the matches. Evra is continually trashed, yet he's been one of United's best players year in and year out. You can tell that SAF and Moyes both know that by seeing which players they have the hardest time sitting out a match.
I don't think the objection is to Baines' ability but the fact it'd be a rather short term signing.
A player like Baines is vital if we want to play all of Kagawa, Rooney and van Persie. And even Januzaj. Baines would be a brilliant signing.
Baines and Herrera and we will still win the league.
Baines and Herrera and we will still win the league.
if we could get him in January for 15million I'd do it
solid enough defensively but the key thing he'd bring is his crossing
the weakest part of our game this year for me has been our final ball.....crossing has been abysmal and despite scoring from 3 crosses yesterday it was no different
I think before the Rooney header I saw a stat that we'd put in 25 crosses and only 1 was met by a United player - for the RVP goal
he'd be a good option for 3/4 years so long as we have a good understudy (Fabio? Luke Shaw? someone else)
solid enough defensively but the key thing he'd bring is his crossing
the weakest part of our game this year for me has been our final ball.....crossing has been abysmal and despite scoring from 3 crosses yesterday it was no different
I think before the Rooney header I saw a stat that we'd put in 25 crosses and only 1 was met by a United player - for the RVP goal
he'd be a good option for 3/4 years so long as we have a good understudy (Fabio? Luke Shaw? someone else)
Would certainly strengthen the squad noticeably but let's not get carried away.
3 or 4 years of consistent quality from a left back for £15m is decent value for me. In my eyes he'll still be a quality player when he's 32/33.
Yep. Kagawa can play on the left and come inside, with Baines on the outside. Baines is a very intelligent player and will surely get an understanding with him pretty quickly. I could see it being a great partnership because they are both intelligent players.
Why would Everton sell for 15m mid season after twice rejecting that bid already though?
15M would probably be alright but he's a quite important player for Everton. can imagine it'd be difficult getting him at that price, especially after the Fellaini debacle.