20 Apr 2015 15:38:39
The whole penalty situation is ridiculous, personally, I blame baines, not barkley. The penalty was poor and arrogant and it looked pre-arranged, I don't think baines wants to take them anymore which is silly, he's the best penalty taker in the league in terms of technique, he took a poor one vs man u and missed, so what?. he's 30, experienced and a senior player, he should have the balls to step up and just take it, for me lukaku should be our penalty taker and then baines, rom wasnt on the pitch so baines should be steppung up. You missed one penalty, it doesn't matter, you shouldn't of gave it to barkley, which is stupid anyway, if baines didn't want to take it (he should of anyway) then barry should of, he was a good taker for villa, if that was the merseyside derby, I don't think barkley would of stepped up and shouldn't be allowed near the ball, if lukaku isn't playing, will baines bottle it and pass it to someone else? NO! you're one of our most experienced players and our best penalty taker, you should just take it, its muscle memory, I don't care if you're scared, you should be taking it!. Thankfully it didn't cost us but its unbelievable, he's gave it to mirallas and barkley, both of whom have missed, you should be stepping up regardless of a missed penalty.
{Ed025's Note - i agree swan..except for the lukaku bit..i dont want him taking them hes awful at it imo mate..
20 Apr 2015 16:53:08
As per my post earlier;
It's often stated that Baines's defensive capabilities are not the best yet his set piece's and penalties, coupled with his assists make him the player he is recognised for, take away the latter and he is not a better left back option than Garbutt!
so if Baines no longer has the confidence then maybe we should play more confident players?
{Ed025's Note - fair point wakka..
20 Apr 2015 16:57:52
Time for Baines to move on IMO. I would drop him now, make Garbutt #1 and hope that's enough to make him sign. If we get £6m for Baines in the summer and Garbutt extends his contract I'd say its good business all round.
20 Apr 2015 17:43:25
Meh, he's scored them for us and west brom, in fact, has he missed one bar the cup final europe thing against bayern?. I've been saying that for ages pod, he's finished and his lack of pace now is starting to cost us, he can't attack or defend, garbutt and oviedo are a lot younger, hungrier and faster than baines. They are both better crossers and we will lose garbutt to a rival and he will go on to be one of the best in the league in 2 years and in that time what didvwe lose him for? A 32 year old leighton baines who is costing us week in week out.
20 Apr 2015 17:46:29
I suspect that many posters believe that whether Garbutt signs a new contract or Baines is moved on or whatever happens regarding transfers, it'll just be a case of rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic as long as RM is the manager.
Besides, goals from corners or set-pieces don't really count in RM's footballing style, so why have players like Baines (who used to good at these) in the side? I wonder if Baines - and others - are allowed to practise their delivery.
Then there's the situation where RM seems to believe it's better to have centre-backs learn how to pass to each other and back to the goalkeeper (being phenomenal and perfect - ha ha!) - then drop players who just want to defend and don't aspire to be another Beckenbauer or suchlike! Developing youngsters is one thing, exploiting the strengths of established players is another, but trying to make experienced professionals do something they're not capable of - or comfortable with - is just plain daft surely?
At least we've been winning recently and got the necessary points - so credit where credit's due on that front to RM and the players - but things clearly aren't right behind the scenes. This summer will be RM's fifth transfer window at Everton - ample time imho for him to have brought in the players he wants and move out those he doesn't. Even allowing to us having a budget lower than at least half a dozen other Premier League clubs, he's had enough time to get a settled squad with players who buy in to his approach and do it on the pitch.
First you lose the players, then you lose the crowd, then the manager loses the media, and then the board lose their nerve (or wake up and smell the coffee according to your point-of-view!), and then the taxi is called.
20 Apr 2015 17:47:49
Every penalty lukaku has took for us has had my heart in my mouth.every one is so close to being saved.
20 Apr 2015 22:28:54
Tbf dentie my hearts in my mouth whenever we have a penalty!
20 Apr 2015 23:07:50
I think this has more to do with the manager than any player. baines has missed two pens in his career, does anyone really believe that his confidence is shot and doesn't fancy taking them any more? Can't believe that for a second. The only thing you can level at him is that he isn't the confrontational type, would you prefer to see him fighting with a team mate to get the ball? He is too professional for that. I understand that fans are fickle but come on people! Yes, he hasn't had the best of seasons but, as I've said here before in previous posts, how many of the squad have had a good season? You can count them on one hand. To want to get rid of him is a bit premature, he deserves another season for the service he has given as well as the way he has played during his time with us. If one bad season means we want players to move on then let's sell the entire first team squad as they have been poor this year
21 Apr 2015 01:03:37
So 3 poor leghton baines seasons and he deserves another one? What would you do with garbutt then?.
21 Apr 2015 02:32:53
I don't believe he has had 3 poor seasons. This year I agree with you but, I will say it again, not many of the squad come out with any credit this season at all. Garbutt should be given a chance, no doubt, but what if that doesn't work out? With your way, getting shut of Baines, then we cut our nose off to spite our face. They could both play a part during the season. It's all speculation this though, there is no guarantee that Garbutt is going to sign another deal.
21 Apr 2015 18:16:55
Baines is still one of the most dangerous left backs in Europe. 8 Assists in the league this season alone.
Overall Garbutt is a long way off and we don't know if he can do this consistently yet. So why get rid of tried and trusted and gamble when we are in a precarious position.
As for penalties who cares who takes them. If Barkley scores he's a hero and there is no debate. For me I cared more about the performance in 90 minutes and he was great as too was Baines.
22 Apr 2015 00:13:01
Top point BlueJohnUns