Re: 3: Leighton Baines - Hotter than Cole (sort ya hair out lad)

Super Wed 11 Apr 2012, 2:43 pm

Had Everton not powered their way into this weekend's FA Cup semi-final, Leighton Baines would probably have been celebrating a rare personal achievement.

The defender had played every minute of his previous 99 Premier League games before taking a well-earned break as the Blues trounced Sunderland 4-0 on Easter Monday.

Among outfield players, only fellow left-back Wayne Bridge had reached three figures - but Baines is happy to eschew any personal accolade as he focuses on Saturday's Wembley showdown with Liverpool.

"It was an awkward one," Baines told evertontv. "The manager decided to shuffle the pack a little bit and maybe the priority was Saturday, so it was his decision. It would have been a nice landmark but I will start from scratch and try again.

"Saturday is the big one. The lads did a great job against Sunderland and hopefully that will help us at the weekend."

Baines' omission was one of five changes David Moyes made against the Black Cats but it mattered not as Everton ensured they will enter the clash with their Anfield foes in prime form.

"I think everyone has their tails up with the win over Sunderland and that helps everyone going into the game," observed the England man. "There is a lot of confidence going into the squad now, and that can only be a good thing.

"We hope being in good form helps, but we'd down-play the importance of it if we weren't in good form. It's whoever's in good form on the day, whoever gets that good luck on the day."

Impressive recent performances can now be teamed with a fair degree of showpiece experience following the Blues' double trip to English football's HQ in 2009.

On that occasion Everton triumphed on penalties over Manchester United in front of a Wembley crowd which was dominated - in noise if not numbers - by Evertonians.

"The experience of being there before should help us," continued the man who struck one of the successful semi-final spot-kicks. "All the lads are a little bit more experienced as well. Most of the lads are internationals and used to playing on big stages, so I don't think that will be a problem.

"It's important to have experienced those types of games before. Obviously the disappointment of not winning the final in 2009 will help spur us on.

"I suppose it does make a difference being from Liverpool," continued the Kirkby-born star. "You try not to get too caught up in it but obviously you hear first hand what it means to people around you. I think it's important for the local lads to make the other lads understand how much it means.

"I don't think it's difficult to grasp really. It's a big week of preparation, so it won't be too difficult. But we are there to make sure everyone understands."

A relevant indicator of Baines' growing importance to Everton's cause is provided by his rise to dead-ball protagonist-in-chief - a role which has also seen him become number one penalty taker.

"I am sure we will practice them [penalties] in the next couple of days coming up to the game," he said. "If it gets to that stage it could be important. I've not thought about it too much but it's a natural thing that I would probably look to step up and take one if it got to that point."

Yankthattoffee Mon 16 Apr 2012, 12:10 am

Couldn't tell how he was injured in that tackle.
the guy next to me thought he was stopped on?

What's the scoop. Badly injured or recovered already?

hairy cataract Thu 19 Apr 2012, 10:14 am

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/everton-fc/everton-fc-news/2012/04/19/everton-fc-defender-leighton-baines-may-be-out-for-rest-of-season-with-hamstring-tear-100252-30791424/

bollocks

Tonteau Thu 19 Apr 2012, 10:47 am

hairy cataract wrote:http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/everton-fc/everton-fc-news/2012/04/19/everton-fc-defender-leighton-baines-may-be-out-for-rest-of-season-with-hamstring-tear-100252-30791424/

bollocks

3: Leighton Baines - Hotter than Cole (sort ya hair out lad) - Page 12 273473

Mr_Ben Thu 19 Apr 2012, 11:49 am

hairy cataract wrote:http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/everton-fc/everton-fc-news/2012/04/19/everton-fc-defender-leighton-baines-may-be-out-for-rest-of-season-with-hamstring-tear-100252-30791424/

bollocks

Phil Neville back at his favourite position, LB.

Armchair Thu 19 Apr 2012, 12:09 pm

Not good. Maybe put Dizzy at LB and Jags and J5 at CB?

Made 4 Gwladys Thu 19 Apr 2012, 5:02 pm

Time to try Coleman at FB ??

Sack the Juggler Thu 19 Apr 2012, 6:42 pm

Made 4 Gwladys wrote:Time to try Coleman at FB ??

isn't he already on FaceBook? scratch

Dixie Land Sat 21 Apr 2012, 11:58 pm

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/transfer-news/EXCLUSIVE-Manchester-United-plan-cut-price-5m-move-for-Everton-Leighton-Baines-article893209.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Sir Alex Ferguson has identified the Everton left-back as a possible successor for captain Patrice Evra as the Frenchman nears his 31st birthday.

And the belief at Old Trafford is that Everton’s financial situation could enable them to land Baines for as little as £5million.

The chance to recoup the initial £5m they paid Wigan to recruit Baines almost five years ago may be too tempting for the Toffees.

What a load of turgid arse water.

If he is worth £5 million then Man Utd should be willing to give us Hernandez (£2 mil), Nani (£1 mil), Cleverley (£1 million) Fletcher (£500,000) and Carrick (£500,000) in exchange. Fucking wank journalism written on the eve of the Everton vs Man Utd game. Disrespectful and shite.

Armchair Sun 22 Apr 2012, 9:35 am

£5m

3: Leighton Baines - Hotter than Cole (sort ya hair out lad) - Page 12 F_laugh

Lumper Sun 22 Apr 2012, 10:16 am

Armchair Evertonian wrote:£5m

Knight of Thorgothshire Sun 22 Apr 2012, 1:32 pm

Dixie Land wrote:http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/transfer-news/EXCLUSIVE-Manchester-United-plan-cut-price-5m-move-for-Everton-Leighton-Baines-article893209.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Sir Alex Ferguson has identified the Everton left-back as a possible successor for captain Patrice Evra as the Frenchman nears his 31st birthday.

And the belief at Old Trafford is that Everton’s financial situation could enable them to land Baines for as little as £5million.

The chance to recoup the initial £5m they paid Wigan to recruit Baines almost five years ago may be too tempting for the Toffees.

What a load of turgid arse water.

If he is worth £5 million then Man Utd should be willing to give us Hernandez (£2 mil), Nani (£1 mil), Cleverley (£1 million) Fletcher (£500,000) and Carrick (£500,000) in exchange. Fucking wank journalism written on the eve of the Everton vs Man Utd game. Disrespectful and shite.

Well said mate. That is really disgraceful, and I assume that the journo will be the one to blame, I doubt that SAF is that clueless.

Super Wed 09 May 2012, 6:50 am

Manchester United and Bayern Munich are both shaping up for a summer swoop on Everton, with left-back Leighton Baines the target.

The 27-year old is thought to be be on Sir Alex Ferguson's mind as a potential replacement for Frenchman Patrice Evra, who will be 31 next week.

But it is reported that United face serious competition from German giants Bayern Munich who have identified a gap for an attacking left-back, as they prepare themselves to launch a bid to recapture the Bundesliga next season.

Everton boss David Moyes will want to hang on to Baines – but realistically the Toffees aren't going to offer the opportunity of playing Champions league football any time soon.

Baines was voted player of the year last season for Everton and has made 201 appearances in all competitions since joining Everton from Wigan in 2007.

He has played only six times for England, with Chelsea flyer Ashley Cole seemingly in full possession of that position at national level.

However there are still three years to run on Baines' current deal, which means Moyes faces no pressure to move the Merseyside-born defender on.

There had been reports that Fergie was looking to grab Baines for a cut-price £5million - but that looks very optimistic now, with Bayern joining the chase, and Moyes able to hold on without immediate pressure that Baines' deal will run out.

Now the figure is more likely to be somewhere in the region of £15m.

Tonteau Wed 09 May 2012, 12:11 pm

Boo! Feck off everyone.

Armchair Thu 10 May 2012, 7:24 am

£10m according to that bastion of quality journalism, the Daily Mirror:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/manchester-united-want-leighton-baines-825986

Super Thu 10 May 2012, 8:52 am

For anyone who can't access the link......

Manchester United will step up their efforts to sign Leighton Baines with a £10million offer.

Sir Alex Ferguson has been given the go-ahead from United owners the Glazers to proceed with a move for the Everton and England left-back.

Ferguson sees Baines as the ideal successor to Patrice Evra, who turns 31 next Monday and has looked unconvincing this season.

United had hoped to land their man for as little as £6m, given Everton’s precarious financial position.

But with Baines under contract for three more years and interest in him from other clubs, they will have to do better than that.

Ferguson is keen to complete as much of his summer transfer business as possible quickly, as he's done in previous seasons.

That could see a bid for Baines lodged as early as next week, with the United boss aware the England international is in demand.

Evra has appeared vulnerable this season and his first-choice status at left-back is no longer assured.

With Fabio Da Silva set to go out on loan next season, United will have no cover for the veteran Frenchman at left-back.

But Baines is viewed by Ferguson as a replacement for Evra, not an understudy.

Bryan Thu 10 May 2012, 9:23 am

Told you this weeks ago, it's city. Not UTD that wll be in for in.

Expect a very,very painful summer. Evil or Very Mad

Armchair Thu 10 May 2012, 12:47 pm

I don't mind if he leaves as long as we get £20m+. £25m would be great.

hairy cataract Thu 10 May 2012, 1:40 pm

Surely £10m would be a bit of a joke for a proven talent like Baines? I know he won't have any further sell on value because this would be his last really big contract if it was for five years, but nevertheless he must be worth at least half a Carroll?

Minimum bid £17.5m though would accept less with a decent player or two thrown in as makeweights.

Problem is that if Baines goes then will Pienaar want to stay?

Made 4 Gwladys Thu 10 May 2012, 5:20 pm

If it is Citeh I'd take 10M + Adam Johnson

Dixie Land Thu 10 May 2012, 6:49 pm

For every pound under £18 million that we get for Baines I will kick Moyes and Kenwright in the bollocks.

Bryan Sun 13 May 2012, 8:50 pm

Can't post it, but Bainsey stayed behind today with his two kids taking turns to take pens in the Park end.

Ground was empty, there is a pic doing the rounds.

Neutral

Statman Sun 13 May 2012, 9:12 pm

Bryan wrote:Can't post it, but Bainsey stayed behind today with his two kids taking turns to take pens in the Park end.

Ground was empty, there is a pic doing the rounds.

Doesn't it work when you paste the GOT link?

http://www.grandoldteam.com/forum/threads/44374-Everton-3-1-Newcastle-13th-May-at-3pm/page47

Michael Crosby S74 Sun 13 May 2012, 9:31 pm

Saw a tweet earlier cant find it now from one of the echo journalists saying Baines doesn't want to leave. 3: Leighton Baines - Hotter than Cole (sort ya hair out lad) - Page 12 Confused

3: Leighton Baines - Hotter than Cole (sort ya hair out lad) - Page 12 Confused

Knight of Thorgothshire Sun 13 May 2012, 10:06 pm

Michael Crosby S74 wrote:Saw a tweet earlier cant find it now from one of the echo journalists saying Baines doesn't want to leave.

He seems to be a "one-club player. I know that doesn't make sense since he was at Wigan, but can't see him doing what Bellamy and Anelka, for instance, have done by changing clubs every other season. If we could sign Pienaar, I think that would help us in keeping Baines as well.

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