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

From The Telegraph....

Crouch will take the headlines but, as Capello reviews the DVD of this encounter, there will also be an assurance, a pleasure in the performance of Wednesday night’s new boy: Leighton Baines. A self-confessed worrier, a nail-biter, who wondered whether he was good enough for the Championship, then the Premier League, then international football then Baines’s first touch in his first appearance for his country needed to be a sure one. It was. His England team-mates were certainly aware this was the 25 year-old’s debut and the ball was sent straight to him from kick-off, so he could neatly cut it inside to Matthew Upson.

But this wasn’t just a debut for Baines. It was a clear, one-off audition for a place in Capello’s squad. As simple as that. Fluff your lines on your first appearance and, this close to the World Cup Finals, there would not be a second chance.

With Ashley Cole’s broken ankle — and off-field problems which also should not be discounted from his rehabilitation (there are those close to him who have been suggesting that the Chelsea defender may jack in international football) — and with Wayne Bridge’s self-imposed exile following the John Terry/ Vanessa Perroncel imbroglio then this was a unique situation. A test of character.

Capello had made clear there was a pecking order for the left-back spot, a position he regards as a specialism which means he has dismissed suggestions to play James Milner or Gareth Barry, who was excellent last night in the centre of midfield, there. First Cole, then Bridge - and then Baines and Stephen Warnock at level-pegging as back-up. Fight it out. Now both may go.

Baines is more in the mould of Cole but last night wasn’t about attacking — although he played a significant role in England’s second goal — and more about discipline. This was a tough assignment. He had Steven Gerrard in front of him but the captain — for the night — was roaming even more than usual, pushing that licence Capello has given him to switch across the pitch and link as much as possible with the indefatigable Wayne Rooney.

With England chasing the game, Gerrard was pushing more and more into the middle which meant Baines, often occupied by covering both midfielder and full-back, had to be aware. Neat in possession, his approach was simple.

But, as he found when playing in the Championship, and then the Premier League, he wasn’t out of played. It was an assured debut. One in which he resisted the temptation to attack too much, to catch the eye but exposing the defence. He played for the team. And Capello will appreciate that all the more.

Colemans Mustard wrote:

Top Balcony Blue wrote:Warnock's a bag of wank

And according to Samuels, so was Baines. But I guess you see what you want to believe, eh...

With Steven Gerrard starting wide but enjoying a free role once play opens out, there is often an acre of space in front of England’s left back. Baines failed to make use of it.
More often than not, he refused to advance over half way, much like a cow confronted with a metal grid. When he did venture forward, his passes were higher on nerves than direction. It highlighted what England miss in Cole, and, Terry’s critics will say, what is lost with Bridge’s absence, too.
Bridge’s worth, however, grows more in the memory than reality. The night that England were torn apart by Croatia here under Steve McClaren in 2007, he had a woeful game, and before becoming the injured party in a bizarre love triangle, few saw him as an adequate replacement for Cole.
He would have been better than Baines, true, because he would have had the assurance to emulate the forward thrust required from England’s left back, but a fit Cole is what matters most in South Africa.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1255298/MARTIN-SAMUEL-John-Terry-wins-England-fans-does-better.html#ixzz0hCqxVpwL

Aye, you can skew it any way you like. But if baines had gone forward he would not have recieved a pass from Gerrard and would have left acres of space in behind once that hopeless turd had passed the ball right into the opposition defence. Then he would have been seen as badly lacking defensively. Which is the first accusation people who don't watch him a lot try and level at him.

Even Yak has commented on Baines....

http://www.everton.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=190439

that's aload of bullshit from samuel.

baines got forward plenty but the ball was getting passed to the right hand side from the middle rather than the left, i counted about 5 runs he made into space but the ball didnt go back out into that direction.

when milner came on there was more possession down the left and the two linked well.

and it was his debut - are you not allowed a couple of games to settle in to a new team and system?

the press with regards england are a joke - and so are the tools who booed them off at half time for being 1 down, despite having better chances against a team who'd just won the african nations. one of the many reasons im not that arsed about supporting england.

treblA wrote:that's aload of bullshit from samuel.

baines got forward plenty but the ball was getting passed to the right hand side from the middle rather than the left, i counted about 5 runs he made into space but the ball didnt go back out into that direction.

when milner came on there was more possession down the left and the two linked well.

and it was his debut - are you not allowed a couple of games to settle in to a new team and system?

the press with regards england are a joke - and so are the tools who booed them off at half time for being 1 down, despite having better chances against a team who'd just won the african nations. one of the many reasons im not that arsed about supporting england.

Spot on Albert. I dont know how many times in the first half Baines was free out left in the final 3rd but Gerrard moved the ball into the crowded middle or even worse out to Brown and out of sorts Walcott. I sure Ashley Cole's debut was 'stunning'!

McNulty on the beeb website criticised baines for playing within himself. Some good replies though.

As for Leighton Baines - see my earlier comment about Gerrard on the left - he cant go forward as he does for Everton, coz Gerrard gives him absolutely no cover defensively on the left. Bit unfair to criticise that part of his game last night. I think he did well.

I thought Leighton Baines' perceived lack of attacking last night was the fault of Steven Gerrard. Many times he had clear opportunites to pass wide to Baines who was running up the flank, but instead opted to move in to the centre, fruitlessly. It's not coincidence that Baines began to move forward more after James Milner came on. Almost every time Milner moved forward he would check behind to see where Baines was.

N.B. on Baines - whereas Brown was supporting a genuine right winger, Baines had no-one in front of him first half. At no point did Gerrard move out left as support. When Milner came on he offered an alternative option on the left. Milner looks fantastic right now and Gerrard started showing flashes of his old self.

Just a point on Baines - he's a very decent defender but his qualities lie when he's allowed to bomb forward and overlap/interact with the left midfielder.

England didn't have a left midfielder last night. They had Gerrard nominally playing there, but let's face it, he wants to play in the centre and when he got the ball that's where he was. In possession he was only looking to spray 40 yard Hollywood passes to the other flank rather than give and go to the left. Baines was consistently making himself available on the flank, but Gerrard just wasn't interested.

Ironic that on the other flank you had the opposite problem in Brown and Walcott. Walcott crying out for someone to interact with, Brown reluctant to cross the half way line.

At least he hasn't got a pretty popstar girlfriend - or even a relatively attractive ex-partner.
Oh, and he can play a bit, too. The criteria for election to England's left-back spot is becoming an issue of beauty over beast. That is the case as far as the WAGs are concerned anyway.
And if you are a left-back then it seems that Fabio Capello will now check on your missus before you're picked. Leighton Baines has never traded on his personal life. In fact, his full debut for England last night was earned by that old-fashioned method - outstanding form. In a game where it was planned he would play 45 minutes before handing over to Stephen Warnock, he was so good he stayed on the pitch. For Capello, the Everton starlet's performance was as much a relief as a vindication of his choice. Calm - well, he was after a shaky first touch - Baines was so good he finished the match at Wembley without a blemish. In fairness, any trouble which Egypt caused England tended to be far from his patch but the scrutiny was intense nonetheless. His only mistake came early on when he was forced to deal with a ball into his channel. Instead of mopping up, he scuffed at the loose ball with his knee and conceded a corner, which also revealed his nerves. There were a few anxious sighs around Wembley. After all, this was a crowd which had come to jump on any weakness from a defender. Baines, however, showed experience beyond his 25 years to cope with the occasion as well as the expectation. Not as showy as Ashley Cole going forward but he was effective at the back which will please an Italian coach like Capello. Cole, watching from his rehabilitation clinic in France, would not have felt any more pain than he is already in. He remains - broken ankle and marriage besides - the most complete left-back in England. In fact, the only reason to consider replacing the Chelsea man for this summer's World Cup finals would be his fitness. Still, with the John Terry/Wayne Bridge situation unresolved on a personal level, the gap to be reserve left-back is very much open. Baines did himself a world of good to be that man, judging by last night's performance. His form at Everton justified his selection and he did not let himself or his club down. When he was last man at the back post, he coolly headed away under pressure from Emad Ebdelmaby. Other than that, he patrolled his area with real confidence. When half-time came and went without a change in favour of Warnock, Baines knew he had won over Capello and you could see it in his play. Similarly, as the Three Lions coach made his allotted six subs, No 3 never came up on the board. For the moment at least, Baines' debut has also seen him elevated to the automatic pick. Cole, of course, is still expected to recover from his injury and his personal trauma to take his place in the team in South Africa. But that should not overshadow the emergence of a new talent in the position and one which could be very valuable in the future. On this display and this form, there's no reason to believe that the young Toffee does not have a big future with England. Just don't go getting yourself a popstar girlfriend, son.

Super wrote:At least he hasn't got a pretty popstar girlfriend - or even a relatively attractive ex-partner.
Oh, and he can play a bit, too. The criteria for election to England's left-back spot is becoming an issue of beauty over beast. That is the case as far as the WAGs are concerned anyway.
And if you are a left-back then it seems that Fabio Capello will now check on your missus before you're picked. Leighton Baines has never traded on his personal life. In fact, his full debut for England last night was earned by that old-fashioned method - outstanding form. In a game where it was planned he would play 45 minutes before handing over to Stephen Warnock, he was so good he stayed on the pitch. For Capello, the Everton starlet's performance was as much a relief as a vindication of his choice. Calm - well, he was after a shaky first touch - Baines was so good he finished the match at Wembley without a blemish. In fairness, any trouble which Egypt caused England tended to be far from his patch but the scrutiny was intense nonetheless. His only mistake came early on when he was forced to deal with a ball into his channel. Instead of mopping up, he scuffed at the loose ball with his knee and conceded a corner, which also revealed his nerves. There were a few anxious sighs around Wembley. After all, this was a crowd which had come to jump on any weakness from a defender. Baines, however, showed experience beyond his 25 years to cope with the occasion as well as the expectation. Not as showy as Ashley Cole going forward but he was effective at the back which will please an Italian coach like Capello. Cole, watching from his rehabilitation clinic in France, would not have felt any more pain than he is already in. He remains - broken ankle and marriage besides - the most complete left-back in England. In fact, the only reason to consider replacing the Chelsea man for this summer's World Cup finals would be his fitness. Still, with the John Terry/Wayne Bridge situation unresolved on a personal level, the gap to be reserve left-back is very much open. Baines did himself a world of good to be that man, judging by last night's performance. His form at Everton justified his selection and he did not let himself or his club down. When he was last man at the back post, he coolly headed away under pressure from Emad Ebdelmaby. Other than that, he patrolled his area with real confidence. When half-time came and went without a change in favour of Warnock, Baines knew he had won over Capello and you could see it in his play. Similarly, as the Three Lions coach made his allotted six subs, No 3 never came up on the board. For the moment at least, Baines' debut has also seen him elevated to the automatic pick. Cole, of course, is still expected to recover from his injury and his personal trauma to take his place in the team in South Africa. But that should not overshadow the emergence of a new talent in the position and one which could be very valuable in the future. On this display and this form, there's no reason to believe that the young Toffee does not have a big future with England. Just don't go getting yourself a popstar girlfriend, son.

If Cheryl Cole made herself available, I don't think he would say no.

It's an old article, but shows the difference between Cashley and Leighton. Very down to earth family man. Funny reading about Moyes saying he'd be a cert for the World Cup Squad so long ago.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport-news/everton-fc/2009/05/09/leighton-baines-i-m-a-mummy-s-boy-55578-23581302/

hairy cataract wrote:It's an old article, but shows the difference between Cashley and Leighton. Very down to earth family man. Funny reading about Moyes saying he'd be a cert for the World Cup Squad so long ago.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport-news/everton-fc/2009/05/09/leighton-baines-i-m-a-mummy-s-boy-55578-23581302/

A god fearing left-footer in the religeous sense.

"Leighton Baines has more assists than any other Premier League defender this season." - optajoe.

He's got 8 assists. Three more then any other defender.

"Phil Neville has more woeful crosses then any other Premier League defender this season"

He's got 73 woeful crosses. 65 more then any other defender.

Tony Hibbert has had less attempts on goal than any other outfield player (career stats 3 shots - probably!)

Bluejags wrote:"Phil Neville has more woeful crosses then any other Premier League defender this season"

He's got 73 woeful crosses. 65 more then any other defender.

Coleman would have had a field day on Sunday when you think of the space Neville was given.

I think Baines has been fantastic this season.

he deserves more credit than he gets in the media

Mr_Ben wrote:I think Baines has been fantastic this season.

he deserves more credit than he gets in the media

The medias pre-occupation with Wayne Bridge in the wake of the Cole injury smacked of lazy journalism, as anybody who had been watching football would have known that Baines was the next best left back for England. Capello had obviously been keeping up to date with player form by his positive choice of Baines above anybody else, in spite of the media hysteria over Bridge. Well done Capello!

SouthernSmugToffee wrote:

Mr_Ben wrote:I think Baines has been fantastic this season.

he deserves more credit than he gets in the media

The medias pre-occupation with Wayne Bridge in the wake of the Cole injury smacked of lazy journalism, as anybody who had been watching football would have known that Baines was the next best left back for England. Capello had obviously been keeping up to date with player form by his positive choice of Baines above anybody else, in spite of the media hysteria over Bridge. Well done Capello!

Bridge has announced he's unavailable to England though, so whatever the media have to say about him is academic - Capello cannot pick Wayne Bridge to play for England right now, and nor could he at the last match.

That said, Baines is a more than adequate replacement than Cole as long as he gets proper cover. Going forward is his particular strength, but he needs a decent understanding with the player in front of him or else it's a waste.

Ashley Cole on the bench for Chelsea today so there is a good chance that he will be going to the World Cup. Cant see any reason why Baines cant go as back up though. He is much better than that dirty, clogger Warnock IMO.

Keep him at home, fresh for next season.

Michael Crosby S74 wrote:Keep him at home, fresh for next season.

I think it would do him good to go to the World Cup as back up to Cole. His confidence would have a huge boost and I doubt he would play many minutes if Cole was fully fit.

Dixie Land wrote:

Michael Crosby S74 wrote:Keep him at home, fresh for next season.

I think it would do him good to go to the World Cup as back up to Cole. His confidence would have a huge boost and I doubt he would play many minutes if Cole was fully fit.

You're bothered about England though.

Michael Crosby S74 wrote:

Dixie Land wrote:

Michael Crosby S74 wrote:Keep him at home, fresh for next season.

I think it would do him good to go to the World Cup as back up to Cole. His confidence would have a huge boost and I doubt he would play many minutes if Cole was fully fit.

You're bothered about England though.

I am but I dont think Baines would increase or decrease England's chances of winning. There is no way that he would get in the team ahead of Cole. I just think it would be good for Everton.

Dixie Land wrote:

Michael Crosby S74 wrote:

Dixie Land wrote:

Michael Crosby S74 wrote:Keep him at home, fresh for next season.

I think it would do him good to go to the World Cup as back up to Cole. His confidence would have a huge boost and I doubt he would play many minutes if Cole was fully fit.

You're bothered about England though.

I am but I dont think Baines would increase or decrease England's chances of winning. There is no way that he would get in the team ahead of Cole. I just think it would be good for Everton.

Didn't England win the World Cup with an Everton Left Back in the team?

notepad wrote:

Dixie Land wrote:

Michael Crosby S74 wrote:

Dixie Land wrote:

Michael Crosby S74 wrote:Keep him at home, fresh for next season.

I think it would do him good to go to the World Cup as back up to Cole. His confidence would have a huge boost and I doubt he would play many minutes if Cole was fully fit.

You're bothered about England though.

I am but I dont think Baines would increase or decrease England's chances of winning. There is no way that he would get in the team ahead of Cole. I just think it would be good for Everton.

Didn't England win the World Cup with an Everton Left Back in the team?

well spotted young man.

Dixie Land wrote:

Michael Crosby S74 wrote:

Dixie Land wrote:

Michael Crosby S74 wrote:Keep him at home, fresh for next season.

I think it would do him good to go to the World Cup as back up to Cole. His confidence would have a huge boost and I doubt he would play many minutes if Cole was fully fit.

You're bothered about England though.

I am but I dont think Baines would increase or decrease England's chances of winning. There is no way that he would get in the team ahead of Cole. I just think it would be good for Everton.

I agree 100% with Dixie, i also think that if England make it through after 2 games, Baines would play in the 3rd game or at least feature.

He can also tap up a few players