Rivalry with Cole has inspired Baines

, 11 October, 17comments  |  Jump to most recent
Leighton Baines admits the rivalry with Ashley Cole for an England place at left back has driven his Everton performances this season.

"I've been trying to keep my form up at club level between the two international breaks," he told evertontv.

"The competition for places is just the way it is. It's something you just have to accept.

"You respect the players in the squad and the other players who are in your position that much that you know you may not play.

"All you can always do is do the best you can for your club and that's what I've been trying to do."

Quotes or other material sourced from The Independent



Reader Comments (17)

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Keith Glazzard
1 Posted 11/10/2012 at 15:41:55
They say that competition for places at a club is a good thing. Leighton's had precious little of that with us for a long time, so maybe we've had an unexpected bonus from an international call-up for a change.
Pete Anthony
2 Posted 11/10/2012 at 16:28:41
On form and over a prolonged period, Baines has shown to be performing even better than Cole. Hopefully Roy will stick him in for the coming qualifiers and watch him excel.
Drew O'Neall
3 Posted 11/10/2012 at 20:37:02
Let's hope England have got decent cover at centre back / holding midfield for when he gives the ball away at the byline.
Paul Joy
4 Posted 11/10/2012 at 20:45:09
Drew #158
FFS what sort of comment is that - the man has been an absolute star for us certainly over the last 2 years - he has created more for the rest of the team than any other player.
Give the man a break will you.
Ian Bennett
5 Posted 11/10/2012 at 21:29:11
Baines, Jags, Lescott and Hart. Moyes put most together from minor teams, and wanted Hart but couldn't afford the fee. Just saying like.
Bobby Thomas
6 Posted 11/10/2012 at 21:48:43
I knew Leighton Baines was a perfect fit for international football after we played Chelsea away before the cup final in '09. He was immense, in fact too good as I think he caught the eye to such an extent that Chelsea made sure they did a very good job of shutting him down in the final.

Got to be honest I think Baines is still feeling his way into international football. A little like he took time to get up and running for us.

Its a confidence thing, sometimes he looks as if hes not letting his game flow. Although that to a certain extent can only come with games, plus you don't play with players regularly to build up a relationship or understanding with them.

Its going to be VERY difficult to unseat Cole. He isn't what he was for me, but he has European pedigree, loads of tournament experience and has virtually done it all.

Despite all the shit he comes with he is, for me got to go down as one of the best English players of the last 25 years. He could have played for anyone.

Btw the decision to leave Baines out of the last world cup squad was a JOKE!! Capello and his staff couldnt have scouted him that much, although in the friendlies prior to the announcement Baines wasnt helped by Gerrard playing left hand and doing his usual of going wherever the fuck he liked and running around like a schoolboy whenever he plays for England, therefore leaving Baines totally exposed and without cover.

Finally, Drew what the fuck are you smoking?

Ben Jones
7 Posted 11/10/2012 at 22:15:50
Haha Drew's comment sums up all football fans

Even if Fellaini scores a hat trick in every game this season, he will still get criticism.

Baines has done virtually nothing wrong

Jon Ferguson
8 Posted 11/10/2012 at 22:25:44
Seriously Drew? Seriously? The man puts in such a shift, defends like a wizard and at times last season was our only attacking threat. Seriously!!!!
Keith Glazzard
9 Posted 11/10/2012 at 22:43:20
Bobby @168 - did Capello ever come to Goodison? No doubt he saw EFC playing the London teams many times, away of course. The not so subtle difference being that it is still normal in most of football for the home team to attack and the away team to defend. If he'd have sat in my seat in the Paddock a few times he would have put Baines very high on his list. Anyway, the man was an arsehole as an England manager.

Drew - where do we start? The ability to reach the byline and cross or cut back a ball marks out a player as one of the best there is. Baines does this against some of the best defences in football time and time again. He is a star.

I can't go on. Its a bit like Father Ted trying to explain the difference between cows which are small and cows which look small because they're far away.

Jim Harrison
10 Posted 12/10/2012 at 03:03:00
Quite simply quality. So what if the centre backs have to cover his forward runs! Isnt attack the best form of defense anyway?
Dougie Bruce
11 Posted 12/10/2012 at 07:10:35
Agree with you, Jim, Everton are looking quality when we attack. We've just got to believe Top four is possible!
Brian Waring
12 Posted 12/10/2012 at 11:11:16
Think going forward Baines is better than Cole, for me though, Cole is the better defender, Baines can be dodgy.
Keith Glazzard
13 Posted 12/10/2012 at 13:23:54
Brian - if we could but Hibbo and Baines into a test tube, shake it up and pour it out we'd probably have as good a pair of full-backs as any team has ever boasted.

But having said that, Leighton hasn't only become a great attacking wing-back, he's worked on his defensive game too. His covering and general positioning are much better than they used to be and he seems to win the ball more often than he did. Not a big bloke, he does get done in the air on deep crosses now and then, but there aren't many FB's that doesn't apply to.

Paul David
14 Posted 12/10/2012 at 13:36:15
I think Baines doesn't get the credit he deserves for his defensive work. He might get caught out of position but thats because he is by far our most creative player and spends so much time in the final third producing cross after cross. When defending one on one against a winger he hardly ever gets beaten.
Drew O'Neall
15 Posted 12/10/2012 at 14:14:46
Just popped in to check the ol' trout net and it's bulging..

Keith 175 - nice FT reference 'No Dougal, these ones are small but those are far away'

Cole's the better defender, Baines the better attacker. I did notice last game Bainesy played that Defoe constantly vacated the area when Baines got in the final third and there was no one for him to aim his crosses at. If England had a presence in the opponent's box it would bring out the best in Baines.

Keith Glazzard
16 Posted 12/10/2012 at 14:39:29
Mein Gott Drew, I thought you meant the Financial Times!

True enough, because we're talking about Baines the Blue. He looks so isolated when he plays for England - talk about ploughing a lone furrow. Still, that's their problem, not EFC's. So long, as we all hope, he doesn't pick up an injury.

Kase Chow
17 Posted 12/10/2012 at 01:36:13
Baines, going forwards, is one of the best full backs I have EVER seen.

He dominates that side of the pitch: it's just a shame that, at times, he's a little suspect defensively.

But the guy is immense, just incredible, going forwards.


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