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Leighton Baines the left midfielder!

Just a new tactical idea after seeing the success of Gareth Bale at Spurs in the last 2 months of last season. If we manage to bring him in as a new left back (with a bit more height and experience) then why not give Baines a run on left mid?

He is a workhorse with defensive qualities — playing left mid would mean Leighton would get even more assists than he already does — probably more goals and he has an excellent burst of pace over 50 yards. This could also give Pienaar a chance on our 'problem area' of right mid. If not saying I'm a tactical genius, just an idea — definitely worth a try in my opinion.
John Crook, Preston Posted 17/06/2010 at 21:57:36

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Michael Kenrick
Editorial Team
1 Posted 18/06/2010 at 02:54:22

First off, John, you wrote: "... manage to bring in as a new left back ..." Which didn't make any sense at all. So I added "him" ... in that way, your rambling at least refered to someone that we are (apparently!) bringing in at left back (news to me!).

Why would we bring anyone in at left back to displace Baines? Doesn't make any sense at all. The entire suggestion of playing Baines in midfield is all way too Football/Championship Manager for my liking (what the hell is it called these days anyway? — no; don't tell me: I seriously don't wanna know).

But we are pretty thin for mail so I guess I'll let it go...

Garry Martin
2 Posted 18/06/2010 at 06:14:46

It's amazing what goes through our minds during pre-seaon !!!!

David Nicholls
3 Posted 18/06/2010 at 07:21:34

I remember Baines having to play left midfield when we were down to our bare bones vs Blackburn on opening day 2 years ago. He had a bit of a stinker in the first half and never got into the game. I seemed to think they switched him around with Valente for the 2nd half, who looked more comfortable further forward.

I think Bale is an exception to the rule. Rarely do good attacking fullbacks make anything other than mediocre wingers.

Fingers crossed that the gaffer is going to bring in a specialist wideman this summer.

Mark Murphy
4 Posted 18/06/2010 at 09:20:39

Why would Spurs sell Gareth Bale to us?

And whilst Baines is a very good left back, he would make at best a journeyman midfielder. Left back suits him fine!

Mike Allison
5 Posted 18/06/2010 at 09:29:36

This isn't a new idea.

It's not a good one either.

Gareth Bale was never a full back. He may have played there, but he was dreadful.

Mark Stone
6 Posted 18/06/2010 at 11:28:24

Am I missing something? Has there been some suggestion that Moyes is interested in Baines? Or that He is looking to bring in a new left back?

???

Ciarán McGlone
7 Posted 18/06/2010 at 11:29:31

I prefer to play midfielders in midfield.

Moyes has a tendency towards playing people in all sorts of unsuitable positions... so you never know.

Michael Evans
8 Posted 18/06/2010 at 12:50:26

Play Hibbert/Neville just behind the front two and allow them to dictate the play.

With a licence to roam, their vision, range of passing etc will make them practically impossible to pick up by opposing defenders.The space they create will then be exploited by the Yak, Saha etc

Please don't be quick to mock - It will work !

Dan Brierley
9 Posted 18/06/2010 at 14:02:18

Instead of buying a left back, and playing Baines Left mid, why not just put Baines at left back, and buy a left mid?

James Stewart
10 Posted 18/06/2010 at 14:41:13

Exactly Dan.

Alan McGuffog
11 Posted 18/06/2010 at 15:14:31

Michael love it and I commend the idea to the House. Presumably the defenders wouldn't pick 'em up cos' they'd be pissin' themselves laughing

Lee Kidd
12 Posted 18/06/2010 at 15:21:37

(9): But that'd be common sense! That's not the "Everton Way" ;)

Mark Stone
13 Posted 18/06/2010 at 15:21:23

Good points Dan and James. Here's another tidbit to consider ...

Why not buy NOBODY and play Baines left back and Pienaar left midfield? Just a thought

Andy Morden
14 Posted 18/06/2010 at 22:03:13

Don't disagree about buying another left back...

...because we have no cover / competition there. By the same token I'd buy a specialist left-winger for the same reasons.

Matt Traynor
15 Posted 19/06/2010 at 10:21:54

Christ, the guy's got the confidence of a newly born deer, and you want to turn him into the next Kilbane?

I know the World Cup is a let down and all, but don't let the annoying vuvuselas go to your head!

Derek Thomas
16 Posted 20/06/2010 at 05:54:12

John Crook you've just invented a new conceptual position, a Fullback that plays up and down on the wing attacking and defending. As it's a winger and a fullback we could call it a Wingb... no wait...Doh.

Jarrod Prosser
17 Posted 21/06/2010 at 00:44:06

The reason Baines looks so good attacking from left back is that he has a right-sided player (Pienaar, Arteta etc) in front of him opening up space. By the same reasoning, it's why he was subdued when Bily was in front of him.

We've got the perfect situation for Baines to thrive, with a creative player ahead of him looking to move inside & create space — why change that?

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