Siqueira lined up if Baines goes

load of crap, if he does end up leaving we already have a replacement in Oviedo and a back up in Garbutt.

I don't think the concept is crazy...if Baines goes, we will sign another left back. Oviedo is untested in this league, and is perhaps too lightweight. Garbutt is also untested at Premiership, or even Championship, level. Expecting both to make the step up, (especially given that Baines injury free nature is a massive rarity among full backs) could be suicidal.

With respect to Garbutt, would be good to see him go out on loan next season to a Championship club. I'm still expecting us to keep Baines, and think it would benefit Garbutt to get first team competitive football under his belt.

That's true Kevin. IF we do eventually sell Bainsey a top MF player or centre forward is a must.

Kevin, Oviedo has 1 start in his Everton career whilst Garbutt has played one whole half of football in his Everton career. If Baines goes, a good young left back should be the first priority with the money we get for him, and Garbutt should be sent out on loan whether Baines stays or not.

I obviously hope Baines stays Jim but from the bit parts I've seen of Oviedo I believe he's more than ready and from what I've read on Garbutt he seems like a real prospect, I think Fellaini will be harder to replace.

How many games has Sigueira played in the Prem league Phil? Oviedo has been at the club over a year, is well settled in, knows what is required, and the reason he didn't see more plating time was because he had Leighton Baines starting in front of him, he will be the perfect replacement, just my opinion of course.

I've seen lots of Oviedo in World Cup qualifiers over the last couple of years, and he's been outstanding. I'm convinced he can handle the job if Baines goes. And if cover is needed, Distin is an excellent LB and Alcaraz is up to the job in the middle. I too would rather the money be spent elsewhere.

Agreed that Garbutt should go out on loan to the Championship. I saw him twice last year and was unconvinced.

Kevin Rowlands......I think Fellaini would be harder to replace (than Baines).. Kevin.......Baines has the best stats for his position in Europe !

Don't normally agree with Mike Gaynes but he's right about Oviedo. He's a cracking little left back.

I rate Oviedo. He's not too tall but neither is the brilliant Munich and Germany right back.

For some reason my gut tells me there is little chance that Baines will leave unless he agitates for a move which is highly unlikely.

Fella on the other hand I think is just a matter of time. Who RM brings in to replace him if he goes will be interesting.

Kevin I didn't suggest Siqueira as a replacement, there are a lot of other better choices out there in my opinion. I haven't seen enough of Oviedo defensively to suggest he's worth starting, the majority of his games last season came as a left sided midfielder, He definitely needs more game time this coming season. I appreciate the fact he was behind Baines in the pecking order but even when Baines went through a poor spell and had a slight injury he still didn't get a look in which suggests Moyes didn't think he was ready yet either.

Steve, I'm not saying Fellaini is better than Baines, I am saying he will be harder to replace because we already have a replacement for Baines at the club, if Fellaini leaves we will then have to go out and sign somebody who brings the same qualities, that will not be easy or cheap.

Given that Baines is so central to our attacking play, and creativity, I think he will be harder to replace. Fellaini is a great player...but much of his contribution came from an AMC position last season, which his skills do not necessarily perfectly fit anyway. There are questions over how good he will be in a deeper central midfield position, where he may quite possibly be asked to play next season...there are no such questions regarding Baines.

I personally don't think Oviedo's height is such a massive issue, but his slightness. I think he has the skill and passing ability to do well, especially in a potential wing back position, but I'm still not convinced about him as a full back. There is a world of difference between world cup qualifiers, or international competition, and the Premier League. A series of top international performers who have flopped in the Premier League will testify to that. (That said, the Europeanisation of this league in the last few years has made the transition easier).

I also think relying on a 35 year old cb for left back cover could be costly. Say Baines does go, along with Heitinga... if we don't buy, and Oviedo gets injured, we will play Coleman, Jags, Alcatraz and Distin? providing we don't lose another cb. That concerns me tbh.

Anyone have any idea about Siqueiras 6 month illness?

How do you replace the best left back in the World?

With someone less good. Like Oviedo or this Siqueria chap or anyone else.

I'd rather not sell him.

Kevin, if baines does leave, we absolutely do need a replacement.

Oviedo looks decent, but is entirely untested because the last tit in charge of the team didn't give him any premier league game time - presumably because he wasn't scottish and shit.

And on the basis of the england u20 games, we'd be ripped a new one if Garbutt was our first team regular. He may be ready in future, but for now I think we need someone who has established themselves as a regular left back in a top flight league somewhere.

Some people on this thread seem to forget we did pay 4 million quid for an international left back last summer, his name, Bryan Oviedo, who hasn't got a lot of playing time for one reason, he had Leighton Baines ahead of him, he's the perfect replacement should Baines decide to move on.

Jim Knightley, Oviedo is virtually the same size as Baines, and he's actually a bit more physical in the tackle... he put Dempsey upside down last game. Obviously he doesn't have the same expert command of angles or positioning as Baines, but he knows how to use what body he's got.

Agreed Kevin. I think a lot of people massively underrate Oviedo. If you've seen him play for Costa Rica you will know what I'm talking about. He is a quality player.

I wouldn't want neither Baines or Fellaini to leave, especially Bainsey as he's one of us, but both are replaceable as are every other player. Difficult to replace yes. Impossible no. For all we know RM might want to move a few more on and replace them with his own choices but from what's he's said publicly he's happy with what he's got.

We are in the unusual position where our outstanding player is a full-back. How many other teams can you think of where this is the case?

Obviously Oviedo isn't near Baines' standard, but I think he is as good as many other left-backs in the league. I hope with all my heart that Baines stays, but if he does go the money can be invested in creative players in other parts of the pitch.

Baines is a good defender, but his main strengths are his forward runs, crossing and set pieces. If Baines was to leave and we re-invested the money in, for arguments sake, a top quality central midfielder with an eye for a defence splitting pass and the ability to shoot from distance, whilst Oviedo or Siqueira take over at left back we needn't be a weaker team for the loss. Don't get me wrong, the loss of Baines would be a massive blow, but it won't finish us as a team!

All that said, I'm still feeling confident he will sign a new deal soon and put all the speculation to bed once and for all.

Could anyone else see the possibility of Baines moving up to LW with Oviedo at LB and Pienaar in a more central role? Redknapp did this with Gareth Bale and it worked wonders. Just a thought.

Don't see it Colin, we already have Mirallas and Pienaar who play there plus I think this Spanish lad occasionally plays LW, I do hope Baines stays and I think there is a good chance he may, he doesn't seem the type of lad to have his head swiveled by money, greedy agents and glory hunting, we'll see, but the point I and a few others are making is Oviedo will be very good replacement should he move on.

Well Kevin down the left we are fine. Oviedo did play in front of Baines a couple of times last season, if only for a few minutes, so that is another option.
I'm feeling quite optimistic about this season with all the possible permutations we have.

Colin and Kevin, I think we'll see Delofeu on the left side, where he played for Spain in the U20 World Cup and where he's most dangerous. He'll have to beat out Pienaar for his minutes there. I see no chance for Oviedo to get into the mix there.

Jim 239
I wouldnt say Fellaini was a "great" player ala Beckenbauer, Moore, Pele, Best etc.
Sorry to be pedantic, if you meant it in a different context, I apologise, but I'm with Colin.
I don't want to lose Fellaini or Baines, but will Moyes come in for the big fella now he's been knocked back on Fabregas?
Then if he loses Rooney, we could be risking losing big Vic!!??

Guys, I was just reading an article on the Telegraph web site about Moyes' pursuit of Fabregas and found the last paragraph a bit exciting ....

Meanwhile, United have been forced to cool their interest in Everton’s Leighton Baines after all efforts to sign the left-back were resisted. United bid £10 million and were prepared to go higher, but Everton chairman Bill Kenwright is adamant Baines will not be sold.

I hope, on this occasion, the press have gotten something right.

Hmmmm... yes if one of the best LBs in Europe goes (worth over £20mill), we should scrodge about for 10 bob no-marks or play some lad we've got in the cellar, should we?
Methinks the chairman's mindset seems contagious. We should be buying the best, because any money (like the Arteta money) left over will be (that goes as a whole, ie, Fellaini, if he's old) salted away into more black holes' in the accounts.

Drew's right (that has a nice ring to it).

The place you want a £20m player is either up front, centre mid or between the sticks.

Having a £20m player at Left back is sensible for Real Madrid but not for Everton where we don't have another £20m player in the team (except perhaps Marrouane Fellaini.

So in the unfortunate circumstance that Baines IS sold, we should reinvest the £20m up front or in midfield and either make do or bring in a less expensive LB replacement - come to think of it, where else could you get a £20m left back...?

I can't see him going for £20m. Utd won't pay that much for him at his age, surely?

We're close to lining up a deal for Siqueira from Granada if reports are true, although there are contrary reports saying that Utd are about to buy him instead of Baines!

Go figure.

What I'm afraid is Moyes getting desperate and he goes for Baines and Felli at the last minute. Manure losing out on transfers and he's pissed Shrek off as well now. Revenge must be sweet.

The Sihjuiero rumour is just that. Baines isn't going anywhere although one or two people are saying Martinez will do a Harry Reddknapp and play Baines LW in some games.

Baines isn't a left winger...he skills are best when coming from deep. We have three mids who can all play from the left...Baines will not play on the Left Wing.

Bale is an entirely different player to Baines.

I sincerely hope you are right Col. I don't want to say 'told ya' but I mentioned Baines playing left mid a while back.

He game is more suited to a 3-5-2 from the point of him not tiring towards the end of games. Baines can beat a man alright, and is our best crosser of a ball. I would say defending was the weakest part of his game actually, but you have to put this down to fatigue in some games.

Go and spend your millions elsewhere Moyes, you said you owed everything to this club 6 weeks ago - you hypocritical twat.

Agreed Kevin. Bainsey's not the greatest defending, stands off too much, but he's unstoppable going forward. I'm not saying this will, or should happen, what I'm saying is that it's an another alternative. We are now very strong down the left with Baines, Garbutt, Oviedo, Pienaar, delelofu and Mirallas so we don't really need any more reinforcements there.

Not as a conventional winger Col, just having three central defenders to cover so he can stay froward a little more.

Coleman would also benefit from this system, with defensive mid's being able to cover as well.

Horses for courses really, they both offer a lot more going forward, than they do defensively. I'm not advocating they stand on the half-way line if an attack breaks down. They can do more damage if they know there is more cover behind them.

Mirallas very rarely plays down the left, Colin. I see him as our right winger and nothing else, apart from the odd bit-part inside behind the striker. Could it be that we're going to buy Siqueira and play Baines left wing?

Would be interesting but I agree Baines is a full-back, clearly.