Baines: It's all moving in the right direction

That is mainly I'm sure to the change of playing philosophy but given his defensive ability is questionable I wonder whether cashing in on him for big money at 29 wasn't a better option given we have Oviedo in reserve.

I'm not sure you can say Baines had a poor season even by his standards last season but he was visibly less effective without Steven Pienaar ahead of him and, like you say, had to play a more defensive game.

We're a better team with him there, though. His 100% record from the penalty spot and his ability from direct free kicks make him a highly valued member of the team and I don't think that cashing in on him would have been the best option.

We're in the business of keeping hold of our best players now, but it won't mean much unless we round out the squad and push on for silverware and/or a top-four finish. Realistically, that means (in addition to the incoming Atsu) another striker and cover for Seamus Coleman at least, in my opinion.

I'm a Baines fan but I'm also pragmatic about Everton's financial position among our peers in the PL.

We have a rapidly depreciating asset who was, at the time of stalling on his contract, at the peak of his value.

I was thinking more about having a suitable long term replacement when I mentioned Oviedo but at the point Baines was in vogue with United (most of the January transfer window) Oviedo was still healthy (hindsight's 20/20!).

We didn't need to sell and that's a positive but for how long will we be in that position? Over the 6 months following that transfer window Baines was surpassed as our most salable asset by Barkley, Coleman, Stones and McCarthy.

I'd rather lose an aging player for whom we have long term cover than the future spine of our club.

After Baines(' agent) leveraged the interest to become a top earner at Everton, I just think the alternative to paying him silly money IE gaining 㿀m for his registration, did stack up.

It could be argued that he was playing in a different system, but so was everyone else when Roberto initially took over.

So I don't really buy into that argument, because there were games where he looked the Baines of old, and gaining MoM awards.

Take the World Cup, I know over all, the team did not perform well, but Baines was a shadow of his previous , self and form, which was the reason he was chosen over Cashley Cole, in the first place !

As a couple of posters have said, here we have a loyal blue, but it's more the defensive aspect of his game which is worrying !

HeÂ’s a true professional, an awesome set-piece taker, almost always fit and in his prime. If Everton are no longer a selling club and we can now operate in the market as we have this season, IÂ’m more than happy to never cash in on the likes of Tim Howard, Phil Jagielka, Sylvain Distin an especially Leighton Baines.

Get with it, blue boys, please.

We now have options on both flanks. We now have players prepared to take a touch and be creative.

Basically he doesn't need to do it on his own like he was a few years ago. The fact he can do that is incredible and highlights the standard of player and character that he is. But nowadays he's a top player in a very good side. I suspect we'd miss him more than we notice him right now.

NSNO

Garbutt will benefit from Baines' experience and as has been mentioned Bainsey may well find himself further up the pitch on occasions. Too few players in the Premier League are akin to Baines and we should be proud that we have a lad with his ability and personality playing for the club. Money is not the be all and end all of the game - it comes and it goes - people and players similar to Leighton are a rare breed and should be cherished and not sold to make money for the club.

Derek, to say that Baines WC performances were "a shadow of his previous , self and form" is simplifying things. Baines is at his best with Pienaar as a foil and when Pienaar, or a player who can dovetail with Baines down the left, is missing he is not the same player. With England we had Welbeck who did not have a clue how to work with Baines, and Gerrard who kept ignoring his left sided defensive duties to pursue his "Me, Me Me," campaign. Coupled with Jags being used on the left of defence as opposed to the right with Everton, and Baines was left out to dry. Not entirely Baines fault. Hodgson was his usual inept, confused self.

Arteta was an example of where it worked well for us. We had the best years of his career and then sold him just before his value dropped.

He is iledgedly surplus to requirements at Arsenal this year but they won't get anything like the 㾶m we recouped.

We replaced him with a better player on lower wages in McCarthy who admittedly cost us more in capital terms but who has a stable, and possibly appreciating, value to us over the next 5+ years.

I don't want to lose our best players but we have to have faith that the manager can replace our former favourites with future favourites - that's the model and the value of a great manager.

I view each of the contract extensions as just as important as an incoming transfer. I think our new-found stability also played a huge part in convincing Romelu Lukaku that Everton were a team with real potential to build something special. He has been open in his wish to play for a Champions League team and I think Martinez has shown him we have the potential to achieve that goal. I don't think he came here for the wages (though I'm sure they are nice) but for the camaraderie within the squad and the vision Roberto has for the future.

Well said Leighton. You made the right decision!

Great player and servant who never wanted to leave and was doing what we all would at the time of contract renewal, getting the best deal and staying at the club he loves.

I think young Garbutt can become a top player in the same way as Baines. He has a fine left foot, takes good dead balls and has bags of pace.

I just hope that we get Atsu as he is a very direct player with lots of pace. He and Mirallas on the other wing will terrify some opposing defences and perhaps provide decent ammunition for Lukaku, Kone and Naismith.