Coleman lauds Baines as country's best left back

, 26 January, 21comments | Jump to most recent

Seamus Coleman says there is no one better in the Premier League in Leighton Baines's position and he has tipped his team-mate to set an assists record for a defender that will be tough to beat.

“Baines' record is about as impressive as it gets for a full-back,” Coleman says. “His delivery is second to none, be it from corners or free-kicks, and since I've been here the last five years he's been probably the best left-back in England with the way he plays week in and week out.

“[His record-breaking 46 assists is] a great stat and he's got a plenty of years left in him yet. Nobody playing at the moment is anywhere near close to him and he'll definitely add to those assists over the years. It'll be a tough record to beat.”

» Read the full article at Liverpool Echo

Reader Comments (21)

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Derek Turner
1 Posted 26/01/2015 at 08:08:01

This is a wind-up, surely.

Kase Chow
2 Posted 26/01/2015 at 08:49:47

Why a wind up? He's admittedly not curently in his best period of form and one could argue that since the Utd speculation he's not been the same player. But over the last 5 years or so he's been great. And, for me, the best full back (offensively) I've ever seen.

But it's a fashion to knock our own Â– even when the stats disprove us (most assists for a full back, England's first choice LB at the World Cup, coveted by many clubs across Europe) so let's assume Coleman's on a wind up cos we're generally frustrated at the moment.

Andrew Lawrenson
3 Posted 26/01/2015 at 11:40:50

Sorry, Seamus, but if you think Baines's corners are second to none then you are very much mistaken, the corners he takes are woeful.

I would rather see him on the edge of the box just in case when the ball gets headed out he can possibly hit one of his thunderbolts which unfortunately we don't see.

Nick Entwistle
4 Posted 26/01/2015 at 16:19:31

He used to be the best full back in the world, but now he's the best left back in the Prem.

In part due to the dumping of the Bainaar system that worked so well for us on both flanks in the past and as now with Baines isn't doing Coleman any favours either.

It did put both in the shop window, and perhaps time to move on to bigger things has past for Baines, but with Coleman it only reduces his value. If we don't get Luke Shaw type money then its a massive failing.

Neil Pickering
5 Posted 26/01/2015 at 18:51:29

Love him, but his delivery the past 6/8 months is patchy at best. I currently think that Garbutt should be playing left back with Baines in front of him, and I would have Garbutt on all the corners and free kicks into the box. He's currently more consistent than Baines at delivering dangerous balls.

Mo Guindi
6 Posted 26/01/2015 at 19:31:20

Question to all: I currently live in a block of flats next to the hotel where the team is staying. Not sure when they leave (hopefully not doing a Citeh). Should I try to speak to Jags tomorrow and pass on any messages??

Colin Glassar
7 Posted 26/01/2015 at 19:36:59

Bainaar wasn't dumped Nick, it was retired due to injury.

Mo, are these council flats? That's beside the point. Can you ask Jags what he really thinks about Samuel Eto'o? And can you also ask Bainsey why his corners are absolutely shite this season? Ask Mirallas why he's such a twat while you're at it.

Mo Guindi
8 Posted 26/01/2015 at 20:03:32

Colin, I'm actually living in Qatar for the next 5 months -Â– not sure council flats exist here as such! But yes, I will try to pose your questions on behalf of TW!

Paul Hewitt
9 Posted 26/01/2015 at 20:18:14

Ask him why is he a shit captain, Mo.

Brent Stephens
10 Posted 26/01/2015 at 20:26:24

Baines's stats for successful corners are pretty much next to none.

Wayne Smyth
11 Posted 26/01/2015 at 20:30:05

Garbutt has better set-piece delivery when he's played than Baines.

I actually think Baines's form tailed off when he signed his new contract, rather than just in the last 6-8 months.

He's still a cracking player and one of our best, but I don't think he's near the level he was 2-3 years ago.

Brian Hennessy
12 Posted 26/01/2015 at 20:32:15

Brent, if a "successful corner" means crossing the ball with very little pace, usually not beating the first man, then Baines must be top of the pile.

I love Bainesey, but how anyone can say he has been good with corners particularly this season is beyond me.

We got a glimpse of how corners should be taken during Garbutt's brief appearances, not since the Andy Hinchcliffe days did we see anyone in an Everton shirt take corners like that.

Brent Stephens
13 Posted 26/01/2015 at 20:42:55

Brian, sorry, I was being a bit dry Â– "next to none" reads next to zero Â– he hardly gets a cross over!

Colin Glassar
14 Posted 26/01/2015 at 20:46:35

Same here, Brian. Baines has been one of my favourite players ever since I first saw him play for......... Wigan. Ever since the Man Utd link, he's lost the plot a bit. Also the World Cup shambles hasn't helped. His gutless surrender to the Belgian was also a worrying sign so c'mon Bainsey. Show us what you've got and get back to doing your stuff.

David Hallwood
15 Posted 26/01/2015 at 21:01:55

Colin (#7) I think you should be our TW journo at the next Everton news conference.

Brian Hennessy
16 Posted 26/01/2015 at 21:07:34

Apologies, Brent, we are singing off the same sheet so.

Colin Glassar
17 Posted 26/01/2015 at 21:10:19

I'd go to Qatar tomorrow, if they paid me, David. I'd ask all the hard questions that journos are too afraid to ask.

John Keating
18 Posted 26/01/2015 at 21:31:14

Colin
How can you ask the hard questions when you know you're on Martinez's side?

Far better to have someone who wants him out asap.

Colin Glassar
19 Posted 26/01/2015 at 21:38:28

I'd ask him things like, what's your favourite food Roberto? What's your wife's favourite soap? What do you do when you're not watching the telly etc... Questions that we all want answers to.

Nah, seriously, I'd ask him what happened to the team that caused us (most of us, at least) so much enjoyment last season. Why the shite preseason? Why the constant playing people out of position? Why the rigid formation this season when last season we were so flexible etc....?

As for the players, I'd ask them why the fuck have they been playing like a bunch of Jessie's this season. No passion, no fight, no balls.

Brent Stephens
20 Posted 26/01/2015 at 22:02:51

Brian, I couldn't get it to scan as well as my favourite ...
..."he [anybody you want] has an IQ next to none"!

Mike Childs
21 Posted 27/01/2015 at 01:16:54

Like Pep realized Philph Lamn needed a new position maybe Bainesy does too? I might also argue he needs a new coach but that's for another day...

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