Garbutt plays but England U21s lose

Hits a great deadball, but doesn’t seem to have much aggression in his game. Doesn’t get tight enough defensively, or doesn’t break forward fast enough, or often enough for me.

Only a kid so I will reserve my judgement till I’ve watched him play a few games. Although Luke might be a more controlled footballer, I actually prefer Galloway at fullback, even though I hear he’s a centre half.

Definitely not worth £30 grand a week, I wouldn’t lose much sleep if he were to leave.

I would tend to agree. Going forward he seems to have a bit of composure but my biggest concern is his lack of mobility. He’s a big framed lad for 22 and I wonder if he will have enough pace to be a top class full back.

Defenders will get better defensively as they learn, Seamus is a good example but if you don’t have the raw material you never will.

It was a shame about Stones last night, the two centre halves were not in the same league and they got a bit of a chasing.

I bet our squad earn more money than all the other teams put together. Not even 20 and most of them are multi millionaires who don’t give a toss about playing for their country.

I genuinely despair when I read some opinions.

"Defensively he's worse than Baines and that's saying something."

You are talking about the best full back at this club in 50 years and then, just to put the tin hat on it, you think a young lad who has played two (yes, two!) Premier League games is better than Leighton.

Utter pish. Of course all are welcome to their opinions, however ridiculous.

I loved Pat but he played in an outstanding team. He was probably a better defender than Leighton but he certainly didn’t have the all round game and attacking threat.

Let’s remember Leighton has more PL assists than any defender ever and also not related to his footballing ability never forced a move when Moyes and Man Utd came sniffing.

I guess that’s what I meant by 50 years. My Everton watching started at the beginning of the 70s, I saw Tommy Wright play a few times but at the age of 7 it’s a bit hard to make the comparison.

But their respective records speak for themselves.

Garbutt doesn’t want to run enough for me. Especially without the ball, which is something that sets Baines apart from any other fullback I have seen in my 40 years watching Everton

As Colin says, the money these kids are on is scandalous, especially when you consider how early. you now have to pay, for your next season ticket.

You mention Keith Newton, I seem to recall Newton being played left back for Everton when he was a right back for England.

Tommy Wright was or right back I was surprised to see that he only played 47 times for us.

Sandy Brown wasn’t just a full back, I think he played in every position for us, even centre forward. Much underrated.

Few would disagree with you about Sandy Brown who could put in a shift in virtually any position and, like most of that ilk, suffered in the cause.

I recall Newton was a right back, however, I agree with Ray; I recall Newton playing most, if not all of his games for us at left back.

No matter whoever played or plays at left back he would never be as good as Wilson: pure class, either defending or attacking.

We are lucky to have them both and I hope it stays that way.

England really missed Stones. The two centre-backs were given a bit of a chasing. More generally it was the usual problem – effort and individual skill versus technically better players. Guess who won?

Newton was signed as cover / replacement for Sandy Brown who had been... more or less, accidentally, inadvertently, hung out to dry by Harry Catterick in a TV Interview (which led to Harry’s ’hatered’ of TV). Add in Sandy’s OG = total confidence nose dive, hence the signing.

True, honest.

Then Gary Stevens moved it on but was still a solid defender. If you look at all of the modernday defenders, starting with Cole, Johnson, Baines, Clyne even Danni Alves – great until they have to perform in the role for which they were picked then they are found wanting.

We should build a solid defense, create from midfield attack from the wings and forwards to score – not have players being caught out of position as on many occasions last year

As for Garbutt being better than Baines, can this finally be put to rest? He is not now better and may never be. Baines is truly one of the class acts at left back and is exciting to watch. He is probably not a world class player but is an international class player by any standards.

I understand what you mean but football has moved on, full backs have to be able to contribute going forward. That’s why it is hard to compare across generations.

I also disagree with you about Ashley Cole. The most complete full back of his generation and it was his defensive abilities that marked him out above Leighton, much as it pains me to say so.

I notice some comments here about his ability to cross a ball; well, it was missing yesterday. His loose marking also was noticeable.

I think Everton have decided he is not for them although, if they renewed his contract, perhaps they could get a return on the money so far spent on his development. Then, perhaps not... as I don’t see other teams breaking down Goodison doors wanting him.

Paul, this is the reason I’m not sure about Garbutt; he’s not great defensively so he needs to be better offensively, the modern game requires it!

Dave, Tommy Wright was the right back who also played right back for England. Keith Newton was also a right back but Catterick used him on the left. As you say, there was also a Billy Wright who was mainly a centre half and had...er... a battle with his weight, as I recall, and I think he came some seasons later.

In 70-71 Tommy Wright played 40 league games and K Newton only 21, the most he played in any season with us.

For me, Baines is a legend, even if he doesn't win anything with us.