Baines set for longer layoff

And if we are not going to play Lookman, he won't develop on the bench, then loan him out. Same with Vlasic. Enough is enough, we are safe now, it's time to move from this tactic of giving the ball back to opposition after 5 seconds. Play on the front foot.

Few days before the transfer window opens. Walsh, you waste of space, earn your money!!

Don't know about that. I saw Brett Angell in his pomp. I always remember that bellowing voice a few rows behind me in the Upper Bullens bellowing "Get that fucking ham shank off!!!" just after he'd missed yet another sitter.

Don't know about that. I saw Brett Angell in his pomp. I always remember that bellowing voice a few rows behind me in the Upper Bullens bellowing "GET THAT F*&^%ING HAM SHANK OFF!!!" just after he'd missed yet another sitter.,,BlueKfrog,1,15:30:54,,82.0.158.174,ok,13017,12/27/2017 15:30:54,wyvern999,reader,, 884114,36003,toffeeweb,27/12/2017,Victor Jones,vhjones54@outlook.com, Excellent post from Len Hawkins..271.
Better watch out though. Or he'll be barred on TW.
Can't have punters upsetting the
" anti Sammers" brigade.
God forbid.

That's a good one by the way.
Anti Sammers must remember that .
That's me for today folks. Bye., Excellent post from Len Hawkins..271.
Better watch out though. Or he'll be barred on TW.
Can't have punters upsetting the
" anti Sammers" brigade.
God forbid.

That's a good one by the way.
Anti Sammers must remember that .
That's me for today folks. Bye.,,,0,15:41:56,,151.229.151.93,gated,16365,12/27/2017 15:41:56,evertonvic,suspended,, 884115,36003,toffeeweb,27/12/2017,Karl Meighan,meighank@aol.com,"Mark @268 Do you think 2 experienced so-called senior players would have carried on the way Schneiderlin and Mirallas did if Allardyce was in charge? I don't and, for me, that is one of the big differences between Sam and Unsworth as well as the wealth of experience and the fact he was considered good enough to manage his Country.

I've read many comments on this site were people wanted Dyche given the job. This ain't aimed at you, Mark, but I would like to know – apart from being relegated – what he has achieved that Sam ain't? And please not "his team plays great creative attacking score-for-fun football"?

We need to be careful we don't sell or lose all our fast skillful players – we might need them when we actually try to attack. Barkley, Deulofeu, Lookman, Sandro and basically anyone with any imagination is going, gone or going to go.

Go sign the Bristol City left back Bryan to cover Baines. In fact raid the Championship for anyone, because there must be better than Martina, Williams, Schneiderlin, Davies and Kenny down there. (The last 2 can get better but right now they are sub quality.)

And I cannot believe that anyone is having a pop at Kenny. He's been there or thereabouts as MotM every time he's played. He's 20, still learning and part of a defence that has conceded twice in seven games. Get a grip!

Kenny in particular has been simply outstanding.

It really is a bit harsh on Kenny, who is only 20 by the way. The same with Davies, only 19. In a world were recruitment would have been better and injuries kinder these 2 lads would have had a step-by-step development. Instead they've been thrown in at the deep end and I think done well considering.

I guess you did say they could get better. That's something!

I think Kenny's forward play is a lot better than you have given him credit for. Plus, wait until he is in a decent and consistent team. I remember a young Gary Stevens being second choice behind Brian Burrows I think it was; he was probably older than Kenny then too, it didn't turn out too bad, did it?

Full-back is one of the hardest positions on the field and weak players get targeted. I don't see that happening a lot with Kenny.

As for Sandro, I see a lad trying really hard every time he gets on the field and he's either being played out of position or being asked to hold up hoofed-up balls which is clearly not his game.

Nonsense...

You're way off the mark with Kenny. He's one of the most exciting full-back prospects I've seen since my first match in 1958. He can tackle, has awareness of the space around him, is quick and is one of the best crossers of the ball in the team.

Sam plays too comfortable and is starting to bore me Bolasie and Calvert-Lewin was great up front but putting Sandro up with Calvert-Lewin and having Bolasie out wide, we would start creating chances.

I don't think 2 defensive midfielders works. Gueye always starts for me with Sigurdsson, Rooney and maybe McCarthy or Vlasic. I hate seeing the defensive diatribe at the moment. I'm sure we have a decent side there.

"... he is an out and out defender..."

If that's what you're seeing, David, you should apply to the NHS for a white cane and a dog.

Kenny is the second-fastest player in the side behind Calvert-Lewin, gets forward just as well as Seamus, and he's an even better passer. MotM against Liverpool and he drew a penalty against Swansea.

You're all by yourself on this one.

To put it into perspective I would say, Cuco Martina is our worst player and is on his weaker side and has made 60 more passes in a game less. He also has 6 fewer tackles than Martina so judge the players equally not because he is young or came through the academy and you are routing for him. He wastes the ball. Seamus for the win!!!

To criticise a full-back for being a good defender is a joke and is a reflection of the modern game. He's a better defender than Coleman who, like Baines, lets wide men get loads of crosses in.

For me, he has earned his place and no way should Coleman be shoe-horned back into the team. He is also decent on the ball as well. As for own goals, I think Seamus has scored at least one.

I don't know who you are actually watching.

Is there any other Premier League club that is as crocked as us? Barkley, Baines, Coleman, Funes Mori, Rooney, McCarthy, Onyekuru, Gueye Bolasie (not 100%)... plus any others (maybe loaned out) that I can't think of. Onyekuru sounds bad and he hasn't even shown up yet.

We talk about luck but we're getting our fair share of bad rolls I think.

I look forward to your deep analysis and historical research on every defender who has played Premier League football who has also scored own goals. It will be a lengthy and illustrious list.

Jonjoe Kenny is having a hugely impressive season. This interview also reveals he is a hugely impressive, mature, analytical and self-aware young man, with no small measure of determination and self-belief, mixed with humility and gratitude.

Link

He'll do for me.

Get the cheque book out, Moshiri and let's get some quality in.

Have you ever seen Kenny play for the U23s or England U20s?

He certainly gets forward for them and can deliver a decent cross whether it aerial or on the ground.

He's finding his way in the first team. We've seen some examples of his crossing but not too much. In time as he becomes more accustomed to first team level that will come.

To expect it all straight away is an opinion that seems to be endemic with some supporters at the moment.

What a complete and utter load of crap. Thank God you have nothing to do with team selection. I find it difficult to get past the thought that you are a Kopite engaged in "Operation Windup". You certainly know fuck all about football.

My thoughts exactly.

But you and Brian (#21) have it right, being unanimously howled down by every other poster on the thread doesn't seem to faze him. I had a dog like that once... a cocker spaniel who liked to chew through chair legs even though he lost teeth on every one.

Whether you think he's lost a little pace or not, I think the majority of fans will agree he is still our best left back and as we have no specialist cover for him at the moment, we should all be hoping he will be back sooner rather than later.

Get well soon, Leighton.

Baines has done little to justify the regularity with which he has been picked, for some time now. One of Everton's big failings, compared to more successful sides is how we allow some of our brilliant players to stagnate painfully, when they should have been enclosed in tarpaulin and given the vet's bolt long ago.

He has, without doubt been one of our finest signings in the Premier League era (one of a handful of brilliant Moyes's Men, like Cahill and Jagielka), but his limitations are starkly on view.

However, his defending has been top class and in a better side his passing would improve as he would have more and simpler options. At present he does just hoof or play back to keeper or defender. No doubt he is a solid defender.

As we haven't really attacked anyone so far this season, I think we should wait on commenting about Kenny's attacking capabilities.

So far another great young kid giving his absolute best in a team of older incompetents. Kenny, Davies, Calvert-Lewin, Holgate – every one of them deserve praise for their effort and application and without them this season we'd be fighting Swansea for bottom spot.

For the record, he has whipped-in some excellent crosses and with regard to his passing, I have watched him combine neatly with Lennon and others on his forays down the right flank.

On Davies, we are watching work in progress. He is operating in a midfield which has made protecting our defence their priority. At times he has resembled a headless chicken but with experience I am sure he will develop into a good attacking midfielder.

What is the title of the 3rd book in your Mersey Murders series? I really enjoyed the first two.

As for Kenny – I could rewrite the above with Coleman as back up for Jonjoe – he's well on the way to being a good, if not great, right back.

I read all the threads. Always something interesting in here. But when I come across a post so relentlessly negative, I always assume the poster knows it's bullshit as he's writing it. Yet, posts it just the same for the "fun" of it; looking for a reaction.

He hasn't had it easy, having nobody to play with for way too long, especially considering his biggest strength is the give and go, and it's going to be interesting to see how he does under Allardyce?

I was talking to someone who knows a couple of the Everton players and he was saying that his mate (one of the players) couldn't believe the attitude of some of our long-term senior players in the build up to the derby game at Anfield the other week.

He said he expected a lot more from the older heads; they seemed scared, they had too much respect for our horrible neighbours, and I wouldn't mind having a bet that Leighton was in this category, if what I was getting told is actually true.

I watched the game, and I wouldn't have said that about Jonjoe, because he was definitely one of the players, who was prepared to put his body on the line. He got caught out when Salah, missed a sitter from a far post header (he's young, it's the most difficult thing to defend) and when Mane, missed his chance when he should have passed, Kenny, was all over the referee, because he had been fouled in the build-up, which is definitely something that has been lacking for years.

Remember Jagielka, after we lost a semi-final at City, snitching on the ref, the next day? A real winner, would have been sent-off, if what Atkinson said was true, but again that's only my opinion, because I've always liked our captain as well!

Again, we have known about this position needing strengthened for ages so there is no excuse that someone isn't lined up to be here on the opening week of the transfer window.

Personally, I prefer Tierney.

I haven't seen him for the youth England teams, so perhaps some of you have seen more of what he can do going forward. I have eyes I can see him tackle, I can see he has good anticipation, I have not seen any pace from him. But I see some of you say he has pace, so I will backtrack on that until I watch again maybe I missed it (not convinced still).

I feel as though he needs to improve his forward play. His crossing is at 29% accuracy; that's okay I guess. I can forgive the headless chicken own goal but lets see some stats or videos to back up how good he is. Calling me insane is all very well but with less tackles and passes than Martina, he looks like a fan favourite (one of our own) getting special treatment. All I am saying is bench him!!! Not sell him or that he is crap. People getting carried away.

Galloway – he is not even in the subs bench in a poor Sunderland side.

Garbutt – I haven't seen reports suggesting he is pulling up trees in the U-23s

Antonee Robinson – plays intermittently in a Bolton side hovering in the lower reaches of the Championship; the Premier League may be too much, too soon.

Callum Connolly – he seems to be the best bet presently, has scored a few goals for Ipswich, but reports suggest he plays more as a winger than left-back.

So that really means a left-back purchase is a priority. Shaw might be available as a cheap option (loan and permanent deal could also be considered), also hearing that Kurzawa (PSG, French National Team) will be sold in January; might be worth making a bid.

Martina has done better than most thought, but a right-footed left-back is only ever a stand-in. Let's register Garbutt for the Premier League or bring Connolly back, and go out and buy a decent longer-term replacement.

Since he has never played for us at senior level, he doesn't get listed among the perennial injured contingent.

Now that we're rich we could just buy one, Luke Shaw perhaps.

We own two on loan in the Championship; Galloway and Robinson. Neither is playing regularly but we've seen Galloway do well before at Premier League level. He at least should be recalled.

Also, Garbutt needs to either be promoted or sold on. He's a top class threat going forward, the question is whether he can be trusted defensively.

Kenney is not a starter on this team with Coleman healthy because he simply is not better, period. He may be in the future but his weaknesses are there for all to see, if they take off the "he is English" blinders. He has skills and lots of potential to improve, which is what one would expect at this age.

I did watch him on the World Cup team and against younger talent, he was very good at attacking and defending. Against older, wiser, faster, stronger players, his weaknesses are evident. He is no Coleman circa 2016, but neither was Coleman at 20.

David stated an opinion and has been called blind and even, a troll or an RS supporter, quite unjustifiably. I suggest instead of name calling, people trying to change David's mind – respond with facts and reason instead of bile to support the argument.

BTW, received an Everton holiday sweater like the one worn by Niasse, and mine didn't have a number on it either! Have been, and am continuing, to make the rounds to parties and events decked out in a true classic! Happy New Years to each of you. Let's get three points on Saturday to end the year and COYB!

"...but neither was Coleman at 20."

Great point. Kenny is in every way more advanced at 20 than Coleman, who was a defensive disaster back then -- a ballwatcher who was constantly caught out of position. Kenny is positionally excellent and tackles nearly as well as Seamus. Personally, I think he'll make a fine left back (if we don't get one in January) when Coleman comes back.

David #46... "His crossing is at 29% accuracy; that's okay I guess."

29% crossing accuracy is fantastic... makes him one of the most accurate in the Premier League. Better than De Bruyne or Siggy. By contrast, Baines -- once among the best in England -- has a career percentage of 26. Coleman is 22% for his career and was 18% last season. (Martina, by the way, is at a mind-blowing 33% for the season.)

Martina has more tackles, but that's probably because teams lick their chops and run at him constantly. His tackle success rate is 57%. Kenny's is 84%, again among the best in the Premier League. As for Martina making more passes... well, yeah, but a lot of them are six yards backwards. Kenny passes forward, and yes, he likes to go long. He's accurate enough that I think it works for him.

Rather, it's his limitations in attack and given that fullbacks are nowadays key attacking players, this is a major reason why we have been struggling offensively – on both wings.

As for Baines, yes, he's definitely over the hill and must be replaced.

Garbutt probably isn't good enough but should have been registered. Galloway likewise – I live in the northeast and the Sunderland fans I know don't rate him at all – Oviedo is preferred. So this should have been anticipated. He's 32 with a spotty recent injury record. Idiocy.

For several reasons, Baines is on the way to being remembered at Everton as "a great servant to the club." That's nice, but you see that with a lot of players who stay at a club for the majority of their career without winning anything, i.e. Hibbo. As a defender, I'd rather be remembered as a mean bastard who didn't let anyone get the better of me.