3: Leighton Baines - Hotter than Cole (sort ya hair out lad)

Toffee Dan wrote:Strange but true: Leighton Baines hasn't scored a goal from open play at Goodison - all 4 goals have been penalties.

1039 FOOTBALL: - Phil McNulty BBC's Chief football writer on Twitter: "Leighton Baines returns to Everton from England squad with a knock. Not serious. #bbcfootball #fb"

hairy cataract wrote:

1039 FOOTBALL: - Phil McNulty BBC's Chief football writer on Twitter: "Leighton Baines returns to Everton from England squad with a knock. Not serious. #bbcfootball #fb"

"not serious" meaning he'll only be out for six weeks I suppose. Fucksake.

Leighton Baines has revealed to Everton fans that their summer of misery in the transfer market could have been a whole lot worse.

On the eve of the Merseyside derby, the local boy and Goodison Park hero has lifted the lid on a daring plan by bitter rivals Liverpool to spirit him away across Stanley Park.

But before Blues supporters start reaching for their protest banners once more, Baines has insisted the dramatic transfer could never happen, even though he is desperate to take another step up in level.

"I was made aware of it, but as far as I am concerned, it was never an option," the England defender insisted. "When you're from Liverpool, it's either Liverpool or Everton, one and not the other.

"For me, it wouldn't have got beyond the story stage. You are one and you stick with that - you don't do both.

"If you're brought up in the area and know what it means to everyone, you understand it more. Once you know the people and you're a part of it, it's not something you do.

"But my mates were probably more aware of the stuff that was going around than I was.

"To be honest, because I'm playing, I find it a bit easier to detach myself.

"With some people, it's football and nothing else. Phil Neville is like that here, it's pretty much everything for him, but I try to detach myself and get into other things."

That's easier said than done when you're a Liverpool-born player who is idolised by the Blues and coveted by the Reds.

For Baines, it is made even harder by the fact his family has always been split down the middle between Anfield and Goodison.

Even his dad was a dyed-in-the-wool Liverpool fan.

Baines Snr claims to have now finally switched allegiances, but his boy has his doubts!

"My family is still split," said the defender. "There has been no crossover to Everton from the Reds in my family since I joined the club. They still want Liverpool to win.

"All the cousins who I grew up with and who are a bit older than me, and were big Reds, are still the same. There is not the slightest bit of interest or compassion for the fact I'm playing for Everton.

"The only one who has come across is my dad, but he had to make a bit of an effort, what with being my dad, didn't he? I don't know if he still slyly roots for them but he comes to every home game and a lot of the aways and I'd say he definitely follows Everton now.

"I'll probably get him slaughtered by his mates for saying that. For all I know, he might still leg it down the boozer with a Liverpool scarf on when they're on telly!"

While Baines has insisted the connection with Liverpool was never a goer in the summer, he admits a link with German heavyweights Bayern Munich was far more serious.

And even though he is committed to the Everton cause, he does concede he yearns for a chance to play in the Champions League.

When pressed on whether he would have been tempted by Bayern, he confessed: "It is a hard question to answer. There was a stronger interest in that one. There was definitely something there but maybe it didn't get to the bid stage.

"It wouldn't be ideal leaving this league, but I do have ambitions to get to the Champions League level and hopefully the tide will turn at some point and enable us to do that here.

"It would mean a lot to do it here. It has been a while since Everton were at that level and it looks a tougher task, given the money other teams are spending.

"I do have those ambitions to play at that level. Sir Alex Ferguson said this week that the Champions League is bigger than anything and it is. It is the pinnacle and everyone would like to get there. I will just get my head down and keep doing what I am doing."

That means continuing to impress as possibly the best English left-back in the Premier League right now - and putting one over the old enemy on Saturday lunchtime.

Even if his family won't approve.

Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Everton-defender-Leighton-Baines-says-he-could-never-play-for-Liverpool-article806564.html#ixzz1ZWHzlcAI
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mindyerho? wrote:

Armchair Evertonian wrote:This lad is too good for us. He should move to Arsenal, United etc before he gets too old.

No. They insist on their defenders being able to defend. Baines isnt all that going backwards.