The Watchlist – Leighton Baines

It somehow seems strange writing up a Leighton Baines Scout Report at this time of the season. Typically, we have to wait till the second half of the campaign before Everton embark on one of those resurgent runs so synonymous with the club under David Moyes but this time round, the Toffees have been quick out the blocks:

Baines, as always, has been one of the chief protagonists. With a clean sheet, assist and five Fantasy Premier League bonus points across his first three Gameweeks, the left-back’s form reflects his side’s surprise start, with Moyes’ men registering wins against United and Villa before a temporary blip at West Brom last Saturday. According to club captain Phil Neville, the Toffees’ fine form is down to a change in pre-season build-up by Moyes – whatever the reason may be, it brings Baines onto our radars ahead of a kind upcoming run of games for the Merseysiders.

Looking at the season ticker, Everton have, arguably, the strongest run of fixtures over the next couple of months, right the way through to Gameweek 13. Investment in the Toffees’ assets looks a definite tactic to consider, then, with (NEW, SOT, LIV, SUN, NOR) all rolling up to Goodison, while trips to the likes of Wigan, QPR and Reading all offer the potential of points.

Pricing also falls in Baines’ favour this time round. The left-back had a relatively average season by his own high standards last term, producing four goals and a couple of assists – bearing in mind he returned five goals and 11 assists in the 2010/11 campaign, it’s fair to say his attacking output took a significant dive. As a result, his starting price dropped from 8.0 last season to 7.0 in FPL, while in the Sky Sports game, his cost of 7.1 looks good value.

Already, we’ve seen Baines’ creativity supply chance after chance for his team mates – indeed, no other player in the Premier League currently matches him for goalscoring opportunities provided. With a share of corner kicks, in addition to being first in line for free-kicks and penalties, he offers far more than just clean sheet potential – with the likes of City and United failing to produce returns at the back, any highly priced defender who offers the potential of attacking returns looks all the more appealing in the current climate. If Nikica Jelavic or Marouane Fellaini can apply the finishing touches to Baines’ consistent left flank delivery, a bandwagon seems almost inevitable.