Mike Preece Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 Been a worried during the transfer window, always am, thought of losing Bainesy is a sickener, paying it doesn't happen. but it got my thinking who's the best left back we've ever had. I aint bringing ray Wilson into it because it was before my time.so is it Leighton Baines or Pat Van Den Hauwe ? Baines has a more all round game, with his superb crossing and free kicks, but my vote just about goes to pat. what a player's brilliant tackler, fast as a whippet and hard as nails. I really cant remember anyone really skinning him, or getting the better of him over 90 minutes. Had the pleasure of meeting him just after he signed from Birmingham, he was at Goodison for our next home game v Southampton. we were 2-0 up in 10 mins, but the match ended 2-2. I was there early and welcomed him to the club, wished him well and he was with his stunning first wife Susan. one of my favourite Everton players ever, and as older evertonians know, he was the original psycho, long before Stuart Pearce. so he gets my vote just ahead of Bainesy, but it would be interesting to know what fans who remember Pat will think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c1982 Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 Andy Hinchcliffe needs a special mention in this thread. His corners/crossing were top notch! Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cake Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 Baines might have struggled in Psycho's era but I think Psycho would have adapted to present day (apart from I wouldn't want him taking too many direct free-kicks but he could be in there for the corners) so, all round it has to be Psycho. Psycho hated Craig Johnston with a passion by some accounts (friend's father worked at the club for a while when Psycho was there) and Pat threatened to break Johnston's legs, as they were on the way out of the tunnel, if he came anywhere near him on the pitch. Johnston went and played on the other wing. A newspaper reporter's memory of him is the flight home after the European Cup Winner's Final - the seat next to Pat was the only one empty so the reporter had to sit there and all his report really said was he'd never been so scared of saying or doing the wrong thing in his life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cake Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 Pistone needs a mention, too - top player (when fit). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 Pistone needs a mention, too - top player (when fit). I was never a fan of him. I thought Valente was a much better LB (even though he didn't exactly set Goodison on fire either). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brett Angel Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 Don't forget Mr phelan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcopaulo Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 gazza naismith! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brett Angel Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 Chinneycliffe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue 250 Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 Didn't Pat score the winner against Norwich, at Norwich to secure the 86-87 championship, probably his only goal. Who was best out of him and Baines, well I think Pat was the better defender, but for me Baines is much better going forward and with the ball. I'm going for Baines.......just don't tell Pat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 Too young to have seen Pat play, so no other choice but Baines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubecula Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 anyone remember John Goodman? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalziel Kane Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 Yes, Van Den Hauwe was on target in the 1 - 0 victory at Norwich City in 1986/87 that saw us accomplish that seasons league championship although I think Baines is the better overall player. Other players of merit that could have been included would be Michael Ball, Darracott, Wright, Wilson and Thomas Jones, going back far enough. Hinchcliffe also deserves a mention for his fine contributions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete0 Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 Unsworth took a better pen, slide-tackling was spot on, his crossing weren't to bad either, would have been a special player if the pie are could get up and down the pitch. Unfortunate not to have more of a chance a centre-half. Still a better lb than Baines, most have been. But todays game has more onus on getting forward, and non come close to Baines in that regard from what I've watched. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hafnia Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 Baines is by far the better player. Pat was good, baines is world class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter H Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Baines is by far the better player. Pat was good, baines is world class. This for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hafnia Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 This for me. MikeO seen Ray Wilson play who was arguably one of the best left backs of his era, he reckons Baines is ahead of him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncanmckenzieismagic Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Baines is by far the better player. Pat was good, baines is world class. This , Baines is by far the best LB Ive ever seen at the club Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBlood81 Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Baines is the better player, loved psycho Pat though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barryj Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Pistone needs a mention, too - top player (when fit). He was awful! Bad attitude, lazy, often injured and not even very good........ I can go on, but I guess you realise I wasn't a fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 He was awful! Bad attitude, lazy, often injured and not even very good........ I can go on, but I guess you realise I wasn't a fan. He had a nice headband though to be fair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 He had a nice headband though to be fair. this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevO Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 anyone remember John Goodman? Yabadabado! Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalziel Kane Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 MikeO seen Ray Wilson play who was arguably one of the best left backs of his era, he reckons Baines is ahead of him. I never had the opportunity to see Wilson play. Only took an interest in the club seven or eight years after his departure, but he was a very reliable player, and of course participated in the world cup winning side of 1966 as the only Everton player involved. Better than Van Den Hauwe but not sure about Baines as it currently stands, but a fine servant for club and country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 is that a jack russell in the profile pic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Preece Posted August 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 Yes Matt he is a Jack Russell, his name is titch and he,s 10 years old. As for the debate, I accept Baines is the more all round player but still think Pat the better defender, and best left back ive seen at everton. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcus jones Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 Baines probably over Pat but without doubt I reckon Michael Ball could have been the best of the lot if he had his head screwed on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalziel Kane Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 Don't forget being part of an overall poor team, and under two disappointing managers (Kendall third time around and Walter Smith). Ball was a decent player, regular penalty taker for a while, really showed promise and scored some important goals, but the team (and management) around him was poor to say the least. Baines, Van Den Hauwe, Wilson, Darracott etc, had better caliber of playing individuals and management to work with to show off their attributes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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