How Everton Can Cover the Loss of Leighton Baines

The frenetic pace of the recent Merseyside derby came at a cost to Everton with Leighton Baines fracturing a toe and facing a spell on the sidelines.

As BBC Sport reports, the left-back will be out of action for anything between 10 days to six weeks, depending on his recovery.

That maximum prognosis will concern fans, especially with several tough fixtures on the horizon. Baines is such an integral presence on the pitch and will almost certainly miss crunch ties with Arsenal and Manchester United.

The Toffees' No. 3 has failed to start just six of a possible 164 Premier League fixtures over the past five seasons, emphasising just how disruptive his absence may prove.

Before Baines' premature withdrawal against Liverpool, Roberto Martinez's back five had played every minute in the Premier League season. Now, however, the Catalan will be forced to make changes in defence.

Staying with 4-2-3-1

Here's a look at a few ways the Toffees can play without their influential left-back, sticking to a similar system.

The first place to start is by identifying how Martinez deployed his side after Baines' substitution.

Of course, the Toffees were facing a 2-1 deficit at the time, forced to chase the game with the emphasis on attack. With no left-back on the bench, Gareth Barry shuffled over into an attacking berth, with Ross Barkley dropping into central midfield.

Gerard Deulofeu replaced Baines and took Kevin Mirallas' place on the right, while the Belgian roamed between the channels of an advanced No. 10 and an inverted winger.

Personnel Options

Barry is therefore an obvious contender to fill in for Baines, and Martinez included him on a longer list of alternatives on Everton's official website:

"

Obviously Gareth slotted in during the game and when you have got a player with that experience, he can play anywhere. I thought he did really well.

We have got other players at the football club who can play in that position, from Bryan Oviedo to Tony Hibbert and Sylvain Distin to John Stones. We have got many, many options.

"

Of these five options mentioned, the most natural solutions seem Barry, Distin or Oviedo; all of whom are left-footed.

The main issue with opting for Barry is that he feels too great a loss in central midfield; however, Barkley's success in a deeper role, and the overall fluency of Everton's second-half showing against Liverpool will certainly intrigue Martinez.

This lineup also opens up a place for Deulofeu (or Leon Osman), which would be well-deserved following several impressive cameos by the teenager.

Obviously Everton would not be quite as positionally aggressive as in this lineup, at least not from the outset. Mirallas' berth would drop, somewhat, to a more orthodox No. 10, which either he or Steven Pienaar could fill while the other plays left.

That would leave Everton in the same 4-2-3-1 system they have played most of the season with.

If Barry is indeed deemed too valuable a loss to central midfield, then the most natural selection would be Bryan Oviedo.

The Costa Rican is Baines' official deputy, but while he seems an exciting prospect going forward, question marks remain around his defensive ability.

Martinez has only included him in four of his 12 Premier League squads, suggesting he might not have the confidence to include him from the start.

Another issue with introducing Oviedo is that a player in the above lineup, presumably Deulofeu, would have to drop out.

The final option in Everton's familiar 4-2-3-1 system would be Sylvain Distin, who deputised for Baines two seasons ago when the left-back missed five consecutive Premier League games.

That would allow one of John Heitinga, Antolin Alcaraz or John Stones to slot in alongside Phil Jagielka at centre-back in a scenario perhaps best utilised against Stoke City's towering forwards.

Again, this would lead to an attacking player from the above lineup missing out, which may not sway Martinez.

A Shift to 3-4-3?

Of course, this could also pave the way for a change of shape and a shift towards Martinez's preferred 3-4-3 formation.

Stones' proficiency at right-back would allow Everton to morph between three and four at the back, with Coleman flying forward. 

The issue with this is that unless Barry is the left wing-back, one of Steven Pienaar or Ross Barkley misses out, as well as Deulofeu. Two influential performers from Everton's rousing second-half showing against Liverpool wouldn't make the team, which seems harsh.

The above lineup incorporates Barkley playing as a No. 10, although Martinez has preferred three across the front. For a home game, this seems to eliminate too many key attackers in favour of extra defenders, which should deter Martinez.

Everton's manager will undoubtedly introduce this system at some stage, but Baines' absence doesn't exactly demand it at this stage.

The last time Everton's No. 3 was sidelined the Toffees actually turned strangely prolific during an unbeaten five-game stretch. They scored four in three of the five games, including away at Old Trafford, and took nine points from a possible 15.

The absence of Baines is hardly going to cheer supporters but, as shown, there are several options for the Toffees to work with, most of which have the potential for success. 

 

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