Baines signs one-year contract extension at Everton

And a commonsense decision by the club, allowing us to allocate funds for more vital positions.

Address Digne's long term back up/competition next season, in which time an academy player may have stepped up.

I wasn't done watching him yet.

Best guess on Robinson: Half-season loan to Wigan.

A very intelligent player. One of the all-time bargains in the history of the Premier League.

Needs to stop the crosses though...

It's great to know you have reliable cover, but, if called upon in a high tempo match, for whatever reason, could he last the 90 mins against an energetic side?

I would like to think so, but reality, should it arise, may tell a different story! Of course, by this appointment, is he also inhibiting the advancement of our upcoming suitors?

A good tonic for Evertonians, this preseason.

Allied to the Chelsea transfer ban, that looks like Zouma won't be back.

If this is Baines's last season, then I would like the club to announce it before the season ends. He deserves a lot of love and respect. Best left-back I've seen at Everton. I'm only 29 so there isn't much to choose from to be fair.

Oh I do sincerely apologise sir. Hope you've had a... nice day!

We have had some characters at left-back: psycho Pat, Rhino, Andy Hinchcliffe, Paul Powers and the great Ramon Wilson – bit he is up there with the best of them.

A great decision by the club and the player.

I don't always get the obsession with age. Most good teams balance youth and potential with experience and wisdom.

Then again, I'm 47 and still think I've got it so would have that view!

He has looked after himself over the years fitness-wise; he won't let anyone down if called upon.

Although it goes against the general feeling, I am disappointed with this deal. Much as I love Baines, how many clubs were desperate to sign him up? For me, it's just another season wasted for a possible long-term replacement, such as Robinson.

Nor do I feel Baines will be up to filling in for Digne over an extended period, although I hope that will never be the case. So much for giving youth a chance! He was never the best defender in his prime so he isn't going to be any better at 34. I sincerely hope he proves me 100% wrong. . . but I have my doubts.

By Baines staying here another year, it gives Robinson 12 months to prove himself ready. We can send him out and see if he can step up a level this season. If not, then we will need to look at other youngsters or even sign someone. Signing someone is not the route I would want to go down. Something about having a strong back up makes me think it's more likely the star man (Digne) could leave (to Spurs?).

I think another 12-months is perfect. And think about the past, we used to give 34 year-olds 3-year deals!

Why do people second guess the decisions made by Silva and Brands when they are far less informed? We aren't privy to the reams of data used to analyse these players' fitness and attitude, we have no idea how they perform in training and what influence they have on the squad. We also don't know who is available in the market to come in and sit on the bench as a backup. I would suggest that there won't be many, if any, better than Baines.

We have plenty to do in the market this summer, and we can now put off worrying about a backup left back for 12 months. It was hard enough finding one for Baines.

Digne
Robinson
Galloway
Garbutt
Foulds
Even...Dowell if pushed could play left wing back.

I give up, a club going nowhere...how many years now without a trophy !?.

Annika #31, aside from my affection for Baines I think this is also a wise business decision. Our limited funds can be better spent than on bringing in a new left back for 5-10 games a year when we know exactly what we have in Leighton.

And as for Robinson, he lost a crucial half-season of development when he blew out his ankle last November, and it shows. After a couple of uneven performances for the US, he was cut from the squad for the Gold Cup last week. He has all the physical gifts but still needs maturing much as Coleman needed the Blackpool loan. He's gotta go play a lot of games somewhere.

I recall when "Bobby Brown Shoes" was in his honeymoon period and believe that if the club had started stocking replica shoes then they'd have flown off the shelves at that time.

The club also misses a trick by not selling more business wear. A lot of people wear ties these days, but the club sells a limited and very poor quality tie. They also fail to stock the club suit, which has a barely noticeable Tower Emblem in black stitching on the lapel. Sure, the player's probably wear fancy Italian handmade suits, but I'm sure Kenwright can ring up his best mate Phillip Green and get a TopMan replica stocked in the club shop. The club should certainly test the water.

When he played at the end of last season with his injury and was not given the respect he deserved in one game he was substituted in, I thought move on mate you deserve better.

I still think this, he's still got too much to offer, he should be playing, but he loves the club and wants to fight for his place. The lad definitely has a pair, respect to him.

He's the kind of player that makes EFC EFC, I hope he gets some decent game time.

That's what my heart says, there may be some financial and strategic imperatives involved here for both club and Leighton, I don't care!

Aaand another thing... I see our ex-striker is showing his class again if stories are true that he (Lukaku of course) has agreed personal terms with Inter Milan, this before the clubs have even agreed a fee, or maybe even before any offer has been made.

Should he move there, I wonder how long it will be before he's spouting how much he loves (insert country here) when once again the world stops revolving around "constellation Lukaku?"

Still bored. Where's Steve Ferns and his funny flycycling stories when you need him?

No way we should sell him, and the supposed £1.9m bid is ridiculous if true. Players of his physical gifts don't come along every day, and he has a top attitude. He just needs time to develop.

And what do we do if Baines is found wanting when he is needed? In his prime, I would never question his being in the team, never mind the squad. But he is no longer in his prime and anyone disputing that fact is looking through rose-tinted glasses.

He has been one of my favourite players but time catches up with us all and I, personally, think it was time to let him go. If he was still performing at a very high level, clubs would have been falling over themselves to get him signed up. Apparently not too many were.

Chris @35, I never mentioned anyone being brought in as a replacement, but I do think we should have allowed a younger player to assume the back-up role to Digne. You are right; I have no idea what stats the backroom staff have on Baines, or any other player, but neither do you. But never let sentiment stop us from re-signing players, eh?

He is now almost a year older so can't see that improving, it is a lot of money to have sitting on the bench, and if called upon can he deliver as before?

Also, his contract will be that of a backup, I'd imagine something like half the £75k he was on. If we'd let him go without a ready made replacement we'd have to take a punt and for those kind of wages we'd be bringing in someone of the calibre of Martina, realistically, so all-in-all this is a sensible move and allows us to prioritize bringing in starting-calibre players. As regards Robinson, let's use Baines presence as an opportunity to get him moire experience, see if we can loan him out to an EPL team this year, or at least a top Championship team. Hey, let's go nuts and see if a team in Europe would be interested?

If there was a young left-back capable of standing in for Digne, then that would be great, but clearly Silva and Brands don't think anyone is ready. So it would be foolish to leave us weak and exposed with a kid who's not good enough. What youngster do you believe is ready to step in for Digne at a moment's notice? Possibly for a derby match or cup semi-final?

The full-backs are more important in today's game than ever before. Baines won't let us down. In fact, when he does get a chance, I bet he puts on a passing masterclass. Time will tell...

As I understand it, Silva was quite happy to have Robinson as back-up to Digne, if Baines didn't sign on again. Personally, that's what I would have preferred to happen. I do hope you are right with your opinion but I suspect it's a decision we will come to regret.

It would be an awful shame to see Baines performing as a shadow of his former self.

I'm pleased Leighton is around for another year, a good deputy and because of his influence in the dressing room.

Perhaps, as someone suggested, he could go defensive midfield in the Lahm role ( I also have thirty pairs of brown shoes which I bought just before Bobby got the boot, if anyone is interested).

I don't know why, but I have a gut feeling we will see one more sublime from that wand attached to the bottom of Leighton's left leg.

I'm thinking Jeers from Chavs as he lines up in the dying second of an FA cup tie at Stamford Bridge.

I'm thinking wankers signs being hastilly shoved up jumpers as The Irons realise he REALLY can do it again.

I'm thinking gob smacked Geordies as they realise he IS going to hit it from there.

i'm thinking "1-0 and we've spent fuck all" at the Etihad

I'm thinking; "fuck me if only the others had given us these moments of Joy"

Leighton Baines - A throw back to when you had to be top class to get anywhere near the Everton team

A very good well-balanced post.

We have to trust in Marcel and Marco to go about their business, keeping their powder dry, which although frustrating at times is the correct way to conduct business.

With regard to those who would have Robinson as back up to Digne. He will gain more experience on loan, where he would hopefully gain a whole seasons experience, rather than sitting on the bench and possibly getting 5 or 6 games.

He may well then be ready for season 20-21, when Leighton's new contract expires.

Make no mistake, Bainsy is being given another year because he is still a class act. He is by all accounts a top class pro and has kept in exceptional shape. Everton has been very fortunate to have a player of his technical excellence commit the vast majority of his career to the club. Speak to fans of other clubs and he is universally admired. This is very rare in the modern age.

Lucas Digne has been a revelation but his consistency is partly down to knowing there is a top-class guy fighting for his shirt. Forget his age, we need more players with his pedigree to maintain competition in the squad. If Robinson is good enough, his time will come.

It is a long hard season and Leighton showed last season that he could step in and play very well. If he is injury free and fully fit, he is well able to be a quality backup for Digne. Not many teams will have such quality ready to step in in that position.

Maarten Stekelenburg (36),
Leighton Baines (34),
Kevin Mirallas (31),
Yannick Bolasie (30),
Seamus Coleman (30)

Then consider that Coleman is the only starter and Baines is back-up and the rest are largely unwanted and on the way out, suddenly this is a squad that needs experience, whether that's from the bench or not.

In terms of average age of our squad, we are a middling 26.9, being 8th youngest squad in the league. However, Silva was selecting the second youngest first team in the league with an average age of 24.7. Therefore, Baines's experience is crucial, even if it's not on the pitch.

Even Distin's legs went in the end so why do so many feel Baines will be different? I get the experience point but that didn't seem to affect the Man Utd side of Beckham and Co.

We will find out in the not too distant future and I sincerely hope I have lots of humble pie to eat regarding Baines's performances. But I fear the worst.

Who else could we get to come in as good as Baines that would also be happy to sit on bench?

My only fear would be if Digne picked up a knock during the busy festive period. I don't think Baines could play 3 times in 7 or so days anymore.

Apart from that, we have no European commitments so Baines could easily be managed through a lighter weekly schedule.

Very sensible move all round and IMHO one that is not based on sentiment.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is not and will never be a natural goalscorer, Abrahams came on for 10 minutes and showed him how it's done.

I would suggest it might be better to wait and see if he gets a chance to prove me wrong this coming season.