Source: Liverpool_Echo
Barry Horne: BBC pundits spot the talent of Everton FC's Leighton Baines, two years too late!
EVERTON restored some pride and some hope after the disappointing result against West Brom with a spirited showing in the capital.[LNB]I was delighted for Jermaine Beckford and even though his equalising goal against Chelsea was a fairly routine finish, hopefully it will give him a confidence boost and, as I wrote last week, will mean a run of starts which is all I believe he needs to get himself in the groove.[LNB]I must admit I couldn't help smiling to myself watching last Saturday's Match of the Day programme, when the pundits were talking about a particular player as if they had just discovered a new talent.[LNB]The tone of the BBC panel was mirrored in most of the national press on Sunday and the following days.[LNB] They were all praising Leighton Baines, of course, and deservedly so after a terrific performance, but I couldn't help noticing that there was a tone of surprise that Baines did so well.[LNB]I found that quite shocking, especially when you consider that the lad has been playing to that consistently high standard for the best part of two years.[LNB]Leighton Baines was reported to have not done himself any favours last summer with regards to comments he was supposed to have made.[LNB]England have played five times since the World Cup - and Baines hasn't featured once.[LNB]To be consistently overlooked by the national team is an absolute disgrace.
