Source: Liverpool_Echo
Everton FC’s Leighton Baines is set to keep a cool-head in the Derby show-down
Leighton Baines 300[LNB]LEIGHTON Baines is not a player who lends himself to the cliches of football writers.[LNB]Always calm, considered and contemplative he will never 'roar his defiance' ahead of an important game, nor will he 'blast' the opposition, or 'pour scorn' over questionable decisions, like Fabio Capello's unjust exclusion of the Everton left-back from Tuesday's England squad.[LNB]Instead, the 25-year-old is fully focused on helping Everton to victory in Sunday's Merseyside derby, even if that means he could get the cold shoulder from some sections of his family for 48 hours. Click here for Baines' player profile.[LNB]The Kirkby-born and bred defender is from a typically split loyalty Merseyside family, with no mellowing towards Everton from his Kopite cousins despite their relation's day job.[LNB] 'It's a pretty even split in my family,' he says. 'My grandad and most of my mum's family are Everton. But my dad was Liverpool, although he's Everton now.[LNB]'As a young lad I would normally spend derby weekend with my mates, and we'd all go around to watch it with our tops on. It was pretty light hearted.[LNB]'But now, with my cousins who are Reds, even though I play for Everton there is no mellowing. They don't care. They're still 100% red and there's no messing about which is fair enough.'[LNB]Like every native, Baines has his own derby day gripes and memories - even if he is intent on playing a part in creating some positive new ones for this current generation of Evertonians.[LNB]'The memories that stick out are the controversial ones like the Gary McCallister late goal and things like that,' he says.[LNB]'But we've competed well in the derbies while I've been at Everton, and the cup game was a memorable result so we will be looking to get a similar outcome this time.[LNB]'The game at Anfield last season was a tough one. When they went down to 10 men, we lost Marouane and it probably affected us more than them.[LNB]'We were on top at the time, and they naturally became more defensive which made it hard for us and we didn't have enough to break them down. With 11 they were a bit more adventurous and gave us a chance.[LNB]'But the results haven't gone how we wanted and we'd like to get that right at the weekend.'[LNB]Baines insists that his enthusiasm to get the right result on Sunday will not lead him to lose his head, and he hopes it is a personal discipline shared by all.[LNB]'The local lads have got more of an understanding because they've got family who support either side. It's a massive three points. You get the goose pimples in the tunnel beforehand, it's a special occasion, but you've got to contain that to a certain extent.[LNB]'There has to be a certain amount of restraint. You can't go in all blood and guts, you've got to play with your brain as well.[LNB]'It's vital to understand how big it is.Your job as a player is to cope with the pressure, keep a level head, and keep a perspective on things.[LNB]Danny Murphy may think otherwise, but Baines does not believe that any managers, even in a Merseyside derby, encourage undue aggression in the tackle from their players.[LNB]'It's part of a good manager's job to sense the atmosphere and the mood of players, and realise how he needs to send us out.[LNB]'It's something the manager is very aware of. I'm not sure anyone sends players out to hurt someone. I don't agree with that.
