Take Your Chance When It Comes

Bainsey has only started 6 out of a possible 13 games this season, due to the improved form of Lescott, Jagielka and Yobo. Moyesy has told Bainsey to be ready to grab his chance when it comes.

Moyesy says: “Leighton is doing nothing wrong but I have got to say the boys who are playing in the team at the minute are not doing anything wrong either. They have been quite solid in recent weeks. In the bigger picture, when he arrived, we were not envisaging Joleon Lescott being a left-back. But Joleon’s form at left-back and central defence, plus Phil Jagielka coming into the team over the last year has made the competition defensively very tough.

Sometimes you just have to wait for your opportunity and when it comes along, you have got to be prepared to take it. You never know when that might happen in football. Leighton is a good player and I have got to say he has trained very well and got on with his work. He is doing himself no harm at the minute.” (23/11/08)

Good Form Will Come

Leighton thinks the good football they have played in patches this season will come good and Everton will start to climb the table.

Bainsy says: "We've shown in patches over the last couple of games brief glimpses that we are starting to come good again. We've been talking amongst ourselves and we do feel a bit better but now it's a question of turning that into positive results.

"We need to feel comfortable and confident in what we do, like we did last season. This time things have been harder but we know that we can turn it around. We've got some difficult games coming up but we are ready for it.

"You could say it will be difficult, as we are only going to be playing one game a week from now until Christmas. Last year we kept rolling from game to game and couldn't wait for things to happen. Obviously we've only got the league to concentrate on at the minute.

"But we are going to have a right good go at things. Maybe the time that we have got between games will help us prepare, freshen up and get everything absolutely spot on."

"We have got to get back to where we were. Once we get that first win, you will hear everyone start saying how much they are looking forward to the next game and things will snowball from there. It would be great if we could give the fans something back." (17/10/08)

Everton Must Progress

Leighton has targeted getting points off the clubs above Everton in the Premiership next season, as well as improving the squad if we are to progress.

Bainsey says: “We did well against some of those teams last year and only lost by the odd goal, so we don’t feel that we are a million miles away from that at the moment. And if we can beat the teams around us and hopefully collect a few more points from the bigger clubs then we are going to have a good chance of getting in there.

The lads who have been here have done fantastic over the last couple of years, but the club has always got to look to progress and if there are players out there to be brought in then it is in the club’s interest to do that. We are a club that is looking to go forward and we’ve made steady progress now over the past couple of years so hopefully if there are players out there we can get them in and do even better." (01/06/08)

Having been injured for a part of the season, Bainsey was still involved in 22 games. He hopes to get fit and play more regular next season.

Leighton says: "I played probably more games than people might think, but it would be nice to hopefully get back fully fit and be considered more often. I'm a couple of weeks down the line since the surgery so I'm just coming in and starting my rehab. I'm getting the movement back in my ankle and hopefully over the next couple of weeks I can progress a little bit further. It's something that has been hampering me for a while. Even though I was available for a lot of games it was still causing me a bit of trouble so it is nice to get it done and hopefully get back fully fit." (29/05/08)

Surgery And A Fresh Start

After undergoing surgery on Monday on his ankle, Leighton hopes his injury problems will be behind him for good and he can concentrate on making the left back spot his own. The 23 year old only started 18 games this season.

Bainsey says: “Hopefully, with a summer to rest and recuperate, the ankle will heal completely in time for the new season and I’ll be able to start afresh.” (15/05/08)