I THOUGHT some of the criticism levelled at Leighton Baines after the England v Mexico friendly on Monday was grossly unfair.

I felt sorry for him because for someone relatively inexperienced at that level he was left exposed.

Steven Gerrard was given a role where he could drift in from the left and that left Baines (pictured) with two Mexican attackers to pick up.

I don’t think he did as badly as some people have suggested – especially not when you consider that he got a bit of a bum deal.

BACK at Everton, Steven Pienaar has to be careful. It’s all very well his agent relying on him having a good World Cup but who’s to say this will happen?

He plays for a South African team so ordinary that even hosting it might not stop them from bombing. And even if he does do well I think the knee-jerk reaction of snapping up anyone who has a good tournament is a thing of the past.

All Everton need to worry about is giving him a very good offer and if he doesn’t sign, he doesn’t sign. They shouldn’t have to sell the jerseys to keep him.