Baines bemoans lack of chemistry at Everton
Leighton Baines has spoken out about Everton's struggles this term, attributing them to a lack of chemistry between the players.
The Toffees succumbed to a third straight defeat at Manchester United on Sunday, one that sees the side underachieving in 12th in the Premier League. Things have fared better in the FA Cup, however, and Everton will learn of its semi-final opponent when United travels to West Ham on April 13.
But Baines has warned that an appearance in that showpiece is not assured for anyone.
"You are only really secure as individuals when you are winning games but even then we will make changes from time to time with what is required tactically," he told the Liverpool Echo.
"I don't think there is anyone expecting to have their name pencilled in for that game."
It's certain "individuals" that Everton has been relying on. Romelu Lukaku has been on fire, though the 25-goal forward is worryingly casting glances away from Merseyside. Ross Barkley and Ramiro Funes Mori have also performed admirably, but Baines is aware that three players are unable to compensate for the other eight on the pitch though.
"I just don't feel as though the chemistry is quite there with the team on the pitch at the moment, and it hasn't been for a while," he continued. "We are maybe leaning too heavily on individuals to come up with something.
"We're in games, we were in the game on Sunday and had a couple of chances, but we're not performing as a team to the level we know we can or we should be."
There are hopes that the influx of cash coming from new majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri means Everton can retain its greatest talent and also bring in some new faces, but Baines is focused on the team making a better account of itself right now.
"You get judged at the end of the season, and we're getting towards the end of the season, and we're not near a position we should be in given what we've got.
"We're all accountable. We try and put it right but we've not been able to. That's the third loss on the bounce in the league which is disappointing to us all."
Roberto Martinez's outfit returns to action at Watford in Saturday's Premier League fixtures.