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A number of clubs had shown an interest in Baines and were willing to pay the £6 million asking price, but to please Baines the Latics accepted a cut-price fee from Everton who have gone on to target an £11 million midfielder.
Further to the cut price sale is the issue of the clubs left back. Baines was the only recognised left back at the club after the retirement of Steve McMillan last season. Now, it would appear that left sided midfield player Kevin Kilbane is going to have to fill the role.
It is bad management to allow a key player to leave without a replacement lined up and further bad management considering the protracted nature of the Baines transfer.
We await with baited breath the name of the replacement, and also the striker that we desperately need ahead of the new season.
Despite buying well over the summer, there are glaring holes in the first eleven at the moment and a few well spoken words from manager Chris Hutchings will not cover them up for long.
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EDITOR PAUL FARRINGTON IS TAKING PART IN THE BUPA GREAT NORTH RUN IN SEPTEMBER. TO SPONSOR HIM PLEASE CLICK HERE. AT THE MOMENT HE IS JUST £200 SHORT OF HIS TARGET.
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