Richard Dunne.....

[Steve R]

Baker is alright, man. Needs a run of games.

To me Baker has looked a very good centre back in the making in the run of games he's had so far.

Such a pleasant change not to eat my liver every time we concede a corner.

[peter w]

I think Clark is still too inexperienced to go through the season without being inconsistent and we need to get through this season with as much assuredness as possible. Which is why I think Vlaar needs Dunne next to him. Someone he can learn from and who he knows will have his back. Although he is captain he needs someone who can take some of the responsibility from him. Remembering that Vlaar needs time to settle in to the new country, different game etc etc I wouldn't put him in straight away but on the bench. But with a view to have him up to speed and starting asap.

[Percy McCarthy]

That's how I see it too.

Agree with the good reviews on Baker as well.

[Shrek]

Baker is alright, man. Needs a run of games.

I agree, much better than Clark for me.

[Percy McCarthy]

IMO Baker's the more solid option now, whereas Clark is more cultured. Let's hope that in years to come they can compliment each other and become a formidable pairing for The Villa.

[pedro25]

Hope so, one would need to be happy playing on the right though which might not come naturally, but i suppose plenty of good centre half pairings over the years have both been right footers so it should be no different.

[Dante Lavelli]

Hope so, one would need to be happy playing on the right though which might not come naturally, but i suppose plenty of good centre half pairings over the years have both been right footers so it should be no different.

I still find it incredible that a professional football can have a "bad" foot.  ...all it takes is practice.

[tomd2103]

Baker is alright, man. Needs a run of games.

Ideally Baker could do with going on loan to get that run of games, but I don't think we have enough options in the squad for that to happen. 

[danno]

has it been said when he's expected back?  and am i right in thinking his contract is up this summer?

[Risso]

Dunne has to come in ahead of Clark when he's fit.

[Dante Lavelli]

It'd be nice if Dunne's return means that we could loan Baker for a few months, maybe the end of the season.
Beyond Dunne, Clark and Concrete there is Herd and Licaj who could step in.

It'd be a risk but the long term benefits could be huge as the need to replace Dunne next year is less urgent, or at least we'd have a better awareness of how much we need to spend.

[LeeB]

Dunne has to come in ahead of Clark when he's fit.

I'd consider it if Clark wakes up tomorrow and his legs have fallen off.

[Risso]

Dunne has to come in ahead of Clark when he's fit.

I'd consider it if Clark wakes up tomorrow and his legs have fallen off.

He defended like they had on Saturday.

[Mazrim]

Did he? I thought he did alright. The first goal was down to Stevens playing Chimichanga onside and although there was the odd moment, I thought Clark and Vlaar did well. Rooney and van Persie hardly touched the ball for most of the game.

He's not the complete defender yet but I'm encouraged by Clark. And yes, I like Baker too. We need (at least) one more but Dunne coming straight back in doesn't seem right to me. It will be nice to have some experience to call on though.

[Concrete John]

I think the issue of Clark over Dunne is an example of what Lambert is trying to do with us as a whole.  Yes, Dunne could come in and we'd be a bit more solid and cobble together a few more points, but it would erode the longterm vision and put back the development of a very promising young player. 

It may get to a point where we need that, but we aren't anywhere near there yet.

Short term pain, long term gain!