Nathan Baker

[Dante Lavelli]

Vlaar is a tremendous footballer so the only thing I think we lose with a herd/vlaar swap is mobility.
But I think clarke has reined in his footballer instinct so he can fill that void.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

Don't see how you can argue he's better than Clark. I think they're currently as good as each other and are playing very well. As the bloke said on Sky Sports earlier, they're 100% players (though I think all of our team could probably be classed as that).

Also, as someone has said earlier, not sure if Vlaar is guranteed to jump straight back into the team, which is a good thing in my opinion. Not because he's not good enough, but because he's out injured and the players in there at the moment are playing very well.

[Hoppo]

Baker will play for England superb defender. Its CLARK he is our captain get his name right.

[ozzjim]

Most have Hoppo.. not the end of the world adding an e on a praising thread.

[Jockey Randall]

Not only is NB becoming a reliable centre back, I'm also relying on him coming up with the goods if I'm struggling to get a Cup final ticket next Feb.

[PeterWithesShin]

Not only is NB becoming a reliable centre back, I'm also relying on him coming up with the goods if I'm struggling to get a Cup final ticket next Feb.

Might be more of an issue if he got banned from attending this time.

[nigel]

It has taken Nathan a while to find his feet in the first team after some less than assured performances last season and some bad luck injury wise when he did get a start but this season I have been incredibly impressed with him.
He has come on leaps and bounds.
For me he looks a better center back than Clark who to be fair to him has also been much more commanding of late.
He is playing with a maturity and consistency far beyond his years.
Another product of the academy with a big future ahead of him.

Baker and Clark look a god partnership to me.  Might be tricky for Vlaar to get back in straight away.

What a great problem to have 
Have been singing Bakers praise for some time now. I know he's not the finished article but the more he plays the better he becomes.
He and Clark came through the academy together and appear to know each others game very well.
Let's not forget the third one in this back 3, Chris Herd. He, too, has been playing very well.
Also Brad Guzan could very well have something to do with this, too. It must give the defence confidence knowing your keeper commands the area as well as he does.

[Dave Clark Five]

Baker was our main man for most of the first half. McLeish rated him highly and has to be given credit for the way he got to how he played today.

[PeterWithesShin]

Baker was our main man for most of the first half. McLeish rated him highly and has to be given credit for the way he got to how he played today.

Really? He sent him on loan and played him 8 times. I'm not into McLeish bashing but seems a bit generous to give him much praise for Baker.

[Dave Clark Five]

Baker was our main man for most of the first half. McLeish rated him highly and has to be given credit for the way he got to how he played today.

Really? He sent him on loan and played him 8 times. I'm not into McLeish bashing but seems a bit generous to give him much praise for Baker.

McLeish was very much behind the formation of Nathan Baker.

[ozzjim]

Don't see the major influence either??

Baker deserves credit for the way he played today, but not Eck. The tackle coming across in the first 15 minutes was just awesome.

[Dave Clark Five]

Don't see the major influence either??

Baker deserves credit for the way he played today, but not Eck. The tackle coming across in the first 15 minutes was just awesome.

Baker was magnificent and well done to those who have promoted him to get this far.

[PeterWithesShin]

May as well give praise to Houllier then for the 5 appearances 2 years ago.

[citizenDJ]

I'm a bit curious myself on this one, DC5! In what way did McLeish play such a big role in Bakers development? I'd guess that as a fine defender himself he might have seen his potential?

[Percy McCarthy]

Could become a threat at corners too. Wee Barry used to pick him out with unerring accuracy in the ressies.