Nathan Baker

[Clampy]

I'm pleased about this because i like him a lot. A player his age will make silly mistakes from time to time so i'm not worried by that so much. He's does tend to pick up a lot of niggling knocks though which is a worry.

[eric woolban woolban]

Good news.

On the Clark front, I can see him moving into a Gareth Barry type role.

[Risso]

Why didn't Clark take the penalty?  Doesn't have the same ring to it.

[SoccerHQ]

Happy with this.

Baker is still learning and has his faults but he put in some good performances at the end of the season and dare I say he looks a better partner for Vlaar than Clark.

[Mazrim]

I used to think Clark was the better player or had the most potential but I've changed my mind this season. Baker is the better bet.
I'm going to say that neither Baker or Vlaar should be first choice next season and that two centre halves should be brought in with those two competing for a starting place. With Clark either going on loan or 5th choice.

I don't expect that to happen though and agree that Vlaar and Baker will be competing with each other to start alongside a new guy. With Clark 4th choice and Williams and Donacien coming through too.
I'd be happier with two new centre halves though. Especially as Vlaar and Baker have form for injuries.

[tomd2103]

Personally still think Baker has a long way to go to be a starter in the Premier League.  The way he dives in to tackles makes him a red card waiting to happen and his distribution is poor to say the least.  Saying that, he certainly has the physical capabilities to be a top flight CB, but as others have said, I don't think he should be starting for us next season.

[nigel]

Personally still think Baker has a long way to go to be a starter in the Premier League.  The way he dives in to tackles makes him a red card waiting to happen and his distribution is poor to say the least.  Saying that, he certainly has the physical capabilities to be a top flight CB, but as others have said, I don't think he should be starting for us next season.

Posters used to say that about Delph.
Since he's got over his injuries and had a proper run of games he's got up to the speed of the Prem and that side has diminishes heck of a lot.
The same will happen with Baker.

[JJ-AV]

Baker does the basic things far better than Clark for me. Better in the air, stronger, stronger in the tackle. Clark is too similar to Vlaar for me.

[villa kicks]

What i like about Nathan baker is his commitment. Always goes in for the challenge no holding back. Some of his tackles have been reckless - against Liverpool and diving in and the thunderous tackle in first min against chelsea - both home matches. He often can get some head or other injury due to his physicality and approach to the game. Baker is dependable in clearing with his head and relishes a 50/50 i think he will captain villa one day and am very glad he offered a contract! At times it was really tough going he never hid and kept going. This guy is real deal and only improve. Well played Nathan he done good !   

[Mister E]

The award of a new contract is no great surprise - Lambert would not have played him as much last season if he didn't see him as a future Villa player.
On the Clark vs Baker debate: I've always championed Clark as a footballing CB whereas Baker - more limited - is useful against teams with a strong No 9 / CF.
Next season will be pivotal for both: they both have weaknesses that need to be addressed over the next three months.

I hope that we can being in a Lescott-type CB to play alongside Vlaar and provide CC and NB with another good influence in the squad.

[Matt Collins]

Baker's form at the end of the season was generally good, though he still makes a disappointing number of mistakes.

Clark was one of the biggest disappointments of the season for me. He's definitely a centre back or nothing under a manager like Lambert. He still has the potential to be very good, but there are a lot of faults he needs to remedy. I've been watching avtv season highlights, and Clark was either directly responsible or at least standing around not doing much for quite a lot of goals last season. While Vlaar has an awful habit of misjudging the flight of the ball and letting it go over his head.

A tall, fast centre back is a must for me. This Danish fella may fit the bill, but I've never seen him play so can't really comment.

[nick harper]

Good news.

On the Clark front, I can see him moving into a Gareth Barry type role.

Not according to what the manager said last year. He said he wasn't a midfield player. There are question marks about his capability at centre half either so he still has a lot to do to establish himself I think.

[Irish villain]

Baker reminds me of Ehiogu for some reason. Very strong and defensively minded.

Clark disappointed me last season, he has been overtaken by Baker.

[supertom]

Clark has the more potential to be a better player. Baker probably won't get much better, though if he eliminates silly errors he could prove useful to us over the next 3 years. He's a back up for me. I wouldn't want him to be playing 30 games a season.
In terms of last season, Baker made errors but Clark was our worst center half. He was nightmarish at times. All over the shop. He needs to improve his upper body strength to make him better aerially, and his concentration a lot.

If Clark had any pace, I'd have turned him into a left back by now.

Baker does indeed fully deserve his extension though.

[tomd2103]

Personally still think Baker has a long way to go to be a starter in the Premier League.  The way he dives in to tackles makes him a red card waiting to happen and his distribution is poor to say the least.  Saying that, he certainly has the physical capabilities to be a top flight CB, but as others have said, I don't think he should be starting for us next season.

Posters used to say that about Delph.
Since he's got over his injuries and had a proper run of games he's got up to the speed of the Prem and that side has diminishes heck of a lot.
The same will happen with Baker.

True Nigel, but as much as I enjoy seeing him flying into crunching tackles (his one against Chelsea at home being a good example), he only needs to get his timing fractionally wrong and it's a red card every time these days (I also remember him getting sent off for a similar type challenge in the FA Cup against Blackburn during Houllier's reign and that was a couple of years ago).