Jores Okore

[Clampy]

I do wonder if they see Baker as Vlaar's long term replacement in case he leaves. Him being picked ahead of Clark and Okore is interesting. There's a case for leaving Baker in ahead of Vlaar against Everton, he's earned his place in the last few weeks.

[CJ]

Yesterday's Independent had Baker down as man of the match (bit surprising as I thought Silva was by far the best player). Their description of his tackle on Dzeko was brilliant - "Dzeko was further thwarted by a low-flying object later identified as Nathan Baker".  Excellent

[ClaretAndBlueBlood]

He was superb and wellied the ball when it needed to be wellied

he wellied the ball every time. His distribution lets him down but can't criticise him too much, pretty much his whole game let him down last season and he is definitely much improved. I would much rather him welly the ball away out of danger than give a stupid goal away but it does mean that invariably the possession is given away very cheaply

[supertom]

He was superb and wellied the ball when it needed to be wellied

he wellied the ball every time. His distribution lets him down but can't criticise him too much, pretty much his whole game let him down last season and he is definitely much improved. I would much rather him welly the ball away out of danger than give a stupid goal away but it does mean that invariably the possession is given away very cheaply

I think the way we played through large periods of the game meant he could do little else but welly it. Every team mate bar benteke would have been within 12 yards of him.
His distribution needs improving almost certainly but even Paulo Maldini would have been given little option but to twonk it down the pitch.

[chrisw1]

I think Baker thrives in a 'backs to the wall' situation.  He's happy to put his body on the line and defend with gusto.

It will be interesting to see if he can keep up his concentration levels and intensity in more run of the mill games.  I hope so, because I love that sort of commitment.

[Ron Manager]

Baker is very much like James Collins. I think it was two seasons ago that Collins stopped Man City practically by himself.Threw himself at everything and it struck me that is the type of defender that Nathan Baker wants to be. No nonsense, and when in doubt kick it out.

[ClaretAndBlueBlood]

HAVE IIITTTTT!!!!!!

[Villa in Denmark]

Just been called up to the Danish squad as replacement for Daniel Agger, who surprise, surprise is injured after 2 games for Brøndby.

[Dave]

I think Baker thrives in a 'backs to the wall' situation.  He's happy to put his body on the line and defend with gusto.

It will be interesting to see if he can keep up his concentration levels and intensity in more run of the mill games.  I hope so, because I love that sort of commitment.

I think you're right - he's better in games when we're expected to, and he probably expects to lose.

He can then have have 88 minutes of heroic last-ditch defending and when we come out of it having lost to a late goal or two the good stuff is remembered more.

Clearly what would be preferably is a defender who doesn't need to throw his body on the line as he sorted the problem out 20 seconds earlier and doesn't need to resort to throwing himself in front of the ball.

[Risso]

I think Baker thrives in a 'backs to the wall' situation.  He's happy to put his body on the line and defend with gusto.

It will be interesting to see if he can keep up his concentration levels and intensity in more run of the mill games.  I hope so, because I love that sort of commitment.

I think you're right - he's better in games when we're expected to, and he probably expects to lose.

He can then have have 88 minutes of heroic last-ditch defending and when we come out of it having lost to a late goal or two the good stuff is remembered more.

Clearly what would be preferably is a defender who doesn't need to throw his body on the line as he sorted the problem out 20 seconds earlier and doesn't need to resort to throwing himself in front of the ball.

It's not all his own fault though Dave.  Part of the problem in the previous two seasons has been the complete inability of the full backs to prevent attacks down the flanks.

[Ron Manager]

and no involvement today...again....mmmm.

[ChicagoLion]

He is recovering from EBOLA in and ISIL hospital.

[kippaxvilla2]

He cannot be any worse than Clarke can he surely??

[Ads]

Apart from giving it away really late on, where he recovered well, Clark didn't put a foot wrong. Full backs at fault today, especially Cissokho.

[pauliewalnuts]

Apart from giving it away really late on, where he recovered well, Clark didn't put a foot wrong. Full backs at fault today, especially Cissokho.

Clark was very lucky not to give a penalty away.