Stoke City v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[silhillvilla]

There have been far, far worse over the years.

I can't think of too many.
As for Baker, let's not make him the new scapegoat, it's not like the defence get any protection from the midfield or that our full backs can defend. I like baker he's a brave player and I hope it pans out for him at villa. Would hate to see him in a sha or smethwick kit.

[PaulWinch again]

Baker isn't the scape goat for all our issues, but he is not a Premier League player. His bravery is highlighted by last ditch lunges, which are because his positioning is woeful.

[paulcomben]

There have been far, far worse over the years.

I can't think of too many.
As for Baker, let's not make him the new scapegoat, it's not like the defence get any protection from the midfield or that our full backs can defend. I like baker he's a brave player and I hope it pans out for him at villa. Would hate to see him in a sha or smethwick kit.

He's not that good. Think Saddlers.

[olaftab]

Baker isn't the scape goat for all our issues, but he is not a Premier League player. His bravery is highlighted by last ditch lunges, which are because his positioning is woeful.

He is a future Collins and that's all.

[paul_e]

I really want to see Baker do well but his errors are pretty fundamental, he gets caught out of position far too often.  When Clark has made mistakes it's generally been getting too tight or trying to nip ahead of his man and being caught out by the extra skill/strength/pace Baker is just generally in a bad starting position too often.  There have been a number of defenders in the league who've been the same, the ones who make it have generally been quick enough to make up for the mistake, I'm no convinced Baker is quick enough to do that.

[rob_bridge]

Baker isn't the scape goat for all our issues, but he is not a Premier League player. His bravery is highlighted by last ditch lunges, which are because his positioning is woeful.

JT has made a World Class career out of such challenges with especially bad positional sense.

[PaulWinch again]

Baker isn't the scape goat for all our issues, but he is not a Premier League player. His bravery is highlighted by last ditch lunges, which are because his positioning is woeful.

JT has made a World Class career out of such challenges with especially bad positional sense.

As much as I don't like John Terry, he's at a completely different level to Baker.

[brian green]

Liam Ridgewell had posters lining up to slag him off but he turned out a lot better than he was given credit for in many quarters.

[rob_bridge]

Baker isn't the scape goat for all our issues, but he is not a Premier League player. His bravery is highlighted by last ditch lunges, which are because his positioning is woeful.

JT has made a World Class career out of such challenges with especially bad positional sense.

As much as I don't like John Terry, he's at a completely different level to Baker.

Agree PWa - I was being somewhat flippant. Baker is not good however even he would look better playing with Carvaleho and Sol Campbell in their pomp mind.

[paul_e]

I agree, that's why Baker has looked OK alongside Vlaar.

[PaulWinch again]

I don't think he did, I think Clark has looked decent next to Vlaar but Baker not so much.

[supertom]

Baker isn't the scape goat for all our issues, but he is not a Premier League player. His bravery is highlighted by last ditch lunges, which are because his positioning is woeful.

He is a future Collins and that's all.

If he's lucky.

[paul_e]

Baker looked fine towards the end of last season, hence why a lot of people on here were talking of keeping him and replacing Clark.

[PeterWithesShin]

Baker is fine as a 4th choice cb who plays now and again. The problem is the amount of games he is starting because of injuries is massively showing us why he is only the 4th choice.

[Ad@m]

Liam Ridgewell had posters lining up to slag him off but he turned out a lot better than he was given credit for in many quarters.

He made a career at the Baggies. I'd argue that proves he wasn't good enough.