Nathan Baker - Sold

[PaulWinch again]

Well played today, has to maintain that level if he wants a future at the club.

[silhillvilla]

I don't think he missed a single header today. Imperious.

[not3bad]

Well played today, has to maintain that level if he wants a future at the club.

Good thing is he'll know that. There is real competition in defense.

[Percy McCarthy]

He had a great game v Chelsea at home last season, especially having been booked in about the fourth minute, so he's got it in him. I really thought he'd got it sussed after that game, but, like the rest of the team, regressed after that. So maybe it was a team thing, and/or the competition motivating him like others have posted.

[silhillvilla]

He's got guts and character too. Remember Reading away a few years ago. Awful OG then he was a rock as we went on to win 2-1 .

[Archie]

Never been a fan of Nathan, always thought that he'd better bake bread than playing football, but I have to admit that today he surprised me.
He played like Beckembauer.
Bakermabauer.

[adrenachrome]

He had a great game v Chelsea at home last season, especially having been booked in about the fourth minute, so he's got it in him. I really thought he'd got it sussed after that game, but, like the rest of the team, regressed after that. So maybe it was a team thing, and/or the competition motivating him like others have posted.

Norwich at home as well.

[UK Redsox]

I don't think he missed a single header today. Imperious.

If teams are going to lump it in the middle Baker will cope fine. He was superb in the air today.

His problems come when he has to deal with a player running at him directly or when he tries to bring the ball out of defence.

If fact, if Baker does come into possession near the half way line, the safest thing he can do is turn and lay the ball back to Guzan

[PaulWinch again]

I don't think he missed a single header today. Imperious.

If teams are going to lump it in the middle Baker will cope fine. He was superb in the air today.

His problems come when he has to deal with a player running at him directly or when he tries to bring the ball out of defence.

If fact, if Baker does come into possession near the half way line, the safest thing he can do is turn and lay the ball back to Guzan

I'd agree with that.

[KevinGage]

That's what he is capable of, and why I was reluctant to get on his case too much.  As an option to fill in for the regular centre backs, he is perfectly OK.

[PaulWinch again]

He was good today, but it will take a lot more consistent performances to show he has a future at the club.

[PeterWithesShin]

As a 4th choice CB he is fine. The problem comes when he is starting every week as his limitations against pace and skill are shown up.

[themossman]

Harsh. Good luck picking out a player who will sit behind vlaar/senderos/okore in the pecking order and still put in a performance like that when needed.

[TonyD]

Top man today.

[ozzjim]

As a 4th choice CB he is fine. The problem comes when he is starting every week as his limitations against pace and skill are shown up.

Spot on. I do wonder how much Cissokho and the organisation of Senderos helped Baker today.  As a backup he is ok.