Nathan Baker - Sold

[silhillvilla]

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.

That's possibly a distorted view based on the "full backs" he's been working with in previous seasons. I'd agree now he has competiton for a place though , we may see him flourish, develop and move on a level.
Would anyone drop him for Arsenal if vlaar is fit ?

[ozzjim]

If Vlaar is fit, he plays in front of Baker.

We have seen Vlaar consistently perform. Baker has had the odd great game before then tailed into hideous form. He has been awful at times, one performance does not change that. If he performs like he did today every time he is called on, then fantastic and we will have to re-assess, but Vlaar is a much better centre half than Baker, and has also kept 2 clean sheets this season.

[Olneythelonely]

I think even Nathan Baker would play Ron Vlaar ahead of Nathan Baker, despite his superb performance today.

[Gregorys Boy]

My nautral reaction when I heard he was stepping in for Vlaar today was one of dread, but by all accounts he had one of his better games and justifyed his selection.  Am concerned that Okore seems to be struggling for fittness. 

[PeterWithesShin]

My nautral reaction when I heard he was stepping in for Vlaar today was one of dread, but by all accounts he had one of his better games and justifyed his selection.  Am concerned that Okore seems to be struggling for fittness. 

Okore played for the national and U21 in the last week or so I think, so i'm guessing we aren't taking any chances.

[silhillvilla]

I don't Disagree, vlaar and Swiss Phil v Arse.
Baker Clark and Okore all in the background .

[Steve67]

Was excellent today. Some great blocks.

[Matt Collins]

Hats off, was excellent yday

But if vlaar is fit there is zero question he gets the nod next week

[Ryu]

He did well yesterday, it has to be said.  He could well end up being a good centre half but I don't think he'll ever be good on the ball, which means giving away a lot of possession when the ball is won in defence.  Also, he's great at winning headers but the ball can then fly in absolutely any direction, if you shaved his head I think he'd look like Kryton.

You can't fault his effort or his heart but I don't see him ever being a regular starter for anyone better than a lower half of the prem team.  Be happy to be proved wrong though.

[barrysleftfoot]

 I don't hold this "gets shown up against the big teams " arguement, because of his lack of pace .He is a solid 21/22 year old CH, who always gives 100% every time he puts on the shirt.He doesn't deserve the stick he gets imho.

 Hes better than Clark, not as good as Vlaar, and probably Senderos.Hopefully Okores will come through, but Baker as 3rd/4th choice is about right.

 Rightfully MOM last night, but it was his type of game, but the interception just before H/T was crucial.

 Well played to a lad who has come through the ranks.

 Enjoy beating the Sad Scouse more than any other team tbh.

[SoccerHQ]

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.

That's possibly a distorted view based on the "full backs" he's been working with in previous seasons. I'd agree now he has competiton for a place though , we may see him flourish, develop and move on a level.
Would anyone drop him for Arsenal if vlaar is fit ?

Yes. I'd say you'd be the only one on here wanting him to stay in if Vlaar is fit.

[SoccerHQ]

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.

That's possibly a distorted view based on the "full backs" he's been working with in previous seasons. I'd agree now he has competiton for a place though , we may see him flourish, develop and move on a level.
Would anyone drop him for Arsenal if vlaar is fit ?

Yes. I'd say you'd be the only one on here wanting him to stay in if Vlaar is fit.

Edit: Sorry just seen your post below.

[dave.woodhall]

You can't fault his effort or his heart but I don't see him ever being a regular starter for anyone better than a lower half of the prem team.  Be happy to be proved wrong though.

That's fair enough as it's where we've been for three seasons, and it would make him a squad player for a top half team,  which is what we should be looking at for our Academy graduates.

[RussellC]

In games like yesterday's, when we set-up to defend deep, Baker is decent. He attacks the ball brilliantly, and his positioning has improved a lot since he first came into the side. It's when we try to defend higher-up the pitch and he gets caught on his heels frequently that he's a bit of a liability. He's also fairly poor in possession, which will always hold him back as a Premiership centre-back, but as Dave says above, he's now showing that he's good enough to be our 3rd/4th choice centre-back.

[Risso]

I don't hold this "gets shown up against the big teams " arguement, because of his lack of pace .He is a solid 21/22 year old CH, who always gives 100% every time he puts on the shirt.He doesn't deserve the stick he gets imho.

 Hes better than Clark, not as good as Vlaar, and probably Senderos.Hopefully Okores will come through, but Baker as 3rd/4th choice is about right.

 Rightfully MOM last night, but it was his type of game, but the interception just before H/T was crucial.

 Well played to a lad who has come through the ranks.

 Enjoy beating the Sad Scouse more than any other team tbh.

He's 23.  He was very good yesterday, and hopefully he continues to improve.  Being back up may give him the breathing space he hasn't had for the last two years.  Be interesting to see what happens when Okore is fit.