Nathan Baker - Sold

[richard moore]

Not wanting to put a dampener on things, but it’s going to be interesting to see how we set-up against Arsenal if Vlaar is still out. They’re not the kind of team that we can drop that deep against and hope to hold-out. They won’t resort to throwing hopeful balls into the box for us to defend, they’ll actually try to walk the ball-in – and showed against man city at the weekend that they’re capable of doing it.  It’d be harsh to drop Baker after that performance, but I’d be looking at a more mobile centre-back (Okore or- at a push- Clark) to come in and play alongside Senderos, and also probably sacrifice Richardson for Sanchez to try to close-off a lot of the central gaps that Ramsay and Wilshere like to play in. The good thing after our win at Anfield, is that a point would represent a really good result now.

Good points and a home game against Arsenal is probably more of a challenge than Liverpool away. We are very well set up with the right personalities and tactics to win games away from home, but we still can't really find the right formula at home, except in a few passages of play

[Billy Walker]

Not wanting to put a dampener on things, but it’s going to be interesting to see how we set-up against Arsenal if Vlaar is still out. They’re not the kind of team that we can drop that deep against and hope to hold-out. They won’t resort to throwing hopeful balls into the box for us to defend, they’ll actually try to walk the ball-in – and showed against man city at the weekend that they’re capable of doing it.  It’d be harsh to drop Baker after that performance, but I’d be looking at a more mobile centre-back (Okore or- at a push- Clark) to come in and play alongside Senderos, and also probably sacrifice Richardson for Sanchez to try to close-off a lot of the central gaps that Ramsay and Wilshere like to play in. The good thing after our win at Anfield, is that a point would represent a really good result now.

Three points would be better - and it's high time we put them to the sword at Villa Park again.

[OzVilla]

Regards Baker I'm chuffed he had a decent game, I'm sure he's a great lad. But he's had decent games in the past. Problem is consistency and a bit of nous. He has neither and it'll take more than one decent game against a powder pop attack to make me change my mind.

Pleased for him though but if he's our back up CH we'll still have issues when we get the inevitable injuries.

[MoetVillan]

powder pop attack due to our excellent work rate and closing down of avenues, and snuffing out of attacks.  Pleased for Baker, hope he can maintain these standards. 

[tomd2103]

Not wanting to put a dampener on things, but it’s going to be interesting to see how we set-up against Arsenal if Vlaar is still out. They’re not the kind of team that we can drop that deep against and hope to hold-out. They won’t resort to throwing hopeful balls into the box for us to defend, they’ll actually try to walk the ball-in – and showed against man city at the weekend that they’re capable of doing it.  It’d be harsh to drop Baker after that performance, but I’d be looking at a more mobile centre-back (Okore or- at a push- Clark) to come in and play alongside Senderos, and also probably sacrifice Richardson for Sanchez to try to close-off a lot of the central gaps that Ramsay and Wilshere like to play in. The good thing after our win at Anfield, is that a point would represent a really good result now.

Good points and a home game against Arsenal is probably more of a challenge than Liverpool away. We are very well set up with the right personalities and tactics to win games away from home, but we still can't really find the right formula at home, except in a few passages of play

Depends how Arsenal approach it really.  If they dominate possession and push forward then it will be more like an away game and it might suit us better (Man City and Chelsea at home last season being two examples).  We really struggle at home when teams  sit in and the onus is on us to dictate the game and try and break them down.

[ozzjim]

I would play 2 holding midfielders to try and stifle theirs and try and hit them on the counter.

[PaulWinch again]

I fear for Baker against Arsenal, because they will play it to feet and he struggles to cope with that. I'd be happy to see Okore playing.

[cheltenhamlion]

Sit in and play on the counter is exactly how we should go on Saturday.

Anyway, as this is the Baker thread, this apparently isn't his name. He was referred to as Barker and Blake on the RAWK post match thread.

[hipkiss92]

Not wanting to put a dampener on things, but it’s going to be interesting to see how we set-up against Arsenal if Vlaar is still out. They’re not the kind of team that we can drop that deep against and hope to hold-out. They won’t resort to throwing hopeful balls into the box for us to defend, they’ll actually try to walk the ball-in – and showed against man city at the weekend that they’re capable of doing it.  It’d be harsh to drop Baker after that performance, but I’d be looking at a more mobile centre-back (Okore or- at a push- Clark) to come in and play alongside Senderos, and also probably sacrifice Richardson for Sanchez to try to close-off a lot of the central gaps that Ramsay and Wilshere like to play in. The good thing after our win at Anfield, is that a point would represent a really good result now.

Good points and a home game against Arsenal is probably more of a challenge than Liverpool away. We are very well set up with the right personalities and tactics to win games away from home, but we still can't really find the right formula at home, except in a few passages of play

Depends how Arsenal approach it really.  If they dominate possession and push forward then it will be more like an away game and it might suit us better (Man City and Chelsea at home last season being two examples).  We really struggle at home when teams  sit in and the onus is on us to dictate the game and try and break them down.

MOTD highlighted how much space Arsenal leave in full back areas and how they're quite poor at set pieces. As Wenger doesn't normally change his tactics to suit the opposition, I'm backing us to get a goal on the counter and from a set piece.

[Dave]

Not wanting to put a dampener on things, but it’s going to be interesting to see how we set-up against Arsenal if Vlaar is still out. They’re not the kind of team that we can drop that deep against and hope to hold-out. They won’t resort to throwing hopeful balls into the box for us to defend, they’ll actually try to walk the ball-in – and showed against man city at the weekend that they’re capable of doing it.  It’d be harsh to drop Baker after that performance, but I’d be looking at a more mobile centre-back (Okore or- at a push- Clark) to come in and play alongside Senderos, and also probably sacrifice Richardson for Sanchez to try to close-off a lot of the central gaps that Ramsay and Wilshere like to play in. The good thing after our win at Anfield, is that a point would represent a really good result now.

Good points and a home game against Arsenal is probably more of a challenge than Liverpool away. We are very well set up with the right personalities and tactics to win games away from home, but we still can't really find the right formula at home, except in a few passages of play

Depends how Arsenal approach it really.  If they dominate possession and push forward then it will be more like an away game and it might suit us better (Man City and Chelsea at home last season being two examples).  We really struggle at home when teams  sit in and the onus is on us to dictate the game and try and break them down.

MOTD highlighted how much space Arsenal leave in full back areas and how they're quite poor at set pieces. As Wenger doesn't normally change his tactics to suit the opposition, I'm backing us to get a goal on the counter and from a set piece.

No Debuchy for Arsenal as well, so with a bit of luck a couple of them will go down to niggly injuries against Dortmund in the week.

They currently only have four fit defenders, so Lord knows what they will do if they lose another one or two.

[garyshawsknee]

Stewart Robson has been slating Wenger for years for leaving too much space behind his full backs, doubt he'll change his policy now, well until after Saturday.

[Matt Collins]

Lambert did indeed confirm Vlaar is out "for a few weeks".

Judging by recent history, that means he'll be out until about the end of November

Baker did extremely well v Liverpool,but as others have said, it's a different kettle of fish when you're on the front foot and there are those wide open spaces at villa park that you can drive a coach and horses through if the defence isn't organised enough.

Senderos will need to keep stepping up. And I'm hoping Okore can get up and running quickly. He looked good at the start of last season. He and Baker are almost polar opposites as central defenders so we might need to mix and match. I'm not sure I'd play Okore away at west ham or stoke until he's well settled in

[ozzjim]

Not wanting to put a dampener on things, but it’s going to be interesting to see how we set-up against Arsenal if Vlaar is still out. They’re not the kind of team that we can drop that deep against and hope to hold-out. They won’t resort to throwing hopeful balls into the box for us to defend, they’ll actually try to walk the ball-in – and showed against man city at the weekend that they’re capable of doing it.  It’d be harsh to drop Baker after that performance, but I’d be looking at a more mobile centre-back (Okore or- at a push- Clark) to come in and play alongside Senderos, and also probably sacrifice Richardson for Sanchez to try to close-off a lot of the central gaps that Ramsay and Wilshere like to play in. The good thing after our win at Anfield, is that a point would represent a really good result now.

Good points and a home game against Arsenal is probably more of a challenge than Liverpool away. We are very well set up with the right personalities and tactics to win games away from home, but we still can't really find the right formula at home, except in a few passages of play

Depends how Arsenal approach it really.  If they dominate possession and push forward then it will be more like an away game and it might suit us better (Man City and Chelsea at home last season being two examples).  We really struggle at home when teams  sit in and the onus is on us to dictate the game and try and break them down.

MOTD highlighted how much space Arsenal leave in full back areas and how they're quite poor at set pieces. As Wenger doesn't normally change his tactics to suit the opposition, I'm backing us to get a goal on the counter and from a set piece.

No Debuchy for Arsenal as well, so with a bit of luck a couple of them will go down to niggly injuries against Dortmund in the week.

They currently only have four fit defenders, so Lord knows what they will do if they lose another one or two.

Something I think you called on deadline day, them having so few defenders.

Apparently they have a reserve fill back they rate highly, but a couple of injuries against Dortmund would really hurt them. I would imagine Benteke is looking at Callum Chambers and salivating for a 15 minute bosh.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Nathan had a great game on Sat...but it was almost complete out and out defending...heading, blocking, tackling. And these are his strengths!

He occasionally gets it wrong positionally and seems to be utterly at sea with the ball at his feet and a second or two of time in which to use it...

Would love to see him prove us all wrong and become a totally assured total footballing total footballer under the guidance of Ron and Phillipe!

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Just on 5Live that Arse playing some kid in defence tomorrow cos they are short in defence!

Hahahahahahahahahahah.........

Unleash the Gabby!