Nathan Baker - Sold

[ajmant]

I think the back four of Taylor, Baker, Chester, and Hutton are fine for this division. Baker, if he stays fit can be a real asset so I wouldn't tinker with this much other than better back up next season.

Where it all goes wrong is midfield and up front. We have no pace and no imagination. The amount of times I see our defenders get the ball and look up and see no movement is frightening. That's why our away from is so shite, no options and no pace.   

[peter w]

not really. They are mostly stoppers which is good enough for mid-table. But, we need more than that. I'd prefer a minimum of one centre-half because we have no cover. I'd also like a full-back who understands the concept of give and go, or can be an attacking outlet. Bree or De laet may turn out to be that player but Amavi isn't. nor is Hutton. That we have sunk to his level shouldn't mean that we should settle for it. I haven't seen enough of Taylor in the flesh so to speak so can't comment on the runs he makes off the ball and what his touch is like. but I'd like to replace Baker and Hutton. Baker for the bench Hutton for someone else's.

[aj2k77]

The defence needs to be better on the ball. The full backs need to offer more going forward. We have a good defensive record but only through playing dour defensive football. We need to be able to defend solidly as a team without having to keep 9 men behind the ball.

[Risso]

I think the back four of Taylor, Baker, Chester, and Hutton are fine for this division. Baker, if he stays fit can be a real asset so I wouldn't tinker with this much other than better back up next season.

Where it all goes wrong is midfield and up front. We have no pace and no imagination. The amount of times I see our defenders get the ball and look up and see no movement is frightening. That's why our away from is so shite, no options and no pace.   

Taylor is atrocious.  Watched him closely against Blackburn, and he's absolutely brainless.

[West Derby Villan]

I think the back four of Taylor, Baker, Chester, and Hutton are fine for this division. Baker, if he stays fit can be a real asset so I wouldn't tinker with this much other than better back up next season.

Where it all goes wrong is midfield and up front. We have no pace and no imagination. The amount of times I see our defenders get the ball and look up and see no movement is frightening. That's why our away from is so shite, no options and no pace.   

Taylor is atrocious.  Watched him closely against Blackburn, and he's absolutely brainless.

Really, that's disappointing. I didn't travel to Blackburn, but I have been quite impressed with his performances since he joined. In my opinion he has improved game on game and was really missed when he was out in April.

[hipkiss92]

The defence needs to be better on the ball. The full backs need to offer more going forward. We have a good defensive record but only through playing dour defensive football. We need to be able to defend solidly as a team without having to keep 9 men behind the ball.

Only scoring 46 goals in 45 games isn't down to the full-backs not offering enough going forward. Needs to come from the midfield.

[Tugby Villain]

I think the back four of Taylor, Baker, Chester, and Hutton are fine for this division. Baker, if he stays fit can be a real asset so I wouldn't tinker with this much other than better back up next season.

Where it all goes wrong is midfield and up front. We have no pace and no imagination. The amount of times I see our defenders get the ball and look up and see no movement is frightening. That's why our away from is so shite, no options and no pace.   

Taylor is atrocious.  Watched him closely against Blackburn, and he's absolutely brainless.

Sorry Risso, I totally disagree, I think he's been one of our best players since signing.  His man never gets past him, he gets into good positions going forward and his reading of the game, especially regarding balls played between him and the centre-backs, is superb. He may not have Amavi's flair but he's a bloody good defender.

[Ad@m]

I think the back four of Taylor, Baker, Chester, and Hutton are fine for this division. Baker, if he stays fit can be a real asset so I wouldn't tinker with this much other than better back up next season.

Where it all goes wrong is midfield and up front. We have no pace and no imagination. The amount of times I see our defenders get the ball and look up and see no movement is frightening. That's why our away from is so shite, no options and no pace.   

Taylor is atrocious.  Watched him closely against Blackburn, and he's absolutely brainless.

Really, that's disappointing. I didn't travel to Blackburn, but I have been quite impressed with his performances since he joined. In my opinion he has improved game on game and was really missed when he was out in April.

He's definitely improved, but that's from a very poor start.

Baker's fine in the Championship as long as the midfield drop deep and take the ball of him.  As soon as he's asked to pass it we're in danger of at best, giving the ball away, at worst, giving a goal away.

Once we're back in the Prem he shouldn't even be in the squad.

[West Derby Villan]

I think the back four of Taylor, Baker, Chester, and Hutton are fine for this division. Baker, if he stays fit can be a real asset so I wouldn't tinker with this much other than better back up next season.

Where it all goes wrong is midfield and up front. We have no pace and no imagination. The amount of times I see our defenders get the ball and look up and see no movement is frightening. That's why our away from is so shite, no options and no pace.   

Taylor is atrocious.  Watched him closely against Blackburn, and he's absolutely brainless.

Really, that's disappointing. I didn't travel to Blackburn, but I have been quite impressed with his performances since he joined. In my opinion he has improved game on game and was really missed when he was out in April.

He's definitely improved, but that's from a very poor start.

Baker's fine in the Championship as long as the midfield drop deep and take the ball of him.  As soon as he's asked to pass it we're in danger of at best, giving the ball away, at worst, giving a goal away.

Once we're back in the Prem he shouldn't even be in the squad.

Ad@m I was responding to Risso's comment with reference to Taylor

[KRS]

not really. They are mostly stoppers which is good enough for mid-table. But, we need more than that. I'd prefer a minimum of one centre-half because we have no cover. I'd also like a full-back who understands the concept of give and go, or can be an attacking outlet. Bree or De laet may turn out to be that player but Amavi isn't. nor is Hutton. That we have sunk to his level shouldn't mean that we should settle for it. I haven't seen enough of Taylor in the flesh so to speak so can't comment on the runs he makes off the ball and what his touch is like. but I'd like to replace Baker and Hutton. Baker for the bench Hutton for someone else's.

Pretty much agree with most of this. No doubt Baker has improved somewhat this season, but he is still a liability at the back whether that be due to an unforced error or simply his lack of basic football ability to pass a ball. He is one of the reasons why the midfield is bypassed and we play it long, whether that is due to ability or confidence. We need to sign another CB to play alongside Chester with Baker purely as backup on the bench, and another FB in addition to Bree, De Laet and Taylor however I have a feeling that we may not have seen the last of Hutton.

[Brend'Watkins]

My hope is that Baker can evolve into a decent Prem player. I'm a critic of him but he's been mostly decent this season in fairness. When he shows a bit of form his injury proneness isn't an issue somehow. He deserves to keep his place for now.

[Ad@m]

I think the back four of Taylor, Baker, Chester, and Hutton are fine for this division. Baker, if he stays fit can be a real asset so I wouldn't tinker with this much other than better back up next season.

Where it all goes wrong is midfield and up front. We have no pace and no imagination. The amount of times I see our defenders get the ball and look up and see no movement is frightening. That's why our away from is so shite, no options and no pace.   

Taylor is atrocious.  Watched him closely against Blackburn, and he's absolutely brainless.

Really, that's disappointing. I didn't travel to Blackburn, but I have been quite impressed with his performances since he joined. In my opinion he has improved game on game and was really missed when he was out in April.

He's definitely improved, but that's from a very poor start.

Baker's fine in the Championship as long as the midfield drop deep and take the ball of him.  As soon as he's asked to pass it we're in danger of at best, giving the ball away, at worst, giving a goal away.

Once we're back in the Prem he shouldn't even be in the squad.

Ad@m I was responding to Risso's comment with reference to Taylor

I know you were. And my first line was in response to that. The rest of my post was an attempt to get the Nathan Baker thread back on track!

[West Derby Villan]

I think the back four of Taylor, Baker, Chester, and Hutton are fine for this division. Baker, if he stays fit can be a real asset so I wouldn't tinker with this much other than better back up next season.

Where it all goes wrong is midfield and up front. We have no pace and no imagination. The amount of times I see our defenders get the ball and look up and see no movement is frightening. That's why our away from is so shite, no options and no pace.   

Taylor is atrocious.  Watched him closely against Blackburn, and he's absolutely brainless.

Really, that's disappointing. I didn't travel to Blackburn, but I have been quite impressed with his performances since he joined. In my opinion he has improved game on game and was really missed when he was out in April.

He's definitely improved, but that's from a very poor start.

Baker's fine in the Championship as long as the midfield drop deep and take the ball of him.  As soon as he's asked to pass it we're in danger of at best, giving the ball away, at worst, giving a goal away.

Once we're back in the Prem he shouldn't even be in the squad.

Ad@m I was responding to Risso's comment with reference to Taylor

I know you were. And my first line was in response to that. The rest of my post was an attempt to get the Nathan Baker thread back on track!

Right - with ya now.....Baker has improved as well, as the season has progressed, with a few odd lapses

[Steve67]

Baker is playing at his level. Mid table, Championship. If we want to do better we have to be more ruthless and get someone better in. Same as Hutton, Gardner, Bacuna.

[tomd2103]

Baker is playing at his level. Mid table, Championship. If we want to do better we have to be more ruthless and get someone better in. Same as Hutton, Gardner, Bacuna.

Have to agree and would add that we need someone who is better on the ball.  I just wonder if Jedinak going back there is a serious option for next season and if that is the case, then I would expect Bruce to bring in another defensive midfielder to replace him.