Nathan Baker - Sold

[CT]

I wish Nathan Baker well at Bristol City. Injuries aside, we've let a player go who was willing to put his body on the line and would put his head in where the boots were flying.

Unlike that clown Richards who wouldn't cross the road to benefit Aston Villa.

[oswald funkletrumpet]

The fee is £4m.

Whats the source?

Both clubs saying undisclosed

[Clark W Griswold]

All the best Nathan. Incredibly poor defender for us until last season, when I thought he had quite a good season. He would probably have now been fourth choice CB and probably didn't want to be. If I'm being totally honest I'm not sad he's been sold especially if we got £4m.
Looks like 4 at the back next season then.

[Tayls_7]

in my opinion the wrong decision.

Should have kept him as number 3 choice centre back behind Terry and Chester,ahead of Samba.

My only guess is that its to balance the books as we cant get rid of others who can fill the same slot.

I like Nathan for all the same reasons as a few have stated.  I also realise we haven't seen too much of Samba yet but what I have seen is very encouraging.  This fit, motivated Samba looks very impressive. I hope he has a big role to play in a crucial season.

[Dave]

Why are people considering Jedinak and Bree as replacement central defenders? Neither are that. Surely one of the reserve/youth players would be next up when we get an injury or ban to Terry,Chester or Samba.

Unless this signals 4-4-2 will be the formation of choice.

You forgot to add "in my opinion ".

Jedinak at least had a few minutes at centre back last season, but why has Bree started appearing on lists of hypothetical options?

I don't think he ever played there for Barnsley and all the talk is that it's his crossing that is his biggest strength.

[London Villan]

He may not have wanted to stay, being 3rd or even 4th choice.

[tony scott]

I'm beginning to think we haven't really addressed last season's problems with an ageing and slow back line, how are we going to be able to play further up the pitch in a dynamic way? Will Kodja be next out of the door in order for us to pay Gabby Richards Terry Samba's et

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I wish Nathan Baker well at Bristol City. Injuries aside, we've let a player go who was willing to put his body on the line and would put his head in where the boots were flying.

Unlike that clown Richards who wouldn't cross the road to benefit Aston Villa.

I second that emotion.

[Tayls_7]

Why are people considering Jedinak and Bree as replacement central defenders? Neither are that. Surely one of the reserve/youth players would be next up when we get an injury or ban to Terry,Chester or Samba.

Unless this signals 4-4-2 will be the formation of choice.

You forgot to add "in my opinion ".

Jedinak at least had a few minutes at centre back last season, but why has Bree started appearing on lists of hypothetical options?

I don't think he ever played there for Barnsley and all the talk is that it's his crossing that is his biggest strength.

It's a bit more than hypothetical given he is a defender in a squad of hopefully around 25 players. If he is around our 5th -6th option in that position perhaps you can hypothesise how vital he will be in that position over a long season or why it still isn't good practice to try and offload Baker, Elphwick,  Richards or any else who can balance the books without too much affect. 

[saunders_heroes]

The difference between Nathan Baker and players like Richards, Lescott, Agbonlahor, Elphick and co. was that he always tried and did his best.  He is not a gifted player but he is an honest one.  If we had had another ten with his bravery and commitment we would not have stunk out the Premiership.  Perhaps we would have gone down but as the laughing stocks we became.

But having a team packed out with players as shite as him WAS the reason we went down.

[olaftab]

Good luck Nathan I hope you keep on improving and become a great centre back and if you do I will stand there and applaud  you. As for us we have signed a few has beens so we should be ok

[Villa Lew]

Sad to see him go, would of had him as first choice back up Chester and Terry.

8 years since he made his debut, which these days is a long time with one club.

[brian green]

SH is there any player in a Villa shirt from the relegation year you do not think is "shite"?  Do you think they were all as bad as each other?

[garyshawsknee]

Good luck to him, not a terrible player in this league. Shame we couldn't get rid of Richards and Elphick first.

[wally58]

Thank You Nathan, Good Luck