Nathan Baker - Sold

[saunders_heroes]

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?

A small handful, but trust me, Baker wasn't one of them.

Am I missing something? Wasn't Baker out on loan (at Bristol City) during the relegation season...?

He more than played his part in the Villa's decline since 2010. Tried his best I'll give him that, but never good enough for the first team, and I'm glad he's gone.

Regardless, he wasn't part of the squad that relegated us and it's wholly unfair to tar him with that brush.

Damned with faint praise I think.

Not really. The vast majority of team didn't have an ounce of spirit or fight in them. Whatever his limitations are, they're two things that you can't accuse Baker of.

Fight and spirit mean precious little when you can barely find a team mate with a pass.

[oswald funkletrumpet]

One good thing that could emerge from this is more opportunity for Suliman who potentially is a very good CB.

Is he? Based on what?

[peter w]

I was staggered when I saw him in the England set-up and then saw him play. I was staggered he wasn't hauled off in every game and staggered he played the whole tournament - scoring a goal in the final.

[RussellC]

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?

A small handful, but trust me, Baker wasn't one of them.

Am I missing something? Wasn't Baker out on loan (at Bristol City) during the relegation season...?

He more than played his part in the Villa's decline since 2010. Tried his best I'll give him that, but never good enough for the first team, and I'm glad he's gone.

Regardless, he wasn't part of the squad that relegated us and it's wholly unfair to tar him with that brush.

Damned with faint praise I think.

Not really. The vast majority of team didn't have an ounce of spirit or fight in them. Whatever his limitations are, they're two things that you can't accuse Baker of.

Fight and spirit mean precious little when you can barely find a team mate with a pass.

I'm not disagreeing with that point. Just taking exception to you accusing him of contributing towards our relegation season, when he wasn't even part of the squad.

[adrenachrome]

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.

But Brucey said that Micah is great around the place.

[LeeB]

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.

But Brucey said that Micah is great around the place.

It's true, he brings fresh cut flowers in every day along with homemade cupcakes (to die for), and he's done the whole canteen out in a Cath Kidson-esque, shabby chic vibe.

On Satudays he finally gets to put his feet up.

[Tayls_7]

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.

But Brucey said that Micah is great around the place.

Exactly.  So is Doris the tea lady. Get her signed up on 5k a week before her jovial impact is lost to us.

[olaftab]

I was staggered when I saw him in the England set-up and then saw him play. I was staggered he wasn't hauled off in every game and staggered he played the whole tournament - scoring a goal in the final.

I bet you are staggered at Gary Cahill? Another one who was considered lightweight to be a good central defender.

[olaftab]

One good thing that could emerge from this is more opportunity for Suliman who potentially is a very good CB.

Is he? Based on what?

Eh...based on the facts that he is highly rated by our staff and England set up and was part of the team that won a World Cup.

[peter w]

I was staggered when I saw him in the England set-up and then saw him play. I was staggered he wasn't hauled off in every game and staggered he played the whole tournament - scoring a goal in the final.

I bet you are staggered at Gary Cahill? Another one who was considered lightweight to be a good central defender.

No, he looked athletic, pacy, and decent in the air. Sulaiman looks slow and easily beaten in the air and on the ground.

[peter w]

Also, is he the first English professional called Jesus to play in the top 4 divisions?

[Tayls_7]

One good thing that could emerge from this is more opportunity for Suliman who potentially is a very good CB.

Is he? Based on what?

Eh...based on the facts that he is highly rated by out staff, England set up and was part of the team that won a World Cup.

Youth players are an enigma. They are slow burners and disappointing let downs. The Moores, Vassell, Shaw, Brian McClair, Hendrie, Grealish. Who the fUck knows? Most of it is in their head.

[olaftab]

Youth players are an enigma. They are slow burners and disappointing let downs. The Moores, Vassell, Shaw, Brian McClair, Hendrie, Grealish. Who the fUck knows? Most of it is in their head.

Totally agree with that but we do need to promote and push them and give them a chance.

[Tayls_7]

Youth players are an enigma. They are slow burners and disappointing let downs. The Moores, Vassell, Shaw, Brian McClair, Hendrie, Grealish. Who the fUck knows? Most of it is in their head.

Totally agree with that but we do need to promote and push them and give them a chance.

Absolutely Olaftab. Tony has it spot on. Assemble a compact squad supplemented by young talent.  It gives us the opportunity to build an esprit de corps while telling Richards, Elphick, McCormack and too many others to get fucked.

[nigel]

I think Nathan Baker had the misfortune of breaking though in a poor Villa team, who were on the way down. He had no mentor, so to speak.
He had the makings of a potential international. Remember he was a big success at u21 level.
Imagine if he'd have had a McGrath, Lausen, Southgate or Evans to bring him into the first team?

All the best Bakes.