Isa Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 Thought he deserves his thread being bumped up. Efficiently solid tonight I thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Con Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 Gave away a bad free kick for going OTT Osvaldo but I wouldn't swap him. Still a young and improving player. Picked up another head injury by a crazy low header... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isa Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Please never play this guy at left-back EVER again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KentVillan Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 I don't understand how people are so continually forgiving of Baker. He has a really obvious weakness, and whenever it's exposed we leak goals. He can't turn quickly, he has no turn of pace, and the neat through-ball inside the fullback destroys him every time. He was a spectator for the Cleverley goal today, despite having a head start. Unfortunately, he can't improve into a top class centre back - he doesn't have the physical attributes. It's a shame, as he is a good all-round footballer with a great attitude, but he has the turning circle of an oil tanker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_John_10 Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 Ruined the game for me. Destroyed any chance we had of getting something from the game and then spent the rest of it trying to kick wellbeck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KentVillan Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 Just wondering if anyone else thinks that Baker is a liability? I like his attitude, strength, and his aerial ability, but he seems to be lacking almost everything else you'd want of a defender - no pace, rash decision making, often in the wrong position, zero skill on the ball. He seems to be getting a free pass at the moment, and I just don't understand it when Bennett, Lichaj, even Vlaar get torn apart for their defensive performances. In the first half against Sunderland, Baker looked completely out of his depth. He did okay against Norwich because Holt and Hoolahan are the slowest front two in football. How on earth this guy is the answer at LB against big 4 opposition is beyond me. We seem to think he's some kind of Ivanovich. I'd hope that top of PL's list would be an experienced centre half, maybe even two. It's the one position where youthful exuberance doesn't get you anywhere. This is what I said back in May, and most people seemed to disagree. But today really confirmed all these points I thought? If Okore hadn't got injured, we might have found out whether PL agrees with this assessment too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROTTERDAM1982 Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 Luna was'nt at fault for the 3rd goal?.....got caught half asleep. Baker and Clark would'nt be in the 1st team bar for injuries/suspensions, so not going to judge either atm tbh.Clark had a good game today though i thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Con Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 I earlier said I wouldn't swap him but today I've changed my mind. Showed up his main weaknesses - lack of pace and ball skills. His pace won't change. This was exploited ruthlessly by Man Utd all day. He's not a Premier League defender, not the top half of the league anyway. If Okore and Vlaar were not injured he would be 4th choice. For a 4th choice CB we need someone a bit quicker. I'd sell. He would be worth a few million. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwan Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 Just has no mental awareness. Might as well be playing with 10 men when we have possession as all they have to do is funnel it back to Baker who doesn't realize that you need feet to play football Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Pangloss Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 He's too error prone... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lapal_fan Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 He's strong and that's about it. He's a championship defender. He cannot use the ball, he should be much better in the air and more aggressive, his tackling is always "last ditch" and he always slides in, meaning if he doesn't get the ball, he's on his arse and useless. Not impressed, shame our other CB's are busted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilchard Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 He was being bigged up by everyone on here in the summer - I felt like I was the only one who couldn't see what everyone else did. Turns out it appears most think he's as crap as I did back then now. He's atrocious, guarentees you a ridiculous mistake in every game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icouldtelltheworld Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 The physical part of his game makes Baker quite likeable; he's good at getting in the way of things and putting his head to the ball. If we're being honest though, there's only so long that those attributes can hide the fact he is a very poor, limited footballer. Clark has looked vastly improved this season, Baker is still making the same stupid mistakes and still looks as if he is playing well above his level. With the signing of Okore I don't think that Lambert had been planning to use Baker much this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Con Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 Also a red card waiting to happen. He's the kind of defender that gets promoted from the Championship with a team like Cardiff, Blackpool or Wolves then struggles in the Premier League. He's a very good defender, just not the quality we need for top half of the Premier League even as 4th choice. We need someone quicker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 Poor for the 2nd goal, his distribution lets him down big style. Careless pass and he usually does one of those a game even when he plays well. I also didn't like the way he was lunging in for the last 10 minutes when he was already on a yellow. Yes it's frustrating to play in these types of games but he need to look at the bigger picture. With Herd injured now and no guaranteed Vlaar will be available it would've been unacceptable for Baker to get sent off and be banned for Stoke as we need him with not many central defence options left. I actually think he'll be o.k in the next few games against Stoke and Crystal Palace, teams with forwards with little forward movement and who play plenty of long balls are the games Baker excels in, heading it away all game long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screwdriver Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 Baker is just a big lump of a centre half. His attributes are his bravery and his size. I remember his clash of heads with Andy Carroll left him blooded like terry butcher then minutes later winning a 50:50 against someone else. These sort of interceptions have masked up his weakness's for so long. Any other club would be sending him out to make his mistakes on loan. I'm surprised he didn't get sent off today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nabby Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 Very brave and makes so great last minute eye catching tackles ..however very slow and very poor with ball at his feet regularly gives it away and today we were punished for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 I like Baker but sadly he is just a stopper and not much else. He was woefully exposed today. Basically James Collins but with a quiff. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROTTERDAM1982 Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 Baker and Clark as a partnership struggle, the whole back 4 without Vlaar is too inexperienced imho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turnbull Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 He could learn a lot from Vlaar, ie defending on your feet, but he hasn't. He was one of my favourite players last year, but as has been said, he's still making the same mistakes. We need to sign higher quality defensive cover, that's for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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