Baxter

[UpTheClough]

Think Clough has done a remarkable job but beginning to become frustrated with his unwillingness to drop Baxter especially when at the minute we seem to be kicking long from goal kicks . He has been quite poor in his last 5 games bar one moment of quality for the goal against Carlisle. I know Porter is not a long term solution but he gives us some height which is especially useful when Howard is kicking long. Porter works his socks off where as Jose seems to strut around the pitch and seems unwilling to do much running cant help but feel he is a bit of a luxury we can't afford to have on the field. Don't get me wrong he is quality at times but is he what is needed when the games are coming thick and fast. Thoughts?

 

[kozluk]

I agree Baxter isn't the front man we need, I agree his work ethic isn't what it could be. But he is a quality player, can open a defence up with a pass and scores a few now and again also.

Personally I want to see him deeper, but that would mean dropping doyle or coady, which would be crazy.

So, I guess I agree with everything you say, but don't want to see him dropped, its a dilemma, but its a good one to have.

 

[UnitedBlade]

He's so inconsistent, many misplaced passes today but the shimmy on the edge of the box and then shot was class.

I also think if we bring in 2 proper strikers, he can maybe drop deeper and become more effective.

He's always going to be a mix of sloppy passing and brilliance. We need to see the brilliance more often though.

 

[yuley82]

I was talking about this earlier if we need to sell to bring a quality striker in I wouldn't be sad if Baxter went, I'm not slagging him or saying get rid in any way but I think he's very replaceable but wouldn't mind if he stayed as a squad player either..

 

[raul]

I think he's made the best he can out of playing a role that doesn't suit him for the benefit of the team so no criticism of him from me. Next season, assuming we address the striker void, I'd have him playing the role KMac played today, making sure there are a similar number of moving targets ahead of him to pick out.

 

[Wards]

Best footballer we've got. Must be a place for him somewhere in the 11 even if it's not up top.

 

[JohnDenver]

I'd have him playing the role KMac played today,

Just in front of the back four? Afraid he gives the ball away far too much for that - it could be carnage.

 

[zablade]

His best position would be behind a lone striker, it's finding a striker at this level who can do the "Drogba" role of being capable of holding the ball up, running the channels AND scoring 20 goals a season.

They are not easy to find.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

I find it difficult to see why Paynter doesn't start up top - way better than Porter and Baxter is just not the person to do this on a regular basis. It seems to work against a footballing team, but as usual when a team wants to close us down (like Wolves today) and stop us playing we seem to go into "don't know what to do mode"

Wolvers were just too big, too strong, ran at us, too skilful and when it mattered very CYNICAL. Dirty is not the right word, they just know how to break the play up and 6 bookings today highlighted that. Cant see why the fans booed the ref today - thought he did very well.

UTB

 

[Foxy]

I find it difficult to see why Paynter doesn't start up top - way better than Porter and Baxter is just not the person to do this on a regular basis.

Quite possibly because in the majority of his time on the pitch so far, he's struggled to convince he's a footballer, not just some bloke wandering around a little (probably a little harsh on him really, but my point is that he's offered little and doesn't look anywhere near fit).

Porter offers more on and off the ball. Baxter does more with the ball (when he fancies it).

 

[sitwell]

I would start with Paynter at home and bring Baxter on.

 

[UpTheClough]

Neither Baxter or Scougall have had great games for a while maybe due to fatigue?Can't help thinking its an odd one to have let miller go out on lone I feel Miller&Porter or Miller&Paynter up top with murphy and Flynn putting crosses in could be something. Although wolves knew exactly what to do with murphy today two men on him at all times.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I would build a team round the lad and stand or fall on his ability. He is the most gifted player we have had for years and it saddens me to hear people expecting him to do things which are not in his locker.

 

[sitwell]

Such a gifted player would not give possession away so easily. His lack of control led to the first and vital goal yesterday.

 

[Rollerball]

Baxter would kill defences behind a striker, paynter or porter or someone brought in, alternate him with scougal with Doyle and coady holding in midfield, give coady license to get forward tell him like a gerrard role he would lap it up, he has a good engine and would find box to centre circle a breeze, I personally think this would work on all but the very best teams, and tbh I don't count wolves in that, if they hadn't been chopping blades down all over the pitch, good tactic vs us but could have had them down to 10 or even 9 men.

 

[sitwell]

Baxter would kill defences behind a striker, paynter or porter or someone brought in, alternate him with scougal with Doyle and coady holding in midfield, give coady license to get forward tell him like a gerrard role he would lap it up, he has a good engine and would find box to centre circle a breeze, I personally think this would work on all but the very best teams, and tbh I don't count wolves in that, if they hadn't been chopping blades down all over the pitch, good tactic vs us but could have had them down to 10 or even 9 men.

Sounds good in principal and I agree with you ,who would get the nod between Scougall and Baxter though ? Scougall for me ,due to work rate , tackling ability and ability to run at players.

 

[Rollerball]

Sounds good in principal and I agree with you ,who would get the nod between Scougall and Baxter though ? Scougall for me ,due to work rate , tackling ability and ability to run at players.

Scougal definitely till around 60-65 mins, let him run opposition around then let Jose on to play the balls into strikers.

 

[UpTheClough]

Im not sure if this is just me but I struggle to see why baxter is being hailed as a great talent to me he appears to be a decnent attacking midfielder at this level but no more he is hugely overweight and his physical attributes therfore are nothing to behold. So his game must be about his touch passing and control whiich habe been missing the last few matches. He had olenty of exposure last year in oldhams fa cup run yet he is still a league one player? Maybe im being slightly too harsh on him as he isnt being played in a system that suits him? Would muchrather have macdoanld

 

[SandyMcBlade]

We've just gone 10 straight wins and 1 draw, but because we've lost our last game, to the league leaders, NC has apparently been playing with the wrong formation ?

Some times I just can't get my breath....

 

[Foxy]

We've just gone 10 straight wins and 1 draw, but because we've lost our last game, to the league leaders, NC has apparently been playing with the wrong formation ?

Some times I just can't get my breath....

I was fully expecting some around us on Saturday to start chanting "4-4-2".

Gerrim out!

 

[SandyMcBlade]

It reminds me of that advert, "One defeat in 12 games, It's good, but it's not quite Carling is it" ?

 

[MBoreman]

I really don't get why people don't rate Baxter? Much like with Quinn many United fans struggle to see class when it's right in front of them. I think he's been doing well in a tough role, dropping deep to collect the ball then playing good passes (Flynn v Charlton). Ideally next year I'd have him behind a pacey striker (Wilson?) who can get onto his through balls, with Flynn, Doyle, Scougall, Murphy behind him (assuming we don't get Coady again).

For the time being however I think we look more dangerous with Baxter on the left and Murphy up top however alternating the two is a good ploy.

 

[bobby ford]

A talented player, who obviously struggles with the ball in the air but can cause trouble with the ball at his feet. His cross for Flynn's goal v Charlton sums up how vital he can be to creating goals.

Obviously Porter/Paynter will win more if started up top, but then I suppose you have to question what they can do with the ball once they have it - hardly great at spreading balls out to the wing.

Clough seems to like starting Baxter in the middle 1st half, and bring Murphy more central towards the end to test the defenders a bit more... with Porter/Paynter making an appearance when we start chucking balls in to the box. That's probably the best way of working it.

With a strong, mobile forward in front of him he will flourish. Nigel will know this, so we'll have to see what transpires in the summer transfer-wise.

But as it stands, I think he deserves a pat on the back for doing his best in an unfavoured role and taking a fair share of knocks off much bigger lads in the process. Another vastly improved player.