Jose Baxter, The new Glyn Hodges?

[zablade]

Blades of my age will know what I mean even if they disagree, my point being that Glyn could look absolutely top class for a couple of games and then do sod all for the next dozen resulting in him being dropped, then after 5 or 6 games be recalled again look excellent for a couple and then... well not do anything for the rest of the season.

So far Baxter looked good when he first arrived, then did nothing, came back into the side at Xmas looked top class in a couple of home games, but not done anything of note since, can we afford a luxury player in a relegation scrap? or do we persevere as he has shown he can possess that bit of quality.

 

[UnitedBlade]

I know what you are saying but Jose wouldn't lace Glyn's boots. When Glyn was unplayable he was doing it at Premier League level.

Baxter so far is very frustrating, capable of great pieces of skill but gives the ball away a lot and looks off the pace frequently.

He might be better if we could only get some quality around him. By that I mean around 6 new ("better than we have got" to stay on message) players.

 

[Swanseablade]

I know what you are saying but Jose wouldn't lace Glyn's boots. When Glyn was unplayable he was doing it at Premier League level.

Baxter so far is very frustrating, capable of great pieces of skill but gives the ball away a lot and looks off the pace frequently.

He might be better if we could only get some quality around him. By that I mean around 6 new ("better than we have got" to stay on message) players.

FFS don't praise Harry's (premiership) players, don't you know that's not allowed?

 

[SwissBlade]

I spoke with a few Everton fans about Baxter, they all were surprised he isn't in the premier league. Apparently he was class but lost his way.

From what I've seen of him for us and for Oldham he does remind me of Hodges.

Hodges was one of my favourite players, had fines and class about him but on his off days he was invisible!

Baxter not fit to lace 'odgy's boots? I think we'll see him not only lace them but polish them too over the next year or so

 

[WorkingtonBlade]

Hodges was one of my favourite players, had fines and class about him but on his off days he was invisible!

I think you mean 'finesse' - although come to think of it he probably got quite a few fines as well.

As you were.....

;-)

 

[Woodwardfan]

Different players completely, but they have in common a lack of pace and unathletic builds.

Hodges was one footed, best left footed crosser of a ball I've ever seen, moody, sneaky and definitely a "crazy gang" mentality.

Baxter has loads of skill and could be more of an all-round player, but maybe not that focus and drive and application that Hodges had.

 

[dublin 10 blade]

But can he slot a player like Hodgy did at sun land like man .

 

[Grecian2000]

But can he slot a player like Hodgy did at sun land like man .

At least he waited till the final whistle that day. I like to think causing a 20 man brawl by sticking one on Piggy Harkes at the Sty was his finest hour.

Disciplinary issues aside, Baxter has a whole lot of improving to do to reach the standard of play Hodges COULD produce.

 

[dublin 10 blade]

FFS don't praise Harry's (premiership) players, don't you know that's not allowed?

Do you mean Sir Dave Swansea mate

At least he waited till the final whistle that day. I like to think causing a 20 man brawl by sticking one on Piggy Harkes at the Sty was his finest hour.

Disciplinary issues aside, Baxter has a whole lot of improving to do to reach the standard of play Hodges COULD produce.[/quote
Could score some crackers as well , shit at jumping the advertising hoardings at the Kop though .

 

[dublin 10 blade]

What the hell happened there , fecking I-pad .

 

[Harry's Game]

Different types of player but I can see what the OP is getting at, both with top class ability but don't do it on a consistent basis.

On his day Hodges was as good as anything in British football at the time, unfortunately his days were only two or three games out of every twenty, the real top class players the Messi's, Cantona's, Best's, Curries, would produce it almost every week.

Baxter is operating at much lower level but seems to have potential to rise further in the game, however and I suspect here is what the OP is getting at, is only doing it in brief bursts yet it seems we are adjusting the entire formation to fit him in the role behind the Striker.

Is it the right thing to do? Is he good enough for us to dictate our whole style of play around?

 

[Sheff de party]

i think you're being harsh by saying he goes missing on days. I went yesterday and iv been to 4 or 5 games in the last month or so. Every time Baxter gets the ball he does something clever with it. He's miles ahead of everyone else with his speed of thinking, they just cant get in the positions. if we had a decent striker, Baxter would feed him chance after chance, but he looks up and sees Porter. He's playing below his level and other teams dont know what to do with him. trouble is, neither do we.

I will concede i dont think he's fit enough for 90 minutes. for that, there is no excuse - he needs to do more running and get fitter, so he can do it for the full match. SIGN A QUICK STRIKER NIGEL!

 

[SwissBlade]

I think you mean 'finesse' - although come to think of it he probably got quite a few fines as well.

As you were.....

;-)

Yes! Bloody auto correct!

 

[alcoblade]

Baxter not fit to lace 'odgy's boots? I think we'll see him not only lace them but polish them too over the next year or so

Given that we're more likely to be in the 4th division than the premier "over the next year or so", I'm not sure by what standard you're going to measure that?

UTB

 

[sitwell]

'He's miles ahead of everyone else with his speed of thinking, they just cant get in the positions.' The worst excuse ever for a footballer ,if he was that good he would know the other players limitations and adjust accordingly. Its a lazy and easy excuse to mask a poor pass ,they said the same of Sabella ,but reading ex team mates, and ex pros opinions who were as good as him ,its just a cover up for being lazy.

 

[davidpinder]

Until Jose lobs Man united's keeper in the 5th round of the FA cup at the lane you can't compare sorry. (obviously can't be schmeichel as he has retired unless they sign Kasper)

 

[diplomat]

The jury is still very much out on Baxter for me. He is capable of some nice things but he couldn't play any higher than L1 on current fitness. For one thing I'd like to see him back up one of the moves he starts rather than do a silly little jump in the air after passing it and thinking that's his contribution over. That said I'll let him off if he carries on with the net busters.

Admittedly Hodgey played at a time when footballers were not so athletic and didn't press as much and as a result he had a bit of time to create, but on his day he was magic.

 

[mattbianco1]

Until Jose lobs Man united's keeper in the 5th round of the FA cup at the lane you can't compare sorry. (obviously can't be schmeichel as he has retired unless they sign Kasper)

As John Motson states - "this mans left foot, is magic"

 

[Darthblade]

The jury is still very much out on Baxter for me. He is capable of some nice things but he couldn't play any higher than L1 on current fitness. For one thing I'd like to see him back up one of the moves he starts rather than do a silly little jump in the air after passing it and thinking that's his contribution over. That said I'll let him off if he carries on with the net busters.

Admittedly Hodgey played at a time when footballers were not so athletic and didn't press as much and as a result he had a bit of time to create, but on his day he was magic.

I would agree ....jury's out. Baxter goes missing too often during games, yes he does have the ability but I worry that he's more suited to playing in a higher division where he will get the space and more protection from the very poor refs.
We need a striker who can hold a ball up and bring his strike partner into the game and hopefully have some pace as well. We currently must be the slowest team in the league all over the field !!!

We are DEFINATELY not well equipped for this ongoing relegation struggle that we will be involved in unless we bring in 4 / 5 players who are consistent at this level.
UTB & FTP

 

[Bladesway]

As John Motson states - "this mans left foot, is magic"

The footage gives you goosebumps and a tear in your eye that we are comparing Baxter to a God like Hodges.

 

[mattbianco1]

We are DEFINATELY not well equipped for this ongoing relegation struggle that we will be involved in unless we bring in 4 / 5 players who are consistent at this level.
UTB & FTP

I can't see us not going and and signing 4 or 5 players. Off the wage bill this month alone is:

Williams
McGinty
Cuvelier
Brandy
King

That frees up lots of wages for loans and who knows, maybe we can sign a couple. I would be very surprised if 4 more faces don't come in during this window.

In addition to that we have De Girolamo coming back who could be like signing a new player. I'd also like Khan get some game time.

 

[Dnblade]

I don't think Baxter was that bad Saturday..It must be difficult when your striker isn't winning the ball,not holding it up...nothing to feed off,and you have limited options out wide and nobody who's going to run in behind.It reminds me of the same dilemma McDonald had when he had a lack of options.
He did have a couple of shots just wide of the post,and what about that little pass slid through for Mcginn who had just about an open goal and fired over...he put it on a plate.
Hodges was a different sort of player for me,although I can see some similarities..and he could play more central...I mainly remember him operating more in wide areas with that wand of a left foot..Baxter more of a no.10 for me.

 

[sitwell]

So basically you want other players to do all the hard work so he can stroll about where he wants ,doing little fancy flicks ,which rarely come off , having the odd shot and a pass now and again ,taking all the glory. While hes still getting fit of course ,now hes played about a dozen in a row. Stroll on.

 

[Dnblade]

So basically you want other players to do all the hard work so he can stroll about where he wants ,doing little fancy flicks ,which rarely come off , having the odd shot and a pass now and again ,taking all the glory. While hes still getting fit of course ,now hes played about a dozen in a row. Stroll on.

No mate,I was just saying in my opinion he wasn't as bad as some have said..another day and one of those shot's goes in and Mcginn finishes,and he's the MOM.
We still need creativity,but with that you need options..I still expect him to work his bollocks off for the team and would think NC would demand that aswell.

 

[KenMcnaughtsNuts]

Was Hodges really that inconsistent? May be the old rose-tinted's, but apart from the odd dodgy spell i only have good memories of him. Obviously he didn't play every week like he did against Man Utd, or he wouldn't have been Glyn Hodges. He would have been Maradona or sumat and certainly not playing for us.