david in sweden Posted 15 August, 2011 Share Posted 15 August, 2011 (edited) .....is an unlikely prospect I admit, but SSN has run a piece today on the uncertainty about CBs future at Fulham under Martin Jol. Those of us who remember Baird coming from Belfast as a homesick 16 year old..in 1998 and later spending 3 years in the Reserves as the resident dogsbody defender in all positions, only to find himself in Gordon Strachan's Cup Final line-up in 2003 and was one of the few to come out of it with any decent recognition. Then back into the Reserves until the injury crisis in 2005 when we suddenly saw that he had developed into a top class central defender...after which the succession of managers finally saw him moving to Craven Cottage for £3million....(which was about £2 million more than most of us thought we'd get). Since which, he's been a regular at Fulham ......and even captained the N.I. national side until...now he's come to the crossroads and new manager who doesn't seem to rate him... No inside ITN type info, but what do you think ....would a return to SMS for Chris Baird be a good move ..or ? Edited 15 August, 2011 by david in sweden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toomer Posted 15 August, 2011 Share Posted 15 August, 2011 Hcdajfu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COMEONYOUREDS Posted 15 August, 2011 Share Posted 15 August, 2011 unlike beattie hcsdajfu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegaffer Posted 15 August, 2011 Share Posted 15 August, 2011 Great defender who is committed . Would love to see him alongside Jose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webby Posted 15 August, 2011 Share Posted 15 August, 2011 I wouldn't say he's been a regular at fulham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 15 August, 2011 Share Posted 15 August, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintsmonkey Posted 15 August, 2011 Share Posted 15 August, 2011 Baird is better than Fonte. FACT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minsk Posted 15 August, 2011 Share Posted 15 August, 2011 I believe he has played more at RB than CB for Fulham. However, as a CB he is similar in style to Fonte. I don't think they would make a good pairing. We need a big unit alongside Fonte; Baird is not that big. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 15 August, 2011 Share Posted 15 August, 2011 It won't happen. He would be superb though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish fingers Posted 15 August, 2011 Share Posted 15 August, 2011 Baird is better than Forte. FACT amended Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 15 August, 2011 Share Posted 15 August, 2011 Baird did well for us, but I never thought he was the real deal at CB. His comparitive lack of height meant he wasn't dominant in the air, and while his positional sense was very good I thought on occasions he could get bullied by a larger centre forward. Fonte isn't hugely tall, but is IMO stronger than Baird and much less likely to get dominated by a big striker. Also the combination of playing alongside someone like Jaidi, who is a complete rock and will win almost everything in the air, is the way I'd prefer us to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 15 August, 2011 Share Posted 15 August, 2011 I believe he has played more at RB than CB for Fulham. However, as a CB he is similar in style to Fonte. I don't think they would make a good pairing. We need a big unit alongside Fonte; Baird is not that big. He played a fair few Europa League matches under Hodgson at Fulham as well. Baird is not coming back any time soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 15 August, 2011 Share Posted 15 August, 2011 Wasn't he runner up in their player of the season last year? He will not move anywhere. I'm pleased that he's made his mark at prem level Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyNorthernSaints Posted 15 August, 2011 Share Posted 15 August, 2011 When i've seen him play well for Fulham and Northern Ireland it's been as a defensive midfielder. Agree with others, not sure he is suitable for a centre half in this division when you need a big lump/tall player in most games. Don't remember him having alot of pace either. Decent player though and would be a useful signing for fullback and defensive midfield positions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadhall Saint Posted 15 August, 2011 Share Posted 15 August, 2011 I believe he has played more at RB than CB for Fulham. However, as a CB he is similar in style to Fonte. I don't think they would make a good pairing. We need a big unit alongside Fonte; Baird is not that big. This^^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 16 August, 2011 Author Share Posted 16 August, 2011 I wouldn't say he's been a regular at fulham. it took a while for him to get in the side, but Roy Hodgson and Mark Hughes seemed to like him... he played 32 of 38 Prem games in 09-10.... and 29 games in 2010-11...I'd call that pretty regular - wouldn't you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eurosaint Posted 16 August, 2011 Share Posted 16 August, 2011 .....is an unlikely prospect I admit, but SSN has run a piece today on the uncertainty about CBs future at Fulham under Martin Jol. Those of us who remember Baird coming from Belfast as a homesick 16 year old..in 1998 and later spending 3 years in the Reserves as the resident dogsbody defender in all positions, only to find himself in Gordon Strachan's Cup Final line-up in 2003 and was one of the few to come out of it with any decent recognition. Then back into the Reserves until the injury crisis in 2005 when we suddenly saw that he had developed into a top class central defender...after which the succession of managers finally saw him moving to Craven Cottage for £3million....(which was about £2 million more than most of us thought we'd get). Since which, he's been a regular at Fulham ......and even captained the N.I. national side until...now he's come to the crossroads and new manager who doesn't seem to rate him... No inside ITN type info, but what do you think ....would a return to SMS for Chris Baird be a good move ..or ? Have you tried the BBC ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farawaysaint Posted 16 August, 2011 Share Posted 16 August, 2011 Fan's favorite, won player of the season a couple of years ago and runner up last year if I recall? He'll end up going to a lower prem team if he does leave, expect someone like Wigan or Sunderland/ Wolves to snap him up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintoaks Posted 16 August, 2011 Share Posted 16 August, 2011 Liked Bairdy alot..good player and good cover for midfield as well. would like to see him back and liked the song we used to sing about him. anyone remember ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 16 August, 2011 Share Posted 16 August, 2011 I wouldn't say he's been a regular at fulham. I would. Played most of last season for them - but he's been at RB rather than CB. "At the end of the 2010-11 season, he made 31 appearances and scored 2 goals in all competitions for Fulham." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seany S Posted 16 August, 2011 Share Posted 16 August, 2011 How can anyone say he isn't suitable for centre half in this division? Seem to remember he did pretty bloddy well the last time he played for us at this level - in fact he was player of the season, I believe. That said, pie in the sky thread, dude will never come back to Saints, uh-uh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 16 August, 2011 Author Share Posted 16 August, 2011 How can anyone say he isn't suitable for centre half in this division? Seem to remember he did pretty bloddy well the last time he played for us at this level - in fact he was player of the season, I believe. That said, pie in the sky thread, dude will never come back to Saints, uh-uh. Agreed Seany S. Chris(eventually)played 68 games before moving to Fulham, and half of those were whilst we were still in the Prem. He has since played close to 100 Prem. games for Fulham, as well as gaining countless caps for Northern Ireland (for whom he was also captain) ..How on earth can he be UNSUITABLE for CCC football when he is still only 29 ? Coming back to Saints ..? ...IF ONLY ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StDunko Posted 16 August, 2011 Share Posted 16 August, 2011 I have friends who are Fulham ST holders and I had a long conversation with them about Baird. They said "after a shakey start at Craven Cottgae, he had developed into a very competant CB at prem level. Had very much won the crowd over, and his lack of height did not seem to be much of a disadvantage because he read the game so well". I would love to see him back at SMS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cellone Posted 16 August, 2011 Share Posted 16 August, 2011 Not for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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