Chris Baird

[royallyscrewed]

I managed a couple of games early season but not been for a while. But I am off to the Millwall game tomorrow and v excited!
Just curious about Baird and would love to read peoples opinion of him thus far...Have not seen him play at all and the ''highlights'' on that god awful Football league show are barely worth recording let alone staying up for!

I notice Guthrie has scored a few since Bairds arrival. Is this coincidence? My guess is that Baird takes some of the defensive responsibilty off Guthrie giving him more freedom to be creative....

[MouldyRoyal]

You know what you're going to get, sits in front of the back four, breaks up play, plays the simple ball, shows himself to defenders when they have the ball. Neat passer too generally. Not too quick but that's ok. Has a fierce shot but not had the opportunity to show that off much yet. I suspect that it is no coincidence that Guthrie is now finding himself at the edge of the area for knockdowns when he knows he has Baird alongside/behind him.

[Tilehurstsouthbank]

Been impressed with him. He obviously brings with him top level experience, but he also allows Guthrie to venture forward more by providing good defensive cover in the middle. We need to offer him an extension on his current deal imo.

[Ian Royal]

Ledge but a wider range of better passing and less laconic and leggy.

[royallyscrewed]

He sounds like the type of player I expected Danny Williams to be. I knew nothing about Williams so just read what I could online and what I did read made him sound like that type of defensive midfielder (that we needed imo) and I was really surprised by how attacking he was in the games that I saw him.

I wonder how long Baird was on Readings radar for? Or if it was very much a last minute thing? Either way its sounding like Baird could prove to be that missing piece of the puzzle for us.

[teignmouth hoops]

Very impressed by Baird so far, gives us stability, allows Guthrie a bit more freedom, plays the simple ball well, and can play a number of roles, apparently anywhere across the defence, as well as the holding midfielder. Feel we should sign him on a proper contract sooner rather than later

[loyalroyal4life]

fitted straight in, didn't need time to 'gel' exactly what was needed, just hope we sign him past January

[BR2]

Different position but brings a similar calm to what Griffin brought-a steady Eddie.

[Huckleberry Hound]

I wonder how long Baird was on Readings radar for? Or if it was very much a last minute thing? Either way its sounding like Baird could prove to be that missing piece of the puzzle for us.

Would we have signed him if Jem hadn't been injured? Terrible for Jem, but we've ended up with a better player & we look a better team.

[Royal Ginger]

It's going to be tough for Williams to get back into the team other than as a sub when he's fit again.

[SPARTA]

A huge improvement on Karacan, as harsh on the lad as that is with his injury and all, but I think his signing could be a god send this season.

[Barry the bird boggler]

I've been impressed with him and defensive midfield is the one area I usually struggle to notice so he must be pretty damn good

[Handsome Man]

He's OK, but no Karacan.

[melonhead]

He has a brain for starters

[Bristol Paul]

Impressed with him so far, a bit of Guthrie and Legs. Less skillful than Guthrie, but more more defensive and equally comfortable on the ball. Both work together really well. Not sure we've seen the best of Williams yet though and will be a good challenge to Baird, perhaps a bit more attacking and seems to have a great engine. Amazing how we've gone from basically not having a midfielder of note for 3 years (not that we needed one under McD) to having a number of really good ones to choose from.