Michael Baird

[Kareem]

I wanted to start a new topic on Michael Baird, our latest signing!
Until a few days ago I personally didn't know all that much about him...and with the help of youtube, google and perth glory forums(I did a search on Perth forums and it came up with 800+ posts)....please enjoy the following (some of which has been already posted...just putting all in the same area).

General Info
27 years old
1.5 yr Contract (For this season, and next).
1 goal every 4.3 games

Recent Clubs
2005-2006 : QLD Roar

20 games (6 goals)​

2006-2009 : Universitatia Craiova (1st division in Romania)

67 games (12 goals)​

2010-2011 : Perth Glory

13 games (1 goal)​

Positives
Average height, yet quite good in the air.
Great work rate.
Always looks to get involved (not once was he accused of going missing...and this was side by side to posts heavily critiscising Sterjovski and others for doing jack crap)(+ everyone commented that ran his ass off etc.)
Has scored a freekick (see 2nd youtube video)
Pace...this was acknowledged several times by fans. NB: Not the same speed as Kruse, Minniecon. But a lot faster than our current strikeforce.
Can float in a decent cross
Shoots with both feet (although predominatly a right footed player)


Negatives
Bad composure in front of goal (according to Perth, as well as apparently in Romania?)
Loses possession easily (according to Perth)
History of simulation??? Not just this season, but back for QLD Roar! Anyone remember him getting sent off against Mariners in V1 after coming on as a substitute? Got 2 yellow cards...2nd was for diving. Although apparently it was a wrong call (according to several articles, they said he was clipped).

Confusing???
Apparently played 1 game for Perth Glory in defence, and performed well (according to Perth forums)


Btw, everyone here should remember, Fowler aside, Perth have woeful infront of goal FULLSTOP! Even Sterjovski is struggling!


Basically his biggest criticism on the Perth Glory forums was, that he doesn't score goals...but he puts the effort in. And tbf his scoring ratio (1 goal every 4.3 games doesn't suggest any better).

However please note, he apparently was Perth's top scorer in Preseason with 5 goals...including a brace against Adelaide (will post it later)

So essentially...he looks to be a MAJOR confidence player! And one that is hardworking with a bit of Pace!!!

 

[cbowden9000]

Nice summary

 

[Kareem]

In Australia

QLD Roar 2005
Watch the first 30 secs.
1st goal is an assist for Brosque (1st QLD goal ever!)
And next 2 goals for Baird's including a cracker! (couldn't find any others)




Perth Glory vs Adelaide United 3-1 Preseason 2010
Set up 1st goal
Scored 2nd goal
Scored 3rd goal (tap in- not shown!)

 

[timmers]

How about their choice of player in the wall for the free kick! Just in the right spot for a blast at the top corner.

Thanks for the summary Kareem, lets hope he can contribute to our run for 2nd spot

 

[Kareem]

And for a little bit of eyecandy <_<

 

[Kareem]

But unfortunately, he got a haircut

Anyone want to start a facebook page, petitioning for the return of his awesome hair? :lol:

 

[kevrenor]

Ozfootball web site http://www.ozfootball.net/

Stats on him up to before he came back to Australia:

Baird, Michael
Date of Birth: 01-Aug-1983, Brisbane, Queensland
Position: Striker

Australian Underage Representative Honours
2003 - U/20 Youth International

Playing Record
2000 - Brisbane Lions (QPL)
2001 - Brisbane Lions (QPL) 17 app. 7 gls.
2001/2 - Brisbane Strikers (NSL) 0 app + 15 sub. 4 gls.
2002/3 - South Melbourne (NSL) 11 app + 7 sub. 4 gls.
2003/4 - Sydney Olympic (NSL) 7 app + 4 sub. 2 gls.
2004 - Queensland Lions (QPL)
2004/5 - Bonnyrigg White Eagles (NSWPL)
2005/6 - Queensland Roar (A-League) 10 app + 10 sub. 6 gls.
2005/6 - Universitatea Craiova (Romania 1) 11 app. 3 gls.
2006/7 - Universitatea Craiova (Romania 1) 28 app. 4 gls.
2007/8 - Universitatea Craiova (Romania 1) 17 app. 2 gls.
2008/9 - Universitatea Craiova (Romania 1)

 

[style_cafe]

Thanks Kareem awesome summary & research..crap hair tho...lol.
The "Mullet Police" should arrest him

 

[Kareem]

2 mins 25 seconds...Baird Goal. His only goal in the League!


This great chance, described simply as

"Perfect Header"

 

[Kareem]

He also had 1.5 assists, both for Robbie Fowler!
The first
3 mins 23 secs

The 0.5 of an assist was a nod on, for which fowler was tripped in the box...Right at the beginning of this video. Fowler then converted the penalty...
I'm only posting to further highlight his aerial threat


That about sums it up I believe
Baird FTW!

 

[Kareem]

I was wrong
Found 2 more clips (well there is actually another 1 or 2 again, but they involve him making a random dribble with the ball...ask me if your interested otherwise I won't bother).

1st = a nice dribble down the left hand side vs Jets to give Brosque a tapin
Not as good as the Kruse-Ricardinho goal, but not too shabby




This one is way back when...the double headerfor the Oceania Club Championships in 2005.
But I can't remember anything of this game (But I was there ). All I remember was our nailbiting shootout win
Sydney thrashed QLD, but in hihglights package Baird made 2 pacey runs.
One down the left (1:11), and one later in the match (2:11). Both times he made a good pass, only for his teammates to screw it up both times. That was the start of the infamous Roar strikeforce


Btw, Baird got sent off later in this game for 2 bookable offences, both from the news article seem to be for altercations with Sydney players (1st card was along with Talay and Zdrillic, and 2nd involved Mark Milligan)...I think I like him already :lol:

 

[Kareem]

WOW! I was readin old match reports, and noticed something

Michael Baird has played at Bluetongue only 2 times during his A-league career...

1st was in 3-0 loss against Sydney in Ocean Club Championship
2nd was against us in Rd 14, in a 2-2 draw.

He was sent off in both games!

In a A-league career consisting of 37 games (including preseason competitions), he has only got sent off 2 times. Both at Bluetongue.

Doesn't mean anything...but I had a laugh.
So the question is are we going to play with 10 men again this weekend? :lol:

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Nahhh, third times the charm

Great thread and research Kareem. Enjoyed that.

 

[Roy Law]

He doesn't have a great strike rate but I am hoping that Arnie gets the best out of him as he is doing with Kwasnik. Sometimes if the mix is right a player can blossom - just look at Kruse, on the outer at Brisbane and Barbarouses who was let go by Welly. And if he gives us pace in stead of muscle then that will be no bad thing.

 

[Kareem]

He doesn't have a great strike rate but I am hoping that Arnie gets the best out of him as he is doing with Kwasnik. Sometimes if the mix is right a player can blossom - just look at Kruse, on the outer at Brisbane and Barbarouses who was let go by Welly. And if he gives us pace in stead of muscle then that will be no bad thing.

+ 1

On the pace instead of muscle
What I can see, coupled with his stats
(180 cm, 82 kg)
He will give us a bit of both. Which is good. I think he has shown some decent strength in a couple of the clips.
I can't til tomorro!


But the biggest problemw ith McBreen is...he CAN"T play off the bench. IMO you either start him, or drop him altogether. His style of player, always struggle off the bench!

 

[marinermick]

But the biggest problemw ith McBreen is...he CAN"T play off the bench. IMO you either start him, or drop him altogether. His style of player, always struggle off the bench!

we will not have to worry about that soon enough

 

[Roy Law]

we will not have to worry about that soon enough

You and your cryptic insider quips, such a tease LOL

 

[shipwreck]

So the player we are releasing that had a lot of time left on contract for a decent transfer was mcbreen? Or are we selling/releasing two players now?

 

[marinermick]

So the player we are releasing that had a lot of time left on contract for a decent transfer was mcbreen? Or are we selling/releasing two players now?

two different players

the one we should have got a good transfer fee for has seen the deal fallen through

 

[cbowden9000]

two different players

the one we should have got a good transfer fee for has seen the deal fallen through

So seeing as it's not happening, can you share?