I was just thinking the other day how D&D forums seem like the anti-WoW forums. On WoW forums, most people boast, "my favorite class is awesome and all the other classes suck!" On D&D forums, most people lament, "my favorite class sucks and all the other classes are awesome!"
The more I think about the Warlord, the more I think of it as a combat-focused Bard crossed with the Battle Master Fighter's Commander's Strike maneuver. The Bard for the Control/Support/Healing aspects and the Commander's Strike for the . . . well, 4e Commander's Strike at-will power.
Which I guess could be made into a subclass similar to College of Valor or College of Swords, but with a more defensive leaning. Give Proficiency with Medium Armor (perhaps Heavy as well), Shields, and Martial Weapons, maybe some Battle Master maneuvers (including Commander's Strike), yada, yada, yada . . .