I live in Bristol, but nearly every Saturday i work in the media side of things at National League South club Bath City. You may or may not know but Ashley Barnes was born in a village nearby. I was speaking to a former player for Bath City who knew I supported Burnley and told me about a 16 year old Ashley Barnes playing for local rivals Paulton Rovers against Bath City's hard and hot headed centre back and he absolutely bullied him off of the field. Ashley did so well, that the players specifically spoke of how shocked they were about a average build, average height 16 year old striker having such strength and being intelligent enough to use it to the best of his ability.

How does he do it?

He simply won't let them get their way on the pitch, he will push, lean, jump, back into any opponent within range. They clearly don't like the attention from him. I used to think that was all he had when he first arrived. Not so, scored some memorable goals, found space went there didn't seem to be any, laid on passes for others, decent long range shot on him Great asset for Burnley. I like him a lot.

He has more than just physique he's got that unhinged look that makes him a bit oddball plus he's a right sly git which at this level takes brains.

I have a theory that Kevin Long's role at the football club is to be Ashley Barnes' punchbag in training. As remuneration for daily physical and undoubted mental abuse he is awarded a huge amount of money.

Seriously though, how does Barnes work on his game in training? I'm sure he can't practice the dark arts against the likes of Keane so he must be pitted against someone like Long in daily sparring sessions.

When the Lincoln fans say that Burnley will struggle to handle their physical side, they do realise that our players have to put up with Ashley Barnes every day in training?

Reminds me a bit of Kevin Davies - he was a tough nut

He has been absolutely outstanding in the last few games, so much so that he keeps a top class player like Sam Vokes out of the starting eleven.

Just needs a few more goals against his name, hopefully in the next 4 away games.

Barnes does the same as all the strikers at the top and uses his strengths to his advantage.

Wasn't Shearer a bit of a bully on / off the ball too?

Heskey was a brute to play against aswell despite possibly lacking in other areas.

Then of course you've got Costa.

Sidney1st wrote:Wasn't Shearer a bit of a bully on / off the ball too?

Confirmed

On the other side of the coin his pass to Gray on Sat. setting up the one and one was superb.

Tall Paul wrote:

Confirmed

That's Neil Lennon on the deck, didn't kick him hard enough IMO.

dibraidio wrote:When the Lincoln fans say that Burnley will struggle to handle their physical side, they do realise that our players have to put up with Ashley Barnes every day in training?

I hope they realise our lot have to deal with the physicality of players playing at the very height of their profession as well, and that they do it pretty well. As opposed to a few full timers and a few lads who play in between brick laying.

He's forging a decent partnership with Gray at the moment. Given time, it could yet yield us many goals.

He constantly occupies the minds of the opposing back 4, and is one of the best I've seen defending from the front

cblantfanclub wrote:On the other side of the coin his pass to Gray on Sat. setting up the one and one was superb.

I thought that was more of a mistake by Luiz than a good ball by Barnes. That said if you put it in the right area it will create chances.

Didn't used to be a big fan but his game has come on leaps and bounds. He is rightly keeping Vokes out who I think has looked better since being used as a sub. I really enjoy watching Barnes play. Real commitment and an edge.

interesting fact i have scored at Paulton Rovers..

Tall Paul wrote:

Confirmed

Barton mentions that incident in his book, when he was dishing it out verbally to shearer when Shearer was temp manager at Newcastle.

benbfc. I know that you're a fan of the Western League, just like me. Bristol Manor Farm are my club, and they're running away with the league this year. I've posted about Ashley before. Did he play when Paulton hosted Norwich a few years ago in the FA Cup? If he was 16 when he played for them, it sounds about right. What club did you play for?

I played for Bridgwater Town until i went to uni oop north... (u18's).. got a few run outs on the bigger south west grounds..

I wouldnt say a fan of the western league , the old man is and still watches BT most weeks.

That's all right. 9th level is still good football. Plus, it's local.

I absolutely love Ashley Barnes and will be gutted whenever it is that his time at our club comes to an end. I love his fighting spirit and I love that he is a nightmare for opponents. He doesn't just work hard, he shows genuine quality as well. The only thing I could wish more of is goals! But when the team is scoring all over the pitch then it's just not as essential. I think his and Gray's records will improve as they spend more time at this level together.

Getting back to his best form of half way through the season we were last in the PL

What surprises me is he plays a blinder v exceptional teams. Seem to recall he was outstanding v Man City last time, Chelsea yesterday and Spurs again last time

Getting back to his best form of half way through the season we were last in the PL

What surprises me is he plays a blinder v exceptional teams. Seem to recall he was outstanding v Man City last time, Chelsea yesterday and Spurs again last time

Hes the best forward we have. Fact

Thought he was great against Watford. When struggling we cleared it up to him on halfway line and more than 50% of time he'd win us a free kick

cutsy123 wrote:Hes the best forward we have. Fact

Not a fact.

He's doing brilliantly so far, but I'd be wanting his partnership with Gray to create more chances.

Agree with IndigoLake, if I was choosing a favourite player Ashley Barnes would be right up there.

Tall Paul wrote:Not a fact.

Hes better than gray and vokes. All 3 strikers are replaceable tho none are prem standard

Think a striker should be our number one priority in the summer.

cutsy123 wrote:Hes better than gray and vokes. All 3 strikers are replaceable tho none are prem standard

Who would you replace them with .......

benbfc wrote:interesting fact i have scored at Paulton Rovers..

And I have scored at Bath City!!

When were you at Bridgewater? I may have played against you

Ashley plays as if he has just found out both opposing centre backs have been texting his wife.

cutsy123 wrote:Hes better than gray and vokes. All 3 strikers are replaceable tho none are prem standard

Isn't Gray? But then again perhaps a player should be written off after playing just over 20 matches!

Spijed wrote:Isn't Gray? But then again perhaps a player should be written off after playing just over 20 matches!

If greys 1st touch was better of if he won more ball knock3d forward then yes. Barnes is ther better striker for me

I'd like Barnes to play on Saturday v Lincoln so there's absolutely no chance of Lincoln settling down.

Tall Paul wrote:Not a fact.

FAKE NEWS

I'm a huge fan of Barnes - he gives us a physical edge to really bully teams, and he's got some nous too - but I do think that if we stay up this season, we'll be looking for an upgrade in the second striker role.

For me, you answer the question as to who our best striker is by asking who is likely to be poached by a bigger club. The answer to that is almost undoubtedly Gray, because his real pace and power, and greater finishing prowess, make him more an asset.

If Burnley are to survive and prosper next season, we'll need to add a bit more guile and quality in that second striker role - Barnes had 3 or 4 opportunities to slide Gray in on Saturday, and only one found Gray (and that only because Luiz slipped). Someone in the Jay Rodriguez mould - still tall, still capable of holding the ball up, but with a bit more pace and more technical ability - would erally help us go to the next level.

Of course, Barnes (and Vokes) would still have a role to play - there'll be games when Gray's pace is less effective than a physical presence ahead of that "number 10", and I would expect that for as long as Barnes wants to be at Burnley, there'd be a role for him. But I'm not sure he's our long term second striker. He's doing brilliantly this season to operate at the very maximum of his natural abilities, and you have to applaud him for that.

Blimey I didn't realise Barnes was from that area. I've got relatives (a cousin) in Paulton and I've been there once on a visit. Drank a pint of scrumpy; nearly killed me.

claretspice wrote:I'm a huge fan of Barnes - he gives us a physical edge to really bully teams, and he's got some nous too - but I do think that if we stay up this season, we'll be looking for an upgrade in the second striker role.

For me, you answer the question as to who our best striker is by asking who is likely to be poached by a bigger club. The answer to that is almost undoubtedly Gray, because his real pace and power, and greater finishing prowess, make him more an asset.

If Burnley are to survive and prosper next season, we'll need to add a bit more guile and quality in that second striker role - Barnes had 3 or 4 opportunities to slide Gray in on Saturday, and only one found Gray (and that only because Luiz slipped). Someone in the Jay Rodriguez mould - still tall, still capable of holding the ball up, but with a bit more pace and more technical ability - would erally help us go to the next level.

Of course, Barnes (and Vokes) would still have a role to play - there'll be games when Gray's pace is less effective than a physical presence ahead of that "number 10", and I would expect that for as long as Barnes wants to be at Burnley, there'd be a role for him. But I'm not sure he's our long term second striker. He's doing brilliantly this season to operate at the very maximum of his natural abilities, and you have to applaud him for that.

Couldn't agree more with claretspice and that's not always the case. Clearly Barnes is tough and a real handful for defenders and at times shows some real skill. But generally speaking his passing is poor (he did get the one that put Gray through wrong, but Luiz missed it) and he doesn't score enough goals. Gray often doesn't control the ball well, but if we could find a striking partner for him who can spot a pass and execute the pass for him to run on to he would score a lot of goals.

I mentioned Rodriguez as an example, and I'm sure there are other players out there who could fulfil this role for us, but I must say he strikes me as the perfect player for us to target this summer. We know he works hard, we know he's technically far better than any of our other strikers and can see a pass, we know he's good in the air and can link the game - and we know he has a yard of pace.

I don't know whether it is realistic in terms of wages, his ambitions, etc., but with Southampton having signed Gabbiadini, his first choice status there may be in doubt. Whilst he'd have other options, it might be that after missing so much of the last 3 years with injury, the pull of going somewhere where he's virtually guaranteed to play (apart from his other connections) may be strong.

Apart from that striker, the other priority this summer must be renewing Gray's contract. He's only got 1 more year, I think.

Corky wrote:Blimey I didn't realise Barnes was from that area. I've got relatives (a cousin) in Paulton and I've been there once on a visit. Drank a pint of scrumpy; nearly killed me.

You only need to hear him speak to know whereabouts he's from - moved to Plymouth from Paulton before going to Brighton.

Whatever he is or isn't - I know, if I were a defender, I'd hate to play against him.

claretspice wrote:I mentioned Rodriguez as an example, and I'm sure there are other players out there who could fulfil this role for us, but I must say he strikes me as the perfect player for us to target this summer. We know he works hard, we know he's technically far better than any of our other strikers and can see a pass, we know he's good in the air and can link the game - and we know he has a yard of pace.

I don't know whether it is realistic in terms of wages, his ambitions, etc., but with Southampton having signed Gabbiadini, his first choice status there may be in doubt. Whilst he'd have other options, it might be that after missing so much of the last 3 years with injury, the pull of going somewhere where he's virtually guaranteed to play (apart from his other connections) may be strong.

Apart from that striker, the other priority this summer must be renewing Gray's contract. He's only got 1 more year, I think.

Rodriguez would be a perfect fit but his injury record would be a major concern.

ontario claret wrote:benbfc. I know that you're a fan of the Western League, just like me. Bristol Manor Farm are my club, and they're running away with the league this year. I've posted about Ashley before. Did he play when Paulton hosted Norwich a few years ago in the FA Cup? If he was 16 when he played for them, it sounds about right. What club did you play for?

I live so close to BMF's ground that the floodlights light up my road on a match day.

I hate it when Ashley Barnes plays... well when I say 'plays', I mean he is employed just to fall forwards every time he jumps up with a defender to win free kicks.

I'm sure he is better player than that, maybe he talents are being wasted, but he is getting Burnley points I suppose.

As said before on here, if he didn't play for us we'd despise him, proper nuisance and tbh plays a bit by his own rules. Last 3/4 games he's been outstanding.

JamesSherbourne wrote:As said before on here, if he didn't play for us we'd despise him, proper nuisance and tbh plays a bit by his own rules. Last 3/4 games he's been outstanding.

Outstanding at what he does perhaps. He definitely has attributes, but as claretspice said, we need someone better, The likes of JayRod if fit (injury free). We've done superbly well this season, but if we want to progress even more, we need a more talented strike partner for Gray.

Barnes would be fine to come on from the bench on occasions and rough ii up a bit.

But he doesn't score enough or create enough to be a first choice striker.

Vokes is probably an all round better player but he's too nice. We need someone in the mould of Barnes to really occupy the opposition back line and he certainly does that. Alongside the pace of Gray they're becoming a really good partnership.

Barnes and Gray have done terrifically this season (as has Vokes, by the way - they've all contributed massively). They've battered opposing centre backs into submission. But it is a slightly one dimensional front line, because technical ability and guile are in short supply amongst Barnes and Gray in particular. Teams will figure out a way of dealing with it next season when we're more of a known quantity and so we will need to add more finesse to our front play. That involves bringing someone in.