Barnes

[jrgbfc]

Played very well yesterday, more like how JayRod typically plays. His clearance off the line and the sublime pass for the 4th being the highlights. It begs the question - why make your persona being about falling over with an anguished face, looking for free kicks, if you can play like you did?

Because that's what our previous manager wanted him to do?

[fidelcastro]

FFS

Is it an old person thing in which they completely ignore what people posted at the time?

At the time, after three years of injuries and being very, very poor, it was questioned whether he was going to be an asset

Then, he played well v Crawley, had a blinder v the Bastards and has looked a lot more of his old self

Its great that he's having a proper swan song to his Burnley career, and I'm really pleased for him, but that doesn't change the fact that he's essentially been crap for three seasons and I wouldn't offer him a new contract as I think his best days are behind him

Absolutely spot on.

[MancunianClaret]

Can VK teach an old dog new (or forgotten) tricks? Perhaps so. I thought Barnes looked the black sheep in his first appearances this season. He was a lynch-pin yesterday. There's certainly a marked shift in the positivity of his football.

[Quicknick]

Can VK teach an old dog new (or forgotten) tricks? Perhaps so. I thought Barnes looked the black sheep in his first appearances this season. He was a lynch-pin yesterday. There's certainly a marked shift in the positivity of his football.

I hope he stays. That through-ball for one of the goals [the last one?] was sublime.

[Elizabeth]

Truly outstanding yesterday. I wonder if we allow players the chance to get match fit after lengthy injuries it might stop us from writing them off

[burnley007]

I'm absolutely stuffed full of humble pie after yesterday. Well done Bashley. Magnificent performance.

[evensteadiereddie]

Truly outstanding yesterday. I wonder if we allow players the chance to get match fit after lengthy injuries it might stop us from writing them off

Possibly but I don't think it's ever unfair to question how a player in Barnes' then circumstances could be used in a new, vibrant squad with a completely different style to which he was accostomed.

Through a combination of VK's coaching and man management skill and Barnes' new found enthusiasm to adapt to a role in which he again plays meaningful, positive football, it is clear that there is a place for him in any match day squad.

Whether he's an automatic starter, well that's up to the manager and who were playing, I guess.

[bfcjg]

I'm absolutely stuffed full of humble pie after yesterday. Well done Bashley. Magnificent performance.

I'm another humble pie eater after his last few games, however if we get into the Premier league I am not sure if he will be up to the rigours of the PL, that said I trust VK and if he extends his contract that will do me.

[Lancasterclaret]

Truly outstanding yesterday. I wonder if we allow players the chance to get match fit after lengthy injuries it might stop us from writing them off

Like JBG I never thought he'd get back to his previous levels due to injury

Unlike JBG he's not there yet, but that is three really good games he's had (and he was decent at United)

No one doubts his commitment and legend status btw, its just that every player has a shelf life, and the end of the season would be a good time for all to part company

Hell, he might even go in this window according to reports

[Carwin261]

I’m another one who must eat humble pie over Barnes,thought he was well passed it as well as Cork ,JBG ,do you think it’s possible that they got fed up with the same old “Get stuck in,& wellie it forward ,lead with your elbows ,dive when you need to “ approach that Sean reverted to in the last couple of years,Vincent Kompany has reinvigorated them,& if he thinks their good enough ,then good on him.

[fatboy47]

Hell, he might even go in this window according to reports

Sneaky feeling he'll be here till May..maybe even a one year deal as back up in Prem next season... I've had a feeling right back to the VK intro chat video back at start of pre season that he's had his own share of being roughed up and shithoused by Barnes, and that he's got a bit of respect for him.

It's cometh the hour, cometh the man stuff with our Ash.

[Elizabeth]

As well as his delightful touch yesterday the thing that stood out to me was his enormous appetite for running and closing down the opposition defenders. Right up to full time!
I kept asking myself was this the same player that earlier on in the season was falling to the ground so easily. I even wondered whether he might have developed a centre of gravity balance problem through no fault of his own.
I know this might sound like I’m being clever but I was concerned.
Now for me it’s a straight choice between Barnes and Jay until the end of the season and hopefully the chance to say a fond farewell to both these wonderful Clarets when we get promoted

[KRBFC]

Incredible performance, his shirt to lose for me now.

Let's not forget and pretend like he wasn't bang out of form and ineffective for 90% of this season though.

[tarkys_ears]

Yes but the handful of 5 mins he played... Who wouldn't be out of form

Barnes will have something to offer someone until the day he retireda. Luckily he's gaining his mojo back in the championship

[Elizabeth]

He had more than an handful of 5 min appearances and I do agree with your overall sentiment

[Anonymous Claret]

Even though he looks quite ungainly I have always thought that his first touch could be quite decent at times and that he can also be a very good finisher. Like others have said he had looked like a fish out of water and bang out of form until the Rovers game. Since then he has been very good in every game he's played and deserves to be the first choice striker atm.

[KRBFC]

Yes but the handful of 5 mins he played... Who wouldn't be out of form

Barnes will have something to offer someone until the day he retireda. Luckily he's gaining his mojo back in the championship

Has he though?

I like Barnes alot, I think it's his shirt to lose atm because Rodriguez isn't delivering.

How many good games has Barnes had this season in the league? 19 appearances, 2 goals (both in the same game).

Barnes was good yesterday but let's not rewrite history and pretend he's been playing like that for the last 2 years because he hasn't.

[Elizabeth]

Only a fool wouldn’t recognise the difference between the Barnes of recent games compared to the Barnes who started the season unfit

[Quicknick]

Only a fool wouldn’t recognise the difference between the Barnes of recent games compared to the Barnes who started the season unfit

Well said, lass.

[Lancasterclaret]

Well said, lass.

I refer the both of you to my previous post on this thread

[warksclaret]

Wonderful to see Cork, Brownhill, Jay, and more recently Barnes playing so well. But lets not kid ourselves this is a very poor Division this year, despite me fearing in June that we would struggle. The PL is unforgiving and you need good players at the top of their game 90% of the time. I have enough faith in VK now to know he is mindful of this and will already be planning accordingly , a squad that can compete compete in the PL, which will only be tougher to survive in next season

[Quicknick]

I don't agree this division is any weaker than in 2015/16. The time Gray had to control the ball for his goal in the 3-0 at Charlton.

[ArmchairDetective]

He certainly made a statement with that performance. I'd love him to stick around (albeit probably with a pay cut), even for a bit of experience and stability in what could be an ever changing squad under VK.

[Targetman]

Wonderful to see Cork, Brownhill, Jay, and more recently Barnes playing so well. But lets not kid ourselves this is a very poor Division this year, despite me fearing in June that we would struggle. The PL is unforgiving and you need good players at the top of their game 90% of the time. I have enough faith in VK now to know he is mindful of this and will already be planning accordingly , a squad that can compete compete in the PL, which will only be tougher to survive in next season

It's only a poor division in comparison to the Premier League.
Ask Norwich or Watford fans if they feel it's a poor division this time around.
Why would it be any poorer this year than it was last year?

[jojomk1]

Wonderful to see Cork, Brownhill, Jay, and more recently Barnes playing so well. But lets not kid ourselves this is a very poor Division this year, despite me fearing in June that we would struggle. The PL is unforgiving and you need good players at the top of their game 90% of the time. I have enough faith in VK now to know he is mindful of this and will already be planning accordingly , a squad that can compete compete in the PL, which will only be tougher to survive in next season

Spot on

For us and Sheff Utd to be so far in front of the rest shows the league to be "average" at best

And the Premiership just gets stronger every year

The likes of Barnes, Jay, JBG, Cork and even Cullen will struggle with the pace of the game next year if we get promoted

All decent Championship players but Premiership ?

Not so sure

[Hipper]

Has he though?

I like Barnes alot, I think it's his shirt to lose atm because Rodriguez isn't delivering.

How many good games has Barnes had this season in the league? 19 appearances, 2 goals (both in the same game).

Barnes was good yesterday but let's not rewrite history and pretend he's been playing like that for the last 2 years because he hasn't.

It's just not about the goals though as yesterday showed. Same with Jay.

It's clear both have something to contribute and unless we bring in some really mobile striker - or convert someone like JBG - I want them to stay until the end of the season. After that it's up to VK to consider if they can offer something next season.

[ArmchairDetective]

Spot on

For us and Sheff Utd to be so far in front of the rest shows the league to be "average" at best

And the Premiership just gets stronger every year

The likes of Barnes, Jay, JBG, Cork and even Cullen will struggle with the pace of the game next year if we get promoted

All decent Championship players but Premiership ?

Not so sure

Appreciate what you're saying, and it may well turn out that you're right.

But right now in my opinion the players that are more likely to struggle in the PL are those like Maatsen, Vitinho, who might have the energy and pace to keep up but will get caught out by lack of experience and nouse. It's not a criticism of them, they're brilliant and I'm sure will go on to have fine careers at a very high level. But I think a team of Vitinho's and Maatsen's etc would struggle in the PL without your Corks and JBG's who've been there and done it and help the others thrive.

But who knows. My record of occasional betting flutters would suggest I often get it wrong

[Hipper]

Appreciate what you're saying, and it may well turn out that you're right.

But right now in my opinion the players that are more likely to struggle in the PL are those like Maatsen, Vitinho, who might have the energy and pace to keep up but will get caught out by lack of experience and nouse. It's not a criticism of them, they're brilliant and I'm sure will go on to have fine careers at a very high level. But I think a team of Vitinho's and Maatsen's etc would struggle in the PL without your Corks and JBG's who've been there and done it and help the others thrive.

But who knows. My record of occasional betting flutters would suggest I often get it wrong

This is why our enjoyed our efforts against Man U and Bournemouth - to test the players to see how they cope against Premier League players, if not teams. I was hoping for a further opportunity in the fourth round. Well now it may be the fifth!

[warksclaret]

It's only a poor division in comparison to the Premier League.
Ask Norwich or Watford fans if they feel it's a poor division this time around.
Why would it be any poorer this year than it was last year?

Because last year you had Fulham, Bournemouth, Forest to name three who are not in there now, and sides like WBA and Huddersfield have been a lot worse (the latter humiliated us in the Cup). Watford are struggling as they change managers too often, and Norwich were badly managed with no new blood in it.Both sides have lost badly to some very poor sides. THeres a chance next year that three of Everton, Southampton,Wolves , Leicester, Bournemouth, Palace, Leeds could be in the Championship-for me that would make it harder to get promoted.Next season I also see Boro and WBA being quite a force under their current managewrs. I would rather be in the Championship this year than last

[Colburn_Claret]

Sneaky feeling he'll be here till May..maybe even a one year deal as back up in Prem next season... I've had a feeling right back to the VK intro chat video back at start of pre season that he's had his own share of being roughed up and shithoused by Barnes, and that he's got a bit of respect for him.

It's cometh the hour, cometh the man stuff with our Ash.

I was just going to post similar. It was clear in that meeting the squad vid, that he respects Bash.
In his first couple of seasons it was clear he was very good with his feet. He played at least a couple of matches on the left wing. It seems to have been lost over the years, especially after his injury. Whatever the reason, he seems to have found that touch again, and staying on his feet certainly helps. Whichever way you look at it, he's an asset, and unless someone is willing to pay silly money for him, which I doubt considering his age, then I'd love him to stay.

[ŽižkovClaret]

Would Barnes be able to potentially reunite with Westy when his contract expires, or would his DUI conviction preclude him?

[AlargeClaret]

Barnes is shockingly slow and past his best , his passing is generally poor as is his tackling embarrassing.That said he’s a wily “old” fox and is doing a decent enough back up job imo .The way we play allows him a fair few chances ,and tbf he played a lovely through ball on Sat. In this division I’d sooner have him than not and he’s properly involved as well.

[Targetman]

Because last year you had Fulham, Bournemouth, Forest to name three who are not in there now, and sides like WBA and Huddersfield have been a lot worse (the latter humiliated us in the Cup). Watford are struggling as they change managers too often, and Norwich were badly managed with no new blood in it.Both sides have lost badly to some very poor sides. THeres a chance next year that three of Everton, Southampton,Wolves , Leicester, Bournemouth, Palace, Leeds could be in the Championship-for me that would make it harder to get promoted.Next season I also see Boro and WBA being quite a force under their current managewrs. I would rather be in the Championship this year than last

Were Fulham and Bournemouth any better than Burnley and Sheffield United currently are? (Saturday's result would perhaps lean towards saying no.)

Huddersfield didn't humiliate us, they beat us 2-1 with 2 late goals against a much changed Burnley team.

Watford have regularly changed managers for a number of years which has never stopped them from challenging at the top end of the Championship.

You mention Boro and West Brom being a force next season, I presume you don't rate either of those sides this season then?

In my opinion, after Sheffield United, West Brom are the best team we have faced this season.

[IanMcL]

The league is extremely competitive! Hardly any points between the 7 and 20 odd places.
Even 3rd could get relegated!

All our players from the Dyche squad are still capable of making a dent in the Prem. They have nous. Of course they are fading, however, good for a season at least. For sure they and some newbies, will need replacing.

Cork and Rodriguez - England
Cullen - Ireland and Barnes - almost Austria
Gudmundsson still Iceland.

They are not slouches and offer a lot mixed with the young bucks.

[tiger76]

I'd definitely try and keep Barnes until the end of the season he's earnt that through his recent displays where he's looking more like the Ash we know and love.

[ecc]

When players are poor for a fair while it's only right to say it. But likewise it's only right to acknowledge positive performances when they come along.

I didn't see Saturday's game but have watched the goals several times. Okay it wasn't a full-strength Bournemouth line-up but we really did take the rise out of them. We all know none of Barnsey, JBG or Josh Brownhill have anyway near the pace of Anass or Benny but what we saw was the first three create opportunites for the latter too.

We really did make their defence look a bit silly.

[ClaretInLeeds]

It was closer to full strength than our team was.

[Bosscat]

Like our other long term Clarets ... Barnes is one who also seems to be playing with a bit more freedom ... he always has had it in him for that ball through to someone ... like that one for Benson on Saturday.

[equinox]

This myth about the Championship being 'The Toughest League' is complete ********, just because Leeds and Forest couldn't get out of it for year's is because of their shhiiitttnesss.

What are we now, something like 4 defeats in 80 odd Championship games?

#massiveclub#masshingupthispussyleague

[warksclaret]

Were Fulham and Bournemouth any better than Burnley and Sheffield United currently are? (Saturday's result would perhaps lean towards saying no.)

Huddersfield didn't humiliate us, they beat us 2-1 with 2 late goals against a much changed Burnley team.

Watford have regularly changed managers for a number of years which has never stopped them from challenging at the top end of the Championship.

You mention Boro and West Brom being a force next season, I presume you don't rate either of those sides this season then?

In my opinion, after Sheffield United, West Brom are the best team we have faced this season.

Some valid points Targetman. Do I rate WBA and Boro ???-yes. I did not say I didn't.I do rate them now they have respective new managers, both of whom have transformed the performances and form. But I believe with a close season, some tweaks that both of these will be even stronger next season, and I expect them to challenge.

I think next season we could see two significant teams relegated,who will be desperate to get back in the PL-imagine if it included Leicester, Everton or Forest with the quality of players and squads they have.

Regarding Huddersfield last season in the Cup, no they did not trash us, fielded basically a weakened team with 7 changes, then under the management of Corberan, he brought on some key players and they outclassed us, going on to win and making us look poor. Huddersfield had a great season last year and were unlucky to play the vastly improving Forest in the play-offs. Sadly they did not turn up on the day and Forest who were on a run won easily (similar to when we came up via the Play-Offs.

I agree with you that Sheff Utd & WBA have been the strongest sides we have faced.