Can't say he's a procen goalscorer at this level yet - 2 of his goals have been penalties and one was a tap in. However I think that given time he could become a good player at this level but does not have the pace/strength/touch to go any further.
If you'd seen him at Cardiff you wouldn't have started this thread. two goals, good on the ball, closed down the oppo, put CMS through 1 on 1 and was involved in the Hoskins goal. Put it another way, at the other end were Earnshaw and Miller and you wouldn't have wanted to swop Barnes for either of them.
Eh? I love Barnes and think who ever doesn't rate him hasn't got a footballing brain
Think he has improved a lot since last year. His hold up/link up and strength are so much better. Not sure how effective he will be out on the right like he was on Saturday though. Never likely to beat a man or anything.
You dont start giving out three year contracts when you dont know where you will be in three years. If we were to get promotion this season and that is a very big if and then we were to stay in the prem like Stoke, Fulham, Wigan, Bolton etc....Then hardly any of the current squad would still be here in three years, if any.
I think Barnesy has improved alot since last season, his hold up play and his linking up with CMS is fantastic. But I don't understand why he is playing out on the right wing though.
He's not. He's filling in there when we don't have possession. We don't have a right midfielder, as we have three centre mids.
Filling in there, when he is a out and out striker? Calderon is not getting enough support out on the right when Barnes doesnt chase back.
A great tap in from 25 yards
It's the same system we've played for the last year mate. He is not an out and out striker, works very hard for the team. We play a lop sided formation.
I know it was Simon, but I still don't like him out there. Espically in the Championship, teams are going to find us out a little bit more.
Well yes, it's something that sides will look to exploit, but it works for us. Especially as Calderon is brilliant at getting forward down that flank so removes the need for a winger. Defensivly the right centre mid (Sparrow/Vincelot) can move across and cover there and Barnes drop in centrally instead. He's been doing it for over a year now although its one of those things that often goes unnoticed.
Was outstanding on Saturday- was consistently winning headers at the back to relieve the pressure and got into some great positions.
One of my favourite players as he'll always give 100%