Barnes, LuaLua and luck

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Watching the KLL goal on the TV this morning and having seen the free kick at Withdean, it really struck me that the difference between Ashley Barnes and KLL at the moment (in terms of hitting the net) is a great deal to do with luck.

Of course KLL smashed both of those goals and clearly has a lot of technique, but both of those free kicks could have been deflected or blocked any number of times. But at the moment, KLL is confident, keeps hitting them and luck is smiling.

I recall many occasions when Barnes has had either great saves or last ditch blocks. Very few miss hits or weak shots. So is luck playing a major part for these two?

 

[bhaexpress]

Watching the KLL goal on the TV this morning and having seen the free kick at Withdean, it really struck me that the difference between Ashley Barnes and KLL at the moment (in terms of hitting the net) is a great deal to do with luck.

Of course KLL smashed both of those goals and clearly has a lot of technique, but both of those free kicks could have been deflected or blocked any number of times. But at the moment, KLL is confident, keeps hitting them and luck is smiling.

I recall many occasions when Barnes has had either great saves or last ditch blocks. Very few miss hits or weak shots. So is luck playing a major part for these two?

Maybe but does it matter ?

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Just wondering about Barnes really in light of all the chat about bringing in loan strikers. I'm still convinced that his time will come. But I wonder if Gus is.

Was just reflecting on the tiny things that make a break a player (or club's) season.

 

[BensGrandad]

I would never wish to slate Barnes as I believe that he will be an asset for us but I think that a time on the bench to perhaps come on as a sub instead of either Hart or Sandaza would suit him both now and in his developement, he is still only 20. So I would agree with bringing in a goal poacher like an up and coming Premiership player as Defoe did for Bournemouth. Or possibly an older one on the way down on a 2 or 3 year contract who would, if signed ,serve us in ther championship, may be a better option.

 

[Icy Gull]

Felt for Barnes yesterday, he lost the ball quite often and his body language was nowhere near as confident as the rest of the team. He just needs a lucky break imo and all will be good.

 

[Tomo1794]

Thought everyone played really well yesterday, except Barnes, however he makes good runs which opened up a lot of space for Sparrow and Bennett and Murray could also have squared one to him after that bad first touch.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

Shooting stats from Brighton and Hove Albion | Match | Club Statistics | Shooting (prob not including yesterday's game)

Barnes 28 shots, 15 on target, 13 off
Bennett 29 shots, 11 on target, 18 off
Murray 28 shots, 9 on target, 19 off
Lua Lua 21 shots, 10 on target, 11 off

So, Barnes has more shots on target than anyone else, and the only forward player with more shots on target than off. So yes, I'd say luck plays a part. There have been some great saves off him.

 

[cyanide-sid]

He is starting to look a little short on confidence now. Needs a bit of luck or maybe a rest on the bench to take the pressure off. Trouble is we dont have anyone else to bring in really do we ?

 

[HastingsSeagull]

I like Barnes alot. All strikers have a few games hey score loads and a few games they are more barren. It's natural statistics. Feel I'd pick Murray over him to partner a 'star' striker next season in the Champ but would love Barnes as 3rd choice at that level appearing in 20 games for us and knocking in the goals. At league 1 level he's a very good starting striker.

 

[FOOTSKI]

I think it's a bit like bennett, the stats never show how good that player has been for the team. Barnes is missing a big score count but he does pull defenders all over the pitch. Bennett has not hit the net like lua lua this season yet, but without some of the great passing from bennett to lua lua the chances may have been a bit fewer.

 

[JonathanLivingstonSeagull]

We know we have the Berbatov of league one.
perhaps barnes is the rooney

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

I like th eidea of giving him some opportunities to come off the bench. Just feels like he needs the first one to go in then the flood gates could open. (I know he's scored 3 already - but not recently)

 

[ewe2]

This talk of Healy cant help.

 

[West Hoathly Seagull]

I thought he looked right off the pace yesterday, but of his chances, the only real miss was the one against Tranmere. Against Oldham, the keeper made three fine saves.

 

[Silent Bob]

I thought he looked right off the pace yesterday, but of his chances, the only real miss was the one against Tranmere. Against Oldham, the keeper made three fine saves.

Against Oldham the keeper made one good save, one that was straight at him, one he didn't get a touch on that hit the post. He also had chances against Brentford and other games and failed to take them. But in the two games that he missed a hatful he also gave possibly his best all round performances for us. I agree yesterday he wasn't great, he seemed to be the weak link and many moves broke down when it came to him.

I'm not sure what the comparison with LuaLua is supposed to be, he's hitting low, incredibly powerful shots from outside the box, that he's doing it in a way that it's not hitting anyone is good judgement more than luck. Barnes has just not been able to finish relatively simple chances.

I think we should always being playing three in midfield like yesterday, whether it be with two strikers and a man in behind or with both wingers playing. So I think it's probably time for Barnes to go to the bench.

 

[Ninja Elephant]

Barnes will be a good player for us long term, but he's not ready to be playing every game as a first choice striker just yet. I like him, I think he's got a good knack of being in the right place at the right time and he will prove to be a good player for us in time. But not yet, we need to get someone experienced in and take some of the pressure for goals off of him. It won't do him any harm, he's only 20.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

I'm not sure what the comparison with LuaLua is supposed to be, he's hitting low, incredibly powerful shots from outside the box, that he's doing it in a way that it's not hitting anyone is good judgement more than luck. Barnes has just not been able to finish relatively simple chances.

Tht's crap though since many people feel that yesterday's goal was a miss-hit. And even with a great shot (as in his first free kick) luck still plays a part. So that's my point - if the luck had swung the other way - with Barnes bagging two more (making 5) and KLL bagging two less (making 1), I suspect people's views would be different.

I know it didn't happen, and KLL DID score, just musing really.

 

[zego]

Don't knock our strikers for seemingly having a quiet game, as Murray got that important second goal - which led straight away to Charlton disrupting their team with two substitutions that did them no good - and together with Barnes drew defenders away from controlling our other potential scorers.

A goal from a defender, one each from two mid-fielders, and one from our lead striker - together with six shots from our other midfielder even if this week none went in - which must pose a problem for our next opponent's manager, how does his team mark all of them out of the game?