I think Barnes is far more integral to the team than most give credit for, the defensive work he did on the left at Peterboro was outstanding and clearly the result of a guy playing to the instructions of the manager. Also notable that he was the guy organising the wall for boro's free kicks. I think Barnes is Gus' version of Gary Hart, solid and dependable.
Wasn't gust quoted recently praising (unnamed) players who do the things he asks of them all over the pitch, which fans maybe don't notice? I suspected this was perhaps about barnes, and navarro and the other payers who often get criticised unfairly.