Subs

[One Love]

When Buckley went off for LuaLua (OK I can see that one) that meant that our only option was to leave Ashley up front on his own which I think we all agree is not his greatest strength.

So from that moment on we struggled big time to keep possession because we lost it up front most of the time. There is an obvious solution, you bring on Hoskins. He is so much better at Barnes at that part of the game.

Or you bring on 2 more centre midfielders because we haven't got enough on the pitch already.

 

[Sussax]

Barnes played well imo, won most of the balls in the air and linked up well, he was too slow to get past people with the ball though.

 

[One Love]

This is not an Anti-Barnes thread.

 

[Frutos]

I'd love to have a go on one.

 

[willyfantastic]

thought he played really well today - considering his size he did very well with a lot of the long balls his way - also made the right runs

 

[upthealbion1970]

Thought we looked much better with Barnes up front than with bucca

 

[Seagull1989]

I think we had already lost out shape and were too deep prior
To the substitutions. We always sit back too deep and invite pressure

 

[ees complicated no?]

I don't really want to say it but ...... I think Barnes did well!!

It shows we don't need the headless chicken upfront.

 

[Ninja Elephant]

When Barnes was up front we had control and purpose. When he was swapped with Buckley we didn't have any control and Derby ran the game. We weren't punished but we were fortunate not to be.

He played well as the striker today and you back him to score from there all day long!

 

[The Brighton Buzz]

I think we had already lost out shape and were too deep prior
To the substitutions. We always sit back too deep and invite pressure

Have moaned about Barnes in the past but thought he was excellent today. We were doing ok until Gus swopped Barnes and Buckley and pushed Buckley up front. It showed that Buckley cannot play a central role and thought he was really poor today. If that had been Barnes he would have been slated. I think Buckley has not played well for two or three games he seems to have lost confidence to take players on and today seemed to lack pace. Still rate him, but don't think he is consistent enough at the moment.

 

[The Brighton Buzz]

I think we had already lost out shape and were too deep prior
To the substitutions. We always sit back too deep and invite pressure

Have moaned about Barnes in the past but thought he was excellent today. We were doing ok until Gus swopped Barnes and Buckley and pushed Buckley up front. It showed that Buckley cannot play a central role and thought he was really poor today. If that had been Barnes he would have been slated. I think Buckley has not played well for two or three games he seems to have lost confidence to take players on and today seemed to lack pace. Still rate him, but don't think he is consistent enough at the moment.

 

[The Brighton Buzz]

Have moaned about Barnes in the past but thought he was excellent today. We were doing ok until Gus swopped Barnes and Buckley and pushed Buckley up front. It showed that Buckley cannot play a central role and thought he was really poor today. If that had been Barnes he would have been slated. I think Buckley has not played well for two or three games he seems to have lost confidence to take players on and today seemed to lack pace. Still rate him, but don't think he is consistent enough at the moment.

OOPs Did'nt thimk he was that bad that I had tp post it twice

 

[Seagull1989]

Have moaned about Barnes in the past but thought he was excellent today. We were doing ok until Gus swopped Barnes and Buckley and pushed Buckley up front. It showed that Buckley cannot play a central role and thought he was really poor today. If that had been Barnes he would have been slated. I think Buckley has not played well for two or three games he seems to have lost confidence to take players on and today seemed to lack pace. Still rate him, but don't think he is consistent enough at the moment.

I couldn't understand that either. Why he played Buckley central and Barnes right. We lost our momentum then

 

[SeafordBHA]

Seemed to me after having very good game Barnes got tired after about 60 mins. No criticism of him, anybody would be after trying to imitate the headless chickens' work rate. Showed how superior he was at holding up the ball too. Some of his ball control and shooting were slightly off today but that will come back with game time. Whilst he's not the best technically he makes the runs other players don't see. Almost 'Poyet' style a few years back. Also did well to be in the right place for the goal, he usually holds back his run behind the defenders for space. Interesting how he links up with the spanish players better than the rest of the team?

In answer to the original question, Barnes is much better defensively than most of our attacking players and wins free kicks for us to stop the other teams momentum which would of come in handy. Also the way Lopez etc were also tiring, and a battling player like Crofts is a good option to keep closing down in midfield. Didn't work aswell as planned imo as Crofts couldn't get near the ball when he came on, but could've made the difference in another game. Also Barnes is one of our best headers of a ball. Whilst not the tallest he's usually the one to clear from corners and took it right off of someone at a corner at the end. So potentially crucial to the team, doubt Hoskins would have the same ability.

 

[upthealbion1970]

Have moaned about Barnes in the past but thought he was excellent today. We were doing ok until Gus swopped Barnes and Buckley and pushed Buckley up front. It showed that Buckley cannot play a central role and thought he was really poor today. If that had been Barnes he would have been slated. I think Buckley has not played well for two or three games he seems to have lost confidence to take players on and today seemed to lack pace. Still rate him, but don't think he is consistent enough at the moment.

Bloke sat next to me said exactly the same