Ashley Barnes

[LamieRobertson]

It's quite weird seeing so many people criticise someone for not seeing Barnes get 2 assists, when he didn't get 2.

Ah, wondered who that was laying it off for Lopez.

Edit

 

[Northstandite]

Yes. Without a doubt

Not to those blindly eager to justify the £3.25m price tag man.

 

[fcportaloo]

Not to those blindly eager to justify the £3.25m price tag man.

Perhaps. But regardless of fee CMS brings little to the team. I assumed he would leave in close season for lots less than we paid, but his injury means there won't be takers unless v cheap. For me Barnes is the player to pick ahead of CMS, he brings much more and we are a more balanced side

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Lovely to see that Ashley Barnes snide curled-lip niggling was completely absent today and that his natural goal-scoring ability remains completely intact. Ashley Barnes has a touch at this level that CMS can only dream of.

 

[blockhseagull]

Played well and certainly showed his constant critics he has something to offer. Always looks better as a central striker, maybe as he actually enjoys it and feel he looks frustrated when played on the left.

Just what we needed as now we have a backup to Ulloa who is also in form.

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

It's nice to know/be reminded that we have a very capable player available to cover or partner Ulloa

 

[Titus]

A chap across the aisle from me was giving Barnes a panning from the start. He even tried to get a "What a difference you have made" song going. Strangely he went rather quiet in the last half hour.

 

[sams dad]

If Barnes starts in place of a fit Ulloa I will shave my eye brows .........

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

Barnes has a blinder as usual when played up front. My question is this: if we'd played him there all season until Ulloa arrived, would we have done better than with CMS?

This isn't a criticism of Gus but I often say that.

He's basically a victim of his own flexibility. Played in midfield, works for the team and then gets criticised for not scoring goals or looking like a natural midfielder.

His stint in midfield has almost been an education in my opinion. You could see it yesterday. It's taught him how to lay the ball off. How to maintain possession. It's improved his decision making.

I've also always been saying that IF he moves on (I dot want him to) and a team plays him up font for a whole season, I could see him scoring tons. Maybe at Champiknship, maybe league One.

Basically, he has striker movement. His two goals are the perfect example of that movement as the ball is delivered. The second is obviously down to an amazing cross but he moved for it and made it look simple.

 

[Mutts Nuts]

This isn't a criticism of Gus but I often say that.

He's basically a victim of his own flexibility. Played in midfield, works for the team and then gets criticised for not scoring goals or looking like a natural midfielder.

His stint in midfield has almost been an education in my opinion. You could see it yesterday. It's taught him how to lay the ball off. How to maintain possession. It's improved his decision making.

I've also always been saying that IF he moves on (I dot want him to) and a team plays him up font for a whole season, I could see him scoring tons. Maybe at Champiknship, maybe league One.

Basically, he has striker movement. His two goals are the perfect example of that movement as the ball is delivered. The second is obviously down to an amazing cross but he moved for it and made it look simple.

It now seems we are all aware Mcsmudger is not up to this division,can someone please tell Gus

 

[Curious Orange]

Only 43 goals in three seasons... awful return

 

[Codner pharmaceuticals]

If Barnes starts in place of a fit Ulloa I will shave my eye brows - having said that I am not a fan of Barnes at all, but I am glad he is back as we have absolutely no depth and he is a body that has a bit of experience at this level - hopefully he can come on after 70 minutes for Leo after we are 3-0 up

It is another vote from me for the eyebrows. Photos please.

 

[casbom]

After his performance, I wonder if Gus will start with him against Leeds also? Or will Ulloa come back in?

For me start Barnes again for an hour and then bring Ulloa on to keep his match fitness up!

 

[Deleted member 2719]

I take the bit about the celebration back. Just seen the goals on SSN, no idea what the celebrations were but they looked like the ear cup to me at the time.

Well done mate. I thought your eyes are better than mine at the time, but you were a lot closer to him than me.

I know your not convinced by Barnsie but i think he brings us some steel and defenders find him a handful and his game is becoming more complete every time he plays,he is a improver IMO and you can't ask for more than that.

 

[bhawoddy]

It's good that we now have choices coming to the most important stage of the season. Barnes showed that he can play and has set his own standards now. He now needs to be so much more consistent and then he might become the player some think he will be.
Great game yesterday, keep it going.

 

[Acker79]

After his performance, I wonder if Gus will start with him against Leeds also? Or will Ulloa come back in?

For me start Barnes again for an hour and then bring Ulloa on to keep his match fitness up!

I think as good as I thought Barnes' performance was, he doesn't have the right to expect to stay in the starting line up because of it the way other players may, because of his recent ban. That's not to say he shouldn't or gus won't make room for him, just that he does have a right to expect to stay in and shouldn't be upset if he is dropped to the bench.

 

[lighthouse]

I think as good as I thought Barnes' performance was, he doesn't have the right to expect to stay in the starting line up because of it the way other players may, because of his recent ban. That's not to say he shouldn't or gus won't make room for him, just that he does have a right to expect to stay in and shouldn't be upset if he is dropped to the bench.

No more or no less than any other player in the squad. That is how it should be.

 

[Acker79]

No more or no less than any other player in the squad. That is how it should be.

Generally speaking I think if you put in a very good to great performance you can feel you've done enough to earn a start in the next game (assuming you train well, too, of course), and can feel justified in being a little put out that you've been dropped to the bench (again, assuming you use that disappointment well).

 

[The Grockle]

Although it doesn't feel like a nightmare - quite the opposite.

Haha forgot about this! Hopefully his performance means even his biggest doubters can support him for the rest of the season as he helps fire us in to the top flight.

 

[lighthouse]

Generally speaking I think if you put in a very good to great performance you can feel you've done enough to earn a start in the next game (assuming you train well, too, of course), and can feel justified in being a little put out that you've been dropped to the bench (again, assuming you use that disappointment well).

In this specific case I think much depends on how Gus views Ulloa's 'recovery' over the next week. I can Ulloa and Barnes sharing the role of striker over the next 2 games provided things things don't start to go wrong. 2 freshened up strikers going into the play offs would be perfect.