Barnes happy to be on the spot (From The Argus)

Funny thing about Barnes is that although he has been the club's top scorer for the past two seasons and has never given less than his all, he seems unloved by the fans. Strange.

B rian Tawses left foot wrote:
Funny thing about Barnes is that although he has been the club's top scorer for the past two seasons and has never given less than his all, he seems unloved by the fans. Strange.

I would say a minority but vocal amount of fans don't like him (for what ever reason) but the vast amount can see the job he does for the team.

Poaching the odd goal and is one thing, but I would have thought that at the bare minimum a pro footballer should be able to control and pass the ball, two skills sadly missing for dear old Ashley.

B rian Tawses left foot wrote:
Funny thing about Barnes is that although he has been the club's top scorer for the past two seasons and has never given less than his all, he seems unloved by the fans. Strange.

There are over 20,000 BHA season ticket holders. There are about 20 people who post on here, regularly. That would suggest our posts represent only 0.1% of the serious fan base - to say nothing of an even wider audience.

We should always keep in perspective the opinions expressed in these threads. That is, in reality it is only a minority view; whether or not it is representitive of a larger populus remains to be established.

far better team player than many appreciate. Could score more goals if Gus released him to play as an out and out striker but he plays to the system and takes unfair flak as a result. I see that now we are on a relatively poor run (top 10 isnt good enough for some) the same fans are turning on the manager.
In an age of instant gratification it is probably inevitable. Memories are short.

farside wrote:
far better team player than many appreciate. Could score more goals if Gus released him to play as an out and out striker but he plays to the system and takes unfair flak as a result. I see that now we are on a relatively poor run (top 10 isnt good enough for some) the same fans are turning on the manager.
In an age of instant gratification it is probably inevitable. Memories are short.

I think it is a fair comment that as an out and out striker, he would score more goals. The jury is still out for me on Barnes but, when you have missed two penalties and are still willing to step up again, that's commendable commitment to the cause.

farside wrote:
far better team player than many appreciate. Could score more goals if Gus released him to play as an out and out striker but he plays to the system and takes unfair flak as a result. I see that now we are on a relatively poor run (top 10 isnt good enough for some) the same fans are turning on the manager.
In an age of instant gratification it is probably inevitable. Memories are short.

sorry farside, but dont think you could play him as an out and out striker, as he lacks the required pace. This lack of pace is evident, when he takes a tap, and go s down looking for the free kick. I work with a norwich season ticket holder, and he sings the praises of Bennett. now there is a player

B rian Tawses left foot wrote:
Funny thing about Barnes is that although he has been the club's top scorer for the past two seasons and has never given less than his all, he seems unloved by the fans. Strange.

Murray was top scorer two season ago, but to be fair Barnes did well with 20. But let's be honest, with Bennett, Lua Lua, Noone and Dicker in the team that year, my Gran could have bagged a few.

We know he was top scorer last season, but 14 last year (6 being pens and 11 in the league) is nothing to shout about if we want to be taken seriously.....

Barnes has real mistaken confidence. He is exteamly limited.He never beats a player instead falls over at every opertunity looking for a free kick...his passing is iffy and for a fairly big guy can't head a ball....

I really can not see how people can praise him...yes..he tries.. and yes... he appears to enjoy playing for BHA..good for him...but if we want to step up, he needs to be out the team.

Us as a club have always warmed to players who try with a lack of ability - Johnny Crumplin, Peter Smith, Kerry Mayo, Gary Hart etc etc....Ashley is the same....but people, we need to move on from this if were looking to step up a gear.

IRISHGULL wrote:

farside wrote:
far better team player than many appreciate. Could score more goals if Gus released him to play as an out and out striker but he plays to the system and takes unfair flak as a result. I see that now we are on a relatively poor run (top 10 isnt good enough for some) the same fans are turning on the manager.
In an age of instant gratification it is probably inevitable. Memories are short.

sorry farside, but dont think you could play him as an out and out striker, as he lacks the required pace. This lack of pace is evident, when he takes a tap, and go s down looking for the free kick. I work with a norwich season ticket holder, and he sings the praises of Bennett. now there is a player

Pace isn't a pre-requisite for being a striker - it's more about anticipation for some. Teddy Sheringham couldn't beat my gran for pace, but was still a decent player.

Berbatov isn't the quickest.

And neither did Murray but what he did have was a fantastic touch, strength enough to bully a defender and the ability to win most headers he went for both defensively and when trying to get a flick on or head for goal.
My point? Yes, pace is not the be all and end all but if you don't have it then you have to have other skills/abilities to make you the player you are.

The Real Ryfish wrote:

IRISHGULL wrote:

farside wrote:
far better team player than many appreciate. Could score more goals if Gus released him to play as an out and out striker but he plays to the system and takes unfair flak as a result. I see that now we are on a relatively poor run (top 10 isnt good enough for some) the same fans are turning on the manager.
In an age of instant gratification it is probably inevitable. Memories are short.

sorry farside, but dont think you could play him as an out and out striker, as he lacks the required pace. This lack of pace is evident, when he takes a tap, and go s down looking for the free kick. I work with a norwich season ticket holder, and he sings the praises of Bennett. now there is a player

Pace isn't a pre-requisite for being a striker - it's more about anticipation for some. Teddy Sheringham couldn't beat my gran for pace, but was still a decent player.

sorry mate but think. its abit unfair to compare teddy with ash. And what about years ago at the goldstone, watching that legend frank worthington, now there was a magician who was not the quickest. But his brain and natural ability made up for that, would have been lovely to see big frank gracing the amex

Take your point Tommy11,but i would`nt say Kerry Mayo and Gary Hart had a lack of ability.I would say that their passion and keep on fighting never give up attitude was an asset they shared in buckets,and in itself i would suggest is a great skill to have.UTA

IRISHGULL wrote:

The Real Ryfish wrote:

IRISHGULL wrote:

farside wrote:
far better team player than many appreciate. Could score more goals if Gus released him to play as an out and out striker but he plays to the system and takes unfair flak as a result. I see that now we are on a relatively poor run (top 10 isnt good enough for some) the same fans are turning on the manager.
In an age of instant gratification it is probably inevitable. Memories are short.

sorry farside, but dont think you could play him as an out and out striker, as he lacks the required pace. This lack of pace is evident, when he takes a tap, and go s down looking for the free kick. I work with a norwich season ticket holder, and he sings the praises of Bennett. now there is a player

Pace isn't a pre-requisite for being a striker - it's more about anticipation for some. Teddy Sheringham couldn't beat my gran for pace, but was still a decent player.

sorry mate but think. its abit unfair to compare teddy with ash. And what about years ago at the goldstone, watching that legend frank worthington, now there was a magician who was not the quickest. But his brain and natural ability made up for that, would have been lovely to see big frank gracing the amex

I am not at all saying Ash is as good as Sheringham, it was just a simple argument against the theory that you can't be a good striker without pace. That is all.

Striker skills are things like strenght, heading ability , pace, a quick brain, great skill and to be classed as a striker a player should have a combination of all or at least some of these attributes. Barnes has none. Period.

batray wrote:
Striker skills are things like strenght, heading ability , pace, a quick brain, great skill and to be classed as a striker a player should have a combination of all or at least some of these attributes. Barnes has none. Period.

But yet Poyet keeps picking him. If what you say is true (and it obviously isn't) then there must be some other skilss you have forgotten, like being able to carry out the manager's instructions to a satisfactory level.

Don't ask me what I think, ask Tomasz
Kuszczak!!! I have read and re-read the article and there seems to be a certain presumption about the team selection and AB's inclusion. Why?!

He says he will take the pens if he is playing well - I would have thought that actually depended on his being on the pitch at that time. And who would decide if he is playing well or not - maybe that should be TK's decision.

And before you all jump down my throat I actually respect AB's commitment - he regularly gives 100% and more and all credit to him. Sadly, in this team that shouldn't be enough (although certain other squad members would do well to take notice). Pre-requisites should include a ceertain level ball control, vision and the ability to accurately pass... Oh well.

Before I get shot down here I have defended dear old Ash on many an occasion. In the role Gus employs him he does a job for the team but this invariably is in his own half. It is a role I am sure he would rather not be doing but he is a professional and gets on with it so I do have sympathy for Ash there. I hear what others have said that if he was played as an out and out striker he will score more but I am not convinced. The names mentioned ie Sheringham & Frankie Worthington were different class compared to Ash & had quick brains therefore did not require pace. Ash sadly in my view has neither pace, strength or a quick brain. If we aspire to 10th as we are now then AB is fine. If it is play offs or better we have again in my opinion better players in the squad who should be on the park ahead of AB. That issue is down to Gus who for me recently has been too cautious with his selections. Yes he bangs the drum about having the best defence with only 9 goals conceded. However which would you all prefer being where Palace are having scored 23 and conceded 21 and being 5 points better off than us or10th? I know where I would prefer.

4everaseagull wrote:
Before I get shot down here I have defended dear old Ash on many an occasion. In the role Gus employs him he does a job for the team but this invariably is in his own half. It is a role I am sure he would rather not be doing but he is a professional and gets on with it so I do have sympathy for Ash there. I hear what others have said that if he was played as an out and out striker he will score more but I am not convinced. The names mentioned ie Sheringham & Frankie Worthington were different class compared to Ash & had quick brains therefore did not require pace. Ash sadly in my view has neither pace, strength or a quick brain. If we aspire to 10th as we are now then AB is fine. If it is play offs or better we have again in my opinion better players in the squad who should be on the park ahead of AB. That issue is down to Gus who for me recently has been too cautious with his selections. Yes he bangs the drum about having the best defence with only 9 goals conceded. However which would you all prefer being where Palace are having scored 23 and conceded 21 and being 5 points better off than us or10th? I know where I would prefer.

great post mate, i agree with your comments totally. oh for a quick football brain, don t want to mention mr vincinte, but there is also a football brain, heres hoping for a quick return

Some good points made. Barnes for me is one of those (like Dicker) who must always wonder if he's starting or on the bench. He does work hard, covers a lot of ground and for someone who is also always player out of his favoured position he has a very good goal to games ration (1:3).

One point - he's been getting lots of criticism of going down easily. Whilst he isn't the fastest of players he has mastered the art of getting his body between the opponent and the ball, drawing a foul and going down. Not diving as the foul IS usually committed. He wins us some important free kicks and seems to have learnt this well from Glenn Murray (who in our promotion season was the most fouled player in L1). I'd credit him with some prowess for this alone.

He does also have a knack of getting into goal scoring positions - last Saturday highlighted this - it was a streaky goal, but he was there and got the touch.

I like Barnes. he didn't cost us the earth, has more than repaid his "undisclosed" fee with some vital goals and being only just 23, he's got a decent future. I'd like to see him at this club for a few years to come...

IRISHGULL wrote:

4everaseagull wrote:
Before I get shot down here I have defended dear old Ash on many an occasion. In the role Gus employs him he does a job for the team but this invariably is in his own half. It is a role I am sure he would rather not be doing but he is a professional and gets on with it so I do have sympathy for Ash there. I hear what others have said that if he was played as an out and out striker he will score more but I am not convinced. The names mentioned ie Sheringham & Frankie Worthington were different class compared to Ash & had quick brains therefore did not require pace. Ash sadly in my view has neither pace, strength or a quick brain. If we aspire to 10th as we are now then AB is fine. If it is play offs or better we have again in my opinion better players in the squad who should be on the park ahead of AB. That issue is down to Gus who for me recently has been too cautious with his selections. Yes he bangs the drum about having the best defence with only 9 goals conceded. However which would you all prefer being where Palace are having scored 23 and conceded 21 and being 5 points better off than us or10th? I know where I would prefer.

great post mate, i agree with your comments totally. oh for a quick football brain, don t want to mention mr vincinte, but there is also a football brain, heres hoping for a quick return

I had a look at the Vicente montage on u-tube yesterday,and cant understand for the life of me ,why someone so talented would choose to throw it away and treat it with contempt,but it seems to be what he is doing,what an incredible waste.I have moaned with the best about Vicente,but perhaps for the wrong reasons,i moaned for his sicknote attitude and lack of ambition to get fit,but i should of moaned at the way he obviously takes that tallent for granted and dismisses it so easily,when so many other players would grab it and use it to its full..UTA sorry got a little carried away!

I do have this nagging feeling that if he were to go to another championship club, he would flourish. "Journeyman" footballers, as we know, go from club to club. The problem for Barnes is that under the manager he has become a " Journeyman" within this club.

Dr Baldhead wrote:
Some good points made. Barnes for me is one of those (like Dicker) who must always wonder if he's starting or on the bench. He does work hard, covers a lot of ground and for someone who is also always player out of his favoured position he has a very good goal to games ration (1:3).

One point - he's been getting lots of criticism of going down easily. Whilst he isn't the fastest of players he has mastered the art of getting his body between the opponent and the ball, drawing a foul and going down. Not diving as the foul IS usually committed. He wins us some important free kicks and seems to have learnt this well from Glenn Murray (who in our promotion season was the most fouled player in L1). I'd credit him with some prowess for this alone.

He does also have a knack of getting into goal scoring positions - last Saturday highlighted this - it was a streaky goal, but he was there and got the touch.

I like Barnes. he didn't cost us the earth, has more than repaid his "undisclosed" fee with some vital goals and being only just 23, he's got a decent future. I'd like to see him at this club for a few years to come...

Imho a great assessment of Digger.UTA

tug509 wrote:

IRISHGULL wrote:

4everaseagull wrote:
Before I get shot down here I have defended dear old Ash on many an occasion. In the role Gus employs him he does a job for the team but this invariably is in his own half. It is a role I am sure he would rather not be doing but he is a professional and gets on with it so I do have sympathy for Ash there. I hear what others have said that if he was played as an out and out striker he will score more but I am not convinced. The names mentioned ie Sheringham & Frankie Worthington were different class compared to Ash & had quick brains therefore did not require pace. Ash sadly in my view has neither pace, strength or a quick brain. If we aspire to 10th as we are now then AB is fine. If it is play offs or better we have again in my opinion better players in the squad who should be on the park ahead of AB. That issue is down to Gus who for me recently has been too cautious with his selections. Yes he bangs the drum about having the best defence with only 9 goals conceded. However which would you all prefer being where Palace are having scored 23 and conceded 21 and being 5 points better off than us or10th? I know where I would prefer.

great post mate, i agree with your comments totally. oh for a quick football brain, don t want to mention mr vincinte, but there is also a football brain, heres hoping for a quick return

I had a look at the Vicente montage on u-tube yesterday,and cant understand for the life of me ,why someone so talented would choose to throw it away and treat it with contempt,but it seems to be what he is doing,what an incredible waste.I have moaned with the best about Vicente,but perhaps for the wrong reasons,i moaned for his sicknote attitude and lack of ambition to get fit,but i should of moaned at the way he obviously takes that tallent for granted and dismisses it so easily,when so many other players would grab it and use it to its full..UTA sorry got a little carried away!

i for one, would love him back mate, baggage and all. Quality , and quick feet is what we have missed this season. still cant get my head round why he was played at swindon in that mickey mouse cup game. Heres hoping he returns

SMF20 wrote:
And neither did Murray but what he did have was a fantastic touch, strength enough to bully a defender and the ability to win most headers he went for both defensively and when trying to get a flick on or head for goal.
My point? Yes, pace is not the be all and end all but if you don't have it then you have to have other skills/abilities to make you the player you are.

Well said, we have really missed Murray since his departure, he was good in the air, good at holding the ball up, and good in defence the perfect player and he scores goals, what more do you want. Gus is very unhappy about the Boxing Day change.

SMF20 wrote:
And neither did Murray but what he did have was a fantastic touch, strength enough to bully a defender and the ability to win most headers he went for both defensively and when trying to get a flick on or head for goal.
My point? Yes, pace is not the be all and end all but if you don't have it then you have to have other skills/abilities to make you the player you are.

Well said, we have really missed Murray since his departure, he was good in the air, good at holding the ball up, and good in defence the perfect player and he scores goals, what more do you want. Gus is very unhappy about the Boxing Day change.

SMF20 wrote:
And neither did Murray but what he did have was a fantastic touch, strength enough to bully a defender and the ability to win most headers he went for both defensively and when trying to get a flick on or head for goal.
My point? Yes, pace is not the be all and end all but if you don't have it then you have to have other skills/abilities to make you the player you are.

Well said, we have really missed Murray since his departure, he was good in the air, good at holding the ball up, and good in defence the perfect player and he scores goals, what more do you want. Gus is very unhappy about the Boxing Day change.

SMF20 wrote:
And neither did Murray but what he did have was a fantastic touch, strength enough to bully a defender and the ability to win most headers he went for both defensively and when trying to get a flick on or head for goal.
My point? Yes, pace is not the be all and end all but if you don't have it then you have to have other skills/abilities to make you the player you are.

Well said, we have really missed Murray since his departure, he was good in the air, good at holding the ball up, and good in defence the perfect player and he scores goals, what more do you want. Gus is very unhappy about the Boxing Day change.

SMF20 wrote:
And neither did Murray but what he did have was a fantastic touch, strength enough to bully a defender and the ability to win most headers he went for both defensively and when trying to get a flick on or head for goal.
My point? Yes, pace is not the be all and end all but if you don't have it then you have to have other skills/abilities to make you the player you are.

Well said, we have really missed Murray since his departure, he was good in the air, good at holding the ball up, and good in defence the perfect player and he scores goals, what more do you want. Gus is very unhappy about the Boxing Day change.

TULSA,Albions game friday is being streamed on coolsportz,stream1,a
nd probably on firstrow sport.Enjoy...UTA

No more Barnes penalty kicks please. This is a sore subject with me and the manager should designate a regular penalty taker,someone who takes more than 2 steps back and actually hits the ball hard,aka Lambert or Shearer. I would suggest Bridge who has got a good left foot or Bruno,even CMS or Buckley,but not Barnes!
Barnes has missed too many for my liking and I never feel confident that he is going to score when he steps up.

When we had Noone some said that he put the ball in the wrong places when crossing it, but it is working for him at Cardiff. So has Noone become better over night or are the Cardiff players taking up the right positions to receive the ball from Noone and maybe our players didn't.

Barnes is often spoken of on here in the way Noone was, he can't do this or he can't do that but I think the jury should still be out on the lad. I think many of our players are suffering from not being a settled unit and the reason for that has mostly been injuries.
Our back five is rock solid but the understanding that they have comes from the hours playing together and that understanding is what makes them so good.
I am not sure about you guys but I have no idea what our regular midfield set up is. I have no idea what our best midfield set up is. At the start of the season, when we were winning, very few, if any, changes were made from game to game, unless injury demanded a change. Once we picked up a few knocks all at the same time we lost our way in midfield and for that reason the service to who ever was playing up front suffered, oh yeah, and we lost our top striker.

To ask Barnes to be a CMS is wrong, he won't be and he can't be, they are two very different types of striker. Barnes is a Grand National horse, he will play the whole game at one pace. CMS is more the Arabian stallion, built for speed, has a look of pure class when on the grass but you will only see him at his best when in the company of other thoroughbreds. CMS would grace the premiership Barnes wouldn't but that doesn't mean that Barnes doesn't belong at Brighton. Barnes will help to get us there but won't survive the cut when we do but that said, I doubt we will get for there without him or a replacement for him. Was Dobbie bought to replace Barnes long term or to replace CMS come the january sales, time will tell.

. .. .

tug509 wrote:

IRISHGULL wrote:

4everaseagull wrote:
Before I get shot down here I have defended dear old Ash on many an occasion. In the role Gus employs him he does a job for the team but this invariably is in his own half. It is a role I am sure he would rather not be doing but he is a professional and gets on with it so I do have sympathy for Ash there. I hear what others have said that if he was played as an out and out striker he will score more but I am not convinced. The names mentioned ie Sheringham & Frankie Worthington were different class compared to Ash & had quick brains therefore did not require pace. Ash sadly in my view has neither pace, strength or a quick brain. If we aspire to 10th as we are now then AB is fine. If it is play offs or better we have again in my opinion better players in the squad who should be on the park ahead of AB. That issue is down to Gus who for me recently has been too cautious with his selections. Yes he bangs the drum about having the best defence with only 9 goals conceded. However which would you all prefer being where Palace are having scored 23 and conceded 21 and being 5 points better off than us or10th? I know where I would prefer.

great post mate, i agree with your comments totally. oh for a quick football brain, don t want to mention mr vincinte, but there is also a football brain, heres hoping for a quick return

I had a look at the Vicente montage on u-tube yesterday,and cant understand for the life of me ,why someone so talented would choose to throw it away and treat it with contempt,but it seems to be what he is doing,what an incredible waste.I have moaned with the best about Vicente,but perhaps for the wrong reasons,i moaned for his sicknote attitude and lack of ambition to get fit,but i should of moaned at the way he obviously takes that tallent for granted and dismisses it so easily,when so many other players would grab it and use it to its full..UTA sorry got a little carried away!

Do you know for a fact that is what he's doing then?

What amazes me is that Vicente has played more games than Hoskins, and yet the latter escapes much of the criticism.

Some would argue that neither should be the target of any ill-feeling (excuse the pun), but should be supported as they try and get back to full fitness – body OR mind.

Have said it before ,I think Noone was overall a better bet than Lua Lua, I think playing in a more positive attacking team suits him. I like entertainment. For me 4-3 is better than 1-0.

Have said it before ,I think Noone was overall a better bet than Lua Lua, I think playing in a more positive attacking team suits him. I like entertainment. For me 4-3 is better than 1-0.

A workhorse, a battler, a trier. Good grief - reminds me of Mickey Adams era mark 2 when every post-match interview commended a battling performance. The season we go up will not be one with Ash regularly in the starting 11. Too many basic football skills lacking. Gus's game requires 11 players (yes including the keeper) who are comfortable with the ball at their feet and have a quick brain.

Mister Yeah-no-definitely-c
ourse certainly ain't one of them. But absolutely a world class battler/trier.

We left 'battling' performances behind years ago.

AND DON'T TAKE ANY MORE PENALTIES WITH A TWO STEP RUN-UP!! YOU ARE NOT MESSI!!!!

On a different note, lads, has anyone heard whether Gus has made any inroads into getting that elusive striker???

On a different note, lads, has anyone heard whether Gus has made any inroads into getting that elusive striker???

On a different note, lads, has anyone heard whether Gus has made any inroads into getting that elusive striker???

So Sorry guys for the repeat post--Argus site playing up again!!

To make sure everyone is aware, while there are fans with legitimate negative opinions, there are also trolls that come on here trying to influence the true supporters against the players and manager. Some like HPR still even use multiple names to support themselves like heathgate & batray. Whoever plays tomorrow I am going to support them at the Amex to give them the confidence they require .

Gazza by the sea wrote:
A workhorse, a battler, a trier. Good grief - reminds me of Mickey Adams era mark 2 when every post-match interview commended a battling performance. The season we go up will not be one with Ash regularly in the starting 11. Too many basic football skills lacking. Gus's game requires 11 players (yes including the keeper) who are comfortable with the ball at their feet and have a quick brain. Mister Yeah-no-definitely-c ourse certainly ain't one of them. But absolutely a world class battler/trier. We left 'battling' performances behind years ago. AND DON'T TAKE ANY MORE PENALTIES WITH A TWO STEP RUN-UP!! YOU ARE NOT MESSI!!!!

Good shout....

mikeygit wrote:
So Sorry guys for the repeat post--Argus site playing up again!!

Yep, I hear Mark Gall is coming out of retirement....he is just what we need.

mikeygit wrote:
On a different note, lads, has anyone heard whether Gus has made any inroads into getting that elusive striker???

No

Tommy----that would be very 'galling'!!!

Cabin fever wrote:

tug509 wrote:

IRISHGULL wrote:

4everaseagull wrote:
Before I get shot down here I have defended dear old Ash on many an occasion. In the role Gus employs him he does a job for the team but this invariably is in his own half. It is a role I am sure he would rather not be doing but he is a professional and gets on with it so I do have sympathy for Ash there. I hear what others have said that if he was played as an out and out striker he will score more but I am not convinced. The names mentioned ie Sheringham & Frankie Worthington were different class compared to Ash & had quick brains therefore did not require pace. Ash sadly in my view has neither pace, strength or a quick brain. If we aspire to 10th as we are now then AB is fine. If it is play offs or better we have again in my opinion better players in the squad who should be on the park ahead of AB. That issue is down to Gus who for me recently has been too cautious with his selections. Yes he bangs the drum about having the best defence with only 9 goals conceded. However which would you all prefer being where Palace are having scored 23 and conceded 21 and being 5 points better off than us or10th? I know where I would prefer.

great post mate, i agree with your comments totally. oh for a quick football brain, don t want to mention mr vincinte, but there is also a football brain, heres hoping for a quick return

I had a look at the Vicente montage on u-tube yesterday,and cant understand for the life of me ,why someone so talented would choose to throw it away and treat it with contempt,but it seems to be what he is doing,what an incredible waste.I have moaned with the best about Vicente,but perhaps for the wrong reasons,i moaned for his sicknote attitude and lack of ambition to get fit,but i should of moaned at the way he obviously takes that tallent for granted and dismisses it so easily,when so many other players would grab it and use it to its full..UTA sorry got a little carried away!

Do you know for a fact that is what he's doing then?

What amazes me is that Vicente has played more games than Hoskins, and yet the latter escapes much of the criticism.

Some would argue that neither should be the target of any ill-feeling (excuse the pun), but should be supported as they try and get back to full fitness – body OR mind.

If any of us on here KNEW for certain we would be paid lots of dosh for our services,but we dont,so,we discuss and extrapolate the information at hand and make an educated guess.Perhaps you could tell me how V was fit for the games in Spain (pre-season) and the Chelsea (European Champions) match at home,and yes he played against Swindon,BUT the first game of the season and (pause of anticipation) 8 minutes,whether that was Gus or V is irrelevant as we have`nt seen him since.Taking account that this guy is akin to a thoroughbred racehorse i would expect him to be fit and push past any minor niggles as all good pros do and,wait for it,actually do what he is payed for,no one is asking him to fix a leaky tap,or fill a pothole in the road,just play fecking football once in a blue moon,hope that clears it up.!!!UTA...ps V did`nt break his foot,Hoskins did!

B-hove wrote:

B rian Tawses left foot wrote: Funny thing about Barnes is that although he has been the club's top scorer for the past two seasons and has never given less than his all, he seems unloved by the fans. Strange.

There are over 20,000 BHA season ticket holders. There are about 20 people who post on here, regularly. That would suggest our posts represent only 0.1% of the serious fan base - to say nothing of an even wider audience. We should always keep in perspective the opinions expressed in these threads. That is, in reality it is only a minority view; whether or not it is representitive of a larger populus remains to be established.

I agree, but surely we all talk to people away from this site. That being the case I find that the views on this site are vastly representative of those thoughts elsewhere. I converse on Albion matters with people at my bowls club (membership 1000 plus) and find that our thoughts are the same in the most part.

saraman wrote:

B-hove wrote:

B rian Tawses left foot wrote: Funny thing about Barnes is that although he has been the club's top scorer for the past two seasons and has never given less than his all, he seems unloved by the fans. Strange.

There are over 20,000 BHA season ticket holders. There are about 20 people who post on here, regularly. That would suggest our posts represent only 0.1% of the serious fan base - to say nothing of an even wider audience. We should always keep in perspective the opinions expressed in these threads. That is, in reality it is only a minority view; whether or not it is representitive of a larger populus remains to be established.

I agree, but surely we all talk to people away from this site. That being the case I find that the views on this site are vastly representative of those thoughts elsewhere. I converse on Albion matters with people at my bowls club (membership 1000 plus) and find that our thoughts are the same in the most part.

I concur, we often discuss Albion matters at my bridge club, although it can get heated and minor scuffles have been known to break out.

Dr Baldhead wrote:
Some good points made. Barnes for me is one of those (like Dicker) who must always wonder if he's starting or on the bench. He does work hard, covers a lot of ground and for someone who is also always player out of his favoured position he has a very good goal to games ration (1:3).

One point - he's been getting lots of criticism of going down easily. Whilst he isn't the fastest of players he has mastered the art of getting his body between the opponent and the ball, drawing a foul and going down. Not diving as the foul IS usually committed. He wins us some important free kicks and seems to have learnt this well from Glenn Murray (who in our promotion season was the most fouled player in L1). I'd credit him with some prowess for this alone.

He does also have a knack of getting into goal scoring positions - last Saturday highlighted this - it was a streaky goal, but he was there and got the touch.

I like Barnes. he didn't cost us the earth, has more than repaid his "undisclosed" fee with some vital goals and being only just 23, he's got a decent future. I'd like to see him at this club for a few years to come...

Almost all good points, but why would he wonder if he will start? He has equalled the most appearances with 14 and interestingly he appears in the top three of all the stats on the BHA website which shows his involvement in every aspect of the game. Gus knows full well how important Ash is to the team. Sadly and possibly controversially I have to say I think every single person who criticises Barnes shows more about their own lack of football knowledge and understanding and ability to analyse a player than Barnes' ability.

We'll see........

I have not read a single post on this subject , Ashley Barnes is a good hard working committed professional.
But he is a squad player at best and if we do reach the premiership in the next two seasons has any future elsewhere end of, if you can't see it then you are blind.
Great professional but lack technique pace and vision at championship pace, sorry nice guy but!! I still say apart from Bruno bridge andOrlande the rest of this years signings which includes dare I say it a player that makes me dream to see playing ie Mr V we have wasted our money, we should have forgotten about these and made a statement and kept noone has his flaws but keeping him may have sent a message out, alternatively rather than make 4 or 5 signings made 2 that would stay fit and would take us into the prem. Tony you can shop in M&S or you can shop in Asda generally in the former you will get quality on the later you may get lucky good luck!

That said I will still be there cheering them on tomorrow night

farside wrote:
far better team player than many appreciate. Could score more goals if Gus released him to play as an out and out striker but he plays to the system and takes unfair flak as a result. I see that now we are on a relatively poor run (top 10 isnt good enough for some) the same fans are turning on the manager. In an age of instant gratification it is probably inevitable. Memories are short.

Spot on!

IRISHGULL wrote:

farside wrote: far better team player than many appreciate. Could score more goals if Gus released him to play as an out and out striker but he plays to the system and takes unfair flak as a result. I see that now we are on a relatively poor run (top 10 isnt good enough for some) the same fans are turning on the manager. In an age of instant gratification it is probably inevitable. Memories are short.

sorry farside, but dont think you could play him as an out and out striker, as he lacks the required pace. This lack of pace is evident, when he takes a tap, and go s down looking for the free kick. I work with a norwich season ticket holder, and he sings the praises of Bennett. now there is a player

But when he plays as an out-and-out striker in a two he tends to score (he and CMS ripped Leeds apart second half last season at our place - all three goals scored and assisted by them in partnership).

Agree about Benno though. Him and an Emnes type striker and we would be in with a shout of the title.

The Real Ryfish wrote:

batray wrote: Striker skills are things like strenght, heading ability , pace, a quick brain, great skill and to be classed as a striker a player should have a combination of all or at least some of these attributes. Barnes has none. Period.

But yet Poyet keeps picking him. If what you say is true (and it obviously isn't) then there must be some other skilss you have forgotten, like being able to carry out the manager's instructions to a satisfactory level.

Oh and the ability to finish might also be a good skill for a striker to have! ;0)

(Ash has this IN the box...less so from outside)