Harvey Barnes

[The College Dropout]

Would like to see him start left Gordon on the right. 

[LiquidAK]

I absolutely love how direct he is, and it's so exciting how quickly he's picked up a rapport with Isak. If Gordon can be as effective on the right as he is on the left (not a given but he looked decent there 2nd half yesterday, still creating and maybe even a little less predictable) then I'd love to see those 3 as our starting attack for the rest of the season.

[SUPERTOON]

24 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

Would like to see him start left Gordon on the right. 

Think it’s our best option until the end of the season. Still need a top RW in the summer imo.

[Smal]

extremely clinical player. Just feels like if you can get him the ball within 12 yards of goal it’s more likely than not to result in him creating or scoring.

[Guest]

Can't find it, but whoever made the post saying Barnes will know exactly what Isak needs after playing alongside Vardy for so long is bang on, hadn't even thought of that. 

[Shearergol]

19 minutes ago, Optimistic Nut said:

Can't find it, but whoever made the post saying Barnes will know exactly what Isak needs after playing alongside Vardy for so long is bang on, hadn't even thought of that. 

The post about 10 up from yours?

[Guest]

Aye.

[Andy]

21 hours ago, The College Dropout said:

Would like to see him start left Gordon on the right. 

 

This would be nice but I don't think Howe will do it, probably weakens our options off the bench a bit too much. 

[Aiston]

23 hours ago, Yorkie said:

Aye can't disagree. From the little we've seen, the signing makes more and more sense with every appearance. He's a much better fit than Maxi. 

 

When you consider how close we are despite everything, I think there's a good argument that we'd have been nibbling at 4th again had we had just two or three more players available throughout. We'd have a fair few more points on the board with literally just him and Pope. 

 

It did from the start really. Having wingers that aren't very productive, so signing one that has been one of the most productive in the league.

[The College Dropout]

1 hour ago, Andy said:

 

This would be nice but I don't think Howe will do it, probably weakens our options off the bench a bit too much. 

Ah yes the old - let's have a stronger bench than starting XI strategy.

[andyc35i]

The biggest thing I’ve noticed is that he actually gets his head up when he runs and that trait seems to be a rare skill in modern football. For me, it’s one of the main reasons why he’s so effective - he can control the ball and run at pace while looking for a team mate - priceless 

[Guest]

30 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

Ah yes the old - let's have a stronger bench than starting XI strategy.

 

I think as he gets more minutes he might be more inclined to try it, with Murphy coming on from the bench. 

[Lush Vlad]

29 minutes ago, Optimistic Nut said:

 

I think as he gets more minutes he might be more inclined to try it, with Murphy coming on from the bench. 

 

I did think he might be benched again.  As the options from the bench currently are so limited, that we'd almost have to be finishing with the same 11 if he started, so bad are our subs.  Possibly only really 1 change you can make, 2 if Willock is suddenly fit to play, at best.  Otherwise it would mean massively reducing the quality of the players on the pitch by bringing anyone on.  

 

I also think Howe really sees Gordon as the starter on the left and I don't think he has started a game on the right this season?  But it feels like needs must at the minute and we've not really had anyone decent to play on the right all season, regardless.  

 

I hope I'm wrong, mind.  A slow start against Spurs and we're fucked.  I can't see them being as wasteful as Fulham. 

 

It would be nice to go with what is our best available XI from the off.  It's not really that hard to choose at present.  It's a pool of 12-13 players  

[The College Dropout]

54 minutes ago, Lush Vlad said:

 

I did think he might be benched again.  As the options from the bench currently are so limited, that we'd almost have to be finishing with the same 11 if he started, so bad are our subs.  Possibly only really 1 change you can make, 2 if Willock is suddenly fit to play, at best.  Otherwise it would mean massively reducing the quality of the players on the pitch by bringing anyone on.  

 

I also think Howe really sees Gordon as the starter on the left and I don't think he has started a game on the right this season?  But it feels like needs must at the minute and we've not really had anyone decent to play on the right all season, regardless.  

 

I hope I'm wrong, mind.  A slow start against Spurs and we're fucked.  I can't see them being as wasteful as Fulham. 

 

It would be nice to go with what is our best available XI from the off.  It's not really that hard to choose at present.  It's a pool of 12-13 players  

This line of thinking doesn't make any sense. 

 

I do agree that fundamentally Howe see's Barnes & Gordon as LW's. So if both are fit and we have a striker - one will sit on the bench. I agree that having Gordon RW is a suboptimal use of his skills but he's better there than what we have so it's for the best.

 

That's the whole issue with the Barnes transfer. He's brought in to rotate with someone we thought could be a star player for us. Meanwhile, we have 2 players at RW who are incredibly short of quality and consistency required to be mainstays of a top 6 team. 

[Ginola14]

I'd keep Barnes on the bench for now if possible 

 

since 5 subs became a thing the importance of having a strong bench should not be underestimated 

 

Everton last week were a good example, we had no answer 

 

[The College Dropout]

Let's play 60 minutes with a weaker team so we can have a better team for the final 30 minutes.

[Guest]

We got the wins against Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea by getting the lead by around the hour and then seeing it out. Think that's the way to go. Better to have a lead and if nothing else, throw on the likes of Dummett to see it out (I know it backfired v Everton) than try to chase a game in the last 30.

[Ginola14]

I think it's about managing the entire game when it's likely to be close 

 

 

[TRC]

Barnes is lightyears a head of Murphy, unless its for fitness reasons, which to be honest I dont trust Howe or his medical team on anyway, he has to start.

[Nobody]

It's also about managing Barnes minutes after having been injured for so long and suffering a slight set back once he came back. 

But definitely looking forward to Barnes Isak Gordon all starting together, csn see them being a very fluid front three with everyone being able to play anywhere across the front. 

[Yorkie]

17 minutes ago, Nobody said:

It's also about managing Barnes minutes after having been injured for so long and suffering a slight set back once he came back. 

But definitely looking forward to Barnes Isak Gordon all starting together, csn see them being a very fluid front three with everyone being able to play anywhere across the front. 

 

Yeah, I think that's a really good point and another thing which kinda debunks the "but we already have plenty of LWs" from when we signed him. I feel like the vision all along may have been - as you say - to have those three be our front three and to flummox opponents by moving them around.

[ATB]

Love him, sooo good! What a front three him, Gordon and Isak 

[Gallowgate Toon]

Played some lovely passes today. He's definitely a good footballer.

[nufc123]

Definitely put a spark on this attack last couple of games.

[HawK]

Class