Harvey Barnes

[Infinitely Content]

6 hours ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

I really don’t think I’ve seen someone so comfortable pulling the trigger and finishing. As natural to him as breathing. 
 

I think in a different era he might’ve been a second striker and not a wide player at all. 

He's a Bellamy type in a 442 in a bygone era, just with better finishing. He has almost every finish in his game, deftness, power, finesse.

[Zero]

If he is willing to accept that role - he is a perfect option from the bench, a top closer

[Sibierski]

Still don’t understand why he didn’t play the games as striker at start of season. Finishing one on ones is his bread and butter.

[KaKa]

Good to see him get a couple down the right side.

 

Always baffled me when people would say he shouldn't play there because he wouldn't be able to score from that position, as if he was only capable of cutting in from the left to score.

 

He's just a great finisher and striker of the ball.

[Mole]

Just now, KaKa said:

Good to see him get a couple down the right side.

 

Always baffled me when people would say he shouldn't play there because he wouldn't be able to score from that position, as if he was only capable of cutting in from the left to score.

 

He's just a great finisher and striker of the ball.

I didn't watch last season but I get the impression it probably really helps having a striker like Woltemade in this instance.

 

On the right he isn't a high and wide winger and with Woltemade he probably shouldn't be anyway but with a traditional striker I can see why that wouldn't work that well.

[OpenC]

1 hour ago, Sibierski said:

Still don’t understand why he didn’t play the games as striker at start of season. Finishing one on ones is his bread and butter.

 

Aye, same.  He's the most natural finisher at the club, wasn't even in contention until an actual striker arrived.  He was the more obvious choice than Gordon I thought (I mean, what do I know like  but was surprised it wasn't even tried)

 

 

Edited October 22, 2025 by OpenC

[Optimistic Nut]

First goal reminded me a bit of one Robert scored away in Basel but from the opposite side. 

[KaKa]

4 minutes ago, Mole said:

I didn't watch last season but I get the impression it probably really helps having a striker like Woltemade in this instance.

 

On the right he isn't a high and wide winger and with Woltemade he probably shouldn't be anyway but with a traditional striker I can see why that wouldn't work that well.

 

There was a period last season we were trying to figure out how best to play Gordon and Barnes together, and who should go on the right side.

 

I think Gordon really suffered on that right side, even though he's seen as the more versatile player. I think he's one that needs to just stay on the left, otherwise his form starts to suffer when he starts getting moved around, whether on the right or upfront.

 

Barnes is always going to make forward runs and find himself in goal scoring positions, and finishes well and confidently with both feet. Was good to see him do so down that right side when he came on and we didn't put him on the left and shift Gordon over to the right like we did at times last season.

[Andy]

Pope's getting lavished with praise for the throw (rightly so too), but it was the run from this lad that made the goal happen. He started from just outside the six yard box when Pope collected the ball.  

[TRon]

1 hour ago, KaKa said:

Good to see him get a couple down the right side.

 

Always baffled me when people would say he shouldn't play there because he wouldn't be able to score from that position, as if he was only capable of cutting in from the left to score.

 

He's just a great finisher and striker of the ball.

 

 

Tbf you don't normally score from that wide an angle. He had to hit it perfectly. 

[KaKa]

14 minutes ago, TRon said:

 

 

Tbf you don't normally score from that wide an angle. He had to hit it perfectly. 

 

Yes, and he's the one guy in the team most likely to do just that.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

1 hour ago, OpenC said:

 

Aye, same.  He's the most natural finisher at the club, wasn't even in contention until an actual striker arrived.  He was the more obvious choice than Gordon I thought (I mean, what do I know like  but was surprised it wasn't even tried)

 

 

It's probably his lack of physicality and relatively lightweight style of play. Can see him being bossed around and really struggling at CF, even though his eye for goal is superb. 

 

Playing him with Woltemade could potentially work mind, if we didn't live in 433 world. 

[TRon]

1 minute ago, KaKa said:

 

Yes, and he's the one guy in the team most likely to do just that.

 

No doubt. But given the choice I think he would rather start on the left because that opens up more angles for him to use his striking ability. But two goals don't lie, he can definitely score goals from that side. if anything his second goal drove that home more emphatically for me, because those you are more likely to score week in week out. 

[KaKa]

16 minutes ago, TRon said:

 

No doubt. But given the choice I think he would rather start on the left because that opens up more angles for him to use his striking ability. But two goals don't lie, he can definitely score goals from that side. if anything his second goal drove that home more emphatically for me, because those you are more likely to score week in week out. 

 

Yeah, I just think if we're ever in a position where it's either him or Gordon on the right. I'd rather have Barnes there. I just trust him more to produce there, and moving Gordon around appears to really throw him off his game, to the extent even when he goes back on the left it takes him time to get going there again.

[Roids]

our best lw

[The College Dropout]

It's his lack of physicality which is why he can't play ST.

[Jimburst]

Aye, he's got very little fight. It's not his game. 

[Slim]

People will be saying he's shit soon unfortunately.

 

Happy he's not the scapegoat for a bit tho.

[RS]

The West Ham 4-3 fight back game convinced me he was a player. He’s had wobbles but he’s a key player for us.  

 

 

Edited October 22, 2025 by RS

[TRon]

7 minutes ago, Jimburst said:

Aye, he's got very little fight. It's not his game. 

 

He was at fault for not tracking back for one of the goals we conceded last Saturday as well. Just something to bear in mind, defensively he's not the best. 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Think it’s much harder for him to come on when we’re chasing or not playing well. Obvious point but especially for him because he can struggle to impose himself a bit. 

[Lush Vlad]

He can play right wing after all  

 

Really happy for him. He is always the one that makes way. He’s an easy sub or someone Howe can leave out. I feel like he’s become a bit of a scapegoat with fans and all.

 

His game is very basic and all about output. So I do get the frustrations with him when he isn’t scoring or assisting. But he’s the best finisher at the club and I think he gets a raw deal at times. 

[Adam]

He's going to be lethal with Big Nick playing. He can run people himself but he's far more about the give and go, getting the ball in behind. For someone people keep calling shite he's score some huge goals for us.

 

Still only scores at the gallowgate mind #worrying

[macphisto]

Reading the Gordon thread and his stats, it makes you wonder what Barnes is thinking? 

 

If he's not in the team now then it's obvious he'll never get in on a regular basis; particularly when he's considered one of the best, if not the best, natural goalscorers in the team. 

 

I had really high hopes for Barnes when we signed him but it's time to accept the move hasn't worked out as we all hoped. We need to move him on in the summer. 

[Aiston]

Had a good game.

 

Cracking balls to Joelinton & Woltemade, Wolte should have scored as well.