Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Can Gana Be Bettered!?!? on November 06, 2010, 07:36:22 PM
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He seems to have all the attributes that made James Milner such a good centre-midfielder for us.
OK, so he's not quite at Milners standards yet, but he seems to have everything Milner had, and top centre-midfielders should: he wants the ball and will come and get it, run (fairly quick and good stamina), dribble, pass, shoot, tackle (well, he puts himself in front of the opposition - which is good enough).
We've seen with Albrighton what a run of games can do for you so let's hope Barry can have a few games in a row, that include important matches against Man Utd, Arsenal and Blues in the Cup, and see if he can live up to the reputation and hype that he seems to be developing for himself.
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I think he's a very different player. Much more creative and, dare I say it, technically gifted than Milner, who is more of an all-rounder with a harder shot and more selfless tactical work for the team. It's true, though, that wee Barry wins the ball more than you'd think given his size. I think the two players would have played brilliantly in midfield together - alongside a Delph, an NRC or a Petrov - but that's obviously impossible.
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I think he's a great player. As is Albrighton.
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No.
He will be better. As Monty says above he is far more technically gifted than Milner. In that he's a bit like Ireland but what he shares with Milner and not Ireland is a never say die attitude and a prodigious work rate. He's also very self confident and I don't think he'll need much to have his confidence boosted but even then he's found a manager who rates him.
I think it augers well for the future for him. Even now he's looking likely to get in for the next Scotland game and I really hope he shines so we are spared Scott Brown or Lee McCullogh in future qualifiers.
EDIT: And from a Villa perspective it's good too. With Delph and potentially Gardner for the future we could have a great footballing midfield forthcoming.
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I think Albrighton could move inside and make a good centre-midfielder ala Milner.
Love Bannan, though, hope he makes it.
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was excellent today, looks like he's going to be very good for us.
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I think Albrighton could move inside and make a good centre-midfielder ala Milner.
Love Bannan, though, hope he makes it.
I'd prefer to keep Albrighton as a wide forward, he really plays the position well and beats full backs with prodigious ease.
I agree Sandman, and I also think that Ireland's best position might well prove to be as more of an attacking midfielder than an off-the-front forward, so the future of our midfield is looking pretty good - even without potential new signings!
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Bannan is a fantastic prospect. Didn't see today's game but I thought we looked a far better side when he came on last week. He seems to want the ball constantly and didn't seem overawed by the occasion, which might happen to a young kid playing in a derby game.
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If we are comparing the youthful players with people who went to Man Citeh.
Ciaran Clark - The new Gareth Barry?
A defender moved into midfield who has had two good games in that position and appears composed on the ball.
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If I was to over simplify, I'd describe Bannan as a skill monster and Milner as an engine.
I tell you what though, it's great to watch a Villa player with the vision and technical ability of wee Barry for a change. Exciting player.
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I think he had a Scholes-like vibe going on today. He was much more effective in the middle than he was against Burnley a couple of weeks ago out wide. Exciting.
Albrighton was also brilliant today, his first finish and finish was amazing and (to extend the 90's theme) Berkamp-esque.
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First saw Bannan in the Youth Cup Final when everyone was raving about Delfouneso and Forrester. For me he stood out like a beacon, composed and always looking for the ball.
It's very early days yet but I'd liken him to Cowans & I hope he has the same level of success. Despite the final result was hugely impressed with the 3 young lads today.
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Just read this thread and was going to say he reminds me of Sid but blow me down I was beaten to it by John!! If he is as good as Cowans, younger Villan fans will be in for a treat :)
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From what people have said on here, and my limited viewings a midfield three of Bannan, Gardner and Delph would be an awesome and complementary combination.
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Clark, Bannan, Allbrighton and Delph: all tested at the first-team level and found to be up to it.
Fantastic.
If G Gardiner, Weimann, James Collins Jnr and Forrester can get there too, even better.
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I think its unfair to compare Bannan to Milner. Bannan is only just breaking into the first team but is showing some great promise. He seems to have an eye for a pass and always wants the ball the signs are encouraging.
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we have not had a player like this for a very long time, his awareness touch and vision is special we will strugle to hold onto him
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we have not had a player like this for a very long time, his awareness touch and vision is special we will strugle to hold onto him
Always one for the bright side, eh Hawks? :P
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Great performance by Bannan today. Kept the ball well, picked out some really delicious passes, didn't mind making a tackle or two and he likes to have a shot from distance too. He's the Scottish Xavi.
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I think he had a Scholes-like vibe going on today. He was much more effective in the middle than he was against Burnley a couple of weeks ago out wide. Exciting.
My thoughts exactly. Still worried about his size.
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everyone ok? one pass and hes better than our best player of the past 2 years? Can i have a smoke too??
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I've just watched today's goal for about the 100th time and it was superb. Bannan looked up and spotteg Albrighton before hitting the ball, and the finish was of the highest order. If this had of been a Scholes/Rooney, Lampard/Drogba or Gerard/Torres combination it would already be suggested as goal of the season. Great play all around.
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everyone ok? one pass and hes better than our best player of the past 2 years? Can i have a smoke too??
How about saying something positive for a change? Like well done to a youngster who looks like he might become a star.
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Not too many people saying he is too lightweight now. The kid has the talent to be a class act and he makes us much better to watch.
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He was excellent today, did very well indeed.
Let's not get carreid away, though. He's probably not going to be the new James Milner. There's lots of points between being the new Steve Sidwell and the new James Milner, though, and he will almost certainly be somewhere along that scale.
In his last game prior to today, I thought he got knocked off the ball far too easily, as he has done frequently in his appearances for us.
Great performance today, excellent stuff, but let's remember, he's got a long, long way to go.
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From what I saw today he hasn't got the engine of Milner but has the poise and elegance of Sid. Seemed to be able to create space where there wasn't any and play excellent balls to his own players. He does intelligent stuff like play the easy ball, but makes himself available for the return.
It is very early days, but I liked what I saw from him today.
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easy lads - at home to Burnley two weeks ago people were saying he was out of his depth.
I thought he was a bit quieter in the second half today and he is a bit lightweight in midfield but a cracking player on the ball. Well able to turn with the ball, run with it and pass it short or long. Lets just see how he develops.
I was seriously impressed with Clark when he came on. Feisty in the tackle and tidy on the ball. He already looks a far superior midfielder to Sidwell and looks a cracking option for centre midfield.
Albrighton had a fine game again today on the wing.
Three new options anyway. The fonz was pretty decent I thought in the first half but his confidence was gone by the time the third chance came his way. He got into great positions and he will get more chances against Blackpool.
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I think Albrighton could move inside and make a good centre-midfielder ala Milner.
Milner never was, or will be a natural winger. He has unbelievable energy and power but doesn't possess immense pace over 5 yards or enough tricks to go round people. His crossing hit the first man more often than it's intended target. Milner is much more suited to central positions.
On the flip-side Albrighton isn't that powerful but has that nippy low centre of gravity that many wingers have. He is also an excellent crosser of the ball. I think we should keep him where he is.
Besides we don't want anything to slow down the bannan bandwagon (winky thing).
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Whoever mentioned Scholes was right, his vision for a pass was outstanding. Stenjos says one pass, because he didn’t watch the game. Bannan played a number of excellent balls through to our widemen that the vast majority of our squad just would not be able to do.
He wasn’t light weight at all today, as he’s a total pest off the ball and won more than his fair share of tackles. With Clacker backing him up, we looked more than up for the physical aspect. He was unlucky with a volley and his assist for Albrighton was simply world class. While I’m confident he is left footed, I have to say that I wouldn’t want to bet my house on that fact!
Vision, tempo, pace, skill on the ball, passing, shooting- the kid has the lot. He showed it today and I’m sure given experience he’ll be ale to show it on a regular basis. Albrighton made the leap with ease, while this boy is better than the vast majority of dross in the league.
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Being left footed he gives us that balance in mdfield we've not had since Gareth Barry, he will have a bit to prove to Blackpool as he didn't always get in there side last year.
Houllier deserves credit for giving him his chance and I hope he takes it.
I had heard about his pass for the goal before I saw it and whilst it was a good pass we'd be slaughtering Warnock if he'd misjudged it like the Fulham full back had.
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I think he's going to be a top class player. His ability on the ball is obvious but his reading of the game and his awareness of what is required appear to me to be that of a much more experienced footballer. In the same way that Clarke shows a composure well above his years. Exciting times.
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I thought he had a very good game allways found his man with the ball allways available and that pass for the goal stupendous he is going to have a big future with us.
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I will settle for him being the new Dennis Wise. Except less of a cock obviously. Agree about Clark potentially being the new Gareth Barry. Like what I am seeing so far and he will now get an extended run in midfield.
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The saying goes if your old enough your'e good enough and he is certainly old enough! Im very excited by the prospect.
I would worry about him against the more physical side's if he was playing central midfield but then you can switch him wide?
The youth is certainly very exciting at the moment
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Does anyone know how long he has left on his contract?
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Too early to tell for me but it is nice to see some positivity and something emerging to look forward to this season which I think is going to be one of transition and probably needs to be viewed as such with no great high expectations. Nothing better than seeing one of your youngsters come through and make it. Or, in our case, potentially three or four...
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No not the new Milner. This kid can actually do something with the ball . Milner is a runner. I hope he is the new Sid.
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He needs a chant though before he get's hit with the usual "There's only one..."
Although the same tune(?!) could be used for "BIG BARRY BANNAN... We got BIG BARRY BANNAN.. BIG BARRY BANNAN, we got BARRY BANNAN".
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Let hope Mr Houiller will adopt Barcelona's tactics and formation for us to use players like Bannan in similar mould to Xavi. Now where is Aston Villa's Iniesta or Messi :)
Goalkeeper
Valdes - Brad Friedel (Until we get a new goalkeeper)
Defenders
Daniel Alves - Erm Luke Young (Na)
Carlos Puyol - King Carlos Cuellar
Gerald Pique - Carron Clark or James Collins
Eric Abidal - Stephen Warnock (Na)
Sergio Busquets - Nigel Reo Coker
Xavi - Barry Bannan
Ineista - Stephen Ireland or Stuart Downing
Javier Mascherano - Erm Steve Sidwell or Petrov (Na)
Lionel Messi - Erm Ashley Young (Na)
David Villa - Erm Gabriel Agbonlahor (Na)
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There were two chants for him yesterday. "Barry Bannan ba ba ba ba ba ber" to the tune of "Ma ma ma ma ba ba ba ba ber" - don't know the name of the original song just the tune but it's difficult to do on a forum! Also "who needs Barry when we've got Barry Bannan? Woooaaah, Barry Bannan!" tu the tune of the Macarena.
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There were two chants for him yesterday. "Barry Bannan ba ba ba ba ba ber" to the tune of "Ma ma ma ma ba ba ba ba ber" - don't know the name of the original song just the tune but it's difficult to do on a forum!
Would be my guess:
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Bannan reminded me of Sid Cowans yesterday. The balls he played were quite breathtaking. The performances of our kids yesterday have deffinately made me feel alot better about blowing it. Really excited about Delph coming back into the fold now. Great day out yesterday!
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everyone ok? one pass and hes better than our best player of the past 2 years? Can i have a smoke too??
How about saying something positive for a change? Like well done to a youngster who looks like he might become a star.
It's all those years of being on VT. Can do strange things for the best of us.
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yea, i am looking forward to delph coming back too...
young bannon is ramming my words back down my throat about his size, and long may that continue to be the case...
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His passing has often reminded me of a young Sid. I think thats the nearest comparison, although a hefty one.
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Definitely the new Sid. The pass for the goal was reminiscent of the the one touch cross field pass that Sid delivered for a goal against Wimbledon during our march to 2nd place in 89-90 - anyone remember that one?
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There were two chants for him yesterday. "Barry Bannan ba ba ba ba ba ber" to the tune of "Ma ma ma ma ba ba ba ba ber" - don't know the name of the original song just the tune but it's difficult to do on a forum!
Would be my guess:
That's the one.
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Anything from Bananarama The orignal and still best Girl band or Bananaman :) cartoon character in 80s.
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Too early to tell for me but it is nice to see some positivity and something emerging to look forward to this season which I think is going to be one of transition and probably needs to be viewed as such with no great high expectations. Nothing better than seeing one of your youngsters come through and make it. Or, in our case, potentially three or four...
Blimey, even Richard is being positive...Bannan must be good. :)
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How about to the Pink Panther theme...
Hmmm, scrub that, it's shit.
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Going back through the years it's been a while since we had a top level scot, Maloney and Calderwood don't count, who was it before that? Andy Sky Gray? There was a time when Scottish was synonymous with Villa before the Hansen/Sounness/Dalgliesh era at the dippers. I would envoke Archie and Mcgregor, but I wasn't there...
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Going with the Bananaman theme why don't we just do the spoken word intro?
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The only song I heard yesterday for him was to the tune of the Macerena..
"Who needs Barry when we've got Barry Bannan,
who needs Barry when we've got Barry Bannan
who needs Barry when we've got Barry Bannan
Whoa Barry Bannan"
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everyone ok? one pass and hes better than our best player of the past 2 years? Can i have a smoke too??
Oh dear.
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It's very early days yet but I'd liken him to Cowans & I hope he has the same level of success. Despite the final result was hugely impressed with the 3 young lads today.
Bannan has Cowans' work rate, passing skills and endeavour. He also looks up and around him when on the ball, whereas Milner always looks down when on the ball. I think Bannan is a more natural player and the future is exciting. It won't be long before Utd come knocking.
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The only song I heard yesterday for him was to the tune of the Macerena..
"Who needs Barry when we've got Barry Bannan,
who needs Barry when we've got Barry Bannan
who needs Barry when we've got Barry Bannan
Weeee Barry Bannan"
Slight altertion of whoa.
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Weeeeeeeeeeeee because of his size?
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The only song I heard yesterday for him was to the tune of the Macerena..
"Who needs Barry when we've got Barry Bannan,
who needs Barry when we've got Barry Bannan
who needs Barry when we've got Barry Bannan
Weeee Barry Bannan"
Slight altertion of whoa.
We might blow his confidence by referring to his size. With that in mind what about instead of Whoa or Weee....
"Big Barry Bannan"
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Going back through the years it's been a while since we had a top level scot, Maloney and Calderwood don't count, who was it before that? Andy Sky Gray?
There was that fella that played like a trojan up front in the Graham Taylor days - Alan Mc something. But you're right it's been a while.
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I think he had a Scholes-like vibe going on today.
Couldn't agree more. His whole movement, the way he's always looking for the ball, his passing, even the way he runs reminds me of Scholes. If he can beef up a bit like Scholes, I think we'll have a great player on our hands.
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I can't take all this positivity.
To balance things out I'd like to point out that his heading's rubbish!!!
Being serious though he was the best player on the pitch in the first half yesterday - his passing was immense. Looked absolutely fucked from about 60 minutes though and vanished. We've got to be very careful we don't burn him out.
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Going back through the years it's been a while since we had a top level scot, Maloney and Calderwood don't count, who was it before that? Andy Sky Gray? There was a time when Scottish was synonymous with Villa before the Hansen/Sounness/Dalgliesh era at the dippers. I would envoke Archie and Mcgregor, but I wasn't there...
how about Allan Evans, Ken McNaught and Des Bremner
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1) It's Heeeeeeeeeey Macarena! so 'whoa' and 'wee' won't really do.
2) Brummies should only EVER use the word 'wee' as a noun or a verb. BY LAW!
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Since the 1st time I saw Barry at the Hanappi Stadion in Wien last August, I thought that he'd become a great player, and yesterday he made a no look pass of 30 metres that persuaded me that I was right. Apart from this, he played a great game.
He's different from Milner though; Milner was precious as he could play on the flanks or as a central midfielder and could do very well defensive tasks, but Bannan has more vision and he's more attacking-minded, but he's a bit a lightweigh. This is the reason why probably with him we couldn't play 4-2-3-1, but 4-4-1-1 with only one holding midfielder (not him).
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I think he's a great player. As is Albrighton.
Clark, Albrighton and Bannan have been the best things about this season so far. Excellent prospects.
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I think he's going to be a top class player. His ability on the ball is obvious but his reading of the game and his awareness of what is required appear to me to be that of a much more experienced footballer. In the same way that Clarke shows a composure well above his years. Exciting times.
Absolutely. Bannan looks very exciting, I have to say. Perhaps the closest thing we've got to a genuine playmaker, he really looks like he has the ability to open up defences; great left foot and seems very confident.
For those doubts about his size and age; he's the same height as Paul Scholes and Xavi (yes, I know... not saying he's as good as either but it's a comparison with other players in his position) and he's 20, so not exactly a raw teen.
Clark has looked very comfortable too. It's early days for both still but pleasing to see them getting games, and responding to the challenge.
We could always just sack off our old midfield and go with Bannan, Clark, Delph, Hogg, Gardner next season.....
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Can't get the Macarena out of my bloody head all weekend and this morning. I was humming it at the Gym this morning and got some very funny looks.
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The hardest job for Villa is will be to keep the likes of Man Ure, Arse etc away. Coming through the Villa academy might buy us some loyalty, but as soon as the $$$$$$$$$$$$ start being flashed about we will see how much loyalty their is. This kid is going to be good no doubt about it.
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One thing that I like about the crop of young players coming through, particularly Bannan and Albrighton, is they are so positive and direct. Under MON we were a very good counter attack team but often ponderous and clueless in possession. I like the way that they pick the ball up and move forward with it aggressively, and we haven't seen much of that for a while. It will be so good to see Delph back and established at last as I think he will fit very nicely in with these guys and it all seems very promising. If Houllier can add the right amounts of flair and experience to the squad then we could do very well.
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I like the composure that the current young players have got. None of them seem to panic when on the ball.
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In many ways, the timing of MON's departure has really helped our youngsters get a game. That's not to say Martin would or wouldn't have been giving them more game time, but the Milner/resignation thing affected our recruitment in the summer, so the strengthening we should have done would have meant less chances for the likes of Bannan.
So they've got a chance and so far they're grabbing it with hands, so fair play to them!
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He's got a brain, and some vision on him. Good touch, good passing range, and he can ping a shot too. I think he's got all the makings, but because he's not Jack Wilshere at Arsenal, he'll stay under the radar somewhat. Which is good.
Same goes for Albrighton. He's not exactly big news just yet, which is good. Though coming through the ranks, I'd hope some of these lads could resist the lure of money for years to come.
Ash needs to play with the sort of freedom the boys are. He's trying too hard and he's just not doing the business. I don't think it's for the want of trying, it's just he's feeling far too much of the burden now. Since Barry left, and then Milner, Ash is well and truly our talisman. He's bottling it at the minute.
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For those doubts about his size and age; he's the same height as Paul Scholes and Xavi (yes, I know... not saying he's as good as either but it's a comparison with other players in his position) and he's 20, so not exactly a raw teen.
My uncertainty about him as is that if you are his size you have to be as good as Scholes, Xavi, Fabregas etc, you cant just be good, you have to be excellent. He's promising though and certainly hasn't let anyone down.
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a liverpool fan on another forum i know said that he looks "xabi alonso-esque"...
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If He's only 20 who's to say he has stopped growing. I know people who were still growing at 23. I don't think his height/stature will inhibite him in any way. Here's hoping we can build a great team with our young prospects and a few astute signings in January/summer.
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It will be hard to play him with Clarke and Delph, aren't they all left footed?
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It will be hard to play him with Clarke and Delph, aren't they all left footed?
Could work in our favour.
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It makes you wonder what O'Neill was doing offering Osbourne a new 4/5 yr contract, signing Salifou and renewing his contract 3/4 times, signing Sidwell for £5 mill on £40 k per week, and what the club were doing shelling out £8 mill and £70 odd k per week on Ireland. All that wasted money and the new boss wants to play the centre half and left winger from the youths/reserves and they both do an excellent job. Why couldn't O'Neill see their potential.
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Clarke will still be a centre half I reckon.
Modric is the most obvious comparison to Bannan around at the moment, I reckon.
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It makes you wonder what O'Neill was doing offering Osbourne a new 4/5 yr contract, signing Salifou and renewing his contract 3/4 times, signing Sidwell for £5 mill on £40 k per week, and what the club were doing shelling out £8 mill and £70 odd k per week on Ireland. All that wasted money and the new boss wants to play the centre half and left winger from the youths/reserves and they both do an excellent job. Why couldn't O'Neill see their potential.
He was too busy bitching with Davies, NRC and Luke Young.
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The hardest job for Villa is will be to keep the likes of Man Ure, Arse etc away. Coming through the Villa academy might buy us some loyalty, but as soon as the $$$$$$$$$$$$ start being flashed about we will see how much loyalty their is. This kid is going to be good no doubt about it.
There is always this every time we bring a young player through. I would say that it is up to the club to create the winning environment around these players, that will cause them to want to stay. Provided we supplement them with the appropriate talent, pay them fairly and begin to look like winning things, then I think you will see them be ready to commit. What they give us is a bit of head start on other sides in the league who have to start from scratch. A few youngsters coming through at the same time, gives us that extra bit of momentum that means that what we do spend in the Transfer market can be concentrated on higher quality players. We already have a very good base at Villa and with these players this means that we just need to go and target the very top quality one or two players we need to make the breakthrough. These will probably have to be relatively young players themselves (prob 20-22 age bracket) but I think they would come to us and I think Randy would fund this. The question for me would be, can Houllier find them and will he be forward thinking enough to mould them into a genuine attacking force in the league?
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It makes you wonder what O'Neill was doing offering Osbourne a new 4/5 yr contract, signing Salifou and renewing his contract 3/4 times, signing Sidwell for £5 mill on £40 k per week, and what the club were doing shelling out £8 mill and £70 odd k per week on Ireland. All that wasted money and the new boss wants to play the centre half and left winger from the youths/reserves and they both do an excellent job. Why couldn't O'Neill see their potential.
To be fair, when the majority the dealings you mention were done, the youth wasn't ready for the step up they've now taken.
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Having now watched the Fulham game a couple of times, it will be interesting to see how he gets on against a more physical side, as Fulham were a bit soft in midfield. Not wishing to take anything away from him, he had a good debut and it's great to see a player so comfortable with the ball, even in the tightest of spots.
I would hope Houllier can get us playing the ball more through the midfield rather than Brad, Dunne and Collins hoofing it up the pitch and with players like Bannan, it should be possible.
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and what the club were doing shelling out £8 mill and £70 odd k per week on Ireland. All that wasted money and the new boss wants to play the centre half and left winger from the youths/reserves and they both do an excellent job.
I don't know yet that I see the Ireland money as a waste. There's no doubt that Ireland's character has always been in question (I've questioned it myself on many occasions), but he is a very talented player. He may still come through and be a huge asset. I can see us developing a 4-5-1 formation in the future, where we have a defensive central midfielder (at the moment it's Clark, but this could be a place for a new signing), with Bannan off to the left of centre and Ireland to the right of centre. We can then play two attacking wingers cum strikers (currently two of Young, Albrighton and Downing, but we could also change this particularly if Young were to leave) off an all singing, all dancing centre forward (don't currently have this player). We also have Delph and potentially Gardner to feed into this system. That to me is a really exciting line-up and would represent a British version of the current Barcelona team (plenty of passing ability in the centre allied to pace and ability out wide/up front). There aren't too many sides about at the moment who follow this model in the PL.
Of course, I recognise that it's early days yet, and there's plenty of places this could go wrong, but I think we have to believe in these young players now and use all our resources to build around them, rather than try to completely build the side from scratch, as I simply don't think we have enough money to do it that way and compete at the very top. I think it basically represents a win/no lose gamble. If we bring in the right players to supplement the youngsters AND they achieve their potential then I think we crack the top four; if we were to bring in the good players and the kids don't make it, then we stay in or around sixth and probably have to sell on some players and try again in the future. The one thing I don't think we can do is to not believe in the players and then bring in decent players to take their places, as that is the way towards stagnation and mediocrity. I think Chelsea and Man U are going to go through a transitional period for a couple of years, so if we can get this side together for the coming years, we could have a real chance of having a cut at the top four again, this time with a side that not only possesses pace on the counter, but also some real footballing ability to break down sides who come to VP and defend.
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Funnily enough
Watching the Fulham game I thought wee barry was doing a passable Iniesta impression
spotting ambitious passes and pulling them off with aplomb
he will certainly be a talent to keep at VP
and is a beacon to all the small lads honing their skills as opposed to pumping iron
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It makes you wonder what O'Neill was doing offering Osbourne a new 4/5 yr contract, signing Salifou and renewing his contract 3/4 times, signing Sidwell for £5 mill on £40 k per week, and what the club were doing shelling out £8 mill and £70 odd k per week on Ireland. All that wasted money and the new boss wants to play the centre half and left winger from the youths/reserves and they both do an excellent job. Why couldn't O'Neill see their potential.
To be fair to O'Neill, he did give Albrighton the odd look in, but didn't he pick up a pretty nasty injury in the FAC against Blackburn in January? Might have featured more had he not.
Although probably just in the cups, to be honest.
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Yes but it was the Brighton game.
MON was never averse to giving the kids a go to be fair. But it only tended to be in the cup games w didn't give a shit about.
It was the same tried and tested bunch outside of that.
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The composure of Clark, Barry and Albrighton is great to see, unlike the bambiesque Osbourne when he came through. Gabby lacked composure to when he broke through, and possibly still lacks it.
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Maybe the extra time in the reserves/on loan will benefit them in the long run as it's helped them develop as footballers without the spotlight on them. Being showered with praise and called the new Inesta/Cowans/Morley/Milner etc, or labelled as not good enough after one start is, in my opinion, not a help to them. Either opinion puts the pressure straight on.
I also remember thinking the the likes of Daley/Walters would have benefited form another year or so in the Central League refining their skills rather than becoming first team regulars at the age they did.
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Clarke will still be a centre half I reckon.
Modric is the most obvious comparison to Bannan around at the moment, I reckon.
Jaysus. Another good game and it'll be Messi.
He looked good and was the man of the match. Had a touch of Sid about him and his pass for the goal would have been drooled over on MOTD if it had have been one of their darlings who did it. He got tackles in, had a couple of shots, and passed the ball well. I bet he can even take penalties. It was like watching a young Sid on Saturday and long may it continue.
Traditionally we have been at our strongest when we have had a good Scottish influence in the team or the club. Our future is dependant on Bannan coming good.
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I haven't read the entire thread but I heard a bloke on the radio singing a new chant for him to the tune of Macarrena: "Who needs Barry when you've got Barry Bannan"
I've always thought Bannan stood out when I saw him for the Youth/reserves. Very nimble and great passer of the ball.
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Clarke will still be a centre half I reckon.
Modric is the most obvious comparison to Bannan around at the moment, I reckon.
Without adding to the possibly unhelathy expectation on the lad, I think the player he reminds me of most is Paul Scholes.
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He has his driving test tomorrow and ex Villa Pat Heard is his instructor ;-)
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Clarke will still be a centre half I reckon.
Modric is the most obvious comparison to Bannan around at the moment, I reckon.
Without adding to the possibly unhelathy expectation on the lad, I think the player he reminds me of most is Paul Scholes.
Modric and Scholes both play in a deep lying playmaker role nowadays (quarterback). Scholes because he is probably trying to preserve his legs and Modric because VDV plays off the striker (Modric's form has improved no end since this move).
Is this Bannan's natural position, in my head I had him more advanced. It would be great if he could play this role as 1) we need someone here 2) it would allow us to use Ireland in his best position.
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I was thinking of Paul Scholes as he usually/traditionally plays - and attacking central midfielder. The size thing apart, what he most reminds me of is the way they always seem 'busy' on the pitch and look for a forward pass first. They both also play there without needing to be able to beat a man with mazey runs, like Messi does, and I think Bannan too will be a good goal scorer in time.
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He reminds me a bit of Maloney tbh although obviously in a different position.
TBH I was getting to the point where I thought he wasn't going to get a chance here so really nice surprise to see him getting a chance and taking it, particularly in central midfield as I thought he could only make it out wide.
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Great performance by Bannan today. Kept the ball well, picked out some really delicious passes, didn't mind making a tackle or two and he likes to have a shot from distance too. He's the Scottish Xavi.
To be fair, if I had a surname starting Mc, I could be classed as a Scottish Xavi.
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He has his driving test tomorrow and ex Villa Pat Heard is his instructor ;-)
How queer.
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He was great against Fulham, but I'll judge over a season, could he do it against Arse/Manure?
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He was great against Fulham, but I'll judge over a season, could he do it against Arse/Manure?
We'll soon find out. I thought the same about Delph. But v Man United at home last season he was one of our best players.
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He reminds me of Lee Hendrie with the way he executes his shots, always looking to bend them in the top corners with the inside of his foot, I'm sure he'll knock one or two in soon, as Lee did for us.. He seems to work the keeper more than our other midfielders with his long range efforts, long may that continue.
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He reminds me of Lee Hendrie with the way he executes his shots, always looking to bend them in the top corners with the inside of his foot, I'm sure he'll knock one or two in soon, as Lee did for us.. He seems to work the keeper more than our other midfielders with his long range efforts, long may that continue.
Lets just hope he shares none of Lee's personality traits.
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Can we change the Milner awesomeness thread to be about Barry, or is that premature?
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Can we change the Milner awesomeness thread to be about Barry, or is that premature?
To be honest, if ever a thread was tempting fate just a bit...
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Houllier really likes Bannan and he will get a long run in the team now with injuries etc. Think he is gonna be a star ......