Barry Bannan - The New James Milner?

[Ad@m]

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.

[Bosco81]

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

[Bad English]

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!

[Archie]

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).

[Irish villain]

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.

[Merv]

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.....

[AV82EC]

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.

[WA Villan]

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.

[jembob]

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.

[PaulTheVillan]

I like the composure that the current young players have got. None of them seem to panic when on the ball.

[Concrete John]

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!

[supertom]

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.

[PeterWithe]

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.

[pablopicasso_10]

a liverpool fan on another forum i know said that he looks "xabi alonso-esque"...

[Irish villain]

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.