Barry Bannan to Leeds on loan.

[Beijing Villan]

Initial reaction was disappointment as I'm a big fan of wee Barry Bannan. But having thought it through it makes sense.

We've only got 2 or 3 games in the next 28 days, Bannan may get more on-field minutes while at loan to Leeds during that period which builds up his experience. We can recall if necessary after that period.

Midfield is one area where we are not short of numbers and GH needs to plan for next season as well as ensuring we avoid the drop this year. We are fine for wide men given Downing, Albrighton and Young. Competing for the (2 or 3) central positions are Makoun, Delph, Bannan, Petrov, NRC, Pires, Bradley and Herd. Petrov and Pires are old heads but not the future, that leaves six players.

Bannan has had a few run outs plus delivered the goods in the reserves, so GH sees him as a player to keep who needs experience - solution, send him on loan during a quiet spell for the club.

Delph has come back after a long injury but shows lots of ability/potential - solution, play him as frequently as possible within our system (not on loan) to assess.

Bradley had a cracking World Cup, there is a good player in there but he's taking time to adjust. Also he is on loan so time is short - solution, play him as frequently as possible within our system in order to make an assessment of whether to purchase or not.

Makoun - new player, needs games, needs to learn how we play - solution, play as oftern as possible.

NRC - has delivered the goods when called upon, maybe off in the summer - solution, play as often as possible to show that he does have a future here if he consistently delivers.

Herd - another young player with potential - solution, give hi a run out when situations arise.

So the priority picks are Makoun, Delph, Bradley and NRC, with Petrov/Pires as 'wise man/60 min' options and Herd/Bannan off the bench. Bannan is a known entity who needs experience so send him off to Leeds for some games.

This manager lark is easy!

[holtepaul]

To be honest I'm all for this.

Barry came into the side in October and looked superb, however, every game since he seems to have gone backwards little by little. He was terrible against Man City.

Get him on loan, Leeds is perfect, 30k plus most weeks, club with expectations, get him his confidence back and bring him back for pre-season.

As long as we stay in the division (which in itself is a worry) we need to look at getting these kids out to get experience - look what it did for Bale !

[Dom]

Houllier has obviously been told to cut the wage bill after the annoucement of the losses.

[luke25]

Houllier has obviously been told to cut the wage bill after the annoucement of the losses.

?

[eastie]

Don't see any problem with loaning him to Leeds- he's not been on the bench even at times and same as fonz I'd be happy to let them go and play games at a decent level and improve their experience.

In the same way walker is here , it's doing a favour to both clubs, bannan will come back all the better for the experience.

[5ft811st2 Durham]

With Bradley how many games has he been fit to start? Maybe 4 of which he has started 1?

That thells it's own story for me

I don't know how fitness equates to making 5 passes to a Man City player, 8 yards away.
It looked like a problem of incompetence, rather than fitness.

I agree

What I meant was that he has been with us since when the end of jan and has only really feature in 1 game namely man city hence he wasn't picked for the other 4. I reckon having seen him in training GH doesn't rate him

I agree, which just adds further emphasis to the Man City debacle as Houllier's midfield trio consisted of a player he wanted to loan out, a loan player he doesn't rate and a guy whose legs have gone. Brilliant.

[Rigadon]

Odd decision to throw caution to the wind and loan out Bannan considering he rested the first team at Eastlands for fear of players burning out.

Another potential stick for people to beat Houllier with which is not what the bloke needs right now.  Just odd.

[BILL DE VALL]

A stint at Leeds can only help 'toughen him up'
he was hoping to break into the 1st team ,but we have too many central midfielders at the moment to give him a fair shake.
He has great touch/passing/vision so next season with a few others maybe leaving ,he will have his chance.

Personally I think he needs to play alongside someone like Delph who can provide the 'muscle' to his 'flair'

[Risso]

If Makoun gets injured or suspended again, we've nobody with an eye for a pass that Bannan has.  He isn't the new Sid, but I can't see what we'd lose by keeping him around in case of injuries.  He's a better option than Pires or Bradley.

[Deano's Mullet]

As long as we dont let him go long term then i'm ok with this for now.

[eamonn]

What's a crescent wank?

Edit: Just checked it on urban dictionary. Inspired.

[PaulTheVillan]

as I won't miss him being knocked off the ball and giving away possession where it hurts us.

Especially when we have players like NRC and Bradley who are far better at giving the ball away.

I've not seen much of Bradley to say what he has been doing well/poorly.

Ashley Young has been by far the worst lately for giving the ball away.

[The Left Side]

I don't mind this as long as there will be no permanent deal, I think we can handle a month without him as we don't have the games and he gets some playing time under his belt.

[not3bad]

Should be playing and starting for us not Leeds.  He needs PL experience!!  For me the most exciting player we have,  well alongside MA!!

GH you are priceless.   

Fuck me

We have seen glimpses of what BB can do, and if GH thinks the best way to bring him on is by playing in the fizzy pop then that says it all really

Yes I think it is a good move.  We've seen glimpses but BB needs to do it on a more consistent basis.  The fizzy pop, as you say, will help toughen him up a bit, so I think its a good move.

[paulcomben]

Another Houllier cock-up.  Is he on a bonus for getting us relegated?

How is it a cock-up when it's only just happened and has had absolutely no effect on anything yet?

It seems we have differing definitions of cock up. Did you think he was a genius when the team to play at City last week was announced or did you think he had cocked up and defeat was certain? Did you think he had cocked up at Liverpool touching the This Is Anfield sign or did you think that would work out well for him? I think he has cocked up by loaning Bannan because there is less competition for places in a squad that is carrying Petrov, Pires and Bradley.