Barry Bannan steps forward ....

[Greg N'Ash]

I like him. I'm not sure this is his season though.  probably rather go with the nutcase for now. Another season of regular starts and subs and he could be something special

[Toronto Villa]

Bannan is a good player. He's not a great player by any stretch yet, and he's going to have a spell where things aren't happening for him. We all got excited by Marco last year too and he's had some difficulty finding his form again. It happens to young kids, and they need to find a way to fight through it. AM is going to drop/rotate/rest Bannan at some point and as fans we have accept that because it is good for his development. It might even be a good thing (granted if our squad was bigger) for him to go on loan like Cleverly or Wellbeck did and get even more playing time.

That's a pretty solid article too, and I said at the time Gabby was firing bullets at Houllier that all of the players need to be accountable for what happened last term. Clearly GH/GM had a lot to do with it, but as pros they have to get on with it. Maybe there simply wasn't enough strong characters to say the right things when it mattered most last season, and things just got worse. It's good to see Bannan seemingly having the type of character we are going to need at the club if we are to compete during the season.

[hawkeye]

Good article, Bannan wants it, it is plain for all to see. He believes in his ability. compare his attitude to Fonz Albrighton et al and you can see the difference. He is young he is going to fcuk up occaisionally, so what.
The most exiting prospect for years. That pass to put Albrighton through against Fulham last season was genious.

[hawkeye]

. It might even be a good thing (granted if our squad was bigger) for him to go on loan like Cleverly or Wellbeck did and get even more playing time.

Why on earth would you think that it is a good idea to put a bloke who has broken into the first team and showed that he has the ability to deliver at this level on loan, lunacy

[Caiphus]

Sounds like future Captain material to me, if he can start transferring his attitude to his team-mates then give him the armband soon I say!

[luke25]

Good article, Bannan wants it, it is plain for all to see. He believes in his ability. compare his attitude to Fonz Albrighton et al and you can see the difference. He is young he is going to fcuk up occaisionally, so what.
The most exiting prospect for years. That pass to put Albrighton through against Fulham last season was genious.

It was indeed, the one he played to Downing at home to Man Utd last season almost had me wanking in the stand.

[villadelph]

I hope we can feature him as much as possible. He can hold his own, and I feel players like him can only get better with more matches. Though, at his current ability he may not always be appropriate to play. He's proud to wear the shirt, and will gladly come off the bench. He's got a good head on him, something that can't be said of all our players. He may be a bit young and naive, but I want to see him in a Villa shirt for a long time.

[Toronto Villa]

. It might even be a good thing (granted if our squad was bigger) for him to go on loan like Cleverly or Wellbeck did and get even more playing time.

Why on earth would you think that it is a good idea to put a bloke who has broken into the first team and showed that he has the ability to deliver at this level on loan, lunacy

Just because a young player has broken into the first team it doesn't make him the finished article. If we had the luxury of doing so I'd send Albrighton out on loan too so he can develop at a more steady pace for 6 months or so playing regular football. Clearly, you ignored the examples I cited of players that have gone on loan and come back better players because of it. It's not lunacy, it's just a suggestion.

[Clampy]

. It might even be a good thing (granted if our squad was bigger) for him to go on loan like Cleverly or Wellbeck did and get even more playing time.

Why on earth would you think that it is a good idea to put a bloke who has broken into the first team and showed that he has the ability to deliver at this level on loan, lunacy

Just because a young player has broken into the first team it doesn't make him the finished article. If we had the luxury of doing so I'd send Albrighton out on loan too so he can develop at a more steady pace for 6 months or so playing regular football. Clearly, you ignored the examples I cited of players that have gone on loan and come back better players because of it. It's not lunacy, it's just a suggestion.

Toronto, he's been out on loan twice already, he dose'nt need to go out again.

[The Laughing Policeman]

Like one or two others on here I think that in Bannan we could have another Sid on our hands. Not only is his passing ability getting better, like Sid when the need arises he will get his head down and do some of the hard graft needed from him at times.
I remember seeing Sid play long before he became the finished article and he did have some poor games. Fortunately at that time we could afford the luxury of keeping him playing. In today's football climate where every one seems to want instant success, if Bannan has a couple of bad games will he be given the same latitude that was shown to Sid? I hope so.

[Risso]

. It might even be a good thing (granted if our squad was bigger) for him to go on loan like Cleverly or Wellbeck did and get even more playing time.

Why on earth would you think that it is a good idea to put a bloke who has broken into the first team and showed that he has the ability to deliver at this level on loan, lunacy

Just because a young player has broken into the first team it doesn't make him the finished article. If we had the luxury of doing so I'd send Albrighton out on loan too so he can develop at a more steady pace for 6 months or so playing regular football. Clearly, you ignored the examples I cited of players that have gone on loan and come back better players because of it. It's not lunacy, it's just a suggestion.

It's utterly pointless comparing our youth players to those of Manchester United, as they have world class players all over the pitch, and can afford to loan their players out far more than we can.  As Clampy says, Bannan has already had two loan spells, and as we're not exactly spoilt for choice in central midfield, sending out arguably our most promising youngster, and the one player who actually appears to have a bit of fighting spirit would indeed be absolute lunacy.

[WA Villan]

. It might even be a good thing (granted if our squad was bigger) for him to go on loan like Cleverly or Wellbeck did and get even more playing time.

Why on earth would you think that it is a good idea to put a bloke who has broken into the first team and showed that he has the ability to deliver at this level on loan, lunacy

Just because a young player has broken into the first team it doesn't make him the finished article. If we had the luxury of doing so I'd send Albrighton out on loan too so he can develop at a more steady pace for 6 months or so playing regular football. Clearly, you ignored the examples I cited of players that have gone on loan and come back better players because of it. It's not lunacy, it's just a suggestion.

These players are in their twenties, if they cannot step up now then there is something wrong.

[Karl Bridges]

I think AM will drop him on Saturday to bring in JJ, Ireland to drop out for Bent. Shame as I was looking forward to seeing Wee Baz go on a scoring run.

[not3bad]

That's it now...Fergie will be sniffing around Villa park for wee Barry.

There's already been rumours of that.

I would hope that we'd get a few more seasons out of him before he goes.  Then when he does go Man Utd can pay decent money for him.  I guess it's too much to hope Fergie retires in the meantime and Manure switch targets.

[Brend'Watkins]

It would be a very strange move to drop him after his ringing endorsment after Sunday's game, I can't see it happening.  If he is to accomodate JJ then Delph is the most likely candidate to make way but I don't see that either and expect to see JJ on the bench with Ireland stepping down to accomodate Bent. 

By rights Zog should be left out.