Barry Bannan steps forward ....

[not3bad]

Heh.  I misread John M'Zog's comment.  I thought it said Herd is still THERE...

I'll go back to sleep.

[TheSandman]

It doesn't help that Delph is being employed in a role that is not natural to him.  He isn't really a defensive midfielder.

I think AM made a mistake, having so little to spend, signing N'Zogbia. I'd rather he spent the money on Parker or even Palacios. Then we could have played Petrov and Parker/Palacios as defensive midfielders, and played three of Gabby, Albrighton, Delph, Bannan and Ireland in front of them. The team would have been stronger, and it would have been better for Bannan and Delph.

EDIT: Though when Jenas finally is fit, my words will hopefully be put to shame!

If we'd have done that our only wide player would be an out of sorts Albrighton.

We maybe could have looked for better value and tried to get a wide player on a smaller fee and wage to leave the balance for a defensive mid. Problem being we would be scraping the quality barrel especially considering the fact we were replacing two twenty million pound players.

[Concrete John]

If it's true that the wages are the issue rather than fees, we can maybe look forward to one or more of Heskey, Beye or Cuellar going in Jan as there contracts run down and then Randy realeasing more of the Ash/Downing money for a new midfielder.

[Merv]

It doesn't help that Delph is being employed in a role that is not natural to him.  He isn't really a defensive midfielder.

Dead right. Delph came to us with a reputation as an attacking midfielder, capable of scoring spectacular goals (which he did for Leeds). Because he's a competitive lad and likes a tackle, he's now playing this more defensive role. Which isn't right for him. Without a defensive specialist alongside him (which is why I've wondered whether we shouldn't have Clark in midfield) I think he'll struggle.

Pair him with Jenas though, who is more dynamic and mobile than Petrov, and he and Delph may be able to share the workload better.

I actually think, if Delph was given the kind of free-ish role than Bannan has, we'd see quite a gifted, attacking player.

[Concrete John]

Agree with that.

And I think a midfield trio of Petrov, Jenas and Delph will see the shackles taken of him a bit!

[Chris Smith]

I think young players can benefit in the long run from being asked to play different roles from what is considered their natural position. Delph will be a better player for the experience.

[Mark H]

Are you thinking of Hogg, Mark H?

Yes I am sorry

[UsualSuspect]

. 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.

Exactly

As much as we all rate all of our not so young youngsters thay all need to be delivering this year.

I like Bannan but still not sure, if he can play regularly this season they I will have a better idea.

As far as United watching him and Alex ferguson I don't believe that for a minute

[Monty]

. 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.

Exactly

As much as we all rate all of our not so young youngsters thay all need to be delivering this year.

I like Bannan but still not sure, if he can play regularly this season they I will have a better idea.

As far as United watching him and Alex ferguson I don't believe that for a minute

Players develop at different ages and paces. Deco and Pirlo were nowhere at Bannan's age, whereas Christian Vieri petered out at 27 (not that that stopped him). You can only really judge properly at the end of a player's career.

[Eigentor]

. 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.

Exactly

As much as we all rate all of our not so young youngsters thay all need to be delivering this year.

I like Bannan but still not sure, if he can play regularly this season they I will have a better idea.

As far as United watching him and Alex ferguson I don't believe that for a minute

Players develop at different ages and paces. Deco and Pirlo were nowhere at Bannan's age, whereas Christian Vieri petered out at 27 (not that that stopped him). You can only really judge properly at the end of a player's career.

Spot on.

[eamonn]

Has anyone seen the ''highlights'' on avtv of Bannan co-commentating with Woodward on the Fenerbache game? The sychophancy of that eejit (Jack) is cringe-inducing.

[eamonn]

Woodward: What's your favourite movie then Bazz? I'm trying to think back to what you said in the Q&A we did in the summer. Was it....Shawshank Redemption?

Bananaman: Er...might have been...could have been...probably.

Woodward: It's worrying, I know what your interests are better than you do.

Bannan: I know...scary, that.

[Brend'Watkins]

Woodward: What's your favourite movie then Bazz? I'm trying to think back to what you said in the Q&A we did in the summer. Was it....Shawshank Redemption?

Bananaman: Er...might have been...could have been...probably.

Woodward: It's worrying, I know what your interests are better than you do.

Bannan: I know...scary, that.

I think you haven't grasped Bannan's Scottish accent eamonn, the line went...

" I know...f****** t***".

I think Woodward is okay really.

[LamBeast]

This lad Bannan has a little bit of class about him,reminds me of Sid...

[KevinGage]

Yes.

And like most of the young players who come through the ranks, he has a 'feel' for the place.  Unlike some of the older lot, who are on far more money and are far less committed.

It's unworkable to have the bulk of the first team made up of Acadamy graduates, I accept that.  And starting out with us doesn't automatically ensure they can't/ won't do a Barry when the situation arises.  But the more you have around the place,  the better the team dynamic. Particularly with characters like Bannan, Albrighton, Clark and Herd.