Barry Bannan steps forward ....

[Rigadon]

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.

Agree with the divine perm 100%.   It's what I love most as a fan when a young kid comes through the ranks and has some association with us as a club and Brum as an area. 

Also agree with Chris Smith's earlier point that it can sometimes benefit a younger player to be played in different positions.  A really special player can play anywhere (within reason so not in goal etc).   That said, if a young kid is only really effective in one role that doesn't mean they should be scrapped.  Marc Albrighton needs a storming game to get some confidence back.

[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.

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.

Yep, Arsenal must have been delighted that Juventus gave up on Henry. How about Ian Wright as a late bloomer. Bannan and Delph are only just 21 and they might really come into their own in a year or so. Bannan is showing real promise, but to suggest that if they cannot step up "now" there must be something wrong is lunacy.

Note: the word lunacy used in the correct context.

[Monty]

Agreed TV (also yes, good to see correct use of the word!).

Bannan in the Indy: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/barry-bannan-iniesta-and-messi-prove-height-does-not-matter-2363833.html

Couple of interesting things, notably that his parents sound great and Celtic sound hilariously incompetent.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Great read that, Monty. Thanks for posting.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

Agreed TV (also yes, good to see correct use of the word!).

Bannan in the Indy: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/barry-bannan-iniesta-and-messi-prove-height-does-not-matter-2363833.html

Couple of interesting things, notably that his parents sound great and Celtic sound hilariously incompetent.

And he thanked Ian Holloway - I wonder how many fans on here would thank Ian Holloway???

[berneboy]

Another Edmund Campion boy (as Gabby).
These good Catholic boys get everywhere!

(Tongue firmly in cheek)

[Summers]

Quickly becoming one of my favourite players. Fantastic lad.

[Dave]

"I would live in Birmingham forever. I wouldn't go back home [to Scotland], I've fallen in love with Birmingham, the city."

Hmm... I wonder if he'll be keen to repeat this as often as he can.

He's either changed his opinion of the city and the club dramatically or he wants to give the impression that he has based on his MySpace issues from a few years back.

[Dante Lavelli]

And he thanked Ian Holloway - I wonder how many fans on here would thank Ian Holloway???

That was a nice touch and hopefully shows that he has some sort, whats the word, I don't know, moral compass maybe.

Does anyone listen to The Guardian Football Podcast?  Barry Glendenning mentioned how good Bannan looks when they were jokingly talking about Anton Ferdinand dishing out some verbals before last week's penalty.  They were not specifically talking about Bannan's football ability so it was nice to hear him big up the wee man.

[Mister E]

Played very well today - beginning to handle the full 90 minutes and be influential across the park.

[villadelph]

Barry Bannan steps forward..?

No, Barry Bannan steps up.

[Shrek]

I love this lad!

How long does he have left on his contract?
We need to tie him down for the next 5 years at least, he has star quality and we should not get caught out by him not having a long enough contract.

[Dante Lavelli]

I love this lad!

How long does he have left on his contract?
We need to tie him down for the next 5 years at least, he has star quality and we should not get caught out by him not having a long enough contract.

I'm pretty sure he signed a contract last year so he should have a good few years left.  I'd guess his current contract is pretty irrelevant as if he demonstrates any sort of form he would get another one to reflect his new status and if he becomes shit then we won't care and he'll be sold.

[spangley1812]

If he is as good as some of you think he will be off to a bigger club in the summer anyway 

[hawkeye]

The guy is special, he has the potential to become a top top player. I just hope we can keep hold of him, players like Bannan do not come along too often.