Barry "Messi" Bannan - again

[Irish villain]

I really thought he had turned a corner earlier this season. He looked, tidy, strong, hard-working in that nice run we were on before Chelsea.

He hasn't looked right since.

Maybe he needs to toughen up to adversity? He isn't that young anymore.

[David_Nab]

Not technically good enough to overcome his lack of physical presence.

Form has dipped badly as well

[London Villan]

Poor, weak, un-committed and worst of all runs around with his sleeves covering his hands like dis-interested Sunday League player. Sadly there was no-one better to bring on today.

[SoccerHQ]

Don't rate him.

Even Delph is giving more consistant performances than him now.

He can't hit a set piece either, Westwood's corners are better.

[Greg N'Ash]

If there was a dominant force(s) in midfield with him i think he could start to dictate things, but as it is he;s too lightweight and more importantly doesn't work hard enough. You can't coach something like that into a player (See Ireland) so i really think we'll end up letting him go eventually.

[Uknowthescore]

Shit full stop

[ROBBO]

Why do people keep making excuses for him? his lack of physical presence leaves us vunerable and his distribution is shit.

[rbcuk]

Get rid asap and use whatever cash we get on him to put towards someone decent

[UK Redsox]

Its time to face it. Its never going to happen for Bannan at Villa. The team look far worse when he's on the pitch and I'm totally fed up with those lofted, paceless corners.

I'm not a big fan of Delph either but he's a class above Bannan.

[ktvillan]

I'm in two minds about him, sometimes he looks good, sometimes out of his depth.   For me his big problem is not his stature or technical ability, it's that he is so fucking slow he makes Barry look like Usain Bolt.  The Premier League is very quick and even in a team that, Gabby apart, is woefully short of pace, Bannan still manages to look especially pedestrian, with the acceleration and turning circle of an ocean going barge.   I think he lacks that little burst over 5-10 yards that allows a player to get beyond an opponent or close down effectively.   By the time he arrives the action has moved on.   Westwood and KEA don't look much quicker either, which perhaps explains some of our problems protecting our defence by closing down quickly.

[LeeB]

I'm in two minds about him, sometimes he looks good, sometimes out of his depth.   For me his big problem is not his stature or technical ability, it's that he is so fucking slow he makes Barry look like Usain Bolt.  The Premier League is very quick and even in a team that, Gabby apart, is woefully short of pace, Bannan still manages to look especially pedestrian, with the acceleration and turning circle of an ocean going barge.  I think he lacks that little burst over 5-10 yards that allows a player to get beyond an opponent or close down effectively.  By the time he arrives the action has moved on.   Westwood and KEA don't look much quicker either, which perhaps explains some of our problems protecting our defence by closing down quickly.

Very good point, and it's something Delph does have when he's confident.

[Risso]

I'm not sure I've ever seen Bannan attempt to run with the ball to be honest.  I like him, but he was rubbish today.

[TonyD]

I think you are all wrong.  I think when we stay up and the dust settles, he will be a great little player for us.

[Clampy]

In fairness, he came on and had to play the role Delph was playing and he's not that kind of player.

[LeeB]

I think you are all wrong.  I think when we stay up and the dust settles, he will be a great little player for us.

I agree Tony, but he was rubbish today.