Barry "Messi" Bannan - again

[paul_e]

Against Newcastle he played 4-5 first time passes out to the wings which were superb, but the 1-2 he got wrong are all anyone talked about.

Too many supporters seem to be waiting for him to mis-hit a pass so they can call him shit, rather than appreciating that he generally works his socks off and 4 out 5 of his passes are effective.

I personally think he was one of better players in that game, in both halves it was him passing the ball in front of them that drew the wingbacks/fullbacks forward and got them involved in the play.

[Ads]

He is not a defensive midfielder. Compare him with the beast we have just signed and you think, how on earth was Bannan meant to sheild the back four, if his opposition number in the midfield battle lives under a bridge and eats children who try to cross it?

[Oscar Arce]

I am not Bannan's biggest fan but the one thing you cannot fault him for is he always wants the ball, unlike some of his team mates.

[MoetVillan]

The Bannan I watch week in week out doesnt seem like he "wants" the ball very much... Are you confusing him with Delph?

[tauntonvilla]

I agree with paul_e. I watched Bannan like a hawk on Tuesday night and far too many people were ready to lambaste his every weak or misplaced pass. He delivered our only good passes and was always available, didn’t hide. When Benteke blasted wide from 8 yards I pointed out “it’s a f******g good job your not Bannan, you’d be getting a right round of f**ks right now”. I also thought Baker was head and shoulders our shittest player and he never once got a mention. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no fan of Bannan, he’s not fit for this level, but if others demanded the ball as much as he, they’d be found more than wanting I’m sure.

[tomd2103]

Against Newcastle he played 4-5 first time passes out to the wings which were superb, but the 1-2 he got wrong are all anyone talked about.

Too many supporters seem to be waiting for him to mis-hit a pass so they can call him shit, rather than appreciating that he generally works his socks off and 4 out 5 of his passes are effective.

I personally think he was one of better players in that game, in both halves it was him passing the ball in front of them that drew the wingbacks/fullbacks forward and got them involved in the play.

To be honest Paul they were the kind of passes you would expect a top flight midfielder to make. 

[martin o`who??]

Bannan is a symptom of Villas problem right now, too many young inexperienced players being asked to do too much in a bad situation, some of them need a break, and they`re not getting one and its beginning to show. Its okay to say they are on 20-30 grand a week they should deal with it, but they didnt expect - and werent trained to deal with this shitstorm so early on in their careers, i honestly feel for some of them, they need our support more than ever, for their sake and the clubs.

[Monty]

Well, he's not in the squad today. God knows he needed a rest!

[ACVilla]

I think he has come back into the side and done very well. He was very good yesterday, a little terrier in the tackle and showed a good few class touches. What do you do next though, drop him for Delph? I think he would be very unfortunate to lose his place.

[danlanza]

Got some confidence back and is looking good and sharp.

[nigel]

I think he has come back into the side and done very well. He was very good yesterday, a little terrier in the tackle and showed a good few class touches. What do you do next though, drop him for Delph? I think he would be very unfortunate to lose his place.

I agree AC
I can't believe some of the comments, from 'Atrocious' to 'S**t'
As paul e mentions 10 posts up, he'll play some lovely stuff but some harp on about the 1 or 2 miss hit or poor passes.

Delph was playing really well before his unfortunate suspension, Bannan has come back in and done a good job.
The last 2 games Westwood has been fantastic, how much of that is down to BB being in the team?

[mrastonvilla]

Much respect to Barry yesterday for going over to the young girl in the lower Holte he had hit with a shot during the warm up to find out if she was OK and then going back again to give her his warm up top.

[Fasth56]

Delph and Sylla will be battling it out for the same position, and given their individual propensity to pick up yellow cards we will need both through a season. Bannan is benefitting from the settled formation and finding form in the process plus he puts in a lot of unselfish work chasing down. Although to be picky, if he had stayed in the middle with Townsend instead of being drawn to the ball QPR might not have equalised.

[onje_villa]

I think Bannan has done decently since coming back in but you just can't get away with playing such a weak midfield. The midfield needs balance, it needs strength and drive as well as skill on the ball.

If it's a three then you need to find a combination of the above.

Perhaps Westwood, Sylla, Delph?
Or Westwood, Sylla, Bannan?

I think the former has a good balance to it.

We also need to play more direct and use width like we did in the second half yesterday. Much more threatening.

[onje_villa]

Delph and Sylla will be battling it out for the same position, and given their individual propensity to pick up yellow cards we will need both through a season. Bannan is benefitting from the settled formation and finding form in the process plus he puts in a lot of unselfish work chasing down. Although to be picky, if he had stayed in the middle with Townsend instead of being drawn to the ball QPR might not have equalised.

I think their second goal was symptomatic of our troubles at the back.

Look again at Bennett as he goes wondering into no man's land then Bannan tries the tackle but is too physically weak.
In a funny way I blame and Bannan and Westwood more than Bennett for the first.