I thought he was the pick of the midfielders up until the Jenas goal (frankly an insult to the world, having him score against us), at which point the team kind of went to pieces until we somehow dragged our way level on half time. I agree with you on the set-pieces - they're taking 'outswinging' floaters, and they should certtainly switch sides as we have good evidence that they're good, whipping crossers of the ball, given the chance - but I didn't think he was 'brushed off the ball' any worse than our other players (other than the frankly abnormal Benteke) - even Sylla got himself into positional trouble, and Bannan's tackle-completion rate was as good as his.I can see what you mean about that flat three, but out of them Bannan was definitely the most forward-looking, and most willing to try risky things which might not work but often do. I still think we're a better team with him, and certainly a better overall squad. If only they'd get those set-pieces right, because Westwood doing the 'floaters' makes me think it's not just Bannan's initiative: it's a directiive, and a misguided one, plainly.
Paul Lambert: "I had a chat with Barry and he’s responded in a really good way – no problem." Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert is glad to have Barry Bannan back on form Paul Lambert has praised Barry Bannan for bouncing back from the disappointment of being dropped to help Villa achieve the winning double that has promised to save their season.Bannan’s return to first-team duty has coincided with successive victories over Reading and Queens Park Rangers to lift the claret and blues out of the drop zone and into 17th place ahead of their next match at home to Liverpool a week on Sunday.It followed a four-game break from Premier League action for the 23-year-old midfielder, who was an unused substitute in the victory over West Ham and failed to make the squad for the draw at Everton and defeats to Arsenal and Manchester City.Part of the reason for Bannan’s omission was to overcome a slight hip problem that he picked up in training, but asked how the player had reacted to being left out, Lambert joked: “I don’t listen to him – I lock my door!“No-one is happy when they are left out, that will never change. You need everyone pulling the same way. They’re all as important as each other.“I had a chat with Barry and he’s responded in a really good way – no problem.”Lambert felt it was important to rest Bannan to ensure the Bodymoor Heath academy graduate had the freshness to cope with the demands of his longest concerted run of first-team football.The Scottish international has now made 17 Premier League starts this season, along with five in the cups and seven substitute appearances in all competitions as he attempts to build on breakthrough campaigns under Gerard Houllier and Alex McLeish.Lambert used Villa’s increased midfield options, following the arrival of Yacouba Sylla and Karim El Ahmadi’s return from the African Cup of Nations in January, to take Bannan out of the firing line and he is pleased with his compratiot’s form since returning to favour.“This is Barry’s first real sustainable season of being in the first team for long periods, then being taken out and being in and out,” said Lambert.“Sometimes you need to do that to young players to take them out and give them a break – then put them back in and get the impetus from that.“He needs to sustain it because every time there will be competition for places. As long as nobody is in a comfort zone – as long as there is competition – people will always try to hit their high performance.”Lambert has been pleased with the partnership Bannan has formed with Ashley Westwood and pointed out some of Villa’s best league displays have been when the duo started together.“Barry played really well,” he added. “I think that spell with Westy in there, against United and Liverpool earlier in the season, saw the two of them hit a really high peak of performance.“Then the two had a little dip, we took them out, and last week Barry came in and he was very good.“He has never been out of the reckoning. He got the injury a couple of weeks ago in training, a little problem with his hip, but he’s over it now.”
Did anyone see his twitter comments regarding being left out of the squad yesterday?I heard that he made some disparagingly remarks as a consequence and walked out.
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Topic: Barry "Messi" Bannan - again (Read 124725 times)
