Louie Barry (on loan to Sheffield United)

[VillaTim]

If he scores a winner vs the smurfs , bring him home heroes welcome

[Smithy]

If he plays for us then he stays for the season, or goes back to Stockport at the end of January. It would seem pretty high risk, I think, to use our first team to see if he can make the step up, or to be able to see it in any meaningful way, which would require more than a brief run out in the FA Cup.

If we see him as either a player for the future, or an asset to be sold, then he needs to be playing regularly. It doesn't really make a lot of sense for us to scupper his development in the middle of what has been a fantastic season for him just to give him 10 minutes here and there.

Yep, the "two clubs per season" rule essentially removes the possibility of him turning out for us in the next few games.  If he does, we're his second club this seaaon, and then he can only play for us and Stockport to the end of the season.  With Ollie and Duran fit, he's unlikely to get any sort of look-in, so I would be amazed if we see him in our squad for any of the upcoming games.

Far more likely that we see him head out again pretty quickly to someone like boro.  Maybe they'll keep him here for a week or so to assess him and his progress before he leaves again - but I don't see him being used by us.  Not yet, anyway.

[ChicagoLion]

If he plays for us then he stays for the season, or goes back to Stockport at the end of January. It would seem pretty high risk, I think, to use our first team to see if he can make the step up, or to be able to see it in any meaningful way, which would require more than a brief run out in the FA Cup.

If we see him as either a player for the future, or an asset to be sold, then he needs to be playing regularly. It doesn't really make a lot of sense for us to scupper his development in the middle of what has been a fantastic season for him just to give him 10 minutes here and there.

Surely the most important thing is the success of the First Team.

[Smithy]

If he plays for us then he stays for the season, or goes back to Stockport at the end of January. It would seem pretty high risk, I think, to use our first team to see if he can make the step up, or to be able to see it in any meaningful way, which would require more than a brief run out in the FA Cup.

If we see him as either a player for the future, or an asset to be sold, then he needs to be playing regularly. It doesn't really make a lot of sense for us to scupper his development in the middle of what has been a fantastic season for him just to give him 10 minutes here and there.

Surely the most important thing is the success of the First Team.

Yes, but what is actually best for the "success of the first team"?  Him playing a bit-part for us in the second half of the season, and probably not contributing much at all when Ollie and Duran are both fit and available, or him being in the Championship scoring the goals that increase his value sufficiently that we can afford to buy a slightly better first-team player next summer?

It's a horrible, capitalistic way to look at the beautiful game, but it's the unfortunate reality of the situation.  And if Unai doesn't think Louie has a long-term future in our first team (or remains undecided), then giving him a few minutes here and there when we're short of numbers instead of maximising his value with another loan would be very short-sighted.

[ChicagoLion]

If he plays for us then he stays for the season, or goes back to Stockport at the end of January. It would seem pretty high risk, I think, to use our first team to see if he can make the step up, or to be able to see it in any meaningful way, which would require more than a brief run out in the FA Cup.

If we see him as either a player for the future, or an asset to be sold, then he needs to be playing regularly. It doesn't really make a lot of sense for us to scupper his development in the middle of what has been a fantastic season for him just to give him 10 minutes here and there.

Surely the most important thing is the success of the First Team.

Yes, but what is actually best for the "success of the first team"?  Him playing a bit-part for us in the second half of the season, and probably not contributing much at all when Ollie and Duran are both fit and available, or him being in the Championship scoring the goals that increase his value sufficiently that we can afford to buy a slightly better first-team player next summer?

It's a horrible, capitalistic way to look at the beautiful game, but it's the unfortunate reality of the situation.  And if Unai doesn't think Louie has a long-term future in our first team (or remains undecided), then giving him a few minutes here and there when we're short of numbers instead of maximising his value with another loan would be very short-sighted.

I get that,it’s the certainty that some posters seem to have that he is going on loan although I am pretty sure they have not discussed the situation with Emery.

[Smithy]

If he plays for us then he stays for the season, or goes back to Stockport at the end of January. It would seem pretty high risk, I think, to use our first team to see if he can make the step up, or to be able to see it in any meaningful way, which would require more than a brief run out in the FA Cup.

If we see him as either a player for the future, or an asset to be sold, then he needs to be playing regularly. It doesn't really make a lot of sense for us to scupper his development in the middle of what has been a fantastic season for him just to give him 10 minutes here and there.

Surely the most important thing is the success of the First Team.

Yes, but what is actually best for the "success of the first team"?  Him playing a bit-part for us in the second half of the season, and probably not contributing much at all when Ollie and Duran are both fit and available, or him being in the Championship scoring the goals that increase his value sufficiently that we can afford to buy a slightly better first-team player next summer?

It's a horrible, capitalistic way to look at the beautiful game, but it's the unfortunate reality of the situation.  And if Unai doesn't think Louie has a long-term future in our first team (or remains undecided), then giving him a few minutes here and there when we're short of numbers instead of maximising his value with another loan would be very short-sighted.

I get that,it’s the certainty that some posters seem to have that he is going on loan although I am pretty sure they have not discussed the situation with Emery.

Given the rise of Duran in the first half of the season, and the fact Ollie is already stuggling for minutes, I just don't see how Unai will have looked at Louie's first half of the season (spectacular as it's been) and thought "I'll bring him back and add him to the mix".

Now, it might be he's considering him more as a wide forward and as competition for Bailey/Philogene, because we have limited funds for recruitment in January, but I still think it's most likely that he'll step up a level with a championship loan at a club with playoff ambitions.

[Dave]

We'll probably know one way or the other by Saturday.

If he's on the bench against Leicester in Duran's absence then it's probably with us for January, then back to Stockport or hanging around the squad as cover. If he's not, then it's a Championship loan.

[ChicagoLion]

He plays as a wide forward, so it’s not about replacing Duran or Watkins unless the latter is sold.
So we have Ramsey who spends more time in recovery than playing, Philogene has not exactly pulled up any trees and Bailey has reverted to the old ineffective Bailey.

[LeeB]

He plays as a wide forward, so it’s not about replacing Duran or Watkins unless the latter is sold.
So we have Ramsey who spends more time in recovery than playing, Philogene has not exactly pulled up any trees and Bailey has reverted to the old ineffective Bailey.

Exactly.

[Mister E]

Given the rise of Duran in the first half of the season, and the fact Ollie is already struggling for minutes, I just don't see how Unai will have looked at Louie's first half of the season (spectacular as it's been) and thought "I'll bring him back and add him to the mix".
Now, it might be he's considering him more as a wide forward and as competition for Bailey/Philogene, because we have limited funds for recruitment in January, but I still think it's most likely that he'll step up a level with a championship loan at a club with playoff ambitions.

Your second sentence is exactly the point: our wide options this season have been crap - through poor form and / or poor fitness - and Barry potentially offers the pace and trickiness that we're lacking.

[AV84]

He plays as a wide forward, so it’s not about replacing Duran or Watkins unless the latter is sold.
So we have Ramsey who spends more time in recovery than playing, Philogene has not exactly pulled up any trees and Bailey has reverted to the old ineffective Bailey.

I did wonder about this. If he was an out and out striker he'd have to be amazing right now to serve any benefit to us or him by staying. If he can offer an alternative to Ramsey, Buendia, Bailey, Philogene, and Rogers when he needs a rest, then maybe we will keep him.

I just don't see the point in keeping him if he's not going to get real time playing. Which, presumably, is something they'll decide once they have a look at him back at BMH.

[ChicagoLion]

He plays as a wide forward, so it’s not about replacing Duran or Watkins unless the latter is sold.
So we have Ramsey who spends more time in recovery than playing, Philogene has not exactly pulled up any trees and Bailey has reverted to the old ineffective Bailey.

I did wonder about this. If he was an out and out striker he'd have to be amazing right now to serve any benefit to us or him by staying. If he can offer an alternative to Ramsey, Buendia, Bailey, Philogene, and Rogers when he needs a rest, then maybe we will keep him.

I just don't see the point in keeping him if he's not going to get real time playing. Which, presumably, is something they'll decide once they have a look at him back at BMH.

Only one of them is performing-Rogers, who also has different roles in the set up and can not be expected to play every game.
Also the Barry interview sounded like he was coming back to get involved, but he is definitely going out on loan apparently.

[Dave]

He plays as a wide forward, so it’s not about replacing Duran or Watkins unless the latter is sold.
So we have Ramsey who spends more time in recovery than playing, Philogene has not exactly pulled up any trees and Bailey has reverted to the old ineffective Bailey.

I did wonder about this. If he was an out and out striker he'd have to be amazing right now to serve any benefit to us or him by staying. If he can offer an alternative to Ramsey, Buendia, Bailey, Philogene, and Rogers when he needs a rest, then maybe we will keep him.

I just don't see the point in keeping him if he's not going to get real time playing. Which, presumably, is something they'll decide once they have a look at him back at BMH.

Only one of them is performing-Rogers, who also has different roles in the set up and can not be expected to play every game.
Also the Barry interview sounded like he was coming back to get involved, but he is definitely going out on loan apparently.

There was also talk from Monchi that we're looking to bring something extra in January, and an extra attacker definitely feels it's the one position in the squad where we might be able to find something that helps us.

Maybe the plan is that we try and get something to supplement Bailey / Philogene, if we do then Barry is off to the Championship and if we don't find someone suitable then Barry is that extra help.

[LeeB]

That makes sense Dave.

[Dante Lavelli]

He plays as a wide forward, so it’s not about replacing Duran or Watkins unless the latter is sold.
So we have Ramsey who spends more time in recovery than playing, Philogene has not exactly pulled up any trees and Bailey has reverted to the old ineffective Bailey.

True, but I’d put Iling Jnr ahead of Barry if we had to recall a winger/inside forward.