Ashley Barnes

[colne-claret]

I owe the guy a big apology. Was adamant he was finished earlier this season after a few poor performances but how wrong I was. What a player he’s been over the last few games and I should have never doubted his ability to adapt to play in this team. Burnley legend. Hope his injury isn’t too bad!

[ElectroClaret]

Dislocated finger, apparently, according to some of the chat on here.

[Tricky Trevor]

Looked to be holding a finger, walking down the touchline. Hopefully it can be strapped up for Tuesday.

[wilks_bfc]

He was immense again today.
He might not be getting the goals, but he’s dragging the defence around and linking up the attacking play

[equinox]

Needs to accept that he no longer has the head of hair that he once did, it's that time I'm afraid, shave it Ash, you'll be even more menacing.

[jrgbfc]

I'd written him off as well. Happy to hold my hands up and admit I was wrong. The turnaround in his game has been unbelievable.

[LONDONCLARET23]

Love "Inspector Barnside" as Papabendi named him.

Versatility personified.

[thomaspaine]

I owe the guy a big apology. Was adamant he was finished earlier this season after a few poor performances but how wrong I was. What a player he’s been over the last few games and I should have never doubted his ability to adapt to play in this team. Burnley legend. Hope his injury isn’t too bad!

You are certainly not the only one ….

[Silkyskills1]

After the woeful first half up.at Sunderland he didn't re-appear after the break. We.honestly.thought that was his final bow. Wrong again. Been a revelation in recent matches and his assist for our second was pure class today.

[Notsosuperstevedavis]

Ive kept my own counsel online about Barnes, and also thought his time was coming to a natural conclusion for a club legend.

But what a transformation. He’s been influencial and crucial to nearly every goal I’ve seen at the Turf for the last few games.

[IanMcL]

Immense again today. That 3rd goal, 3 or more around him and he clears the way for Tella.

He also bosses them all into position, so worth his weight in gold.

[tiger76]

He's transformed in the last couple of months and is now a key man in our stunning form, yes he might not be contributing with goals, however he is still delivering end product by assisting, and Ash also makes opposition defenders have to work which allows our subs to benefit when they are introduced in the latter stages.

Like many others I had written Barnes off, but he's proved me and all his other critics wrong in a big way.

[basil6345789]

Needs to accept that he no longer has the head of hair that he once did, it's that time I'm afraid, shave it Ash, you'll be even more menacing.

Nah, shaved heads are pitiful

[Dark Cloud]

Was excellent today and has been for a little while tbf. He'd have scored too if the goalie hadn't pulled off a brilliant save.

[AlargeClaret]

Don’t get this almost “ awkward teenage fan boy crush” people are having with Barnes . With this team around him it allows him to get in the box , as opposed to say JR’s much deeper role this season , though even then he’s rarely on the end of anything , and he’s almost slower than Cork now .20 odd games ? he’s scored in 1 . I’m loving it that he’s getting a proper swansong and his experience is great but all this 9/10-10 stuff is nauseating and pure wishfull thinking .

[Stayingup]

Don’t get this almost “ awkward teenage fan boy crush” people are having with Barnes . With this team around him it allows him to get in the box , as opposed to say JR’s much deeper role this season , though even then he’s rarely on the end of anything , and he’s almost slower than Cork now .20 odd games ? he’s scored in 1 . I’m loving it that he’s getting a proper swansong and his experience is great but all this 9/10-10 stuff is nauseating and pure wishfull thinking .

Which proves you haven't got much idea about the techical.side of football.

[clansman]

A large clarets comments have to be a **** take. Barnes has transformed his game. He stays on his feet and connects the play all over the attacking half of the pitch. Superb today.

[Stayingup]

A large clarets comments have to be a **** take. Barnes has transformed his game. He stays on his feet and connects the play all over the attacking half of the pitch. Superb today.

Yes. Club legend and has adapted to the new style of play.

[boatshed bill]

Don’t get this almost “ awkward teenage fan boy crush” people are having with Barnes . With this team around him it allows him to get in the box , as opposed to say JR’s much deeper role this season , though even then he’s rarely on the end of anything , and he’s almost slower than Cork now .20 odd games ? he’s scored in 1 . I’m loving it that he’s getting a proper swansong and his experience is great but all this 9/10-10 stuff is nauseating and pure wishfull thinking .

Perhaps look at his contribution on a game by game basis. Whatever he is doing right now is obviously working for the team.

[taio]

Don’t get this almost “ awkward teenage fan boy crush” people are having with Barnes . With this team around him it allows him to get in the box , as opposed to say JR’s much deeper role this season , though even then he’s rarely on the end of anything , and he’s almost slower than Cork now .20 odd games ? he’s scored in 1 . I’m loving it that he’s getting a proper swansong and his experience is great but all this 9/10-10 stuff is nauseating and pure wishfull thinking .

His recent contribution to the team has been excellent and he's looking sharper and leaner than he has for quite some time. You say you find this stuff nauseating and wishful thinking but your words about him seem to be more extreme than anyone else's.

[Bosscat]

Ash Barnes Legend ... He is fantastic with our young "Devil Dogs" and an inspiration...

His input in training and on the pitch is clear to see from all our young team...

We love you Ashley Barnes

[Bin Ont Turf]

I owe the guy a big apology. Was adamant he was finished earlier this season after a few poor performances but how wrong I was. What a player he’s been over the last few games and I should have never doubted his ability to adapt to play in this team. Burnley legend. Hope his injury isn’t too bad!

I wouldn't worry about it, most of us have been saying for about 5 years that we need better, me included.

He keeps on proving us wrong.

[Cirrus_Minor]

His physicality creates so much space for Tella and his hold up strength is outstanding. I am beginning to think we should extend his contract and never thought that I would ever think that.

[equinox]

Hasn't scored since his brace against Rovers, just saying...

[HagridsHut]

He’s class. His intelligence and experience make him almost unstoppable. A must start. Invigorated since b*stards!

[Lancasterclaret]

He was brilliant again today

His link up play really has come on, his work rate is back to what we used to see and his close control under pressure is exceptional

Its a hell of a swansong

Look, if you want to apologise for calling him out when he wasn't showing anything like this sort of form, that is entirely up to you, but it needed calling out

At the moment, its his shirt to lose and I'm really pleased for him

[equinox]

He’s class. His intelligence and experience make him almost unstoppable. A must start. Invigorated since b*stards!

He isn't, it doesn't, he's not, I'll give you that.

VK has just spent big money replacing Barnes and Jay, their days are numbered.

[Lowbankclaret]

He isn't, it doesn't, he's not, I'll give you that.

VK has just spent big money replacing Barnes and Jay, their days are numbered.

Erm, currently they are a significantly step below him in standard. Let’s hope they improve.

[bfcjg]

Brilliant performance, he is like a new signing, the flick on coaching he had under the previous regime has at last gone.

[EarbyClaret]

I thought he was finished after Sunderland and expected VK to move him on in January but he has been revitalised after the Rovers game

He was immense at Norwich last week. Hugely instrumental in the win over Ipswich and delivered again today

Huge football intelligence to adapt his game to be integral to what VK is building here

He personifies everything that is positive about where we are at right now

[HagridsHut]

He isn't, it doesn't, he's not, I'll give you that.

VK has just spent big money replacing Barnes and Jay, their days are numbered.

Nonsense. Terrible bait, oversized hook.

[NottsClaret]

Quick and easy way to see who knows nothing about football this, with those that can’t see how influential Barnes is to our attack at the moment. It’s a fantastic swansong for him and he deserves it.

[RVclaret]

He’s been excellent lately, occupying defenders physically yet dropping deep to link play a lot cleaner than he was doing earlier in the season. Plus he gives that ‘edge’ to the team with the touch of aggression he’s always played with. Clearly loving it out there which is great to see.

[taio]

Hasn't scored since his brace against Rovers, just saying...

Doesn't alter the fact he's a top performer right now...just saying

[AlargeClaret]

His recent contribution to the team has been excellent and he's looking sharper and leaner than he has for quite some time. You say you find this stuff nauseating and wishful thinking but your words about him seem to be more extreme than anyone else's.

Which “ extreme words “ are those ? That he’s almost as slow as Cork . Barnes is doing ok surrounded by good players at this level which is all good . It’s the ludicrous lionising of his perfectly reasonable performances like he’s the 2nd coming that I find nauseous.

[Kuriosoranj]

He never looked the same after he came back from the long term injury in 2019/2020 (?) but he's been great this season since that Rovers game.

Even without the goals that day he showed the rest how to play a derby. You can see how much he cares about the team, always the first to celebrate with his team mates, seems to be really enjoying being part of this team too and encouraging to the younger lads. I seem to remember him and Cork calming Maatsen down when he was getting a bit hot headed (Rotherham game).

On top of that, hes been playing great recently - good link up play, dropping deep and creating space for others, a couple of great passes in that Bournemouth.

[taio]

Which “ extreme words “ are those ? That he’s almost as slow as Cork . Barnes is doing ok surrounded by good players at this level which is all good . It’s the ludicrous lionising of his perfectly reasonable performances like he’s the 2nd coming that I find nauseous.

It was more the point that the views of others aren't extreme at all. If you find it nauseating I think that's a bit over the top. Think it's just a case of many people seeing the value he is adding that you can't see in the same way.

[Vegas Claret]

the minute Kompany said to him "stop trying to just win free-kicks, you're a lot better than that" then Ashley remembered what playing football was about, he's been nothing short of sensational since the Blackburn game.

[Darnhill Claret]

From my perspective I would like to say thank you to all of those posters who have changed from being a critic to admiring his current value to the team and his improved performances.
What concerned me was the abusive posts about a claret who was struggling on the field of play for whatever reasons? If we are all in this together it is surely better to support all, especially those who might be struggling at a performance level lower than previously shown. Let's leave the Roy Keane style punditry to those clever media types, whilst we strive to be our teams 12th man.

I repeat, that there is nothing wrong with reasonable, respectful criticism. We'll never all agree with our opinions, nor should we, but our opinions could be less divisive.

[SammyBoy]

I also couldn't see where he fit in after the Sunderland game, but credit to him, he's come on a lot and adapted since then. That said, he's getting on and it's good we've brought in new striking options with a view to the future.

[Claret86]

I'll hold my hands up and admit I was wrong. After the sunderland game I thought he was finished and the only reason we had been persisting with him was a lack of options.
I think he's adapted his game and mentality a bit now, it's not about him scoring goals, it's about his link up play and hard work allowing other players to score goals.
Yes, I don't think he could do it in the Premier league but what a servant to the club he's been. VK definitely saw something in him from the start

[colne-claret]

Seen a few responses about how we’ve signed new forwards etc to replace him.

His time is no doubt coming to an end but I’m just glad it’s seemingly a positive end. We’d be crazy not to bring in new players to replace him and I hope that they are successful replacements. Future is looking bright.

[spt_claret]

Was talking pre-match how while he's been playing better lately with his linkup and "dark arts" physicality (Ipswich...) he's still not having much goal involvement.
Different story today. Him coming off saved Preston a hammering. Everything was sticking to him, his linkup and layoffs were superb, while he was on the pitch the ball just would not leave their third.
He's been a bizarre player this season. Toothless for the early games especially Sunderland, Ash Classic against Blackburn, and now doing his best Firminio impression as a false 9 making the entire attack tick.

I wouldn't give him a new deal unless we really can't find an alternative and Weghorst won't come back, just because I do think another PL season is a bridge too far and better to let him end on a high. But he's massively surpassed my expectations the last few months, even if I can only see him scoring in 1 more game this season- Bastards away.

[JMU81]

Another one here holding their hand up ! Thought he was past it and this season would of been to much for him. He was a legend anyway but this has just rubber stamped it.

[evensteadiereddie]

the minute Kompany said to him "stop trying to just win free-kicks, you're a lot better than that" then Ashley remembered what playing football was about, he's been nothing short of sensational since the Blackburn game.

Spot on.

[123EasyasBFC]

Barnes has always been a better footballer than he gets credit for, playing very well at the moment just doesn’t have the goals to show for it but the rest of the attackers are benefiting from him being in the team

[mdd2]

No idea what went wrong with Ash but I think something did
He was off far too long after a simple hernia repair these days and I think his long recovery from that resulted in his “fall from grace”
He is now back as a better footballer imo
Two goals yesterday came from his assist and then grappling fairly with their centre back as a result of which the CB header bounced to Tella

[Swizzlestick]

the minute Kompany said to him "stop trying to just win free-kicks, you're a lot better than that" then Ashley remembered what playing football was about, he's been nothing short of sensational since the Blackburn game.

Said exactly this on the game yesterday. The dying swan act has gone and he’s all the better for it.

[IanMcL]

I am a bit disappointed, in that I thought he would get 20 goals this season! The way we play .she's that more difficult for one or 2 to get most of the goals - like Ings/Vokes etc, however, his contribution is immense.

A very skilful player, as we knew. Now he is controlling the front line and encouraging the young players. He always has defenders around him, which creates the space.

Nice one Aye Aye Ashley Barnes.

[tiger76]

Barnes has always been a better footballer than he gets credit for, playing very well at the moment just doesn’t have the goals to show for it but the rest of the attackers are benefiting from him being in the team

I'm glad you and others can see the value he brings to the side, ideally yes he'd have a few more goals to his name, however he's been involved in most of our goals recently during the build-up, or occupying defenders to allow others to take the glory, unselfish work for the team sadly often goes unnoticed, though not by Kompany i Note who clearly appreciates the qualities which Barnes can still display even in his advancing years.

I'm still unsure whether he should get a new contract, as the step up to the PL is a big one, however his contribution at this level in what is almost certain to be a title winning side is invaluable, not to mention his vast experience and leadership.