Can we accommodate Maddison and Barnes in the same team?

[StriderHiryu]

27 minutes ago, urban.spaceman said:

Yes, definitely. 

 

In fact I believe that’s why we didn’t go with a major name winger and settled with Ghezzal; Barnes is back soon. 

I think that's part of the reason too.

 

I reckon Puel wanted to have Diabate and Gray challenge for the same position this season, but Diabate had an awful pre-season and Puel knew he had to bring in someone more experienced as cover. As you say, we didn't go for a major signing e.g. Felipe Anderson because we also want to have Barnes in the squad next season. Ghezzal can play either as a right inside forward or as the 10 and even if he's not the best, he's looked OK to me and is clearly a squad player and not first team.

 

All that said I think it's the position we are weakest in. Albrighton has been pretty good other than the Cardiff game, but having an actual raiding inside forward who can create and finish to play with Maddison would make a huge difference to the team. It's a real shame that we never got to see Mahrez and Maddison on the same team.

[foxfanazer]

9 minutes ago, Fox92 said:

What good will bringing Barnes back do. He won't score in three games and people will be saying "not good enough for the PL". 

 

I can remember when he came back last season, played in the FA Cup and people starting writing him off.

 

5 minutes ago, NewquayFox said:

Barnes will replace Maddison, in my honest opinion Maddison is good but not great...

[Sunny Rhyl Fox]

Only bring him back if we’re going to play him no good bringing him back for 10 mins here or there

[coolhandfox]

46 minutes ago, MPH said:

For the first time this season, i am beginning to think  it would be wise to bring Barnes back.

 

 

but how would we accommodate him and Maddison? thoughts?

 

 

I would only bring him back if he's going to get game time. no good giving him one game and he doesn't perform and get dropped

 

Looking a the Puel 4-2-3-1 system. he like the wider players in the 3 to come inside so the fullback have space to provide width, in my mind the 3 should be interchange with each other. But for that to work you need very clever players, for me Gray. Abrighton and Maddison are too static. 

 

For example against Cardiff, Maddison played the width of the box and Gray and Albrighton played the in the wide areas, I think Barnes has shown he can play wide and down the middle, maybe he could be the missing link, however it a lot to ask of a 19 year old.

[Snik-Snok]

1 hour ago, StanSP said:

Schmeichel

 

Pereira - Morgan - Maguire - Chilwell

 

Ndidi - Mendy

 

Albrighton/Gray - Maddison - Barnes

 

Vardy

That would be my team except I'd replace Gray with Ghezzal. If the club opts to persist with Puel that the majority of games will be 4231. With the width coming from the fullbacks, playing with orthodox wingers squeezed narrow isn't working. It needs 3 creative attacking midfielders that can potentially interchange if required, capable of playing intricate one touch football. Maddison, Ghezzal and Barnes could possibly do that, Albrighton struggles with that at times, Gray is nowhere near good enough. Not much pace there but it doesn't need pace against teams sitting deep. The club desperately needs to spend some of that Mahrez cash on a quality player to fit that role to slot in instead of Ghezzal or Barnes, in that line up. I'd also bring in Silva for Mendy depending on the opposition, although clearly that won't happen with Puel. Also, for 4231 to work properly, it needs the option of a target man to hold the ball or be available for the attacking midfielders to play one-twos off, and also to attack the crosses the full backs are getting in, like the role Giroud does for France. Rondon would have been ideal. Ulloa could have done a job if given a chance when we need to try and alternative to Vardy.

 

If it was up to me, I'd get whatever I can for Gray and Iheanacho in January, see if Rondon's reported £15m release clause can be activated even though he's on loan, or try a cheeky bid for Giroud or someone else of that style, and then pay whatever we need to to get a decent upgrade that can slot in to one of those attacking midfield spots. We should be targeting 7th spot and Europa league, and this is the year to go for it, because there's no world Cup or euros to get in the way of the Europa qualifiers like this season, or the season after next...

[coolhandfox]

53 minutes ago, SheppyFox said:

Is Barnes good enough to be a part of a top 6 starting 11? 

Why is he signing for Liverpool, Man City, Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal or Man U? 

 

Because if he isn't he doesn't need to be.

[MPH]

 

 

would it be worth bringing him back in January for a few games and if he doesn’t make an instant impact send him back out before the window closes?

 

edit: we have 5 games in January before the window shuts..

 

 

quite a good selection of games to assess him really..

 

 

[UniFox21]

5 minutes ago, MPH said:

 

 

would it be worth bringing him back in January for a few games and if he doesn’t make an instant impact send him back out before the window closes?

 

edit: we have 5 games in January before the window shuts..

 

 

quite a re a good selection of games to assess him really..

 

 

Would he have to go back to WBA? 

Is there a rule about playing for more than 2 clubs in a year?

[MPH]

Just now, UniFox21 said:

Would he have to go back to WBA? 

Is there a rule about playing for more than 2 clubs in a year?

i think there is..

 

id be happy for him to go back there- they have looked after him well.

[UniFox21]

1 minute ago, MPH said:

i think there is..

 

id be happy for him to go back there- they have looked after him well.

Do like your idea however.

Bring him back for a month, see if he has any impact and if he looks at home. 

 

But, if he flopped would that knock his confidence badly? Also cant see WBA agreeing

[Trav Le Bleu]

1 hour ago, Swan Lesta said:

Now this is a thread I can get behind!

 

Love to hear some WB views on this in terms of his position and ability.

 

1 hour ago, Dr The Singh said:

We talking about John Barnes?

[splinterdream]

yes, yes and yes

[Tuna]

1 hour ago, Swan Lesta said:

Now this is a thread I can get behind!

 

Love to hear some WB views on this in terms of his position and ability.

I browsed the West Brom forum a few months back and he was playing as a no. 10 but then got shifted out to left wing in a formation change and was less effective yet still dangerous. Been nullified in the last two games against Wigan and Sheff Weds by fast full backs.

 

Haven't watched West Brom much so am taking that at face value.

 

I've seen the highlights of Barnes of course.

 

 

[weller54]

1 hour ago, Dr The Singh said:

We talking about John Barnes?

No Cliff Barnes I think... He'll reappear in a shower scene. 

[SheppyFox]

1 hour ago, foxfanazer said:

Does he need to be? Last time I checked we weren't a top 6 side

Do we have intent to be? 

[SheppyFox]

44 minutes ago, coolhandfox said:

Why is he signing for Liverpool, Man City, Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal or Man U? 

 

Because if he isn't he doesn't need to be.

Again, a bit odd if your ambition is top 6, to bring less than a top 6 quality player into your starting 11, as though he’s the saviour because he’s doing well in the championship. Pretty obvious he has potential, should we rely entirely on it? I guess if we’re happy where we are, my question is why not invest and develop?

 

Why rely on him becoming good enough, why not hedge your bets and buy some actual quality aswell, have both  

[foxfanazer]

6 minutes ago, SheppyFox said:

Do we have intent to be? 

I doubt it to be honest

[splinterdream]

                                                                                                                                                            

Schmeichel

 

Pereira - Morgan - Maguire - Chilwell

 

Mendy

 

Ghezzal - Maddison - Barnes

 

Iheanacho

 

Vardy

 

[Raw Dykes]

1 hour ago, Snik-Snok said:

That would be my team except I'd replace Gray with Ghezzal. If the club opts to persist with Puel that the majority of games will be 4231. With the width coming from the fullbacks, playing with orthodox wingers squeezed narrow isn't working. It needs 3 creative attacking midfielders that can potentially interchange if required, capable of playing intricate one touch football. Maddison, Ghezzal and Barnes could possibly do that, Albrighton struggles with that at times, Gray is nowhere near good enough. Not much pace there but it doesn't need pace against teams sitting deep. The club desperately needs to spend some of that Mahrez cash on a quality player to fit that role to slot in instead of Ghezzal or Barnes. I'd also bring in Silva for Mendy depending on the opposition, although clearly that won't happen with Puel. For 4231 to work properly, it needs a target man to hold the ball or be available for the attacking midfielders to play one-twos off, and also to attack the crosses the full backs are getting in, like the role Giroud does for France. Rondon would have been ideal. Ulloa could have done a job if given a chance when we need to try and alternative to Vardy.

 

If it was up to me, I'd get whatever I can for Gray and Iheanacho in January, see if Rondon's reported £15m release clause can be activated even though he's on loan, or try a cheeky bid for Giroud or someone else of that style, and then pay whatever we need to to get a decent upgrade that can slot in to one of those attacking midfield spots. We should be targeting 7th spot and Europa league, and this is the year to go for it, because there's no world Cup or euros to get in the way of the qualifiers like this season, or the season after next...

Good post. I think you're onto something here.

 

If Puel stays, and is insistent on 4231, then he will have to collect the players he needs. I agree - the width should be provided by the fullbacks, and we couldn't ask for better than the 2 we currently have. I don't think Ghezzal has looked that bad as a no.10, but still may only be a squad player next season, so I'd have Maddison, Barnes and one more as the 3 1st choice CAMs for next season. We are missing a target man. Whether thats to hold up the ball, or get on the end of all the crosses we put in, we would benefit. A more creative CM is the other missing piece.

 

Having said all that, I'm a big fan of Vardy and Albrighton, and I'd rather we found a way to suit the players we have already. It doesn't cost anything, does it?

[Leicesterpool]

You can easily rotate the squad I mean one week Maddison can really be good the next he's a quiet performance. So far from what I seen of Maddison he's been fantastic and worth every penny but I don't think we've seen a good back to back performances from him yet at least with Barnes we've got an alternative option. I have horribly feeling though the one to suffer I think will be Albrighton due to the fact I don't think Puel is his biggest fan which is a terrible shame as I think alongside Vardy he's Leicester best player. 

[Leicester_Loyal]

2 hours ago, NewquayFox said:

Barnes will replace Maddison, in my honest opinion Maddison is good but not great...

Last season Maddison got a goal or an assist every 2 games (14 goals, 8 assists, 44 games). This season, Barnes has got a goal or an assist every 1.66 games (9 goals, 6 assists, 25 games).

 

Maddison is a year older, so at the same age, Barnes is currently a better player statistically, but Norwich finished 14th, whereas WBA are currently 3rd, so Barnes is playing in a much better team.

 

On the other hand, currently, James has premiership experience, senior international experience, and has played with the first team a lot more than Barnes.

 

In my opinion Barnes will eventually become a first team regular for us, but I don't think it'll be this season. I think we should leave him there till the end of the season, let him have the season of his life, hopefully get promoted or win the play offs, and then return to us. Him and Maddison could alternate between LW and CAM (I'm not sure if Barnes can play RW, I haven't watched much of WBA this season other than when he plays CAM/CF for them just behind their striker).

 

All in all this situation is a positive one for us to be in.

[Realist Guy In The Room]

The 4-3-3 with Barnes, Maddison and Vardy up front and Hamza, Ndidi and Mendy in midfield is more than workable.

[Deeg67]

If the priority is Europe at any cost, I think you bring Barnes back and worry about the positional fit later.  The squad is in desperate need of a creative outlet that can make those "moments" happen from nothing, and Barnes is clearly one of those guys.  Get he and Maddison out there together and figure out how to make it work.

 

The problem is, it's not 2018-19 at any cost when you're developing around a core of 20-22 year old players - which we are, and is why Puel was hired.  So you have to factor in what's best for Barnes (probably staying at WB and helping them get promoted).  And not only that, the fact that if you leave him where he is you're basically getting the chance to use the rest of the season as an audition for guys like Gray, Ghezzal and (eventually) Diabate to see who's good enough to be part of that long-term future you're developing.  It's bitter medicine, knowing there's a guy who can help you short-term and not making the move - but it's probably medicine that should be swallowed.

[BoyJones]

I don't really understand why not - they play different positions and have different styles of play. 

 

 

[foxile5]

Whilst not the intention of the post I'd just like to point out what a brilliant problem to have.