Thierno Barry

[StirlingBlue]

Ultimately he’s no worse than Beto and he has the bonus of potentially getting better so he should get majority of minutes until we decide to cut our losses and sell him back to spain

[MayorFarnham]

This thread just proves there are plenty that just don't want the time dedicated to developing a young player with potential. We saw it with DCL, Keane, even Lukaku ffs! There is absolutely enough evidence to show he's worth persisting with, and he's getting better with every game. We're not in a position to sign finished articles, they cost a fortune. We either buy aging players with no upward trajectory or future value, or we develop young talents like Barry. The latter requires patience, which some clearly don't have.

Not at all. It shows that you can't keep throwing someone in when they are not ready but get away with it by calling it development.

[AjaxAndy]

Not at all. It shows that you can't keep throwing someone in when they are not ready but get away with it by calling it development.

But if a player plays 4 games in a row and is better in game 4 than 1 wouldn't that show that they are in fact developing through playing?

[Bumble]

Barry's problem is Beto. If we had a halfway competent older striker to share the burden he wouldn't be feeling the pressure so much and maybe understand that this is Yr 1 in his development here and relax a little, instead of looking to sky and nearly crying a few times a game. The fact we have another striker who is miles off the quality needed for this level means we need Barry to hit the ground running so he's feeling it. He can't not notice the looks from team mates, the groans from the crowd, the board going up after 70 mins every game. ..

The risk is we ruin what may be a promising striker by putting him in a position he shouldn't be in and setting back his development instead of helping it.

[brap2]

I think he's been good

I think today's strikers have to be so rounded it's actually quite hard to find them? They have to be big strong athletes who can also play and also be expected (but nowhere near as much as in the past) to be able to score.

In the past you'd have beanpoles that couldnt run but could head it, little second strikers that were deadly but useless off the ball, pacey in behind men that couldn't head it or hold it up etc. everyone now is expected to be a big strong fast athlete who is a good baller too.

We've found someone who can obviously play a bit. Is physically capable, doesnt look rapid but he's tall and young. Can head the ball although we've not seen him get one in the box yet really, and can can put himself about up top.

Fixing the problem of getting on the end of chances in someone who is young...sort of feels like an ok problem? Doubt he's going to become miroslav klose but...I think Matetas the example isn't he. Let him adapt and find his feet.

I do also think we are light up top so if we add someone of a different profile that's great. I've also slightly given up on Beto.

[AjaxAndy]

I think he's been good

I think today's strikers have to be so rounded it's actually quite hard to find them? They have to be big strong athletes who can also play and also be expected (but nowhere near as much as in the past) to be able to score.

In the past you'd have beanpoles that couldnt run but could head it, little second strikers that were deadly but useless off the ball, pacey in behind men that couldn't head it or hold it up etc. everyone now is expected to be a big strong fast athlete who is a good baller too.

We've found someone who can obviously play a bit. Is physically capable, doesnt look rapid but he's tall and young. Can head the ball although we've not seen him get one in the box yet really, and can can put himself about up top.

Fixing the problem of getting on the end of chances in someone who is young...sort of feels like an ok problem? Doubt he's going to become miroslav klose but...I think Matetas the example isn't he. Let him adapt and find his feet.

I do also think we are light up top so if we add someone of a different profile that's great. I've also slightly given up on Beto.

I don't think he's physically capable in all areas, he can win a lot of headers which we need under a Moyes type manager, but he doesn't win many of any physical duels on the deck... Again though not really an issue for me as that's another thing that's easily fixable over time with diet, gym work and just growing in to an adult athlete's body.

It feels like all the missing parts are not that hard to resolve. He isn't scoring but he scored 14 in 38 games at Basel, and 11 in 35 at Villarreal, so he knows where the net is... Time is what he needs to get up to speed with the league and the tougher defenders. Once he has adapted i think he'll score goals. Might not be a 20 goal a season striker but double figures would be absolutely fine. He will compete better physically with bulking up and learning how to give defenders more of a challenge through training and game time.

I don't see the negatives to just letting him play and develop that some have tbh, especially given how bad he looked at first compared to just a few starts later where there's been a very clear progression.

[MayorFarnham]

But if a player plays 4 games in a row and is better in game 4 than 1 wouldn't that show that they are in fact developing through playing?

Depends how marginal the improvement.

[superpull]

I think there's some doubt if Barry will ever be good enough. We also aren't in a position to play with no goal threat upfront for an extended period cos hes miles away. Right now its him and beto. Maybe we can give them til the end of the season but this version of Barry can't be getting regular minutes for us next season if he wants to progress.

Fully agree that the pair of Barry and Beto is no good for them or us.

But the vast majority of young talent can't look like world beaters at the start. Surely?

Obviously there are exceptions, there's kids you know are going to be stars right away. But I'm not convinced that is the norm

[Juanito]

The league is so tight right now, we could be in contention for Europe with a striker who is prem ready

[Cozzie]

All about the full backs for me.

2 full backs who know how to make it past the half way line on a regular basis transforms this team.

[Juanito]

All about the full backs for me.

2 full backs who know how to make it past the half way line on a regular basis transforms this team.

I would take a left back who can do that and an actual number 6, Gareth Barry esque.

[superpull]

[Toddacelli]

Absolute pack of cunts

[Gary1878]

If he wasn’t contributing to overall play and not scoring, then that would be a major issue. But the fact is that he is contributing to the team winning with his overall attitude and play.

I like the lad a lot and I think with time he will get his goals - over a longer period of time, he will ultimately be judged on goals. But for now, as long as the team keeps winning, that’s less of an issue for me.

The more he gets used to his teammates, the British weather, the culture, the Premier League etc etc the more he will benefit.

Physically, he looks like he has improved over the past couple of months. It’s either a change of mentality or a bit of work in the gym (or both).

Apart from the goals thing, I like what I see.

[Jamokachi]

Not at all. It shows that you can't keep throwing someone in when they are not ready but get away with it by calling it development.

We've just won 3 out of our last 4, with him being an integral part of how we play. Why can't we keep doing it?