An Idea

[stevietheshrimper]

Remind me how good Constantine was at Brizzo Road again?

 

[SupaBlues]

Lee Barnard Whooah Lee Barnard
He come from White Hart Lane
He's better than Jermain
Lee Barnard whooah Lee Barnard

:p

 

[Medway Blue]

I refer m'lud to the defendant's all time playing career:

Club League FA Cup League cup Other
Crewe 2 (1) 1 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0
Crewe 7 (0) 2 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0
North'ton 3 (2) 0 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0
Orient 3 (5) 0 1 (0) 0 0 (0) 0 1 (0) 0
Stevenage 2 (2) 1 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0
Exeter 3 (0) 0 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0 1 (0) 0
Spurs 0 (3) 0 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0

So, four goals in six years as a professional striker...

I know I'm not one to make snap judgements about players, but Barnard was the flimsiest, most disinterested and uncommitted loanee I've ever seen. He was convinced he was too good to be playing in the bottom tier, and wasn't prepared to put his nuts on the line to prove everyone otherwise. He lacks pace, power, ability in the air and determination. What's more he looked just as bad for Crewe. I wouldn't touch him with a bargepole - but then I've been known to be wrong before...! :rolleyes:

To be fair, there aren't that many players who have been loaned out to as many clubs as Barnard at such a young age. I would think it got pretty demoralising. A young lad being shunted out to all these different clubs on loan, having to get to know a set of players and a style of play quickly before moving back to Spurs......no continuity, no stability, a nagging sense that maybe he wasn't going to get a prolonged chance at Spurs......maybe his 'lack of effort' or 'lack of goals' is all a mental thing that can be put right with a fresh start here.

Plus the majority of his loan spells, including the one at Orient, were spent being under the age of 20.....scary prospects, not really fully bulked up physically yet....and how many young players have we seen go on loan somewhere, not perform, then move somewhere permanently and be a success? As someone mentioned earlier, Constantine and Kightly both spring to mind.

I'm pretty sure that moving to a club where he definitely feels wanted, settled and stable, and where he'll be playing games, will bring out the best in him. It'll be a refreshing chance for a new start for him after a year or two of stagnation. And I know it's not league football, but a bad player simply does not score 17 goals in 17 apps, then 18 in 19 for a Prem reserve side.

Give the lad a chance.