Christopher Barker

[Rattus Norvegicus]

Despite rumours that our captain needs at least one walking stick to get around and couldn't keep up with a tortoise in a sprint final, he some how manages to haul himself out of his wheelchair and put in a decent effort.

A good captain, he has played well at left back and is a key part of the team.

Merry Christmas Barks.

 

[Maroon Blue]

Agreed, plays with his head, knows when to go forward and when to stay. An economy and efficiency in his play, can put in a decent cross aswell. Has a good understanding with Timlin and when defending times his tackles perfectly. An important part of the team and will keep Straker on the bench until injury prevents his selection. Ran Tomlin a close second for man of the match on Friday.

 

[south247]

Thought he had a massive game against Chesterfield. In the second half it was clear that he was being used as an outlet on the touchline to win headers; he won them all and set up attacks. Inspired Sturrock.

 

[DTS]

Thought he was superb against Chesterfield but I cannot help but think if we had an athlete down the left such as Straker we would be more dangerous.

 

[Earls Hall Blue]

He's rejuvenated at LB, this time last year we were all retiring him as he was past it. Sure he doesn't have the pace of Straker but he is a clever player. Straker really needs to perform if he gets the opportunity.

 

[Dick Bate's Protege]

Agreed. I'd written him off a few months back, but he has been superb since moving to left back. Happy to have been proven wrong.

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

Best left back outside the premiership.

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

Best left back outside the premiership.

Surely he is pushing for a call up into Roy Hodgson's squad if Ashley Cole ladders his tights again.

 

[Greebosan]

Barks has been a revelation for me since he moved to left back. Like many on here I thought his legs had gone since he came back from injury last season and didn't look the same player.

Full credit to Luggy for realising his potential in this position, and to the man himself for making it his own - loving his forward runs this season, and a peach of a cross for our third goal on Friday. Such is his form at the moment I think it's only a matter of time before he caps a weaving run into the box with a goal smashed into the top of the net. Well, maybe not, but if his confidence grows and the defenders give him room he may just take it on....

 

[SARF]

He always was a left back wasn't he? Was only covering at centre half as we had no one better.. So even more respect for selflessly playing out of position for so long without whining

 

[Silencer]

Been fantastic since he has switched to left back, although not the most vocal, if you watch him closely he is always talking without 'ranting/shouting'. What he lacks in pace, he more than makes up in strength and experience.

Although he looks knackered even after the pre match warm up, he is overlapping down the wing and actually produces some decent crosses (Assist the other night). He is also starting to get in some dangerous positions in the opposition box.

First season (POTY) he was cracking, last year despite being a huge fan I felt his legs had gone and was a little surprised he was kept on....back at left back this year he has proven that he is a class act at this level. Very underated

 

[Ozzer]

Best left back outside the premiership.

Woah! Ease off the Jaegermeister!

 

[Rattus Norvegicus]

.... although not the most vocal ....

2nd half against Bradford, standing alone on the left he certainly was "vocal" in telling his team mates to pass to him - including phrases such as "Prosser, give me the f...ing ball!" at full volume ....... :omg:

 

[OldBlueLady]

2nd half against Bradford, standing alone on the left he certainly was "vocal" in telling his team mates to pass to him - including phrases such as "Prosser, give me the f...ing ball!" at full volume ....... :omg:

Lol, yes, I witnessed that too! He's a genuinely nice bloke and I'm delighted he's re-found the form that we signed him at left back for. The centre back thing was enforced because of injury and such like, and then maintained as Mohsni seemed to find form elsewhere on the field.

 

[Bolton Shrimper]

Shame we could'nt/would'nt play him at left back sooner. He was immense last Fri................Straker still has'nt done it for me. Concerned if Barks picks up an injury at the same time as Phillips or Cresswell is out needing Prosser at centre back and forcing the Straker issue.

 

[banjo saviola]

Just in the games I've seen this season he's assisted Tomlin's 2nd on Friday, Freddy's winner against Exeter and Corr's header against Stockport. I'm assuming there's probably been more too.

Good on the old boy...

 

[rlb999]

Something we all seem to agree on. I'd add that Prosser is much more comfortable in the middle too. On the left Barker's less likely to get isolated against a pacey forward which caused him issues towards the end of last season.

 

[Ayrshire Blue]

Rolling back the years this season.

All credit to him, he's a top bloke as well so I'm pleased he's turned it around on the pitch as there were times last season when those legs were looking very heavy.

 

[Angell Delight]

Thought he was superb against Chesterfield but I cannot help but think if we had an athlete down the left such as Straker we would be more dangerous.

For me Straker's poor defensively and Barker has pleasantly surprised me this season, I thought he was flogging a dead horse after his performances during the second half of last season. Much, much prefer Barker at LB to Straker and he's been very much an unsung hero in this recent run. His crossing's not bad either, most surprising! :thumbsup:

 

[Rattus Norvegicus]

I'm more than happy to have Straker as a back-up left back and as a left sided mid-fielder ... thought he played well against Fleetwood (and scored of course).

He came with quite a weight of expectation and played in the team when there weaknesses in the team. I wouldn't be surprised to see him come back in the team given the number of games we have coming up ... and for him to do well. :thumbsup: