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I've been very encouraged seeing Barnes's performances of late. Against Southampton there were a couple of moments in particular: The first was when he dribbled into the area, reached the byeline and then cut it back through a gap rather than just fire it across goal. Granted it didn't find anyone, but it felt like the right ball and, had someone been running in on it, they would have had a clear chance at goal without Southampton having much chance to stop it. It showed composure and clear thought in an otherwise crowded penalty area.

The second was his finish at the end, which could be seen as an easy 1-on-1 chance, but it was a step up from his finishing last season. Last year he would have hit that hard, and probably straight at the goalkeeper. This time, however, he gave himself a little space and flicked it past the keeper like it was the most natural thing in the world. It was a calm and collected finish, again a sign of growing composure.

He still needs an eye on the defensive side of his game for me, but I think the improvements at the top end of the pitch are notable and highly encouraging. He looks like he believes in himself a lot more this year.

I think having Albrighton within that 3 helps defensively no end. He’s pushing my player of the season so far.

I don't know whether it's good or bad for him that Albrighton will be largely remembered by us for facilitating other players to play well. First combining with Okazaki and Kante to enable Mahrez to do half a job defensively, now to free up the likes of Tielemans, Maddison and Barnes to get their heads up more.

As has been said to me by family many times: Managers always end up returning to him. And in that, it was interesting to hear Brendan singing his praises after the Southampton match, calling his work rate an example to other wingers at the club. Decide for yourself just how many other wingers he was talking about with that.

Under a grey cloud

Just a thought.

Could Barnes be a long term replacement for Vardy?

If his finishing continues to improve. He's got the pace. Good with both feet.

Could he play a central role moving forward?

comment by For Fox Sake (U4263)
posted 3 minutes ago
Just a thought.

Could Barnes be a long term replacement for Vardy?

If his finishing continues to improve. He's got the pace. Good with both feet.

Could he play a central role moving forward?
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Well Vardy’s finishing was very much smash and hope when he came, but you could always see he had a strikers instinct. However, I’m still astounded by how much his finishing improved, along with his decision making at pace.

This is where I’m unsure about Barnes. He’s clearly working on his end product. It’s clearly his current weakness. As other have said, there has been a visible improvement this season to last. Dunge articulates it very well.

However I’m not sure he has the striker’s instinct to be a number 9 or 10. He’s a bit like Sterling in that you can’t coach composure, only repetition and muscle memory. But some players seem to have an erratic miss cue in them. Check out some of Sterling’s horrendous misses and it’s not the odd one, it’s a compilation! Barnes strikes me as the same.

Happy to be wrong on that, just how I see his development.

I agree with the sentiment of the post. Both Maddison an Barnes have added goals to their games this season and Rodger will be pleased as we hear him talking about “getting their numbers up”.

As for Albrighton, for all his limitations he just proves time in time out that game understanding, tactical application and hard work is better than talent alone. Credit to him.

I think the comparison to Stirling that way is a good one. That's why I think he's already in his best position and isn't a number 9.

Everyone could see a real player in Barnes but his finishing was atrocious, really improved it this season so long may it continue to improve

comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 1 hour, 18 minutes ago
I think the comparison to Stirling that way is a good one. That's why I think he's already in his best position and isn't a number 9.
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I think he is too Dunge. I think he can deputise for a Vardy, but I’m not sure he’ll develop in to his natural replacement.

His progress this season is to be applauded though.

Another thing I’ve been considering is “how fit is our fully fit squad”. Vardy, Evans, Castagne, Maddison all look like they’re playing at 80-90% and I fear they are just a game away from a long term injury.

I hope it’s just the relentless nature of this season, but I do think that players like Maddison aren’t quite firing on all cylinders.

Certainly Vardy's not looking fit, and struggling with his hip. They're nursing a few players through the weeks.

I'm not sure Evans and Castagne are among them though. Castagne I thought just struggled with the heavy pitch at the weekend (which will likely be heavy again this evening unfortunately), while Evans was imperious and has played more than I thought he would.