Before the crucifixion, consider this.

[BlyBlyBabes 0]

Before crucifiction of Leon Barnett, which has commenced elsewhere on this forum and amongst many chatterers, it would be wise to note that prior to todays match Barnett was rated by the EA Sports Index as the 10th best defender in the whole Premier League this season to date. And the 5th best central defender of all.

http://www.premierleague.com/page/Top10Defenders/0,,12306,00.html

Now, if we consider that between the 20 clubs they have at least 80 defenders (including 40 central defenders) starting each match, Barnett''s comparative rating is certainly not to be sneezed at.

You may ask what is the validity of this EA Sports Index. Well, have a look:

http://www.premierleague.com/page/EAIndex/0,,12306,00.html

Barnett is by far the highest rated of the 4 City payers to make the Top 100.

Tierney is also well placed at 53.

 

Hmmm......certainly some objective food for thought, eh?

 

OTBC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kick it off 2,062]

I like Barnett and don''t think he should be dropped for his error, but seriously you''re trying to defend the indefensible on that backpass which ultimately was the difference between us getting beat and us coming away with a creditable point.

[BW 0]

Them stats are a load of rubbish always have been. Football is a sport not a science

[BlyBlyBabes 0]

[quote user="BW"]Them stats are a load of rubbish always have been. Football is a sport not a science[/quote]

Nobody said its a science and not a sport.

But you reckon significant elements of football can''t be analysed to provide meaningful and helpful statistics? Dear oh dear.

Bet Paul Lambert doesn''t agree with you.

OTBC

 

 

 

[BlyBlyBabes 0]

[quote user="kick it off"]I like Barnett and don''t think he should be dropped for his error, but seriously you''re trying to defend the indefensible on that backpass which ultimately was the difference between us getting beat and us coming away with a creditable point.[/quote]

 

No. The information merely supports my view hat people should not seek to hound him out of the team due to that bad mistake yesterday.

 

OTBC

[Mister Chops 7]

Well, I agree.  Dropping someone for making a mistake is the way to undermine team and individual confidence and lead to "no risk" football that we saw under Roeder.

[BlyBlyBabes 0]

[quote user="Mister Chops"]Well, I agree.  Dropping someone for making a mistake is the way to undermine team and individual confidence and lead to "no risk" football that we saw under Roeder.
[/quote]

 

So you''d drop anyone who made a big mistake despite being consistently outstanding otherwise?

 

Hmmm......okayyyyy........

 

OTBC

[Mister Chops 7]

[quote user="BlyBlyBabes"]

[quote user="Mister Chops"]Well, I agree.  Dropping someone for making a mistake is the way to undermine team and individual confidence and lead to "no risk" football that we saw under Roeder.[/quote]

 

So you''d drop anyone who made a big mistake despite being consistently outstanding otherwise?

 

Hmmm......okayyyyy........

 

OTBC

[/quote]Read my post again, and then engage your brain.

[grantroederdisaster 0]

Barnett is our best available CB so unless he really loses the plot his place is safe!

 

Bad error of judgement yesterday we all know but anyone who thought we were never going to make mistakes in one of the hardest Leagues on the planet were dreaming.

 

Russell Martin learnt from his error of not clearing the ball at Bolton and I suspect Barnett will do too! 

[Joanna Grey 0]

[quote user="grantroederdisaster"]

Barnett is our best available CB so unless he really loses the plot his place is safe!

 

[/quote]

This. He cocked up, badly. I don''t think he will do it again. I think the defence will be given a "helping hand" in January.

[Gingerpele 0]

Barnett hasn''t made just one mistake. 4 out of the last 6 goals, Barnett can take a huge chunk of the blame for. De Laet was dropped because of this.

We our conceding goals left right and centre, giving other teams so many chances its no surprise they are scoring. We can''t keep the same defence, or we will just keep on conceding more and more. Take the last two defensive displays, take all the chances we gave Liverpool, the amount of Possession we gave Swansea. And give all that to Arsenal, i can see us easily losing by 4/5 goals or more. Unless RVP gets injured in the international break.

Just because these stats have Barnett as the 5th best defender, that doesn''t mean he is the 5th best defender. It just means he''s kicked the ball away more, had to make more tackles/blocks. Because he''s had more to make. He might get a lot right, but he is blameable for 4 out of the last 6 goals...

[grantroederdisaster 0]

De Laets made mistakes and is not as strong in the air as Barnett in a position where being dominant in the air is a must!

 

I know who I''d rather have at CB!

[Felixfan 53]

We are working with a patched up defence at present. Whitbread arguably our most cultured defender is still out.

I suspect we will limp along until January when help will be forthcoming.

[TIL 1010 5,246]

[quote user="BlyBlyBabes"]

[quote user="BW"]Them stats are a load of rubbish always have been. Football is a sport not a science[/quote]

Nobody said its a science and not a sport.

But you reckon significant elements of football can''t be analysed to provide meaningful and helpful statistics? Dear oh dear.

Bet Paul Lambert doesn''t agree with you.

OTBC

 

 

 

[/quote]

Well actually he does Bly because at the supporters forum the other night a question was asked regarding statistics and scientific analysis and i quote"it is no good somebody telling me that a player made 900 passes in the game when we have lost 4-0.The ball is still round and the goals are the same size no matter what"

[BlyBlyBabes 0]

[quote user="TIL 1010"][quote user="BlyBlyBabes"]

[quote user="BW"]Them stats are a load of rubbish always have been. Football is a sport not a science[/quote]

Nobody said its a science and not a sport.

But you reckon significant elements of football can''t be analysed to provide meaningful and helpful statistics? Dear oh dear.

Bet Paul Lambert doesn''t agree with you.

OTBC

 

 

 

[/quote]

Well actually he does Bly because at the supporters forum the other night a question was asked regarding statistics and scientific analysis and i quote"it is no good somebody telling me that a player made 900 passes in the game when we have lost 4-0.The ball is still round and the goals are the same size no matter what"

[/quote]

 

The priority there is the weight of defeat (4-0) which pushes less important issues into the background.

 

Now put it the other way around. Are you trying to tell me he''s not interested who gives the ball away most??

 

It''s a question of priorities and context.

 

Maybe he''s not interested in how Johnson''s interception rate has fallen off since being mentioned for England? What do you think?

 

Maybe he should look at the mileage rate of our attacking players? It seems to me that our level of pressing te opposition higher up the field has fallen off in recent games......leading to.....

 

OTBC

 

 

 

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[Syteanric 1]

Barnett wouldnt have passed it back if he had received a call not to by someone...point the finger at the other 10 players who stood there agog whilst Leon got himself in a mess.... communication is key in football.

[0ridgemanddMMyyyy0Falseen-USTrue 0]

It wasn''t just the back pass he was the wrong side of Bent for the third goal, his passing was woeful for much of the game. He could have redeemed himself with his free header from a corner but put it wide.

[The Great Drinkell 51]

Surely Ruddy could have prevented this post,  remember Swansea last year ? - what''s up with row Z John

As for Barnet a mistake ....yes should be dropped... not in my opinion.