Well -- i couldnt disagree more with the sentiment of this thread. We were shocking on Saturday ( and our front 3 have been poor for most of the season ) ... But When Barnard came on he actually made loads of inteliigent runs off the ball , he linked play very well with the midfield , he moved their centre backs all over the place and generally upset them ... we looked way more dangerous with him on the field than the listless Weston. I would rather see Corr + Coolthirst up front together , but when Bazza's injured i want to see Barnard start.
Its easy for you lot to pick on a scapegoat like Barny coz his injuries have limited appearances and the sharpness wasnt quite 100%. But when he gets matchtime he is the man to bang in the goals for us. In fact i think Barnard + Coolthirst could be a very useful combination , with Barny's experience + knowledge being just what Shaq needs. Weston has been pitiful and should only be used as a sub left winger. You cant beat experience --- people mocked when i suggested 2 years ago we needed a Jamie Cureton type player , yet he's still banging in goals a plenty.
Give Barny a run of 3 or 4 matches as part of a front 2 ( not on the wing where he's been asked to play earlier this year ) & watch him return to the brilliant striker he is capable of being.
Agree totally with your first paragraph. He should start ahead of Weston on Saturday (in the absence of Corr), the two centre halves had it easy up until he came on.