Usually these types of story concern long lost ex players but there has been no sight nor sound of Barnard in well over a month.

Last season Lee Barnard was a pivotal part of the Saints side that won promotion, starting 26 games coming on as sub in 12 and scoring 13 league goals, in terms of goals per minutes on pitch Barnard was our best striker and had he taken (and of course scored) the penalties he would have been our top scorer, when he sustained a serious injury with five games left there were those that wondered whether this might cost us promotion.

He was back in pre season though but since then little has been seen or heard of him as to whether he is fit or if there is some other problem, rumours of a loan deal to Charlton surfaced that intimated that he is fit but there might be some sort of problem in other areas.

If Lee Barnard has played his last game for Saints it will be sad, he was a wholehearted player who gave his all but was often under appreciated as his strike partner took the glory, but for creating goals and scoring from open play there was no one better at the club and his tireless running often took the pressure off the team when clearing from defence and in turn created space for others.

There are some who say he isnt good enough for the Championship, that may be the case, but there were also those that said the same about Rickie Lambert and he has proved his doubters wrong, like SRL, Lee Barnard does surely deserve the chance to show if he has what it takes.

Of course the rumours might be wrong and there might not be a problem, but if thats the case it highlights the need for the club to be transparent in communication and nip those rumours in the bud before they get out of hand and damaging.    

Photo: Action Images

saint_aggers added 10:23 - Sep 8 "Of course the rumours might be wrong and there might not be a problem, but if thats the case it highlights the need for the club to be transparent in communication and nip those rumours in the bud before they get out of hand and damaging." I nearly drowned on my coffee reading that one. This web site is one of the main breeding grounds for rumours or 'FACTS' as you like to call them. That is the best one yet Mr Illingsworth. This web site has become a parody of itself and, as such, become essential comedy reading.

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SaintNick added 11:08 - Sep 8 If Saints had put somewhere that lee barnard was injured or whatever, then sites like this would not be breeding grounds for rumour and you will notice i never use FACT in my sentenc, its an ironic phrase used on the message board
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Natural_Order added 11:17 - Sep 8 So if there are no comments or updates from the club on a regular basis about any player we should assume there are underlying issues that require the full weight of your investigative rigour?
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SaintDavo added 12:12 - Sep 8 i agree with saint aggers and natural order !didnt LB just sign an extended contract ?!? maybe, just maybe he is not mentally right because of pending 'issues' outside of football ? the club gave him an extension contract so he must be in their future plans, right ?
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Dperc added 12:27 - Sep 8 He signed a new contract a month ago, I don't think we need to read too much in to this. He's been injured and won't be played/risked until fully fit. The club don't respond to rumours because once they start doing so, they'd have to employ a team of full time employee's sending out denials to every media outlet under the sun. If there are rumours about genuine movements within our club I get the impression NC is very likely to pull the plug on the deals, and I think anyone who deals with us is well aware of this, so pay very little attention to gossip!

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bstokesaint added 12:28 - Sep 8 I'd agree with Davo, I imagine this boils down to his attitude being affected by what has gone on off the pitch. If you were the manager with our striking options, why would you take the risk of picking a player with the wrong temperament? As much as I like Barny on the field (he gives it 110% every game), I can't help but think his inability to stay out of trouble off it might come back to cost him dearly.

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StSaint added 12:36 - Sep 8 I agree with the others - this article seems to be doing nothing more than concocting mischief from thin air. Would be a bit harsh for us to drop Connolly and the 5 sub rule means that Adkins prefers to sub the little guy, bring on De Ridder and bolster the midfield.
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TimSaint added 12:51 - Sep 8 I don't think there is anything wrong here. A combination of injury, upcoming appearance with "Scotland Yard" and of course fewer substitutes being named, have all gone against Barney. I'm sure once the club knows what is going to happen once he has had his hearing, he will be back in contention.
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zonehead added 18:41 - Sep 8 Saw him in Homebase the other day buying a scutch hammer, said he needed to sort a few things out
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the_dune added 20:57 - Sep 8 SaintNick is just trying to unsettle things again. I think he'd make a great tabloid journalist, making up stories when there is nothing to write about.
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st_bangkok added 06:46 - Sep 9 Seriously guys, i see nothing wrong in this article, it is just speculative and raises talking points......why do people have such an anti this site and Nick agenda?
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