FanPost

The Lament of "Union" Jack Barmby



It's stories like that of "Union" Jack Barmby that make me glad I'm not a professional athlete.

Imagine being young and, at one time, tabbed to start in the Premier League. Every night spent dreaming of playing against the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, or Arsenal. Maybe one day suiting up for the English National Team and playing in Wembley? Friends and family members alike showering you with accolades of future greatness and riches.

Then, one day, your agent tells you that Leicester City, your current club, has no interest in keeping you and you find your way to the United States to play in some MLS club called the Portland Timbers. Maybe the only thing you've heard about the Timbers is some bloke starts up a chain saw after every goal.

Fine, you're young, British, with loads and loads of talent. Starting in MLS should be as easy as listening to Strawberry Fields Forever whilst eating some spot and dick.

The MLS? That's a bangers league for hacks and old men. Start a season, score a bucket full of goals, and head back to England with clubs begging you to join their ranks.

Only things haven't turned out well for young Union Jack.

In spite of breathtaking speed and excellent technique, he's managed to find only 331 minutes of playing time all season. Most of that has come in mop up time with barely any time at all to make a difference. He did score a goal of outstanding quality... a volley that required perfect technique only gained by thousands of hours on the pitch.

Even when Lucas Melano finally found pine after missing one too many 1vs1's that even Caleb Porter had enough of the expensive phenom, young Jack wasn't given a chance.

Darren Mattocks was penciled in. The same Darren Mattocks that was dumped by the Vancouver Whitecaps (who?). The King of the Meaningless Crossover was now starting ahead of you. Fine, no worries, I'll just wait my turn.

Then Mattocks single-handedly beat Philadelphia when those meaningless cross-overs turn into laser guided assists.

Bollocks!

All humor aside, Caleb must really see something in Jack Barmby in training that is turning him off. The only possible explanation that I could have is Jack's positional awareness. He seems to charge forward recklessly and leave gapes of space behind him. Porter's system is all about discipline, and a young colt galloping all over the pitch might not sit too well. Both starting wingers are either gone (Asprilla) or riding the bench (the aforementioned Melano). This should have seemingly given Barmby the minutes he solely needs to adjust to the league and system.

He hasn't even been relegated to T2 just for the playing time and experience. The splinters in his butt must be getting painful.

In spite of his recklessness, I love the energy he brings to the team (especially on the road). With the Timbers not winning a road game ALL YEAR, why not give a young buck some time to see if he can conjure a goal or two? Maybe a bit of youthful exuberance is just what this team needs when playing away from the confines of Portland?

He seems to be taking it all in stride. I just hope he's being given feedback on why he's not playing so he can work on his faults. Nothing worse than seeing a young player with ability rotting on the bench with seemingly no opportunity to prove himself.

I like the lad and I hope his career turns around. He obviously has a lot of ability and loves the game.

This FanPost was written by a Stumptown Footy community member and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the site or its staff.

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