Gareth Barry

granter79 · December 2, 2015

Excellent last night. Rap him up this next Monday please

sportbillyblue · December 2, 2015

masterful again.

he carried our midfield against Boro, whilst carrying Downing around in his back pocket.

generally been good since pre-season.

Titus Bramble · December 2, 2015

He is very good. Its' not just the protection allowing our attacking players to flourish, our centre halves always have an easy pass into midfield because he makes himself available. Yes he's slow, but how often do you see players running past him? It's not often, his positional sense is bang on and he's very good at winning 'soft' freekicks to kill the pressure and allow us to reorganise.

Very important to us

blueblue · December 2, 2015

I gave him MOTM last night, I thought he was excellent.

MartSlinger · December 2, 2015

He's been brilliant all season. Playing one game a week has helped him individually IMO. Thought it was stupid how we played him twice a week for months last season.

Hong Kong Phooey · December 2, 2015

Playing much better this season so far than last.

We have a young exciting team, but you also need some experienced old heads in there too and Barry is a calming influence in the heart of midfield.

Pabbers · December 2, 2015

MOM for me, brilliant.

mkrudden · December 2, 2015

Saint Domingo said:
As expected he looked comfortable and at his level against the lesser side. Like I've said, turning it on in these games does not mean we should be starting him every league game.

So to clarify... Is it just spurs you don't want him to play against?

Saint Domingo · December 2, 2015

mkrudden said:
So to clarify... Is it just spurs you don't want him to play against?

No it's any team with a bit of mobility in their midfield who aren't absolutely tosh.

mkrudden · December 2, 2015

Saint Domingo said:
No it's any team with a bit of mobility in their midfield who aren't absolutely tosh.

Who are these teams though?

City aren't mobile with Toure in there.
Utd have Schneiderlin and Carrick/Schwein
Liverpool have Lucas, Henderson when fit, Milner
Chelsea have Matic and Fabregas.

I'm struggling to see all these teams packed full of athletes in the centre of the park?

ArtetaMoney · December 2, 2015

Rolls Royce of a player

Saint Domingo · December 2, 2015

mkrudden said:
Who are these teams though?

City aren't mobile with Toure in there.
Utd have Schneiderlin and Carrick/Schwein
Liverpool have Lucas, Henderson when fit, Milner
Chelsea have Matic and Fabregas.

I'm struggling to see all these teams packed full of athletes in the centre of the park?

Is that a joke? Toure is lazy defensively but absolutely not immobile in attack. Likewise Fernando and Fernandinho can get round the park very easily. United in Herrera and Schneiderlin have two quick strong players. Schweinsteiger not so much but he is quicker than Barry and younger. Lucas Henderson and Milner have little football ability but the one thing they can do well is run around like rabid dogs. Magic? Seriously? He physically dominated almost every game last season and has pace and power in abundance.

You cannot win consistently at the top level if you are not mobile enough as a team to win the ball back. The combination of Barry's lack of pace with Del, Barkley and Kone slacking off defensively meant we could do nothing to stop Bounemouths pressure.

Kiwi · December 2, 2015

Saint Domingo said:
Is that a joke? Toure is lazy defensively but absolutely not immobile in attack. Likewise Fernando and Fernandinho can get round the park very easily. United in Herrera and Schneiderlin have two quick strong players. Schweinsteiger not so much but he is quicker than Barry and younger. Lucas Henderson and Milner have little football ability but the one thing they can do well is run around like rabid dogs. Magic? Seriously? He physically dominated almost every game last season and has pace and power in abundance.

You cannot win consistently at the top level if you are not mobile enough as a team to win the ball back. The combination of Barry's lack of pace with Del, Barkley and Kone slacking off defensively meant we could do nothing to stop Bounemouths pressure.

I'm sorry but the Bournemouth loss wasn't really down to Barry at all. He's been absolutely brilliant this season and has provided the stability for us to play the good stuff going forward.

Saint Domingo · December 2, 2015

Kiwi said:
I'm sorry but the Bournemouth loss wasn't really down to Barry at all. He's been absolutely brilliant this season and has provided the stability for us to play the good stuff going forward.

Different opinions. I'm not lumping the result all on him, just my opinion that in those type of games over a course of a season his weakness is exposed.

mkrudden · December 4, 2015

Saint Domingo said:
Is that a joke? Toure is lazy defensively but absolutely not immobile in attack. Likewise Fernando and Fernandinho can get round the park very easily. United in Herrera and Schneiderlin have two quick strong players. Schweinsteiger not so much but he is quicker than Barry and younger. Lucas Henderson and Milner have little football ability but the one thing they can do well is run around like rabid dogs. Magic? Seriously? He physically dominated almost every game last season and has pace and power in abundance.

You cannot win consistently at the top level if you are not mobile enough as a team to win the ball back. The combination of Barry's lack of pace with Del, Barkley and Kone slacking off defensively meant we could do nothing to stop Bounemouths pressure.

So what are you talking about here, mobility with the ball or without it? Are you worried about players taking the ball off Barry or are you worried about how Barry can dominate opponents?

Do I worry about Barry against Milner, Henderson and Lucas?! Absolutely not. We have McCarthy and Barry in there providing mobility. Lucas is a snail mate so no idea where you're getting this 'runs round like a rabid dog' from.

Herrara barely plays. Schneiderlin is mobile but plays Barry's position for the opposition, how many times is that going to be a realistic duel?

Matic....pace?! Get in the bin mate. He reads the game brilliantly which actually makes up for the fact he is moves like he's in quicksand. His whole game is based on getting it and giving it. When does he ever drive with the ball into the masses?! He does the exact same job as Barry.

You're thinking of the Toure of 2 seasons ago mate. Without the ball he's about as immobile as it comes. Completely uninterested. Fernando and Fernandinho are sat on top of their two centre backs offering protection 9 times out of 10.

Going back to my original point, what are you worried about? As far as I can see there is only Tottenham in this league that press high with agile, athletic centre midfielders that would and have put Barry under pressure. I don't see another team who is going to risk coming on to us when the two centre halves split and Barry goes and collects. No team has done that to us this season APART from Spurs.

So I ask again, a)what are you worried about b) name the teams that you think will press GB high up the pitch where he does most of his work starting attacks?