The treatment Leon Osman got in comparison to the gushing that follows Gareth Barry around is embarassing. Osman was far more skilful and did far more for Everton than anything Barry has ever done. We honestly deserve the bottom half if some of you think Barry is good enough to be starting for us. No problem as a utility cover player but he should be nowhere near the 11 especially when it looks as though Besic Cleverley and Gibson may all be out of the 11 before we even consider Davies and also assuming McCarthy goes.
He is so slow that he retreats almost to the centrebacks in games when he is terrified his lack of pace will be exposed. So average teams with a bit of pace in their midfield have huge gaps in the middle of the park to play in. He makes countless errors resulting in opposition chances that people wilfully ignore, the same people hysterically screaming at Barkley if he has a shot at goal. When he gets a stupid red, or multiple suspensions every season it's casually shrugged off whereas Fellaini or Mirallas got blasted for it. When he gets beaten in the air with ease at set pieces nothing is said, when it's Ross he's hung out to dry. McCarthy plays a sideways pass the crowd is booing, Barfy does the same they are clapping.
The problem is that such a large portion of fans have been fed the plucky little Everton line for so long that when a player that the media rated, that they said was too good for little old Everton, that came from the champions, now believe that he is infallible and cling to the idea of him as this player of supreme class. He was good, not great, ten years ago, he's certainly not of the level required for the top 4 now. Keep him around the squad for sentimental reasons if you have to but he shouldn't be hear the first team if we want to be a serious football club.
I can understand some of what you have said - I dont agree with lots of the abuse that Leon got for a lot of his career but think that your view of Barry has been blinkered by defending Ossie. I rate Besic and if he gets himself fit for a sustained period then I would have no problem with Besic taking his place. Cleverley I don't think there is a place for. Gibson would be great if we had any european football this year as think his game is suited to being able to play with no pressure but I wouldnt want him replacing Barry, even with his better passing range. Martinez has hung Barry out to dry over the past two seasons by playing him every game. Barry cant play every game but for someone with a bit of technical nous like Koeman I can well see Barry still playing 25 league games next season by playing the away games and against the more attacking teams at home. I also think you will see BArry come on at the end of games to help close games out, something we were criminally inept at doing last season.