Gareth Barry - record breaker still with a role to play?

[when i score we riot]

I have an irrationally big fondness of Gareth Barry, and yeah sure he can make mistakes as anyone else, but his contribution is invaluable. I love his intelligent playstyle and how he knows just enough to be cynical and clever when need be.

Let it be noted that his skill on the ball greatly surpasses any need of pace. Still averages 1 key pass pr. game, regularly hits lovely long balls better than anyone else on the teamand sometimes has a bit of Pirlo about him, pinging through balls down the channels.

 

[BigWolf]

Have always said, his lack of pace is his biggest weakness. Against any pacy team, he struggles, but against non-pacy teams, he does really well, and for that, I think we can help him get the record (Even if from the bench)

 

[Groucho]

Great player.

Will be useful still, if used correctly.

 

[Roztitute]

He can still be useful for squad depth with the Europa league and domestic cups. Of course we don't want a Dynamo Kiev Alcaraz situation (shudders) but he'll be a useful back up.

 

[degsy]

we will need bodies and he's a handy body to have

 

[Tel001]

Would be nice to see him overtake that utter berk Giggs.

Barry deserves it rather than Higgs tbh... he's a model pro and you never hear about him outside of football... no drinking,smoking,running people over,banging brothers wife... stories ... never any transfer requests or strikes .. an absolute model pro that I hope goes into coaching and if good enough stays around the club

 

[diggerdestroyer]

He's past it and a liability. Besic and McCarthy are injury prone.

All 3 could be replaced by a healthy player.

Lets see if mccarthy and besic can remain injury free this season. If not i agree ship em out. But if they are replaced this summer i agree it needs to be done.

 

[Will Escott]

If he has players around him to do the running and defence that isn't both Jags and Williams then he can still do a job. Fully expect this to be his last season though.

 

[peteblue]

I'd play him just to take the record off that miserable get Giggs........

 

[when i score we riot]

Gotta echo the hope for Gareth to get the joy of winning something with Everton, like!

 

[Toast]

So handy to have on the bench at quick notice.
Manager wouldn't need to be doing drawings on bits of paper telling Gareth what to go and do on the pitch would he.

 

[dave abrahams]

I might be wrong, but wasn't his contract due to finish at the end of last season and he was awarded a new twelve month
term?. If that is correct then I assume he will not have been given the same wages he has been on since he joined the club
so his reduced wages will match his reduced playing time.

With more rest between games he can do a more than useful job for the Blues.

 

[LydiateLee]

Love Gaz Baz, but I love Everton more and I don't think him being a part of our squad these days is an indication that we are threatening the top 4. Remember RS at home and Spurs away? Sorry but he is a liability at times.

 

[MikeH72]

He actually cannot move, when he comes on we drop 15 yards deeper because the first thing he does when the opposition get the ball is amble towards the edge of his own box leaving a gaping chasm in midfield. If you haven't spotted this, you haven't been paying attention.

 

[davek]

In his pomp he was better than any of the midfielders we have now and overall he's been a success here. You couldn't make a case for him starting too many PL games like. If we have a 'dead' EL match or two he'd be ideal to send out with a team of youngsters to offer a calming influence and to guide them through it.

I dont know about coaching. You'd think because he seems quiet and studious he'd make a natural one - and a natural manager eventually. Maybe. I'd have to say though that it seems like half of the players who retire end up getting coaching jobs here. That's ok if you're winning trophies and you want to keep a dynasty going but we're not in that position.