I just see a player who, like gerrard, is getting praise for doing very little now simply because of who he is. Now im not saying barry isnt playing that well but i see midfields getting through and him not being there to break it up, whereas the first half of last season it was him that was getting into those spaces and winning the ball back. There is more emphasis on Jimmy now than before (again like them lot) and id rather see besic play than barry and develop a long term partnership instead of playing barry because he can bring epxerience to the team.
there will be plenty of experience in 3 years when jimmy and besic have played together most weeks.
Without going over old ground, I do agree with you - in the early part of the season he wasnt doing his job properly in disrupting opposition attacks.
That was Martinez' fault for me though in his over-reliance on Barkley - my only grumble with the manager.
With Barkley out we were playing Naismith there who wants 'feeding' rather than being the creator for Lukaku. This meant that Barry had to get the ball and drive forward looking to create an opportunity. He hasnt the legs to be box to box and so when the ball was being turned-over there was no-one there protecting the back four as he always does as our 'insurance policy'.
With Barkley back now he brings energy and shape to the side (even if bizzarely we arent seeing him in that role too much - possibly because we have realised that Eto'o can do a decent job) and therefore Barry can go back to what he does best which I think we will see as soon as he gets fit again.
I agree with
@davek in that for all of Naismiths qualities, and i do like the lad, playing him does distort other areas of our play which is why I would always prefer Barkley behind Lukaku.
All opinions though ey mate
