Gareth Barry

ijjysmith · November 27, 2015

The only bad thing about Barry at the minute it's his boots. If ever a player shouldn't have colourful ones it's him.

Stick to the World Cups Gareth please. Thanks.

Yorkie · November 27, 2015

LinekersLegs said:
He'd make an amazing male underwear model, not only does he have a chiseled jawline but that ability to pose looking into the far distance is an important skill if there are other half-undressed men around you.

Got a traditional kind of handsome, hasn't he? Will you be purchasing 12 shades of blue?

LinekersLegs · November 27, 2015

Yorkie said:
Got a traditional kind of handsome, hasn't he? Will you be purchasing 12 shades of blue?

Already on my Christmas wishlist - unfortunately Barry isn't included!

Big Fat Sam · November 27, 2015

He's been absolutely sexual this season, to be fair to him.

I love how he sits back in at CB when Galloway is attacking and Mori moves across to cover him at LB. It's beautiful movement and crucial to how we stop steals countering us.

I think Roberto has finally found the best way for us to line up and which players work best together. Hopefully we can achieve something soon.

Yorkie · November 27, 2015

LinekersLegs said:
Already on my Christmas wishlist - unfortunately Barry isn't included!

At least it has Osman in it.
HAS to be April that one.

toffeeblue9 · November 27, 2015

First bad game he has, people will jump on it. You can tell he's one of those players that some people just don't like but there's a grudging silence while he's playing undeniably well

You can tell by how people advocate dropping Barkley deeper and Barry being the one who should make way, never mind that he's been our most consistent player this season

LinekersLegs · November 27, 2015

toffeeblue9 said:
First bad game he has, people will jump on it. You can tell he's one of those players that some people just don't like but there's a grudging silence while he's playing undeniably well

You can tell by how people advocate dropping Barkley deeper and Barry being the one who should make way, never mind that he's been our most consistent player this season

Tbh he did have a poor game against Spurs especially when Cleverley went off and he had limited outlets to pass too, their energetic pressing style tends to expose his weaknesses.

davids · November 27, 2015

LinekersLegs said:
Tbh he did have a poor game against Spurs especially when Cleverley went off and he had limited outlets to pass too, their energetic pressing style tends to expose his weaknesses.

I think in games of that type is where Besic can hopefully come through,I've been really impressed with the way he always finds space to receive the out-ball from the central defenders.Him being there must have made the Prem transition for Mori much easier.

Coffee and TV · November 30, 2015

Apparently Barry is a doubt for Tuesday too

mlyons · November 30, 2015

Hopefully that's just an excuse to leave him out. I really don't want to see Barry playing twice in four days any more.

Saint Domingo · November 30, 2015

Lost control of the midfield even before McCarthy went off. He's been better this season but away games against teams who are as mobile as the likes of Spurs and Bournemouth really show him up. Worrying signs for the Anfield derby.

BlueToff · November 30, 2015

Saint Domingo said:
Lost control of the midfield even before McCarthy went off. He's been better this season but away games against teams who are as mobile as the likes of Spurs and Bournemouth really show him up. Worrying signs for the Anfield derby.

I'm much more concerned about the two months before that game tbh...

But that's why an in-form McCarthy is so key for us. He has the ability to break up and pressurise opposition play against 'mobile' midfields, allowing Barry to drop deep and kick-start attacks.

Osamabindiesel · November 30, 2015

Barry is the kind of player that can play till he is 40 because he is so positionally sound. That said, we will need someone like him with more pace to compete with the quicker midfields in the game consistently. He is like Mertasack in form for Arsenal; brilliant in most games but he can be ineffective in some matchups.

Jamie Mac, Bessie and Gibbo don't have the same positional awareness and Barkley still doesn't play strongly enough on defense to be considered a viable option at this point in his career.

BlueToff · November 30, 2015

Still reckon he'll play tomorrow. Too big of a game to leave him out, especially given that we've not got another game until next Monday night.

Saint Domingo · November 30, 2015

Osamabindiesel said:
Barry is the kind of player that can play till he is 40 because he is so positionally sound. That said, we will need someone like him with more pace to compete with the quicker midfields in the game consistently. He is like Mertasack in form for Arsenal; brilliant in most games but he can be ineffective in some matchups.

Jamie Mac, Bessie and Gibbo don't have the same positional awareness and Barkley still doesn't play strongly enough on defense to be considered a viable option at this point in his career.

Think I've missed the part of the last 18 months when we had a good defence. No problem with people having a go at Gibbo for his injuries but positional awareness? With him in the team we went on a massive unbeaten run, he's not some untested kid, he's an experienced premier league midfielder. I'd love to buy all of this Barry is a class apart stuff, positionally perfect, great passing range, defensively sound, no one else can do his job etc. etc. But then I watch us outclassed by three of the league's top sides, concede multiple goals to Sunderland Bournemouth Barnsley Watford, Reading and think maybe he's not the English Busquets that some portray him to be?