Gareth Barry

ToffeeTim · December 20, 2015

Been playing well this season. Certainly much improved on last year. Missing mccarthy alongside a little but any criticism would be a touch harsh.

Chang Elephant · December 20, 2015

He's playing OK but his absolute lack of pace is killing any chance of shielding the back four. That's before you get to El Coco's crazy idea that he slots in as virtually a third centre half.

Polish_Blue_Army · December 20, 2015

I still don't know what he's doing so well that cannot be done by Osman/Bešić/Gibson and even players who dont play at this position

The Esk · December 20, 2015

Polish_Blue_Army said:
I still don't know what he's doing so well that cannot be done by Osman/Bešić/Gibson and even players who dont play at this position

Sorry mate, if you cannot see Barry's importance to our side and how we play, then I'm not sure what to say...

Polish_Blue_Army · December 20, 2015

The Esk said:
Sorry mate, if you cannot see Barry's importance to our side and how we play, then I'm not sure what to say...

And how do we play ? Maybe martinez should change the way "we play" because from what the table say "we play average midtable stuff" from nearly two years ? Maybe we could get better results if important Barry was replaced by less important team mate ?

The Esk · December 20, 2015

Polish_Blue_Army said:
And how do we play ? Maybe martinez should change the way "we play" because from what the table say "we play average midtable stuff" from nearly two years ? Maybe we could get better results if important Barry was replaced by less important team mate ?

You tell me mate.

But any team that has attacking full backs and two central defenders who play the ball out of defence needs someone who always "shows" for the ball plus who can drop back in between the split centre halves.

We are mid table because of individual errors rather than a fundamental weakness in the way we play.

orly · December 20, 2015

The Esk said:
You tell me mate.

But any team that has attacking full backs and two central defenders who play the ball out of defence needs someone who always "shows" for the ball plus who can drop back in between the split centre halves.

We are mid table because of individual errors rather than a fundamental weakness in the way we play.

Completely disagree there Esk.

We're on a sustained run of form (17 wins in 55 games) - that can't be just down to individuals making mistakes, unless they are making regular errors; so why aren't they being dropped or coached to improve?

riddick · December 20, 2015

The Esk said:
You tell me mate.

But any team that has attacking full backs and two central defenders who play the ball out of defence needs someone who always "shows" for the ball plus who can drop back in between the split centre halves.

We are mid table because of individual errors rather than a fundamental weakness in the way we play.

Concentration? We are damn near the top of the 'individual error' league for the second year in a row. Cant be a coincidence.

thought Barry was great today tbh..

Zatara · December 20, 2015

In terms of Martinez building a squad...they wont be here soon.

For "here and now" clearly the main players in favour are:

Barry
McCarthy
Cleverley
Barkley

Personally i prefer McCarthy to Barry in DM and i prefer Barkley to Cleverley in AM.

Theres a weak link in CM for me.

Barry has been good this season but i think we really lack a top CM and playing McCarthy there short term isnt ideal when i think he would come into his own at DM.

BlueToff said:
Thing is Zat why do you constantly remove Barry/Gibson/Osman. Your reason is normally down to saying they won't play many games or be part of the squad by the end of the season, but based on what we've seen so far Barry at least will be.

I understand it's in relation to further down the line, but for the here and now - that being the next two windows - we're pretty set for central midfield.

Zatara · December 20, 2015

Yes id like a Bernardo Silva or a William Carvalho type in the centre as they are potentially world class and can take us in one way or another depending on how Martinez sees the central area long term. A playmaker which the team has as its main "icon" or a box to box player which drives the team.

Someone of similar age to Barkley and McCarthy so we can have these 3 in the centre long term.

Dithering Dougie said:
Zat likes them young BT, the younger the better as far as he's concerned.

ilikecheese · December 20, 2015

Zatara said:
Yes id like a Bernardo Silva or a William Carvalho type in the centre as they are potentially world class and can take us in one way or another depending on how Martinez sees the central area long term. A playmaker which the team has as its main "icon" or a box to box player which drives the team.

Someone of similar age to Barkley and McCarthy so we can have these 3 in the centre long term.

Hahahaha...classic Zat.

Wait what????...those are nearly elderly in your world

Zatara · December 20, 2015

I wonder how McCarthy would do in DM but with a real CM in the side as well.

I see how Barry has played and cant help but think its not really benefiting the team as much as he should.

The Esk said:
You tell me mate.

But any team that has attacking full backs and two central defenders who play the ball out of defence needs someone who always "shows" for the ball plus who can drop back in between the split centre halves.

We are mid table because of individual errors rather than a fundamental weakness in the way we play.

Chang Elephant · December 20, 2015

This lad is 35, he cannot provide the cover that a defence needs in English (i.e. running yard-dog type) football. If he is actually providing this cover why are the opposition constantly running in at our defence ? These are questions that Bobby needs to consider, when he's finished noshing off Tim Howard.

dannyboy · December 20, 2015

Can't do the job he's there to do and it's killing us. Our back 4 gets bugger all protection regardless of whether he's playing well or not.

BlueToff · December 20, 2015

orly said:
Completely disagree there Esk.

We're on a sustained run of form (17 wins in 55 games) - that can't be just down to individuals making mistakes, unless they are making regular errors; so why aren't they being dropped or coached to improve?

That's the main question mate. We play good football, but a combination of not being clinical enough and individual mistakes at the back mean that we are where we are.

That's what RM needs to fix, and has so far failed to do so. Howard been the primary example.