Gareth Barry

[Darth Toffeeman]

I actually thought Gana passed the ball to Cleverley who was stood on the touchline waiting to come on!

So did I, and I actually thought that showed just how quickly he processes where a blue shirt is. He knows where the ball is going before he receives it and that is an outstanding attribute for a player in his position.

 

[Bilbo]

I remember at the end of last season many a folk on here slated Gareth.

Too old they said. Too slow, they said. Gets booked too often they said. Shouldn't be playing - only Martinez would pick him, they said.

You're all eating humble pie just now aren't you.

I said I'd have him in my team (and I meant it).

Well done that man. He plays for the blue of his shirt every game.

He deserves every accolade we can laud on him.

 

[ftk43]

If he plays every game this season he'll beat the record for the most played games in the PL.

Giggs has 632 currently
Barry's at 600

There's 33 games remaining.
Would be an awesome achievement considering that Smashinghisbrotherswifefor8years played until he was like 40.

 

[PhilM]

Said this before, but only when he finally retires will people truly appreciate how influential Barry has been for us during his stay here.

Apart from periods within his second season, which I solely place on being unsupported with his role, he's been resolute and extremely consistent.

And it's clear he looks after himself as regardless of his age he is still able to perform week in week out; he's not hanging up his boots soon!

 

[LinekersLegs]

Said this before, but only when he finally retires will people truly appreciate how influential Barry has been for us during his stay here.

Apart from periods within his second season, which I solely place on being unsupported with his role, he's been resolute and extremely consistent.

And it's clear he looks after himself as regardless of his age he is still able to perform week in week out; he's not hanging up his boots soon!

Tbf think it had more to do with him only missing one match after being carried off the Sunderland pitch on a stretcher and rushed to hospital to check whether he'd broken his ankle. Even those who don't rate him would probably admit that Barry isn't a wimp - for him to roll around and be unable to walk must have been a bad injury that almost certainly needed more rrecovery time yet he went straight into playing full 90 minute games twice a week in wiinter which is tough enough for older players without injuries.

 

[Toffeelover]

Tbf think it had more to do with him only missing one match after being carried off the Sunderland pitch on a stretcher and rushed to hospital to check whether he'd broken his ankle. Even those who don't rate him would probably admit that Barry isn't a wimp - for him to roll around and be unable to walk must have been a bad injury that almost certainly needed more rrecovery time yet he went straight into playing full 90 minute games twice a week in wiinter which is tough enough for older players without injuries.

Just goes to show there are a lot of wimps out there in the PL.

 

[LinekersLegs]

Spoiler: Answer

 

[Toffeelover]

I remember at the end of last season many a folk on here slated Gareth.

Too old they said. Too slow, they said. Gets booked too often they said. Shouldn't be playing - only Martinez would pick him, they said.

You're all eating humble pie just now aren't you.

I said I'd have him in my team (and I meant it).

Well done that man. He plays for the blue of his shirt every game.

He deserves every accolade we can laud on him.

I hold my hand up and freely admit I was in error. When he does eventually retire it will be from a Royal Blue shirt. two questions -

Does he go down as an Everton legend?

Will he look back on his year here as very good and feel for Everton?

 

[maccavennie]

I hold my hand up and freely admit I was in error. When he does eventually retire it will be from a Royal Blue shirt. two questions -

Does he go down as an Everton legend?

Will he look back on his year here as very good and feel for Everton?

if he wins a cup and helps us get in the CL he will be remembered for a very long time.

I reckon if you asked him about his time with Everton he would say he absolutely loved it. He's played for 3 top clubs in Villa, City and us, not a bad career that.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

Hopefully gets a rest tomorrow

He's great, but 14/15 showed what can happen if he's overplayed

Koeman needs to be clever with his rotation of the squad to ensure we get the best out of him

600 games though, well in Gaz The Baz!

 

[Shibbywiggles]

I hold my hand up and freely admit I was in error. When he does eventually retire it will be from a Royal Blue shirt. two questions -

Does he go down as an Everton legend?

Will he look back on his year here as very good and feel for Everton?

Good questions there. I think at the moment he is like Nigel Martyn. Everyone always says they wish we could've had Martyn earlier and that he was easily our best since Southall but he's not a legend because he didn't achieve anything with us. The good thing with Barry is there is still a lot of time for that to change!

 

[BlueToff]

The most interesting comment re. Barry the other day from Koeman imo was how Koeman says that keeping the team compact (i.e. the wingers tucking in) has helped Barry.

He does less running, therefore doesn't tire as much and is just able to run the game.

In turn that suits Gueye, who can link the play and get about and do what he does, with Barry sitting and always been able to see the whole picture.

It won't work at times this season I'm sure, but it looks good atm!

 

[Skeleton Crew]

Not often do I think I completely miss on a player evaluation. I usually have a level head and can see both the positives and negatives.

..ugh did I miss on Barry. I was one who brashly thought he was too slow and a liability and should be replaced.

Call it humble pie, call it crow, call me sheepish. All I can say now is that I really see how good and much of the game he directly and indirectly affects.
Obviously I always want silverware for the team, but Barry is the kind of player where I really hope we accomplish something just so his name is etched. Pulling for the player because he really has earned it.

 

[Barnfred 55]

I hold my hand up and freely admit I was in error. When he does eventually retire it will be from a Royal Blue shirt. two questions -

Does he go down as an Everton legend?

Will he look back on his year here as very good and feel for Everton?

Have to say no for the legend one at the moment. Not been here long enough and won nothing. However, another 1/2 year deal is not too unrealistic if he maintains his current form for the rest of this season, and who knows on the trophy front.

He seems quite a loyal person. Was at villa for over 10 years and was basically forced out of City. I think he would retain a great fondness for the club and I would be delighted if he became part of the backroom staff. However, I have a sneaky feeling his heart is still with villa and wouldn't be surprised if he ended up back there in some capacity.

Great servant though

 

[Pienaar's gloves]

I hold my hand up and freely admit I was in error. When he does eventually retire it will be from a Royal Blue shirt. two questions -

Does he go down as an Everton legend?

Will he look back on his year here as very good and feel for Everton?

Wut?