Gareth Barry: Retired

[adrenachrome]

Judging by this afternoon's  performance at least, it would appear that reports of his demise were somewhat exaggerated.

[Risso]

Indeed.

[Dante Lavelli]

Barry's problem is that after his move to Citeh, he's tried to be something he's not, especially for England. He now sees himself as an equal to Gerrard and Lampard, getting forward, joining the attack when his strength was keeping it simple at the back of midfield and allowing the more talented players do the attacking. He could do it as he showed countless times for us, going down the left channel. Trying to do the same thing through the middle is a completely different story. He doesn't have the pace to get back, thus the formation of the team collapses.

I think you've hit the nail on the head there Mark.

[Dante Lavelli]

Reading this thread has made me wonder about the merits of both Milner and Barry.  I agree with most on here that Milner is/will be a better CM than Barry, yet MON/Mancini and Cappello all seem to think otherwise constantly picking Barry ahead of Milner for the CM spot.

Why is this?  I know all three are hardly flavour of the month but they're not all bad managers...

For me, I'd have Milner back in flash.  I'd play a 433 with the midfield being something like Milner / Bannan / Delph (maybe in a year or two anyway).  The energy and industry of those three would mean that the front three would hardly ever have to track back.  They're good passers too, so the creativity is there in abundance. 

Shame it will never happen. 

[Risso]

Barry's strength is keeping things ticking over, while more adventurous attacking midfielders like Gerrad do their stuff.  It's been shown time and time again that playing two attacking midfielders like Gerrard and Lampard doesn't work, so Barry would be better concentrating on what he's good at, and staying ahead of the likes of Carrick in the England pecking order.

[Merv]

That's why I was happy to see us sell Barry: I knew he wouldn't get any better. Milner, on the other hand, probably will - if he's played in his best position.

Personally, I think City should drop Barry and play Milner CM with Toure and De Jong just behind him, Silva and Johnson wide. But then they pay someone else millions to make those decisions, I shouldn't be sorting out their problems for free...

[bob]

Serves the fat ****** right.

[bob]

Barry was the classier player, the best player we've had since McGrath in making the game look easy at times.

Woah! Easy.

[hawkeye]

Stayed in Manchester last night, lift door opens and who steps in. In his Citeh track suit
Me ah Good Evening Mr Barry
GB Oh yeh hiya mate.
Me I am an Aston Villa supporter,
 Oh fuck is written clearly across his face
GB you did us a favour Sunday.
Me  are you playing tonight?
GB Dunno just going down to find out.
Me Good luck
GB yeh thnks mate.
Only 3 floors but there you go

[Summers]

Just in note of this thread title - and it may have been said - but Barry doesn't go anywhere fast anymore.

[olaftab]

Not just Barry Milner is also fading as an international player. Shame!

[SoccerHQ]

He's been shite this season so got very lucky getting a winners medal at last.

I'm fairly confident though he'll be watching his beloved champions league from the bench next season.

[Sexual Ealing]

There's a killing to be made on the after-dinner circuit for people with dynamite anecdotes like that.

[Handsworth Wood Villa]

Stayed in Manchester last night, lift door opens and who steps in. In his Citeh track suit
Me ah Good Evening Mr Barry
GB Oh yeh hiya mate.
Me I am an Aston Villa supporter,
Oh fuck is written clearly across his face
GB you did us a favour Sunday.
Me  are you playing tonight?
GB Dunno just going down to find out.
Me Good luck
GB yeh thnks mate.
Only 3 floors but there you go

 

[Dante Lavelli]

Did barry play in the fa cup final (I have forgotten already).