Comments for The Doc's Diagnosis: The case for Barry at http://www.avfcblog.com , comment 1 to 28 out of 20 comments http://www.avfcblog.com Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:04:03 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/2299/70/#comment-19419 Let's worry about departures and arrivals at the end of the season and get behind the team for the last 4 games. This could be our best season in years or yet another "should of, could of" jobbie. - leawaylittleman Sat, 19 Apr 2008 11:20:38 +0100 http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/2299/70/#comment-19352 Here, here - at last some sense from a blogger on this website. - Peter Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:08:06 +0100 http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/2299/70/#comment-19346 I can understand the observation about Barry looking lost...On a number of occasions this season I've thought central midfield for us looked curiously devoid of claret and blue. I'd wondered whether MON was asking the squad to channel the opposition down the middle as a result. But I think part of it is the back four, who have been a bit of a problem. They tend to lump the ball up, bypassing midfield and pulling the team out of shape. They also don't clear very well, often seeming to eschew the simple (putting the ball in touch), and trying something more risky, then getting caught out. But what MON seems to have hit on with his diamond might just be the answer for the players on hand. Barry's looked better, Petrov's looked better...They've all looked better. With Stan taking the ball and linking up play in the middle, there's been a world of difference. A roving roll suits NRC's engine and pace, as it has done Ashley's creativity. Not sure why it took so long, and it remains to be seen if it will continue to work, but I think the supporting cast's lack of positional awareness has hurt Barry's game, and now it seems that it's been put right, allowing Barry to shine. Gabby's goal against Bolton was pure class, and Barry was central to it. That's what he can do, and what Villa can look like. Granted, Bolton, but Utd wouldn't have looked any prettier than that move. Barry's run was perfect, and the first-time cross...brilliant. He's very very good on the ball. There are better, but not many. And yes, he is the heart and soul of Villa. And the talisman should stay. Tell the scousers we want Gerrard. - kohoutek Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:06:59 +0100 http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/2299/70/#comment-19290 eoin 1981. I agree he's playing in the wrong position. keep him and play him on the left. - nan was a fan Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:38:20 +0100 http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/2299/70/#comment-19289 I agree with alot of this and it is good to see the loyalty element coming through, however just for a minute place yourself in the shoes of Gareth Barry.... In your 28th year and knowng your next contract will potentially be your last - you have the opportunity to play for a club capable of winning the champions league whist really cementing your place in the England world cup squad (qualifiers) for the first time in your career, this is not an easy decision and MON should take the decision out of his hands and tell him to forget the media circus and to get used to the fact that he will be here for another year at least - sod the return, its not our fuck*n money and it will not buy us another England International as a replacement! - Anthony - Daventry Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:28:58 +0100 http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/2299/70/#comment-19281 i agree 100% - GonzoAvfc Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:29:17 +0100 http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/2299/70/#comment-19262 doc and David M well said. Barry has to stay in my opinion, he's our driving force and a model professional. Would also love to see him used at the villa after his playing days are over. What baffles me is that some villa fans on here in October were calling for carson to be snapped at 10 million. The same folk would let Barry leave for 10 - 15 million. A tad short sighted - aron_c Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:43:52 +0100 http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/2299/70/#comment-19253 nice analysis doc, spot on the money. - villafandan Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:51:42 +0100 http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/2299/70/#comment-19250 Hairy H, I agree with you regarding Reo-Coker - but I dont think he can ever be that player. Another observation but I know you cant judge based on two performances. In the last two games - Petrov has played as the defensive midfielder and he has been better able to get the ball to Barry and take it off the back four. This has allowed Barry to play more forward - goalscoring and creating contributions. Perhaps Reo-cokers limitations means that Barry is being asked to do too many roles and hence looked lost in midfield.... Either way - as it see it there is a fundamental problem in midfield. - eoin1981 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:36:30 +0100 http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/2299/70/#comment-19242 i think it all hinges on uefa qualification. if not he may want to look further a field. i pray not. utv - smylhr Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:09:51 +0100 http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/2299/70/#comment-19238 Eoin 1981 it think you hit the nail on the head. Barry is far more influential on the left wing. I would love to see him as our left back next season doubling up with Young. There would'nt be too many better left sides in the premiership. In the centre he has looked lost to me for most of the season and im not going to be swayed by the last 2 games he went missing for when we needed him againest Boro and Sunderland. I would'nt think about selling him though. - AK28 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:54:55 +0100 http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/2299/70/#comment-19237 Casting my mind back to Ron Saunders in 1979, didn't he sell our then best player, Andy Gray, for a new club record fee and use the money to rebuild the team with fairly successful results? Now I know that we all hope Randy's millions mean we don't need to sell but it's a thought. - SwissVillan Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:46:42 +0100 http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/2299/70/#comment-19235 eoin1981, this is only my opinion mate but I think as the defensive midfielder its more hokey cokers job to pick the ball up off the back four and then progress it forward to barry or young etc.. if barry were to go back looking for the ball every 5 minutes that would leave too much of a gap between the central midfield and strikers, I think he probably has instructions not to stay too deep, the fact NRC is rubbish on the ball isn't barrys fault, for me him and young are the most inluential players on the pitch and to loose either would be a disaster. - Hairy H Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:32:38 +0100 http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/2299/70/#comment-19233 Personally i agree 100%. i think barry is a fantatic player who we definately need to keep. howeverm, even those that arent so sure surely agree that we need to keep him purely on the basis that MON rates him so highl. if we cant keep our club captain and someone o highly rated by the manager it sends out all the wong messages-to fans, current players, transfer targets, and even to other clubs with an eye on Young, Gabby, Laursen, Davies, etc - AVFC_Pete Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:19:58 +0100 http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/2299/70/#comment-19232 Barry is too good for you. If he wants to win something he should move. He has given Villa plenty of service and chances. End of story. - Bobby Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:06:22 +0100 http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/2299/70/#comment-19231 Think Villa are a decent side but believe ye have been very very lucky this season. My best mates a Villa fan and I've lost count of the number of Sat evenings I've text him to say LUCKY AGAIN. Whether it's a lucky goal, an offside goal given or oppositions disallowed, a dodgy penalty given or not given against. You will slate me but look back over the season and you'll see. Add to that the fact you've had no real injuries like the majority of other clubs makes Villa very lucky indeed. For a few weeks things went against ye a couple of months ago and your season ended. Count yourselves lucky you didn't endure it for a whole season. - Nicky Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:01:03 +0100 http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/2299/70/#comment-19230 TimC, Those are just my opinions. Beckam and Barry are similar - great passers of the ball and good players in general. But neither are central midfielders due to their lack of technique in playing the position. Watch Villa - 80% of the time either Carson, Laursen or Bouma - launch the ball forward to Carew. We look so much more dangerous when GB gets the ball and sends a pass up to Carew or out to Young. Why does this not happen more often - and I think its because Barry does not know where to be to get posession or how to get the necessary space - and that is a technical thing. Think about it - when does GB get the appropriate opportunities to spray around his passes - either when the opposition looses posession in our half or from a corner etc......but never off the back four. Maybe this is just as much an indictment of the back four and maybe its a coaching issue - but look at the game next sunday critically and see what I am trying to say.... - eoin1981 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:00:41 +0100 http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/2299/70/#comment-19228 We dont need the money (do we?) and ive heard suggestion that we could get Sidwell as a replacement if Barry goes? No thanks. Sidwell hasnt played that much for Chelsea since he joined plus i wouldnt rate him better or equal to Barry either- so i would see it as a step down in terms of quality- whereas Barry has been a constant and mostly consistent performer for Villa. Diego would be an awesome and great signing! - Blitzballer Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:58:43 +0100 http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/2299/70/#comment-19224 Gareth Barry is the best player at Aston Villa football club. Regardless of individual opinions on aspects of his game I am sure that 90% of Villa supporters would agree with that statement. We will not progress by letting our best players go. In addition to 'the Docs' arguments above let us not forget that Barry is a consummate professional - an example to all the young players at the club. I said it yesterday on Damian's blog, you could not replace Barry for 12million, 15million or even 25million pounds. When you assess a player like Barry you have to bear in mind that he makes the very difficult look very easy. A top, top class player who in my opinion would walk into any side (including the so called top 4) and not look out of place. - David M Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:52:34 +0100 http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/2299/70/#comment-19223 kevin nolan - curlz Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:46:50 +0100