A few years ago this match would have ended by double the margin it did tonight but Israel are the 33rd best team in the World according to FIFA, so you've got to be happy with 3-0.

Now, some of you will think my man of the match vote is biased but if you're on here regularly you'll know I've often said that I'm not entirely sure what everyone sees in Barry, well tonight I saw it.

I think when I've watched him in claret and blue I've been harsh. On occasions he has clearly deserved the man of the match but he isn't the most vocal and I guess I look for that in a captain.

Maybe it's because I expect more from a captain, so he's always started with minus figures. I'm not sure why, but I'll try not to judge him so harshly in the future in claret and blue.

Tonight however he was involved in almost everything and he set up two of the three goals and was unfortunate not to get on the end of the first one. There was also no need for him to be worried about what everyone else was doing and I think the freedom suited him.

After his performance tonight I'm convinced he'll also start against Russia and if he plays as well again it will be very difficult for second choice Steve to put anyone else there in his place.

He played well with Gerrard, which is something fat Frank doesn't do so well and he played some really good football. Lampard may very well be fit for Wednesday night but I think most will agree that after his performance tonight Barry deserves to start.

A good result for England and I actually enjoyed watching. Now I'm going to watch out for the rest of the results with my fingers crossed for my bet.

Comments (19)

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gra_9 said:

however well barry played today is irrelevent, mc claren will still drop him for lampard

September 08, 2007

Robbie said:

No doubt Barry looked very comfortable tonight. He looked assured and partnered Stevie G far better than Lamps ever has. But i for one cannot see him keeping his place in the centre of midfield. He can perform more consistently in the England shirt than Frank Lampard, but that will not stop Steve from picking him in front of Baz, because as England manager, Maclaren finds it very difficult to remove players with big reputations. Look at Owen. The last few years he has been almost a complete waste of space up front, but Maclaren would never have the balls to take replace him with Darren Bent or even Andy Johnson. He keeps on plugging away with the same selection, hoping that by playing the big names will save himself from any selection criticism.

September 08, 2007

Crusty Stain said:

Barry played well, but he won't play many more games in an England shirt - McClown will always go for a 'superstar' option when available. That is because he is a moron.

September 08, 2007

JC said:

Agreed, Barry could have scored all 3 goals himself and still not start weds, my housemates are all fans of differing clubs and they have the same attitude and opinions as the media do, just can't pay credit where its due. I noticed Alan Hansen and Linekar at least plucked up the balls to mention how well he did but there was no debate as to whether he will start, it was more about brown nosing wright-philips. I'll eat my hat if he starts weds as much as I'd love him to start, and ps Young should have been on the bench ahead of big ego Bentley!

September 08, 2007

Bumhug360 said:

BBC coverage summed it up perfectly, Mclaren challanged the likes of Barry to give a performance today, he did. His reward for a good game will be to get dropped in favour of Lampard and if Hargreaves is fit he will be lucky to make the bench. Our only hope is the English press tomorrow give Barry good marks, shant hold my breath on that

September 08, 2007

TON23 said:

DONT LIKE HIM BUT I THINK HESKEY DID THE CAREW ROLE VERY WELL TONIGHT HE WAS NEVER PLANNED AS A SCORER BUT AS A BULLY TO THE ISRALIES TEAM GET THE BALL AT WHATEVER COST AND PASS IT TO SOMONE WHO KNOWS WHAT TO DO WITH IT IF EVERY ONE OF HIS MANAGER BAR MON USED HIM LIKE THAT THEIR TEAMS WOULD HAVE DONE BETTER WITH HIM IN INSTEAD OF GETTING RELEGATED (HINT HINT SCUM) HES HAD HIS MOMENT IN THE ERRRR SUN LETS GET SOME PROPER PLAYERS IN THE SQUAD I WOULS HAVE LIKED TO SEE AY ON THE LEFT AND SWP ON RIGHT FOR ENGLAND 2 NITE WE COULD HAVE SCORED MORE THINKS OF THE PASE OF THEM 2 BARRY AND GERRARD IN MIDDLE OWEN AND COLE UP FRONT FOR THE RUSSIA GAME BUT ALAS 2ND CHOICE/RATE STEVE DONT THINK LIKE US FANS HE THINKS LIKE HES TOLD TO BUT THE OLD MEN IN THE FA OFFICES NEVER MIND ITS NICE TO THINK LOL

September 08, 2007

TON23 said:

PACE (correction)

September 08, 2007

I HATE BLUES said:

Barry showed patience where Lampard may have opted to force things he added composure and threaded endless balls through the middle for owen and co to latch onto.When i watch Engaland i try to leave my club team to 1 side so i can give an unbiased opinion on how well things went. Tonight there was a good balance and i fear for once 2nd choice steve made good decisons in bringing heskey an Barry into the starting line up.I agree you cant change a winning team and Barry has to start

September 08, 2007

ruddy said:

all our players were class in the international matches they played n barry was outstanding... cant wait til russia ill be watchin barry do his usual stuff and thn city easy 2-0

September 08, 2007

headdball said:

dont know how maqny of you guys are irish but we got stuffed tonite by a bunch of no-hopers. kevin Mcdonald needs a bigger iput in our setup cos Staunton hasn't a clue. Anyway watched the england game earlier and was really impressed with Gareth. We played the Israelis a couple of times a few years ago and they are no bad side. Best of luck to ye in the upcoming games but heres one for our neighbours across the border, hard luck......nooooootttttttt!!!!!!

September 08, 2007

taglor said:

Is it me or does John Motson ruin ebery single match with his boring trivia and need to sound important, at least have an ex pro commentate as they have done it.

September 08, 2007

Somerset Villa said:

taglor -- are you sh***ing me? You'd rather have alan sharer: "He's missed from three yards. He won't be happy with that."

September 08, 2007

TimC said:

I read on another site that if Barry played for Man U chelsea ETC then he would be England captain, i think that is just about spot on! Zinadine Barry strikes again!

September 08, 2007

ViLLaN said:

Great performance from GB, kept the midfield ticking with smooth one and two touch passing. only twice did his passes find Israeli players and that was in 2nd half. SCS is, like Erikson to a lesser extent with Becks, is blinded by superstar names so expect Fat Lamp to be in his place Wed. Incidentally, has anyone noticed that if SCS got rid of that little ginger tuft at the front and donned some rimless specs he'd be Second Choice Sven (Ginger Incarnation) !!

September 08, 2007 | url

steveAV said:

well done garath, you have done all us villians proud and are a true lion. I got up at stupid o'clock to watch the game as i live in australia because GB was playing and was not disappointed. Well done. Reo and Gaby next i think. Up the Villa

September 09, 2007

warwickvilla said:

went to the game yesterday with 4 other villa fans,we all had our villa shirts on,so many people came up to us and said barry was there man of the match,on the train coming home even a bluenose said he was brilliant, i nearly spat my prawn sandwich out!!!!!!!!!!!!!

September 09, 2007

Mick said:

Well done Barry, he really was the man of the match in my book too..played simple, effective, his passing was always spot on and he seems to me a much more suitable partner in the middle of midfield than fat Frank..well proud here

September 09, 2007

Si said:

I think it was a solid performance from Barry. It proves he should be in the squad but I can't see him playing when the big club players come back to form. Even if Barry had scored 3 goals against Israel he wouldn't get picked again. The problem is McTwat has bigclubitus and will only play people from the big clubs or s**t players from Boro (Downing) because he was trying to up the value of Boro players while he was manager there, and if he drops Downing now it proves we were right in our assumptions.

September 09, 2007

Ayersy said:

Barry had a great game, and he grew in confidence throughout the game. He has been evidently nervous when wearing the England shirt, but having started for his country he did indeed perform. Interesting to see the line up against russia. Also on recent performances, i was shocked to see the likes of Downing, Phil Neville and to a lesser extent Bentley on the bench ahead of our very own Ashley Young. Why all the hype and explanations from Mclaren about putting Ash in the squad when he is only going to sit and watch? amazing.

September 10, 2007

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