It's not that I don't think Barry is a good player, I do, it's that I'm not really sure what his best position is. I know I'm in the minority, but I don't think it's midfield.

I remember when Barry broke into the first team and I was more than impressed but it was a long time ago now and I don't think he's really kicked on, but it's not his fault.

He's never had a secure position and every manager he's had has played around with him. Even this season Martin O'Neill sticks him at left back and that is when we're trying to score - so it' doesn't help those that take the position that he's great at going forward.

Anyway, to the news, Barry picked up a hip injury in training and had a scan. It might be nothing but it was important enough that it needed a scan so he may need a rest. We'll wait to hear what the club say before knowing he's not available.

We've got Liverpool next Monday so it might be a good time to have a look at Petrov and Reo-Coker in the middle to see what they can do. Either way, Barry should be back soon unless the scan shows up something serious.

Onto Thomas Sorensen. It looks like he'll have to play his football in the J League next season after it was revealed by Martin O'Neill that nobody has come in for him. All this despite Sorensen trying to find a new club all season too.

I have no doubt that Sorensen is a good keeper but maybe he is setting himself up for a fall. There is no shame playing for a club that is likely to get promoted next season or playing in Japan - if he's holding out for a top tier side and big money though, somebody needs to hold a sheet out for him.

Comments (12)

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AK28 said:

I agree with you Damien. I dont think he is a great centre midielder. I feel he far more creative on the left wing. Id like to see us with Petrov in the centre with NRC and Young on the right. Saying that he would be a huge loss if he wasnt available for Monday night.

January 17, 2008

Zidave said:

I have also talked elsewhere about the prospect of Petrov and NRC in the middle. Both are in a run of good form atm and maybe Petrov will finally have all the more reason to go forward more. Will be a tough game nonetheless and won't be easy for him to go forward with Gerrard and another defensive midfielder in the center for Pool though.

January 17, 2008

Gubbel said:

Sorensen is stupid. sorry but if it was true and there was some interest from German (Bundesliga) clubs why did he say something like his mentality doesn't fit with this in the Bundesliga. God damned he is a goalkeeper! now it seems he has to play for a Japaneses team. Congratulations!

January 17, 2008

Chrisodon said:

I'm not too bothered about barry being out for me he's not played like he did last season. Plus it'll be good to see Petrov and Reo-Coker together.

January 17, 2008

Dizzy Mugs said:

Who's our Vice Captain to replace Bazza?

January 17, 2008 | url

Chrisodon said:

Mellberg i think.

January 17, 2008

olof the other reindeer said:

I've been saying this for a while - get Petrov throught he middle and put Maloney up front with Carew. A Barry injury may force ONeill to make this change. Who would be your choice of penalty taker in Barry's absence..?

January 17, 2008

Dizzy Mugs said:

Pens..Maloney or Agbonlahor.

January 17, 2008 | url

villafandan said:

i'm still not sure why we haven't had a serious look at young, the right-footed winger on the right. barry, the left-footed winger, on the left. petrov, the attacking midfielder, and reo-coker, the defensive midfielder, in the middle. or is that too balanced across the middle??

January 17, 2008

andy5759 said:

Just read on Tribal that MON's price tag for Tommy is £500,000! And still no takers, this is sad for the man. Come on - he's better than that. It would be better not to have to tinker with the midfield for the game against Pool. But sometimes Damascian revelations can come about. We do have quite a few options, just looking at the suggestions above gives me hope.

January 17, 2008

KobeSamurai said:

Sorenson in Japan... that would be a welcome change. Some good players in Japan, some of them are at Celtic, though! I recommended Nakata to Villa many years ago, but nothing came of it. The best of the J.league teams would give the bottom half Premier teams a good run, for sure. And on a good day Gamba Osaka, Kashima Antlers or Urawa Red Diamonds could hold their own with anyone in the Prem (in fact Reds did "do" United last season, IIRC.). Sorenson shouldn't be so proud. Think of it as a trailblazer position!!

January 18, 2008 | url

salty said:

I've said it for years-Barry is an England class central/left midfielder but a Premiership class left-back. Thats not talking double-Dutch just a recognition of the time on the ball and different qualities that Premiership football demands. With Barry at LB and the other midfielders playing in their real positions we could be so much better. The trouble is that Barry is to us what Lampard was to England-undroppable in his favoured position. This means everyone else has to adjust.Not the way forward.

January 18, 2008

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