Quite a few players from yesterday are probably never going to play in claret and blue at Villa Park again and it was quite a sad day.

One of those particular players, Patrik Berger, is now using his free time to coax current Aston Villa players out of Villa Park.

When I say he's trying to coax them away, he's not only doing it in the dressing room, mano-a-mano, but in the press too!

Now, despite my belief that we can get better than Barry, if we're really willing and able to spend proper money, what Patrik Berger has done, is a little out of order.

“If I was in Gareth's position I would go there tomorrow. It is the opportunity of a lifetime. Liverpool don't come after you every year,” said the current, but probably soon to be dismissed Aston Villa player.

“He is the heart of our team and it would be a massive challenge for him. He would be in the Champions League and challenging to win trophies every year.

“I'm not surprised they want to sign him. He has had a fantastic season and was our main player from the beginning to the end. He has played well for the national team as well. But I think the gap — not just between Villa and the top four but the rest of the league — is big. To break into the top four you would really have to spend a lot of money."

Now, I'm not one to second guess what Martin O'Neill has or hasn't done or will or won't do in the future, mostly from fear of court papers, but I'd put money on him completely ignoring Berger from tomorrow onwards or even just shipping him out now instead of waiting until next Sunday.

There are certain things you just don't do in a job and this is one of them. However, Berger has got it spot on with his comments about needing to spend a lot of money.

This is the summer coming up that it really has to happen. If Barry does leave and we know we need at least six more players anyway, the only real way we're going to challenge for the top four is by spending a serious amount of money.

But, it's just my excitement getting the better of me and only time will tell, but in a few hours more, it will be one week until the transfer window opens and I'm looking forward to it.

Comments (42)

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LIamo said:

I can't believe you still go on about, that we could get better than barry. Just accept that you are wrong and that Barry has been the heart of our team this year. Maybe we could fluke and get someone better by signing someone for upto 10mil. but i think there is little chance of it happening unless we spend 10 to 20 million and even then you are taken a massive risk. Players like barry don't come around very often a well proven midfielder, one that is more than settled into our team, and we should be doing everything we can to keep him.

May 04, 2008

Damian said:

Accept that I am wrong? It's an opinion and my opinion isn't wrong, if I still have it. Look, I agree with you, that we need to spend a lot of money in replacing Barry, a lot more than we'll probably get, but that in itself should tell us something. But spending money does carry a big risk; look at Rooney, Ferdinand, Torres and Ronaldo, to name four. All risks, but if you do your homework, you minimise those risks and Martin O'Neill has recently spoken about doing his homework on players. Football is about speculating and taking risks. The biggest issue most Aston Villa fans had with Doug Ellis was he was too scared to take the big risks - it's okay going out and spending £20mn. in a summer on four or five players but this summer we need to be spending twice that on two players with a few more coming in also. My opinion on Barry isn't going to change, but please, it's an opinion.

May 04, 2008

taglor said:

Sounds worrying, does Berger know how much or little we will spend this summer?

May 04, 2008

Peter said:

Berger may be disloyal in offering these comments to the press - but unlike YOU at least he realises that Barry is a top class player and that's why the big clubs want him!!!!! Just admit you have been wrong and move on.

May 04, 2008

Peter said:

Damian - You Say Barry does not do enough going forward well he has eight goals (5 pens - but they still need scoring) and 10 assists - 6th best in the whole of the premier league and after Gerrard the best for a central midfield player (see below). Comments on this - however i doubt that you will publish it as YOU dont deal in facts you deal only in your own delluded opinion. 2007-2008 Premier League assists table The ProvidersTeamAssists Cesc FabregasArsenal18 Ashley YoungAston Villa17 Dimitar BerbatovTottenham Hotspur11 Steven GerrardLiverpool11 Wayne RooneyManchester United11 Gareth BarryAston Villa10 David BentleyBlackburn Rovers10 Kenwyne JonesSunderland10 Carlton ColeWest Ham9 Salomon KalouChelsea9 Martin PetrovManchester City9 Nicky ShoreyReading9 Gabriel AgbonlahorAston Villa8 Nicolas AnelkaChelsea8 Simon DaviesFulham8 ElanoManchester City8 Mikel ArtetaEverton7 El Hadji DioufBolton Wanderers7 Alexander HlebArsenal7 Tom HuddlestoneTottenham Hotspur7

May 04, 2008

Robbie said:

I see players coming in this summer in abundance. However, i guarentee we won't spend barely any money...i can see it now. It'll be 8 mil on two half decent players, and then about 4 players for around 4 mil each. Please, if we aim for this to happen then only then should we be dissappointed, because if we get ourselves excited about more we're only setting ourselves up for a certain dissappointment.

May 04, 2008

nhuggy said:

Damian you must be too young to remember the many times Villa have sold up every time they look half decent. If we sell Barry, who do you think we are going to entice that is better? (Don't embarass yourself with the Sidwell stuff again). I expect Young to be on his way too if Barry goes, and who could blame him? I've always maintained MON is great but will stand and fall on his signings, so I hope he's got some good ones in mind or else we've had it next season.

May 04, 2008

thom said:

i think you all need to realise that while barry is class, he is also replaceable. The press have taken to the idea of him playing in the top four because there cant possibly be a potential England captain who plays for villa. So if he goes, he goes...and he'll be just another player in another team on a rotation. I tell you something, after the way he played the other day i say sell him not. 15 mil straight up cash no messing. He was a joke on saturday and showed a total lack of respect to all of us who have made him who he is today, he was without doubt the worst player on the pitch. Sidwell would be a good signing, the guys got some serious potential, and if we land Schweinsteiger too then ill be saying barry who! nhuggy - we havent had it next season, youngs going nowhere, hes one of the players who wants to make this work. Everyone seems to forget that Barry hasnt always been great, why do you think he lost his place in the england squad in the first place:???? under taylor and o leary he was above average and looking for more glory with pompey. Mon made him the player he is today and if he cant respect that then he needs to go

May 05, 2008

Si said:

What an idiot for coming out with that, although why does he care because he's out of a job from next week. I'm unsure about Barry - yes he could go and play Champions League next season but here is the skipper that's leading a team onwards and upwards to the top 4 within 2 years (I'm convinced), he plays week in week out and has already secured his spot in the England squad. If he goes to Liverpool he'll hate the rotation and will go from the main man to a squad player on the bench for a third of the season. Yes, he'll walk in to the Champions League but where's the achievement in that? Stay, be a legend and build the success with us, don't sell out and walk in to the arena with your free Liverpool pass. I'm actually annoyed he came out in the press and pretty much put himself on the maket with the "I might need to be selfish" comments. He should be busy leading HIS team, not creating unrest and speculation (Rafa is doing enough of that on his own). I hope when making his decision he realises he didn't just happen to fulfil his potential when MON turned up, he fulfiled his potential because of MON and his staff - we put him in this position, time to repay the debt and pledge your future, you WILL become a club legend, which is better than just being a great footballer who played for a few of the big clubs. I really hope he stays, he's a great member of the team, a true leader and is the heart of Villa, I hope that strikes a chord with him in the way it did when Spurs came knocking a couple of seasons ago.

May 05, 2008

Si said:

Sign up... http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12846792234

May 05, 2008

Damian said:

Peter You clearly have an issue with me because my opinion doesn't match yours when it comes to Barry, which does worry me a bit. Find something else on the site to hate me for, because he's off and one way or the other, we'll find out by this time next year if he's the player everyone thinks he is supposed to be. Also, give me those five penalties he scored and I'd put serious money on each one that I'd score it and I'm not paid $45k a week - they're not that difficult. Take the penalties away from Barry and he'll probably be one of the lowest scoring central midfielders in the top half of the Premier League - that's my point. Assists are great but what's to say that if we had someone else in the centre of midfield we wouldn't have more. Like I said, he's off now, so let's wait and see if I am actually wrong or not.

May 05, 2008

Leroy said:

I agree Thom, we need a straight cash deal from Liverpool and then chase a replacement with the whole £14-16mil. Thats how you replace a quality player. We cant by two £5mil Sidwell and Bullard types and hope it works. Otherwise we should try and give Barry to Arsenal, im sure we could get Walcott and either Bendtner or/and Hoyte. But that means we will still have to land a £10mil plus midfielder to replace Barry.

May 05, 2008

AGVIlla said:

Your opinion does not make any sense Damion why sell Barry, it would be hard to replace him even if we did replace Barry there is no way someone will come straight into the side and make the same contribution as Barry. There is a reason why liverpool and chelsea want him, because he is top 4 material. We should holding on to the barrys of our team. I just think your a little stupid thinking that we can get better than barry. Who out there would slot straight into the villa team in barrys position and play as well? You my don't know what your talking about, your living in a dream land, wake up Damion you are so unrealistic.

May 05, 2008

Chris av said:

If the lad wants to go we have to accept it he has been at Villa a long time . Although i do think it would be a mistake for him , i cant see him getting many games at liverpool who already have a tidy midfield he will be warming the bench alot im sure but if thats what the lad wants then he should go. I would be alot more concerned if Ashley young was leaving and i hope the barry departure does not get his mind thinking silly things because he really does have a big future for us and England. Lets see what money we have to spend in the summer and hope its alot and we can get some very descent signings in. A central midfielder who is Quick as well as all the other attributes that Barry has. Our team is based alot around pace which is the one thing Barry never has !!!!

May 05, 2008

wildeyedtrot said:

I'm coming round to Barry leaving. I just hope he waits to the end of the close season so he can see what a state Liverpool may be in. However I can't see where this £14-£16m comes from. Carrick will cost £19m (it was £14m up front)for potential only, there's even more money in football today than there was when he was signed, and we're talking about someone who could be England's next captain. Minimum £20m for me and a fervent hope that MON spends what he intended plus the Barry receipt before we accept any bids. At least then we'll know we tried everything we could to keep one of the best English midfielders around today.

May 05, 2008

Pgough said:

Like most Villa fans I don't want Barry to leave, but he is taking a hugh risk going to Liverpool. I think Liverpool will be the team most likely of the four to come 5th or 6th next season. Rafa may be gone, the club sold, rotation causing dressing room unrest, the new stadium, etc.. I think Barry's best option would be one of the other three teams or better still for Villa, Real or Barca. If it was up to me I would offer him abroad first if he insists on leaving. There are a lot of very good European teams that can give him Champions league football next season.

May 05, 2008

villadaz said:

What is Berger doing???? Apart from a hand full of games we have hardly seen him. OUT NOW. Barry is off and as I work a lot on the Wirral, I have told them that Barry is not a top four team player. The Reds aren't happy about spending that much on him, they say he is overated and slow and cant't tackle, and when players run at him with pace he cant stop them.....£12m yes please.

May 05, 2008

Peter said:

Damian, The info below is from the telegraph fantasy football league. If you take care to deal in FACTS, you will see that Barry is the 7th highest scoring midfield player and the 2nd highest scoring central midfield player. Even if we take away his penalties (points per pen) because penalties are so easy (Ronaldo on £150K has missed more than Barry this season) you will see that on 110 points he would remain the 3rd highest scoring central midfield plater after Lampard and Gerrard (both of whom play a more attacking role than Barry, and take penalties also) So he will be a big big loss and not replaced easily. You should probably remember that between them Reo Coker and Petrov have one league goal this season and significantly less assists PlayerPoints C Ronaldo274 S Gerrard190 C Fabregas157 A Young154 D Bentley138 S Downing136 G Barry135 F Lampard135 Elano134 M Petrov116 S Hunt113 Simon Davies110 C Dempsey107 J Jenas106 J Cole104 S Larsson104 J Harper102 N Kranjcar101 S Ireland100 S Malbranque100

May 05, 2008

kingswood prc said:

I have viewed this site reguarly over the past twelve months and have finally had enough of damian. my friend you are ridiculous and ALL of your comments are slanderous. Tell me one player that will firstly come to villa who is better than gareth barry. another point and this isnt just you was suggesting we keep mellberg....just because someone says they hate birmingham and has a silly beard doesnt make him a great player and certainly not a villa legend...a mediocre player who falls in the likes of angel, hendrie and other jokes who played for us in the past 6 years, footballing losers.Notice MON has got rid of all of them. The whole mellberg day was a bit silly aswell wasnt it, he wasnt exactly dennis bergkamp now was he? lose the sentiment and realise what a good footballer is. read gerrards autobiography and see what he and other england players think of gb. GB is without doubt the most talented player at villa park, world class.

May 05, 2008

ConVilla said:

first you said you dont know if he will go..and then because people dont agree with you suddenly he's off because youve got annoyed with the fact that other people including myself think that youre wrong? kingswood prc - those players have done what they can in the time that they were with us and theres no getting around that they were good players, not neccessarily the best..but not every player can be..mellberg is a legend simply because he's he has love for villa and he's never given up on us even when we were doing poorly, thats why he is a legend..not because he's one of the world greats, he doesnt have to be.. and in regards to your comments on barry..i do believe he is world class and i dont think theres many that can top his commitment and ability, it would be a shame to lose him because i dont think he would be easily replaced..

May 05, 2008

Peter said:

Kingswood prc - not according to Damian - Reo Coker is a better player than Barry he keeps telling us.

May 05, 2008

villadaz said:

Even if Carew say's he will stay, I can't see it. I hope he does, but we will be ok as long the main man stays and thats Mon. KTF

May 05, 2008

SuperSeanUK said:

I'm glad Carew has at least come out and said he thinks/hopes Barry will/should stay. Just got this off my mate: John Carew, Carew, He's bigger than me and you! He's gonna split Berger in two John Carew, Carew!

May 05, 2008

Dr. Jebend said:

Why is everyone so adamant that Barry is leaving? Stop slagging him off pretending we dont need him until he decides he is leaving. I happen to think he might stay, because i cant believe that Barry is the type of player (or person) to just jump ship when we need him most. This club is moving forward and liverpool are, if anything, moving backwards.

May 05, 2008

Damian said:

Peter First, why can you not understand I'm allowed an opinion? Second, what big clubs want him? As far as I'm aware only one club has come in for him and that club, and I'm not alone in thinking this, is hardly fighting for the league, they only secured 4th spot with a few games to go - unlike the real big clubs. AGVIlla Only Liverpool have come in for him. You might as well just say why do Manchester United, Barcelona and Inter Milan want him after saying what you've said, but my opinion does make sense, if you read back through the site. But I'll summarise for you; based on him playing left midfield: he's not quick enough, cant beat men so crosses from too far out, giving the defending team plenty of time. As a box to box central midfielder: I'll not say anything. As a holding central midfielder: cant tackle and too slow. As an attacking central midfielder: too slow and cant go past anyone. These are just my opinions and while I think Barry has a beautiful left foot and occasionally plays a good pass along the floor, I want the passing to be much more often and a player that can go past someone with a bit of pace, because I think we've got two holding central midfielders already who are better in that role than Barry. Please, AGVIlla, remember this is just my opinion and a very much shortened one for you. Back to Peter Can you tell me what role you see Barry playing for Aston Villa? You talk about Gerrard and Lampard scoring more because they are attacking players, but I see Petrov and Reo-Coker as better holding central midfielders than Barry. Barry is too slow and can not tackle. I think we need an attacking central midfielder in the mould of Lampard or more preferably for me Gerrard, not someone who when he gets the ball has to look for or a pass or nothing, because he cant beat a man, because of his speed. Again Peter, this is just my opinion. kingswood prc I have read Gerrards book, I've also just got it down from my shelf to read the few words in it about Barry. In it he talks about sharing a living room at the same hotel with Barry and how Barry was frightened and shy about the big names in the England squad. He also talks about playing table tennis and pool. However, he does say Barry has a great left foot - but I'm not disputing that nor is anyone else. Also, when I read 'you are ridiculous and ALL of your comments are slanderous' I nearly stopped reading, but one is your opinion, which you are entitled to, but the other is clearly written by somebody who really has no idea - I evened it up and carried on. As for my views on Mellberg - nothing to do with what he said about Blues, although it was a nice bit of icing. If Barry had shown the commitment to his football that Mellberg has while at Villa my views on Barry might be different - he's certainly not World Class and I think you'd be hard pushed to find many people that thought that and even if they wanted to believe it they'd never come out and say it, because they know they'd look stupid. ConVilla I didn't think he'd go, because it was just all paper talk. Now that the paper talk has turned into an official offer from Liverpool, I think he'll go, not for any other reason that he's had his head turned and he'll get more money. Yes Peter again Where have I ever said that Reo-Coker is a better player than Barry? I have said that I think Reo-Coker is a better box to box central midfider than Barry and a better defensive/holding central midfielder than Barry, but never have I categorically said what you are saying I've said. It's too broad a statement to make. Finally and yes, this one is for you Peter, when are you going to understand that someone is allowed a different opinion from you? I think you'll probably find that our opinions on a lot of things are the same, especially when it comes to Villa - but they're not all going to be, you have to understand that.

May 05, 2008

Abz said:

If Barry really wants to go then good luck to him, although we all hope he stays. It's down wheree his heart really lies at this moment in time. This is very similar to the Dwight Yorke situation. A bigger club comes sniffing and a move becomes inevitable. I just hope that the squad is stronger next year and quality players are brought in, not just average joes. We want to see progress!

May 05, 2008

Leroy said:

Peter - If you remember correctly, you and i agreed, initially, that it would be bad for the club that Barry leaves. You still think that, clearly. I on the other hand have changed my opinion, yes it can happen, and yes i think that Aston Villa, our club, can survive without Barry. Infact, ive said many times that we can be better off without him. Also, in my opinion, you need to stop being so narrow minded. How can you say that we would not be better off if we cash in on Barry and pursue a real attacking midfielder (ill say it again, like Diego or Van der Vaart, i keep metioning these players because they are around the same value £ wise as Barry, but have more flair and are out and out attacking mfs). I think we should keep Barry only if we have no intention of finding a better replacement, naturally, and i think perhaps Damian would agree on that. (Perhaps!) But if he doesnt, im not going to hound him around this blog until he agrees with my opinion. Thats not the point of a blog, its everyone having a say about our club, Aston Villa. Its good that you show a lot of passion about our club, we all do, but we are all on the same team here and i think its time for you to put the brakes on a bit and appreciate that simple fact that we are all Villians till we die!

May 05, 2008

celtic_villian said:

i honestly think people have not watched reo coker play this season! i think he could alrite, but he has been cack this season. and barry world class? this is not negitive towards english ppl - but why is it that sum can still see so many world class players in their int. team when they fail 2 qualify for euro?! barry world class? rio? fat frank? owen? terry? beckham(until 2 years ago)? rooney is world class, and gerard shows glimpses wen he feels like it, though he tends not to in biggest games. reminisent of c. ronaldo. i would be distraught to see him leave villa, but would u put barry in yr top even 35 players in the world?! i think a lot of bloggers watch far too much sky sports and rag newspapers, and buy into the hype. FORM YOUR OWN OPINIONS! said that, damien your opinion can be wrong, and is

May 05, 2008

Sasa said:

Someone said Barry is world class, are you joking? The last decent player to leave for a top club was Yorke. Different players but Barry is nowhere near the same league a player Yorke was. The guy is good on the ball and can hold onto it- against average players. When there's 2 players on him he gets tackled (unlike Scholes ie world class midfielders). Yes he played well against Russia, why? Because no one got tight to him and he played it simple, the only time he played a misplaced pass was when he tried an adventurous ball- that's what world class midfielders do all the time!!! Different story away to Russia, he never got a touch. I like Barry but only for the fact that he has played so many games for us and came to us as a kid. He has good controlled agression, but lets face it is he any better than Scott Parker at Charlton or Joey Barton (when he's not a nutter) at City? What's happened to them?

May 05, 2008

Woodinho said:

I do like Barry, but I also think he is one dimensional, he'll only ever do the simple thing, he's got no pace at all, and I know I'm going to get slated for this but I think MON can do better with the likes of a Sidwell or a similar player. Thinking about it - a couple of seasons ago I'd have welcomed Sidwell and f*cked GB off in an instance, he was pants and was dropped not only from the England squad but from ours too! Then MON came along and turned GB into an apparent "world class player". The catalyst in this was one man, MON, and we all need to remember what a truly great manager MON is, and what he can do with average/above average players (and GB was very average b4 MON came along!). Whoever it was who mentioned GBs Portsmouth link from a couple of years ago got it spot on - because of MON Barry now belives he is a better player and above the likes of Portsmouth and Aston Villa, he now belives he can play for a big 4 club, MON has instilled so much confidence and moved GB forward as a player so much that GB now thinks he'll go to Liverpool and be a regular starter (NO F**kING CHANCE OF THAT BY THE WAY!). If he goes - he goes, the world keeps turning and we move on, and I for one will trust in MON to do the right thing and get the right replacement, and more than likely turn that bloke into a "world class player" and sell him to Real Madrid!

May 06, 2008

Woodinho said:

And another thing, "world class players" dont let a bit of speculation/interest from other clubs affect their game! If anything they up their game as they know all eyes are on you! Enough said.

May 06, 2008

Leroy said:

Woodinho - 100% agree. Especially your last point. World class players are to a degree unflappable, cant be put off by a large crowd or big moment and always give something in our most dire of times etc. Barry was AWOL on the weekend, but then again he wasnt the only one. The only thing i differ with in your post is that i think we need a £10mil plus replacement, not 2 Sidwell, Jimmy Bullard types. Unfortunately, i think we will end up with the latter if we fail to qualify on the weekend. This story sheds a little perspective on things and has an interesting comparison with Dwight Yorke http://www.expressandstar.com/...for-villa/

May 06, 2008

Peter said:

Damian, Agreed this is getting a bit boring - and true its almost certain he will be leaving. But your comments to one of our best players over the last 10 years are disrespectful...and they long outdate the Liverpool bid for Barry. Comments like yours below are just stupid "If Barry had shown the commitment to his football that Mellberg has while at Villa my views on Barry might be different" To question his commitment to the club in anyway is just pathetic really - pareticularly when comparing him to a guy that has run down his contract to earn a fortune abroad. As for your earlier comments that he cannot tackle utter rubbish, he started his career and was capped by England as a left-sided centre half. Strange for someone that cannot tackle? Carrick and Scholes both play centre mid for Man Utd and cannot tackle. Also your comment that he cannot beat players again utter rubbish. He may not be quick but he is always finding space by beating men with his strength, awareness and close control. Also Peterov a better holding player than Barry? Are you having a laugh. He has played a few decent games in that role against Derby, Birmingham, and Bolton. Barry gets picked in that role for England ahead of carrick and hargreaves. Ask yourself honestly would Petrov get picked ahead of these players? Anyway I shall end the debate here because it is futile. I cannot read your rubbish anyone and shall not be blogging again. I understand the need for debate and opinion but when your views are never backed up with any fact and comments like "Also, give me those five penalties he scored and I'd put serious money on each one that I'd score it and I'm not paid $45k a week - they're not that difficult." you lose the will to live. The history of English football suggests that penalties are not easy, whilst the world's finest player on £150K per week missed a penalty two weeks ago. In fact the course of the premier league this year will be in part decided by Barry's last minute equalising penalty against Chelsea. But of course you would have scored wouldnt you Damian? Maybe you should play centre midfield for us heh?

May 06, 2008

Damian said:

Well Peter, you've not managed to change my opinion and I guess, only time will tell who was actually right and who was wrong. IF Barry does leave and Liverpool do better than 4th next season and it's generally accepted that Barry, having played more than 30 games was the catalyst then I'll stand up and say I was wrong - I don't ahve a problem with that whatsoever. But IF Barry does go to Liverpool and they don't kick on and he's not picked for England, when the proper matches start later this year and he spends as much time starting on the bench as he does starting on the pitch - I hope you're big enough to also admit, that you were wrong.

May 06, 2008

Richardo said:

Damian, You are deluded. Get over the fact that GB may wish to leave, and stp throwing your toys out of the pram. GB has been a superbly loyal servant to VP over the years, and in the last season and a half has proved himself to not only being good, but very very good - hence the interest of the top 4 clubs. I may not respect your opinion, and maybe some of the other top 4 managers in the country that have been linked with him do not share your views also. He is quality, deserves respect, and if he leaves - will owe us nothing.

May 06, 2008

Damian said:

Richardo I don't understand where you get deluded from? I accept that GB may want to leave and I also agree with a lot of what you're saying, in fact most of it apart from one 'very'. He has been superbly loyal - we all would be for that type of money, but don't forget he was about to jump ship until Martin O'Neill came in - and I don't remember any time before that when another team had come in for him. But, it's only since O'Neill has come in that he has been very good (at times, at others, he's not been that great). But you've also got to remember this; only one top four club has shown an interest. Just because a paper writes that Chelsea are interested doesn't mean they are. Lastly, I don't ask anyone to respect my opinions, only accept that we're all allowed them.

May 06, 2008

Woodinho said:

...dear me, Damians getting a bit of s**t isn't he!?!?!?! C'mon lads, it's a blog for gods sake, it's only one persons opinion, it's not life or death and nothing anyone says on here is going to change what happens at Villa Park, what players we buy, who we sell or anything else for that matter! So there is no need for people to start acting like my mrs and storm off in a huff! If Barry wants to go - F**k him, I'd rather MON bust his balls getting some fresh blood in than trying to keep someone who has come out publically and said "I may have to be selfish... blah blah", MON has already said it's his main task this summer (to keep GB) but I'd rather he just asked him straight: "do you wanna go garteh" then if the answer is "yes" then its bye bye GB and use the rest of the transfer window building up our squad so we kick him all over the park when we play the scousers!

May 07, 2008

Jacko33 said:

Yes yes everyone has an opinion but from watching barry for 2 seasons I honestly cant see how anyone can think barry is anything less than top class. Disagree with u woodinho, how is barry one dimensional?? He's a great passer, superb crosser, his positional play is first rate, he scores goals, he gets assists, ur painting the picture of a makalele type which is utter rubbish!! And how the hell can sidwell be a replacement, he's good but nowhere near the class of barry come on....

May 08, 2008

Peter said:

Damain, Just to add to the weight of argument against you (i.e. the opinion of Martin O'Neill, most fans, the England manager, benitez, reportedly wenger and avram grant, the assists chart, goals chart, fantasy league points etc...) Below is from the ACTIM index. I know these are not always a perfect guide, but Barry is in the top 10 in the country and second only to Fabregas for a central midfield player. Also you will notice that all those in the top 10 are exceptional players that have had great seasons. Name Team Index Score 1 C Ronaldo Man Utd 808 2 E Adebayor Arsenal 713 3 R Santa Cruz Blackburn 646 4 F Torres Liverpool 645 5 A Young Aston Villa 619 6 C Tevez Man Utd 581 7 F Fabregas Arsenal 573 8 G Barry Aston Villa 554 9 D Bentley Blackburn 551 10 G Clichy Arsenal 549 Also in reference to your earlier point I have never said that Barry would be the catalyst to move Liverpool up towards the title. Torres has not managed it this season - but does that mean that he is not a great player? In fact Liverpool had a better season last season without him (3rd in the prem and champions league final) - so things do not always work that simply. What you have said is that he is not good enough for the top 4 and that Villa could do better. Both arguments are stupid and I think really you know it.

May 08, 2008

Damian said:

Peter You'll never give up this will you and you don't seem to understand that it is just my opinion. I believe we can get better and that his type of game isn't the type of game that is ever going to get us into the Chumpians League - he's too slow and relies on quite long balls - rarely a decisive pass and too slow. Like I've said, if he does go this summer, let's see what happens. When he's playing for someone else you might see something different.

May 08, 2008

Peter said:

You just tie yourself in knotts dont you Damian dear boy.... "rarely a decisive pass". I refer you again to the premier league assists chart provided previously and below: 2007-2008 Premier League assists table The ProvidersTeamAssists Cesc FabregasArsenal18 Ashley YoungAston Villa17 Dimitar BerbatovTottenham Hotspur11 Steven GerrardLiverpool11 Wayne RooneyManchester United11 Gareth BarryAston Villa10 David BentleyBlackburn Rovers10 If you are going to make statements then back them up with facts. I understand the point of opinion, but surely an opinion is or should be based on some facts - yours never is!

May 08, 2008

Damian said:

Christ Peter, this is becoming tedious. What did I say above? I'm quoting it now so you can clearly see it again and i'm going to put certain parts in bold, just so you understand -- I believe we can get better and that his type of game isn't the type of game that is ever going to get us into the Chumpians League - he's too slow and relies on quite long balls - rarely a decisive pass and too slow. -- you're right. i have tied myself up - because i said he was slow twice i wasn't talking about his bloody assists, i was putting across MY OPINION, read it above again, of his game read it peter. it's a bloody opinion - can you not get that through your head? christ - you're like a child. click here just in case you are unaware of what the word 'opinion' means. i'm not arguing facts with you just my opinion and you keep coming back saying my opinion is wrong. well it cant be you muppet i said above he's too slow. i've said before it's too many long balls and today i'm saying you rarely see a decisive pass. i'm not saying he doesn't create the odd assist - ironically one aspect of his job as a midfielder - i'm saying you rarely see something decisive, firm, absolute from him look, say you're not coming back or your offended and you'll never visit this site again, please, because it really is like trying to communicate with my 4 year old son - atleast with him after you explain something twice he understands it actually come back, do whatever you want. i just will not reply to you anymore because you clearly only read what you want to read and not what is written

May 08, 2008

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