stu_the_red wrote:In terms of tactical ability i mean positioning. I mean his ability to play the right pass, his ability to be in the correct place and read the game. Joey Barton in terms of positioning and picking the right pass is very very good and better than Steven Gerrard. Barton passes alot of square balls where as Steven likes alot of long balls, Barton keeps possession of the football much better, its also worth noting he's playing in a worse side with players who aren't able to find space as well as many of the Liverpool players. Steven is better at timing runs into the box, however Barton is also good at this.
You then compare aggression, well, Stevie's aggressive, so is Joey, very very similar. I'd probably pick Gerrard on the fact he's stronger in the tackle... Oh weight, thats a physical attribute isn't it?
As for work rate and bottle, again, both are pretty similar and both have similar leadership qualities.
Technically Barton is as good as passer of the ball especially on short passes as what Gerrard is. If people actually watched the lad, they'll see he possesses a good range of passing ability. His level of skill and touch is very similar to that of Gerrard, so much so i can't decide who is better. Gerrard is the better dribbler and probably shades it slightly in the ariel department. In terms of shooting, well we all know how good Gerrard's shooting ability is, but Barton again, can hit a superb strike, some of the goals he's score this season.
I remember a few years ago when he first came onto the scene, playing Gerrard and Hamann off the park for City t anfield, had a great game, it wasn't form that got him through, it was ability.
You compare every aspect of Barton's game and he's very similar, even in running style to Gerrard. Even in terms of Vision they are again very similar and both pick very good passes out.
Barton is an excellent alround player who could play at a better club than City. Without question.
HOWEVER, he lacks Gerrard's pace, strength, agility, balance and stamina. Infact, Barton is decent in these area's but he's not top class. Gerrard however is. He's very very pacey, he's got immense stamina, very strong and is extremely mobile.
The main difference in the two is the physical presence which allows Gerrard to be EVERYWHERE on the pitch and the attitude off the pitch off both. It allows him to use his dribbling and skill to more of an effect, it allows him to cover more ground and make more tackles, it allows him to make a pass then move quickly to another position.
They are very very similar players, watch them both closely.
Gerrard is physically far greater and has a far better attitude. Thats the only real difference.
Yet, people will dismiss that as Barton only plays for City and can't possibly be anything like Steven Gerrard because he's one of the worlds best. Gerrard is world class. Barton's an excellent player. The reason he's not world class is he doesn't have the same physical attributes and doesn't have the right mentallity.
i hope you are joking again stu
like the ones I have read.I have probably forgot more than you know about football you keep harping on about playing football at a decent level do you think your the only one who has by the way I see your still young who do you play for now and what league is it.Or are you just telling porkies
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