Liverpool FC Forum

Sabre wrote:Dawson, on the Alonso thread says

I love Alonso, the guys class, but he hasnt been doing it consistently like Barry has. Barry will add so much mroe to our team than Xabi did.

You, like Bamaga, and Judge seem pretty happy with this "swap".

Which means that you are convinced of that he's been consistently doing this two years. I mean the so much more bit. It must be a lot, because, while people here said Alonso was below his par for his standards, they also admitted he was good anyway.

Myself, I only have "snapshots" of Barry's game, if you see what I mean. Some actions, some things I remember, but I haven't seen him in a complete game, only playing against us, and in those games I'm more focused about which players of our team are doing well.

In a nutshell: In football terms, and leaving aside if he's expensive or not (let's trust Rafa), what do you think he'll provide consistently to this team? in which role? Definitely a starting eleven player (the kind of player you'd play in the CL final) or a rotation used often?

I need info on this player, and I don't trust nor google, nor youtube. Any posts on this are welcome.

Let's not talk about he's expensive or not, time will tell if Rafa's been spot on as he was with Torres or Mascherano.

Scottbot wrote:

Sabre wrote:In a nutshell: In football terms, and leaving aside if he's expensive or not (let's trust Rafa), what do you think he'll provide consistently to this team? in which role? Definitely a starting eleven player (the kind of player you'd play in the CL final) or a rotation used often?

They are similar in many ways Sabes

- Both players are excellent passers of the ball, both generally keep it simple but play more expansively when the time is right. I'd say Alonso in his first season at his peak passed the ball better than Barry is capable of. Only problem is that he hasn't really approached that level the past season and a half.

- I agree that Barry is slightly more mobile and also a touch quicker.

- As far as tackling goes there is very little to choose between them. Barry is probably a little stronger in the tackle but Xabi has been a regular in the top 3 for Premier League tackles (something that surprises a lot of people) since he's been at the club.

- Goal threat is a tough one to judge because Barry plays further forward than Xabi but then it's hard to argue with his (Barry) tally this season, didn't he get 17? I know that included pens but it's still pretty impressive for a defensive midfielder.

Would Barry be a starter every week at LFC? Yes, no doubt for me. A very versatile player and i'd guess Rafa would use him in a similar way to Essien at Chelsea. He won't always play in the centre and will no doubt see time at Left Back (he's COMFORTABLY better than Riise, Aurelio and Arbeloa in my opinion) and also at left-mid when Rafa wants to play a more compact formation. He's no winger, he want beat a man to often but he's got quick feet in close quarters and has a good cross on him and could do a job there (although not every week) when asked.

Are we getting a better player? It's a tough one. If both players are absolutely on the top of their game then Xabi is the better player for me, not by miles but deffo the better player BUT (and it's a big BUT) it's all about form. I'd swap the Barry of last season for the Xabi of last season hands down. I'm sure he'll settle in and do well for the club and his relationship with Gerrard (on and off the pitch) will be a real bonus while Xabi probably needs a new challenge to revitalise himself somewhat.

I'm pi.ss..ed because we should have signed Barry last season (or the season before) and got him for chump change. He's always been an excellent player and it's a crime he didn't play for England while the likes of Phil Neville , Stewart Downing and EVEN Chris bloo.dy Powell were getting a game.

Rush Job wrote:The main difference for me between Alonso and Barry is the latter carrys a goal threat, from open play ( for villa he plays the all action up and down role ) and from set pieces where he is a threat in the air.He will score and assist more than Alonso IMO. He is also a leader and thats a big thing because IMO we dont have enough, take away Gerrard and Carra and the team has no drive, he'll help there also. In short we'll be closer to the prem with him on board.

Kharhaz wrote:

Rush Job wrote:The main difference for me between Alonso and Barry is the latter carrys a goal threat, from open play ( for villa he plays the all action up and down role ) and from set pieces where he is a threat in the air.He will score and assist more than Alonso IMO. He is also a leader and thats a big thing because IMO we dont have enough, take away Gerrard and Carra and the team has no drive, he'll help there also. In short we'll be closer to the prem with him on board.

Out of interest, how many goals did he score and create for villa last season? I think hes a good player but in comparison to Alonso, there is none. On a day when we are playing teams like wigan, can barry unlock there defence through his constant attacking play? or can Alonso from a long shot, a goal from his own half, or by simply setting another team mate up with a pass no one else in the premiership can achieve? Nope I like barry dont get me wrong but to replace alonso? nah, i'll keep what we have thank you very much.

Rush Job wrote:

Kharhaz wrote:

Rush Job wrote:The main difference for me between Alonso and Barry is the latter carrys a goal threat, from open play ( for villa he plays the all action up and down role ) and from set pieces where he is a threat in the air.He will score and assist more than Alonso IMO. He is also a leader and thats a big thing because IMO we dont have enough, take away Gerrard and Carra and the team has no drive, he'll help there also. In short we'll be closer to the prem with him on board.

Out of interest, how many goals did he score and create for villa last season? I think hes a good player but in comparison to Alonso, there is none. On a day when we are playing teams like wigan, can barry unlock there defence through his constant attacking play? or can Alonso from a long shot, a goal from his own half, or by simply setting another team mate up with a pass no one else in the premiership can achieve? Nope I like barry dont get me wrong but to replace alonso? nah, i'll keep what we have thank you very much.

What we've got hasnt got us that close though has it, and yes i think there is more,much more chance of Barry scoring or creating a goal than Alonso scoring from his own half even though thats where he spends the entire 90 mins. I havent checked but i dare say he scored around 5/10  league goals with a similar assist rate.

Rush Job wrote:Ok he scored 9 league goals and 8 the year beforehand, dont know about assist rate although id expect it to be similar. Not bad for a "defensive" mid. This past few years he's been to villa what Gerrard is to us.

Kharhaz wrote:

Rush Job wrote:

Kharhaz wrote:

Rush Job wrote:The main difference for me between Alonso and Barry is the latter carrys a goal threat, from open play ( for villa he plays the all action up and down role ) and from set pieces where he is a threat in the air.He will score and assist more than Alonso IMO. He is also a leader and thats a big thing because IMO we dont have enough, take away Gerrard and Carra and the team has no drive, he'll help there also. In short we'll be closer to the prem with him on board.

Out of interest, how many goals did he score and create for villa last season? I think hes a good player but in comparison to Alonso, there is none. On a day when we are playing teams like wigan, can barry unlock there defence through his constant attacking play? or can Alonso from a long shot, a goal from his own half, or by simply setting another team mate up with a pass no one else in the premiership can achieve? Nope I like barry dont get me wrong but to replace alonso? nah, i'll keep what we have thank you very much.

What we've got hasnt got us that close though has it, and yes i think there is more,much more chance of Barry scoring or creating a goal than Alonso scoring from his own half even though thats where he spends the entire 90 mins. I havent checked but i dare say he scored around 5/10  league goals with a similar assist rate.

We are not closer your right, but lets take into account the fact Alonso has been injured and struggling for form. For me Gareth Barry isnt the answer. Alonso plays well when the forward players can pick up the passes Alonso can deliver. If we sign Barry and lose Alonso, we are simply getting a player who is good, not great, not bad, but good. He can play in several positions, you could say a jack of all trades, a master of none. I would prefer we keep Alonso and buy a player for one position that we need rather than pay an inflated price for an englishman.

Kharhaz wrote:

Rush Job wrote:Ok he scored 9 league goals and 8 the year beforehand, dont know about assist rate although id expect it to be similar. Not bad for a "defensive" mid. This past few years he's been to villa what Gerrard is to us.

Gerrard is to Liverpool what Barry isnt to Villa. Gerrard is still with us, Barry wants to leave. Barry is a big fish in a small pond. Thats all. And to pay over the odds for Barry would be criminal. Like I said I like him but he isnt a world beater, a world class player, he is good at what he does.

Kharhaz wrote:Understand this rushie. Im not arguing against you, and this is nothing personal as from what you are typing and myself also it would seem we are getting aggresive. Im not. I just dont think Barry is the answer. You said yourself we are often left light in attack, Barry wouldnt offer an answer to that, somebody else may and not necessarily an outfield player, maybe a coaching staff can teach the players to score. We create many chances during a match, but even players like Gerrard have let the team down on missed chances.

Sorry wait a minute mate, aggressive???, i thought we were debating footy mate, alright fck it then!