Gareth Barry

[LinekersLegs]

Maybe, he is used to a high workload, but that doesn't mean you have to keep pushing your luck with a player his age...and certainly not when he's carrying a heavy knock from the last match.

I'd also point out that those two in CM have had to work extra hard this season due to there being a massive cavity where Barkley usually operated in front of them.

Little wonder the two are walking wounded right now.

Martinez is a very good, potentially very successful, manager. I like him and think he's the best we can have. But he doesn't get a free pass for being friggin stupid.

Think you have more of a point with McCarthy and his injury that you do with Barry. McCarthy's look to be hamstring/workload injuries whilst Barry's knock and now bigger injury both appear to be due to bad tackles and nothing to do with playing time and pretty much unavoidable.

 

[tommye]

When is the funeral?

 

[Deco]

This simply isn't true. He had the most touches out of anyone on the park with 94.2% passing accuracy. You're seeing what you want to see instead of reality. Your post is one big cliche.

Regardless of the stats, Gibson made a few mistakes today that were really frustrating.

I rate him, and he's obviously not match fit which is fair enough, but stats don't tell the whole story in this case.

 

[Gibbo4]

Only my opinion. He slows our play down and I'd rather see Besic on the field than Gibson myself. I'm not slating him because he did a job today and will always do a job but (and i know I'm going to get some stick for this) I don't think he offers anymore than Osman does there.

Yeah but why make up things about giving it away too much when that's not the case.

Gibson is all about the one or two touch passing so I disagree with this post as well. Just because you don't run as fast doesn't mean you slow the play down.

 

[PhilM]

I doubt any of them would have played too many matches after limping off the game before though.

Well that is addressing another issue entirely, but my point was that players can survive in that position longer than some other positions.

You normally get a centre back having slightly longer careers than full back for example, as they aren't expected to be as mobile.

Back to your comment though: I expect Claude Makelele to have survived such a situation as he was a machine. Unreal at what he did.

His nickname was the 'Stella-Can' as well.... I will let you deduce the reason.

 

[bluegirl]

Yeah but why make up things about giving it away too much when that's not the case.

Gibson is all about the one or two touch passing so I disagree with this post as well. Just because you don't run as fast doesn't mean you slow the play down.

It's not making things up, I've watched him give the ball away a lot, not just in today's game. He doesn't do it for me at all. But if Roberto brings him in, I've no doubt he'll do great. Just a matter of a opinions, I'm not slating the lad cause I like him, but I'd play Besic over him for sure.

 

[Gibbo4]

Regardless of the stats, Gibson made a few mistakes today that were really frustrating.

I rate him, and he's obviously not match fit which is fair enough, but stats don't tell the whole story in this case.

It's all about being relative and judging everyone the same. He made a few mistakes, but so does every player in every game. When he gives the ball less than everyone else on the field and is chastised for it, then something stinks.

 

[blue4eva77]

When is the funeral?

Thats really what the minute silence was for

 

[Gibbo4]

It's not making things up, I've watched him give the ball away a lot, not just in today's game. He doesn't do it for me at all. But if Roberto brings him in, I've no doubt he'll do great. Just a matter of a opinions, I'm not slating the lad cause I like him, but I'd play Besic over him for sure.

The passing stats are there for all to see. They don't lie. Gibson kept the ball the best out of anyone on the pitch today, so you better start making posts about our other players 'giving the ball away a lot' to remain consistent.

 

[PhilM]

This simply isn't true. He had the most touches out of anyone on the park with 94.2% passing accuracy. You're seeing what you want to see instead of reality. Your post is one big cliche.

While agreeing with your comments as I thought Gibson did relatively well today apart from a mistake or two....

I simply cannot ignore the glaring cliche of your username and the player who you're actually attempting to defend. Tinted glasses any chance?

Or are you Gibbo in disguise?

 

[Deco]

It's all about being relative and judging everyone the same. He made a few mistakes, but so does every player in every game. When he gives the ball less than everyone else on the field and is chastised for it, then something stinks.

Everyone makes mistakes, but the mistakes he made were at the worst possible times e.g. when we're finishing attacks, or when we're trying to get it out in defense.

 

[Gibbo4]

While agreeing with your comments as I thought Gibson did relatively well today apart from a mistake or two....

I simply cannot ignore the glaring cliche of your username and the player who you're actually attempting to defend. Tinted glasses any chance?

My favourite player, no doubt. It's clearly a position that needs to be filled though, going by some of the out and out tosh written about him though.

 

[Gibbo4]

Everyone makes mistakes, but the mistakes he made were at the worst possible times e.g. when we're finishing attacks, or when we're trying to get it out in defense.

And everyone elses mistakes were when exactly? The point is that most of the team made more mistakes than him today and an average Barry performance would have made similar mistakes as well.

 

[Deco]

And everyone elses mistakes were when exactly? The point is that most of the team made more mistakes than him today and an average Barry performance would have made similar mistakes as well.

IMO he was one of the worst performers in the team today - he's a good player, but as it stands I would say Besic is a better option.

 

[LinekersLegs]

And everyone elses mistakes were when exactly? The point is that most of the team made more mistakes than him today and an average Barry performance would have made similar mistakes as well.

Think Barry and Gibson offer different things to the team but both when fully fit as usually very good passers, probably among the best in the team.

My personal preference is for Barry but Gibson looks like he'll get a run of games to impress.