Summer Transfer Window 2017

[Lanolin]

We haven't singed anyone in a few days and suddenly people are settling on Gareth Barry. We should be looking at better if we are to challenge. He's a liability in most games, as he's too slow and is 5 yards too late to most things. He either just bundles in to people or is a passenger doing slow shuttles side to side as the game goes on around him. The difference when Schneiderlin came in was massive.

If we're dominating possession in an easier game then he can look half decent as he likes a pass, but we have younger players who can get game time and play that role in easier games. He's just taking up someone else's position.

I also don't get this, he'll be great as a coach, he doesn't have any coaching qualifications, meaning he's years behind in that sense. It's not like he's a Duncan Ferguson and would be brought in as some sort of 'charismatic figurehead' while he gets qualified either.

As a club Everton should be looking to the future and demanding more than what Barry is currently able to offer.

Couldn't agree more with this. I absolutely hate the idea of just giving someone a job as a coach when they might be absolutely useless at it. No more 'jobs for the boys' attitude, get the best coaches in for each part of the club and make sure players improve, rather than just giving an ex player a wage. If Barry shows real flair for coaching then great, if not then bin him off.

 

[Little Ralphy]

Just don't agree with this at all. Barry isn't quick enough, not even his biggest fan will disagree with that, but he is brilliant positionally and there isn't a player who was at the club last season who uses the ball more intelligently than Barry

Schneiderlin is rightly ahead of Barry in the pecking order for that holding midfield spot because he offers more and can get about the pitch better, but Barry's experience and quality on the ball will be important at times next season. The problems arise when he is left exposed, but in the right system in the right games, he is an asset. In games where we are defending deep, his positional sense and clever use of the ball is really useful. In games where we are dominating possession, his better quality and eye for a pass over pretty much anyone in our midfield is still a real asset.

This will probably be his last season at the club and we will probably look to replace him next summer - perhaps someone like Dendoncker, who we have been heavily linked with, but for this year he will still have a role to play. There's a lot of young players at the club and real exemplary professionals like Barry can only be a good influence.

Watch any game he's played in when the opposition move the ball quickly and then come back and say he's brilliant positionally. Against the rs he's been caught out so many times over the years, cos he doesn't have the legs. It's one thing standing still between the centre halves, it's a whole different thing closing people down when they're running towards your centre halves.

He uses the ball well most of the time, I'll give you that but it's arguably the easiest area to use it in, cos he comes so deep most of the time he's almost a defender, and then you're up against forwards. Or he's coming from deep with most of the players in and around the area, meaning he's got 10 yards of room to pick someone out. It's the michael carrick thing. People see some decent passes now and again and suddenly think the player is great. When the reality is when your side is really tested the player becomes a passenger.

A player shouldn't need the right system, the right game etc. to perform, we should be demanding they can perform week in, week out.

I can understand Koeman respecting him, Barry has worked hard to have a good career and Everton seem to want to help him to break Giggs' record, but personally I think he'll be gone closer to the end of the window.

 

[Little Ralphy]

...those of us who like him appreciate him but I don't think any of us are suggesting he'll be a starter or even get lots of game time. We're just saying he's still a joy to watch. He's never been the quickest but he still has the ability to play in the most difficult and tightest of positions. He might not be a fans favourite but he's a players player.

What is a players player? Cos if I was any of the other players I'd be disappointed having to do his running, and being left isolated when he hasn't closed down the space when I've pressed. His output is hardly that of luxury attacking midfielder either.

You can admire a man's work ethic and career, but it doesn't mean you need to give him a job.

 

[Nymzee]

It's cerebral watching Gaz Baz play

 

[toffeeblue9]

Watch any game he's played in when the opposition move the ball quickly and then come back and say he's brilliant positionally. Against the rs he's been caught out so many times over the years, cos he doesn't have the legs. It's one thing standing still between the centre halves, it's a whole different thing closing people down when they're running towards your centre halves.

He uses the ball well most of the time, I'll give you that but it's arguably the easiest area to use it in, cos he comes so deep most of the time he's almost a defender, and then you're up against forwards. Or he's coming from deep with most of the players in and around the area, meaning he's got 10 yards of room to pick someone out. It's the michael carrick thing. People see some decent passes now and again and suddenly think the player is great. When the reality is when your side is really tested the player becomes a passenger.

A player shouldn't need the right system, the right game etc. to perform, we should be demanding they can perform week in, week out.

I can understand Koeman respecting him, Barry has worked hard to have a good career and Everton seem to want to help him to break Giggs' record, but personally I think he'll be gone closer to the end of the window.

Koeman himself said a year ago that Barry is an excellent player if the team is "compact" and that sums it up well. Barry is good in situations where he isn't going to be exposed by the space around him. It becomes easier for people to run past him or for him to lose players if the ball is moved quickly around him. But if the team is compact, particularly in scenarios where we are defending deep against a better side - take the home game against Man City as a good example. He was excellent in that game, but it worked because of how we set up.

"A player shouldn't need the right system, the right game etc. to perform" - This would preclude the likes of Barkley, Lukaku, etc as well - they need certain styles or roles to get the best out of them. Barry may be a slightly more exaggerated example of this at this stage of his career, but the point stands. Lots and lots of players need the right system to flourish.

And the Carrick thing - great example. Both United and ourselves have struggled to get the quality of play from deeper midfield positions with Barry and Carrick - it's the reason that they're both still at their respective clubs. In games where the onus is on you to be on the front foot and break down teams who are defending, players like Barry and Carrick are really valuable. They wouldn't both be getting new contracts at their respective ages at top 7 teams if that wasn't the case.

Barry might actually decide himself to move on this summer if he feels he isn't going to get enough games this season, but it won't be because Koeman wants him to go if he does leave, we gave him a new contract only a few months ago after all and there isn't much point in preserving value of a player of Barry's age by making sure he is under contract. If he leaves it would be for a nominal fee.

 

[Stuartisitc1878]

...I'd be amazed if a pro like Barry doesn't know and accept that he'll be used sparingly. What is of interest is how highly the manager seems to rate and respect him. I recall RK saying he's one of the best he's ever worked with which is some accolade. West Brom appear keen, I suppose there is a chance he will move on if one or two more players come in.

he's also 4 apps away from breaking Gigg's record isn't he? Surely he won't leave with that landmark in sight?

 

[Brisan123]

Crack on, post whatever, literally 10, maybe 20, posters on here cream themselves over the index the other 990 or whatever dgaf.

You do realise I was being sarcastic / facetious

 

[Bally8]

he's also 4 apps away from breaking Gigg's record isn't he? Surely he won't leave with that landmark in sight?

I think he will be here until Jan and will go Villa.

 

[Eggs]

he's also 4 apps away from breaking Gigg's record isn't he? Surely he won't leave with that landmark in sight?

...he can achieve that at West Brom as well so I don't see that being a major issue. Indeed, you have to think he'd get more game time for the Baggies.

 

[Eggs]

...Daily Mail reporting Funes-Mori out for another 9 months. It could impact transfer activity.

 

[Little Ralphy]

Koeman himself said a year ago that Barry is an excellent player if the team is "compact" and that sums it up well. Barry is good in situations where he isn't going to be exposed by the space around him. It becomes easier for people to run past him or for him to lose players if the ball is moved quickly around him. But if the team is compact, particularly in scenarios where we are defending deep against a better side - take the home game against Man City as a good example. He was excellent in that game, but it worked because of how we set up.

I think I kind of tried to make the same point about when he’s exposed. One good game against a midfield of Toure and Zabletta who are hardly the most mobile. The league is becoming more and more mobile each year.

"A player shouldn't need the right system, the right game etc. to perform" - This would preclude the likes of Barkley, Lukaku, etc as well - they need certain styles or roles to get the best out of them. Barry may be a slightly more exaggerated example of this at this stage of his career, but the point stands. Lots and lots of players need the right system to flourish.

But their output is so much more in the right system and not in the right system. It’s also why a lot of people feel that Lukaku and Barkley are both limited.

And the Carrick thing - great example. Both United and ourselves have struggled to get the quality of play from deeper midfield positions with Barry and Carrick - it's the reason that they're both still at their respective clubs. In games where the onus is on you to be on the front foot and break down teams who are defending, players like Barry and Carrick are really valuable. They wouldn't both be getting new contracts at their respective ages at top 7 teams if that wasn't the case.

United are often asked to dominate possession in most games as most teams sit deep against them. Hence why they have use for Carrick. In the champions league games or against the better sides, when Utd aren’t dominating then he becomes a passenger. Barry isn’t as good as carrick in my opinion at moving the ball, and Everton aren’t expected to dominate as many games either, so our need for Barry is less than their need for Carrick.

Barry might actually decide himself to move on this summer if he feels he isn't going to get enough games this season, but it won't be because Koeman wants him to go if he does leave, we gave him a new contract only a few months ago after all and there isn't much point in preserving value of a player of Barry's age by making sure he is under contract. If he leaves it would be for a nominal fee.

As a new manager coming in to a club, it’s great to have model professionals around the place to help get your message across to players you’ve not worked with before. Hence why Barry has been important for both Koeman and his predecessor. But now Koeman has shaped the squad himself - and they’ve had a big window so far - I think they’ll sit down and agree that Barry is no longer needed and he can move on for regular football. Fingers crossed.

 

[madden95]

Still seriously hope we sign Giroud, we need him i think, hold up play is excellent good finisher great in the air.

 

[windymiller]

You do realise I was being sarcastic / facetious

I do, but it was handy for my own agenda to pretend you were serious

 

[Kenshin]

So Ross out for 4 weeks....potentially means he isn't leaving us.

Mori is out for 9 month, need a 4th defender again

No striker in sight

 

[Eggs]

...if we can pull off the transfer of Joshua Zirkzee from Feyenoord it could be a significant signing. I appreciate he's only 16 but he looks a fine big athlete now, I can only imagine his size and capability in a couple of years time. He could genuinely be ready for open age football towards the end of next season, especially given he scored 33 goals in 27 games at youth level last season.