Apart from all the usual reasons people have slated the outgoing manager, the fact that Gareth Barry got 35 caps under Capello, more than any other player, I find to be shocking. He is one of the most immobile midfielders I've seen and this lack of mobility is exposed at international level. Capello's persistence in selecting Barry frustrated me greatly, in particular his selection of Upson alongside Terry against Germany in 2010 with Barry covering was suicide against a young pacy Germany attack (memories of Barry "chasing" Ozil in that game, watch from 6.20... http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=IEQdElfeq0c not to mention he hopelessly lost the ball which started the counter for the 3rd goal) Ideally Wilshere would have had another good season and played the role for England but as it stands Michael Carrick cannot really do much more than maintain his current form to have that starting spot for England this summer (if the new manager has any sense that is).
posted on 9/2/12
I would be equally content to see Scott Parker given a go against stronger opposition
posted on 9/2/12
In defence;
Barry has been selected for on a regular basis for the most expensively assembled squad in the country, far better than the national side and current PL leaders
Also, forgetting he was injured prior to the WC 2010 and obviously not 100% match fit. However, no one else good enough to replace him
posted on 9/2/12
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posted on 9/2/12
TheDon1981 (U11007)
In fairness, City are dong well in spite of Barry. He is having a decent season, but as the OP said, is very immobile, not a great distributor of the ball, defensively lacking (as proven since Toure's involvement in ACON)
Parker and Carrick, are certainly more deserving of a place, on this seasons form, although in fairness, there are not many options.
But I'd say the same for Walcott, Johnson and Bent. They just aren't international standard. They are too one dimensional.
posted on 9/2/12
In the current game, pace is one of the most important attributes to be honest... Barry was a liability throughout the whole of the world cup!
posted on 9/2/12
Barry wasn't fully fit for the wc - unfair to judge him on that - same as Rooney at the one before under Sven. The real question is why successive England mangers are so desperate they gamble on player's fitness.
posted on 9/2/12
'The real question is why successive England mangers are so desperate they gamble on player's fitness.'
Because there is a lack of depth. How many players are there to chose from in the PL? Compare this to La Liga, or the Bundesliga.