Home > Football > How Gareth Barry has become pivotal to England's success
by Paul Walshe on 14 October 2007
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Until now, Gareth Barry has been something of an enigma. The former England Under-18 captain broke into the Aston Villa side at the tender age of 17 and was tipped by many to not only become permanent fixture in the England senior squad, but also to captain it.
On the other hand, after years of neglect from former boss Sven Goran Eriksson (who had that infamous inclination towards players from bigger clubs), he was deemed by most non-Villa fans to fall short of England standard, left foot or no left foot.
Competition with many of the Premier League's elite class has been something of a frustration for Barry, who consistently carried on producing commanding and powerful performances for Villa, without expressing even a hint of bitterness. The emergence of Ashley Cole, Wayne Bridge, Joe Cole and Stewart Downing limited his chances on the left, and the untouchable duo of Scholes and Gerrard was something even the then glittering Frank Lampard had trouble penetrating. Thus, although highly competent, Barry has barely even been mentioned, let alone in the squad.
Today, against an albeit poor Estonia, the midfield was yet again commanded with authority and ease by Barry, as it was in the previous two triumphs. His class befitted a player who ought to have merited far more than the 13 caps which he has acquired to date.
Comments (11)
by dazthehammer on October 14, 2007
barry is class in the centre and can cover on the left of midfield and left back. he should be in every england squad and on current form he should keep his place in the centre of midfield.
by fatbloke on October 14, 2007
Sometimes great pairings are just stumbled across Barry and Gerrard look like theyve played together for years unfortunately in the long run, it will probably end up lampard.Unfortunately there is a myth that all the best players are at the big four, so unfortunately Barry needs to leave villa for a big four club or a club with a high profile to cement his place.
by Bearvill on October 14, 2007
Barry wont be leaving Villa, the reason he is back in the squad is due to O'Neills excellent man management, Barry is a one club man and is well on his way to being Villa's all time highest on appearences. For Barry to leave would undermine what Martin and Randy are trying to do..... we are not a selling club and never have been, apart from Yorke... As long as he keeps his performances up for Villa and England he has no need to leave..... Watch out for Villa we are on our way back, big style !! UTV
So much of an interest that you think that Ashley Young and Reo-Coker have been crap for us !!! Young has got his England cap for being crap.....thats how it works !! i think you will find that we have had a much harder start then the majority of the teams in the prem, Pompey have had a stinker as well mind,and we are still in quite a good position going into a run of much easier games, I wouldnt be suprised if we were in the top six by January to be honest, butI'm a villa fan so i'm used to being let down by my team Anyways the 'we owe you a beating' was tongue in cheek, but you definately wont get it all your own way like in previous seasons...Ashley Coles goal at Villa was one of the best team goals i have seen, cant remember the season, 3 years ago i think
by Villa on October 14, 2007
Can someone tell me how many times Arsenal have won the european cup? (I can't see their name on the winners list)
by Steve on October 14, 2007
Gareth Barry's entire family including the man himself are tottenham through and through and if spurs wanted him, they would have a good chance of getting him and thats no disrespect to villa as they are a massive club but sources close to him have stated many times that he would jump at the chance to play for his boyhood heroes. Not to say that Villa aren't a great club because they've got a massive history and like us, haven't done a lot in recent years, are definitely on the up again and good luck to them. They need to keep hold of high quality players like Barry if they want to continue the climb. PS. Agbonlahor and Young - what a couple of great young players! future England boys for sure! O'Neil knows what he's doing!
by Jason Willis on October 15, 2007
about damn time barry's getting the recognition he truly deserves. the man is sheer class and i'm chuffed to bits for him but the sad thing is that if lampard was fit at the time Barry would never have played as much as he did in the last three games as McClown hasn't the balls to try something new and surely would have stuck with Lamps & Stevie. Barry & Micha Richards deserves their place in that england set up more than anybody else in it. P.S - if villa can keep progressing Barry will never leave. he's villa through and through and the yiddos alreasy tried to sign him in the summer. he's been at the club 11 years already.
by Shane Robinson on October 15, 2007
Barry is outstanding and full credit to him. He is calm and effective under pressure and this in turn calms people around him. Gerrard and Lampard just weren't working. I don't honestly think Gerrard is playing well enough to merit a starting berth but in saying that he is better than Lampard, Carrick & Hargreaves so hence his selection. For my money though Barry should be the first name on that team sheet and the rest can wait in line
by Larry Kwirirayi on October 15, 2007
Gazza could come out of retirement and run circles around them high on 452 pints of lager
by steve on October 17, 2007
didn't you mean offence? and are you sure it's not someone with the same name and team as you jason? i'm quite sure there's more than one jason willis
by LAUREN HUNT on March 25, 2008
BARRY IS GREAT AND HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN GREAT FOR THE VILLA I AM A VILLA FAN SO BARRY 4 ENGLAND I AM GLAD HE HAS FINALLY GOT IN THE TEAM.
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