Although not actually Saints related was just wondering on peoples opinions on Scott Parker and Gareth Barry. Prior to the embarrassment of Bloemfontein, Gareth Barry was seen as a key part of the England team by almost all fans and media. After missing the opening game against the USA through injury he was seen as our savior on his return against Algeria. Now, 2 years on there seems to be a strong feeling that Scott Parker should be ahead of him in the pecking order. I personally disagree with this as i feel Gareth Barry has better distribution with the ball and a better reading of the game. Every time i see Scott Parker play he seems to be forced into a last ditch tackle, some may say this is excellent defending, but i personally feel this shows that his reading of the game is not up to scratch and the reason that Gareth Barry doesn't recieve the praise he deserves is because he has a better footballing brain and is in position to intercept the pass before he is forced to make a last ditch tackles. What are your opinions on the 2 holding midfielders and which, if either, would you pick for the France game?
Gareth Barry is terrible. He's so, so slow, a very negative footballer. Would happily see him left out of the squad.
If he's so slow and so terrible, why does he walk into the best midfield in England ahead of Nigel De Jong?
Emile Heskey - 62 caps Matthew Le Tissier - 8 caps Also best midfield in England, did he sign for Spurs?
There's also the fact that De Jong is similar (though vastly inferior) to Yaya Toure so playing the two together wouldn't make much sense.
Scott Parker has an archilles problem, in terms of Euro '12 is unlikely to go..In my opinion would be a big miss, but at the same time I feel we should be looking at bringing through some youngsters as soon as we're able. I'd be far more excited for the Euro's if players like Rodwell and Wiltshire were there!
This conversation will soon be futile, as Jack Rodwell will be England's first choice holding midfielder for the next 10-15 years.
Wilshere would be in the first team if he hadn't missed the whole season (and possibly some of next) with injury!
De Jong has some ability, good passer and protector but overall is a nasty thug, seems to just go round injuring people. Poor is definitely the word for his methods.
I know, it sucks! Just would be good to give these youngsters some tournament time, get them used to it. The one's that are fit that is
It's a pain in the arse, I really like Wilshere. Hoping his long term development isn't too badly damaged.
Me too, always nice to see talented youngsters appear on the scene and I always hope they fulfill their promise. He seems like a confident lad so I'm sure we'll see him back as strong as before. Strangely, he reminds me of a young Gerrard..
Gareth Barry has been a victim of his own versatility, as such he doesn't really have a position he excels in. Parker covers a lot of ground and does a good job mopping up, but that's it. The rest of his game isn't international level. I personally think the team for the first game should line up: -----------------Hart Walker-----Jones-----Lescott-----Cole Lennon----Carrick----Lampard----Young -----------Crouch--Welbeck Should give us a chance of getting through the group stage. I'm usually against Lampard, but he's player well the tail end of this season and always produces in the big games.
DEFINITELY NOT Jones at CB. He is useless there. (For now.) He has the makings to be a worldy, but at the moment he is too inexperienced, hence him playing RB and DM a fair amount this season. Stick Jagielka in there instead, him and Lescott were immense against spain, and understand each other. Also, bring scholes out of international retirement. I still think he would if he was asked, and apart from Wilshere he is the only world class midfielder we have. Back tot he original question, out of the two I would choose Parker. Barry is excellent, but he tends to slow us right down and wait to long. Essentially England are not good enough to play possession football against other decent sides, so we need to try and break quickly and counter-attack. Barry waits too long on the ball and slows us right down.
That is the problem with some players......they can really turn it on at club level but not at international.
Barry is inept, he's got too big for his boots and at times plays like he is Zidane and then loses the ball in dangerous positions. Doesn't have the pace to get back in position and is quite slow at reading the game.
