'Pool bid for barry

augie · Post by **augie** » Fri May 02, 2008 12:54 pm

Martin O'Neill has just confirmed that the scousers have made a bid for gareth barry

Charlie! Charlie! · Post by **Charlie! Charlie!** » Fri May 02, 2008 12:55 pm

Cheerio Gaz!

Post by **DB10GOONER** » Fri May 02, 2008 12:56 pm

I'm not totally sold on Barry as a good choice for us. I always get the feeling he looks better than he is because those around him tend to be so poor...

Maybe a good squad addition, but I'm not convinced about him as a starter...

Post by **REB** » Fri May 02, 2008 12:56 pm

another player that wenger more then likely looked at but will be priced out of

dvbrisgooner1 · Post by **dvbrisgooner1** » Fri May 02, 2008 1:31 pm

Perfect replacement for Flamini - and a better footballer to boot. Also no adjustment to English football required.

augie · Post by **augie** » Fri May 02, 2008 1:44 pm

To be honest I'm not sure where I stand on barry's qualities as a player either and I only put the story up as he has been mentioned as a possible signing on here over the last week. He certainly is a better footballer than flamini, he wont shirk a tackle, wont need time to adjust to the english game and is versitile but is he good enough ? Not for the team we had a few seasons ago but maybe this team which is a sure sign of where we are right now

augie · Post by **augie** » Fri May 02, 2008 4:50 pm

What I actually meant to add earlier is that it would appear to me that if the scousers are after barry it says that alonso is on the way out. Now I know all the talk has him returning to spain but he is a player that I really rate and although I would have concerns over whether cesc and alonso would make a good partnership I still wouldnt mind trying it out

donkeywinsthe derby · Post by **donkeywinsthe derby** » Fri May 02, 2008 4:58 pm

Seems to me this is THE test case for Arsenal.

If we really do have money to spend, if the club really does have the ambition to keep players like Fabregas (rather than fattening them up for a huge transfer fee), if we really are serious about chasing the coat tails of Chelsea and Man Utd then...we have to at least keep pace with the likes of Liverpool.

Barry is a fine player (wouldn't say a world beater but pretty useful nevertheless) in a position that, along with central defence, we have almost no cover for. If Flamini is to leave then to let someone of Barry's calibre slip the net (for players of his level do not come around too often) is wasteful to the point of negligent.

I, like most, would be a lot more patient with Arsenal if they came out and stated that they just do not have the money to sign top class players but then if they said that then Fabregas would definitely be off (well, what would you do?) along with Hleb, Sagna, Clichy and Toure.

Wenger continues to pull rabbits out of the hat and the money men will be kept happy if we pre-qualify for the Champions League. But, oh me oh my, if we don't...

We seem to be on a highwire - just one slip and we fall. By buying players the likes of Barry we should keep the squad together and hopefully grow. By not we risk a sharp and serious fall from grace.

"I will not buy players unless they are better than the ones I already have" - famous words and look where we were heading then.

Magic Hat · Post by **Magic Hat** » Fri May 02, 2008 4:59 pm

Second choice to Masch?

I'm not a fan, he is a decent player with a really good pass and all but the price is too high and think he will vanish in the important games.

donkeywinsthe derby · Post by **donkeywinsthe derby** » Fri May 02, 2008 5:02 pm

Magic Hat wrote:Second choice to Masch?

I'm not a fan, he is a decent player with a really good pass and all but the price is too high and think he will vanish in the important games.

I'm not sure the price matters (well, without being stupid about it).

It's the intent it shows...especially to any player unsure where his future is (particularly Fabregas).

Magic Hat · Post by **Magic Hat** » Fri May 02, 2008 5:04 pm

Â£15 million is the guessed price, that is silly money for a player of his.

I'm not sure Cesc will be thinking great things if we splash out on a reasonable but expensive midfielder who doesn't really improve on what we have. Sure, we need to show we mean business but let it be getting us class players in roles we need

donkeywinsthe derby · Post by **donkeywinsthe derby** » Fri May 02, 2008 5:11 pm

Magic Hat wrote:Â£15 million is the guessed price, that is silly money for a player of his.

I'm not sure Cesc will be thinking great things if we splash out on a reasonable but expensive midfielder who doesn't really improve on what we have. Sure, we need to show we mean business but let it be getting us class players in roles we need

Â£15m?

Well, that is a lot of money for a, I would say, 7 out of 10 player.

But I thought the whole point of moving out of Highbury (

) was that we COULD compete in the silly money stakes.

And he's English.

And over 16.

We definitely need some more of those qualities.

Magic Hat · Post by **Magic Hat** » Fri May 02, 2008 6:49 pm

Sure, when the debt is paid off or at better levels, we can big for players. Just don't want us to play ridiculous amounts if Arsene can find better for 5pence in the Congo league

Most of our players are over 16 and what has English got to do with anything?

dorset_gooner · Post by **dorset_gooner** » Fri May 02, 2008 7:36 pm

over rated

gus ceasar is a legend · Fri May 02, 2008 8:35 pm

Bollocks overrated!

He is a class act who would only get better with better players around him!

You don't play for England in centre midfield unless you are class as that is the one position the national side is strong!

So yes please!

Howvwer no fucking chance as he isn't up for sale for Â£4 and he isn't from the Ivory Coast or France!