Barry staying, again and Carew out, which isn't such bad news, sort of
Friday, 28 November 08, 09:14 AM · Comments (27)
First, Martin O'Neill has reconfirmed what Gareth Barry confirmed at the start of the season, that he will be staying with the club until the end of the season.
Now, this isn't news as such because like I said, Barry told us this at the start of the season, but it's getting some press, so it's getting mentioned. I do however, have an opinion on it, which I guess is the point of this site.
My opinion is that Barry is just doing exactly what he has to do. He knows leaving in January isn't good for anyone and he's probably biding his time until the summer. Barry hasn't said much on this subject but what he has said can be, or you'd like to hope can be, taken as gospel. First it was that he wanted to leave and that there was no going back and then it was that he is here for this season.
He has told us nothing more, so expect loads more speculation next summer, but don't expect to see anything like the money we could have got for him last summer, but if he really wants out, next summer is the time to cash in on him because as of the following January, he'll be able to make a deal with someone and leave for free the following summer.
Now, moving on to big John Carew. His back injury is back and he's likely to be out for up to three weeks, which if Gabby keeps playing the way he has done and we keep playing 4-5-1, which you've got to fancy we will, then it's not such a bad thing, especially as we've got Harewood who can come on to make an impact.
I'm not knocking John Carew, just saying that I believe that 4-5-1 is our best formation and that we need to keep playing that to increase our level of consistency.
Anyway, we need three points tomorrow and I think we'll get them. Roll on Saturday and third place.
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27 Comments · Add yours
Even if we do end up qualifying for the champions league i still see barry leaving which is disappointing. I agree with you about Carew Damien, right now 4-5-1 is what we look best in so why change it, and this makes it a bit easier.
Pity about Carew missing this game. I think we should play 4 4 2 as Fulham are going to defend. Harewood should start with Gabby up front.
I agree that Barry will more than likely be off in the summer. Hope we get a good replaccement for him.
A little off subject but has anyone else heard the rumour that huntlear is an 18mil target for us ?? i have seen it a few places and read it on a few sites anyone think there is anything in it ?
Damian, I get your point about Carew's injury not necessarily being a bad thing. I, too, like a 4-5-1 because our midfielders are our strength---and we need to have Sidwell on the pitch. But given our thinness at striker, Carew's injury is most certainly a bad thing. Imagine if Gabby picks up an injury this weekend. We'd have to line up a 4-5-1 with Marlon as the 1.
the timing is perfect for marewood as i still think he will be gone in january so shop window comes to mind.
buy back gary cahill and sell fright that would be good business aswell
By the way I hear Reo-Coker has the flu and wont play.
Aston Villa, Birmingham, FC
Mike Whitby, Dickhead, cllr
unfortunately i think barry also has the possibility of buying out his contract in the summer so we may get nothing for him.
Can anyone explain me - given the mess this country is already in - why politicians stick their noses in the X Factor and football?
I suggest Mr Whitby focuses on looking less of a douche by sticking to what he knows best, i.e. claim expenses and live off hard working people.
Prick.
Barry will stay if we finish top 4. If we don't, he'll leave, and there should be no Villa fan who has a problem with that, because, with the problems at Arsenal, and Liverpool's present standing being more than a little precarious - not to mention Man Utd minus Queiroz, or, more pertinently, Ferguson on his todd - top 4 is there for the taking, and a failure to do so will be one man's responsiblity.
Which brings me on to my next point; the lack of cover up front. If Carew is out for a few weeks, then Gabby has to shoulder the workload, because Harewood is not up to it. Our inability to sign a striker in the summer could hurt us. A failiure to do so in January would be abject. MoN knows what he needs to do.
UTV
Reply to Simeon:
Amen
I just want to congratulate AVFC on their ambition for keeping Barry and kissing goodbye to a payday for which a certain Mr Ellis would have gift-wrapped him in Red and White bunting. It's yet another encouraging signal of our intent and present good stewardship.
Good point AVMark.
It says more for our ambition than signing a £20m player. We were willing to blow £10-£15m just to keep a player for one year because he was part of the 5 year master plan.
Barry wont stay if we reach 4th, he's mafde his mind up and he's leaving.Carew ,although i'd prefer it if he was fit ,with him in the team we cut out our midfield and just lump it.4-5-1 can easily be turned into 4-3-3 so why would you want to play 4-4-2 is beyond me?.
I cant help but wonder if there is more to JC than just injury, is MON also reluctant to play him as he has expressed a desire to leave??
As for Barry, he will be off, of that there is no doubt, but to buy out his contract he has to state that intention at the start of the preceding season, so that is not an option!
Reply to RSamVillaFan:
I dunno about that... he's been quoted recently on the club homepage, and on all norwegian media, that he wants to end his career at Villa Park, which I don't mind at all
"I would like to finish my career here. I'm not thinking of going anywhere else."
LINK
I have read it in the Yorkshire Tea Leaves...JC will be leaving
Soz _SWB_ the tea leaves have got my vote!
I think a better sign of our intent is the news that we are one of two clubs that have asked to be informed on Lucas Podolskis´situation....the other is the Spuds....how patriotic of Barry to see it through till the end of the year. What a top bloke he is, and a great ambassador to Aston Villa, where ever the hell that place is....
how can carew being out be good news??gabby doin alright but we need the two of them.i must of have too many stella,s tonight i thought i seen a headline in the mail saying we should be called birmingham villa!!lol more chance of harewood banging in a hatrick tomorrow
UP THE VILLA!!
arrrhh thats nice of barry saying he'll stay till june, thats really nice of him...fuck him, he's only waiting to see if we get top 4, if not he'll mug us off for jack shit,fuck him, he should be in the stands,blatently does'nt want to play for us, if he signs an extenstion in June (which i fucking doubt) i'll take it'll back.. On to Carew, we all know he cant do more than 25games per season, MON sign a striker in January...PLEASE, Gabby is not a lone striker, even us can see that
Reply to DeGough:
I think the Hare'll be off in January, so why not give Nathan a chance off the bench if 4-5-1 with Gabby isn't working?[which it has been recently of course!] UTV
I'd like to see DELF get a run out too. I wouldn't mind seeing HAREBRAIN come on in the 2nd half as although Fulham have improved, I think his sheer enthusiasm, muscularity and erratic behaviour might benefit us in this scenario.
Would prefer HUNTELAAR.
I also reckon we're in for a good shout with HUNTELAAR or PODOLSKI if we stay top 4.
Harewood will not be sold unless we buy a striker therefore play him today. We should play 442 because it is more likely that we will score with 2 forwards.
We should be in for a lot of dirty tricks this January with rumers of offers for our players flying around in order to unsettle them.
I think that Kevin Doyle will be the striker we buy as he would be ideal cover for Carew. Good all rounder in my opinion and much better than Harewood. MON works on the principle that the player in is better that the player out.
none of us know what barry will do,its getting a bit boring talking about him all the time on here,but talking about strikers that is the problem that needs to be adressed,one of the stats in the sun says only 19% of villas crosses this season have been sucsessful thats the lowest in the prem (inc the baggies),what striker we get is the most important decision a villa manager has had to make since saunders decided to buy withe
Shift Barry to Wwerder Bremen in exchange for Diego
haha cant see that happening, but Diego wouldnt be a bad signing
I think we need stability at the moment and Barry staying will very much boost our top 4/5 credentials!