John Barnes doesn’t believe Gareth Barry has a long-term England future and has questioned his capacity as a key player for the Three Lions.
The former Liverpool midfielder, who won 79 caps for his country, says the Aston Villa midfielder will find it difficult to oust Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard for the big games.
With Joe Cole injured, Gerrard could play on the left, allowing Barry a starting berth in the World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan at Wembley on Saturday.
But even then Barnes doesn’t see the Villa man as a crucial player for the national side.
He said: “Lampard and Barry played well against Croatia and maybe Gareth will start, but, as for long term, other players are big game players. If you are playing Brazil in the semi-finals of the World Cup would you play Barry?
“He doesn’t have to shine, he is good enough to compete and be effective, but I don’t think he is as good as Gerrard or Lampard in terms of what you want from a midfield player.
“He is good enough to be in the team at the moment and good enough to be in the squad but long term I’m not sure.”
Barnes has even reserved judgement as to whether Barry will start against Kazakhstan, and against Belarus next Wednesday, despite his impressive display in the 4-1 win in Croatia last month.
“You have Owen Hargreaves who can come back in to that role so it is not as black and white to say it is going to be Lampard and Barry,” he said.
“If Joe Cole isn’t there you can play Gerrard on the left, but I would always play Gerrard because he is the best player in England.”
Barnes sympathises with England boss Fabio Capello’s selection headaches now he has been appointed the manager of Jamaica. He officially takes charge on November 1, and has to put his skills into practice.
He said:”For ten years I have been doing it in my head. You are on the television saying this is what you should do – because you are always thinking after the event. As a manager you have to have all of those thoughts before the event and see whether they actually work.”
21 Comments
I’m sorry? Since when has John Barnes been qualified to comment on team selection? Has he ever been a manager? Please continue to express personal comments but dont suggest that you are speaking through experience.
Possibly this is the reason John Barnes failed miserably as Celtic Manager, as he does not recognise the need for balance in a team.
what a absolute Knobber what he is talking about is the tryed and teasted gerard and lampard and that has proved to work hasnt it. we have critisized two england manages for constantly selecting the same team that just doent work and these so called big game players have even bigger ego’s and clearly dont click in a team together. i think Barns should take those liverpool tinted glasses off, the world wont come to an end just cus ur beloved Stevie G is not selected for an england game, it was his choice to have his opperation during the last england games when he clearly could of had before or after, but he didnt want to miss any liverpool games which he obviously sees as more important than england, so as he was injured other people came in and took their chance in the two games which were harder than the two coming up so why should they be dropped gerard should be made to wait untill someone else is injured or out of form before he is considered in the staring line up again. one more thing, i bet u anything that if Barry had gone to liverpool in the summer Barns would be saying was a legend he is and should be a england regular, Barns is a muppet and clearly has no clue this showed in his wooden auto cue reading performaces on chanel 5
time and time and time again Gerrard + Lampard mess it up when they play together.
4 or 5 times now England have only played well and won when Barry is playing defensive midfield.
Barnes is like alot of people who just go on ‘Names’.
Being a villa fan i’m obviously biased but i would like to think that an england player is picked on merit not by status of his name. Is Gerrard a big game player i seem to remember a big game not so long ago when these so called big game players let the country down badly. How many times does it have to be shown that the Gerard Lampard partnership doesn’t work. Barnes is an idiot and needs to keep his crap comments to himself. Is he a Liverpool fan by any chance.
Barnes giving advice about England is akin to Herod giving out childcare tips.
He was dreadful as a manager and I don’t recall Barry ever being booed off when subbed at Wembley.
Good one Barnes, what about Jenas? Are you saying He deserves to be there more than Barry?
And it’s an absolute travesty that Young and Reo-coker aren’t in the squad, especially as Youngs the only natural winger we have who has any form of pace…and a proper left foot!!!
John Barnes couldn,t even manage celtic in a mickey mouse league why listen to this idiot.
I’m gonna get slated for this but I think Barnes has a point. A good England manager can get these 2 to play well together. They are 2 of the best players in the world and with discipline can surely perform
This from a Clown who was never better than average for England rather like Gerrard and Lampard, and his whole international reputation was built on a goal he scored against Brazil in a friendly. He’s obviously got far too much time on his hands if he’s making comments like this.
Up the Villa and Up yours John Barnes.
I think gerrard should rot on the bench. He sacrificed england for liverpool when he had that op during englands biggest games. Also what has he ever done for england. makes me sick no pride in his country. sick how it was Fab at worst play gerrard at right back(which is wher he started for liverpool) that would work
Oh and John Barnes really what do you know ???
John Barnes may well have got capped for England 79 times, but as someone who remembers that period very well, I can tell you that he very rarely put in a decent performance and to be totally blunt, he was well below average when playing for England. He got picked because he was in the managers 75% club, every England manager has one, as a managers favourite blue eyed boy, as long as you put in a 75% performance, your in.
I’v never seen so many comments from villa fans. Just shows we all still love Barry xxxx UTV SOTC….. Just another reason to hate liverpool.
As a villa fan I would swap either lampard or gerrard for barry. But I would not want them both, would rather have either one of them and barry. UTV
John Barnes is a typical “football fan” he knows names and doesn’t think “team”. Hes one of those people who buy manager games and try to cheat with loads of money.
Sure Stevie and Lamps have skill and play for big clubs but that doesn’t make them any better than Barry I don’t recall either player tracking back 50+ yards and winning the ball back or making an amazing long ball from full back position’s yet Barry does all of the things they do as well.
He opens up more options and even though I don’t like to say it (being a villa fan) he plays well with Gerard.
As for Lampard I don’t rate him at all, all through the last world cup he was shocking, bar a few occasions.
Anyways, John Barnes shut up! learn a little more about the game other than kicking the ball.
John Barnes doesnt know what his on about. I guess anyone involved with Liverpool FC dont have no knowledge about football Seriously! Gareth Barry is a class player he has proven it for Aston Villa & England. I admire gerrard as player but only for Liverpool. His had so many chances for england but has not shined in the International level. EURO 2004, WORLD CUP 2006 he looked like a average player compare to the world class players. Where gareth barry has played really well for england most of the time. Gareth Barry can play with anyone in midfield.
John…….you’ve lost it mate!!
Barry has been more consistent for England over the last 12 months than ANYONE else in the team!!
Lampard 2006 Penalty MISS vs Portugal
Gerrard 2006 Penalty MISS vs Portugal + World cup nightmare when he back passed it straight to Henry to allow France to eventually win the game!!!
And i don’t know where you hot Hargreaves from???? Barry must have played 5 times as many games in the premiership since Owen signed for the SCUM utd!!!
Mr Barnes…..i suggest you continue to try and resurect an already dieing T.V career and leave England opinions to REAL fans and GOOD managers!!!
UP THE VILLA!!!!!!
Gerrard and Lampard cannot play together - period. I don’t know who I’d rather have next to Lampard/Gerrard out of Hargreaves and Barry though…
Raj.
To slate someone for a penalty miss is a bit harsh don’t you think?! Personally I think Gerrard is the most complete midfielder in the world and I would probably always start with him in the centre regardless of anything else.
im sorry but who does john barnes think he is , some wonder manager. personally i want barry and gerrard in midfield even if he does play for the villa! ( boooo) to chose lampard over gerrard os crazy, always the first person id put down on the teamsheet!
I always thought Barnes was a muppet, and now he’s confirmed it.Yeaterday his mate Waddle said Walcott should be dropped .And they wonder why they cant get a decent job, other than spouting drivel on Setanta or channel 5. Oh yeah I forget Barnes has hit the big time managing those ‘Giants’ of international football Jamaica.
You people seem to have bad memory, or may be aston villa is more important than the national team, all he’s saying dont make the same mistake you all make back 1986 when england didn’t want to play him and end up paying for.