Barry braced for a tough decision
Tuesday 28th April 2009, 11:32AM BST.
Villa midfielder Gareth Barry admits he is braced for another summer of speculation over his future while he makes the biggest decision of his career.
Barry’s on-off move to Liverpool was the longest-running transfer saga of last year, with Villa boss Martin O’Neill and Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez embroiled in a bitter tug-of-war over the England star.
O’Neill has previously indicated the club would be prepared to let Barry pursue his Champions League dream elsewhere should Villa fail to finish in the top four, a scenario which now looks all but certain with his team 10 points adrift of Arsenal with four games remaining.
The 28-year-old, who has one year remaining on his contract, insists he is better prepared for the inevitable speculation which lies ahead and reiterated no decision will be made on his future until the campaign ends.
But he concedes it will be one of the toughest he has ever faced.
He said: “From the experience of last year I’m hoping to deal with it better.
“It would be disrespectful to the fans and the club if I’m thinking about anything else rather than trying to get maximum points from the last four games – that’s where my head is at this moment.
“It will definitely be a difficult decision, but we’ll see where we are at the end of the season before making any decision. It’s always going to be a tough one, no matter what happens.
“I’ve learnt a lot from what happened and last season I learned a lot off the pitch. I’m looking for a completely opposite scale of things and I’m confident it won’t be one of those sagas again.
“There are things I’ll do differently. I’m not dreading it at all, I know what’s coming. It’s not something you dread, it’s part of the game.”
Barry revealed Villa’s involvement in the race for fourth helped take his mind off his own situation.
He said: “A lot of the spotlight was on me because of what happened in the summer, so it was important I just got my head down.
“That’s what’s happened. It’s helped with the way my team-mates have played.”
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I think Gareth Barry will be stupid to leave to be honest
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I must admit to my disgust and annoyance at the goings on of last year, Benitez may not have been totally to blame, but he and Gerrard between them cooked up a plan to unsettle Gareth and it worked.
However, Gareth redeemed himself eventually and with a lot of help from a very stubborn MON, he won back the favour of the Villa fans and I for one respect him highly for that.
I now though, think it is time let Gareth go and chase his dream, he has been a valuable servant to Villa and to deny him his dream chance would be a crime. By the same token, if he decided to stay, there would be no happier Villain than me.
Gareth, whatever decision you make, it goes with my blessing, good look and thanks for the many years of pleasure you have given me.
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couldnt av said it better meself really.
I think he’ll be stupid to leave behind what he has at villa to be a bit part player n be played out of position… However at the same time if thats what he wants then no1 should stand in his way. He gave us another season… Hes been a 100 percent villain for 11 years n in his heart he always will be. If we hadnt blown it this season we wouldnt even be discussing this
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Aaron, I agree with what you say, he wont be first choice at a club like Liverpool, maybe he knows that, but as an almost 100% first choice at Villa, does that not speak volumes for the fact that Villa are weak club in respect of player strengths and numbers.
I have to say, I worry somewhat about the strength of our squad and come next season, if we don’t address that, we are going to suffer badly.
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we have been for years man. Ever since the downward spiral after gregory left.
But I think now weve got the foundations of a strong squad were just not there yet as weve seen. Players like GB and Martyn Laursen leaving the squad wont help matters for next season either.
In the summer we need to sign a fair few quality players if were gonna break into the top four
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I think it will be a case of buying what is left after the big 5 have cherry picked all the best players, Man City will no doubt buy a top 4 spot, maybe even the title and Randy’s millions will never out bid Chelsea or Man Utd.
We could possibly stand toe to toe with Arsenal on the money stakes, but Villa have not been a fashionable club for many a long year, so lets just hope that MON can persuade a few class players to Villa Park.
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Aaron & Oldburyite,
Yes, GB has been a good servant to us over the years and yes, he wants to win trophies. Which are exactly the reasons why he won’t go to Liverpool or anyone else in the summer. Cast your minds back to last summer.
GB, badly advised by his then agent, went to the press and asked Villa to let him go to Liverpool. MON said OK, at the right price! Liverpools 3 offers were, and these are spot on;
1. 3 young Liverpool reserve players + nothing
2. £8.5 million + above
3. £12 million, take it or leave it
Those figures come from within Villa Park. Now, I am Gareth Barry, an England international, one of the first names on the team sheet, both at Villa and for England. I’m adored by Villa fans and players alike, I play in my favourite position and I am an ever present for the past four seasons. And the Liverpool manager rates me at …….. 3 kids, 3kids plus £8.5 million and finally £12 million. Now where would I rather be this season, at a club who loves me, or at a club that has taken the mick , not once or twice but 3 TIMES!
And forget the phantom £18 million quoted.
MON NEVER, EVER NAMED A PRICE FOR BARRY.
The £18 million was guesswork from a group of lazy hacks.
And as for trophies. Privately, MON will admit he made mistakes in the Everton and Moscow games, mistakes he will NOT repeat next season. With a bigger squad with more quality, a good, later pre-season, and the kids a season more experienced, the trophies are coming, so why would GB want to leave?
In the end, its not about medals, you can spend the season on the bench in the Sky 4 and still receive 2-3 medals; its about you as a player, being recognised by your club AND international manager and being appreciated by the players around you.
GB will be at VP in August, mark my words!
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We all know you can be very talented and not even be given a chance to prove yourself at liverpool (R. Keane). My guess is that he will go to liverpool, get very little playing time, and be back at VP within a year.
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8.Mike F.
If he does go to Liverpool, would we really want him back?
I would guess by then, he would have been replaced, hopefully by someone who is as good or better and who would give us as good service as he has.
I like GB, but I dont want him back at 31/32 years old and past his sell by.
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I don’t think Villa can afford to let anyone leave, look at our bench on Saturday v Bolton. I only care about Villa and we are a better team with Barry in it. Players leaving can have an adverse affect on those left, and brings negative press. If Barry goes he won’t be welcomed back at VP from me, ever. If he thinks the grass is greener elsewhere, more fool him. Villa need to improve in many ways, letting your better players go does not help you improve.
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10. Dixie.
I do agree to a point, but if he really wants out, surely that would also have an adverse affect on the team.
The answer for me is, let him go and replace him with another who really wants to play for us.
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Oldburyite, yes if he wants to go then put in a transfer request and do it properly, let the Villa fans know its his choice. Personally I think he has already made his mind up to leave, again he has been superb this year, like most of the last 11. Lets not make it out he has done us a favour for 11 years, he has got paid well and supported well. Whilst most neutral fans begrudge him his england place, Villa fans know he is good enough for that stage, a move may just cost him his place in World Cup 2010, staying at Villa I think its nailed on.
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