Gareth Barry

[colne-claret]

Linked on HITC site...us and West Brom.

Would be a good Barton replacement.

[Bin Ont Turf]

Not in a 4-4-2 he wouldn't.

[Spiral]

Proper signing, even at his age.

[claptrappers_union]

Barry would be a great signing. Won't happen though

[Spiral]

Not in a 4-4-2 he wouldn't.

At 36 he's still better than Barton in every way.

[colne-claret]

Not in a 4-4-2 he wouldn't.

I would happily play 451 this season.

[jedi_master]

Would be an absolutely top drawer signing for us.

[FactualFrank]

Assuming the Keane transfer went along smoothly, maybe we've asked them if we can be first to the post with a few of their out of favour players?

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Rubbish too old too much flair for a Dyche team plus he's played international football. We can sign better.

[FactualFrank]

We can sign better.

That's the thing though. Can we.

[Bin Ont Turf]

At 36 he's still better than Barton in every way.

Is he b0llocks, in 'every way'.

There's no way that Barry would be up and down in a midfield 4 like Barton was.

If we're packing the midfield then yes, I could see him knocking it about and keeping us in possession.

[Juan Tanamera]

How many times a season would he be sent off?
He is to tackling what Bernard Manning was to hang gliding.

[KefkaClaret]

Barry would be a horrific signing. I'll admit I dislike the signing of Walters but I can see the arguments of why people like him but Barry just seems an awful signing. When Barton came in he had a good start but eventually you could see the pace of the league get to him and he just struggled. Barry, who is quite possibly the slowest man alive, would have no chance with the way we play. Imagine if Jeff goes on a run and they start to counter and the one standing guard in front of the defence is Barry. Marney was brilliant at holding the line in front of the defence as he's a deceptively quick player which is why our best performances had him in the team. I can't see why a team already struggling due to their lack of pace would sign a incredibly slow player.

[Right_winger]

Personally think a prime Barton was better than a prime Barry.

[John Johnson 1605]

At 36 he's still better than Barton in every way.

Not fit to lace Joey Barton's boots.

[claretdj]

FFS taking the **** now! Might as well get Henry n Shearer up front to complete the team.

[FactualFrank]

This is what is coming across to me: In midfield, we're struggling to get our main targets. Or, there aren't many available.
So we're signing good, experienced, but on the wrong side of 30, midfielders who can do a job for this coming seasona and are still upgrades. Let's be fair - both Walters and Barry would be upgrades for Arfield as CM options.

[KefkaClaret]

This is what is coming across to me: In midfield, we're struggling to get our main targets. Or, there aren't many available.
So we're signing good, experienced, but on the wrong side of 30, midfielders who can do a job for this coming seasona and are still upgrades. Let's be fair - both Walters and Barry would be upgrades for Arfield as CM options.

Anyone would be an upgrade over Scotty in the centre.

[FactualFrank]

Anyone would be an upgrade over Scotty in the centre.

I know. But he was played in the middle sometimes last season. The point I'm making is, sometimes we have to make small steps forward. It can't always be a huge increase in quality. Otherwise we'd be top 6 in 2 seasons!

[Right_winger]

Centre mid isn't really that desperate of a position to fill anyway. Rather we went for a quality centre half, pacey winger and a better striker.

[Quickenthetempo]

No thanks, he would get outrun by Billy Whitehurst.

[Sidney1st]

This is what is coming across to me: In midfield, we're struggling to get our main targets. Or, there aren't many available.
So we're signing good, experienced, but on the wrong side of 30, midfielders who can do a job for this coming seasona and are still upgrades. Let's be fair - both Walters and Barry would be upgrades for Arfield as CM options.

People are complaining when we're linked with players the 'right side' of 30.

[South West Claret.]

No thank you.

[FactualFrank]

People are complaining when we're linked with players the 'right side' of 30.

True. I like to see the bigger picture.

[FactualFrank]

Centre mid isn't really that desperate of a position to fill anyway.

Are you sure about that? I'd say that is THE position we need to improve upon. We don't have a central midfield 2 that can cope in a 4-4-2. That is something we need resolving this summer.

[jurek]

He may still have something to offer for someone and it could possibly be us
BUT.... I'm far from convinced it's is.

Unless we're going to claim we're the oldest and slowest team in the Premiership
to have survived.

[Burnleyareback2]

Awesome signing

[JohnMcGreal]

Whenever I've seen him playing for Everton in the last couple of seasons he's always looked miles off the pace and is constantly picking up silly bookings.

[CFS]

Whenever I've seen him playing for Everton in the last couple of seasons he's always looked miles off the pace and is constantly picking up silly bookings.

Off the pace maybe but silly bookings? No way. He's the one player in the PL to get away with murder because of his experience and knowing how to be canny at the right time eventually picking up bookings at the end of a game but not for anything he gets away with a lot.

[ashtonlongsider]

Again I can't see this happening, but if it were it would certainly capture my imagination. Very underrated player, similar to Carrick at MU. Someone of Barry's ilk would certainly give some protection to our defence.

[Vegas Claret]

gets booked too much, get McCarthy in just because he is Irish

[Belgianclaret]

uninspiring link to say the least

[jojomk1]

This youth policy is really working

[ElectroClaret]

Should be pulling a Thwaites beer cart.

[claretspice]

He wouldn't be my first choice, but he's been an outstanding premier league player, usually in the top third of the league, for 15 years. If course he'd be a handy short term addition - especially if we're likely to play 451 a bit more this season.

[Jimscho]

HITC have had us linked with every footballer in the league.Think they just make it up.

[lucs86]

He'd be a very good signing but he'll go West Brom all day. They've just lost Darren Fletcher, captain. Barry takes his place.

And we absolutely have to get at least 1 centre mid as a matter of urgency unless we want Arfield and O'Neill in there for backup. Hendrick and Westwood will start but we've only got Defour as cover and he's not trusted.

[Hoddesdon Claret]

Would not touch him with a barge pole. Overated dirty player.