Has Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry shown what is missing in modern football: Loyalty?
by jakepjohnson on August 15th, 2008
| 397 words |
Last night Aston Villa were in Iceland, playing FH Hafnarfjarða, the current Landsbankadeild leaders. They lined-up with a strong team, including, surprisingly, influential captain and Liverpool target Gareth Barry. In playing in the game, Barry may have manoeuvred his way out of an £18m move to Anfield.
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By playing in the game, Barry is now cup-tied for European games until February, meaning if Liverpool were to buy him, he would not be eligible for Champions League games until the knockout stages. Since this is Liverpool’s main aim, as a title tilt always appears second to cups, it would be a key part of the deal for Rafa Benitez.
Apparently it was not the decision of Martin O’Neill to play Barry (although he had to select him, obviously) and Barry requested to play. Barry apparently requested to play, something the manager was keen to stress:
I had a talk with him beforehand. He was in the right frame of mind and wanted to play and there was nothing that would have stopped him which was very pleasing.
He wanted to play and he knew the consequences so the decision was very much his.
With Barry knowing that the deal has dragged on for far too long and that playing would put a nail in the coffin of the saga, has the Villa captain shown great loyalty to the club in sacrificing his dream move? Granted, by saying he wanted to move to Anfield in the first place displaces this argument, but I believe he has shown great maturity and commitment to Villa by playing last night, also getting a goal.
It may be that this is not the full-blown loyalty that we see in one-club players like Ryan Giggs, Raul or Paolo Maldini, but Barry has said he wanted a move to Liverpool, it hasn’t worked out and he has done the job he is getting paid for. Why should Villa be forced to leave him out because of Liverpool’s interest? Why should he not help Villa, a team he has been at for over 10 years, in the UEFA Cup? I doubt we would see the same from Christiano Ronaldo or Emmanuel Adebayor.
It is great that in this modern game lacking so much, that we can see a little loyalty and people doing the job they’re paid to do.
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Tagged Under: Anfield, FH Hafnarfjarða, Gareth Barry, martin o'neill, rafa benitez, UEFA Cup, Villa Park
skyboy - August 15th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
no caus hes still coming,, gerrard did though when he said no to chelsea twice
aron - August 15th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
if barry keeps playing like that then hes price will go up, not down like some folk have said
Noodles78 - August 15th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Barrys actions over the course of the last 3 months have been disgraceful. He has shown little if any loyalty to Martin O’Neill or Villa.
It’s only since Liverfool have been unable to bet the $’s together to pay the REALISTIC valuation villa have put on him that he seems interested in Villa again.
It will take a long time before I cheer him down VP again !!!!
dee - August 15th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Had ‘Pool not pissed about so much Barry would not be a Villa player now. He has behaved badly and his moved fell hrough because ‘Pool are a shambles , no other reason. It’s a great pity as if Barry had kept his mouth shut he would have looked a hero and no one would be any the wiser. As it is, he will never have the same relationship with the fans. But, eh, that’s football and life. There will be others down VP to cheer and have faith in who really do care about the club and its fans.
Looney Toon! - August 16th, 2008 at 3:14 am
I’m a newcastle fans, but a football fan first. How can you guys question barry’s loyalty? He’s loyal to the cause, but maybe he’s just frustrated at not winning anything at he’s stay.No doubt about his class, he came about the same time with lee hendrie, just look where he is now at the lower level. To all villa fans he’s not going anywhere, he’s what gerrard is to liverpool, as for villa there’s gareth barry!
Blake - August 16th, 2008 at 6:31 am
Barry showed great loyalty. We just seem to expect more out of him because of how great a captain he has been for villa. CRon said he wanted to leave so why is his loyalty not being questioned? Its ok to want to go to a better club. Why does he have to show such loyalty to a club? Do we ask the same of clubs to players? Football is a business and Barry wants to play CL football, he’s good enough to so I cant be mad at him for that. Now its not going to happen so he’s trying to do the right thing. Would you rather him not want to play?
Gibbons the hoop - August 16th, 2008 at 9:27 am
How can you call Barry loyal. His comments can only be forgiven when he comes out and addmits he is wrong. He is an invalubale asset though. so we kind of need him. But he is never, no where near Loyal!
David - Belfast - August 16th, 2008 at 10:36 am
It’s disgraceful that the American owners of Liverpool and Rick Parry did not support their Manager and secure Gareth Barry transfer.
They may think the player is overpriced but he was the No 1 target of Rafa and the player declared his desire to play for Liverpool. - That’s good enough for me!
I shudder to think what may have happened had Bill Shankly suffered similar embarrasment.
American owners: You must now transfer ownership to D.I.C. as you have demonstrated disloyalty to your Manager and the good people of Liverpool who deserve much better.
woody - August 16th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Ever saw some athletes on “” AffluentMeet.com ” It’s a place for romancing with the rich & celeb…. I know even the athletes may feel lonely sometimes.
michael - August 17th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
fuck off woody dat as notin 2 do wit football I think liverpool shud annoy aston villa even more by unsettling ashley young