Presuming we sign Barry

[blacky]

if xabi was to stay and some of the rumours are true i'd say Rafa wanted..

--------------------Reina--------------------

---Degen-----Carra-------Agger-----Dossena---

-----------------Mascherano----------------
--------Alonso-----------------Barry-----------

-------------------Gerrard----------------------

-------------Villa------------Torres--------------

With the attacking width coming from the full-backs plus it's now 7 subs so plenty of options on the bench

any 7 from Kuyt, Babbel, Nemeth, Lucas, Benayoun, Hyypia, Skrtel, Arbeloa, Insua etc..plus a keeper obviously

I think Xabi's gone so:

----------------Pepe------------------
Degen-----Carra----Skittles-----Dossena
---------------Masch-------------------
-------SG-----------------Barry---------
---------------Aimar--------------------
---------Torres--------Babel------------

[Dr Evil]

I think Xabi's gone so:

----------------Pepe------------------
Degen-----Carra----Skittles-----Dossena
---------------Masch-------------------
-------SG-----------------Barry---------
---------------Aimar--------------------
---------Torres--------Babel------------

Looks a pretty damn good line up too

[el matador]

I think Xabi's gone so:

----------------Pepe------------------
Degen-----Carra----Skittles-----Dossena
---------------Masch-------------------
-------SG-----------------Barry---------
---------------ELANO--------------------
---------Torres--------Babel------------

[JermainePennant]

And no more midfielders.....

A 5 of:


------------Gerrard

Babel - Mascher - Barry - Kuyt


Is not getting beat very often. Very solid.

Not much creativity in the middle though is there,I can see a lot of dull games next season when a team just puts all there players behind the ball and we have mascherano and barry passing the ball backwards all the time.

[Darth Marty]

if xabi was to stay and some of the rumours are true i'd say Rafa wanted..

--------------------Reina--------------------

---Degen-----Carra-------Agger-----Dossena---

-----------------Mascherano----------------
--------Alonso-----------------Barry-----------

-------------------Gerrard----------------------

-------------Villa------------Torres--------------

With the attacking width coming from the full-backs plus it's now 7 subs so plenty of options on the bench

any 7 from Kuyt, Babbel, Nemeth, Lucas, Benayoun, Hyypia, Skrtel, Arbeloa, Insua etc..plus a keeper obviously

I would be happy going on ****ing delighted with that.

[rage]

whatever the lineup barry ain't gonna make enough (if any!) difference on our ability to compete. we still lack width, creativity and the ability to unlock defenses that come with a desire to get a draw.

[EST_1892]

I would be happy going on ****ing delighted with that.

When somebody first mentioned how we would play if (BIG IF) we signed Villa, my first thought was about playing a midfield diamond. We could easily go to a 4-3-3 on attack and quickly revert to a 5-3-2 on defense.

However, it does look likely that Xabi will be going soon and we do really need a better option on that right flank of the diamond. I can only imagine if Barry was signed, he would play the left flank and Babel on the right.

Babel IMO really needs a starring role in next seasons plans. I honestly believe he has loads to offer. Even if we don't sign another class forward, I reckon Babel could be the man to step up and partner Torres if rafa wants 2 up top.

[rage]

babel like to cut inside,the few times i've seen him on the right he cuts inside then can't use his left foot.

really don't think barry will be played on the left. babel for me is the left of a 4231 or a striker.

we're clearly still lacking in attack even after barry

[Dero]

I wouldn't be delighted, but you'd be surprised what he offers us. He's a fantastic asset, if not a goalscorer.

Like a reliable penalty taker.

[keniget]

...

[Reaper]

Im surprised nobody has mentioned the fact that Barry will probably be taking our set pieces which allows Stevie (a great header of the ball) a bit of freedom in attacking the delivery

[ScouseUK]

alot of people on here are gonna eat the words if we sign barry,and come this time next year they will all be raveing about him....

barry is no superstar not by a long shot but just watchin him play for villa he makes so much for them but people dont think he can make the step up from them to us...bascially he is good enough to make the step up from villa to england but not from villa to liverpool....

barry will improve us in the prem,he is a solid midfielder and with stevie infront of him he will get even better....

what make me laugh aswell is people saying signing barry wont make us more attackin well imo i have the same feelin with xabi except i think barry will add more attacking wise than xabi...

[Reaper]

You should post more Sir, you talk a lot of sense

[EST_1892]

barry is no superstar not by a long shot but just watchin him play for villa he makes so much for them

Barry means to Villa fans what Stevie G means to us. He's has been fairly average (to us) overall for years but has always been one of their players that if we had to pick one, most would take.

I suppose he's got to that stage in his career now where something had to happen. Barry stepped up his game, won a fully deserved call up to the England squad and even kept fat boy out of the team!

We could do a lot worse. I still think it's too like for like with Xabi, but I don't see how we are going to be financially worse off as it will almost turn out to be a swap deal. I'd be happy if he came here if we were losing Xabi.

[Exiled_red]

For me it's a strong team defensively but there's not too much creativity