Barry or Alonso

[Sarb]

Why not?

The Mancs have Carrick, Hargreaves, Scholes, Anderson, Fletcher, Nani.

Based on that, tell me why we can't afford to have them both aswell as Gerrard, Masch and Lucas. Throw Plessis and maybe Spearing in there aswell.

By afford I meant money mate.

In terms of finances you can't put us and the Mancs in the same bracket

[Sisterstiffticket]

Alonso...every time. He's class who woirries us. In fact, buy Barry and send Alonso down to us!

[Shanks]

Alonso...every time. He's class who woirries us.

I'd be more concerned about Torres if I was you, he scored against the yids home and away last season and we have Keane now.

Alonso hasn't played against your lot for 2 years now.

[Sisterstiffticket]

I'd be more concerned about Torres if I was you, he scored against the yids home and away last season and we have Keane now.

Alonso hasn't played against your lot for 2 years now.

Torres? Torres?? Who eez theees Torres. We peees on heeem.

[rage]

Why not?

The Mancs have Carrick, Hargreaves, Scholes, Anderson, Fletcher, Nani.

Based on that, tell me why we can't afford to have them both aswell as Gerrard, Masch and Lucas. Throw Plessis and maybe Spearing in there aswell.

scholes is on the verge of retiring and i really don't think nani and fletcher are central midfielders, scholes also plays a more attacking midfield role similar to gerrard.

they have 3 really competing for two positions in carrick, hargreaves and anderson we have currently masch, lucas, alonso and even plessis for these 2 positions. buying barry without selling one of these 4 would be difficult to justify with our clear deficiencies elsewhere on the pitch

[dww]

scholes is on the verge of retiring and i really don't think nani and fletcher are central midfielders, scholes also plays a more attacking midfield role similar to gerrard.

they have 3 really competing for two positions in carrick, hargreaves and anderson we have currently masch, lucas, alonso and even plessis for these 2 positions. buying barry without selling one of these 4 would be difficult to justify with our clear deficiencies elsewhere on the pitch

Certainly agree about Nani and Scholes being close to retirement. The later did well last season and often seemed to have dropped deeper than the position he used to play - so it is not entirely unreasonable to count him I don't think.

I would say Fletcher is a CM he just isn't one good enough in the PL - he is much better for Scotland and IMO would benefit from a move abroad in terms of personal development but I guess he wants to win things which is fair enough.

I think if we buy Barry you have to factor in the fact he can play on the left. I think we would look at using him there in a 4-4-2. I would certainly accept that the arrival of Barry would be bad for Plessis and especially Lucas. The problem for me is that without someone with his experience we rely on those two players to step up this year to give us drive in the middle - which is a problem which Arsenal have had in recent seasons even if it has resulted in them getting the most out of individuals the development has at times left the team weaker.

I don't see anyone who can bring the qualities Barry does of PL experience, leadership and set pieces in any pure left sided player. I would be very happy to have him and thinking about it have warmed to him, as an option at least, on the left. Not sure he is the ideal signing, which I guess is why the fee becomes questioned, but he is as good as I can see out there.