ICIP should realize by now that something is wrong with his opinion when no one (not just United fans) on the caf is agreeing with him
Xabi Alonso is horrendously overrated
- Thread starter ICIP
- Start date
Well the use of the word horrendously indicates he hasnt got a clue what he is talking about.
Alonso is one of the best midfielders in the world, and gareth Barry is just average, in everything. At Liverpool, Alonso wasn't that great up until his last season or two, which is why it was pretty reasonable to say carrick is on his level. Since then though alonso has gotten better while you can't really say the same for carrick.
Also out of all the spanish midfielders, he is one of the few who actually get stuck in and make tackles, as well as make interceptions and read the game brilliantly.
Also out of all the spanish midfielders, he is one of the few who actually get stuck in and make tackles, as well as make interceptions and read the game brilliantly.
If Alonso is not great defensively, neither is Barry.
Is Barry even in the city starting XI at the minute? Bizarre statement to say the least Alonso pisses all over Barry and its not even close.
Davids at his prime, or Alonso?
Davids for me
Davids
Edgar every time, he was a monster in his prime.
Alonso is still mint though, quality player.
Alonso is still mint though, quality player.
This is obviously a WUM 
This thread... my god. In fact, not even this thread. Just this OP. The rest of the thread is pretty good.
On the replacing Alonso with Barry issue, the problem wasn't entirely that Benitez wanted to replace Alonso with Barry (although obviously that was massively retarded), it was what he wanted to do with Barry.
He revealed in an interview, trying to justify why Keane flopped, that his plan was to play Barry on the left of the midfield, who would link up with Robbie Keane playing to the left of Torres.
Basically this would have been their team:
Which looks utterly shite to me. The wings are awful. The system looks rigid and defensive. No play dictator in midfield (one destroyer who seems to have found his position at centrehalf, and another player more suited to being a number 10). Robbie fecking Keane up front with Torres, who time and time again has been shown to play best up front alone.
Bear in mind this was the summer before the 08/09 season, their only decent league season under Rafa.
Fair to say if he'd had his way, Liverpool's slide to mediocrity would've been much quicker and he'd have been sacked much sooner.
He basically stumbled onto that 08/09 team, by failing to get rid of Alonso and Keane flopping, forcing him to play Gerrard as a number 10 behind Torres, which actually worked. A complete fluke.
Yet ask any dippers and they'll hold that season up as evidence of Benitez's managerial ability ignoring every other league season and the fact it was merely by default that he stumbled upon it. It's no surprise he's struggling for work now.
He revealed in an interview, trying to justify why Keane flopped, that his plan was to play Barry on the left of the midfield, who would link up with Robbie Keane playing to the left of Torres.
Basically this would have been their team:
Keane - Torres
Barry - Mascherano - Gerrard - Kuyt
Aurelio - Agger - Carragher - Arbeloa
Reina
Barry - Mascherano - Gerrard - Kuyt
Aurelio - Agger - Carragher - Arbeloa
Reina
Which looks utterly shite to me. The wings are awful. The system looks rigid and defensive. No play dictator in midfield (one destroyer who seems to have found his position at centrehalf, and another player more suited to being a number 10). Robbie fecking Keane up front with Torres, who time and time again has been shown to play best up front alone.
Bear in mind this was the summer before the 08/09 season, their only decent league season under Rafa.
Fair to say if he'd had his way, Liverpool's slide to mediocrity would've been much quicker and he'd have been sacked much sooner.
He basically stumbled onto that 08/09 team, by failing to get rid of Alonso and Keane flopping, forcing him to play Gerrard as a number 10 behind Torres, which actually worked. A complete fluke.
Yet ask any dippers and they'll hold that season up as evidence of Benitez's managerial ability ignoring every other league season and the fact it was merely by default that he stumbled upon it. It's no surprise he's struggling for work now.
Yeah despite the opener being a palpable wind-up, Barry's uselessness as been dissected for all to see.
There are some fecking spackers on the first page of this thread.
I think Barry is more suited to the PL
hahhahahahha omg you think barry is better than messi hahah
I think Barry is more suited to the PL
hahhahahahha omg you think barry is better than messi hahah
Barry is average in every area except for his ability to convince dimwitted managers that he is an above average player.
I've skimmed the thread, so perhaps I've missed it, but I've not seen a mention of Alonso's positional sense and tactical awareness.
It's taken for granted he's great at what he does with the ball, but without it he's just as valuable. Reads the game brilliantly. Almost always in the right place when on the defensive.
It's taken for granted he's great at what he does with the ball, but without it he's just as valuable. Reads the game brilliantly. Almost always in the right place when on the defensive.
ooo another chance to post this excellent Barry video.
Probably because he's played under two fantastic tactical managers in Benitez and Mourinho. People need to realise that coaches almost entirely decide where a player positions himself on the defensive. Especially players who sit off and aren't drawn into aggressive pressing.
C'mon, give it up. You've had yer foam party.
Absolute nonsense in all honesty. Alonso's position(ACTUAL POSITION AND ROLE) is almost guaranteed no matter who he plays under - and to a degree the team is almost built around his strengths. It rarely changes because what he offers at the basic level is a base to protect the defence, whilst the otherside of his game provides the attacking players with a greater platform to express themselves.
It has absolutely nothing to do with tactical philosophy. For what he offers in any game, whether against easy or difficult opposition, Alonso will almost be the first name on any team sheet because he offers so much at both ends of the spectrum.
TBF I do think Barry does a decent job for City. When he's paired with another DM or Toure I think he'll do you a good job and keep things ticking over. There's a reason why Mancini picks him whenever he's fit.
However the problem happens when England have used him as their primary defensive midfielder. He isn't good enough to handle that on his own and I don't think he's that type of player anyway.
Same can be said about Alonso who needed Mascherano at Liverpool and needs a Kheidira or a Modric (now) at Madrid.
However Alonso is in a different class than Barry.
However the problem happens when England have used him as their primary defensive midfielder. He isn't good enough to handle that on his own and I don't think he's that type of player anyway.
Same can be said about Alonso who needed Mascherano at Liverpool and needs a Kheidira or a Modric (now) at Madrid.
However Alonso is in a different class than Barry.
Ignore the thread title, it amazes me how this guy stays for 90 minutes on the pitch without getting red cards regulary. I swear whenever Real Madrid play these big games, Xabi gets away with at least two yellow cards, and since he is booked every time, that's at least one clear red card. It's really frustrating, I'm sure who ever watches Real Madrid regulary would agree.
It's not just Alonso. Ramos and Pepe seem to get away with a lot too.
He's a cnut.I hate these sort of players who are only there to foul and possibly injure others.It's a shame since his technique is good enough to not be that kinda player
I watch Madrid regularly and don't agree. I do not wish to qualify my remark further.
For someone who talked openly about the tackling in the English game he sure doesn't mind hacking someone down as they drift past him with ease.
Are you kidding me? Alonso is not a dirty player at all, the majority of fouls he commits are smart ones to disrupt an (counter)attack. I've never seen him go in to try and injure a player or even with a dirty tackle. I don't agree at all.
I don't agree with you so that's that
He is not the prime example of a dirty player, but he does lounge in in a dirty manner at times. Our Scholes is the same but he does it in a sexier way and it's easier to forgive him cause he's a better footballer.
And plays for us.
And plays for us.
I never said he is a dirty player, but damn he likes to tackle.
He's not dirty but he does get away with a fair few questionable challenges like Scholes does.
I would understand if this was about Pepe though. He'd probably kill some opposition players if he could get away with it. The guy's got some serious issues, but not Alonso, not at all in fact.
I was exaggerating a little but I've seen opposition fan label Scholes as a dirty and even cynical tackler.
Alonso is the type that stamps on your feet while trying to get the ball and tells you to stop faking pain
He isn't that kind of player, he just can't tackle therefore challenges can appear cynical. Doesn't make him a cnut.
He's a Basque fecker though, hard as hell, a lot like you English loons.
Funny that you stuck up for Cabaye the other day when I had a go about his tackling, yet you call Alonso a cnut. Nothing to do with Cabaye's nationality, eh.
Yeah suppose he can do stuff like that but I think sometimes players can get caught up in things without really meaning it. I mean Scholes pretty much tried to punch Alonso once. I think some players are genuinely dirty and look to hurt people and others get caught up in the moment. Alonso probably teeters to the extreme side sometimes but I don't think he's that bad, nothing say compared to Pepe.
I said I was exaggerating regarding Alonso.For what it's worth Cabaye has always been a cnut in his attitude (in the way he speaks to the referee and tries to get other booked) but like Alonso he isn't a dirty player.
So not the same discussion and nothing to do with nationality