Gareth Barry - how important is he?

[peterstorey]

Spurs have looked more like 4231 this season though Bale and Lennon are pretty wide and at home VdV pushes on a bit more to make it more of a 4411. I expect midfielders to be able to do a bit of everything run, pass, tackle & shoot not just the run & tackle bits.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

The standard of defensive CMs in the PL is very low at the moment, the likes of Vieira and Keane simply or even a Makelele or Xabi Alonso simply aren't there, hence nothing players like Barry and Parker get ridiculously hyped for doing the job barely adequately.

I blame Makelele.