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Barry Ferguson Commits Future To Blues
Topic Started: May 25 2011, 11:33 AM (1,173 Views)
norblue
Martin Grainger
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Whilst I agree with most of you that Barry Ferguson is and has been a tremendous player for us, I just worry that next year the demands of the championship will take its toll on him.
Not just the amount of games but I dont think he will enjoy the lack of time and space he had on the ball in the prem. Its a tough physical league and he ain`t getting no younger.
Don`t forget guys how Barry tired in the second half of this season.

Step forward Jordan Mutch ?
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Bluenose Drew
Bob Hatton
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curlyminogue
May 25 2011, 01:28 PM
DNK
May 25 2011, 12:53 PM
The way Ferguson plays for us is not his natural game, infact quite the opposite.

McLeish made several comments about this in his first season with us, he said that Ferguson would rather be romping forward and scoring goals, like he did week in week out at Rangers, this is also how he played at Blackburn, but with less success.

I remember Eck commenting on how they had to adjust and educate him as to how they wanted him to play...the role he plays now... and  I remember Ferguson himself commenting that he wasn't used to playing like that, and he didn't like playing that way, but that he was prepared to do whatever job has been earmarked for him.

Interesting point: IF it is Mcleish's advice that Ferguson should sit in front of the back four playing amiable square passes that do nothing whatsover to damage the opposition then AM deserves the sack for this issue alone; like most posters on here I remember Ferguson's goal against Everton vividly because it was a beauty and
if that was the sort of football he was dishing up regularly at Blackburn and Rangers then I could understand what the fuss is about.

As BB has pointed out it is almost certainly at AM's bidding that BF plays so deep in a position where he can not possibly influence a game- sure he may give the back four a bit of protection but if he capable of delivering more decisive damage further upfield then he should be given his head and NOT be intruscted to look after CB's who are in any case capable of looking after themselves. Or is this yet another example of AM's tactical 'genius'?

As most of you will know I've been highly critical of BF but if its the case that once again our boneheaded manager has negated a player's efficiency by playing him out of position then I look forwrd to eating my words if and when Ferguson is allowed to play what many believe is his normal game.


For me theres two types of defensive midfielders


The Anchor man:

Keeps possesion of the ball

Rarely loses the ball for the team

Sits in front of the back four protecting

Reads the game well

Usually experienced

More effective on the ball than without it

The Ball winner:

Runs around like a headless chicken tackling

Wins the ball for the team

Provides pressure

More effective off the ball than on it


Barry Ferguson is an anchor man, and a great one. Yes he used to be more of an attacking midfielder but with age midfielders usually drop deeper because they can not get forward and back all the time so they prolong thier career by dropping deeper and staying deep

:blues:







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blue both nostrils
Geoff Horsfield
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Jolly Jack
May 25 2011, 12:47 PM
He's a busted flush. Underwhelmed this season IMO. if we can get something I would cash in.

Not a busted flush,but a busted rib
since the CC final,he has soldier on
despite his pain
he will come back next season injury free i hope.
just to prove to you doubters,how good he is for blues :kro:
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The Concerned Potato Head
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Big Bawss
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*sigh*

unless McLeish uses him properly and not some ineffective defensive midfield destroyer/crab who only moves sideways, then this isn't good news
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bluenosewelsh
Geoff Horsfield
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Jolly Jack
May 25 2011, 12:47 PM
He's a busted flush. Underwhelmed this season IMO. if we can get something I would cash in.

Nobody seems to consider that after the Cup final he continued to play with broken ribs.... an incredibly painful injury. Hardy surprising his form suffered.
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garyinash04
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Steve Claridge
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curlyminogue
May 25 2011, 12:25 PM
garyinash04
May 25 2011, 12:20 PM
curlyminogue
May 25 2011, 12:06 PM
He's not a Premiership player but he might be able to cope in the Championship as back up for the more talented Fahey.

Really? :o

Actually, now that I think it through maybe he wouldn't be adequate cover for Fahey.

Amazing how views differ between supporters watching the same players! Whilst Ferguson certainly went off the boil late in the season (was he fully recovered from his broken ribs?), for me he is one of the few players in the team with genuine class, with the ability to handle the ball properly and keep possession under pressure. He is not a spectacular player, but he is a vital cog that helps keep the team ticking. When he underperforms, the team underperforms. Enough said?

For me, Fahey is a steady but generally unimposing player. He has some talent for sure - I have seen him hit some great cross-field passes and score the occasional cracking goal (something Ferguson has not done, I grant you) but in the majority of games he has very little influence on the match. He does not seem to have the ability to stay in the game the way Ferguson does and certainly cannot dictate the pace of a game like Ferguson can.

Maybe Fahey will step up next season and show that he can really get hold of a game. If he does, I will be delighted to see it.
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curlyminogue
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garyinash04
May 25 2011, 03:42 PM
curlyminogue
May 25 2011, 12:25 PM
garyinash04
May 25 2011, 12:20 PM
curlyminogue
May 25 2011, 12:06 PM
He's not a Premiership player but he might be able to cope in the Championship as back up for the more talented Fahey.

Really? :o

Actually, now that I think it through maybe he wouldn't be adequate cover for Fahey.

Amazing how views differ between supporters watching the same players! Whilst Ferguson certainly went off the boil late in the season (was he fully recovered from his broken ribs?), for me he is one of the few players in the team with genuine class, with the ability to handle the ball properly and keep possession under pressure. He is not a spectacular player, but he is a vital cog that helps keep the team ticking. When he underperforms, the team underperforms. Enough said?

For me, Fahey is a steady but generally unimposing player. He has some talent for sure - I have seen him hit some great cross-field passes and score the occasional cracking goal (something Ferguson has not done, I grant you) but in the majority of games he has very little influence on the match. He does not seem to have the ability to stay in the game the way Ferguson does and certainly cannot dictate the pace of a game like Ferguson can.

Maybe Fahey will step up next season and show that he can really get hold of a game. If he does, I will be delighted to see it.

Good points, Gary, especially the one about Fahey not being able to impose himself. I also agree with you that Ferguson does indeed set the pace of many games but IN MY OPINION that pace is too slow. I would be more than happy to see Ferguson revert to the role he had with Rangers if -as many say- he had more influence but his present position seems to do no favours to either the player or the team.
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Bournville Blue
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Geoff Horsfield
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garyinash04
May 25 2011, 03:42 PM
curlyminogue
May 25 2011, 12:25 PM
garyinash04
May 25 2011, 12:20 PM
curlyminogue
May 25 2011, 12:06 PM
He's not a Premiership player but he might be able to cope in the Championship as back up for the more talented Fahey.

Really? :o

Actually, now that I think it through maybe he wouldn't be adequate cover for Fahey.

Amazing how views differ between supporters watching the same players! Whilst Ferguson certainly went off the boil late in the season (was he fully recovered from his broken ribs?), for me he is one of the few players in the team with genuine class, with the ability to handle the ball properly and keep possession under pressure. He is not a spectacular player, but he is a vital cog that helps keep the team ticking. When he underperforms, the team underperforms. Enough said?

For me, Fahey is a steady but generally unimposing player. He has some talent for sure - I have seen him hit some great cross-field passes and score the occasional cracking goal (something Ferguson has not done, I grant you) but in the majority of games he has very little influence on the match. He does not seem to have the ability to stay in the game the way Ferguson does and certainly cannot dictate the pace of a game like Ferguson can.

Maybe Fahey will step up next season and show that he can really get hold of a game. If he does, I will be delighted to see it.

Agree Gary... I have often got to the end of the matches that feature Fahey and can't recall him being involved!! Obviously he has... but rather anonymously! Perhaps he’s one of those players that you notice more by his absence!! Dunno... the jury's still out for me... but perhaps he'll shine a little brighter in the Championship! :unsure:
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The_future_is_blue
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Frank Worthington
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"I am a Birmingham player until anyone comes and tells me anything different."



I hate that quote.
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Bluediver
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Alex Govan
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Mixed emotions. Ferguson was the man who got us playing the ball on the deck. But then he became the man who everything had to go through. At times last season I felt he was stifling creativity, and particularly the creativity of players like Beausejour, yet he never stifled Gardner.

I think our football has generally improved with him in the side - we're no longer a hoofball team, which is how we were viewed a few seasons ago - yet our creativity has diminished.

In the Championship I'd be inclined to have him in the side, providing McFadden was also there too.
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Bournville Blue
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Geoff Horsfield
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The_future_is_blue
May 25 2011, 04:09 PM
"I am a Birmingham player until anyone comes and tells me anything different."



I hate that quote.

"I am a Birmingham player until anyone comes and tells me anything different." is rhetorical 'playerspeak', cleverly crafted by agents, and really means... "Unfortunately I'm contracted to the club... but if you're interested in me let's talk!"

If a player is truly committed you might hear something more along the lines of "I am committed to the club... I want to stay... I'm happy and want to help the club get back where it belongs!"
**thumbup
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shultzy
Jose Dominguez
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stevio11
May 25 2011, 11:47 AM
Can we really afford the wages of these players now


The big wage earners on the books are Mcfadden (50k), Zigic(50k) and Jerome(30k), and hopefiully they will be jetisoned off the pay roll
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garyinash04
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Steve Claridge
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Bournville Blue
May 25 2011, 04:06 PM
garyinash04
May 25 2011, 03:42 PM
curlyminogue
May 25 2011, 12:25 PM
garyinash04
May 25 2011, 12:20 PM
curlyminogue
May 25 2011, 12:06 PM
He's not a Premiership player but he might be able to cope in the Championship as back up for the more talented Fahey.

Really? :o

Actually, now that I think it through maybe he wouldn't be adequate cover for Fahey.

Amazing how views differ between supporters watching the same players! Whilst Ferguson certainly went off the boil late in the season (was he fully recovered from his broken ribs?), for me he is one of the few players in the team with genuine class, with the ability to handle the ball properly and keep possession under pressure. He is not a spectacular player, but he is a vital cog that helps keep the team ticking. When he underperforms, the team underperforms. Enough said?

For me, Fahey is a steady but generally unimposing player. He has some talent for sure - I have seen him hit some great cross-field passes and score the occasional cracking goal (something Ferguson has not done, I grant you) but in the majority of games he has very little influence on the match. He does not seem to have the ability to stay in the game the way Ferguson does and certainly cannot dictate the pace of a game like Ferguson can.

Maybe Fahey will step up next season and show that he can really get hold of a game. If he does, I will be delighted to see it.

Agree Gary... I have often got to the end of the matches that feature Fahey and can't recall him being involved!! Obviously he has... but rather anonymously! Perhaps he’s one of those players that you notice more by his absence!! Dunno... the jury's still out for me... but perhaps he'll shine a little brighter in the Championship! :unsure:

I agree that at times the pace can be too slow, but I feel that has more to do with the lack of outlets in front of him. Especially the lack of pace out wide. For me though, the value of having a midfield player who is comfortable on the ball and looks for the ball in tight situations cannot be underestimated. I think we would be a poorer team without him
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MikaelForssell
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Jeff Hall
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shultzy
May 25 2011, 04:40 PM
stevio11
May 25 2011, 11:47 AM
Can we really afford the wages of these players now


The big wage earners on the books are Mcfadden (50k), Zigic(50k) and Jerome(30k), and hopefiully they will be jetisoned off the pay roll

McFadden is only on £25k-£30k, no where near the £50k you say.

Our highest earners (now Hleb's gone) are Zigic, Foster, Phillips, Bowyer and Ferguson...


As for the news on Ferguson, its good news... this is a guy who's calmness on the ball will be a big, big tool for us next season... he should be used like Carsley was for us that season in the Championship... use his experience to galvanise us, however, over the season, gradually phase him out for Mutch, and then Fergie can leave at the end of the season when his contract expires..
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jonnyconcrete
Steve Claridge
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Jakeee
May 25 2011, 11:44 AM
I just hopes if he stays he doesn't play entirely defensive like he has the campaign just gone, I would like him to advance up the pitch like he did in the Everton game last year and score my favourite goal we have scored for the last 2 seasons.

I remember that game, fa cup tie, best they've played in 3 years...

Jerome didn't start!
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DEdblue
Paul Tait
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bluenoseghag
May 25 2011, 11:56 AM
Whenever he has attacked we have played well, i dont see why he feels the need to sit on the half way line and for every other pass to go to him. Part of me thinks he needs to go and we need a more youthful midfield of Fahey, Gardner and Mutch. NO point keeping him for the prem as hell be 34/35.

Good squad player, but like lee bowyer i think his its the time for a fresh start

Fehey............. :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:
Come on lets do a little better than that FFS we want to go up. :angry:
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Kyle-KRO
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Ian Handysides
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DEdblue
May 25 2011, 07:58 PM
bluenoseghag
May 25 2011, 11:56 AM
Whenever he has attacked we have played well, i dont see why he feels the need to sit on the half way line and for every other pass to go to him. Part of me thinks he needs to go and we need a more youthful midfield of Fahey, Gardner and Mutch. NO point keeping him for the prem as hell be 34/35.

Good squad player, but like lee bowyer i think his its the time for a fresh start

Fehey............. :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:
Come on lets do a little better than that FFS we want to go up. :angry:

Good of you to mention...
He did do a job in helping Blues go up the last time we were in the Championship didn't he? **thumbup
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bluenoseghag
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Geoff Horsfield
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DEdblue
May 25 2011, 08:58 PM
bluenoseghag
May 25 2011, 11:56 AM
Whenever he has attacked we have played well, i dont see why he feels the need to sit on the half way line and for every other pass to go to him. Part of me thinks he needs to go and we need a more youthful midfield of Fahey, Gardner and Mutch. NO point keeping him for the prem as hell be 34/35.

Good squad player, but like lee bowyer i think his its the time for a fresh start

Fehey............. :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:
Come on lets do a little better than that FFS we want to go up. :angry:

He scored goals that sent us up. He is a good championship player, and a mediocre prem player.

Him/ Mutch alongside gardner will have more energy than Ferguson Bowyer we saw against Fulham. Fergie's a good servant but past it imo.

Strongly agree with whoever said we should treat him the same way we treated lee carsley!
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The Yeung Pretenders
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Geoff Horsfield
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Neil Moxley on Twitter said that Ferguson only committed to the Blues after a move to Dubai fell through. Do not think it is believable, can not see how a move would fall through in only a couple of days.
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bcfcno1fan
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Alex Govan
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He is just bound to go to QPR or someone for a season.
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