Anyone who watched Alonso’s match-transforming midfield performance on Saturday will not understand what Rafa’s fixation on Barry is, and at Alonso’s expense to boot. The quality of Alonso’s passing- finding wing-men(!? Kuyt and Benayoun are no wingers..) at will in good positions to keep the attacks flowing, the vision to try to chip the keeper from before the halfway line tho he missed this time – don’t opposition keepers ever learn they need to be alert whenever Alonso has the ball no matter where he is on the field, his distribution and making himself available all contributed to Sunderland’s defense being stretched and ultimately tiring for Torres to take advantage – not that it was much of an advantage, more like a slight minute lapse – and bang he gets the goal. For Alonso, it was an imperious midfield performance on how to make the whole team stronger attacking-wise and pressuring the opponents into submission. That is Alonso’s gift - as opposed to Gerrard who while also unreplaceable, changes the shape of the game by contributing his own individual sheer skill and determination rather than through overall team play.
The question is: Why is Rafa willingly inviting questions on his judgment by his continuous pursuit of Barry at Alonso’s expense. Can Barry contribute more? When Alonso goes, who’s going to transform matches like this guy? If indeed Barry can transform the team play better than what Alonso does – and there are serious doubts there – we should be happy and support Rafa all the way. The risk is if Barry doesn’t, then Rafa’s single-mindedness in getting him will be the noose that ties Rafa’s neck.
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