Mr. Reliable
WEST Bromwich Albion coach Graeme Jones has hailed midfielder Gareth Barry “the most consistent professional” he has ever worked with.
Jones coached the likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Vincent Kompany and Jan Vertonghen for two years with the Belgium national team.
Yet Jones put Barry at the top of the pile for reliably high performance levels.
“He’s the most consistent professional I’ve ever worked with, day to day,” Jones said.
“If you’re doing a passing drill, he’ll push himself to get the maximum out of it. A box or small-sided game, whatever it is.
“Emotional control is what’s impressive about Gareth. He never gets too high or too low.
“A lot of people make those kind of statements, but Gareth actually puts that into practice.
“Gareth is capable of doing anything.
“He’s had a fantastic career. He’s 37 and he still pushes himself.”
Barry made his first start in two months in the 2-2 draw with former club Aston Villa.
The ex-England international showed no signs of rustiness as one of Albion’s standout players and put himself in the frame for another start at Sheffield United on Friday.
A calf injury had restricted Barry in recent weeks.
The Premier League’s all-time leading appearance maker went to great lengths to get back to full fitness.
He even turned out for West Brom Under-23s in a midweek Checkatrade Trophy match at Macclesfield Town.
“It wasn’t far from his house so I think that fixture appealed to him!” Jones joked.
“He’d missed a bit from the last international break (in November) and knew the only way to get it back was by playing minutes.
“At 37 he puts himself forward for that.
“He’s still got that physicality and he still wants to play the game. It’s a lesson for everybody.”
Jones and his long-term associate Roberto Martinez first worked with Barry at Everton.
The going at Goodison Park was especially tough in the 2015/16 season when Everton could only finish mid-table, leading to the dismissal of Martinez.
Even when the atmosphere became toxic inside the stadium, Jones said Barry could be relied upon to front up and rise above it.
“We had players at Everton that could handle that atmosphere,” Jones added.
I“Players like Gareth Barry who am working with at West Brom.
“He came from Man City and had no real mental step to take.
“He just performed for three years exactly the same. Consistent.
“He’s not an emotional guy so could churn out that level of performance week in, week out no matter what the environment was.”
Striker Dwight Gayle also staked a claim to start at Bramall Lane after impressing on his return to the starting line-up against Villa.
The Newcastle loanee took his tally to ten goals in 18 Championship games with a precise volley.
Jones admits results “suffered a little bit” when Barry and Gayle were out injured.
“He’s got great he’s infectious added.
“He’s a cheeky chappy full of energy. We’re delighted to have him back.” movement and Dwight,” Jones