Source: Team_Talk
Barry hails City slickers
Gareth Barry believes the hardcore of England internationals in the Manchester City squad can help propel the club to trophy glory.[LNB] Barry took immense pride from six City players being on the pitch at the end of England's impressive 3-1 win over Switzerland in a Euro 2012 qualifier.[LNB]Joe Hart, Joleon Lescott, James Milner and Barry started the game before they were joined by Adam Johnson and Shaun Wright-Phillips, who came on as substitutes.[LNB]It brought back memories of when the then England coach Ron Greenwood fielded seven members of the dominant Liverpool team - also against Switzerland - for a match in 1977.[LNB]Barry said: "It was brilliant for the club to have so many players on the pitch - and shows the quality we have got at City.[LNB]"It is great to have a core of English players.[LNB]"You have seen the top teams over the years, the Chelseas, the Manchester Uniteds, have had that spine of English players and been successful.[LNB]"We've got to work hard and hopefully we can achieve something like that."[LNB]Johnson pressed his claims to be part of the starting X1 with a second goal in two internationals after coming off the the substitutes' bench.[LNB]Barry believes Johnson, who moved to City from Middlesbrough during the January transfer window, can climb to great heights in the game.[LNB]The midfielder said: "Adam joined us in the winter with little experience at this level and he just keeps growing in stature.[LNB]"For the future, he can get better and better. His confidence keeps growing.[LNB]"The more he plays, the better he will get. Hopefully he will get more (game) time and the goals will keep coming."[LNB]Barry was not surprised Wayne Rooney was able to put off-field allegations behind him and score his first England goal for 12 months in another mature display.[LNB]He said: "It was written there for Wayne to score a goal. He has been waiting for a while and his overall performance was good as well.[LNB]"To get a goal, that will cheer him up.[LNB]"Wayne would have been eager to get out there and concentrate on football.[LNB]"Sometimes it is the best thing to do, to get your mind away from things off the pitch. He has produced again.[LNB]"When you are playing at the top level, you need that strong mentality and he showed it once again in Switzerland."[LNB]Barry also feels the new format of playing on Friday and Tuesdays will benefit players in giving them more time to recover for returning to domestic action.[LNB]He said: "The players will benefit in having an extra day before the weekend.[LNB]"The lads spoke about that when we met up and overall we prefer the Friday-Tuesday games.[LNB]"It gives you the extra rest. It was a good decision by whoever made it (UEFA)."[LNB]Darren Bent was the other marksman as England collected six points from their opening two games after the World Cup disappointments.[LNB]Barry said: "It is the perfect start to the group and, after the disappointments of the summer, the good thing about football is you can always look ahead and try and bounce back."
