Ross Barkley

Thomasc · September 27, 2016

ggooggooggoo said:

Rather splendid company to be in! Now if he could just stop wasting possession so carelessly he could go on to have a fantastic career like those others listed.

The Blue Watch · September 27, 2016

Thomasc said:
Rather splendid company to be in! Now if he could just stop wasting possession so carelessly he could go on to have a fantastic career like those others listed.

Yes while looking at those stats is reassuring, there is more to a player's game than goals and assists.

ggooggooggoo · September 27, 2016

If he didn't have half of you lot on his back week in week out he'd be flying already.

Thomasc · September 27, 2016

ggooggooggoo said:
If he didn't have half of you lot on his back week in week out he'd be flying already.

You honestly believe that his wasting of possession and sloppy play is the fault of the minority who get on his back? hmmmm interesting point of view.

And who's "you lot?"

Pabbers · September 27, 2016

ggooggooggoo said:

I would like to see one with ALL games and International caps.

He would be way out ahead.

Toffeelover · September 27, 2016

The stats are comparable but there is room here for him to show more on the pitch, to live upto the hype.

BlueToff · September 27, 2016

Thomasc said:
You honestly believe that his wasting of possession and sloppy play is the fault of the minority who get on his back? hmmmm interesting point of view.

And who's "you lot?"

He's been poor in the last few games and only he can get himself out of it.

However, calls to 'get rid' are ridiculous.

The lad is 22 and will improve. He needs to step up again - he had a good start to the season but has been poor in the last few games (bar Boro).

Thomasc · September 27, 2016

BlueToff said:
He's been poor in the last few games and only he can get himself out of it.

However, calls to 'get rid' are ridiculous.

The lad is 22 and will improve. He needs to step up again - he had a good start to the season but has been poor in the last few games (bar Boro).

I agree! His stats are good as shown he obviously has the ability.

I still think his sloppiness is all down to the bad management he has had over the last 18 months in particular. Let's hope he can become the legend we all thought he could be for the club.

Pabbers · September 27, 2016

No other 22 year old has ever shown inconsistency.

ggooggooggoo · September 27, 2016

Thomasc said:
You honestly believe that his wasting of possession and sloppy play is the fault of the minority who get on his back? hmmmm interesting point of view.

And who's "you lot?"

"arghhh ffs arrghh"...... these people who make the lad frightened to death to try anything in case he loses it.........them lot.

BlueToff · September 27, 2016

Pabbers said:
No other 22 year old has ever shown inconsistency.

I think Pabbers - while I am a huge Barkley fan - the main criticism is he is still making the same mistakes as he was three years ago.

Now, under a new manager, he needs to show he can iron out those mistakes on a consistent basis.

The calls for him to be sold etc are ludicrous.

BigDuncis Blue · September 27, 2016

On a bit of a serious note on this I think no matter what opinion we have on Ross, we have to be careful of continually having a go. He is a young lad, who is clearly vulnerable at the moment. As with any job, some can deal with the pressure better than others, its all relative. At the end of the day, he is one of us and I just think we need to give him loads of positivity and see if we can help him be the best he can be for EFC.

The Cowboy · September 27, 2016

loooweee said:
Got to admit there is a lot of expectations on the guy.

The only expectations are that he'll fulfill his duties as a professional footballer. He might be under the spotlight a bit, but I wouldn't say he's getting any more sick than anyone else would get / is getting in the current squad (unless you feel otherwise).

larbert toffee · September 27, 2016

TheCount said:
Maybe there is too much expectation on him. That's what I personally think, for what it's worth.

I also don't think he should be played so far forward. We don't have anyone better in that position unfortunately, so he's had to play there.

I agree he has been mostly average for a 20-22 year old premiership midfielder. Statistically his output has been above average, but we all see the misplaced passes and indecision etc.

We also see the moments of brilliance as you mentioned. You mentioned the City goal from 25 yards, but what about the goal vs City last year. Or the strike against Norwich. The cut back and finish against Southampton. This is probably why he gets over-hyped and then slagged off. People want him to do this stuff every game. Only elite players in their prime of capable of that.

Spot on Count, we all place enormous expectations on Ross because of his moments of brilliance and I think you covered it perfectly with you last sentence,he is now at the stage of sink or swim as to whether he is going to make that step up towards being elite and the manager therefore has what amounts too a big decision to make,does he stick with and support Ross in the hope that he finds consistency or does he drop him and risk further harming a player who appears to be mentally fragile to criticism.

Don't get me wrong I love Ross to bits and have done since he first appeared on the scene, I love his cavalier approach and genuinely think when he is on top of his game he is the closest thing in English football to Gazza in his prime,I sometimes wonder though whether being a blue has in his case hindered him on the pitch, I badly want him to succeed but I do fear he may ultimately end up an also ran.....I do so hope I'm proved to be wrong.