Ross Barkley

[Tony Hibbert's 3rd leg]

Reminds me of a lot of other England players dip in form. He's there, as a creative midfielder, to do a job. Like Kane's goal drought at the beginning of last season. Was it something like 7 games? Doesn't matter if he's 'playing well' he's not doing what his role requires, scoring goals. A bit like Lukaku's drought and poor form, but he's gone about it the right way. This is why I admire Guardiola. His players are there to do a job. He brought Bravo in, he had a shaky first game in the Derby. But he defended him and praised his footwork because, that's the job he's been told to do.

I've been critical of the lad mainly because I want the Barkley to become an Everton great. I haven't looked at his stats for the Palace game but I saw somewhere about him having his best stats for chances created? So there was a marked improvement in what his role was. Then the rest, the goals and assists, will hopefully follow. Which we know he is capable of.

 

[Lowste]

You said it yourself. The reason Martinez's team didn't work was because he wanted to push the fullbacks up and that left Barry and McCarthy with too much to do because Barkley and Lukaku don't like to defend. That makes them both a luxury.

This season it looked like Gueye had solved the problem but against half way decent sides it's too much.

However while Rom was one of the top scorers Barkley's offensive stats were only average for someone in his position.

In the end it meant Martinez having to play Cleverly on the "wing" to do his defensive duty meaning we could only play one winger.

And Koeman looks to be repeating the same mistake.

I want Barkley to be boss and go on to be amazing too but I want Everton to do well more and unless he improves defensively I just can't see both happening.

The only other option is to play Gueye and McCarthy but that means losing Barry.

If we just stop the fullbacks pushing on then it makes us impotent going forward.

We need more energy in the centre of midfield

So either Barlkey or Barry makes way.....simple for me

 

[Steve Wigan]

I don't know why Barkley gets the brunt of the stick if we don't win. In the last three games we've failed to do so because a GK that would be warming the bench at any other PL looking to get into Europe has been woeful; players like Mirallas and Barry have been anonymous; and massive money signings more often than not disappear up their own arse with the ball.

Barkley is 23 and an established England player. We're having these conversations because the manager has chosen to make him in particular the focus of his criticism...why I don't know...although I suspect it's because he knows RB is a quiet lad and Koeman doesn't have the mettle to take on one of the senior pros to make an example out of.

Dave,I have a lot of time for many of your comments which might seem 'controversial' for many posters, but think you're off target re Ross. There are no, none at all, genuine Evertonians who do not want Ross to succeed at Everton, but its looking more and more unlikely that he will make progress....unless Koeman does not lose patience as quickly as we know he can. Ross is no longer an 'established international'...while he was an 'established international squad member' he is no longer this.He has a fight to regain any international status,and in the same way he has to fight for his position as an established Everton first teamer. Football is a cruel game....there are many brilliant technical players who spend their careers plying a trade in the lower leagues,or with also ran Prem and ELC clubs and most of them have been through a time, however briefly, when they were described as 'the next big thing'. Bad luck, injury, personality problems, bad management, management that is 'too good',lack of self belief,physical weakness, mental weakness, major loss of form, all these and much more effect a p[layer striving for the top.
But....the 'skill' that any player wanting to succeed needs is an ability to play to his personal physical and mental strengths(use his 'football brain' in other words) and do it quickly enough to pressurise the opposition.

All the basic ability in the world is no use if you don't have the desire and work ethic to succeed.No one, but no one, gets an easy ride to the top.

 

[MikeH72]

I don't know why Barkley gets the brunt of the stick if we don't win. In the last three games we've failed to do so because a GK that would be warming the bench at any other PL looking to get into Europe has been woeful; players like Mirallas and Barry have been anonymous; and massive money signings more often than not disappear up their own arse with the ball.

Barkley is 23 and an established England player. We're having these conversations because the manager has chosen to make him in particular the focus of his criticism...why I don't know...although I suspect it's because he knows RB is a quiet lad and Koeman doesn't have the mettle to take on one of the senior pros to make an example out of.

Can't even remember the last time he played for England but ok fam.

 

[MartyMcFly]

We need more energy in the centre of midfield

So either Barlkey or Barry makes way.....simple for me

That's a much simpler and better way of putting it.

I really fear for our midfield against a Guardiola City. They are going to just pass right through us. It could be a cricket score. Either that or we will park the bus.

 

[davek]

In all fairness I've been making noises about Ross being under-par for a long long time. So koemans words didnt really affect mt opinion. However it's all down to the expectation level Ross himself gave us.

Ross is meant to be our main man behind lukaku, but he isn't showing what he can do imo. Not only that, it feels like a very very long time since he even showed us a glimpse of what he's capable of.

I don't think the way Koeman sets up our attack suits him. Theres not much movement ahead of him now when he receives the ball and the numbers we commit to attack reduces how effective he can be carrying it. His game then becomes more ponderous and less dynamic.

 

[BlueToff]

We need more energy in the centre of midfield

So either Barlkey or Barry makes way.....simple for me

Barry is absolutely key

 

[BlueToff]

I don't think the way Koeman sets up our attack suits him. Theres not much movement ahead of him now when he receives the ball and the number we commit to attack reduces how effective he can be carrying it. His game then becomes more ponderous and less dynamic.

There wasn't much movement last year after February...

It's up to Barkley mate.

He played well the other day I felt - up until his mistake that led to their goal (ultimately).

One chances summed up Barkley atm.

He burst through the ranks of Palace brilliantly, and had the entire half to run into. He had Lukaku to his left and Bolasie to his right - both of whom had made good runs.

He slowed down, and then decided to shoot from range.

An in form Barkley makes the right call in that moment. IMO, he shouldn't be looking any further than watching what De Bruyne does.

 

[Walken]

Some pyar quilts on this site

 

[MartyMcFly]

I don't think the way Koeman sets up our attack suits him. Theres not much movement ahead of him now when he receives the ball and the numbers we commit to attack reduces how effective he can be carrying it. His game then becomes more ponderous and less dynamic.

And that's because he has to setup that way otherwise we get torn apart defensively because o our lack of energy in midfield.

With Barkley and Barry it's an unsolvable problem. We are either free scoring and weak defensively or vice versa.

 

[davek]

You said it yourself. The reason Martinez's team didn't work was because he wanted to push the fullbacks up and that left Barry and McCarthy with too much to do because Barkley and Lukaku don't like to defend. That makes them both a luxury.

This season it looked like Gueye had solved the problem but against half way decent sides it's too much.

However while Rom was one of the top scorers Barkley's offensive stats were only average for someone in his position.

In the end it meant Martinez having to play Cleverly on the "wing" to do his defensive duty meaning we could only play one winger.

And Koeman looks to be repeating the same mistake.

I want Barkley to be boss and go on to be amazing too but I want Everton to do well more and unless he improves defensively I just can't see both happening.

The only other option is to play Gueye and McCarthy but that means losing Barry.

If we just stop the fullbacks pushing on then it makes us impotent going forward.

Martinez had Barkley focussing on attacking because that's the only game he has. If you or Koeman want to continue to hammer a round peg into a square hole then be my guest...it'll never fit in.

Isn't the reason Koeman was feted as "the answer" down to him being "pragmatic"? Well a pragmatist looks at the players he has and he adapts to what they bring to the party.

My message is clear: Barkley is utter class and would secure a starting place in most top teams. If Koeman can't use his qualities then sell him. Simple as that. But let's not go all round the houses suggesting that Ross Barkley is not a class player or that he has to start throwing in crunching tackles and running backwards and forwards for 90 minutes to prove himself. He's a specialist - if Everton can't use his specialism then I can assure you that he'll fetch big money and go and win lots of trophies elsewhere. Me? I'd rather we keep our best players and build around them...which probably makes me old fashioned or something

 

[MartyMcFly]

Martinez had Barkley focussing on attacking because that's the only game he has. If you or Koeman want to continue to hammer a round peg into a square hole then be my guest...it'll never fit in.

Isn't the reason Koeman was feted as "the answer" down to him being "pragmatic"? Well a pragmatist looks at the players he has and he adapts to what they bring to the party.

My message is clear: Barkley is utter class and would secure a starting place in most top teams. If Koeman can't use his qualities then sell him. Simple as that. But let's not go all round the houses suggesting that Ross Barkley is not a class player or that he has to start throwing in crunching tackles and running backwRds and forwards for 90 minutes to prove himself. He's a specialist - if Everton can't use his specifics, then I can assure you that he'll fetch big money and go and win lots of trophies elsewhere. Me? I'd rather we keep our best l,ayers and build around them...which probably makes me old fashioned or something

So you would drop Barry and allow Barkley to be a poor man's Toure?

I hope Koeman can teach him how to defend.

 

[davek]

Simply some of our Playstation fans want foreign signings who sign for big money.
A Wavertree lad who has worked himself into the first team for some reason doesn't come with the same kudos for some fans, so with that they use him as the proverbial sacrificial lamb
I reckon some of our players will be over the moon, as he mustvtakecsome of the pressure of them.

That's probably right on the money. Unfortunately. Some would be made up if we got mugged for £35m for him and spend it on absolute tosh because the name has a suffix of "...inho" on it.

 

[Toffeelover]

Martinez had Barkley focussing on attacking because that's the only game he has. If you or Koeman want to continue to hammer a round peg into a square hole then be my guest...it'll never fit in.

Isn't the reason Koeman was feted as "the answer" down to him being "pragmatic"? Well a pragmatist looks at the players he has and he adapts to what they bring to the party.

My message is clear: Barkley is utter class and would secure a starting place in most top teams. If Koeman can't use his qualities then sell him. Simple as that. But let's not go all round the houses suggesting that Ross Barkley is not a class player or that he has to start throwing in crunching tackles and running backwards and forwards for 90 minutes to prove himself. He's a specialist - if Everton can't use his specialism then I can assure you that he'll fetch big money and go and win lots of trophies elsewhere. Me? I'd rather we keep our best players and build around them...which probably makes me old fashioned or something

Wish he would show it more consistently. And Dave what is his specialism?

 

[Steve Wigan]

Wish he would show it more consistently. And Dave what is his specialism?

You beat me to it. I was about to ask Dave the same question. In fact ask that question to six EVertonians and you could easily get six different answers.