Ross Barkley

[Mickey]

Lukaku wasn't isolated, he had loads of his own lads around him early on, he just failed to control the ball and pass it to them every time

Fair play prev you're doing your best to unveil the myth of Romelu Lukaku. But we're just not laying on enough sitters for him apparently.

 

[MACCA75]

I'm glad that sense has prevailed about this lad. There was a ridiculous amount of hype, exaggeration and plain stupidity about how good he was. It's not helped him one bit.

Martinez was as big a culprit as anyone.

We'll replace with better.

 

[bicycleheader]

He will be fine once we are okay. May not be the top class player people thought he would be, but has plenty to contribute to a stable club with a decent squad.

Its not all black and white

 

[Prevenger17]

Fair play prev you're doing your best to unveil the myth of Romelu Lukaku. But we're just not laying on enough sitters for him apparently.

I've been at this for a year and a half now with a couple of others, but more people are starting to see it now. I loved him when he first came, thought he was incomplete and that the first touch would come eventually. It became apparent that it wasn't coming and, in rather futile fashion, I started railing against him during his highest scoring season for us. His myth only seemed to grow.

The goalscoring stats can't cover up the truth I see with my eyes. He's a very limited footballer who's touch is not only bad, but a liability. He has zero consistency and relies solely on other teams having an off day to score. He puts a huge amount of pressure on our own midfield and has the amazing ability to start opposition counter-attacks with his shins. He is killing any creativity our midfield could potentially have and has eliminated our talented full-backs as the forces they used to be in games. He's dire.

 

[GwladysPhil]

He was the weak link yesterday.

He put the effort in but lacks the ability to be a decent attacking midfielder.

 

[StateSideToffee]

Many on the board have given Ross stick over having low football IQ. Has anyone considered that much of Ross' struggles stem from the style clash between himself and Rom? It appears both would like to play completely different games.

How often have we seen Everton break out on the counter, only for a link up pass between one or the other to find the feet of an opponent with the other's hands up to the heavens in disgust, because he made a different run that wasn't spotted?

Personally, I'd like to see how Ross would fare with a striker that has the command over the ball to maintain possession in the final third, and the eye to pick a pass and enable more of our midfield to get forward. It would be interesting to see a center forward that was more interested in creating team goals than demanding the perfect pass to knock in a sitter.

 

[ToffeeTim]

Think he's not gonna make it at this level due to being fragile and gripped by fear

 

[MikeH72]

He will be fine once we are okay. May not be the top class player people thought he would be, but has plenty to contribute to a stable club with a decent squad.

Its not all black and white

Better than Scholes, Gerrard and Lampard. Stats say so mert.

 

[Eggsyblueskin]

I've been at this for a year and a half now with a couple of others, but more people are starting to see it now. I loved him when he first came, thought he was incomplete and that the first touch would come eventually. It became apparent that it wasn't coming and, in rather futile fashion, I started railing against him during his highest scoring season for us. His myth only seemed to grow.

The goalscoring stats can't cover up the truth I see with my eyes. He's a very limited footballer who's touch is not only bad, but a liability. He has zero consistency and relies solely on other teams having an off day to score. He puts a huge amount of pressure on our own midfield and has the amazing ability to start opposition counter-attacks with his shins. He is killing any creativity our midfield could potentially have and has eliminated our talented full-backs as the forces they used to be in games. He's dire.

You almost had me onboard until you mentioned our midfield and creativity in the same sentence!!!!

 

[Osamabindiesel]

Think he's not gonna make it at this level due to being fragile and gripped by fear

He seems like a player that has anxiety problems which would explain his inconsistency. That is something that is very difficult to overcome... we may never see how good he can be because he isn't mentally prepared. He certainly has the talent- just seems a panicky player

 

[MartSlinger]

He was the weak link yesterday.

He put the effort in but lacks the ability to be a decent attacking midfielder.

The weak link was Gareth Barry mate, not Ross.

 

[ToffeeTim]

Ross can't play 10. Absolutely not a 10. And playing there exacerbates his unfortunate mental fragility. Best to cash in.

 

[evilwebby]

I don't even think he's a good as Tony Grant.

 

[Professor Toffee]

I don't even think he's a good as Tony Grant.

Loved our Grantona

 

[mrb85]

The weak link was Gareth Barry mate, not Ross.

Agreed, which says something given how bad Barkley was. I suspect it was Klopp who raised Barry's number for the substitution.