Ross Barkley

[bluestevon]

He's changed his tune a bit hasn't he?

At Christmas he was saying this:

"Sometimes he is struggling with defending his man because he is more watching the ball than his man. Okay, we tried to explain and to show him. Even if you play deeper in midfield it is important to do your defensive work in the team.”

I expect there's some reasonable explanation for the volte face like.

Or you could read what he said lately as a direct criticism of how often last season Barkley would be involved in pointless sideways and backwards passing, dropping deep to do so, all in order that we won the most possession trophy mate.

Ultimately though, words are words, judge what your seeing, if you reckon Barkley is neuteured and not a vastly improved player, then whose to argue, it's your opinion, whose to say your not right and pretty much every evertonian is wrong, well you and jermaine jenas I should say.

 

[gav1985]

Didn't realise the season had ended and Barkley was now unable to add to his stats....

 

[Duncan Disordely]

Last season Barkley scored only two goals and assisted one from December onwards.



Barkley is now playing like a much more complete midfielder. As well as being equally creative, I bet his tackling pressing and ball retention stats far outweigh last year.

 

[Barnfred 55]

He's changed his tune a bit hasn't he?

At Christmas he was saying this:

"Sometimes he is struggling with defending his man because he is more watching the ball than his man. Okay, we tried to explain and to show him. Even if you play deeper in midfield it is important to do your defensive work in the team.”

I expect there's some reasonable explanation for the volte face like.

You should be pleased mate. Maybe he's been logging into this forum and taking note of your criticism.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

Oh Dave.

I want to squeeze his cheeks, the little scamp

 

[Duncan Disordely]

Season totals:

Average per 90

 

[alwaysblue]

He's changed his tune a bit hasn't he?

At Christmas he was saying this:

"Sometimes he is struggling with defending his man because he is more watching the ball than his man. Okay, we tried to explain and to show him. Even if you play deeper in midfield it is important to do your defensive work in the team.”

I expect there's some reasonable explanation for the volte face like.

Every player has a defensive responsibility no matter how high up the field you play.

 

[tsubaki]

Chalk and cheese compared to the player he was last season. Playing for a good manager does that for players. You don't argue with Koeman. The squad is in awe of him. First time since Royle and Kendall we've had that.

I don't think it is that, or that he has developed into the "complete midfielder" or whatever. Barkley is playing a lot better now because he has been taken out of a role (central midfield) that didn't suit him, and put into a role (one of a forward three) that does.

 

[Barnfred 55]

Season totals:

View attachment 35256


Average per 90

View attachment 35257

Do you not think he's a bit down on successful dribbles

 

[Titus Bramble]

He's been very good for a long spell now

He's finally finding that consistency he needs to become a top player. Love him

 

[davek]

Or you could read what he said lately as a direct criticism of how often last season Barkley would be involved in pointless sideways and backwards passing, dropping deep to do so, all in order that we won the most possession trophy mate.

Ultimately though, words are words, judge what your seeing, if you reckon Barkley is neuteured and not a vastly improved player, then whose to argue, it's your opinion, whose to say your not right and pretty much every evertonian is wrong, well you and jermaine jenas I should say.

I do that. And he might get getting the thumbs up off idiot journalists who are briefed to write positive things about Koeman turning all he touches into gold but players in the game can see how his game has changed from the explosive one he had to this bits and pieces player we have now.

I suppose it's all down to preference really at the end of the day: you either like players capable of expressing themselves by getting on the ball and letting rip, or you prefer a more subdued use of those players to fit in with lesser talents around about them.

 

[davek]

Season totals:

View attachment 35256


Average per 90

View attachment 35257

Exactly.

 

[davek]

He's been very good for a long spell now

He's finally finding that consistency he needs to become a top player. Love him

Imo, Koeman is beginning to turn Barkley into an identikit player. He's been handed a rough diamond in Ross Barkley and handed us back a piece of polished glass instead.

No doubt that no mark Southgate will bend to the demands of the media and allow Barkley redux into his drab England set up and a legion of people will be crowing about it being his career put back on track through greater discipline yada yada yada.

 

[LABlue2]

Season totals:

View attachment 35256


Average per 90

View attachment 35257

Listen mate I don't give a flying monkeys about chances created or assists per 90 minutes

Fat head central defender Ron has never done a successful take on in his life

 

[davek]

Every player has a defensive responsibility no matter how high up the field you play.

No mate. The new directive is: "I don’t need Ross on the halfway line having eight touches on the ball, we have enough players behind the ball."