Ross Barkley

Durham Toffee · April 5, 2017

nsnojosh said:
Shut up, Osman.

Osman didn't kick on.

Ever.

He just remained at a mediocre and barely acceptable average for around 15 years.

I'm not being nasty, but people in glass houses, Leon...

mccole · April 5, 2017

He played 100% better then Saturday but I needs more options upfront because Lukaku makes the worst runs for a striker.

He has also forgotten how to shoot. Can't remember the last shot he had.

Eggs · April 5, 2017

....we had some good 'situations' last night but he wasn't able to exploit them. If he had we'd have won the game.

Pabbers · April 5, 2017

He was frustrating at times, im starting to question his relationship with Lukaku!

Eggs · April 5, 2017

mccole said:
He played 100% better then Saturday but I needs more options upfront because Lukaku makes the worst runs for a striker.

He has also forgotten how to shoot. Can't remember the last shot he had.

....I though Lukaku played on the shoulder of the CB well. The right pass and he wouldn't have been caught. There was once in the 2nd half he made a great run down the right side channel but Barkley failed to get his head up and deliver the pass.

Lukaku had the beating of the CBs if the right pass was played in behind, especially in the 2nd half when they defended on the half way line.

TheFinnFan · April 5, 2017

This game was crossroads for him. He either learns from it and develops or never full fill his true potential. Gutless.

Lanolin · April 5, 2017

Thought he played pretty well last night actually, surprised he's taken some stick. He wasn't perfect but I thought it was a composed, energetic performance and if he'd stayed on we'd have won the game.

Parky · April 5, 2017

Selfish or stupid, probably both.

If he could just have a brain about him and pick that damn pass.

Tubey · April 5, 2017

Lanolin said:
Thought he played pretty well last night actually, surprised he's taken some stick. He wasn't perfect but I thought it was a composed, energetic performance and if he'd stayed on we'd have won the game.

It's Ross Barkley. For some reason, logic and reason flies out the window when talking about him.

As you say, he was fine, but people will continue to say he "can't pick a pass" (despite doing so regularly) and "is braindead" (despite moving the ball well and finding space consistently) because that's the narrative.

Bally8 · April 5, 2017

He needs a moment where he wins a big game on his own a defining moment.

BlueToff · April 5, 2017

mccole said:
He played 100% better then Saturday but I needs more options upfront because Lukaku makes the worst runs for a striker.

He has also forgotten how to shoot. Can't remember the last shot he had.

One moment last night summed up what Ross lacks now that he first had for me, as much as he's improved in all areas this season.

He drove forward from deep in a really similar way to that goal he scored against Newcastle. He was up against Rojo and definitely had the pace to beat him but, for some reason, checked his run and the whole move broke down.

BlueToff · April 5, 2017

Bally8 said:
He needs a moment where he wins a big game on his own a defining moment.

I refer you to my post above.

Not that he was guaranteed to go and score a length-of-the-field goal, like, but he had the chance to really force the issue and create something. He bottled it, and we know he's better than that.

BlueToff · April 5, 2017

Lanolin said:
Thought he played pretty well last night actually, surprised he's taken some stick. He wasn't perfect but I thought it was a composed, energetic performance and if he'd stayed on we'd have won the game.

Thought he played well but no mate, he was knackered. As in, he couldn't really sprint.

It was definitely right to take him off, but DCL coming on was a mistake. Valencia offers more pace and more experience and should have been the one coming on.

RFUS · April 5, 2017

Thought he was having a good game to be honest. We missed him when he was subbed off.

Wasn't an easy game for any of our advanced players as they had little support and I think they defended well. Bailly in particular was very impressive.