Ross Barkley

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

Much improved yesterday. Think that can put anyone questioning Koeman's man-management skills firmly to bed. You know who you are.

lol

Conspicuous by his absence on this one....

Such an obvious agenda and highly amusing that Ross was both picked and played well yesterday, post the absolute drivel written about Koemans comments when asked about the issue on Thursday.

 

[Titus Bramble]

Played well yesterday, kept things simple early on and grew into the game. If you're into your stats, his pass completion was >90%, if you're into 'I base my opinion on what I see', he was strong, his touch was good, he ran at them and caused them issues and worked hard for the 90 minutes - which based on the last couple of seasons is a huge plus in itself.

Some on here do set the bar too high for him when you compare some people saying he played OK to a few sports writers giving him man of the match.

If yesterday was simply OK, I can't wait to see him have a good game

 

[Barnfred 55]

He's not a kid. There are many players who Ross is often compared to or mentioned in the same breath with who had done a whole lot more by the age Barkley is now. Granted, different players develop at different speed, but just putting things into context. Barkley should be be approaching the peak years of his career in the next 5 years, not still thought of as a young and upcoming player. If it's going to happen for our club, then we need Barkley to step up to the plate and become a man, not turn into another Anichebe.

I agree he's not a kid. He does have a lot of top level games under his belt not to forget the 22 caps he's already won. We do expect more consistency from him now and I don't think that's too unfair.

However the role we are asking him to play is very specialised and does carry a lot of responsibility for somebody of his age. Our offensive play revolves around him and he needs more support from other midfielders in that regard, and it's good to see him getting that from Gana.

Even great playmakers like Zidane etc don't really start dominating games and adding consistency until 24/25 and even older in some cases. Kevin De Bruyne is 25 and everyone thinks he's stepped up a level this year. So the lads doing OK. He's on track and under Koeman I do think we'll see some improvement under his management. Whether he'll become the world class player we all want him to be I have my doubts as I personally don't believe his decision making will improve sufficiently. But he's already a very good player now, and even a slight improvement and more consistency will help push us into a top 4 club.

As a matter of interest, who are these players he is being compared to who achieved so much more by this stage in their careers.? Gascoine was 23 when he burst on the scene in the 1990 world cup. Zidane was 24 at Euro 96 and hardly set the world alight. Scholes was 23 before he was given his opportunity at the 1998 world cup, as was David Beckham. Iniesta was 22 before he won his first cap, and Spain were no great shakes in those days. Neither Lampard or Gerrard started dominating games and scoring/assisting consistently until their mid twenties. These were/are all top notch midfielders and Ross is ahead of the game with all of them at age 22. If he turns out to be nearly as good as any of them I'll be happy.

 

[Barnfred 55]

Definitely his best performance of the season. He looked for the ball like he always does, but in our half when under pressure he played the simple pass which kept the ball moving, much like Gana does. When he wasn't under pressure he turned and looked to carry the ball at pace. He also seemed to be more involved in the pressing and chasing back then he has been for a while. He has obviously been listening to the advice he was given. A few more performances like that and his confidence will come flooding back. Just hope, when it does, he keeps making the simple passes when under pressure.

Gana was everywhere today and I frequently found myself laughing I was so happy with his contribution. But felt really sorry for Ross at one point. Gana was upfield out of position when I think it was Seamus who lost the ball. But they had a very dangerous break on. For once Ross was aware that Gana wasn't getting back so he sprints after him for what must have been 60 yards and manages to hold up the break. Their lad turns away from Ross, straight into Gana who, having trotted back into position, promptly wins back possession before being fouled. The whole ground erupts in honour of our new saviour, whilst Ross, who'd done all the hard work for a change, is practically puking up after his ling busting efforts and probably wondering what the f is going on. he still pulls Gana to his feet though. Favourite moment of the match for me

 

[SimonB]

Strange that world record purchase Paul Pogba is having a stinker of a start to the season and coming in for very little criticism yet Ross is having his every move scrutinised for one below par half.

 

[davek]

Strange that world record purchase Paul Pogba is having a stinker of a start to the season and coming in for very little criticism yet Ross is having his every move scrutinised for one below par half.

...tbf, that's because our manager chose to have it scrutinised.

 

[Connor]

Strange that world record purchase Paul Pogba is having a stinker of a start to the season and coming in for very little criticism yet Ross is having his every move scrutinised for one below par half.

One is English, one isn't.

 

[SimonB]

One is English, one isn't.

Yeah but the one who isn't English cost a world record fee, the English one cost nothing...

 

[Connor]

Yeah but the one who isn't English cost a world record fee, the English one cost nothing...

Sky and the likes aren't arsed, they've got the most expensive player in the 'best' league in the world. That's their narrative.

He could be Oumar Niasse and they'd buzz off that price tag.

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

Keeping it simple added up to a better all round performance.

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

Koeman is the perfect manager for him. He'll literally tell him how it us rather than telling him he's perfect like the previous manager.

Ross took Mondays subsitution and presser comments on board and there was a clear improvement in performance yesterday. He'll be sound our Russ.

Know what your saying, but under Martinez, Ross was unplayable at times, the first half of last season he was boss, think a loss of his form in the second half of the season was down to a confidence issue IMO, whenever he made a mistake the crowd were right on his case, it got to the point when the ball came to him he just wanted to get rid.

Koeman has had a word with Ross, because of that Ross kept it simple yesterday, and he had a really good game. The only worry could be that, as I say, Ross is a confidence player, and Koeman takes no crap, so if Ross goes through another bad spell, and is dropped by Koeman, it will be interesting to see Ross's reaction.

 

[SimonB]

The only worry could be that, as I say, Ross is a confidence player, and Koeman takes no crap, so if Ross goes through another bad spell, and is dropped by Koeman, it will be interesting to see Ross's reaction.

I'm sure if he does get dropped RK will tell him exactly why, and exactly what he needs to do to get back in the team. I think a straight talking manager who's achieved what RK has in the game is just what Ross needs to realise his potential.

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

I'm sure if he does get dropped RK will tell him exactly why, and exactly what he needs to do to get back in the team. I think a straight talking manager who's achieved what RK has in the game is just what Ross needs to realise his potential.

Think what Koeman achieved in the game as a player, and his stature in world football as a player could make Ross stand - up and take the criticism without it denting his confidence.

 

[Barnfred 55]

Know what your saying, but under Martinez, Ross was unplayable at times, the first half of last season he was boss, think a loss of his form in the second half of the season was down to a confidence issue IMO, whenever he made a mistake the crowd were right on his case, it got to the point when the ball came to him he just wanted to get rid.

Koeman has had a word with Ross, because of that Ross kept it simple yesterday, and he had a really good game. The only worry could be that, as I say, Ross is a confidence player, and Koeman takes no crap, so if Ross goes through another bad spell, and is dropped by Koeman, it will be interesting to see Ross's reaction.

If Ross can get back the form of the first 2/3 of last season I'll be very happy. If RK can get a bit more out of him and a little bit more consistency, well then

 

[ianefc]

...tbf, that's because our manager chose to have it scrutinised.

Yep and Pogba has got worse and worse yet Barkley was better yesterday. So who was right? Plus Mourinho hammered Mykitarian and Lindgard after their Derby, he then dropped them.

Why are you so incessant of posting with tinges on negativity when you never did that under Martinez?

After 3 draws at the start of 13/14 the 3rd of which was a 0-0 at Cardiff you said that Martinez had proved Evertonians wrong about his defensive capabilities, that's right 270 minutes in and no wins, you were searching for positives on Martinez yet with Koeman there always seems to be a negative caveat, why is that?