Ross Barkley

[Black Belt Jones]

Give your heads a shake ! Last night was not just his fault at all. He would be towards the end of my boot out of the club list.

It certainly wasn't his fault, at all - but we need our good players to be good. Otherwise they're not good players. Sorry for the truism but it's that simple. No one would pin last night on Aaron Lennon, for example, for having his usual Caspar the friendly ghost game on the sidelines - that's just him making his usual peripheral contribution. So obv we need more out of Ross because he's capable of so much more - I think he put a big shift in myself but I completely get why people are steaming that he couldn't make things work.

 

[bluestevon]

We're a shell of what we were 4 years ago, we really are

Technically, some of the players we have now are "better" than the ones we had in Moyes last season, but deary me did those players in Moyes last season have so much more grit and determination

And the crazy thing is, we used to complain about our their attitudes, but they'd wipe the floor with this current lot in a psychological battle

Couldn't agree more mate, biggest task now is finding out which ones are redeemable and which ones are lost causes...

 

[hktoffee]

Are we signing this Russian AM to take his place? I am not convinced by him in particular he went backwards in the last 2 years. His decision making is not good enough.

 

[Eggsyblueskin]

We're a shell of what we were 4 years ago, we really are

Technically, some of the players we have now are "better" than the ones we had in Moyes last season, but deary me did those players in Moyes last season have so much more grit and determination

And the crazy thing is, we used to complain about our their attitudes, but they'd wipe the floor with this current lot in a psychological battle

With hindsight as Moyes's squad aged, Martinez replaced them with largely poor players . He lacked Moyes ability in the transfer market and we're now paying the price.

 

[flibbyflob]

I would hate to see him sign for Spurs and then develop into the player we all thought he would be.

We said that about Stones to City and look at him now.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

With hindsight as Moyes's squad aged, Martinez replaced them with largely poor players . He lacked Moyes ability in the transfer market and we're now paying the price.

I agree to an extent

I think ultimately Martinez just got these players into a slump and the new manager effect has now worn off and they're right back into the slump again

Quite a few need to be axed, but they can't all go at once

Ross is one of the few I wouldn't cull, because I think can be better than he is in the right environment

It's just about creating that environment

 

[Thomasc]

I agree to an extent

I think ultimately Martinez just got these players into a slump and the new manager effect has now worn off and they're right back into the slump again

Quite a few need to be axed, but they can't all go at once

Ross is one of the few I wouldn't cull, because I think can be better than he is in the right environment

It's just about creating that environment

I still want to agree with this, but I just don't see where he fits into a team.

 

[Dirty Dutch]

If he goes to spurs he would never be in their first 11. If we can get around 30mil we'll be stupid to say no. For next year we need a new number 10, new striker and new wingers. Players with brains, vision and Technique. I'm sick of watching those brainless players without any football intelligence.

 

[demo84]

he needs to start deeper in a midfield 3 and run with the ball and take on people or run into space/late runs into box (lampard style). he doesnt have the creative or mental capacity to play as a number 10

He doesnt have the mental capacity to play anywhere in the midfield. He cannot do the basics and is always choosing the wrong option.

Playing him closer to our box will mean us losing the ball near our goal and would be a huge liability

 

[Eggs]

...Henderson managed him easily last night, it was man v boy. He needed to hurt the Reds with his ability not in that dreadful challenge, he ended up kicking Henderson when it should've been the other way around. When we needed some relief from the pressure late on he underhit a free kick to Coleman and then smashed his cross high into Gwladys St. That epitomised a very poor performance.

I can't see Spurs wanting him, I heard Crystal Palace are interested but who knows.

 

[jaycee]

...Henderson managed him easily last night, it was man v boy. He needed to hurt the Reds with his ability not in that dreadful challenge, he ended up kicking Henderson when it should've been the other way around. When we needed some relief from the pressure late on he underhit a free kick to Coleman and then smashed his cross high into Gwladys St. That epitomised a very poor performance.

I can't see Spurs wanting him, I heard Crystal Palace are interested but who knows.

What do you think it is with him Eggs? Its plain to see he has the skill to make an impression on the game,is it a mental strength problem or a lack of football intelligence?

 

[Stan Lee Park]

Barkley would blossom if he was surrounded by better players. He's the best passer of a ball we have - arguably the only one. We either get those better players in or sell Ross to a better team and think what might have been.
Over to you Mr Moshiri and Mr Koeman.

 

[Dirty Dutch]

What do you think it is with him Eggs? Its plain to see he has the skill to make an impression on the game,is it a mental strength problem or a lack of football intelligence?

Both

 

[Eggs]

What do you think it is with him Eggs? Its plain to see he has the skill to make an impression on the game,is it a mental strength problem or a lack of football intelligence?

...I don't like to be unkind to the boy but he isn't smart. Rooney might never be on University challenge but he's a smart footballer and has matured into reasonably well rounded bloke. Yes, he's talented but most top flight professionals are talented. It's about talent and application and his combination of those factors does not make him the consistently brilliant footballer some on here think he is.

To a certain extent, perhaps he's been found out under Koeman because he demands more from individuals than his predecessor. Martinez might have mollycoddled him by giving him little or no responsibility. We see fleeting brilliance but he doesn't positively impact games on a week by week basis. I doubt he ever will.

 

[everton2004]

I've come to the conclusion that Barkley needs a move to save his career. His head is just not in it. His decision making last night was terrible - you could almost see an egg timer appear above his head whenever he received the ball - after which he would then either give it away or have the ball taken off him. This is not the same player we were all drooling over all them years ago. It's all in his head and I don't think he will rediscover his true form at Everton with the pressure he is put under at Goodison. Never thought I would ever say that about Barkley but the truth is glaringly obvious - he's a pale shadow of the player he was.