Ross Barkley

Prevenger17 · December 20, 2016

everton2004 said:
he's a pale shadow of the player he was.

I would say a pale shadow of the player he threatened to be, but point taken. I would also advocate a move for Ross

jaycee · December 20, 2016

Eggs said:
...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.

Seems to me that if he has to think he loses that bit of magic when he does it instinctively such as the Newcastle goal then you see what he possesses,unfortunately I doubt he will ever reach the heights that was expected of him

Smudge1985 · December 20, 2016

A class player is one who you can count on one hand how many bad games he has a season. You can count Barkley's good games in the last 3 years on one hand. Nowhere near the player anybody thought he would be, and Id bin him off now before any potential buyers realise he's nothing like a £30 million player. A lazy entitled little turd who thinks smashing into Henderson is enough effort for one night. A raging liability who needs to be the first among many out the door as soon as possible.

Who's_up_for_cumpkins? · December 20, 2016

Think this needs a poll - keep or bin? Starting to veer more and more towards bin. As has been said ad nauseum the lad appears to be thick in a footballing sense and lacks heart.

Abraders · December 20, 2016

His tackle last night was awful. Very lucky to not be sent off...

BlueToff · December 20, 2016

Abraders said:
His tackle last night was awful. Very lucky to not be sent off...

It was a derby challenge.

Had Hendo or Stevie G laa done it, they'd be praised to the hilt by the media.

Not nice to see, lucky not to get a red, but got a booking. It happens. No where near as bad as Rojo's.

squonk · December 20, 2016

he seemed to be trying the right things last night but none of them came off alas. caught in possession too many times. needs to sort his head out or he's not going to be the player he promised to be.

streeky · December 20, 2016

Abraders said:
His tackle last night was awful. Very lucky to not be sent off...

Cowards tackle, like mirallas, 2 peas in a pod with regards tackling. I don't think he let anyone down yesterday, if we had got a draw the vibe would have still been positive. game was lost when barry came on, don't want to blame anyone else in particular.

Joey66 · December 20, 2016

Abraders said:
His tackle last night was awful. Very lucky to not be sent off...

At least he had sweat on his shirt as soon as Barry came on our midfield disintegrated!
Pure frustration of having to do barrys running with the help of ghana out two man midfield while barr dobin the donkey tried to run!

Jacko93 · December 20, 2016

streeky said:
Cowards tackle, like mirallas, 2 peas in a pod with regards tackling. I don't think he let anyone down yesterday, if we had got a draw the vibe would have still been positive. game was lost when barry came on, don't want to blame anyone else in particular.

Was more a challenge of somebody desperate to atone for a mistake. He had been roundly booed moments earlier for pulling out of a challenge on Klavan, which could have been much worse, so tried to appease the boo boys but was massively late. Bad challenge, probably deserved a red.

Milk · December 20, 2016

As a diehard blue, I should be fearing Ross being sold but I think it would be the best solution for everyone. We get a bit of cash to splash & he gets a fresh start away from the goldfish bowl.

Saint Domingo · December 20, 2016

Seems to have lost that physical edge he used to have (remember him bouncing three Norwich players off him a la a young Rooney in Martinez's first game). Mentally and physically he looks half a yard off the pace required to play at this level now. Not sure what the answer is for him any more. Just keeping possession seems to be a challenge and those days of running past multiple players seem to be long gone.

Eggs · December 20, 2016

Stan Lee Park said:
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.

...I'm not sure a 'better team' will want him. £30m is being touted, I'm not aware of any top coaches wanting him for many years.

zzr45 · December 20, 2016

Jacko93 said:
Was more a challenge of somebody desperate to atone for a mistake. He had been roundly booed moments earlier for pulling out of a challenge on Klavan, which could have been much worse, so tried to appease the boo boys but was massively late. Bad challenge, probably deserved a red.

Ahh it's the fans fault then? Get off. It was a petulant almost childish challenge from someone who can't hack the mental challenge of Premiership football.