Ross Barkley

[Barnfred 55]

So Ross looked crap for 2 and a half years basically with a manager telling him to go out and play the game.

New manager comes in , clearly gives him a kick up the arse and even drops him and demands more and all of a sudden Ross reacts positively?

What is this witchcraft? I thought young players don't need support and development in the game. If only Deulofeu had koeman 2 years ago then maybe he wouod be the player we all know he can be. And obviously John stones would be better.

Think Geri would still have had a career here if he was prepared to buckle down and work his way into RKs plans. We all know he's a talent. Sadly thats not how his head works.

 

[Barnfred 55]

Some great signs from yesterday. He's on as sustained a run of form has we've seen in pretty much his whole career.

If he'd just rolled the ball square for Lukaku for the two shots he dragged wide, he'd have probably had 2 assists though. Having the awareness to pick up on those less obvious but still important opportunities to turn a half chance into a gilt-edged one is the difference between him and the approaching/world class players when he's playing like this.

Thought MOD might have done a piece on him he was that good. Dont think he even got a mention. Imagine if Dele Alli put in that performance.

 

[zzr45]

Starting to make me eat my words a bit. Looking that bit sharper, still hanging on to a ball that bit too long, but maybe the pressure of being the pulse of the team has been lifted with Davies' passing abilities.

 

[paulbefc]

Thought MOD might have done a piece on him he was that good. Dont think he even got a mention. Imagine if Dele Alli put in that performance.

I think it's great his upturn in form is going under the radar. I hope Alli keeps scoring, because Barkley really doesn't need that pressure.

 

[Timak]

Starting to make me eat my words a bit. Looking that bit sharper, still hanging on to a ball that bit too long, but maybe the pressure of being the pulse of the team has been lifted with Davies' passing abilities.

Would love to have seen him play with Arteta.

 

[hetion]

I think it's great his upturn in form is going under the radar. I hope Alli keeps scoring, because Barkley really doesn't need that pressure.

Same. As long as Koeman is keeping him on the right track I don't really want anyone else apart from us fans to notice.

 

[Osamabindiesel]

I think the mental part of his game will always be his weakness (he is an instinctive footballer rather than a cerebral footballer). You'd want to yell at him for not making the pass he should have made- but WOW he just split three defenders! He can do that frequently if he's in the mood.

Also, I think the group of lads we have in the team are happy and positive people, and that helps Ross in a way. He is an anxious footballer, and we don't need everyone giving him the business when he makes a mistake. He likes to take risks so mistakes will happen. Almost faultless yesterday.

 

[TomMcCann]

Hope we never see him play number 10 ever again.

 

[ToffeeTim]

Great to see him playing well in his best position. He's a midfielder, and a very good one.

 

[Yankfootball1]

Starting to make me eat my words a bit. Looking that bit sharper, still hanging on to a ball that bit too long, but maybe the pressure of being the pulse of the team has been lifted with Davies' passing abilities.

This to me is the area that I think is the biggest weakness of his game (and tackling but in his role it is less an issue - people use Scholes as an example all the time). He has a tendency to hold it almost like he takes a second or two to "think" about where he wants to go. I hope he continues to improve in this regard. When he does dwell it allows the defense to reorganize. Definitely been playing much better recently.

 

[strummer]

It's heartwarming seeing him come back to form after what he's been through. This system is perfect for him with two up front and insurance behind him. Keep it going Ross lad

 

[Connor]

Haters?

 

[Barnfred 55]

I think it's great his upturn in form is going under the radar. I hope Alli keeps scoring, because Barkley really doesn't need that pressure.

Personally I agree with you. And I'm also happy with him not playing for England, given the amount of expectation thrust upon him by the media and the unfair criticism that seems to follow him around.

But I believe Ross does take notice of things said about him, both positive and negative. I also think being dropped by England badly affected his confidence and was partly to blame for his poor form in the autumn. So positive comments in the press and getting back into the England set up will only benefit Ross imo.

Also let's be realistic here. If he keeps up this form there's zero chance of him staying under the radar for long.

 

[Doolstar70]

Need his contract situation sorting soon or he may have to be sold in the summer regardless of form.

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

Would love to have seen him play with Arteta.

Perv