Ross Barkley

[Goat]

The fact Barkley isn't singlehandedly dragging his team to trophies like Gerrard was at his age, or playing in an already world class team like Scholes

Trophies Gerrard had won at Barkleys age.

FA Cup: 2000–01
Football League Cup: 2000–01,[226] 2002–03

• UEFA Cup: 2000–01[231]
• UEFA Super Cup: 2001[232]

This wont go down well, but anybody who compares Barkley to Gerrard needs to seek help and fast.

 

[f.t.r.s]

The fact Barkley isn't singlehandedly dragging his team to trophies like Gerrard was at his age, or playing in an already world class team like Scholes

Gerrard didn't crack on until about 3 years later

 

[Lowste]

If we're all being honest with ourselves, comparing him to Lampard, Scholes and Gerrard at this point is sheer lunacy

And we put pressure on him that is unfair, being a local lad will always be more difficult to achieve as for some reason the criticism is always heightened.
We have a talent on our hands, let's encourage him....

 

[Toffeelover]

Barkley needs to look at his games and analyse them. He should be doing one hell of a lot better.

 

[LEONARD]

If anyone can sort out the enigma, that is Ross Barkley, it is our current manager.

 

[davek]

The fact Barkley isn't singlehandedly dragging his team to trophies like Gerrard was at his age, or playing in an already world class team like Scholes

Nope.

 

[davek]

If anyone can sort out the enigma, that is Ross Barkley, it is our current manager.

He better had. He's one of the best players in the country and leaving him on the bench is not an option.

 

[dublinbluenose]

He is in danger of becoming a Lee Trundle type. Lots of skill on the ball but just not good enough at this level.

I'm sure he won't but he is playing himself out of the starting XI

 

[Donald Twain]

In about 4 years I expect to see him in Altcourse !

 

[MikeH72]

He better had. He's one of the best players in the country and leaving him on the bench is not an option.

Why is it not an option if he's playing utterly crap? I think it is an option Mr K, don't be a silly billy.

 

[Goat]

Nope.

The suspense is killing me Dave, just give us the answer already.

 

[deipnosophist]

Amazing how the day after a 3-0 victory, our striker bags a hat trick, bolasie looks dangerous, gueye is magnificent, another clean sheet for a defence that was terribly leaky last 2 seasons and we are sitting 3rd in the league.

Yet this has been the most commented on thread of the day, the pressure some of you put on russ is unbelievible.
Yes he had a poor half, yes koeman did the right thing and yes he will prob be on the bench next game, but i would more say thats due to the attacking 4's performance 2nd half than anything. Just like when bolasie came in for geri, geri had to grab his next chance to get in the side and he did it yesterday.
Its 1 45 minutes in 5 games this season. Rest of the time he has probably been in our top 3 players, yet some of you say we should sell him or it spells trouble for him.
Calm down hey!

Hey you!...there's no place in here for cool-headed reasoning.
You are bang outta order

 

[davek]

The suspense is killing me Dave, just give us the answer already.

...quite obviously: the others were in way better teams who could cover for a couple of their brain farts whilst being left to get on with creating.

 

[davek]

Why is it not an option if he's playing utterly crap? I think it is an option Mr K, don't be a silly billy.

He's not playing utterly crap. He won us a point against the only real team we've had to play this season.

 

[Goat]

...quite obviously: the others were in way better teams who could cover for a couple of their brain farts whilst being left to get on with creating.

To be fair, none of the others were number 10s either, all number 8s in my humble view, a position that seems to have all but disappeared in the modern game.