Ross Barkley

[Robboefc28]

No, we dont. Our best record in the PL; an FA Cup winner. If Koeman achieves that with us will you call him a loser?

Elite club managers when they identify and invest in a player tend to make sure they're more than encouraged. And they wont buy someone unless they have a specific task for them to do. If Barkley leaves for a United or City or Chelsea it'll be for a tailor made role and not having to be a jack of all trades. He's got what it takes. I'd go by the word of top class midfielders like Xavi and Lampard that he can make the step up.

even for yourself that is delusional.

 

[Barnfred 55]

First off, Koeman has proven himself neither a winner or loser yet.
Second (and again) this is not a questioning of the right of a manager to manage, just how he gets the message across and who to is the issue.
Third, yes, I agree that this may well be a case of Barkley being viewed as surplus to requirements and the softening up sale process is underway.

On that last point though: Koeman says he's a player who can fill the #10 role (personally I think he's wrong. He isn't blessed with the quick feet and thinking you need for that role), but he can also play one of the two CM places. He's right on that, so try him in there before letting rip. I'm not sure that Koeman really believes Barkley can do the role though. He's like most managers of non-elite clubs: he likes to go belt and braces with two that will get a foot in and/or screen the back four. Barkley cant do either, imo. He can play further back in a team that is so good everywhere else that they can afford to go with one out and out destroyer and leave the other CM to be there to mop up and drive forward with the ball.

So, basically, I think it boils down to this (in private or public) Koeman's message to Barkley is to adapt to the requirement of a non-elite club in that area of the park or it my be best if we sell you on to a team that can use your more specialised skills.

It's a good point you make there Dave. I don't think it applies to just non elite clubs either. Chelsea are having similar issues finding a regular spot for Fabregas too for the same reasons.

I'm hoping for two things with Koeman in this regard. Firstly, that his current preference to play holding MFs in ALL games is part of his drive to improve our defensive set up. He's on record as saying this, together with improving fitness levels, has been his priority. Once he's happy with this I hope he'll be a bit more adventurous in his midfield selection for home games against "lesser" opposition. I also hope that he will change his formation for different games as he did frequently at Southampton. I think he sees Ross as having the flexibility to play different roles and I expect to see him get plenty of game time unless his form drops consistently to the level he showed Monday night.

Whilst I think Ross can do well in the number 10 position, I think he's best suited to a midfield 3, with either 1 or 2 DMs behind him dependant upon the opposition.

 

[MartyMcFly]

Where would you play Ross tomorrow and at the expense of who?

I wouldn't. Too much focus is on him. He would be better of the bench. Let's be honest none of our forwards are particularly consistent so it's not like he will get an opportunity.

 

[ianefc]

I wouldn't. Too much focus is on him. He would be better of the bench. Let's be honest none of our forwards are particularly consistent so it's not like he will get an opportunity.

I'm split, 1 part of me thinks how can you say to any of the 3 who played behind Lukaku in the 2nd half on Monday that they've not done enough to keep their place? But on the other side there's not a player I want to succeed more than Ross and he's clearly a confidence player, him being dropped with be another tough hit followed by being subbed on Monday and missing out on England, all that won't do his confidence any favours. The other issue with Ross is that he rarely does anything coming off the bench so maybe he should be allowed to play himself into form.

 

[MartyMcFly]

I'm split, 1 part of me thinks how can you say to any of the 3 who played behind Lukaku in the 2nd half on Monday that they've not done enough to keep their place? But on the other side there's not a player I want to succeed more than Ross and he's clearly a confidence player, him being dropped with be another tough hit followed by being subbed on Monday and missing out on England, all that won't do his confidence any favours. The other issue with Ross is that he rarely does anything coming off the bench so maybe he should be allowed to play himself into form.

If he gets on and does well then that also helps his confidence

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

I'd start with the same squad we started against Sunderland with, with Del coming on in the 2nd half at some point once they start to tire, for one of Kev, Barkley or Bolasie depending on who is having the least impressive day at the office

 

[davek]

I think people are making the mistake of judging his progress based on the last 10 weeks of RMs reign, when practically all of the squad had stopped playing. He needs to be judged on his overall progress which I believe was significant. He had a great first year. The second year, whilst disappointing, was disrupted by injury but also teams were now aware of him and working to counter his strengths. He had to learn to cope with an overcome this. Think you'll see this with Dele Alli this season too. But last season he was excellent for 6 months and up there with Mahrez, Alli and Payet in my view. The same people are saying John Stones didn't improve under Martinez which is clearly silly. He was a 19 yo kid with no premier 1st team experience before RM got him.

The fact is, neither player had developed as much as we fans wanted. But that's a different argument in which you need to question our expectations against reality. Both of them play in positions that normally takes years to mature into.

Last season: 8 goals and 8 assists before the wheels fell off the team in the last two months. Not bad going.

 

[eddy]

No, we dont. Our best record in the PL; an FA Cup winner. If Koeman achieves that with us will you call him a loser?

Elite club managers when they identify and invest in a player tend to make sure they're more than encouraged. And they wont buy someone unless they have a specific task for them to do. If Barkley leaves for a United or City or Chelsea it'll be for a tailor made role and not having to be a jack of all trades. He's got what it takes. I'd go by the word of top class midfielders like Xavi and Lampard that he can make the step up.

The fa cup is won by a manager every year, Martinez didnt win it with us.

Agreed re our best ever points haul, however to then regress to our worst in history confirms beyond any doubt the fact Martinez is a huge loser

All Koeman has to do is finish above clown shoes 3 seasons on the bounce to ensure he is more successful than clown shoes

I believe this is a simple task for Koeman and the squad he has, I think Barklay will play a big part in it

 

[Ihaters]

We have a few absolute must start players, but I don't think he is one of them anymore.

 

[Connor]

Playing tomorrow.

*Taps nose.

 

[MartyMcFly]

Playing tomorrow.

*Taps nose.

Big call if so. I hope the Goodson Crowd gets behind him.

 

[Paul w]

I would play him only because I like him but I could understand him not getting picked on the strength of the second half performance at sunderland,also it would be hard on delafaou.

 

[Verbal Kint]

I want nothing more than Barkley to have an absolute stormer tommorrow, can't get the all the negativity surrounding him.

 

[Baileys Top Hat]

He doesn't deserve to be in the team right now. Play him against Norwich in the milk cup. Play our best team in the league.

 

[Goat]

Boss Barks.