Ross Barkley

[streeky]

I can't fathom any blue not loving him

It's Ross chuffing Barkley FFS!

Ross. The. BOSS!!!

I think it's the evertonians love him soooooo much Mikey. I think most fans are desperate for him to boss games they think he is poor when he quite clearly isn't. TOUGH LOVE

 

[blue61]

I just wish when running with ball to the edge of the box he'd shoot more, be more selfish.

Cross Hardly.

 

[Barnfred 55]

...I don't dislike the lad, he just frustrates me so much when I watch him. He is a very good footballer, most Premiership footballers are and he's clearly trying very hard to become the more rounded midfielder RK wants him to be but he was wasteful at Stoke (RK specifically mentioned this in his after match interview). He needs to cut that aspect of his game out, especially when we are under the cosh like we were at Stoke.

I responded to your previous post before I saw this mate.

I agree with @bicycleheader on this. I feel that, because Ross is such a talented player (and so important to us), generally fans expectations are that much higher and they judge him accordingly. In reality, even at 23, he is still very young to play this position and carry the level of expectation he does every time he runs on the pitch.

People tend to focus on the negatives, the inconsistency, work rate, tackling, decision making etc, and generally ignore anything positive he does in the game simply because that's "expected " of him.

Since last Spring Ross, on the whole, has had a pretty hard time. Most of this has been down to poor fitness and lack of confidence. RK has worked on both of these and we've also seen a significant improvement in his work rate, culminating in Saturday's game which, imo, was his most rounded performance in an Everton shirt to date.

Consistency will continue to be an issue with him though and hopefully this will come with maturity and experience, and also better players around him sharing the burden of expectancy. For me, if he simply becomes more consistent, I'll be delighted because we will have one of the best players in the premier on our hands. If he also improves the sides of his game that are lacking, then it will be very hard for us to keep hold of him, so careful what you wish for.

 

[blue61]

Consistency will continue to be an issue with him though and hopefully this will come with maturity and experience, and also better players around him sharing the burden of expectancy.

This is it in a nutshell, having more movement around him in recent weeks has seen a big upturn in his form. A further injection of quality into the team during the summer will help him become the real deal.

 

[mezzrow]

So then, where did Trump get this new meme? I have my suspicions...

 

[bicycleheader]

...I don't dislike the lad, he just frustrates me so much when I watch him. He is a very good footballer, most Premiership footballers are and he's clearly trying very hard to become the more rounded midfielder RK wants him to be but he was wasteful at Stoke (RK specifically mentioned this in his after match interview). He needs to cut that aspect of his game out, especially when we are under the cosh like we were at Stoke.

A very grudging compliment there Eggs, or at least it comes across like that.

He doesn't "need to" cut the poor or wasteful games out, although it would be nice if he did as then we would have a really great player. His general form/ability or whatever over his career with us is overall good enough for him to be a starter or sub for us.

 

[Eggs]

I responded to your previous post before I saw this mate.

I agree with @bicycleheader on this. I feel that, because Ross is such a talented player (and so important to us), generally fans expectations are that much higher and they judge him accordingly. In reality, even at 23, he is still very young to play this position and carry the level of expectation he does every time he runs on the pitch.

People tend to focus on the negatives, the inconsistency, work rate, tackling, decision making etc, and generally ignore anything positive he does in the game simply because that's "expected " of him.

Since last Spring Ross, on the whole, has had a pretty hard time. Most of this has been down to poor fitness and lack of confidence. RK has worked on both of these and we've also seen a significant improvement in his work rate, culminating in Saturday's game which, imo, was his most rounded performance in an Everton shirt to date.

Consistency will continue to be an issue with him though and hopefully this will come with maturity and experience, and also better players around him sharing the burden of expectancy. For me, if he simply becomes more consistent, I'll be delighted because we will have one of the best players in the premier on our hands. If he also improves the sides of his game that are lacking, then it will be very hard for us to keep hold of him, so careful what you wish for.

....his performances can be so polar, I'm sure I'm not alone in finding him a frustrating footballer. Indeed, I suspect Koeman can't make up his mind, although there is no doubt in my mind the lad is trying really hard to be the player his coach wants him to be.

Whilst I find some of his performances and aspects of his game frustrating, I sincerely want him to be a success.

 

[blue61]

A very grudging compliment there Eggs, or at least it comes across like that.

He doesn't "need to" cut the poor or wasteful games out, although it would be nice if he did as then we would have a really great player. His general form/ability or whatever over his career with us is overall good enough for him to be a starter or sub for us.

@Eggs would be a lot happier if Ross won us a few penalties no doubt

 

[Kiwi]

....his performances can be so polar, I'm sure I'm not alone in finding him a frustrating footballer. Indeed, I suspect Koeman can't make up his mind, although there is no doubt in my mind the lad is trying really hard to be the player his coach wants him to be.

Whilst I find some of his performances and aspects of his game frustrating, I sincerely want him to be a success.

Frustrating perhaps and sometimes polar in his performances, but that is the norm of a creative player. He is amongst the best in the league for chances created and assists, and his game has progressed clearly under Koeman to become more allrounded, and influence games even when things aren't coming off for him.
I feel that you are holding him up to unrealistic expectations Eggs, you've banged on about Alan Ball and how he was a world beater at 20, yet Alan Ball was a once in a generational talent and not every player reaches their peak at that young an age. Zidane didn't truly flourish into a world class player till he hit about 25, and that is but one example.

 

[Verbal Kint]

Ross is Boss.

I want a new bumper contract announced soon for him and Rom.

 

[Eggs]

A very grudging compliment there Eggs, or at least it comes across like that.

He doesn't "need to" cut the poor or wasteful games out, although it would be nice if he did as then we would have a really great player. His general form/ability or whatever over his career with us is overall good enough for him to be a starter or sub for us.

...I don't disagree, he's certainly good enough to be involved. When he plays well the team usually plays well. I have a view that Koeman is 'finding certain players out' but I think he's unsure about Barkley. Let's hope he puts a fabulous run of games together.

 

[Eggs]

Frustrating perhaps and sometimes polar in his performances, but that is the norm of a creative player. He is amongst the best in the league for chances created and assists, and his game has progressed clearly under Koeman to become more allrounded, and influence games even when things aren't coming off for him.
I feel that you are holding him up to unrealistic expectations Eggs, you've banged on about Alan Ball and how he was a world beater at 20, yet Alan Ball was a once in a generational talent and not every player reaches their peak at that young an age. Zidane didn't truly flourish into a world class player till he hit about 25, and that is but one example.

..fair point. I use the Ball example when folk bang on about him being too young but you are right that a comparison is unfair.

 

[bicycleheader]

...I don't disagree, he's certainly good enough to be involved. When he plays well the team usually plays well. I have a view that Koeman is 'finding certain players out' but I think he's unsure about Barkley. Let's hope he puts a fabulous run of games together.

He better be happy with him.

I'd lose Koeman in a second rather than lose Barkley

 

[bicycleheader]

Frustrating perhaps and sometimes polar in his performances, but that is the norm of a creative player. He is amongst the best in the league for chances created and assists, and his game has progressed clearly under Koeman to become more allrounded, and influence games even when things aren't coming off for him.
I feel that you are holding him up to unrealistic expectations Eggs, you've banged on about Alan Ball and how he was a world beater at 20, yet Alan Ball was a once in a generational talent and not every player reaches their peak at that young an age. Zidane didn't truly flourish into a world class player till he hit about 25, and that is but one example.

Zidane also had plenty of off days too even after establishing himself as a great. Watched him lots at Juve and Madrid.

Obviously they are nowhere near the same level but I agree with the context given. Some wildly over the top criticism of Barkley at times.

 

[Eggs]

He better be happy with him.

I'd lose Koeman in a second rather than lose Barkley

...whilst we all have our favourites, the club/team is undergoing significant change and RK has to do what he feels is best.