Ross Barkley

[Neiler]

Yep.

You gonna get rid of that just to compensate Barkley at the moment? No. But there will be a time for it.

It would be different if we were say in Fulhams position mate and nestlled somewhere in the top 10, but we're still competitive fort he CL and defo the Europa. Doesnt make sense with 5 games to go barring injury, considering the rytham and run we're in.

 

[Librarian]

Fact is that we need something fresh and different. The transfer window didn't provide it and our players and approach started to look tired. The formation changes and surprise inclusion of Barkley gives the opposition something else to think about.

 

[Tubey]

Moyes is right and wrong here. He's right in keeping him grounded and making sure he works on his game, but he doesn't need to be so vicious about it.

He's wrong in how he's saying it though. He's basically saying that no matter how well Ross plays, Osman will play when fit, which is the wrong message to send out to a young player. Players should be selected on performance, and there's no reason whatsoever for Leon Osman to come straight back into the first team right now, because he's been lacklustre lately and Ross has just put it a great performance against a top side.

He should have said something like "the lad put in a great shift against a top side, he has a way to go before he cements a first team place but he's doing the right things - it's up to him to carry on doing those things and giving me selection headaches".

 

[Neiler]

Fact is that we need something fresh and different. The transfer window didn't provide it and our players and approach started to look tired. The formation changes and surprise inclusion of Barkley gives the opposition something else to think about.

Do we? Why? We're unbeaten in 7 and our last defeat was against Utd - which came of the back of another great run in the league.

Everyone agrees that Ross is quality, the debate is just about timing really. It doesnt make sense to me to play him regularly now with 5 games to go, be different if we were getting spanked every week - but we're not.

 

[Allezfan]

Do we? Why? We're unbeaten in 7 and our last defeat was against Utd - which came of the back of another great run in the league.

Everyone agrees that Ross is quality, the debate is just about timing really. It doesnt make sense to me to play him regularly now with 5 games to go, be different if we were getting spanked every week - but we're not.

We haven't won an away game since newcastle.

 

[Tubey]

Do we? Why? We're unbeaten in 7 and our last defeat was against Utd - which came of the back of another great run in the league.

Everyone agrees that Ross is quality, the debate is just about timing really. It doesnt make sense to me to play him regularly now with 5 games to go, be different if we were getting spanked every week - but we're not.

What is Osman doing lately that Ross isn't?

Oh, to be clear, I actually like Osman as a player, but he hasn't played well since his first England cap.

 

[davek]

Fact is that we need something fresh and different. The transfer window didn't provide it and our players and approach started to look tired. The formation changes and surprise inclusion of Barkley gives the opposition something else to think about.

Exactly. Leroy Fer didn't arrive; what did Moyes do - sends Barkley out on loan again.

If Barkley is that raw why has he thrown him into the lions den of WHL and the Emirates in two high profile games of late? His judgement on when and where to start him seems arbitrary to me.

Moyes comes out all the time with nonsensical stuff and this is one of those times. He's just a drab and uninspiring manager for players coming through. We've probably got a couple more who could do it in the first team and are being kept out by his faivouring of the arl arses.

 

[Goat]

Moyes knows best.

Pipe down.

 

[Neiler]

We haven't won an away game since newcastle.

TBF though you have Spurs, Utd, Arsenal in there.

 

[davek]

Moyes knows best.

Pipe down.

 

[Goat]

Dave??

 

[Neiler]

What is Osman doing lately that Ross isn't?

Oh, to be clear, I actually like Osman as a player, but he hasn't played well since his first England cap.

Its not a like for like for me Ossie plays deeper, allowing Mofro to play in the hole. Ross played in the hole Vs Arsenal and Mofro went deeper. It means significantly changing our system with 5 games to go. Wouldnt necessarily agree with your Ossie assessment either, hes been great for the majority of the season admittedly hes looked jaded in the last 3 -4 games.

 

[Allezfan]

TBF though you have Spurs, Utd, Arsenal in there.

And Norwich and Southampton.

 

[Neiler]

And Norwich and Southampton.

Southampton are in great from, teams higher then us in table have also got turned over at Norwich this year. Lost two out of six, if your glass is half full.

 

[Tubey]

Its not a like for like for me Ossie plays deeper, allowing Mofro to play in the hole. Ross played in the hole Vs Arsenal and Mofro went deeper. It means significantly changing our system with 5 games to go. Wouldnt necessarily agree with your Ossie assessment either, hes been great for the majority of the season admittedly hes looked jaded in the last 3 -4 games.

Meh. I'd rather play Fellaini in his proper position. I have too many bad memories of Osman/Neville so as to appreciate the value of a world class holding midfielder.

Same with Osman actually, he's an attacking midfielder by trade. We put too many square pegs in round holes. Whenever we play Fellaini up front we play the long ball as soon as we run out of ideas.

I just don't see the harm in keeping things tight with Fellaini deep today and having Barkley in the hole as the X-factor to catch Sunderland out. They're the home side, they'll be prone to movement and skill on the counter, and with Barkley, Mirallas and Pienaar running at them they'll cack themselves.