Ross Barkley

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

If Ross scores us the winner in the Derby, I might show up at Finch Farm with a bucket of KFC for him

 

[Brennan]

I respect your opinion...just thought he was lively, determined, and actually got into the German box quite well. Baines has had, by his standards, a poor season...partly due to the change of system at Everton(a really top player would adapt), and he certainly had a poor game against Chile. He is certainly the equal, if not better than Cole in an attacking sense, but defensively Baines can be doubtful, and I suspect that in Rio, against the top teams, England will be doing a lot of defending.

Nonsense. As good a defender as Cole.

 

[Pabbers]

Only issue with Ross, is is decision making, and that will come with time and games.

Other than that, his touch was good, and he looks for the forward pass, something that Cleverley does not understand, at 24 years old, and over 100 senior games, and about 15 England caps.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

Yeah he's still young and sometimes he overthinks stuff. When he gets into the flow of just looking up and blasting it at the keeper, he'll be sexual chocolate

 

[ijjysmith]

He defo overthinks stuff doesn't he.

I'm sure with more game time he'll get a bit of arrogance and sometimes selfishness that will do him good.

 

[Steve Wigan]

Nonsense. As good a defender as Cole.

You're entitled to your opinion. Its all about opinions.

 

[arminisgod]

Nonsense. As good a defender as Cole.

He isn't. Not many full backs are

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

Nonsense. As good a defender as Cole.

He's not as solid a defender as Cole & never has been.

 

[Steve Wigan]

Only issue with Ross, is is decision making, and that will come with time and games.

Other than that, his touch was good, and he looks for the forward pass, something that Cleverley does not understand, at 24 years old, and over 100 senior games, and about 15 England caps.

I saw one great pass from Cleverley, to Townsend I think, but he is not consistent enough for Man Utd., never mind England. Barkley was certainly involved when he came on, but as you say, his decision making needs to improve. A couple of times he could have shot first time and become an instant hero.

 

[Pabbers]

Just looking at Cleverleys stats, he has only played for United 40 times, and has 15 England caps.

 

[Steve Wigan]

He's not as solid a defender as Cole & never has been.

...and this has been shown this season, when he has been asked to spend more time in a defensive position. When he was bombing down the wing with Distin cutting across to cover him, his average defensive ability was less obvious. Great player, would hate to see him go just yet, but lets be realistic.

 

[harry]

Barkley got in to positions in the hole between the midfield and attackers much better than any other central midfielder did throughout the game. I thought he did well, always made himself available for the ball in advanced areas. Not everything came off but there was very little movement around him so he had to keep hold of the ball for longer and at times was dispossessed. He could have had a couple of shots but was closed down really quickly.

 

[Brennan]

He's not as solid a defender as Cole & never has been.

The same Ashley Cole who was constantly caught out of position last night you mean.

Defensively is where most would presume Cole should triumph. However, again Baines trumps his rival across the board. Most surprisingly is the fact that Cole, revered by many wingers as one of the toughest opponents to beat in the game, was dribbled past 38 times last season. Once a game! Baines was only beaten 24 times.
Cole did make marginally more tackles over the season (16), but only won two out of three, whilst Baines was successful three out of four times. Amusingly, despite his diminutive frame of 170 cm, being the tenth smallest player to play in the Premier League last season, Baines somehow even won more in the air than Cole, who stands 6 cm taller.

http://eplindex.com/4085/leighton-baines-ashley-cole.html

All of the objective evidence suggests Baines is just as capable a defender as Cole is.

 

[Steve Wigan]

The same Ashley Cole who was constantly caught out of position last night you mean.



http://eplindex.com/4085/leighton-baines-ashley-cole.html

All of the objective evidence suggests Baines is just as capable a defender as Cole is.

All very well. But LAST SEASON, Baines was our key player...almost every attacking move came throgh baines...he was involved more than Cole because Cole had other players in the team who offered more than the other players at Everton. Baines carried Everton, and would therefore pass more than Cole etc. Baines would be 'dribbled past' less than Cole because for a large number of the oppositions attacks, baines would be getting back from upfield and Distin would be facing the opposing winger.

 

[Brennan]

All very well. But LAST SEASON, Baines was our key player...almost every attacking move came throgh baines...he was involved more than Cole because Cole had other players in the team who offered more than the other players at Everton. Baines carried Everton, and would therefore pass more than Cole etc. Baines would be 'dribbled past' less than Cole because for a large number of the oppositions attacks, baines would be getting back from upfield and Distin would be facing the opposing winger.

Those stats weren't from last season, they were from 2011. And Baines has only gotten better in all aspects of his game.